What do you think?
Rate this book
Hot Zone #1
Hot Stuff
He’s about to find out … She’s not just one of the guys.
Annabelle Jordan and her two sisters were orphans in frilly dresses when they went to live with their sports-lawyer uncle in his world of locker rooms, bookies and gambling. Now the girls are publicists in their uncle's firm, The Hot Zone.
Despite her upbringing, Annabelle is all woman. She's naturally drawn to real men—like her latest client, businessman and former football legend Brandon Vaughn.
The chemistry is potent, undeniable, irresistible. Annabelle soon realizes that Brandon is much more than just another jock. And that she'd better hold on tight if she doesn't want to lose her heart.
Annabelle Jordan and her two sisters were orphans in frilly dresses when they went to live with their sports-lawyer uncle in his world of locker rooms, bookies and gambling. Now the girls are publicists in their uncle's firm, The Hot Zone.
Despite her upbringing, Annabelle is all woman. She's naturally drawn to real men—like her latest client, businessman and former football legend Brandon Vaughn.
The chemistry is potent, undeniable, irresistible. Annabelle soon realizes that Brandon is much more than just another jock. And that she'd better hold on tight if she doesn't want to lose her heart.
333 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2004
1385 people are currently reading
4821 people want to read
About the author
Carly Phillips
398 books9,780 followersNY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller, Carly Phillips is the queen of Alpha Heroes, at least according to The Harlequin Junkie Reviewer.. Carly married her college sweetheart and lives in Purchase, NY along with her crazy dogs who are featured on her Facebook and Instagram pages. The author of over 75 romance novels, she has raised two incredible daughters and is now an empty nester. Carly’s book, The Bachelor, was chosen by Kelly Ripa as her first romance club pick. Carly loves social media and interacting with her readers. Want to keep up with Carly? Sign up for her newsletter and receive TWO FREE books at www.carlyphillips.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 444 reviews
November 20, 2011
I think I've finally figured out why I always feel like there is something missing in Carly Phillips books--there's just not much character development. She tends to tell us what the characters are like rather than show us. Plus, everything happens too fast--they meet and wham! next minute they're making out and on their way to bed. Now, I'm all for sexual attraction, but in her books these characters are already discerning the inner workings of each other with very few words even exchanged. There's great potential here, I usually like the story ideas, but I think I'm going to have to move on to another author.
December 4, 2007
This is the kind of book you read when you're stuck on a Greek isle and have absolutely no english reading material. As a person who can appreciate trashy romance novels, I would recommend against this one. It will take you about two hours to read, but better to try to figure out the Greek on the box of cookies you purchased.
September 16, 2017
I needed to take a break from intense suspense books for a bit, so I thought who better than CP to read. This book was witty, sexy, a lil mystery, but just plain LOL for me.
Want to read
November 18, 2024FREE on Amazon today (10/23/2017)!
August 24, 2021
“I love you, too, Hot Stuff. And I always will.”
Characters
Brandon:
Due to a knee injury, Brandon had to say goodbye to his pro NFL career. Now he is determined to build a lodge in his hometown in upstate NY.
”It’s going to be a winter retreat for affluent adults and a school/summer camp for special kids. Kids whose education fell short, who slipped through the cracks, and who couldn’t read as well as others.”
Brandon has a good heart and is a fantastic athlete. However, he doesn’t have confidence in his intelligence because his parents attitude toward his dyslexia has made him feel inferior and stupid. All his life, all he has ever wanted is his parents approval and even with all his athletic accomplishments, his parents have never supported him.
Annabelle:
When her parents died in a plane crash when she was 12, Annabelle and her 2 younger sisters were sent to live with her Uncle Yank. A rough around the edges man, who did the best he could to raise 3 girls. Her uncle owns a sports agency (Hot Zone) and when Annabelle graduated college she added the PR side to the family business. She is close with her uncle and sisters, but has always had a fear of being left behind. After a bad public breakup, she has sworn off men.
The Story:
Someone doesn’t want to see Brandon’s retreat/camp actually succeed and there have been a series of problems. He reaches out to his old sports agent because he needs good publicity to turn things around. The agency pairs him up with Annabelle to push the good PR and get things back on track. These two already knew each other and already had some underlying sexual tension before they were forced to work together.
So, who has it out for Brandon and his new adventure? That’s the mystery part of the story.
My Thoughts:
Ok, I’m a bit unimpressed. The story is about 200 pages and it honestly felt like it was 100. Some serious character depth was lacking and I honestly can’t tell you what made up the 200 pages.
