The takeover is a fun light read. Nami’s character is a strong woman who owns a company and when her life gets turned around and with the possibility of losing her company she might find herself and love . I didn’t realize that Jack and Dora have their own story I’m definitely going to have to check it out.

This was such a nice and fun read. The characters and story were interesting, and kept me interested the whole time. It was a pretty light read, so it was great as a casual weekend book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

ARC Review ~ the Takeover ~

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The synopsis on this one drew me in, I’m a sucker for Rivals to Lovers. It was written so well, the “hate-flirting” flowed so well, the banter keeping me entirely entertained. I read the book in all of a day as I couldn’t put it down. The Dual POV sold on this one as they both had different perspectives on their past. I loved seeing the differing family dynamics that fueled both characters and their desire to win and be the best and how finally learning these things about one another shifted their perspective.

Features:
*Rivals to lovers
*Dual POV
*BiPoc
*Hell Ramen

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for this ARC!

I really enjoyed this one! It was such a quick, fun read, that I could not put down! It’s filled with humour, heart, diverse characters, funny office shenanigans, and lots of witty banter that’s entertaining & will have you laughing!

Tanamachi crafted characters that you just can’t help but love. Nami is such a badass boss lady who has a great heart and cares deeply. & Jae, who is fun, outgoing, and a power house in the corporate world. The supporting characters were really well done and added such delight to the story with the office pranks and close knit family relationships with each other. You can tell they care deeply about their company & Nami. And of course you can’t forget the well meaning meddling family members haha they were fun and really brought in the cultural diversity & I love to see it!

Also, the chemistry between Jae & Nami was oh so good! It was amazing and well done. And their banter just stole the whole show, so good!! I loved the ramen scene, it had me laughing out loud 🤣

Overall, this was an entertaining and fast paced read. I look forward to reading more from this author! I definitely recommend if you love a rivals to lovers, forced proximity, workplace romcom!

I am going to start by simply saying. I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK

This book is full of some of my favourite things.

💖 enemies to lovers
💖 workplace romance
💖 adorable supporting cast of characters (the coders at Toggle are adorable)
💖 "it's always been you"
💖 POC rep
💖 Dual POV

The story (and characters) reminded me a lot of "The Hating Game". You know what I mean - our two mains love-hate one another, and their path to HEA is full of hijinks and ridiculousness (hells fire ramen anyone?).

And while I did find both Nami and Jae a little immature (and maybe stuck in their high school rivalry a little too much) - I was still cheering them towards their HEA. I liked that Nami stood up for herself in the 3rd act breakup and I loved that Jae and his father had a breakthrough in their relationship.

I also highly enjoyed the Wegner Swivel Chair drama. Dell had it coming. It was brilliant (and a hilarious way to start almost every chapter).

I read this quickly, totally enjoyed myself and thought it was a sweet rom-com. My first read by Cara Tanamachi and I liked it!

I quite enjoyed the first book (“The Second You’re Single”), and I think I liked this one even better! Sora and Jack made appearances here which was great but this is definitely all about the sister, Nami.

This was a childhood (grade school) enemies to workplace enemies to lovers romance - and the banter was just so well done. I loved how (the way) she wrote this story and how we did get the dual points of view so we as the reader really got into the heads of both characters to find out why they had the rivalry and how it was in their school days and why things continued in adulthood. The disparity in their family’s income also really played into things… but the biggest thing that caused Nami to hold onto her “hatred” of Jae after all the years was that he never tried, and still beat her for Valedictorian by a fraction of a point.

In adulthood, Nami’s start-up is needing funding and the partners are looking to others for a buy-out… on her birthday she makes a wish not to save her company but for the universe to send her a soulmate. Jae’s company (Rainforest - it took me a while to realize it was a “play on words” on the BIG one! In Seattle and everything!) is offering a buy-out but Nami’s trying to convince them to go for the other offer just because of how awful Rainforest and Jae are. Jae is trying to woo the partners and it’s seemingly working, so much that Jae is even struggling to remember why she doesn’t like him. He’s her hate-mate, not soulmate… right?

I definitely recommend this excellent 4.5 star book to all romance lovers and while it can be read as standalone, it would be better to have read book one first.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press (St. Martin's Griffin), and this is my honest feedback.

In “The Takeover” by Cara Tanamachi, Nami’s journey unfolds on her 30th birthday as she navigates unexpected twists in her personal and professional life. The premise of seeking a soulmate and winding up with a hate mate adds an intriguing layer to the story, creating a delightful blend of romance and rivalry.

The competitive history and witty banter between Nami and Jae are central to the novel’s charm, allowing readers to witness their personal growth and evolving desires. Tanamachi skillfully weaves cultural elements into the narrative, adding depth to the characters and their relationships. The interplay of their families adds another layer of richness to the storytelling.

The depiction of Nami’s work culture adds a humorous touch to the narrative, making it relatable and enjoyable. The mystery surrounding the disappearance of a chair at her workplace adds a unique and engaging subplot, with the generated emails providing comic relief.

