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Blue-Collar Lover #2
Packing Heat
"Day delivers a lively romance." --RT Book Reviews
Nothing invigorates the five Carter brothers more than an honest day's work--and the right woman to come home to at night…
Douglas Carter never expected the summer job he took at the post office ten years ago to become his career. But now, at twenty-eight, he has zero regrets. He's happy to have a regular paycheck, good friends, and a sweet plan for retiring early. If only his cute but oh-so-uptight new coworker felt as content as he does…
Janice Baker only works at the post office out of necessity. Her real dream is to become a singer. At thirty, she may be considered over the hill in the entertainment industry, but that just gives her a sense of urgency--and a resolve to date only men of means and ambition. Douglas is obviously not a candidate, despite his good looks. Yet as work forces them to get closer, they discover there's far more to each other than meets the eye--and that two actually work better than one--on and off the job…
"Sexy, hot deliciousness…this power couple light up the page like a 100-megawatt bulb." --USAToday.com on Bad Boy Seduction
Nothing invigorates the five Carter brothers more than an honest day's work--and the right woman to come home to at night…
Douglas Carter never expected the summer job he took at the post office ten years ago to become his career. But now, at twenty-eight, he has zero regrets. He's happy to have a regular paycheck, good friends, and a sweet plan for retiring early. If only his cute but oh-so-uptight new coworker felt as content as he does…
Janice Baker only works at the post office out of necessity. Her real dream is to become a singer. At thirty, she may be considered over the hill in the entertainment industry, but that just gives her a sense of urgency--and a resolve to date only men of means and ambition. Douglas is obviously not a candidate, despite his good looks. Yet as work forces them to get closer, they discover there's far more to each other than meets the eye--and that two actually work better than one--on and off the job…
"Sexy, hot deliciousness…this power couple light up the page like a 100-megawatt bulb." --USAToday.com on Bad Boy Seduction
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2016
51 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Zuri Day
106 books272 followersZuri Day is a hopeful romantic. She believes in happy endings, half-full glasses and dreams coming true. That's why she's thrilled to be a contributing writer to this genre...one of her favorites!
Zuri doesn't remember exactly how old she was when she picked up her first romance novel, but she does remember it was love at first sight. "It was probably a Harlequin," she recalled during a recent interview. "And it thankfully took me away from a fairly dull and routine existence growing up in a small Kansas town."
Things aren't dull and routine anymore. Zuri now resides in Los Angeles with her family and when she isn't writing loves to travel the world, cook vegetarian food, work out, watch sports, attend concerts and theatre and enjoy the simple things in life.
"Many people have given up on love, much less romance," Zuri says. "I'm hoping that somehow, through the love-filled pages of my romance novels, I can ignite the reader's desire to believe again. Because everything is possible, when we believe..."
Zuri doesn't remember exactly how old she was when she picked up her first romance novel, but she does remember it was love at first sight. "It was probably a Harlequin," she recalled during a recent interview. "And it thankfully took me away from a fairly dull and routine existence growing up in a small Kansas town."
Things aren't dull and routine anymore. Zuri now resides in Los Angeles with her family and when she isn't writing loves to travel the world, cook vegetarian food, work out, watch sports, attend concerts and theatre and enjoy the simple things in life.
"Many people have given up on love, much less romance," Zuri says. "I'm hoping that somehow, through the love-filled pages of my romance novels, I can ignite the reader's desire to believe again. Because everything is possible, when we believe..."
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May 7, 2016
Two words kept coming to her: caring and trust. Doug cared about her feelings and about whether or not she was satisfied. He asked questions and put her feelings first. The result was not only a heightened physical experience but a deeper emotional one as well. Maybe this was why she felt she could trust him. He'd been honest and up front. He'd been a man of his word, even before they were intimate.
OKAY.
Well.
This book is about a woman named Jan who wants to be a famous singer. She is 30 and works at a post office. Doug Carter is 28 and he is her supervisor.
They fall in love.
This book had a lot of good points, and a lot of bad points. Let me break it down for you. Let's start with the good.
THE GOOD
- Doug is just about my ideal man.
Still, her mind's eye conjured up Doug's stocky body, lazy smile, and easygoing demeanor.
Sounds yum.
They were too different. He was laidback, no drama, lived life to have fun. He'd not been looking for a promotion when tapped for the supervisor position, and would be fine to ride the position on out to his retirement. Jan was serious; no, focused she called it. Probably already planning to scale the career ladder to the top rank of postmaster. It wouldn't at all surprise him if she wound up being his boss one day.
Love it.
She thought he was a little too carefree for her taste, content to cruise through life being average. But he was thoughtful, caring, and like her, seemed to love his family. Most importantly, though he'd tease her in secret, he'd kept his word about not sharing her dreams of a singing career with the other coworkers.
OH, GOSH, stop turning me on, Day!!!! Mmmmmmm. I love laidback, easygoing, no-temper-having men who don't have an ambitious or driven bone in their bodies.
What?
Yes, I know. I KNOW. We are supposed to want men who are ambitious as hell, alpha dogs who want that payraise, that bigger house, that promotion, that prestigious title... right?
Hell no. I like men who are calm and happy with their lives. Men who are ambitious, driven, and always out to get the next big thing exhaust me. I also hate scrambling for wealth. If your goal in life is to live in a McMansion and wear expensive suits everyday and always have the latest iPhone... great, more power to you, but I'm not going to date you.
Doug has full-time employment, and he works AT THE POST OFFICE. That is a good job, no matter what the characters in this book might say.
"He's a nice-looking guy, works full-time, appreciates your singing, and is obviously interested in you. What's missing?"
"Drive. Ambition."
"How do you know whether he's ambitious or not?"
"If he was, he wouldn't be working at a post office."
"Seriously, Janice? You work there! So do you know how crazy that sounds?"
"For me it's temporary. For him, it's a career."
"You say that like it's a bad thing. Cuz, we're not twelve anymore. Don't you think if your knight was going to ride out of that fairy tale and down your street it would have happened by now?"
"Who's to say it still can't happen? I'm not going to lower my standards just because it's taking me longer than it took you."
"I'm not saying you should lower your standards. But you may want to redefine them."
"I just know what I want. And I don't see the benefit of dating someone just to say I have a man. Even though he is a good kisser and it has been a while."
