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With or Without Panties
It’s what’s underneath that counts.
Solo parent Detective Inspector Jake Matthews has dedicated his life to cleaning up the streets of Western Sydney. But when the beautiful blonde with sexy green eyes walks straight into his path, responsibility is the last thing on his mind.
Even if it’s the one thing he can’t escape from.
When Claire Thompson breaks her golden rule — never ever wear ugly underwear — a near miss with a hot cop’s SUV reveals her embarrassing secret. Lucky for Claire, the handsome inspector finds her rule-breaking captivating.
The universe doesn’t.
Before the all-important third date, an office drug bust puts Claire on the wrong side of a jail cell door. The evidence is damning, and Jake treads a narrow line between duty and his growing feelings as he sets about proving Claire’s innocence.
But Jake and Claire will need to reveal all their secrets — along with Claire’s panties — if they’re going to have any chance of breaking their self-imposed rules and finding their happy ending.
With or Without Panties, the first standalone book in the Hot Cops series, is packed with sizzling heat, misbehaving canines, and a dash of suspense.
Grab your copy and start reading today!
Solo parent Detective Inspector Jake Matthews has dedicated his life to cleaning up the streets of Western Sydney. But when the beautiful blonde with sexy green eyes walks straight into his path, responsibility is the last thing on his mind.
Even if it’s the one thing he can’t escape from.
When Claire Thompson breaks her golden rule — never ever wear ugly underwear — a near miss with a hot cop’s SUV reveals her embarrassing secret. Lucky for Claire, the handsome inspector finds her rule-breaking captivating.
The universe doesn’t.
Before the all-important third date, an office drug bust puts Claire on the wrong side of a jail cell door. The evidence is damning, and Jake treads a narrow line between duty and his growing feelings as he sets about proving Claire’s innocence.
But Jake and Claire will need to reveal all their secrets — along with Claire’s panties — if they’re going to have any chance of breaking their self-imposed rules and finding their happy ending.
With or Without Panties, the first standalone book in the Hot Cops series, is packed with sizzling heat, misbehaving canines, and a dash of suspense.
Grab your copy and start reading today!
- GenresRomance
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2023
59 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Karen Lieversz
11 books27 followersKaren Lieversz writes romance and women’s fiction with heat, humour and a dash of irreverence.
Karen's Hot Cops series is packed with sizzling heat, humour and misbehaving canines, and is perfect for readers of contemporary romance who enjoy their men in (or out of) uniform, and with a hint of suspense.
Start with the small town novella, Breaking the Rules, to get a taste for the Hot Cops, then dive into the first book of the series - With or Without Panties, a finalist in numerous competitions including Romance Writers of Australia's Emerald Award and League of Romance Writers, The Emily.
Karen's Hot Cops series is packed with sizzling heat, humour and misbehaving canines, and is perfect for readers of contemporary romance who enjoy their men in (or out of) uniform, and with a hint of suspense.
Start with the small town novella, Breaking the Rules, to get a taste for the Hot Cops, then dive into the first book of the series - With or Without Panties, a finalist in numerous competitions including Romance Writers of Australia's Emerald Award and League of Romance Writers, The Emily.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
September 9, 2023
My grandma always told me "Always leave the house in nice, clean underwear in case you get into an accident." That advice has always stuck with me, but this is the first time that I've read a book somewhat based upon that life rule. When you read as many romance books as I do, eventually most of the books start to look at least a little similar...same basic plots with new names and new locations. Not this book. I found this one to be an original story that quickly caught my attention.
Claire broke her golden rule to never wear ugly underwear and it almost got her hit by a car. She thinks that maybe those ugly undies aren't totally bad luck when she meets the hot cop driving the car and he offers her a ride, but soon her luck definitely takes a turn for the worse. Jake is the Detective/single dad who nearly takes out Claire as she's crossing the road. That chance encounter puts Jake right in the middle of doing his job, protecting Claire, and following his heart.
I found the first part of this story to be really funny, but the latter part of the story does take a serious turn. This is a low angst book with plenty of LOL moments, a few heartfelt moments, and a crime to be solved. It's a slower burn although the attraction between these characters is instant. They just have to get through some really awkward dates (and those ugly panties!) to get to the steam. Although this is a lighter read, it does deal with some serious subject matter as well and it will pull at your heartstrings a time or two. If you're looking for a fun escape, then I'd highly recommend this one.
Claire broke her golden rule to never wear ugly underwear and it almost got her hit by a car. She thinks that maybe those ugly undies aren't totally bad luck when she meets the hot cop driving the car and he offers her a ride, but soon her luck definitely takes a turn for the worse. Jake is the Detective/single dad who nearly takes out Claire as she's crossing the road. That chance encounter puts Jake right in the middle of doing his job, protecting Claire, and following his heart.
