The Hating Game: A Novel by Sally Thorne

Blurb...

Nemesis (n.) 1) An opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome.
2) A person’s undoing
3) Joshua Templeman

Lucy Hutton has always been certain that the nice girl can get the corner office. She’s charming and accommodating and prides herself on being loved by everyone at Bexley & Gamin. Everyone except for coldly efficient, impeccably attired, physically intimidating Joshua Templeman. And the feeling is mutual.

Trapped in a shared office together 40 (OK, 50 or 60) hours a week, they’ve become entrenched in an addictive, ridiculous never-ending game of one-upmanship. There’s the Staring Game. The Mirror Game. The HR Game. Lucy can’t let Joshua beat her at anything—especially when a huge new promotion goes up for the taking.

If Lucy wins this game, she’ll be Joshua’s boss. If she loses, she’ll resign. So why is she suddenly having steamy dreams about Joshua, and dressing for work like she’s got a hot date? After a perfectly innocent elevator ride ends with an earth shattering kiss, Lucy starts to wonder whether she’s got Joshua Templeman all wrong.

Maybe Lucy Hutton doesn’t hate Joshua Templeman. And maybe, he doesn’t hate her either. Or maybe this is just another game.

When Nancy, a friend from the Avon Addicts Group, couldn't stop raving about The Hating Game, I knew I had to give it a try, even though the angst-ridden, bitter rival stories seldom work for me because...well...they're angst-ridden. And bitter. I know a lot of people love this in their romance reading, but I'm not one of them. That said, The Hating Game definitely was all kinds of angsty, but in a fun, snicker-out-loud sort of way.

Josh and Lucy are both amazing characters, each flawed in a way that makes them the perfect match. And rather than choosing sides, I found myself happily cheering them both on in their quest to annoy each other. Their conniving and plotting and their many versions of "The Game" made this a story I couldn't put down. They bring one-upmanship to a whole new level, a level that had me smiling my way through their story. And the romance? Charming! Steamy, funny, unhurried... I loved it!

What a fantastic debut novel!!

An ARC was provided by Avon Books/William Morrow. In appreciation I'm giving them an honest review.

Purchase The Hating Game: A Novel by Sally Thorne on Amazon

His Heart's Desire (Loving Hearts #1) by Julianna Douglas

Rebecca Anderson always dreamed of happily-ever-afters, but those dreams were shaken when she had to leave vet school to nurse her dying mother. They were completely shattered when her boyfriend betrayed her in the cruelest possible way. Crushed and lonely, Becca seeks out the one person she knows she can trust–her best friend, Ethan.

Successful CEO Ethan Montgomery has loved Becca since the day he met her while volunteering at a local animal shelter. Seeing her emotionally broken on his doorstep stirs his protective instincts. He tenderly cares for her, but knows that Becca will need time and space to heal her battered heart.

When Becca realizes that the white knight of her fantasies has been right in front of her this whole time, she begins to dream again of her future–one that includes Ethan. But their undeclared love is put to the test when Ethan's wealth and power, as well as a woman from his past, threaten to tear them apart. Will a surprise invitation from Ethan finally fulfill all of Becca's romantic fantasies and prove that only she is...His Heart's Desire?

His Heart’s Desire is Julianna Douglas’ contemporary romance/new adult debut novel. It’s a sweet, romantic, steamy story of friends taking a chance on becoming much more.

This really is a sweet story. I enjoyed getting to know Becca and Ethan and watching their relationship grow as they overcame the obstacles standing in their way – Becca’s stubbornness in not wanting to accept Ethan’s help, and Lindsay’s bitchfest and constant maneuverings to steal Ethan from Becca. While I do like some relationship drama in my reading, the Lindsay level of drama annoyed me to no end and I could have done with less of that. In fact, it's one of those things that can ruin any story for me, that's how much I dislike it.

In my opinion it started a little slow and there were things that could have been left out which would have allowed things to flow at a more comfortable pace. That said, I did enjoy His Heart’s Desire. The writing is well done, without an overabundance of glaring mistakes inherent in debut novels, which made me very happy!

