As long as I’ve been reading romances, I’ve never read a Harlequin Presents. Yes, I know they are very popular, but the titles are so off -putting, and I don’t find ultra-rich, ultra-macho Greeks/Italians/Sheiks/Royalty all that romantic. But I thought I’d try one just to see what the fuss is all about and asked to review Overtime in the Boss’s Bed (see what I mean about the titles)?

Since this is a very short book, this will be a very short review.

Out of work dancer Starr Merriday and CEO Callum Cartwright meet in a bar when the hunky waiter she’s been ogling spills a tray of drinks all over Callum. Their eyes meet and ZING! Instant attraction. They have a one night stand and in the course of it, Callum mentions he needs a new personal assistant. Starr has no intention of applying for the job, but when she fails to find work as a dancer, she takes Callum up on his offer and he hires her. They plan to keep things strictly business, but it doesn’t take too long before they are doing the bedroom rumba.

And that’s about it – Callum has a past (his father hates him and blames him for his older brother’s death) and Starr has a past (a cheating boyfriend who sabotages her dance career). They communicate in bed, but they don’t talk much. Then after a misunderstanding comes an apology, they clear the air, and all is well. It’s very rushed and very formulaic.

There’s lots of fast dialogue and the story moves with neck snapping speed. This is a short book and I read it in a little over an hour. I can’t say I disliked it, but it was so short and so slight that I felt shortchanged. The Australian setting was generic and the story could have been set anywhere.

I never say never, and I fully intend to try another Harlequin Presents title in the future. They are so popular, they must have something going for them. I guess Overtime in the Boss’s Bed just didn’t have that something.