Bombshell

by Jody Gehrman

Copywriter Ruby Sugars is in a rut. Her life consists of the long hours, boring neutral colors and regular fat-shaming from her stick insect-looking boss. But Ruby isn't really a Bland Betty�she's a complete Bettie Page hottie, with an enviable collection of vintage couture and very naughty vixen lingerie. Now if only she could channel that girl into her real life….

Cue Ruby's best friend, whose recent fixation is "fantasy matchmaking." She's decided that all Ruby needs is one night with a sexy, delectable man�one with a serious thing for curvy pinup girls. And "Lancer" is hot enough to make any girl's fantasy come true.

For one night, it's pure, X-rated hotness. But come the next morning, this brand-spankin'-new bombshell will get the shock of her life when the man she vowed to see only once shows up again…as her new boss.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

93 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Jody Gehrman is a native of Northern California, where she can be found writing, teaching, reading, or obsessing over her three cats most days. She is also the author of eleven novels and numerous award-winning plays. Her debut suspense novel, Watch Me, was published by St. Martin's Press. Her other adult novels are Bombshell, Notes from the Backseat, Tart, and Summer in the Land of Skin. Her Young Adult novels include The Truth About Jack, Audrey's Guide to Black Magic, Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft, Babe in Boyland, Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty, and Triple Shot Bettys in Love. Babe in Boyland was optioned by the Disney Channel and won the International Reading Association's Teen Choice Award. Her plays have been produced or had readings in Ashland, New York, San Francisco, Chicago and L.A. She and her partner David Wolf won the New Generation Playwrights Award for their one-act, Jake Savage, Jungle P.I. She is a professor of Communication at Mendocino College.

Reviews

[Karina Ramirez · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Hilarious Stars!

Ruby Sugars is part of this big girls club and she fully embraces it to the fullest. With and ex-nightclub singer for a grandma, Ruby's closet is bursting the seams with 1950's pinup attire. But when you work with "The Stick" aka her creative director who's a size nothing and has a team of size nothings working along side with you, Ruby has her doubts.

So on one side of her closet is the bland boring stuff she lets the world see. Trying to fit in and blend with the crowd. While the other side holds the fantasy Ruby, the Ruby she wished she could just embrace on a day to day basis.

So when her best friend's lasted scheme involves Fantasy Dating naturally Ruby is the Guinea pig. It also helps that the first "client" she finds just so happens to be into 1950's pinup girls hence her crazy scheme to begin with.

Reluctantly Ruby agrees and spends the most incredible night with "Lancer" she's ever had in her life.

So when she goes into work the next day you can image how she feels when she realizes that "Lancer" is actually Colin aka one of the three partners to whom she works for.

Staying away is hard to do, especially when theres such a strong connection. But when he's your boss things get a bit complicated …

----

So I like loved this book, it was hilarious. Ruby was such a witty character, I seriously loved her. Colin wasn't so bad himself ;) Definitely an awesome summer read.

I only gave this book 3 stars because, it was short. Like way to short. I finished in less than 2 hours. I wanted more, I felt there connection but it wasn't like OMG i love this couple, which I totally would've had there relationship been expanded.

This is definitely a hot steamy read and a must for summer!

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosalie‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

4.5 STARS

Review copy provided for an honest review


Bombshell is about a not so perfect girl that has inner proclivities that she doesn’t want everyone to know about. When her best friend, Wanda, wants to be a “fantasy matchmaker”, Ruby is her first project! Ruby, a bigger girl, is thrust into the sexual spotlight and has to perform despite her insecurities, and perform she does! But when her fantasy crashes into reality, and her one night fling is now a part of her everyday life, Ruby has to figure out how to make the pieces of her life fit.
Oh my holy wow. This novella had me dreading turning the pages because I knew I was that much closer to the end. Juicy, wet, and sexy as hell, you don’t want to miss this one!

[lavender gorilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colin and Ruby.

good pacing. love it when an author /doesn't/ go minute-by-minute description of each scene, so yay to Jody!

this is my kind of humour: dry.
"there's no point resisting. she's got doughnuts."

i also like the emotion of the characters; it doesn't jump back and forth as if the author can't figure out what to do, but settles in to open the characters up. an example would be when the topic of professor Bayliss comes up at brunch in chapter 8. it's not necessary for the scene to end on a happy note or a change of topic for the girls, and I like that the author leaves it that way.

love Wanda, the best friend. kapow. lol. I like their relationship and all the different emotions they went through. her character was well established. she could have had her own book if this was a series.

I liked H and h. chemistry was good I liked their first encounter and the scene of him choosing Lancer as a code name. probably could've done with a little more time together before the end of the story, but it was still a satisfying ending for me.

quick read. I would read it again and will look at other books by this author.

