Gone - Part One

Gone #1

by Deborah Bladon

The first part of GONE, a three-part series from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Deborah Bladon.

Sending a half-naked picture to a stranger she met online, seems innocent and fun to Lilly Randall. After spending the past four years working towards an honors degree, she needs a distraction and flirting with a man she doesn't know can't hurt, right?

Clive Parker is the one man who holds all of Lilly's dreams in the palm of his hand. He's the CEO of one of the world's largest technology firms. When her picture ends up in his pocket, her future will never be the same again.

She wants him to see her potential. He questions her motives. Neither can deny the unexpected attraction that exists between them.

When Clive's doubts begin to push them apart, Lilly is forced to face the reality that nothing in life is guaranteed and in the blink of an eye, everything you value can be gone.

This ends in a cliffhanger. Parts Two and Three will be released within the next few weeks.

The entire series is now complete and available as a bundled set here on Amazon!

Genres: Romance, Erotica, Contemporary Romance, New Adult, Short Stories, Contemporary, Novella

95 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2014

About the author

Deborah Bladon has never read a romance hero she didn't like. Her love for romance novels began when she was old enough to board the bus, library card in hand to check out the newest Harlequin paperbacks. She's a Canadian by heart, and by passport, but you can often spot her in New York City sipping a latte and looking for inspiration for her next story. Manhattan is definitely her second home.

She cherishes her family and believes that each day is a gift for writing, for reading, and for loving.

Reviews

[Eda** · Rating 3 out of 5]

** 2,5-3 STARS **



I'm just not feeling it with this one.

I couldn't connect with either of the MCs and unfortunately, the story was very dull this time, too.

The cliffy at the end of the book didn't even excite me. That says something.



Lilly Randall, a 22-year-old MIT graduate that works at a Star Bistro for now, meets Parker Jarvis on an online dating app and decides that sending him an envelope consisting of a naked picture of her breasts, one of her lace panties and a handwritten note of how she likes to suck c*ck, is a good idea.



But what happens is...the envelope ends up in the hands of Clive Parker, Parker Jarvis' 34-year-old half brother, who also happens to be the CEO of Corteck, the company that Lilly had obsessively been trying to get a job at since after her graduation!



After being humiliated by Clive Parker's kind words and insightful advice about maybe not sending naked pics to strangers in the future, Lilly wants to go to the company, explain to Mr. Parker that this is not something she does often and even beg for the job of her dreams if need be!

The rest is blah blah. (SORRY)

I hope the next book provides something actually surprising.

Otherwise, I'll be too damn disappointed, yet again.



P.S: Realize the absence of quotes in my review? Yeah. Shocking, I know. Couldn't find anything worth highlighting... *sigh*

[Jacqueline's Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Holy Moly Stars

Yeah, not a fan of serials, so I waited for all the books to be released before I started Gone. I’m so glad I did because oh my that cliffy.

It was good Deborah Bladon, you did good.

I like these kind of reads. It’s really simple, no fuss, no muss, great tension and steamy scenes. You want to read these books between your book hang overs or you are just bored on a rainy day and want to relax.

You have the typical Hero. He’s powerful, successful, rich and owns a company. You have the typical Heroine, she’s young, fresh, work driven and sassy. She accidently sends him *gasp* a naked photo of hers to him, thinking it was his brother! I know, completely awesome way to start the book.

Long story short, she wants to work for his company and it’s funny to read. The chemistry is great and my only complaints is the length of the book, but you are going to get that from serials. I wish there could have been a tiny more character development before it went to insta-lust, but I only so much can be develop within 137 pages.

I say, take a chance at this one.

AMAZON 99 cents

[Akanksha❤ Søren♰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

FUCK! THAT ENDING!!!

[Avid Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read all three parts of Clive's and Lilly's story and can only sum the series up as boring. Lilly is 22 and Clive is 12 years her senior at 34 years old. Unfortunately, the dialogue reads as if she is 18 and he a 20 years old. The sugary sweet story has no plot, no sexual chemistry, and no suspense. The author made an attempt to create suspense based on Lilly's career being jeopardized by a foolish act of her own doing but it was too feeble of a storyline and fell flat. The story about Lilly's past family tragedy should have been better developed and, if done well, could have created more reader feeling for Lilly. It also could have been the foundation for real suspense and an interesting plot for the characters. As written it contributes little even though the author kept telling us through Clive's and Lilly's dialogue how central it was to bringing them together. If it has to be stated, and restated, it means the author isn't developing the story so that the readers discover that fact on their own

This series is completely absent of any character development, including supporting characters, and the dialogue is insipid. Thankfully, each of the three parts is a short read. Clive's a billionaire (will authors ever get more creative?!) and she's an honors grad from MIT working in a coffee shop (really!). They meet due to a "selfie" Lilly took and sent to someone pretending to be Clive. For him it was instant attraction and for her it's attraction and a shot at a job with his tech company. I knew this series wasn't for me when, with no build up, newly hired Lilly let's her boss masturbate her to an orgasm in his office. Don't get me wrong, I'm not put off by the act but by the ham-handed writing that left me thinking "WTF."