"So there is a physical attraction. At least now I know you're alive."
"Yes, after last night I had to admit that to myself. He's funny, too, but life is serious. After a while his carefree attitude would probably get on my nerves."
"His attitude is probably just what you need to loosen up."
"I'm not uptight. I just don't have time for foolishness."
"It's not foolish to be happy. Maybe if you let go of past hurts and current expectations, and unlock your heart, you'll find that out."
See, I was always taught from a young age that working at the post office was golden. Of course, USPS is struggling now... *cringes*
"Plus, the man for me doesn't work in a post office."
"How do you know that?"
"I just do."
There are other things about Doug that turn me on besides his laidback, easygoing attitude. He protects her and defends her from some mean co-workers. He keeps her secrets, she can trust him. He's always making her laugh and gently teasing her.
He handles her problems like a man. It's fucking hot. *fans self* Like when she runs out of gas and can't go home and he is like, "Hop on my motorcycle and we'll go get gas."
But she's fucked up in the head about motorcycles since her brother is in a wheelchair because of an accident he got in when he was riding. So he's like, "I will open up the post office for you and you can wait inside while I go get gas." He doesn't insist she get on the bike and he makes sure that she is safe.
Less than ten minutes later, her problem was handled.
This is such a man. *fans self* Extra points. I love when men just step in and take care of business, it's very much a turn-on. If you want to write a man who makes me excited, forget about six pack abs - just have him fix the heroine's car or something. O.O
Jan watched, noting his nice arms, long legs, and cute butt. He's not a bad-looking guy. Though she wouldn't call him "hot" as her cousin had. Jan preferred her men in a suit and tie, well-coiffed, understated fine jewelry. She'd dated a couple of men who fit this bill. Had their character been as polished as their wardrobe, she'd be like Crystal right now... married with children.
Ew, you attracted to the very men who make my skin crawl. UGH. Luckily, Jan doesn't let this ideal keep her from enjoying Doug's company, and he breaks down her barriers slowly and surely. Which is cute.
He befriends her brother and even gets him involved in basketball again. He always supports her dreams of being a singer even though other people tear her down.
I also really liked how Doug confronts Jan about being on the down-low. Initially, they were going to keep their relationship a secret. Jan is very private and she doesn't like the people at work to know her business. But Doug is not okay with being kept a secret for long.
"Are you out of gas?" she joked.
"I don't want to hide us."
"Huh?"
"I don't want to hide the fact that we're seeing each other, or feel like I have to watch myself around you."
"Doug, you knew when this started that I wanted it kept private."
"We don't always get what we want, and in those moments we have to figure out how to make that work to our advantage."
"What brought on this change of position? I remember a guy who wasn't going to date anybody he worked with."
"Yeah, but you don't remember a brother who was gonna hide it if that happened."
She sighed and hit the brakes as she neared a stoplight.
"What are you afraid of?"
"I'm not. I just don't like people - "
"In your business. Girl, people are going to think they're in your business whether they actually are or not. So trying to keep them out of it is basically a waste of time."
"In your opinion."
"Yes, in my always right opinion." The comment didn't get the response he expected. It got none at all. "I know the problem. You feel some kind of way because of Melissa. If I hadn't slept with anybody at the office, would you still feel so opposed to people knowing we're together?"
"I don't know. Probably."
"Let me ask you something. How would you feel if I was going hard to keep you quiet, telling you I didn't want anyone to know about us? I'll tell you how you'd feel. Hurt. Angry and suspicious, thinking that since I was trying to hide you there must be other things I was trying to hide."
"You think I'm trying to hide something?"
"Or someone."
"You can't be serious. You think I'm seeing someone else?"
"It's not impossible."
"Doug, that's ridiculous and I'm going to act like you didn't say it."
"So if six months from now you decide we'll go public and then I say no, let's not, you'll be okay." Silence. "Hello?"
"I'm thinking."
Several seconds went by. And then several more.
"Um, you want to call me back when you have an answer?"
Even with time to think about it, Jan wasn't sure she'd have one. And remembering Pat's earlier comment didn't help. It made her position sound totally crazy.
Doug Carter? That's a good man right there. If it were me, I'd be shouting it from the rooftops.
In that moment Jan decided that Pat was right. "No, you don't need to call me back. I've thought about it and I guess I don't care that everyone knows I turned you out."
"Ha! I don't care either. Because then they'll also know it was some Carter love that put that big-ass smile on your face."
"That's what this is really about. You want bragging rights."
"No, Jan Baker. I just want you."
Unlike Byron in the previous book who never pushed this issue with his woman, who was also keeping him out of sight, Doug broaches this topic with Jan and they have a heartfelt and real conversation about it.
He does a lot of stuff throughout the book that shows how caring and considerate he is, I really liked it.
Doug DOESN'T drink alcohol. And this isn't even a big deal in the book. It's just treated as if it's nothing. LOVE. Extra points.
He drives a motorcycle and is in a little, low-key MC and he's so sweet and patient with her about her getting on his bike. When she eventually does, it's very cute.
He's very cute and funny with her and makes her laugh a lot.
Day does NOT make Jan's brother "the poor cripple" or cutesify him in any way, this is a real person who just happens to be in a wheelchair... so extra points.
Another good thing is Day's real and meaningful conversations about life. I especially liked this one:
"You never thought about college?"
"I thought about it. But there was this bike I wanted. Parents wouldn't buy it. They told me that if I wanted it to get a job. So that's what I did."
"It's not too late, you know."
"I've already got what you go to college for... a good job. Right?"
"It depends on what you want out of life."
"Did you go?"
"Yes, Cal State. I have a liberal arts degree."
"And I'm your supervisor. See, you made my point."
Day puts these Blue Collar Heroes in her novels and she stands by it, she doesn't try to change them or put them in college or become something they're not in order to make the man more "acceptable" in the readers' eyes.
Which brings me to another point:
THE BAD
Jan is a size 14 and this is really putting a crimp in her music career. She keeps getting passed over in favor of thinner singers.
For the first 60% of the book I thought Day handled this well. Jan is a size 14, but it's a hard size 14 and by that I mean she works damn hard to fit in size 14 clothes. This is accurate and true to life. Everyone just looks at her and sees "a thick chick" but she diets and zumbas her ass off in order to be a size 14. If she did nothing, she would be a lot bigger.