I found the first part of this story to be really funny, but the latter part of the story does take a serious turn. This is a low angst book with plenty of LOL moments, a few heartfelt moments, and a crime to be solved. It's a slower burn although the attraction between these characters is instant. They just have to get through some really awkward dates (and those ugly panties!) to get to the steam. Although this is a lighter read, it does deal with some serious subject matter as well and it will pull at your heartstrings a time or two. If you're looking for a fun escape, then I'd highly recommend this one.
December 15, 2024
Estuvo entretenido, aunque el final me pareció muy precipitado. Es decir, cuando finalmente se llega a la revelación de la verdad y Jake le cuenta el secreto a Claire, todo sucede de manera apresurada y de repente es el final.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2023
Not Her Best Day . . .
This crazy funny story will sneak up on you when you find yourself perhaps nodding yes about knowing the ugly underwear rule. But seeing the repercussions as Claire Thompson takes the ugly underwear off and stuffs it in her purse while in the detective’s vehicle after almost getting run over, figuring it would be better to be naked than wearing those awful things if she gets arrested or goes to the hospital, makes us wonder if we would get that desperate! It seems like she got away with hiding her panties, until the police have to search her bag when the drug-sniffing dog alerts at her purse while she is waiting in the police station.
Detective Inspector Jake Matthews isn’t ready for the blonde he meets. But he seems ready to stand up for her and prove her innocence when she needs him the most after an office drug bust occurs. When the dog barks at her purse, she refuses to let the police search it because she has the ugly panties stashed there. But because they suspect drugs and she refuses to comply with the search, they arrest her because she appears to be trying to hide something. When she asks Jake to search her purse instead, he finds a baggie with two pills that belong to someone else. Rather than indicate Jules, she remains silent. Will she open up and tell him the truth? Will Claire and Jake eventually find their HEA together? Or will he lose her if he can’t prove she is not guilty?
This crazy funny story will sneak up on you when you find yourself perhaps nodding yes about knowing the ugly underwear rule. But seeing the repercussions as Claire Thompson takes the ugly underwear off and stuffs it in her purse while in the detective’s vehicle after almost getting run over, figuring it would be better to be naked than wearing those awful things if she gets arrested or goes to the hospital, makes us wonder if we would get that desperate! It seems like she got away with hiding her panties, until the police have to search her bag when the drug-sniffing dog alerts at her purse while she is waiting in the police station.
Detective Inspector Jake Matthews isn’t ready for the blonde he meets. But he seems ready to stand up for her and prove her innocence when she needs him the most after an office drug bust occurs. When the dog barks at her purse, she refuses to let the police search it because she has the ugly panties stashed there. But because they suspect drugs and she refuses to comply with the search, they arrest her because she appears to be trying to hide something. When she asks Jake to search her purse instead, he finds a baggie with two pills that belong to someone else. Rather than indicate Jules, she remains silent. Will she open up and tell him the truth? Will Claire and Jake eventually find their HEA together? Or will he lose her if he can’t prove she is not guilty?
September 26, 2023
With or Without Panties is the first book in the Hot Cops series. It's a steamy, instalove, OTT, age-gap, girl gets her cop romance...and so much more. It's hysterical, has lots of drama and mystery, as well as all the feels. Claire is a smart, funny, pretty, and awkward 28 year old with an underwear obsession. Jake is a hunky 40 year old, single dad and detective. Both have some baggage and trauma in their past. The initial meet cute is hysterical. I don't want to give away any plot, but the attraction is instant. The romance itself is somewhat of a slow burn, but when it gets hot, it gets hot 🔥. There are a lot of ups and downs. I found myself laughing and crying and even on the edge of my seat at times, waiting for the happy ending (finally 🙃). This was my first book by this author but not the last. Overall, this was a fantastic read, and I am looking forward to the entire series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 30, 2023
Ugly undies and a drug-sniffing dog - Claire is a disaster on two legs, with an inferiority complex toward her fabulous family. She is obsessed with dying in suitable panties. When she meets Jake, she is wearing a pair of ugly mom-approved briefs. And this is when the fun starts.
Jake is a hard-nosed cop with a sweet little boy, great parents, tats to die for, and a pretty big secret. A major drug case entraps Claire and he must move quick to save his girl. There's something fishy going on, almost like Claire is being targeted because of Jake.
This is a such good read. Jake and Claire are perfect for each other, but each has things to work out to be together. But who doesn't, right. Steamy once they made the leap and a fun story from beginning to end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jake is a hard-nosed cop with a sweet little boy, great parents, tats to die for, and a pretty big secret. A major drug case entraps Claire and he must move quick to save his girl. There's something fishy going on, almost like Claire is being targeted because of Jake.
This is a such good read. Jake and Claire are perfect for each other, but each has things to work out to be together. But who doesn't, right. Steamy once they made the leap and a fun story from beginning to end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 17, 2023
This is my first read of Karen Lieversz and will be defintely be reading her work again. The characters of Jake and Claire have great chemistry from the start which make this dual pov wasy to read and relate. I chose this book for it's title and it didn't disappoint me. Pity I had to sleep as I would have read this book in one sitting but a great quick read and loved it lots. Definitely recommending this to friends who want a laugh out loud romance and even if you like a bit of spice as well.
