One And Done

by Cynthia Sax

He wants one night. I want forever.

Hit it and quit it - that’s Smoke Sheridan’s relationship philosophy. The tall, dark, and dangerous club owner never spends more than one night with any woman. He seduces the broken-hearted, leaving them with smiles on their faces and a sexual confidence other men can’t resist.

I need his services.

My boyfriend of four years dumped me because I’m a lousy lay. Smoke can help me win him back, teach me how to make my man writhe in ecstasy. I’ll show him such bliss, he’ll bellow my name in the dark of the night, want me with an all-consuming desire.

This sounds like a great plan. Except I see the loneliness in Smoke’s eyes, feel the wistfulness in his touch, experience the wanting in his embrace. The player isn’t as shallow as he appears.

... And I’ve never been good at letting go ...

---
One And Done contains inappropriate humour, very bad pickup lines, a BBW heroine who doesn’t know what she’s doing and a player who thinks he does.
This is a standalone story.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Erotica, Humor, M F Romance

262 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 19, 2016

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Cynthia Sax writes steamy cyborg and alien romances. Her stories have been featured in Star Magazine, on TV, and numerous romance top ten lists.

When she isn't writing, she's traveling the world with her Dear Wonderful Hubby, meeting new people, visiting new places.

Reviews

[JenReadsRomance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just one of those books that I have a real love for, and I am not even interested in figuring out why. I just do. Intellectually I can admit there are problems. EMOTIONALLY, I absolutely don't care. I have reread this book like 7 times, or at least my favorite parts of it.

I'll tell you what hooked me tho. The heroine is Janella and she basically figures out her boyfriend is cheating on her. So she goes to confront him (which I admire) and this super hot guy (Smoke Sheridan! Name is destiny, as Sarah would say!) witnesses it. And at one point, he hands her a drink for her to toss in the boyfriend's face, and instead she gulps it down and thanks Smoke. And honestly, It just made me laugh.

If you read the book bc of this review and don't like it, that's fine! Just don't tell me. I'm gonna live with these two and their goofy selves for a long time. And it's years later, so guess it's time to admit we never are gonna get her roommate's story. Lol.

[★ Belle The Bibliophile ★ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not even sure what I just read. This book is so incredibly bizzarre, to say the least. The heroine is Too Stupid To Live and the plot is cliche.

But for some reasons I couldn't stop reading it, so at least that's something.

[Nephy · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

I don’t know what the fuck did I just read. Weird is an understatement. Jeesuz! I almost gagged at some parts that were too disgusting to read.
And the heroine was so fucking insecure I wanted to bitch-slap her to tomorrow. Like duh. Her ex cheated on her but she’s willing to change for whatever crap her ex insinuated she’s lacking. Talk about the most stupid heroine ever.

Disappointed!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would I ever be like Janella, heck no. Did I love reading the story of her and Smoke? Heck ya!

The cheesy pickup lines were seriously bad and that made them so good.

Also, pretty darn hot sexy times.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok really, its like 2 1/2 stars. The heroine was so frustrating. Her bf cheats on her, and she later finds out it had been going on for a while, but she is determined to win him back. For like... at least the first third of the book, and it pissed me off. I almost dnf'ed but for some reason only the Book Gods know, I couldn't stop reading. So she meets the hero and he's alllll about it. He tells her up front he's a "hit it 'n quit it" kind of guy and she says no thanks. But then she's calling him for advice on how to win back her douche bag cheater ex. SMH. He's obviously got some issues he's burying from his past, she's apparently a plus size hottie with tits he finds "magnificent" and they form an odd bond. Things progress, slowly at times and quickly at others, and they wind up spending more and more time together. I don't know... Really I'm not sure why I finished it, but I had to see what was gonna happen. The writing was a little... odd I guess. It wasn't bad, just not like I'm used to I guess. Either wasy, I got this book free from ARe for the holidays so... There ya go.

[Carol Rowlands · Rating 1 out of 5]

NO......just no. don't do this to yourself. Poorly written with an irritating , inane heroine.

[Metis-dite · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this solely because Jen Reads Romance wrote about having read it "like 7 times" and loves it. I'm a huge Fated Mates fan.

I was curious so I downloaded a sample. I ended up buying it. I just finished it.

This book is "goofy" as JRR called it (apt description), it's dirty (that's a compliment), and I'm getting... I want to say, like, a Brady Bunch vibe? If the Brady Bunch was all found family, and "Mom" and "Dad" owned a night club and lured in stray "children" with freshly baked cookies.

Okay, so maybe this book is low-key batshit crazy? Or maybe it's just me?

I liked it a lot. Will I ever re-read it? Probably not. I think. Maybe.