Of course, just like in real life, nobody gives a shit about that. All they see is a fat person and a target for their hatred.
ANYWAY, Jan gets fed up with the comments and needling and writes a song about being yourself and being happy with who you are. All this is good, things were going good, but during the last 40% things get muddled as Day seems to promoting the company line.
What is the company line?
Well, society hates fat people. Fat people are not accepted and everyone wishes they would just go away. HOWEVER, society will grudgingly kind-of accept that you are fat PROVIDED that you hate yourself and try to change yourself constantly through diet and exercise. If you put yourself down a lot, say hateful things about yourself, and make it clear you are trying to starve yourself plus exercise a lot, people will grudgingly admit you are "trying" and maybe give you token acceptance.
I FUCKING HATE THIS SHIT.
Listen... you don't need to justify your fatness, okay? You don't need to hate yourself and hate your body just to gain acceptance into whatever you think you want to be accepted into. Trust me, it's not worth it.
I was really hoping that Day was going to put a positive message in this book. Unfortunately, it just turned into the same old thing.
"I don't know if I ever told you, but you're a very pretty lady. A lot of people, especially these days, might say you're overweight. But you're rocking that body, believe it!"
Does she tell this asshole (not the hero) off? Does she throw her cranberry juice on his all-white outfit? NO. She THANKS HIM. She fucking thanks him. I can't even with this shit.
And then she and he's all like,
"Yes, it is. You need to work out to get in better shape, so when we get called out to go on tour, you'll have the kind of stamina you need on the road."
FUCK YOU. She works out all the time and fights damn hard for this size 14 body. Does she tell him that? Or better yet, not even be apologizing about how fat she is and explaining about how she's a "good, well-behaved fat person" who beats her body into submission regularly and starves in order to be a size 14 - but telling him where to get off and what he can do with his "concern?" NO. SHE AGREES WITH HIM.
Fuck this shit, fuck it. I am so rabid with this. I'm sick of people seeing a fat person and assuming that this fat person is doing jackshit about their health. AND I'm sick of society making fat people who DO choose to do jackshit about their health like they are worthless scum who should die. IT'S NOT YOUR FUCKING BUSINESS WHAT ANOTHER PERSON'S BODY LOOKS LIKE.
Of course, Doug loves Jan's chubby little body and he never says anything about her weight or size. Which is how it should be. He thinks she's a yummy little woman that he would very much enjoy fucking and snuggling with. I can't complain about him, he's cute.
But the fact that Day started out with a relatively positive message about a hard-working curvy woman and then fucked it all up for no reason made me very angry.
THE UGLY
The air fairly crackled as skin touched skin and tongues quickly darted from their oral caves to become better acquainted.
o.O
No, but seriously, Day's sex scenes HAVE gotten better. She even calls dicks "dicks" sometimes and even said 'pussy' once. I'm impressed.
However, we still have
Soon his wow was brushing her pow
he played her anal key
DICK
Nether heat
She made his soldier wake up
VULVA
nana
Her paradise
Her flower
Her nana lips
VAGINA
Her instrument
CLITORIS
Her throbbing nub
Her love button
CUNNILINGUS
“nether French kiss”
BREASTS
pillows
Her soft globes
The sex has definitely improved from the last book, but as you can see, it's still far from perfect.
Tl;dr - I was hoping to give this a higher rating but the message about fat people really rubbed me the wrong way and is preventing me from giving this an extra star. I thought Doug was a great guy. I liked Day's humor and also her real-life vibe. I would definitely read another book in this series. I'm looking forward to Nelson's book because I think he's a heavier guy and I love heavy guys. :) If Day tries to get him to lose weight, though, I'm done. That's it. >.<
OKAY.
Well.
This book is about a woman named Jan who wants to be a famous singer. She is 30 and works at a post office. Doug Carter is 28 and he is her supervisor.
They fall in love.
This book had a lot of good points, and a lot of bad points. Let me break it down for you. Let's start with the good.
THE GOOD
- Doug is just about my ideal man.
Still, her mind's eye conjured up Doug's stocky body, lazy smile, and easygoing demeanor.
Sounds yum.
They were too different. He was laidback, no drama, lived life to have fun. He'd not been looking for a promotion when tapped for the supervisor position, and would be fine to ride the position on out to his retirement. Jan was serious; no, focused she called it. Probably already planning to scale the career ladder to the top rank of postmaster. It wouldn't at all surprise him if she wound up being his boss one day.
Love it.
She thought he was a little too carefree for her taste, content to cruise through life being average. But he was thoughtful, caring, and like her, seemed to love his family. Most importantly, though he'd tease her in secret, he'd kept his word about not sharing her dreams of a singing career with the other coworkers.
OH, GOSH, stop turning me on, Day!!!! Mmmmmmm. I love laidback, easygoing, no-temper-having men who don't have an ambitious or driven bone in their bodies.
What?
Yes, I know. I KNOW. We are supposed to want men who are ambitious as hell, alpha dogs who want that payraise, that bigger house, that promotion, that prestigious title... right?
Hell no. I like men who are calm and happy with their lives. Men who are ambitious, driven, and always out to get the next big thing exhaust me. I also hate scrambling for wealth. If your goal in life is to live in a McMansion and wear expensive suits everyday and always have the latest iPhone... great, more power to you, but I'm not going to date you.
Doug has full-time employment, and he works AT THE POST OFFICE. That is a good job, no matter what the characters in this book might say.
"He's a nice-looking guy, works full-time, appreciates your singing, and is obviously interested in you. What's missing?"
"Drive. Ambition."
"How do you know whether he's ambitious or not?"
"If he was, he wouldn't be working at a post office."
"Seriously, Janice? You work there! So do you know how crazy that sounds?"
"For me it's temporary. For him, it's a career."
"You say that like it's a bad thing. Cuz, we're not twelve anymore. Don't you think if your knight was going to ride out of that fairy tale and down your street it would have happened by now?"
"Who's to say it still can't happen? I'm not going to lower my standards just because it's taking me longer than it took you."
"I'm not saying you should lower your standards. But you may want to redefine them."
"I just know what I want. And I don't see the benefit of dating someone just to say I have a man. Even though he is a good kisser and it has been a while."
