B Reviews

Real by Katy Evans

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Real (Real, Raw & Ripped, #1)
Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Real, Raw and Ripped #1
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
266 pages

I have been waiting to read this for a looong time and I’m so glad I did! Remington is an underground boxer who was a pro but now is fallen from grace. A true and total bad boy, in every sense of the word. He sees Brooke before one of his matches and becomes fixated on her. Brooke sees Remy and thinks he’s the sexiest man she’s ever seen. He needs her to do something for him and this starts a beautiful but not traditional love story.

As I was reading I was intrigued and a little aggravated by the pacing of this book at first. I kept thinking that with all the sexual tension going on that surely someone would have sex soon. You so have to wait until about 55% into the story for the sex but it is so worth it. This is a very dirty book and I ended up liking it a whole lot.

It is a story of unconditional love and what that really means. It’s also about a pure love that gives you a goofy smile on your face and makes your heart full. When you learn Remy’s secret you’ll love him even more. This is an on going series (which is not my favorite thing) but I will be here awaiting each and every book.

Love Letters Volume 5: Exposed

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Grade: C
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: Mild Kink
Genre: Contemporary, Novella
Published: 9/9/13
Reviewed by Anne
44,000 words
 
I went into this thinking the collection would be about voyeurism, which wasn’t the case with every story.  They had more to do with being on display/exposed, though there was some voyeurism.  The first two stories were ok. I LOVED the 3rd one by Christina Thatcher.  The fourth one started off great but then gave me book rage. So, it was a mixed bag for me.
 
R is for Reality by Ginny Glass is about a camera woman who convinces a cab driver to come audition for a part to get her out of hot water.  Their chemistry was good, but I was surprised by the pacing of the story, which jumped over large gaps in time.  Overall it was just ok for me. (C)
 
S is for Scandalous by Emily Cale had the exact opposite pacing problem for me.  I felt like I had mental whiplash due to how fast the characters’ relationship moved.  Kacey takes a job where she will lie nude and be the serving platter for a meal of sushi.  Austin shows up and recognizes Kasey.  He goes to see her after the meal when she is changing.  Even though their teenage friendship/crush didn’t survive Austin leaving for college, they pick up like they’d spent the intervening years dreaming of getting back together.   And despite the years apart, they act like they know each other extremely well.  It just didn’t work for me (C-)
 
T is for Tango by Christina Thatcher was the standout read in this collection!  Sonia is a secretary at Adam’s company.  Once a week he catches her changing clothes… at her desk.  He doesn’t know what to make of it, but he’s enthralled.  Then he realizes she’s doing it on purpose, for him.  This just worked on every level for me.  (B+)
 
U is for Undone by Maggie Wells started out really promising.  When the power goes out, Alec sees Sophia, a co-worker he’s admired.  She’s lighting candles in her apartment and taking off her clothes.  He can’t help but watch and he’s shocked when she makes eye contact with him and he realizes she knew he was watching the whole time!  This beginning worked very well for me.  Unfortunately, what came next was rage-inducing.  I don’t want to ruin the story, so I’ll just say that Alec was very controlling about how their relationship would move forward.  This frustrated Sophia, but ultimately she doesn’t complain and just moves forward in the way Alec dictates.  I felt like Alec was playing mind games with Sophia, but that’s not the tone of the story.  I think we’re supposed to think it’s sweet that he wants to get to know her and take things slow.  It just didn’t work for me. (D)

Dangerous Curves Ahead by Sugar Jamison

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Dangerous Curves Ahead (Perfect Fit, #1)

Grade: B
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary
Series: Perfect Fit #1
Published: 8/27/13
Reviewed by Anne
246 pages
Ellis Garret is a plus sized woman who has come to terms with her size.  She’s not on a huge life changing diet or quest to get skinny.  She’s ok with where she is, but she also knows very well that society thinks she’s fat.  An ex-boyfriend was very clear about that.  When he pushes Ellis too far, she dumps him, quits her job, and moves back to her home town to start a clothing shop for women who are hard to fit – plus sized, extra tall, extra short.  
Mike Edwards was her college girl crush, but he was only friendly to her – he dated her sister.  He bumps into Ellis at the local coffee shop, and he looks familiar, but he can’t remember her.  Ellis could be bothered by his lack of memory, but she’ s not.  She finds it funny and teases him, refusing to tell him how she knows him and even knows what kind of underwear he wears.  Mike is used to having women fall at his feet, so he’s intrigued by Ellis happily walking away from him after he flirts with her.
I’m not a huge fan of cartoony romance covers, but when I saw this book featured a plus sized heroine, and it DIDN’T sound like it was about dieting, I decided to give it a try. I’m SO glad I did! It was a wonderfully witty story about a woman happy as she is, trying to overcome insecurities she picked up due to past relationships and a man who has never been interested in a long term relationship before. It was funny and sweet and hot. I really enjoyed it.
The dialog is really entertaining.  I especially enjoyed the back and forth between Ellis and Mike.  I love that Ellis doesn’t put up with crap or excuses from anyone.  When Mike does her wrong, she calls him out on it and is clear about what he did that hurt her.  The secondary characters are fun to read, too.  Ellis’ parents are a hoot!
It did feel like the book was too long. It took too many times hashing through the same relationship problems, and when that happens, it leaves me a little doubtful about their future.  The epilogue absolutely pissed me off, both because it was a change in character and because I thought what happened (and I know it was supposed to be cute) was actually a really crappy way to treat your spouse.
All that said, the good absolutely outweighed the bad for me.  I’ll read another book by Sugar Jamison for sure – even if there’s a cartoon on the cover!