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Pole Dance #1

Bare Beginner

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Allure.
Beauty.
Confidence.


The ABC's of sexiness are what modern-day wallflower Alexandra Harrington is looking for when she signs up for the Beginners class at New York’s hip pole dance studio Crystal’s.

Drive.
Effort.
Family.


The three pillars that have always defined Jack Daniels, computer expert and junior partner at up-and-coming software company Corporate Calls.

When a glamorous dance project brings the pair with a history back together attraction soars. But Lexa’s insecurities are buried deep and jealousy threatens to destroy the young couple. Will one unfortunate kiss drive them forever apart, or will they fight for their happiness and end up lucky in love ?

301 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 2, 2014

8 people are currently reading
453 people want to read

About the author

S.G. Lovell

7 books49 followers
S.G. Lovell is a stay at home mum, wife, and independent author.

She loves winter in Queensland, mind puzzles, and serene places.

Her five-headed, single-tailed family is a multicultural fusion of European, Middle Eastern, and Australian influences. Her background is equal parts computer science and competitive athletics.

She writes to counterbalance her busy family life. Sequestered in her home office she lives the thrill of a WAHM, never certain how long she will remain undisturbed by her husband, her children and her selectively deaf dog. She wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Heather / Obsessed With Myshelf.
483 reviews85 followers
March 16, 2015
I sort of want to take a pole dancing class now. No really, Lexa has inspired me to embrace my awesome and find a group of girls who can both flip around a pole and laugh loudly.

Lexa is a bit reserved due to an incident her freshman year of college that really damaged and affected her. Thankfully Jack Daniels (I CANNOT GET OVER HIS NAME) came to her rescue. But then he never made a move. She’s always had a crush on Jack, but never thought that he’d go for a girl like her. She’s insecure and she doesn’t fully accept that she is the one who needs to love herself. So, to try to give herself some confidence that she so desperately needs, she begins taking pole dancing classes. INSERT SERIOUSLY FUNNY & AWESOME SCENES HERE.

Even though Lexa’s always had eyes for Jack she refuses to do anything about it. So her roommate Molly takes matters into her own hands & sends Lexa’s CV to Jack’s company, Corporate Calls. Jack is ecstatic and quickly creates a position to hire Lexa for an internship that she so desperately wants but would never apply for. The stars begin to align. Maybe Lexa’s new pole dancing confidence will allow her to finally accept the signs that Jack actually likes her….

Truth time – Jack has been in love with Lexa for four years, but never made a move. I was beginning to wonder if we were just going to call a stalemate. BUT THEN. BUT THEN!

I loved watching their flirtation with one another & seeing their already deep feelings start to show. When they finally come together I was so freaking happy for them. Their feelings are hung out there on their sleeves and the first few kisses had a shy, nervous quality to them that was so unbelievably sweet. They’ve both finally gotten what they wanted – each other – but can they stay together when Lexa’s insecurities keep bubbling up to the surface? SO MUCH TO KNOW.

I really loved Lexa. Even though she’s insecure when it comes to men, she certainly has some fire in her and can stick up for herself when necessary. The catty bitches, the snarky comments and the witty responses all left me smiling widely. I couldn’t wait for her to find the confidence within herself and be the awesome woman that she is. btw, I was not left hanging :)

Let’s not forget about Jack. SIGH. He is everything his name tells you he will be: smooth, classic and always there for you when you want to mix him up. loved him! His little dates and sweet and searing kisses left ME breathless. And watching Lexa come into her own, with a little help from Jack & her friends, was so rewarding.

S.G. Lovell makes it rain with humor, romance, & love. Love this one!

[I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review]
This review looks prettier on my blog: http://obsessedwithmyshelf.com/2015/0...
Profile Image for Shelley.
587 reviews24 followers
April 4, 2015
I really liked the concept of this book. No, it’s not a book about an aspiring stripper. This is the story of a young woman who has been struggling with her insecurities her whole life. She has never felt good enough, pretty enough, or sexy enough. What I really appreciated was that she wasn’t some weak woman who was just sitting around feeling sorry for herself. Lexa was taking action, trying to make a change in her life. She wanted to be more assertive, more confident, and sure, if that helped her in the man department, then so be it. She decided to enroll in a beginner’s pole dancing class as a way to help with her ABC’s of sexiness – Allure, Beauty, and Confidence.

