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New City #1
A Good Night's Sleep
Revised and newly edited.
Please note this series has been reordered.
Effie Baxter needed a new home; her small village was suffocating her after the humiliation she suffered at the hands of her ex.
Friendly and sweet, she knocks on her new neighbour's door to make friends. Except the man who opens that door is miserable and mean, but gorgeous.
Stuart just wants to sleep, his chronic insomnia is killing him, and the gorgeous little redhead that knocked on his door wasn't helping matters.
Until, after a drunken night in, she became his cure. But Stuart's impulses and sexual desires repulse him, making it difficult to do what he wants the most, and make Effie his.
Between Effie and her best friend, they make a mission out of helping Stuart, but life doesn't go to plan for Effie, or for Stuart.
How can Stuart get over himself, and put the mess he makes of things right?
New City Series books are stand alone novels, written in UK English.
WARNING: contains strong language, strong adult themes, and explicit content throughout.
Please note this series has been reordered.
Effie Baxter needed a new home; her small village was suffocating her after the humiliation she suffered at the hands of her ex.
Friendly and sweet, she knocks on her new neighbour's door to make friends. Except the man who opens that door is miserable and mean, but gorgeous.
Stuart just wants to sleep, his chronic insomnia is killing him, and the gorgeous little redhead that knocked on his door wasn't helping matters.
Until, after a drunken night in, she became his cure. But Stuart's impulses and sexual desires repulse him, making it difficult to do what he wants the most, and make Effie his.
Between Effie and her best friend, they make a mission out of helping Stuart, but life doesn't go to plan for Effie, or for Stuart.
How can Stuart get over himself, and put the mess he makes of things right?
New City Series books are stand alone novels, written in UK English.
WARNING: contains strong language, strong adult themes, and explicit content throughout.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2017
7 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Stefanie Simpson
24 books76 followersCoffee addled, twitter addicted, A disabled romance author based in the UK, Stefanie Simpson has written multiple contemporary romances as well as fantasy romance.
Most of her work contains angst, healing and conflict. Expect strong adult content and themes, language, explicit material, love and a HEA.
Most of her work contains angst, healing and conflict. Expect strong adult content and themes, language, explicit material, love and a HEA.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
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February 11, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (2/11/2018)! 💝
Blurb:
Effie Baxter needed a new home; her small village was suffocating her after the humiliation she suffered at the hands of her ex.
Friendly and sweet, she knocks on her new neighbour's door to make friends. Except the man who opens that door is miserable and mean, but gorgeous.
Stuart just wants to sleep, his chronic insomnia is killing him, and the gorgeous little redhead that knocked on his door wasn't helping matters.
Until, after a drunken night in, she became his cure. But Stuart's impulses and sexual desires repulse him, making it difficult to do what he wants the most, and make Effie his.
Between Effie and her best friend, they make a mission out of helping Stuart, but life doesn't go to plan for Effie, or for Stuart.
How can Stuart get over himself, and put the mess he makes of things right?
New City Series books are stand alone novels, written in UK English.
WARNING: contains strong language, strong adult themes, and explicit content throughout.
Blurb:
Effie Baxter needed a new home; her small village was suffocating her after the humiliation she suffered at the hands of her ex.
Friendly and sweet, she knocks on her new neighbour's door to make friends. Except the man who opens that door is miserable and mean, but gorgeous.
Stuart just wants to sleep, his chronic insomnia is killing him, and the gorgeous little redhead that knocked on his door wasn't helping matters.
Until, after a drunken night in, she became his cure. But Stuart's impulses and sexual desires repulse him, making it difficult to do what he wants the most, and make Effie his.
Between Effie and her best friend, they make a mission out of helping Stuart, but life doesn't go to plan for Effie, or for Stuart.
How can Stuart get over himself, and put the mess he makes of things right?
New City Series books are stand alone novels, written in UK English.
WARNING: contains strong language, strong adult themes, and explicit content throughout.
July 21, 2017
I enjoyed getting to know Effie and Stuart. They become neighbors and we learn about their past heartbreaks. It was nice that their friendship develops first, laying a strong foundation of feelings and trust before the sexy time starts. And it gets hot and steamy for sure. Secondary characters are strong as well. Kate, Effie's best friend is wild and endearing.