One notable strength of Tanamachi’s writing is her ability to convey the intensity of attraction without delving into explicit details, offering a refreshing take on romance. The subtle yet powerful romantic elements contribute to the overall enjoyment of the book.

In summary, “The Takeover” is a fun and captivating read, blending rivalry, romance, and cultural nuances. The well-developed characters, clever plot twists, and humorous moments make it a delightful recommendation for readers who appreciate a well-crafted romantic narrative.

I received a DRC of this book from the publisher but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

The Takeover is an enemies to lovers style romance. I can sometimes find this trope tiring, but I absolutely loved this novel and the main characters! First, both Nami and Jae are very likable characters. Even though they have a history of being high school rivals and competing for everything, it is not because one of them was mean or ruthless to the other. They are strong, independent characters with good hearts so you can root for them easily.

When Nami's company, Toggle, is in financial jeopardy, she is worried they will have to sell to keep their staff. The large conglomerate Rainforest is looking to buy them which is the opposite of what Nami wants. Toggle is a family and she does not want anyone to lose their jobs or be forced to work for a less than reputable company. At the first meeting between the companies, Nami realizes that no other than her high school nemesis Jae is leading the sale to Rainforest. Both of Nami's business partners are interested in the sale to Rainforest, so Jae and Nami must spend more time together and see if they can get along.

I really enjoyed this romance. There were a lot of deeper layers to this book and I enjoyed the connection between the characters and how they worked through their problems. Great read!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for granting me a free copy in exchange for my honest review!

An entertaining enemies to lovers workplace forced proximity read. The tension was so strong at the beginning, the overall journey from hate to love was paced so well.

Oh I don't know why I sat so long on this one! Maybe it was seeing some iffy reviews before, or just not being sure, but I regret it. It was so cute! The story was well written and the quips and banter were fun and flowed well. I really enjoyed the plot, the originality and the characters. It was fun and light and fluffy and just what I needed for a fantasy reading break! The only issue I really had with it was with some Nami's friendships. I felt like the friendship/loneliness dilemma was addressed, but then solved really rapidly without there being time to actually get to see or understand the characters involved. So the subplot was a little thrown together and resolved without actually engaging the reader. But aside from that, the book was super cute and I'd recommend it!

Not gonna lie, when I read “The Second You’re Single” I did not like Nami right away. Her character development throughout the book was made me understand her and by the end, I was looking forward to her book. I really enjoyed the conflict of the company being bought out because I really didn’t know what was going to happen. I worried for the company, I worried for Nami, I was suspicious of Jae, I became invested in a chair…. All the feelings in one book. My favorite part of this book was the spicy ramen competition. I laughed so much! Made me want to have non spicy ramen though 😂. If there’s another book, I think it would only be appropriate to have Sora and Nami’s mother find love again and see her plan her own wedding 😂. The Takeover comes out Jan. 30!

Actually 4.5⭐️

I absolutely loved The Takeover.

Nami and Jae were the perfect high school to adult nemeses for the enemies to lovers trope. If you’re looking for a techy based romcom with a HEA and excellent character growth, this is a fun and fast read.

I will definitely recommend this my friends and family.

This is an entertaining, fun and cute romance . I loved the interactions between Nami and Jae and that even though they are archenemies, sparks fly between them, I loved their pull and push and the chemistry that jumps every time they are together.

This hilarious and sexy romance will captivate you from start to finish. Highly recommended if you are a fan of:
Enemies to Lovers
Slow Burn
Rom Com
Forced Proximity
Work Place Romance

THE TAKEOVER – Cara Tanamachi
St. Martin’s Griffin
ISBN: 978-1250842282
January 30, 2024
Contemporary Romance

Chicago, Illinois – Present Day

How would you feel if the guy you competed against in high school at almost every turn ends up being part of a company that is bidding to take over the one you work for? That is what Nami faces in THE TAKEOVER. It’s her thirtieth birthday and out of the blue, old nemesis Jae Lee texts her to say that he will see her soon. Nami is dreading that he will be at the surprise birthday party that her mother is throwing for her, but after she arrives, he is not there. Maybe he was just mocking her like he used to do in high school. Back then, they were always competing for something or the other, and he barely beat her out as valedictorian at their school graduation. But when Nami arrives at work, she discovers what Jae Lee meant. He is part of the takeover team.

Of course, Nami isn’t happy to see Jae, but he is jovial and seems sincere about helping the company she works for as they navigate the takeover bid. As they work together, she soon discovers that he may not be the bad guy she had always thought him to be. They start to hang out and even get mistaken for being girlfriend/boyfriend. But it’s only friendship, right? There is still a takeover bid going on, though it appears that her employer might be going in a different direction. Will their newfound friendship lead to something more? What happens in the end with the takeover? Will everyone end up happy?

