Meet... ...Working single mother Isabel Chambers. She's not a size 12 or as you've probably guessed, a virgin either. ...Marc Sanders an attractive, successful Harvard Professor of Medicine visiting Cambridge. He has a secret past that has been well hidden until now. An Acute Attraction is a heart warming, exciting and compelling story of love and romance, full of seductive, sensual and tantalising emotions and images, sexual exploration and passion. Isabel Chambers is an ordinary, working, single mother of two, who needs some "me" time, so, kids sorted, she books herself into a hotel for a week of rest and relaxation. Marc Sanders is an American professor at Harvard University and is in England to present research results to Cambridge University. Two people, out for adventure and excitement, meet and begin a journey of fun, thrills, lust and desire. But, is Marc all he seems to be? What is he hiding?
A J Walters is a multi-genre author who made her first appearance on to the indie circuit with a trilogy of books. Having interests in history, romance and elements of erotica, she has brought all of these together in The Attraction Series of books..
Wanting to break the trend of size 12 virgins in books, A J Walters has introduced a new real woman in Isabel Chambers. She's a size 18-20, working single mother who now feels is it her time to start living her life again. At the ripe young age of 39, A J Walters also wanted to show that you can experience everything that a twenty-something would.
"I saw that a 39 year old isn't quite at retirement age for fun, sex and finding love again. There are so many women out there that can be represented in books as well as the slim, innocent and beautiful types. Don't get me wrong I love reading books with them in, but there is so many of them around now I felt it is time for something different. I'd like to think I brought my sense of humour across in it as well. I am ditsy, I suffer from 'foot in mouth' syndrome, but I can also be serious and sentimental. From the feedback I've had, apparently it makes for a great writing voice."
A J has gone on to be an Amazon Number One Best Seller in Women's Fiction with her poetry and is currently working on a new novel.
A J Walters currently live in Staffordshire, England with her two children.
I love Isabel Chambers, the main character in this story. She reminds me so much of a friend of mine in real life that I immediately messaged her so she could get a copy of the book. I've heard great things about An Acute Attraction, for some time now, so I was thrilled to finally get the chance to read it, and it definitely didn't disappoint. I could relate to Isabel quite a bit, as I'm also around the same age, a single mother of two children, slightly overweight, work full time and never have time to myself. Luckily Isabel gets an opportunity to vacation on her own and meets the very attractive and wealthy American professor, Marc Sanders.
Isabel and Marc meet at The Haveril Lodge in the United Kingdom. Isabel on Holiday and Marc on a business trip from Harvard. What starts out as a romantic encounter soon turns into suspense as Isabel finds out that Marc has skeletons in his closet and is now being blackmailed, and she's in the middle. This also brings back some memories from her brutal past with her ex-husband.
Don't get me wrong though, besides the suspense, Marc is incredibly romantic, plus there is also quite a bit of humor. Isabel can be self deprecating and it made me giggle often. I also like the way that the story is told from Isabel's point of view and she sometimes speaks to the reader with snark.
The author is British, as is the setting, and it makes for a quite charming story. The book also gives me hope that I'll eventually meet my own Marc Sanders ;) An Acute Attraction doesn't necessarily end with a cliffhanger but it definitely doesn't end with a conclusion or HEA. I'm looking forward to starting book #2 very soon, A Constant Attraction, the conclusion to Isabel and Marc's story!
It was refreshing to read a story that felt so real. Isabel Chambers is a single mother who's reached a point in life where she realizes she needs to take care of herself. On her getaway for a week holiday, she bumps into Marc Sanders, an attractive, Harvard professor. Their instant attraction blossoms into a budding romance, but not without some bumps along the way. This book is fun, yet very real. Her ongoing internal monologue is very funny and certainly taps into the way a lot of us feel about ourselves, our lives and our appreciation of a gorgeous man. I look forward to the follow up book, because the cliffhanger left me very nervous.
Overall, a fun read with enough reality to make it plausible without so much reality you can't laugh and smile through much of it.
An Acute Attraction by AJ Walters is a funny, sexy romance story with a tinge of mystery. You will like Isabel Chambers, the main female character and narrator of the story from the first page. She is working single mother in her late-thirties with a great sense of humor and a taste for sexy reads. Her meeting with the enigmatic Marc Sanders will make sparks fly around the University of Cambridge and leave her breathless on more than one occasion.
As the story develops, Marc’s past and a colleague avid for power and money become more and more threatening. We also learn a bit more about Isabel’s past and some of the reasons for her presence in Cambridge. It will be very interesting to read the next installment of this story as the first one ended on a major cliffhanger. Both characters are normal people with flaws. Isabel is not a model-like virgin and even though Marc looks perfect on the outside, he holds secrets that some people will go to great lengths to keep hidden. I hope we will get to know them more.
AJ Walters has an undeniable talent as a writer. The story has a very good flow and opens many subplots along the way, making it multidimensional and all the more interesting. I liked the way Isabel sometimes breaks the fourth wall to talk directly to the reader and the touches of humor that she puts throughout the story. It was a pleasure to discover how the story had evolved from a blog post to a complete novella in only a few weeks. I think we will see many great things from this author in the future and I wish her the best possible success.
This being my one of my first Indie-Writer paperbacks, I prioritised it on my TBR list against S Day,T Reisz, & R Reynard. It didn't take long to sink between the covers and become magnetised to the story and it's characters. It is one of the very few books that I've managed to read cover-to-cover without putting it down; primarily due to it's intuitive flow and ease of readability.
