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Substitute
She's driven by his desire... It took all of Alexia's courage to leave her abusive boyfriend and strike out on her own. When she lands a job at a glamorous sports agency, she thinks she finally has made it. But shy, blond, and beautiful, Alexia is totally unprepared for the fast sexual politics of rich men and ambitious women that is waiting for her. Most of all, she is totally unprepared for her new boss, Nathan Fallon. Nathan is an ex-Army officer, dazzling but damaged, who has risen to the top of the cutthroat world of sports agents. There is no one Alexia wants more, but a case of mistaken identity has Nathan believing she's given herself over to the advances of the office playboy. Desperate to win Nathan's respect, Alexia agrees to become his substitute personal assistant. It doesn't take long for the sparks to fly...and for Alexia to find herself enthralled by a man she cannot read and could never resist. What readers are "Brilliant. Couldn't put it down." "If you enjoyed
263 pages, Paperback
First published February 4, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 24, 2013
I loath this book. I absolutely hated everything about it, by 47% I decided to stop being masochistic and delete the fucking thing from my kindle. With this one I don't even know where to start.
>>>>>>>>>>>> spoilers <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The opening scene is the 'heroine' of the story cowering in an office bathroom while two coworkers get jiggy with it in the adjoining boardroom. Now, I'm not much of a voyeur, so maybe that's why I can't relate but... she's hiding from two people having sex, and masturbates while at it... Um, that just seems off to me.
But ok, I let it go and kept reading...
Then we're to believe that a girl who's very shy, straight-laced, and known as 'the ice queen,' who has only had two boyfriends in her entire life and has just weeks ago gotten out of an emotionally abusive relationship, would behave like such a rampantly horny teenage boy! First she masturbates in the bathroom while watching coworkers, I'd say this seemed out of character for her (but maybe more for me). Then she gets a crush on her boss, and is fantasizing about the guy she watched in the boardroom having sex, alternately supper-imposing the boss's face with his. Then her roommate's friend takes a 'liking' to her, and starts coming on to her.
What gets me here is that this roommate's friend can tell she's 'holding it back', reserving sex, for this boss man. And yet she's letting him eat her out, and she's giving him blow jobs!! What kind of fucking twisted shit is that? "I won't have sex with you because I am holding off for another guy, but I'll blow you after you eat me"?! And in addition to oral SEX with the roommate's friend, she's also letting the boardroom coworker paw all over her. I'd say this seemed way out of character for the girl the author has written her as.
And the nauseating thing about this is (if that wasn't bad enough on its own)... when she sees another woman caressing the boss man under the table, she goes off and cries! Then has phone sex with the friend to put her in a better mood. But to really get how repulsive this is... you must understand that she's 'in love' with the boss (whom she has only met 2-3 times and knows NOTHING about him, except what she's been TOLD by gossips!) and is constantly having thoughts like 'how could his ex leave him, how could anyone treat him so poorly' basically saying that he deserves an honest woman who will treat him right, and stand by her man! And yet she can't even keep her panties on one night out of the week. She's been fondled, licked, and orally fucked every day, so, um, how does this make her a better woman than his ex? And why isn't he allowed to have sex when she hasn't stopped??
Just EW! Totally gag-able book. I just hated everyone. Sickening lot! And a fucking ridiculous plot.
>>>>>>>>>>>> spoilers <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The opening scene is the 'heroine' of the story cowering in an office bathroom while two coworkers get jiggy with it in the adjoining boardroom. Now, I'm not much of a voyeur, so maybe that's why I can't relate but... she's hiding from two people having sex, and masturbates while at it... Um, that just seems off to me.
But ok, I let it go and kept reading...
Then we're to believe that a girl who's very shy, straight-laced, and known as 'the ice queen,' who has only had two boyfriends in her entire life and has just weeks ago gotten out of an emotionally abusive relationship, would behave like such a rampantly horny teenage boy! First she masturbates in the bathroom while watching coworkers, I'd say this seemed out of character for her (but maybe more for me). Then she gets a crush on her boss, and is fantasizing about the guy she watched in the boardroom having sex, alternately supper-imposing the boss's face with his. Then her roommate's friend takes a 'liking' to her, and starts coming on to her.
What gets me here is that this roommate's friend can tell she's 'holding it back', reserving sex, for this boss man. And yet she's letting him eat her out, and she's giving him blow jobs!! What kind of fucking twisted shit is that? "I won't have sex with you because I am holding off for another guy, but I'll blow you after you eat me"?! And in addition to oral SEX with the roommate's friend, she's also letting the boardroom coworker paw all over her. I'd say this seemed way out of character for the girl the author has written her as.