Added into the mix of Nami’s new friendship with her old rival, Jae, readers will be introduced to her family in THE TAKEOVER. Her sister, Sora, is getting married to Jack, a nice guy, but their mother is driving the bride-to-be crazy with her need to control everything about the wedding. Nami recently ended her engagement to a guy who cheated on her and had already experienced her mother’s need for control. Nami advises Sora to tell her mother that she has her own ideas for the wedding. But will her sister get the nerve to actually say those words? The engagement debacle has left a bad taste in Nami’s mouth as she put all her faith into one man, and he failed her. As such, she is not looking for another trip down the aisle. But it’s not like Jae Lee would be her choice of a groom, right?

Readers will laugh and cry at Nami’s upside-down life in THE TAKEOVER. Her co-workers are an eccentric bunch and Nami fits in well with them. Jae is an unexpected addition to her life. Will it mean a possible future together for them? An enjoyable tale, you can find out what happens to them by grabbing a copy of THE TAKEOVER.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

4.5 stars rounded to 5 for goodreads

This is the second book I’ve read from this author and I really enjoyed it. The humor is perfect. I laughed out loud so many times, more than I normally would. I love the cast of characters, especially the FMCs coworkers. That second epilogue was *chefs kiss* perfect and I was laughing through the entire thing. Left me smiling long after I finished the book. It’s a quick entertaining read. The author definitely rode the fine line between hate and love to the point that in the beginning I was truly wondering how she would pull off a romance from these two characters, one of which clearly hated the other. And the scenes at the ramen place and the aftermath were both hysterical and perfectly written showing the true competitiveness between these characters. Definitely recommend.

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

The Takeover is Cara Tanamachi's follow-up to her debut The Second You're Single, following the previous heroine's younger sister Nami. Instead of friends to lovers, it is now enemies to lovers. Nami Reid is a hip tech start-up CEO and lawyer, freshly 30 and newishly single. Her company is in dire financial straits and entertaining buyouts from less than scrupulous companies. Of course this is the perfect entry for her childhood nemesis Jae Lee who is the wolf for the big bad company. That means sparks are going to fly both in the boardroom and in the bedroom.!

The banter was on point. The Hell Ramen incident hilarious (and totally something I would do!). I continue to love the Reid family and all their mother-daughter drama across generations. Sora's character continues in a minor story line in this book, and maybe I wanted even a little more of the sister story (and at least one comedic Larry the one-eyed rescue dog incident to show up). Overall, this was a cutesy rom-com that achieved its purpose in chasing away my winter blues.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

I liked this book. It was entertaining, but I feel like it was missing something.
My issue was that I didn't like Jae all that much. I found him pretentious and full of himself. I can understand why Nami never really liked him; he's a total jerk. All he cares about is money, and there wasn't enough character development for me to see how that truly changed. Sure, the ending cleared some things up for his character, but I don't think he would have done those things if he hadn't loved Nami. He didn't have enough substance.

I did like how much this book made me laugh. The Ramen scene was hilarious, and I still think about it. I also liked the work dynamics between Nami and her team. They seem like a lively group of people, which I enjoyed reading about.

I rated this a 3/5

Nami and Jae share the best rivals/enemies to lovers ever. Their witty banter and sarcasm makes them entertaining and lovable. Her pride and joy Toggle is more than a company, it’s her baby. I love how close she is to her employees, they aren’t just coworkers, they are a family. Jae’s views of good and bad change and make him even more of a catch. Both their families are adorable and add to the fun upbeat read

First thank you to st martins press and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis: Nami is still trying to get over her broken engagement when she finds out her company is not getting their latest round of funding that their company desperately needs. The only hope is her high school nemesis Jae Len. Will he rescue her and her company in time?

What I liked: I have spent a lot of years in product development often being the only woman on the team. I always welcome more representation of woman in tech leadership roles. It does not focus on technology and seems to simplify the tech world too much. It also seemed outdated but that happens since tech does move so fast. However it focuses on the enemy to lovers romance story. In that regards, it does a nice job of bringing them together and establishing their tension. I enjoyed that part and thought that was good especially if you are a fan of that troupe. I also enjoyed the family members in both Nami and Jae Len stories. It provided some depth to the story and characters. I would have liked to see more tech focus but guess I’ll keep searching.

Never wish for what you want for you just might get it should be the tagline for this book. This was mostly a fun enemies to lovers listen that is filled with humor and wit as well as the anticipated happily ever after. I loved that Nami (female main character) was portrayed as a strong smart woman in a leadership position in positive manner. The writing was riotous and often had me cracking up. Enter or rather, reenter Jae her high school nemesis. The snark flies and the chemistry sizzles. Along with a great supporting cast and wonderful narration it was an enjoyable listen. The reason I rated didn’t rate higher was that I was somewhat bothered how quickly the book wrapped up. It went from total devastating betrayal to forgiveness and HEA in a few scant minutes (audiobook so probably a few paragraphs in the physical book). Would have liked more about that part of Nami and Jae’s road to forgiveness