A Little Buzzed

by Alys Murray

If she builds it, they will come.

A sex toy engineer with one big secret finally meets her match, and together they’ll put their own products to the test in this steamy romantic comedy.

Scout Porter is screwed. Not literally, of course. Literally, she’s a twenty-six-year-old virgin, thanks to a relationship so disastrous she swore off love and sex for good. Metaphorically, she’s screwed because the entire office of BuzzCorp, the sex toy start-up where she’s head engineer, just found out. Scout needs her team to stay focused on their upcoming launch, not her lack of a sex life, so she finds the simplest lose her V-card, and fast, then back to business as usual.

Enter Hudson Bailey, the nerdy and charming software developer hired to build the app for Scout’s latest creation. The only problem is, he’s as inexperienced with sex toys as she is with sex. Fortunately, he’s all too eager to learn, and they agree that one very educational, totally professional hook-up will solve both of their problems. All for research, obviously.

But their little experiment yields unexpected results—chemistry so off the charts Scout starts to think she might actually want more than just a one-time fling. When their budding relationship is threatened by the return of Scout’s notorious ex, both Scout and Hudson will have to decide if they’ve reached their climax as a couple, or if they’re willing to risk everything for a chance at true love.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Workplace Romance, Adult, Adult Fiction, Contemporary Romance

368 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 17, 2026

About the author

Alys Murray is an author who writes for the romantic in all of us. Though she graduated with a degree in Drama from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and a Master’s in Film Studies from King’s College London, her irrepressible love of romance led her to a career as an author, and she couldn’t be happier to write these stories!

Her work as an author led to a flourishing career in screenwriting, where she has penned films and shows for Hallmark, ViacomCBS, Lifetime, and British television. An alum of RespectAbility, The Inevitable Foundation, and The Orchard Project, she is a tireless disability advocate.

Alys loves connecting with readers, so if you want to get in touch, you can find her at http://www.alysmurray.com or on twitter and instagram at @writeralys.

Reviews

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have I read this? No. Will I update my review afterwards? Yes. Did I save it to my TBR specifically because Navessa Allen TOLD ME TO? Yes. Yes I did. I’m goo at following directions.

[abby :)]

put the golf club down…

going into this book, i was just excited to read a new release romance with an inventive idea. i did not know what i was getting into and thats kinda on me but holy shit. maybe it’s because berkley is publishing this book, or maybe it’s because i haven’t read an insane kindle unlimited book lately, but i feel truly scandalized after reading this book.

we’re following scout and hudson, scout is an engineer at a sex toy company and hudson does IT? marketing? something else? he does some type of freelance work for this company and the two strike up a relationship because he doesn’t have any experience with sex toys and she wants to have sex. yeah, i’m not sure why i was convinced their would be some really sweet underlying romantic moments in this but i was wrong. there is nothing wrong with any of the sex in this book or any of the moments between characters, i just wasn’t really convinced they had a lasting connection. hudson helped scout when it came to self confidence and i enjoyed seeing that aspect of her character grow but i was left feeling unsatisfied with the relationship development.

overall this book was just a shock to my system. maybe this is good, maybe i’ll get out of my slump right now, i literally don’t want to read so i’ve just been reading arcs that i need to read. in the end this wasn’t bad and if the synopsis speaks to you i’d definitely pick this up. it’s honestly a fun little valentine’s day book, it has nothing to do with said holiday but it’s a sex filled romance book that comes out in february… what more could you want on valentine’s day????

*thank you berkley and netgalley for the copy!*

[Avrial || Bookish.and.blissful · Rating 5 out of 5]

☑️ at least one rocket exploding (literally)
☑️ at least one rocket exploding (figuratively)

𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨:
✻ Workplace romance that is VERY MUCH NOT SAFE FOR WORK
✻ Fast burn spice with slower emotional burn
✻ Sex positivity and educational content that somehow also makes you blush

𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙 ★★★★★ | 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠: came for the spice, stayed for the plot

𝒔𝒐, 𝒍𝒆𝒕'𝒔 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒕... 💫
I had no idea what I was getting into with this book and honestly? I'm glad, because it was one fun ride. This is the kind of book where you think you're picking it up for the smut, but you end up completely invested in watching someone learn to be vulnerable and believe in themselves.