And the nauseating thing about this is (if that wasn't bad enough on its own)... when she sees another woman caressing the boss man under the table, she goes off and cries! Then has phone sex with the friend to put her in a better mood. But to really get how repulsive this is... you must understand that she's 'in love' with the boss (whom she has only met 2-3 times and knows NOTHING about him, except what she's been TOLD by gossips!) and is constantly having thoughts like 'how could his ex leave him, how could anyone treat him so poorly' basically saying that he deserves an honest woman who will treat him right, and stand by her man! And yet she can't even keep her panties on one night out of the week. She's been fondled, licked, and orally fucked every day, so, um, how does this make her a better woman than his ex? And why isn't he allowed to have sex when she hasn't stopped??
Just EW! Totally gag-able book. I just hated everyone. Sickening lot! And a fucking ridiculous plot.
August 16, 2016
This could have had such promise - interesting enough premise, and set up - good start and then just ... into WTFery. I could've stuck with it even as erotica [not my cuppa but if it's well written I'll give it a go] but this just ... no.
With the squirting *shudders* the ~heroine squirts A. LOT. and then the sex kitten virginal ingenue that EVERY man wants to fuck? *eyetwitch*
And then with them calling the [hero?] "the white whale" constantly I seriously grew concerned I was reading some sort of twisted Moby Dick fanfic?
Anyway - 65% and ... no
F/DNF
With the squirting *shudders* the ~heroine squirts A. LOT. and then the sex kitten virginal ingenue that EVERY man wants to fuck? *eyetwitch*
And then with them calling the [hero?] "the white whale" constantly I seriously grew concerned I was reading some sort of twisted Moby Dick fanfic?
Anyway - 65% and ... no
F/DNF
November 25, 2015
Haha oh my god, this was so bad. I'm still half-convinced it was written by a teenager.
And probably written by a virgin - or a gay man. Seriously, what's with the weird squirting thing the main character does every time she gets turned on? Women don't actually do that. And she's always turned on. Like, perpetually.
God this was just so bad. Terrible, awful writing and a boring as hell story. The dialogue was especially bad; instead of saying "She explained x," she just word for word describes it in dialogue, every single time.
The characters were all SO BAD. Right out of a teenager's fan-fiction fantasy. Main character has no personality, just horniness. She's "in love" with this guy Nathan, who she knows even less than all the guys throwing themselves at her. She fools around with this roomate guy Richard, and he's this weird mixture of nice guy, gay best friend, and friend with benefits. Tony is the typical pushy bdsm dom type. And they all just fool around.
Super silly. I'm pretty sure this had to be someone's secret fantasy, then she decided she'd try out writing and went and got it published somehow. Just really poorly written. Honestly, I skimmed most of it.
And probably written by a virgin - or a gay man. Seriously, what's with the weird squirting thing the main character does every time she gets turned on? Women don't actually do that. And she's always turned on. Like, perpetually.
God this was just so bad. Terrible, awful writing and a boring as hell story. The dialogue was especially bad; instead of saying "She explained x," she just word for word describes it in dialogue, every single time.
The characters were all SO BAD. Right out of a teenager's fan-fiction fantasy. Main character has no personality, just horniness. She's "in love" with this guy Nathan, who she knows even less than all the guys throwing themselves at her. She fools around with this roomate guy Richard, and he's this weird mixture of nice guy, gay best friend, and friend with benefits. Tony is the typical pushy bdsm dom type. And they all just fool around.
Super silly. I'm pretty sure this had to be someone's secret fantasy, then she decided she'd try out writing and went and got it published somehow. Just really poorly written. Honestly, I skimmed most of it.
March 25, 2014
The book should be called Masturbation. I'm all about reading erotica but when the author says "squirt of wetness" 75 billion times it doesn't sound sexy it sounds icky nasty. I finished it but it took work.
February 24, 2013
Hot and sexy read!! Really enjoyed reading this one.
October 18, 2019
What did I even just read?! I read this book in two days but I now have no idea what I even read. Full of sex that was way too “wet” and messy and not at all what I expected. I loved both Nathan and Alexia’s back stories but no way did I appreciate the “squirt” every time she looked at man or anything else. This was book was inviting me to finish reading it but it was kind of a bore.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2014
Title: Substitute
Author: Isobel Rey
Publisher/Year: Sourcebooks Inc. 6/3/14
Length: 272 Pages
Overview
It took all of Alexia's courage to leave her abusive boyfriend. When old school-friend Romy offers her a temp job at the glamorous London sports agency where she works, Alexia thinks she is saved. But shy, blonde and beautiful, she is totally unprepared for the fast sexual politics of rich sports men, big money and ambitious women.
