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The Quinn Sisters #1
Strictly Professional
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
It was supposed to be a one-night stand. Lust was the only thing they had in common.
Roxy Quinn—tattooed goddess, daughter of punk rockers, and beautiful badass—thought she’d never see Edward Cavendish III again. The wealthy, British hotelier wandered into her dingy New York City tattoo parlor, a little drunk and a lot broken-hearted. And very, very charming.
After a night of panty-disintegrating passion, Roxy sends him on his way. She has zero time to pursue the suit-wearing sex god. Not when her business is failing. Not when her employees are counting on her.
After a lifetime trapped in his parents’ legacy, Edward’s rendezvous with the scowling vixen is a glimpse of glorious freedom. But it’s not freedom he needs now. What he needs is to find the right wife to fulfill the terms of his trust fund before he loses it all. Roxy, with her ripped stockings and delectable secret piercings, is definitely not that kind of wife.
But their paths cross again when Edward and Roxy are inconveniently paired up in a business school mentoring program. It has to be a strictly professional relationship. No kissing. No sex.
Definitely no dark alley trysts after dancing together all night. Oops.
It was supposed to be a one-night stand. Lust was the only thing they had in common.
Roxy Quinn—tattooed goddess, daughter of punk rockers, and beautiful badass—thought she’d never see Edward Cavendish III again. The wealthy, British hotelier wandered into her dingy New York City tattoo parlor, a little drunk and a lot broken-hearted. And very, very charming.
After a night of panty-disintegrating passion, Roxy sends him on his way. She has zero time to pursue the suit-wearing sex god. Not when her business is failing. Not when her employees are counting on her.
After a lifetime trapped in his parents’ legacy, Edward’s rendezvous with the scowling vixen is a glimpse of glorious freedom. But it’s not freedom he needs now. What he needs is to find the right wife to fulfill the terms of his trust fund before he loses it all. Roxy, with her ripped stockings and delectable secret piercings, is definitely not that kind of wife.
But their paths cross again when Edward and Roxy are inconveniently paired up in a business school mentoring program. It has to be a strictly professional relationship. No kissing. No sex.
Definitely no dark alley trysts after dancing together all night. Oops.
408 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2018
1039 people are currently reading
3221 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Nolan
21 books1,568 followersKathryn Nolan (she/they) is an Amazon Top 25 bestselling author. Her steamy romance novels are known for their slow-burn sexual tension, memorable characters, and big, hopeful feelings.
Kathryn is a bisexual bookworm and femme cutie with big Leo energy. They love to spend their free time hiking, camping and traveling. When not on the road, they live in their hometown of Philly with their cute husband and giant-eared rescue pup, Walter.
Sign up for Kathryn’s weekly newsletter to see what she’s writing, what she’s reading/watching and get all her travel stories (plus an abundance of Walter photos!).
Newsletter link: https://www.authorkathrynnolan.com/jo...
Kathryn is a bisexual bookworm and femme cutie with big Leo energy. They love to spend their free time hiking, camping and traveling. When not on the road, they live in their hometown of Philly with their cute husband and giant-eared rescue pup, Walter.
Sign up for Kathryn’s weekly newsletter to see what she’s writing, what she’s reading/watching and get all her travel stories (plus an abundance of Walter photos!).
Newsletter link: https://www.authorkathrynnolan.com/jo...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 397 reviews
June 26, 2022
4.5 Stars(Originally Read 10/2/2018)
4 Stars (Re-Read 9/16/2020)
Overall Opinion: Wow! I totally wasn't expecting to enjoy this one as much as I did! I guess I was judging a book by its cover or something, but I was just thinking that I'd be getting some good smut along with hoping for some good banter along the way. It was that and more though! I really liked the characters and the connection between them. I appreciated the overall message of the importance of being happy for yourself and not others. It was hot! And it also hit me with the feels a few times! It has rescue dogs and kookie punk rock parents! My only reason for not giving it 5 stars was the h's ability to hold on to her grudge and not seeing the big picture with the H when he messed up. BUT I'd definitely recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good opposites attract story 😄
Re-Read Note: This was an enjoyable re-read. I still loved the opposites attract storyline and the H was amazing! It just didn’t tap into my emotions this time reading it, so that is the main reason for my drop in rating — but that’s not to say it was at all bad! But I will say that I’m honestly not too sure if this is one I’ll re-read again... 🤷🏻♀️
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Roxy and Edward's story. Edward gets dumped by his girlfriend of two years and stumbles drunk into Roxy's tattoo parlor. After a fun conversation, things get hot and heavy between them and Edward has his first ONS. They're both shocked to find that Edward is Roxy's new mentor for her final in the MBA program she's in to try to save her flailing business. Neither of them had forgotten the other, so while they try to keep it professional they can't. There are some big differences in their lifestyles and families that they have to work through but they do get their HEA.
POV: This alternated between Roxy and Edward's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well. I was worried this was going to be one of those books with the "bonus material" in the end because of the listed length, but thankfully it was a full 389 pages on my kindle app.
Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.
H rating: 5 stars. Edward. I loved him! He was a natural alpha and was oh so sweet and loving. He broke my heart with his desire to be loved.
h rating: 4 stars. Roxy. I liked her! She was super sweet and loving with a hard exterior.
Sadness level: Low/moderate. I had a few tears slip, but I never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Hot. They have some hot tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: No
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes, but mild
Closure: This had pretty good closure with what I would call a HFN ending . BUT with the free extended epilogue the author provides it gives us a more concrete HEA .
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
4 Stars (Re-Read 9/16/2020)
Overall Opinion: Wow! I totally wasn't expecting to enjoy this one as much as I did! I guess I was judging a book by its cover or something, but I was just thinking that I'd be getting some good smut along with hoping for some good banter along the way. It was that and more though! I really liked the characters and the connection between them. I appreciated the overall message of the importance of being happy for yourself and not others. It was hot! And it also hit me with the feels a few times! It has rescue dogs and kookie punk rock parents! My only reason for not giving it 5 stars was the h's ability to hold on to her grudge and not seeing the big picture with the H when he messed up. BUT I'd definitely recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good opposites attract story 😄
Re-Read Note: This was an enjoyable re-read. I still loved the opposites attract storyline and the H was amazing! It just didn’t tap into my emotions this time reading it, so that is the main reason for my drop in rating — but that’s not to say it was at all bad! But I will say that I’m honestly not too sure if this is one I’ll re-read again... 🤷🏻♀️
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Roxy and Edward's story. Edward gets dumped by his girlfriend of two years and stumbles drunk into Roxy's tattoo parlor. After a fun conversation, things get hot and heavy between them and Edward has his first ONS. They're both shocked to find that Edward is Roxy's new mentor for her final in the MBA program she's in to try to save her flailing business. Neither of them had forgotten the other, so while they try to keep it professional they can't. There are some big differences in their lifestyles and families that they have to work through but they do get their HEA.
POV: This alternated between Roxy and Edward's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well. I was worried this was going to be one of those books with the "bonus material" in the end because of the listed length, but thankfully it was a full 389 pages on my kindle app.
Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.
H rating: 5 stars. Edward. I loved him! He was a natural alpha and was oh so sweet and loving. He broke my heart with his desire to be loved.
h rating: 4 stars. Roxy. I liked her! She was super sweet and loving with a hard exterior.
Sadness level: Low/moderate. I had a few tears slip, but I never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Hot. They have some hot tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: No
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes, but mild
Closure: This had pretty good closure with what I would call a HFN ending . BUT with the free extended epilogue the author provides it gives us a more concrete HEA .
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
January 22, 2020
5 Simply Smashing Stars ⭐
She was the key that unlocked his secret desires. Who would have imagined that a rebellious punk -rock tattooist and a straight-laced Brit would be dynamite in the sack? The antithesis of each other, Roxy and Edward shouldn't have anything in common, yet together these two were greatness.
English ex pat Edward Cavendish will inherit his dream, The Cartwright Hotel once he marries. Unfortunately, there has been a snag in the plans since his recent girlfriend just 'terminated' their relationship. Instead of finding the next candidate as mandated by his family, he can't forget the stunning tattered girl that rocked his world.
Because secretly I’d always wanted wild, dirty, messy fucking. Bared teeth and pulled hair and bruises on my neck.
