I ADORE friends to lovers stories and today we have a delightful story by Lexi Ryan that I recommend highly. Accidental Sex Goddess features personable characters in a romantic storyline that flows with lots of witty dialogue. Keep reading to learn more about this book along with signing up for a wonderful giveaway through commenting.....
Promotions director Reese Regan isn’t a sex goddess and doesn’t want to be. But the job of her dreams requires enrollment in the renowned Sex Goddess 101. To avoid a trip to the unemployment line, Reese must pass the program and become Chicago’s next seductress—or at least fake it convincingly. Her best friend, the ruggedly sexy contractor Ben Hawk, helps her “fake” her way through the program, and the heat between them flares. When trust is broken and secrets are revealed, it appears they’ve traded years-long friendship for temporary passion. Will faking something so important cost them their chance at something real?
EXCERPT:
“I think I’m going let Mark take me out.”
His jaw ticked. “Don’t be stupid, Reese.”
“Wha—”
He cut her off with his mouth. He cupped her face in his big palm and brushed his lips across hers. He was warm and gentle.
And from the first brush of his lips, she wanted more.
Maybe tomorrow she’d blame the tequila or maybe she’d blame the lingerie shopping or the dirty stories she’d been logging into her notebook, but she moaned against him, loving the feel of his mouth, the light scratch of his scruff. Ben was so painfully male. A hot and delicious, long-denied craving.
Ben slanted his mouth over hers and slipped his tongue inside. He tasted like beer. Like male. Like something wicked and addictive. He wasn’t one of those rushed and sloppy kissers. He kissed like it was making love. Like he had all the time in the world. Like his most important task was kissing her. It was a kiss she’d known once and had never forgotten.
He slid his hands under her jaw and into her hair.
Reese grabbed a fistful of his shirt in her hand and pulled him closer, thinking of his eyes on her in the dressing room, thinking of the only other night they’d kissed.
He slid a hand behind her ass and lifted her, pressing her between the wall and his body and nestling his hard-on right between her legs. She gave a moan of approval and rubbed her tongue against his, exploring his mouth for all she was worth. She reached around his neck and slipped her fingers into his hair, tugging gently. Groaning, he pressed himself even closer to her. She cursed the day denim was invented. She wanted closer, closer even as part of her brain told her this was a mistake, told her to end this before they ruined everything.
He tore his mouth from hers and latched onto her neck. Sucking, nibbling, tasting until her eyes closed and she arched into him.
His teeth grazed the shell of her ear. His breath was hot as he whispered, “I’ll be damned if I’m going to let my brother help you with the best parts of this program.”
His jaw ticked. “Don’t be stupid, Reese.”
“Wha—”
He cut her off with his mouth. He cupped her face in his big palm and brushed his lips across hers. He was warm and gentle.
And from the first brush of his lips, she wanted more.
Maybe tomorrow she’d blame the tequila or maybe she’d blame the lingerie shopping or the dirty stories she’d been logging into her notebook, but she moaned against him, loving the feel of his mouth, the light scratch of his scruff. Ben was so painfully male. A hot and delicious, long-denied craving.
Ben slanted his mouth over hers and slipped his tongue inside. He tasted like beer. Like male. Like something wicked and addictive. He wasn’t one of those rushed and sloppy kissers. He kissed like it was making love. Like he had all the time in the world. Like his most important task was kissing her. It was a kiss she’d known once and had never forgotten.
He slid his hands under her jaw and into her hair.
Reese grabbed a fistful of his shirt in her hand and pulled him closer, thinking of his eyes on her in the dressing room, thinking of the only other night they’d kissed.
He slid a hand behind her ass and lifted her, pressing her between the wall and his body and nestling his hard-on right between her legs. She gave a moan of approval and rubbed her tongue against his, exploring his mouth for all she was worth. She reached around his neck and slipped her fingers into his hair, tugging gently. Groaning, he pressed himself even closer to her. She cursed the day denim was invented. She wanted closer, closer even as part of her brain told her this was a mistake, told her to end this before they ruined everything.
