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At First Blush
“There was no such thing as a soulmate. As for the intense connection…well, it must have been her imagination. There was no man who would instinctively understand her, no man who could read her mind. No man who could turn her on with just a look or a word, no man whose touch would override her reason and turn her into the embodiment of passion. And the sooner she let go of that fantasy completely, the sooner she could approach romantic relationships with a clear head and appreciate what she had instead of pining over everything she imagined she was missing.”
SERRAN WINTERS is determined to let the fantasy of Nick Enfield go. So why does she find herself asking him to dinner while on tour with her latest romance novel? Perhaps it's because she feels safe in disguise as her pseudonym, Jane Garfield. Besides, it's only a couple of hours...until a hurricane leaves her stranded at his house for three days.
Despite NICK ENFIELD’s deep hurt and growing bitterness since his divorce, something about the romance author entrances him from the first moment he sees her. But when he discovers she’s married, he’s determined to resist the intense attraction between them despite her mixed signals. If only his body’s reaction to her weren’t making it so hard to keep her marital status in mind.
AT FIRST BLUSH is a story about fantasy versus reality in love and romance, the nature of attraction and connection, and the reasons we choose to fight or follow our impulses.
SERRAN WINTERS is determined to let the fantasy of Nick Enfield go. So why does she find herself asking him to dinner while on tour with her latest romance novel? Perhaps it's because she feels safe in disguise as her pseudonym, Jane Garfield. Besides, it's only a couple of hours...until a hurricane leaves her stranded at his house for three days.
Despite NICK ENFIELD’s deep hurt and growing bitterness since his divorce, something about the romance author entrances him from the first moment he sees her. But when he discovers she’s married, he’s determined to resist the intense attraction between them despite her mixed signals. If only his body’s reaction to her weren’t making it so hard to keep her marital status in mind.
AT FIRST BLUSH is a story about fantasy versus reality in love and romance, the nature of attraction and connection, and the reasons we choose to fight or follow our impulses.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2015
6 people want to read
About the author
Jeanie Grey
10 books47 followersJeanie Grey writes sophisticated, steamy, unconventional romance and erotica for readers who like to think. She is the authoress of The Lilly Frank series, At First Blush, and Crouch and Other Stories. A fan of social justice, sex positivity, and chocolate, her list of favorite things in life also includes foreign films, Lady Grey tea, men wearing sweaters, and curling up in bed all day with a good book. She lives in Portland, Oregon and is working on a historical pirate romance series.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 10, 2015
Gifted an advanced copy for an honest review.
Where do I begin? Oh--I know! I shall begin with a warning: This review contains minor spoilers!
I don't usually write any spoilers, but I can't really give my most sincere review without revealing a tiny bit.
It was hard for me to get into this story because the main character, Serran, starts off as a liar. Personally, I have a really hard time with liars. The whole time, you know you're just waiting for the other shoe to drop! That awareness made it hard for me to commit right away. But eventually, I got into the story. I'll even admit that the way the "other shoe" dropped wasn't as predictable as I imagined it would be. However, after I got over the lying bit, there were plenty of other things that kept pulling me out of the warm bubble I wanted to stay in.
Serran was hard to like. I really wanted to--I really did! Her hopeless romantic feelings towards Nick, feelings she had held onto for years and years, they made her endearing. However, she was all over the place. I suppose, considering the details I was given, I can understand why. But the way she handled conflict was frustrating. When she was sad or confused or what have you, I couldn't bring myself to feel sorry for her. It took most of the book for me to actually decide that she was alright.
I loved Nick. I think his story along with Serran's perception of him (which definitely evolved) made him a hero I could really latch onto. Perhaps it was his honesty, versus everyone else's dishonesty, that also made me root for him and side with him at every turn! He had layers that I wanted to peel back and he was the kind of guy who was willing to let you see and know him and I appreciated that very much.
I did like the way Jeanie paced the story. It takes place over a very short amount of time (a week) but the way the plot developed, she kept me wanting and that kept me reading. In the end, though--I was left with way too many questions. There were big issues that had been incorporated in the story that were left practically untouched--even worse, they were pointed out and then...abandoned. No resolutions, no hints to a resolution--just nothing. I absolutely refuse to call the ending of this book an ending. I'm sorry, I just can't name it as such. I can't.
I applaud any author who can make me feel and Jeanie definitely did that. There is a part of me that liked the story in spite of all that made me frustrated--because it made me frustrated. I wouldn't have hesitated at all to give this book a four star rating...but the end...
In any case, this is just my opinion. I can't say I recommend you read this book--more like...I dare you!
Where do I begin? Oh--I know! I shall begin with a warning: This review contains minor spoilers!
I don't usually write any spoilers, but I can't really give my most sincere review without revealing a tiny bit.
