Really Hot!

by Jennifer LaBrecque

Rourke O'Malley can think of worse things than spending a few weeks surrounded by beautiful women—rich beautiful women, at that. After all, he's reality TV's newest bachelor, and he's going to enjoy it. Besides, how hard can it be? All he has to do is pick the beauty he likes best. He never guesses that the woman he'll want is the one he can't have.…

Associate producer Portia Tomlinson has spent her Hollywood career turning down pretty boys with great bodies, and Rourke is no different. Or is he? There's something about the sexy investment banker that really pushes her buttons. She knows that getting involved with a contestant would be professional suicide, but still, Portia is tempted to play with fire. Because getting burned might be exactly what she needs.…

224 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2005

About the author

First, let me say this is how I show up at my desk every morning to write. Dahling, I couldn’t possibly write a word unless I was wearing 3-inch heels with a Martini at hand. NOT!!! But it’s so different, and face it, infinitely less scarey than the way I usually work, running shorts and t-shirt with a cup of tea nearby, that I had to put this picture up.

I’ve been an avid reader ever since I was growing up on a farm in south Georgia. At that time I dreamed of writing poetry while living in The Big Apple and traveling the world. Fast forward, bypassing lots of not-so-glamourous jobs such as barbeque joint waitress, telemarketer, and corporate numbers cruncher, to today’s reality. I write contemporary romance, live in The Big Peach (ya know, Atlanta), and I’m working on the world travel.

I actually live in the suburbs with my husband, daughter, three cats, two rescue greyhounds, and chihuahua who bosses the whole house.

Writing is one of the best jobs in the world and one of the most miserable–depending on which day you’re asking. However, obviously the best outweighs the most miserable or I wouldn’t be working on that next book. So, here’s the straight skinny on the good, the bad, and the downright ugly.

(from her website)

Reviews

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that I haven't relished the recent romance trend of reality TV settings. I'm not a big fan of reality TV myself, except for true crime (which I don't think actually counts). I probably wouldn't have picked up this book if LaBrecque weren't the author. That would have been a bad thing, because I would have missed a good story.

Rourke O'Malley is the star of a new reality series where 12 women will vie for his attention. He was a runner up in a previous show with the opposite scenario, but his good looks and charisma make him an ideal focus for a show of his own. These same qualities also bring him to the attention of associate producer Portia Tomlinson.

Really Hot! uses some familiar elements of romance--a heroine who had only one other lover, was burned by him, and vows not to trust anyone--but LaBrecque breathes new life into the characters. Portia could have been a stereotype, but she's not. She's a multidimensional woman.

Rourke is the perfect man for her. Down to earth yet charming, he's single-minded in his interest in Portia. I enjoyed reading about both characters.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting Real Mini-series

2006 RITA Nominee for Best Short Contemporary Romance

4 1/2 Stars! ~ Investment banking is more Rourke's thing than starring in the latest reality show. He signs up so he can raise money to get his brother out of hot water. And really, having to decide who's the hottest among all those sexy rich socialists, isn't that much of a hardship. Portia's the associate producer on the show, and she's keeping her promise of never getting involved with a man again, she has her son to consider and no one's going to hurt or disappoint him if she can help it. But Rourke's so appealing and the eye contact while he's on camera and she's behind the scenes make every shot he's in sizzle. That on camera personna somehow fades away when ever Rourke is alone with Portia, then out comes Rourke's inner nerd, a quality Portia finds totally irresistible.

This was fun. Rourke and Portia are wonderful characters. Witty dialogue, sexy scenes, and heartwarming insights all make for a very enjoyable read.

Ms. LaBrecque has a talent for witty dialogue. Rourke the Dork comes shining through all that suave sophistication. I loved how Rourke wasn't afraid to open his mouth and insert his foot The characters in this book jump right out; it's very easy to get involved in their love story. This story has all the right mix of fun, sex, heart wrenching insecurity, and heartwarming insights.

[Colleen (NerdyWoman) Kayter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really Hot! is a fun romp and a good read but lacks the memorable dialog found in Barely Mistaken and Daring in the Dark.

Rourke O'Malley is a likeable guy, but a beta male to the bone. Portia Tomlinson's character doesn't ring quite true. She's supposed to be very inexperienced sexually, but she doesn't come across that way.

Really Hot! far outshines the prequel, The Last Virgin which can be found in the Getting Real anthology and the sequel, Anticipation (brother Nick's story).

[Fedora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute read.