September 24, 2023
With or Without Panties by Karen Lieversz is a good, and enjoyable steamy romance read with a dual point of views. The story has a great entertaining world building story line. The characters are great, and they have great hot sizzling chemistry. This story is a very entertaining steamy page turning romance read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 31, 2025
A little corny, a little cute, but it actually had a decent plot? It made a nice little refresher from other contemporary romances.
September 25, 2023
This is a romance novel that is fun and interesting to read I really enjoyed reading this book it's got a great storyline and great ending a very enjoyable novel to read this is book 1 in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 11, 2023
loved it !! a great start for a new series !! remember the golden rule !! love Claire and Jake.. this is their story.. a fast paced action packed rom/com drama... the meet/cute... with or without panties... so good !!! the set up... with panties... grandma ugly panties... good luck or not ? so good !!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 27, 2023
An incredible debut! This book has all the feels. It's swoony and funny and steamy, but also has a lot of heart. Jake and Claire's meet cute is fantastic, and I love the slow development of their relationship, how they became safe spaces for each other. Can't wait for more of this series!!
October 2, 2023
Omgosh.. so much fun! What does a girl do when she has ugly panties? Take them off and stuff them in her purse, Of course!! Steamy and fun. 1st book in the series.. I will definitely be watching for the next!
October 18, 2023
Thank you Karen for providing me with the opportunity to read the ARC of With or Without Panties.
Told in dual POV, our main characters are Jake Matthews a Western Sydney Detective and Claire Thompson a Pharmaceutical Rep.
When Claire steps right into the path of Jake's SUV, the chemistry is instant between the two it's flirtatious and becomes very steamy.
Jake is trying to clean up the streets of drugs and Claire ends up entwined in a drug bust at work that sees her arrested. Jake follows his heart and tries to clear Claire.
While trying to clear Claire, Jake is wrestling with a secret he needs to tell her. Will this secret bring everything undone? Only one way to find out- you must get your hands on a copy of this book when it's released on the 17th October 2023 to find out.
I love this book it has been a while since I have literally laughed out loud reading a book, With or Without Panties had me laughing numerous times.
Do I recommend this book - YES, YES, YES!
Whilst this book has its humour it also touches on some more serious topics such as drugs and grief.
I am excited to see where the Hot Cop Series goes in the future.
Told in dual POV, our main characters are Jake Matthews a Western Sydney Detective and Claire Thompson a Pharmaceutical Rep.
When Claire steps right into the path of Jake's SUV, the chemistry is instant between the two it's flirtatious and becomes very steamy.
Jake is trying to clean up the streets of drugs and Claire ends up entwined in a drug bust at work that sees her arrested. Jake follows his heart and tries to clear Claire.
While trying to clear Claire, Jake is wrestling with a secret he needs to tell her. Will this secret bring everything undone? Only one way to find out- you must get your hands on a copy of this book when it's released on the 17th October 2023 to find out.
I love this book it has been a while since I have literally laughed out loud reading a book, With or Without Panties had me laughing numerous times.
Do I recommend this book - YES, YES, YES!
Whilst this book has its humour it also touches on some more serious topics such as drugs and grief.
I am excited to see where the Hot Cop Series goes in the future.
October 8, 2023
This was a wonderful debut novel for Karen Lieversz.
Jake and Claire have chemistry right from their nearly disastrous meet cute. Their banter and flirting is funny as well as steamy. Despite their chaotic first encounter you can feel that they are drawn to each other.
Jake is often conflicted on what choices he should make. He’s a Detective Inspector who is falling for a woman facing police charges. He is a man falling for a woman when his home life is far from straight forward. He is a man falling for a woman 12 years his junior. He is such a thoughtful, caring and dedicated man and its heart-breaking watching him so conflicted on many occasions.
Claire is a bit of a hot mess and I think that makes her so relatable. You can see that a lot of her lack of confidence in herself comes from the pressure she feels from her family, especially since she didn’t follow in her parents and sister’s footsteps. She has a huge obsession with underwear and while on the surface its hilarious, it takes on a deeper meaning when she confesses her vulnerability to Jake and he mentions his thoughts on it. I loved how her character grew through the story.
I love the strong relationship that Jake has with his parents who are supportive and essential in helping him raise his son. It’s quite the contrast to Claire and her family where she feels judged and is reluctant to ask for help.
There are some heavy storylines in this book, Claire’s drug charges and Jake’s family situation. Both were written well and they were balanced with moments of levity and steam so that the book wasn’t heavy.
There are hints at possible storylines to come for side characters and I am excited to see where the series goes.
Jake and Claire have chemistry right from their nearly disastrous meet cute. Their banter and flirting is funny as well as steamy. Despite their chaotic first encounter you can feel that they are drawn to each other.
Jake is often conflicted on what choices he should make. He’s a Detective Inspector who is falling for a woman facing police charges. He is a man falling for a woman when his home life is far from straight forward. He is a man falling for a woman 12 years his junior. He is such a thoughtful, caring and dedicated man and its heart-breaking watching him so conflicted on many occasions.
Claire is a bit of a hot mess and I think that makes her so relatable. You can see that a lot of her lack of confidence in herself comes from the pressure she feels from her family, especially since she didn’t follow in her parents and sister’s footsteps. She has a huge obsession with underwear and while on the surface its hilarious, it takes on a deeper meaning when she confesses her vulnerability to Jake and he mentions his thoughts on it. I loved how her character grew through the story.
I love the strong relationship that Jake has with his parents who are supportive and essential in helping him raise his son. It’s quite the contrast to Claire and her family where she feels judged and is reluctant to ask for help.
There are some heavy storylines in this book, Claire’s drug charges and Jake’s family situation. Both were written well and they were balanced with moments of levity and steam so that the book wasn’t heavy.
There are hints at possible storylines to come for side characters and I am excited to see where the series goes.
August 28, 2023
With or Without Panties has the perfect amount of steam and captivating substance. I know we are just scratching the surface with these two and their story, and I for one can't wait to see what happens next. 5+ worthy stars for this one!
November 26, 2023
ARC Review for With or Without Panties. Spoilers removed.
Although Karen Lieversz has a plethora of anthologies under her belt, With or Without Panties is her debut novel romantic comedy. The quirkiness and chemistry of her characters with the splash of suspense and a pinch of bromance makes this book an instant favorite.
What is a fate worse than death? According to Claire, being caught with ugly panties. Refusing to ever be caught in the tragic situation of her dear departed grandmother, Claire has made it her life mission to always have on nice, matching undergarments (what sort of monster would wear anything mismatched!) To prove that her attitude towards panties is healthy and in no way neurotic, compulsive, or borderline dysfunctional - Claire agrees to wear the underwear her mother gave her as a gift to her job interview. At this point, Claire needed all the luck she can get to finally move closer to her dream career. Determined to make a good first impression, hideous underwear and all, Claire heads to her interview but accidentally misses her stop. Knowing a short cut and confident that fate has better things to do, Claire quick change of course causes her to step right in front of a car! Squealing brakes and one gorgeous, yet irate driver later - Claire finds herself face to face with the most intoxicating man she has ever seen. Shocked, shaken, and a little turned on - Claire accepts Detective Jake’s offer to hang out at the precinct while she composes herself. Problem? She is still wearing her hideous underwear! As irrational as it is, she refuses to tempt fate again and removes the offensive garment before anyone could ever know. Big mistake as one drug sniffing dog is about to turn Claire's world upside down. Who would have thought a pair of underwear could cause so much trouble!
While With or Without Panties was a very compelling story, the predictability prevented me from being pulled into it as deep as I would have liked. Still quite enjoyable and humorous at times, the message of drugs, abuse of drugs, and the damage it can do not only to the users but to loved ones was the foundation of this book. I loved that Karen was able to get her message across without being preachy. She presented drug use in different stages, from the casual user who justifies taking unprescribed medication, to the addict, to essentially the aftermath of an addiction gone wrong. She mixes in the message of finding healthy ways to cope with the stressors of every day life, i.e. seeking the help of therapist and/or having a strong support system, with sharp wit and great care.
Speaking of support system, I loved Jake and Greg’s relationship. Their overly macho yet vulnerable and compassions relationship resembled a brotherly love to be envied.
As mentioned initially, a lot of the book was far too predictable which took away from build ups and big reveals. The author had a tendency to harp/reiterate certain details to the point of redundancy that you could predict why she kept mentioning them in the first place. I would be interested in reading her next book to see if she works this out a little more, allowing the reader to "figure out" connections versus handing it to them to ensure they aren't missed.
Insanely hot at times, kudos to Karen for moving away from the "stereotypical" cop persona and allowing a reserved yet wicked side of Jake. The moments Claire and Jake were together were some of the sweetest mixed with steamiest moments I have read.
From cheeky moments, to great supporting characters, to a message that will stick with you beyond the last page, With or With Panties was a surprisingly enriching story. Congrats to Karen on her debut novel. I am interested to see what else she will produce in the future.
Although Karen Lieversz has a plethora of anthologies under her belt, With or Without Panties is her debut novel romantic comedy. The quirkiness and chemistry of her characters with the splash of suspense and a pinch of bromance makes this book an instant favorite.
What is a fate worse than death? According to Claire, being caught with ugly panties. Refusing to ever be caught in the tragic situation of her dear departed grandmother, Claire has made it her life mission to always have on nice, matching undergarments (what sort of monster would wear anything mismatched!) To prove that her attitude towards panties is healthy and in no way neurotic, compulsive, or borderline dysfunctional - Claire agrees to wear the underwear her mother gave her as a gift to her job interview. At this point, Claire needed all the luck she can get to finally move closer to her dream career. Determined to make a good first impression, hideous underwear and all, Claire heads to her interview but accidentally misses her stop. Knowing a short cut and confident that fate has better things to do, Claire quick change of course causes her to step right in front of a car! Squealing brakes and one gorgeous, yet irate driver later - Claire finds herself face to face with the most intoxicating man she has ever seen. Shocked, shaken, and a little turned on - Claire accepts Detective Jake’s offer to hang out at the precinct while she composes herself. Problem? She is still wearing her hideous underwear! As irrational as it is, she refuses to tempt fate again and removes the offensive garment before anyone could ever know. Big mistake as one drug sniffing dog is about to turn Claire's world upside down. Who would have thought a pair of underwear could cause so much trouble!
While With or Without Panties was a very compelling story, the predictability prevented me from being pulled into it as deep as I would have liked. Still quite enjoyable and humorous at times, the message of drugs, abuse of drugs, and the damage it can do not only to the users but to loved ones was the foundation of this book. I loved that Karen was able to get her message across without being preachy. She presented drug use in different stages, from the casual user who justifies taking unprescribed medication, to the addict, to essentially the aftermath of an addiction gone wrong. She mixes in the message of finding healthy ways to cope with the stressors of every day life, i.e. seeking the help of therapist and/or having a strong support system, with sharp wit and great care.
Speaking of support system, I loved Jake and Greg’s relationship. Their overly macho yet vulnerable and compassions relationship resembled a brotherly love to be envied.
As mentioned initially, a lot of the book was far too predictable which took away from build ups and big reveals. The author had a tendency to harp/reiterate certain details to the point of redundancy that you could predict why she kept mentioning them in the first place. I would be interested in reading her next book to see if she works this out a little more, allowing the reader to "figure out" connections versus handing it to them to ensure they aren't missed.
Insanely hot at times, kudos to Karen for moving away from the "stereotypical" cop persona and allowing a reserved yet wicked side of Jake. The moments Claire and Jake were together were some of the sweetest mixed with steamiest moments I have read.
From cheeky moments, to great supporting characters, to a message that will stick with you beyond the last page, With or With Panties was a surprisingly enriching story. Congrats to Karen on her debut novel. I am interested to see what else she will produce in the future.
September 22, 2023
Claire's mother is kind of obsessed with underwear. Hence the reason she gifted her a pair for Claire's birthday. And she made her wear them for her interview. It's just a pair of underwear. What could possibly go wrong? Oh boy. She almost gets in a car accident with a handsome detective named Jake on her way to the interview. He insists on taking her to the police station and then proceeds to search through her bag, only to find the granny pants stuffed inside (cause she took them off in his car), and now she's so embarrassed she can't look him in the eye. But don't worry, it's okay. He doesn't mind it one bit knowing that a beautiful woman sat half-naked in his car, lol. And he's a single dad! Gah, I love that trope so much. I kept waiting for the moment Jake and Claire would meet again and I wasn't disappointed cause fate had a plan for them.
I didn't expect to relate to Claire's life so much. Not the underwear part, but her confidence in love and past relationships. Cause there aren't many, haha! But I love the character development. Claire and Jake are a good influence on each other. And it's super cute how both of them say things without really thinking and then question if it was the right thing to say.
Also, the second half of the book was much better than the first. All in all, this was a solid 4-star read for me. If you want an age-gap, fluffy, and funny romance with a detective who's a single dad and makes the heroine want to give love another go, then this is the book for you. Oh, and it has the best HEA!
"𝙃𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙄 𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙬𝙨?"
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I didn't expect to relate to Claire's life so much. Not the underwear part, but her confidence in love and past relationships. Cause there aren't many, haha! But I love the character development. Claire and Jake are a good influence on each other. And it's super cute how both of them say things without really thinking and then question if it was the right thing to say.
Also, the second half of the book was much better than the first. All in all, this was a solid 4-star read for me. If you want an age-gap, fluffy, and funny romance with a detective who's a single dad and makes the heroine want to give love another go, then this is the book for you. Oh, and it has the best HEA!
"𝙃𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙄 𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙬𝙨?"
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 11, 2023
📚 ARC Review 📚
With or Without Panties by Karen Lieversz
🤷🏼♀️ What it's about:
Claire is immediately taken by hot cop Jake when he accidentally almost runs her down in his SUV. After discovering their attraction is mutual and they begin dating Claire struggles with feeling good enough for Jake who has secrets of his own to share.
✨️ Why I recommend it:
With such a fun and flirty title, I was admittedly surprised (in the best way) by the depth of this story. The author has addressed some complex issues in both the plot and characters and does it with sensitivity. Both of the main characters are carrying baggage of their own and it’s interesting to see how this is reflected in their personalities. I really appreciate this book’s representation of trauma, specifically that it can be seemingly big or small but still have lasting impacts, and that it’s different for everyone and comes out in different ways. Despite some heavy themes the story still felt fun and light and was highly entertaining and filled with with funny, awkward, and swoony moments. Looking forward to see what happens in the next instalment of this series!
