Quick Reviews: New Releases from Tessa Bailey, Mari Carr

Rating: ☕☕☕☕☕ 5 cups!

If erotica can be classified adorable as well, then Worked Up by Tessa Bailey is it. The third standalone book in the Made in Jersey series puts together Samantha, a children's book illustrator and Duke, a machine operator from the town of Hook, New Jersey, in a marriage of convenience trope that is as quirky as the heroine's sense of humor (and yet the hero gets her!) The sexual attraction was instantaneous, in fact calling the fire brigade may not be enough to douse the flames. But its the way Sam and Duke interact with each other that has me turning the pages and smiling while reading it, that makes me love this book. Their inner thoughts as the struggle to make sense of their attraction to each other just make you adore these characters even more. I picture this two as those old fashioned cartoons that manages to ooze lots of lust in one look despite being oh so prim and proper. The plot device is probably more as an afterthought to add to the series because the romance development of these two is more than enough to get the readers going. Adorable, quirky and hot, Worked Up is definitely a page turner.

Synopsis:

Factory mechanic Duke Crawford just wants to watch SportsCenter in peace. Unfortunately, living with four divorcee sisters doesn’t provide much silence, nor does it change his stance on relationships. But when a fellow commitment-phobe stumbles into his life, getting him good and worked up, he can’t deny his protective instincts.

Samantha Waverly’s brother just put her in an impossible situation. The only way out? Marry huge, gruff, gladiator look-alike Duke—for show, of course. She doesn’t make promises—she knows too well how easily they can be broken—and this is no exception.

As the blistering attraction between them grows, the lines around the no-strings relationship blur. But Duke and Samantha’s marriage is only for show…or is it?

Each book in the Made in Jersey series is a standalone, full-length story that can be enjoyed out of order. 

 Rating: ☕☕☕☕ 4 cups!

A friends with benefits offer that was only going to be a hook up, that turned into a 3 day affair. It should have been cut and dried for Kellan and Sara. They've been friends since childhood, and remained that for years. Kellan's her boss, while Sara was happy enough to be an ER nurse. He has hook ups and casual flings and doesn't believe in marriage. She wants the whole package. But sex was on the table that night and it was time to get wild. But when Monday came around, the other one had a hard time letting go.

In Seducing The Boss, the friends to lovers trope had a very unique twist. Readers will definitely be fanning themselves with all that sex between Sara and Kellan but its actually how these characters friendship is portrayed that really makes this a worthwhile read. The pacing is steady, the dialogue almost lighthearted, in fact this was the tone initially. But it does change into something a little more darker in tone. Although told from both points of view, because the character of Sara feels more well developed, it skews more towards Kellan's journey as a character. Overall, Seducing The Boss will have you cheering for the happy ending.



Synopsis:
Kellan James is unwinding at Score when he spots the last person he'd ever expect to find in his favorite bar. Sara Connelly--ER nurse, do-gooder, charitable crusader, and frequent pain in his ass. Both grew up privileged in swanky Southampton, but that's where the similarities end. Kellan's made it his mission to seek out life's pleasures; Sara gains pleasure from lecturing him on his lifestyle. Kellan would never date someone like her. Ever.
But when Kellan discovers Sara's been stood-up by an online date, something fierce and protective awakens inside of him. Typically, Kellan would enjoy teasing the jilted Sara, but something in her face sends him over to her table with a plan. He encourages her to take a walk on the wild side, one weekend of sin, no holds barred.
She accepts, but it quickly becomes apparent that one night isn't enough. As the pull between them grows stronger, Kellan discovers it's a very dangerous thing to say never.
Each book in the Pulse series is a standalone, full-length story that can be enjoyed out of order.