Shapely & Stunning

Big & Beautiful #3

by Mary E. Thompson

Love isn't in the realm of possibility for Lexi Mack. After her parents manipulated her love to get their way before and after their divorce, she knew love wasn't something she ever wanted. It would just leave her hurt, and she'd had enough pain to last a lifetime.
Sex was another story though. Lexi could handle that. She needed it, and Mike Peterman was the perfect man to help her get that release.
Until Mike wants to change things. When he becomes her boss, she's ready to end their friends-with-benefits relationship, but he wants to take things to a completely different level.
Can Lexi get over her opposition to love, and dating the boss, and let Mike in? Or is she destined to be alone forever?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Ebooks, Workplace Romance

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 12, 2016

About the author

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Mary E Thompson spent most of her childhood wishing she had a few less curves. She hid in the pages of books because her favorite characters never cared what size her clothes were. Now, neither does Mary, and she writes stories that celebrate women like her. Real women who have curves, chase dreams, and find love, because we should all be happy, no matter our dress size.
Mary spends her non-writing time with her husband and two kids, watching too much TV, cheering for her hometown football team (Go Bills!), and hiding chocolate from her family.

Reviews

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve been slowly making my way through this series. In Book 2 - Lush and Lovely, Lexi was portrayed as this totally bad ass woman so I was a bit shocked at how indecisive she came off in a lot of instances. Granted, in Book 2 she was described as Claire saw her and maybe not as she was. So I’ll let that bit slip.

Another issue I had was the fact that even though this was a romance story, Mike hardly made an appearance. We rarely got to see him or experience him except for the sex scenes. A lot of time was spent on Lexi’s inner angst and the repetition of what her issues were. Ok, we got it the first time....and the second....and the third.... But I get it now, after reading 3 books in the series, I’m starting to see that the author does this a lot. All in all, it would have been nice if the hero in the story showed up a lot more.

I also have an issue with this author’s editing. Please double check your work before publishing. Charlie has been part of the series since Book 1, yet all of a sudden in this one she was referred to as “Charles” SIX times in the span of 4-5 paragraphs. Come on now! There were other editing issues but this one really jumped out at me since she is a reoccurring character and her name should be a priority.

[ChonkyTrashPanda2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

❤️

I loved this one, just like the first two. The only reason I’m giving it three stars is because I ended up speed reading through the scenes at Bite Me! There were a lot of them and it was quite repetitive with the main character having to repeat what’s bothering her over and over again for the same characters coming in at the same time in every scene there. but still worth the read I swear! ❤️❤️

[Char ღ Denae · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the third book in the Big & Beautiful series, you’re getting to know all of the main characters pretty well. Each book is from the point of view of that particular character but all of them are included in the books.
I had a few problems with this one, although I did enjoy it.
My biggest complaint is that it got very repetitive. The MFC, Lexi has love and relationship issues, and we hear about them often, throughout the story. Also, the details of her job are explained extremely thoroughly, to the point of wondering if the author worked this particular job in real life. The plot does revolve around her job, as the MMC is a coworker but the details get to be a bit too much. It’s not necessary to the story to go into that much detail about machinery.
All in all, this was a nice addition to the series but I was happy to move to the next.

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I keep hoping one of these women would redeem curvy girls. Lexi wasn't it. Where do these girls find these men willing to put up with their bs? Can't just one of them be confident, willing to listen to the guy and give him a chance? So far they have put these guys through the ringer, emasculating them in the name of love. Come on Mary, girls are never this hard to love.

[Ann Tosti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Through most of the book I was thinking it was really good and would give it 4 or 5 stars though I prefer duo POV romances but then I HATED the ending. There is so much left unsaid and not resolved between Lexi and Mike.

[Mariel Quiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was so good I could not put it down and I rushed to get the entire series...all 13 books of them. You will absolutely love every single character in the book, you will laugh out loud through and just shake your head at the antics of these fearless women. No spoilers, sorry. Go on, hurry don’t hesitate, these are just to damn good to pass up. My review will be the same for all 12 books cuz they are all amazing!