🤩 Read if you like:
Dual POV, age gap (12 years), single parent trope (kind of), books set in Sydney Australia, indie authors, opposites attract, secrets to be uncovered.
📖 Ebook or physical book?
Either works fine for this one.
Massive thank you to Karen Lieversz for this ARC. With or Without Panties will be available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited on 17 October 2023.
With or Without Panties by Karen Lieversz
🤷🏼♀️ What it's about:
Claire is immediately taken by hot cop Jake when he accidentally almost runs her down in his SUV. After discovering their attraction is mutual and they begin dating Claire struggles with feeling good enough for Jake who has secrets of his own to share.
✨️ Why I recommend it:
With such a fun and flirty title, I was admittedly surprised (in the best way) by the depth of this story. The author has addressed some complex issues in both the plot and characters and does it with sensitivity. Both of the main characters are carrying baggage of their own and it’s interesting to see how this is reflected in their personalities. I really appreciate this book’s representation of trauma, specifically that it can be seemingly big or small but still have lasting impacts, and that it’s different for everyone and comes out in different ways. Despite some heavy themes the story still felt fun and light and was highly entertaining and filled with with funny, awkward, and swoony moments. Looking forward to see what happens in the next instalment of this series!
🤩 Read if you like:
Dual POV, age gap (12 years), single parent trope (kind of), books set in Sydney Australia, indie authors, opposites attract, secrets to be uncovered.
📖 Ebook or physical book?
Either works fine for this one.
Massive thank you to Karen Lieversz for this ARC. With or Without Panties will be available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited on 17 October 2023.
September 24, 2023
Claire (28) has a lot of thoughts about underwear and wouldn't be caught dead in ugly underwear that didn't match. Until she is. It's not her fault, he mother made her feel guilty and she only wanted to be a good daughter. But maybe wearing ugly underwear isn't the torture she thought it would be. Yes she almost got hit by a car and missed out on a job interview, but she did meet the super sexy, impressive, charming and serious Jake (40), he is a detective. A fact that would make Claire's parents happy, but she doesn't care what job he does, he makes her feel safe, protected and seen.
This honestly is one of the best rom coms I have read. I laughed, I cried, I felt all the feels. It's light hearted, but deals with some heavy topics in a sensitive and realistic way. It's not overly dramatic, but based in emotion, whether that be lust, fear, love, or other emotional inadequacies.
Claire and Jake are perfect for eachother. Both have past trauma / events (some more recent than others ) that holds them back from opening up and being 100% honest but it's born of fear, fear that they will lose the other person.
This is such a fun, and happy read (in between the tears) with the most beautiful HEA.
This honestly is one of the best rom coms I have read. I laughed, I cried, I felt all the feels. It's light hearted, but deals with some heavy topics in a sensitive and realistic way. It's not overly dramatic, but based in emotion, whether that be lust, fear, love, or other emotional inadequacies.
Claire and Jake are perfect for eachother. Both have past trauma / events (some more recent than others ) that holds them back from opening up and being 100% honest but it's born of fear, fear that they will lose the other person.
This is such a fun, and happy read (in between the tears) with the most beautiful HEA.
August 24, 2023
With Or Without Panties
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Book Review
Wow, this wonderful Aussie rom-com got me right in the feels.
I love to read about a heroine, who's down on her luck, and she meets the one man who gets her, who is willing and able to be there for her, no matter what.
It also helps when that man is hot cop, Detective Inspector Jake Matthews!
Claire Thompson has suffered childhood trauma, the effects of which she has carried into adulthood in unexpected ways. She feels like an outsider in her own family, she hates her job and her insufferable boss.
Then she runs into Jake, almost literally, and the sparks between them fly. However, circumstances are trying to keep them apart, but Jake shows up for Claire, again and again. Could he be the prince Claire has been looking for, after dating a lot of toads?
Or will the secret Jake's been avoiding telling Claire tear them apart forever?
With Or Without Panties was written with humour, steam, emotional intelligence and an intriguing storyline. I'll definitely be reading more in Karen's Hot Cop series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Book Review
Wow, this wonderful Aussie rom-com got me right in the feels.
I love to read about a heroine, who's down on her luck, and she meets the one man who gets her, who is willing and able to be there for her, no matter what.
It also helps when that man is hot cop, Detective Inspector Jake Matthews!
Claire Thompson has suffered childhood trauma, the effects of which she has carried into adulthood in unexpected ways. She feels like an outsider in her own family, she hates her job and her insufferable boss.
Then she runs into Jake, almost literally, and the sparks between them fly. However, circumstances are trying to keep them apart, but Jake shows up for Claire, again and again. Could he be the prince Claire has been looking for, after dating a lot of toads?
Or will the secret Jake's been avoiding telling Claire tear them apart forever?
