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Hard Byte, Misha Bell (audiobook edition)

Garabrandt Reviews

February 6

Title: Hard Byte

Author: Misha Bell, Dima Zales and Anna Zaires. narrated by Ava Erickson and Aiden Snow

Length: 7 hours, four minutes.

Genre: romance, humor, neurodiverent lead (or at least it seems that way). Sub-genre: office romance

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of facial hair must be in want of a shave. And tidying. And a fake date.

My name is Holly Hyman. I love order and prime numbers—and I'm in trouble. The company I work for is pivoting, and not in a way I like. Our new management? Alex Chortsky, a gorgeous, scruffy Russian devil. Our new direction? VR entertainment of the spicy kind.

Maybe I wouldn't mind it so much if my life's work wasn't meant for children. Or if I hadn't accidentally hooked up with a VR version of my wickedly handsome boss.

The only way to save my dream project is to make a Faustian bargain. For one night, I pretend to be Alex Chortsky's girlfriend.

What could possibly go wrong?

I read book one (Hard Code) last July and I loved it. Mischa Bell has created the most hilarious scenarios, interesting female leads and charming male leads. I always tell myself I will read more of her stuff, but this is my third book by this author. The scenarios are completely off the rails things that would never happen, but it's done in such a way that you can't help but jump on board with it... we have to see where this is going after all. Our sometimes-british-sounding tea obsessed coder has worked all her life to bring AI to fruition- to be exact, her AI pet therapy program to help sick children. She's almost there! Then the company she works for is bought by the devil... or the CEO of 1,000 Devils a gaming company that is whispered to be going toward AI of the sexy kind. What to do? Break into the office, try on the suit and possibly add some code to break it- or at least stall it until she finishes her work with the hospital. So, here we are, having picked the bosses lock and gotten naked at work- save for the AI suit... and start the program making a lover that looks like the drool-worthy man she saw at lunch. And, of course, this is how she's found. Alex for his part, doesn't know what to make of this crazy woman that tried to sabotage his sister's work... and suceeded in destroying his office. I loved how he behaved toward Bella, and how he was willing to at least entertain the idea of Holly staying- man knows he needs her for the coding. A deal is struck- she helps Bella with testing, and spends one night pretending to be dating him so his parents will stop trying to match him with women. The more time they spend together, though, the more the attraction grows. I love the way he reacts to Holly's idiosyncrasies, keeping them in mind and making sure she can be comfortable while refusing to let anyone make her feel weird about it. The scene where she's trying to buy a prime-numbered meal and he demands the same warmed my heart. Also, who doesn't love a smart, sexy man that smells like tea? I still have to read Dragomir and Bella's story, but I loved Fanny and Vlad. All these books are histerical, sweet, charming and (sometimes weirdly). I had the best time! For me, this is a five star book.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

On the adult content scale, there is a lot of drinking and a lot of sexual inuendo and toys even before all the steamy sex starts. I would say there's still more plot than sex... but this one is definitely geared toward adults.