"Pulling Her Resources" by Mia Sivan is a smart, empowering, and thoroughly engaging novel that highlights the strength and creativity of its protagonist as she navigates life’s challenges. Sivan's writing is both witty and insightful, creating a story that is as entertaining as it is inspiring. The protagonist’s journey of resourcefulness and resilience in the face of adversity is depicted with a refreshing blend of humor and heart. The novel touches on themes of self-reliance, empowerment, and the importance of community, making it a relatable and uplifting read. "Pulling Her Resources" is a testament to the power of determination and ingenuity, perfect for readers who enjoy stories about overcoming obstacles and finding innovative ways to thrive.

This was an age gap romance. I really liked the short chapters. It’s also a later in life romance, which is not something I normally get to read. I really liked Dafna’s character and thought her struggles were shown in a real way. It’s very relatable and the progress of the relationship was very natural.

In "Pulling Her Resources," Mia Sullivan masterfully intertwines themes of romance, self-discovery, and the complexities of professional life, all set against the vibrant backdrop of Tel Aviv. The story centers around Dafna, a wealthy, stunning, and accomplished woman who seemingly has it all. Yet beneath her polished exterior lies a profound struggle with intimacy that has haunted her since her divorce six years prior. Sullivan's portrayal of Dafna is a compelling exploration of the dichotomy between public perception and private reality, making it easy for readers to empathize with her journey. The narrative ignites with a chance encounter between Dafna and a young, tattooed barman, which spirals into a thrilling one-night stand. This impulsive decision, fueled by the camaraderie of friends and a few too many drinks, marks a pivotal moment in Dafna’s life—a respite from her loneliness and a spark of excitement. However, as in many of the best romantic tales, fate has a way of complicating matters. When this same barman reenters her life as an accountant scrutinizing her company for influential investors, the stakes rise dramatically. Sullivan adeptly navigates the tension between Dafna's professional responsibilities and her burgeoning feelings for the man she thought she'd left behind. Sullivan's writing shines in its ability to capture Dafna's internal conflict. As her attraction to the barman grows, so does the pressure to maintain her decorum and uphold her ethical standards in a high-stakes business environment. Readers will find themselves rooting for Dafna as she grapples with the fear of losing everything she has built, while simultaneously craving a connection that challenges her emotional barriers. The struggle between heart and mind is palpable, making for a relatable and engaging experience. Moreover, the steamy romance woven throughout the story adds a layer of intrigue, drawing readers into the chemistry between Dafna and her unexpected love interest. Sullivan’s deft characterization ensures that both Dafna and the barman are not mere archetypes; they are complex individuals with their own dreams, fears, and vulnerabilities. This depth enriches the narrative, making the characters’ journey toward intimacy feel genuine and earned. Additionally, the setting of Tel Aviv serves as more than just a backdrop; it becomes a character in its own right. Sullivan paints the city with vivid detail, capturing its pulse and energy, which mirrors the evolving relationship between Dafna and the barman. The cultural nuances and vibrant atmosphere of the city further amplify the emotional stakes of the story, grounding Dafna’s internal struggles in a real and dynamic world. In conclusion, "Pulling Her Resources" is a captivating read that marries romance and financial intrigue with an exploration of personal growth and vulnerability. Mia Sullivan has crafted a narrative that not only entertains but also encourages readers to reflect on their own barriers to intimacy and the importance of authenticity. With relatable characters, sizzling chemistry, and a rich setting, this book is a delightful escape that will resonate with anyone who has ever faced the complexities of love and ambition. Whether you're a fan of romance or simply seeking a compelling story, "Pulling Her Resources" is sure to leave you eagerly turning the pages until the very last word.

I have not read anything by this author before and I was excited to give this book a try, especially since it's a later in life romance. You don't find too many of those, and it was refreshing to read something a little different. Dafna has been in sort of a funk since her divorce six years ago and hasn't been able to become intimate with anyone since then. Then one crazy night she lets loose with a barman, never expecting to see him again. Only it turns out he is the accountant that will be auditing the start up company she works at.
This was a quick read with relatable characters that made the story more realistic. Both Erez and Dafna were mature characters and their relationship progressed nicely and I enjoyed seeing their romance unfold.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I loved the characters, the setting (I could relate to Israeli/Jewish culture) and that this is a story about a couple who already have kids. This was an enjoyable and fun read, with a great dose of spice mixed in!

