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Hard Cover
He can read her like a book. But will he give her a happy ending?
I’d do anything to keep my bookstore. It’s a safe place for all women, somewhere to let their freak flags fly. I call it sex-positive. The menfolk call it smut. That’s how I met Rory Parker, the local billionaire trying to shut me down on behalf of the “moral majority.” He walked in with an offer I couldn’t refuse . . . except I did. Now Rory wants to play dirty. Well, he picked the wrong bookseller. Let’s see how much support he still has after people get a load of the little movie I recorded of the two of us going at it like wild animals in my shop.
I couldn’t care less how Dawn Nolan makes her money. The only thing I care about is how much she’s making. Her bookstore isn’t the kind of upscale attraction my investors want in this sleepy little tourist trap, so it’s got to go. But when Dawn personally finds out how I treat bad girls who misbehave, she seems to enjoy it as much as I do. Now I just need to destroy the copies of that video she’s threatening to post—as soon as I stop watching it. The trouble is, when I’m with her, all I want to do is get started on the sequel.
Don’t miss any of Jamie K. Schmidt’s seductive
LIFE’S A BEACH | STUD | HARD COVER
The Sentinels of Babylon NECESSARY EVIL | SENTINEL’S KISS
The Club Inferno HEAT | LONGING | FEVER
Advance praise for Hard Cover
“Sexy banter and smoldering bedroom scenes. I adore the chemistry between Rory and Dawn!”—Mia Hopkins, author of Thirsty
This standalone novel includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
I’d do anything to keep my bookstore. It’s a safe place for all women, somewhere to let their freak flags fly. I call it sex-positive. The menfolk call it smut. That’s how I met Rory Parker, the local billionaire trying to shut me down on behalf of the “moral majority.” He walked in with an offer I couldn’t refuse . . . except I did. Now Rory wants to play dirty. Well, he picked the wrong bookseller. Let’s see how much support he still has after people get a load of the little movie I recorded of the two of us going at it like wild animals in my shop.
I couldn’t care less how Dawn Nolan makes her money. The only thing I care about is how much she’s making. Her bookstore isn’t the kind of upscale attraction my investors want in this sleepy little tourist trap, so it’s got to go. But when Dawn personally finds out how I treat bad girls who misbehave, she seems to enjoy it as much as I do. Now I just need to destroy the copies of that video she’s threatening to post—as soon as I stop watching it. The trouble is, when I’m with her, all I want to do is get started on the sequel.
Don’t miss any of Jamie K. Schmidt’s seductive
LIFE’S A BEACH | STUD | HARD COVER
The Sentinels of Babylon NECESSARY EVIL | SENTINEL’S KISS
The Club Inferno HEAT | LONGING | FEVER
Advance praise for Hard Cover
“Sexy banter and smoldering bedroom scenes. I adore the chemistry between Rory and Dawn!”—Mia Hopkins, author of Thirsty
This standalone novel includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2017
37 people are currently reading
751 people want to read
About the author
Jamie K. Schmidt
165 books731 followersUSA Today Bestselling author, Jamie K. Schmidt is a hybrid author who has over thirty short stories published in small press and ezines, and a variety of novellas and books online. Her Club Inferno series from Random House has been in Amazon's top 100 ebooks sold and Barnes and Noble's top 10. She has a dragon paranormal romance series at Entangled Publishing. Book one of the Emerging Queens series is The Queen's Wings.
Jamie holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz in Secondary Education English, which is a fancy way of saying she went to college to teach high school English. When that didn't pan out, she worked as a call center manager, a Tupperware consultant, a paralegal, and finally a technical writer for a major conglomerate company. She is an active member in the Romance Writers of America (RWA). When not writing, Jamie relaxes with a mug of hot tea and knits or makes beaded jewelry. You can reach her at Twitter: @jamiekswriter or at her website www.jkschmidt.com
Jamie holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz in Secondary Education English, which is a fancy way of saying she went to college to teach high school English. When that didn't pan out, she worked as a call center manager, a Tupperware consultant, a paralegal, and finally a technical writer for a major conglomerate company. She is an active member in the Romance Writers of America (RWA). When not writing, Jamie relaxes with a mug of hot tea and knits or makes beaded jewelry. You can reach her at Twitter: @jamiekswriter or at her website www.jkschmidt.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
November 21, 2017
It took a while for me to really get into Hard Cover. It didn’t enthrall me as much as Stud did, but it was a good book. And again, Jamie K. Schmidt tackled another tough subject, brought to light just what drugs can do to a person and how it affects those around them.
Well, Rory came off as one snooty son-of-a-bitch. He got what he wanted, when he wanted it and would pay whatever he needed to get it. It usually worked on everyone. Not Dawn. There is something about this feisty, multi-colored hair woman that
Dawn had a huge chip in her shoulder, was stubborn, out-spoken and believed in standing on her own two feet. No help from her uptight father, no help from anyone and she refuses to sell out for any amount of money. But, she will agree to dirty sex with the man who is trying to shut down Tantric Books. Of course, he doesn’t know that he’s being filmed.
As Rory pulls out all the stops to get Dawn to sell and Dawn digs in, they find out they have a lot more in common than a bed. Rory starts helping Dawn see the potential in her business with some upgrades. Dawn starts seeing the vulnerable and generous side of Rory. Together, they start getting through to his once comatose sister, find ways to make her business fit the new look of the town and possibly run the bad guy out of town. Until tragedy strikes, and truths come out.
