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Learning Curves #2
Advanced French Kissing
Celebrate spring in Paris with a French kiss! After her successful first workshop (and a breathtaking fling), Ariane’s life begins to return to normal under the watchful eye of her wealthy landlord, Madame Caroline. She hopes Peter will come back to Paris to renew their romance, but she won’t put her life on hold waiting for him. Instead she looks forward to celebrating spring with old friends and new. But when new passions ignite, will she kindle the flames? Or get burned? Contemporary Romance. Contains sexual situations.
102 pages, Paperback
First published July 3, 2013
6 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Olivia Rigal
219 books276 followersOlivia Rigal writes emotionally charged romantic suspense novels filled with intense chemistry, pulse-thumping action, and gripping intrigue.
Drawing from her experience as an attorney, Olivia infuses authenticity and depth into carefully crafted plots and believable stories.
Her strong, intelligent heroines stand shoulder to shoulder with fiercely protective alpha heroes, each guided by their own deep sense of loyalty and personal honor.
Olivia weaves relatable emotional realities, gritty suspense, sarcastic humor, and unforgettable passion into fast-paced, addictive stories readers can't put down.
Her books are available in English, French, and German.
Drawing from her experience as an attorney, Olivia infuses authenticity and depth into carefully crafted plots and believable stories.
Her strong, intelligent heroines stand shoulder to shoulder with fiercely protective alpha heroes, each guided by their own deep sense of loyalty and personal honor.
Olivia weaves relatable emotional realities, gritty suspense, sarcastic humor, and unforgettable passion into fast-paced, addictive stories readers can't put down.
Her books are available in English, French, and German.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 17, 2016
Disinterest forming
I am giving this book a 2.75 star rating. I didn't care for this one as much as I did the first book. This was also a quick easy read, but I didn't like the direction this series is going. This book had some new players, Miss Caroline and Patrick. I loved the character of Caroline. She is a feisty old lady, very observant, says what's on her mind. She sees people for who they truly are. She is a true character. Caroline is full of wisdom and has the best quirky sayings.
This book focuses on the newest relationships between Ariane/Peter and Mary/George that were formed from the last book. These relationships are being taken to the next level. The reason I gave this book the rating I did was because of Peter's character. From the first book I felt he was controlling and this book confirmed my suspicions. And with the information you learn about Ariane, this behavior should turn her off but it turns her on. I thought that was out of character and this brought about disinterest in the plot. I hope it gets better.
I am giving this book a 2.75 star rating. I didn't care for this one as much as I did the first book. This was also a quick easy read, but I didn't like the direction this series is going. This book had some new players, Miss Caroline and Patrick. I loved the character of Caroline. She is a feisty old lady, very observant, says what's on her mind. She sees people for who they truly are. She is a true character. Caroline is full of wisdom and has the best quirky sayings.
This book focuses on the newest relationships between Ariane/Peter and Mary/George that were formed from the last book. These relationships are being taken to the next level. The reason I gave this book the rating I did was because of Peter's character. From the first book I felt he was controlling and this book confirmed my suspicions. And with the information you learn about Ariane, this behavior should turn her off but it turns her on. I thought that was out of character and this brought about disinterest in the plot. I hope it gets better.
June 19, 2015
I enjoyed the first book in this series more than this one mostly because of the love triangle that emerged in this one. If the triangle helps the story along then I don't mind them, but when the triangle becomes the conflict then I start to lose patience with the series. This series was good however when I needed a quick, mindless diversion for a difficult few days. I just would have enjoyed it more if Ariane could have just chosen one or the other and not been so loose with her feelings for either man.
July 27, 2014
After reading the first book, I was disappointed in this story. The character development is confusing. Peter goes from being a somewhat absent-minded professor looking for a second chance at love to an extremely aggressive (potentially abusive) lover whose character isn't resolved. His intensity and potential danger came as a surprise and not in a good way. The biggest failure of this book was again it's lack of a defined plot.
August 20, 2015
I think the book focused too much on the erotic content more than the story development I was hoping for. I also found Peter's personality changed too drastically and kind of didn't fit the image he initially presented. The story was all over the place at times and the sexual encounters didn't help to define the plot.
On the other hand, Caroline was a good addition and her sense of humor made the entire book for me.
On the other hand, Caroline was a good addition and her sense of humor made the entire book for me.
September 1, 2017
So far so good. A good collection of books. Onto book 3 now.
September 9, 2014
Reviewed on behalf of Fictional BookHos:
+++
This review covers the first two books in the Learning Curves series, French Cooking 101 and Advanced French Kissing
These two short novellas were very interesting. Together they form a full length novel. The first part, French Cooking 101, focuses on Ariane as she teaches a class on French cooking. Each chapter tends to focus on different students as they meet and form beautiful erotic memories.
I enjoyed the format, but I could see where some people might want a story more focused on a specific couple. The hook of the cooking class was interesting, and I found myself getting into the individual stories, hoping for the pairings to work out. There were even a few actual recipes included.
The second part, Advanced French Kissing, tended to focus on the one couple I probably liked least from the first part, that being Peter and Ariane's story. I personally would have loved to read more of Mary and George's story. George is a quiet, somewhat grumpy man, who falls hard for the beautiful middle aged sister of Peter while she is on vacation in Paris.
The story continues in the third part of Learning Curves, Detention.
+++
This review covers the first two books in the Learning Curves series, French Cooking 101 and Advanced French Kissing
These two short novellas were very interesting. Together they form a full length novel. The first part, French Cooking 101, focuses on Ariane as she teaches a class on French cooking. Each chapter tends to focus on different students as they meet and form beautiful erotic memories.
I enjoyed the format, but I could see where some people might want a story more focused on a specific couple. The hook of the cooking class was interesting, and I found myself getting into the individual stories, hoping for the pairings to work out. There were even a few actual recipes included.
