Man Candy

by Jewel Quinlan

Commercial real estate agent, Ava Baldassari, is done with being a good girl. Recently having revamped her self-image, home, and wardrobe she finds there is one thing left that needs updating—her sex life.


She runs into her running partner, Cole, one night when she is out with a friend. A bit drunk, she flirts with him and is surprised by the enthusiastic response he gives back. Things reach a point where she has to make a decision whether or not to cross a line she never has before.


Ava is forty and Cole is twenty-five, is she really ready to become a cougar?

Genres: Contemporary

46 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 9, 2015

About the author

Jewel Quinlan is a bestselling paranormal and contemporary romance author. Since her debut in late 2013, she has published seventeen stories and has many more to come. Restless by nature, she is an avid traveler and has visited sixteen countries so far. Lover of ice cream, dark beer, and red wine, she tries to stay fit when she’s not typing madly on her computer drafting another romance novel. In her spare time, she likes to do yoga, hike, learn German, and play with her spoiled Chihuahua, Penny.

Reviews

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall 3 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 2 out of 5 stars

reluctant cougar...

Ava was very reluctant to be a cougar. She started the night out right with expectations that exceed what she knew she would find. Then things change in a different direction. By morning 40 yr-old Ava will have joined the cougar club. Simple. Slow. Short.

I enjoyed the narrator. For me it was the story that had the problem.

[Rosemary Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title.
A forty years ago woman, look at her options in the male partners available, and experiencing her first hookup with a lot younger man.

[Nicole Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who says a lady can’t have a younger man if it’s okay for men to have a younger lady the same should be okay. An easy to listen to story that I’m sure some women out there could connect too.

[Assortedtrashprincess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was robbed of friends to lovers trope.

[Laura Nelson (Tangents and Tissues) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review and thoroughly enjoyed this short sexy story.

Ava is 40 and deciding that life hasn’t gone exactly as she would have envisaged she’s developed a kick-ass no nonsense attitude and decided if she wants to spend the night with a twenty-something what’s stopping her?!? I mean what woman in her right mind would pass up the opportunity to spend the night with Cole!!! I loved Ava’s inner monologue and snort/giggled a few times at her running commentary.

I look forward to reading our heroine’s next adventure and don’t think I’ll be disappointed.

[Jo - •.★Reading Is My Bliss★.• · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read. I listened to the audio version of this and thought the narration was really well done. Ava goes on a girls night out with her girlfriend to have a bit of fun. She is gorgeous and has a rocking body. A younger guy she knows shows an interest in getting much better acquainted with her, in the intimate sense of the word.

Should she do it? He is freaking hot, she has nothing to lose, in fact she has everything to gain and she is damn tempted!

I really enjoyed this quick fun read.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, let me be transparent: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I'd give it a 3.5 if Goodreads allowed it. It's well written, and I actually care about the characters. I wish we could find out a little more about the hook-up hottie who lets her have her wicked way with him. Other than that, it's a quick and enjoyable read.

Warning: if you're after total resolution and an HEA, skip it.

But if you feel like a literary one-night stand, it's worth the romp.

[Pennie Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ava is 40 and looking to scratch an itch, really wants someone else to scratch it for a change. What she really wants is to find the right someone. In the meantime she goes out with a younger friend and what ensues is a look at why I'm glad I don't do the club scene any longer. Luckily Ava hooks up with her running buddy who is 15 years younger and even though there is no "chemistry" there is plenty of heat and both have a good time.

**Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review**

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not realize this was a short story and I fell in love with Ava and the whole story as soon as it started to wrap up. That's my only problem with this story - too short. Other than that, I really enjoyed Ava's complex character! She is so confident and happy with her life and made the effort to get that way by moving her home and re-vamping her wardrobe. Definitely a fun read that makes a girl want to try some new cosmetics.

[Irisdiana · Rating 2 out of 5]

August 31, 2015


Ava is beautiful, rockin' bod, great well paying job, great ride, friends and loves her life and is complaining about a dry spell in her love life. It was really hard for me to feel anything for this character......... Yes, I am cougar aged and it was kind of sad when I liked Cole----her hottie way better than Ava. I recieved this book for an honsest review.

[The TBR Pile *Book review site* · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Ava. She was confident but still unsure of herself with Cole, until she took the reigns. I love, love, love the dialouge during sex. The promotion lines were hilarious.

http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/reviews/...

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short, sexy story. Ava is in search of a man to fulfill her needs but does she want to find a younger one? Is she ready to release her inner cougar? This story made me hungry for some man candy!

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kae Thomas Hawk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome quick read. Loved the set up of the story but should have paid more attention to the fact this was a very short book. I was turning the page to see what happened after their hot night together and it was the end of the book.

I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[LaGina]

YES!! A book about the 40-ish age group getting the young hot guy. I was really liking the fact that Ava could have her "little thing" with Cole and not feel so bad about it. I cant wait to read more of the Cougar Journals.