This series isn't romantic, isn't suspenseful, isn't erotic, and isn't worth your time.

[MadLoveBookBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book I have read from this author, and boy, I want to read e everything she has written...no kidding, I will.

Great surprise because, this is one of the few books I have bought solely because of the reviews. Short, YES....but apparently, the good news is that I don't have to wait for long for the next two I installments, I was kind of worried about that ...However, I would hope for more spark, and angst, perhaps from Clives going away...I don't know...nonetheless...

Loved it = Period

[Taz-xo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Usual storyline. Nothing new here.

[Pixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be 2.5 for me. Clive…first off that’s an old guys name didn’t work at all for me. I don’t really connect with this guy. Like AT ALL. Please stop being a spineless jerk in the next version. I think he has one of those complexes where he thinks everyone is out to get him. Turn off…

Only thing that redeemed it for me was Lilly. Loved her. She’s like “hey you want to fuck we’ll fuck. If you’re now feeling guilty well then we just won’t fuck anymore”. Love that she’s an equal participant, she’s like hey let me help you get me off, we’re new to each other this is what I like. Perfect, cause come on, men aren’t mind readers… I hope she just keeps that same personality for book 2.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'll be honest, I was expecting a lot more based on some of the reviews this had - a hell of a lot more. It felt very rushed, and jumped timelines in the middle of a chapter. Their relationship developed way too quickly for my liking, but I liked and I am slightly intruiged by her backstory.

It hasn't been edited; there is a mess of grammar mistakes in there, plus some sentences that don't really make much sense.

I won't be buying the next two, not unless they become free.

[Jennifer Lyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure when this started, it seemed tired and done. Then I got into the book and was hooked as the characters had more depth and issues than I expected. So this book was a surprise. It's NOT a full length book, but one of a trilogy.

[Amber Hatfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clive was a complete jerk, the whole book lacked a plot or character development. Glad it was a cheap read!

[K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this.

[Gabriela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 starr for the star of this series , lets give it a chance before a review.

[~*~Brooke's Stripped Down Reviews~*~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cant believe it ended like THAT...omg, need more now!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well shit, that's what I call a cliffhanger.

[Melyssa Winchester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Gone
Author: Deborah Bladon
Series or Standalone: 3 Part Series (Novella) (Gone #1)
Rating: 5 Stars *****

Review:

Gone is the first in a three part New Adult Contemporary Romance series told from the point of view of the main character Lilly as a random choice puts her in the path of businessman Clive Parker.

This being my first outing with this author as far as I’ve been able to tell, I wasn’t entire sure what I was in for when I started this book, but based on the blurb and the pull of the cover, I was most definitely down for the ride, so to speak.

The way this book started, good lord. Hilarious. I can honestly say that had it started off in some other way, I’m not quite sure I would have felt the same about it, but this beginning, the first look at both Lilly and Clive, as well as the other Parker, it was brilliant.

Lilly, an MIT graduate, and a software designer, has been trying for ages to secure a meeting with the one and only Clive Parker. The man behind the company that she wants nothing more than to work for because it is essentially her holy grail. The very man that in all the time she has been trying she has never gotten to have a direct face to face with.

Until she does and in the most horrifyingly embarrassing way possible.

Clive Parker is rough around the edges, having been dealt more than his share of loss and pain throughout his life and due to that, has created a pretty big wall around not only himself, but his heart as well. Living his life by a set of rules that he has never wanted to break. That is until he crosses paths with Lilly.

One seemingly bad and definitely embarrassing decision puts these two in direct contact with each other and nothing is ever the same from that moment on.

I have to say that there wasn’t a huge character connection overall here for me, but given that this is a first of three series that is to be expected. As the story progresses, more will be told about both of them, so that I’ll be able to understand them better, of that I have no doubt. But what was given, about their pasts, and their personalities, it was enough to keep me interested and want to see their relationship develop past what it has up until this point.

When it comes to sex scenes, I’m only looking for one thing when I read. I want the scenes in some way (even with a more erotic based book) to be a couple coming together in a way furthers the story and not just being used as filler to make a book appear longer and for this story, I got what I wanted. While the scenes themselves were written well and gave off the right measure of heat, they also played their part in connecting these two characters together and furthering what I do believe will turn out to be a full and complete story of two people falling in love and healing one another.