In addition to the story of Annabelle & Brandon, there were 2 other love interest stories and all of them were filled with angst. Omg. Angst Overkill. 😏
The “who done it?” part of the story was so obvious that it wasn’t even enjoyable. From the point the person enters the story it’s obvious they are guilty and it’s incredibly easy to figure out why they are doing it. You know how you read something and it is so obvious that you just keep thinking....it can’t be this obvious and I bet the author is really going to throw a wrench in at the end. Well, that was me, except there was no wrench. It really was that obvious. What a let down. Wah wah.
Brandon and Annabelle are good together and they have some steamy scenes. However, they never really fess up to their true feelings until the very end. There were plenty of times they could have expressed those 3 little words, but the author withheld that until literally the second to last page. Argh 😤 I hate that.
Oh, and the epilogue really focused on one of the other angsty couples because I guess their story will continue into the next book. I guess Book 2 will have 2 angsty couples. Sigh 😔
So, light on character depth, too many angsty couples, an obvious villain and the profession of love on almost the last page all add up to a 3 star for me.
- POV: dual
- H likable? Yes
- h likable? Yes
- h virgin? No
- First time they kiss: 25%
- First time they sleep together: 42%
- OW/OM drama? No
- H/h cheat? No
- Steamy? Yes
- Did I skip pages? No
- Big secrets? Uncle Yank has a secret that the girls find out about toward the end of the book.
- Did I cry? No
- Cliffhanger? No
- How it ends: It has a HEA (for 2 out of 3 couples) and an epilogue mostly related to the 3rd couple.
- Recommend? Not really
Quotes
“If you can curse, does that mean I get to do what I want, too?” The youngest faced him, hands on her hips, a determined tilt to her chin.”
“I know attraction when I feel it and this is obviously mutual.”
“A kiss like the one they’d shared could make her reevaluate her decision to remain celibate.”
“I woke up with a strange cat in my bed.”
“Better than a strange woman, I suppose.”
“I was suddenly a guardian of three girls who wore panties with bows on their butts and had big, sad eyes.”
Characters
Brandon:
Due to a knee injury, Brandon had to say goodbye to his pro NFL career. Now he is determined to build a lodge in his hometown in upstate NY.
”It’s going to be a winter retreat for affluent adults and a school/summer camp for special kids. Kids whose education fell short, who slipped through the cracks, and who couldn’t read as well as others.”
Brandon has a good heart and is a fantastic athlete. However, he doesn’t have confidence in his intelligence because his parents attitude toward his dyslexia has made him feel inferior and stupid. All his life, all he has ever wanted is his parents approval and even with all his athletic accomplishments, his parents have never supported him.
Annabelle:
When her parents died in a plane crash when she was 12, Annabelle and her 2 younger sisters were sent to live with her Uncle Yank. A rough around the edges man, who did the best he could to raise 3 girls. Her uncle owns a sports agency (Hot Zone) and when Annabelle graduated college she added the PR side to the family business. She is close with her uncle and sisters, but has always had a fear of being left behind. After a bad public breakup, she has sworn off men.
The Story:
Someone doesn’t want to see Brandon’s retreat/camp actually succeed and there have been a series of problems. He reaches out to his old sports agent because he needs good publicity to turn things around. The agency pairs him up with Annabelle to push the good PR and get things back on track. These two already knew each other and already had some underlying sexual tension before they were forced to work together.
So, who has it out for Brandon and his new adventure? That’s the mystery part of the story.
My Thoughts:
Ok, I’m a bit unimpressed. The story is about 200 pages and it honestly felt like it was 100. Some serious character depth was lacking and I honestly can’t tell you what made up the 200 pages.
In addition to the story of Annabelle & Brandon, there were 2 other love interest stories and all of them were filled with angst. Omg. Angst Overkill. 😏
The “who done it?” part of the story was so obvious that it wasn’t even enjoyable. From the point the person enters the story it’s obvious they are guilty and it’s incredibly easy to figure out why they are doing it. You know how you read something and it is so obvious that you just keep thinking....it can’t be this obvious and I bet the author is really going to throw a wrench in at the end. Well, that was me, except there was no wrench. It really was that obvious. What a let down. Wah wah.
Brandon and Annabelle are good together and they have some steamy scenes. However, they never really fess up to their true feelings until the very end. There were plenty of times they could have expressed those 3 little words, but the author withheld that until literally the second to last page. Argh 😤 I hate that.
Oh, and the epilogue really focused on one of the other angsty couples because I guess their story will continue into the next book. I guess Book 2 will have 2 angsty couples. Sigh 😔
So, light on character depth, too many angsty couples, an obvious villain and the profession of love on almost the last page all add up to a 3 star for me.