I loved the ideal of the characters being "normal" and Marc isn't the stereotypical "Titanically-equipped billionaire with a torturous past" alpha-male. In addition, Isabel is pleasantly loveable with her cute girlish mannerism and simply genuine female charm. I'm certain many readers could easily place themselves in the shoes of these two as they appear to have been pulled directly from the streets of everyday life into AJ Waters' book.
It's just all so realistic, which could possibly be one of it's few flaws. For me, this is less of a story about escapism, but more of a story about possibilities. Possibilities that are quite conceivable within our own personal real-life boundaries: A chance encounter and passion that almost immediately flares up in the arms of a stranger.
If anything it's possibly a little on the slow side for pace, and the temperature on the lust-scale of things may be considered as tepid rather than scorching. Nonetheless, it's definitely a pleasant read and a great setting to the author's upcoming book "Constant Attraction"
Firstly I liked that the main lady was not a size 0 and 22 years old! Isabel was a single mum of two boys, not so confident and a voluptuous women who steps out of her circle and comfort zone and has a week away in a hotel where she meets an American Hottie Professor called Marc. Now… I think I liked Marc right from the off as I knew David Gandy was the inspiration for his looks *swoon*
I liked the humour, liked the way that Isabel was telling her story and I liked that it was set in Cambridge as I’ve been to these places
There was great chemistry between Marc and Isabel and it was lovely to watch them fall in love and their characters developed well. I also enjoyed seeing them grow, I feel sure book two will bring out a stronger more confident Isabel.
The story flowed well, sometimes a little slowly but it still kept me reading. If you’re looking for a romance that has its hot moments but not full on explicit, then this book is an absolute must.
This was the authors first book but honestly you would never have known, This was a wonderful debut. BUT …… finished on a right cliffhanger! Another book that kind of ran out of pages before I was ready!
I will definitely be reading the next book to see how in all unfolds .
~Rachel~
***This book was given free for an honest review***
Isabelle, what a refreshing characther. She's a bigger girl, divorced and a parent of two growing lads. She's been talked into getting away by herself, with her trusted kindle of course!
Mark, a suave, sexy and funny university man, is here to do a talk, his American and not short of a pound or two.
These two people meet in a hotel and things move on :) with a few bends in the road...
The characthers are very realistic I loved Isabelle and hearing her inner thoughts, made me giggle, but you can really relate to her. Mark, yes his sexy and gorgeous but his more than that too, you can't help but like him.
A great story, easy reading.
Only had one bug bear that is she put her pumps on, we don't use that word in uk for high heeled shoes, but then again if she's an avid reader she may have picked it up.
Here's something a bit different; a heroine that's not a stick-thin, supermodel type woman. A UK size 18-20 (which, with the help of Google, I figure is about a 16 in US sizes), Isabel is also not in her early twenties and just starting out at life. Can I tell you how refreshing that is? It's a wonderful change to read about someone that's closer to the person I am - it also makes it more fun imagining what life would be like if I were a character in one of these books, because I don't also have to imagine the epic diet and exercise routine I'd need to complete to measure up. Oh, am I the only one that does that? Just pretend I didn't say anything then...
Isabel Chambers is finally taking a break. She's 39 years old and the proud single mother of two boys. Years after the end of her not-so-great marriage, it's time for her to do something for herself and a week-long visit near Cambridge seems like just the right thing. And boy is it...
There she meets visiting American academic, Marc Sanders, who is as hot as he is smart. Marc is friendly, polite, wealthy and definitely interested in the beautiful woman he meets in the hotel cafe. The two are drawn to each other, begin spending time together and as their friendship spills over into something else, secrets are going to have to be shared.
Isabel has the potential to become one of my all time favorite characters, because she's so...normal. She's also quite funny. An Acute Attraction is written from her POV, and is wonderfully conversational. It's kind of like reading a diary, with all the spicy details.
Isabel isn't perfect, but she's happy. She escaped a terrible marriage, raised her two boys and is now content to just relax and take a break. I never really got a feel for Marc though. He seems like a good guy, and his chemistry with Isabel is great, but he doesn't stand out the way she does. Where Isabel is normal for real life, Marc is normal for a romance novel. He's wealthy, thoughtful, good-looking and Alpha but with the story mainly focused on her, you never truly get a sense of who he is. I would have liked to have seen his POV - how he saw Isabel, how he felt in his own words. Perhaps - and hopefully - that will happen in the second book. If not, no matter. There's a little cliffhanger and I'm interested and invested enough in what comes next to pick it regardless. I want to read more about the woman that's just like us. It's certainly a better option that starting on that diet...
This is not a standalone book, there is a little cliffhanger.
Isabel, a thirty-nine year old, overweight divorcee with two boys; has been convinced by a well-meaning friend to take a week away by herself for some ‘me’ time. Set in the South of England, Isabel is staying in a quiet hotel where she meets Marc, an American man, over here on business. Shockingly the two begin talking and are instantly attracted to each other. We follow their journey as they get to know one another.
The story is narrated by Isabel and a lot of the time the style feels like the reader is sat listening to a friend talking, in fact on a couple of occasions she speaks to the reader directly, which is quite interesting. On the whole the writing flows well but there are A LOT of sections that are overwritten with too much detail of what people are doing and how they are doing it, and during those parts, if I was actually listening to a friend I would have told them to stop waffling and get to the point!