🔬 Scout Porter is a sex toy engineer who has never had sex. The woman who designs products for everyone else's pleasure is a twenty-six-year-old virgin, thanks to a past relationship that made her swear off love entirely. When her entire office at BuzzCorp finds out her secret, Scout decides the solution is simple: experience it and get back to work. Enter Hudson Bailey, the nerdy, charming software developer hired to build the app for Scout's latest creation. But... He's as inexperienced with sex toys as she is with sex. Lucky for both of them, they're very eager to learn.

🚀 This book is H.A.W.T. Like, The Golf Club Scene will ruin mini golf for you forever hot. The spice level is high, the experimentation is plentiful, and the chemistry between Scout and Hudson is 📈. But here's what surprised me: it's not just spicy for the sake of being spicy. The physical vulnerability these two share actually allows them to build emotional intimacy in a way that feels organic.

🛠️ Scout's character growth is the real star here. When we first meet her, she's rigid, socially awkward, and completely walled off emotionally. Her inner monologue is funny and refreshing, and watching her realize she can hope for more, that she doesn't have to stay in the safe space she's built, was incredibly satisfying. She works hard to overcome her mental barriers, to be more approachable and actually enjoy her life.

📚 This book is extremely sex positive and genuinely educational. Murray doesn't shy away from the realities of sexual exploration, and there's something refreshing about a romance that treats sex as something to learn about, experiment with, and enjoy without shame. The STEM vibes are strong (ALERT ALI HAZELWOOD FANS), and the workplace setting at a sex toy startup adds layers of humor and authenticity.

🎯 The pacing is perfect. I wanted to devour this in a day but had to pace myself The romance moves quickly in terms of physical intimacy, but the emotional payoff is earned.


Thank you to NetGalley, Forever Publisher, and Alys Murray for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.




☑️ at least one rocket exploding (literally)
☑️ at least one rocket exploding (figuratively)
☑️a woman who doesn’t know how to experience her feelings working in the sex toy industry
☑️ a man who has never used a sex toy asks for lessons from said woman

[Chrys Champ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw Navessa Allen recommend this book & I added it to my “want to read” and the saw it on NetGalley & instantly went for it ! And boy am I glad I did ! Hudson and Scout were amazing . Their banter and their ability to see through eachother was fun to read. I loved Hudson helping Scout discover what was keeping her from going after more, settling, & not standing up for herself . And in turn I loved Scout helping Hudson discover that he too was holding back from discovering love. The girls in this book were all girls girls and I loved them Clara, Addie & Leelah & how they always showed up for Scout even when she didn’t know she needed them .

I came for the spice and stayed for the plot.

I highly recommend giving this book a read
Also Fuck Lloyd Exeter!

[Sabrina]

DNF at 60%

While this is extremely readable, I can’t do it anymore.

This is smut before plot which is fine, but the plot surrounding Scout and Hudson’s romance wasn’t well developed. Scout is portrayed as the usual Woman in STEM without an attempt to show how that can be a harmful stereotype. Hudson is…he’s a people-pleaser with a great ass who doesn’t open up even with it being brought up multiple times on page and something is fishy there. I don’t like it and I don’t care to find out exactly what he’s hiding.

Also if we’re being honest, for a book that opens with Scout riding a dildo and using a vibrator, the actual copulation was nothing to write home about. Those scenes were the most detailed part of the book, but that doesn’t make them interesting.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the eArc!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is your warning that this book may not be for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Romance for this eArc in exchange for my honest opinion.

The premise alone will let you know if it’s something you would want to read or not.

Overall though it was a fun read with a bonkers premise and I only read at home/on the weekends cause it is truly not safe for work.

This is probably at the top of my threshold for spice but if you like that in books this was a fun stem spin on the “lessons” trope.

