Drop Everything Now

Picturing Perfect #3

by Alessandra Thomas

For fans of Magic Mike and Jasinda Wilder's Stripped, Drop Everything Now tells the love story of Ryder, a stripper with a heart of gold, and Andi, a girl struggling to do the right thing for her family, even if it means leaving the college life she loves to be by her mother's side, all the way across the country. (A stand-alone novel with an HEA and no cliffhanger. Fuller synopsis below.)


Andi rushes home from college to Vegas after a serious car wreck leaves her mother severely injured. Unable to stay with her mother and stepfather in their small townhouse, she bunks down in a seedy hotel and meets Ryder Strong - stripper extraordinaire. Liking him - or anyone like him - wasn't in her plans. Will she let him in enough to change them?

Ryder hasn’t had a single genuine thing in his life since he started stripping, teasing and pleasing for a room full of partying girls – even though what he really wants is a real job and a normal life. Could Andi change his fortune?

Things heat up fast between them, until an ill-informed encounter with a penis pump leaves Ryder's sexy ass couch-ridden and jobless for more than a week. The only joystick Andi can use is the one on Ryder's video game controllers. Getting to know Ryder leads to falling in love – and Andi realizes she might actually like being in Vegas for the first time in her life. But her languishing grades back in Philly and her mother's rapidly improving health tell her it's time to go.

When life takes the scariest turn imaginable, can these two turn it into a happy ending - for both of them?

Genres: New Adult, Romance, Ebooks, Contemporary

181 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 12, 2013

About the author

Alessandra Thomas is a New Adult writer who swears she was in her twenties yesterday. Since that’s sadly untrue, she spends her time looking back on her college years fondly, and writing sexy stories about guys and girls falling in love and really living life for the first time.

When she’s not writing, you can find her with a spoonful of ice cream in one hand and the newest New Adult release in the other.

Picture Perfect is Aless’s first New Adult novel. She had so much fun writing it that it definitely won’t be her last.

Reviews

[Katya2007 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing and character development in this series just gets better and better! Bryan and Andi were strong H/h. I think if the story had been a bit longer, I would have felt more "there".

I ALWAYS need a lengthy epilogue because I want that rush at the end that all the angst and pain was worth it ...

I am a fan of Alessandra Thomas!

[Laurelin Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book rocked my socks off. I've already been a fan of Thomas since Picture Perfect, but I think Drop Everything Now is my favorite of her works. Andi's situation is tough and realistic and the way she handles it shows strength and perseverance that was present in her character when she was introduced in Subject to Change. But as endearing as Andi is, the best part of this book is Ryder. Hot, attentive, and a stripper! How can you beat a hero like that? His relationship with Andi is total swoon. A very enjoyable read.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes. Ryder Strong has done it. He has been added to the list of "holy hottness" of romance.

This book was so incredible, so real - just perfection.

Ryder & Andi proved that sometimes in life you just have to choose you. Regardless of how many people you want to help, how many things you want to go right and go your way, you just have to choose what is right. And in their case, they finally came to that conclusion and found their happily ever after by choosing each other.



The ONLY thing that bugged me in the book was the waterworks. Yes, Andi was a stronger female character than most, but the fact that she cried for every.little.reason drove me nuts! There were things she cried about that contradicted the character she was meant to be.

Other than little blip, I was 100% satisfied with the story (hence the five stars).

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book from Alessandra. Loved the progression of the story and the relationship. Perfect ending.

[Asheley T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read my full review HERE at Into the Hall of Books.

I have loved the Picturing Perfect Series SO HARDCORE this past year for its realistic characters with their realistic lives and problems all while being super entertaining and sexy. I love all of the books in the series so much that it almost pains me to say that Drop Everything Now is my favorite of the three, but doggone it, I just couldn't help falling in love with one Mr. RYDER STRONG.

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Andi is doing well at school in Philadelphia, in school for child life therapy. She isn't prepared for the call she receives that her mother has been in an awful car accident that leaves her badly injured, and it takes Andi nearly no time to throw some stuff in a bag, drain her bank account on the first ticket to Las Vegas, and get to her mother's side. What she finds tears her up - her mother is in bad shape and has suffered memory loss - to the point she doesn't even remember her own husband. She only seems to recognize Andi... Andi realizes that she'll be staying in Las Vegas for a while because she can't leave her mother in this shape - with people she doesn't recognize - even though this means she will be behind in classes. Exhausted and having no clue what she'll do, she checks herself into the safest inexpensive hotel she can find, hoping to think things through and catch up on some much needed sleep before having to be back at the hospital.

