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Passion in Paradise #1
Paradise Awakening
Book 1 of a sexy series from the New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of the Play-by-Play series and Hope series.
Serena Graham is looking forward to the vacation of a lifetime—a week at Paradise Resort, a Caribbean hideaway where she’ll be able to indulge her every sexual fantasy with complete abandon and total anonymity. For the next week, she’s Sexy Siren Serena and she’ll do whatever she wants—with whomever she wants.
Michael Donovan planned a week at Paradise Resort to research his next erotic crime novel, as well as indulge in some hot sex with his fashion model girlfriend. But when he finds his now ex-girlfriend has other plans, he’s resigned to research without recreation. That is, until Serena shows up at his door claiming he’s occupying her room!
After a little negotiating, Michael and Serena become roommates, and Serena boldly asks Michael to be her lover for the week. How can he pass up the opportunity to mix a little pleasure with business? But despite their vow to keep their relationship strictly physical, they find much more than passion in paradise.
Serena Graham is looking forward to the vacation of a lifetime—a week at Paradise Resort, a Caribbean hideaway where she’ll be able to indulge her every sexual fantasy with complete abandon and total anonymity. For the next week, she’s Sexy Siren Serena and she’ll do whatever she wants—with whomever she wants.
Michael Donovan planned a week at Paradise Resort to research his next erotic crime novel, as well as indulge in some hot sex with his fashion model girlfriend. But when he finds his now ex-girlfriend has other plans, he’s resigned to research without recreation. That is, until Serena shows up at his door claiming he’s occupying her room!
After a little negotiating, Michael and Serena become roommates, and Serena boldly asks Michael to be her lover for the week. How can he pass up the opportunity to mix a little pleasure with business? But despite their vow to keep their relationship strictly physical, they find much more than passion in paradise.
134 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 3, 2003
28 people are currently reading
1166 people want to read
About the author
Jaci Burton
157 books8,295 followersJaci Burton is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of over 85 books. She lives in Oklahoma and when she isn’t on deadline (which is often), she can usually be found wrestling with her uncooperative garden, wrangling her dogs, watching an unhealthy amount of television, or completely losing track of time reading a great book. She’s a total romantic and longs for the happily ever after in every story, which you’ll find in all her books.. Visit her website at www.jaciburton.com for excerpts, book information and contests.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
August 8, 2019
Sometimes a good girl needs to get away for a week long vacation at a secluded island and fuck a bunch of strangers. Mmhm
Ha! Yes, there was a lot of sexcapades in Paradise Awakening.
Serena and Michael were fun. I had a good time with both of them. Serena's had a quiet life as a professor but she's adventurous and willing to put herself out there for something she wants. I enjoyed her attitude and the little sparkle in her as she tried new things and found some sass. Michael. Well he writes erotic crime novels and while he's not bashful he's a bit cynical about love and protects his heart. A bit mercurial he was still a sexy hero.
Now. There wasn't much romance but there was a lot of chemistry and, whew boy! How they can still walk well wonders never cease. lol They were good together, though. Very adventurous and steamy. I would have liked a bit more of them in non sexy scenes to see them really falling for each other but as a hot quickie it was good.
Overall a steamy good time. Fun setting, lots of loving, entertaining characters. Not much to complain about.
Ha! Yes, there was a lot of sexcapades in Paradise Awakening.
Serena and Michael were fun. I had a good time with both of them. Serena's had a quiet life as a professor but she's adventurous and willing to put herself out there for something she wants. I enjoyed her attitude and the little sparkle in her as she tried new things and found some sass. Michael. Well he writes erotic crime novels and while he's not bashful he's a bit cynical about love and protects his heart. A bit mercurial he was still a sexy hero.
Now. There wasn't much romance but there was a lot of chemistry and, whew boy! How they can still walk well wonders never cease. lol They were good together, though. Very adventurous and steamy. I would have liked a bit more of them in non sexy scenes to see them really falling for each other but as a hot quickie it was good.
Overall a steamy good time. Fun setting, lots of loving, entertaining characters. Not much to complain about.
January 11, 2013
2.5 stars
Michael Donovan, erotic crime author who came to the Paradise Resort for some relaxation and research for a book he is working on.
Professor Serena Graham, mousy and plain, but she has a secret, she’s an undercover kink lover. Her plan while at the Paradise Resort is too change out of her frumpy Kansas professor garb and transform into the Sexy Siren Serena. ”My tastes sexually ran to the, uh, unusual. I’m not a plain vanilla kind of woman.”