He tore his mouth from hers and latched onto her neck. Sucking, nibbling, tasting until her eyes closed and she arched into him.
His teeth grazed the shell of her ear. His breath was hot as he whispered, “I’ll be damned if I’m going to let my brother help you with the best parts of this program.”
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Friends to lovers stories are my favorite kind and Lexi Ryan has written one that's immensely entertaining. Accidental Sex Goddess has long-time friends Reese and Ben, who've flirted with a relationship, are having a hard time finding someone when their connection to each other remains strong. After a run of disappointments, both personally and professionally, Reese ends up taking a course that will turn her from a plain Jane into a sex goddess and before she knows it she has the attention of both Ben and his brother Mark. She starts off with low self-esteem and I enjoyed seeing her bloom into an assertive woman who FINALLY went after what she wanted.
Ben too took forever to make a move on Reese. It's not until Mark expresses an interest that he's finally willing to take a chance on true love. This sibling rivalry was realistic and I liked Mark, the REAL Mark not his playboy persona and their interactions brought a mischievous smile to my face.
From the very start there's much sexual tension between Reese and Ben. After many starts and stops it's not until late in the book that they finally culminate their affections. These scenes are steamy and well worth the wait though. In lieu of actual sexual interludes are many sexually enticing verbal exchanges that are playful and highly suggestive and I found these exchanges to build-up the sexual tension further.
With its delightfully sexy banter and immensely satisfying sexual tension I was drawn to this book from the start. The entire cast of characters are entertaining and likable and for all that they're easily relatable too. Accidental Sex Goddess is another in Lexi Ryan's writing cap and I highly recommend it!
My rating for this is an A.
*I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.
BUY AT: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | AllRomanceeBooks | Smashwords
AUTHOR INFO:
Author of both contemporary and paranormal romance, Lexi Ryan writes smart, spunky stories that sizzle. She enjoys reading, sunshine, a good glass of wine, and rare trips to the beach with her husband and children.
Lexi lives in Indiana where she divides her time between her family, her writing, and her job as an English professor.
Website: http://lexiryan.com
Blog: lexiryan.blogspot.com
Facebook: facebook.com/lexiryan
Twitter: @writerlexiryan
E-mail: writerlexiryan@gmail.com
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ qymaH
Lexi lives in Indiana where she divides her time between her family, her writing, and her job as an English professor.
Website: http://lexiryan.com
Blog: lexiryan.blogspot.com
Facebook: facebook.com/lexiryan
Twitter: @writerlexiryan
E-mail: writerlexiryan@gmail.com
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/
**********GIVEAWAY**********
Lexi is awarding a "pamper your inner sex goddess" gift basket (bath products, books from her backlist and candles - US ONLY) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
-To be entered, leave a comment, along with your email addy.
-A winner will be chosen randomly from all comments made throughout the tour, so the more you comment the greater your chances of winning. A list of all participating blogs can be found here.
-Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM CST on 2/8.
Thank you for hosting today.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds SO good! I absolutely love "friends to lovers" and everything I keep seeing about this screams, "READ ME." I'm going to have to listen :-)
ReplyDeletemnark111 AT gmail DOT com
M, what a nice comment! :) If you decide to read it, I hope you love it. Have a great day!
DeleteGood morning, everyone! I'm so happy to have today's tour stop with the Scarf Princess. Thank you for having me and for taking the time to write such a nice review. :)
ReplyDeleteOkay, folks, we know each other a little better now, so today I'm going to ask you about S-E-X. Traditionally, romance couples have sex at about the midpoint--and usually sooner for steamy books like mine. But I broke those rules for Reese and Ben's story. (In fact, I wrote my best friend while writing it and said, "They're never going to have sex!") As a reader, does it bother you when the sexy times come later (there *are* certain expectations) or are you okay with whatever comes naturally for the characters? Can't wait to read your thoughts! :)
Great premise! Who would you like to see play the role of your hero?
