Review: at least the sex is good?
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 10 11, 2013
Kylie Weber is a buxom blonde who uses her good looks to get what she wants from men.  Her latest target Jude Baxter seems to be the exception.  One look at the wealthy hotelier who is her next target and she seems to forget what she intends to do.  The instant chemistry is palpable and mutual for both.I actually have quite a few misgivings about this book from the start.  The first three chapters are rough reading.  I have found that usually you can adjust to any author's writing style within that first bit but I never did.  It takes a large part of the story to really figure out if Kylie is a grafter or what's her purpose of being deceitful towards men.  You do eventually find out, it just takes a while to get there.  The two main characters are not very complex.  Kylie uses her sex appeal but has only had one physical relationship with a man. She is often referred to as kind and sweet by Jude yet there is no dialogue or any scenes which tells the reader of how he comes to that conclusion.  Certain details about them are just written without any allusion or enticement ahead of time.  One example is when Kylie learns that Jude is a Dom he simply states "There will be a lot of bondage, toys, suspension, anal play, spanking, and much more."  Why not infer with his dominate qualities?  It just feels contrived.The evolution of their relationship is artificial.  After their third encounter and not much discourse, Kylie "breathes him" but is conning him.  It's all very confusing.  Jude never takes anyone home but when their first date finally happens it is to attend a surrogate family dinner.  My problem isn't necessarily that the date occurs so far into it but that there is no transition to get them to that point.  Overall, I find this to be difficult to read and towards the end found myself hoping that it's a standalone novel because I couldn't sit through another.There are two saving graces to this book.  First, while there are some glaring similarities in theme to 50 Shades, the author does put enough of a twist to the plot to find some interest.  Secondly, I am surprised by some of the content and happenstance but the sex scenes are well written.  They are explicit, graphic, and enjoyable.Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review