The sex scenes tended to be a little awkward, he put his arm here I put my leg there etc (not a direct quote) almost like a choreographed performance rather than a fluid, natural act.
Overall a quick and fun read, the author managed to make the point that a ‘normal’ woman can still be found attractive by a ‘hot’ man and she can have fun even if she is older than the typical twenty-something, model types, usually found in romance novels. The book ends with more to come, not an ‘OMG’ cliffhanger, but an unfinished story end.
Isabelle is a single mom who has been in of a vacation and a little spice in her life. When she does go on vacation she goes to a hotel and people watches. While doing so, she sees a handsome gentleman checking. She think to herself that he fine but would never go for a woman like her. She thinks this because Isabelle is not your average woman. She is a full figured woman. One day while sitting in the lounge she gets the nerve to speak to this handsome gentleman whose name Marc. He starts talking to her and they start to have a friendship. As the days go so does the friendship. One day though someone from Marc's past has decided to try and cause problems that Marc does not want to share with anyone but in order to protect Isabelle he has to come clean. He has learned that what he feels Isabelle is more then he ever thought he could for any woman. Isabelle is starting to see Marc in a different light as well but what Marc tells her about what has been happening to him brings things even farther to ahead. What does Marc and Isabelle have for each other? Is it something that will last? Who is the person and why are they causing problems for Marc?
Isabelle is a single mom who has been in of a vacation and a little spice in her life. When she does go on vacation she goes to a hotel and people watches. While doing so, she sees a handsome gentleman checking. She thought to herself that he fine but would never go for a woman like her. She thinks this because Isabelle is not your average woman. She is a full-figured woman. One day while sitting in the lounge she gets the nerve to speak to this handsome gentleman whose name Marc. He starts talking to her and they start to have a friendship. As the days go so does the friendship. One day though someone from Marc's past has decided to try to cause problems that Marc does not want to share with anyone but in order to protect Isabelle he has to come clean. He has learned that what he feels Isabelle is more than he ever thought he could for any woman. Isabelle is starting to see Marc in a different light as well but what Marc tells her about what has been happening to him brings things even farther to ahead. What does Marc and Isabelle have for each other? Is it something that will last? Who is the person and why are they causing problems for Marc?
Till next time - Sweets Books (written by Lisa - Sweets Books After Hours
I really enjoyed "An Acute Attraction. It is romantic, warm, funny, and sexy, with just the right touch of mystery. Isabel Chambers, a single mother is finally taking some much needed time for herself. While on Holiday for week she meets handsome American, Marc Sanders a professor from Harvard University, who is in England presenting research at Cambridge University. What follows is a week of discovery, fun, sexual re-awakening, passion, drama and intrigue. The story is fast paced, never a dull moment, a definte page turner. I can't wait to see how their journey continues.
An Acute Attraction was fun exciting read. The chemistry between Marc and Isabel is breathtaking and a beautiful thing to read about. A J Walters kept the story flowing and kept me coming back for more. I felt as i was in the story could fully see the scenery as i was strolling along the story. What Marc and Isabel are beautiful together, but will there past come back up, and will there love be strong enough? You'll have to read to find out.
I think I was expecting a suspense story given the title of this story, so I kept waiting for something to happen, and it never really did. Well, it kind of did, but nothing like I had anticipated.
That said, this was a cute, sexy romance, and I did enjoy it. Isobel struck me as quite relatable, with just enough odd little quirks that she stands out from some of the run-of-the-mill heroines I've read. I very much enjoyed the coffee shop scene. There were several (fully depicted) sex scenes that I felt were very well done.
I didn't quite buy that the main character was really British, though. Seemed like there were a few British-isms thrown in, but I read quite a bit of British authors, and this just felt flat to me, lacking the flavor I love. Perhaps the editor tried to Americanize it? (I was surprised to go to the author's page and see that she was born in England.) I know you can't please everyone, but for whatever reason, it felt very Americanized to me.
My content rating: R for graphic sex scenes and profanity, though the language was not so prominent as to be over-done. I found it to be a modest quantity - only 5 f-bombs, and most of them were on page 64.
A VOLUPTIOUS AND CURVATIOUS WOMAN AND A GOD-LIKE MAN…SPARKS START TO FLY…SWOON WORTHY!
An Acute Attraction is the first novel in The Attraction series by author A.J. Walters. Isabel Chambers is a curvaceous and voluptuous thirty-nine years old single mother raising two boys. She works as Junior School teacher, so with the benefits of the summer holidays her best friend, Jackie Marie Dowling, convinces her to take a well-deserved holiday. With her boys at an older age, her eldest is old enough to stay at home and her youngest if off to visit with the grandparents. Her best friend, Jackie, points out to Isabel that she should take the opportunity to check-in to a nice hotel for a little rest and rejuvenation for herself. After Isabel arrived at The Haveril Lodge located in a small town on the outskirts of Cambridge, she decides to sit in the hotel lounge for a glass of Pinot Grigio to participate in one of favorite hobbies, people watching. While people watching everyone enter the hotel, she spots a God of a man causing her to lose her bearings - Marc Sanders.
