4.5+ stars
Michelle Milo is the straight-laced therapist who has a much better fantasy love life than real one. She spent the last ten years in love with someone who had no clue. But one night gives her the chance to walk on the wild side when she meets a sexy, flirty, stranger, Jack.
Jack Sullivan has his own personal issues and is living with guilt and pain from his past. He runs a sex toy business, but was leading a life without pleasure. But one night with Michelle sparks need and want in him and has him ending his celibate streak.
These two radiated sexual tension in waves. It oozed off the page. And their coupling was hot, volatile and extraordinary for each of them. And as a one night stand, it should have been safe from awkwardness or repercussions.
But their paths cross again unexpectedly requiring a bit of a detour and new connection. But Jack knows he wants her even if he is not ready for a relationship. And Michelle has a hard time resisting him even though she has no intention of getting involved with a guy with intimacy issues. So Jack proposes a deal...thirty nights of pleasure, no strings, no feelings, just sex. And Jack is quite the sales man with his sexy as sin magnetism and charm.
But will thirty days help get each other out of their systems or lead to more problems?
Together they are fun, flirty, and passionate. It is fun seeing Michelle's wild, sensual, naughty side that Jack brings out in her. But she still has fears and insecurities stemming from her past and does not want to trust her heart to anyone. But she manages to help Jack forget his guilt and pain, so he finds he wants more of her rather than less.
This is a journey of two people trying to put their pasts behind them, enjoy life, develop a true connection, and move forward. But first they have to face their fears head on and deal with the fall out.
And in the midst of the love story, there are also secrets, subterfuge, social media and political agendas at play. It just takes one spin to wreak havoc on someone's life.
I adored Jack. What a delicious, sexy, sweetheart with a bossy and controlling edge. He was protective, attentive and devoted to her in his own way. He was also a naughty boy that loved pushing boundaries and exploring with Michelle. But underneath it all, he was broken, racked with guilt and had difficulty expressing love.
Michelle really surprised me with her sassiness, spunk, sexiness, and humor. But she also had her issues that held her back due to her history of unrequited love and her understanding of complex relationship problems due to the nature of her job.
Together they were playful, hot, compatible, and a perfect match. But they had obstacles to overcome, including themselves. They also had a deadline and some external drama affecting them and providing further challenges, mystery, and suspense. Their own fears cripple them at times and prevent them from giving the other what they need. And it will take self discovery and patience to determine what choices would lead to least amount of regrets.
This book can easily be read as a stand alone, but I enjoyed getting glimpses or mentions of old friends like her brother Davis, Jill, Sutton, Reeve, Clay, Julia and Nate. I always like to catch the little characters cross overs and see their fun interactions in Lauren's books. I loved his feisty, outspoken sister, Casey and caught tease of maybe an attraction toward Nate...hhhmm the possibilities.
This book was sultry and steamy. They had a very healthy and fulfilling sexual life together that started strong and did not wane. But there was also romance, drama, secrets, and emotional conflict. It was told in Michelle and Jack's points of view with a chapter here and there by a couple of others. It was humorous, passionate, intriguing, and emotional while it dealt with the power of love to heal damaged hearts and provide redemption. I was not sure what to expect from Michelle's book because we really did not know that much about her since previously she was always the one in the background giving out advice. But I thoroughly enjoyed Michelle and Jack's engaging, sexy, swoony, and heartfelt story.
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.