Review: Don't believe the hype
Rating: 1 out of 5
Date: 06 30, 2014
I bought this book as the concept was different and I was interested to see whether the author could make this sort of Hero likeable. I found that this question was answered with a resounding no.The story follows Sebastian and Roz. Sebastian is a sleazy wealthy club owner who doesn't do relationships. He has a little black book (hence the title) of women that he uses (and pays) for sex and whom he oh so charmingly gives cartoon names. We open with an unpleasant scene with Wilma and Betty before moving onto Bambi, but our Hero is not satisfied as he is looking for his elusive Jessica Rabbit.Enter Roz. Roz is supposed to be the stereotypical good girl. She has just lost her grandmother who raised her since she tragically lost her parents and is the sole caregiver to her 13 year old brother. Her grandmother sadly left nothing but debt which leads her to seek employment at Sebastian's club, where our Hero and heroine meet....Now to the review. I found the story completely lacking in any semblance of romance. Sebastian was a completely reprehensible human being. He forces Roz into a situation where she has little choice but to accept his offer and then treats her horribly for about 75% of the book. He was never redeemed in my eyes nor did I believe in his sudden protestations of love in the last section of the book. There was zero emotional connection between these characters.Perhaps I could have felt more interest in and sympathy with Sebastian if we were given some sort of back story to justify his behaviour, but there was nada. The only insight into his past was one incident which actually made me dislike him all the more, but I will get to that in the spoilery section of my review.Roz, I also couldn't connect with and didn't particularly like. I didn't like how her initial homelessness was handled as it seemed that rather than stay with a willing friend, She intended to proudly live in her car to show how independent she was. This is stupid, but acceptable if it was just her, not when she is caring for a 13 year old. And I found it amusing when pride went out the window when Sebastian made his offer.The author did not make me believe that there was any real moral dilemma here for Roz. Her attitude seemed to be 'well I was going to sleep with him anyway might as well get paid!' The height of romance. And I was not impressed when this supposed virgin turned into a smex fiend after one encounter with Sebastian. I have seen this done before and always found it ridiculous.Again, I didn't get her supposed love for Sebastian. There was no justification for it, no build up, no connection. This made the twist in the story, which I will deal with in the spoiler section, all the more absurd.SPOILERS........Roz's parents were murdered by an intruder when she was a child. About 80% into the book we discover that the murderer is Sebastian's supremely b*tchy assistant and former foster sibling. Oh and that Sebastian was there, didn't stop it, covered for his murdering friend ever since, and in my opinion cheerfully lived his life without much evidence of guilt. Ridiculous. Sebastian doesn't even particularly seem to like this person and yet did nothing about the murder and actually took her in, employed her, paid her a fortune. He also makes no move to do anything about it once he discovers who Roz really is.Roz of course, is horrified when she finds out and promptly turns them both in to get justice for her parents. No, wait, wishful thinking on my part, what she actually does is scream at Sebastian, takes no steps to contact the police and promptly forgives Sebastian once his friend goes all bunny boiler at the last second. Because apparently being (albeit peripherally) involved in and covering up your gf's parents murder is no big thang. Oh and Roz continues her campaign for sister of the year by staying with Sebastian and not telling her brother because she didn't think he'd understand. Who would??END SPOILERAll in all, I found this book a big disappointment. It was lacking in romance and the plotting was poor. To temper my massively negative comments, I will say that I thought the writing style was decent. I wouldn't necessarily rule out a different sort of book from this author but I don't think I would be willing to pay for another if this is the sort of story I can expect.