[Simplistic · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.9 It's a sweet story in the end, though I thought Jenella was a little to stalkerish. I did finally start enjoying the book about half way in and I almost gave up but was glad I stayed. Smoke has had a hard life and thinks no one could ever love him, but in the end I believe Janell does at first she was just in love with the idea of being in love. She mourned over her ex and it was sickening. He had been cheating on her for months and she wouldn't let go until She became fixated on Smoke because he told her to go away. But once she understood him she really did fall in love.

[Ceeri Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

great little read.
Great plot and story line
loved the way she worked her way into his 'confirmed bachelor' heart

Cynthia never dissapoint a
5 brilliant stars

[Rebecca Worley · Rating 4 out of 5]

so sweet but still sexy.

[Penelope · Rating 2 out of 5]

poorly written with laughably dumb plot but still semi charming

[Mysterious]

DNF 20%

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Super weird to read a romance set in Toronto. I wasn't a huge fan of this and the heroine was a real doormat (stop trying to get back with your terrible ex) but it was fine.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!! Let me start by saying that I love this book. OK, now that that is out of the way, let's get to the book. Jenella is a hard working woman who knows what she wants. She is her "Steady Eddy" that has been going 4 yrs strong. Or so she thought. She "Eddy" has been keeping a secret, sort of. He has been cheating and "thought" she knew that their relationship is over. Now this all unfolds with some much needed humor in "Club Smoke." Smoke, the "hit is and quit it," owner is funny with his one liners. He sees more then what Eddy seeing in Jen and lets her know about it. It is a long and bumping ride for these two but WHAT a RIDE.

Smoke doesn't do relationships. And Jen wants to learn how to please a man. Asking Smoke for help is like flaming the fire. Her having a big heart and "magnificent tits," as Smoke says, make her hard to resist. But whats a woman to do when all these "young ones" make you feel old and you have an ex that decides he wants more adventure. You find a HOT BOD by the name of "Smoke" and learn from the best.

At first, I wanted to bang my head on the table with her wanting loser Eddy. UGH! She so believed that she loved him that she wasn't looking at what was really in front of her. But thank goodness when she finally wiser up and realized Eddy was a loser, the FUN began in a BIG way.

I love that Smoke was in need of what Jen had. And I'm not talking about the sex. We find out about his past and what is driving him and his staff. I am "hoping" that we read more about them. Especially since we still don't know will happen to her friend Azure and Mr. Zanetti. Or even about what Jen found on Eddy's table. Will that come into play?

[Karen Komarinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes through heart break you find the real thing

Janella is a curvy mature loving caring woman who takes care of everyone. She makes sure every morning she gives
Sandwiches & cookies to Woofer a homeless
teenager who will only except them for work or his least favorite paying with a hug. Janella has a free spirit free loving roommate named Azure who is her best friend and she dose not like Janella boyfriend of 4 years Edward, who she refers to as Steady Eddy. On the day Jenella decides to surprise Edward with a batch of Chocolate chip cookies it takes her to place & a situation she never thought she would be in. She finds out Edward has not been working hard to become partner but has traded her in for a younger model, basically called Jenella predictable & boring. All this plays out at a exclusive club in front of the Hot handsome owner named Smokes. He tells her eddy is an idiot she is perfect curves and all but she needs to know that he is a hit them & quit them kind of guy. Jenella asks smoke for help in expanding her experience so she is not so boring in the bedroom. Smoke wants to say no but he can’t stay away. Edward is not the first to hurt & break Jenella’s heart; but she hopes with smokes help he will be the last. Changes are not only in store for Jenella but also for Smoke. This is a hot and sexy read, I can relate to Jenella in many ways except sadly I don’t have a smoke’s........

[Just Another Perfectionist · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't even finish the book! No kidding, 'One And Done' is THE WORST BOOK I have ever read!!!
First, the main female so effing annoying, acting like she was 15 years old, instead of 30, one moment she is SO IN LOVE with her cheating ex, no wait... she's lusting after Smoke... then she's asking men left and right to have sex with her. Every five minutes she will start saying how she's fat, how nobody wants her, yet she's not really doing anything about it!!! Grow up, woman!
And Smoke, OMG, he was a total cliche, the cheesy lines, the no-dating rule, 'baby' in the end of EVERY sentence! I don't know if the author tried to turn him into Christian Grey 2.0, or whatever, but if that was the case - it DIDN'T work!
The tipping point was when he bought a Master in the picture, you know, to take Jenella from his hands and teach her stuff. Haha, that's how you treat your 'love' interest! After that, even the cheating ex looked better in my eyes and let me tell you, I HATE cheating in books!!!

I don't know if there was anything that I liked in this book! Totally not what I expected from the blurb. What a waste of time...

[Liz ~ Liz's Reading Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smoke's motto is one and done, but when he lays on Jenella things start to change for both of them.