After witnessing junior agent Tony having sex on the boss's table, her dormant sexuality is awakened with a violence that frightens her. Tony's sees her need and Alexia finds herself almost giving in to his desire to dominate her. But despite his devastating sexual charisma, she only has eyes for the boss.
Nathan Fallon is the ex army officer, dazzling but damaged, who has risen to the top of the cut-throat world of sports agents. But he thinks she's Tony's latest conquest. Desperate to win his respect, Alexia agrees to become his substitute PA for a week. But Alexia finds herself trapped between one man bent on bending her to his sexual will, and another she cannot read. Can she navigate this whirlpool of fame, money, and sex to fend off Tony long enough to win Nathan?
My Thoughts
I got access to this book as an ARC and as i was trying to find out if it was part of a greater series, i saw that there were a bunch of reviews that weren't saying the best things about it. I find that i often love when that happens since i'm not set up to have great expectations on a story - and ultimately my opinion is validated. In this instance, what we have is a pretty good story - i like where it takes us, but there are just a few flaws.
Before i get into that, let's take a real look at what we have here. We have a story of Alexia who is finally coming into her own. What we learn through her revelations is that she's quite inexperienced in romance and men and sex, so where we first meet her is really a jolt to her system. As noted in the overview, she comes upon Tony and Phillipa having sex in the office and she's trapped in a bathroom hoping that she won't be discovered. What she finds though is that she's becoming quite intrigued and engrossed in the scene in front of her and it turns her on to the extent that she finishes things off for herself. This becomes a trend mind you - quite a bit of self-fulfillment in this story.
From then on, her life is of course turned upside down. She's perpetually in 'heat' for lack of a better phrase, always turned on by the men surrounding her, if it's Tony from the office, Nathan her boss (who won't give her the time of day since he thinks that she's shagging Tony) or Richard - Romy's American friend. All these men help to wake up things inside her that were never alive before, and really - all at the same time.
So that's one of the flaws here - i've read a lot in this genre and i think that we often find that when the leading lady is finding her sexual side that she has a lot of partners, and i think that it was woven into the story really well - but honestly, i feel like it was careless and a bit much. She"s with Tony one moment, Richard the next, fantasizing about Nathan at the same time - it's just a lot.
The other flaw that i have is in the writing of these scenes. I've had this problem in the past with a few novels - where the language used from time to time is off-putting - meaning that i feel like it's someone who's more crass telling and writing the story - and it detracts from my experience. I choose to over look it here since i enjoyed the story.
The entire time that your'e reading this story, you're rooting for Alexia to find herself in a good way, and you want things to work out with her an Nathan, or even her and Richard for that matter. I think that it's nice to have that safety blanket that is 'something more' that she has with Richard, and it makes you wonder what's next for them. You can't help but hope for the worst for Tony since he's making a budding romance between Nathan and Alexia impossible, and i think that we begin to see what will be his downfall.
I also like the introduction of Sonia - someone who knows Nathan really well (or as well as anyone can) and she's a fast confidante and friend to Alexia who helps try to right that paths.
So, all in all, not half bad - with the writing aside, and it's because of the story. Even with the brash - crassness of it all, we get some hot scenes - you really feel everything that Alexia is going through and that's key to keep a story going. I'd be interested in hearing what you guys have to say - especially given that so many people haven't enjoyed it as much.
Author: Isobel Rey
Publisher/Year: Sourcebooks Inc. 6/3/14
Length: 272 Pages
Overview
It took all of Alexia's courage to leave her abusive boyfriend. When old school-friend Romy offers her a temp job at the glamorous London sports agency where she works, Alexia thinks she is saved. But shy, blonde and beautiful, she is totally unprepared for the fast sexual politics of rich sports men, big money and ambitious women.
After witnessing junior agent Tony having sex on the boss's table, her dormant sexuality is awakened with a violence that frightens her. Tony's sees her need and Alexia finds herself almost giving in to his desire to dominate her. But despite his devastating sexual charisma, she only has eyes for the boss.
Nathan Fallon is the ex army officer, dazzling but damaged, who has risen to the top of the cut-throat world of sports agents. But he thinks she's Tony's latest conquest. Desperate to win his respect, Alexia agrees to become his substitute PA for a week. But Alexia finds herself trapped between one man bent on bending her to his sexual will, and another she cannot read. Can she navigate this whirlpool of fame, money, and sex to fend off Tony long enough to win Nathan?