That's when she sees HIM. This guy. He's so handsome. He's also wearing...not a lot of clothes and he's kind of...tan and shiny? Like he is wearing oil or something? What on earth? But he is so nice to her, helping her get her luggage to her room and speaking kindly to her, things like that. She can't figure out what it is about him, but he seems oddly ill-suited for whatever job has him dressed that way. Too tired to think much more about it, she collapses on the bed and falls asleep.

Turns out that Ryder - that's his name - is pretty popular around the hotel (which is also a casino). All of the ladies love him - OF COURSE, because he is so nice-looking - but he doesn't seem to care about any of that. He genuinely seems to be there just to work, as ridiculously dressed as he is. After going back and forth to the hospital a few times and being stressed-out, Andi enjoys Ryder's familiar face at the hotel and begins to confide in him over coffee. Realizing that she will need to be staying in Vegas for longer than expected and that the hotel is not in her budget, Ryder thinks he can help her - he asks her to trust him and give him a few hours. True to his word, he finds her a place to stay and a job! What a great guy! But there is a catch: she'll be working in the hotel/casino along with Ryder, which means she will be wearing a next-to-nothing, ridiculous outfit too. UGH! But she'll be living in an extended-stay sort of place, which works much better with her budget...and Ryder lives in the same place. (SCORE! she thinks, because by this time Andi is crushing HARD on our friend Ryder.)

Andi begins the incredibly difficult task of trying to remotely keep up with her classes in Philadelphia (kind of like long-distance learning), visit her mother as frequently as possible, work ridiculous hours in a ridiculous outfit making really good money at a casino, and living in the same building with Ryder. Since she has no vehicle, Ryder takes her almost everywhere. Which means that since she works with Ryder and lives near Ryder and rides everywhere with Ryder, these two are spending a whole heckuva lot of time together. And neither one of them mind it one bit.

*******************************************

Okay, first of all, I've already told you that Drop Everything Now is my favorite of Alessandra's books. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE Picture Perfect and Subject To Change like WHOA but this one has everything the first two did plus it had me laughing out loud over and over. Once again this author has taken these incredibly likable characters, plopped them down into a situation that is perfectly plausible and believable, and this time she threw in plenty of humor.

Andi is such a hard worker and a likable character. I remember her from being in one of the previous books, but not enough that I felt like she was an old friend, and I kind of liked it this way in this story. She is absolutely as far away from her mother as she could probably be, but she makes the most of it - she and her mother are very close, see - they share coffee over the phone and have regular talks, things like that. So when Andi gets the devastating call that her mother may not be okay, her world is TURNED UPSIDE DOWN and she doesn't think twice about dropping her budget and getting to her bedside. Andi doesn't really think about what this could do to her plans for graduation or plans afterward because she just needs to get to her mother. This is both a good thing and an impulsive thing, which describes Andi really well.

Once out in Vegas, Andi has a tendency to panic a bit. She's there now - SO WHAT WILL SHE DO? Lucky for her, she just happens to run into this really nice guy that actually wants to help her. Ryder isn't a scumbag looking to get lucky, although I might have wondered about him had I seen him wearing that crazy work outfit! He notices her anxiety and stress right away and he stays calm in order to help her take one step at a time throughout her decision-making. He offers her help, but he never forces himself on her - he always allows her to accept his offer before moving forward. And Ryder is kind to every person he meets, whether it is other staff around the hotel, other people that are staying there, or the often-eccentric people that frequent the casino. Andi notices all of these things and while her mother remains at the forefront of her mind, Ryder begins to take up residence there as well - especially when he finds her a job and a place to stay on a more-permanent basis that fits into her budget. I think at that point, he goes from mad-crush to dude-you're-my-hero-and-you're-also-so-hot, so PLEASE CAN WE BE FRIENDS OR WHATEVER YOU WANT, M'KAY? (Insert Selena Gomez singing Come & Get It, Na-Na-Na-Na...)

Ryder is one of my favorite book boyfriends ever. I've already told you that I like him because he is a nice guy, but I think he is kind of hilarious too. But I find him cautiously hilarious, you see - he works in the casino doing a job that he doesn't enjoy because he really needs the money - there are reasons for this - and he also is a stripper. Now, he isn't proud of being a stripper - it's humiliating to him, actually, and he hates it - but like I said, he needs the money. He doesn't want Andi to find out but OH SHE DOES. And I cracked up in that scene. Like, I actually laughed out loud. (...because I realized his name was...) But seriously, afraid that Andi won't feel the same about him, and having dreams and aspirations for a "real" job, Ryder just wants to stop stripping and stop working at the casino, but there is this ONE BIG THING standing in the way of that.