Roxy Quinn didn't expect the hottest sex of her life when a gorgeous, drunk man with a hot accent requested a tattoo on his ass. Instead of turning him away, both Roxy and Edward discovered some very interesting things about themselves...
And I knew it was only breakfast, but Edward had walked into this tattoo parlor barely four hours ago and in that time had charmed me, seduced me. Gave me the fuck of my goddamn life.
What should have been one night, fate had much sexier plans. Starting with a business mentoring program that sees them paired for the next few months. With this placement, their personal divide quickly becomes imminently smaller. But breaking the mould which would allow them to be together comes at a huge sacrifice.
“You’re sorry?” he growled, yanking me closer.
My ass hit the edge of the table. “Sorry for what? Sorry for roaring into my life like a fucking hurricane?
Sorry for up-ending everything I thought I knew I wanted?
Sorry for standing up for me all the times I needed you to?”
Strictly Professional was refreshing, current, funny and brilliantly written. Wow I was simply impressed from the first page. And did I mention damn hot? Kathryn Nolan managed to breathe life into her characters while having me snorting at every turn. Where has this wonderful author been all my life because I thought this book was smashing!
She was the key that unlocked his secret desires. Who would have imagined that a rebellious punk -rock tattooist and a straight-laced Brit would be dynamite in the sack? The antithesis of each other, Roxy and Edward shouldn't have anything in common, yet together these two were greatness.
English ex pat Edward Cavendish will inherit his dream, The Cartwright Hotel once he marries. Unfortunately, there has been a snag in the plans since his recent girlfriend just 'terminated' their relationship. Instead of finding the next candidate as mandated by his family, he can't forget the stunning tattered girl that rocked his world.
Because secretly I’d always wanted wild, dirty, messy fucking. Bared teeth and pulled hair and bruises on my neck.
Roxy Quinn didn't expect the hottest sex of her life when a gorgeous, drunk man with a hot accent requested a tattoo on his ass. Instead of turning him away, both Roxy and Edward discovered some very interesting things about themselves...
And I knew it was only breakfast, but Edward had walked into this tattoo parlor barely four hours ago and in that time had charmed me, seduced me. Gave me the fuck of my goddamn life.
What should have been one night, fate had much sexier plans. Starting with a business mentoring program that sees them paired for the next few months. With this placement, their personal divide quickly becomes imminently smaller. But breaking the mould which would allow them to be together comes at a huge sacrifice.
“You’re sorry?” he growled, yanking me closer.
My ass hit the edge of the table. “Sorry for what? Sorry for roaring into my life like a fucking hurricane?
Sorry for up-ending everything I thought I knew I wanted?
Sorry for standing up for me all the times I needed you to?”
Strictly Professional was refreshing, current, funny and brilliantly written. Wow I was simply impressed from the first page. And did I mention damn hot? Kathryn Nolan managed to breathe life into her characters while having me snorting at every turn. Where has this wonderful author been all my life because I thought this book was smashing!
March 9, 2021
1st try: DNF at 10%
2nd try: DNF at 34%
3rd try: DNF at 52%
I can't back this with science but I'm pretty sure the term beta was coined after Edward Cavendish III.
And the way he magically transforms into a sex god in bed??
Anyway, it's a me, not you thing. 🙃
So if this is your type of hero,
February 23, 2021
This wasn’t my type of book and for the second time, I realize that this writer isn’t my type of writer.
I read “Bohemian” by her before and I wasn’t very happy with neither the characters nor the romance in that book. The very same thing happened here.
In “Bohemian” there is this nerdy guy who so easily transforms into the dominant alpha male when he is intimate with the heroine, who is a world-famous supermodel. It didn't seem convincing to me. A man who is as shy as him while talking to a beautiful woman cannot suddenly turn into a man who talks in a confident and dirty way and own her in a bold and rough manner. Nope, I didn't buy it.
And the same thing happens here in this book, “Strictly Professional”.
*********************************************
Plot and Characters
There is this doormat hero in this book who has been a puppet of his parents all his life long, yearning for their approval and love but never getting it. He has done everything to please them and also to be able to get the financial power he needs.
They never show enough love or approval, though. They have an immense power over him. They choose the partners he dates and they decide who he can marry or not. Or otherwise, he won’t be able to inherit their legacy and the hotel they own, which is what our hero wants most.
*********************************************
Our hero has always had a dull sex life. It was just fine but there was never enough passion. When our hero in his businessman suit meets the heroine in this book, who is a wild punk with tattoos and piercings all over her body and who has half of her head shaved, they somehow feel a mutual attraction, but the heroine says she likes it dirty, kinky and she also prefers pain/pleasure thing. Well, at that moment, we learn that this was the hero’s fantasy for quite some time.
And this doormat hero who cannot speak in a board meeting without stuttering and who also answers to his parents still like a 10-year old boy, transforms into a hot alpha male who can dominate that wild woman and give her the hottest and kinkiest sex she has ever had. And she says millions of times in the book that she has had lots and lots of sex, mostly dirty and kinky kind. And our hero who has tried it the very first time turns out to be her best! Huh?! Interesting…
I think this must be the fantasy of this writer: Changing "nerd, shy or doormat guys" into "dominant sex gods".
As I said, there is a very similar pattern in her book “Bohemian” and it is NOT convincing at all. This transformation in one night is as bad as the virgins turning into sex goddesses in one night.
Also, as I am not a fan of BDSM, the sex scenes between the couple who liked it rough and with some pain did not appeal to me at all. What was interesting, though, this couple prefers a power exchange; they each become dominant or submissive, swapping the roles. A woman spanking a man is also not to my liking so the power exchange was actually as bad as the dominant man/submissive woman role for me. Neither worked for me.
*********************************************
The book is dragging with lots and lots of business talk. Maybe 100 or more pages are about the heroine’s business. How she goes to a business program, how the hero appears as her mentor there, what is making her business failing slowly and what must be done to improve it. Pages and pages of talk between them about how she can improve her tattoo shop business. It is incredibly boring and dragging. It is like "Business 101" for a long while with some sex breaks in between.
*********************************************
The heroine has punk parents who are famous musicians. The hero has uber rich British parents who look down on people who do not belong to their class. So the book is basically about the fight of the hero who cannot decide what to do: “Be with the woman who he wants but his parents will never accept or lose the woman he wants and be with a woman his parents approve and inherit their legacy?���
As he is a coward, it takes a long time and a lot of heart break until he gathers some courage and finally sets himself free of his parents’ claws. It is only after he loses the woman he loves and also after he sees his best friend having the courage he doesn’t have. His best friend runs away with the man he loves after declaring to his parents that he will stay gay and be with the man he loves and will never marry a woman just to pretend and keep his real sexual identity a secret. Kudos to him!
Our hero sees how brave his best friend is and he decides he can also do it. His friend also helps him to have a job that will make him happy after he breaks his bonds with his family. Then finally, our doormat hero starts to have some backbone and gets on a mission of getting free after the age of 35. Yayyy…
*********************************************
As I said, nothing was my jam in this book. Neither the doormat hero, nor the uber punk and wild heroine nor their kind of intimacy.
All that I have listed as my reasons of dislike don’t necessarily make it a bad book, though. It was just not my type of book, not my cup of tea… It may be a really interesting read for some other readers.
*********************************************
Safety:
There is a separation between the hero and the heroine twice; one at the beginning after their one night stand and the other later after he breaks her heart. They are both celibate during both separations.
There is no OW/OM drama
*********************************************
Writing:
Dual point of view
360 pages
Dragging and sometimes boring
*********************************************
* You can follow my instagram page from here
I read “Bohemian” by her before and I wasn’t very happy with neither the characters nor the romance in that book. The very same thing happened here.
In “Bohemian” there is this nerdy guy who so easily transforms into the dominant alpha male when he is intimate with the heroine, who is a world-famous supermodel. It didn't seem convincing to me. A man who is as shy as him while talking to a beautiful woman cannot suddenly turn into a man who talks in a confident and dirty way and own her in a bold and rough manner. Nope, I didn't buy it.
And the same thing happens here in this book, “Strictly Professional”.
*********************************************
Plot and Characters
There is this doormat hero in this book who has been a puppet of his parents all his life long, yearning for their approval and love but never getting it. He has done everything to please them and also to be able to get the financial power he needs.
