This book was a nice surprise, particularly as it came on the heels of another Presents that almost ended up hitting the wall. Rose Taylor is a frump next to her model sister, Lily, and she never feels it more than when Lily brings home Nick Papaeliou home from a party, and Rose is waiting up in silly pajamas, and acting the mother hen.
Rose speaks frankly, and she and Nick instantly began to rub the wrong way against each other. The really lovely thing is that the irritation feels real, as is the interest and annoyance it sparks between them. The interest isn't sexual to begin with, which was another nice surprise. The attraction between them builds gradually, along with their friendship and admiration.
The one thing that frustrated me a little was the period between the conclusion of their initial affair, and (trying to avoid spoilers) Rose's proposition to Nick. Some of the spark felt a little dampened there. I did like that it showed how Rose had gained confidence in her sexuality, though -- and the angst that comes with Nick's realization of his feelings and what an utter idiot he's been about them makes up for it.
A few things that I really liked: despite the "Greek Boss" part of the title, Nick's heritage was a non-issue. He could have been Nick Smith for all of the difference it made. (I only mention this because I get a little tired of the way alpha male behavior is sometimes attributed to (blamed on?) his ancestry -- and while Nick was alpha, it was never in a "his Greek arrogance!" way. He was just a proud man.)
There were a couple of places where I expected the story to derail and become a trainwreck, and Williams neatly avoided it each time by having Rose speak her mind ... and to do so intelligently. She argued, and she knew when she was being a little childish or stubborn, but she accepted these things about herself (and it was nice to see Nick accept that he would act somewhat childishly, as well). Rose was snappish and abrasive, but not in the dreaded fiesty way, I thought.
And, one thing that probably would bother me more if I thought about it in any depth: (spoilerish warning) Because Rose is curvy, with hips and breasts and a few extra pounds, thin women are eventually termed "insects" and really unsexy. I wish Nick could find Rose sexy without having to desexualize thin women (if he tried to get over Rose with a woman he found sexy -- curves or not -- doesn't that say a lot more than being attracted to her over the "insect?" It's still about her appearance then, instead of her.) This particularly bugged me because Rose losing weight at the end of the book is mentioned over and over. We know she never becomes a stick -- but after the deliberate comparison of thin/curvy, we then discover that Rose has lost weight and that's such a good thing and makes her more attractive (and she also wears sexier clothes), and it just leaves me a little uneasy.
But overall -- I really enjoyed this one.