The bottom line…

Though not without some minor flaws, Ms. Douglas has a quite a knack for telling a story. I'd even venture to say that with a bit more experience under her belt she has the potential to be an amazing author. I’m looking forward to finding out what she’ll do next!

Purchase His Heart's Desire on Amazon

WANTED: Wife by Gwen Jones

Andy Devine is advertising for a wife on a utility pole, and interviewing him is the last thing TV reporter Julie Knott needs. Especially after her cheating fiancé just tweeted their disengagement. Now she has got to choose: 

Get the story — or become it?

WANTED: Wife

Landed, Financially Secure 40-Yr-Old Male

* Handsome, but with old-school communication skills and a secret past *

Seeks Healthy, Athletic Female

* Preferably a pretty reporter with a messy love life who has never spent a day in the woods *

For Marriage and Family

* What could possibly go wrong? *

Fresh, quirky, loaded with fun... such a cute, romantic, sexy story! 

When reporter Julie Knott answers an advertisement placed on a utility pole by a man wanting to interview potential wives, she does so in hopes of a story, never dreaming she'd end up his wife. But that's exactly what happens when one disaster after another makes Andy Devine her last hope of salvaging her career and her self respect.

Life with Andy is more than Julie could have ever imagined it would be, and Andy feels the same way about her. They get along well, bot in bed and out, and given life on the farm, that's saying a lot. Things are going better than either could have hoped for until, that is, Julie utters the "love" word and quickly discovers there's so much more to Andy than meets the eye, and it's heartbreaking.

Can Julie find a way through the fortress Andy has built around his heart so they can find a happily ever after despite the odds, or are Andy's secrets too much for them to overcome?

I can't even tell you what a surprising delight WANTED: Wife turned out to be. There's so much more to this story than just a cutesy contemporary romance, and I enjoyed every single bit of it! Andy is a super sexy French talkin' hottie and I want an Andy for myself!

I'm blown away by the idea that this is Gwen Jones' debut novel, because it doesn't read like one at all. Ms. Jones is an incredibly gifted storyteller and I'm looking forward to reading more!

ARC provided by Avon Books in exchange for an honest review.

Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich

They say that big girls don't cry. But when the chips are down and the dip is gone, what can you do? Pull up your BIG GIRL PANTIES and change your life.

Holly Brennan didn't expect to be a widow at thirty-two. She also didn't expect to be so big. Through her husband Bruce's diagnosis and death, food was the one thing she could always count on. Now, those extra pounds make flying coach more than a little mortifying-especially since she's sitting next to Adonis himself, aka Logan Montgomery, a personal trainer to the country's most famous pro athletes.

Though Holly doesn't make the grade on his first-impression meter, Logan finds himself intrigued by her sharp wit and keen insight-a welcome change from the beautiful bubble-headed dolls he usually dates-and impulsively offers to get her back in shape. Ready to make at least one positive change in her life, Holly agrees.

To Logan's (and her own) surprise, Holly turns out to be a natural in the gym. Throwing herself into exercise, the red head with the blazing wit and welcoming smile slims down into a bonafide looker with killer curves-and a new kind of hunger. Soon, the easy intimacy and playful banter of their training sessions lead Logan and Holly into the bedroom where they share their most intense and steamy workouts yet.

But can a man whose whole life depends on looks commit himself to a woman who doesn't fit his image? Now that Holly's turning other men's heads, does she even need Logan anymore? Are they a couple built to last . . . or is this sizzling affair going to burn out fast?

*****

I'll be honest here; I'm a bit sensitive when it comes to stories where "weight" is an issue because... frankly, not everyone is unhappy with their numbers, regardless of what society tells them they're supposed to be. I hate the 'preachy' feel of some books, and the 'you can't possibly be happy the way you are' ignorant, judgmental ideas floating around out there. So, for these reasons, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I began reading Big Girl Panties, but what I got was a laugh out loud, poignant, sexy story.

Holly Brennan is a 32 year old widow who’s found comfort and acceptance in food. She’s gained far too much weight since her husband Bruce’s passing, but feeling lost and alone, food has become her constant, dependable, companion.