After the hotel double-booked their room, they agree to be roommates for the week, Serena takes it a step further and proposes that they partner up for the week. It didn’t take long for the action to start…
They agreed, to be each other’s partner only for the scheduled events, for only a week, and NO emotions … but we all know how well this arrangement works out. ”From strangers to playmates to lovers.”
Overall, it was a short HOT read; one thing that impressed me was that they held onto their arrangement as long as they did.
”Paradise Resort. Welcome to a week of passion, excitement, and any sexual adventure you could possibly desire.”
Michael Donovan, erotic crime author who came to the Paradise Resort for some relaxation and research for a book he is working on.
Professor Serena Graham, mousy and plain, but she has a secret, she’s an undercover kink lover. Her plan while at the Paradise Resort is too change out of her frumpy Kansas professor garb and transform into the Sexy Siren Serena. ”My tastes sexually ran to the, uh, unusual. I’m not a plain vanilla kind of woman.”
After the hotel double-booked their room, they agree to be roommates for the week, Serena takes it a step further and proposes that they partner up for the week. It didn’t take long for the action to start…
Scheduled events: Voyeurism Venture, Everything Oral,
Group Sex and Private Cove for Two
They agreed, to be each other’s partner only for the scheduled events, for only a week, and NO emotions … but we all know how well this arrangement works out. ”From strangers to playmates to lovers.”
Overall, it was a short HOT read; one thing that impressed me was that they held onto their arrangement as long as they did.
June 30, 2013
4 stars
A fun read, hot and with a bit of kink.
A fun read, hot and with a bit of kink.
January 21, 2013
Steamy with some heart aches and longing....loved tose bits...would have loved Michael to express more of his dominant side...
February 27, 2013
Professor Serena Graham knows her sexual fantasies could cause her to lose her job if anyone in her small hometown were to find out. So she books a week stay at the Paradise Resort to try some things out.
When she arrives, her suite has already been taken by author Michael Donovan, who is at the resort doing research for his next novel. Michael had planned on bringing his girlfriend along but she cancelled on him. He is not to upset as that relationship was falling apart anyway.
There are no other rooms available, naturally, so Michael and Serena decide to share the two bedroom suite. That agreement quickly turns into an agreement to share all the experiences offered by the resort...no strings attached.
This one is HOT, HOT, HOT. Even though there are tons of steamy scenes, you are still able to get to know Michael and Serena. The conflict in the book stems from the 'no strings attached' part of the agreement. Of course, they both fall for each other. Of course, he denies it and then feels guilty for hurting her. Of course, she tells him she loves him right before she leaves. And of course, he tracks her down afterwards. A fairly predictable plot...broken up by some really steamy action. Did I mention HOT?
When she arrives, her suite has already been taken by author Michael Donovan, who is at the resort doing research for his next novel. Michael had planned on bringing his girlfriend along but she cancelled on him. He is not to upset as that relationship was falling apart anyway.
There are no other rooms available, naturally, so Michael and Serena decide to share the two bedroom suite. That agreement quickly turns into an agreement to share all the experiences offered by the resort...no strings attached.
This one is HOT, HOT, HOT. Even though there are tons of steamy scenes, you are still able to get to know Michael and Serena. The conflict in the book stems from the 'no strings attached' part of the agreement. Of course, they both fall for each other. Of course, he denies it and then feels guilty for hurting her. Of course, she tells him she loves him right before she leaves. And of course, he tracks her down afterwards. A fairly predictable plot...broken up by some really steamy action. Did I mention HOT?
January 29, 2013
Short, sexy and kind of sweet. I'm not a huge fan of Jaci Burton usually, (I know, I'm in the minority), but I thought this wasn't too bad to while away a stormy afternoon. I liked that the story unfolded withn a week, and that for Serena at least, a lot of the book is about trying to come out of her shell and experience what she's always wanted. I thought there were a few scenes that built sexual tension really well. An easy, enjoyable erotic read!
September 6, 2011
This is a fantastic, short, read. The chemistry will have you turning pages from the very beginning. I loved every creative scene, and the booked was packed with steamy sex. Definitely a keeper.
kindle-i-own-to-read
January 12, 2013Amazon Freebie 01/11/2013
January 19, 2013
Not too shabby. When I saw some of the complaints were that there was too much sex in the book I knew it was right up my ally. And it's free on amazon right now.