Not a book I will just recommend to just anyone but overall a fun time.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5. Review to come.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[maisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️
3 🌶️

Wow, this was so fun and SO HOT! This book follows Scout, a sex-toy engineer who is quite rigid when we first meet her but damn, did she come out of her shell. I really loved her character growth and her inner monologue was funny and refreshing!! And Hudson, the sweet, sweet man that he is 🥹 These two were perfect for each other and really had great chemistry.

This book is extremely sex positive, very educational (in my honest opinion), and hot as hell. I really don’t think I’ve read something that educated one paragraph and then could turn you on in the same chapter 🥵🔥

Thanks NetGalley and Berkley for an ARC!

[bonreviewsbooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Off the bat, I wasn’t connecting with the writing style, but I wanted to stick it out because I thought the premise was unique and I was intrigued.

But overall, I just didn’t enjoy the writing or the FMC. I found it odd that what seemed like it was attempting to be a sex positive story had a virgin FMC who was mortified of being a virgin. Sex positivity to me feels like being open to the spectrum of sexuality and experiences, including not having sex.

“I couldn’t be a crier and a virgin in front of my colleagues. One of those was bad enough. Both of them? Beyond humiliating.”

Like?? Is it, really?

She tried to make it seem like their new product would flop because she was a virgin…like…what?! Even after her ex said something 1. there is no way the general public would care that some random engineer who worked at the sex toy company had never had sex and 2. Losing your virginity would never be necessary or something you’d be talking to your boss about. Honestly this was just so insane. It felt like a runaway train of a plot.

“So you haven’t heard that we had sex this weekend at the conference?” “No, is that what the rumor mill is saying?” “Yes, and it’s not true.”

This conversation happens mere moments after the MMC asks the FMC if she has his sweatshirt that she borrowed, a conversation that happens in front of teammates. The FMC then panics because OBVIOUSLY her having his sweatshirt means everyone will think they slept together, right? No. I don’t know why anyone would think that, like are we 12? Rumor mill? Three colleagues heard you borrowed his sweatshirt…Call the priest because we have a whore who needs confession!!

There was something very forced about the dialogue and the FMCs thoughts.

Hudson was an endearing character, but I felt zero chemistry between these characters.

[Nat Top · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea what I was getting into with this book and I'm glad because it was a fun ride.
Scout is a socially awkward engineer who works with Hudson, a people pleasing tech guy. Oh, and they happen to work at a sex toy company. Long story short they come up with an agreement for sexual gratification that lasts until the next big product release and the end of Hudson's contract. And Scout will not catch feelings because that would be bad news!
This book was equally spicy as it was mentally deep. There was plenty of sexual experimentation and exploration in this book between the two, finding out what each of them like. But there's also the added layer of their previous partners that keep haunting them. Plus Scout's academic and professional background, along with her parents, that have stilted her socially. It may be hard for Scout in the beginning but she works hard to overcome her mental barriers to be more approachable and enjoy her life. Hudson also overcomes his own challenges to be a better partner and a stronger individual. For some spicy fun, serious STEM vibes, and silly friends, you should read A Little Buzzed.

[Marissa | goingonbookcation · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5⭐️ 3.5/5🌶️ 0/5😢

“My first reaction? I carry sex toys in my purse; I’m not an animal. My second reaction? Oh right. That’s not normal. You’re the weird one in this scenario.”

^^^this was a ridiculous(ly sexy) and fun premise, with an equally delightful and hilarious execution! Raunchy and tender-hearted in all the right places 💛

Full RTC!

[Megan Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured in one day

[lucialeelibros · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't expected this book were so F GOOD and too SPICY!!!?????? My goodness!!!! omg

thank you so much to netgalley and Berkley for the ARC of this book! it was a really an adventure.

[Romancereadingaddict · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scout is a brilliant sex toy engineer, but her personal life is non-existent. She's a workaholic prodigy who has never experienced love, friendship, or sex. When her company hires a new tech guy, Hudson—a computer nerd who knows nothing about pleasure products—she's initially annoyed, then reluctantly takes him under her wing.