I loved the ending of this story. Rory really won my heart. And, the Epilogue was the best. But, like I said, I did have some problems with the story, including the part of the ending. Dawn ran hot and cold throughout the story and sometimes really frustrated me. What was supposed to be cute banter between the two of them was more like them trading barbs … other times it was laugh out loud funny. But, all in all, I truly enjoyed Hard Cover and look forward to reading more of Ms. Schmidt. Her books always seem to have a deeper meaning, an underlying story that needs to be told. I really appreciate an author with a conscience and a need to help people understand some of the problems that are in our world. It’s refreshing to read a good love story with a moral to it.
November 8, 2017
MY RATING: 3/5
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story follows the premise of our hero wanting to buy out our heroine so he can "clean up" the property he owns. However, he did not expect to fall for the quirky and adorable heroine who bites back. The thing about the book was that it was hard to connect with our heroine because i don't know it just seemed like she was this special unicorn who loved sex and had tattoos and amazing hair and it's just hard to connect cause I felt like Jamie K Schmidt tried to make an eccentric character and it fell into a stereotype in the end.
MY RECOMMENDATION:
Read it if you want to see how the story ends because I finished it to see how these two people can come together and make things work. And it did.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story follows the premise of our hero wanting to buy out our heroine so he can "clean up" the property he owns. However, he did not expect to fall for the quirky and adorable heroine who bites back. The thing about the book was that it was hard to connect with our heroine because i don't know it just seemed like she was this special unicorn who loved sex and had tattoos and amazing hair and it's just hard to connect cause I felt like Jamie K Schmidt tried to make an eccentric character and it fell into a stereotype in the end.
MY RECOMMENDATION:
Read it if you want to see how the story ends because I finished it to see how these two people can come together and make things work. And it did.
November 21, 2017
This book took me by surprise with how much I loved it. It was unexpected, entertaining and had some really great characters.
Honestly, I love it when a book surprises me like this. This was an enemies to lovers trope and I really like how the author handled the enemies part. They weren't really true enemies but there was enough opposition to make their encounters full of heat.
I think what really drew me in was the quirkiness of Dawn and the customers of her book store. I like that Nolan was an overachieving rich man who never treated Dawn like she was beneath him. When these two fought it always turned into sex. The chemistry was pretty heated between these two.
I highly recommend it! ARC provided by Netgalley.
Honestly, I love it when a book surprises me like this. This was an enemies to lovers trope and I really like how the author handled the enemies part. They weren't really true enemies but there was enough opposition to make their encounters full of heat.
I think what really drew me in was the quirkiness of Dawn and the customers of her book store. I like that Nolan was an overachieving rich man who never treated Dawn like she was beneath him. When these two fought it always turned into sex. The chemistry was pretty heated between these two.
I highly recommend it! ARC provided by Netgalley.
November 5, 2017
I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review and here it is: I found Dawn, the quirky bookstore owner to be tiresome and needy. I found Rory to be an elitist. Both of them let their parents control them too much (either by actions or inactions) and their chemistry was off for me. Being self-confident in your sexuality doesn't make you a feminist, nor does bucking tradition in order to make a statement. Dawn was so convinced she needed to put on a persona that she missed that she needed to be true to herself first. Living behind your bookstore is pretty rock bottom and, although she had alternatives, she decided to make plan after plan to get herself out of the hole she was in. I just didn't understand the hole she was in when it came to light that Jack paid all of their bills (except groceries) when they were together. Rory was genuinely trying to do the right thing for all parties involved when he moved new shops into Haven and relocated other shops. Rory didn't have ill intentions towards the shopkeepers, he just knew that they needed more for the tourists to want to drop their vacation dollars on. The book mainly concentrated on their push/pull from the very beginning. Rory and Dawn jumped into the sack often and I was repulsed when she decided to potentially use a video as blackmail against him. That was low and I was not impressed. Her excuses for her poor behavior got old and I was over her by the end of the book. Some of the plot was a little too all over the place for me and none of it seemed to really get resolved. Overall an okay read but wasn't my favorite Jamie K. Schmidt book.
September 28, 2017
Oh where do I begin? Tantric bookstore owner, purple hair, tongue ring Dawn "smile for the camera" and khaki wearing, yacht living, I wanna own your building, "you have the nicest a@@" Rory, son of two disengaged people with too much money and Rory is out to develop the tiny little town where Dawn's bookstore is located. Yes, it's a little offbeat, just like her. That place where the local women can shop without worrying about anyone seeing them or judging what they order a that plain brown wrapper. She's got it all, including Rory wrapped around her panties! These two were priceless.
It's a great story, that has a few twists and a couple curve balls, his sister; the reason behind his parents desire and a shining example of their denial to buy up the strip of stores in Haven and get rid of the "undesirables" because that's what caused there daughter to fall back into her drug dependency and spending the last 5 years in a semi-vegetative state in a health care facility. The way their parents didn't handle things really burned my can. Rory however did the stand up thing. Just like he did with Dawn.
I liked them both and this book was just flat out fun to read. Head nod to Jamie K on this one!!