With Or Without Panties was written with humour, steam, emotional intelligence and an intriguing storyline. I'll definitely be reading more in Karen's Hot Cop series.
December 6, 2023
If you loved Confessions of a Shopaholic then you will love With or Without Panties! Claire is like an Aussi Becky but instead of being obsessed with shopping she's obsessed with wearing matching panties. Jake is a good guy stuck in a difficult situation and I absolutely loved him as a character. He's the perfect mix of hot guy cop and good boy next door. The chemistry between these two was nice. The story does mention some heavy topics like drug abuse and suicide but the actual scenes are off page. This story takes place in Australia so some of the terms and legal rights are different but I didn't see anything that you couldn't picture or figure out from reading the story. The one thing I will say is that for most of the book I thought Claire was being crazy pants with her obsession with underwear but the story finally explains it and she becomes a more real character. I originally put the book down because I didn't know what made her behave the way she did.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 23, 2025
I wanted to like it
I wanted to enjoy this. I really did. I tried but I just couldn’t get into it.
This is a first book from this author but I just couldn’t gel with the main characters, more so the FMC.
I didn’t feel like we got to see enough of the MMC and the parts we did were forced and the FMC was too childish for me. She was made out to be tired of ‘forever being in her perfect sisters shadow’ yet she sulked, did ridiculous things, acted like a spoilt child and I understood the idea of the underwear was supposed to be part of the character and plot but the reasoning behind was just ridiculous to me, and the constant reference to it just felt silly and immature.
I skipped most of this book looking for plot and dialogue just to see if the ending was exactly as was obviously guessed and even that came across as far fetched and totally random.
The ‘banter’ between the MMC and his best friend was not as ‘banter’ as it was trying to be and again came across as immature and random.
Unfortunately this book just didn’t hit with me
1.5/2⭐️1🌶️
I wanted to enjoy this. I really did. I tried but I just couldn’t get into it.
This is a first book from this author but I just couldn’t gel with the main characters, more so the FMC.
I didn’t feel like we got to see enough of the MMC and the parts we did were forced and the FMC was too childish for me. She was made out to be tired of ‘forever being in her perfect sisters shadow’ yet she sulked, did ridiculous things, acted like a spoilt child and I understood the idea of the underwear was supposed to be part of the character and plot but the reasoning behind was just ridiculous to me, and the constant reference to it just felt silly and immature.
I skipped most of this book looking for plot and dialogue just to see if the ending was exactly as was obviously guessed and even that came across as far fetched and totally random.
The ‘banter’ between the MMC and his best friend was not as ‘banter’ as it was trying to be and again came across as immature and random.
Unfortunately this book just didn’t hit with me
1.5/2⭐️1🌶️
October 2, 2023
I’ve read just over half as I’m leaving this review…
I keep trying to come back to it, to finish the book as I hate DNFs but I’m finding it difficult.
The writing is great, the story is cute. But I’m not feeling the characters, or chemistry. I’m struggling to wrap my head around the opening chapters too… she would rather be pantie-less than be seen in big pants? … she would RATHER risk flashing her canal (yes, I said it writers and readers. As it even made me go “we”…) than be seen in big pants…
Guess what? No one actually cares what pants you’re wearing. And men really don’t care. If it’s pretty and shows off able bosom, they’re all for it. But don’t ask them the next day what colour it was or if it had any patterns, they didn’t look that hard.
But anyway…yeah. I may finish it at some point. But right now …. It’s not gripping me enough to keep me going.
———
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I keep trying to come back to it, to finish the book as I hate DNFs but I’m finding it difficult.
The writing is great, the story is cute. But I’m not feeling the characters, or chemistry. I’m struggling to wrap my head around the opening chapters too… she would rather be pantie-less than be seen in big pants? … she would RATHER risk flashing her canal (yes, I said it writers and readers. As it even made me go “we”…) than be seen in big pants…
Guess what? No one actually cares what pants you’re wearing. And men really don’t care. If it’s pretty and shows off able bosom, they’re all for it. But don’t ask them the next day what colour it was or if it had any patterns, they didn’t look that hard.
But anyway…yeah. I may finish it at some point. But right now …. It’s not gripping me enough to keep me going.
———
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 19, 2023
What a delightful book! Just the right blend of feels, laughs and steam. It's such fun to watch as the sizzling chemistry between Jake and Claire is thwarted time and again, until finally they're able to connect.
But it's not all fun and games. Jake's painful past casts a long shadow, and when Claire seems to be caught up in something illegal that shadow deepens, causing her to doubt their connection. Lucky for us Jake is an ideal book boyfriend (hot AND understanding) and it's not long before things are back on track.
But our intrepid couple will have one more hurdle to face before they get their HEA, and it's sure to require a tissue or ten.
The steamy scenes in With or Without Panties are just that. Be warned, you'll need a fan!
Can't wait for Book 2 from this talented new author.