But their top-secret project gets a new rival: a company helmed by her ex-boyfriend, Lloyd Exeter. The competition forces Scout to re-evaluate her life. She decides to lose her virginity, and a night with Hudson blurs the lines between professional and personal. As she navigates this new world of intimacy, she must also confront her feelings for the one person who challenges her to finally experience life beyond her work.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ rtc!

[Nikki (awallflowerreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scout might be an expert on sex toys, she’s a powerhouse in the industry, and on to produce one of the Best Toys on the market….but she’s never actually had sex. While this hasn’t necessarily been a problem for her before, golden retriever software engineer and new guy on the team sets her all kinds of aflame. If you like a golden retriever and black cat pair- this will definitely be one you want to pick up! Scout is that girl who’s too in her head and comes off quite aloof, when in reality she’s just a ball of anxiety (relatable). And Hudson is kind of her perfect foil- people pleaser to the extreme, but also all-around confident and secure man. He’s eager to please, which is hella hot and means the pants are coming off early in this. And staying off because DAMN these two can f*ck. Scout reluctantly agrees to give him sex toy lessons in exchange for a no-strings-attached affair over the course of his 6-week contract. And while we know these two are going to fall in love ASAP (pretty sure they were beyond halfway there before he even eats her out), Scout is in Denial.

We all need a gal pal like Leelah, and I really appreciated that we got that friendship between her and Scout. So often, these single pov novels featuring cold cat heroines in STEM also leaves them friendless or without a solid support system. I loved that not only was Scout having a romantic journey in this, but she’s also figuring out herself and her friendships as an adult. It felt very real, and I appreciate when authors make characters feel whole in this way.

This one will be a hit for fans of Ali Hazelwood, sex toy empowerment, golden retriever-black cat pairs, and men who yearn. Although we don’t get Hudson’s POV, man is a D1 yearner, and if Scout even had an ounce of confidence in her with men, she’d notice it as clearly as we do. It starts fast and sexy, and continues to deliver on that premise throughout. The writing is clever and quippy, while still hitting on some really deep emotional insecurities. I really think Alys Murray is going to be a massive hit, and this novel is something you’re not going to want to miss in 2026. Plus, it has The Thing we all want to see more of in romances, particularly hetero romance.

5/5
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for an eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Lauren (lololovesthings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

"A Little Buzzed" by Alys Murray surprised me quite a bit. I enjoyed this book for the most part. There is a good balance of self-discovery, humor, romance, workplace drama, and spice. The spice DO be spicing in this book. The FMC, Scout, works for a special-fun toy company as an engineer. WOMEN IN STEM!!! I don't think I have read a book like this before, so it was fun to see the ins and outs of such a profession. Scout had something rocky happen in her professional life with a previous employer, which ostracized her and has since made her wary of trusting people (especially men). She doesn't date, she likes things done a certain way (HER way!), and she is a virgin. She is extremely intelligent when it comes to science-minded things, but growing up, her parents fostered an environment where she now doesn't know how to do the basics, like cook, maintain relationships, make friends, and have conversations. Everything Scout knows changes when Hudson (MMC) comes to work for her company for a few weeks. While she is initially annoyed with Hudson, she cannot deny she is attracted to him, and the two enter into an agreement where he will take her virginity in exchange for lessons on how to use the toys her company makes. The more time they spend together, the more their feelings become very, very real. I was honestly shocked by the amount of detail regarding the toys sold and used in this book. The author sure did her research! Honestly, you could use this as a guide if you wanted to; it's that thorough. Unfortunately, I felt like the connection between Scout and Hudson was lacking. I wanted to love them together, but it was a little too insta-love-y for me, so I did not feel that massive yearning link that could have/should have been there. Individually, I loved the characters. I loved watching Scout come into her own and gain the confidence to tell her parents to EFF-OFF!!! I loved watching Hudson discover his likes and dislikes, and feel free to express them with a partner who supports his desires and wants. There are a lot of good spicy scenes, but I wish there had been more oomph when it came to their connection. Still, this is a good, unique book!

Thank you to NetGalley, Alys Murray, and Berkley Publishing Group for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

[Mackenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a fun, silly, easy read! The cover initially drew me in, and after reading the description I knew I was going to be in for a wild ride.