[ᒪᗴᗩᕼ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75⭐

Read this if you like…
- pin-up girls
- a girl coming into her own…
- a short story filled with smuttiness

I listened to this mainly for the narrator…and she was fantastic. Unfortunately, despite having a decent message about body positivity and going after “what you want in life” it was overshadowed by all the smut. Which left me not that into it. Of course, I was sick, home alone, on Christmas day when I listened to it, so that might’ve had something to do with my feelings towards the book.

- The narration by Eunice Wong rocked…
- ratings score = 5.43/10

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished Nov 2019. This was a well written sexy story with characters I cared about (surprisingly more than one). I thought the plot lines were good and the sex scenes were hot, though not overwhelming the story. Cute ending with a small twist to make it more interesting. Even left room for a sequel. All in all, cute characters, easy fun read.

[Jennifer Olivas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story. Loved the characters and the story! Especially loved her sassy, trash eating, kitty cat. Ruby and Colin were so hot together. Can one hot night lead to something more? I listened to the audio version and Eunice Wong did a great job narrating! I love both her male and female voices.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This book is not great and the plot is fully ridiculous. I’m pretty sure that no female boss could get away with treating her employee the way that Ruby is treated, particularly in a large organization. But the chemistry between Ruby and her man is good and the writing isn’t terrible, though it is filled with cliches.

[Jae Ruffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the writing sryle. It was very short and fast paced but a good read!

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Guilty pleasure. Enough said

[norangal]

it took me 9 months to finish this book but I just cannot do it lol.
I’m in a slump, so it’s me, it’s not the book.
I’m sure the book is great but not for me :/

DNF @ 40%

[Holly Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby is one of those boring girls hiding her sexuality behind drab clothes and a timid attitude. Ruby's boss, "the stick", has changed the team from normal people to condescending 20-something fit-fanatics. The team, lead by the stick, has made a point of making Ruby feel bad about her looks and puts her work down in the group setting even though she is the team genius. Ruby's grandma left her with a closet full of 1950's sexy pin-up clothes and her best friend (and a lot of alcohol) convinced Ruby to do a photo shoot all dolled up. That's Ruby's secret inner self....the sexy 50's pin-up girl. Too bad that's now what her outer self is.

Ruby's best friend is notorious for her schemes. When she ended up hooking up a couple of her friends after finding out about their secret fantasies, she decides to create Fantasy dating. She'll hook couples up based on their secret fantasies for 1 night of blazing hot fantasy sex. Since her friend has recently found the perfect guy fantasizing about 50's pin-up girls, Ruby is going to be her first client.

Ruby ends up agreeing to the date and has the most incredible night with "Lancer" and she starts to think that there might be something to this Fantasy Dating. Everything changes when she finds "Lancer" is actually Colin and one of the three partners in the advertising firm she works at.

Regardless of the connection she felt the night before, the relationship with Ruby and Colin is strained at work. Their time was only supposed to be 1 night together, so they don't know how to act. Add in that Colin has some trust issues about women at work and things are pretty rocky. The situation gets downright ugly when one of the people in her department sees Ruby and Colin together and decides to make trouble for Ruby.


I knew from reading the blurb that I would love this book and I was right. Poor Ruby finds herself in some terrible situations. You can't stop yourself from feeling sorry for her, but you also have to laugh. Although there were a couple of moments where I wanted to smack Colin, he was pretty great too. When everything came together at the end, I was like "Go Ruby"! A huge change from the girl you're feeling sorry for at the beginning.


I feel obligated to note that this was a novella. Even though it's not necessarily a secret, I wasn't prepared for this book to be as short as it was. I wanted more. The side story with Ruby's best friend could have been expanded and I would have liked to get more at the end too.

Reviewing on behalf of The Book Reading Gals Blog – check us out at http://www.thebookreadinggals.com/.
Complimentary copy provided for honest review.

[Book Reading Gals · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Bombshell

Series: N/A

Author: Jody Gehrman

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Thoughts: Ruby is one of those boring girls hiding her sexuality behind drab clothes and a timid attitude. Ruby's boss, "the stick", has changed the team from normal people to condescending 20-something fit-fanatics. The team, lead by the stick, has made a point of making Ruby feel bad about her looks and puts her work down in the group setting even though she is the team genius. Ruby's grandma left her with a closet full of 1950's sexy pin-up clothes and her best friend (and a lot of alcohol) convinced Ruby to do a photo shoot all dolled up. That's Ruby's secret inner self....the sexy 50's pin-up girl. Too bad that's now what her outer self is.

Ruby's best friend is notorious for her schemes. When she ended up hooking up a couple of her friends after finding out about their secret fantasies, she decides to create Fantasy dating. She'll hook couples up based on their secret fantasies for 1 night of blazing hot fantasy sex. Since her friend has recently found the perfect guy fantasizing about 50's pin-up girls, Ruby is going to be her first client.

Ruby ends up agreeing to the date and has the most incredible night with "Lancer" and she starts to think that there might be something to this Fantasy Dating. Everything changes when she finds "Lancer" is actually Colin and one of the three partners in the advertising firm she works at.

