Brighter Than the Boss

Here’s the thing about the Beach Squad series. You start each book thinking “this is fun!” and then the beauty that is Marika Ray’s words really hits you and by the time you’ve reached the end you heart is so full it’s ready to burst. As is the theme in this series, Brighter Than The Boss is bursting not only with breathtaking romance but also overflowing with strong friendships and women supporting women. <br />So many times I was brought to tears while reading Cain and Sunny’s story. Not because of any ugly cry level heartbreak, but from the unadulterated beauty that came to life between these two very opposite people. Sunny lives up to her name spreading sunshine wherever she goes and being endlessly optimistic. I genuinely loved that about her. As someone who lives her life being recklessly optimistic I’ve been on the receiving end of a surprising amount of negativity because of it. Reading Sunny was like reading about someone who finally could get me. <br />Cain was the dark to Sunny’s life. Broody, jaded, and a certified manw**re he was not prepared for the ray of sunshine that is Sunny to invade his life. These two grow from enemies with electric chemistry to one of the greatest couple I’ve ever read throughout their story.

Well I got to say the author jumped right in with the heat in the opening chapter. It was good, and funny, and intense, and unexpected.<br /><br />Seriously this is more than just a beach romance novel. This is a book that has a really good story. It has depth of characters and opposing sides of how people view life. It depicts why people are the way they are and what motivates them to act and react the way we do. The author took the time to develop an all round story not just a sexy romcom. <br /><br />Sunny, comes off in the beginning exactly as her name depicts, but she also has fears, and her own personal stuff going on in life. She is strong willed and doesn’t need protecting except maybe for her heart. <br />Cain, is gorgeous, has a colorful appetite and knows what he wants and doesn’t want. He thinks he has it all figured out and doesn’t deviate from his plan. He’s good at job and has his own set of rules. He’s a bit grumpy and has a skewed view on life. However, he’s always there for his friends.<br />Together these two create all kinds of friction, good and bad. So why can’t they just avoid each other? Why do they keep getting thrown at each other? Call it fate, call it chemistry. Call it a bad idea. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. What it is, is a good story.<br /><br />Fortunately, if you’ve read other books from this series you’ll be happy to become reacquainted with the Beach Squad girls and all the fellows you have come to know and love. If this is your first read of this series it’s fine. This book stands on it’s own.<br /><br />Besides the heat there are some tense moments and some tender ones. The author delves into some sensitive and heavy issues. It will touch your heart in many ways. You will also get to watch the metamorphosis of these two characters in a realistic way. <br /><br />I read this book in one sitting. It’s a fast read. One I think you’ll really enjoy. Can’t wait to see what the author brings us next. I’ll be waiting!

<img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1461713684i/18900815.jpg" width="250" height="250" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br>Brighter Than the Boss by Marika Ray was one of those books that I felt had a build up and got better the more I read. <br><br>Cain and Sunny were the kind of night and day characters that make me think of yin and yang. They had very opposite personal experiences and it shaped their outlook on life. But when they meet it's not only quite the memorable experience, but it begins to shift their whole view of things. <br><br>I have a soft spot for bad boys and players in my romance novels so Cain definitely was a character I enjoyed reading about. His past experiences were sad and I really felt for him. I liked that he didn't necessarily let it turn him into a bad guy, just one with walls up and lots of rules for his personal relationships. <br><br>Sunny was exactly what her name suggests. She was a bright, positive, happy person. I like how she seamlessly fit in with the beach squad and was exactly what Cain needed. <br><br>Overall this was a good story and a good addition to the series.

I absolutely love the Beach Squad series!!! I have been waiting for this book and it did not disappoint. From the beginning I was captivated by Sunny and Cain's story. I found both Sunny and Cain to be extremely relatable characters, dealing with issues that people face in life everyday. These two characters went through so much in their lives and they both handled in completely differently. Sunny chose to see the positive side to everything and Cain chose to be jaded about life. While you couldn't get two people more opposite than one another, they came together in a beautiful way and made their relationship work. This book has it all! Intense emotions, laugh out loud moments, tender and romantic moments and an epic ending that will have you swooning! Trust me you need this book in your life!