"So there is a physical attraction. At least now I know you're alive."
"Yes, after last night I had to admit that to myself. He's funny, too, but life is serious. After a while his carefree attitude would probably get on my nerves."
"His attitude is probably just what you need to loosen up."
"I'm not uptight. I just don't have time for foolishness."
"It's not foolish to be happy. Maybe if you let go of past hurts and current expectations, and unlock your heart, you'll find that out."
See, I was always taught from a young age that working at the post office was golden. Of course, USPS is struggling now... *cringes*
"Plus, the man for me doesn't work in a post office."
"How do you know that?"
"I just do."
There are other things about Doug that turn me on besides his laidback, easygoing attitude. He protects her and defends her from some mean co-workers. He keeps her secrets, she can trust him. He's always making her laugh and gently teasing her.
He handles her problems like a man. It's fucking hot. *fans self* Like when she runs out of gas and can't go home and he is like, "Hop on my motorcycle and we'll go get gas."
But she's fucked up in the head about motorcycles since her brother is in a wheelchair because of an accident he got in when he was riding. So he's like, "I will open up the post office for you and you can wait inside while I go get gas." He doesn't insist she get on the bike and he makes sure that she is safe.
Less than ten minutes later, her problem was handled.
This is such a man. *fans self* Extra points. I love when men just step in and take care of business, it's very much a turn-on. If you want to write a man who makes me excited, forget about six pack abs - just have him fix the heroine's car or something. O.O
Jan watched, noting his nice arms, long legs, and cute butt. He's not a bad-looking guy. Though she wouldn't call him "hot" as her cousin had. Jan preferred her men in a suit and tie, well-coiffed, understated fine jewelry. She'd dated a couple of men who fit this bill. Had their character been as polished as their wardrobe, she'd be like Crystal right now... married with children.
Ew, you attracted to the very men who make my skin crawl. UGH. Luckily, Jan doesn't let this ideal keep her from enjoying Doug's company, and he breaks down her barriers slowly and surely. Which is cute.
He befriends her brother and even gets him involved in basketball again. He always supports her dreams of being a singer even though other people tear her down.
I also really liked how Doug confronts Jan about being on the down-low. Initially, they were going to keep their relationship a secret. Jan is very private and she doesn't like the people at work to know her business. But Doug is not okay with being kept a secret for long.
"Are you out of gas?" she joked.
"I don't want to hide us."
"Huh?"
"I don't want to hide the fact that we're seeing each other, or feel like I have to watch myself around you."
"Doug, you knew when this started that I wanted it kept private."
"We don't always get what we want, and in those moments we have to figure out how to make that work to our advantage."
"What brought on this change of position? I remember a guy who wasn't going to date anybody he worked with."
"Yeah, but you don't remember a brother who was gonna hide it if that happened."
She sighed and hit the brakes as she neared a stoplight.
"What are you afraid of?"
"I'm not. I just don't like people - "
"In your business. Girl, people are going to think they're in your business whether they actually are or not. So trying to keep them out of it is basically a waste of time."
"In your opinion."
"Yes, in my always right opinion." The comment didn't get the response he expected. It got none at all. "I know the problem. You feel some kind of way because of Melissa. If I hadn't slept with anybody at the office, would you still feel so opposed to people knowing we're together?"
"I don't know. Probably."
"Let me ask you something. How would you feel if I was going hard to keep you quiet, telling you I didn't want anyone to know about us? I'll tell you how you'd feel. Hurt. Angry and suspicious, thinking that since I was trying to hide you there must be other things I was trying to hide."
"You think I'm trying to hide something?"
"Or someone."
"You can't be serious. You think I'm seeing someone else?"
"It's not impossible."
"Doug, that's ridiculous and I'm going to act like you didn't say it."
"So if six months from now you decide we'll go public and then I say no, let's not, you'll be okay." Silence. "Hello?"
"I'm thinking."
Several seconds went by. And then several more.
"Um, you want to call me back when you have an answer?"
Even with time to think about it, Jan wasn't sure she'd have one. And remembering Pat's earlier comment didn't help. It made her position sound totally crazy.
Doug Carter? That's a good man right there. If it were me, I'd be shouting it from the rooftops.
In that moment Jan decided that Pat was right. "No, you don't need to call me back. I've thought about it and I guess I don't care that everyone knows I turned you out."
"Ha! I don't care either. Because then they'll also know it was some Carter love that put that big-ass smile on your face."
"That's what this is really about. You want bragging rights."
"No, Jan Baker. I just want you."
Unlike Byron in the previous book who never pushed this issue with his woman, who was also keeping him out of sight, Doug broaches this topic with Jan and they have a heartfelt and real conversation about it.
He does a lot of stuff throughout the book that shows how caring and considerate he is, I really liked it.
Doug DOESN'T drink alcohol. And this isn't even a big deal in the book. It's just treated as if it's nothing. LOVE. Extra points.
He drives a motorcycle and is in a little, low-key MC and he's so sweet and patient with her about her getting on his bike. When she eventually does, it's very cute.
He's very cute and funny with her and makes her laugh a lot.
Day does NOT make Jan's brother "the poor cripple" or cutesify him in any way, this is a real person who just happens to be in a wheelchair... so extra points.
Another good thing is Day's real and meaningful conversations about life. I especially liked this one:
"You never thought about college?"
"I thought about it. But there was this bike I wanted. Parents wouldn't buy it. They told me that if I wanted it to get a job. So that's what I did."
"It's not too late, you know."
"I've already got what you go to college for... a good job. Right?"
"It depends on what you want out of life."
"Did you go?"
"Yes, Cal State. I have a liberal arts degree."
"And I'm your supervisor. See, you made my point."
Day puts these Blue Collar Heroes in her novels and she stands by it, she doesn't try to change them or put them in college or become something they're not in order to make the man more "acceptable" in the readers' eyes.
Which brings me to another point:
THE BAD
Jan is a size 14 and this is really putting a crimp in her music career. She keeps getting passed over in favor of thinner singers.
For the first 60% of the book I thought Day handled this well. Jan is a size 14, but it's a hard size 14 and by that I mean she works damn hard to fit in size 14 clothes. This is accurate and true to life. Everyone just looks at her and sees "a thick chick" but she diets and zumbas her ass off in order to be a size 14. If she did nothing, she would be a lot bigger.