**arc from NetGalley and Publisher in exchange for a fair review**
It's a great story, that has a few twists and a couple curve balls, his sister; the reason behind his parents desire and a shining example of their denial to buy up the strip of stores in Haven and get rid of the "undesirables" because that's what caused there daughter to fall back into her drug dependency and spending the last 5 years in a semi-vegetative state in a health care facility. The way their parents didn't handle things really burned my can. Rory however did the stand up thing. Just like he did with Dawn.
I liked them both and this book was just flat out fun to read. Head nod to Jamie K on this one!!
**arc from NetGalley and Publisher in exchange for a fair review**
October 8, 2017
Wowza.
*fans self*
*fans self*
November 18, 2017
This story had the potential to be so much more than what I found in its pages. While it did have some amusing dialogue at times, it fell short for me. From the blurb, I expected some drama surrounding a steamy video and maybe even some intrigue surrounding blackmail over that video. As it turned out, the video in question presents an issue for all of a hot minute and the story is more about Dawn hiding her less than prosperous circumstances from everyone, including Rory. In the end, Dawn is more tedious than quirky and Rory is an arrogant show-off. At one point, it appeared that there would be some intrigue surrounding Dawn and the people who wanted her out of business, but the book quickly becomes more about Rory and Dawn's sexcapades than anything else and considering that I never felt the connection between the two, much less found either of them particularly likable, the whole thing just missed the mark for me. I did keep reading to see if that initial intrigue would lead anywhere but was disappointed in the end.
September 4, 2017
I found this book corky. I loved Dawn in though she was stubborn as all get out! She made me laugh. Rory came off as preppy rich boy, who wanted to walk on the wild side. In the end he was the guy who didn't pass judgement on her. Just let her be her. He didn't try to change her. Even though in the beginning he was trying get her out of her store, but instead he helped her keep the store.
ARC copy for a honest review given by NetGalley
ARC copy for a honest review given by NetGalley
November 22, 2017
Dawn owns a bookstore where women are allowed to be their freaky selves. Rory believes Dawn’s bookstore needs to go and offers to buy the store from Dawn when she refuses he will need to find another way to convince her. Will he succeed? I really liked this entertaining read. The characters are interesting and I liked their chemistry. The story held my interest and the sex is steamy. I liked it!
November 20, 2017
Oh, what fun! I love Rory and Dawn’s dynamic! There are so many elements to this story and it keeps you well entertained while bringing emotional touches as well.
A tantric book store owner and preppy billionaire looking to renovate the shops; he wants to buy her out, she’s not interested. As they spend more and more time together there is no denying their chemistry. And boy is it hot! I liked that they had a small history, having gone to high school together.
I really enjoyed these characters. Rory’s feelings and actions were unexpected. I loved watching his focus transform and see what an amazing person he is. Dawn kept me smiling and her personality shined throughout the story. I loved watching all the events unfold and seeing how Dawn and Rory brought out the best in each other.
I loved the turn-around of the story. How it leaves you to believe Rory is just a rich jerk out for himself, but come to find out, he’s really a great guy with a big heart and loves Dawn for who she is. I enjoyed the turns the story took and that nothing was over-dramatized. The story incorporates fun humor and friends that warm your heart.
This heartwarming, opposites attract story will leave a smile on your face.
A tantric book store owner and preppy billionaire looking to renovate the shops; he wants to buy her out, she’s not interested. As they spend more and more time together there is no denying their chemistry. And boy is it hot! I liked that they had a small history, having gone to high school together.
I really enjoyed these characters. Rory’s feelings and actions were unexpected. I loved watching his focus transform and see what an amazing person he is. Dawn kept me smiling and her personality shined throughout the story. I loved watching all the events unfold and seeing how Dawn and Rory brought out the best in each other.
I loved the turn-around of the story. How it leaves you to believe Rory is just a rich jerk out for himself, but come to find out, he’s really a great guy with a big heart and loves Dawn for who she is. I enjoyed the turns the story took and that nothing was over-dramatized. The story incorporates fun humor and friends that warm your heart.
This heartwarming, opposites attract story will leave a smile on your face.
December 12, 2017
I love these characters, I did love "Stud" by Jamie as well ... but trying to figure out which deserves the more stars, well that is near impossible to decide??! I love these characters, do you ever read a book and just wish you could meet these folks in person. I can imagine this being a movie, 1st thought. I am a new reader of Jamie's and there is just something about her style. She rocks!!! I was going to say Insta-Steam ... not that the couple immediately falls in love, or lust, but??! There is that part or that feeling that just pulls you in as a reader and you have to know where she will take you. YOU knew immediately that Rory is a stuck up jerk ... but in a good way? 'Cause no matter how stuck up a person is?? I truly believe that there has 2 be at least some tiny small mini piece within that person that is good? RIGHT? Check this read. ( ;
October 27, 2017
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review. Thank you.
Hero(s) rating: 4 stars
Heroine rating: 4 stars
Sexual tension rating: 5 stars
Sex scenes rating: 4.5 stars
Sex scenes frequency: 5 stars
Plot rating: 3.5 stars
Dialogue rating: 4,5 stars
Storytelling rating: 5 stars
Story ending rating: 4 stars
Other woman/men drama:
Cheating:
Cliffhanger:
HEA:
**********************************************
Overall rating: 4 stars
If you're looking for a story that is full of incredible banter, steaming hot sexy times, and two totally different people that you wouldn't think were meant to be together, then Hard Cover is truly the story for you!