They never show enough love or approval, though. They have an immense power over him. They choose the partners he dates and they decide who he can marry or not. Or otherwise, he won’t be able to inherit their legacy and the hotel they own, which is what our hero wants most.
*********************************************
Our hero has always had a dull sex life. It was just fine but there was never enough passion. When our hero in his businessman suit meets the heroine in this book, who is a wild punk with tattoos and piercings all over her body and who has half of her head shaved, they somehow feel a mutual attraction, but the heroine says she likes it dirty, kinky and she also prefers pain/pleasure thing. Well, at that moment, we learn that this was the hero’s fantasy for quite some time.
And this doormat hero who cannot speak in a board meeting without stuttering and who also answers to his parents still like a 10-year old boy, transforms into a hot alpha male who can dominate that wild woman and give her the hottest and kinkiest sex she has ever had. And she says millions of times in the book that she has had lots and lots of sex, mostly dirty and kinky kind. And our hero who has tried it the very first time turns out to be her best! Huh?! Interesting…
I think this must be the fantasy of this writer: Changing "nerd, shy or doormat guys" into "dominant sex gods".
As I said, there is a very similar pattern in her book “Bohemian” and it is NOT convincing at all. This transformation in one night is as bad as the virgins turning into sex goddesses in one night.
Also, as I am not a fan of BDSM, the sex scenes between the couple who liked it rough and with some pain did not appeal to me at all. What was interesting, though, this couple prefers a power exchange; they each become dominant or submissive, swapping the roles. A woman spanking a man is also not to my liking so the power exchange was actually as bad as the dominant man/submissive woman role for me. Neither worked for me.
*********************************************
The book is dragging with lots and lots of business talk. Maybe 100 or more pages are about the heroine’s business. How she goes to a business program, how the hero appears as her mentor there, what is making her business failing slowly and what must be done to improve it. Pages and pages of talk between them about how she can improve her tattoo shop business. It is incredibly boring and dragging. It is like "Business 101" for a long while with some sex breaks in between.
*********************************************
The heroine has punk parents who are famous musicians. The hero has uber rich British parents who look down on people who do not belong to their class. So the book is basically about the fight of the hero who cannot decide what to do: “Be with the woman who he wants but his parents will never accept or lose the woman he wants and be with a woman his parents approve and inherit their legacy?���
As he is a coward, it takes a long time and a lot of heart break until he gathers some courage and finally sets himself free of his parents’ claws. It is only after he loses the woman he loves and also after he sees his best friend having the courage he doesn’t have. His best friend runs away with the man he loves after declaring to his parents that he will stay gay and be with the man he loves and will never marry a woman just to pretend and keep his real sexual identity a secret. Kudos to him!
Our hero sees how brave his best friend is and he decides he can also do it. His friend also helps him to have a job that will make him happy after he breaks his bonds with his family. Then finally, our doormat hero starts to have some backbone and gets on a mission of getting free after the age of 35. Yayyy…
*********************************************
As I said, nothing was my jam in this book. Neither the doormat hero, nor the uber punk and wild heroine nor their kind of intimacy.
All that I have listed as my reasons of dislike don’t necessarily make it a bad book, though. It was just not my type of book, not my cup of tea… It may be a really interesting read for some other readers.
*********************************************
Safety:
There is a separation between the hero and the heroine twice; one at the beginning after their one night stand and the other later after he breaks her heart. They are both celibate during both separations.
There is no OW/OM drama
*********************************************
Writing:
Dual point of view
360 pages
Dragging and sometimes boring
*********************************************
* You can follow my instagram page from here
January 20, 2020
5 Brilliant stars
YES!!! So refreshing and sooo good. Finally a book when the Hero is not an alpha knows-it-all overbearing asshole(tho I love those too, sue me).Quite the contrary actually: this H is an sexy handsome awkward sweet guy and the h a punk tattooist kick-ass woman.
!BE WARNED! DIRTY SEXY GIFS FROM HERE ON 🤣😁!
OK OK! I actually loved this book!
Edward Cavendish III is a british socialite living in NY Manhattan managing the family well known hotel. For him to finally inherit this hotel he loves so much he needs to marry someone that fits their circle and is approved by his parents.
After an awkward break up from his current girlfriend ,when she admits that she also cheated on him with his friend, Edward gets drunk and decides he wants a tattoo , idea that drops him in Roxy's tattoo parlor . They chat, she refuses to tattoo him, they flirt and have a nightstand of the most amazing and mind-blowing sex either of them had. They part ways after that night , never expecting to see eachother, only to be reunited after 3 month.
"Was that your plan all along, love? As soon as I walked in here,did you know you were going to fucking destroy me?"
Edward: he is such a complex character, truly a man of many layers. He is 35 years old but still a puppet in his parents hands. He lives his life after his parents whims. His sexual experience is medium, only vanilla and boring sex, that until the night when he meets Roxy and a new side of him is shown. He lets himself be free with this stranger and wants to enjoy every fantasy he ever had but never tried. He discovers he loves games of dom-sub , likes to be in control and to cherish a woman body, to have sex with the lights on and to be with somebody so confident with their own body. The experience of the night stand rattles him and he only thinks of the mouthy scowling punk tattooist for the 3 month apart.
He is also a very good businessman and manager and helps Roxy save her business when he is her mentor for her MBA degree. All his confidence and flirty manner vanished tho when his parents are around. He is so avid for their love and approval, mentality set in him since he was very young: love of your parents is earned by accomplishment, so he does everything to get their "well done", words that never come, unfortunately ,from his cold parents that see everything as a business transaction.
Roxy She is a free spirit,a bad-ass, punk artist who loves her family. Sharp edges but a soft heart. A kinky, sexually adventurous woman very comfortable with her person.She knows what she likes: a bit of pain and pleasure. She openly admits many times of how many sexual encounters she had , but the awkward british man blew her mind with the sex they had.
They form a strong connection and the chemistry was off the charts. The dialogues were awsomeeee, they laugh together and are very compatible in all ways despise the fact that they are so different and have opposite life.
"Edward’s smile was big and bright and completely sincere. “I meant what I said, Roxy. Everything in my life before I met you was stable. Set.” A twist of his lips.
“Boring.”
“And now what?” I asked.
“Fireworks,” he said. “A hurricane. A total destruction of everything I’ve ever held dear.”
“That’s a good thing?” My voice shook. This man had me turned inside out.
“That’s a great thing,” he replied."
Some light drama happens and they break up, this being the push that Edward needed to sort out his life and check his priorities and grow some balls. There is some groveling and some more funny scenes when Ed tries to get back in Roxy's graces. Some more hot sex, I swear this smut was so on point and the connection between these two so real
Roxy-“Do you remember fucking me in front of that mirror the first night?”
Edward-I lifted her shirt up and sucked her left nipple between my lips. She cried out, back bowing of the bed. “That entire night is burned into my memory forever,” I said, letting the tip go, licking my way to the right one. “Why the mirror though?”
Roxy-“Because…” she moaned...“because you fucked me like this… wild animal. Oh God it was so good.”
Edward-“Yes it was, darling..” I rasped, sliding a finger inside her pussy to find her soaking wet and clenching. “That’s because you make me that way, do you understand?”
They get their HEA .. it was heartwarming and beautiful. Another prof that opposite attract eachother.
A book about don't judge people by their appearance.
YES!!! So refreshing and sooo good. Finally a book when the Hero is not an alpha knows-it-all overbearing asshole(tho I love those too, sue me).Quite the contrary actually: this H is an sexy handsome awkward sweet guy and the h a punk tattooist kick-ass woman.
!BE WARNED! DIRTY SEXY GIFS FROM HERE ON 🤣😁!
OK OK! I actually loved this book!
Edward Cavendish III is a british socialite living in NY Manhattan managing the family well known hotel. For him to finally inherit this hotel he loves so much he needs to marry someone that fits their circle and is approved by his parents.
After an awkward break up from his current girlfriend ,when she admits that she also cheated on him with his friend, Edward gets drunk and decides he wants a tattoo , idea that drops him in Roxy's tattoo parlor . They chat, she refuses to tattoo him, they flirt and have a nightstand of the most amazing and mind-blowing sex either of them had. They part ways after that night , never expecting to see eachother, only to be reunited after 3 month.
"Was that your plan all along, love? As soon as I walked in here,did you know you were going to fucking destroy me?"