Of course, just like in real life, nobody gives a shit about that. All they see is a fat person and a target for their hatred.
ANYWAY, Jan gets fed up with the comments and needling and writes a song about being yourself and being happy with who you are. All this is good, things were going good, but during the last 40% things get muddled as Day seems to promoting the company line.
What is the company line?
Well, society hates fat people. Fat people are not accepted and everyone wishes they would just go away. HOWEVER, society will grudgingly kind-of accept that you are fat PROVIDED that you hate yourself and try to change yourself constantly through diet and exercise. If you put yourself down a lot, say hateful things about yourself, and make it clear you are trying to starve yourself plus exercise a lot, people will grudgingly admit you are "trying" and maybe give you token acceptance.
I FUCKING HATE THIS SHIT.
Listen... you don't need to justify your fatness, okay? You don't need to hate yourself and hate your body just to gain acceptance into whatever you think you want to be accepted into. Trust me, it's not worth it.
I was really hoping that Day was going to put a positive message in this book. Unfortunately, it just turned into the same old thing.
"I don't know if I ever told you, but you're a very pretty lady. A lot of people, especially these days, might say you're overweight. But you're rocking that body, believe it!"
Does she tell this asshole (not the hero) off? Does she throw her cranberry juice on his all-white outfit? NO. She THANKS HIM. She fucking thanks him. I can't even with this shit.
And then she and he's all like,
"Yes, it is. You need to work out to get in better shape, so when we get called out to go on tour, you'll have the kind of stamina you need on the road."
FUCK YOU. She works out all the time and fights damn hard for this size 14 body. Does she tell him that? Or better yet, not even be apologizing about how fat she is and explaining about how she's a "good, well-behaved fat person" who beats her body into submission regularly and starves in order to be a size 14 - but telling him where to get off and what he can do with his "concern?" NO. SHE AGREES WITH HIM.
Fuck this shit, fuck it. I am so rabid with this. I'm sick of people seeing a fat person and assuming that this fat person is doing jackshit about their health. AND I'm sick of society making fat people who DO choose to do jackshit about their health like they are worthless scum who should die. IT'S NOT YOUR FUCKING BUSINESS WHAT ANOTHER PERSON'S BODY LOOKS LIKE.
Of course, Doug loves Jan's chubby little body and he never says anything about her weight or size. Which is how it should be. He thinks she's a yummy little woman that he would very much enjoy fucking and snuggling with. I can't complain about him, he's cute.
But the fact that Day started out with a relatively positive message about a hard-working curvy woman and then fucked it all up for no reason made me very angry.
THE UGLY
The air fairly crackled as skin touched skin and tongues quickly darted from their oral caves to become better acquainted.
o.O
No, but seriously, Day's sex scenes HAVE gotten better. She even calls dicks "dicks" sometimes and even said 'pussy' once. I'm impressed.
However, we still have
Soon his wow was brushing her pow
he played her anal key
DICK
Nether heat
She made his soldier wake up
VULVA
nana
Her paradise
Her flower
Her nana lips
VAGINA
Her instrument
CLITORIS
Her throbbing nub
Her love button
CUNNILINGUS
“nether French kiss”
BREASTS
pillows
Her soft globes
The sex has definitely improved from the last book, but as you can see, it's still far from perfect.
Tl;dr - I was hoping to give this a higher rating but the message about fat people really rubbed me the wrong way and is preventing me from giving this an extra star. I thought Doug was a great guy. I liked Day's humor and also her real-life vibe. I would definitely read another book in this series. I'm looking forward to Nelson's book because I think he's a heavier guy and I love heavy guys. :) If Day tries to get him to lose weight, though, I'm done. That's it. >.<
March 9, 2016
ENJOYED the second installment of the Blue-Collar Lover...Doug Carter keeps it real just like his older brother Byron...an obviously Carter family trait...l love the strong family bond...the way they support each other...and when the Carter men find "The One"...they go in FULL force. The attraction with Doug and Jan isn't as immediate...at first sight and first conversation they don't even seem to like one another...but when Jan FINALLY let's her guard down Doug sees the REAL woman he's been patiently awaiting...the love, support and encouragement Doug gives Jan throughout this novel is AMAZING...and it was quite INSPIRING to see Jan come into her own and to realize her dreams. Can't wait to read the third book in this series.
February 12, 2016
I was pleasantly surprised by this book I guess the title led me to think the story would be somewhat different. I liked the lead characters. Janice had a jill scout vibe to her that I found refreshing and I liked the picture the author painted of her, strong yet vulnerable.
The story was cute and I was satisfied at the end with the outcome and will wonder what happened to the characters I guess that means I would read a book two.
Rochelle Cox
AAMBC Reviewer
The story was cute and I was satisfied at the end with the outcome and will wonder what happened to the characters I guess that means I would read a book two.
Rochelle Cox
AAMBC Reviewer
February 23, 2016
Rosalie's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Janice Baker has a huge heart and is so involved with her career and family, she never sees life in front of her as it should be. Life doesn’t always seem to go her way, even when the sexy Douglas Carter chases her, Janice seems to be clueless. Her dreams of becoming a singer are the only thing she has her mind set on…and NOTHING will get in the way of these dreams!
I love how sweet this read was. It wasn’t super steamy, but the scenes really got the job done. Janice and Douglas really did make a good couple, not matter how much Janice tried to avoid it. The two really got along and the lead into the relationship was super realistic and natural. I will say, though, that to have been against it, then BAM, in a relationship quick, I was little surprised. This is the second book in the series, but we were given some insight into previous books characters, which I always love! I look forward to reading more from Zuri Day and in this series in particular!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
Janice Baker has a huge heart and is so involved with her career and family, she never sees life in front of her as it should be. Life doesn’t always seem to go her way, even when the sexy Douglas Carter chases her, Janice seems to be clueless. Her dreams of becoming a singer are the only thing she has her mind set on…and NOTHING will get in the way of these dreams!