“Oh.My.God! I’m sure I could hear a celestial choir of angels signaling his arrival. Willing my heart to slow from its rapid beating, I take several deep breathes. Calm yourself Chambers, he’s just a man. Ok, a goddam sumptuous and heavenly looking man, but still just a man.” – Isabel
Isabel notices Marc in lounge room of the hotel reading the newspaper, so she decides to start a conversation with him. Marc introduces himself and explains his stay is business related, because he is research executive from the Harvard University on a quest to persuade Cambridge University to work together to the development of better vaccines. Marc apologizes to Isabel when he has to leave to a phone call, but Isabel does not feel awkward only more determined to get to know this HOT man.
Isabel finds herself taking advantage of the amenities and goes back to her room feeling relax and a bit daring. Isabel decides she is going to dine at the hotel hoping to see Marc again. An electric sensation occurs between the two and they decide to keep company with other a few times. Unfortunately, Isabel cannot stop herself from gawking at the sight of a god-like man.
“Isabel, close your mouth or you will be catching flies soon.” – Marc
Even though Isabel has been a single mom for the past four years, Marc is also struggling with a crisis in his life and that also effects a past. Marc and Isabel soon find out there are others who want more from Marc and Isabel is determined to help Marc through his crisis. Marc can only feel that Isabel is more special than any other woman he has dating in his life, because the woman from his past only wanted him for his money. Luckily, his issue that torments him does not bother Isabel, because she sees man before her as romantic and sweet. Just show how romantic Marc is, below is a poem he wrote to Isabel in a card Marc attached to a gift for Isabel.
“O beauty, passing beauty! Sweetest sweet! How can thou let me waste my youth in sighs? I only ask to sit beside thy feet. Thou knowest I dare not look into thine eyes. Might I but kiss thy hand! I dare not fold My arms about thee—scarcely dare to speak. And nothing seems to me so wild and bold, As with one kiss to touch thy blessed cheek. Methinks if I should kiss thee, no control Within the thrilling brain could keep afloat The subtle spirit. Even while I spoke, The bare word “kiss” hath made my inner soul To tremble like a lute spring, ere the note Hath melted in the silence that it broke.” – Alfred Lord Tennyson
SWOON! Will Marc be able to tell Isabel his crisis in hopes she will not run away from him and his past? Can Marc and Isabel overcome their past, so they can look toward a possible future? Will Isabel consider a relationship with Marc even though his residence is “across the pond”?
A.J. Walters’ novel, An Acute Attraction, is the first novel in which Scarlett has done a magnificent job writing a captivating story that will have you feel as if you are on an emotional roller coaster of COMPASSION, SADNESS, ANGER, LAUGHTER, LUST, FRIENDSHIP, and LOVE. An Acute Attraction will capture your attention immediately and will be unable to put the book down, because you will join Marc and Isabel’s adventure to resolve their past insecurities, secrets and trust for a possible. Even though An Acute Attraction does end with a “soft” cliffhanger, A.J. Walters will not have us to waiting too long for the second novel, A Constant Attraction, due to be released on May 31, 2014.
"Life, fate or a greater being has given me another shot at happiness and I am going to grab it by the ball-if you pardon the expression." - An Acute Attraction by A.J. Walters
I really enjoyed this story a lot, the prologue was enticing and the story felt like I could relate to it. A J Walters did an amazing job with keeping my interest.
This story is about Isabel a full time working mother of 2. She is not a skinny woman more like a real woman; she has curves and is in much need of a break. Marc Sanders is a Harvard Professor from the United States , who is in England to present results to Cambridge University. Marc is a secretive man who is hiding something from his past. Even though he is trying to keep to himself he cannot deny that there is something about Isabel that has peeked his interest.
Isabel is not confident about her body and being a curvy woman. After making sure her 2 boys are taking care of by her Mum, she schedules a week away in Cambridge to try and find herself and to try to find a way to step out of her shell. Isabel is funny, charming and understanding; the things that come out of her mouth are hysterical. Marc I have to say won my heart from the start. He is smart, enticing, caring, loving and loves the woman he sees in Isabel. When the two meet at the hotel sparks fly and the two form a special relationship.
“Help me! There is this one guy sitting in the hotel bar. Here I am a sexually frustrated woman and right now I could jump his bones.” “Is he cute?” “Cute! HE is hot, no he is smoldering, and he is oozing sex.”
The banter and open communication between Marc and Isabel is enjoyable, they both know there is something special between them and are both eager to explore. The flirting between the two was nice and funny to read about.
“Are you enjoying the view Miss Chambers?” “It is one mighty fine view Mr. Sanders and it would be a shame to to enjoy such a wondrous spectacle.”
Slowly Marc is able to show Isabel just how beautiful she is, and Isabel slowly starts to feel secure. This is the part where I feel in love with Marc, he saw the real beauty in Isabel and cherished her, and treated her like a queen. I have to admit I am smitten with Marc.
“I pictured what you might look like when I chose them, but never in my wildest dreams did I think you would look this sensational.” “Isabel, I don’t know how or why, but you consume me from the inside out. No woman has ever had that effect on me.”
Marc’s past comes slamming in full force, and let’s just say it’s a real b****!!! Emelie is the most nasty, rudest person I read about over the years. I will tell you that she tries to get Isabel away from Marc, but Isabel is one tough cookie. Isabel is not quick to judge Marc, and she handled herself like a true lady.
“I must speak to you after dinner Marc, I am sure Isabel won’t mind if I steal you away for few minutes.” “I am sure Isabel wouldn’t mind Emelie, but I most certainly would.” “Oh I think you will find what I have to tell you, is of extreme importance; I would rather not leave it any monger that it needs and I think you will agree to talk about it in public would be highly unprofessional.” “You go ahead Marc and I’ll take a wander around the garden after dinner, I’’ be fine honestly.”
