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By the Book
Two's company; three's allowed. Reece Hutton conducts his life between the covers -- of books and beds. A librarian by day, in the evenings he's a man whose tastes are anything but vanilla. So when local writer Daniel Cross appears in the library one afternoon with the aim of doing some research, Reece has a hard time not noticing how attractive he is, or what feels like chemistry between them. They exchange a few words and Daniel's business card, an interlude which Reece puts down to networking rather than flirtation. After all, he has his girlfriend Georgia to go home to and her best a threesome to help his birthday go literally with a bang. Reece, being a gentleman (most of the time), has no objection to returning the favor, especially as his new friend Daniel seems all too willing to be their third for an evening. Georgia sees their triangle as nothing more than a temporary bit of fun but Reece...? He'll eventually have to own up to breaking the unwritten rules of their relationship or close the book on a growing attraction to Daniel. Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find Male/male sexual practices, menage (m/f/m, f/m/f with female interaction).
280 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2011
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February 11, 2011
Favorite Quote: “I’m Daniel Fucking Cross.”
Librarian Reece Hutton has a great time with his girlfriend Georgia. They have a very passionate life, and they also like to play. As a birthday gift, Georgia invites her best friend into the bedroom for a little threesome enjoyment. Reece loves it and loves Georgia for giving him this gift.
Reece has something, or rather someone on his mind though. He meets writer Daniel Cross at the library, and can not get this man out of his head. He has never been with a man before, but cannot deny that he is attracted to him. When Georgia suggests that maybe they bring another man into the bedroom for fun, Reece immediately thinks of Daniel. Daniel is a self-proclaimed slut who loves both men and women. He gives Georgia a night she will never forget, but it is the eye contact he makes with Reece that sets things in motion between the two of them.
By the Book has one of my favorite scenarios – straight man who becomes attracted to another man. Reece’s feelings towards Daniel come across as very natural, and make sense. He is confused, scared – terrified really that his body is reacting to Daniel in this way. Even more confusing, is his heart starts leaning toward Daniel too. Daniel has tattoos and wears guyliner and loves to drink and have sex. (Can I claim him?) Daniel is a great match for Reece because he flirts so unabashedly. Reece describes him as “a cocky little shit,” and he knows it! And he is so very, very naughty.
“What does every man want for his birthday?”
”An Xbox?”
Smiling, I (Reece) shook my head.
”Candy and hand jobs? Wait – a pony!”
”You want a pony for your birthday?”
”Okay, nipple clamps and a butt plug.”
”You’re a sick man, Daniel Cross.”
”Yeah, I mean, how many butt plugs does one man need?”
He proudly declares he loves men and women and having a good time. If it wasn’t for his pushing, and directness towards Reece, the relationship might not have progressed. As Daniel says:
“You want to get together?”
[…] “Yes. If that’s all right with you.”
”Sure. Why wouldn’t it be?”
”Just, you know. Residual awkwardness. About. Things.”
”I don’t feel awkward at all.”
”Don’t you?”
”No. I’m Daniel Fucking Cross.”
I stopped and leaned against a shop front. “Oh. Well.” I drew a deep breath. “Good. Good”
Further, I really enjoyed Daniel’s eventual reaction to Reece – I think Reece gives him much more than he ever bargained for. Daniel “Fucking” Cross has become one of my favorite characters. He is soooo cocky – yet comes to care about Reece so much. One of my favorite scenes is their first kiss:
“We should do something about it.” Daniel dipped his head, drew back, furrowed his brow, and I thought, surely he can’t be nervous; he’s Daniel Cross, but he wanted to make sure I was sure.
[…]”I know you want this,” he whispered, so close his breath warmed my skin. “Just let me…”
I’ve never kissed a – Oh God. My resistance, such as it was, melted away when his bottom lip dragged over mine.
There is much more to that scene, but that is enough for just a bit of a tease ;)
I did feel like poor Georgia might not have gotten the most emotions from Reece. I believed in Reece’s love for her, and I wanted to see him a little more broken up about his new love interest, but I have to say I really love how Scarlett Parrish ends the book. It actually surprised me!
This is the second book I have read by Scarlett Parrish – and both of them have grabbed me immediately. I love her characters – I am greatly entertained by their sarcastic humor and wicked thoughts. Further, her sex scenes are very well done. The combination of really dirty scenes and my love for the characters makes her books very memorable.
Rating: B
Librarian Reece Hutton has a great time with his girlfriend Georgia. They have a very passionate life, and they also like to play. As a birthday gift, Georgia invites her best friend into the bedroom for a little threesome enjoyment. Reece loves it and loves Georgia for giving him this gift.
Reece has something, or rather someone on his mind though. He meets writer Daniel Cross at the library, and can not get this man out of his head. He has never been with a man before, but cannot deny that he is attracted to him. When Georgia suggests that maybe they bring another man into the bedroom for fun, Reece immediately thinks of Daniel. Daniel is a self-proclaimed slut who loves both men and women. He gives Georgia a night she will never forget, but it is the eye contact he makes with Reece that sets things in motion between the two of them.
By the Book has one of my favorite scenarios – straight man who becomes attracted to another man. Reece’s feelings towards Daniel come across as very natural, and make sense. He is confused, scared – terrified really that his body is reacting to Daniel in this way. Even more confusing, is his heart starts leaning toward Daniel too. Daniel has tattoos and wears guyliner and loves to drink and have sex. (Can I claim him?) Daniel is a great match for Reece because he flirts so unabashedly. Reece describes him as “a cocky little shit,” and he knows it! And he is so very, very naughty.
“What does every man want for his birthday?”
”An Xbox?”
Smiling, I (Reece) shook my head.
”Candy and hand jobs? Wait – a pony!”
”You want a pony for your birthday?”
”Okay, nipple clamps and a butt plug.”
”You’re a sick man, Daniel Cross.”
”Yeah, I mean, how many butt plugs does one man need?”
He proudly declares he loves men and women and having a good time. If it wasn’t for his pushing, and directness towards Reece, the relationship might not have progressed. As Daniel says:
“You want to get together?”
[…] “Yes. If that’s all right with you.”
”Sure. Why wouldn’t it be?”
”Just, you know. Residual awkwardness. About. Things.”
”I don’t feel awkward at all.”
”Don’t you?”
”No. I’m Daniel Fucking Cross.”
I stopped and leaned against a shop front. “Oh. Well.” I drew a deep breath. “Good. Good”
Further, I really enjoyed Daniel’s eventual reaction to Reece – I think Reece gives him much more than he ever bargained for. Daniel “Fucking” Cross has become one of my favorite characters. He is soooo cocky – yet comes to care about Reece so much. One of my favorite scenes is their first kiss:
“We should do something about it.” Daniel dipped his head, drew back, furrowed his brow, and I thought, surely he can’t be nervous; he’s Daniel Cross, but he wanted to make sure I was sure.
[…]”I know you want this,” he whispered, so close his breath warmed my skin. “Just let me…”
I’ve never kissed a – Oh God. My resistance, such as it was, melted away when his bottom lip dragged over mine.
There is much more to that scene, but that is enough for just a bit of a tease ;)
I did feel like poor Georgia might not have gotten the most emotions from Reece. I believed in Reece’s love for her, and I wanted to see him a little more broken up about his new love interest, but I have to say I really love how Scarlett Parrish ends the book. It actually surprised me!
