Review: *5 Deliciously Wicked Stars* ~ I'll be naked with Jendan anyday...
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 20, 2014
A million dollars.  You think you’d do anything for a chance to be the winner of such a prize right?  For Annabelle Tucker,  when she is given a  second chance to return to “Endurance Island” and play the game of wills again - the first thing she does is spit in its face.  Humiliated from her last stint on the show, she is not looking to jump back into the fish bowl.  Her life is still under the microscope from the inaccurate and cruel portrayal she received in the previous season, and going back to be once again pegged as the naive slut isn’t high on her priority list.I’m a huge fan of Jessica Clare’s and have been since I read The Last Hit, it’s one of my all time favorite books.  When I was offered the opportunity to review this book, I pounced on it quicker than one of the starving players pounces on donuts.  This book is a fun, unique, refreshing and romantic read.  I enjoyed the storyline - there was humor and competitiveness and a few twists that surprised me.  The story is loosely based on the reality TV show “Survivor,” however, you don’t have to be a fan of the show to enjoy the book.  Jessica Clare does a terrific job of outlining the challenges the players face on the island and describing just what life is like during those 6 weeks of the game.Annabelle is offered the chance to return to the island and play the game again - a Power Players season.  While her first reaction is to furiously refuse - she can’t help but wonder if this might be the opportunity she’s been looking for to get back that piece of herself the island stole the first time around.  After careful consideration, she accepts the offer to play again.  Armed with an iron clad contract of rules (or so she thinks), and a fierce promise to herself that this time around there would be no romance for her on the island - she enters the ring.Back to the original question...you think you’d do anything for the chance at that million dollar prize right?  Annabelle vows that she will not be fooled by Kip, the douche who played her the season before and she vows that she will win the game, no matter what the cost.  What if part of that cost included….your clothes?  That’s right, in a shocking twist on the game - the contestants in this season were forced to play the game in the nude or forfeit immediately.  Honestly, I was laughing and cringing so much for all of them!  The sheer embarrassment alone almost broke Annabelle right there as it threw a huge monkey wrench into her plan to be the tough, confident player this time around.  However, she’s a lot more brave than she thinks she is and after being taunted by Kip for the last time - she tosses her clothes aside and boldly bares it all.Annabelle has the misfortune to once again be paired with Kip as her partner - he is the world’s biggest jerk and she is stuck taking care of him and stroking his ego, when what he really deserved was a swift kick in the nuts.  It seems to be more than she can handle, until an expected friendship develops with a rival player - Jendan.  Oh, Jendan.  How I fell so fast in love with him!  He is sexy and smart, protective and sexy.  Oops, I already said that.  But my god...is it ever true.  Annabelle had a hard time keeping her panties on around him - ah yes, there was no panties!  Imagine, being attracted to and having a fiery chemistry with a hot man such as Jendan and being naked around him 24/7.  Annabelle kicks herself for her vow of no romance on the island more than once. Who wouldn’t?  Being around a naked, hot man you’re attracted to and you’ve just made a no romance promise - it was like torture!I loved the connection with these two - it was forbidden, but they still managed to find a way to develop a friendship in spite of the game.  They protected each other and played their individual game, all while slowly falling in love.At the end of the day, they were contestants in a cutthroat, brutal game.  Its kill or be killed on that island and betrayal runs deep.  To be the last one standing, you have to be ready to play the game of your life and leave a part of your soul behind.For a million dollars...would you do?  For Annabelle, the choices are unthinkable and the consequences are steep.  Will she be able to last in the game long enough to come out victorious?Endurance Island.  Be ready...it’s one hell of a ride, that you or your heart may not survive.xo Cassiadeliciouslywickedbooks.com