One thing I found engaging throughout was the author's ability to flip POVs. We get in the two main characters heads and it jumps to their thoughts and feelings. I appreciated the different type of flow that didn't have each character have their own chapter, it was more linear.
While the sexy scenes are well written and super hot, it's the well developed characters that sets this sweet story apart.
One thing I found engaging throughout was the author's ability to flip POVs. We get in the two main characters heads and it jumps to their thoughts and feelings. I appreciated the different type of flow that didn't have each character have their own chapter, it was more linear.
While the sexy scenes are well written and super hot, it's the well developed characters that sets this sweet story apart.
November 6, 2017
i cant even pretend there's anything i liked about this book...dire, so unrealistic, just meh, one of those books that makes you think 'Man i really should think about writing a book if this passes as something that can be printed...' Harsh i know but i really didn't like this...
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February 15, 2023DNF @11%
This writing style was just not for me. It really bugs me when authors jump time in the middle of a paragraph, or before a break in a chapter. It’s super confusing.
Also, I found out that this one has a miscarriage on page which is a huge trigger of mine.
This writing style was just not for me. It really bugs me when authors jump time in the middle of a paragraph, or before a break in a chapter. It’s super confusing.
Also, I found out that this one has a miscarriage on page which is a huge trigger of mine.
October 4, 2020
The thing I love about romance, probably above all else, is the depth and breadth with which good romance authors are able to dive into the characters they create, to bring out the merits and flaws of people, and show us in compelling and often beautiful ways how those aspects of people can hurt, heal, and create love.
Stefanie Simpson's A Good Night's Sleep does all of this and more. We are introduced to Effie and Stuart. Effie is a small gathering of sunshine who can't seem to catch a break. Taken advantage of and left by a man who frankly deserves so much karma for his selfishness, Effie is trying to create a new life for herself in a new city.
Stuart suffers from insomnia, but it's only a symptom of what really ails him. Stuart was the victim of a controlling woman who spent much of her time attempting to control and shape him. Now he's trying to make his way through his own life, unsure if his relationship with her broke him, or if he had always been broken and wrong.
With a little luck and some raw honesty, we see these two attempt to suss out their lives, each other, and everything going on around them. They stumble, they pick themselves (and sometimes each other) up, and they keep going. The author perfectly captures how absolutely messy real life is, and how difficult it can be for a person to open up to the possibility of another person's mess, or even to allow someone else to see their own disheveled state.
Any imperfections in the text pale in comparison to the beauty of Simpson's voice as she tells the story of these two people struggling to understand themselves and each other. The kink and steam in the story are both absolutely delightful (and I would expect nothing less). I very much recommend the story, not only to those of the romance genre, but to those who seek out deep, well developed character exploration. But, as always, please mind the content warnings that the author so kindly gives.
Stefanie Simpson's A Good Night's Sleep does all of this and more. We are introduced to Effie and Stuart. Effie is a small gathering of sunshine who can't seem to catch a break. Taken advantage of and left by a man who frankly deserves so much karma for his selfishness, Effie is trying to create a new life for herself in a new city.
Stuart suffers from insomnia, but it's only a symptom of what really ails him. Stuart was the victim of a controlling woman who spent much of her time attempting to control and shape him. Now he's trying to make his way through his own life, unsure if his relationship with her broke him, or if he had always been broken and wrong.
With a little luck and some raw honesty, we see these two attempt to suss out their lives, each other, and everything going on around them. They stumble, they pick themselves (and sometimes each other) up, and they keep going. The author perfectly captures how absolutely messy real life is, and how difficult it can be for a person to open up to the possibility of another person's mess, or even to allow someone else to see their own disheveled state.
Any imperfections in the text pale in comparison to the beauty of Simpson's voice as she tells the story of these two people struggling to understand themselves and each other. The kink and steam in the story are both absolutely delightful (and I would expect nothing less). I very much recommend the story, not only to those of the romance genre, but to those who seek out deep, well developed character exploration. But, as always, please mind the content warnings that the author so kindly gives.
May 10, 2018
This was really, really, really good and I decided to take a read a few days ago and I had found myself actually enjoying this story and it left me wanting more for the follow up! THIS FOLKS, YOU MUST READ THIS SERIES!
