A FUN SEXY ROMP !!!
Title: Hotshot
Author: Jackie Wang
Designation: Full-Length Standalone Romantic Comedy, NO Cliffhanger, HEA (Originally Published as Landlady, Book One of Northbridge Nights Series, in July 2016)
Reading Platform: Kindle Edition
My Rating: Four Deliciously Cute Stars****
This was my first time reading Jackie Wang's work but it certainly won't be my last. I love contemporary romance, adore romantic comedy and completely smitten with sexy bad boys. I'm always on the lookout for a great new author, so after a glowing recommendation from a friend, I decided to check out Hotshot. After reading the blurb and free sample on Amazon, I was more than a little intrigued and decided to dive in. And so glad I did! Best decision ever! I truly enjoyed this book! Hotshot is a well-crafted, fast-paced, easy-to-follow, full-length standalone romantic comedy liberally laced with cutesy humor, delightful characters, steamy dreamy romance and, of course, a dash of agonizing angst. The narrative is beautifully written in the first person with clearly defined his and her perspectives from the two protagonists, aspiring fashion designer and student Sierra Maywood and handsome successful attorney Asher Morgan. The dialogue is smart, snappy, well executed and flows effortlessly. The premise for this story is not a new one: successful, cocky, womanizing playboy meets sweet, somewhat innocent young woman straight off the farm, determined to fulfill her dream and make good in the city. But what is different is the cast of engaging, endearing and totally relatable characters. I was immediately drawn into the story by Asher and Sierra. Two people could not have been more different, yet they're absolutely perfect together. Their attraction is immediate, their interaction electric, their banter hilarious, their passion undeniable and their chemistry was smokin' hot! I loved it! Did I like this book? No, I loved it! If I loved it so much, then why only four stars? For a couple of reasons... First, the author included a couple of adorable dogs in the story, Bowser and Max. Max was used as part of an integral plot thread to bring Vivian 'Vicky' Amari, one of the antagonists and Asher's ex-fiancee, back into his life. We never found out what happened to Max, whether Asher found another home for him or he stayed with him and Sierra. Also, there were no allowances made to take care of the animals while Asher and Sierra were off doing their thing. Throughout the entire story, Asher and Sierra would take off at a moment's notice without any concern for the care of the animals. Owning pets is much like having children. You don't just take off for the day or weekend, suddenly decide not to return home and leave your pet unattended. There was nothing included in the story to provide for their care. A simple little statement added to the narrative could have easily solved this little loose end. It was as if the author completely forgot about the two dogs for most of the story. If you're going to use animals as characters, recognize their needs, be consistent and don't forget them. Second, there was no real resolution between the protagonists and the antagonists. It was just glazed over as if the conflicts were trivial and unimportant when in reality, they were the main source of conflict in the book. I like a nice tidy wrap-up at the end of my stories with all loose threads tied into a neat bow. Despite the obvious missing elements, it was still a great read. Would I recommend it? You bet and I am but only for adult readers since it does contain some steamy dreamy love scenes. Will I read this author again? Absolutely! And finally, was I entertained? Completely! Fabulous entertainment and an awesome read!
Sierra Maywood came to the city to become a fashion designer and she's determined to make good, despite the lack of encouragement from her parents who only want her to return home to the farm and settle down with some local yocal. Nope, that life is not for her. And she finally has the means to help her succeed. She's just inherited her grandmother's Victorian home in Northbridge. She now has a place to live rent free and can move out of the student dorm. Or so she thought... What she doesn't know is that it's already rented... to an arrogant, cocky, womanizing playboy, albeit a very handsome one. She's already given up her housing and has nowhere to live. So, what's a determined hardworking young woman to do? Move into the basement, of course! And desperately try not to be seduced by her sexy tenant.
Life is good for thirty-two-year-old handsome, cocky attorney Asher Morgan. He has everything a man could want: good looks, wealth, success, women at his beck and call, and a job he loves as a junior associate in Mergers and Acquisitions at his father's law firm. Yup, Asher is living the dream and has it all! Or so he thinks until he meets his innocent, intelligent, and very beautiful new landlady. What the heck? He could have any woman he chooses and have them begging for more, so why can't he stop thinking about the lovely Sierra Maywood, a woman who completely shut him down and appears to not even like him? Asher suddenly realizes he may not have everything, after all! But will he be able to convince the stubborn, independent Sierra to give him a chance? We'll see!