Lessons

St. Barts #2

by Emme Cross

This is an alternate cover edition for B00Z14BEPU

Sunny’s happiness with Sven is threatened by a murderous stalker
Sunny O’Hara thought everything was going smoothly with her sexy movie-star boyfriend Sven. He initiates in her all the ways of love and seems to have stopped sleeping around. But everything is threatened by a vicious stalker who wants her out the picture.

Will Sunny survive, and if she does, can her relationship with Sven last?

This is the second book in the St. Barts Romance series by Emme Cross. Set on the island of St. Barts, eight square miles of gourmet restaurants, designer shops, yachts . . . and sultry secrets.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

238 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 5, 2015

About the author

A writer, a foodie, a gardener, a dog lover and addicted to travel. Also a cynic, which means underneath it all, I'm a romantic still hoping for HEAs.
I've been married forever to the hero of my own real life romance and I alternate between adoration and irritation.

Reviews

[S.M. West · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 "Lips Like Sugar" STARS

I really enjoyed the first two books of this series. This was a refreshing read and while it has everything you want in a great summer/beach read, it's so much more than that!

In the first book, Love on St. Barts, Abigail O'Hara (Sunny) returns to St. Barts, her birthplace, to inter her father's ashes with her mother's grave. She's 23, an only child whose traipsed all over the globe with her father and while worldly in cultures and the like, she's also very innocent and sheltered. Here Sunny meets Sven Larsen, a movie star, Hollywood's sexiest man with the reputation for breaking women's hearts.



While Sven is attracted to Sunny, he's older and also more experienced and because of that, he tries to resist her. But Sunny, unlike any other character I've read before, propositions Sven to be her sexual mentor. She's not in a rush to lose her V card but at her age, she's done no more than kiss a few boys and she wants to learn. Try as Sven might, he can't refuse her offer and of course, then ensues very sexy, funny and at times, very frustrating sexual lessons.



I really liked Sunny although at times, she seemed too practical but it was understandable given she'd lived most of her life around adults. I also liked Sven but there were moments where I wanted to knee him in the groin for thinking with that brain and not his higher one!!



I don't want to give much more away because the story line is layered with lots going on. In addition to the blossoming relationship with Sunny and Sven, she's also building villas on the island, he's filming a movie, Sunny's perfecting her cooking skills as sous chef, there are meddling friends, evil is lurking and Sunny's translating on the movie set. And the locale, St. Barts, is also very much a characters as Ms. Cross's creates such a vivid picture of this beautifully cultured and magical island. If it wasn't for money, I'd be a plane right now to St. Barts!



Also, in addition to this very engaging story and the lure of the island, Ms. Cross also layers in details (and not too detailed at all) of these magnificent dishes and song references that all of it combined just spoke to me on so many levels.

The first book ends with the upcoming wrap party for the film and this is where the second book starts. After the party, Sven and Sunny agree to part ways due to professional obligations but with the promise to see each other in two months. At this point, Ms. Cross puts this story on its head...



and had me and many of the characters in the book in a tailspin with a horrific incident that casts a darkness on Sunny and shapes the rest of the book.



This second book deals with how Sunny and Sven find their way back together and it really shows how both of them have grown. The relationship between Sven and Sunny was not typical and that's what I liked about this story and these characters. While some things were predictable, there was still an originality about the entire series that I really enjoyed and Sven and Sunny together, just worked.



I recommend this series to those who like romance, a little bit of mystery and suspense and originality. This book would go great with a cocktail by the pool or beach or just as good sitting on your deck or porch with a glass of wine! The author promises more of Sunny and Sven and I eagerly await the continuation of their story!


**An ARC generously provided by Emme Cross in exchange for an honest review.**

For more reviews and blog posts.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the continuation of this interesting and intriguing story. The author added more characters and continued the same storyline as if it were one book! I can hardly wait for Book 3 in September.

[✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunny was born on St. Bart's. That was almost 23 years ago.
After moving all over the world for her Dad's job she's now back on the beautiful island to bury her father's ashes. It was his last wish to be laid to rest with his beloved wife.
And she's back on St. Bart's to finally start her own, grown-up life. She plans on building and then renting out vacation villas to all the über-rich and sometimes famous tourists.



She's extremely busy with her renovations and the plans for the villas and jobbing in a restaurant - cooking is one of her greatest pleasures! Then she's offered a job as a translator for a movie that's being filmed on the island. That's when we meet Sven Larsen - he's on his way to become a big name in Hollywood. And he really needs to make it, because he's not getting any younger - he's in his mid-thirties already. This movie could be really good for his career. Little did he know that the island would also bring him Sunny. He's totally charmed by her innocence, her joy for life, her 'naturalness'. And Sunny - she finally knows what she wants. She's always had journals full of plans and to-do lists (she's a list-a-holic!) - and on one of her lists it says: Have Sex!

"You're fucking kidding me! Haven't you ever been kissed before?"

Her Dad had always sheltered her way too much - she never had a real social life. But now's her time. That's why she asks Sven to be her sexual mentor. ☺ and because she doesn't have one of those:



she'll use this:



It takes a while for Sven to get over the shock of hearing this innocently asked question - but he just can't do it. He doesn't want to 'destroy' the innocence of someone who's so beautiful - inside and out.

".....the kiss. I've practiced on my pillow, but it doesn't kiss back."

But - of course - his oath to keep away from her doesn't keep her away from him, and he finally gives in. And thus start some very sexy and romantic sexual lessons.☺☺☺
And for Sven those lessons are very frustrating! He wants to go really slow with her...

That's where his very unlikable Co-Star Eden comes into the picture. He needs to have sex with someone other than his sweet & innocent student!
Eden is not the only person who wants Sven to get somewhere in Hollywood. There's also his best friend Clyde. He can't understand what Sven sees in this island whore - as he calls her.
Then there's a whole bunch of other great co-stars in the book. Mimi - who becomes her best friend - she knew Sunny's parents. Mimi's lover, Restaurant-owner Philippe. Ivan - the sleazy russian movie producer - he has his own reasons for wanting Sunny to work at the movie set. The moody russian Director Mikhail. Then there's Sunny's family doctor - the police captain - a few stray dogs etc. etc.

Lots of things happen in these books and I really mean LOTS of ... funny things - romantic things - sexy & very hot things - moving things - sad things - heartbreakingly sad things .....

Will Sunny & Sven make it?
Will they get their HEA?
Or will everybody die at the end?
Will there be a Cliffhanger???? o.O



I'm not telling you of course ☺ ☺ ☺



Ok - I might tell you that, since there will be a few more books about Sunny & Sven, there will be much more to tell - BUT there's no Cliffhanger really - The series could be over now - it could be a stand-alone Romance and we could live with it - BUT we'll get more ☺YAYYYY


________________________________



I REALLY ENJOYED READING THE BOOKs!!!

A book that makes me cry in the first chapter can only be awesome!!!



and it really was! It was Emme's first book - she previously only wrote short, unromantic stuff for Radio News etc.
And for a first-time Romance - it was really amazing!!!!



Hm, even if it had been her 15th book it would've been amazing ☺
You might think it starts out a bit... bleh...boring - uninteresting. And it really does - a tiny little bit maybe....
It's really cute and moving and interesting in the beginning - we learn a lot about all of the characters and especially about the Island, but the REAL interesting story starts a tiny little bit later ☺.

You won't be able to put the books down. You NEED to know what will happen. It's like a Hitchcock/StephenKing-movie - you sit there with your little reader-heart pounding like crazy!

Ugh it was so amazing!

We only have SEX of course - really sweet and innocent and HOT sex! Sven is so adorably patient with Sunny! He's had it with this stupid Hollywood lifestyle of parties, sex, drugs, sex, alcohol etc. He wants...