This is the second book I have read by Scarlett Parrish – and both of them have grabbed me immediately. I love her characters – I am greatly entertained by their sarcastic humor and wicked thoughts. Further, her sex scenes are very well done. The combination of really dirty scenes and my love for the characters makes her books very memorable.
Rating: B
December 13, 2011
Last week, as I was lazily browsing through an oddly arranged pile of Maeve Binchy books at the nearby library, a hesitant voice streamed through the corner speakers, “If you are Daniel Fucking Cross whose sucking action may put a Bangkok lady boy to shame and would not mind engaging in a tepid ménage a trois with Georgia Lawrence, please meet Mr. Reese Hutton in aisle three on the second floor”.
The faint trail of those words resonated in my ears like morning bells and I curiously found myself sneaking to the third aisle. There was that man in question- Daniel Cross, clad in a shiny black leather jacket that squeaked with every movement and eyes embellished in darkest of kohl. There was an another bloke somewhat wispy, trembling in Daniel’s sheer hotness, murmuring the words ‘Angel of Death’. Yeah sure! 'Angel of Death-by Orgasm', I snickered at the thought. Suddenly I could see a sinister smirk propelling in my direction and eyes that could make me take day long cold showers. As I stood there parched and frozen with beads of sweat dribbling down my neck. I saw a hand approach me. I took a step back and then he uttered the trickiest words, “Read this book, but swear you will not touch yourself while reading it”.
I grabbed the book and ran, wondering how I could read an erotica without manipulating southward maneuvers. I apprehensively flipped the pages, words blurring with each page, feeling the sinister smile ever increasing on my neck. No! I can’t take this shit anymore; I just can’t bear this agony. As I open my eyes, I see an aggravated pair of eyes overwhelmed with crimson makeup peering through bifocal spectacles, “You are week late on 'Circle of Friends'. Do you want to pay your fine now?”
It was all a dream, darlings! And so did the act of my southward exploitation, a reverie that never came true with this book.
The faint trail of those words resonated in my ears like morning bells and I curiously found myself sneaking to the third aisle. There was that man in question- Daniel Cross, clad in a shiny black leather jacket that squeaked with every movement and eyes embellished in darkest of kohl. There was an another bloke somewhat wispy, trembling in Daniel’s sheer hotness, murmuring the words ‘Angel of Death’. Yeah sure! 'Angel of Death-by Orgasm', I snickered at the thought. Suddenly I could see a sinister smirk propelling in my direction and eyes that could make me take day long cold showers. As I stood there parched and frozen with beads of sweat dribbling down my neck. I saw a hand approach me. I took a step back and then he uttered the trickiest words, “Read this book, but swear you will not touch yourself while reading it”.
I grabbed the book and ran, wondering how I could read an erotica without manipulating southward maneuvers. I apprehensively flipped the pages, words blurring with each page, feeling the sinister smile ever increasing on my neck. No! I can’t take this shit anymore; I just can’t bear this agony. As I open my eyes, I see an aggravated pair of eyes overwhelmed with crimson makeup peering through bifocal spectacles, “You are week late on 'Circle of Friends'. Do you want to pay your fine now?”
It was all a dream, darlings! And so did the act of my southward exploitation, a reverie that never came true with this book.
September 15, 2016
This book had a lot of potential. It delved into when a threesome goes wrong but the dialogue was so stunted and the conclusion so unclear all it did was confuse me and left me with too many unanswered questions. Too frustrating.
July 6, 2011
Reece and Georgia are a couple that could be classed as sexually adventurous. Always looking for ways to spice things up, Georgia gets Reece a threesome with her and her best mate Sarah for his birthday. This relationship seems to be any man’s fantasy. That is until Daniel Cross walks into the library where Reece works. I’m going to apologise for profanities now, but Daniel shall be known as Daniel Fucking Cross (or DFC for short) for the rest of this review. I’m sorry.... but to be honest if this offends you, you should definitely stay away from this book! DFC is a beautiful man that comes complete with guy-liner and a bad boy leather jacket....to be honest I fell in love with the visual description of him. DFC is an author who needs a change of scenery to become more productive. Little does he know that he’ll end up being the scenery for Reece!
Reece classes himself as a straight man, but he can’t deny his bodies reaction. He immediately finds reasons to talk to him. When DFC appears more than once at the library, him and Reece strike up camaraderie and go out for lunch. It is blatant that DFC is flirting with Reece, but unwilling to recognise that the attraction is mutual, Reece devises a plan to satisfy his craving to be with him, inviting him to be a guest star in a threesome between himself and Georgia. Georgia enjoys herself immensely (who wouldn’t? He’s Daniel Fucking Cross) but the whole situation just leaves Reece confused. He shouldn’t have feelings for a man, shouldn’t want to be touched by him, but he does. During the threesome, Reece begins the adventure wanting to almost prove his sexual prowess to DFC, but ends it stood in a doorway watching the man have sex with his girlfriend, his eyes glued to him rather than her. Of course, like any confused man, Reece backs off from his burgeoning friendship with DFC, to try to eliminate the unwanted attraction. Unfortunately Georgia enjoyed herself a little too much, and wants DFC back in their bed. When she realises that Reece likes Daniel as a little more than the occasional guest star in their sexual antics, she has an ultimatum for him. Reece either commits to her fully, or he walks away and does what he likes with DFC. Can Reece put himself back in the metaphorical cupboard and ignore the feelings that he has? Or will he risk everything to explore the strong attraction he has for another man?
I first picked up this book after beginning to follow the author on twitter. I liked her sarcastic humour, and had a feeling that this book would incorporate bits of it. Upon opening it on the Kindle the first thing I thought was “Damn it’s written in first person. I sodding hate first person. And the lead character is a sexually confused man. Awesome” It took me approximately two pages to completely fall in love with this book and completely disregard my initial worries. Reece may be the lead character, but I never felt alienated from his character. In fact (and I don’t know whether this was the original intention) I found him completely gender neutral. His reaction to the threesome with Georgia and Sarah was completely male, but after that he could have been anybody struggling with his feelings towards someone that he felt was completely inappropriate for him. His clumsy attempts at first contact with DFC were completely endearing, and I completely identified with his attempts to not blush and stammer at every opportunity. His attempt to hide his growing attraction was so misguided that my heart ached for him, he didn’t want to be drawn to another man, yet his body and heart thought otherwise. I have heard various views that this is a story which cannot be classed as a romance and I completely agree. Is this erotic? Definitely some moments in it that had my heart pounding and the scenes with DFC *phew!* is it a romance that fits the traditional format? Hell no. But, for me, this book isn’t about romance; it’s about self discovery through his feelings for both DFC and Georgia.