It was hard for me to get into this story because the main character, Serran, starts off as a liar. Personally, I have a really hard time with liars. The whole time, you know you're just waiting for the other shoe to drop! That awareness made it hard for me to commit right away. But eventually, I got into the story. I'll even admit that the way the "other shoe" dropped wasn't as predictable as I imagined it would be. However, after I got over the lying bit, there were plenty of other things that kept pulling me out of the warm bubble I wanted to stay in.
Serran was hard to like. I really wanted to--I really did! Her hopeless romantic feelings towards Nick, feelings she had held onto for years and years, they made her endearing. However, she was all over the place. I suppose, considering the details I was given, I can understand why. But the way she handled conflict was frustrating. When she was sad or confused or what have you, I couldn't bring myself to feel sorry for her. It took most of the book for me to actually decide that she was alright.
I loved Nick. I think his story along with Serran's perception of him (which definitely evolved) made him a hero I could really latch onto. Perhaps it was his honesty, versus everyone else's dishonesty, that also made me root for him and side with him at every turn! He had layers that I wanted to peel back and he was the kind of guy who was willing to let you see and know him and I appreciated that very much.
I did like the way Jeanie paced the story. It takes place over a very short amount of time (a week) but the way the plot developed, she kept me wanting and that kept me reading. In the end, though--I was left with way too many questions. There were big issues that had been incorporated in the story that were left practically untouched--even worse, they were pointed out and then...abandoned. No resolutions, no hints to a resolution--just nothing. I absolutely refuse to call the ending of this book an ending. I'm sorry, I just can't name it as such. I can't.
I applaud any author who can make me feel and Jeanie definitely did that. There is a part of me that liked the story in spite of all that made me frustrated--because it made me frustrated. I wouldn't have hesitated at all to give this book a four star rating...but the end...
In any case, this is just my opinion. I can't say I recommend you read this book--more like...I dare you!
June 17, 2015
I really liked this book. It was different than I thought it was going to be. I figured from the synopsis that they would run back into each other she would be swept off her feet and they would find that they had always felt this connection and fall in love. Happily ever after. However that is not what happened at all. It was more like what would happen in real life. You are always scared or worried that the other person doesn't feel the same way as you no matter how confident you are. When you put your heart out there, there is always that part that worries the other person won't feel the same way as you. Serran wears a wig and make up to make herself unrecognizable when she goes to signing and things like that. She is a teacher by day and the parents wouldn't like that she is a smut writer. She is doing a signing in a town she lived in when she was younger. She has a crush on her best friend's older brother. She is kinda hoping she will run into him and scared to at the same time. Then he walks into the signing and waits in line to have a book signed by her. She recognizes him right away but he doesn't realize it’s her at all because of her disguise. Then out of nowhere she invites him to have dinner with her. Serran doesn't know this but there is a hurricane do to arrive. When Nick comes to pick her up he takes her to his place and cooks for her because all the restaurants have closed early do to the impending hurricane. Then things get a little weird. Serran hasn't told him it, she just keeps acting like her alter writer ego. They have this intense attraction to each other, but both are fighting it for different reasons. Serran's alter ego is Jane and she is married. Nick read the book's jacket and thinks Jane is married and that is why he is fighting his attraction to her, Serran doesn't want to give into her feeling for Nick. She has made him out to be someone he isn't in her mind and she is fighting herself about how he really is and how she has built him up to be in her mind. This book has lots of little twists and turns and is great. I like how they don't automatically fall in love with each other. They fight, have misunderstanding, and finally tell each other the truth. Will they give each other a chance at a future together? Will they be able to make sense of everything that has happened? I would love to read more about these characters and what happens to them next.
I was given this book in return for an honest review.
I was given this book in return for an honest review.
June 9, 2015
First and foremost I want to say congratulations Jeanie Grey At First Blush was incredibly well written not only was it absolutely captivating and enthralling the story line was so great it sucked you in right from the beginning!
This story has some amazing characters with some great dynamic Serran and Nick have know each other since childhood Nick happens to be Serran's best friends older brother. Serran moves away and loses touch with her best friend and Nick over the years, Serran goes on to become a writer under a different name and happens to be in her old hometown and meets Nick ends up going out on a date with him and things start to heat up except....he thinks she is a married writer and tries to fight the attraction. Well as you can tell this story ends up being full of some action packed drama, a lot of hot and steamy action between our hottie Nick and Serran, some major drama queen action from the bestie and a ton of other amazing things honestly the story line was just so good you won't be able to put the book down.
Jeanie Grey does such a fantastic job of creating this phenomenial connection between Serran and Nick and its so super charged that it seems to just leap right off of the page. The one drawback is I really wish this story had been longer I really wanted more of Serran and Nick I felt like this wasn't the end there was more to it than where it ended so that leaves me with the hope that our fabulous author Jeanie Grey will possibly be bringing us more of Serran and Nick!
