I first met Pearl and Cord in The Fastest Way to Fall. Fast forward several years, and we have a sort of second chance romance. There was definitely a spark and connection when they worked together, but it didn't go anywhere. Cord is determined that won't be the case now that they are back in the same city. Pearl is helping run a non-profit, OurCode, designed to help youth get into coding, and Cord is a newly recruited board member, so they are thrown into each other's orbit.

Cord is all in and Pearl is still ultra-cautious. Even though they're not technically working together, there still is an aspect of a forbidden romance. And Pearl has a history that she needs to process before she's ready for a relationship. There are some great side characters (friends and family) and discussion about bias in the tech and philanthropy realms. I enjoyed the story and the slow progression of the relationship. I'm hoping for more stories in this world.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy. All opinions are my own.

I love Denise Williams, she does not miss and I wish she was more mainstream. Her books have so much more devleopment (plot and character) than several other more mainstream authors. I really felt like I was immersed in this book and invested in the the characters due to the amazing character devleopment.

Pearl and Cord are brought back together five years after she walked away from him and moved to California. She moves back to Chicago, and he joins her employer’s board of directors after a member leaves due to a scandal.

There’s forced proximity, camping, STEM, and second chance romance… which usually work for me, but this book unfortunately felt lackluster.

I didn’t love the focus on how Pearl and Cord didn’t kindle a romance five years ago due to a power dynamic only to have him still in a position of power over her in present day. Even though she was driving the romantic encounters, it just didn’t work for me.

I did really like the dual timeline to “show not tell” scenes from their past and lend believability to their attention. I also really liked the STEM aspect of the story and the subplot involving mentorship. There’s also a cat, which always wins points from me.

Thank you to @berkleyromance for an eARC. I will definitely try another Denise Williams book in the future, because I loved her writing style and storytelling ability.

Thanks Berkley for this ARC! Super cute RomCom about the one who got away. I love second chance romances and Denise Williams did a great job in giving us that angst we all know and love. It's a fast paced, binge read. I was able to listen to the audiobook of this and it was a very easy listen. I really enjoyed it!

Thank you so much for an advanced copy of this book!

Denise Williams is one of my favorite authors, and I LOVE that she takes us back to characters from The Faster Way to Fall in this book!

I was HOOKED from the first page of this book. Denise writes characters that pull me in and make me root for them, and I rooted for Cord and Pearl in a way I haven't quite rooted for her previous characters (although, I LOVE them too). The romance, the longing, the pining...all of those feelings wrapped around me as I read this story. I identified with Pearl and her feelings of inadequacy so much in this book, and I just wanted to wrap her in a hug and tell her she was enough.

And Cord? What a charming, romantic, man. I love him. He is a man worthy of a romance novel, and let me tell you, this is his novel. Trust me on this one.

This book is STEAMY. Denise Williams went back to the style of her first two books in the writing of Technically Yours (I feel like her most recent prior pub deviated from this style a bit). I blushed several times while reading, in the very best ways. But warned - the scenes are open door and full throttle! (Which I love, obviously).

This book is perfection. Cannot recommend enough!

Rating: 5⭐️

Thank you Berkley for my copy! All thoughts are my own!

Red alert, there’s a new Denise Williams in town! If you listen to the podcast at all, you know we LOVE Denise over there. And I think this might be my new favorite of hers…it’s right up there with How to Fail at Flirting. I loved Pearl and Cord so much. This felt like the perfect blend of swoony moments and a romance grounded totally in reality.

Synopsis:

“Pearl Harris has learned the hard way to be careful in work and in love. She has the chance to make lasting change at OurCode—a nonprofit aimed at inspiring high schoolers to code—but a recent scandal puts its reputation at risk. Further complicating things, Pearl didn't expect the one man she never stopped thinking about to join as the newest member of her board of directors. Cord Matthews fell for Pearl when they met in an elevator eight years ago. She’s just his type: smart, capable, and makes him laugh, but when she broke his heart, he decided love wasn't for him. When they reconnect after years with no contact, Cord is tempted to consider breaking his ban on serious relationships. But going public with a romance between them might derail Pearl’s career and the progress she’s made at OurCode. While Pearl and Cord are both hesitant to trust their feelings and take a risk, it soon becomes impossible to keep ignoring the electricity between them. Cord is a skilled programmer, but a workplace romance might spell disaster for both of them--and love isn’t easily debugged.” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Tropes—I am a sucker for second chance and I thought this worked so well for who these two characters are.

The Characters—I loved getting to see some of the other characters from Denise’s multiverse, but i really just LOVED Pearl and Cord. They felt so real and authentic to me, from their flaws to their swoony moments.

The Vibes—This felt like a return to the Denise Williams I fell in love with during How to Fail at Flirting. It felt like a book that was so grounded in reality, with characters experiencing life together and building a relationship through it. Don’t get me wrong, I love all her books, but this felt like it just crossed the threshold to masterful, like HTFAF was for me.

What Didn’t Work:

Second Act Pacing—I wanted things to have like, ONE more beat before they got together for the first time. But that’s me being nitpicky!

