The iciest of ice queens, high-flying lawyer Diana Parker hires a new personal assistant, the young and brash Laurie Holcombe, and finds herself unexpectedly lost in the most unlikely of people.

Roslyn Sinclair’s story places forbidden desire at the forefront of the theme of finding yourself and accepting who you really are (not to mention, what it is you really want). While Diana is cold and authoritative at work, secretly she can’t avoid the fact of her growing crush on her new assistant. Which is crazy as she’s definitely not gay. Right?

For her part, out and proud Laurie, who has worked hard to get where she is and hopes to become a lawyer herself one day, fears that she can’t risk everything to give in to her ever-growing feelings for her new boss.

There is plenty to enjoy in Ms. Sinclair’s steamy romance. The initial slow burn suddenly ignites even before either character has even touched the other. But when they do, in the most unexpected of places, sparks really do fly. There were some delicious scenes and a lot of fun to be had seeing both these girls squirm and try to deny the inevitable!

Yet, for me, the real appeal of this book is that the author never loses sight of the characters as real people with real lives, with choices to make that can have adverse impacts on themselves and on the other. The trick, of course, is pulling that off and making it feel entirely organic and real, and Ms. Sinclair achieves this deftly.

No book can be perfect, and, to be fair, all the men get pretty short shrift here. But, eh! Who cares?! Because what shines in this story shines very brightly :).

Should I admit here that I’m a sucker for a girl in a tight skirt? Because… oh, that cover!

Thank you to the publisher, Ylva Publishing, for graciously allowing me to grab a very late ARC copy. As it happens, I found this on audio and I listened to as much of the book as the ARC text that I read, and I can add that the audio version, thanks to the narrator, Anastasia Watley, is excellent. She especially brings to life the accent and character of Laurie, as well as the cool detachment of Diana. Thanks, too, to author Roslyn Sinclair. This was my first by her, and I will quickly be back for more.

The story begins with Laurie Holcombe interviewing to be the personal assistant to Diana Parker. Diana is a driven, name on the marquee, senior partner at a law firm in Atlanta. Something about Laurie has Diana giving her the job on a trial basis. Diana is demanding with an ice queen persona. I was uncomfortable with the relationship in the beginning because the first move was not consensual (a kiss) and there is a huge power imbalance. Also Diana at the moment is married. The story takes a turn towards erotica as the much younger Laurie agrees that Diana is in charge at work but Laurie calls the shots for intimacy. Diana’s shame at her attraction plays into the story too. I’m glad I stuck with the book as characters grew on me to where I cared about their relationship by the ending.

This was first published in 2019 and I appreciate the ARC from Ylva Publishing via NetGalley. (3.5 Stars)

This author has a rare talent for writing amazingly sexy chemistry so I was looking forward to reading this book, and it did not disappoint. The chemistry between the two lead characters jumped off the pages from the start, and their dynamic had been depicted in a way that was super spicy and hot, yet it also had substance and depth, and the author had avoided the cliches that can often come with boss-employee or age gap romances. The writing was so engaging I finished the book in one sitting. Can’t fault this novel at all - it was perfection! I’ll remember it for a long time to come.

There wasn't much of a 'story', it just consisted of a lot of smut and erotica so if that's your thing, read ahead : )

If Roslyn Sinclair has a million fans, I am one of them. If Roslyn Sinclair has one fan, it is me. If Roslyn Sinclair has no fans, then I am dead.

I absolutely adore Roslyn’s writing and everything I have read of hers. Unsurprisingly, The X Ingredient is no exception. I should say that this was actually my second time reading it and I think I loved it even more the second time around. I want Diana Parker for myself.

As always, the writing is great and straight to the point. I found it very witty and each protagonist had their own voice. I found their voices easily distinguishable and genuinely enjoyed both POVs equally. Both Laurie and Diana were equally lovely and lovable, and I was surprised when I reached the epilogue. I could have kept reading about them for at least a hundred more pages.

Thank you Ylva, Roslyn Sinclair, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

I really enjoyed this book! I know it has been out for a while, but I haven’t seen too many reviews on it, so I’m glad I saw this and requested it! The angst and the tension throughout the whole book were really great. I think the way the relationship builds between our two FMC was really believable, and the denial-to-excuse-to-begging pipeline that Diana went through was hilarious to read (if not because it’s relatable).