Eventually Andi's mother improves enough that she really isn't needed in Vegas any longer and she can no longer ignore that her grades are slipping enough that she could potentially NOT GRADUATE. Andi needs to go back to Philadelphia. This means leaving behind Vegas and the person in it she has grown to really have these incredibly strong feelings for. There are some tough decisions to be made here: Can Andi live without Ryder? Can Ryder live without Andi? What is it that Ryder has in his life that is keeping him from pursuing his dreams? Is Andi willing to give up her dreams? Will Andi be able to say goodbye to her mother once again and go back to Philadelphia when she is in such a fragile state?

Andi dropped everything before to fly to Vegas and be at her mother's side, but will she be able to Drop Everything Now to leave?

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Friends, I could not put Drop Everything Now by Alessandra Thomas down. She is instant-read/instant-buy status for me simply for the reasons I have already listed. I love that her new adult books feature some characters that are in college and some that are not in college. I love that they feature people in the 'new adult' age bracket that are setting up apartments and homes for the first time because that's real life, people. I love that these characters are seeking out jobs, often while they are in school, because that's real life. I love that they have to juggle with balancing budgets, working (sometimes more than one job), classes, relationships, and friendships. And I love that in this particular book, one of life's 'unknowns' or 'suddenlies' was thrown in (when Andi's mom was in an accident) because HEY THIS STUFF HAPPENS TO US and it is great to see how people react.

Alessandra Thomas did not shy away from throwing emotion into her characters in Drop Everything Now. Andi's emotions were all over the place, just like mine would have been. She didn't know what to think or where to go or what to do first when she got to Vegas to begin to help her mother heal - speaking as a nurse, that is SO TRUE TO LIFE. BUT! I also love that when she began to find her feet a little bit and decided to stick around some, Andi allowed herself to make a few friends (FANTASTIC secondary characters in here, as I expected from Alessandra Thomas). She allowed herself to laugh and even though she may have tried to fight it for a second, she allowed herself the opportunity to feel wanted and desired and loved on by Ryder. And Ryder had some emotions as well - he had emotions regarding his slowly-developing and complicated-at-times relationship with Andi and he also had some heavy emotions regarding that other thing in his life that kept preventing him from pursuing his dreams.

The romance between Andi and Ryder was nothing short of...well, I just loved it. Give me a slow burn that is swoony and steamy and filled with emotion and good intentions and humor and BOOM, I'm all over it. That is all. And that ending? YES PLEASE. I shall file this book with the other two in the series as re-reads-for-sure.

I am gushing because I loved this book. I am a fan of this author and this series and for all of you that I've been pushing it on, if you haven't read these books yet, I say with love that IT'S YOUR OWN FAULT. Because they're adding up and you'll have to play catch up and they just keep getting better and better. And I'm just gonna keep pushing them on you. If you are a fan of REALLY GREAT New Adult Contemporary Romance with some realistic life-stuff in them, freaking grab some Alessandra Thomas. Just do it. Good gracious, you'll love them.

[Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just another great novel written by author, Alessandra Thomas. I couldn’t help but fall in love with both main characters. Andi is a wonderfully compassionate young woman whose senior year in college is spent being a child life therapist. She’s always dreamed of helping children and after graduation, she will be heading to Washington, D.C. for a distinguished fellowship and training program. Andi couldn’t be more excited until she unexpectantly receives an upsetting phone call from her stepfather informing her that her beloved mother has been in a car accident, and she’s not doing too good. With that being said, she leaves Philly, running as fast as she can home to Las Vegas to be with her mom. When she finally arrives there, she has nowhere to stay and grabs a taxi to the cheapest hotel nearest the hospital. Finally arriving at the hotel near the Vegas strip, she’s greeted by the most gorgeously handsome guy that has ever captured her eyes. He is just captivating with those mesmerizing green eyes and gloriously tan skin. The most impressively fine-looking specimen ever! And, that smile just works magic on her when the day she’s just had is so draining and traumatic. Ry works at the hotel as a host spending his time making sure everybody staying there is comfortable and enjoying themselves. He’s just the nicest person ever, and he gives Andi some much needed attention as he helps her find a job and a more affordable place to stay. The two hit it off, and Ry is more than happy to take Andi out on the strip for a night of fun to try and take her mind off her troubles. That’s just the type of guy Ry/Bryan is...considerate, warm, fun, and protective. But, Bryan’s family life is nothing but strained when it comes to a constant struggle with his brother, Chris, to stay on the straight and narrow. So, Andi is a pleasant distraction after dealing with his day-to-day tiresome life.

