3/5 Stars

This unfortunately not my favorite book by Denise Williams. I will start by saying that usually, any book that involves apps or technology as part of its plot I tend to not enjoy, so this very well could just be an issue with personal preference. I also didn't love the romance between Peard and Cord. I just felt like the chemistry lacked and I didn't feel invested in their romance. On a positive note, I did enjoy the writing. So with that, I will continue to pick up other Denise Williams books, knowing that I've loved her previous works. Overall it was just an average read for me and would recommend it sounds interesting to give it a read.

Pearl Harris steps up as interim director of OurCode after a scandal shakes up the nonprofit’s leadership. She can’t afford a single step out of place, like falling for the newest board member. Cord Matthews hasn’t had a real relationship since he parted ways with Pearl 11 years ago. Now that she’s back in his life at OurCode, he finds himself ready to give true love a chance. Their relationship is risky, but their chemistry is off the charts. Williams guides her characters to a happy ending while exposing the pitfalls of half-hearted diversity initiatives in the nonprofit world and offering a vision for real progress.

I knew this would be a three star review about a third into the story. I just didn't connect with the characters or their story. It didn't have enough emotional heft for me. Pearl's self-sabotage was frustrating. Cord really didn't resonate. Her sisters were straight up annoying.

This was just okay for me.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Denise Williams never disappoints me. Technically Yours is the first book I've read in quite a few months as life's tragedies always want to pile up in 3s. What a loving way to fall back into love with love.

I have to admit this book did not hook me immediately as it began with a flashback that I just had no investment in. Knowing that this was Denise Willams I read on and it only took another chapter to have me back into that nice reading flow again. This story is told from a dual point of view so we get glimpses into thoughts of both our leading lady and our hopeful hero. As with other Williams books I was just as invested in supporting characters as I was with the leads. Willams has such a way with her characters that I want to know everything about all the other's worlds too. I'm all ready to read about the lives of the sisters too (fingers crossed).

This is a he falls first, second chance at an earlier almost romance. We get moments of secret admiration, close encounters to build tension and some explosive release. Main characters include strong black women, successful women, competitive yet supportive women, as well as women in STEM, women who know how to set boundaries and women who advocate for themselves. There are also transgender characters that are just characters. Dealt with in a natural way with they/them pronouns that flow as easily as she/her and he/him. Kudos for the inclusivity!

My heart always feels full after reading a Denise Williams book. She makes me feel like I'm submersed in friendship and family and when the story ends I miss these characters. Technically Yours is another winner for me.

I'm grateful to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an advance ebook copy of this book. This review is my honest opinion of this book and I am sharing it here voluntarily.

Denise Williams is one of my favorite romance authors but this one is definitely not one of my favorites. While it was great and heartwarming with lots of steam, I did find some of the two main characters' action questionable and at times problematic. That said, I did enjoy the story and that epilogue nearly had me crying.

My favorite part and honestly the most memorable thing about this book was Cord and Pearl's nephew, Tye. A few months after reading this one and not much stuck with me. This wasn't a bad book because Denise Williams is great, but this one lacked some of the charm I felt in her previous novels. Maybe it was the work relationship and the fact that it felt like this could cause such blowback at any moment, it kept me from getting lost in the love.

3.5⭐, 2.5🌶️

A second-chance, workplace romance? I was so excited for this! While the story itelf was interesting, I just didnt find myself falling in love with either of the main characters so wasnt a book I was in love with. Now while this may not have been my favorite Denise book, thats a rareity because I typically LOVE THEM! This just wasnt as impactful of a book for me as say...How to Fail at Flirting of Fastest Way to Fall

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an eARC of Technically Yours by Denise Williams.

Unfortunately this book doesn’t even compare to the author’s first two novels. I found myself bored and just really not caring about either of the main characters. Disappointed.

I thoroughly enjoyed this second chance romance set in the tech and nonprofit worlds. The characters were great and I became totally invested in their relationship and in the outcome of their attempt to save the business.

The switch of POV was sometimes confusing, but that might because I listened to the audiobook. Although I don't often have that issue, so who knows. Other than that, I liked the plot, but found myself tired of the way the FMC was reacting all the time. I understand the need to be yourself, to be in control of your life, to not *need* a man to survive, to save you, but I got tired of the way it was too much. How she reacted when he said things that were clearly meant to be nice. It's okay to be loved and feel safe in someone's arms. It's okay to have someone to be there for you even though you can function properly on your own.
And I understand that that was her "flaw" she had to get over, but it got really annoying.
Otherwise I thought the love interest was adorable and Thai is the sweetest kid in the world. (Not sure how to type their name since I listened to the audiobook)