Lexa not only has her self-esteem issues going against her, but she has also been sheltered by her overly protective parents. They aren’t really keen on her being in the big city any longer than she has to be. They are trying to convince her to move back home after she completes her university degree. Her parents just love her and want her to be happy and safe, but they are suffocating. Lexa had suffered an assault in a bar when she was still new to the city. This left her with facial scars, but it also gave her parents more reason to want her home.

Jack Daniels saved Lexa the night of her assault. There has always been a chemistry and an attraction between the two of them, but neither one of them has ever acted on it. Lexa believes that Jack is out of her league. Jack is just completely taken with Lexa and sees only the best in her. They get thrust back together when Lexa accepts an internship at Jack and his brother’s software company. The attraction between them is still there, but when you throw in an older socialite/businesswoman who has her sights set on Jack, you’ve also got a lot of jealousy brewing.

This was an entertaining, well written book. I enjoyed reading about Lexa’s efforts to break out of her shell and become the confident woman that she has always aspired to be. I also thought that the secondary characters were well done. Lexa’s pole dancing classmates, and her best friend Molly, all provided some great banter and wit to the story.


*I was given a copy of the book by the author in exchange for an honest review.


Profile Image for DawnMarie  Carpintero.
Author 2 books19 followers
October 20, 2014
5 weird in a good way stars

I was given this book for my honest review.

This book reminds me of a slow gin fizz from the mixing of the gin, lemon juice, sugar and club soda. Mixed just right and you have the most delectable drink.

Lexa-brave, pretty, smart and cautious

Jack-hunky, businessman

Lexa is the woman that is reserved from a past traumatic event that has closed her off to many of the people that she loves dearly. She comes across a man from her past that she has never forgotten but is scared to approach to some extent. Can she confront this man and tell this man that he has never been forgotten or will she walk in the other direction not knowing her true heart?

Jack is a man on a mission he has always succeeded in everything he sets out to-do. He is hunkier than he knows he actually is. He has never forgotten the one that he could not approach in years past. But as the past comes to the future can he make that leap and step up to the plate or will he just chalk it up and walk away? Does this man not deserve happiness with this woman that he has always wanted? Can he admit that his heart has forever loved her?

Lexa and Jack have come together in this journey from where they remember the past on a dreadful night to the future of today. The memories that they both share whether be good or bad have brought them full circle but as panic arises from within can Lexa take the chance on Jack as he is on her? Can the love they know they both share be admitted or will it dissolve? Can Lexa admit that she is safe within the arms of the man that has never loved anyone more than her?

To the author: Thank you for this amazing read that captured and enthralled me from page 1 to the very last page. The showness of goodness that comes within is special in itself. You showed that men actually do care even though sometimes there pride prevents it.

Happy Reading
Profile Image for Mignon Mykel.
Author 87 books686 followers
March 9, 2015
Received a review copy from author in exchange for an honest review; original post can be found at:
http://mnonmklreviews.blogspot.com/20...

I have to be honest...

When I started reading this book, I wasn't sure I was going to make it through.

Reading about Lexa's insecurities and watching her watch a pole dancing class was almost painful to me... I'm not sure why, but I was positive that this was going to be one of those skim-read books.

But enter Jack Daniels, and everything changed for me.

Firstly, because of his name. It made me chuckle, what can I say. Secondly, because of the interaction between him and that cougar, Mary (or Marie...)-Lou, who can't keep her hands to herself even though she's married. I enjoyed Jack and his discomfort.

And when Lexa and Jack meet again (because they knew one another at university), everything changed for me again. I decided that the classes weren't my favorite and thankfully they only comprised maybe 15-20% of the book.

Jack has had it bad for Lexa since he'd first met her. They'd been neighbors at university and when he went to make his move, Lexa had a bit of a bad run-in.

Ok, hold up. I'm just remembering my other gripe with this book.

Lexa, in all her insecurities, constantly is going on and on in her head about the accident and I was a bit intrigued. I wanted to know more about it, especially when it became clear that Jack had been there. And then to find out it was "only" a mishap with a drunken man and a broken bottle well... While, yes, it was a terrible thing that happened to her and did leave her scarred -- physically as well as mentally for that matter -- I was expecting this big huge thing to have happened: carjacking, rape, house explosion... I don't know, something big. At least, bigger than it was.