This really was a fantastic read if you haven't added it to your TBR list take the time to add it today because you don't want to miss Nick and Serran's story!
This story has some amazing characters with some great dynamic Serran and Nick have know each other since childhood Nick happens to be Serran's best friends older brother. Serran moves away and loses touch with her best friend and Nick over the years, Serran goes on to become a writer under a different name and happens to be in her old hometown and meets Nick ends up going out on a date with him and things start to heat up except....he thinks she is a married writer and tries to fight the attraction. Well as you can tell this story ends up being full of some action packed drama, a lot of hot and steamy action between our hottie Nick and Serran, some major drama queen action from the bestie and a ton of other amazing things honestly the story line was just so good you won't be able to put the book down.
Jeanie Grey does such a fantastic job of creating this phenomenial connection between Serran and Nick and its so super charged that it seems to just leap right off of the page. The one drawback is I really wish this story had been longer I really wanted more of Serran and Nick I felt like this wasn't the end there was more to it than where it ended so that leaves me with the hope that our fabulous author Jeanie Grey will possibly be bringing us more of Serran and Nick!
This really was a fantastic read if you haven't added it to your TBR list take the time to add it today because you don't want to miss Nick and Serran's story!
June 11, 2015
4 Stars
I was given this book for my honest review.
She wasn’t going to fight it anymore. She was going to embrace it. Pursue it. She was going to chase it down and ride it, if only for one night in her whole life. Serran
Nick-cute, hot and reserved
Serran (Jane)-pretty, teacher and scared
Serran and Nick’s journey is serious, yet aggravating, sensual yet boring. Serran (Jane) is an enigma of herself. As her past collides with her current she becomes aware of the persona she has to continue to use as Nick is a man from her past that can ultimately destroy her heart. Nick has a feeling about Serran it’s like he can sense something about her in ways that she doesn’t know herself. But as Nick begins to foresee something not so right can Serran keep up with the image she is portraying in order for her hearts sake? Can Serran also be the one that sees the true tale? Watch out for those naughty sex scenes get some ice people really lol
This author I admit did not have me from page one. As I continued reading the pages at times I would get confused a bit and have to read back to see if I missed something naturally I didn’t. At the same time just when I thought I could see something coming the author went on a different path all together and that gave me a major excitement factor. But in the end I do give this author kudos not because of the hotness of the characters or because the story line was weird but because this story is fresh. Fresh is the new steam factor to some extent.
To the readers: Get the screaming towel and keep it on you at all times your gonna need it.
Happy Reading
I was given this book for my honest review.
She wasn’t going to fight it anymore. She was going to embrace it. Pursue it. She was going to chase it down and ride it, if only for one night in her whole life. Serran
Nick-cute, hot and reserved
Serran (Jane)-pretty, teacher and scared
Serran and Nick’s journey is serious, yet aggravating, sensual yet boring. Serran (Jane) is an enigma of herself. As her past collides with her current she becomes aware of the persona she has to continue to use as Nick is a man from her past that can ultimately destroy her heart. Nick has a feeling about Serran it’s like he can sense something about her in ways that she doesn’t know herself. But as Nick begins to foresee something not so right can Serran keep up with the image she is portraying in order for her hearts sake? Can Serran also be the one that sees the true tale? Watch out for those naughty sex scenes get some ice people really lol
This author I admit did not have me from page one. As I continued reading the pages at times I would get confused a bit and have to read back to see if I missed something naturally I didn’t. At the same time just when I thought I could see something coming the author went on a different path all together and that gave me a major excitement factor. But in the end I do give this author kudos not because of the hotness of the characters or because the story line was weird but because this story is fresh. Fresh is the new steam factor to some extent.
To the readers: Get the screaming towel and keep it on you at all times your gonna need it.
Happy Reading
June 4, 2015
At First Blush was a great romance. Serran is a romance author who has been in love with Nick since she was 10 years old. Always believing he was her Soul Mate. Now she is trying to exercise him from her mind and heart by writing about him in her latest book. Back in her home town she never expected him to walk into the book store she is having a signing let alone want a signed copy of HIS book!! She didn't recognize him at first and he didn't recognize her at all with her author disguise. These two don't seem to know how to act towards each other. Granted Nick thinks she is married because of her author bio and she is facing her lifetime fantasy.
She wants to keep him in the dark about who she really is, get the book back and she wants to try to keep it in her pants, but lust filled thoughts on trying not to cuckolding Serran's husband come to a screeching halt when Serran informs him she really isn't married. Let the games begin! One trying to keep hidden the other wanting to uncover as much as possible.
I thought this was a great light hearted romance with a few laughs and a bit of heat. I would recommend this to anyone wanting a good book to get lost in for a few hours.