Character Authenticity: 4/5 Spice Rating: 1/5 Overall Rating: 4.5/5

This book is a return to writing that I expect from Denise Williams, lots of feels with a FMC character who's working through a lot of past relationship stuff. And I loved seeing cameos from Wes and Britta, those 2 are still in love. I wonder if Shea and Bri will get their own HEA, I would love to see it.

Thank you Berkley Romance for the advance copy!

Technically Yours by Denise Williams is the story of Pearl and Cord who we first met in my favorite, The Fastest Way To Fall. Their story is years in the making thanks to terrible timing.

Pearl is a bit more rigid than I thought she would be. She is stubborn and protective. I love that she is a lady in STEM and that she is all about assisting the younger generation. I found her to be refreshing since lately the romances I read had a female main character that is all sunshine and cupcakes.

Cord is everything I thought he would be and more: smart, charming, a total cinnamon roll. He’s definitely book boyfriend material.

Technically Yours is a fast read. It’s kinda a second chance romance but more of a right person, wrong time situation. Some times the actions of Pearl are hypocritical but overall, I enjoyed it.

Read if you love:
• workplace romance
• second and even third chances
• Dual POVs
• Past and Present timelines

Steam rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Closed door modifications: Chapter 18, 24, 27, 34, 35, Epilogue

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for the widgets for the Joyful Chaos Book Club and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

We first met Cord and Pearl in The Fastest Way to Fail. Technically Yours entirely stands alone, but I was thrilled at the opportunity to see their story unfold.

Pearl and Cord meet again when he is asked to join the board of OurCode, a non-profit organization that helps vulnerable youths have mentors and learn computer coding. Theirs is a second chance romance with well spaced flashbacks to years previous when she used to work for him.

I loved Pearl's sisters and seeing a strong group of women. And I also appreciated her role as an aunt to Tye. There was amazing queer representation through her family and other secondary characters.

Their romance developed at a nice pace, and I enjoyed following it. But I was struck by how little they seemed concerned about the forbidden nature of their relationship.

January Lavoy and Joe Arden were both great at narrating. The audiobook was a very fast read at just over 9 hours.

Williams latest is a dual POV, dual timeline book, second chance romance. I liked Cord and Pearl together, but separately they were less well-developed. All in all, a fun afternoon read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkly for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f contemporary romance
-second chance
-dual timelines
-workplace romance
-forbidden romance
-this is just a hookup

I loved the steminist vibes as well as the peak at maybe my favorite Denise Williams couple HEA. This had just the right amount of angst, fun and steam that you know you are going to get when reading a Denise Williams book. Great chemistry and I really enjoyed how she handled the complicated topics of workplace romances.

"Technically Yours" by Denise Williams left me with a lukewarm connection to the characters. I'm giving it three stars. Despite an interesting premise and a workplace romance angle, I found it challenging to truly engage with Pearl and Cord. The characters didn't quite come to life for me, and their emotional depth felt somewhat lacking. While the story had its moments, the inability to connect with the characters prevented it from being a more memorable and enjoyable read. Overall, it's an okay book, but the character development could have been stronger to make the story more compelling.

I adored this book, y’all. I have been hoping for a love story between Pearl and Cord since reading The Fastest Way to Fall, and Denise Williams delivers with this one. It’s my favorite book of hers thus far. (Don’t worry; you don’t have to read The Fastest Way to Fall first to love this one.)

It’s kind of a second chance romance, except they weren’t technically together in the past, so thankfully, there is no angsty breakup to get over. Eight years ago they met when she applied for a job at his tech company; five years ago she left for another job in California; and now she’s back in town and back in his life.

She doesn’t work for his company anymore, but he’s the newest member of the board at the nonprofit where she works. There’s still a forbidden romance aspect there, but due to their own pasts, neither of them are looking for anything serious, right?

I could gush about this one for a while, but I’ll try to stick to a handful of the highlights here. There is so much delicious pining in both the past and the present. Pearl is such a strong female lead. Cord is an honest-to-goodness good guy. The cat, Peach, is sassy and cracked me up; plus she has an enviable sweater collection. There is a tent situation. The mentoring relationship through the nonprofit will warm your heart. I loved the text conversations between Pearl and her sisters and wish I had that kind of relationship with my sibling. And the chemistry—whoa, y’all—the chemistry between Pearl and Cord is off-the-charts. (*Stops writing review to fan self*)

Anyhoo, I highly recommend it.

I received an advance copy from Berkley and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

You don't see the name Pearl that often. It was my Grandma's middle name 😊. The fmc Pearl and Cord had an attraction then a work opportunity took her away. The time apart they both tried to date to feel the same attraction they had with each other but couldn't replace it.
An opportunity to be on the Board of a Non profit she is heading just falls into his lap and he snatches it up. It's like they pick up right where they left off.
Love the alternating between the time before and now so you keep getting more depth to their relationship. Her relatives were a great part of the story and help in their relationship as well as his friends.
There were a lot of work complications with them having a relationship and her exes in between him messed with her. She wants to be successful on her own two feet without a man helping.
Cord fell hard and fell first and is not the best at saying no to most things. But his heart is in the right place
This was so cute and I loved the coding and stem aspect of this as well.

