REVIEW: CAKE BY LAUREN DANE

From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Dane comes the latest release from Cosmo Red-Hot Reads from Harlequin.

She won’t be satisfied with just one bite...

Art student-slash-bike messenger Wren Davis pursues what she wants. And what she wants now is Gregori Ivanov, rock star of the Seattle art scene. With his tattoos, piercings and sensual sneer, Gregori is the ultimate bad boy. Wren’s gotten to know the man beneath the body art, too—and it only makes her crave him more.

But Gregori loves women like he loves cake and champagne—intensely, but only for the moment. And after Wren experiences just how scorching sex with Gregori is, she’s determined to show him that just one taste won’t be enough...

Kindle Edition, 97 pages

Published September 15th 2013 by Harlequin 
Source: eGalley received from publisher via Netgalley in exchange for review
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

Our Review---

I love when we get a novella that is as good as this one was. I don't know why it surprises me that someone can write something this good, this developed and it's not even 100 pages...I guess because we've read stuff that is lots of 100's of pages and awful?! This novella is exactly right, though. I was on the fence at first. I had one of those put-up-or-shut-up moments there for me from one of the MC's (or shit or get off the pot, yo) but in the end I enjoyed it very much. 

Wren and Gregori are two artists--he's an in demand/established one and she's in school to hopefully be a paid one. They meet and get to know each other because of her job. They hook up because of their chemistry and if they can make it work is solely due to her persistence. Thank God. If it wasn't for her, we would be still swooning over this hot "yes, I build my sculptures half naked all of the time when you watch" artist, because he was hesitant to make a move! 

I like Wren; she's ballsy, smart, and has a great sense of self. I like Gregori for his accent, his ability to see Wren for what she is, and his fear--his fear is what makes him human. These two work so well together--they are passionate and funny and respectful of each other... all things that make for a great relationship. I also like that Wren has two friends who are supportive and know just the right things to say and when to say those things (thank goodness for Kelsey!). I liked them as people just as much as a couple too! The fact that Gregori is a world-renowned artist and yet he still takes the time to respect Wren and her goals in art. And she is able to give him something back in return: her support. He doesn't know what to do with someone who isn't there for his fame and money though, so that's why he takes his sweet 'ole time deciding what to do!  

Reading this as a novella makes me wish it were full length because it had me thinking about the characters and wanting to know them even more--especially Wren's sassy spark and Gregori's badboy hotness. It totally does. That really says something about this story though. It has substance and is full in the 97 pages we do get, so for that I am impressed! 

Shelley: 4 1/2 Stars
Courtney: 4 Stars

About the Author---

Lauren Dane has been writing stories since she was able to use a pencil, and before that she used to tell them to people. Of course, she still talks nonstop, and through wonderful fate and good fortune, she’s now able to share what she writes with others. It’s a wonderful life!

The basics: Lauren is a mom, a partner, a best friend and a daughter. Living in the rainy but beautiful Pacific Northwest, she spends her late evenings writing like a fiend when she finally wrestles all of her kids to bed.

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REVIEW: NAKED SUSHI BY JINA BACARR

From Jina Bacarr comes a sexy and provocative new release from Cosmo Red-Hot Reads from Harlequin.

One day I'm getting canned from my job as a computer programmer for having wild copy-room sex with a guy I thought was the new game designer. The next, I'm crashing my ex-boss's business lunch in a creative attempt to get my job back and men are eating sushi off my naked body! 

That's when I realize:

a) My ex-boss is a hiding corporate secrets

b) Hot copy-room guy is an undercover FBI agent

c) I would make a kick-ass spy!

Then Special Agent Hottie brings out his cuffs, and things get really interesting…

ebook

Published October 15th 2013 by Cosmo Red Hot Reads from Harlequin 

*Received from publisher via Netgalley in exchange for review*

Our Review--

Naked Sushi. Interesting concept? Hot cover? Check and check. Of course we wanted to read this one, because a) it looked fun and b) she gets a job being the plate for naked sushi after getting fired for having sex at work. Ris-to-the-que. :) Sign us up! Yes...the cover was steamy!

The novella, and yes it is a novella so it is a very quick and sexy romp through this love story...but it was somewhat a little over the top in the comedy department...so those parts were a little more parody than rom-com. I wasn't sure what to do with that. But the way these two meet is very interesting. And unbelievable...and HOT! Yes, Courtney, I thought the funny bits were a bit over the top and I couldn't really find my feet with this novel but some may like it.

So for me this one scored major points for sexiness while maybe losing a few points with execution. Being that it is a novella though did not require me to invest a significant amount of time so I recommend for the simple entertainment factor. It isn't a serious story, and definitely shouldn't be taken as such. :) True..this is 100% fantasy and any attempt at reality has to be suspended at the first tap of your reading device.

Courtney: 3 Stars
Shelley: 2 1/2 Stars

About Jina Bacarr: 

I love to travel, indulge in dark chocolate truffles and spend rainy days in museums...especialy the Louvre in Paris.

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