The Takeover: A Novel

Cara Tanamachi

Jan 2024 · Sold by St. Martin's Griffin

About this ebook

Sometimes, when you ask the universe for your soulmate, you wind up with your hate mate instead.

On Nami's 30th birthday, she’s reminded at every turn that her life isn’t what she planned. She’s always excelled at everything – until now. Her fiancé blew up their engagement. Her pride and joy, the tech company she helped to found, is about to lose funding. And her sister, Sora, is getting married to the man of her dreams, Jack, and instead of being happy for her, as she knows she ought to be, she’s fighting off jealousy.

Frustrated with her life, she makes a wish on a birthday candle to find her soulmate. Instead, the universe delivers her hate mate, Nami’s old high school nemesis, Jae Lee, the most popular kid from high school, who also narrowly beat her out for valedictorian. More than a decade later, Jae is still as effortlessly cool, charming, and stylish as ever, and, to make matters worse, is planning a hostile take-over of her start-up. Cue: sharp elbows and even sharper banter as the two go head-to-head to see who’ll win this time. But when their rivalry ignites a different kind of passion, Nami starts to realize that it's not just her company that's in danger of being taken over, but her heart as well.

"Readers will cheer on this pair of sparring hearts." - Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

Ratings and reviews

Battling and competition were a way of life to Nami and Jae when they were in high school. Years later, Jae is representing his company in a buyout deal for Nami’s company. Let the barbs begin! With all their interactions, foes become lovers but the stakes are high in this catchy, delightful novel. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This story was a breath of fresh air. Enjoyed the hate-love banter of the Jae and Namby and their quick wit. I am going out to look at a “Wegner Swivel” chair. I laughed out loud in several places while reading. An excellent and entertaining read. Definite addition to your TBR list.

About the author

Cara Tanamachi lives near Chicago with her husband and five children, and their 85-pound Goldendoodle, Theodore. Raised near Dallas, Texas by her Japanese-American dad and English-Scottish American mom, she was the oldest of two children. The UPenn grad worked as a newspaper reporter and then published many novels under the name Cara Lockwood. A former single mom, she spent eight years dating before finding the love of her life. She believes we all could use a little more happily ever after.