The Contract

" Book 1 in a series. Marriage of convenience enemies to lovers. Slow burn 🌶️ romance."

"This is my first read from Melanie Moreland and I love how she writes. You start to hate the male character and then end up loving him. What a shift! Initially I didn’t feel that the characters have enough chemistry but oh boy got the shock of rooting for them in the end. This was a boss-secretary romance with minimal intimate scenes focused on the development of both characters which added more substance and drama. Will read the next book in this marriage of convenience series 😊"

"Ever work a job where someone you interact with everyday- boss, coworker, vendor - you hope chokes on their sandwich or has a fatal accident with a letter opener? Be prepared: Richard VanRyan is that person. I have disliked the Hero of the story before. However, they have charming qualities that I can overcome douche like behavior. Richard - OMG - he is just an asshole. I mean there would be a moment in the start of the story you'd think he'd be charming then he'd go open his mouth. You want to junk punch him. Yet, you love to hate him. And you just gotta wonder how this contract will all play out with him at the helm. You may read the synopsis of the story and think, "I've read this trope before." Or this can be your favorite type of storyline. You are in for a very pleasant surprise. Yes, Richard and Katy work together and the contract is the means to an end for both. They will both get what they want and walk away unscathed. Or maybe not... Although Ms Moreland tells the story from a dual POV, it's Richard's POV that keeps you turning the pages to see how this unfolds. "That's it. You want to f### someone? Go f### yourself, VanRyan." Our heroine, Katy isn't what she seems and helps Richard see the world from a different view point. His character is a study in what nurture develops us into from children to the people we associate with as adults. Can we become 'better humans'? Possibly. Richard's change isn't "Boom, now he's a teddy bear." So stealthy is the change, it's surreptitious to him. For me, to really hate a character and actually root for his HEA proves what a talented writer Ms Moreland is. This book will bring out the feels. Sometimes stabby, sometimes sad, sometimes happy. The cast of supporting characters bring the Hero and heroine through their journey that can't help loving (most) of them. If you never read Melanie Moreland's novels, I highly recommend this novel. 5 out of 5 'love to hate him' stars. "

"The Contract (The Contract #1) Written by: Melanie Moreland I am a one clicker, I confess to it! I see a book, it might be the cover, it might be the blurb…who knows but I often one click. I did that with The Contract, but I one clicked for a reason, I had just finished the third book in Melanie Moreland’s Vested Interest series and while scrolling down for book 4, I found Richard VanRyan and his books. That was the day I one clicked 4 of her books. I went on to finish the Vested Interest series and I had left Richard on my bookshelf. My Bad!! Really! Richard VanRyan is not a kind man; he is umm, blunt, mean, nasty, a bully and an alpha hole that didn’t enjoy sitting on a shelf on my iPad. I am 100% sure that he came that way. In his mind he is a gift to the marketing world. He is brilliant, he makes loads of money…in reality he is a dick! Katherine (Katy) Elliot works for Richard, if she is ever called to testify just how bad it was working for Richard, she would have a ton of information to share. She won’t though because she needs this job. She is committed to a cause (you will find out when you read this book) and she needs the money she is making, in fact she needs more. After not making partner, Richard decides he should make a move. He has a firm in mind but to work there he has to change himself (did you guffaw at that statement?) and he needs to have a girlfriend, and that is how this whole story started. Take one (cough) dick, add in a lovely woman who is struggling, stir in a potential new job and an opportunity for both Katy and Richard to learn a few things and you end up with The Contract. You may not ever love Richard, but you will learn why he is/was who he is and you will be a party to growth, truth, watching respect grow from within, grief and a realization of how a person can change. Then when truth and reality run head on into each other you will see how much people can change and how love can give and how much it might take away."

"My first book from this amazing author! This story has all the feelings! When a book makes me feel everything I know I’m gonna reread it. The romance, the connection between the characters, a little antsy in some parts but makes me want more and more until finished. Book 2 and 3 are waiting for me!"

"The Contract, I love it when an author can make me hate a character and by then end love him. This was how this book started for me. Richard is a cutthroat advertising genius. After he didn’t make partner and he decides he wants out of this firm, the problem is he is known for being an asshat. He will do anything to show this new firm that he isn’t the man everyone thinks he is. Richard truly lives up to his name. I feel bad for his poor assistant that is led down this horrible road, but I promise it all works out in the end. You can feel Katy’s desperation for her job. She makes good money being Richard’s assistant but not nearly enough to survive. Richard doesn’t understand because he has money and doesn’t need this job at all. He blackmail’s Katy to be his fiance so he can get the job at the other firm. He has to show that he is actually a committed family man. That is hilarious because Richard is an asshat. They sign the contract and the windy and complicated road that follows them softens Richard and makes Katy stronger. Once he understands why Katy is almost destitute he does everything and anything to help her. I love that the ice around his heart melts and the promise he makes to her Aunt. I love that she is feisty and puts Richard in his place even though she is under contract with him. I can’t call this book an enemy to lovers because it’s more asshat to lovers. However, it is an enemy to lovers and I really did love it. Melanie had me wanting more and I dove into The Baby Clause. "

"In true Melanie Moreland fashion she brings us a swoon-worthy Hero (although, you just wanna hurt him in the beginning) with a sweet Heroine in The Contract. Richard is a man you love to hate. He is arrogant, egotistical and such an alpha male. Katy is sweet as sweet can be and takes all that Richard throws her way. I love when the hero is knocked down a step or two once their feelings evolve. Even with the predictability of the story you can’t help but be immersed in their journey. Fake engagements with a hea are always enjoyable to read. Melanie Moreland delivers with Richard and Katy’s story."

"This book is one of my all-time favs!! I was addicted right from the beginning and it set me on a reading binge of Melanie Moreland books!! Richard Van Ryan will steal your heart! He's a jerk, conceited, and thinks he's God's gift to women, but you're going to love him anyway!! The lovely Katy puts him in his place though and in the end, he redeems himself. He's still conceited though! Who am I kidding, he's still a bit of a jerk! LOL If you haven't read this series yet, I strongly recommend that you do. Then continue on with Melanie's Vested Interest series. You'll get to see more of Richard and Katy! I swear, you're gonna love it!!"

"Only Melanie can make us dislike a character and then fall in love with him. This story is very emotional, enemies to lovers. Fake relationship , office romance. It is a beautifully written story that draws you in and you can’t put it down. Katy and Richard are the couple everyone is rooting for. She is exactly what he needed in his life. I am so happy there is a lot more of this story read. 💗 "

"This book is written very well. It was a pleasure to read. HOWEVER, Richard is a giant piece of **** and I will NEVER understand how Katy falls for his ass.<br/><br/>Also his personality adjustment happens like immediately, and is highly unbelievable. He wasn’t like some gruff dude that showed his caring in a harsh manner…no no, dude was just a straight up dick. So I don’t see it. I don’t believe it. I’ll never accept it."