Review: I really enjoyed my first foray into BJ Harvey's realm!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 15, 2013
My brain is totally fried between my college course, my kids, and reviewing therefore my review will be a bit different this time around. If I like how it turns out I may even stick to this method.Four men, no strings, and one sexually confident woman...that is until she met her match! (no cheating involved)"Aside from our physical relationships, I'm friends with all three of them. Each man provides me with a different physical need that I crave and desire; that sometimes I just want. But I'm not a slut, and I'm not easy. For the first time in four years, a man has my heart beating faster, my eyes shining brighter, and my brain turning to mush"What I loved about this book:* The witty delightful characters, even Mac; I was positive she would annoy the living day lights out of me. I am excited to say she passed my extremely tough heroine test and came out a winner! Loved her to bits, even her slight running tendencies, shocking I know. Mac definitely intrigued me, hooking me from the very first page. Her aversion to anything emotional left me entertained. I freaking LOVED that BJ flipped the typical gender role with Mac and gave us a kick ass heroine who wasn't afraid to be all about the sexual fun and not so much about the emotional tie down. Makenna was hot, she was feisty, and she wasn't afraid to enjoy the physical side of life. Hands down, Mac freaking rules. BJ Harvey I not only have a thing for your male lead, but I also have a gigantic girl crush on your female lead!* THE MEN!! How in the hell could you not go gaga for all those delicious men? Each one of them had me experiencing a roller coaster ride of emotions, endearing themselves to me in some shape or form. Especially, Sean! I fell hard for that domineering man in Mac's life. His character screamed with the potential for badass, even if BJ only supplied me with teasing bits and pieces of his personality and lifestyle. Daniel--can I just say Daniel is an absolute doll! I definitely wouldn't mind being the middle of a Superman and Sean sandwich. The hero proved on many occasions he held the ability to be just as dominating and dark as our resident Dom! Zander is an absolute cutie! I found myself very distracted by his character mainly due to learning something naughty about him; before I even met his character, (girls everywhere will be moving him up to the tops of their book boyfriend lists). Noah is pure arrogance, but in all honest who wouldn't be when they are referred to as a "walking dildo." Can't wait to meet the chick who brings this surgeon to his knees. I loved that when he was confronted with the twist of Daniel and Mac, he was sweet and supportive. Noah was genuine. His character surprised me the most I think.* I had a blast experiencing the physical and emotional chemistry between all of the characters; it felt as though I was a part of their gang. I loved that Mckenna shared the same type of friendship with her guy friends as she did with her gal friend Kate. The witty rapport between all of them flowed off the page effortlessly, and never failed to keep me giggling.* THE PLOT!! I think this may actually be my favorite part regarding this adventure. I love reading a book that encases a strong sexually liberated female lead that isn't afraid to go against the grain, who challenges society's norms. This isn't your typical love story, nor is it about your typical damaged commitment phobic hero. Mac is very much female and she relishes the friends with benefits relationship that she has with each of her guys, however, it isn't all about sexual gratification. She absolutely cherishes the friendship she shares with Sean, Zander, and Noah. It is meaningful, sweet, and fun; each man individually offers her something unique to her relationship with them. I loved that the guys all knew about each other, and accepted her exactly for who she was. There was no lying, no betrayals, and no bitterness. They all understood that Mac did everything in her power to avoid any form of commitment, which is until she meets Delicious Daniel. That's where the fun really began, where the author drew the fine line between love and lust. Mac's adventure felt fresh and unique, her story left me feeling a bit envious of her carefree ways!"It seems that Superman's talents hold no bounds.It's just a shame my heart does."What I struggled with:* I loved the plot, I loved the characters, and I enjoyed the authors writing style. My ONLY slight issue is a personal one, nothing to do with the author and her writing ability since I found all the main players and plot to be utterly engaging and well developed. I absolutely adored the character interactions; I just wish I had gotten to spend more time with them outside the sexual realm (mainly Daniel and Mac). While the sex scenes were wicked, (panty melting hot, if I am to be honest), for my personal tastes if felt as though there was just too many. I often felt as though Daniel and Mac avoided any real conversation and just hit the sheets. I needed to see more verbal and emotional growth between these two characters that didn't include the exchange of bodily fluids, all the sex and avoidance of anything remotely resembling emotion began to overwhelm the story. I will say that I totally ate up any interaction between them (even the steamy ones); they were one hell of a smoking combination. Her independence and forwardness balanced out well with his sweet teasing alpha ways. He was alpha no doubt, but he perfected and delivered this in a laid back quiet way.I really enjoyed my first foray into BJ Harvey's realm! Her characters border on addicting and driving me up the wall. I also found they were immediately connectable, as well as relatable, not to mention they left me wanting more. I can't wait to see the road BJ takes Zander's story down (I am convinced she will make Kate his HEA). Kate deserves a man who will hand her the world on a platter and I think Zander may be just the man to deliver. Therefore, whether Ms. Harvey agrees or not, she will be providing Zander and Kate with their HEA's together.Temporary Bliss comes as a highly recommended read from me.Thank you, BJ Harvey, for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Temporary Bliss in exchange for my honest opinion.