Something real. Something permanent.

Then we have all the jealous and greedy and unlikable side characters with their schemes... Then there's suspense!!!! There are many parts of the book where I SOOOO wanted to do this to a few characters - including Sven!



I really liked Emme's writing style. I felt like I was right there on St. Bart's with them. Like I was an extra in the movie production and got to eavesdrop on everything that happened ☺
And the idea of writing a book about this beautiful island - PERFECT! It was so totally different from all the other books we're always reading. No New York, LA, Seattle, London ☺ St. Bart's!!! ♥ I sooo wanna go there now!!!!! (OK, that's not totally true - we WILL go to LA & Norway etc. but we're on St. Bart's most of the time!!)

OK, that's it!! I'm not telling you any more about the story - I don't want to spoil too much and your already weak heart might not like it when I tell you that Ms Cross is not a fan of HEAs!!! Hehe ☺☺☺

Please go and buy the books - you won't regret it - you will fall in love with Sunny, Sven & St. Bart's just like I did!

and now please Emme - GIVE. ME. MORE!!!!



I NEEEEED to read what will happen to Sunny & Sven next!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Emme Cross, for gifting me with a copy of Lessons on St. Barts in exchange for an honest review!

I felt pretty much the same way about this book as I did reading the first book but I'll reiterate my feelings for the sake of clarity.  There are some differences, however, and I'll be sure to highlight those.  Let's get to it!

1.  The romance.  I liked the romance just as well in this book as in the first one.  Sven and Sunny are so cute together and their relationship is adorable.  I did chafe a bit at Sven's assumption that Sunny would just follow him wherever he went.  He has a unique lifestyle, being an actor, but it's still a large assumption to make of someone.  Otherwise, I loved how they support each other and help each other grow in their respective fields and passions.  Another thing I should mention, this book is solidly in NA territory because of the explicitness of the sex scenes.

2.  The plot.  This book has a slightly different plot structure because it's focused more around finding Sunny's attacker and exploring Sunny's relationship with herself as she struggles to heal after the attack.  I really liked that journey and finding out who the attacker was.  The pace of this book was also a lot better than the first book and I had no trouble with wanting to keep reading.  One thing I'm not sure I agree with is the use of hypnosis to help Sunny.  There's a reason evidence obtained by hypnosis is inadmissible in court.  People are highly susceptible to suggestions when in a state of hypnosis.

3.  The characters.  The characters are once again the jewel of the book.  Sunny especially is such a wonderful character and I love reading her reactions and seeing her dreams come true through her villas.  Sven, Judith, Mimi, Phillipe, and all the rest are wonderful as well and like in the first book, they are all wonderfully developed.

4.  The setting.  I didn't mention this in my last review of the first book in the series but I love the effort the author puts into the description of the island.  Obviously, there was more of it in the first book (setting the scene is infinitely more important when introducing readers rather than bringing them back into a world) but there was still a good amount in Lessons and it was much appreciated.  St. Barts sounds like such a beautiful place (it's a real place, btw!) and I'd love to travel there someday.

The Final Verdict:
A wonderful sequel with stunning characters and setting.  While the plot and romance had a few iffy moments, on the whole, I truly enjoyed this book.
4 stars

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

First reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

I don’t often make a big deal about reading order in a series. For the most part, any series can be picked up anywhere and backtracked to the beginning if the reader cares to. Yet – for the St. Bart series, it really does make a difference because this series is a continuation of one couple’s love story and the changes that each person brings to the lives of the other. In my opinion, reading this series in order starting with Love on St. Barts will make the difference between a good reading experience and an amazing one. Events, emotions, situations happen in the first novel that, in a way, will set up what you’ll read in the second. So, I honestly believe that for this series the reading order does matter. Will you enjoy this one without reading the first, yes. But it will make more sense, be more complete and be a better reading experience if you do start at the beginning.