This was a sweet and tender love story with two likeable characters finding passion in the arms of an equally afflicted person. Andi, dealing with the heartbreak of her much cherished mother suffering from an accident that has taken away her vivid memory. And, Bryan, immersed frequently with his brother’s heartbreaking disease of substance abuse that promises to crush his mother should she find out the truth. I wished that this book was longer because I loved reading about the strong, courageous, and ultimate love that they both brought out in each other. I felt that even if they were not a loving couple, they would also be just as supporting as two friends could possibly be. The couple was just trying to hang on to something beautiful because once they came down from that ultimate high, reality would set in. They were good for each other. They reveled in each other’s safety and security. And, they relied on each other’s stability and honesty. Both were passionately generous, while carrying more heartaching baggage then a young person should be expected to. Bryan was so full of warmth and excitement while Andi was full of joy and devotion. They were irresistibly dynamic together. Will they end up together? Or will their constant watching over of other family members and their everyday responsibilities keep them apart? Only time will tell....

This was the third book that I have read of Ms. Thomas’, and I find myself becoming a huge fan. Her stories are passionate and somewhat tragic. They also are thought-provoking – bearing a deeper message. This series is one that I hope she builds on – each containing real believable characters with honest and truly intense beliefs.

[Lyla Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd New Adult offering from Alessandra Thomas and, in my humble opinion, the strongest yet! This is mostly due to the leading characters, who are so honest and real that they leap off the page and straight into the reader's head and heart.

First we have Andi, a quiet girl who's a bit of a loner, and who has spent her life focused on how she can do the right thing for other people. Right now, that means her mother, who has been in an accident. Even though it means leaving college and her future on hold, Andi flies to Vegas to be at her mother's side.

Enter Ry, a boy with an impossible body and and an even more impossible sweet nature. He takes Andi under his wing and into his bed, and before they know it, something that started as a distraction from reality becomes the only thing that makes sense to either of them.

But they're both using the other to avoid looking into the future. When the future becomes the present, as it always does, they'll both have to take a hard look at how they got to where they are, and whether the other person fits into the path they feel they have to take.

I love love love the romance in this book--it's not contrived or forced, and neither character makes any illusion to the "i can't live without this person" or "I'd give up everything for this guy I just met" trope that always makes this feminist a little uncomfortable. It's about two people who find each other on accident, but have to decide whether to keep each other on purpose. And I loved it.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, quick reads!

I really enjoyed this trilogy! Although they were hot & steamy in some places, the messages each book sent at the end were really powerful. I especially enjoyed this one & without giving too much away, I could really see how much some people would need to hear a message like this one! It was a quick, late night read & those are usually the best ones! I really enjoyed it & would definitely recommend giving it a read!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love & adore Alessandra Thomas something fierce. These stories are always so real and have that something that just pulls you into the story and characters.

In the blurb it's mentioned that if you're a fan of Magic Mike then this is a book for you and that is completely right. Ryder is magically magical, and his personality mixed with his fabulous physique catapulted him to the top of my book boyfriend lists (yes I have more than one, don't judge me) ;) his loving and caring attitude is shown from the start and that alone will make you fall in love with him.

Then there's Andi. She's always had to care for herself and the only person that she had in her corner to care about her was her mom. Then she literally had to drop everything because of an accident that involved her mom and she found herself caring for not only herself but her mom as well. Problems arose and she found herself sinking but in walks (or more like backflip cartwheel) Ryder and he was there for her. He was her shoulder to cry on, vent things out for her, help fix her problems, ect.

They work well together and for once I loved that this story was limited on extreme drama. It focuses on these two people that are so caring that they let their lives become messes just to make sure that their love ones are fine. The story is about them finding a balance with caring for others and caring for themselves.

Bottom line I loved this story because it was real and had just enough of everything to glue your eyes to each page. I love that Alessandra Thomas writes stories that people can relate to with situations that happen in real life. Now if I can find my real life Ryder Strong then we will be great ;)

[Tatiana Chavez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book of the series for sure!
Andi and Bryan(or Ryder) story is super exciting and funny and very sexy, they both learn that they have to love themselves in order to love each other!
After Andi is force to go back to Vegas after living 3 years in Philadelphia because her mom was injured on a car accident, with no plan other than being there for her mom, she met handsome, muscular and sexy Ryder, a guy that works in the hotel where she decided to stay who actually works as a stripper too a secret that after a lot of spark between them and a couple of dates he realized he didn't mentioned it to her or that his name wasn't even Ryder but Bryan! Their story starts there and it grows with every passing week of her being in Nevada trying to take care of her mom just to realized that he had a lot of baggage and that she was about to throw out the window her whole dream, what she had fought all her life to get, the realization of her mom not needing her like she wanted to believe had slapped her in the face, asking Bryan to leave with her for him to say what she feared most... NO!!
I seriously loved every single bit of these book, better than "subject to change" and definitely better than "picture perfect" another 5 stars book!!!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I loved it. LOVED IT!