- POV: dual
- H likable? Yes
- h likable? Yes
- h virgin? No
- First time they kiss: 25%
- First time they sleep together: 42%
- OW/OM drama? No
- H/h cheat? No
- Steamy? Yes
- Did I skip pages? No
- Big secrets? Uncle Yank has a secret that the girls find out about toward the end of the book.
- Did I cry? No
- Cliffhanger? No
- How it ends: It has a HEA (for 2 out of 3 couples) and an epilogue mostly related to the 3rd couple.
- Recommend? Not really
Quotes
“If you can curse, does that mean I get to do what I want, too?” The youngest faced him, hands on her hips, a determined tilt to her chin.”
“I know attraction when I feel it and this is obviously mutual.”
“A kiss like the one they’d shared could make her reevaluate her decision to remain celibate.”
“I woke up with a strange cat in my bed.”
“Better than a strange woman, I suppose.”
“I was suddenly a guardian of three girls who wore panties with bows on their butts and had big, sad eyes.”
March 3, 2017
En realidad un 3,5.
Me ha gustado la historia, no puedo negarlo pero mi fallo es... LA PROTAGONISTA. Sí, se lo que estáis pensado: "Cuando demonios tú no te quejas de la protagonista femenina de un libro?" Es que soy una chica exigente jajajaja
Mi queja de ella es que ha sido un tanto agresiva sexualmente, un poco depredadora con Brandon... me daba hasta repelús (que queréis para mí se le iba de las manos) y luego cuando se puso en plan "ay mi corazón me lo han roto" hasta me resultó subrealista, no le pegaba ser tan frágil.
En cuando a Brandon... OH BRANDON QUE TE ACHUCHO Y TE COMO A BESOS! Creo que después de la vida, más bien toda la vida pero sobre todo la infancia, de mierda que ha tenido, ha salido un pedacito de pan. Esa mierda de padres, no me jodas, la autora ha intentado darle la vuelta y hacerlos ver arrepentidos pero sabéis que: ¡que les den por culo! No hay manera de arrepentirse de abandonar (no literalmente pero casi) a tu hijo toda su vida.
Me gustaba Nick, el amigo de Brandon y a ver si resuelven la historia del tío Yank y Lola que me están poniendo negra jajajajaja
Me ha gustado la historia, no puedo negarlo pero mi fallo es... LA PROTAGONISTA. Sí, se lo que estáis pensado: "Cuando demonios tú no te quejas de la protagonista femenina de un libro?" Es que soy una chica exigente jajajaja
Mi queja de ella es que ha sido un tanto agresiva sexualmente, un poco depredadora con Brandon... me daba hasta repelús (que queréis para mí se le iba de las manos) y luego cuando se puso en plan "ay mi corazón me lo han roto" hasta me resultó subrealista, no le pegaba ser tan frágil.
En cuando a Brandon... OH BRANDON QUE TE ACHUCHO Y TE COMO A BESOS! Creo que después de la vida, más bien toda la vida pero sobre todo la infancia, de mierda que ha tenido, ha salido un pedacito de pan. Esa mierda de padres, no me jodas, la autora ha intentado darle la vuelta y hacerlos ver arrepentidos pero sabéis que: ¡que les den por culo! No hay manera de arrepentirse de abandonar (no literalmente pero casi) a tu hijo toda su vida.
Me gustaba Nick, el amigo de Brandon y a ver si resuelven la historia del tío Yank y Lola que me están poniendo negra jajajajaja
March 18, 2017
Loved this read!!!
Between a sexy sports hero, and a heroine who is all girl in a boys world, the chemistry between Vaughn and Annie was instant. They are just about complete opposites, but they have the same drive to succeed. My heart broke for Annie and her past, and how she is still a bit insecure about some things. Vaughn has his own struggles, both past and present, that he's trying to get through. There are twists and turns throughout, and I love how Carly handled the relationship between Vaughn and his parents in the end. A perfect start to this series, that is definitely a must read!!
Between a sexy sports hero, and a heroine who is all girl in a boys world, the chemistry between Vaughn and Annie was instant. They are just about complete opposites, but they have the same drive to succeed. My heart broke for Annie and her past, and how she is still a bit insecure about some things. Vaughn has his own struggles, both past and present, that he's trying to get through. There are twists and turns throughout, and I love how Carly handled the relationship between Vaughn and his parents in the end. A perfect start to this series, that is definitely a must read!!
March 6, 2017
***3.5 “Pulling Teeth” Stars***
Okay, maybe not the best way to describe a book that I’m giving 3.5 stars to, but it’s the truth and I promise to explain. Overall Hot Stuff was a fun and sexy read with characters that peaked my interest and secondary story lines running through it that I found just as interesting as that of Annie and Brandon’s bumpy road to their HEA.
