Review: Off the charts UST with sweet sexy banter
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 16, 2013
I read a lot, I mean A LOT (too much if you ask my husband). Over time, reading a few hours every day, I have found that some authors are fantastic storytellers, but not great writers. Some are brilliant writers, but lack in their storytelling abilities. After reading several of her stories, I am happy to say the S.L. Scott has both of these talents.A Prior Engagement is a story of friends turned lovers with a dark twist. Everleigh has grown up in a privileged, yet completely controlled lifestyle. Forsaken by her parents, she is engaged to Tom, a dominating and aggressive man. Surrounded by people, yet feeling empty and alone, Everleigh has many expectations placed on her. When she meets William in one of her classes, she figures it would be nice to have a friend. What she doesn't expect is that she will fall hard for him over coffee and schoolwork. William has grown up modestly with a loving family and great friends. He is instantly smitten with "Evie", as he likes to call her, but realizes she is holding back. What he doesn't know is how many and how big her secrets are.Right from the very beginning of this story I liked Everleigh. Sometimes in fiction our heroines come off selfish or weak. Evie was neither of these things. Even though she was essentially having two relationships, engaged to one man while in love with another, she was NEVER trying to deceive or purposely con anyone. She was just trying to enjoy every moment she had with William before it was over.William is the perfect mix of heartthrob/boy next door. He never pushes Evie and seems to know just what she needs. As a couple you root for them. They have off the charts UST and sweet, sexy banter."Are we pretending your hand is not under my shirt?" she teased.His hand was still, but his voice was lighthearted. "Technically, it's my shirt.""Well in that case, did you know your hand is under your shirt touching my boob?"He played the innocent. "What?""Your hand is touching my boob," she repeated for his comprehension."I just wanted to hear you say boob again." He laughed, and she spun around to face him while smirking."Boob! Boob! Boob!" She laughed at the silliness of the word.William also makes some of the most swoon-worthy statements.He turned off the light and climbed back in next to her. As they looked at each other through the dim light from the streetlamp outside the window, he breathed in just as Evie exhaled, and said the first thing that came to his mind. "You make me feel parts of my soul I didn't know existed."Although they live in two different worlds you feel they are just meant to be. One of the great things about Scott's writing is her ability to convey how differently they live in just a simple statement.While Evie took a cab home, William walked to save the money.I'm not gonna lie, that line above actually choked me up. I felt bad for William and for every person that something as simple as a cab ride home is a luxury they cannot afford.Scott has created a truly creepy character in Tom. As the overbearing and unpredictable fiancé, my heart would accelerate (not in the good way) every time he appeared on the page.She lowered down into the spotless sports car, and smiled at Tom. "I'm sorry I'm-""Please don't insult me with some poor excuse you conjured up while keeping me waiting on you.""Oh, I would never-"He turned his hard glare on her, which made her lose her ability to speak. The fury in his eyes cut through and his disappointment was evident. She shrunk into her seat with complete fear of being trapped inside this car. Even though every bone in her body told her to run, she stayed in spite of her instincts.I experienced a wide range of emotions while reading A Prior Engagement. I was excited and frustrated. Scott drops great clues along the way, but I had so many questions.*What was Tom's deal?*When would Evie and William see each other again?*Why didn't her parents seem to care how sad she seemed?*How would William find out about Tom and the engagement? Would she tell him or would he find out on his own? How would he react? Would he be just hurt and angry or would he understand?*How would Tom find out and *cringes* what would his reaction be?All of these questions (and more) were answered in this intriguing story. Scott is an expert at a slow burn with tons of UST and a touching and INCREDIBLY HAWT love scene that will leave you panting. I loved A Prior Engagement and think you will too!