Hero(s) rating: 4 stars
Heroine rating: 4 stars
Sexual tension rating: 5 stars
Sex scenes rating: 4.5 stars
Sex scenes frequency: 5 stars
Plot rating: 3.5 stars
Dialogue rating: 4,5 stars
Storytelling rating: 5 stars
Story ending rating: 4 stars
Other woman/men drama:
Cheating:
Cliffhanger:
HEA:
**********************************************
Overall rating: 4 stars
If you're looking for a story that is full of incredible banter, steaming hot sexy times, and two totally different people that you wouldn't think were meant to be together, then Hard Cover is truly the story for you!
November 15, 2017
Hard Cover by Jamie K. Schmidt
3 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Drug addiction
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
So I was very excited to read this story. Dawn intrigued me because she was so feisty. Rory was interesting because he seemed to be very wealth driven.
However, when you get in to the actual story, there is so much more to the characters than what is on the surface. Dawn is kind of the wild child and likes what she does so much because she feels that she's giving a place for women in her community to come and feel safe. Despite some of the other community members being uppity and uptight about her store, she loves it.
Then you have Rory. He just wants what he wants because he's trying to prove himself to his parents. He has a family life that is well hidden from society, but when he opens up about it, it makes his character so much more real. He wasn't always this uptight and kind of entitled.
These two together bring out the best in each other and they both have to decide whether or not what they feel for each other is worth going up against people in their community and their family.
3 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Drug addiction
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
So I was very excited to read this story. Dawn intrigued me because she was so feisty. Rory was interesting because he seemed to be very wealth driven.
However, when you get in to the actual story, there is so much more to the characters than what is on the surface. Dawn is kind of the wild child and likes what she does so much because she feels that she's giving a place for women in her community to come and feel safe. Despite some of the other community members being uppity and uptight about her store, she loves it.
Then you have Rory. He just wants what he wants because he's trying to prove himself to his parents. He has a family life that is well hidden from society, but when he opens up about it, it makes his character so much more real. He wasn't always this uptight and kind of entitled.
These two together bring out the best in each other and they both have to decide whether or not what they feel for each other is worth going up against people in their community and their family.
November 19, 2017
A sexy steamy story that will entertain and amuse. I truly enjoyed this one. The characters are intriguing, the story is well written, and the pace of the story moves along nicely.
Dawn lives life on her terms. Her father may have tried to break her spirit but he failed. Now she owns her own business and she'll do whatever it takes to keep it safe from the greedy real estate guy buying out all the other store owners so he can put in some high scale stores. Rory is a billionaire who is use to getting his way in both his business and personal life. He's never met anyone like Dawn though and while he does want her business out of the building he wants her in his personal life for as long as she will stay.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good steamy romance.
Dawn lives life on her terms. Her father may have tried to break her spirit but he failed. Now she owns her own business and she'll do whatever it takes to keep it safe from the greedy real estate guy buying out all the other store owners so he can put in some high scale stores. Rory is a billionaire who is use to getting his way in both his business and personal life. He's never met anyone like Dawn though and while he does want her business out of the building he wants her in his personal life for as long as she will stay.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good steamy romance.
August 31, 2017
Received an ARC for my voluntary review for netgalley. It was a cute story. We have Rory a hot billionaire, who can not resist Dawn and vice versa. They went to high school together, but did not hang out in the same crowd. Dawn is a rebel, she always felt that she had to be different because she never felt good enough. Rory felt the need to please his parents. However, their chemistry was combustible, and even though they were on different sides of the fence due to a project that Rory had going on, they still gave into their desires.. But someone wants to push her out of her store, who is it?
November 19, 2017
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
This book had some solid plot points, but flagged in some places. The romance was good, but the dichotomy between Rory and Dawn is huge.
His family issues and her family issues needed to be addressed a little more in my opinion, especially with Dawn and her family.
The ending of the book was a little rushed to me, although the epilogue answered many questions for me.
~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~
This book had some solid plot points, but flagged in some places. The romance was good, but the dichotomy between Rory and Dawn is huge.
His family issues and her family issues needed to be addressed a little more in my opinion, especially with Dawn and her family.
The ending of the book was a little rushed to me, although the epilogue answered many questions for me.
~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~
November 21, 2017
Hard Cover by Jamie K. Schmidt Is the story of Dawn Nolan and Rory Parker.
Dawn isn't the usually bookstore owner..nor are some of the book she has. Rory comes knocking on her door because he needs to get rid of her bookstore but Dawn isn't jumping at the offer. But what they both find out is that they may more between the then her bookstore.
I have read a previous book by Ms. Schmidt and really liked it...so when I saw this book I knew I wanted to read it too. Its was a hot quick read that I had to finish in one sitting.
Dawn isn't the usually bookstore owner..nor are some of the book she has. Rory comes knocking on her door because he needs to get rid of her bookstore but Dawn isn't jumping at the offer. But what they both find out is that they may more between the then her bookstore.
I have read a previous book by Ms. Schmidt and really liked it...so when I saw this book I knew I wanted to read it too. Its was a hot quick read that I had to finish in one sitting.
November 7, 2017
Hard Cover
Jamie K. Schmidt
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Definitely a story of opposites attract. Dawn is the owner of Tantric Books which sells sex books and toys, has purple hair, and lots of tattoos who lives illegally in the back of her shop. While Rory is a Polo and Khaki wearing billionaire that lives on a yacht.
