King of pride by Ana Huang

The Setup: Kai Young is the epitome of control. As the heir to a global media empire and a man poised to become CEO, he has spent his entire life following rules, maintaining appearances, and suppressing every impulse that might threaten his family's legacy. He is reserved, calculating, and absolutely committed to his responsibilities. The one thing he cannot afford is a distraction—especially one as reckless and vibrant as Isabella Valencia .

The Complication: Isabella Valencia is everything Kai is not: impulsive, passionate, and unapologetically herself. A writer who dances to her own beat, she has no patience for stiff, uptight billionaires who look at her like she's a problem to be solved. When she accidentally spills champagne on Kai at a charity gala, she expects him to be insufferable about it. She doesn't expect to find herself working for him as his temporary assistant .

The Conflict: Thrown together by circumstance, their chemistry is immediate and undeniable. Kai finds himself dangerously drawn to Isabella's light, even as every logical cell in his brain warns him she is the worst possible choice for a man in his position. Isabella sees past his icy exterior to the man beneath—and refuses to let him hide there. But Kai's world has no room for someone who refuses to play by its rules, and Isabella won't dim herself for anyone. As they navigate a forbidden relationship that could destroy his career and her heart, they must decide if love is worth the price of everything they are .

Key Themes & Tropes: This is a steamy, slow-burn contemporary romance packed with opposites attract, rich boy/poor girl dynamics, forbidden romance, and a hero who must learn that some rules are meant to be broken