Anyways, back to Jack and Lexa. I rather enjoyed the slight change of pace this novel gives to the whole romance scene. It was a good 75% of the book before Jack even asked Lexa on their first date. I liked that everyone could see how Jack was feeling for Lexa, even though she couldn't. She has her hang-ups and her fears, and typically, these things are what will drive a relationship apart, but Jack, having lusted for her for years, keeps pushing for her.

At the height of the book, though, is when her discomfort, and therefore insecurities, becomes very true-life. He admits his feelings for her but follows it up with the tried-and-true statement that he can't love her until she loves herself.

Parts of the book went by too quickly, others dragged on. But all-in-all, I enjoyed the story. Like I said, that first few chapters I wasn't so sure of, but next thing I knew, I was 70% through the story and just needed to know more.

I enjoyed their interactions. I wasn't fond of the pole dancing classes, only because I personally didn't feel they added much to the story -- yes, it was an outlet for Lexa to find self-confidence, and yes, it was a venue to meet the girls that will be making up this series. I disliked Tracy and wasn't too sure of her personality turn-around... but maybe we'll learn more about her in the future.

I am pretty excited to read about Angie and Edward's book, though. I didn't get too good of a feeling for Angie, and Edward is a bit elusive when it comes to those Daniels' boys, only because he's not like Nathan and Jack but still... I'm also curious about how long Molly and Michael will circle one another...
Profile Image for Court.
959 reviews30 followers
January 12, 2015
I reviewed this at MustReadBooksOrDie with my friend Shel!

Court: It is safe to say that thanks to Kristen Ashley, I have a penchant, or more aptly; a curiosity for pole dancers...so I was very into the idea of this book when we received the request to review Bare Beginner.Shel: Yes, the synopsis caught my interest I am glad we did because I enjoyed it very much.

Court: We began this story with Lexa observing a pole dancing class, and in an effort to make herself new and improved, and in her own opinion...sexy, she decides to join and thus starts a chain of events in her life. I see these events as her very own intervention for herself and journey to becoming self confident and independent. And this helped me on my way to really enjoying this story...because Lord knows I need all the help I can get in those areas of life! Shel: Lexa was definitely on a journey of self awareness and discovery--for someone who has so much going for her, she's completely clueless about how people perceive her.

Court: Jack Daniels (heh, I had to giggle at that...but it works! Cute!) is trying to prove some things himself, and part of his journey is proving to his brother that he appreciated the sacrifices that he made for him. This leads to him being somewhat misguided...and a lot on edge when it comes to Lexa. Will he or won't he make a move already is a question that I had to ask a whole bunch of times!! Shel: I liked Jack a lot; he was an odd mix of meek and smart and, strangely, confident. He was a perfect gentleman to Lexa and a considerate brother to Michael--so much so that he almost sacrificed something important for the sole purpose of making sure the business stayed strong.

Court: While this novel might not have re-invented the wheel, I enjoyed it immensely. The characters are fun and funny. There is a something for everyone in the secondary characters...and I see the spitfire Molly getting her own story very soon. I love when a great story comes together, and this one did. I really enjoyed Lexa, and the new friends she met at her dancing class. I enjoyed Michael, and can anyone say go ahead and punch Mary-Lou right in her fake boob? Yep. That's what I thought, too. Shel: It was a sweet novel. I had some issues in the editing and, in some places, the dense description but it didn't hinder my enjoyment.

Happy reading folks, and have some fun with this one.
Profile Image for Mitch.
39 reviews2 followers
February 18, 2015
Every book is about a journey, but not every journey is the same (if they were all the same, then we would be reading the same book over and over again). Bare Beginner tells the journey of wallflower Alexandra becoming a confident woman. Her story is about learning how to feel comfortable in her own skin, despite the imperfections, and become fearless to chase what she wants. I truly enjoyed this book and cannot wait to continue the series!

Alexandra suffered a freak accident as a young woman that literally scarred her. She has carried that scar for years now, but hasn't learned how to comfortably live with it. Instead of being proud that she's survived, she carries the burden of the scar. Trying to come out of her shell, she signs up for a pole dancing class ignoring the negative criticism that can carry. At the same time, she gets an internship with her long-time crush, Jack Daniels.

