Beautiful Player (Beautiful Bastard #3) by Christina Lauren

Beautiful Player (Beautiful Bastard #3) by Christina Lauren

This is an adult contemporary romance

♥♥♥♥1/2

(Four and a half Will Hearts)

Book Summary

A bombshell bookworm. A chronic Casanova. And a lesson in chemistry too scandalous for school.

When Hanna Bergstrom receives a lecture from her overprotective brother about neglecting her social life and burying herself in grad school, she’s determined to tackle his implied assignment: get out, make friends, start dating. And who better to turn her into the sultry siren every man wants than her brother’s gorgeous best friend, Will Sumner, venture capitalist and unapologetic playboy?

Will takes risks for a living, but he’s skeptical about this challenge of Hanna’s…until the wild night his innocently seductive pupil tempts him into bed- and teaches him a thing or two about being with a woman he can’t forget. Now that Hanna’s discovered the power of her own sex appeal, it’s up to Will to prove he’s the only man she’ll ever need.

My Review

Although this book isn’t a total friends to lovers story as they weren’t friends from way back, it still has that heart to the story. And what a friend Will turns out to be. I love Will because he’s a no-nonsense guy who’s open about what he feels. He tells the truth so everyone is on the same page.

Hanna, on the other hand, is clueless but has crushed on Will longer than he saw her more than his best friend’s little sister.

For the most part, this story is great and I ignore the misunderstandings due to lack of communication. Mostly because this author duo makes it ring true and fit with the story and personality with the characters. However MINOR SPOILER, the last misunderstanding where there is total breakdown in communication didn’t ring true for me. I can’t see how either character says nothing.

Unfortunately, that sort of ruined things for me. When they resolved things, I wasn’t smiling. I wasn’t happy. It took the last few lines to draw out a smile for me because I was ready for the couple not to be together if they couldn’t overcome their communication issues. The fact that someone else had to point out the obvious and she couldn’t figure it out on her own, also bothered me. It’s fiction and most won’t have the same issues I had with the story. But I read too many books. Therefore, I’m a little picky.

However, all in all, I really liked this one and wish that I could give it five shiny hearts.

Audio Review

Grace Grant and Sebastian York do a good job with the narration.

Overall, you should probably pick this one up. One of the better books I’ve read this year.

My book boyfriend Will.

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Dirty Rowdy Thing (Wild Seasons #2) by by Christina Lauren

Dirty Rowdy Thing (Wild Seasons #2) by by Christina Lauren

 

This is an adult contemporary romance (Rated NC-17)

 

♥♥♥♥1/2

(Four and a Half Wonderful Hearts)

Book Summary

Despite their rowdy hookups, Harlow and Finn don’t even like each other...which would explain why their marriage lasted only twelve hours. He needs to be in charge and takes whatever he wants. She lives by the Want-something-done? Do-it-yourself mantra. Maybe she’s too similar to the rugged fisherman—or just what he needs.


Review

Let me tell you, it has been a long while since I actually felt a book in my hand while reading. I know that sounds strange but over the last few years I’ve read (listened) to more books audibly and electronically than old school reading. Although I’ve been listening to books for years, being able to download them quickly has made that my “choice” for how to consume fiction these days.

Alas, to open the pages of a book and smell that book smell, there is something romantic about that. And maybe that romance colored my view of the story or maybe that I haven’t read a straight contemporary romance in a while did it. Or it could just be that this book was good. I started on a cold Saturday afternoon and finished before I went to bed.

And I was left with a sad smile, not so much the story but the acknowledgment page in the back of the book that brought me to tears. But enough about that, let’s get to the story.

So, I can’t say there is anything overwhelmingly unique about this tale of romance, but for some reason I can’t express in words the complete freshness of it. The story was believable from the first page. And captivated me until the end. And listen up readers…. I also didn’t have to wait until the predictable 50% mark to get to all the sexiness of the story. *fans self*

I really enjoyed the characters and that they weren’t cookie cutter cut outs. We have an alpha male who isn’t a billionaire or built from childhood horror stories. I won’t say more so that I don’t spoil the unveiling that is Finn. But I had a strong desire to smooth his rough edges with a kind word or a hot touch.

I also enjoyed Harrow, soft hearted rich girl who is more than the surface she appears on. What’s more, I really enjoyed the group of friends. And I hate to admit this, but I’ve read so much, I couldn’t quite remember the total unfolding tale of Mia and Ansel (book 1) but I enjoyed meeting them again in this story.

What’s more? This story is a standalone. While I think you should read the first story, it’s not necessary in order to enjoy this one for those that may skip out not wanting to take the time to read the first one... well first.

I highly recommend this book as I really thoroughly enjoyed this story reading it in one setting unable to put it down. This author duo has created a fresh appeal to contemporary story full of overcoming lust and discovering love. It's the kind of book that you can read just as easily by a fire as sitting by the ocean. Each will leave you breathless for more.

My only regret that I can’t re-read for the first time. I would if I could.

Only one thing… (not truly a spoiler so no worries) I think I missed where Harrow mentions Toby to Finn so that he asked her a question that comes up twice. I re-read the first pages (chapters) a few times and couldn’t it. Leaves me saying hmmmm.

This book releases November 4th. (2014)

My book boyfriend Finn.

 

 

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*Disclaimer - I am not the owner of this picture. I found it on the web for causal fun use on my blog for which I receive no compensation. If this picture belongs to you (you are the copyright owner) please let me know and I will remove it.

Beautiful Stranger (Beautiful Bastard #2) by Christina Lauren

Beautiful Stranger (Beautiful Bastard #2) by Christina Lauren

This is an adult contemporary romance/erotica (Rated NC-17)

♥♥♥♥♥

 (Five Max Hearts)

Book Summary

Escaping a cheating ex, finance whiz Sara Dillon’s moved to New York City and is looking for excitement and passion without a lot of strings attached. So meeting the irresistible, sexy Brit at a dance club should have meant nothing more than a night’s fun. But the manner—and speed—with which he melts her inhibitions turns him from a one-time hookup and into her Beautiful Stranger.

The whole city knows that Max Stella loves women, not that he’s ever found one he particularly wants to keep around. Despite pulling in plenty with his Wall Street bad boy charm, it’s not until Sara—and the wild photos she lets him take of her—that he starts wondering if there’s someone for him outside of the bedroom.

Hooking up in places where anybody could catch them, the only thing scarier for Sara than getting caught in public is having Max get too close in private.

My Review

 First let me have a fan girl moment. Lauren of the Christina Lauren touched my necklace at the Welcome Party for the Scotland signing event. She was intrigued by it. Okay, fan girling. And okay, I bought her book at the signing and got her to sign it. YAY!!!

But that in no way influenced my rating. I know I always keep it honest here.

And honestly, I loved this book. While I really liked the first book, I loved this one. Which is why I bought this one to have her sign and not the first.

As far as the characters go, there were times the character Sara annoyed me, but I appreciated her candor and going for what she wanted. What I liked more was that Max wasn’t your typical playboy. While we were told he was a womanizer, we never really saw much of that side of him and I liked that a lot. And, I loved that he was vulnerable without being an ass. 

And MILD SPOILER

I loved that he didn’t chase her when she thought the worst of him.

END OF SPOILER

Overall, I really enjoyed the power struggle between the two. That made it a really it fun read. So you should totally check this book out. While it is in a series, it can be read as a standalone.

Audio Review

Grace Grant and Jonathan R. Cole narrated. I preferred Grace’s narration over Jonathan’s. He wasn’t bad but he forgot to do the American accents.

*Disclaimer - I am not the owner of this picture. I found it on the web for causal fun use on my blog for which I receive no compensation. If this picture belongs to you (you are the copyright owner) please let me know and I will remove it.

Sweet Filthy Boy (Wild Seasons #1) by Christina Lauren

Sweet Filthy Boy (Wild Seasons #1) by Christina Lauren

 

This is an adult contemporary romance/erotica novel (Rated NC-17)

 

 ♥♥♥♥
(Four Sweet Hearts)

 

 

Book Summary

 

One-night stands are supposed to be with someone convenient, or wickedly persuasive, or regrettable. They aren’t supposed to be with someone like him.

But after a crazy Vegas weekend celebrating her college graduation—and terrified of the future path she knows is a cop-out—Mia Holland makes the wildest decision of her life: follow Ansel Guillaume—her sweet, filthy fling—to France for the summer and just…play.

When feelings begin to develop behind the provocative roles they take on, and their temporary masquerade adventures begin to feel real, Mia will have to decide if she belongs in the life she left because it was all wrong, or in the strange new one that seems worlds away.

 

 

My Review

 

The only disappointing thing about this book was it took so long for me to get into it. The first 30% was hair pulling. I wanted a straitjacket for some of the times we were in Mia’s head. Yikes.

And honestly, I thought of the book Lick when I started reading. While I don’t think author’s corner the market with certain situations in their book, sometimes, the parallels are too glaring. This was one of those times. While I thought Lick did a better job at the set up for waking up married in Vegas, I thought this book did a far better job of developing the relationship. Which is why I gave this book a high overall rating.

Characters. This author took the approach of really making us dive into the Mia’s head. While most of the time I like that, I thought we were in her head too much during the first part of the book. I think more time could have been spent with her having conversations with her friends, then us listening (reading) the thoughts directly out of her head. But thank the heavens, we did get there. She does fall back in her head a few times later, but I’d already started to really enjoy the story at that time.

Ansel. I really liked him a lot. More so that he was basically a nice guy with enough Alpha in him for him not to be weak. I loved he wasn’t a jerk and didn’t wear smug expressions to get the girl, lol. I didn’t think he was all that filthy. But maybe that’s my jaded view of the world. Lol

Overall, I liked it and look forward to the other two couples in the story. I’m not interested in reading about Perry.

Audio Review

Shanyna Thibodeaux did a really good job with the French accent. I’m assuming maybe there is French in her family with her name and all, lol.

My book boyfriend Ansel.

 

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*Disclaimer - I am not the owner of this picture. I found it on the web for causal fun use on my blog for which I receive no compensation. If this picture belongs to you (you are the copyright owner) please let me know and I will remove it.