May 12, 2015
J'ai adoré.
Pas du tous vulgaire très bien écrit avec beaucoup de tendresse et de respect un envers l'autre. J’espère qu'il y aura une suite.
Bonne lecture
Pas du tous vulgaire très bien écrit avec beaucoup de tendresse et de respect un envers l'autre. J’espère qu'il y aura une suite.
Bonne lecture
July 30, 2025
A week on a sex island, included the guy working half the time, no sex for 4 days, declaration of love. Not what one would expect from a synopsis of "a week at Paradise Resort, a Caribbean hideaway where she’ll be able to indulge her every sexual fantasy with complete abandon".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2025
Serena and Michael dealt with the predicament of an overbooked room in an unusual way, but then it was an unusual resort. I loved this audiobook. Sexy with a smattering of kink. Chock-full of naughty shenanigans and a side of accidental love.
July 7, 2018
Cute little story, who wouldn't like to be stranded on an island like that and meet someone that meets all your needs.
December 5, 2018
Une assez belle histoire qui se lie assez vite mais qui manque cruellement d'originalité et de crédibilité
September 25, 2019
MMC was a jealous, emotionally constipated jerkface. The perfect guy to sleep with and never see again - not HEA material.
January 20, 2020
If you are looking for a straight up sex romance novel, this is it. Well written and next to no story line other than the love store, but sometimes that is exactly what you want.
May 10, 2020
Spicy and with a unique premise/setting.
May 24, 2020
Just the right steamy read with a story that makes sense and you buy into - a quintessentially beach read
June 10, 2023
Loved that one. It's really, really hot and sensual, with an interesting back-story
November 6, 2025
spicy !!!
December 24, 2019
I listened to this on audio and the narrator does a good job. If you like an erotic story line then this book is for you. I like this author a lot, because she can keep a realistic storyline going along with all the sexual scenes. I loved the chemistry of Michael and Serena. I liked their trust and confidence in each other. I really enjoyed this story and will read anything this author writes.
November 6, 2018
Une belle histoire qui aurait pu être mieux avec plus de crédibilité et plus de sensualité
March 13, 2013
Slick‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4 Stars
I love Jaci Burton’s work so when I came upon this book which turns out was her first published book, I had to get it. I love going back and reading author’s early work; it’s interesting to see how they’ve honed their craft over the years and how their writing styles have changed. The one thing I noticed about Jaci, is that even way back when this book was first published she writes deliciously sexy love scenes and while these aren’t quite as erotic as some of those written in recent years, they are still very enjoyable and the abundance of “dirty talk” ratchets them up a notch as well.
Paradise Awakening brings two people to Paradise Resort for two different reasons. Michael Donovan was coming to do research for his next erotic suspense novel and get in some sex on the side.
Unfortunately his sex partner decided to find a new one and didn’t make the trip. Serena Graham made the trip to give in to all of her sexual fantasies. As a professor in a small town she’s never had the freedom to explore all of her sexual wishes and the “anything goes” philosophy of Paradise resort promises she’ll be able to do everything she wanted an more. When Michael and Serena find themselves double booked in the same room, he decides to extend her the invitation to share his suite. The both find themselves with more than they bargained for as the week progresses.
This story is pretty much not stop hedonism from start to finish and I loved every minute of it. How can you not enjoy people exploring and enjoying their sexual fantasies? In between, these two come to know quite a bit about each other and find themselves feeling things neither one expected or wants to admit. These two are so sickening perfect for each other, it’s not even funny!
I really loved watching Serena transform during this book. She’s been hiding a big part of herself and it was enjoyable watching her grow, change, and become accepting of her true self. I have to credit to Michael with some of that because he did call her on her behavior. Michael was a bit tougher because he was still hiding from what seems to be a very messy and hard divorce. I honestly think he thinks of it as his one big failure and it’s not something he wants to repeat.
Paradise Awakening is an excellent story of learning to accept who you are and what you want from life. It is an extremely sexy story filled with voyeurism, group sex scenes, and all kinds of wicked fantasies. As this was one of Jaci Burton’s first works, it is nice to see that even early one she proved to be a talented writer and she’s only gotten better with time!