The spice was really well done, this book was HOT. I really enjoyed the plot depth, I went into this thinking it would be all sex no plot, but it was really well balanced! I liked the conflict with the husband and how deep our two FMC relationship grew. I also was not expecting to see some social issues discussed, which I thought added another layer to the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review

The X Ingredient is sinfully delicious and extremely hot!!! There is no way any hot blooded, erotic romance fan could resist this! Once listeners push play, they will get lost in the silky, sensual voice of Anastasia Watley. I read the paperback some time ago and loved it, but Watley’s narration takes Sinclair’s storytelling to the next level. The partnership of these two talented ladies should be commended. Be forewarned though: This should not be listened to at work, especially chapter 23!! 🔥🔥🔥

Sinclair originally penned this story as a fanfic set in The Devil Wears Prada fandom. The leading ladies change shape a bit in this version, but the theme still holds true; the young beautiful subordinate melts the ice queen boss with her charm and intelligence. The ice queen becomes undone and unravels before she realizes what has hit her. Their relationship is the best bad idea, and MirAndy shippers will consume Sinclair’s narrative with fevered gusto.

The writing is solid and the sexy scenes are well done. Sinclair adds an enthralling plot to hold the erotic interludes together nicely, giving the story substance. It has teeth; this isn’t a “plot? what plot?” piece of fiction. Furthermore, Sinclair alternates points of view between Diane and Laurie, illuminating the inner workings of these characters perfectly. It’s smart writing and it works to not only build tension but add interest. This, paired with Watley’s narration, makes the storytelling jump off the page.

I found both of Sinclair’s main characters very appealing. Diane and Laurie are well written and well characterized. Laurie is an uninhibited and strong-willed free spirit. Diane is the preverbal “ice queen” and is very buttoned up. Through Laurie, Sinclair is able to tease out Diane’s vulnerability and compassion, giving her a softness that is alluring and attractive. Together these ladies have incredible chemistry. Listeners will no doubt find it engrossing as well as compelling.

Final remarks…

The X Ingredient is well written, well constructed and throughly entertaining. As far as the narration, Watley more than delivers. Her smooth, inviting voice pulls the listener in swiftly, firmly and without distraction. This is top-shelf entertainment; I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone who enjoys a steamy, ice queen/age-gap romance.

Strengths…

Well-written
Well-narrated
Compelling
Entertaining
Steamy

Ice queen with age gap (3.5 stars)
If you're a fan of ice queen and age gap you might feel right at home here. This book felt more like erotica than workplace romance which is not a criticism per se; the sex scenes are both hot for the verbal/conversation as the actions taking place in them. There is a power imbalance between the main characters throughout the book both sexually and in the workplace which may not appeal to everyone, and the kinks are on the mild side but no less hot to read. I'm not a fan of ice queen and wasn't enamored with either of the main characters but still eventually found elements of the story to enjoy. I suspect those who loved the author's previous book will get sucked into this one more fully than I was.
I did like this book better than the author's debut novel and am curious to see what they will publish next and if the power dynamics at play in both of their books continue into future works.

"The X Ingredient" by Roslyn Sinclair promises readers a smart, sexy, and emotionally charged lesbian romance that explores the complexities of desire, risk, and personal discovery.

The story revolves around Laurie Holcombe, who finds herself at a professional crossroads, and Diana Parker, a powerful and icy attorney stuck in a failing marriage. Their worlds collide when Laurie becomes Diana's assistant, setting the stage for an engaging workplace dynamic filled with tension and attraction.

The characters, especially Diana and Laurie, are intriguing and multi-dimensional. Diana's tough exterior and professional success contrast with her personal struggles, while Laurie's vibrant personality and Southern charm make her a compelling and relatable character. The description hints at a thrilling dance of desire between them, which adds an element of intrigue and excitement to the story.

The book appears to explore themes of power dynamics, personal boundaries, and the irresistible pull of attraction, offering readers a rich and emotionally resonant narrative. It's not just a romance but a tale of self-discovery and the complexities of navigating love and desire in unexpected places.

Overall, "The X Ingredient" seems like a promising addition to the lesbian romance genre, offering a blend of passion, vulnerability, and authenticity that can captivate readers looking for a heartfelt and sensual love story.