I received this book for free from the Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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I thought I knew everything about my rich, neat-freak doctor of a boss. Until I walked into a fight club and our eyes clashed across the ring…
Holden Salinger is a pediatric oncologist and for the last two years I’ve been cleaning his swanky New York apartment.
I know every intimate detail about him, from his overly large shoe size to his toothpaste tube rolling obsession.
But he doesn’t even know I exist. The man couldn’t pick me out in a police lineup.
Until I get a second job working at a local bar, only to discover there’s a secret back room. One with a boxing ring right in the center. And when I see him vault into it, muscles rippling, I realize he’s not the man I thought he was.
From the moment our gazes clash, the chemistry between us is sizzling. And when he becomes my unexpected savior, my heart takes a tumble I’m not expecting.
Falling for him is such a bad idea. If he finds out who I really am, he’d never want to touch me.
So let’s not tell him, okay?

I’ve been a fan of Carrie Elks writing for a few years now. And the Salinger Brothers series has definitely been one of my favorites. I’m always a bit surprised these books aren’t more popular, because honestly I love everything about this series. So when I received the ARC of ‘Strictly Not Yours’, the fourth standalone book in the series, I started reading as soon as I could.

In ‘Strictly Not Yours’ we read the story of Holden Salinger and Blair. Holden is a pediatric oncologist and has been known for being a workaholic. Blair has been his cleaner for years. Blair and Holden have never met. But Blair knows a lot about him, and she has always been intrigued by the handsome doctor. One evening, while working at her second job, Blair suddenly comes eye to eye with Holden. There is a instant spark between them, and they both can’t seem to stay away from each other. But Blair is afraid to tell Holden she is also his cleaner. And before she can rethink it, it’s to late.

From the moment I started reading ‘Strictly Not Yours’ I was hooked. This book is written through both Holden and Blair’s point of view and I loved it. Holden and Blair come from two totally different worlds. But there is this instant connection between them, and both can’t seem to stay away from each other. Even though they really try!

Holden is a hardworking oncologist, who spends most of his time in the hospital. Although he is close with his brothers, he rarely takes the time to spend time with them. The one thing he does for himself, to take his mind of all those kids he can’t safe, is boxing. But it’s something he doesn’t want anyone to know. His time is spend alone, but when he sees Blair he can’t take his eyes of her. Blair doesn’t take crap from anyone, and she is very hardworking. She makes him smile, and for the first time he doesn’t seem to get the urge to go boxing. But unfortunately Blair seems to want the fairytale, and he isn’t someone who can give it to her.

My favorite character was Blair. She is the most unselfish person out there. She joined the army when she came out of High school to help her sister go to college. Now, years later, she is going to college herself, while working two jobs to make sure her sister and nephew have a good life. I admired her so much. And although I wished she wasn’t so afraid to let Holden in, I honestly was just in awe of her.

The romance and chemistry between Holden and Blair was amazing. And their interactions made me smile more than once. We also get to see the other Salinger brothers again for a bit, and I loved that. I’m so excited to read the story of the last Salinger brother next.

‘Strictly Not Yours’ was a great read. I adored every minute spend in this book. And Cinderella meets Fight Club definitely sounds about right. If you’re a fan of romance, this book is for you!

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About Carrie Elks

Carrie Elks writes contemporary romance with a sizzling edge. Her first book, Fix You, has been translated into eight languages and made a surprise appearance on Big Brother in Brazil. Luckily for her, it wasn’t voted out. Carrie lives with her husband, two lovely children and a larger-than-life black pug called Plato. When she isn’t writing or reading, she can be found baking, drinking an occasional (!) glass of wine, or chatting on social media.

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Maureen Bakker

Maureen is a mom, wife, nurse, and Ravenclaw living in the Netherlands. She spends her days juggling mom-life, reading, blogging, planning date nights with her husband and working as a nurse. Maureen also is a big Anglophile, loves cooking, Gilmore Girls, Bridgerton and Harry Potter.. Always!  Facebook | Instagram