4 Stars
I love Jaci Burton’s work so when I came upon this book which turns out was her first published book, I had to get it. I love going back and reading author’s early work; it’s interesting to see how they’ve honed their craft over the years and how their writing styles have changed. The one thing I noticed about Jaci, is that even way back when this book was first published she writes deliciously sexy love scenes and while these aren’t quite as erotic as some of those written in recent years, they are still very enjoyable and the abundance of “dirty talk” ratchets them up a notch as well.
Paradise Awakening brings two people to Paradise Resort for two different reasons. Michael Donovan was coming to do research for his next erotic suspense novel and get in some sex on the side.
Unfortunately his sex partner decided to find a new one and didn’t make the trip. Serena Graham made the trip to give in to all of her sexual fantasies. As a professor in a small town she’s never had the freedom to explore all of her sexual wishes and the “anything goes” philosophy of Paradise resort promises she’ll be able to do everything she wanted an more. When Michael and Serena find themselves double booked in the same room, he decides to extend her the invitation to share his suite. The both find themselves with more than they bargained for as the week progresses.
This story is pretty much not stop hedonism from start to finish and I loved every minute of it. How can you not enjoy people exploring and enjoying their sexual fantasies? In between, these two come to know quite a bit about each other and find themselves feeling things neither one expected or wants to admit. These two are so sickening perfect for each other, it’s not even funny!
I really loved watching Serena transform during this book. She’s been hiding a big part of herself and it was enjoyable watching her grow, change, and become accepting of her true self. I have to credit to Michael with some of that because he did call her on her behavior. Michael was a bit tougher because he was still hiding from what seems to be a very messy and hard divorce. I honestly think he thinks of it as his one big failure and it’s not something he wants to repeat.
Paradise Awakening is an excellent story of learning to accept who you are and what you want from life. It is an extremely sexy story filled with voyeurism, group sex scenes, and all kinds of wicked fantasies. As this was one of Jaci Burton’s first works, it is nice to see that even early one she proved to be a talented writer and she’s only gotten better with time!
October 14, 2016
Elle veut s'évader de sa routine. Serena veut connaître l'extase avec un ou plusieurs hommes. Pour cela, elle se rend sur une île où tous ses vœux sexuels peuvent être exaucés. Mais voilà, la chambre qu'elle a héritée est déjà louée par un homme charmant. Un marché se conclut entre ses deux personnages qui ne dureront qu'une semaine.
Arriveront-ils à faire face à leurs désires ?
Resteront-ils de simples amants ?
~ Serena est professeur dans une université du Kansas. Elle a 28 ans. Blonde aux yeux verts, elle n'a jamais trouvé un homme qui pourrait lui donner un orgasme. Elle est réservé et n'arrive pas s'accepter.
L'homme charmant n'est autre qu'un auteur à succès, Michael Donovan. Il a 33 ans, brun aux yeux bleus. Un véritable adonis selon Serena.
~ Serena et Michael pensaient être les seuls lors de la prise de clé à la réception de l'hôtel où ils vont participer à un séjour hédoniste. Mais voilà, au lieu de ça, Serena veut que Michael soit son partenaire durant les expériences données au sein de l'hôtel. Ce qu'il accepte car il trouve Serena d'une beauté effroyable.
~ Voilà comment la mise en bouche commence. Les deux personnages ont un passé surtout Michael et il ne se le cache pas. Ensemble, Michael et Serena vont aller au-delà de leur attirance mutuelle mais refuseront d'admettre l'inévitable. Jaci Burton a fait de son roman une pépite rempli de scène bien trouvé et sans excès. Ce qui correspond à Serena. De plus, leur environnement qui est une île paradisiaque met vraiment l'eau à la bouche.
~ Comme toute romance, la péripétie qui va mettre nos héros dans tous leurs états a été écrit à la perfection. Michael et Serena ont ce petit quelque chose qui fait la différence.
~ La chambre des délices renferme quelques pépites qui y sont mis avec d'agréables sensations. Les deux personnages n'ont pas besoin de leur cerveau pour comprendre l'autre.
Source : http://madness-story.blogspot.fr/2016...
Arriveront-ils à faire face à leurs désires ?
Resteront-ils de simples amants ?
~ Serena est professeur dans une université du Kansas. Elle a 28 ans. Blonde aux yeux verts, elle n'a jamais trouvé un homme qui pourrait lui donner un orgasme. Elle est réservé et n'arrive pas s'accepter.
