I enjoyed Cara Tanamachi's previous novel, The Second You're Single, so I expected to like this follow-up. Starring its predecessor's perfectionist sister, Nami, this enemies-to-lovers workplace romance is a well-written, well-structured story, fun to read, with a little heat and a lot of heart.

The best thing about The Takeover is that it features actual enemies. So often the enemies-to-lovers trope is really rivals-to-lovers or standoffish-stranger-to-lovers. But here, the principals - Nami and her high-school enemy turned business predator - genuinely dislike each other, an enmity based in their personal histories and renewed by the events of the story. The dual narration lets us see how different - and yet how similar - they really are, and while their voices are a bit too similar, I enjoyed both points of view and never got confused about who was talking. And the relationship feels authentic; they have a lot in common and their mutual respect, friendship, and romantic chemistry are well-developed.

Basically, this was a perfect romance. Literally, the only nitpick I can come up with is that Nami's and her biz partner's name (Imani) are too similar.

The Takeover
By Cara Tanamachi
Publish Date: January 30, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

This quick, fun romance needs to be added to your TBR! Such an addictive book, I could not put it down!

FMC Nami has a great tech company named Toggle, but is in a bit of financial trouble. MMC Jae is an employee of a huge corporation called Rainforest. They are known for buying smaller companies and changing them from what they are. These two knew each other since high school where they were complete rivals and always competing against each other. When Jae comes to take over Toggle, the two connect even though Nami does not want her company to be taken over by Rainforest.

What is there to actually say about nemeses Nami and Jae? Their history, competitiveness, and banter was perfect. I was laughing from start to finish and just hoping for that happy ending from the beginning. The romance between the two was so sweet and I really liked how it came about. Also, the office setting and diverse array of other characters made this even more of a delightful read.

The Takeover was really everything and more you could love in a book. You need to check out this book!

Thank you @netgalley, @stmartinspress for this ARC in exchange an honest review.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was okay! Nothing bad but nothing I LOVED either.

this book was exactly what I needed. this was very easy to read. the characters were so likable. overall was a quick and easy read so I would give it a 3.5!

The Takeover by Cara Tanamachi

Swipe for synopsis! Publishes January 30 2024

My highlights:
⭐️Workplace romance: What initially drew me to this one was that it’s a corporate workplace romance (I thought the main character might be more relateable). This was definitely the case and something I really liked.

⭐️ enemies to lovers- though and I’m not always a huge fan of that trope unless it’s in fantasy, but I know some people are!

⭐️ main character has just broken up with the shitty guy to meet the right one. I don’t know if this is a trope but I eat it up everytime I see it 😂

Overall enjoyable- 3 stars from me! Thanks @netgalley @stmartinspress for the earc

A prime example of when a follow-up book is better than its predecessor! The Takeover is so much fun, so honest, sexy, moving, and silly. So FUN!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

When Nami wishes for a soulmate after watching everyone around her in a happy relationship, she's sure that her high school nemesis Jae isn't it. But as they spend more time together their love-to-hate relationship becomes more of a heat-to-love kind of thing, she may just be forced to change her mind. But only if they don't let business get in the way.

I really enjoy the enemies to lovers trope, and this has great witty banter and good family dynamics to go along with it. Nami and Jae have chemistry and it's enjoyable to read knowing exactly where it's leading. The climax and resolution were also well done, though that did feel a little rushed to me. And as far as the storyline goes, the inner chat for Toggle was quite entertaining.

A great read for fans of Emily Henry and Erin La Rosa.

This book was a very generic love story. Nothing wrong with it, but it was super predictable and easy to digest. The main characters Nami and Jae were both really charming characters and it was good to see their characters develop throughout the book. Nami and Jae's haters-to-love trope was fun to write as the banter between the two of them made the book go by quickly. Another thing that I enjoyed was the cultural aspect and how their families pressured them because of how each family viewed love and starting a family. Overall I gave this book a 3.5/5 stars due to the fact that nothing stood out. If you are looking for a nice, quick, romantic book this is the book for you! Thank you, St. Martins Press, Cara Tanamachi, and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ 🌶️
This book gave me every trope I love:
Tons of banter
Enemies to lovers
Close proximity
Middle age characters
Workplace romance
Morally Grey MMC

This is the first time that I have read anything by this author and I loved it (once I got past some semi-cringe things for me). I loved the characters, the storyline/plot and the authors writing. With that being said the whole "if you loved me you'd break an NDA for me" plotline i just couldn’t get behind. Stepping away from a relationship that makes you happy because someone won’t break a legal contract is a bit wild to me. But even with that flaw, I did enjoy the book a good amount! I would suggest it to others.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the Publisher for gifting me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
What a cute read! The characters were likeable and the pace was just right. I recommend this to anyone looking for a nice, cozy rom-com with undeniable chemistry.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this delightful novel.