She wants to keep him in the dark about who she really is, get the book back and she wants to try to keep it in her pants, but lust filled thoughts on trying not to cuckolding Serran's husband come to a screeching halt when Serran informs him she really isn't married. Let the games begin! One trying to keep hidden the other wanting to uncover as much as possible.
I thought this was a great light hearted romance with a few laughs and a bit of heat. I would recommend this to anyone wanting a good book to get lost in for a few hours.
June 19, 2015
Four star read.
I was given a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Serran Winters is stranded with Nick Enfield for three days during a hurricane even though it was only supposed to be for a few hours as Jane Garfield her pseudonym as a romance author.
She has known Nick Enfield since she was a teenager and always fantasized about being with him.
Despite being hurt and having bitterness since his divorce, Nick is entranced by the romance author from the moment he sees her.
This is a story about fantasy versus reality in love and romance, attraction and connection and the very reason we choose to fight or follow our impulses.
I really liked this book. It was hard at first to get into but after a few chapters it started to pick up.
The ending was a little abrupt for me and I felt like maybe the author should have written more about whether Serran and Nick was going to have a relationship or whether they were just going to go forward as friends unless she plans to write a second book about these two.
All in all it was an enjoyable book. Well written and flowed pretty smoothly between the different POVs.
Reviewed by Heather S.
I was given a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Serran Winters is stranded with Nick Enfield for three days during a hurricane even though it was only supposed to be for a few hours as Jane Garfield her pseudonym as a romance author.
She has known Nick Enfield since she was a teenager and always fantasized about being with him.
Despite being hurt and having bitterness since his divorce, Nick is entranced by the romance author from the moment he sees her.
This is a story about fantasy versus reality in love and romance, attraction and connection and the very reason we choose to fight or follow our impulses.
I really liked this book. It was hard at first to get into but after a few chapters it started to pick up.
The ending was a little abrupt for me and I felt like maybe the author should have written more about whether Serran and Nick was going to have a relationship or whether they were just going to go forward as friends unless she plans to write a second book about these two.
All in all it was an enjoyable book. Well written and flowed pretty smoothly between the different POVs.
Reviewed by Heather S.
June 10, 2015
This book is a hard one to review. I liked it--but at the same time, I feel like Jeanie abandoned me on the side of the road before the story was over. I did find myself getting pulled into the plot. I wanted to know what was going to happen next and I definitely went on an emotional roller coaster ride--but there just wasn't enough.
For, like, half of the book I didn't like Serran. When I was supposed to sympathize with her, I didn't. And just when she would work her way into my good graces, she would do something to annoy me. I did like Nick--very much. Now that I'm thinking about it, he probably saved the story for me. But the most frustrating part was that there were so many elements of conflict that were stirred up and left unresolved. I got to the end and I couldn't tell if it was really the end or...
Yeah...I still don't know. And that feeling--that feeling like I have to write the rest of their story? I don't like it! So...it's not that I wouldn't recommend this book. Everyone has different tastes. But--I will say, read it at your own risk!
For, like, half of the book I didn't like Serran. When I was supposed to sympathize with her, I didn't. And just when she would work her way into my good graces, she would do something to annoy me. I did like Nick--very much. Now that I'm thinking about it, he probably saved the story for me. But the most frustrating part was that there were so many elements of conflict that were stirred up and left unresolved. I got to the end and I couldn't tell if it was really the end or...
Yeah...I still don't know. And that feeling--that feeling like I have to write the rest of their story? I don't like it! So...it's not that I wouldn't recommend this book. Everyone has different tastes. But--I will say, read it at your own risk!
June 8, 2015
At First Blush by Jeanie Grey sends you on an emotional roller coaster as it shares a snippit into the life of author Jane Garfield. Jane is really Serran Winters and in a chance encounter, Serran runs into an old flame- and the MUSE of her new novel. He doesn’t recognize her and when he agrees to dinner, the emotions hit you.
I really did enjoy Nick’s character. He seems like a strong willed and confident man, which is just down right sexy. I loved Serran, but at the same time, I wanted to know WHY she wouldn’t just tell him the truth. But in the end, it leads to a great story. A book full of sexual tension, humor and angst, At First Blush will encourage you to never give up on love. I wish the book had gone on a little longer, because I wanted more of them- and more FOR them. Jeanie Grey is an author to watch. I’m sure we will be seeing more great things come from her.
I really did enjoy Nick’s character. He seems like a strong willed and confident man, which is just down right sexy. I loved Serran, but at the same time, I wanted to know WHY she wouldn’t just tell him the truth. But in the end, it leads to a great story. A book full of sexual tension, humor and angst, At First Blush will encourage you to never give up on love. I wish the book had gone on a little longer, because I wanted more of them- and more FOR them. Jeanie Grey is an author to watch. I’m sure we will be seeing more great things come from her.
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