February 17, 2019
Awwwwwwww
This was so good. It was a bit like a rollercoaster. A real life relationship that didn't have a straight path to the HEA. It was great seeing the character growth.
This was so good. It was a bit like a rollercoaster. A real life relationship that didn't have a straight path to the HEA. It was great seeing the character growth.
February 28, 2017
I am slowly but surely changing my views about romance. Or at least I'm finding a lot of quality in the genre.
A Good Night's Sleep brings the reader along with Effie moving in her new town, meeting her neighbour, Stuart - impossibly rude, impossibly grumpy, and at the same time impossibly hot.
Not everything is what it seems, though, in both of them. And this is what makes this story so great.
The characters, in this case, while maintaining some of the usual 'must' of the genre (him being this kind of rude, her being in a quite desperate situation) don't go down the usual route but show how heroes and heroines aren't hopeless virgins in search for each other - they are scarred by past relationships, and will learn to grow together in acceptance, respect for themselves and discovery of their wants, the guidance to which comes from an unexpected, and absolutely refreshing, side.
Another thing to note is the supporting cast: Kate is an absolute riot, Effie's heritage is interesting and adds a lot to her character and backstory.
And the hot scene get really hot.
So, in summary: drama, good characters, good development, good cast and saucy to boot. Definitely recommended, I'll make sure to look at more from this author.
This book has been received for free for review pourposes.
A Good Night's Sleep brings the reader along with Effie moving in her new town, meeting her neighbour, Stuart - impossibly rude, impossibly grumpy, and at the same time impossibly hot.
Not everything is what it seems, though, in both of them. And this is what makes this story so great.
The characters, in this case, while maintaining some of the usual 'must' of the genre (him being this kind of rude, her being in a quite desperate situation) don't go down the usual route but show how heroes and heroines aren't hopeless virgins in search for each other - they are scarred by past relationships, and will learn to grow together in acceptance, respect for themselves and discovery of their wants, the guidance to which comes from an unexpected, and absolutely refreshing, side.
Another thing to note is the supporting cast: Kate is an absolute riot, Effie's heritage is interesting and adds a lot to her character and backstory.
And the hot scene get really hot.
So, in summary: drama, good characters, good development, good cast and saucy to boot. Definitely recommended, I'll make sure to look at more from this author.
This book has been received for free for review pourposes.
August 29, 2018
Stefanie Simpson has made me a new lover of contemporary and erotic romance!
I laughed, cried, blushed, and clapped throughout the adorably aggravating relationship that is Effie and Stuart. I could not put this book down and didn’t want it to end.
Simpson makes the every day events of Effie’s and Stuart’s life unique and captivating; I mean, Stuart calls Effie his “duvet” for heavens sake (haha! I love it). Their intimacy ranges anywhere from heartwarming moments where I flat out AWWwwed the whole time, to steamy role play where I was smiling so hard my blushing hurt. And, I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard and been turned on all at once during a role play sex scene.
I’ve found my new favorite romance author, and I plan on reading everything she’s written and everything she intends on publishing. Sign me up for beta-reading, Stef, because I’m hooked!
I bought this ebook for my own enjoyment. The book is free on Kindle Unlimited.
I laughed, cried, blushed, and clapped throughout the adorably aggravating relationship that is Effie and Stuart. I could not put this book down and didn’t want it to end.
Simpson makes the every day events of Effie’s and Stuart’s life unique and captivating; I mean, Stuart calls Effie his “duvet” for heavens sake (haha! I love it). Their intimacy ranges anywhere from heartwarming moments where I flat out AWWwwed the whole time, to steamy role play where I was smiling so hard my blushing hurt. And, I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard and been turned on all at once during a role play sex scene.
I’ve found my new favorite romance author, and I plan on reading everything she’s written and everything she intends on publishing. Sign me up for beta-reading, Stef, because I’m hooked!
I bought this ebook for my own enjoyment. The book is free on Kindle Unlimited.
December 30, 2017
This book could have ended four times before it did. I don't know. There was a good idea here but the execution could use some work. And there was too much ... racism, miscarriage, kink, identity, infidelity, common asshole exes ... and it was so lightly dealt with or dealt with in a scene. There was both too much of all of it and not enough of any of it. Honestly, I kept reading because I just kept thinking "what the heck else is there for them to wrap up?"