I love how sweet this read was. It wasn’t super steamy, but the scenes really got the job done. Janice and Douglas really did make a good couple, not matter how much Janice tried to avoid it. The two really got along and the lead into the relationship was super realistic and natural. I will say, though, that to have been against it, then BAM, in a relationship quick, I was little surprised. This is the second book in the series, but we were given some insight into previous books characters, which I always love! I look forward to reading more from Zuri Day and in this series in particular!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
February 27, 2016
This book is Packing THE Heat!! Zuri Day wows us once again in another book in her Blue-Collar Loved Series. This series is a bout the Carter men and their love life's but they aren't your typical heroes! They have average lives with blue-collar jobs.
In Packing Heat, we meet Jan. Jan is an aspiring singer who has big dreams of a wonderful career and a husband who fits most of your fantasies. Then she meets Douglas! Doug is the supervisor at he post office. He is not the type of man Jan wants and she doesn't want to get involved with anyone at the post office and have a starring role in the soap opera.
But can Jan resist that Carter charm?
Absolutely loved Doug and Jans story and I'm excited about the next book.
In Packing Heat, we meet Jan. Jan is an aspiring singer who has big dreams of a wonderful career and a husband who fits most of your fantasies. Then she meets Douglas! Doug is the supervisor at he post office. He is not the type of man Jan wants and she doesn't want to get involved with anyone at the post office and have a starring role in the soap opera.
But can Jan resist that Carter charm?
Absolutely loved Doug and Jans story and I'm excited about the next book.
December 16, 2016
Another great book by Zuri day! Always great tension between characters. Sexual and otherwise.
Read
February 28, 2016CONCEPT
The concept of this story was a woman realizes love is not limited to ambition and means and can be found in the least likely package.
STORY
Douglas Carter has worked at the post office since he was eighteen years old. In ten years he has worked his way to supervisor and is content with a career in the postal service. He has a good job, friends and family, what more could he ask for. He is looking to settle down and feels his cute co-worker could fill that role. He is reluctant to pursue an office relationship but his attraction is powerful and he hopes she feels the same. Janice Baker is not working at the post office to make a career, but is there as a necessity to help out at home. She has big dreams of becoming a singer and although she faces a few challenges, she is determine to realize her dream. She is not looking for an office romance with an ordinary man but wants someone with ambition and drive. What she doesn’t realize is that ambition and drive is not limited to the rich and famous but can be found in good looking postal workers like Douglas. These two try to fight the attraction but when you have a man like Doug packing charisma and sexy looks, who can resist the lure of falling in love. As these two continue to work together, they discover they can make a relationship work
CHARACTERS
The author does a good job with character development. Readers will see Jan’s struggle to make it as a singer. How she makes the decision to put her dream on hold to help her mother with the caring of the house and her brother. Her drive to not settle for a career as a postal worker but at the same time she realizes that all that glitters is not gold. It takes the help of a good ordinary man like Douglas to make Jan see that ambition does not lead to love. Doug helps Jan to see clearly see her potential. As these two work more closely together, Jan gets to know the Doug and his caring ways. He is content how his life is progressing and knows where he wants to go in life. He wants Jan to see that she can be the best singer without putting all her “eggs” in one basket, or in her case depending on one recording artist to help her become famous.
DIALOGUE
The dialogue was engaging and stays in line with the flow of the story. The secondary characters scenes were entertaining and will have readers chuckling throughout the story.
STRUCTURE
The structure of this of this story was in line with the theme and made for an interesting read. The storyline stayed on course and readers will admire Jan’s determination to succeed with her music career. Readers will fall in love with Douglas and is ability to show his chivalry and his encouragement of Jan.
OVERALL
Packing Heat was the second installment in Zuri Day’s Blue Collar series and it was an enjoyable read. Readers will love Jan and how she handles herself and overcomes the challenges she faces while realizing her dream. Readers will fall in love with Doug as he steals Jan’s heart and helps her to attain her goal, while they both learn to love each other for who they are. Overall this was a good read!
Deborah Fortner
UrbanDivaz Review
The concept of this story was a woman realizes love is not limited to ambition and means and can be found in the least likely package.
STORY
Douglas Carter has worked at the post office since he was eighteen years old. In ten years he has worked his way to supervisor and is content with a career in the postal service. He has a good job, friends and family, what more could he ask for. He is looking to settle down and feels his cute co-worker could fill that role. He is reluctant to pursue an office relationship but his attraction is powerful and he hopes she feels the same. Janice Baker is not working at the post office to make a career, but is there as a necessity to help out at home. She has big dreams of becoming a singer and although she faces a few challenges, she is determine to realize her dream. She is not looking for an office romance with an ordinary man but wants someone with ambition and drive. What she doesn’t realize is that ambition and drive is not limited to the rich and famous but can be found in good looking postal workers like Douglas. These two try to fight the attraction but when you have a man like Doug packing charisma and sexy looks, who can resist the lure of falling in love. As these two continue to work together, they discover they can make a relationship work
CHARACTERS
The author does a good job with character development. Readers will see Jan’s struggle to make it as a singer. How she makes the decision to put her dream on hold to help her mother with the caring of the house and her brother. Her drive to not settle for a career as a postal worker but at the same time she realizes that all that glitters is not gold. It takes the help of a good ordinary man like Douglas to make Jan see that ambition does not lead to love. Doug helps Jan to see clearly see her potential. As these two work more closely together, Jan gets to know the Doug and his caring ways. He is content how his life is progressing and knows where he wants to go in life. He wants Jan to see that she can be the best singer without putting all her “eggs” in one basket, or in her case depending on one recording artist to help her become famous.
DIALOGUE
The dialogue was engaging and stays in line with the flow of the story. The secondary characters scenes were entertaining and will have readers chuckling throughout the story.
STRUCTURE
The structure of this of this story was in line with the theme and made for an interesting read. The storyline stayed on course and readers will admire Jan’s determination to succeed with her music career. Readers will fall in love with Douglas and is ability to show his chivalry and his encouragement of Jan.
OVERALL
Packing Heat was the second installment in Zuri Day’s Blue Collar series and it was an enjoyable read. Readers will love Jan and how she handles herself and overcomes the challenges she faces while realizing her dream. Readers will fall in love with Doug as he steals Jan’s heart and helps her to attain her goal, while they both learn to love each other for who they are. Overall this was a good read!
Deborah Fortner
UrbanDivaz Review
January 30, 2016
Dreams, we all have them but how many of us follow them? Does following your dreams require that you are the only one to believe in it or should you have dreamcatchers with you? Because you ARE the only one who believes in your dream does that deter you from having one or does it make you more determined to achieve that dream?