Although Reece is our main character, I don’t feel I can talk about him as an individual character. In this book, he exists as a pair. His journey of self discovery is done with someone else in tow, so I’m going to do this in terms of his two relationships. I warn you now....there are spoilers ahead!! Reece and Georgia are fabulous together. They are adventurous, fun and obviously in love. The fact that one of the first times we see them together is in the birthday threesome, shows what kind of a couple they are. Reece and DFC are a completely different kind of entity. They are a mixed bag of tangled emotions and sexual energy. When Reece comes to DFC with the offer of a second threesome, he makes it quite clear that he isn’t interested in one where he can’t touch Reece because, for him, Reece is the ultimate attraction. Hearing that propels Reece’s feelings from fantasy to reality, and, after Georgia’s ultimatum leads to a temporary split, there is a truly lovely courtship. Daniel tries not to rush Reece into anything, but with Reece clearly wanting him, it is hard for him not to truly want everything that a relationship holds. The difference in the relationships is the other characters in them, because they change Reece. Georgia is a selfish individual, but selfish in a way I could understand. Reece is her everything, but she wants to have her cake and eat it. It was fine for them to bring people into the bedroom, especially people she was attracted to, as long as she wanted it more. When she realised that Reece was attracted to DFC, the whole dynamic of the relationship changed. It wasn’t fine for him to bring someone into the room that he was attracted to; the guest star should never become the main event. I understood this, but I couldn’t help think she had left their relationship open to this by being so free and easy with the boundaries that govern a relationship; she had made their relationship more a thing of fun than of commitment. DFC is totally committed to Reece. He acts the bad-boy, he acts like the prize slut (a perfect example is when Reece asks him flat out if he’s flirting with him and his response is “Do you have a pulse?”) but really he is just as insecure as the next person. He is so desperate to be with Reece, he offers to be a third in his and Georgia’s relationship. I almost got a little teary when he asked Reece for some hope that he wasn’t torturing himself for no reason. DFC was committed to Reece anyway he could have him; Georgia was committed to a relationship more. DFC could be construed as a home wrecker, but to me, the cracks were there for him to exploit and, ultimately, it was down to Reece to tell him to back off. The ending is abrupt, the ending is not a HEA, but the ending left me to decide what I wanted to happen.
I loved this book. It was laugh- out-loud funny, heart- warming, heart-wrenching and it contained Daniel Fucking Cross. It isn’t a romance, but I thought it was so much more. This turned into an essay, but this book is so much more complex than I first thought it would be I just couldn’t help myself. I’m leaving you with my favourite DFC quote,
“Well for your first time, that wasn’t bad, and let’s face it, if the first man you kiss is Daniel Cross, you struck gold there.”
DFC
Reece classes himself as a straight man, but he can’t deny his bodies reaction. He immediately finds reasons to talk to him. When DFC appears more than once at the library, him and Reece strike up camaraderie and go out for lunch. It is blatant that DFC is flirting with Reece, but unwilling to recognise that the attraction is mutual, Reece devises a plan to satisfy his craving to be with him, inviting him to be a guest star in a threesome between himself and Georgia. Georgia enjoys herself immensely (who wouldn’t? He’s Daniel Fucking Cross) but the whole situation just leaves Reece confused. He shouldn’t have feelings for a man, shouldn’t want to be touched by him, but he does. During the threesome, Reece begins the adventure wanting to almost prove his sexual prowess to DFC, but ends it stood in a doorway watching the man have sex with his girlfriend, his eyes glued to him rather than her. Of course, like any confused man, Reece backs off from his burgeoning friendship with DFC, to try to eliminate the unwanted attraction. Unfortunately Georgia enjoyed herself a little too much, and wants DFC back in their bed. When she realises that Reece likes Daniel as a little more than the occasional guest star in their sexual antics, she has an ultimatum for him. Reece either commits to her fully, or he walks away and does what he likes with DFC. Can Reece put himself back in the metaphorical cupboard and ignore the feelings that he has? Or will he risk everything to explore the strong attraction he has for another man?
I first picked up this book after beginning to follow the author on twitter. I liked her sarcastic humour, and had a feeling that this book would incorporate bits of it. Upon opening it on the Kindle the first thing I thought was “Damn it’s written in first person. I sodding hate first person. And the lead character is a sexually confused man. Awesome” It took me approximately two pages to completely fall in love with this book and completely disregard my initial worries. Reece may be the lead character, but I never felt alienated from his character. In fact (and I don’t know whether this was the original intention) I found him completely gender neutral. His reaction to the threesome with Georgia and Sarah was completely male, but after that he could have been anybody struggling with his feelings towards someone that he felt was completely inappropriate for him. His clumsy attempts at first contact with DFC were completely endearing, and I completely identified with his attempts to not blush and stammer at every opportunity. His attempt to hide his growing attraction was so misguided that my heart ached for him, he didn’t want to be drawn to another man, yet his body and heart thought otherwise. I have heard various views that this is a story which cannot be classed as a romance and I completely agree. Is this erotic? Definitely some moments in it that had my heart pounding and the scenes with DFC *phew!* is it a romance that fits the traditional format? Hell no. But, for me, this book isn’t about romance; it’s about self discovery through his feelings for both DFC and Georgia.
Although Reece is our main character, I don’t feel I can talk about him as an individual character. In this book, he exists as a pair. His journey of self discovery is done with someone else in tow, so I’m going to do this in terms of his two relationships. I warn you now....there are spoilers ahead!! Reece and Georgia are fabulous together. They are adventurous, fun and obviously in love. The fact that one of the first times we see them together is in the birthday threesome, shows what kind of a couple they are. Reece and DFC are a completely different kind of entity. They are a mixed bag of tangled emotions and sexual energy. When Reece comes to DFC with the offer of a second threesome, he makes it quite clear that he isn’t interested in one where he can’t touch Reece because, for him, Reece is the ultimate attraction. Hearing that propels Reece’s feelings from fantasy to reality, and, after Georgia’s ultimatum leads to a temporary split, there is a truly lovely courtship. Daniel tries not to rush Reece into anything, but with Reece clearly wanting him, it is hard for him not to truly want everything that a relationship holds. The difference in the relationships is the other characters in them, because they change Reece. Georgia is a selfish individual, but selfish in a way I could understand. Reece is her everything, but she wants to have her cake and eat it. It was fine for them to bring people into the bedroom, especially people she was attracted to, as long as she wanted it more. When she realised that Reece was attracted to DFC, the whole dynamic of the relationship changed. It wasn’t fine for him to bring someone into the room that he was attracted to; the guest star should never become the main event. I understood this, but I couldn’t help think she had left their relationship open to this by being so free and easy with the boundaries that govern a relationship; she had made their relationship more a thing of fun than of commitment. DFC is totally committed to Reece. He acts the bad-boy, he acts like the prize slut (a perfect example is when Reece asks him flat out if he’s flirting with him and his response is “Do you have a pulse?”) but really he is just as insecure as the next person. He is so desperate to be with Reece, he offers to be a third in his and Georgia’s relationship. I almost got a little teary when he asked Reece for some hope that he wasn’t torturing himself for no reason. DFC was committed to Reece anyway he could have him; Georgia was committed to a relationship more. DFC could be construed as a home wrecker, but to me, the cracks were there for him to exploit and, ultimately, it was down to Reece to tell him to back off. The ending is abrupt, the ending is not a HEA, but the ending left me to decide what I wanted to happen.
I loved this book. It was laugh- out-loud funny, heart- warming, heart-wrenching and it contained Daniel Fucking Cross. It isn’t a romance, but I thought it was so much more. This turned into an essay, but this book is so much more complex than I first thought it would be I just couldn’t help myself. I’m leaving you with my favourite DFC quote,
“Well for your first time, that wasn’t bad, and let’s face it, if the first man you kiss is Daniel Cross, you struck gold there.”
