Book Extract: Partner Pursuit by Kathy Strobos

When a workaholic lawyer meets a fun-loving music marketing executive for opposites attract, friends-to-lovers adventures, which partnership will she choose?

Workaholic lawyer Audrey Willems is not going to take any chances with her bid to become a partner at her New York law firm—especially with only six months until the decision.

Until she bumps into Jake—her new neighbor. Jake is a fun-loving music marketing executive who might just be The One.

He’s funny, caring, supportive—and able to kill water bugs in the bathroom.

But Jake will never date a woman married to her job. His father was a workaholic lawyer who never had time for family.

And she’s just got the case of a lifetime—the one she needs to win to make partner.  Working 24/7 at the office may not even be enough hours to pull off a victory.

If only she had not met him now.

Audrey is determined to prove that she can juggle work and romance—even if managing court cases, candlelit dinners, and bike rides around Manhattan is a lot harder than it looks.  She keeps canceling dates for yet another case crisis.

But when making partner is like a game of musical chairs and the last seat is a business-class alone, which partnership will she choose?

Kathy has shared an extract with us today. Enjoy. 

*****beginning of extract*****

Excerpt: Pride & Prejudice

As they reached the green subway entrance in the traffic island in the middle of 72^nd Street, Jake asked, “This is your subway, right? The daycare is over on West End Avenue a few blocks down, so we’ll make it in time.”

She nodded reluctantly.

“Say goodbye to Audrey,” he said to Luna.

Luna hugged her. Audrey loved those little arms holding onto her.

Then Luna said, “You should marry this one. Mommy says that if you marry, I might get cousins I can play with.”

Audrey blushed bright red.

“Fiona is determined to marry me off,” Jake said. “Sometimes I feel like I’m in Pride and Prejudice, with Fiona playing the role of Mrs. Bennett.”

“Your sister is not remotely like Mrs. Bennett.”

“You have no idea. She invites me over to dinner, and half the time, she’s also invited a single girlfriend. It’s fu…n and awkward.”

Audrey laughed. “At least she thinks you’re a good catch.”

“I’d hope. But still, I think I can find someone on my own.” He smiled warmly at her. “Thanks again for coming out on the spur of the moment and helping me. Your talking bunny was super helpful.”

“Your singing was key.”

“You can see why I’m in marketing and not out in front.”

They stood there, staring at each other, while crowds jostled around them, streaming towards the subway. Luna tugged at Jake’s hand.

“We have to go,” Luna said. “Daddy usually kisses mommy goodbye here, and then we go.”

“All right.” Jake kissed Audrey lightly on the cheek. She closed her eyes and breathed in his clean smell.

“Good luck with your meeting.”

“I’ll start singing if it gets tense.” He pushed the stroller towards West End Avenue and the daycare. Audrey watched him go. And then he turned his head and saw her, standing there, transfixed by a kiss on the cheek. He smiled and waved. She waved back. Caught again. Subtlety was not her forte.

***** end of extract*****

About Kathy Strobos:

Kathy Strobos is a writer living in New York City with her husband and two children, amid a growing collection of books, toys and dollhouses.

She grew up in New York City and graduated from Stuyvesant High School and Harvard-Radcliffe University magna cum laude.

She previously worked as a lawyer.

She left law to pursue her dream of writing fiction full-time and getting in shape. She is still working on getting in shape.

 Say hello via Twitter, Kathy’s website, and Facebook. 

Click to purchase Partner Pursuit at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

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Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.