contemporary

The Seduction Hypothesis by Delphine Dryden

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

The Seduction Hypothesis (Science of Temptation #2)
Grade: A-
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: Moderate Kink
Genre: Contemporary, BDSM lite, Nerd-manceSeries: The Science of Temptation #2
Reviewed by Anne

This is going to be a hard review for me to write, mostly because I’m having to reign in my desire to just squee like a fan girl about how good this book is.  Because it’s good.  And I really liked it.  And it’s funny.  And it’s good and I liked it and you should really, really read it, because it’s good.  And…

OK, let me try again.  I’m a huge Big Bang Theory fan, and when the first book in this series, The Theory of Attraction, came out it made me think of BBT and I really wanted to read it.  So, I bought it and read it ASAP.  I enjoyed that one and told all my friends about it. This was back before we started the blog, but it was an honorable mention on my Best of 2012 list here.   I liked it and all my friends knew about it.  So when the second book, The Seduction Hypothesis showed up on Netgalley, I think either Kay or Kate messaged me about it and I put in a request to read it.  Thankfully the publisher (yay Carina Press!) approved a copy for me.  I enjoyed this one even more than the first.
 
Ben and Lindsey are in the same nerdy social circle, and that’s been a bit painful lately, because they dated for a while and then broke up.  Lindsey would like to try some BDSM, but even hinting about it to Ben got a bad reaction.  At the same time, Ben doesn’t like the way he sees her watching their friend, Ivan.  His jealousy and her desire for more lead to them breaking up.  And that makes for one uncomfortable trip to BeastCon, the fan convention their group of friends is attending together.  When Ben begins to realize just why Lindsey left him, he’s already been regretting their break up.  He sees the BDSM comic she’s reading. He sees her watching not just Ivan, but watching Ivan AND Ivan’s girlfriend, Cami.  He sees the D/s vibe between Ivan and Cami and things click into place.  He decides the Con will be a great place to try to win Lindsey back.
 
This book is the second in this series, but it does stand alone very well.  If you read Theory of Attraction first you’ll really appreciate the scenes with Cami and Ivan in this book, but you’d be fine without having read it.  This book is both hot and funny.  Ben throws himself into learning the ways of BDSM, but he’s not perfect.  Lindsey and Ben share some giggly moments in the middle of their sexy times, and that read so true to me.  
 
Dryden has GOT to be a nerd.  Either that or she knows a lot of them, because I have some nerd cred and she knows how nerds talk.  There’s a sentence in the book where the characters talk about cake being merely a vector for the icing delivery as salad is for dressing.  I’ve had conversations like that.  Seriously.  They are both funny and effortless in real life when you’re immersed in such subjects.  Dryden really nails that in this book.  She also has countless geek references that all made me smile.  So much fun!
 
So, when you read The Seduction Hypothesis you get all the goodness I just wrote about, PLUS you have a female lead with a Cthulhu tattoo and a male lead who isn’t afraid research BDSM and make a crib sheet on how to carry it out.  I love this book and I highly recommend it.  It’s going on my best of 2013 list!

So I’m curious… If you read this book or Theory of Attraction, did it work for you?  Is there more good nerd-mance out there?  What would you recommend?

Perfect For You by Kate Perry

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Perfect for You (Laurel Heights, #1)
Grade: B+
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary
Series: Laurel Heights #1
Reviewed by Kate

Graphic designer Freya is working on a website design for an adult toy store but her creativity is gone. If she can’t come up with something soon she could lose her job. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Freya posts a personal ad hoping that improving her sex life will get her creative juices flowing again. She gets responses but unfortunately the only person who gets her motor running is her upstairs neighbor and arch enemy Greg. Greg, a lawyer, has wanted Freya since the first time he saw get but he can’t figure out why she hates him. But if he can restore her creativity will she want something more?

This is an enjoyable villain-free contemporary romance. A strong start to the series. I highly recommend it to low-suspense romance fans. (I’m thinking of you Anne.)

Hot on Her Trail by Sable Hunter

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Hot on Her Trail (Hell Yeah!, #2)
Grade: B-
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary, Cowboy
Series: Hell Yeah! #2
Reviewed by Kate

Jessie had been hired by the McCays to be their surrogate and egg donor. But a mix-up at the sperm bank leaves her pregnant with Jacob McCoy’s baby. When she refuses an abortion the McCays kick her out. Jobless, Jessie uses the last of her money to travel to the Tebow Ranch so she can tell Jacob about the baby. She doesn’t expect him to support her or the baby, but feels Jacob deserves to know about the baby.

Jacob has been dreaming of settling down for a while now. He sees Jessie and knows she is the one, even before he knows who she is. When he finds out about the baby, it’s just icing on the cake. Although Jacob is sure of his feelings for Jessie, some of his brothers remain skeptical.

This one picks up right where book one left us. Although you can read it as a stand alone, I think it is better read in order. Following in the path set by the first book, the love is instant and intense. The characters are likable. The dirty talk is a bit pornish. In addition to the conflict created by a brand new, super fast relationship, there is also the added intrigue of Mr. McCay, who is determined to find Jessie. Despite the similarities with the first book, I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.