Jack Daniels was Alexandra's neighbor in college and became her hero when he saved her the night of her accident. He always admired her and that lead to him developing more-than-friendly feelings for her. He eventually moves on, but is unable to forget her. He thinks she wants nothing with him when she comes back to his life. He, eventually, wins her over, but not without a fight.

Alexandra is a character you need to understand to like her. She's very self-conscious and is unable to move past that until, almost, the end of the book. She's a sheltered girl, but showcases her need to be independent by joining the pole dancing class. I thought that way really REALLY brave of her.

I really like the name Jack Daniels. That name automatically give him and advantage! :) This man has his priorities straight. It takes him a while to finally "score" with Alexandra, but it is understandable since he knows her past. He makes her a stronger woman by making her fight for him, which in the beginning I wasn't too happy about but ended up enjoying.

The dual POVs made the plot move along more swiftly, which of course is a good thing! There's definitely a second book in the series that will revolve around Jack's brother and Alexandra's best friend! I really NEED to read that one!
Profile Image for Katie(babs).
1,867 reviews530 followers
December 26, 2014
Bare Beginner by S.G. Lovell is the first book in the Pole Dance series. It has a very interesting concept with the heroine who takes a pole dancing class to build up her self-esteem, including a sweet romance that most contemporary romance readers (who enjoy a big city setting) will enjoy.

Lexa is more or less a hermit. She doesn’t go out that much, or isn’t that sociable. Her parents are very overbearing and protective and want Lexa to come home so they can take care of her. She experienced a bad situation in college when she was at a crowded bar. A drunken man got very pushy and touchy feely with her to the point he almost attacked her. Her neighbor at the time, the handsome and kind Jack comes to her rescue. Years later that situation still affects Lexa. She decides she needs to move on from it and build up her confidence. She’ll do this by taking a pole dancing class. She also scores an internship at a great company, which is partly owned by Jack and his brother.

Jack has never forgotten Lexa, and he’s thrilled she’s an intern at his company. He hopes it will give him the chance to get to know Lexa better and even date her. Lexa is very attracted to Jack, but she has never dated before or even have sex. Plus one of Jack’s clients, a rich man’s wife is very into Jack and has the looks and the entire sexy package that Lexa doesn’t have. But Jack wants Lexa, and uses his charm to break down her defenses so she’ll give him a chance.

Bare Beginner was a very enjoyable read. Lexa might not have enough experience with love and sex, but you understand why. When she takes a chance with Jack, you root for both of them. Jack is a sweetheart, who is very tender and respectful of Lexa’s wishes, especially when it concerns them being intimate. I really like to pole dancing scenes and the friends Lexa makes there. It was a nice touch.

Overall, Bare Beginner is a very solid romance and one I would recommend romance readers give a try. I’ll definitely keep my eye out for more from S.G. Lovell.
Profile Image for Hillary.
64 reviews1 follower
March 14, 2015
Bare Beginner (Pole Dance Book 1)

by S.G. Lovell

4 Stars

The story of Alexandra and Jack is a fresh take on blossoming woman falls for "perfect" guy.

Alexandra hasn't had life easy. Yes, she comes from a loving family, but an event early on in her adulthood stops her from reaching her full potential as a woman. Enter, the ABC's of sexiness in a beginners pole dancing class. Lexa works to take back control of her confidence and finally become the woman she was meant to be. Jack suddenly becomes part of Lexa's life again once she takes an internship with his company.

What a ride, watching Lexa learn to stand up for herself and build her self confidence while falling in love! It's not a ride without its bumps but those bumps in the road make the final destination so much sweeter.

Read. This. Book.
Profile Image for Deborah.
516 reviews23 followers
March 21, 2016
"Second Time You" was a really great story with insightful lessons on realizing your own self-worth smartly wrapped in a cute, grin-until-it-hurts love story. Jack's love and pursuit of Lexa was A*D*O*R*A*B*L*E. It was difficult at times to be sympathetic toward Alexa because her self-doubt was near constant which got repetitious and irritating. But, her sporadic bursts of backbone coupled with some great supporting characters and a sweet love story made this a very enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Gabriela Scheinberg.
569 reviews1 follower
September 12, 2014
I think this book had a lovely plot but I just did not feel the connection with the characters. It was enjoyable and sweet...
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