DFC
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2011
My Review:
Whoa! This was a powerfully emotional book. Georgia & Reece have always enjoyed an adventurous sex life. They have been together a long time and like the sexual excitement that comes from mixing it up. While they have had threesomes, with both men and women, Reece has never crossed that line of participating in m/m relations. When two men are in their bedroom, the focus is always Georgia.
Everything begins to change when Reece meets Daniel. Daniel is bi-sexual. He makes no apologies for who he is and is actually pretty in-your-face about it. He wears guyliner, has a full back tattoo of angel wings (or fallen angel, as the case may be), and calls himself Daniel F**king Cross. He's a writer so he is very observant of the world around him and knows how to use words to get his way. From the moment Reece meets Daniel at the library, he is drawn to him in a way that he has never been drawn to a guy before.
But Reece is purely heterosexual and stays that way when Georgia & he decide to invite Daniel into their bedroom. When Georgia asks for an encore, Daniel is not willing to accept that disengagement from Reece any longer. Honestly, Reece isn't willing to let things go either...not really.
This is a highly sexually charged book...throughout the ENTIRE book. This is erotica at its finest. I adored Daniel's character. He is so incredibly self-confident and cocky...most the time, but there are times when you see his vulnerability when it comes to his feelings for Reece. His character is so well-written... I really LOVED him!!! Also really well-written is Reece. He is so sexually and emotionally conflicted. His entire world has been turned upside down by his relationship with Daniel. He was so torn between Georgia & Daniel. He loves them both, but personally I felt that his attachment to Georgia was more of a reluctance to accept change after 28 years as a heterosexual male. I may have been pushing my feelings on the characters though, because I did NOT like Georgia. Her unwillingness to accept Daniel back in their bed if his attention wasn't completely on her, simply struck me as selfishness.
Overall, I really LOVED this book. It is one of those books that lingers in your psyche because the characters are so alive and the story line is so emotional. This was my first Scarlett Parrish book. I think that I need to read some more.
Whoa! This was a powerfully emotional book. Georgia & Reece have always enjoyed an adventurous sex life. They have been together a long time and like the sexual excitement that comes from mixing it up. While they have had threesomes, with both men and women, Reece has never crossed that line of participating in m/m relations. When two men are in their bedroom, the focus is always Georgia.
Everything begins to change when Reece meets Daniel. Daniel is bi-sexual. He makes no apologies for who he is and is actually pretty in-your-face about it. He wears guyliner, has a full back tattoo of angel wings (or fallen angel, as the case may be), and calls himself Daniel F**king Cross. He's a writer so he is very observant of the world around him and knows how to use words to get his way. From the moment Reece meets Daniel at the library, he is drawn to him in a way that he has never been drawn to a guy before.
But Reece is purely heterosexual and stays that way when Georgia & he decide to invite Daniel into their bedroom. When Georgia asks for an encore, Daniel is not willing to accept that disengagement from Reece any longer. Honestly, Reece isn't willing to let things go either...not really.
This is a highly sexually charged book...throughout the ENTIRE book. This is erotica at its finest. I adored Daniel's character. He is so incredibly self-confident and cocky...most the time, but there are times when you see his vulnerability when it comes to his feelings for Reece. His character is so well-written... I really LOVED him!!! Also really well-written is Reece. He is so sexually and emotionally conflicted. His entire world has been turned upside down by his relationship with Daniel. He was so torn between Georgia & Daniel. He loves them both, but personally I felt that his attachment to Georgia was more of a reluctance to accept change after 28 years as a heterosexual male. I may have been pushing my feelings on the characters though, because I did NOT like Georgia. Her unwillingness to accept Daniel back in their bed if his attention wasn't completely on her, simply struck me as selfishness.
Overall, I really LOVED this book. It is one of those books that lingers in your psyche because the characters are so alive and the story line is so emotional. This was my first Scarlett Parrish book. I think that I need to read some more.
October 26, 2011
I was intrigued by several negative reviews of By the Book (I'll explain why under the spoiler cut). Once I started this book, I found it an exciting, compelling and unique read.
I'll get the negatives out of the way quickly -- there aren't that many of them. This is not a book that has a rich setting. It's a world with three characters talking to each other. It's all relationship. I usually don't like that sort of story, but this book was just the right length for the bare-bones approach, and the the author pulled it off for me. Secondly, there was a bit of unnecessary repetition (e.g. I didn't need to be reminded more than one or two times that Daniel was "secure in his sexuality").
The emotional intensity of this story is awesome. The author has a wonderful command of body language, and that goes a looong way in a romance. Whether or not the characters were having sex, every move they made telegraphed something about their emotions toward each other.
The negative reviews complained that there was cheating going on: that Daniel "steals" the main character from his girlfriend. Infidelity in romance really isn't a problem for me, so I decided to give it a go. In fact, I don't think there's cheating at all:
I also thought the portrayal of bisexuality was sympathetic and realistic. No, being bisexual doesn't mean threesomes will magically work themselves out. There was one part I didn't like: where Reece thought that no one would care in the modern day that he and Daniel would be together. That's one of the problems with the bare-bones setting approach -- if they were shown together in a richer setting with a fuller community I think it would be pretty obvious that that sentence was just wishful thinking on Reece's part. But like I said, it's a tiny part of the overall relationship framing, which overall was super mature and sophisticated.
I love Daniel's physical description, too. An arrogant tattooed bisexual bad boy artist-type who wears eyeliner? I think I spent most of the 90s trying to bag one of those. Did I say too much, oops.
Anyway, since By the Book falls into a genre middle ground -- part MMF, mostly M/M -- I can understand why it would get negative reviews from people who expect it to be one or the other. If you like both, though, and can approach the premise with an open mind, I highly recommend it.
I'll get the negatives out of the way quickly -- there aren't that many of them. This is not a book that has a rich setting. It's a world with three characters talking to each other. It's all relationship. I usually don't like that sort of story, but this book was just the right length for the bare-bones approach, and the the author pulled it off for me. Secondly, there was a bit of unnecessary repetition (e.g. I didn't need to be reminded more than one or two times that Daniel was "secure in his sexuality").
The emotional intensity of this story is awesome. The author has a wonderful command of body language, and that goes a looong way in a romance. Whether or not the characters were having sex, every move they made telegraphed something about their emotions toward each other.
The negative reviews complained that there was cheating going on: that Daniel "steals" the main character from his girlfriend. Infidelity in romance really isn't a problem for me, so I decided to give it a go. In fact, I don't think there's cheating at all:
I also thought the portrayal of bisexuality was sympathetic and realistic. No, being bisexual doesn't mean threesomes will magically work themselves out. There was one part I didn't like: where Reece thought that no one would care in the modern day that he and Daniel would be together. That's one of the problems with the bare-bones setting approach -- if they were shown together in a richer setting with a fuller community I think it would be pretty obvious that that sentence was just wishful thinking on Reece's part. But like I said, it's a tiny part of the overall relationship framing, which overall was super mature and sophisticated.
I love Daniel's physical description, too. An arrogant tattooed bisexual bad boy artist-type who wears eyeliner? I think I spent most of the 90s trying to bag one of those. Did I say too much, oops.
Anyway, since By the Book falls into a genre middle ground -- part MMF, mostly M/M -- I can understand why it would get negative reviews from people who expect it to be one or the other. If you like both, though, and can approach the premise with an open mind, I highly recommend it.
