Book Review: Connectivity by Aven Ellis

Connectivity by Aven Ellis
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Release Date: 13th October 2013
Buy: Kindle
Rating:

Overachiever Mary-Kate Grant (who is indeed named after an Olsen Twin) has followed every rule to the letter to pursue her dream of working in TV programming. Ripping a page from the “hard work pays off” playbook, she takes an assistant level job at a Chicago sports network to break into the industry. MK has no time or desire for a relationship right now—she is totally focused on her career and being independent, unlike the other women in her family. But MK’s plans are run through the shredder when she finds herself working for William Cumberland, a British media mogul who made his fortune with Connectivity, a social media site. William blows into Chicago just like the winds off Lake Michigan and purchases the group of networks MK works for—and makes her his personal assistant in the process. Suddenly MK finds her career plans in jeopardy. William makes her question everything she has ever thought and has the uncanny ability to see right through her. And for the first time in her life, MK finds herself not only questioning what she wants for her career but for her personal life as well.

Meet Mary-Kate (MK to her friends). She is one down-to-earth, career minded girl. Currently working for the company Collective Media Enterprises for TATS (Total Access Total Sport) in Chicago, the fact that Mary-Kate doesn’t actually like sports is irrelevant. She has her eyes on the big prize…working for the Beautiful Homes Network. As far as she’s concerned working for TATS is just her way of getting her foot on the career ladder… She has absolutely no time or interest in relationships, especially after seeing her sister give up her whole career to become a ‘wife’.
Meet William Cumberland. A British media mogul and founder of Connectivity, the form of social media that connects everything in one place, whether it be career-related, personal, photographs, videos… William is a strict workaholic and has absolutely no time or interest in relationships either.
Then it just so happens that Collective Media Enterprises is bought up by none other than Mr Cumberland himself. Determined to make a good impression and get that spot on the Beautiful Homes Network, MK goes all out to impress William. However, things don’t turn out that way as she is hired as his temporary assistant and turns into a complete clumsy mess whenever William’s around (well, she’s clumsy most of the time to be fair…) However, as the two get to know one another they find that they have more in common than they realise. One thing leads to another and shock-horror- MK finds herself falling for William and he seems to be falling for her! But surely things can’t work out between them, can they? After all he lives in London, she lives in Chicago and then there’s the slight problem that one of the things they have in common is their desire to strictly avoid relationships and stick to what they know best…work.

Connectivity is the ultimate story about finding love where you least expect to in life. I knew I was going to enjoy this story from the off. Lead character named after an Olsen twin? Winner. Mary-Kate was always my favourite Olsen twin too, but that’s beside the point…
I loved the story of MK and William’s relationship. It had a fantastic build up and I liked the fact that they took things slowly; it made their story all the more special in my opinion. So many relationships in books happen practically overnight but MK and William don’t admit their love for one another right until the end…and then it might be too late! They are so cute together and I love the banter that goes on between them. I liked the character of MK not only because she was clumsy, cute and loveable, but because she was also strong, independent and had a good work ethic. She is terrified of ending up a Bridezilla like her sister (some of their exchanges make for hilarious reading!)
William is an extremely likeable character too; not only does he sound DDG (Drop-Dead-Gorgeous), he “can wear a trench coat and scarf like nobody’s business” (MK’s words, not mine!) He’s vulnerable and afraid to get close to anyone after the events of his past; you just want to hug him. I also like it when he goes’ badass mogul’ when standing up for MK.
The supporting characters are all great additions to the story too; I love William’s sister-in-law but I found myself really disliking MK’s flat mates and friends. I didn’t feel as though they were supporting her, just trying to bring her down all the time and who needs friends like that?
I also really enjoyed the Epilogue to this story. I love a good old Epilogue as it is, always wanting to find out just that little but more about what happened next and the conclusion to MK and William’s lives was wonderful. It continued from where the story left off and it made me smile.
I am so pleased to have discovered Aven Ellis’s wonderful writing and I can’t wait to read more from her. Connectivity is a funny, flirty and original romance. I defy you to not get sucked into this heart-warming, cute story that asks is it really possible to have both a successful career and a successful relationship?

*Copy received for review from the author. Many thanks Aven.

I live in the Dallas area with my family. I enjoy clipping out recipes I will never get around to trying, working out, and chatting with friends on social media. I am particularly fond of British actors named Benedict and Henry. I love shopping and fashion and admit to being obsessed with whatever the Duchess of Cambridge is wearing. I am also obsessed with any show or cookbook featuring Gordon Ramsay.
And I do not believe in the Lather.Rinse.Repeat theory when it comes to shampooing my hair.

Visit Aven’s website and follow her on Twitter @AvenEllis