The second part, Advanced French Kissing, tended to focus on the one couple I probably liked least from the first part, that being Peter and Ariane's story. I personally would have loved to read more of Mary and George's story. George is a quiet, somewhat grumpy man, who falls hard for the beautiful middle aged sister of Peter while she is on vacation in Paris.
The story continues in the third part of Learning Curves, Detention.
December 16, 2013
*Book sent by author in exchange for a honest review*
In this second book, our French heroine, Ariane, finds herself in a dichotomy: two very different men.
Peter, American professor and widow, with a secret, whom traveled to know if they can start a life together; Patrick, the boulanger and divorcé, who just discovered her feelings for her.
But... with whom is she going to stay?!
What I like about this second book was that not all secrets and twists where entirely predictable. I just got confused on Chapter One, because I think it's based on same chapter but in Learning Curves 1 - French Cooking 101.
This is a quick, nice, enjoyable reading... and definitely, wanting to read book 3!
In this second book, our French heroine, Ariane, finds herself in a dichotomy: two very different men.
Peter, American professor and widow, with a secret, whom traveled to know if they can start a life together; Patrick, the boulanger and divorcé, who just discovered her feelings for her.
But... with whom is she going to stay?!
What I like about this second book was that not all secrets and twists where entirely predictable. I just got confused on Chapter One, because I think it's based on same chapter but in Learning Curves 1 - French Cooking 101.
This is a quick, nice, enjoyable reading... and definitely, wanting to read book 3!
April 15, 2015
This and book 1 were in "Red Hot Obsessions" Bundle.
In book 1 Arianne's cooking class in France drew people from America and Europe. They became friends, some lovers. In this book there is a bit of a catching up with where the relationships went or didn't. But primarily it is Arianne and Peter's book. Peter is an American Professor. He takes time away so he can pursue Arianne. He wants her to start a new school in America near his University. She's not sure anything or anyone is worth her starting over. Peter is controlling, possessive, and sexually overwhelming. Will she give into Peter or will she be able to tell Peter NO. Is Peter capable of compromise?
In book 1 Arianne's cooking class in France drew people from America and Europe. They became friends, some lovers. In this book there is a bit of a catching up with where the relationships went or didn't. But primarily it is Arianne and Peter's book. Peter is an American Professor. He takes time away so he can pursue Arianne. He wants her to start a new school in America near his University. She's not sure anything or anyone is worth her starting over. Peter is controlling, possessive, and sexually overwhelming. Will she give into Peter or will she be able to tell Peter NO. Is Peter capable of compromise?
June 4, 2015
I would have liked a story but it's just a few erotic encounters. Mainly a lady featured in the first book, who gives cookery lessons in Paris, finds a new man. She neglects to tell him about her current man. Oops. An interesting character is the elderly landlady who owns the premises, watches the street and gossips. A bad choice is apparent but there is no resolution.
Nor, sadly, any recipes. I preferred the first book, but others may enjoy this story more than I did.
Nor, sadly, any recipes. I preferred the first book, but others may enjoy this story more than I did.
October 9, 2015
Not a HEA but an introduction to the series so be sure to have the other books available so you can jump right in.
Now that we've been introduced to the characters we explore more of the growing relationships between them. Chef Ariane and American professor Peter are growing closer but she's afraid of starting something with someone who is only around for such a short time. Can Ariane open up her heart to the potential that Peter will bring in to her life?
Now that we've been introduced to the characters we explore more of the growing relationships between them. Chef Ariane and American professor Peter are growing closer but she's afraid of starting something with someone who is only around for such a short time. Can Ariane open up her heart to the potential that Peter will bring in to her life?
July 13, 2015
Wow!!! Amazing!
Wow! This book is truly amazing. I loved the character descriptions again. I never would have thought Peter is the way he is. I love Ariane, but what has she gotten herself into? I can't wait to see what happens next! Great job to Olivia for such an amazing series!
Wow! This book is truly amazing. I loved the character descriptions again. I never would have thought Peter is the way he is. I love Ariane, but what has she gotten herself into? I can't wait to see what happens next! Great job to Olivia for such an amazing series!
December 22, 2015
This is the second book in a serial.
I really enjoyed this book. I still love the characters even though some seem to be different to what we would have thought from book one.
We continue with Ariane and Peter's story. We also get to see Charlie again and George and Mary briefly. We learn a bit of Ariane's back story as well.
I can't wait to hear more of this story. Heading for book 3 now.
I really enjoyed this book. I still love the characters even though some seem to be different to what we would have thought from book one.
We continue with Ariane and Peter's story. We also get to see Charlie again and George and Mary briefly. We learn a bit of Ariane's back story as well.
I can't wait to hear more of this story. Heading for book 3 now.
July 2, 2015
I loved this one as much as the first book, there is more action and suspense in this one since we see how she is faced with a choice to make between 2 men it could have been more interesting had she made a choice in this one and not wait and feel so lost still good work
September 4, 2015
French Kissing, French Food , oh my
I am really getting sucked into this story. I am not quite sure which sexy guy I should root for. It is bad boy vs good boy plus yummy food recipes...can't beat that.
I am really getting sucked into this story. I am not quite sure which sexy guy I should root for. It is bad boy vs good boy plus yummy food recipes...can't beat that.
June 18, 2014
This is the second book in the series. It was a good continuation of the story and the characters seemed more complex. I enjoyed reading the book.
March 23, 2016
Oh wow!
The temperature started out warm and rose steadily until it got piping hot! This storyline keeps getting better and better. Diving into book 3 ASAP!!
The temperature started out warm and rose steadily until it got piping hot! This storyline keeps getting better and better. Diving into book 3 ASAP!!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews