Leesa Ronald’s second novel, Power Moves, is a romance but not a rom-com. This winds a tale of a developing romance around serious issues, and although there are moments of levity, overall, I didn’t find it humorous. It is, however, very engaging and a pleasure to read a romance with real depth.
Camilla “Millsy” Hatton is a workaholic media manager for a state politician, and happy with it. She knows she’s very good at her job and believes her boss couldn’t cope without her. She sometimes laments the lack of balance in her life, but that never stops her from diving right back into the fray.
One thing reliably infuriates her: Archie Cohen, currently a star political journalist. When they were at university, he was a jock who ignored her. Now he has Millsy’s dream job, and seems determined to destroy her current one by taking down her boss.
Millsy’s eventually forced to reconsider how she sees Archie, and that in turn makes her reconsider other things. Her whole worldview starts to wobble.
The relationship between Millsy and Archie is central to the novel, and it’s both charming and realistic. Their relationship is initially framed by preconceptions, misunderstandings, and external influences. This felt very believable, as did Millsy’s growing realisation that perhaps she’s being unfair to Archie. This is livened up with some great banter.
Novels like this don’t work unless you engage with the characters, and Ronald gives us a cast of believable, largely appealing personalities. Beyond Millsy and Archie, characters are often drawn more lightly, but feel equally real. In particular, Millsy’s family is vivid and delightful.
The novel deals seriously with a number of issues, most notably problems in the workplace. While most readers are going to see the majority of plot points coming a mile away, that doesn’t take away from the fact that these are real, genuine problems, some of which I’ve seen happen myself. Most readers are going to empathise with this and understand how Millsy feels.
Ronald keeps her touch fairly light, though, so that this is an engaging romance rather than a dark exploration of workplace problems. Readers will appreciate the balance of serious and light. It makes for an easy read that has some depth.
I found this an enjoyable read. Although some of the plot points were very obvious, life is like that sometimes. This was the right balance to keep me interested and provide a worthwhile and enjoyable read.
You may also like Special Delivery by the same author.
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club Members are reading Power Moves by Leesa Ronald. You can read their comments below, or add your own review.
I’ve loved books for as long as I can remember, and I love sharing that joy.
I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember, across all genres. There’s not much I won’t at least try. I’ve been an enthusiastic book reviewer for years. I particularly enjoy discovering writers new to me, and sharing good writing with others.
My career has included time spent writing and editing technical documents, but it’s fiction that really moves me. I’ve reviewed for a number of different outlets over the years, and have been a judge in literary competitions.
I’m now raising little bookworms of my own, which brings a whole new kind of joy to sharing books.
More of my reviews can be found on my review blog www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog .
Power Moves is Leesa Ronald’s second book, I loved her first book, Special Delivery, and she’s backed it up with another ripper in Power Moves!
Camilla (Millsy) is in charge of media for the states Education minister, she loves her job and does the hours to prove it!
Archie is a popular political journalist who has it in for Millsys boss.
They see a lot of each other, both testing and teasing each other with there banter, having been to uni together they’ve been acquaintances for a long time, slowing things start to heat up between them.
I loved Millsy and Archie and all there banter, I was giggling throughout this book.
It was very light-hearted in the first half but with glimpses of some serious undertones, which came to light in the second half.
All the characters were written so well, the blend of work, family and romance made it a page turning read, with lots of humour but tackling some big issues at the same time.
Thank you Beauty and Lace and Allen and Unwin for the copy to read.