This was a great easy read I would def recommend to my book friends.
Thanks NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
Jamie K. Schmidt
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Definitely a story of opposites attract. Dawn is the owner of Tantric Books which sells sex books and toys, has purple hair, and lots of tattoos who lives illegally in the back of her shop. While Rory is a Polo and Khaki wearing billionaire that lives on a yacht.
This was a great easy read I would def recommend to my book friends.
Thanks NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
August 31, 2017
And I've liked other stories from this author but this one did not do it for me. I didn't feel the chemistry nor did I necessarily felt compelled to like these characters. Snobby developer and a quirky bookstore owner just over the top could have been fun but this didn't happen.
ARC Netgalley
ARC Netgalley
September 11, 2024
I would have enjoyed this book without the smut to be fair, I think in the end it almost subtracted from the story.
Nice little wedge book!
Nice little wedge book!
November 22, 2017
I loved this book. I adored the main characters. Dawn and Rory was an absolutely fun and cute couple to read. I loved how feisty they were. They were so opposite and very similar to each other and their chemistry flowed so well, they were made in heaven. They fitted one another like magnets. I enjoyed their story very much. An absolutely wonderful read.
5 stars
5 stars
November 8, 2017
I enjoyed this book, but it definitely wasn't my favorite by the author. I'd probably have rated this higher had I actually liked the heroine, but Dawn left a lot to be desired. The book was funny though and the hero was great, so it had a lot of redeeming qualities.
Dawn owns a 'sexy bookstore' in a small seaside town and a developer is looking to buy out all the tenants and bring in high-end stores. Dawn is holding out and refuses to back out of her lease or be bought out, even though the offer is pretty high. She's stubborn, but she also knows that she provides a safe place for some women and it's a store she truly loves and makes it her own. Her dad is a judge and because she was a bit of a rebel, her parents really have nothing to do with her now, so she's kind of on her own in the world and doing what she wants. The one thing I loved about Dawn was how fierce she was - the whole scene with the guy breaking in was hilarious and she scored points with me for her quick reactions!
Rory is a billionaire who has returned to his hometown to revitalize the shop area. Dawn is one of the last holdouts, so he tries his best to convince her to move, including offering that hefty sum of money. When Dawn refuses, he decides to help make her store into something that can appeal to more people. Little known to Dawn at the time, Rory had a huge crush on her in high school, so he doesn't back down from his chance to finally have the girl he use to want.
So why didn't I like Dawn? She purposely used sex to try and blackmail Rory. The way she went about it was just so wrong. I mean Rory found it funny and enjoyed watching the playback later on, but it was just sleazy the way she went about things. She was also incredibly stubborn and it nearly cost her her life in the end there. I get she had her pride and wanted to do everything on her own, but Rory was genuinely being a nice guy there and trying to help her out.
I loved Rory. Yes, he came off arrogant in the beginning, but the guy was great. He stepped up and was there for his disabled sister in such a sweet way and that really sealed the deal for me. I also liked how he tried to help Dawn in a way that would benefit her, even if it did mean he was losing money on another possible tenant for her storefront. He was just a good guy overall, even if most people may have only seen his wealth.
Both sets of parents were horrible, especially Rory's. Those people were too stuck up and didn't even want to visit their daughter in the hospital. I'm just glad Rory didn't take after them.
The one part that bothers me the most though is that we never found out who was causing all the problems with Dawn (i.e. who sent the guy to break in?). It was just kind of forgotten even though it played a big role for the first half of the book.
Overall, a good read - not my favorite, but it's memorable and one I'd recommend.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Dawn owns a 'sexy bookstore' in a small seaside town and a developer is looking to buy out all the tenants and bring in high-end stores. Dawn is holding out and refuses to back out of her lease or be bought out, even though the offer is pretty high. She's stubborn, but she also knows that she provides a safe place for some women and it's a store she truly loves and makes it her own. Her dad is a judge and because she was a bit of a rebel, her parents really have nothing to do with her now, so she's kind of on her own in the world and doing what she wants. The one thing I loved about Dawn was how fierce she was - the whole scene with the guy breaking in was hilarious and she scored points with me for her quick reactions!
Rory is a billionaire who has returned to his hometown to revitalize the shop area. Dawn is one of the last holdouts, so he tries his best to convince her to move, including offering that hefty sum of money. When Dawn refuses, he decides to help make her store into something that can appeal to more people. Little known to Dawn at the time, Rory had a huge crush on her in high school, so he doesn't back down from his chance to finally have the girl he use to want.
So why didn't I like Dawn? She purposely used sex to try and blackmail Rory. The way she went about it was just so wrong. I mean Rory found it funny and enjoyed watching the playback later on, but it was just sleazy the way she went about things. She was also incredibly stubborn and it nearly cost her her life in the end there. I get she had her pride and wanted to do everything on her own, but Rory was genuinely being a nice guy there and trying to help her out.
I loved Rory. Yes, he came off arrogant in the beginning, but the guy was great. He stepped up and was there for his disabled sister in such a sweet way and that really sealed the deal for me. I also liked how he tried to help Dawn in a way that would benefit her, even if it did mean he was losing money on another possible tenant for her storefront. He was just a good guy overall, even if most people may have only seen his wealth.
Both sets of parents were horrible, especially Rory's. Those people were too stuck up and didn't even want to visit their daughter in the hospital. I'm just glad Rory didn't take after them.