Edward: he is such a complex character, truly a man of many layers. He is 35 years old but still a puppet in his parents hands. He lives his life after his parents whims. His sexual experience is medium, only vanilla and boring sex, that until the night when he meets Roxy and a new side of him is shown. He lets himself be free with this stranger and wants to enjoy every fantasy he ever had but never tried. He discovers he loves games of dom-sub , likes to be in control and to cherish a woman body, to have sex with the lights on and to be with somebody so confident with their own body. The experience of the night stand rattles him and he only thinks of the mouthy scowling punk tattooist for the 3 month apart.
He is also a very good businessman and manager and helps Roxy save her business when he is her mentor for her MBA degree. All his confidence and flirty manner vanished tho when his parents are around. He is so avid for their love and approval, mentality set in him since he was very young: love of your parents is earned by accomplishment, so he does everything to get their "well done", words that never come, unfortunately ,from his cold parents that see everything as a business transaction.
Roxy She is a free spirit,a bad-ass, punk artist who loves her family. Sharp edges but a soft heart. A kinky, sexually adventurous woman very comfortable with her person.She knows what she likes: a bit of pain and pleasure. She openly admits many times of how many sexual encounters she had , but the awkward british man blew her mind with the sex they had.
They form a strong connection and the chemistry was off the charts. The dialogues were awsomeeee, they laugh together and are very compatible in all ways despise the fact that they are so different and have opposite life.
"Edward’s smile was big and bright and completely sincere. “I meant what I said, Roxy. Everything in my life before I met you was stable. Set.” A twist of his lips.
“Boring.”
“And now what?” I asked.
“Fireworks,” he said. “A hurricane. A total destruction of everything I’ve ever held dear.”
“That’s a good thing?” My voice shook. This man had me turned inside out.
“That’s a great thing,” he replied."
Some light drama happens and they break up, this being the push that Edward needed to sort out his life and check his priorities and grow some balls. There is some groveling and some more funny scenes when Ed tries to get back in Roxy's graces. Some more hot sex, I swear this smut was so on point and the connection between these two so real
Roxy-“Do you remember fucking me in front of that mirror the first night?”
Edward-I lifted her shirt up and sucked her left nipple between my lips. She cried out, back bowing of the bed. “That entire night is burned into my memory forever,” I said, letting the tip go, licking my way to the right one. “Why the mirror though?”
Roxy-“Because…” she moaned...“because you fucked me like this… wild animal. Oh God it was so good.”
Edward-“Yes it was, darling..” I rasped, sliding a finger inside her pussy to find her soaking wet and clenching. “That’s because you make me that way, do you understand?”
They get their HEA .. it was heartwarming and beautiful. Another prof that opposite attract eachother.
A book about don't judge people by their appearance.
October 29, 2021
5 Stars ☀️
Will certainly be reading this sweet kinky pleasure again.
It was my first read by Nolan, but the writing is so good I put all of her other books on my "to read" list and can't wait to get more, but don't want to "eat everything in one sitting", ha.
Loved both characters so much! I warmed to Roxy the minute I started reading about her. Well, probably because she reminded me of Sam from So Wild. At first. But she was a good and lovable character on her own. Edward was funny and adorably awkward, but also hot as all hell.
Edward was exploring his hidden desires with Roxy and it was a pleasure to watch the journey. They were sweet and passionate together. There were some well written chemistry and the character development was great, which I absolutely adored.
Also, Roxy's family was seriously the best!! I wanted to hug them. Hated Edward's parents equally as much as I loved Roxy's though.
I purchased a paperback so will be rereading it again someday.
Will certainly be reading this sweet kinky pleasure again.
It was my first read by Nolan, but the writing is so good I put all of her other books on my "to read" list and can't wait to get more, but don't want to "eat everything in one sitting", ha.
Loved both characters so much! I warmed to Roxy the minute I started reading about her. Well, probably because she reminded me of Sam from So Wild. At first. But she was a good and lovable character on her own. Edward was funny and adorably awkward, but also hot as all hell.
Edward was exploring his hidden desires with Roxy and it was a pleasure to watch the journey. They were sweet and passionate together. There were some well written chemistry and the character development was great, which I absolutely adored.
Also, Roxy's family was seriously the best!! I wanted to hug them. Hated Edward's parents equally as much as I loved Roxy's though.
I purchased a paperback so will be rereading it again someday.
February 20, 2021
4.25 stars
This was a really sweet and steamy read and one that had a h who owned her sexuality which was honestly a breath of fresh air.
I liked Edward but I couldn't help imagining him as Hugh Grant who is cute and bumbling to be sure but not exactly sexy and swoony. Although in the bedroom he was completely different and more my style. I kind of wish his between the sheets and on the streets personalities had been a little bit closer in style as I cringed at some of the bumbling and cowardly things he did.
Overall though I really loved the writing of this author and have the next book in this series downloaded and ready to go as I'm keen to see her straight laced sister with a bad boy.
This was a really sweet and steamy read and one that had a h who owned her sexuality which was honestly a breath of fresh air.
I liked Edward but I couldn't help imagining him as Hugh Grant who is cute and bumbling to be sure but not exactly sexy and swoony. Although in the bedroom he was completely different and more my style. I kind of wish his between the sheets and on the streets personalities had been a little bit closer in style as I cringed at some of the bumbling and cowardly things he did.
Overall though I really loved the writing of this author and have the next book in this series downloaded and ready to go as I'm keen to see her straight laced sister with a bad boy.
October 2, 2018
I know when I’m connecting with a book, its story and characters. I get a certain feeling, a very distinctive feeling and while reading Strictly Professional it immediately came over me during the first chapter. So intense to connect with Roxy and Edward. These two characters are each other’s opposites yet their chemistry is undeniable. They just connect and feed off one another. The dialogue sublime and witty. Holy moly the sexual tension is on another level. I just reveled in this fantastic and wonderful story.
I absolutely adored Edward, Roxy and her family. It’s not easy to be born into a wealthy family with traditions and expectations. Something Edward knows all too well and when he stumbles into Roxy’s tattoo parlor all bets are off.
Roxy and Edward complement each other beautifully. Edward is the perfect mix of domineering, gentle and sweet. His support and admiration for Roxy is swoon worthy and so hot. Roxy is my kind of heroine. She rocks and shines with her authenticity, honesty and her love for her family, her animals and Edward.
I’m so happy I picked up Strictly Professional by this new to me author Kathryn Nolan. I’m a fan now and can’t wait read her other books cause this one blew me away. Phenomenal.
5+ Queen And King Stars
I absolutely adored Edward, Roxy and her family. It’s not easy to be born into a wealthy family with traditions and expectations. Something Edward knows all too well and when he stumbles into Roxy’s tattoo parlor all bets are off.
Roxy and Edward complement each other beautifully. Edward is the perfect mix of domineering, gentle and sweet. His support and admiration for Roxy is swoon worthy and so hot. Roxy is my kind of heroine. She rocks and shines with her authenticity, honesty and her love for her family, her animals and Edward.
I’m so happy I picked up Strictly Professional by this new to me author Kathryn Nolan. I’m a fan now and can’t wait read her other books cause this one blew me away. Phenomenal.
5+ Queen And King Stars
January 7, 2020
Spoilers ahead, 2.5* hesitantly rounded up
Edward is a wealthy Brit who's managing his family's hotel, in order to obtain ownership of his hotel Edward must marry someone his snobbish parents consider worthy so imagine his shock when his parental approved girlfriend of two years not only breaks up with him but confesses to having cheated on him with his friend. Always conscious of his image in society Edward politely accepts the news and then proceeds to get drunk
After her last boyfriend cheated on her Roxy got never again tattooed on her. She's perfectly willing to hook up with strangers but bringing her business into the black is her main concern, when the sexy Brit comes into her tattoo parlor she's surprised at the chemistry between them because he's not her type, but one thing leads to another and ends with the best sex of her life. There's no place for him in her world and no place for a pierced and tatted punk rock chick like herself in his world so they agree to leave things to one night.....until she goes to her college business class to meet her new mentor and finds none other than the man she can't stop thinking about
******
Ok I liked this in the early parts, Roxy isn't the type of h I usually like but I liked her confidence and her openness and her pride in her sexuality, Edward was an Alpha in bed who could submit but he also blushed and stuttered in front of a crowd. Intriguing characters but by about 65% I was tired of the repetition of the plot- business discussions, tattoo discussion, my super rich parents dont love or appreciate me discussions and sex- pretty much repeated throughout with appearances by other secondary characters to mix things up a bit. I got bored 3/4 of the way through and skimmed some parts
Edward was cute and funny and sweet a lot of the time but he was also a coward and a pussy(yes I said it) I mean a 35 year old man still whining that his parents don't appreciate him and still subjecting himself to embarrassment and set downs just to gain their approval is weak in my book. Then he basically denied the h to them and attempted a pissant apology but he went back for another chance after being offered to run his friend's hotel so he could quit working for his parents! Why couldn't he tell his parents to kick rocks and go to her? His grand apology wasn't grand enough for me. He needed to borrow some brass balls from her.