But it's not all fun and games. Jake's painful past casts a long shadow, and when Claire seems to be caught up in something illegal that shadow deepens, causing her to doubt their connection. Lucky for us Jake is an ideal book boyfriend (hot AND understanding) and it's not long before things are back on track.
But our intrepid couple will have one more hurdle to face before they get their HEA, and it's sure to require a tissue or ten.
The steamy scenes in With or Without Panties are just that. Be warned, you'll need a fan!
Can't wait for Book 2 from this talented new author.
October 26, 2023
✨ Hot. Hot. Hot
✨Jake, the cop and a single father, and Claire, the woman obsessed with her lingerie. Though Jake would like her without them. They made a good pair wuth chemistry between them
✨ The first half of the book was humorous, the second dealt with some important topics like mental health and death of a loved one
✨ A fast read. I enjoyed the banter between the two. Brought a smile on my face many a time.
✨ I liked the attraction between the two; the emotional quotient could have some more depth.
✨ Hardly any scenes between Jake's son and Claire. I wanted to see that bonding too right there next to the steamy scenes
✨ Overall, an enjoyable read 3.5 stars
✨Jake, the cop and a single father, and Claire, the woman obsessed with her lingerie. Though Jake would like her without them. They made a good pair wuth chemistry between them
✨ The first half of the book was humorous, the second dealt with some important topics like mental health and death of a loved one
✨ A fast read. I enjoyed the banter between the two. Brought a smile on my face many a time.
✨ I liked the attraction between the two; the emotional quotient could have some more depth.
✨ Hardly any scenes between Jake's son and Claire. I wanted to see that bonding too right there next to the steamy scenes
✨ Overall, an enjoyable read 3.5 stars
December 17, 2023
I first read Karen Lieversz short stories in the Romance Writers of Australia short fiction anthologies and really enjoyed her work and now she has a debut full length novel out!
This is the first in a series of 'Hot cops' and it certainly was sizzling! The protagonists of Jake and Claire had chemistry from the start and the easy to read banter made the story steam along nicely. I read this over a couple of sittings and it was an easy relaxing read whilst enjoying a pre-Christmas getaway. Lieversz certainly does the sex scenes really well! If you want a kind (and kinda hot) romance with some big hearts (and laughs) then this book is one to definitely pick up.
This is the first in a series of 'Hot cops' and it certainly was sizzling! The protagonists of Jake and Claire had chemistry from the start and the easy to read banter made the story steam along nicely. I read this over a couple of sittings and it was an easy relaxing read whilst enjoying a pre-Christmas getaway. Lieversz certainly does the sex scenes really well! If you want a kind (and kinda hot) romance with some big hearts (and laughs) then this book is one to definitely pick up.
November 6, 2023
What a fabulous debut! With or Without Panties is book one in the Hot Cops series and what a fantastic start to the series. It has suspense, humour, sweetness, sexiness, friendship, romance and hot cops! The chemistry between Jake and Claire was off the charts and there were also plenty of sweet, tender moments. I loved their meet cute and the way the author delved deeper into Claire’s panty obsession. There were some more serious issues in the story as well as plenty of humour to balance them out. I cannot wait for book 2. Highly recommend!
March 9, 2024
What do you get when you have a girl with an unhealthy obsession with underwear and a handsome cop with a terrible secret? A hilarious and heart warming rom com. This was my first read of Karen's and I will be back.
There were moments when I was squealing with second hand embarrassment and others where I was cheering our love birds Claire and Jake on! It was a great combination of romance and comedy and I couldn't get enough.
I loved the detective elements in there too. I was incredibly engaged.
What's to love
Forced proxmity
Instant connection
Single dad
There were moments when I was squealing with second hand embarrassment and others where I was cheering our love birds Claire and Jake on! It was a great combination of romance and comedy and I couldn't get enough.
I loved the detective elements in there too. I was incredibly engaged.
What's to love
Forced proxmity
Instant connection
Single dad
October 25, 2023
Fun, flirty, fast-paced, but also this romcom has depth and a little dash of intrigue. I loved the chemistry from the laugh-out-loud meet-cute moment between Claire and hot cop Jake, to the build of their relationship into something sweet and meaningful and, of course, the really HOT spice. If you love romantic comedies with that little bit extra, then Karen Lieversz is an author to watch! Can't wait for book 2 in the series.
January 14, 2025
Yes!!!
Finally, a romance book where I can’t figure out the ending at the beginning! And the theme of this book is different from any book I’ve read. I had a little bit of trouble getting over the difference between United States, English and the authors English. The misspelled words, the sentence structure, and several other key factors were very difficult to over look. But I can tell you that it was well worth it to get to the ending! I highly recommend this book.
Finally, a romance book where I can’t figure out the ending at the beginning! And the theme of this book is different from any book I’ve read. I had a little bit of trouble getting over the difference between United States, English and the authors English. The misspelled words, the sentence structure, and several other key factors were very difficult to over look. But I can tell you that it was well worth it to get to the ending! I highly recommend this book.
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