My Thoughts
I got access to this book as an ARC and as i was trying to find out if it was part of a greater series, i saw that there were a bunch of reviews that weren't saying the best things about it. I find that i often love when that happens since i'm not set up to have great expectations on a story - and ultimately my opinion is validated. In this instance, what we have is a pretty good story - i like where it takes us, but there are just a few flaws.
Before i get into that, let's take a real look at what we have here. We have a story of Alexia who is finally coming into her own. What we learn through her revelations is that she's quite inexperienced in romance and men and sex, so where we first meet her is really a jolt to her system. As noted in the overview, she comes upon Tony and Phillipa having sex in the office and she's trapped in a bathroom hoping that she won't be discovered. What she finds though is that she's becoming quite intrigued and engrossed in the scene in front of her and it turns her on to the extent that she finishes things off for herself. This becomes a trend mind you - quite a bit of self-fulfillment in this story.
From then on, her life is of course turned upside down. She's perpetually in 'heat' for lack of a better phrase, always turned on by the men surrounding her, if it's Tony from the office, Nathan her boss (who won't give her the time of day since he thinks that she's shagging Tony) or Richard - Romy's American friend. All these men help to wake up things inside her that were never alive before, and really - all at the same time.
So that's one of the flaws here - i've read a lot in this genre and i think that we often find that when the leading lady is finding her sexual side that she has a lot of partners, and i think that it was woven into the story really well - but honestly, i feel like it was careless and a bit much. She"s with Tony one moment, Richard the next, fantasizing about Nathan at the same time - it's just a lot.
The other flaw that i have is in the writing of these scenes. I've had this problem in the past with a few novels - where the language used from time to time is off-putting - meaning that i feel like it's someone who's more crass telling and writing the story - and it detracts from my experience. I choose to over look it here since i enjoyed the story.
The entire time that your'e reading this story, you're rooting for Alexia to find herself in a good way, and you want things to work out with her an Nathan, or even her and Richard for that matter. I think that it's nice to have that safety blanket that is 'something more' that she has with Richard, and it makes you wonder what's next for them. You can't help but hope for the worst for Tony since he's making a budding romance between Nathan and Alexia impossible, and i think that we begin to see what will be his downfall.
I also like the introduction of Sonia - someone who knows Nathan really well (or as well as anyone can) and she's a fast confidante and friend to Alexia who helps try to right that paths.
So, all in all, not half bad - with the writing aside, and it's because of the story. Even with the brash - crassness of it all, we get some hot scenes - you really feel everything that Alexia is going through and that's key to keep a story going. I'd be interested in hearing what you guys have to say - especially given that so many people haven't enjoyed it as much.
June 30, 2014
Substitute was an interesting read. I didn't thought I would read that kind of story and I was greatly surprised by how everything went (well and not) in this book. I didn't have any expectation, but honestly after reading the blurb I could only imagine what kind of story I would be confronted too!
At first, I found Alexia quite moving. The prologue informs the reader about Alexia's mental and physical state of fragility. I was quickly attached to her during those first famous pages. Then quickly, this story begins with a steamy and quite sexy scene where Alexia is only a witness, but you can imagine what will happen through the book after this incredible scene. Everything starts from there. Alexia will fall in love with her boss Nathan (whom she doesn't know at all), but she keep an open door for possible adventure she might have with fellow worker and/or friends.
Alexia is a funny mix of believable and unbelievable character. She craves Tony's touch and advance, but also ‘‘plays'' the ice maiden. Which is understandable after what she has been through with her ex? She wants to go forward with her life and sex life but the only one who shows interest isn’t the one she truly need and wants.
The reader will learn that Nathan was hurt in the past by an ex-lover and he won't give Alexia the attention she truly needs. Which will tear them apart (emotionally) for mostly the entire book?
Isobel Rey has a great writing hands and her imagination and creativity is sexy as hell. Rey knows how to crank me up! These sexy scenes are crazy, intense and only teasing me! I could easily imagine them into my mind. This was great until Alexia start to back off.
I would have love to read about Alexia and Nathan a bit more or sooner. Rey gave us a ''Happy Ending'', but Alexia and Tony's relation is the thing that stands in my mind. I can't even recall a special sex scene between Alexia and Nathan, their relation come up too late and I was a bit disappointed by it.
Overall, Substitute was an interesting read. I would love to read a sequel with more information on Alexia and Nathan' relationship. I recommend this title to the romance lover who craves books that will make your heart beat faster!