I don't usually like second chance romances but this one really pulled at my heartstrings. I kept feeling pangs in my heart and butterflies while reading. I love a book with the MMC pining! I liked that the book slowly revealed Pearl and Cord's backstory and we get to see their previous relationship develop over the years. I also really liked Pearl's family dynamic. I do think the repeated kind of inappropriate work relationships in the past (was more inappropriate in the past) and in the present takes it down to a 4 star for me. I have noticed a theme in Denise Williams' novels and novellas is the relationship coming out of the workplace, but this one was the only one that had a boss/junior employee dynamic (in the past). This is my third Denise Williams novel (not counting her novellas I read) and my second favorite book of hers after Fastest Way to Fall.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Romance for the eARC! Technically Yours is a STEM/workplace romance featuring dual POV and past & present timelines. With a fun cast of characters (Pearl’s sisters and her sister’s child: Tye were standouts) and great chemistry between the two leads, Pearl and Cord, this was a fun romance! I especially loved OurCode, the company both characters were a part of, and its mission to empower underrepresented youth to pursue tech careers.

I will say that I’m not the biggest fan of workplace romances and didn’t love the present day set up for the main characters’ relationship. Additionally, there was so much miscommunication that I was getting frustrated, but I think it was part of the two MCs growth, so I’ll let it slide.

If you love steamy workplace romance, past & present timelines and multiple POVs then you’ll love this!

You can always count on Denise Williams for a solid romance, and this one hit some high notes for me but overall was not my favorite of her works.

While I thought the dual POV was incredibly important and useful tactic for storytelling, the changing timelines fell flat and were often a bit confusing while never actually endearing me to our main characters.

I loved the diverse cast of queer characters, the ongoing themes and discussions around what “equity and inclusion” actually look like and how they feel for Black women.

As a longtime nonprofit employee, I thought Pearl’s arc would be of particular interest to me, but ultimately found that the book was missing some critical self reflection points from her around how she herself was contributing to creating a toxic work environment for others. Nonprofits are currently going through a huge reckoning around burnout, work life balance, equitable fundraising, and so much more. I feel like it was a missed opportunity for this book.

Ultimately, I had a good time reading this book but I wasn’t invested in Pearl and Cord, which is a bummer.

Thank you to Denise for providing this arc in her newsletter.

It took me a long time to read this one. The timeline and flashbacks made the story flow stop and go. The pacing made me not care for the characters, their relationship, or their conflicts too much. Just talk to each other! Miscommunication too far!

Denise William has had me hooked since I first read The Fastest Way to Fall and I was so excited for this second chance from her. As much as I wanted to love this one I did just feel like the chemistry was not all the way there. Still cannot recommend her catalogue enough and am looking forward to what she comes up with next.

2⭐️ 2🌶️

It took me so long to finish this and that just shows how hard I was struggling to give it a chance. I will say, if it wasn’t because I did it in audio, I would have DNFd it.

The writing was not my favorite. I found the characters lacked real chemistry and the plot was just moving along a little too slow for me. I needed something more to be completely hooked.

I panicked with the unexpected pregnancy and the massive communication that started happening in the spam of seconds. Like girl I get it that this is a change and unexpected and you were freaking out but Jesus let the nervous and scared man speak and get his thoughts out before freaking tf out and speaking for him. Pearl was just annoying a lot. She was a grown child with the immaturity level still very high. Jesus Christ. I was close to DNFing at 85% but alas Joe Arden was doing such a good job with the narration and I love him.

I liked that it was going back and forth between past and present. I love the diversity in the book and the use of they/them pronouns. If I had the study motivation she had… I would have done soooooo good in college 🥵🥵 This man was so freaking hot!! But I think he deserved better than the FMC and how she treated him.

Pearl and Cord haven't seen each other since she turned him down 5 years ago when she left his company in Chicago and took a job in California. They haven't forgotten about each other, though, and when Pearl moves back home and sees Cord at her nonprofit's gala, the sparks fly again. The last time she turned him down it was because he was her boss, there's no such conflict this time, but he has accepted a position on the Board for her company, so the stakes might be higher than they were previously.

The chemistry between Cord and Peal is spectacular, but there's so much additional depth to this story. There are nuanced characters (two of whom are non-binary and it's just natural and beautiful the way that they're introduced) and sharp critiques of how women in the workplace are treated (particularly women of color). I found this story inspiring, moving, and so much fun to read.

Denise Williams is a wonderful author and her books are so well written and easy to read. I can't wait to see what future books she writes.

Denise Williams is one of my auto-buy authors, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read Technically Yours. If you’re a fan of second chance romances or workplace romances, this one is for you!

Pearl Harris and Cord Matthews first met seven years ago, but work and life got in the way of their romance. Now, Pearl and Cord are thrust back into each other’s lives and have to navigate having a romantic relationship while maintaining their professional relationship.

I instantly loved Pearl and Cord and how realistic they felt. Peach, Cord’s cat, was a great addition to the story. I’m a sucker for male characters who dote on their pets. It was also great so see so much non-binary representation in a mainstream romcom.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Second chance romance , work place. Overall a cute story however I will attempt to reread later. I kept putting the book down it wasn’t holding my interest