C Reviews

You’ve Got Male by Elizabeth Bevarly

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

You've Got Male (OPUS #1)
Grade – C-
Hotness Level – Blaze
Kink Level – None
Genre – Contemporary
Series – OPUS #1
Reviewed by Kate

Avery is an agoraphobic computer whiz.  She lives alone with her cat and does her best to never leave.  She has, however, met Andrew on line.  He is the perfect man.  Or so Avery thinks.
 
In truth, Andrew is Adrian (aka the Sorcerer), an OPUS agent gone rogue.  And he’s only after Avery’s mind (there’s something you don’t hear too often in a romance).  When Avery was barely an adult, she accidentally released a computer virus that caused tons of issues (revenge plot against a bad boyfriend gone wrong).  She ended up in prison for 2 years.
 
While Avery is unaware of Andrew’s true identity, Dixon knows exactly who the Sorcerer is and what he’s capable of.  An OPUS agent himself, Dixon has been trying to figure out who Avery is and what the Sorcerer wants with her.
 
OPUS uses Avery to draw the Sorcerer out.  Dixon remains as her side, and obviously the two grow closer.  Avery is sure she’s too messed up for anyone to love.  Dixon can’t figure out why he’s so attracted to her.
 
I have to admit this is the first time I’ve run across a heroine who dresses in pajama pants and raggy sweatshirts through most of the book.  While refreshing, it took a pat-down search for weapons for Dixon to become attracted to her. The single sex scene weirded me out a little.  It started with an online conversation between the Sorcerer and Avery, but ended up with Dixon and Avery going at it.  Throw in a relationship between Dixon’s partner and Avery’s sister and it was just too much.
 
Honestly, I struggled through the first quarter of the book.  By page 100 it started to get a bit better (page 100 is the point I give myself permission to quit reading a bad book).  By halfway through there was just too much extra stuff going on.  I’m not saying it was terrible.  I just wasn’t for me.  I almost wish I had quit at page 100.

Taking The Stage (The Complete 5-Part Series) by Emma Rose

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

A Night with the Rock Star (Taking Stage, #1)
Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series-Taking The Stage (Parts 1-5)
Reviewed by Kay

Therese is a very full-figured gal and she’s comfortable with that. She has a spoiled younger sister who is described as skinny. Her sister says some things that I considered hurtful regarding Therese’s weight. I only mentioned that because Therese is very selfless where her sister is concerned. Nikki, the sister, loves rock star, Max Stone. Therese ends up winning tickets and back stage passes to his bands’ upcoming concert. So, she and Nikki go. When they get in the limo Max is in there. Therese doesn’t recognize him and this thrills him. 

After the concert, there’s a party where Therese and Max hook up. This torrid experience sets things in fast forward. There’s an angry ex-girlfriend, curious family members and Therese’s disbelief at Max’s sincerity regarding his interest in her. The parts to this book are very short which is why I am reviewing them together. I liked reading it but it didn’t blow me away. I don’t know if it was the fast pace or maybe lack of character development. Maybe both. I would read Emma Rose again though because I did like it. I always like to buy into the fantasy of a hot guy falling for the less than waifish heroine.

Angel Baby by Leslie Kelly

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Angel Baby
Grade – C+
Hotness Level – Blaze
Kink Level – None
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kate
Claudia goes into labor while visiting her husband’s grave. Chase, who stopped to visit his mother’s grave, decides to drive her to the hospital. Realizing they won’t make it in time, Chase takes her to his house (conveniently close by-where any good hero’s house should be) to wait for the ambulance. Claudia ends up delivering baby Sarah in Chase’s bed.

Fast forward 9 months. Claudia is moving closer to her only friends and has a job interview. To her surprise, the interviewer is Chase, the owner of the company. No one should be surprised that he hires her.

Both Chase and Claudia are surprised at the strength of their attraction to each other. Both are battling with childhood issues that make them deny their attraction. Both follow a fairly predictable path to love.

I was surprised by the ending.  Instead of Chase turning into a sudden jerk and believing Claudia has done something completely out of character until she can force him to see reason, the author chooses to let Chase trust in the love he has for Claudia.  An ending that just didn’t seem to fit the formulaic story.  It actually felt too anti-climactic.