September 21, 2011
Every once in a while I read a book that just won't let go of me, that makes me say "God, I wish I could write like that!" By the Book is just such a book. I don't want to say too much about the story for fear of ruining the emotional suspense, but I will say that a week after I read it, I was still thinking about the characters, wondering how they were all doing and wishing I could go have coffee with them. (Actually, what I'd really like is to crawl into bed between Daniel and Reece. They just seem like the kind of guys I could find the courage to do that with, you know?)
The writing was absolutely lovely. The conflict unfolded so naturally, and the action and dialogue were so true to the characters that, although I was dying to know how it all turned out, I couldn't make myself skip a single word. (And that's saying something because I'm a champion skimmer.)
The story is written in first person, which I often don't care for, but I think it was perfect for this book. I savored every moment of being in Reece's head, experiencing that first forget-everything-you-ever-believed-about-yourself attraction to someone of the same sex. The very first time he and Daniel made eye contact, Reece felt like "...something had done a Ctrl+Alt+Del on my brain," an analogy that made me laugh out loud because I could so totally relate. And it was very representative of the main conflict--that one moment out of time initiated an irreversible cascade of events and forced Reece into the process of resetting his entire world view. The next time I need an example of an inciting incident, this is the one I'll use because, as subtle as it is, it clearly alters the course of all their lives.
Daniel (*fainting sigh over Daniel* I think only Scarlett Parrish could make me believe guyliner is the most intriguing thing ever) was an enigma to Reece throughout most of the book, and yet much of that was a result of Reece's own insecurity and inability to let go of his old expectations. Even though Reece was telling the story, it was like I could see in his words what he couldn't--the vulnerability hiding behind Daniel's swaggering veneer. And I wanted to beat Georgia over the head with my laptop for putting Reece through what she did--and yet dammit, she was right. How could it all ever work out?!
The conflict was resolved more outside the bedroom than in it, but that didn't keep me from being emotionally invested in the love scenes, which were hot and yet oddly tasteful. Maybe that's because of the sensitive first person POV. Or maybe it's because Ms. Parrish writes with a British accent. *grin* Whatever the case, no matter how dirty the characters liked to talk, the sex never came across as crude, something I appreciated very much.
So if you enjoy character-driven romance, seemingly insurmountable conflict that's not all black-and-white, sexy but very human characters, and wonderfully drawn emotional journeys, this might be just the book for you.
The writing was absolutely lovely. The conflict unfolded so naturally, and the action and dialogue were so true to the characters that, although I was dying to know how it all turned out, I couldn't make myself skip a single word. (And that's saying something because I'm a champion skimmer.)
The story is written in first person, which I often don't care for, but I think it was perfect for this book. I savored every moment of being in Reece's head, experiencing that first forget-everything-you-ever-believed-about-yourself attraction to someone of the same sex. The very first time he and Daniel made eye contact, Reece felt like "...something had done a Ctrl+Alt+Del on my brain," an analogy that made me laugh out loud because I could so totally relate. And it was very representative of the main conflict--that one moment out of time initiated an irreversible cascade of events and forced Reece into the process of resetting his entire world view. The next time I need an example of an inciting incident, this is the one I'll use because, as subtle as it is, it clearly alters the course of all their lives.
Daniel (*fainting sigh over Daniel* I think only Scarlett Parrish could make me believe guyliner is the most intriguing thing ever) was an enigma to Reece throughout most of the book, and yet much of that was a result of Reece's own insecurity and inability to let go of his old expectations. Even though Reece was telling the story, it was like I could see in his words what he couldn't--the vulnerability hiding behind Daniel's swaggering veneer. And I wanted to beat Georgia over the head with my laptop for putting Reece through what she did--and yet dammit, she was right. How could it all ever work out?!
The conflict was resolved more outside the bedroom than in it, but that didn't keep me from being emotionally invested in the love scenes, which were hot and yet oddly tasteful. Maybe that's because of the sensitive first person POV. Or maybe it's because Ms. Parrish writes with a British accent. *grin* Whatever the case, no matter how dirty the characters liked to talk, the sex never came across as crude, something I appreciated very much.
So if you enjoy character-driven romance, seemingly insurmountable conflict that's not all black-and-white, sexy but very human characters, and wonderfully drawn emotional journeys, this might be just the book for you.
December 24, 2011
After seeing this book on a huge amount of blogs I follow, I was intrigued and excited about ordering it. It wasn't until it made some of my blogging buddies had it on their favorites list for the year that I finally purchased it and gave in to the enigma of Daniel Cross. I have three words -- OH MY GOD! If you are looking for an erotic themed romance to keep you up all night reading, then you have to read this book!
I literally had my heart beating in anticipation when Daniel enters the library that Reece works at. When a character can walk into a public place and cause a straight man want to change teams, you know you are in for a sexy ride. Not only was Daniel sexy with eyeliner, leather and a writer to boot, but he was fun, outgoing and easy to read about. I wish I could find a Daniel Cross in my local library to check out.
What I loved the most about this story -- besides Daniel Fucking Cross -- was the internal emotional struggle that Reece was forced to come to terms with. He always thought he was a straight guy with a women he was happy with. When Daniel enters the picture though, it leaves him questioning his sexual orientation and wondering if being a part of both worlds could be acceptable. The author created a sex filled erotic read, but she also chose to focus on the struggles that people have in figuring out their sexual identity. I felt she handled it very well and balanced the drama with the sexual encounters perfectly which made the read enjoyable. Also, in my opinion, the book became even hotter once Reece's girlfriend Georgia left the picture for a bit!
I stayed up late just to finish this book and read about which decision Reece was going to make. Was he going to stay a straight man and fight the attraction to Daniel, or was he going to step over that taboo line and admit that being bisexual is not a bad thing. You can't help who you love, but you also can't help loving Daniel Cross either.
I literally had my heart beating in anticipation when Daniel enters the library that Reece works at. When a character can walk into a public place and cause a straight man want to change teams, you know you are in for a sexy ride. Not only was Daniel sexy with eyeliner, leather and a writer to boot, but he was fun, outgoing and easy to read about. I wish I could find a Daniel Cross in my local library to check out.
What I loved the most about this story -- besides Daniel Fucking Cross -- was the internal emotional struggle that Reece was forced to come to terms with. He always thought he was a straight guy with a women he was happy with. When Daniel enters the picture though, it leaves him questioning his sexual orientation and wondering if being a part of both worlds could be acceptable. The author created a sex filled erotic read, but she also chose to focus on the struggles that people have in figuring out their sexual identity. I felt she handled it very well and balanced the drama with the sexual encounters perfectly which made the read enjoyable. Also, in my opinion, the book became even hotter once Reece's girlfriend Georgia left the picture for a bit!
I stayed up late just to finish this book and read about which decision Reece was going to make. Was he going to stay a straight man and fight the attraction to Daniel, or was he going to step over that taboo line and admit that being bisexual is not a bad thing. You can't help who you love, but you also can't help loving Daniel Cross either.
November 29, 2011
I really loved this story. As an ealier reviewer stated it is erotica at its best. The author does a wonderful job portraying the character's passions and emotions. Good writing helps the reader picture the scene. It's great writing when not only can you picture it, but you can feel it. You can feel the sexual tension between the two main characters in this book, two men. You can feel their passion for each other. This is not a story about a m/m/f menage. Its a love story about a straight man and a bisexual man who meet and are immediately drawn to each other. I would recommend this story to anyone.