Battling and competition were a way of life to Nami and Jae when they were in high school. Years later, Jae is representing his company in a buyout deal for Nami’s company. Let the barbs begin! With all their interactions, foes become lovers but the stakes are high in this catchy, delightful novel.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to St Martins Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I will happily leave a review for this when the racist remarks by one of their employees is addressed. I want to support the author, but also want to know they don’t support this behavior.

I took a chance with this book since I had never read this author before, but I fell in love with the story, plot, and characters. This is about a perfect place you wish you could work! Full of pranks, funny, loving characters, and the occasional nerve-wracking moments when corporate take-overs are looming.

She also has characters you want to hate, but just can’t as they continue to grow on you as the two main characters find their hate relationships might not be hate after all. Their chemistry was steamy and swoon worthy.

The Takeover is the story of two high school rivals that meet again in adulthood. Only this time, Jae is trying to take over Nami’s beloved tech company. Sparks fly immediately as Nami tries to save the company (and the people) that mean everything to her. But soon, Jae and Nami find themselves connecting in a way they never have before. Can Nami and Jae have a romantic relationship, even as the future of Nami’s company remains unknown?

The Takeover is a delightful romance between two people who have hated each other since high school- or so they thought. This story was so fun! It's the perfect lighthearted romance to break a book slump. Nami and Jae had excellent banter and lots of romantic tension between them. I loved how Nami never gave up on protecting the people at her company. The supporting cast of characters were all funny and caring. In particular, the missing desk chair saga was hilarious! I appreciated how both Jae and Nami had complex relationships with their family. Cara Tanamachi incorporates beautiful descriptions of Chicago. I would recommend The Takeover to readers who love Cathy Yardley, Mazey Eddings, and Jackie Lau.

Thank you to Cara Tanamachi, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc

I love a good romance that does not leave me questioning if this could really happen or not! This one is great and not cringey in any way. Look forward to reading more from this author.

What a great story!! The romance felt easy and the dialogue was so witty. Going to be a sure fire hit!!

3.5/5

Overall this book wasn't the worst, there were just a lot of things I didn't love.
The companies in this book were thinly veiled allusions to real-life companies (I don't think it was meant to be subtle, it was just a lot). There was a lot about the companies but I had no idea what the fmc's company did (maybe it was mentioned and I just missed it), THere was a lot of talk about them working... without really saying anything at all.
At first, I liked the banter and chemistry between the mc's but somewhere around the middle it just stopped making sense. Their love/hate dynamic seemed a little forced, and they switch to being in a relationship very abruptly.
Finally, I really hate the "if you loved me you'd break an NDA for me" plotline that happens in a lot of books, including this one. I feel like breaking up with someone because they can't break an NDA is insane.

I still finished this book, but I probably wont ever think about it again. If you're looking for an easy read with lots of references to Amazon, give this one a try

If you, like me, have ever worked at a company where you're all a "family," get snacks and beanbag chairs instead of a reasonable work-life balance, or been on the receiving end of daily motivational/inspirational corporate emails, you will cringe your way through The Takeover. Nami's company, Toggle (an Airbnb stand-in), is about to be bought out by the huge e-commerce company "Rainforest" (guess what company that's meant to be). Nami's high school rival, Jae Lee, is Amazon's Rainforest's VP of acquisitions and comes in to arrange the acquisition.

Once you get past the palpable sexual tension between the both protagonists and capitalism, there is enemies-to-lovers plotting that is well done and solid, believable dialgue that makes for a light and fun read.

The Takeover is an enemies to lovers story of two overachievers with a long history. Nami and Jae have a great dynamic that looks very much like friendship early on in the book. Despite their conflicting business interests, it’s clear they have a lot in common and their chemistry is great. There is also a “subplot” about someone stealing an office chair that I definitely enjoyed. Overall, I recommend! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc.

This was so good. It totally reminded me of a movie that I had seen. I love the whole wish for a such and such on the birthday candle. It was so good!! And Nami and Jae have su h good chemistry on the page!
I just reviewed The Takeover by Cara Tanamachi. #NetGalley
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