Jenella thought she had it all... a good job, a steady boyfriends of several years, and an average sex life. Her self-esteem isn't all that great due to those few extra pounds, but overall she's a confident woman. But when her boyfriend breaks up with her out of the blue, her world feels like its spinning out of control. However, Smoke makes an unexpected move and gives Jenella is number, and with this one act everything changes.

I really enjoyed this book with it's witty banter, cheese pickup lines, and a hero and heroine that push each other to be the best person they can be. I fell in love with Smoke even though he doesn't make it easy. I loved the way Jenella changes through out the book from a weak, naive woman into a strong, independent woman that believes in herself. And let's not forget the sizzling passion that exist between the two... it's hot, hot, hot.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a little light reading after a hard day's work that will get your juices flow and your heart pumping.

[LaBlue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, this is an erotic romance and so should not be taken seriously. Having said that, I enjoyed this book immensely! It was witty, steamy, angsty and heartbreaking all while being sweet and light. I love a story no matter the genre or length that combines all those things with lovable characters. The only major conflict was the characters own sorrows (which I can relate to) and not some random character who some how wants to flip out and kill someone for some imagined slight like in so many other romance books. There were A LOT of intimate scenes, but I felt all but one (the sex with a stranger, smh) was tastefully and reasonably realistically done. Although, Jenella may seem to some to be insecure, she really wasn't. He Ex did what most ex's do which is mess with your head before they screw you over and so Jenella was left to work it out. While Smoke needed her to love him. That's what I look for in a romance book, troubled & hurt characters, witty banter, passionate intimate encounters, and sweet falling in love plot lines.
I know this book is one that will stay in my mind and I will always have to come back to re-read it the way only a special book does. I loved it!

[A. Housewife · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love this book. I've read it 3 or 4 times. It's just so sweet. I've read a number of her cyborg novels and i love this one so much more.

I love that he appreciates about her that she is mature and no drama. I love how the very quality that seems to be a negative--that she has trouble letting go--is something that ultimately gives him the safety he needs to feel secure with her. I love that he helps her understand what it means to be truly appreciated and respected.

Some of her behavior is uncomfortably codependent in the beginning (and, well, throughout I guess, as she navigates her breakup). Despite this, the book has a lot of fun moments and it's a go to relaxing re-read for me every couple of years.

Edit: this reread I was even more uncomfortably aware.of her codependency and specifically how the plot uses her codependency as a way to win over her man, who is terrified of rejection, and what better cure for fear of being unlovable than someone who can never let go?
Does that dynamic work successfully in real life?
Nonetheless, I was, as always, charmed by her big heart and how it wins everyone over.

[Cara Bristol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. The characters make this story what it is. Although Jenella starts out as the kind of woman you want to smack upside the head, her heart, caring and understanding quickly turn her into a very sympathetic, likable heroine you can’t help but root for. And Smoke, a bad-boy club owner who hasn’t been with the same girl more than once until Janella, might seem to be an unlikely hero, but he has as much heart and caring as she does. Even when it goes against every rule in his book, he can’t stay away from her, can’t help helping her—and others. In the end, this was a feel-good kind of story. You would hope that people like Jenella and Smoke exist in real life.

[Life Without Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

While not my favorite Sax book I still liked it. Parts of it made me smile and brought back some memories (yes, men really have said some of these lines to me). I liked Smoke, a lot, but I didn't really feel a connection with Jenella until the end. She frustrated me though most of the book, I wanted to grab her and shake some sense into her. By the end I liked where they both ended up.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janella is a very caring person who commits with her whole heart, body and mind but unfortunately she chose the wrong person, Edward, who turns out to be a cheating bum. During the night of revelation she meets Smoke. Smoke has had deep trauma in his life and fears deep commitment. The two discover a sincere love for each other.

[Puna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
Smoke & his cheesy pick-up lines kept me reading when I could barely contain my eye rolls over Jenella. She was so ridiculously stupid/naive/simple/delusional in her thinking about her boyfriend, Edward. If Smoke hadn't been interesting this would have gone on my DNF shelf. Once she got over 'Eddy' I started liking her some and I liked the relationship between her & Smoke.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yessss Player

I truly can stand by being played by a cheesy one and done guy like Smoke...Anytime Anywhere! Loved reading Jenella coming into her own and admitting what she truly wants, if we could only all have that moment. These two are combustible

[Jennifer Becker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Definitely different from others books of Cynthia's i have read. Janelle did not start out my favorite character. She just didn't know when to quit. Then i grew to lie her and understand her and smoke

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how mature Janella is in this book and I absolutely loved Smoke!! Great story and I want more!!!

[Kim Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

New to me author. M/f contemporary set in Canada. Smoke is smokin hawt. I'll read more from this author. A light fun read.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting.

[Um mar de fogueirinhas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like this author a lot. Good stories and hot relationships.