It was great to see Marc and Isabel grow and although trouble was lurking, they both managed to talk things through and support each other. This is a great story about finding love, acceptance, letting go and taking a chance. I am anxious to see what happens in the next book. I needed to know more because this one ended in a CH.
* I received a complimentary copy from the author for an honest review
4.0 Why are all professors in books so hott, but none of mine in college were? OO and he likes a woman with a healthy appetite STARS
***ARC provided by the author for an honest review (Thank you)***
Acute is a word that generally defines something that is small en nature or small in comparsion to such as an acute angle, is less than 90 degrees, or someone may be in acute pain, which means not much pain, but the attraction that is felt between Isabel and Marc is anything but ACUTE!!!
Isabel is a working mum of two, who is now divorced and has decided to give herself the one thing she needs and deserves most, a week holiday, so she can be alone without children. (Not that she doesn’t fret about her children while she is away, but the intention is there ) She never images that she will meet a handsome Professor who is visiting from the States to give a speech at Cambridge. You see Isabel is not a model, she is a full-figured woman, and while she is not shy nor insecure, this professor is absolutely GORGEOUS and there is no way that he could be attracted to her….
Marc Sanders is an American professor who is spending a week in the UK for his job. This trip is all business, or at least that is what he had planned anyway. Then he sees her, a beautiful woman having a drink in his hotel’s parlor, and he decides to strike up a conversation with her.
This is a week that will unsurely change both Isabel and Marc for the rest of their lives… But what happens when the week is up? What happens when Isabel goes back home to being the mum of two rowdy boys and when Marc goes back to academia in America? Well before any of those questions can be answered, Isabel and Marc's enchanting week is intruded upon by a fellow colleague of Marc. She holds secrets that she hopes will push Isabel out of the picture and ruin Marc…
This is the debut novel for A.J. Walters and she did a superb job. I loved that Isabel was not a size 2 and that she middle aged with baggage. I feel more connected to characters when they seem more realistic, and let’s be honest, there are more chances that you are going to be full-figured woman and a divorcee meeting a middle age professor, rather than a doey eyed virgin being swept off your feet by a billionaire.
The ending is a mild cliffhanger but it is enough suspense that I will definitely be reading book 2, which just happens to be coming out within the next month. My only complaint about the book, and I believe it is more of a cultural thing rather than an actual flaw in the book or writing style, is some things I didn’t quite understand because they were British slang, and I am an American. If you are looking for a love story that is more true to life, then this is the book for you.
This is Amandas debut novel and I can honestly say I would have never had believed it. I loved Her writing and I absolutely loved this book, this is one fantastic heartwarming story of romance and Love with a twist of mystery too that takes you on a journey of emotions and feelings.
39 year old Isabel Chambers is a fantastic character I really did like her she has the curves and the imperfections and has a history which you pick up parts of this throughout the book.
Isabel is a single mum of two boys her eldest is old enough to stop at home on his own her youngest is on holidays with his grandparents so Isabel takes this perfect opportunity (encouraged by her best friend Jackie) to make the most of her child free week and spend a week away in Cambridge.
Isabel books herself a nice hotel and is enjoying relaxing, it is on the first night she spots the Gorgeous Marc Sanders whilst participating in her forth favourite hobby people watching!! The first time Isabel meets Marc, I was like Hellooooo Mr Sanders!!!!
Standing at least 6ft tall, he pushes his glasses back up the bridge of his nose as he leans over the desk. Although his dark brown hair isn't especially long , the front strands flop deliciously over his face, I envisage running my fingers through it as he looks longingly into my olive green eyes, What tops off his look though is how damn hot he looks in the blue 3-piece suite he's wearing. Marc is a gorgeous American professor of medicine from Harvard, He is vising Cambridge to present some medical research. He may look perfect on the outside but Marc has a past, he has secrets he will do anything to keep to protect his family.
Isobel has her own past too which she is trying to forget, but we begin to understand why and what she is trying to forget as the story goes on.
I loved how Isabel's humor comes through when she talks direct to you the reader
'I apologise, if you hadn't grasped by now, my thought just wonder. They go off on a totally different tangent to everything else and I do often wonder if they will drop off the ends of the earth at some pont. If there were ends of course, considering the earth is round; for goodness sake stop it Chambers, concentrate'
These two lovely characters begin to feel more for each other as the week goes on
"What am I going to do when this week is over Isabel? How am I going to let you go when I feel the emotions I do for you?"
*sigh* Being a lover of romance books can you see why I loved this book?
I don't want to say any more as I don't want to spoil anything for anyone but I can't recommend this book enough. There is a cliffhanger ending I know but honestly I can't wait for more on Marc and Isabel's story.
Before I begin my review of An Acute Attraction, I would like to *High Five* A.J. Walters for creating a likable, real, curvy, sexy mother-of two who is our leading character. Isabel really does break that mould of most romance stories, that the lead female character is a stunning muse sent from the heavens above. This definitely made a refreshing change for me, being a mother of two with slight imperfections and insecurities, I could really relate to her character.
So on to my review:
Isabel an English single mother of 2 boys who, like most of us mums (single or married) even though we adore our children, believes ME time is so important to separate ourselves and remember that we are still important as a person, need time to ourselves to recharge our batteries and still be that person you were before being a mother and a wife. So this is exactly what Isabel does, finding herself a luxury hotel on her own to relax and unwind.