Thank you @berkleyromance for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

This book had everything in it! It had a cinnamon roll mix, second chance romance, a great storyline and fantastic word building! It was very well written and had great characters! I love Denise Williams books and she didn’t disappoint with this one! Her stories are relatable and always have fully developed characters that could easily be people you’d know in your real life. I absolutely look forward reading the next book from her!

In Technically Yours, Denise Williams weaves a captivating tale of love, ambition, and the complexities of navigating both personal and professional relationships. Set against the backdrop of the nonprofit organization OurCode, the story follows Pearl Harris, a determined and cautious woman who finds herself facing unexpected challenges in her career and love life. Pearl, striving to make a significant impact at OurCode, is confronted with a precarious situation as a scandal threatens to tarnish the organization's reputation. To her surprise, the man who captured her heart eight years ago, Cord Matthews, resurfaces as a new member of the board of directors. Their reunion reignites a spark that neither of them can ignore, but their shared history and the potential consequences of a public romance make their path to happiness far from smooth. Williams masterfully portrays Pearl as a resilient and intelligent protagonist. Her dedication to her work at OurCode is evident, and her determination to bring about lasting change is commendable. Yet, her past heartbreak and fear of jeopardizing her professional progress make her hesitant to pursue a relationship with Cord. The author deftly explores the emotional turmoil Pearl experiences as she grapples with her feelings and the potential impact on her career. Cord, on the other hand, is depicted as a skilled programmer with a guarded heart. The chemistry between Cord and Pearl is undeniable, and Williams successfully captures the electric tension that crackles between them. However, Cord's reluctance to open himself up to love adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. The reader is left wondering if he will be willing to take the risk and overcome his aversion to serious relationships. The backdrop of the coding world adds an element of modernity and relevance to the story, showcasing Williams' ability to seamlessly incorporate contemporary themes. The author skillfully explores the challenges that arise when personal and professional lives intertwine, shedding light on the potential pitfalls of workplace romance. Technically Yours is a delightful blend of romance and self-discovery. Denise Williams crafts a tale that not only keeps readers eagerly turning each page but also addresses deeper themes of trust, second chances, and the power of following one's heart. With well-developed characters and a storyline that provokes both laughter and introspection, this novel is a must-read for those who appreciate a captivating love story set amidst the complexities of modern life. In conclusion, Technically Yours is a remarkable book that seamlessly combines a captivating romance with thought-provoking insights into the challenges of balancing personal desires with professional aspirations. Denise Williams' writing shines, making this novel a compelling page-turner that will leave readers yearning for more.

DNF at 20%

I've loved the author's other work, but this book was not grabbing me. There was way too much about the company, the workplace, coding, etc, I wanted more about the relationship and the history without having to wade through all the other stuff.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Author for this arc!

I have read Denise Williams before, and she is very good at holding my attention with characterization! I loved the main characters' dynamic, and the diverse cast of side characters.

However, I am not a huge fan of second-chance romanace and stories with mutiple timelines, and unfortuntely that played a huge role in my ultimate enjoymenmt of the book. I was also not a fan of the third-act breakup; I felt it was a little ridiculous of Pearl and it annoyed me at the end of the book.

Although this wasn't my favorite book, I do think the writing was great and the plot well-thought out, so others may enjoy it much more!

Pearl Harris (Black woman) appointed acting director of OurCode, a nonprofit focused on inspiring high schoolers to code and learn the tech industry, following a nasty scandal. She’s determined to do everything to ensure that OurCode can salvage its reputation without anymore surprises…that is until she learns that the newest board member is Cord Matthews (white man), the one who got away seven years ago.

I loved Pearl’s character. She is so independent and passionate about her career and mentoring the next generation even though she’s constantly facing sexism and racism in this majority white male field.

I was a bit hesitant about Cord at first because I wasn’t sure if he was going to swoop in and be the “shining white knight” that is too common place in interracial dating books. But Cord is an adorable cinnamon roll. He leans in and supports whatever Pearl needs and doesn’t insert himself. The chemistry they have makes for lots of banter and angst throughout the story.

I really loved every minute of this story and the light shed on the lack of diversity in STEM, and the importance of equity and inclusion.

Pearl gets an unexpected chance to not only prove herself but to really make a difference when she is appointed acting director of OurCode after a scandal. What she does not expect however, is for the new board member to be Cord, a man from her past. Even after 5 years, their connection is immediate when they see each other again, but the last thing OurCode needs is another scandal.

I love Denise Williams and this book reminded me why. This second chance romance was so sweet and swoon-worthy. I adored both Pearl and Cord and was so glad to get both POVs and really get in both of their heads. Pearl was so inspiring and was accomplishing great things in the STEAM world and the love and respect Cord had for her was perfection and well-deserved. This book was full of pining and angst in the best way and the chemistry between the characters was palpable. I also loved getting the small glimpses into their past through the flashbacks. There was so much to love about this book and I am already looking forward to more from Denise Williams.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy.