New Series, Same Universe
Alright my fellow spicy book dragons, we're starting another Catharina Maura series!
Until You is the first book in the Off-Limits series, and if billionaire romance is your thing, this is definitely another series to check out. Something else I love is that this series exists in the same universe as The Windsors, along with the standalones Forever After All and Mine for a Moment.
๏ปฟNow, I actually read these a little out of order. I started with The Windsors, then went back and read Forever After All and the Off-Limits series afterward. Did it ruin anything for me? Nope. I still enjoyed the hell out of them. So don't panic if you've already started somewhere else in this universe. But if you want a little more background before diving into Off-Limits, Forever After All is a great one to pick up first. Now let's meet our couple.
Meet the Characters
Aria Grant (FMC): A talented computer programmer and coder who's smart, funny, witty, and usually pretty easygoingโespecially when it comes to her older brother Noah and his best friend Grayson. Underneath that personality, Aria struggles with her self-esteem and body image because of childhood stress and trauma. She also happens to be hiding one hell of a secret: Aria is Nyx, the mysterious creator of the vigilante platform Nemesis.
Grayson Callahan (MMC): Owner and CEO of Aequitus, the world's largest software engineering firm. Grayson is quiet, ridiculously intelligent, funny in his own understated way, and doesn't have much to say unless he's around Noah or Aria. He grew up in the foster system and has spent years searching for answers about his biological parents. He's also secretly Ash, one of the vigilantes working through Nemesis.
That's right. They're already working together. They just don't know it. Well...at least not at first.
Grayson Has Never Liked Aria's Boyfriend
Every year, Grayson takes a week off to visit his best friend Noah for his birthday. When he arrives this time, one of the first things he does is ask where Aria is. Turns out she's moved in with her boyfriend, Brad. Noah clearly isn't Brad's biggest fan, but he's trying to respect the fact that Aria is an adult who can make her own decisions.
Then Grayson meets him. Yeah. He doesn't like him either. Brad quickly tries to take advantage of Aria's connection to Grayson by using it to get himself a job at Aequitus. Grayson gives him a challenge instead.
Hack into Nemesis. The same platform that even Grayson hasn't been able to crack. Aria thinks Grayson is deliberately making things impossible because he doesn't want her moving to California with Brad and potentially working at Aequitus too.
But that's not it at all. Aria? He'd happily hire.
Brad? Grayson basically thinks the man is useless. And, well... He's not exactly wrong.
When Everything Falls Apart
Then Aria has one absolutely horrible day. She receives a phone call from the lawyer involved in her parents' murder case and learns that the man responsible has been released early for good behavior. Already emotionally wrecked, Aria leaves work in a daze and heads home. Where things somehow get even worse. She discovers Brad cheating on her. And if that wasn't enough, she overhears enough to realize that their relationship wasn't what she thought it was in the first place.
Sir, you picked the wrong woman to screw over. Especially when her brother's best friend is Grayson Callahan. When Noah and Grayson find out what happened, Noah comes up with a solution. Aria needs a fresh start. And Grayson can give her one.
Welcome to California
Aria agrees to move to California and work for Grayson at Aequitus. And I loved that she doesn't get handed everything just because she knows the CEO. Aria proves that she belongs there. She's incredibly talented at what she does and quickly finds her place working with the specialized team directly under Grayson. But now she and Grayson are doing something they haven't really done before.
Living together. Working together. Spending a whole lot of time together. You know where this is going. Meanwhile, something else is happening without Aria realizing it. Nyx and Ash are getting closer too.
Nyx and Ash
The Nemesis storyline was probably one of my favorite parts of this book. Nemesis is a vigilante platform created by Nyxโaka Ariaโand Grayson operates on it as Ash. Neither originally knows who the other really is. And their online banter? So freaking cute. I especially loved all the ridiculous, cheesy pickup lines between Nyx and Ash.
There's something so fun about watching Aria and Grayson grow closer in real life while Nyx and Ash are simultaneously building their own connection online. Except Grayson eventually figures it out. Nyx is Aria. And suddenly the two women he's getting closer to are actually the same woman. Does he immediately tell her? Nope. Because he's terrified that revealing what he knows could cost him both versions of her. Aria, meanwhile, still has absolutely no idea that Ash has been standing right in front of her.
As Aria settles into her new life, the relationship between her and Grayson starts changing. These two already have years of history because of Noah, but now they're finally getting the opportunity to know each other outside of him. And the chemistry starts chemistry-ing. Grayson also has some serious touch her and die energy hiding underneath that quiet exterior.
This man might not say much, but piss him off when it comes to Aria and suddenly everybody is going to know exactly how he feels. Especially Brad. Watching Grayson punch Brad in the face? Beautiful. Watching him low-key destroy the man's career afterward? Sir. Petty billionaire revenge apparently speaks to me.
Grayson and Aria's Relationship Hit Differently
One of the things I appreciated most about their romance was how Grayson treats Aria. Aria has struggled with her body image and self-esteem for years because of the things she's experienced. Grayson never makes her feel like she needs to change. He makes her feel wanted. Beautiful. Desired. Comfortable.
And I loved seeing Aria slowly begin viewing herself differently through a relationship where she doesn't have to question whether the man beside her actually wants her. Of course, because this is Catharina Maura, we can't simply let these two be happy. We need some emotional devastation first.
Nemesis Becomes Personal
Nemesis isn't just a cute secret connection between Nyx and Ash. Both of them have personal reasons for using it. After learning that her parents' murderer has been released, Aria places him on the Nemesis watch list. Grayson has questions of his own. He's spent years searching for his biological parents, and eventually Ash asks Nyx for help. Aria throws herself into finding answers for him.
But sometimes finally getting the answer you've spent your entire life searching for doesn't give you the closure you expected. And that's exactly what happens here. I don't want to reveal every detail because this part of Grayson's story is better experienced without knowing everything beforehand. Let's just say what they discover isn't easy. And the consequences hit Grayson hard.
Grayson, Do Not Push Her Away
When things become overwhelming, Grayson does what emotionally damaged romance heroes apparently love doing. He pulls away. Sir. No. Aria isn't having that shit either. She tries to stop him from shutting her out, but everything happening around them becomes increasingly complicated, particularly after one of their Nemesis cases becomes deeply personal.
Grayson is willing to sacrifice a lot to make sure justice is served. Unfortunately, those sacrifices have consequences. Eventually, Aria decides she's going home to Noah. And suddenly Grayson is faced with the possibility of actually losing the woman he's loved.
Get Your Girl, Grayson
There are some emotional conversations toward the end that I won't completely spoil, but I really liked seeing certain people finally forced to confront how badly their words and actions hurt Grayson. And when Aria is preparing to leave California? Grayson finally gets his head out of his ass. He reaches her before she can board her flight and tells her exactly what she needs to hear.
He never stopped loving her. He doesn't want to lose her. And after everything these two went through? Thank fuck. Because I was ready to drag this man to the airport myself.
The Little Things I Loved
There were so many smaller details that made Aria and Grayson's relationship work for me. The Nyx and Ash banter was probably at the top of the list. The cheesy pickup lines were adorable, especially because neither initially realized exactly who was on the other side of the screen.
Then there's quiet Grayson transforming into Mr. FAFO whenever somebody crosses a line with Aria. Touch her? Flirt a little too aggressively? Treat her badly? Good luck, buddy. I also loved how supportive Grayson was about Aria's body and how he helped make her feel comfortable rather than reinforcing the insecurities she already carried.
And when things finally become serious enough that Grayson asks Noah for permission to marry his sister? My heart. For someone who doesn't talk much, Grayson sure knows how to make his actions count.
The Verdict
Highly Recommended For: Fans of billionaire romance, brother's-best-friend romance, hackers, secret identities, friends to lovers, forced proximity, workplace romance, protective MMCs, vigilante storylines, emotional backstories, and men who give serious touch-her-and-die energy.
Until You was a great beginning to the Off-Limits series. I really enjoyed Aria and Grayson together, but the Nyx and Ash storyline gave their romance something extra. They aren't simply falling for each other once. They're growing closer in real life while simultaneously forming this anonymous connection through Nemesis, and watching those two sides of their relationship collide was so much fun. I also loved getting beneath Grayson's quiet exterior. He's intelligent, successful, and intimidatingly powerful, but underneath all of that is someone carrying a lot of hurt and unanswered questions from his childhood.
And Aria? She's exactly the kind of person he needs. Smart enough to keep up with him, stubborn enough not to let him push her away without a fight, and perfectly capable of causing a little technological chaos of her own. Add in the vigilante platform, billionaire shenanigans, family drama, mystery, emotional moments, cheesy pickup lines, FAFO Grayson, plenty of spice, and a satisfying HEA, and I had a great time with this one. The first Off-Limits book officially has me ready for book two.
Happy reading, and remember my fellow spicy book dragons, before starting a book please check the tropes, and always check for trigger warnings. Nobody likes an unfinished book because the tropes aren't your cup of tea or having a bad reading experience because of unexpected trigger warnings.