Now Roxy I liked, she was a cool chick.and I adored her parents but I really would've liked to see Roxy in something that wasn't ripped. I mean I'm all for self confidence in one's chosen style but I also believe in time and place and her attire at certain times just irked me. Roxy was a womanwhore and had no qualms about admitting that she liked sex with strangers whenever she felt like it but see just as I despise the references to the many women a manwhore had fucked it's the same way I despised the many many references to Roxy's friendliness to random penises. It grossed me out and turned a beautifully sexually confident woman into a skank to ME and I didn't appreciate that at all.
I'll say I enjoyed this for the most part but some things definitely didn't work for me
ONS followed by months long separation neither mcs were with others during this time
Womanwhore
H had relationships and seemed to be less experienced than the h
A bit of kinkiness with spanking and some d/s
H went on a date with OW but he wasn't interested it was only to please his parents
No cheating
No OM drama
Edward is a wealthy Brit who's managing his family's hotel, in order to obtain ownership of his hotel Edward must marry someone his snobbish parents consider worthy so imagine his shock when his parental approved girlfriend of two years not only breaks up with him but confesses to having cheated on him with his friend. Always conscious of his image in society Edward politely accepts the news and then proceeds to get drunk
After her last boyfriend cheated on her Roxy got never again tattooed on her. She's perfectly willing to hook up with strangers but bringing her business into the black is her main concern, when the sexy Brit comes into her tattoo parlor she's surprised at the chemistry between them because he's not her type, but one thing leads to another and ends with the best sex of her life. There's no place for him in her world and no place for a pierced and tatted punk rock chick like herself in his world so they agree to leave things to one night.....until she goes to her college business class to meet her new mentor and finds none other than the man she can't stop thinking about
******
Ok I liked this in the early parts, Roxy isn't the type of h I usually like but I liked her confidence and her openness and her pride in her sexuality, Edward was an Alpha in bed who could submit but he also blushed and stuttered in front of a crowd. Intriguing characters but by about 65% I was tired of the repetition of the plot- business discussions, tattoo discussion, my super rich parents dont love or appreciate me discussions and sex- pretty much repeated throughout with appearances by other secondary characters to mix things up a bit. I got bored 3/4 of the way through and skimmed some parts
Edward was cute and funny and sweet a lot of the time but he was also a coward and a pussy(yes I said it) I mean a 35 year old man still whining that his parents don't appreciate him and still subjecting himself to embarrassment and set downs just to gain their approval is weak in my book. Then he basically denied the h to them and attempted a pissant apology but he went back for another chance after being offered to run his friend's hotel so he could quit working for his parents! Why couldn't he tell his parents to kick rocks and go to her? His grand apology wasn't grand enough for me. He needed to borrow some brass balls from her.
Now Roxy I liked, she was a cool chick.and I adored her parents but I really would've liked to see Roxy in something that wasn't ripped. I mean I'm all for self confidence in one's chosen style but I also believe in time and place and her attire at certain times just irked me. Roxy was a womanwhore and had no qualms about admitting that she liked sex with strangers whenever she felt like it but see just as I despise the references to the many women a manwhore had fucked it's the same way I despised the many many references to Roxy's friendliness to random penises. It grossed me out and turned a beautifully sexually confident woman into a skank to ME and I didn't appreciate that at all.
I'll say I enjoyed this for the most part but some things definitely didn't work for me
ONS followed by months long separation neither mcs were with others during this time
Womanwhore
H had relationships and seemed to be less experienced than the h
A bit of kinkiness with spanking and some d/s
H went on a date with OW but he wasn't interested it was only to please his parents
No cheating
No OM drama
May 3, 2020
I don’t know what took me so long to finish this book. Maybe because I didn’t want to part with it? Hmm.
I loved loved loved everything about this novel.
From Roxy’s “never again” will I tolerate another man’s bullshit to Edward’s I’m going to be my own person determination. I fell in love with the characters, the dialogues and the scorching hot chemistry! A re read for me for sure.
I loved loved loved everything about this novel.
From Roxy’s “never again” will I tolerate another man’s bullshit to Edward’s I’m going to be my own person determination. I fell in love with the characters, the dialogues and the scorching hot chemistry! A re read for me for sure.
November 17, 2023
4.25**** stars
Man! This was one seriously hot hookup-with-a-stranger first encounter, between a bad-ass tattoo artist and owner of her own parlor and an English hotelier of wealth, if I’ve ever seen one. *phew Only right that it took up the whole first 15% of the book —no kidding.
Roxy and Edward don’t see each other again after that for three months. And god it was delicious when their paths cross again in an totally unrealistic coincidence. (But we love that, don’t we?!)
I loved their story between trying to keep things professional and not being able to keep their hands off each other.
I find that sentiment so wonderful as I am a firm believer in the human nature of fuck-up myself. That’s I also do believe more in a sincere apology than groveling to make amends for said fuck-ups.
Anastasia Watley did a very fine job with narrating, especially with Roxy but I wasn’t the biggest fan of Will Thorne’s ways, although he sounded very posh.
************
The Quinn Sisters
Strictly Professional - 4.24 stars
Not the Marrying Kind - audio tbr
“Was this your plan the whole time?” I murmured, pinching her nipples roughly. “As soon as I walked in here, did you know you were going to fucking destroy me?”
Man! This was one seriously hot hookup-with-a-stranger first encounter, between a bad-ass tattoo artist and owner of her own parlor and an English hotelier of wealth, if I’ve ever seen one. *phew Only right that it took up the whole first 15% of the book —no kidding.
“I was that good, huh?” […]
Edward walked over and kissed me. Hard. “Bloody fantastic, love,” he said. And kissed me again.
Roxy and Edward don’t see each other again after that for three months. And god it was delicious when their paths cross again in an totally unrealistic coincidence. (But we love that, don’t we?!)
I loved their story between trying to keep things professional and not being able to keep their hands off each other.
“In a million years, I never saw you finding your soulmate in a smug, corporate businessman, but Roxy, sweetheart, I think you did.”
I looked away, blinking away tears. “A soulmate wouldn’t deny your existence.”
“Soul mates are still human who make really stupid mistakes. […]”
I find that sentiment so wonderful as I am a firm believer in the human nature of fuck-up myself. That’s I also do believe more in a sincere apology than groveling to make amends for said fuck-ups.
Anastasia Watley did a very fine job with narrating, especially with Roxy but I wasn’t the biggest fan of Will Thorne’s ways, although he sounded very posh.
************
The Quinn Sisters
Strictly Professional - 4.24 stars
Not the Marrying Kind - audio tbr
May 2, 2020
5 stars! wow, im so glad that I'd picked up this one! the storyline was AWESOME. it's kinda long and I thought that it would take me another 2-3 days to finish but well, I was so engrossed in it because both Edward and Roxy were so cute 😭😭they're people that you can't help but root for their beautiful ending! it's humorous, passionate, a little emotional at times and super super sexy! (especially the moment when Edward allowed himself to let loose)
ALL HAIL QUEEN ROXY & KING EDWARD! 5 stars!
ALL HAIL QUEEN ROXY & KING EDWARD! 5 stars!
February 5, 2021
I need to read more by this author stat! Too lazy to review
November 10, 2021
This was such a unique and interesting story. It has a STRONG female mc and a somewhat alpha yet wimpy male mc. I absolutely LOVED Roxy’s passion and strength. Damn, that woman knows herself! While I thought Edward was quite excellent with Roxy and holy cow their chemistry was HOT HOT HOT, he was too wimpy with his parents. It drove me nuts. He’s 35, not 18! The back and forth from alpha-sex-god to wimp was too much at times.