ReplyDeleteAs to your question, I like it when it comes naturally and if it doesn't seem forced, I've read a book recently and the sex scene sounded so fake, I had to laught. :)
Jibriel.O(at)web(dot)de
Jibriel, that's a GREAT question. You know the guy who plays Dexter? Yeah, he'd work. ;)
DeleteAnd, I agree, it needs to be believable. It's better that way.
Thanks for coming by!
An 'A' is great. So glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
:) I know, Mary. I was excited to see that too!
DeleteGreat excerpt! Hm, well I like to read an actual story and not just sex scenes.
ReplyDeletegalaschick78(AT)gmail(DOT)com
LOL! Gala, good point! I do think you have have earlier-in-the-book scenes and still have a great actual story, but it just so happens that's not the case in ASG. Enough people had commented on the later-than-typical sexy times that it had me curious. :)
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
No, it doesn't bother me.
ReplyDeletemoonsurfer123(at)gmail(dot)com
:) Thanks, Anas! I think most of us just want a good story. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThe book sounds fantastic! Who organizes your books promotion, the publisher?
ReplyDeleteanzuazura at yahoo dot de
Lana, Goddess Fish Promotions organized this blog tour for me. They're fantastic to work with, if you ever have a need. :)
DeleteVery intriguing excerpt. You always have interesting questions, I love following your tour :)
ReplyDeleteSo, no I don't mind, I actually prefer it that way.
shadowrunner1987ATgmailDOTcom
Ami, thank you! :)
DeleteAnd that's interesting to know about your preference. Deep down, I'm just a sucker for sexual tension, and it's hard (but not impossible) to keep that going once they give in. ;)
This sounds lovely, how do you come up with the names of your characters?
ReplyDeleteanzumerlin at mail dot ru
Anzu, this is a great question for which I have a meh answer. ;) Names are really important to me, and it's not uncommon for me to change a character's name as I "get to know" him or her. Right now, for instance, I'm writing a novella with a "Katie" I'm pretty sure isn't really a "Katie." I'm hoping her real name comes to me soon! ;)
DeleteThanks for coming by!
Great review, I also love friends to lovers stories. Great excerpt, thank you.
ReplyDeleteKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
Ingeborg, *sigh* me too. :)
DeleteThanks for coming by today!
I love the fun cover! Thanks for sharing this with us
ReplyDeletefencingromein at hotmail dot com
Thank you, Shannon! I'm a fan of the cover myself. ;)
DeleteThanks for coming by today!
This is an outstanding story. Loved the excerpt. The review was excellent.
ReplyDeleteThanks, MomJane! Good to "see" you again today! :)
DeleteCute story. Cant wait to read the book.
ReplyDeletelauratroxelatyahoodotcom
Thanks, Laura! I hope you enjoy it! :)
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
I love "delightfully sexy banter." It sounds like my cup of tea.
ReplyDeletecatherinelee100 at gmail dot com
:) Thanks for stopping by, Catherine!
DeleteVery nice review about the characters.
ReplyDeletebn100candg(at)Hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for stopping by, BN! :)
DeleteI love friends to lover stories and have already bought my copy of this book :) I love stories where the characters have sexy banter and sexual tension!
ReplyDeleteJune
manning_J2004 at yahoo dot com
I hope you love it, June. Drop if you don't get to it until after the tour, I hope you'll drop me a note. :)
DeleteWhat a great read! Love the humor. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletebhometchko(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks, BookLady! You're welcome and good luck!
DeleteSounds like a really good read!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!
natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com
Thanks for stopping by, Natasha!
DeleteThis sounds like a great book! I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeletethompsonem3 at aol dot com
Thanks, Ellen! Thanks for stopping by! :)
DeleteI loved the story. When I think of the Hawk I am reminded of Gerard Butler who played with Katherine Heigl in the Ugly Truth. I see Ben as Henry Cavill. He is the actor that is playing as superman in the new movie. He also played in the Cold Night of Day which I just watched last night from the Redbox and he is hot. Kelley Jefferson.
ReplyDelete