contemporary

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.

Easy by Tammara Weber

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Easy
Grade-B-
Hotness Level-Ember
Kink Level-None
Genre-New Adult
Reviewed by Kay

Jacqueline is a sophomore in college that followed her boyfriend to school. In her second year here, said boyfriend decides he wants to sow his wild oats and breaks up with her. She is heart broken and distraught. She skips classes while in mourning and gets behind, which causes her to need a tutor. She also attends a frat party where she walks back to her truck alone at night, in a dimly lit parking lot. She is attacked and almost raped by a guy in her ex-boyfriend’s fraternity but she’s saved by a guy named Lucas.

Lucas gets her home safe and sound after beating her attacker senseless. Lucas is a senior in college and different in every way from Kennedy, her ex. He’s quiet but fiercely protective of her. They begin a relationship this consists of attraction and friendship. Jacqueline also has a sort of relationship with her tutor, Landon. They haven’t had a face to face but converse through e-mails. Most of their conversations are school related but some personal information is also shared.

A lot goes on in this story, Lucas is Landon, which gets explained, her attacker goes after her repeatedly until the authorities are called in, her ex wants her back and she learns that first love doesn’t always last. This was a sweet book about real love and forgiveness of one’s self for mistakes made both in and beyond your control. I’m not a fan of the young adult and new adult genre, I like my romance spicy, but this was a good book.

Giving by Charlotte Stein

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Giving

Grade – B
Hotness Level – Inferno
Kink Level – moderate
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Anne
In my continuing trend of reading shorter, dirtier books, I read another of Charlotte Stein’s novellas.  Giving is a contemporary set story about Clarissa and her boyfriend, Oliver.  Oliver has given Clarissa three birthday requests.  All of them have to do with Clarissa sexually dominating him in different ways.  Clarissa agrees to do this for Oliver.  Giving tells how they play out these three wishes and Clarissa’s surprised response to playing with Oliver in this way.
I thought this was a very well written story.  It’s short, but it’s very complete.  I felt like I understood what was going on in their heads.  I think this is remarkable because this story crossed my personal kink line.  So even though it got to something that made me personally uncomfortable, I didn’t feel uncomfortable for the characters.  It was clear that this was consensual and enjoyable to them, which made it a good read for me.