Also, her nickname for him, ‘Dilbert’ was a name that my generation called losers, geeks, or dorks. So it was a little jarring to hear her call him that as almost a joking endearment. I think I liked her calling him “Corporate Asshole McSpanky Pants" better.
Overall, I did really appreciate their relationship. Watching these two complete opposites interact and fall in love was really sweet. I have never read a man who needed unconditional love and affection more then Edward.
Also, her nickname for him, ‘Dilbert’ was a name that my generation called losers, geeks, or dorks. So it was a little jarring to hear her call him that as almost a joking endearment. I think I liked her calling him “Corporate Asshole McSpanky Pants" better.
Overall, I did really appreciate their relationship. Watching these two complete opposites interact and fall in love was really sweet. I have never read a man who needed unconditional love and affection more then Edward.
October 6, 2018
4.5 stars
REALLY good! It's like this author went through every romance book and created the perfect characters, plot line and smut.
Shy, polished, rich and stuck to continue his family's legacy, Edward meets tattooed, feisty, intelligent Roxy during a rather drunk night. Complete opposites, they somehow have the best connection that leads to their hottest night ever. They meet again 3 months later-Roxy needs Edward's mentoring to graduate with her MBA. She needs a business plan for her tattoo shop and over the course of this, falls for the one man who cannot commit to being with her. My gosh, these two burned up the pages with their banter and sexy times. I hope there are more books and I'm off to check out this authors page.
REALLY good! It's like this author went through every romance book and created the perfect characters, plot line and smut.
Shy, polished, rich and stuck to continue his family's legacy, Edward meets tattooed, feisty, intelligent Roxy during a rather drunk night. Complete opposites, they somehow have the best connection that leads to their hottest night ever. They meet again 3 months later-Roxy needs Edward's mentoring to graduate with her MBA. She needs a business plan for her tattoo shop and over the course of this, falls for the one man who cannot commit to being with her. My gosh, these two burned up the pages with their banter and sexy times. I hope there are more books and I'm off to check out this authors page.
October 17, 2018
2.5 stars
I've been impressed with Kathryn Nolan's wrtiting since I read her debut novel Riptide, so I was excited when I realized that she has a new release. Unfortunately, I didn't really enjoy it.
I have to admit there are two important aspects to consider regarding my rating: a book's first impression is apparently extremely important for me to be able to enjoy it, and I hate instalove/instalust. This book begins with the hero being dumped by his girlfriend and having a one-night stand with the heroine just a few hours later ... Add to that them not being to stop thinking about each other after that because it was best sex of their lives and because they "connected", and I just knew I would not love this story.
I love steamy reads and Kathryn Nolan writes seriously hot scenes, but there were just too many of them (*gasp* yes, this is possible). It was all the same all over: Sex. Tattoos. Business talk (because oh, of course they end up being paired in a project after their ONS). Unloving parents. Sex. Tattoos. Business talk. Unloving parents. Etc etc. While I appreciated the heroine being a confident and sexually assertive, I found the dominance/submission aspect overdone. I also didn't feel like Edward's change from a nice, polite guy out of the bedroom to a bossy man in bed seemed natural.
If this was written by another author I would have probably DNFed it at any of the points where I was picking it up again and again (it took me nine days to finish it!). However, since Kathryn Nolan really is talented and I like supporting authors who're just beginning their writing career, I persisted - even though I couldn't wait to finish it so I could read something else.
It has a nice message and I didn't hate it, I was just never captivated by the story. Others might like it, though.
--------------
POV: 1st person (dual)
story: 3
writing: 4
heroine: Roxy, mid/late 20s (?), tattoo studio owner and a Master in Business student. 4 stars. She was OK.
hero: Edward, 35y, hotel manager. 4 stars. He was OK, but his weakness regarding his parents was super frustrating.
secondary characters: 3
couple/romance: 3
instalove? No, but very intense instalust.
steam: High.
angst: Moderate.
enjoyment: 2
ending:
I've been impressed with Kathryn Nolan's wrtiting since I read her debut novel Riptide, so I was excited when I realized that she has a new release. Unfortunately, I didn't really enjoy it.
I have to admit there are two important aspects to consider regarding my rating: a book's first impression is apparently extremely important for me to be able to enjoy it, and I hate instalove/instalust. This book begins with the hero being dumped by his girlfriend and having a one-night stand with the heroine just a few hours later ... Add to that them not being to stop thinking about each other after that because it was best sex of their lives and because they "connected", and I just knew I would not love this story.
I love steamy reads and Kathryn Nolan writes seriously hot scenes, but there were just too many of them (*gasp* yes, this is possible). It was all the same all over: Sex. Tattoos. Business talk (because oh, of course they end up being paired in a project after their ONS). Unloving parents. Sex. Tattoos. Business talk. Unloving parents. Etc etc. While I appreciated the heroine being a confident and sexually assertive, I found the dominance/submission aspect overdone. I also didn't feel like Edward's change from a nice, polite guy out of the bedroom to a bossy man in bed seemed natural.
If this was written by another author I would have probably DNFed it at any of the points where I was picking it up again and again (it took me nine days to finish it!). However, since Kathryn Nolan really is talented and I like supporting authors who're just beginning their writing career, I persisted - even though I couldn't wait to finish it so I could read something else.
It has a nice message and I didn't hate it, I was just never captivated by the story. Others might like it, though.
--------------
POV: 1st person (dual)
story: 3
writing: 4
heroine: Roxy, mid/late 20s (?), tattoo studio owner and a Master in Business student. 4 stars. She was OK.
hero: Edward, 35y, hotel manager. 4 stars. He was OK, but his weakness regarding his parents was super frustrating.
secondary characters: 3
couple/romance: 3
instalove? No, but very intense instalust.
steam: High.
angst: Moderate.
enjoyment: 2
ending:
October 25, 2018
Tarde casi un mes en leerlo, me aburría y no pude conectar con los personajes, principalmete con ella, mejoró un poco al final y por eso no se lleva sólo una estrella.
Want to read
May 21, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/21/2019)! 🎁
July 11, 2019
All hail Queen Roxy & King Edward ♥.
January 24, 2022
This one popped up in my feed and it's been sitting on my Kindle a while so I thought I'd finally read it. Boy am I glad I did!
Roxy and Edward were so hot! I'd say they tore up the sheets but they didn't often get that far!
There was some predictability to the corporate old money asshole meets punk rocker tattoo artist. But the journey was so much fun I could forgive the predictability - and let's face it, a lot of what we're reading is predictable. The journey is everything.
Roxy was a bit stubborn and annoyed me sometimes, esp with not taking advice about her business. Edward was just a delightful mix of dominance and submission - aside from being a bit cowardly (which he freely admits to) with his parents, I just loved him!!!
The author says this is a bit steamer than what she usually writes, which is a shame for me reading her other work but I'm going to give Fiona's (Roxy's sister) book a go. My only real gripe is a tease about how they both like pain and Roxy likes knife play, but we didn't really get to see that
Roxy and Edward were so hot! I'd say they tore up the sheets but they didn't often get that far!
There was some predictability to the corporate old money asshole meets punk rocker tattoo artist. But the journey was so much fun I could forgive the predictability - and let's face it, a lot of what we're reading is predictable. The journey is everything.
Roxy was a bit stubborn and annoyed me sometimes, esp with not taking advice about her business. Edward was just a delightful mix of dominance and submission - aside from being a bit cowardly (which he freely admits to) with his parents, I just loved him!!!
The author says this is a bit steamer than what she usually writes, which is a shame for me reading her other work but I'm going to give Fiona's (Roxy's sister) book a go. My only real gripe is a tease about how they both like pain and Roxy likes knife play, but we didn't really get to see that
September 24, 2018
I have loved this story since I first read it as a sexy short. The chemistry between these two characters pours from the page and their banter, humour and affection make it feel so real I felt like I knew them.
Roxy is the very best kind of romance heroine - fierce, smart and just the right amount of vulnerable. Edward, well Edward is beyond sexy. He's exactly the man she needs - even if he doesn't realise it. Their sexual compatibility is overshadowed by real world drama but their battle for their HEA is so worth the fight. Gah! I adored this story so much and their epilogue was perfection.
