Customer Reviews

Fringe Benefits (Sensual Romance)

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What fun book! Fringe Benefits kept me turning the pages as the mounting of tension between Jane and Spencer grew in each chapter. Having experienced sexual harassment from her former boss, Jane decides to wear a wedding ring to keep men at bay. However, she hadn't anticipated the fact that her new boss is gorgeous. Will she give up her inhibitions and begin a steamy affair with her boss, or will she continue the charade? I recommend this little gem to all romance enthusiasts!

Jane Stanford is tired of being a victim of sexual harassment. On her last job, she reacted to co-worker Phil Johnson's clumsy, disconcerting sexual advances by blackening his eye, but she was found at fault and fired. So this time when she starts her new job, she fakes a marriage so no male will unprofessionally bother her.

However, Jane wants to reconsider her sham husband upon meeting her new boss, sexy Spencer Tate. She wants him in her bed and he feels the same way about her. However, Spence knows what happened to Jane on her last job and besides refuses to hit on a married woman even if cold showers fail to cool his ardor.

Though why Phil apparently was not disciplined for sexual harassing Jane seems strange in light of both having to explain his black eye, fans will enjoy this romance. The story line is intelligently developed in such a manner that the reader feels the sexual tension of the lead couple as much as the wariness to go forth and do wonderful things together. Nancy Warren is at the top of her game with this delightful tale of the boardroom vs. the bedroom.

Harriet Klausner

Another fabulously funny and sexy book by Nancy Warren. Tension burns up the pages and leads to a satisfying conclusion for both characters and readers.

After putting up with repeated sexual harassment from a colleague, Jane Stafford finally takes aggressive action. But when she winds up having to leave her job instead of her harasser, she's determined that it will not happen again! She decides that, before she applies for a new job, she will acquire a husband. Her fake wedding band should keep would-be creeps at bay. But she doesn't count on being extremely attracted to her new boss, Spencer Tate. Now here's a development she did not anticipate!

Spence is attracted to Jane from the interview on and as he works with her, finds it increasingly difficult to suppress the attraction he feels to a married woman. He feels like a creep, but he also feels that there is something "off" about Jane's marriage. Especially after he meets her "husband" - a man who does not seem to suit Jane and who also seems to be interested in another woman! Spence decides that something stinks in this marriage and becomes determined to learn the truth. But now the charade has gone too far and Jane does not know how to tell the truth without Spence thinking she's a liar or a nut. And the rest of the staff will think she's sleeping with the boss to advance in the company. What to do?

I must say, I found the feminist sensibility that pervades this book a bit passe. If this were the 70's or 80's then maybe I could buy it, but not in these oh so PC times. I doubt the sexual harassment would have played out as it did in the book in this day and age in any responsible (or at least litigious-conscious!) company. Still, though not one of her best, an enjoyable read from an author who has become a favourite.

STORY BRIEF:
Jane is a top computer systems sales person. A creepy co-worker hit on her, so she punched him. She was fired because her boss believed the creep's lies rather than the truth. She decides to wear a fake wedding band to keep men at bay. From day one at her new job, she is attracted to her new boss Spencer. And he feels the same. He is frustrated that she is married, so he wants to meet her husband. Jane's best friend Alicia offers her own husband Chuck to pretend to be Jane's husband.

REVIEWER'S OPINION:
The story is mostly Jane not following her feelings. She is falling for Spencer, but her actions prevent anything from happening. She's concerned about sexual harassment and doesn't want a reputation of sleeping with the boss. She chooses career over love. Spencer is patient and active in his attempts to have a relationship. It's not the best plot, but ok for a romance novel. The book is on the short side, as are other Nancy Warren books.

DATA:
Story length: 215 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 2. Total number of sex scene pages: 9. Setting: current day Yaletown, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Copyright: 2003. Genre: contemporary romance.

I decided to go back and read some early Nancy Warren - and I found a real gem. This novel takes place in Vancouver Canada. Jane looses her job after she hits her boss who was touching her inappropriatly. Before applying for another job she makes up a husband but when she finds herself attracted to her new boss she fights with her old goals and ideas.