L'homme charmant n'est autre qu'un auteur à succès, Michael Donovan. Il a 33 ans, brun aux yeux bleus. Un véritable adonis selon Serena.
~ Serena et Michael pensaient être les seuls lors de la prise de clé à la réception de l'hôtel où ils vont participer à un séjour hédoniste. Mais voilà, au lieu de ça, Serena veut que Michael soit son partenaire durant les expériences données au sein de l'hôtel. Ce qu'il accepte car il trouve Serena d'une beauté effroyable.
~ Voilà comment la mise en bouche commence. Les deux personnages ont un passé surtout Michael et il ne se le cache pas. Ensemble, Michael et Serena vont aller au-delà de leur attirance mutuelle mais refuseront d'admettre l'inévitable. Jaci Burton a fait de son roman une pépite rempli de scène bien trouvé et sans excès. Ce qui correspond à Serena. De plus, leur environnement qui est une île paradisiaque met vraiment l'eau à la bouche.
~ Comme toute romance, la péripétie qui va mettre nos héros dans tous leurs états a été écrit à la perfection. Michael et Serena ont ce petit quelque chose qui fait la différence.
~ La chambre des délices renferme quelques pépites qui y sont mis avec d'agréables sensations. Les deux personnages n'ont pas besoin de leur cerveau pour comprendre l'autre.
Source : http://madness-story.blogspot.fr/2016...
November 18, 2013
Beware: two reviews with 11 months apart... same views, but more detailed
[REVIEW FOR JAN 17, 2013]
I love Jaci's writing. I got this book for free (thanks to her heads-up awhile ago) and couldn't wait to read the first book of this series.
This book gave me some laughs, some horrible reactions (like crying) and joy right at the end. Although the storyline is told within a week - you actually feel like you have known these characters. I find it hard not to, for her way on writing and making character developments at ease - even to us readers.
Well, I'm at the beach... Wait for... I thought it was awesome of a perspective to read it here. I couldn't believe on how fast I finished it.
I totally give a 10 star for it and my thumbs up for anyone thinking about reading it. Good luck and enjoy it.
[REVIEW FOR NOV 9, 2013]
When an erotic writer and a college teacher are visiting a sexy resort exclusively for sexual “adventures” and end up both sharing the same room and adventures together, how can they both keep it all impersonal and return to their lives after one week? That is what Paradise Awakening is all about.
Serena’s been saving money to explore her wild side, a side that is there but the places she lives…well, she sees no alternative than to do what a girl has to do… Flying to Paradise Resort. She ain’t looking for a relationship, just a scratch on her back without attachments…
Same goes for our writer, Michael Donovan, who is taking some time in this Paradise Resort for some research for an erotic book of his…
To get a sneak peek on the first page for the first chapter, you know the drill. Visit my blog and read it in full and enjoy the extras
[REVIEW FOR JAN 17, 2013]
I love Jaci's writing. I got this book for free (thanks to her heads-up awhile ago) and couldn't wait to read the first book of this series.
This book gave me some laughs, some horrible reactions (like crying) and joy right at the end. Although the storyline is told within a week - you actually feel like you have known these characters. I find it hard not to, for her way on writing and making character developments at ease - even to us readers.
Well, I'm at the beach... Wait for... I thought it was awesome of a perspective to read it here. I couldn't believe on how fast I finished it.
I totally give a 10 star for it and my thumbs up for anyone thinking about reading it. Good luck and enjoy it.
[REVIEW FOR NOV 9, 2013]
When an erotic writer and a college teacher are visiting a sexy resort exclusively for sexual “adventures” and end up both sharing the same room and adventures together, how can they both keep it all impersonal and return to their lives after one week? That is what Paradise Awakening is all about.
Serena’s been saving money to explore her wild side, a side that is there but the places she lives…well, she sees no alternative than to do what a girl has to do… Flying to Paradise Resort. She ain’t looking for a relationship, just a scratch on her back without attachments…
Same goes for our writer, Michael Donovan, who is taking some time in this Paradise Resort for some research for an erotic book of his…
To get a sneak peek on the first page for the first chapter, you know the drill. Visit my blog and read it in full and enjoy the extras
June 15, 2013
Serena Graham est une jeune professeur d'université qui vient en vacances au club Paradis pour une semaine hédoniste (comprendre, dédiée au sexe sous toutes ses formes). En arrivant à sa chambre d'hôtel, elle découvre qu'elle est occupée par Michael Donovan, écrivain de policier érotique. D'abord perturbé, Michael lui propose de partager sa suite de deux chambres avec elle. Serena accepte et, une fois remise de ses émotions, change de tenue et d'attitude pour se mettre dans l'ambiance de ses vacances. Elle propose aussi à Michael de devenir son partenaire durant cette semaine. Ils se programment alors divers plaisirs à partager ensemble.