January 9, 2020
I don’t know what I can say that would do this book justice. I loved it, really felt the feels, the language grabbed me, just — yes all round. Through the seemingly endless frustrations, stumbles and near misses, it was a treat to witness both characters overcome the challenges that held them back. Right from the get-go, this book grabbed me by the heart, gave me a good shake, then set me right again, satisfied and vicariously loved.
January 7, 2020
This book is written in a style that would normally get only one or two stars from me or even be DNF'd. There were several run-on sentences and places where a comma was needed. Also, the incorrect pronoun was used a few times, which can lead to confusion. However, the story was compelling and the halting style of the dialogue often added to the inner turmoil the characters were experiencing. I don't know if I would recommend the book, but it was an interesting read.
July 10, 2021
If only this had stayed the embodiment of the “sleep better with you” trope! Too many external conflicts that barely got dealt with before moving on to the next traumatic incident. Plus, I didn’t love the way Stuart kept freaking out and breaking things off with Effie. He didn’t grovel nearly enough, especially that last time. She did too much emotional labor in taking him back and frankly deserved better. There were some red flags for emotional abuse or at least overly controlling behavior during one of the low moments. I wasn’t as concerned about that once they got back together because he did seem to have done some internal work but I wasn’t convinced he was good for her either.
Effie is Irish and white-passing Black (her great-grandma was Jamaican.) There’s a lot of anti-Irish and anti-Black sentiment in their small town. Effie spends time thinking about the microaggressions she’s experienced, as well as the overt racism her brother and mother, who are both more visibly Black, have endured. There’s also racism on page when she moves back to her hometown. I’m not sure what to make of the way race and racism were handled. The author appears white but perhaps she is white-passing herself and this is her lived experience. It was an unexpected narrative choice and I don’t know that I’ve encountered a white-passing character in romance before but this element would have benefited from having more room to breathe or omitted entirely because of how much trauma Effie had already experienced.
The internalized kink-shaming was a lot to take and I didn’t know how to feel about the way he eventually resolved that issue or their experience at the kink club. It wasn’t clear what I was supposed to take away about it all and left me with mixed feelings across the board. There’s also a bit of head hopping throughout the story.
Character notes: Effie is a 26 year old mixed race IT specialist. She is Irish and white-passing Black (great-grandma was Jamaican.) Stuart is a 32 year old white systems support manager. This is set in Chadford, England.
Content notes: unplanned pregnancy, miscarriage, hospitalization, mugging, physical assault, chronic insomnia, ex stole money from FMC , racism, microaggressions, racial slur, slut-shaming (not countered), ableism (countered), internalized kink-shaming, social anxiety, divorce, MMC’s ex cheated on him with his best friend, MMC’s ex got pregnant (he initially thought it was his) and miscarried, pregnant secondary character, on-page sex (including anal), D/s, dubious consent, spanking, bondage, role play, impact play, voyeurism, exhibitionism, alcohol, inebriation, gendered insults, male pejoratives, gender essentialism, ableist language, FMC says she’ll be his sex slave (meant as a joke), brother in the military, grandfather died drunk driving (past)
Effie is Irish and white-passing Black (her great-grandma was Jamaican.) There’s a lot of anti-Irish and anti-Black sentiment in their small town. Effie spends time thinking about the microaggressions she’s experienced, as well as the overt racism her brother and mother, who are both more visibly Black, have endured. There’s also racism on page when she moves back to her hometown. I’m not sure what to make of the way race and racism were handled. The author appears white but perhaps she is white-passing herself and this is her lived experience. It was an unexpected narrative choice and I don’t know that I’ve encountered a white-passing character in romance before but this element would have benefited from having more room to breathe or omitted entirely because of how much trauma Effie had already experienced.
The internalized kink-shaming was a lot to take and I didn’t know how to feel about the way he eventually resolved that issue or their experience at the kink club. It wasn’t clear what I was supposed to take away about it all and left me with mixed feelings across the board. There’s also a bit of head hopping throughout the story.