I enjoyed this one. There is something nice about competent men with tattoos and kids finding love. Will recommend for purchase for my library.

Eh, this book was so-so for me. The plot was alright, but the side characters were not interesting for me. The spicy scenes felt like they were trying too hard, and the whole dom/sub dilemma was a rollercoaster ride of confusion. It's like the characters couldn't make up their minds!

Several years out from her divorce but with her ex-husband still fairly entwined in her life in more ways than just their children, Dafna seeks to proposition a younger bartender—who is known to show older divorcees a good time—for a one-night stand. Instead, she accidentally propositions his brother and sets the wheels in motion for what amounts to be a daring yet undeniable romance between two people who find each other to be worth the risk and sacrifice. Dafna and Erez’s story is sweet and spicy and a great story of two people who find love after already experiencing marriage and children prior to meeting each other. A quick and great read!

I honestly tried to get into this book. I love multicultural romances in general and really thought I would enjoy this one. It felt like there were too many characters and plot points to keep track of and it was hard to get into the story and enjoy it while keeping track of everything. Sadly, wasn't able to finish.

This was just ok for me. The spicy scenes just felt forced and the whole no dom, wait ok dom, wait no sub, wait no dom was just weird. The author made it sound like the main character couldn’t have sex with her ex at all but then the reasoning was a bit odd considering what happened next. The fashion references felt out of touch as well. The plot rolled along fine but none of the side characters were interesting.

This book was OK - it wasn't written that well and I did find it was a bit weird with the intimate scenes. I honestly wanted to put it down and not finish it but I made myself complete it. I wouldn't really recommended anyone read it.

This is the 3rd book in an interconnected series but can be read as a standalone. I always enjoy reading stories about older characters.

Dafna is 45 and has a one-night stand with Erez, 36, after a night out with friends. I liked that the FMC is older, and both characters have their own baggage to work through. Dafna plans to see him again, but that plan is ruined when Erez shows up at her job to review the company's books.

There is a decent amount of spice, which starts pretty early since it's a one-night stand turned into more.

I'm not a huge fan of 3rd person, but it was easy to get back into the flow. Sometimes, the dialog felt off, and I'm not sure why. Overall, neither of these things changed my opinion of the story, and I will be checking out the other stories in the series.

This is a stand-alone, later-in-life steamy romance with a forbidden workplace affair, financial intrigue & a Happy Ever After.

I love that it’s set in Tel Aviv! I got to experience through the pages, a new culture & setting I’ve never read before. Dafna & Erez’s love story is spicy & realistic, with hurdles to cross along the way.

AND THE COVER! It’s perfect!!! It has such wonderful details from the book!

If, like me, you like to read romantic love later in life, this is perfect! I’m adding the other #Women of Tel Aviv books to my list to read!

Thank you, Mia Sivan, Kate Rock & Netgalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.

this was okay but i DNF’d around 70% through. the writing was a little choppy, and i found the dialogue to be a little unnatural and hard to follow (tho this might be due to a language barrier). the family dynamic was good, and i liked that the FMC maintained a healthy relationship with her ex husband.

This book presents an intriguing exploration into the startup world, weaving a narrative that piques curiosity, especially regarding the protagonist’s millionaire status—a detail that remained somewhat elusive, adding to the intrigue. However, the third-person narration introduces complexity and confusion, often making it difficult to discern the speaker and diluting the expression of characters’ emotions and sentiments. The narrative is marred by abrupt temporal jumps, which, while aiming to add dynamism, end up causing disorientation. Notably, the story rushes towards its conclusion, employing time leaps not previously seen, missing potential enriching encounters—like meeting Ori and Tom, or Gal. These elements could have deepened the narrative, offering a more rounded experience. Despite these pitfalls, the core concept of the book remains compelling. A slight shift in narrative style could have significantly enhanced its readability and emotional impact.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for giving me a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

✨✨✨

Este libro ofrece una exploración intrigante del mundo de las startups, tejiendo una narrativa que despierta curiosidad, especialmente acerca del estatus de millonaria de la protagonista, un detalle que se mantuvo algo elusivo, sumando al misterio. Sin embargo, la narración en tercera persona introduce complejidad y confusión, dificultando a menudo discernir quién habla y diluyendo la expresión de las emociones y sentimientos de los personajes. La narrativa se ve afectada por saltos temporales abruptos, que, aunque buscan añadir dinamismo, terminan causando desorientación. Notablemente, la historia se apresura hacia su conclusión, empleando saltos en el tiempo no vistos previamente, perdiendo encuentros potencialmente enriquecedores, como conocer a Ori y Tom, o a Gal. Estos elementos podrían haber profundizado la narrativa, ofreciendo una experiencia más redondeada. A pesar de estos obstáculos, el concepto central del libro sigue siendo atractivo. Un ligero cambio en el estilo narrativo podría haber mejorado significativamente su legibilidad e impacto emocional.