Jaci Burton nous promettait une romance érotique des plus torrides mais au final on a plus l'impression de lire un porno soft. L'ambiance paradisiaque de l'île ne suffit pas à nous séduire. Les personnages sont plus clichés que sexy et les scènes sensuelles pas vraiment aphrodisiaques. L'idée était plutôt bonne : passer une semaine sur une île privée avec pour seul but de satisfaire tous ses plaisirs. Mais voilà, l'auteur ne nous offre pas une histoire assez approfondie. Les scènes de transition donnent l'impression de n'être là que pour ajouter des pages. Les personnages ne sont pas assez charismatiques, il manque un truc pour qu'on est envie de croire à leur romance. Les scènes sexuelles sont amenées un peu trop directement (peut-être est-ce dû à l'environnement) et on n'a pas vraiment le temps de les savourer. Ce livre aurait mérité une centaine de pages en plus pour pouvoir vraiment approfondir tout ça. Dommage.
Jaci Burton nous promettait une romance érotique des plus torrides mais au final on a plus l'impression de lire un porno soft. L'ambiance paradisiaque de l'île ne suffit pas à nous séduire. Les personnages sont plus clichés que sexy et les scènes sensuelles pas vraiment aphrodisiaques. L'idée était plutôt bonne : passer une semaine sur une île privée avec pour seul but de satisfaire tous ses plaisirs. Mais voilà, l'auteur ne nous offre pas une histoire assez approfondie. Les scènes de transition donnent l'impression de n'être là que pour ajouter des pages. Les personnages ne sont pas assez charismatiques, il manque un truc pour qu'on est envie de croire à leur romance. Les scènes sexuelles sont amenées un peu trop directement (peut-être est-ce dû à l'environnement) et on n'a pas vraiment le temps de les savourer. Ce livre aurait mérité une centaine de pages en plus pour pouvoir vraiment approfondir tout ça. Dommage.
January 26, 2013
This is actually a 3.5 out of 5, but I rounded up because it was too well written for just 3 stars.
Story of Serena, a college lit professor goes to Paradise Resort to experience a sexual awakening of sorts, and Michael, an erotic crime writer looking to write his next novel. Serena goes from suppressed, mousy professor to filthy mouthed vixen within 2 pages. Not a bad thing, considering a love stories where the heroine explores her sexuality. Her and Michael use a room mix up to the fullest advantage and I enjoyed reading about their adventures through this book.
What I loved: there was a scene where Michael calls Serena out on the fact that she's not really living her life. She's working at a college close to where she grew up, afraid to move away or do anything else. That scene hit me square in the gut. I've never identified so closely with a passage, outside of the bible, in my life. It was good, well written, and made me think. Also, some of the sex scenes themselves were erotic and creative.
What I didn't like: some of the dirty talk was just too much. I cringed or rolled my eyes at parts because it just didn't feel necessary. In moderation, stuff like in a book makes the sex better to read for me, but there were too many instances where I just scoffed. She goes from no dirty talk to detailing how she wants him to give her anal? Too far.
Still, a good book, hot sex scenes, and a nice HEA.
Story of Serena, a college lit professor goes to Paradise Resort to experience a sexual awakening of sorts, and Michael, an erotic crime writer looking to write his next novel. Serena goes from suppressed, mousy professor to filthy mouthed vixen within 2 pages. Not a bad thing, considering a love stories where the heroine explores her sexuality. Her and Michael use a room mix up to the fullest advantage and I enjoyed reading about their adventures through this book.
What I loved: there was a scene where Michael calls Serena out on the fact that she's not really living her life. She's working at a college close to where she grew up, afraid to move away or do anything else. That scene hit me square in the gut. I've never identified so closely with a passage, outside of the bible, in my life. It was good, well written, and made me think. Also, some of the sex scenes themselves were erotic and creative.