All hail Queen Roxy & her King Edward 👑
I binged this book in one session and it's gone straight into my 2018 Favourites. I cannot recommend it enough if you're looking for a smart, hot read this one's for you.
I received an arc of this book.
Roxy is the very best kind of romance heroine - fierce, smart and just the right amount of vulnerable. Edward, well Edward is beyond sexy. He's exactly the man she needs - even if he doesn't realise it. Their sexual compatibility is overshadowed by real world drama but their battle for their HEA is so worth the fight. Gah! I adored this story so much and their epilogue was perfection.
All hail Queen Roxy & her King Edward 👑
I binged this book in one session and it's gone straight into my 2018 Favourites. I cannot recommend it enough if you're looking for a smart, hot read this one's for you.
I received an arc of this book.
January 3, 2019
2.5 stars. Admittedly this isn't my kind of story. It's a little too savage for me in places and I start disconnecting from those elements in a story. I have a visceral, negative reaction to certain trends in today's romances, things that don't appear to bother the majority of readers. So for this one and others of its ilk it's a case of 'it's not you, it's me.' The book was actually not bad. Edward was too much adorableness but I had a hard time connecting to Roxy, which is weird. She is part of a sub-culture I'm very active in myself, but I just wasn't fully sold on her. Still, I would recommend this book. It's definitely a romp and a little outrageous at times. It's also more emotional in places than I would have given it credit for.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2018
Kathryn Nolan blew my mind... I have so much love for this book.
A chemistry bomb, passionate, sensual and incredibly hot. And so much more. Meaningful. All the feels.
Definitely one of my favorite reads so far.
Full rambling review to come!
When opposites attracts and ignite what happens? A chemistry bomb, passionate, sensual and incredibly hot. And so much more.
I’ve always been drawn to the excitement of a first encounter in a story. It’s to me a catalyst of making me embark in the main characters’ journey.
Edward Cavendish III and Roxy Quinn made quite the impression.
How two strangers who shared a memorable one night stand turned it into something more. You can write all the steamy and hot scenes in the world but you can’t lie about the chemistry. The author conveyed emotions to another level, making you feel the emotional depths of the characters so beautifully.
I've been transported into Edward and Roxy’s journey. As much different they were, from their lifestyle and families, I adored how complementary and also really similar in their dreams.
Edward never knew how to love.
Raised to follow the legacy and turning his relationships into a business transaction but craving something deeper. I guess readers can definitely relate to some of their issues, and somehow it resonated with me.
Roxy awoke something buried inside Edward. Once they crossed the line, there was no turning back. She is a firecracker, strong and confident. Making Edward seeing things in a different way.
Somehow they met halfway when they could surrender to their desires and feel free. When they did, it was just spectacular. Those moments of intensity gave so much weight to their story and they just took my breath away.
I couldn’t put it down. That just went straight to my heart. Oh my...
A chemistry bomb, passionate, sensual and incredibly hot. And so much more. Meaningful. All the feels.
Definitely one of my favorite reads so far.
Full rambling review to come!
*** ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review. ***
When opposites attracts and ignite what happens? A chemistry bomb, passionate, sensual and incredibly hot. And so much more.
I’ve always been drawn to the excitement of a first encounter in a story. It’s to me a catalyst of making me embark in the main characters’ journey.
Edward Cavendish III and Roxy Quinn made quite the impression.
How two strangers who shared a memorable one night stand turned it into something more. You can write all the steamy and hot scenes in the world but you can’t lie about the chemistry. The author conveyed emotions to another level, making you feel the emotional depths of the characters so beautifully.
I've been transported into Edward and Roxy’s journey. As much different they were, from their lifestyle and families, I adored how complementary and also really similar in their dreams.
Edward never knew how to love.
Raised to follow the legacy and turning his relationships into a business transaction but craving something deeper. I guess readers can definitely relate to some of their issues, and somehow it resonated with me.
Roxy awoke something buried inside Edward. Once they crossed the line, there was no turning back. She is a firecracker, strong and confident. Making Edward seeing things in a different way.
Somehow they met halfway when they could surrender to their desires and feel free. When they did, it was just spectacular. Those moments of intensity gave so much weight to their story and they just took my breath away.
I couldn’t put it down. That just went straight to my heart. Oh my...
September 25, 2018
"Life is about chasing joy and not giving a shit."
Roxy Quinn and Edward Cavendish could not be more different. It seems as though everything about them, with exception of their sexual proclivities, is like night and day, oil and water, peas and guac. But what happens when opposites not only attract, but ignite?
Strictly Professional is about Edward, a wealthy English man, from a very prim and proper family who look to accomplishments and proper pairings as a measure of worth, and Roxy a punk rock tattoo artist from a family with alternative views and ideas for raising children but full to the brim with love, support, and respect. Edward and Roxy had a one night stand and then met again when Roxy was completing her MBA and was paired with Edward as her business mentor. Sparks fly and their connection is off the charts. There are a couple roadblocks though; Edward is to marry someone of his parent's choosing and approval in order to be given his hotel that he has spent the past 10 years working his butt off to make it a success, and Edward and Roxy are supposed to maintain a strictly professional relationship during the course of her MBA capstone project.
There were a couple things that I really loved about this book. First and foremost, it was H-O-T-T hot. Especially their one night stand with each other, wowzers. Next, I love that there were animals in the book and that the dogs were pit bulls. I love that the author didn't make them yard dogs, guard dogs, scary, or vicious or any other BS negative stereotype that we so common see in books. They were actually just written as regular family dogs, as they should be. I also loved that the dogs and cats were rescues and adopted from an animal shelter. That scored huge points with me. I even got all teared up at an adoption scene that took place at the shelter as the dog was walking out with her new owner.
This was a really fun and sexy book. I recommend it. You can even gain a bit of business and marketing advice as you read this steamy love story.
Oh and just as a side note, if you read the quick read short story The Suit, this is the same characters. This is their whole story. When I first started reading this book, I was like, wait...why do I know them already? Ohhhhh, The Suit, that's right. I loved The Suit.
Roxy Quinn and Edward Cavendish could not be more different. It seems as though everything about them, with exception of their sexual proclivities, is like night and day, oil and water, peas and guac. But what happens when opposites not only attract, but ignite?
Strictly Professional is about Edward, a wealthy English man, from a very prim and proper family who look to accomplishments and proper pairings as a measure of worth, and Roxy a punk rock tattoo artist from a family with alternative views and ideas for raising children but full to the brim with love, support, and respect. Edward and Roxy had a one night stand and then met again when Roxy was completing her MBA and was paired with Edward as her business mentor. Sparks fly and their connection is off the charts. There are a couple roadblocks though; Edward is to marry someone of his parent's choosing and approval in order to be given his hotel that he has spent the past 10 years working his butt off to make it a success, and Edward and Roxy are supposed to maintain a strictly professional relationship during the course of her MBA capstone project.
There were a couple things that I really loved about this book. First and foremost, it was H-O-T-T hot. Especially their one night stand with each other, wowzers. Next, I love that there were animals in the book and that the dogs were pit bulls. I love that the author didn't make them yard dogs, guard dogs, scary, or vicious or any other BS negative stereotype that we so common see in books. They were actually just written as regular family dogs, as they should be. I also loved that the dogs and cats were rescues and adopted from an animal shelter. That scored huge points with me. I even got all teared up at an adoption scene that took place at the shelter as the dog was walking out with her new owner.
This was a really fun and sexy book. I recommend it. You can even gain a bit of business and marketing advice as you read this steamy love story.
Oh and just as a side note, if you read the quick read short story The Suit, this is the same characters. This is their whole story. When I first started reading this book, I was like, wait...why do I know them already? Ohhhhh, The Suit, that's right. I loved The Suit.
January 1, 2020
DNF @ 24%
Holy moly! This book drags so much and is so incredibly boring. Finally at about the 25% mark I gave up as I realized the pace wasn’t getting better and I wasn’t even halfway (the book is 400+ pages, which is excessive to me for this particular story). Other than the pace, I did have a few other issues with the book.
The hero is a pathetic loser. “Banter” between him and the heroine was just painful and not at all witty or fun. Pretty much all of the character interactions where written in this stilted and awkward fashion. Hero comes across as this pathetic, awkward (not in an adorably charming way), unconfident man. He honestly sounds like he should be in high school instead of his 30s. I’m not saying that guys can’t have insecurity or vulnerable sides. They don’t always have to be macho/alpha men for me to like them in stories but they do have to be better than doormats. And that in a nutshell is what this hero was... a doormat. Until sex where he miraculously turns into this confident sex demon performing acts he’s never done before, flawlessly. Unrealistic.