At first, I found Alexia quite moving. The prologue informs the reader about Alexia's mental and physical state of fragility. I was quickly attached to her during those first famous pages. Then quickly, this story begins with a steamy and quite sexy scene where Alexia is only a witness, but you can imagine what will happen through the book after this incredible scene. Everything starts from there. Alexia will fall in love with her boss Nathan (whom she doesn't know at all), but she keep an open door for possible adventure she might have with fellow worker and/or friends.
Alexia is a funny mix of believable and unbelievable character. She craves Tony's touch and advance, but also ‘‘plays'' the ice maiden. Which is understandable after what she has been through with her ex? She wants to go forward with her life and sex life but the only one who shows interest isn’t the one she truly need and wants.
The reader will learn that Nathan was hurt in the past by an ex-lover and he won't give Alexia the attention she truly needs. Which will tear them apart (emotionally) for mostly the entire book?
Isobel Rey has a great writing hands and her imagination and creativity is sexy as hell. Rey knows how to crank me up! These sexy scenes are crazy, intense and only teasing me! I could easily imagine them into my mind. This was great until Alexia start to back off.
I would have love to read about Alexia and Nathan a bit more or sooner. Rey gave us a ''Happy Ending'', but Alexia and Tony's relation is the thing that stands in my mind. I can't even recall a special sex scene between Alexia and Nathan, their relation come up too late and I was a bit disappointed by it.
Overall, Substitute was an interesting read. I would love to read a sequel with more information on Alexia and Nathan' relationship. I recommend this title to the romance lover who craves books that will make your heart beat faster!
May 7, 2014
This ARC was given in exchange for an honest review.
This book takes the reader on a journey were the hunted/novice learns to be the hunter expert. It reminds me of Snow White (new version) becoming the Huntsman.
Alexis, the Heroine, wants to be needed and wanted sexually. She needs to learn more about her strength and sexuality as a woman.
The writer conveys this well. The sexual need/tension was phenomenal in this book. As the reader I could see the heat come from my iPad from each of the character that was wanted Alexis.
The poor girl doesn’t find herself attractive and has a low self-esteem of herself. There are scenes in the book where Alexis talks to herself, and it reminds me of Ana’s (50 Shades of Grey) inner goddess. I would have been perfect in this book, but perfection was delivered as the author decided to us the assistance of two fair godmothers, both of Alexis’s roommates [Romy and Richard]. One of them is a male and his help is beneficial to the development of Alexis, you will see.
Alexis roommates teach her how to rebrand herself. Which is quite rockin’.
I love how no matter the situation Alexis is was caught in these positions that make it look like she is more physically active in than she is. Every time this occurs only one person sees her, the Hero and the man that Alexis has the hoody eye, biting my lip and panting for each time she sees him.
The Hero (Nathan Fallon) in this book is described as hot, but I believe that the true Hero is Richard. I see him as the person who truly, physically, helped Alexis become the woman with a positive self-esteem. Richard gives her tutorials in the art of self-confidence and sexuality and most need the hands on approach.
Liked:
1. The anticipations
2. The opening scene
3. The male characters (Richard and Nathan)
4. The deception of the sports agent world, it is raunchy and I love it. LOL
5. Strong Alexis
Dislikes
1. Weak Alexis
2. Douchey guy (you will know him when you read about him)
3. The ending.
This is a straight to the point kind of book. Really easy read. Lovely.
Happy Reading.
This book takes the reader on a journey were the hunted/novice learns to be the hunter expert. It reminds me of Snow White (new version) becoming the Huntsman.
Alexis, the Heroine, wants to be needed and wanted sexually. She needs to learn more about her strength and sexuality as a woman.
The writer conveys this well. The sexual need/tension was phenomenal in this book. As the reader I could see the heat come from my iPad from each of the character that was wanted Alexis.
The poor girl doesn’t find herself attractive and has a low self-esteem of herself. There are scenes in the book where Alexis talks to herself, and it reminds me of Ana’s (50 Shades of Grey) inner goddess. I would have been perfect in this book, but perfection was delivered as the author decided to us the assistance of two fair godmothers, both of Alexis’s roommates [Romy and Richard]. One of them is a male and his help is beneficial to the development of Alexis, you will see.
Alexis roommates teach her how to rebrand herself. Which is quite rockin’.
I love how no matter the situation Alexis is was caught in these positions that make it look like she is more physically active in than she is. Every time this occurs only one person sees her, the Hero and the man that Alexis has the hoody eye, biting my lip and panting for each time she sees him.
The Hero (Nathan Fallon) in this book is described as hot, but I believe that the true Hero is Richard. I see him as the person who truly, physically, helped Alexis become the woman with a positive self-esteem. Richard gives her tutorials in the art of self-confidence and sexuality and most need the hands on approach.