I really liked Brandon, I did. The man had such a good, selfless heart, that it was hard not to fall for him, but damn is the man more guarded than Fort Knox. I understood that he’d been burned by those who should have been protecting him, but I seriously wanted to Gibbs smack him a few times to get him to open up just a little, hence the “Pulling Teeth”. Thankfully he does start to let his guard down, slowly, but it happens and the man underneath is pretty amazing.
I loved Annabelle’s fire and moxie. Her honesty and directness was refreshing and I loved how she could get what she wanted without appearing too pushy. Not that she couldn’t be when warranted, but she did it which such aplomb that it didn’t feel as if she was truly manipulating the situation, just letting it work it’s way out naturally.
The fact that they both seemed to believe that they could have a “fling” cracked me up because there was no doubt they were attracted to each other and were about to combust every time they were within a hundred yards of each other. I simply waited to see who would crack first and actually admit that there could be more between them and though it took some time, having one of their butts kicked and a bit of neanderthal style groveling, they finally got their issues ironed out.
The prologue was done well and had the perfect hook to get me wanting to know more about the major players. There is a bit of a mystery/suspense aspect of the story and I liked how it all played out in the end. Now it’s on to see if the tomboy of the family will get her HEA or not and see what will happen next with that one loose end.
~ Copy provided by Rock Star PR/Authors Review Crew ~
Okay, maybe not the best way to describe a book that I’m giving 3.5 stars to, but it’s the truth and I promise to explain. Overall Hot Stuff was a fun and sexy read with characters that peaked my interest and secondary story lines running through it that I found just as interesting as that of Annie and Brandon’s bumpy road to their HEA.
I really liked Brandon, I did. The man had such a good, selfless heart, that it was hard not to fall for him, but damn is the man more guarded than Fort Knox. I understood that he’d been burned by those who should have been protecting him, but I seriously wanted to Gibbs smack him a few times to get him to open up just a little, hence the “Pulling Teeth”. Thankfully he does start to let his guard down, slowly, but it happens and the man underneath is pretty amazing.
I loved Annabelle’s fire and moxie. Her honesty and directness was refreshing and I loved how she could get what she wanted without appearing too pushy. Not that she couldn’t be when warranted, but she did it which such aplomb that it didn’t feel as if she was truly manipulating the situation, just letting it work it’s way out naturally.
The fact that they both seemed to believe that they could have a “fling” cracked me up because there was no doubt they were attracted to each other and were about to combust every time they were within a hundred yards of each other. I simply waited to see who would crack first and actually admit that there could be more between them and though it took some time, having one of their butts kicked and a bit of neanderthal style groveling, they finally got their issues ironed out.
The prologue was done well and had the perfect hook to get me wanting to know more about the major players. There is a bit of a mystery/suspense aspect of the story and I liked how it all played out in the end. Now it’s on to see if the tomboy of the family will get her HEA or not and see what will happen next with that one loose end.
~ Copy provided by Rock Star PR/Authors Review Crew ~
May 7, 2008
I didn't realize what I was getting into when I picked this book up at WalMart. I don't like to shop there but it was the one shopping location available when I went on vacation with my friend's family. Usually I consider myself a very detail oriented person, but the little Harlequin logo went under the radar. Eventually, when slapped in the face by sexy-time writing, I realized it was a Romance Novel I was surprised. Anyhow, the story was pretty engaging and you routed for the main character to find love. It was a good, easy read on the beach.
September 26, 2015
Es un 4.5 como una catedral.
Es bonito, dulce, coherente, con tiempo...
una novela romántica contemporánea de las buenas.
Es bonito, dulce, coherente, con tiempo...
una novela romántica contemporánea de las buenas.
did-not-finish
August 12, 2018Again, I am spoiled by good books. Perhaps, the time comes to be even more thoughtful picking free kindle-books.
September 20, 2017
Ini novel Carly Phillips pertama yang gue baca!
Dan ternyata cukup page turner. Seri pertama dari Hot Zone ini menceritakan tentang Annabelle (singkirkan image boneka!) yang merupakan si sulung dari tiga bersaudara yang mengurus agensi khusus para atlet. Di sini dia ketemu Vaughn. Yah, tipikal Harlequin. Mereka suka-sukaan, ah-oh-ah-oh, naksir, sok-sok nggak butuh, dan sebagainya.
Tapi gue pikir mending baca Harlequin ketimbang baca kisah fiksi lokal tentang CEO ganteng kaya raya blahblahblah dari platform jingga yang kadang kausalitasnya dipertanyakan. Kalo HQ kan lo ngayal babu tapi masih ada logikanya.