The one part that bothers me the most though is that we never found out who was causing all the problems with Dawn (i.e. who sent the guy to break in?). It was just kind of forgotten even though it played a big role for the first half of the book.
Overall, a good read - not my favorite, but it's memorable and one I'd recommend.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 14, 2017
They say not to judge a book by it's cover; in this case that was absolutely true. I nearly bypassed this book because I wasn't a fan of the cover. The guy on it just looked way too conceited and full of himself; plus he reminded me of a younger version of Hugh Heffner by the way he was sitting on the chair. But, the description got me, so I decided to give it a shot.
Turns out I liked the book! I loved Rory's character and the transformation he underwent. He went from his entire focus being on the business and money, to wanting something more from life. And him and his sister...just wow.
Dawn's character had me laughing out loud so many times. I loved her sense of humor and determination to overcome everything without letting others see that she might be struggling. I appreciated the way she stood up for those who couldn't.
Turns out I liked the book! I loved Rory's character and the transformation he underwent. He went from his entire focus being on the business and money, to wanting something more from life. And him and his sister...just wow.
Dawn's character had me laughing out loud so many times. I loved her sense of humor and determination to overcome everything without letting others see that she might be struggling. I appreciated the way she stood up for those who couldn't.
September 16, 2017
I received an advanced review copy from the publisher via Netgalley for a honest and fair review.
I want a Tantric book store in my community!!!! What I loved, the cat, Tantric, Cammy and INXS "I need you tonight"!!!!!!!!!!! What a scene that was!!! Top 10 ever!
Rory.... he wasn't what I expected at all. He's a little nerdy sex machine. And there is tons of sex!!!!!!! A little too much but the substance of the story is there that kept me reading. And Cammy was the substance. I want her story!!!!!!!
Dawn... she is one strong cookie!!!! And her harness?!?!? That was hot!
I want a Tantric book store in my community!!!! What I loved, the cat, Tantric, Cammy and INXS "I need you tonight"!!!!!!!!!!! What a scene that was!!! Top 10 ever!
Rory.... he wasn't what I expected at all. He's a little nerdy sex machine. And there is tons of sex!!!!!!! A little too much but the substance of the story is there that kept me reading. And Cammy was the substance. I want her story!!!!!!!
Dawn... she is one strong cookie!!!! And her harness?!?!? That was hot!
September 23, 2017
Great story, the relationship between the characters was entertaining and hot! I only wish the author could have elaborated on some things towards the end, but I still highly recommend picking it up. :)
January 22, 2020
I really enjoyed the story and now I think I'll read it more in time.
November 21, 2017
4.5 stars
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
This book starts with a bang. And to be honest, Dawn is so blunt and harsh I wasn’t sure if it was going to be a good bang or a bad bang. She won me over pretty quickly with her handling of a disgruntled customer, yet I still wasn’t 100% sure I was going to love her. The same can be said for Rory. He definitely seemed like the type who would need to check his white male privilege at the door.
With both Dawn and Rory, I’m happy to say I quickly saw their true spirits and ended up head over heals for them. Their chemistry was combustible and, although they seem like opposites, they truly rounded each other out perfectly. Dawn owns her sexuality and wants all women to have the same sense of self she has. No shame, no holding back. Rory is not threatened by this and, in fact, embraces Dawn’s strong personality. Let me take this opportunity to let you know that this story is not for the faint of heart. It is beyond steamy and uber-sexy!
I couldn’t help but note this story is super timely. With all that is going on in the United States with inappropriate actions coming to light and debates on what is or is not appropriate, well Dawn has some things to say about that. A woman can be sexual and embrace her sexuality without it being a bad thing or a threatening thing. And no matter how she wants to dress or carry herself it gives nobody a right to say or do anything to her about her choices. Super relevant right now, but since it’s a story of fiction you get the fun and the HEA that the real news stories don’t have for many of these women.
One of the things I do wish we would have gotten a bit more information on was the drug use in the town. It was such a huge reason for everything the selectmen were pushing the old businesses out of town, but it was almost in passing that Dawn gave Rory a glimpse of the reality. Then it wasn’t followed up on. At least on the deeper level I thought it would be when it came to Cammy and her issues.
Don’t let anything I said above make you think this is a super serious book. It had plenty of serious issues, but I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud. I mean real belly laughs. I love a book that can bring that out of me, even when I’m sitting in a quiet place and get funny looks.
This book has really reinforced my belief that not many authors can come close to really getting the sassy, snarky, sexy heroine down on paper so perfectly. I can’t wait to read more by this author. She reels me in every single time.
https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.c...
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
This book starts with a bang. And to be honest, Dawn is so blunt and harsh I wasn’t sure if it was going to be a good bang or a bad bang. She won me over pretty quickly with her handling of a disgruntled customer, yet I still wasn’t 100% sure I was going to love her. The same can be said for Rory. He definitely seemed like the type who would need to check his white male privilege at the door.
With both Dawn and Rory, I’m happy to say I quickly saw their true spirits and ended up head over heals for them. Their chemistry was combustible and, although they seem like opposites, they truly rounded each other out perfectly. Dawn owns her sexuality and wants all women to have the same sense of self she has. No shame, no holding back. Rory is not threatened by this and, in fact, embraces Dawn’s strong personality. Let me take this opportunity to let you know that this story is not for the faint of heart. It is beyond steamy and uber-sexy!