Liked:
1. The anticipations
2. The opening scene
3. The male characters (Richard and Nathan)
4. The deception of the sports agent world, it is raunchy and I love it. LOL
5. Strong Alexis
Dislikes
1. Weak Alexis
2. Douchey guy (you will know him when you read about him)
3. The ending.
This is a straight to the point kind of book. Really easy read. Lovely.
Happy Reading.
June 30, 2014
*3.5 Stars*
Ok, so I read this about a week ago and have been putting off my review because I'm just having a hard time rating this book. There were things I liked and some things I didn't like so much.
It begins with Alexia leaving her douche of a boyfriend and is starting a new chapter in her life. An old friend has let her move in and helped her get a job with her as a temp at a sports agency. Alexia soon finds out that things can get pretty steamy at work behind closed doors.
Alexia is somewhat inexperienced at sex, the only sexual relationships she has had was not normal so they left her unsatisfied and unsure about sex. When she first lays eyes on the handsome Nathan, which happens to be her boss she feels some sparks or shall I say wetness from seeing him. This new job seems to burst open all of Alexia's sexual needs because she seems to get turned on by every male she encounters. One of her fellow employees Tom wants Alexia bad, and comes on to her strong and if she didn't like it so much I would say he is a borderline rapist, if that makes any since. Another male in her life is Richard a friend of her roommate who is dead set on teaching and helping Alexia satisfy her sexual needs. While things get heated at work and home for Alexia she seems to go on a roller-coaster ride of emotions and confusion.
In the end will she finally get the one she has wanted all along? You will have to read to find out.
I must say the erotic scenes were pretty hot in this book. The main thing that got to me was how Alexia was so inexperienced but seemed to get turned on by every male that came near her or every time she thought about sex. The "squirting" in her panties kind of drove me a little crazy but in all it was a pretty sexy read. If you are into books that have a lot of erotic scenes then I would say you would enjoy this book.
Ok, so I read this about a week ago and have been putting off my review because I'm just having a hard time rating this book. There were things I liked and some things I didn't like so much.
It begins with Alexia leaving her douche of a boyfriend and is starting a new chapter in her life. An old friend has let her move in and helped her get a job with her as a temp at a sports agency. Alexia soon finds out that things can get pretty steamy at work behind closed doors.
Alexia is somewhat inexperienced at sex, the only sexual relationships she has had was not normal so they left her unsatisfied and unsure about sex. When she first lays eyes on the handsome Nathan, which happens to be her boss she feels some sparks or shall I say wetness from seeing him. This new job seems to burst open all of Alexia's sexual needs because she seems to get turned on by every male she encounters. One of her fellow employees Tom wants Alexia bad, and comes on to her strong and if she didn't like it so much I would say he is a borderline rapist, if that makes any since. Another male in her life is Richard a friend of her roommate who is dead set on teaching and helping Alexia satisfy her sexual needs. While things get heated at work and home for Alexia she seems to go on a roller-coaster ride of emotions and confusion.
In the end will she finally get the one she has wanted all along? You will have to read to find out.
I must say the erotic scenes were pretty hot in this book. The main thing that got to me was how Alexia was so inexperienced but seemed to get turned on by every male that came near her or every time she thought about sex. The "squirting" in her panties kind of drove me a little crazy but in all it was a pretty sexy read. If you are into books that have a lot of erotic scenes then I would say you would enjoy this book.
September 21, 2014
Shadow‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
2.5 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
Sometimes a book has a character you just can’t relate to. For me, that was the female lead in Substitute. Alexia has left her controlling boyfriend and started a new life and new job at an agency represents sports figures.
Here she falls for the boss, Nathan, but he keeps finding her in compromising positions with Tony, the office playboy. Can she overcome his distaste for Tony’s leftovers to form a relationship?
Alexia reminded of Ado Annie from Oklahoma-she’s a girl who can’t say no. She doesn’t like Tony but she doesn’t protest when he fondles her in the office and at a special event. She does like Richard, a friend of her flatmate who shows her how to enjoy her passion without actually having penetration sex. Apparently fingering, wanking and oral sex don’t really count as sex in her world–she’s saving intercourse for Nathan.
Basically I found her weak, whiny and annoying. Nathan wasn’t much better, being attracted to her, but not willing to carry the attraction further. Some of the secondary characters, including Richard, Romy and Sophy were more likeable. The sex scenes were well done and the plot wasn’t bad. The book is set in London and be prepared for the language to be British English rather than American English.
Overall, this was a pretty lackluster offering, which would have been far better with a stronger heroine.