Kayaknya bakal baca novel-novel Carly Phillips yang lain. Seru! Untuk teknis, agak keganggu dengan "kaca(spasi)mata", diagnosa, analisa, dan sebagainya yang samar-samar manja.
Dan ternyata cukup page turner. Seri pertama dari Hot Zone ini menceritakan tentang Annabelle (singkirkan image boneka!) yang merupakan si sulung dari tiga bersaudara yang mengurus agensi khusus para atlet. Di sini dia ketemu Vaughn. Yah, tipikal Harlequin. Mereka suka-sukaan, ah-oh-ah-oh, naksir, sok-sok nggak butuh, dan sebagainya.
Tapi gue pikir mending baca Harlequin ketimbang baca kisah fiksi lokal tentang CEO ganteng kaya raya blahblahblah dari platform jingga yang kadang kausalitasnya dipertanyakan. Kalo HQ kan lo ngayal babu tapi masih ada logikanya.
Kayaknya bakal baca novel-novel Carly Phillips yang lain. Seru! Untuk teknis, agak keganggu dengan "kaca(spasi)mata", diagnosa, analisa, dan sebagainya yang samar-samar manja.
March 3, 2017
This is the first book in the Hot Zone series and I was instantly drawn into this story of the family that makes up The Hot Zone, a sports focused firm.
Annabelle Jordan, the oldest of three sisters, along with her middle sister Sophie, and Micki, the baby of the group, did not have the most normal childhood. Following the death of their parents, the girls went to live with their Uncle Yank, who happened to be a sports lawyer. Thus they grew up around sports, including locker rooms, athletes and betting. Now that they are all grown up, they all work at The Hot Zone and while they are family, they all have their own styles and personalities.
Annabelle has always had the goal of keeping her family together. Growing up the way that they did and going through the things they did at a young age, being surrounded by family has always been paramount. When Annabelle is assigned to work with former football star Brandon Vaughn on issues he's having at a lodge he's planning to open, her main priority is just to focus on the work since her weakness tends to be hot jocks and she just wants to do right by her family. And for Brandon, a reading issue also complicates not only his business dealings, but also the relationships that he has with his own family.
Will Annabelle and Brandon be able to keep things completely platonic or will the chemistry that is building between them going to ignite fully? And, will the bad press and what seems to be mysterious sabotage attempts derail the lodge project before the opening?
This was a great start to this new series and I'm so anxious to get my hands on the second book based on how quickly I devoured this one!
Annabelle Jordan, the oldest of three sisters, along with her middle sister Sophie, and Micki, the baby of the group, did not have the most normal childhood. Following the death of their parents, the girls went to live with their Uncle Yank, who happened to be a sports lawyer. Thus they grew up around sports, including locker rooms, athletes and betting. Now that they are all grown up, they all work at The Hot Zone and while they are family, they all have their own styles and personalities.
Annabelle has always had the goal of keeping her family together. Growing up the way that they did and going through the things they did at a young age, being surrounded by family has always been paramount. When Annabelle is assigned to work with former football star Brandon Vaughn on issues he's having at a lodge he's planning to open, her main priority is just to focus on the work since her weakness tends to be hot jocks and she just wants to do right by her family. And for Brandon, a reading issue also complicates not only his business dealings, but also the relationships that he has with his own family.
Will Annabelle and Brandon be able to keep things completely platonic or will the chemistry that is building between them going to ignite fully? And, will the bad press and what seems to be mysterious sabotage attempts derail the lodge project before the opening?
This was a great start to this new series and I'm so anxious to get my hands on the second book based on how quickly I devoured this one!
April 26, 2010
My first Carly Phillips read, not my last! I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the family behind the Hot Zone, and look forward to getting to know them better through the rest of the Hot Zone series.
All three sisters - Annabelle the oldest, Sophie the middle girl, and Micki the youngest are great. Each with her own individual style and personality, but so dedicated and loving toward each other, as well as Lola their surrogate mother, and their cranky Uncle Yank.
The overall story was great, a fun read, as well as one that leaves you pulling for the good guys, and hoping the mystery of who the saboteur is will be solved. From the beginning I was totally interested in the relationship that was sparked at first meeting between publicist Annabelle, and her latest client, the challenging and intensely private Brandon Vaughn.
All three sisters - Annabelle the oldest, Sophie the middle girl, and Micki the youngest are great. Each with her own individual style and personality, but so dedicated and loving toward each other, as well as Lola their surrogate mother, and their cranky Uncle Yank.
The overall story was great, a fun read, as well as one that leaves you pulling for the good guys, and hoping the mystery of who the saboteur is will be solved. From the beginning I was totally interested in the relationship that was sparked at first meeting between publicist Annabelle, and her latest client, the challenging and intensely private Brandon Vaughn.