Janice Baker is your average woman. She has a great heart, family oriented, goal oriented and has a subtle beauty. Janice has dreams. While she has been working hard at them she is trying not to get discouraged. When it looks like everything is beginning to go her way life hits her with another blow. Will she ever achieve her dreams or should she just give up.
Douglas Carter is a great man. He comes from a strong loving family. He is kind, gentle and handsome. Any woman would be lucky to have him. How should Douglas feel when he things that he has found "the one" but she keeps shutting him down? Should he continue his mundane life or should he try for this new and different adventure that life is offering him?
Packing Heat is the second book in the Blue-Collar Lover series by Zuri Day. Day is introducing new characters and flashes some of the characters from the first series. This is a romantic book but not mushy. The characters show that being friends can lead to more if you want it to. There is no time in this book where you feel like you are missing something, there is always something to keeps you interested in the story line. It is a great second book to this series and I look forward to more in this series.
Janice Baker is your average woman. She has a great heart, family oriented, goal oriented and has a subtle beauty. Janice has dreams. While she has been working hard at them she is trying not to get discouraged. When it looks like everything is beginning to go her way life hits her with another blow. Will she ever achieve her dreams or should she just give up.
Douglas Carter is a great man. He comes from a strong loving family. He is kind, gentle and handsome. Any woman would be lucky to have him. How should Douglas feel when he things that he has found "the one" but she keeps shutting him down? Should he continue his mundane life or should he try for this new and different adventure that life is offering him?
Packing Heat is the second book in the Blue-Collar Lover series by Zuri Day. Day is introducing new characters and flashes some of the characters from the first series. This is a romantic book but not mushy. The characters show that being friends can lead to more if you want it to. There is no time in this book where you feel like you are missing something, there is always something to keeps you interested in the story line. It is a great second book to this series and I look forward to more in this series.
February 29, 2016
Packing Heat is the second installment in Zuri Day’s Blue Collar Lover Series. Janice Baker is determined to make her dreams as a singer become reality. To do so, she has to be a contestant in the next reality show. She also sees this as a way to help her family. So, fall in love and wasting her time with someone who is not goal oriented were not worth her time. Until she meets Douglas Carter. Doug has been working at the Post Office since he graduated from high school. He loves his job, his family and his Harley. But, there was something about Janice that wakened things in him. At first the two agreed to be friends, but the emotional pulled directed them elsewhere.
As I've stated before, Day really knows how to write about ordinary folk. Both of these characters were realistic and they pulled at the readers’ emotions as they dealt with issues such as dreams vs family, or career vs love. Fans of this series will enjoy appearance from Carter clan and the introduction of new characters that are begging for a story. I can’t wait to see who will be next in the series.
As I've stated before, Day really knows how to write about ordinary folk. Both of these characters were realistic and they pulled at the readers’ emotions as they dealt with issues such as dreams vs family, or career vs love. Fans of this series will enjoy appearance from Carter clan and the introduction of new characters that are begging for a story. I can’t wait to see who will be next in the series.
February 29, 2016
Zuri Day bought the heat back in this second installment of The Blue Collar Series. The Carter family is no joke mama and daddy had me crying laughing, they spoke the truth so if you did not want to hear it, you should not ask or go around them. Doug Carter was content with his life at the Post Office and plan to retire from there. Jan Baker had big dreams of being a star and permanently working at the post office was not happening for her and dating a man who had no dreams or ambition was not for her. This was a very good book, I enjoyed how she incorporated characters from her other books. This book dealt with self esteem issues, judging books by their covers and stereotypes. I highly recommend Packing heat.
This book was provided by the author for an honest review.
Shavonna Futrell
Zuri Day Street Team.
This book was provided by the author for an honest review.
Shavonna Futrell
Zuri Day Street Team.
January 31, 2016
Disclaimer : I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. So here it is !
That was a very nice story. First thing I liked is that it was about working class people. I liked the post office setting and the description of their everyday job, the camaraderie, th gossip, etc. I liked how focused, professional and hard working Janice was, I liked how nice and cool and fun (and refreshingly NOT some uber "Alpha" male) Douglas was. The romance was a tiny bit too fast for me and there is this ONE little details that surprisingly (seeing how Janice was supposed to be this very responsible and cautious person) never came up when they had sex which bugged me, but all in all it was a very enjoyable read.
That was a very nice story. First thing I liked is that it was about working class people. I liked the post office setting and the description of their everyday job, the camaraderie, th gossip, etc. I liked how focused, professional and hard working Janice was, I liked how nice and cool and fun (and refreshingly NOT some uber "Alpha" male) Douglas was. The romance was a tiny bit too fast for me and there is this ONE little details that surprisingly (seeing how Janice was supposed to be this very responsible and cautious person) never came up when they had sex which bugged me, but all in all it was a very enjoyable read.
Read
March 12, 2016Janice is a clueless aspiring singer with big dreams. She struggles with being a singer but has to do something else in the meantime. She is very family and goal oriented but discouraged.
Doug is a supervisor at the post office. He didn't think he would have been there for ten years so I guess it's a career for him. But he is content. Doug is a family man and gentle soul.
Doug falls for Janice. She is facing challenges and Doug wants to help. He is a gentleman to her and tries to steal her heart. But can both of them learn to love just who they are?
I love the story because the characters were very realistic with day to day situations. The storyline was on point. Great read
this book was provided by the author for an honest review.
Doug is a supervisor at the post office. He didn't think he would have been there for ten years so I guess it's a career for him. But he is content. Doug is a family man and gentle soul.
Doug falls for Janice. She is facing challenges and Doug wants to help. He is a gentleman to her and tries to steal her heart. But can both of them learn to love just who they are?
I love the story because the characters were very realistic with day to day situations. The storyline was on point. Great read
this book was provided by the author for an honest review.
April 20, 2023
Great message - loving yourself just the way you are, no matter what the "haters" have to say.
Jan had to be strong against all the "fat" jokes but it made her the independent, loving woman she is today. I knew putting her dreams on hold to help her family would come back as a blessing to her. And it did.
Of course having a good man like Doug Carter in her life is an additional bonus. I really enjoyed Doug's parents and the hilarious view they have on life.