Darkness and light! Cain and Sunny, a force out of nowhere that could either work or implode. An awkward first meeting, blazing attraction and stubbornness all lead up to a great fireworks moment. Surrounded and supported by the Beach Squad and the lifeguard men who love them, Cain and Sunny find their path. This was a fun, easy read with great characters and a message cof positivity. Everyone is worth it!

This is the second book of Marika’s that I’ve read, Definitely won’t be the last. I loved this book! It was funny and sexy and had me not wanting to put it down. This book had a great message and I’m so glad that Cain and Sunny gave each other so many chances to get it right.

Sunny couldn’t wait to trade the cold weather of Indiana for the sunny skies and warm weather of California which is why she decided to attend college there and start her career as a lifeguard. The crystal blue ocean called to her and she knew she had made the right decision, even though she missed her parents very much. She was ecstatic about her new position in Huntington Beach and she was glad to be away from the traffic and crowds of Los Angeles, where she previously lived. She wasn’t ready for her dangerously sexy boss, Cain, who interrupted her in the locker room when she was changing into her swimsuit. Oh my gosh!! What had she been thinking? How could she possibly face him again and what if she lost her job over this? Sunny decided to ignore him and concentrate on her job which will be hard because Cain is sex on a stick and hard to resist.<br /><br />Cain is very serious about his position at the Huntington Beach Lifeguard Station. He is organized, professional and is always aware of what is going on at the beach. When he barged into the locker room and gazed down at Sunny, time stood still and he thought he was dreaming. She was beautiful, strong and sexy but how could he have possibly known she was his new employee? Women flock to him all the time and he certainly doesn’t need the aggravation of a work romance. Besides, Cain doesn’t do relationships because the ones you love always leave you and he can’t go through that ever again. <br /><br />Visiting California is on my bucket list but until then I pretend I am there when I read any of the Beach Squad books by Marika Ray. I can feel the warm breezes and smell the salt air as I walk up and down the beach. Her latest book is full of passion, warmth and understanding between Sunny and Cain and all the women of the Beach Squad. They welcomed her with open arms and were there for her when she needed them.

Well, crud! I wasn’t expecting to need the tissues for this book, but by the time I slammed into that ending, I certainly did. This is probably one of the things I like best about the Beach Squad series: there’s a light, frothy layer of just plain silliness hiding the emotional undertow and at least one deep life lesson that kind of sneaks up out of nowhere. Sunny has the perfect name. She’s an optimist. Even during her darkest moments, she can still find something positive. Cain’s carrying around what’s probably more than his fair share of emotional baggage. So, what do we get pairing the sparkling idealist with the grumpy playboy? We get this deeply moving story of two opposites that simply can’t resist each other no matter how hard they try. I was inspired by the paradigm shift as both Sunny and Cain sought to understand how each other can see the world the way they do. And I loved getting the opportunity to check in again with all our favorite Beach Squad couples. I can’t wait to see who’s next.<br />I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book.

"The dark didn't stand a chance when it found sunshine."<br /><br />Cain hides his pain beneath the veneer of a carefree, playboy lifestyle. Meeting Sunny hits harder than he expects, shedding light on issues he thought he'd be able keep hidden forever.<br /><br />Sunny is a generally positive person, but when she's feeling down, it's her grumpy, dark boss who offers her his shoulder. The man who her body clearly likes, though her brain has to play catch up, as they clearly rub each other the wrong way.<br /><br />I liked Sunny's determination and her positivity, though I get why it unnerved Cain so much in the beginning. The story is a deep story, with characters that we catch up with from previous books in the series. The Beach Squad is just the type of girl squad that any girl would kill to have as a group of friends. I'm enjoying their exploits so far, and look forward to more.<br /><br />I voluntarily read &amp; reviewed an ARC of this book.

SOLID AS A ROCK!!!<br />Wow! I love, love, love this little gem right here. I mean I love Marika's work and her style of writing, but this is my favorite Volume yet. Don't get me wrong, they're all fantastic reads. Marika writes with a passion that shows through every line of this page turning dynamo. A strong storyline that flows with such realism it brings the scenes alive before your eyes. The twists, turns and bumps add all the excitement, drama, nailbiting and suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are so loveable and realistic with every day problems that's dealt with such finesse it leaves you in awe. There was plenty of heat as well as humor and camaraderie that just balances out perfectly. I would recommend this series to anyone over the age of 18 that loves a great romance. Thanks Marika for sharing this phenomenal read with us.