Betsy Kincaid has no
sexual sizzle.
At least that’s what
her boyfriend claimed before he dumped her.
Determined to prove
him wrong, Betsy puts learning to sizzle at the top of her to-do list. And who
better to provide the lessons she needs than the safe and oh-so- willing gay
guy who just moved in with her gay buddy?
Matt Pollard has had
his share of disastrous relationships, so when the chance comes to help a foxy
lady develop her sexual mojo while also enjoying some no-strings-attached
bedroom action, he’s happy to oblige.
Unfortunately, they
get more than they bargained for when romantic emotions threaten to complicate
their simple arrangement.
Then Betsy discovers
Matt isn’t gay. Her sense of betrayal at being misled is matched by his
resentment at being blamed for an innocent mistake. But their anger could cost
them the thing they both want most: a chance at true love.
Review by Melissa Snark:
SIZZLE is a an impossibly cute mainstream contemporary romance with more than a little comedic twist thrown in to good effect. At first, I started off thinking the novel would be erotica but there is a good deal more emphasis on character development and story than sex. (Although those were plenty hot. No complaints.)
I hate recapping blurbs, so I won't. I do feel compelled to mention that SIZZLE meets all of the criteria necessary to be produced as a romantic comedy. Sassy, ditzy heroine? Check. Gay best friend? Check. Hunky, off-beat hero? Check. Cue a series of ridiculous misunderstandings and a bit of excessive obtuseness and you have next summer's hit romantic comedy in the making.
I liked both Betsy and Matt a great deal. They shared great chemistry and they were pretty consistently nice to each other, which is something I often feel is missing in romances. I was rooting from them right from the start and the HEA ending punched all the right buttons.
I loved secondary characters, especially Rob, but also the little crayon graffiti artist. The subplot involving the homeowner's association bully drove me up the wall because my approach to dealing with people like Mrs. Lattimer tends to be blunter than the heroine's. I wanted Betsy to stand up to the bully sooner but ultimately she does so (as the product of character growth no less). In the end, she offers up a win-win solution for everyone.
If I have a grumble, it's that the heroine's clueless nature strains credibility at times. However, sacrifices must be made for the sake of laughs and laugh I did. I especially loved the "lessons", although it seemed like the obvious one was missing.
SIZZLE is a recommended read for anyone looking for a sexy romance guaranteed to make you grin. Recommended.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
SIZZLE is a an impossibly cute mainstream contemporary romance with more than a little comedic twist thrown in to good effect. At first, I started off thinking the novel would be erotica but there is a good deal more emphasis on character development and story than sex. (Although those were plenty hot. No complaints.)
I hate recapping blurbs, so I won't. I do feel compelled to mention that SIZZLE meets all of the criteria necessary to be produced as a romantic comedy. Sassy, ditzy heroine? Check. Gay best friend? Check. Hunky, off-beat hero? Check. Cue a series of ridiculous misunderstandings and a bit of excessive obtuseness and you have next summer's hit romantic comedy in the making.
I liked both Betsy and Matt a great deal. They shared great chemistry and they were pretty consistently nice to each other, which is something I often feel is missing in romances. I was rooting from them right from the start and the HEA ending punched all the right buttons.
I loved secondary characters, especially Rob, but also the little crayon graffiti artist. The subplot involving the homeowner's association bully drove me up the wall because my approach to dealing with people like Mrs. Lattimer tends to be blunter than the heroine's. I wanted Betsy to stand up to the bully sooner but ultimately she does so (as the product of character growth no less). In the end, she offers up a win-win solution for everyone.
If I have a grumble, it's that the heroine's clueless nature strains credibility at times. However, sacrifices must be made for the sake of laughs and laugh I did. I especially loved the "lessons", although it seemed like the obvious one was missing.
SIZZLE is a recommended read for anyone looking for a sexy romance guaranteed to make you grin. Recommended.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Available for purchase:
Author
Bio:
I’ve
been a writer and researcher for more years than I like to recall and in that
time I’ve worked on topics as diverse as multiple sclerosis and the Soviet
Union (when there still was a Soviet Union). In my free time, I enjoy visiting
the Ancient Egyptian and Etruscan exhibits in museums, taking long walks, and
concocting stories about everyday people who laugh a lot, cry a little, and
ultimately find the happily-ever-after they deserve. My debut novel, Finding You Again, was published by
The Wild Rose Press in January 2012, and my second book, Sizzle, was published by Secret
Cravings Publishing in June 2013. I can usually be found at the following
sites:
I know it’s often hard enough just to find some time to do a little reading for relaxation and enjoyment, but to go that extra long and very time-consuming mile and write a review is incredibly generous. That means you deserve special recognition and, of course, a gigantic thank you for putting so much effort into helping other authors.
ReplyDeleteIn my case, you completely “got” what I was trying to do—entertain readers with a fun, fairly sexy, and slightly comedic story.
So all it all what can I say except that I’m delighted you enjoyed the book, thrilled that you consider it good enough to recommend, and grateful to know some of the things that bothered you so that I can try my darnedest to steer clear of them in my future writing.
Again, THANK YOU, Melissa!
You're welcome! And thank you again for being my guest this week! It was fun having you here and I loved Sizzle. Good luck with your promotion! :-)
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