Review: Fun Collection of Hot Stories
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 1, 2014
Menage on 34th Street – 2.75 StarsI enjoy a good ménage storyline and I have had the pleasure of reading some really great books that handle the difficult of a ménage story really well. Unfortunately, I don’t think a Christmas novella is the best place to delve into how difficult a ménage relationship truly is. This story was a tad bit heavy and unbelievable for a Christmas story. It would have been great to just deal with the second chance love part of things and leave the heavy stuff to another fuller story.The sexy times were super-hot, but everything else seemed rushed and out of whack. Hunter didn’t always seem into trying to make things work, but then it was like an x-rated after school special where his best friends Kat and Liam peer pressure him into agreeing to a relationship. I really didn’t think that after 10 years of not talking to each other, Liam and Kat would just drop everything to follow Hunter anywhere he might get stationed. And I didn’t really believe that Hunter would put his career, that he loved, as a Marine on the line for two people he hadn’t talked to or seen in so long.I am curious to see how things work out for them, but I’m not sure I’ll check out the sequel. I enjoyed the sexy parts of this book, but the rest just really didn’t work for me. I’m really not sure I liked any of the characters, except maybe Hunter. I felt like he really kind of got pushed into things in this story and I don’t really feel like they were things he wanted.Five Golden Rings – 4 StarsI adore Jeffe Kennedy, but haven’t actually read as many of her books as I should. Reading Five Golden Rings just reminded me of how much of an idiot I am for not reading more by her, so now her other books have been bumped up further on the TBR mountain.Five Golden Rings was hot and spicy, a lot like Jeff’s Tumblr. I immediately loved Tilda and how she was able to just let herself enjoy losing control. I’m not sure I’d be able to do that if I were in her shoes. Although, I would love to get the twelve gifts that Miguel gave her.I wasn’t as sold on Miguel as I was Tilda. He was definitely hot and fun, but we didn’t really get to know him. I would have loved to learn more about him, besides how he is sexually, and to see more of Tilda and Miguel after they left their island paradise. Overall, though, I enjoyed the story and really can’t wait to read more by Jeffe.Matzoh and Mistletoe – 3 StarsIn the past, I’ve really liked what I’ve read by Jodie Griffin and while I liked Matzoh and Mistletoe, I kind of felt like I was missing something. I never felt truly connected to Becca or Jeremy and I think that is what kept me disconnected from the story. Overall, the story was decent, I particularly liked that it was a friends to lovers love story and that their friendship had spanned five years and her marriage.Becca and Jeremy weren’t horrible characters. I wish I could pinpoint what it was that kept me from really getting them. I thought they were pretty great together and I loved that Becca was so strong even after dealing with her ex-husband and everything he had put her through. I think I was a little thrown by Jeremy’s sexual tastes and how easily Becca let herself give over to him, especially after her ex. Don’t get me wrong. It was super sexy, but also didn’t always feel quite right given her past.Even though I didn’t completely love this story, I enjoyed it and I will definitely continue to check out Jodie Griffin’s work.Naughty Nicks – 5 StarsThis was my favorite of the stories in the Season of Seduction anthology. I really love the way this started out, building the foundation for the rest of the story. From the start, we know how great Kim and Blare are together and you can’t help but want to get back to that. I adored Kim immediately. She’s fun and knows how to live. Blake was pretty great too, but sometimes I worried about him because he never really seemed happy.I absolutely loved the idea of a Santa stripper company. What a hilarious concept, I would love to get a Santa stripper for a holiday party. This story was a great blend of humor, heartbreak and love. It flowed perfectly and I never once wanted to put it down. This was a great example of a novella that provides all of the necessary pieces while telling a great story and of a perfect lovers to friends to lovers story. Of course I knew I would get a fantastic story from Christine d’Abo from past experiences and I look forward to reading even more by her.Arc provided by the publisher via Netgalley