Bare Pleasures

Miami Strong #1

by Lindsay Evans

A redeeming passion

Ten years ago, rebellious corporate heir Alexander Diallo was living in Jamaica, a world away from his moneyed roots. But his youthful indiscretions have followed the successful computer engineer back to Miami. Now he’s being emotionally blackmailed into romancing a perfect stranger. The seduction becomes all too real when Lex starts falling for Noelle Palmer…and longs to turn the pleasure-driven charade into a more permanent union.

Being abandoned at the altar left emotional scars, and Noelle isn’t ready to trust again—even if Lex is everything she ever dreamed of in a lover. His sensuality and magnetic charm tempt her to let down her guard and open her heart. Until she discovers that they didn’t meet by chance. Can Lex convince her that what began as a deception has deepened into a love that can erase all the mistakes of the past?

Genres: Romance

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 18, 2016

About the author

Born in Jamaica, Lindsay Evans currently lives in Atlanta, GA. She loves good food and romance and would happily travel to the ends of the earth for both. Find out more at www.LindsayEvansWrites.com.

Reviews

[Adrien Julious · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reformed Bad Boy Meets Good Girl

I loved this book from the first sentence to the last one. I can't wait to read the next in this series.

[La Toya Hankins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lush love story that awakens the senses and sends the reader on a journey filled with family, friendship, and the power of great food. Miami resident Alex Diallo is a hunk of a man whose past involves him dancing for money in a Jamaican bar. He thought he left that part of him behind until Margot, the woman who ran the bar, convinces him to take her sister out to help bring her out of a depression following being left at the alter. Ironically, Alex had already laid eyes on Noelle at his sister's art exhibition and felt an instant attraction despite his decision of celibacy. What follows is Noelle and Alex becoming attracted to each other and finally succumbing to their desires in the back seat of Alex's car. Still, the reason for their connections hangs over them. Will Noelle find out her sister set the wheels in motion for Alex and her to connect? Will the secret Alex has tried to keep from his parents about his provocative past find it way out? The reader is kept turning the pages to a family dinner finale where two dishes of oxtails play a part. Evans weaves details of Alex and Noelle becoming closer over diverse dishes ranging from crepes at an exclusive French restaurant to a turkey-jalapeno corn dog in such a vivid fashion the reader feels they are savoring the experience along with them. Her descriptions of the physical attraction they are feeling for each other aren't for the shy or faint of heart but when you have a love story set in Miami, you expect some heat.

[Patrick J. Salem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you pick up a book because there is nothing else to read and you need a moment or two of escapism. Most times you read a little bit, and your mind wanders enough that you feel relaxed because the story didn't matter to you just that moment of being somewhere else. That's how I approached this novel, as something to read for a moment or two, but before I knew it, I was enthralled. I found myself rooting for Noelle, wanting to slap Lex upside his head, and hoping that Margot would wake up and realize that her sister needed to be free. This is an incredibly lush book for an imprint from Harlequin, which I normally associate with the idealized male character and fully realized female character struggling to find love in a loveless world. But the protagonists in this story are well-drawn, complicated, and compelling. Lindsay Evans' prose is as electrifying and exciting as the Miami night life that serves as the backdrop for this story. Evans' characters are people you'd want in your life: "They were generous and funny women who didn’t demand anything more than her company and conversation." she writes describing Noelle's friends. And her descriptions of her characters are poetic: "He was pretty instead of handsome. Skin like roasted wheat, a slender build and not very tall." Bare Pleasures works on every level, and I hope to read more from this series.

[Dj · Rating 4 out of 5]

A redeeming passion… Ten years ago, rebellious corporate heir Alexander Diallo was living in Jamaica, a world away from his moneyed roots. But his youthful indiscretions, i.e. stripping, have followed the successful computer engineer back to Miami. Now he’s being emotionally blackmailed by his former boss into romancing her sister, then discovers she’s someone he wanted to meet anyway. The seduction becomes all too real when Lex starts falling for Noelle Palmer…and longs to turn the pleasure-driven charade into a more permanent union. Being abandoned at the altar left emotional scars, and Noelle isn’t ready to trust again—even if Lex is everything she ever dreamed of in a lover. His sensuality and magnetic charm tempt her to let down her guard and open her heart. Until she discovers that they didn’t meet by chance. Margot her sister and self-imposed savior set it up. Can Lex convince her that what began as a deception has deepened into a love that can erase all the mistakes of the past?

[Melody Weckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lex Diallo is a suave young professional who is not at all afraid of a good time. He's come a long way from the partying days of his youth but is still all charm when it comes to women. That quality comes in handy when he meets Noelle Palmer. She is strong but past pain has left her heart reserved. As she still has a healing heart Lex's cheesy lines and fun-loving attitude help her to loosen up. Their meeting is under interesting and unconventional circumstances, but this is a couple who is meant to find love. Family love and romantic love both shine is this novel by Evans.

[CaroMommie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so rich, and elegant in the way it displayed the feelings and turmoil in the two leads. I felt so connected with their chai, drama and relationship.

Ms. Evans style was so silky sweet smooth, that I felt I was on the inside looking out. I felt that connected to them.

This was a sumptuous story, decadent even. I loooved it.

[Phoenix Rising · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Lindsay Evans book. The author didn't disappoint. I read it in one sitting while on vacation in paradise. The pace kept you engaged and the romance was sizzling. The characters were fully developed and nuanced. Looking forward to the author's next release.

[Jacqui Enchelmaier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable but ended in a rush

The book had me in on the first chapter. The story was enjoyable with many twists and turns. I was disappointed with the way the story ended in such a rush.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was fantastic, marvelous, and romantic sensational, just plan sexy between Alexander Diallo and Noelle Palmer.

[Dorel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book I book I read by Lindsay Evans. I'm sorry this book didn't grab my interest & was boring.

[Harlequin Books]

received 4 1/2 stars @ harlequin.com (as of 11/29/16). To view reviews, go HERE> http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.ht...

Miniseries: Miami Strong

[Shannan Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noelle doesn't feel like entering the dating scene, but her sister thinks otherwise, so she blackmails her friend, Alex to date Noelle. This was my first from this author, I enjoyed the story, and it will not be my last.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. Noelle may have emotional scars, but she's overcoming them and learning to trust again. Alexander has overcome his youthful indiscretions and become a successful computer engineer until he runs into someone from his past.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story.