Ryder IS magic Mike. He's just got a little more personality and a lot more romance. And he's hot. Enough said?

Loved the story. I thought Andi was really strong (she had a few wobbles mind you) and I admire the way she always tried to look out for other people. It did get to a point towards the end though where I thought we might have to start calling her Saint Andrea, or more accurately 'deluded Andi'. When events finally made her wake up to her life I nearly cheered!!

I love Alessandra Thomas' books. The writing is good and her stories always make me smile. There were a couple of times where 'Ryder' and 'Bryan' were mixed up in the description of who was speaking (that makes sense I swear!) but it was only mildly noticeable. I kind of feel petty for mentioning. I didn't prevent my enjoyment and I would read this book again.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when I read a book that has its originality. Or when it has real like issues. Even better when we’re not dealing with an H&h that are to troubled to open up. This book is about 2 real people, with real problems that fall in love the way real people do. Move over predictable genre and make room for something refreshing to read. OMG I LOVE Ryder. What’s not to love about him? He’s sexy, compassionate and a STRIPPER. He is now one of my top book boyfriends. And Andi, a girl I would want as a role model. She has a good head on her shoulders. Doesn’t play the dumb role and make stupid decisions. Just takes life and the way it should be taken. Let’s not leave out the best part. The sex………..Wowza

[Megan Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book by Alessandra Thomas I have ever read and it won't be my last.

I really loved this book. So much. I was engaged from the first line. I liked Andi and I understood her motivations. And Ryder. Oh Ryder, what a sweet, confused, misguided soul you are.

What I loved most about this book was that while it was sexy, there was also a huge amount of substance and depth to the plot and the characters. I love how, through their relationship, they realized the adults they wanted to be. And they took the adult decision and steps to BE those people.

What a GREAT example of the New Adult category. Bravo, Ms. Thomas. I choose you and I choose this book. :)

[Melanie Harlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books I really really really wish had a trailer. Because I am DYING to see Ryder Strong strip or dance or whatever the hell you want to call it, and even though it's pretty darn hot in my imagination, a little visual help would be great. Are you listening Alessandra Thomas? Kthx

Oh, the book? It's a sweet, sexy delight! A fast-paced, well-written romantic story with likable characters, fun twists (hello penis pump), and a unique setting (VIVAAAAA LAS VEGAS!). Drop everything and read this now!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas does it again, with a hero to fall in love with (I mean, who doesn't love a reluctant stripper?) and a heroine who's smart, driven and passionate. Drop Everything Now is one of my favorite books this year! I loved Ryder and Andi, and loved following their journey to discovering themselves and how much better they could be together. Highly recommended!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a light and sexy read from beginning to end. Ryder is über sexy with his charm, rippling muscles, and his BIG....heart *wink*!!! :) I mean, who wouldn't want to read about a male stripper who has a mishap with a penis pump?! 4 sexy stars!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book. The main characters are smart, loving, and very good people. They happen to meet in Las Vegas where everything/one are larger than life. Fun stuff/serious stuff and HEA. What's not to like?

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*waits for news of Alessandra's next book*

[Alexa L · Rating 5 out of 5]

GUYS I can't even think about loving this book more than I did!!!! It's insanely stellar and I couldn't put it down! Absolutely incredible, BUY IT :D

[Polly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the first 2 books of this series but this one was awesome!! I'm not sure what exactly that set it apart from the first 2 but I loved it!

[A.J. Pine · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet and fun and such a great example of NA, of two young people growing because of knowing each other but becoming their own people without each other. I read this in a day. Just loved it.

[Veronica Franco · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, i loved this one the characters the plot the conversations everything this was my dream come true my favorite of the whole series for sure

[Heather / Obsessed With Myshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

seriously loved this book. these two are adorable and sexy. perhaps it's also because there's lots of talk of Philly and I could relate. regardless, i loved this!!!

[Tamara Jimenez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This was my favorite book in the series. Loved the lead characters. Both very likable and believable. Didn't want the story to end.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Sheilalalalala · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this book! It made me smile!!

[Ekta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5/5