Character notes: Effie is a 26 year old mixed race IT specialist. She is Irish and white-passing Black (great-grandma was Jamaican.) Stuart is a 32 year old white systems support manager. This is set in Chadford, England.
Content notes: unplanned pregnancy, miscarriage, hospitalization, mugging, physical assault, chronic insomnia, ex stole money from FMC , racism, microaggressions, racial slur, slut-shaming (not countered), ableism (countered), internalized kink-shaming, social anxiety, divorce, MMC’s ex cheated on him with his best friend, MMC’s ex got pregnant (he initially thought it was his) and miscarried, pregnant secondary character, on-page sex (including anal), D/s, dubious consent, spanking, bondage, role play, impact play, voyeurism, exhibitionism, alcohol, inebriation, gendered insults, male pejoratives, gender essentialism, ableist language, FMC says she’ll be his sex slave (meant as a joke), brother in the military, grandfather died drunk driving (past)
February 13, 2018
I downloaded this book based on the visible description on Amazon, which reads:
...Effie Baxter leaves home for a new life in Chadford city after a devastating humiliation at the hands of her ex, leaving her family and best friend behind. Friendly and sweet, she knocks on her new neighbour's door to make friends. Except the man who opens that door is miserable and mean, but gorgeous...
It sounds innocuous enough doesn't it? I should have read the section hidden behind the 'read more' link which provides the warning of strong language, strong adult themes, and explicit content throughout.
I was quite a way into the book when I suddenly thought, 'Well, I'll go to the foot of our stairs!' But it was too late, and I was heavily invested in the characters. Strong language doesn't overly bother me as it seems to be everywhere these days, but the 'adult themes'... well let's just say, it's not my usual reading material.
I probably would not have chosen this book, had I read the warning. So it was a good thing that I didn't see it. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The characters are engaging and I wanted to see Stuart and Effie get together long before it got a bit steamy... and some!
There were a couple of things missed during proofreading, but story is well-written nonetheless and it never got to the point where I thought I could not carry on reading it because of the topics covered. I would recommend this book to the open-minded reader.
Reviews on Goodreads suggest it's something readers either loved or loathed. I loved it and have downloaded 'The Way Home (New City Series #2)' which comes with the warning: contains frequent explicit material, language, and adult content throughout.
...Effie Baxter leaves home for a new life in Chadford city after a devastating humiliation at the hands of her ex, leaving her family and best friend behind. Friendly and sweet, she knocks on her new neighbour's door to make friends. Except the man who opens that door is miserable and mean, but gorgeous...
It sounds innocuous enough doesn't it? I should have read the section hidden behind the 'read more' link which provides the warning of strong language, strong adult themes, and explicit content throughout.
I was quite a way into the book when I suddenly thought, 'Well, I'll go to the foot of our stairs!' But it was too late, and I was heavily invested in the characters. Strong language doesn't overly bother me as it seems to be everywhere these days, but the 'adult themes'... well let's just say, it's not my usual reading material.
I probably would not have chosen this book, had I read the warning. So it was a good thing that I didn't see it. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The characters are engaging and I wanted to see Stuart and Effie get together long before it got a bit steamy... and some!
There were a couple of things missed during proofreading, but story is well-written nonetheless and it never got to the point where I thought I could not carry on reading it because of the topics covered. I would recommend this book to the open-minded reader.
Reviews on Goodreads suggest it's something readers either loved or loathed. I loved it and have downloaded 'The Way Home (New City Series #2)' which comes with the warning: contains frequent explicit material, language, and adult content throughout.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2018
I loved this story and I absolutely loved the UK English which brought a humorous and snappy twist to the dialog between Effie and Stuart. While Erotica is not my go to, I was invested from the start into these witty and colorful characters.
The author did a great job showing the attraction between two consenting adults who each have hidden desires. The emotional roller-coaster of the couple fighting their nature, gives the perfect amount of tension to the plot, and had me cheering in the end when they realize that they are actually perfect for one another. The sex scenes were steamy, but tastefully done. When they decide as a couple to try something new, then later decide in a conversation it isn’t for them, it shows the mutual respect the characters have for one another. As a reader, I felt that made the characters much more realistic.
This was my first time reading this author, and it won’t be my last. If you fancy a walk on the wild side, definitely check this book out! It is a fun and sassy read!