Now, who would have thought that there was going to be extras to enjoy at this hotel, in the form of a very swoon-worthy American professor called Marc Saunders? There is an immediate attraction for both of them, Isabel cannot believe her luck but she has no confidence in herself, or her body, and doesn't realise the effect she is having on him.
“Oh.My.God! I’m sure I could hear a celestial choir of angels signalling his arrival. Willing my heart to slow from it's rapid beating, I take several deep breaths. Calm yourself Chambers, he’s just a man. Ok, a goddamn sumptuous and heavenly looking man, but still just a man.” ~ Isabel
“Isabel, close your mouth or you will be catching flies soon.” ~ Marc
I loved Marc and Isabel's relationship and it was lovely to watch them fall in lust then finally in love. I enjoyed their funny, flirty conversations all the while fanning myself over their sexy time. Both had skeletons in their closets that they both wanted to keep under lock and key. You will meet a few seedy, nasty characters that hold the keys to their pasts and are threatening to unlock those secrets unless Marc pays a price to make them go away for ever.
An Acute Attraction is A.J. Walters debut book and, to be honest, she really did a grand job. I found it a really sweet, romantic afternoon read with a few twists and turns and a bit of added suspense. It also ends on a cliffhanger.
I would definitely recommend this book. I'm looking forward to reading A Constant Attraction to find out what's in store for Marc and Isabel and if they find their happy-ever-after because, if anyone deserves a break it's Isabel.
There were some British terms that I am not used to reading, but it did not take away from the story, but rather added to it since it takes place in the UK. The story leaves off with a slight cliffhanger and I need more. This is a good read that will grip you in and make you pull up a cuppa and want to dive in. Isabel Chambers is inching toward forty. She is the single mother of two older boys and she is *gasp* not a stick figure. She needs “me time” and sets off to a hotel for a week for a little R&R away from her kids and just life in general. If I knew any better I would think Isabel was real since she totally sounds like someone I could know. It is at this hotel escape that Isabel eyes an American stud named Marc Sanders. Isabel is hesitant to approach his due to not having the perfect figure and not having the best luck with men, but one phone call to her bestie later, she decides to let down her guard once she sees him again in the hotel bar. Thank goodness she does because Marc is just what the doctor ordered. Isabel falls in to a whirlwind romance with Mr. Sanders. I love that the book touches on Isabel being a bigger gal, but does not focus on it. Marc is attracted to her regardless, giving Isabel the needed ego boost she was in search of. Then the craziness happens. Isabel has an ex in prison that Marc has no idea about because Marc has his own set of problems. Their crazy past rears its ugly head and Isabel finds herself in the middle of a blackmail situation involving Marc. What else will surface about their pasts? Will their week together become more? Did I say I need more..because I do. I cannot wait to dive back in to Isabel & Marc in A Constant Attraction!
Reviewed by Traci Hyland for Kindle Friends Forever
I am giving this review 4 stars because Amazon and Goodreads doesn't allow half stars, otherwise I’d be giving it a 3.5. Though it is a good story and doesn't deserve a 3, it needs some work for me to truly feel it is a 4 star.
This is the story of a young single mother of 2 boys, who loves her boys to pieces but needs some “me” time, so she booked a holiday at a nice hotel to just rest, relax and enjoy herself. Isobel is British and she is on holiday in England, near her home, where she meets Marc, a very attractive Harvard professor, who takes an instant liking to Isobel, who is a beautiful but plus sized woman. It was refreshing to have a lead female that wasn't a whiny twit, and wasn't pencil thin with big boobs all up in her face. She was beautiful and still a bigger woman.
For me, the fact that she was British and he was American was a key factor because I couldn't get past the fact that the way it was written. Isobel sounded more the American and Marc more the Brit. This may not have been noticeable to others, but it was absolutely noticeable to me. The story was also written very formally which took away from it for me. That isn't how people speak naturally, so it sounded very forced. Other than those two issues, I found it to be a light, sweet very appealing story and I’m looking forward to book two to see how the rest plays out. I enjoyed both characters and how they were together, and how they found each other and fell so quickly. It flowed well. It wasn’t silly, ridiculous or drawn out. It still gave you a complete story and not a jump from one to the next and not really filling in the middle. And as always, the evil witch was just that, an evil witch and that was what it needed to be.
I would definitely recommend this story but I do think it needs to be less formal.
I have absolutely loved reading this book and meeting Isabel and Marc! This book has been a really refreshing change from the other books I've been reading recently and to have a female lead that I can almost 100% identify with has been fantastic! Marc is immensely attractive in looks and personality and you can't help but feel that they have both found in each other a place to be truly happy.
They both have secrets and pasts that are difficult although you don't get to hear exactly the issues that Isabel has had to deal with and although it is heavily hinted at through the latter part of the book (I am guessing the full story will follow in the sequel, A Constant Attraction!.
I have loved the blossoming attraction between the couple and to be honest I really wish there were more men in the world like Marc with his smooth talking and really amazing (and inventive ways) of giving Isabel the confidence to shine! Honestly, its even made me feel better about myself with the lengths he will go to show her she is beautiful! I have massively swooned at him several times over!