For me overall, this was a great read. It was also a very fast paced read and one that from the very first page gave me something a little different to become invested in. I’ll most definitely be checking out more from this author, both with this series and others she has written.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this book out because of the fact it was a series, and it had quite a few good reviews. Well, I found myself skipping alot, which doesn't bode well when it's already a short book. The characters of Clive and Lilly didn't seem compelling. Lilly sends a naked picture of herself to a stranger online and BOOM! His brother is instantly infatuated with her, but he also happens to be the man she's been trying to get a job interview with for a long time. Needless to say, Clive and Lilly have "instant" chemistry because he's gorgeous and she likes to put man parts in her mouth (yes she wrote that in a love note to said stranger). So Lilly (despite her protests to the opposite) is "that" kind of girl, I don't care what you say. So I had little to no respect for her. By the time the ending came (and it's lucky this book was short because I was ready to be done with it), the cliffhanger left me grateful that I didn't care where these two ended up.

The writing wasn't bad, because hey, I did read it all. I just felt the plot and characters read too much like a 50 Shades wanna be - and I was NOT a fan of that book either.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is going to be epic!

Gone is the new series by Deborah Bladon. It promises to be the very best series so far. Clive is the owner and the large software company. In his past is great tragedy. Lily creates mobile apps to supplement her income. She has always wanted to work for Clive's company. In her past is horrific tragedy.
Clive and Lily have excellent chemistry. But will Clive's unwillingness to trust ruin a good thing.
If the first book is anything to go by; this series will be epic

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the plot, however things were really rushed. I think had the author made this a novel instead of 3 part novella, she could have did more character and relationship development. One night they're sleeping together and the next day she stung that he doesn't trust her, there wasn't even enough time to get to the point of trust. The only other thing that I had to kind of wave off was that she graduated MIT w honors but couldn't get a job?top of her class and working in a bistro? That is just unbelievable to me. The writing was good, though, just plot development rushed

[Ruby · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was so pumped to read this book, and after the first 3 chapters I was more then a little let down, but pushed on... by the middle of the book I was losing hope and by the end I had already said goodbye to this series. I just couldn't get into anyone or thing in this story, Normally I am all about unbelievable plot lines and just putting blinders on, but from the first page of this book it was like being stuck on a broken lift with a snake oil sales rep, I tried so hard to enjoy this and ended up hating every moment to the bitter end.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a crazy cliffhanger!! I knew going into this there was a cliffhanger, but with book 2 & 3 coming soon I dove right in. It's a quick read, but started out with a hilarious mixup, filled with a lot of hot chemistry, and a shocking discovery. Clive and Lilly are surprisingly great together and their chemistry is off the charts. What he does to her is horrible. The ending was shocking!

[Tara OG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never in a million years would I think I would want to yell at the name Clive during mid orgasm, but Ms. Bladon does what she does best and makes me want to scream it out. She just has that first "meet" with her two main characters down to a science. Her ability to make me want to be pressed up against the glass while Clive does the diddle dance on my nether regions keeps me coming back every damn time.

[Bebe465 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well Clive is a very dominating figure in this story. Lily is the more easy going smart one. They both have experienced tragic losts and are still trying to deal with them. Lily starts to work for Clice and everything seems right with the world. They are attracted to each other and they act on it. Well trust plays a big factor here. So let's see what happens next.

[Linathebookaddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read every single book Deborah Bladon has ever published and this is one of my favorites. Great writing lovable characters, passionate romance and a difficult subject matter hidden in these pages. Great work. Cannot wait to read Part Two.
5 Stars.

[★¸. • * ° * ༺*Blanka*༺*°°*•.¸. ♥★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Libby from the moment she admitted she sent a naked picture of herself to some random she met online.
She is gutsy, and brave and I just love, love, love her!
Clive is starting to grow on me too...
What a cliffy though!

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read that starts off with a naked pic being sent to some random guy online and then ends with a major cliff hanger ... Onto book 2 :)

[Andrea Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, but that cliffhanger...

Good thing all books are out :)

[Annmarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read 3.5 with a cliffy. She's a strong woman, I'll give her that.

[Fernanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG!!!! rude, steamy and at the same timem funny and sweet.... on my way to part #2

[Shatan · Rating 4 out of 5]

That ending though! On to Part 2!

[Nothing Like A Great Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just so good and love the cliff hanger at the end. I hope 'Lilly' comes back, gets a backer and sets up her own competing business to show Mr. Smarty pants she can do it on her own. Of course they must come together again but not before his brother comes back from working abroad, mature and ready to pick up where he left off with 'Lilly'; so many possibilities. How long do we have to wait for the next book???????????????