May 22, 2011
Three words: Daniel Fucking Cross
But....more about him later.
And before I get into the review of THIS book, let me mention the previous book I read by Scarlett Parrish - Long Time Coming (LOVED IT). The only thing I wasn’t happy with was the lack of an epilogue. Well - you get the epilogue in this book!! Ok, so it’s not a real epilogue, it’s just a few sentences. BUT, at least I know where Piper and Leo are headed! Swoon.....
But, back to By The Book....
It starts out with (seemingly) mild mannered librarian Reece at work and in walks author Daniel Cross (yea, THAT one). He's there to do some work on his latest book, but there seems to be a spark between him and Reece. A spark of what, Reece isn't exactly sure. You know, since he is hetero and has a girlfriend and all. So then we have "mild mannered" Reece celebrating his birthday with his girlfriend, Georgia. Her gift to him? A threeway with her BFF, Sarah. Oh yea. So obviously Mr. Reece McVanillasex isn't so vanilla after all. This is when you know things are probably gonna get freaky-deaky with Daniel Fucking Cross at some point. (At least, in my filthy mind, I was hoping they would.) Ah, Daniel Cross - he wears guyliner, writes books, and is pretty sure he is God’s gift to anyone with a pulse.
So, of course, eventually, Reece and Daniel strike up a friendship and they dance around the unspoken attraction, and eventually Reece confesses that his bedroom activities are, shall we say, open minded. And also mentions that he and his girlfriend wouldn't be opposed to bringing in Daniel for some happy fun sexy times. (YES!) And it’s a threeway that is totally hot. The sexual tension that sparks between Reece and Daniel is delicious, even with Georgia in the room and Reece pretending there isn’t any sexual tension there. Wowza.
After their threeway, Georgia decides she wants another go at Daniel. And, of course, Reece agrees. So one night, he heads to Daniel’s apartment to discuss this with him. This meeting ends in a hot kiss between the two men. Reece’s first kiss from a man, actually. And I love this quote from Daniel: “Well, for your fist time, that wasn’t bad, and let’s face it, if the first man you kiss is Daniel Cross, you struck gold there.” Gah. I love a cocky man. (Tee hee - cocky) And what follows shortly after this is, perhaps, one of my favorite scenes in the book. And one of the hottest. Reece, alone in the shower, while thinking about Daniel. Either I’ve never read a masturbation scene in another book or this one was so real and so hot that it wiped the others from my mind. But yea. Reece, jacking off to thoughts of Daniel Fucking Cross was H.O.T.
Things start to get messy with Reece tells Georgia that Daniel kissed him while they were at Daniel’s apartment. Georgia gets pissed and Reece feels a little blindsided. I mean, he’s seen her fuck other dudes. He’s seen her with other chicks. She’s seen him with other chicks......but him kissing a dude that they’ve both been naked with is suddenly off limits? I mean, I understand her reasoning - she wasn’t there - but still. Double standard, much? Geo and Reece essentially breakup and Reece ends up at Daniel’s. And finally (FINALLY) Reece and Daniel get it on. Daniel finally gets what he’s been wanting all along - buttsecks from Reece. And while it takes a little longer for Reece to agree to getting buttsecks from Daniel (he thought he was hetero, remember) - they finally do go there. And it is just as hot as you can imagine it to be. How could it NOT be? It’s Daniel Fucking Cross.
The thing that I was most torn with in this book was Georgia. One part of me wanted to feel sorry for her because she is the jilted lover. Technically, her boyfriend cheated on her and eventually left her for another man. (Even though he tried to avoid that by offering that they all live happily ever after as a trio, but Georgia wasn’t down for that.) Then on the other hand, Georgia and Reece (as a couple) often brought a third party into the bedroom. It’s foolish to think that (eventually) someone is going to have feelings that venture out of the “it’s just hot monkey sex” zone. And, unfortunately for Geo, it happened with Daniel and Reece. For the longest time, I really hoped that Georgia would agree to being part of a threesome. I guess it was me feeling sorry for her, and not wanting to see her heart broken. But in reality, I could only see Reece ending up with one person - Daniel Fucking Cross. And I can’t even hate on Reece like I want to. I want to think he’s an absolutely bastard for what he did to Georgia. I want to hate him. But I can’t. He fought his attraction to Daniel. Didn’t want to want him. But in the end, the heart wants what it wants and it doesn’t always agree with our head. So how can you be mad at someone for what they couldn’t help? If Georgia can understand that, then so can I.
And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the best thing about Scarlett Parrish’s writing....her ability to write internal dialogue and spoken dialogue and have them flow together so effortlessly. I love that the most about her books, well, that and the smoking hot sex scenes! I can’t wait for more from her!
Plus - Daniel Fucking Cross. (Just had to throw that in one more time.)
But....more about him later.
And before I get into the review of THIS book, let me mention the previous book I read by Scarlett Parrish - Long Time Coming (LOVED IT). The only thing I wasn’t happy with was the lack of an epilogue. Well - you get the epilogue in this book!! Ok, so it’s not a real epilogue, it’s just a few sentences. BUT, at least I know where Piper and Leo are headed! Swoon.....
But, back to By The Book....
It starts out with (seemingly) mild mannered librarian Reece at work and in walks author Daniel Cross (yea, THAT one). He's there to do some work on his latest book, but there seems to be a spark between him and Reece. A spark of what, Reece isn't exactly sure. You know, since he is hetero and has a girlfriend and all. So then we have "mild mannered" Reece celebrating his birthday with his girlfriend, Georgia. Her gift to him? A threeway with her BFF, Sarah. Oh yea. So obviously Mr. Reece McVanillasex isn't so vanilla after all. This is when you know things are probably gonna get freaky-deaky with Daniel Fucking Cross at some point. (At least, in my filthy mind, I was hoping they would.) Ah, Daniel Cross - he wears guyliner, writes books, and is pretty sure he is God’s gift to anyone with a pulse.
So, of course, eventually, Reece and Daniel strike up a friendship and they dance around the unspoken attraction, and eventually Reece confesses that his bedroom activities are, shall we say, open minded. And also mentions that he and his girlfriend wouldn't be opposed to bringing in Daniel for some happy fun sexy times. (YES!) And it’s a threeway that is totally hot. The sexual tension that sparks between Reece and Daniel is delicious, even with Georgia in the room and Reece pretending there isn’t any sexual tension there. Wowza.
After their threeway, Georgia decides she wants another go at Daniel. And, of course, Reece agrees. So one night, he heads to Daniel’s apartment to discuss this with him. This meeting ends in a hot kiss between the two men. Reece’s first kiss from a man, actually. And I love this quote from Daniel: “Well, for your fist time, that wasn’t bad, and let’s face it, if the first man you kiss is Daniel Cross, you struck gold there.” Gah. I love a cocky man. (Tee hee - cocky) And what follows shortly after this is, perhaps, one of my favorite scenes in the book. And one of the hottest. Reece, alone in the shower, while thinking about Daniel. Either I’ve never read a masturbation scene in another book or this one was so real and so hot that it wiped the others from my mind. But yea. Reece, jacking off to thoughts of Daniel Fucking Cross was H.O.T.
