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When Catherine takes a temporary job at a software company to pad her novelist's paycheck, she expects six weeks of quiet, uneventful work—but then she meets Lance MacCallan, the CEO who treats his employees like punching bags and decides Catherine is his next conquest. What starts as workplace harassment escalates into something darker as Lance refuses to accept her refusals, turning what should be a simple gig into a nightmare that tests Catherine's boundaries and courage. This isn't your typical romance—it's a sharp, unflinching look at what happens when a woman refuses to be intimidated or manipulated by someone in power, told with wit and unforgettable backbone. A powerful and important story that centers a woman's agency and resilience in the face of an abusive man.
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“Create a playlist called The CEO Can Drop Dead: A That's Not Romance Book. Dark indie and alternative pop capturing workplace tension, defiance, and reclaimed power. Think Phoebe Bridgers' haunting vulnerability meets Yeah Yeah Yeahs' raw intensity. Moody, atmospheric tracks about boundaries, survival, and standing your ground against toxicity.”
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