2.5 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
Sometimes a book has a character you just can’t relate to. For me, that was the female lead in Substitute. Alexia has left her controlling boyfriend and started a new life and new job at an agency represents sports figures.
Here she falls for the boss, Nathan, but he keeps finding her in compromising positions with Tony, the office playboy. Can she overcome his distaste for Tony’s leftovers to form a relationship?
Alexia reminded of Ado Annie from Oklahoma-she’s a girl who can’t say no. She doesn’t like Tony but she doesn’t protest when he fondles her in the office and at a special event. She does like Richard, a friend of her flatmate who shows her how to enjoy her passion without actually having penetration sex. Apparently fingering, wanking and oral sex don’t really count as sex in her world–she’s saving intercourse for Nathan.
Basically I found her weak, whiny and annoying. Nathan wasn’t much better, being attracted to her, but not willing to carry the attraction further. Some of the secondary characters, including Richard, Romy and Sophy were more likeable. The sex scenes were well done and the plot wasn’t bad. The book is set in London and be prepared for the language to be British English rather than American English.
Overall, this was a pretty lackluster offering, which would have been far better with a stronger heroine.
March 7, 2013
While there were good things about this book for the most part it just irritated me. The main character drove me nuts. She had absolutely no backbone until the absolute last second before she nearly let the guy she hates knock her in a closet (or wherever). Every. Single. Time. "I hate this guy but I'm so horny and he's so hot and he's such an ass so I should really tell him no but, oh wait, he's not the one I want this from" blah blah blah. I can handle that once but repeatedly, for an entire book, is just too much. I wouldn't have minded her spinelessness so much if there were a real explanation for it. I get the mentally abusive ex-boyfriend thing. That could be acceptable if there were ANY proof that she wasn't already a doormat before meeting him.
However, the book was quite well written given its brevity and genre. A couple of the side characters were fantastic, especially Richard and Romy. I loved Richard and felt really bad for him. I also enjoyed the Britishness of it. It was nice for a change. However, I still hate the word 'cunt' no matter what country the book's from.
However, the book was quite well written given its brevity and genre. A couple of the side characters were fantastic, especially Richard and Romy. I loved Richard and felt really bad for him. I also enjoyed the Britishness of it. It was nice for a change. However, I still hate the word 'cunt' no matter what country the book's from.
September 1, 2015
ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Alexia has run away from an abusive boyfriend and an old friend of her's, Romy, has both given her a roof over her head and found her a job at the sports agency she works at. Alexia isn't very worldly wise and Romy is worried the agency will prove too much for her as they work and party hard. Alexia ignores the men at the firm as much as possible and earns the nickname Ice Maiden because of her rejecting them all. She is pursued by Tony at work who sees her as a challenge and her saying no just encourages him even more. She is caught in compromising positions by the firm owner, Nathan, several times and assumes she is sleeping with Tony; dont' always believe what you see though. It annoys me a bit that she is so determined to prove herself to Nathan yet she's not strong enough to completely stop Tony's advances and to a point she does give in.
It's a pleasant read with a basic plot, some lust and love, and a happy ever after.
Alexia has run away from an abusive boyfriend and an old friend of her's, Romy, has both given her a roof over her head and found her a job at the sports agency she works at. Alexia isn't very worldly wise and Romy is worried the agency will prove too much for her as they work and party hard. Alexia ignores the men at the firm as much as possible and earns the nickname Ice Maiden because of her rejecting them all. She is pursued by Tony at work who sees her as a challenge and her saying no just encourages him even more. She is caught in compromising positions by the firm owner, Nathan, several times and assumes she is sleeping with Tony; dont' always believe what you see though. It annoys me a bit that she is so determined to prove herself to Nathan yet she's not strong enough to completely stop Tony's advances and to a point she does give in.
It's a pleasant read with a basic plot, some lust and love, and a happy ever after.
May 23, 2013
this gets a higher rating because it was one of those books that I couldn't put down. I had to keep reading just so I could find out how it ended. That's not to say that at times I found the book a little tedious, the sex scenes especially simply because there were so many of them. It was a bit desensitising after a while.
I fell in love with the character Nathan immediately, he was barely in the story at the beginning but I was hooked. Alexia frustrated me a little, I was cheering for her from the sidelines for the most part and I really did want to see her succeed but at times I wanted to give her a shake and tell her to harden up.
All up, I'd recommend this book if you like a racy romance :)
I fell in love with the character Nathan immediately, he was barely in the story at the beginning but I was hooked. Alexia frustrated me a little, I was cheering for her from the sidelines for the most part and I really did want to see her succeed but at times I wanted to give her a shake and tell her to harden up.