Regardless of the connection she felt the night before, the relationship with Ruby and Colin is strained at work. Their time was only supposed to be 1 night together, so they don't know how to act. Add in that Colin has some trust issues about women at work and things are pretty rocky. The situation gets downright ugly when one of the people in her department sees Ruby and Colin together and decides to make trouble for Ruby.

I knew from reading the blurb that I would love this book and I was right. Poor Ruby finds herself in some terrible situations. You can't stop yourself from feeling sorry for her, but you also have to laugh. Although there were a couple of moments where I wanted to smack Colin, he was pretty great too. When everything came together at the end, I was like "Go Ruby"! A huge change from the girl you're feeling sorry for at the beginning.

I feel obligated to note that this was a novella. Even though it's not necessarily a secret, I wasn't prepared for this book to be as short as it was. I wanted more. The side story with Ruby's best friend could have been expanded and I would have liked to get more at the end too.

Grade: A
Review by: Holly
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 3 out of 5]

A random find on Goodreads. This was cute, and I'm glad I read it. But honestly, there isn't anything special here. The story felt a little rushed (and not surprising, given the length).

But overall, the story was adorable, and I'd read something else by this author in the future.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love the Cosmo reads. They're a quick read that moves quickly yet tells the whole story. Sizzling yet spunky. I'll definitely look for more from Ms. Gehrman as well. I like her tone. And, great characters.

[Darci Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review pertains to Bombshell, by Jody Gehrman. Thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. I absolutely loved this book! I have been a fan of the Cosmo Red Hot Reads since the beginning. They are quick, fun sexy reads, and this book hit those points perfectly. This one felt a bit different than the typical red hot reads, and I liked it even more. From the first paragraph I was hooked, Ruby was easy to like and Colin/Lancer was the perfect match for her. This was just a great book, and my first time reading Jody Gehrman, I look forward to reading more from her. All in all, great and highly recommended!

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars

‘My body, a source of embarrassment for so long, suddenly feels like a powerful weapon, something capable of bringing grown men to their knees.’

Bombshell is an super fun novella that not only has some very sexy scenes, but it’s also an honest look at what some of us who are on the more, let’s say, voluptuous side go through–and put ourselves through–on a daily basis.

I really connected with Ruby right away. And no, not just because we both share the same body type. ;) I think it was because personality-wise she was so much like myself and many women I know.

Read More

[Tellulah Darling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really have to start paying more attention to whether I'm reading a novel or novella. Bombshell was fun. It was sexy, I enjoyed Gehrman's playing with the Bettie Page look. The writing was all there, it's just too bad that the story was so short that it literally whipped through set up, sexytime, whoops look at that, oh no she didn't, and I'm back, baby beats without a ton of time to explore the character in greater depth. Because I really liked our protagonist and thought this would have been a fun world to play in for a bit longer. That said, go in knowing it's short and have fun!

Thanks to Harlequin and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Meghen · Rating 4 out of 5]

#HumpdayReview
Bombshell by Jody Gehrman
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cute, quick, sassy, quirky.
Love the premise, fantasy date, just enough drama.
Super Enjoyable.


Meghen Barker 

Thirty Second Book Reviews 


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[Katya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It was fast-paced, hilarious and just so much fun to read.
The MC Ruby was easy to relate to, funny and very likable. Although the plot of the book is not something new, but it was still very interesting to read.
When I finished reading the book, I was sad it was over. I really wish I could just continue reading it. Great book!

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

You can find more reviews Mademoisellesnow Blog

I wasn’t the hugest fan of this book at all. I just didn’t click with the story or the characters. I found it so hard to read and finish this book. For me it just seemed to drag on. There were parts of it that was fantastic idea but put it all together in one place it was just a little boring for me.

[Marisol Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, funny, and entertaining

Read this in a night; laughed, cringed, and genuinely enjoyed this read. Not incredible writing and not the greatest representation of the plus sized woman, but an honorable attempt and light-hearted read. This book is not meant to be incredible, but rather fast-paced, steamy, and fun; that it was! 7.5/10

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was a novella when I started out, but I still enjoyed this "quickie". The villainess was a little bit of a caricature, but I think she's essentially a totem for all of society's body shaming (a tall order for any one character).

[Sofia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't read the entire thing. Skipped from chapter 5 to the last one, and yet I couldn't stop rolling my eyes at how ridiculous it all sounded sometimes.

It gave me the impression that the author just wanted to use big words and so she threw them out there. But honestly, it was too much.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good quick read. I enjoyed the H/H and felt even though it was a novella the story was complete.

[Amanda Bretz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. Great premise, funny, likable heroine and steamy scenes! Colin was hot! Loved the 1950s vibe also.

[Raquell Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a lot of fun to read. I always love reading a book about a plus-sized heroine how comes into her own.

[chloegirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute, sexy, and well-written. This was a quick read, and I absolutely enjoyed reading it!

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad for its genre.

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok - fast read.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

As expected, not worth the hour of my time.