What I didn't like: some of the dirty talk was just too much. I cringed or rolled my eyes at parts because it just didn't feel necessary. In moderation, stuff like in a book makes the sex better to read for me, but there were too many instances where I just scoffed. She goes from no dirty talk to detailing how she wants him to give her anal? Too far.
Still, a good book, hot sex scenes, and a nice HEA.
May 9, 2013
Jaci Burton’s a rather prolific romance and erotica author, but apparently this was her first. And it feels like it.
Serena is a small-town lit prof who ventures to a hedonist resort so she can finally explore her wild side. Due to apparently incompetent management (worst. customer service. ever), she’s forced to share a suite with a sexy stranger, Michael, an erotica writer. And a hot one he is too. So she sheds her glasses and her baggy clothes and propositions him, and he accepts.
They eagerly choose from a menu of rather cringey-named adventures (“Everything Oral”!), but Michael’s one caveat is this: no emotions. When it’s over, it’s over. But of course, who can resist the passionate but intelligent Serena? Well, we can. She’s just so…blah. So, plausibility suffers one strike. We didn’t care for her or about her. The writing was technically fine (except for some disorienting POV changes), but was often so boilerplate romance or cheesy that it made us wince. Case in point: from the aforementioned “Everything Oral” adventure — “a little butter for your muffin.” Groan. We were unable to get past that shizzle, so the sex scenes just made us giggle.
But we’re sure after over fifty books Burton’s writing is better, so we will give her another chance. Just not right now. We’ve got stuff to do.
See our full review here: http://wp.me/p2MJls-71
Serena is a small-town lit prof who ventures to a hedonist resort so she can finally explore her wild side. Due to apparently incompetent management (worst. customer service. ever), she’s forced to share a suite with a sexy stranger, Michael, an erotica writer. And a hot one he is too. So she sheds her glasses and her baggy clothes and propositions him, and he accepts.
They eagerly choose from a menu of rather cringey-named adventures (“Everything Oral”!), but Michael’s one caveat is this: no emotions. When it’s over, it’s over. But of course, who can resist the passionate but intelligent Serena? Well, we can. She’s just so…blah. So, plausibility suffers one strike. We didn’t care for her or about her. The writing was technically fine (except for some disorienting POV changes), but was often so boilerplate romance or cheesy that it made us wince. Case in point: from the aforementioned “Everything Oral” adventure — “a little butter for your muffin.” Groan. We were unable to get past that shizzle, so the sex scenes just made us giggle.
But we’re sure after over fifty books Burton’s writing is better, so we will give her another chance. Just not right now. We’ve got stuff to do.
See our full review here: http://wp.me/p2MJls-71
March 20, 2011
This was my first "erotic" book and it was definitely an interesting read. I do not know much about the genre, but I would guess that it was pretty good compared to other erotic books.
The sex scenes were a steamy, which I would guess is high on the list of what is good in the genre.
Burton does a pretty good job with character development as well, although I think Serena was a more rounded character than Donovan. Donovan seemed a bit stunted and his character seemed to not change that much until the end, where Serena's growth as a person seemed to follow a more natural progression.
Overall, the characters overthought too much. I think it was a bit more "tell" rather than "show". It drives me nuts when the characters constantly are thinking the obvious, thus telling me what I had already gathered by events.
The sex scenes were a steamy, which I would guess is high on the list of what is good in the genre.
Burton does a pretty good job with character development as well, although I think Serena was a more rounded character than Donovan. Donovan seemed a bit stunted and his character seemed to not change that much until the end, where Serena's growth as a person seemed to follow a more natural progression.
Overall, the characters overthought too much. I think it was a bit more "tell" rather than "show". It drives me nuts when the characters constantly are thinking the obvious, thus telling me what I had already gathered by events.
May 25, 2013
Contemporary erotic story with a Paradise Resort themed with sex and swingers. So Professor Serena Graham has had enough of her non-existent sex life in her tiny town in Kansas so she has signed up to Paradise Resort, a Caribbean vacation that she is going to realize all of her sexual fantasies. But there is a problem with her reservation and she gets put into Michael Donovan's suite because there is two bedrooms. At first they are abrasive to each other and Michal is only there for inspiration for his new crime novel so he wants to keep his space, but that isn't going to be in his future. Micheal and Serena fall in love while living out Serena's fantasies in the resort. There is a LOT of sexy time, but strangely enough there isn't much deviant sex, mostly vanilla stuff with people going crazy around them. This was well edited so a smooth read.
160 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
160 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
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