May 20, 2013
Funny, hot sex and a dash of mystery mixed with the backstory of three little orphaned girls, a swinging bachelor uncle and you have a great blend for a really good book.
Annebelle is the oldest of the three sisters and has grown up around the jocks her uncle represents as a sports agent. She has also gotten up close and very personal with a few that have left her with a few barriers firmly in place. Enter Brandon Vaughn, an ex-football legend trying to rehab an old lodge in his hometown and has run into the need of a PR representative. Vaughn and Uncle Yank had a falling out years ago, but Vaughn has decided he wants to mend the rift.
Uncle Yank assigns Vaughn to Annebelle and the sparks start to fly. Both Annabelle and Vaughn have considerable baggage and a lot of unresolved issues which make the road to HEA very bumpy. But the sex is really hot.
Annebelle is the oldest of the three sisters and has grown up around the jocks her uncle represents as a sports agent. She has also gotten up close and very personal with a few that have left her with a few barriers firmly in place. Enter Brandon Vaughn, an ex-football legend trying to rehab an old lodge in his hometown and has run into the need of a PR representative. Vaughn and Uncle Yank had a falling out years ago, but Vaughn has decided he wants to mend the rift.
Uncle Yank assigns Vaughn to Annebelle and the sparks start to fly. Both Annabelle and Vaughn have considerable baggage and a lot of unresolved issues which make the road to HEA very bumpy. But the sex is really hot.
Want to read
August 13, 2017KINDLE FREEBIE 6/17/17
November 6, 2017
I liked this one but didn't love it. I wish there had been a bit more character development. But all in all, a solid read.
November 9, 2020
I can't say that this is one of the best romances I've ever read. The main characters were a little dull. I didn't care one bit about them and if they ended up together.
July 3, 2019
I really enjoyed this first book of the Hot Zone series. I mean is there anything Carly Phillips can't write well? Its an interesting premise of a womanizing sports agent uncle getting custody of his 3 nieces after their parents tragically die in an accident. He raises 3 very strong women each with very different personalities but all joined their uncle in the sports world.
Annabelle works with virile, testosterone filled men every day and she in the unique position to help their careers go further than even they could imagine. Some women would be overly buttoned up and show only a super professional side at all times. Annabelle believes in the professional for sure but refuses to hide her female side. She just happens to be drawn to the type of man that she works with on a daily basis but she will never let her heart get involved again. She's learned her lesson going down that road. Once bitten and all that.
Vaughn, ex football player and all around perfect guy is working his butt off to turn his dream of helping at risk youth into a reality. Unfortunately he seems to be on someone's bad side and getting sabotaged at every turn. Enlisting the help of his old agent or one of his nieces is the perfect way to go. He only has one request - No Annabelle. He's met her at other events and there is just something about her that gets to him and he's not willing to lose focus for any reason right now. But, as fate would have it (or more importantly Uncle Yank) has other ideas. Turns out the only niece available is none other than Annabelle.
I loved it so much when this couple came together. Annabelle knew her stuff and was not afraid to assert herself if it was in the best interest of Vaughn's interest. She also didn't hesitate to let him know that she was interested in him, she felt the mutual attraction and was not willing to shy away from it.
The peripheral characters really added to this book. Yank is quite possibly one of my favorite grumpy characters ever, Lola was fantastic, heck I even began to like Vaughn's parents in the end and that's saying a lot.
Annabelle works with virile, testosterone filled men every day and she in the unique position to help their careers go further than even they could imagine. Some women would be overly buttoned up and show only a super professional side at all times. Annabelle believes in the professional for sure but refuses to hide her female side. She just happens to be drawn to the type of man that she works with on a daily basis but she will never let her heart get involved again. She's learned her lesson going down that road. Once bitten and all that.
Vaughn, ex football player and all around perfect guy is working his butt off to turn his dream of helping at risk youth into a reality. Unfortunately he seems to be on someone's bad side and getting sabotaged at every turn. Enlisting the help of his old agent or one of his nieces is the perfect way to go. He only has one request - No Annabelle. He's met her at other events and there is just something about her that gets to him and he's not willing to lose focus for any reason right now. But, as fate would have it (or more importantly Uncle Yank) has other ideas. Turns out the only niece available is none other than Annabelle.
I loved it so much when this couple came together. Annabelle knew her stuff and was not afraid to assert herself if it was in the best interest of Vaughn's interest. She also didn't hesitate to let him know that she was interested in him, she felt the mutual attraction and was not willing to shy away from it.
