Thursday, May 13, 2021

2021/060: Heartbreak Incorporated -- Alex de Campi

"I break up marriages for money ... but I ruin abusers for free." [loc. 852]

Evie Cross, who dreams of becoming a prize-winning investigative journalist, gets a temp job at a small consultancy which specialises in ending relationships. Her boss, Misha Meserov, is immensely charismatic and alluring, but Evie suspects he's hiding a dark and dangerous secret -- one that might make Evie's career if she can get the story into print. Ethics, what ethics? So it's probably not the best time to develop a crush on her boss.

Evie was likeable and credible, struggling to survive in New York City, trying to keep hold of her dream and insisting to her friend Claudia that Meserov and Co is just the day job. Misha would have been too good to be true, but he's appallingly untidy and disorganised: enforced organisation leads to much enjoyable bonding (and stationery buying) between Evie and Gemma, the blonde receptionist with perfect make-up who's not as superficial as she first appears. The supporting cast -- Misha's clients, his sister Masha, the staff of the law firm that has Meserov and Co on retainer, the wealthy tech billionaire with his nasty habits and immaculate wife -- were diverse and characterful, and the plot kept me guessing -- especially as I was unaware of one particular aspect of the novel.

This was very enjoyable, suspenseful and romantic and steamy, with some intriguing gender twists and plenty of gritty realism to counter the more fantastical elements.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an Advance Review Copy in exchange for this honest review.

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