All up, I'd recommend this book if you like a racy romance :)
March 13, 2013
The sex scenes were hot, though they were idealized versions of sex scenes. There were just enough of the romance elements to give the story something to hang your clothes on, but not so much that you are pulled away from the true use of this story...the erotic scenes.
All were perfect examples, thus I say "idealized versions." The perfect friends with benefits, the perfect playboy, while sleazy enough to turn away from, the perfect voyeur's experience of an orgy, and the perfect love interest. Oh, and also the perfect female friends to help the love story along.
A cut above boilerplate sex writing.
February 21, 2013
This had quite a complicated plot with lots of twists, which really kept me turning the pages. It has a lot of 'everything but' erotic encounters in it which would normally annoy the hell out of me, but they were really well done and really hot, and they made me just want to keep going. The characters are good especially the hero who is everything you want in a leading man. My only criticism is that I wanted another 10 pages at the end! Loved it! I have looked for other things by this author as I really loved this book but can't find anything.
February 26, 2013
I really liked this book because it had a plot. Not a thin excuse for stuffing lots of sex in every chapter like some of the erotica I've read (or thrown across the room after 3 chapters). Having said that, the erotic scenes were seriously good, all the better because they drove the plot forward. The characters were interesting and sexy and I loved the heroine. I loved the way she fights with herself over who she will give in to, the man she is falling for or the man who seems to be able to manipulate her. Seriously good and seriously hot.
March 12, 2013
I loved this. The London setting made it really sizzle, something about that British reserve I guess. You're not expecting Brits to behave like this which makes it hotter. I did want to yell at the main character a couple of times, but she did finally get her man. It was really well written and I loved Richard and Nathan. Loved the pace too, it never got slow or stodgy, so I read it really fast.
February 19, 2013
This book was so HAWTTTTTT.
It takes you on Alexia's journey of awakening. From a quiet, shy and easily breakable young woman to someone who learns what makes her motor run.
The sex scenes were scorching and I love love loved Richard. He was kind, sexy and unselfish. I couldn't get enough of him.
I enjoyed it...
It takes you on Alexia's journey of awakening. From a quiet, shy and easily breakable young woman to someone who learns what makes her motor run.
The sex scenes were scorching and I love love loved Richard. He was kind, sexy and unselfish. I couldn't get enough of him.
I enjoyed it...
March 7, 2013
What a sizzler! Really steamy not just wham bam....
Three really interesting guys in this so lots of twists and turns. One big hero, but the other two made it much more interesting than a straight forward relationship. Sometimes I wanted to slap Alexia, the heroine, but hey, it was still fun! Loved the tension in this one - read it straight, couldn't put it down.
Three really interesting guys in this so lots of twists and turns. One big hero, but the other two made it much more interesting than a straight forward relationship. Sometimes I wanted to slap Alexia, the heroine, but hey, it was still fun! Loved the tension in this one - read it straight, couldn't put it down.
June 1, 2014
A friend recommended this, she's read a foreign edition. Not read much erotica before, I am going to read more! Loved this, couldn't put it down. Really fast paced, I felt like I was on a rollercoaster along with Alexia, the heroine. And the hero? Serious hots for him. Can't find anything else by this author. Anyone recommend something similar?????
February 14, 2013
This book was a bit twisty, but it ended so well. And while I'm glad it worked out how it did, there felt like lingering unfinished business between her and Richard. That interaction frustrated me in some respects.
April 7, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. It moves fast. Very erotic. Nathan is a great character. You learn to hate Tony. Richard us adorable. Alexia and Romy are very likable. Nice stand alone book to read.
March 7, 2013
Really loved Nathan. Why don't they make men like that any more?! Loved this book, had an actual story not just sex, which made the really hot bits even better. Can't find anything else by this author. Anyone know if she writes under another name? Help please - want to read more.
June 1, 2014
I really like this, seriously hot sex. I mean seriously!. Also liked the relationships in this book, although they are idealised,and I can't imagine living in this world, but had a ring of truth all the same. It romps along really quickly so it's a total page turner. Great fun.
Want to read
February 9, 2013Amazon (ebook) freebie 2/9/13
February 26, 2013
Read it in one go on a plane. Embarrassing! It was so HOT I thought my Kindle woz gonna catch fire! Man next to me kept trying to read over my shoulder!
July 11, 2013
really good erotic page turner.
September 15, 2013
Great book - based in a London agency. New author, well written, well paced and hot sex!
May 5, 2014
Reviewed for RT Book Reviews June 2014 issue: http://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-review/substitute
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