Oh, how I love it when Fate steps in!!!

On a plane ride home from wrapping up a business deal, Holly finds herself seated next to a blond Adonis. She feels awkward, uncomfortable and embarrassed, and to hide her awkward, uncomfortable and embarrassed state, she starts talking about herself. Making jokes about her weight, putting herself down... but her seat partner wasn't having any of that.

Logan Montgomery isn’t exactly thrilled when he sees the overweight, frumpy woman approaching. The last thing he wants is to sit by her the entire flight home, but the more she talks, the more Logan realizes that Holly Brennan has bigger problems than just food. Feeling guilty for his initial reaction, Logan offers to help Holly get herself, and her eating habits, back on track, and thus begins a beautiful friendship.

As a woman who carries around more than a few extra pounds myself, I was able to relate to Holly in a big way. She, like me, suffers from insecurities, but her insecurities are not based in self-doubt or low self esteem, but more on her awareness of how others perceive her. For me, this made her a compelling character who I wanted to know better, and I enjoyed every minute of her journey to rediscovering her true inner-self and stepping back into the light of the living.

Logan Montgomery is kind of a stereotypical Hollywood… what word can I use? Groupie? Yes, but not really, because he’s got a huge following of his own. A Hollywood star? I suppose that’s true to a degree, though not in acting or music. He’s actually a personal trainer to the rich and famous and, because of this, he’s got some of that “beautiful people” attitude going on. So, like Holly, I had a hard time trusting his true motives towards her.

But start to finish, watching their relationship grow from one of trainer/trainee to friends to lovers was such a fun experience! My heart ached, my heart soared, I laughed and I cried… I truly enjoyed this story!

I hear this is Ms. Evanovich’s debut novel, and if that’s the case, I’m excited to say we have a brilliant new voice in the contemporary romance genre.

My thanks to Avon Books and Edelweiss for providing me with a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

Agent of Desire by Charlie Evans

 

Adrenaline junkie Jessica Booker joined the CIA to take on bad guys and flirt with danger. And with perks like sleeping with hot foreign men added into the mix, well…it’s a pretty sweet deal.

Now in Paris, she’s about to take on her second assignment as an official agent but is caught off guard when her new partner turns out to be Sims, a sexy CIA instructor. Sims was hard enough to resist in the classroom—in the field, he's a dangerous distraction. To make matters worse, Jessica’s target is a gorgeous Frenchman who manages to put her in the most compromising positions—positions she doesn’t altogether mind.

With rogue agents, classified secrets, and tempting men at every turn, this mission will prove to be the first real test of her skills, both in and out of the bedroom.

*******

 
Agent of Desire is Charlie Evans’ debut novel, as well as the first book in her Jessica Booker series. It’s a fast paced, entertaining, and sexy story.

This is told in the first person, from Jessica’s POV. There are a lot of things I liked about this book, including the way it unfolds, and all the twists and turns that kept me trying to figure out who the bad guys really are. It's nice to get this kind of story in which the heroine is the lead, and to see what is normally a man's world from a woman's perspective.

Another thing I really like about it is the heroine. Jessica is a strong, intelligent woman, though she does make some mistakes – trusting the wrong people, to start with – but still in all, a great heroine. She’s got an attitude that screams “don’t fuck with me” but she knows when she messes up and isn’t afraid to admit it. Not all heroines are as honest with themselves as Jessica is.

It's not always easy to tell a story in first person POV and still be able to get inside the hearts and minds of all the characters involved and, I'm sorry to say, that's something I missed in this story. As much as I enjoyed Jessica, I didn’t feel the connection – the draw – between her and the other players.

The hard thing about telling a tale from this point of view is that we're only going to get what the narrator (Jessica) gives us, and I really do think that’s where my inability to connect to anyone but her stems from. We got plenty of what's going on inside her, but not enough of what the others are feeling. In my opinion, with this being an erotic story, the sex scenes would have felt sexier had I gotten more of a reader/character connection.

The bottom line: Ms. Evans is definitely a talented writer and I enjoyed this world she's created. Agent of Desire is an impressive debut novel and start to the Jessica Booker series.

My thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.