A Little Buzzed is the type of book you have a glass of wine with, laugh during, and tell your girlfriends "you will not believe what happened in the book I'm reading" (cough cough, golf club scene). It is not going to a book that takes you on an emotional journey or one that creates an immersive world with complex characters. I think recognizing that this is a silly, sexy, surface level book before going into it will make the read more enjoyable.

Things I enjoyed about this story was the unique premise and sex-positive themes/dialogue. I applaud Murray for creating a story that will, hopefully, open peoples minds and make them feel more comfortable talking about sex/exploring their own wants. Unfortunately, I did feel that we were told more than we were shown throughout the entire book. It became a bit repetitive, detailed sex scene with little to no emotion into "real life" activities with no detail/time jumps into detailed sex scene, etc. The plot was interesting, but it didn't feel totally flushed our or developed. Instead of being a backbone of the story, it felt like little pit stops on our way to the next sex scene. I wish we had gotten to see more of the work environment and the company's so called competition. I also wanted Scout and Hudson to have more depth, similar to the plot, their development and backstories seemed incomplete. They didn't feel like real people, but like sex crazed robots constantly chasing their next orgasm. I wanted more of a balance between physical intimacy and emotional intimacy. It was hard to be invested in them/their relationship given the lack of emotion.

This was different than my normal reads, and while I wanted more from it, I still found it enjoyable and fun. For those looking for a quick/easy, not-so-serious read with lots of spice, I think you would enjoy this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review! All opinions are my own. Expected publication is 2/17/2026.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stars: 3/5
Spice: 3/5

I typically NEVER read books that very clearly one that contains smut but I am glad I gave this one a try.

Scout is a top engineer at BuzzCorp which is a sex toy start-up company. She's a workaholic that is always trying to prove to herself and her toxic parents that she is smart and valuable.
When a new employee, Hudson, joins the team, all Scout can think about is him. They both have their own issues, and somehow they’re exactly what the other needs. Scout has never lost her virginity, and Hudson has never used a sex toy, but one hookup quickly turns into something deeper.

I loved Hudson. The author did a good job on Scout's character development. She started out as a very insecure person who felt like she wasn't doing enough in her life and a disappointment to her parents because of the field that she was working in. She felt like she was not deserving of love. But with the help of Hudson and her friend Leelah, she came to realize how worthy she truly is. I especially loved the way the women in this story supported each other. Aside from her mom, every woman in Scout’s life wanted the best for her.

This book was very sex positive and briefly touched upon how different preferences are okay and should not be judged by others. I wish it went further to discuss the topic more. The golf club and pegging scene was a little too much for me personally but can understand why the author had those two scenes in the book

Overall, a sweet and spicy book that had actual substance. I am glad I read it and I enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this complimentary e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Zia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Alys Murray for the opportunity to read and review an Advance Reader Copy of this book!

This book is definitely outside of my comfort zone, but I’m genuinely glad I read it. As someone who relates strongly to the female main character, it was really meaningful to follow her journey toward becoming stronger, both through her relationships with others and, more importantly, with herself.

I honestly wasn’t expecting to become emotionally connected to this book, but the tone was beautifully done and really pulled me in.

That said, part of why I didn’t expect to connect emotionally is because a major theme of this book is learning to be open. I completely understand that this is intentional and central to the story, but on a personal level, it did affect my reading experience. As someone with pretty significant trust issues, the lack of openness, especially early on, made me feel like the male main character wasn’t as good of a person as the narrative suggested.

It wasn’t until the end of the book that I realized he is genuinely a good person… and that my reaction was more about my own distrust than the character himself. While that isn’t the book’s fault, I do think that giving absolutely no/few information for the first 40% contributed to that sense of unease and distance for me.

Since this book is so far outside my comfort zone, I may sit with it a bit longer before settling on a final rating. For now, it lands at a 3-star read for me!