Now, on to Lessons on St. Barts.

We will pick up Sunny and Sven’s story almost from the moment of the ending of the first novel. This story is in many ways a much darker, more intense part of this couple’s love story. Sunny will be attacked and that horrendous action will change everything… it will change Sunny. And because of their agreement to not have contact while Sven is on his next movie location, this attack and it’s aftermath will affect both of them in different ways. Sven will go through hell because he has no idea of Sunny’s injuries because no one was able to contact him. And when people don’t know the facts, they make unwise decisions based on what they think is happening.

That’s all I’m going to say about the plot. This story is intense, sad, scary and the emotions are all over the place. You need to experience what is happening to Sunny and Sven firsthand. Otherwise, the story is completely spoiled for you, in my opinion.

Motives will become clearer, additional characters will have a larger role and there is one person who you will despise with a passion. I highly recommend Lessons on St. Bart. It is such an enjoyable story that is complete without cliffhangers. The next story in Sunny and Sven’s lives is set up but not in a way that leaves this one dangling without resolution. This couple will grab you by the heartstrings and never let you go.

*I received an e-ARC of Lessons on St. Barts from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

[Yeng · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to begin, how to begin?

Okay.

It’ll get a little spoilery in here cos this is the second book. Non-spoiler review of the first book is here.

I'm honestly surprised on the turn of events in this installment. It kinda gripped me, but still, I didn't “feel” it. And that is my problem with the writing of the author. She wrote a lot of senseless dialogues and narrated dozens of unimportant scenarios but didn't “show” the supposed to be climax or biggest issue of the book. It could have been better if the author “showed” us and not just told us Sunny's accident. That way, I might feel sympathetic to her and I might be "broken" with her. If she wrote the actual scene, it will definitely elicit extreme emotions out of me. But she didn't. That's probably why the whole accident felt too “meeh” for me. Plus, I also didn't feel Sunny’s depression or the change everyone seems to be talking about. Again, the author didn't “show” it, she just made the supporting characters talk about it, but I just wasn't convinced. And also Sven. I didn't really feel his depression for losing sunny. He's just the same old Sven.

Flattest cardboard cut-out.

There wasn't also much character development. They're just who they were in the first book. I expected Sunny to change but there really wasn't any change. She’s still our perfect little girl from the first book.

Let’s talk about Clyde for a sec. I think he’s the best character in the book. He has a lot of depth in him, even if it’s a bad kind of depth. He made me feel. He made me angry with him, made me want to murder him.

Judith. Another perfect character we honestly don’t need. Just saying.

The writing was still mediocre at best. But like I said, cheers for that little twist! Not something I will pick up in a good day, still it’s a light and fast read. Wish the author can work on her too-much-telling style.

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story, Great Characters **I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review**
Sunny lives on St. Barts and is involved with a movie star, Sven. He was her first lover and truly cared about her. He wanted her to meet him in LA after he finished his next movie. Sunny is hesitant. She just started anew on St. Barts. She had her villas to complete and get up and running, but she did care for Sven.
Sunny was such a delight, a human ray of sunshine until she had been hurt, but it took a special someone for her to heal mentally and for her to feel safe again. I loved her character again. I loved Sven's character and how Sunny and Sven both grew once again.
This second book was as awesome as the first. I loved all of the characters. I also loved the plot and overall story. I highly recommend this book and this new series.

[Donna Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book

I give this book a 5 star rating, I could not put this book down.
Love, Lust and Dreamy. FANTASTIC

[Holly Thyme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the first book, Love, but I can't find the second one Lessons on Amazon Kindle. Very disappointed.

[Claire Sayan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Sunny and Sven. I had to read book one before i started this one and I'm glad i did. Sunny is just as her name indicated - lovely and happy and never see the bad in anyone. Sven is a good 'en deep down. Loved it.

[Lou · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 30%, these are not for me

[Ash P Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

See review of Box Set

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...