Things start to get messy with Reece tells Georgia that Daniel kissed him while they were at Daniel’s apartment. Georgia gets pissed and Reece feels a little blindsided. I mean, he’s seen her fuck other dudes. He’s seen her with other chicks. She’s seen him with other chicks......but him kissing a dude that they’ve both been naked with is suddenly off limits? I mean, I understand her reasoning - she wasn’t there - but still. Double standard, much? Geo and Reece essentially breakup and Reece ends up at Daniel’s. And finally (FINALLY) Reece and Daniel get it on. Daniel finally gets what he’s been wanting all along - buttsecks from Reece. And while it takes a little longer for Reece to agree to getting buttsecks from Daniel (he thought he was hetero, remember) - they finally do go there. And it is just as hot as you can imagine it to be. How could it NOT be? It’s Daniel Fucking Cross.
The thing that I was most torn with in this book was Georgia. One part of me wanted to feel sorry for her because she is the jilted lover. Technically, her boyfriend cheated on her and eventually left her for another man. (Even though he tried to avoid that by offering that they all live happily ever after as a trio, but Georgia wasn’t down for that.) Then on the other hand, Georgia and Reece (as a couple) often brought a third party into the bedroom. It’s foolish to think that (eventually) someone is going to have feelings that venture out of the “it’s just hot monkey sex” zone. And, unfortunately for Geo, it happened with Daniel and Reece. For the longest time, I really hoped that Georgia would agree to being part of a threesome. I guess it was me feeling sorry for her, and not wanting to see her heart broken. But in reality, I could only see Reece ending up with one person - Daniel Fucking Cross. And I can’t even hate on Reece like I want to. I want to think he’s an absolutely bastard for what he did to Georgia. I want to hate him. But I can’t. He fought his attraction to Daniel. Didn’t want to want him. But in the end, the heart wants what it wants and it doesn’t always agree with our head. So how can you be mad at someone for what they couldn’t help? If Georgia can understand that, then so can I.
And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the best thing about Scarlett Parrish’s writing....her ability to write internal dialogue and spoken dialogue and have them flow together so effortlessly. I love that the most about her books, well, that and the smoking hot sex scenes! I can’t wait for more from her!
Plus - Daniel Fucking Cross. (Just had to throw that in one more time.)
August 8, 2019
Not at all by the book
I found this refreshingly different to the romance novels that constitute most of my reading lately.
There's a lot of sex but it doesn't feel gratuitous and Scarlett Parrish writes it very well.
Recommended.
I found this refreshingly different to the romance novels that constitute most of my reading lately.
There's a lot of sex but it doesn't feel gratuitous and Scarlett Parrish writes it very well.
Recommended.
January 30, 2011
Reece and Georgia are a sexually adventurous couple who invite a third in from time to time to spice things up. For Reece's birthday, Georgia brings her best friend Sarah to put on a bit of a show and give Reece *the best birthday evah*. Reece, who works in a library, meets Daniel Cross, a novelist, when he comes to return some books and stays at the library to do some writing. There is an instant connection. Daniel is bisexual ("do you have a pulse?" "then I'm flirting") and outrageous and smokin' hot (both to Reece and to me as a reader). Georgia's keen on a the idea of Reece "returning the favour" he had on his birthday so Daniel joins Georgia and Reece for a night but there is no sexual contact between the boys - Reece is straight. Or, until he met Daniel, he thought he was anyway. When Georgia suggests a rematch, Daniel declines unless some m/m action is on the table too - Daniel wants Reece any way he can get him and Georgia is hot and sexy so it's not a chore or anything, but to have Reece so close and naked and not touch - not gonna happen. Dilemma. To cut to the chase, Reece wants Daniel AND Georgia - can he have them? (I've shelved this as m/m romance but there is m/f/m and f/f/m action too.)
I found this book very hard to grade. On the one hand, I was truly enjoying it right up until the end - so it would have been 4 stars. But the end was too ambiguous for me - (this is hard to explain without giving away spoilers, but I don't think it's fair to give them away here, so I'll do my best) - as in most romance books, there is a conflict which keeps the main characters apart and the end should be a resolution to that conflict. Well, I didn't see a resolution to the conflict. Just a few extra pages or an epilogue may have done the trick, or just some inner monologue from Reece (the story is told from his 1st person POV) even but it wasn't there and that made the ending 1 star, maybe 1.5. If I'm lucky, Ms. Parrish will write a Christmas short or something and I'll get the resolution to the conflict (or the certainty of it at least) I crave. (note to self, check out author's website just in case.)
There were some problems with the book, it was a little light on the relationship building between Daniel and Reece and there was almost no relationship between Georgia and Daniel. But, when I was reading those things didn't bother me, I was caught up in the emotion of the story and desperate to know how it ended. Unfortunately, the ending didn't give me the closure I needed. YMMV.
I found this book very hard to grade. On the one hand, I was truly enjoying it right up until the end - so it would have been 4 stars. But the end was too ambiguous for me - (this is hard to explain without giving away spoilers, but I don't think it's fair to give them away here, so I'll do my best) - as in most romance books, there is a conflict which keeps the main characters apart and the end should be a resolution to that conflict. Well, I didn't see a resolution to the conflict. Just a few extra pages or an epilogue may have done the trick, or just some inner monologue from Reece (the story is told from his 1st person POV) even but it wasn't there and that made the ending 1 star, maybe 1.5. If I'm lucky, Ms. Parrish will write a Christmas short or something and I'll get the resolution to the conflict (or the certainty of it at least) I crave. (note to self, check out author's website just in case.)
There were some problems with the book, it was a little light on the relationship building between Daniel and Reece and there was almost no relationship between Georgia and Daniel. But, when I was reading those things didn't bother me, I was caught up in the emotion of the story and desperate to know how it ended. Unfortunately, the ending didn't give me the closure I needed. YMMV.
August 9, 2017
This is the first book I read by this writer and it was not a genre I normally read, so I was not entirely sure what to expect. I am SO glad I picked it up! Scarlett is a wonderful storyteller who effortlessly combines humour and sensuality in such a way that you are swept up and carried along with the story.
I'm not going to give away any of the story. I think you should just go read the book, it's not expensive and it is more than worthwhile I promise. What I will say is this though, I had thought I had lost interest in sex quite a few years ago, therefore I started out reading this book while sitting on the couch in my lounge. Ten minutes in I was crossing my legs and feeling a little flushed.
A few minutes after that, I ended up having to take this book to the bedroom and shut the door behind me.
I'm not going to give away any of the story. I think you should just go read the book, it's not expensive and it is more than worthwhile I promise. What I will say is this though, I had thought I had lost interest in sex quite a few years ago, therefore I started out reading this book while sitting on the couch in my lounge. Ten minutes in I was crossing my legs and feeling a little flushed.
A few minutes after that, I ended up having to take this book to the bedroom and shut the door behind me.
January 2, 2012
I'm of two minds about this book. I liked it. I really did. There's a beautiful seduction as the main storyline that I adored and is probably one of the better ones I've read lately. At the same time the ending left me with some not so very nice feelings. Most of the time I wanted to smack some sense into Reece. Daniel and Georgia were both wonderful characters, but of course Daniel stole the show, as you know he will from the very first page.
There just seemed to be way too much angst most of the time and I felt like it bogged an otherwise great story down. I'm going to give it a four because I did love it and I absolutely could not put it down once I started it, but it did leave me feeling unfulfilled.
There just seemed to be way too much angst most of the time and I felt like it bogged an otherwise great story down. I'm going to give it a four because I did love it and I absolutely could not put it down once I started it, but it did leave me feeling unfulfilled.