Read
March 24, 2016Jan a singer who only plans to work at the post office until she gets her big break in the music industry and Doug who is the supervisor at the post office where Jan works is satisfied with his job. Neither one is looking to have a workplace romance, but that's exactly what happens, but not without some issues. I loved this story because it is about people just like me, regular everyday people. He's not some super rich billionaire looking to save some poor woman. I you are looking for that romance that will hold you and not let you put the book down then this is the read for you. Zuri does a wonderful job telling this story of love.
April 17, 2016
Packing Heat was about Carter Brother # 2. The great part about this series is that it's not many bells and whistles. It's sort of slow-paced (not in a bad way) and focuses on what happens when "regular people" find love in "extraordinary circumstances."
I liked Doug and Janice (Doug more so than Janice), he was the poster child for what it means to have a man that supports your dream.
If you're looking to read a story about regular people falling in love, then that's what you'll get with this. Nothing more, nothing less.
I liked Doug and Janice (Doug more so than Janice), he was the poster child for what it means to have a man that supports your dream.
If you're looking to read a story about regular people falling in love, then that's what you'll get with this. Nothing more, nothing less.
March 24, 2016
Fantastic, I loved it. Zuri Day's books about the blue collar Carter family are so real.
Douglas is a supervisor at the post office and doesn't regret that a temporary job became his career. Janice works at the post office to help her mother with her brother's medical bills. Her dream is to become a singer.
Janice also has ideas about dating only men of means and ambition. Douglas doesn't fit the bill, so she thinks.
Douglas is a supervisor at the post office and doesn't regret that a temporary job became his career. Janice works at the post office to help her mother with her brother's medical bills. Her dream is to become a singer.
Janice also has ideas about dating only men of means and ambition. Douglas doesn't fit the bill, so she thinks.
October 7, 2016
There may be some SPOILERS!!!!!!
This book was actually good just like the first one. But I like the first book better with Bryon and Cynthia. This one was also good.
And at the end when Doug ask her to marry her. I knew that's what he was going to do and I'm like that's it lol? I was confused because I thought it'd be more to it.
But in the end, I enjoyed the book.
I always enjoy Zuri Day books.
This book was actually good just like the first one. But I like the first book better with Bryon and Cynthia. This one was also good.
And at the end when Doug ask her to marry her. I knew that's what he was going to do and I'm like that's it lol? I was confused because I thought it'd be more to it.
But in the end, I enjoyed the book.
I always enjoy Zuri Day books.
February 24, 2016
Packing Heat is another great read by Zuri Day. I immediately fell in love with Doug Carter, the "leading man". I was cheering for him from the beginning. I love how she brings her characters to life. I also love how there's a strong sense of family in her books. If you read this, you will NOT be disappointed!
March 21, 2016
I love this story because it has a message "Be Who You Truly Are" it does it matter if you're skinny or other body types you don't have to let other define you just be who you are that's the only thing that matters,be happy in your skin, love yourself and be happy within yourself. I love this book I will read this book again and again and again.
November 18, 2021
Contains mature adult themes.
Wild, funny & sweet! I absolutely loved Doug and eventually Jan. They were exactly what each other needed. The cast of support characters are memorable. And of course Mrs. Liz Carter is in rare form. Mr. Willie Carter is quiet, calming and strong. I didn't like the rotten apples, they were obnoxious and too much in need of personality. This was a good read.
Wild, funny & sweet! I absolutely loved Doug and eventually Jan. They were exactly what each other needed. The cast of support characters are memorable. And of course Mrs. Liz Carter is in rare form. Mr. Willie Carter is quiet, calming and strong. I didn't like the rotten apples, they were obnoxious and too much in need of personality. This was a good read.
February 25, 2016
This was a good book. That Doug had me laughing out loud. That Jan made me mad near the end, but I am happy she came to her senses. The Carter Family is very entertaining. I cannot wait to read the next book. I hope it don't be too long.
February 27, 2016
Ms. Day Don't Play
Great read!Good story! Her humor is undeniable but she also evolves Jan and Doug story to the point that you are sad it's over. Buy this. You will be glad you did.
Great read!Good story! Her humor is undeniable but she also evolves Jan and Doug story to the point that you are sad it's over. Buy this. You will be glad you did.
April 10, 2016
Love it as always im never disappointed with a Zuri Day books . I love they way that it is still honest love for the plan men .this is a must read you will be hooked. Any book is good a refreshing by Zuri Day
August 19, 2016
Below is the link for the review for Packing Heat... I have it scheduled to post on BR blog on it's release date.
Link: http://wp.me/p45NgG-1mD
Link: http://wp.me/p45NgG-1mD
April 28, 2016
I love this series. Great story! Lots of humor in the story. It's a book I recommend.
March 6, 2016
I can so relate to this series. Love the Blue Collar series.
March 14, 2016
Jan lets go
Doug came in and not only swept Jan off her feet, but boosted her in many ways - career, aspirations and family!
Doug came in and not only swept Jan off her feet, but boosted her in many ways - career, aspirations and family!
April 1, 2016
Love, Love, Love Zuri Day. This book was good. Story line was interesting and had just enough love making scenes to make the story not so erotic. Zuri Day is fast becoming a favorite author.
October 7, 2016
Very good book, definitely an enjoyable book. Douglas had me dying in this book that dude was hilarious. Just like his brother Bryon.
September 13, 2019
THE BLUE-COLLAR LOVER SERIES - Packing Heat #2 ["Nothing invigorates the five Carter brothers more than an honest day's work--and the right woman to come home to at night…Douglas Carter never expected the summer job he took at the (post office) ten years ago to become his career. But now, at twenty-eight, he has zero regrets. He's happy to have a regular paycheck, good friends, and a sweet plan for retiring early. If only his cute but oh-so-uptight new coworker felt as content as he does…Janice ‘Jan’ Baker only works at the post office out of necessity. Her real dream is to become a (singer). At thirty, she may be considered over the hill and a little too ‘big’ for the entertainment industry, but that just gives her a sense of urgency--and a resolve to date only men of means and ambition. Douglas is obviously not a candidate, despite his good looks. Yet as work forces them to get closer, they discover there's far more to each other than meets the eye--and that two actually work better than one--on and off the job…]
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