Gracias a NetGalley y a la autora por darme una copia gratuita de este libro. Las opiniones expresadas en esta revisión son completamente mías.

Jewish rep
Age gap romance
Mature successful heroine
Single parents
Workplace romance

Pulling Her Resources is a low angst/high-steam romance set in Tel Aviv, one of my favorite cities. I was excited to read this book because it has many tropes I usually enjoy. I liked both MCs, Dafna and Erez, and how their relationship progressed. Both were mature emotionally. They communicated well when problems arose and made the right decisions for the most part. The main conflict centered around office/work ethics. It was very nice to read a low-angst romance for a change.

Pulling My Resources is a quick read. The short chapters kept my attention on the story. Also, I enjoyed the Tel Aviv setting very much. I am familiar with the city, so it was exciting to recognize the streets and landmarks and imagine Erez and Dafna's romance unfolding.

I have lot of thoughts. I guess it’s my fault for not reading the description and not saying at the end of the description that the book is set in Tel Aviv. Can I also mention that no where does it say the whole series is a called “women of Tel Aviv”.

I went to the authors website and say that she likes to write her books in a, and I quote “utopian Zionist community”

This was a pretty good book. It was not really to my taste but I think that there are a lot of people that would enjoy this book.

Dafna, 45yo, divorced with two boys. Has financial stability( althought it is not clearly mentioned why), holds a good position as HR in a high-tech startup and has a polite friendly relationship with her ex-husband who is also in a relationship with someone else. From what we get, she has been sexually more introvert during the relationship with her ex and she lacks confidence.
The book starts with her having a drink with her friends at a bar and them suggesting her to go for a one-eighty stand with the cute guy supposedly bartender of the bar. When she refuses and leaves for the toilet, the friends abandon her in the bar and she immediately does a one-eighty and goes for the guy explicitly requesting him a ONS.

The guy in question is the MMC of the story. Erez, 36yo, divorced with a daughter and who also has a good relationship with his ex-wife who is married to someone else. Both exes are supportive couples to their significant exes and involved in their lives. He's an accountant and occasionally helps his brother out bartending at his bar.

* AGE GAP
* LATER IN LIFE ROMANCE

After both having the most amazing magical night using all the condoms of the box (yes, the book is steamy-ish - I'd say 2/5🌶️) they both part different ways. Until destiny, coincidentally, tasks Erez to perform a due diligence for the company where Dafna works.

* FORCED PROXIMITY - sort of
* ROMANCE AT WORK

The book has a cute story, but the fact that it's hard to believe how is goes from a person who lacks confidence to one who asks a totally stranger for a ONS and then all is perfect, failed to capture my attention. In my opinion, it lacked realism, I felt that the scenes where not gripping me enough and were kind of too perfect or I just didn't feel connected to the characters.
It's written in third person, with every chapter alternating from Dafna to Erez's perspective, which I liked, but sometimes it gets lost describing too many details that are irrelevant to the story instead of going to the point and giving details that are important or would make the story more engaging. Also, I had to reread some fragments because I was unsure of who was saying what. Had it not been for the pronouns, I would have lost myself in the story more than once.

Another point I enjoyed reading, is the later in life romance..I can't believe I'm saying these words as I'm almost the same age as Erez and I don't consider myself as "later in life", but let's go with this term. I don't usually get the chance to read books where the couple involved in the romance are older than 30 so this was something I appreciated. He states that he never felt love for his ex-wife, but I do get the feeling at some points that Dafna is not 100% over her ex-husband, so I don't know if it is a later-in-life romance for her too, maybe a second love or something in those lines.

I do appreciate the author writing about the Jewish community and Tel Aviv, the language is easy to follow and the book is well written.

I appreciate NetGalley and Xpresso Book Club for the advanced copy of this book and this review has been written voluntarily in all honesty.

Great read, the story of Dafna and Erez. It was supposed to be one night and then he shows up at her place of work. I liked how it was told from both points of view and the insight into a completely different culture.