Thank you again to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Alys Murray for the opportunity to read and review an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

When Scout’s sex toy company finds out its star engineer has never had sex, she can only think of one solution: lose her virginity. It’s only luck that the company’s new software developer needs someone to teach him about the sex toys he’s helping bring to life…

I don’t know what I was expecting from a book literally set in a sex toy company, but I was pleasantly surprised by how hot it was. Like, very hot. Blistering, if you will. And yet, despite its premise being sex, A Little Buzzed spans different topics, from sexual freedom, to grooming, to parental abuse, and mental health. I was very impressed by how it dealt with the topics, although I feel like at times they were treated with more superficiality than they deserved.

Scout is a character filled with lots of insecurities, shackled by her upbringing and past. The only thing she’s proud of was heartlessly marred by someone she trusted. She’ll do anything to prevent her mistake from soiling her career, and if that means never letting someone close again and refusing to search for a better future, well, then so be it. Similarly, Hudson also had his heart broken by the two people he loved and trusted most. Since then, he’s been eager to please so no one can find any faults in him. Together, Scout and Hudson not only learn about sex and toys, they also find out what trust and love should look like.

I really liked this book and how it presented the topics it explored, and I would definitely read more from the author.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for my advanced copy.

[Red · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
A Little Buzzed by Alys Murray is a romantic comedy that intertwines humor, romance, and self-discovery. The story revolves around Scout Porter, a talented sex toy engineer at BuzzCorp, who finds herself in a predicament—both literally and metaphorically. Despite her expertise in designing pleasure products, Scout is a twenty-six-year-old virgin, a fact that unexpectedly becomes office gossip. Enter Hudson Bailey - their agreement to engage in a single, educational encounter for "research purposes," but maybe it ignites undeniable chemistry between them...
The book is filled with blush-worthy moments, seamlessly blending humor with extremely steamy romance that might leave readers intrigued and reading in private. Scout and Hudson are truly deserving of each other's love and support, showcasing a tender and genuine connection that resonates throughout the story. They just have to come to terms with the fact that they deserve this kind of care. This book definitely shows the importance of support, highlighted by Scout's friend group, which stands out as a source of strength and guidance during her journey. It is so cute watching her be a part of a girl group after everything she was raised through.
Although the novel is delightful, it left me longing for more resolution at the end (like maybe some dang apologies?!). I really hope this conclusion leaves the possibility of a sequel, focusing on Scout’s friends and their stories.

[Christine Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐2.5⭐A Little Buzzed perfectly encapsulates the mixed bag of feelings I had while reading this story. I could physically feel the awkwardness of Scout and her whole persona. I don’t know how else to describe her, but it’s as if you are watching someone flirt disastrously in real time and you just cannot look away for fear of missing out. It’s weird, you feel bad, and you are just hoping deep in your soul that Scout encounters a radical character change in the coming chapters (sadly no). I appreciate Hudson’s golden retriever energy around Scout, but their dialogue felt forced, cheesy at times, and oddly uncomfortable in others.
I read this in tandem with Come As You Are by Dr. Emily Nagoski (I highly recommend, excellent read) because of the sex-positive themes, but I did not feel like I took much away from this story versus the beneficial take-aways from Dr. Nagoski. I wish there was a deeper character dive into Scout and Hudson and a stronger balance between emotional and physical intimacy that contemporary romance novels bring to the table.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

dnf @ 76%

thanks to the publisher and netgalley for giving me access to an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

first of all i just want to say that i was extremely interested in this book based off of the blurb. i’m all about sex positive books but this one was just eh.

idk as someone who’s within the age range also being a virgin (sorry tmi!!) her whole shame around it made sense but also just being so quick to be like i gotta fuck someone just threw me off.

the kink exploration and pegging being included was okish. but the author mentioned the fmc being on her period, eating a weed brownie and never feeling the pain again, and just never mentioned it after that. she went to a strip club and he fingered her in the bathroom the day after she started her period and just never mentioned it again. i was hoping maybe a bit of a conversation around period sex would be addressed and it didn’t. just straight into pretending it wasn’t mentioned at all. (not saying i’m against period sex but i was hoping like some sort of discussion about how it’s not bad or weird or maybe a kink exploration of some sorts occurred since that’s what the main characters were doing ya know)

[Cortney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was cute and spicy, but it took me til about 70% to actually get into the ending. It was just too repetitive with saying the same things over again throughout the whole book. This is just sex, you're leaving after your contract is up, etc. Also I am not a huge fan of Miscommunication. She should of just told Hudson how she felt, instead of just waiting for him to say I love you. But then just giving him mixed messages of constantly saying this is just casual and wanting nothing from this after you leave. I had a hard time being invested in the characters.