I couldn’t help but note this story is super timely. With all that is going on in the United States with inappropriate actions coming to light and debates on what is or is not appropriate, well Dawn has some things to say about that. A woman can be sexual and embrace her sexuality without it being a bad thing or a threatening thing. And no matter how she wants to dress or carry herself it gives nobody a right to say or do anything to her about her choices. Super relevant right now, but since it’s a story of fiction you get the fun and the HEA that the real news stories don’t have for many of these women.
One of the things I do wish we would have gotten a bit more information on was the drug use in the town. It was such a huge reason for everything the selectmen were pushing the old businesses out of town, but it was almost in passing that Dawn gave Rory a glimpse of the reality. Then it wasn’t followed up on. At least on the deeper level I thought it would be when it came to Cammy and her issues.
Don’t let anything I said above make you think this is a super serious book. It had plenty of serious issues, but I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud. I mean real belly laughs. I love a book that can bring that out of me, even when I’m sitting in a quiet place and get funny looks.
This book has really reinforced my belief that not many authors can come close to really getting the sassy, snarky, sexy heroine down on paper so perfectly. I can’t wait to read more by this author. She reels me in every single time.
https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.c...
October 3, 2017
First off i need to thank the folks at NetGalley for getting me an ARC to read prior to November. I love getting books early!
I usually have a big crash of emotions when i'm done with a book that's not part of a series but that's ok this time around since our author did a really good job of giving us a story that's got legs and then wrapping it up well.
What's interesting to me is the summary - it doesn't really give us a true sense of what the story is by any means - just bits that kind of tie back to one scene or another, but i think that for me, it's not always about the description that gets me hooked.
We have 2 leading characters who are not nearly as different as they appear to be, both of them having their own family stresses and life struggles, but when they are able to come together, well there's something that's really great that can come out of it.
Dawn and Rory knew each other in high school but never hung in the same crowd. Dawn was always trying to be a bit of a rebel while Rory was living up to the expectations of his wealthy established family. When their paths cross years later when Rory is trying to buy out the story that Dawn owns, you have to expect that it'll get nuts.
From the get go - there's clear chemistry between them - there's no doubt that they are attracted to each other, but the question becomes then if it's a one night stand type thing, or if there's a possibility that real feelings can come together and then what will that mean since they both keep trying to fight it soo hard.
Add to that the fact that Dawn's got issue with her family - they don't approve of anything that she does (or do they and she's just fighting it?). Then there's Rory - he's always trying to prove his worth to his father and live the best life possible since his sister is in a coma because of a drug overdose.
So you can imagine how all that nonsense will lead to some really steamy scenes once these two let their guards down long enough. And as expected in this genre - just when they think that things are finally going well, someone comes in between them, someone almost dies, and they are now split on opposite sides of the country. Will they ever find a happy way to be together or was it just meant to be something short lived? That's what you'll have to find out if you read it. Great story overall though - so enjoy!
I usually have a big crash of emotions when i'm done with a book that's not part of a series but that's ok this time around since our author did a really good job of giving us a story that's got legs and then wrapping it up well.
What's interesting to me is the summary - it doesn't really give us a true sense of what the story is by any means - just bits that kind of tie back to one scene or another, but i think that for me, it's not always about the description that gets me hooked.
We have 2 leading characters who are not nearly as different as they appear to be, both of them having their own family stresses and life struggles, but when they are able to come together, well there's something that's really great that can come out of it.
Dawn and Rory knew each other in high school but never hung in the same crowd. Dawn was always trying to be a bit of a rebel while Rory was living up to the expectations of his wealthy established family. When their paths cross years later when Rory is trying to buy out the story that Dawn owns, you have to expect that it'll get nuts.
From the get go - there's clear chemistry between them - there's no doubt that they are attracted to each other, but the question becomes then if it's a one night stand type thing, or if there's a possibility that real feelings can come together and then what will that mean since they both keep trying to fight it soo hard.
Add to that the fact that Dawn's got issue with her family - they don't approve of anything that she does (or do they and she's just fighting it?). Then there's Rory - he's always trying to prove his worth to his father and live the best life possible since his sister is in a coma because of a drug overdose.
So you can imagine how all that nonsense will lead to some really steamy scenes once these two let their guards down long enough. And as expected in this genre - just when they think that things are finally going well, someone comes in between them, someone almost dies, and they are now split on opposite sides of the country. Will they ever find a happy way to be together or was it just meant to be something short lived? That's what you'll have to find out if you read it. Great story overall though - so enjoy!
October 17, 2017
I found this book while poking around on NetGalley looking for something to read. The cover caught my eye – a handsome fella with an intriguing, mildly sardonic look on his face. Jamie K. Schmidt is a new author for me and I don’t normally go for contemporary romance, but the blurb sounded fantastic. A quirky bookstore owner vs a billionare land developer? Sounds very You’ve Got Mail, a movie that I love. So, I was delighted to receive a copy in exchange for an honest review. Aside from the basic premise of bookstore owner vs land developer, Hard Cover and You've Got Mail are are otherwise very different, that premise was enough to hook me, and, I gotta say, I loved this book.
