starring: NATALIE COLLINS & CONNOR BARTON
Jessica only wanted to be a quiet secretary. But when she’s forced to drag her reckless ex-racer boss, Victor, back into the boardroom, her life turns upside down. He’s arrogant, dangerous, and refuses to be tamed - yet he offers her one deal: he’ll teach her how to win love, if she keeps his secrets.
REVIEW
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
FINALLY. Finally someone is taking the best parts of Chinese dramas that I fell in love with and putting them in Verticals. Beautiful, tender romances, that are just pure comfort watches.
And this is super. Jessica has had a crush on Ryan for years as she thinks he saved her from an assault. When Victor's dad employs her to keep him on the straight and narrow we soon realise that this might not be the case, and under the bravado Victor has a big thing for Jessica.
What I love about this and C Dramas in this style is it is closed door. No vibrators being waved around here or nasty bullying.
Instead it is a great slow burn romance, with gentle misunderstandings, and lots of self sacrifice. Victor is willing to give it all up for Jessica, and likewise Jessica works to prove herself to Victor's dad.
The two leads are super @natalieannecollins is brilliant, she is the right mix of a little naive but never weak. She has gumption, takes control when she needs to and sells that it just doesn't occur to Jessica that Victor could be serious. She is so good
And @_connorbarton is a great find as Victor. He does the stoical suffering that a good yearn needs, but also the smoothness to cover his confession to Jessica as part of the deal, and chemistry where needed.
This is what I expected verticals to be when I first discovered them, Western adaptations of C Drama romances. It has taken a bit longer than I expected but thank goodness this is here.
💖 Top swoonworthy moment:
I love a good yearn. And finally we have an epic one here. As Victor has loved Jessica for a long time, and is waiting for her to see him. It is so well done throughout, my fave is possibly when Victor says will you cheer for me at the race - one of his most vulnerable moments. Slow burn yearn perfection.
🦹🏼♂️ Top villain award:
Ryan for being a doofus. Oh and the twosome wielding scissors and chopping up the blue dress. I’m getting worried about the cost of destroying all these dresses. Which perhaps explains some of the questionable styling - putting poor Connor Barton in what look like really heavy neck chains. Worried that his neck will hurt with that weight.
😂 Comedy gold:
This is beautiful and sincere, and when it is this well done, you don’t need comedy.
🎺 Unsung hero:
Whoever wrote this - thank you for taking everything I have loved about classic Chinese dramas for years and finally giving us an American version. From the silent walk past at the office to the signs at the end. Thank you thank you thank you.
✍🏼 DETAILS
2025
Available on Kalos / Dramabox