The peripheral characters really added to this book. Yank is quite possibly one of my favorite grumpy characters ever, Lola was fantastic, heck I even began to like Vaughn's parents in the end and that's saying a lot.
June 13, 2017
Free on iBooks. Both of them have histories. They've briefly met in the past, however were with other people. Her relationships have been sour, plastered over tabloids he's read. He's a love them, leave them type. The heroine was such a straight shooter. She was smart, and direct without pretences; she addressed their sexual attraction, but held control firmly within her grasp knowing what she wanted, especially since she's been played so many times by professional athletes. She's wary but wants this to be physical. Vaughn bedded many and parts on good terms; she met a few of his past lovers but didn't feel jealous, because it's just fact. They're nice women, who love other people now (I still found it cringey and a turn off that he's in happy go lucky in contact with them and friends even) He's gone through a bad divorce, distrusts women and she is his PR rep. There was something so admirable in her persona, and maturity. I'd give her 4 stars, and Vaughn one. He wasn't forthcoming about his feelings at all and wasn't very nice to her for most of the book. Idc if they have good sex, there's a lack of development. Third person narrative wasn't my cuppa tea.
But Lola was pathetic and totally should have moved on from Yank. "Let me spend years raising his nieces whilst he was a womaniser and then years after standing by his side whilst he doesn't even notice me and then let's me leave." Find your pride woman!
But Lola was pathetic and totally should have moved on from Yank. "Let me spend years raising his nieces whilst he was a womaniser and then years after standing by his side whilst he doesn't even notice me and then let's me leave." Find your pride woman!
January 10, 2023
Annabelle was orphaned when she was 12 (her sisters were 10 and 8) and taken in by her bachelor uncle Yank (at first I thought this was a typo, it's not). Yank runs a sports agency and as adults, Annabelle and her sisters have expanded the agency to include PR for a variety of people. They are excellent at what they do.
Brandon is an ex-client of Yank's and approaches him again when he is having problems. Brandon is in the process of trying to build a resort with a dual purpose (cater to the wealthy for part of the year and help out children with educational issues the rest). Something is hindering the construction and putting him behind. Enter Annabelle.
Both characters have some issues (Annabelle dates the wrong guys; they use her & Brandon's parents haven't been as supportive of him as they should be & he was married before) which make trust difficult. This was okay. I did think the ending was rushed. The work-site sabotage was disappointing.
Brandon is an ex-client of Yank's and approaches him again when he is having problems. Brandon is in the process of trying to build a resort with a dual purpose (cater to the wealthy for part of the year and help out children with educational issues the rest). Something is hindering the construction and putting him behind. Enter Annabelle.
Both characters have some issues (Annabelle dates the wrong guys; they use her & Brandon's parents haven't been as supportive of him as they should be & he was married before) which make trust difficult. This was okay. I did think the ending was rushed. The work-site sabotage was disappointing.
July 11, 2020
Sexy contemporary with great characters!
March 9, 2019
Hot Zone was one of the first series I read by Carly Phillips back in the day (2013). At the time, I was neither here nor there with Hot Stuff, Book 1, but I binge read the whole series because that's what I did. Truth be told, I still do that most times LOL and it was a fantastic ride. So much so, it started me on my quest to read all things Carly :)
Today, she's brought us the same story but with a little more edge to it and a lot more visual pleasure. I mean, LOOK AT THAT COVER ... am I right?! lol I'm not sure what made me love it more today than 5 years ago, but I really really did.
Annabelle Jordan is like a mini ball of fire/tornado. Her personality is bigger than life. She went after what she wanted, and I'll be damned if she didn't always get it. Brandon Vaughn is guarded. He has baggage. It takes a while for his guard to open so Annabelle can get it, but when it does ... **happy sigh** Their chemistry was off the charts. We as readers saw it before they did (i really liked that). It was really well presented in the story.
I'm looking forward to going back in time and re-reading this awesome series for the second time. It's fun and flirty, romantic and full of heart :)
Copy provided for review by Carly's Review Team
Today, she's brought us the same story but with a little more edge to it and a lot more visual pleasure. I mean, LOOK AT THAT COVER ... am I right?! lol I'm not sure what made me love it more today than 5 years ago, but I really really did.
Annabelle Jordan is like a mini ball of fire/tornado. Her personality is bigger than life. She went after what she wanted, and I'll be damned if she didn't always get it. Brandon Vaughn is guarded. He has baggage. It takes a while for his guard to open so Annabelle can get it, but when it does ... **happy sigh** Their chemistry was off the charts. We as readers saw it before they did (i really liked that). It was really well presented in the story.