I did like reading about the hard conversations and realizing you're worth more than how you've been treated in the past. It was totally relatable. Everyone tends to be hard on themselves, but the only opinion that matters is if you believe you aren't worth anything. You have to be good to yourself or else you won't be happy and believe everything people tell you.
Overall it was a cute and okay story.

Thank you Netgalley, publisher, and Author for a chance to read this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

[Martina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.75 stars rounded up. This was a fun one, although it is most definitely NSFW. This was downright dirty in the best way possible. Scout is an engineer (love women in STEM!) who, after a disastrous rocket launch, now works for a sex toy company. She's good at what she does but lacks self-confidence and never believes anyone is truly there to support her. The journey of Scout learning that she doesn't always have to be perfect and find friends who are there for was really rewarding. As a fellow socially awkward woman, I loved going along with her as she learned to love herself. Hudson was honestly the perfect guy for her. The "lessons" trope had a fun little spin on it, and I loved seeing both of them learn more about themselves and each other, together. I loved every single character and would love to see more from them! Overall, I think I craved a bit more communication/character development and it just felt like it was missing something for me.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A round of applause and 4 stars for this book. What a fun ride this was, wink wink.

This book was genuinely so enjoyable because it shines light on a topic that I personally feel like is such a hush hush topic for women still. It feels empowering to feel seen that our pleasure is just as important and there are endless healthy ways for not only us but couples too to achieve that.

Besides that, I loved the “older” virgin as well. Society adds enough pressure. I’m all for support everyone’s own adventure. In my eyes, we’re all flowers that bloom during different times and that’s absolutely beautiful.

The dynamic between the couple made me feel warm inside. He showed her she was seen. And she offered the same. They both learned from their past “mistakes” and found ways to grow from it but together. Genuinely one of the most realistic character developments I have read especially as trust takes times and effort.

If you like a romance that is not only super spicy but also highlights important topics, this is for you.

[torii · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS

The second I heard about this book I wanted to read it!

A sex toy engineer who after an awful relationship swore off men and never lost her virginity?? Yes please.
Enter Hudson Bailey, the super-hot, glasses wearing, people pleasing, newly contracted employee whose work depends on him learning about sex toys... because he's a (sex toy) virgin!

They strike up a deal to have a mutually beneficial, purely educational, no feelings involved relationship until the end of his contract..

We know how the rest of this story goes.... but I will say the rest of the story was hilarious, full of banter, spice, and sweet tender moments that had me clutching my little heart. It was unique and exactly what I look for in a story!

I hate to compare anything to Ali Hazelwood, because Ali Hazelwood cannot be replicated!
BUT I will say, this book for sure made me think, man I wish Ali would let her freak flag fly a little bit more and let out the raunchy stuff I know she's hiding from us.....cause this was goooooood.

ALSO.,,,,there is pegging.........and it's done well :)
So please read this book!


Thank you for the ARC Netgalley and PRH!

[bookstosoothethesoul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a sex lessons book so this one really worked for me! It was so fun watching her learn more about sex and Hudson learn more about sex toys. I loved that Hudson was comfortable enough in his masculinity to explore a variety of toys without feeling like it impacted his manliness. Scout and Hudson are both flawed characters and have some trauma to work through (Scout especially) and I really related to them both. I felt very seen by her perfectionistic nature and it was so sweet to Hudson show her that she didn’t have to never make mistakes to be deserving of love. Hudson was such a soft MMC I absolutely adored him. I was a little hard watching Scout's self-hatred impair her ability to really show up for Hudson but she got there in the end. If you're looking for a high heat romance with a black cat/golden retriever couple this would be a great next read.

Thanks to Berkley for the eARC!