The author did a great job showing the attraction between two consenting adults who each have hidden desires. The emotional roller-coaster of the couple fighting their nature, gives the perfect amount of tension to the plot, and had me cheering in the end when they realize that they are actually perfect for one another. The sex scenes were steamy, but tastefully done. When they decide as a couple to try something new, then later decide in a conversation it isn’t for them, it shows the mutual respect the characters have for one another. As a reader, I felt that made the characters much more realistic.
This was my first time reading this author, and it won’t be my last. If you fancy a walk on the wild side, definitely check this book out! It is a fun and sassy read!
July 22, 2021
4.5 stars :-) This is the first Stefanie Simpson book I’ve read but it won’t be the last. I absolutely loved the character of Effie from the get-go, she was sweet, brave and easy to root for. I took longer to warm up to Stuart, despite my love of the enemies to lovers trope he came across as downright nasty & aggressive at the beginning which I’m not as keen on with contemporary romance compared to, say, paranormal. I know it was all part of his character & I understand the reason, I’m an arsehole when I can’t sleep. I think I just prefer them broody rather than nasty. But I warmed up to him in the end when he started working on his issues, and I thought they were so sweet together. Loved the kink, and the scene with the riding crop etc made me crack up. Loved best friend Kate too.
Looking forward to continuing this series.
Looking forward to continuing this series.
February 15, 2018
While not what I normally read, I enjoyed a large part of this book (namely the first 2/3 or so, after that there was... lots of steamy stuff xD People who love steamy romance will love the last part as much as the first). The characters were very likable, endearing and a fun to read about. I especially enjoyed Effie and the fact that she was a white-passing mixed race girl, although it wasn't a part of the plot, it did have its effect on her and her story. The playful and uplifting aspects of the book were also a good experience. Although there were typo's, the writing style was so it made you not want to put down the book.
April 1, 2020
I got this book (and others in the New City series) free on kindle (March 19 2020).
This book was an enjoyable romp that still managed to handle a lot of more serious subjects with a good amount of tact and respect. I appreciated that it has a trigger warning list at the very beginning (although it is somewhat confronting at first). I found this book very difficult to rate but I'd probably say around a 3.5 stars. There are a number of typos throughout including the use of the wrong gender pronoun in a sentence which is confusing.
Effie is a pretty likable protagonist excited to make a new start in a different city. Stuart is discribed over and over as being super hot (It's a bit of a peeve for me when the male lead is so attractive that its mentioned by every female character when they meet them - even the non-straight women). They share a lot of baggage and insecurities from their respective previous relationships and across the story they both get to confront their toxic exes and grow as people.
I found the mostly undiscussed throuple guise strange. It occurs a number of times through out the book that three characters behave like they are in a polyamourous relationship but they don't seem to really discuss that everyone is ok with it or know eachother very well when it starts happening.
I liked the use of the bed sharing trope and it struck me as quite different to the standard way its used. It really creates a sense of pining.
I really appreciated that the BDSM aspects were mostly healthy practice (my key complaint would be that they seemed to skip having conversations beforehand but I guess communication wasn't really this couple's strong suit anyway).
This book was an enjoyable romp that still managed to handle a lot of more serious subjects with a good amount of tact and respect. I appreciated that it has a trigger warning list at the very beginning (although it is somewhat confronting at first). I found this book very difficult to rate but I'd probably say around a 3.5 stars. There are a number of typos throughout including the use of the wrong gender pronoun in a sentence which is confusing.
Effie is a pretty likable protagonist excited to make a new start in a different city. Stuart is discribed over and over as being super hot (It's a bit of a peeve for me when the male lead is so attractive that its mentioned by every female character when they meet them - even the non-straight women). They share a lot of baggage and insecurities from their respective previous relationships and across the story they both get to confront their toxic exes and grow as people.
I found the mostly undiscussed throuple guise strange. It occurs a number of times through out the book that three characters behave like they are in a polyamourous relationship but they don't seem to really discuss that everyone is ok with it or know eachother very well when it starts happening.
I liked the use of the bed sharing trope and it struck me as quite different to the standard way its used. It really creates a sense of pining.
I really appreciated that the BDSM aspects were mostly healthy practice (my key complaint would be that they seemed to skip having conversations beforehand but I guess communication wasn't really this couple's strong suit anyway).
February 25, 2019
3.5 stars
The writing style took me a little while to get used to and I must confess to skimming some of the steamier scenes toward the end, but I was really impressed at how the emotional growth of the characters was handled. They kept bumping up against serious issues from their pasts and failing miserably. This relatability kept some of the more over the top aspects of the book from seeming WAY too over the top.
I enjoyed it enough to read it all in one sitting.
The writing style took me a little while to get used to and I must confess to skimming some of the steamier scenes toward the end, but I was really impressed at how the emotional growth of the characters was handled. They kept bumping up against serious issues from their pasts and failing miserably. This relatability kept some of the more over the top aspects of the book from seeming WAY too over the top.
I enjoyed it enough to read it all in one sitting.
March 21, 2020
This is gonna be a rant with spoilers, but don’t mind the spoilers anyway, they don’t matter.
End rant.
End rant.
November 11, 2020
I wanted to like this but I could not bring myself to plow through the prose—every other sentence is a run-on with multiple comma splices and there are some glaringly misspelled words (eg “knobhead” is spelled “nobhead”). I write this review so others who cannot get through something that is riddled with grammatical and spelling errors know not to waste their money.
October 12, 2018
Excellent, refreshing characters. This was a very believable romance and what was nice about the male lead was that he really wasn't one dimensional, came across as a real guy and the female lead was also complicated as well as likeable.
August 23, 2019
This is the first of many of Stefanie's stories I have wanted to read. I adore Effie, Stuart
Kate and all the other characters she has created. A beautiful love story, it had me hooked from the beginning and laughing throughout. A perfect HEA ending, too! Can't wait to read the next one.
Kate and all the other characters she has created. A beautiful love story, it had me hooked from the beginning and laughing throughout. A perfect HEA ending, too! Can't wait to read the next one.
Read
August 4, 2021
Trigger & Content Warnings
Ableism
Racism & racial slurs
Social anxiety
Chronic insomnia
Alcohol consumption
Unplanned pregnancy
Miscarriage
Hospitalisation
Death of a grandfather in a car accident mentioned
Physical assault & mugging
Ableism
Racism & racial slurs
Social anxiety
Chronic insomnia
Alcohol consumption
Unplanned pregnancy
Miscarriage
Hospitalisation
Death of a grandfather in a car accident mentioned
Physical assault & mugging
April 25, 2019
Quirky and cute. And steamy.
December 22, 2020
Great story by Stefanie Simpson! I love every story I've read of Stephanie's so far.
September 13, 2017
I seriously LOVED this book. I wasn't sure what direction it would go when I first started reading it, but boy, was it surprising...and super hot!
Effie is super sweet and lovable and has a bit of a hidden freak-in-the-sheets side...so does Stuart, which makes them an endearing couple. I loved the back and forth between the two of them. Even though I was annoyed when Effie and Stuart kept starting and stalling things (it was so heartbreaking reading about the tragedies they went through separately and together), but it built some amazing tension. The pay off was excellent. And the sex scenes were great! Super steamy and plentiful. It was satisfying to read this take on a relationship with sub/dom dynamic that wasn't gimmicky or shallow, like other books seem to make it out to be. You get to know the characters well, you learn why they act out the ways they do, and it makes the love scenes that much more satisfying.
Anyone who's a romance fan should read this book! Engaging, funny, witty, hot and impossible to put down!
Effie is super sweet and lovable and has a bit of a hidden freak-in-the-sheets side...so does Stuart, which makes them an endearing couple. I loved the back and forth between the two of them. Even though I was annoyed when Effie and Stuart kept starting and stalling things (it was so heartbreaking reading about the tragedies they went through separately and together), but it built some amazing tension. The pay off was excellent. And the sex scenes were great! Super steamy and plentiful. It was satisfying to read this take on a relationship with sub/dom dynamic that wasn't gimmicky or shallow, like other books seem to make it out to be. You get to know the characters well, you learn why they act out the ways they do, and it makes the love scenes that much more satisfying.
Anyone who's a romance fan should read this book! Engaging, funny, witty, hot and impossible to put down!
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