I hope that the sequel brings them a HEA and that the cliffhanger we are left with doesn't turn into something disastrously sinister for either of them. Marc certainly doesn't come across as a villain despite the attempts of his clinical rival Emilie(enter the bad guy!) to paint him in that light. When he opens up to Isabel, I truly found the situation he finds himself in pretty heartbreaking and I just hope that both he and Isabel (and his family) come through the other side intact!
I am writing this review before doing straight into A Constant Attraction and have high hopes for a HEA for them both!
For me this is a definite five refreshingly different stars and would highly recommend you read this!
I was initially attracted to the cover of the book, it stands out from other books in its genre, with its hand sketched picture on the cover.
Upon reading the synopsis of the book I was further intrigued to read that the female lead was a plus size lady and the story was set in England.
The characters in this book have to be the most realistic that I have ever read. Isabel is a single mum to two boys, persuaded by her friend she takes the opportunity to spend a week away from them.
Whilst away she meets Marc, he is a Harvard Professor in medicine and has come to Cambridge to present his research to Cambridge University.
The relationship does develop very quickly, however, I found I had to remind myself that it had only been a few days, I felt like they had together a lot longer.
As their relationship develops we do find they both have a story, something in their past and Marc' s story is in jeopardy of being exposed. Whilst I didn't find the book suspenseful I sense we have more to come from book two.
The attention to detail in this book was amazing, whether it was in Marc' s work or the detail to the buildings in Cambridge. The author had clearly done her research. The story flowed and at just over two hundred pages it could be a fairly quick read.
So why should you read this book?
It is a romance story first and foremost, there are no alpha males or weak women in this story. Isabel does not need saving, she is a single mum having some "me time", Marc is fully aware of her son's but wants to show Isabel how to enjoy herself. I think it's great in the synopsis that the author mentions that Isabel is a size 18/20, it's not pivotal to the book and only really comes out when she goes shopping but it helps the reader to connect to the character. I think the story has potential and am so glad that book two is already out and book three is on its way.
An Acute Attraction by A.J. Walters 5 out of 5 stars!
An Acute Attraction is a hot, steamy journey into our dreams for every single mom living. Your atypical heroine, Izzy is open and honest, daring, reckless and oh so familiar to most of us. Going on holiday from her children she lets herself awaken and be the girl she once was for a few days, a woman longing for passion and love.
Forgetting the bastard who had broken her heart and almost broken her spirit, Izzy finds Marc. Marc is handsome, rich, loving and all smoldering hunk. I don’t want to spoil it for you, you’ve just got to read it! Here is a little tease…
“Take a look around you, then you can judge how daring you are as I ask you to touch yourself.”
Yup! My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets too! The thing is, I know what he is asking me to do and the adrenalin has rushed to all of the right places of my body. My nipples harden to peaks against my white lace bra, my stomach does a somersault and the hairs on my arms stand on end. My sex clenches and yes, I even bite my lip. What sways my decision is that he is asking me and not telling me to do it. He is giving me the option. Taking in my surroundings, I can tell by the layout of the place and where I am sitting that nobody would notice if I went for it.
“Okay then, where?”
There is great tenderness and love as well as the juicy bits to this novel. It is a nice 2 hour read. I highly recommend it. **A complimentary copy was given by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review**
I loved this book mainly because the female lead portrays a real woman, not some young slip of a thing with a zero sized figure. So yes it was a winner from the get go for me!
When Isabel Chambers finds herself a single mother of her two boys and approaching her milestone age of forty, she doesn’t let that hold her back. When her eldest son is away with his university friends and her youngest staying with his grandparents, she books herself into an exclusive hotel for some serious rest and relaxation. What she finds is an amazing sexy professor that sets her heart rate soaring and her love button squealing!
Professor Marc Sanders (think David Gandy!) from Harvard University is on an overseas trip to Cambridge in England when he meets Isabel one night in the hotel garden bar.
The book then takes the reader through the path of the new romance, intermingled with the mysteries of the secrets the enigmatic Marc holds, family emergencies and a whole lot of loving going on!
I really enjoyed this book and its characters because they were believable and also because it was situated in England and covered areas I was familiar with. The plot was aptly executed with a decent flow to keep my attention span thoroughly engaged.
This is Ms Walter’s debut novel and was superbly done. There is a slight cliffy ending but one that leaves the reader begging for more. A four star read for me.
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for my honest review as part of the blog tour stop at Foxylutely Book Reviews blog.
**Copy received from author in exchange for an honest review**
A really fun and exciting story to read about two people meeting in a hotel and spending time together which becomes more for both of them.
Isabel chambers is a mother of two boys and has had a troubled past with her ex-husband and since being out of her life, she is trying to fins herself again. She isn't confident and hasn't had time to herself in years so with one of her sons old enough to stay at home on his own and the other staying with his grandparents, she decides to check in to a hotel and have some me time but she never expect to meet Marc Sanders.
Marc is staying in the same hotel on business, he's a professor. He's tall and all kinds of sexy. Isabel strkes up the courage to talk to him after he casual speaks to her and sparks fly between them.
They both make the most of the week by spending as much time together but Marc is having a few issues which end up pulling Isabel straight into. Marc is being blackmailed and it will now put Isabel in danger but Marc is clear that nothing will happen to her.
A Acute Attraction ends abruptly so i'm dying to read the second book, A Constant Attraction to find out what happens between Isabel and Marc. There are an awesome couple to read about. The sex is oh so HOT! I love that Marc is giving Isabel her confidence back and it's great to see her bloom as the story goes on. Now all this blackmail is complicating what was, a great time between these two but i believe it's only going to get better. A brilliant story to read and one definitely worth reading!