It is a relatively fast read. It is a longish novella. But, the pacing is quick and the dialogue is snappy. I liked that it is written from a first person point of view that bounces between Dawn and Rory. I liked that there is history between Dawn and Rory, both from high school and their email exchanges before the story begins. I liked that with their shared history and each of their family dramas, and you get enough emotional background and character development to really know and understand their (very relatable) motivations and to make the bedroom scenes meaningful. And, those bedroom scenes. WOW. Bedroom scenes. Bathroom scenes. Car scenes. Yacht scenes. Scenes in limos, a salon, etc. Let’s just say they’re HAWT. The one where they watch the video together, in particular, is a personal favorite. Yowza!
My only reason for taking away one star is the ending. While you get a HEA for Rory and Dawn, as well as Cammy, I want to know how things went with Dawn’s family. Why did her Dad sit there while others accused her of peddling smut? Was he in on the plan for her store being robbed? Why was he trying to tear down what she built? How did it go when she moved home? I felt like it really glossed over a bunch of her emotional growth at the end. Growth that, as a reader, I would really want to see – rather than just be told about – in order to feel like these two really will have a true happily ever after.
But, in general, if you’re looking for a fun, fast paced, HAWT contemporary novel, by all means, read this one. You’re gonna love it!
It is a relatively fast read. It is a longish novella. But, the pacing is quick and the dialogue is snappy. I liked that it is written from a first person point of view that bounces between Dawn and Rory. I liked that there is history between Dawn and Rory, both from high school and their email exchanges before the story begins. I liked that with their shared history and each of their family dramas, and you get enough emotional background and character development to really know and understand their (very relatable) motivations and to make the bedroom scenes meaningful. And, those bedroom scenes. WOW. Bedroom scenes. Bathroom scenes. Car scenes. Yacht scenes. Scenes in limos, a salon, etc. Let’s just say they’re HAWT. The one where they watch the video together, in particular, is a personal favorite. Yowza!
My only reason for taking away one star is the ending. While you get a HEA for Rory and Dawn, as well as Cammy, I want to know how things went with Dawn’s family. Why did her Dad sit there while others accused her of peddling smut? Was he in on the plan for her store being robbed? Why was he trying to tear down what she built? How did it go when she moved home? I felt like it really glossed over a bunch of her emotional growth at the end. Growth that, as a reader, I would really want to see – rather than just be told about – in order to feel like these two really will have a true happily ever after.
But, in general, if you’re looking for a fun, fast paced, HAWT contemporary novel, by all means, read this one. You’re gonna love it!
October 15, 2017
**ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review **
A fast paced standalone with a hint of a Cinderella tale that will leave you swooning hard!
Hard Cover by USA Today bestselling author Jamie K. Schmidt will have you laughing, swooning in a matter of minutes when you begin reading! I enjoyed reading this book immensely that I couldn't put this book down even for a second!
Rich boy and the struggling girl meets years later, sparks fly but hidden agendas lurk around the corner.
Dawn is not your average little bookstore keeper. With her purple hair and piercings, she is different, but the women of the little coastal town of Haven love her and her cute bookstore that she owns. Dawn is proud of her store, it's all hers and what's more important is that she loves to empower other women by opening her doors of knowledge. The men of the town, however, think she is selling smut which cause issues for her.
Rory is about making money. He wants to shut Dawn's store down and turn the area into a high class/high price society shopping district. Months prior, he connects via email and starts a connection that eventually turns both their lives around. But what neither of them realize is that the connection they had just through emails, is even stronger once they are face to face.
Just a glimpse of the story, does nothing for what this story really turns out to be. Hard Cover is the perfect name for this book as once you read it, and reflect on it, it fits perfectly!
This a wonderful heartwarming romance that has great chemistry between Dawn and Rory and with any great novel, the secondary characters leave you wanting to read more of them. Jamie had me cracking up with the loads of humor she wrote and the swoon/blush worthy "bed" moments were special in their own way! She defiantly knows how to leave you connected with these characters long after the book is ended.
4 Swoon-worthy Stars.
A fast paced standalone with a hint of a Cinderella tale that will leave you swooning hard!
Hard Cover by USA Today bestselling author Jamie K. Schmidt will have you laughing, swooning in a matter of minutes when you begin reading! I enjoyed reading this book immensely that I couldn't put this book down even for a second!
Rich boy and the struggling girl meets years later, sparks fly but hidden agendas lurk around the corner.
Dawn is not your average little bookstore keeper. With her purple hair and piercings, she is different, but the women of the little coastal town of Haven love her and her cute bookstore that she owns. Dawn is proud of her store, it's all hers and what's more important is that she loves to empower other women by opening her doors of knowledge. The men of the town, however, think she is selling smut which cause issues for her.
Rory is about making money. He wants to shut Dawn's store down and turn the area into a high class/high price society shopping district. Months prior, he connects via email and starts a connection that eventually turns both their lives around. But what neither of them realize is that the connection they had just through emails, is even stronger once they are face to face.
Just a glimpse of the story, does nothing for what this story really turns out to be. Hard Cover is the perfect name for this book as once you read it, and reflect on it, it fits perfectly!
This a wonderful heartwarming romance that has great chemistry between Dawn and Rory and with any great novel, the secondary characters leave you wanting to read more of them. Jamie had me cracking up with the loads of humor she wrote and the swoon/blush worthy "bed" moments were special in their own way! She defiantly knows how to leave you connected with these characters long after the book is ended.
4 Swoon-worthy Stars.
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