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these ladies in these books, a few grammatical errors, but not enough to dampen my view of the story :)

[Paula-Diane Lufflum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lexi is dating her co-worker Mike but when he gets the promotion he becomes her boss, she doesn't want to date her boss, Mike has other ideas. Great reading, Lexi is feisty but vulnerable.

[B Emilie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than #1 and 2 but not my best read so far.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice read as usual by this author. But, I felt that there were too much of Bite Me scenes in this book

[Nathalie Brence · Rating 1 out of 5]

cute ending but the lack of communication was really annoying

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lexi annoyed me of how she overthought too many of the outcomes, but the relationship she finally accepted with Mike was super cute and I enjoyed it.

Was a great storyline from beginning to end.

[Amber R · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit repetitive

I have read the first three books always the heroin with low self-esteem. Never believing what the man is saying fighting it to the very end not really a fan of angst. Not sure if I’ll continue the series.

[Arpi · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was just disappointing. it was so boring I was dying to finish it. I looked so forward to reading mike and lexi's story that I even brought the book. but, it didn’t meet my expectations at all ://

[Lynn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lexi didn't believe in true love and forever. She had a lover and that was good enough for her. She got to enjoy Mike in bed and then they went their separate ways. When they both go after the same job at work, she was happy for Mike when he got it. Now he was her boss and she had no intentions of being that women that sleeps with her boss. So she breaks it off. Mike stuck to Lexi's rules even knowing he wanted more. Then she breaks it off and he isn't sure how to get her back.

Lexi had a warped sense of love after seeing what her parents did to one another when her mother slept with her boss. When Lexi finds herself unable to move on she realizes she wasn't able to keep the relationship feeling free. Mike was so patient with Lexi. All that time he kept what he felt to himself and know he was determined to prove to her they could be a couple and still work together. Loved the interactions between Mike and Lexi. Lexi has the support of her wonderful group of girlfriends and I love watching each one find their HEA.

[Aliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lexi is such a ball-buster. I love that her personality is really different from the other women. She loves sex but doesn't want a relationship much less marriage or kids. That is until her "friend with benefits" Mike wants more and they both compete for the same position at the office. As much as I was rooting for Lexi and Mike to make things work, I'm glad that Lexi didn't quit her job or compromise (with Mike) in that matter. She knows her worth and so do her co-workers.
I really see this couple happily married and successful but I honestly don't see them having the 2.5 children and white picket fence. This is the couple that will be the favorite aunt and uncle and spoil the children of their friends. This dynamic duo adds diversity to this group. I absolutely love them!

[Never Stop Reading or Dreaming · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was lacking compared to the others. I found myself annoyed. The author writes in different fonts throughout the book and it drives me crazy. She did this with the first book too. Sometimes it's just a line or two but it's enough to make me annoyed.

Also, the two main characters just didn't seem to have chemistry together. I have bought the rest of the books in the series and am hoping the next one is better than this one.

[CrazyGal609 · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always sweet (& amusing) when the guy wants the real relationship not just the benefits part… shocking; I know😳😉🙂
🧁☕️🧁☕️🧁Nice group of gals🧁☕️🧁☕️🧁
Can’t blame Luke for feeling used, cause-he was, and I don’t think she ever apologized either 🧐

Read again for 2nd time on Galatea (as series ✨magically✨ disappeared from my iBook library) just had to deal with the annoying 6hr wait between itty-bitty chapters 🙄🙄🙄

[Jalare · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book!

I absolutely loved the relationship between Lexi and Mike! I liked how they got to really know each other instead of just having sex. Oh, I absolutely got a kick out of it when Mike saw the yellow bra and thong. Too funny and sexy at the same time! My favorite book in the series so far. Ready to purchase book 4!

[Laura Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was kinda hard to read not because it was boring or bad. It was just very emotional for me my chest had a lump in it almost til the end. Really really good story!

[Heli - So Many Books - So Little Time · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars