No Strings

by Virginia Babcock

Marten (Ten) Montgomery has everything he wants and has succeeded at everything he’s ever attempted. But he’s itching for a change. From Sacramento he’s trying a new business venture in Montreal, then he’s headed across the Atlantic on a worldwide journey home via Mumbai, Tokyo, and Honolulu. On a humid night in the jungles of India he goes looking for himself, and instead finds Emory, who wants nothing but “no strings” sex from him. The ramifications from that steamy night will haunt Ten forever.

Audible Audio

Published March 8, 2024

Reviews

[Lucas W Mayberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Charming Slow-Burn Romance - When Marten (Ten to his friends) and Emory unexpectedly meet up at a fertility retreat in India they have both been jaded by their own recent events but something immediately clicks between the two of them. So much so that Emory recognises Ten as the perfect guy to give her what she wants, a baby, without him having to commit. Ten agrees and they share a rather steamy intimate week together before they agree to part ways. However they both soon realise that life is not that simple. They both miss each other like crazy and are miserable. So much so that Ten tries to track Emory down but with no clear idea of where she actually lives will he get to her in time before it’s too late. This was an intriguing and entertaining little read. But don’t let the provocative cover fool you. Even though there are a few sex scenes it is not as spicy as the cover makes it out to be. It is more a character driven narrative of two separate people and how a series of unfortunate events throws them together and slowly develop romantic feelings towards each other. If you’re a fan of Gail Honeyman then you will love this.

[Laverty Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This captivating story of two jet setters, Emory and Ten, both have satisfying busy careers with lots of struggles and challenges. Along with family and emotional issues.

They each seek a retreat away from responsibilities, an escape from their fast-paced duties. Emory and Ten find themselves within the confines of an Indian temple, complete with monks and nuns. It is there that they encounter each other in the oddest of circumstances. Until they meet again back in the states, Emory and Ten contemplate their encounter and consider the options presented to them.

It’s their separate spellbinding dreams and nightmares that help make the story more intense. Ironically, Emory’s vivid dreams soon become reality. And fate has other ideas to get the couple back together again.

Virginia Babcock weaved this story expertly. It is well written and entrancing. Get your copy today and find out why!

[Elizabeth Suggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Strings by Virginia Babcock is an endearing sweet love story with some great character development.

The story tells the tale of two characters who meet for purposes other than for romance. Our female protagonist Emory (who is a complete badass) wants a baby, but she doesn't want to have a relationship to get it. Ten, our male protagonist, happens to be in the right place at the right time. This was a fun and very unique story. I was really pining for the characters, and while the ending was a little more old-fashion for my taste, I still enjoyed it.

Here are some of my favorite quotes:

“How come this erotic dream feels more like a nightmare?”

AND

“When I think of you and me, it’s like a tuning fork and an instrument in harmony. I’m no musician, but our sound waves are perfectly in sync.“

[Vickie Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Strings is not your typical love story, most of the book Emory and Ten are apart. Emory and Ten have no illusion about their week-long love affair. Emory wants a baby and nothing more. Neither knew their hearts had other plans. Each fly off to other sides of the country, and it’s their story of self-discovery and making their way back to each other, that makes this an entertaining read.

[Ruchira Khanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Strings is a story about Ten and Emory, who meet by chance. Ten accepts her contract and chooses to disappear. But they meet again for a happily ever after. The plot was interesting, but I found the 'fertility' center in India to be creepy. Overall a light read with the right amount of emotions sprinkled around the book.

[Arlene Lomazoff-Marron · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Enjoyable Read

One of the best things about this book was that the author developed the back stories for Ten and Emory before they met, and didn't introduce them together until about midway through the book. There was no back and forth and misinterpreted words or actions between them like many other romance books; I usually tire of reading books like that, especially if it happens repeatedly throughout the book. This was a shorter book but more concise and more enjoyable.

[Jeannie Sharpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

What a pot thickening book. Wow Virginia. You out did yourself writing this book. I jumped right in and couldn’t put the book down. I love Virginia’s books and recommend her books to all especially the ones who love a good juicy romance.

[Madeleine Holly-Rosing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emory Brighton and Marten (Ten) Montgomery are two bright and successful people in everything but love. She's the heir to Brighton Industries (and a successful business woman in her own right) while he's a successful high-end building contractor. Both running away from something, they accidentally meet in India and Emory decides she wants a week of sexual pleasure (and maybe a baby) with Ten -- no strings attached. He agrees.

This is a fun and entertaining romance novel. Both characters are enormously entitled, but I found that to be part of the fantasy as it enables us (the reader) to live vicariously through them. It did tend to drag on a bit at the end, but that is a quibble.

[Spoiler Alert]
The reason I rated it a 4 star instead of 5 is because I felt that Ten, who initially wanted nothing to do with his Mormon upbringing, does a complete 180 at the end with no hint that he's even thinking about it. I think it would have been pretty easy to have little moments throughout the book with him reflecting a bit more on his upbringing and how his experiences, especially with Emory, have brought him back into the fold.
[End Spoiler Alert]


I've read a number of other works from Ms. Babcock and found them to be an easy read with a wonderful sense of place. All have a thread of Mormonism in them and this one is no exception. So if you like Christian romance lit light, this is for you.

[Robert Williscroft · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is billed as a Romance. I don’t quarrel with that, but it really is much more than that. This is a tale about very, very rich folks, very rich folks, a dysfunctional family and one that works fairly well, and an arrangement between a woman from the very, very rich family and a man from the very rich family who agree to have a no-strings-attached short-term relationship so she can become pregnant. How this works out is for the reader to discover.

The author develops her characters thoroughly and delightfully. I found that I liked them, even the ones I think I was not supposed to like. The author avoids the clichés that fill so much of modern Romance. Her characters have a lot of money, but they still come across as real people with real concerns, real problems, and strong opinions. She doesn’t overwhelm the reader with gratuitous sex, but where it is needed, she doesn’t shy away from it either.

So far, this is a 5-star story. Unfortunately, the author doesn’t seem to understand the difference between lay and lie. This is one of my big gripes with modern society. These words are reversed nearly every time I see or hear them in use. Because of this, I am awarding only 4 stars.

[Justin Alcala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marten “Ten” Montgomery has a problem. Well, it shouldn’t be a problem, but it totally is. You see, while traveling for work, the guy had what I’d like to call an “Atomic Sexercism” with a no-strings-attached goddess named Emory. Now, the poor sap can’t get her out of his head. “No Strings” is one of those risqué novels that follows what happens to Ten and his irresistible hookup, Emory, as the two rich and powerful characters try to figure out what exactly what they want from each other, be that nothing or maybe even a child. The author, Virginia Babcock, is frank with her descriptions and gets straight to business. If you like powerful people struggling to understand what lust and love is, complete with steamy scenes, then pick this one up. It’s a great read!