February 9, 2011
There is no denying this book is hot and Daniel F. Cross irresistible but as much as I enjoyed the sexy bits (and there are many) and the chemistry between Reece and Daniel there are other things that bothered me. I feel almost sad now that it's all over. I don't always need things tidied up in a pretty little bow but the ending to this felt unfinished and unresolved and left too much open to my admittedly glass is half empty imagination. It's a hard one to rate. It could've been a five, the writing was involving, the characters came alive, but things happen that I will not reveal that just hurt my heart.
April 11, 2011
Full disclosure: The author is a friend.
Why you should believe my review is valid anyway: I read this book without knowing the author from Eve, and thought it was one of the best books I've read in ages, and hunted her down because I wanted to know what kind of person could come up with such beautiful imagery and gorgeously flawed, human characters. They're selfish and confused and greedy and lustful... and fragile and loving and giving and surprising all at the same time. And the sex scenes are gut-clenchingly good, darn near melting my screen with their hotness in oh so many flavors.
THAT is why you should believe me.
Why you should believe my review is valid anyway: I read this book without knowing the author from Eve, and thought it was one of the best books I've read in ages, and hunted her down because I wanted to know what kind of person could come up with such beautiful imagery and gorgeously flawed, human characters. They're selfish and confused and greedy and lustful... and fragile and loving and giving and surprising all at the same time. And the sex scenes are gut-clenchingly good, darn near melting my screen with their hotness in oh so many flavors.
THAT is why you should believe me.
November 10, 2011
4.5 Stars
This is an excellent emotional story told entirely from Reese's POV on how he handles discovering he is bi. There is a lot of emotion in this book and the only way I could have thought it better would have been to put in the other two character's thoughts into the mix and add a little more to the end. I really did like this book, but I want a second to get an actual HEA. The ending is left pretty open to suspision.
******
If you liked this book you may enjoy the following groups:
Erotic Enchants Group
Menage Readers Group
This is an excellent emotional story told entirely from Reese's POV on how he handles discovering he is bi. There is a lot of emotion in this book and the only way I could have thought it better would have been to put in the other two character's thoughts into the mix and add a little more to the end. I really did like this book, but I want a second to get an actual HEA. The ending is left pretty open to suspision.
******
If you liked this book you may enjoy the following groups:
Erotic Enchants Group
Menage Readers Group
October 7, 2013
I have read several of Scarlett's books, and this is by far my favorite. So hot that I thought it would kill my Nook. Daniel and Reece are fun characters, their differences making them quite perfect for each other. Their passion and intensity will have you begging for more.
Scarlett's writing is superb, every word a drop of water to someone dying of thirst. Every little detail, a touch, a glance, and you are holding your breath, desperate to know what happens next. If you enjoy passionate, emotional m/m, you won't be disappointed.
Scarlett's writing is superb, every word a drop of water to someone dying of thirst. Every little detail, a touch, a glance, and you are holding your breath, desperate to know what happens next. If you enjoy passionate, emotional m/m, you won't be disappointed.
February 15, 2014
Ahhhhh the ending! My heart! <3
I applaud Georgia here. I do, what she did, for Reece. When Reece was confused and Georgia wanted him to choose and Daniel just wanted a part of him, I knew who I wanted Reece to pick, I KNEW. But I totally understood Reece as well, his whole world was rocked. Of course, one would be confused. One would not know what he wants or needs to do. So, I totally got it. I've read this scenario once before and the ending both times were the same. Both times it made me happy. So I enjoyed this book. I'm glad it was picked for me.
I applaud Georgia here. I do, what she did, for Reece. When Reece was confused and Georgia wanted him to choose and Daniel just wanted a part of him, I knew who I wanted Reece to pick, I KNEW. But I totally understood Reece as well, his whole world was rocked. Of course, one would be confused. One would not know what he wants or needs to do. So, I totally got it. I've read this scenario once before and the ending both times were the same. Both times it made me happy. So I enjoyed this book. I'm glad it was picked for me.
August 28, 2014
Smart, funny erotica with a heart and soul. Daniel Fucking Cross is intensely sexy, never more so than when we see him vulnerable, and there's a really interesting exploration of what can happen when a couple invite third parties into bed and affections grow. Georgia was a sympathetic character in a role that could easily have been very unsympathetic: inconsistent and angry, yes, but perfectly naturally so. Lots of varied sexytimes, all of it hot, but really this was the story of three people who'd meant to have fun discovering that it wasn't as easy as all that.
Read
January 31, 2011I'm a tension junkie and I had a great time reading this book. A whiff of taboo. Some angst. Hot guys, hot sex, open minds (well, mostly). Lots of emotion and super writing. Ms. Parrish has such a distinct voice, I want to read more of her work to see if it carries through. She hooked me!
April 24, 2011
Another incredible, sexy as hell story from Scarlett Parrish! Loved "Daniel Fucking Cross"!
4.5/5 stars
4.5/5 stars
December 26, 2015
Expected more from this book- so damn frustrating but I guess not every story has a happy ending !
November 4, 2021
so this book is full of somehow erotic scenes wihout good logic but imagine my emotion when all grammar and plot go down as writer reputation, it goes and goes to the botton until the end. What is more, all dialogues are cringy and uncomfortable, I mean I understand that this boomer author apparently doesnt have friends besides her computer and mobile with app\HE\ like film with Fenix film.
And i strongly recommend not to read this book anyone with ability to read at all
And i strongly recommend not to read this book anyone with ability to read at all
October 16, 2019
Reluctantly Disappointing
Fell flat on the wish-fulfillment expectation of the romance genre, erring a bit too cautiously on the realistic. If that’s your thing, cool. I was a little let down.
Fell flat on the wish-fulfillment expectation of the romance genre, erring a bit too cautiously on the realistic. If that’s your thing, cool. I was a little let down.
December 7, 2019
DNF.
This book is trash. No character development. The romance is boring and predictable. Do yourself a favor and don’t read it.
This book is trash. No character development. The romance is boring and predictable. Do yourself a favor and don’t read it.
March 27, 2020
Not the book plot format I’m used to
December 8, 2020
The sexytimes were hot but the communication was terrible.
November 7, 2021
Absolute rubbish. I don't know if this is a self-published book, but it needs serious editing; poor grammar, and reads like a first draft. The plot could have been a bit more creative, and the ending is confusing. This book did not deliver for me.
February 4, 2012
The sex here is undeniably hot. I did not like the two male leads. Reese is suffering from insensitive-jerk-itis. He saw Daniel and fell into sudden lust but since he's straight that couldn't possibly be the reason for his obsession, even though he's been in bed with men before. So using his girlfriend as an excuse he arranges a menage between the 3 of them. There were 3 of them in that bed but only 2 were making love, Daniel and Reese, Georgia was just a convenient body. Daniel is afflicted with the similar and deadly arrogant-prick-itis. He refers to himself in the third person and cant compliment his sexual prowess enough. Georgia deserved better then these two and too bad he didn't get a happy ending here. She asked Reese to choose between her and Daniel, because she couldn't be in a three way relationship, so Reese decides to ask her if she would like another ménage with him and Daniel. After that I lost all hope. I couldn't flip through the pages quick enough to just end the book. Also the dialogue suffered at the end, no one could form a sentence.
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