Power Moves (Leesa Ronald, A&U)

In Power Moves, Leesa Ronald delivers a sharp and witty follow-up to her much-loved debut, Special Delivery. The novel follows Camilla “Millsy” Hatton, media director for the NSW Minister for Education. For Millsy, work is life, and she will do anything to ensure her boss is re-elected in the upcoming election – even if that means getting close with Archie Cohen, the nation’s most prominent political journalist and the grade-A jock she once knew at university. Her boss advises her, “Keep our friends close and our enemies closer.” But how close is Millsy willing to get? Intent on proving themselves and protecting their careers, Millsy and Archie find themselves in a tense cat-and-mouse game that puts both their hearts and their professional reputations on the line. Ronald cleverly uses this high-stakes political backdrop to heighten every encounter, turning small exchanges into charged moments. This pressure results in a fast-paced narrative that readers will find themselves finishing in one sitting. Beyond the banter and political drama, Ronald deftly balances the romance with real-world complexities, as Millsy navigates the personal cost of ambition, unresolved grief, and neglected familial relationships. Power Moves is sure to become a rival-to-lovers favourite, alongside Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game, Casey McQuiston’s Red, White & Royal Blue and Emily Henry’s Book Lovers.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Lisa Schuurman is an editor, writer and book reviewer working in the publishing industry. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

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