That’s where we get to my next bone of contention with this book. The sex. It. Was. Awful. It was poorly written and choreographed like a bad porno. Part of this is the lack of chemistry between the characters. I felt nothing from them as a couple which made buying into this “steamy” sex scene impossible. I also got bored. This is not something you want a reader to say when reading your book but you definitely don’t want them saying it about the sex scenes. The one sex scene I read before giving up on the book seemed to last forever! They just kept going and going and I found my mind wandering away several times. It was waaaay too long in my opinion, especially when it’s mediocre to start with.
***Also word of caution to readers, this gets into themes of kink such as dominance and submission, pain, etc. The one scene I read would definitely be considered rough with biting (hard biting not nibbling), hair pulling, spanking, and other things along those lines. If this is not your thing then definitely don’t read as it sounds like the main characters are also into knife play so that may make an appearance in later sex scenes. ***
Hard pass for me.
Holy moly! This book drags so much and is so incredibly boring. Finally at about the 25% mark I gave up as I realized the pace wasn’t getting better and I wasn’t even halfway (the book is 400+ pages, which is excessive to me for this particular story). Other than the pace, I did have a few other issues with the book.
The hero is a pathetic loser. “Banter” between him and the heroine was just painful and not at all witty or fun. Pretty much all of the character interactions where written in this stilted and awkward fashion. Hero comes across as this pathetic, awkward (not in an adorably charming way), unconfident man. He honestly sounds like he should be in high school instead of his 30s. I’m not saying that guys can’t have insecurity or vulnerable sides. They don’t always have to be macho/alpha men for me to like them in stories but they do have to be better than doormats. And that in a nutshell is what this hero was... a doormat. Until sex where he miraculously turns into this confident sex demon performing acts he’s never done before, flawlessly. Unrealistic.
That’s where we get to my next bone of contention with this book. The sex. It. Was. Awful. It was poorly written and choreographed like a bad porno. Part of this is the lack of chemistry between the characters. I felt nothing from them as a couple which made buying into this “steamy” sex scene impossible. I also got bored. This is not something you want a reader to say when reading your book but you definitely don’t want them saying it about the sex scenes. The one sex scene I read before giving up on the book seemed to last forever! They just kept going and going and I found my mind wandering away several times. It was waaaay too long in my opinion, especially when it’s mediocre to start with.
***Also word of caution to readers, this gets into themes of kink such as dominance and submission, pain, etc. The one scene I read would definitely be considered rough with biting (hard biting not nibbling), hair pulling, spanking, and other things along those lines. If this is not your thing then definitely don’t read as it sounds like the main characters are also into knife play so that may make an appearance in later sex scenes. ***
Hard pass for me.
October 2, 2018
Yay! I loved it! There are so many 'bad boy' book boyfriends out there. Bad boy whether they dress in a suit or leather freaking chaps, why can't there be more 'good boy' book boyfriends? They can be sexy and naughty too. And there is so much to be said about a repressed man, finally letting loose.
This book just made me happy, I loved the dynamic between Roxy and Edward. They grow and change together, but never lose what made them interesting to begin with. The secondary characters were also fun, some highlights being Roxy's family for sure. I'm hoping her straight laced sister gets someone polar opposite to her in a future read.
Also there are BDSM themes here, but they're really just a playful part of their kink, it isn't like the full blown leather and chains that are so popular right now. Their play reads as much more authentic to me than all the pomp in some other books. That's a personal preference though, I've grown tired of characters who for instance, need to dominate 24 hours of everyday.
If you're looking for a sweet British hero with a very naughty mind meeting his match in a scowling tattoo artist with a soft heart, read on friends.
This book just made me happy, I loved the dynamic between Roxy and Edward. They grow and change together, but never lose what made them interesting to begin with. The secondary characters were also fun, some highlights being Roxy's family for sure. I'm hoping her straight laced sister gets someone polar opposite to her in a future read.
Also there are BDSM themes here, but they're really just a playful part of their kink, it isn't like the full blown leather and chains that are so popular right now. Their play reads as much more authentic to me than all the pomp in some other books. That's a personal preference though, I've grown tired of characters who for instance, need to dominate 24 hours of everyday.
If you're looking for a sweet British hero with a very naughty mind meeting his match in a scowling tattoo artist with a soft heart, read on friends.
October 24, 2018
DNF 30%
This was my first book by this author, and it was too steamy/sexy/filthy for my taste.
This was my first book by this author, and it was too steamy/sexy/filthy for my taste.
October 31, 2018
Mais um livro pra lista de decepcionante.
Eu acredito que esse livro tinha muito pra dar certo, mas não deu. Hahahaha
Temos uma mocinha muito tri, personalidade forte, bem decidida, sabe o que quer. Porém, contudo, no entanto, todavia, temos um mocinho UOH, um legitimo Banana (com B maiúsculo) sem personalidade nenhuma. Ele conseguiu me estragar todo o livro.
#muitochateadacomesselivro
Eu acredito que esse livro tinha muito pra dar certo, mas não deu. Hahahaha
Temos uma mocinha muito tri, personalidade forte, bem decidida, sabe o que quer. Porém, contudo, no entanto, todavia, temos um mocinho UOH, um legitimo Banana (com B maiúsculo) sem personalidade nenhuma. Ele conseguiu me estragar todo o livro.
#muitochateadacomesselivro
September 7, 2018
ALLLLLLLLLLL the stars for Queen Roxy and her King- Edward Cavendish III. An unlikely pairing. Worlds apart in so many ways. But the heart wants what it wants. Is love enough?
...more to come...
...more to come...
September 14, 2018
Opposites attract...and spontaneously combust.
Edward and Roxy are opposites in nearly every way possible. He's an incredibly wealthy, slightly smug, hotelier with a posh English accent, and she's a NYC bad girl tattoo artist who's desperately trying to earn her MBA and save her failing tattoo shop.
But don't, not even for a moment, think these characters are at all hackneyed, clichéd, or stereotypical.
One of Ms. Nolan's best qualities as a writer is her unerring ability to write characters who are complex, fully-realized people with strengths and flaws unique to them. These are people who are so incredibly real, the reader actually misses them when the book is over.
I'm not great at summing up stories without spoiling things, so I'm going to leave those kinds of reviews to people who are far better than I am. However, I am going to say that I love Roxy and Edward with all my heart. They're both beautifully and understandably flawed people. They're also people you can't help but connect with emotionally and root for as they work through their issues to get to their HEA. Additionally, the secondary characters in this story were brilliant, and I especially loved the juxtaposition of family dynamics.
And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't also here for the sexy times. I am wholeheartedly here for that. Kathryn manages to combine kink and tenderness in a way that's both intensely panty-melting and breathtakingly beautiful.
In short, (too late) Strictly Professional has it all. It's heartfelt, hot, and beautifully written romantic fiction. Definitely one of my top reads of the year!
Edward and Roxy are opposites in nearly every way possible. He's an incredibly wealthy, slightly smug, hotelier with a posh English accent, and she's a NYC bad girl tattoo artist who's desperately trying to earn her MBA and save her failing tattoo shop.
But don't, not even for a moment, think these characters are at all hackneyed, clichéd, or stereotypical.
One of Ms. Nolan's best qualities as a writer is her unerring ability to write characters who are complex, fully-realized people with strengths and flaws unique to them. These are people who are so incredibly real, the reader actually misses them when the book is over.
I'm not great at summing up stories without spoiling things, so I'm going to leave those kinds of reviews to people who are far better than I am. However, I am going to say that I love Roxy and Edward with all my heart. They're both beautifully and understandably flawed people. They're also people you can't help but connect with emotionally and root for as they work through their issues to get to their HEA. Additionally, the secondary characters in this story were brilliant, and I especially loved the juxtaposition of family dynamics.
And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't also here for the sexy times. I am wholeheartedly here for that. Kathryn manages to combine kink and tenderness in a way that's both intensely panty-melting and breathtakingly beautiful.
In short, (too late) Strictly Professional has it all. It's heartfelt, hot, and beautifully written romantic fiction. Definitely one of my top reads of the year!
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