A J Walters A J Walters has done an excellent job!! This book leaves up to its name. You will love to imagine the beautiful scenary the characters take you, as you read this lovely story.
Isabell Chambers is a mother of two, that needs to take some time to herself and persuaded by her best friend she goes and takes a week off to relax and pampered her self or so she thinks!!
Meet Marc Sanders, an American sciencetist that has travel to England to do a presentation to the science committee at Cambridge University. With that important presentation to do, he's not looking to have a fling or a relationship, but everything can change once he meets Isabell Chambers.
When this two perfectly strangers meet for the first time, they feel the sparks between them. As they spend time together the last thing either one imagine was to fall for each other. But there is something bad lurking to break the spell Isabell and Marc have on each other.
The last thing Marc wants is to hurt Isabell but can he protect her from his ugly past and the blackmail his being forced to. Or the feelings that they have for one another strong enough to battle the bad guys?
***Review has been done in conjunction with BooksandBeyondFiftyShades. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: https://www.facebook.com/BooksandBeyo...***
Isabel Chambers is a single mom with two sons. Marc Sanders is a tall handsome Harvard research executive that finds Isabel beautiful. The two of them are instantly attracted to one another and sparks fly in the hotel room. Unfortunately for Isabel, Marc is being blackmailed, and now that he has shown interest in Isabel, the people that are blackmailing Marc start showing interest in Isabel as well. Read An Acute Attraction by A J Walters to find out just how much danger Isabel and Marc are in. I found it refreshing to read about a character that I can relate to, having been a single mom, and sharing Isabel’s slight insecurity about her body. I also found a Marc an endearing character, a handsome guy that falls for what society might deem an unconventional beauty, who finds her absolutely beautiful even though she is not a walking stick. The suspense of the predicament the two of them are thrust into as Marc is being blackmailed also keeps you wondering just how far Emelie and her husband will go to get their money. If I had one complaint about this read, it would be that it is on the short side. I would have liked to have seen a longer storyline, but it does appear that this is the first in a series, so I, for one, am interested in seeing as to whether or not the next book in the Attraction series will continue Marc and Isabel’s story.
First things First: this is a great example of a self published author who Made the best of what they had! An Acute Attraction is a sweet lovestory of two lovely characters that ends on a Bit of a cliffhanger. I have the utmost respect for A.J. to dare reach for her dream to publish a book and as a result to share her Vision and Talent with us readers! I was drawn between three and four Stars but decided for the latter out of sheer admiration for her. There are a few things that I had to overlook in order to be able to enjoy this lovely Story. First, the language doesn't always transfer the right feelings, some sentences and Word choices are a Bit off. This is directly connected with Isabel's way of telling her Story, which is telling it directly to us, the readers. This doesn't always work as she often addresses questions which SHE thinks WE might have (and I didn't as it was cleared by content). Third, the characters seem a Bit...how to put it...let's say shy. There are many facettes of Isabel and Marc they were Not yet allowed to Show us, maybe because their storyteller dien't dare, maybe because she knows them so well she totally forgot we Don't ;-). Last but Not least, the ending. I HATE cliffhangers that tell me NOTHING and leave me with horrible dread! For that I hate you right now Ms. Walters! I need book 2 ASAP! And three and four and five!
I could not get into this story, I just did not feel the chemistry between the main characters as I thought it should be. I felt the story moved to slow with that the author lost me and just never got me back. I think the book has a lovely plot and could have been a much better read if things would have been changed out. A lot of reads have loved this story as I feel a lot more will. Please give it a try and do not take my word for it. This is just my thoughts, we all can’t like the same thing.
It was nice to see a story about a real women who isn’t a hot model type. Plus size women get hot men all the time. This made the story more believable for me. Some men like bigger women, they feel skinny women are to thin and their bones hit them. In truth we all like a little meat on our other half.
Isabel is a lovely character that I did enjoy, she got out of a bad marriage. Years later she meets Mac who is from America. They hit it off, their friendship becomes something more and secrets will have to be shared before they can build something more. I like Mac he was a handsome hunk that most women would love.
It is a slow read and some things just didn’t sound correct. The book is a cliffhanger and I am sorry but I do not plan on reading it. Again pick it up for yourself and give it a read. It might be what you are looking for. The book has many 5 and 4 star reviews.
I could not get into this story, I just did not feel the chemistry between the main characters as I thought it should be. I felt the story moved to slow with that the author lost me and just never got me back. I think the book has a lovely plot and could have been a much better read if things would have been changed out. A lot of reads have loved this story as I feel a lot more will. Please give it a try and do not take my word for it. This is just my thoughts, we all can’t like the same thing.
It was nice to see a story about a real women who isn’t a hot model type. Plus size women get hot men all the time. This made the story more believable for me. Some men like bigger women, they feel skinny women are to thin and their bones hit them. In truth we all like a little meat on our other half.
Isabel is a lovely character that I did enjoy, she got out of a bad marriage. Years later she meets Mac who is from America. They hit it off, their friendship becomes something more and secrets will have to be shared before they can build something more. I like Mac he was a handsome hunk that most women would love.
It is a slow read and some things just didn’t sound correct. The book is a cliffhanger and I am sorry but I do not plan on reading it. Again pick it up for yourself and give it a read. It might be what you are looking for. The book has many 5 and 4 star reviews.