I'm looking forward to going back in time and re-reading this awesome series for the second time. It's fun and flirty, romantic and full of heart :)
Copy provided for review by Carly's Review Team
January 14, 2015
3.5 STARS
"Annabelle Jordan and her two sisters were orphans in frilly dresses when they went to live with their sports-lawyer uncle in his world of locker rooms, bookies and gambling.
Now the girls are publicists in their uncle's firm, The Hot Zone. Despite her upbringing Annabelle is all woman. She's naturally drawn to real men --- like her latest client, ex-football legend and businessman Brandon Vaughn.
The chemistry is potent, undeniable, irresistible. But Annabelle soon realizes that Brandon is much more than just another jock. And that she'd better hold on tight if she doesn't want to lose her heart." (From Amazon)
A steamy fun contemporary romance with sports superstars as heroes.
"Annabelle Jordan and her two sisters were orphans in frilly dresses when they went to live with their sports-lawyer uncle in his world of locker rooms, bookies and gambling.
Now the girls are publicists in their uncle's firm, The Hot Zone. Despite her upbringing Annabelle is all woman. She's naturally drawn to real men --- like her latest client, ex-football legend and businessman Brandon Vaughn.
The chemistry is potent, undeniable, irresistible. But Annabelle soon realizes that Brandon is much more than just another jock. And that she'd better hold on tight if she doesn't want to lose her heart." (From Amazon)
A steamy fun contemporary romance with sports superstars as heroes.
March 21, 2017
Love the passion of Brandon and how he felt about helping kids. I hated the discord that him and his family began the book with. Annabelle and Brandon are similar in many ways. Both want to have someone believe in them and support them. Both want to feel loved even if Brandon thinks he doesn’t. both at smart, kind and caring.
The story was sweet and I loved how Annabelle made Brandon feel he could achieve his dreams even when things were bad. The attraction was palpable and the intimacy steamy. These two belonged together and the way Annabelle helped Brandon see he was more and how Brandon made Annabelle feel loved was great. The story was filled with surprises and highly entertaining.
Hot Number
The story was sweet and I loved how Annabelle made Brandon feel he could achieve his dreams even when things were bad. The attraction was palpable and the intimacy steamy. These two belonged together and the way Annabelle helped Brandon see he was more and how Brandon made Annabelle feel loved was great. The story was filled with surprises and highly entertaining.
Hot Number
February 28, 2017
Annie sometimes likes to change the subject, especially if she thinks she's in trouble:
“I woke up with a cat staring me in the face.” Vaughn pushed himself back against the pillows and folded his arms across his chest.
“You did, huh?” She lowered her gaze and her stare landed on his chest. “Uh, Vaughn? Are you naked beneath that sheet?”
Vaughn's thoughtfulness when it comes to tear is...well different, "...she wiped her damp eyes with the back of her hands. “Here, use this.” He handed her the corner of his comforter to use and she dabbed at the moisture." I loved this book, the characters were well developed.
“I woke up with a cat staring me in the face.” Vaughn pushed himself back against the pillows and folded his arms across his chest.
“You did, huh?” She lowered her gaze and her stare landed on his chest. “Uh, Vaughn? Are you naked beneath that sheet?”
Vaughn's thoughtfulness when it comes to tear is...well different, "...she wiped her damp eyes with the back of her hands. “Here, use this.” He handed her the corner of his comforter to use and she dabbed at the moisture." I loved this book, the characters were well developed.
July 26, 2014
El libro estuvo bien, entretenido y sencillo de leer.
La historia quizas no aporta nada nuevo, puesto que la trama no es nada novedosa pero la lectura se te pasa muy rapido.
Los personajes son muy divertidos y me encantaron los protagonistas; Me encanta leer sagas que cuentan las historias de los doferentes miembros de una familia.
El unico pero que le pondria seria que al principio todala trama avanza muy lento. Por lo demas recomiendo el libro.
3.5 Estrellas!
July 16, 2019
Good story
I'd like to rate this book a 3.5 but we can't use half stars. LOL
It was a well written story. I enjoyed how both Annabelle and Brandon are strong characters but each have a vulnerable side that they seem to show each other. Both also have had their lives turned upside due to things that's happened to them between family and people they believe loved them. There's moments in this story everyone can understand. A good story.
I'd like to rate this book a 3.5 but we can't use half stars. LOL
It was a well written story. I enjoyed how both Annabelle and Brandon are strong characters but each have a vulnerable side that they seem to show each other. Both also have had their lives turned upside due to things that's happened to them between family and people they believe loved them. There's moments in this story everyone can understand. A good story.
December 20, 2008
totally hilarious! i love this author!!
March 23, 2009
This is a fun book to read. It would be perfect to read while sipping a margarita on the beach!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 444 reviews