Living on Violet Circle, a place that’s less of a neighborhood and more of an insane asylum poured into the street, I thought I was prepared for anything. After you’ve seen a woman strip down at the laundry room to wash the clothes she’s wearing, then saunter across the street naked, you’ve seen it all, right?
How naïve I was.
After the factory closed, leaving me and a good portion of the town unemployed, I took a job managing Scarlet Toys. I knew it wouldn’t be a typical work environment, selling adult toys in a town more uptight than a constipated nun, but some things you just never see coming.
Like the protesters covered in poison ivy, screaming about smut peddlers.
Or a dancing dinosaur named Fappy.
Or the allure of the man standing in the center of all the chaos.
Wyatt Lawson, a six foot, four inch heap of muscle with a quick smile, ignited my interest in more than the available manager position. Like the missionary one. Or the rodeo. Maybe the side rider. What can I say? I’m an overachiever.
Let’s just hope he doesn’t scare easily.
This is the first book in a series of standalone novels. Please disregard the page count during the pre-order period. This is a full length 60k+ novel.
S.M. Shade writes spicy romantic comedies and steamy contemporary romances with relatable characters. Whether it's a good laugh or a good cry, she likes to grab you by your emotions and make you feel. An unashamed Croc enthusiast and poetry nerd, she can usually be found listening to Indie Rock on repeat and watching birds.
Release Date: November 28, 2017 Genre: Romantic Comedy Actual Rating: 4 stars
I love romantic comedies. They are my favorite genre and I am always eager to find new ones and new authors who write these books. After scouring the internet for laugh loud loud funny romances it was suggested to me to read this one (Scarlet Toys) by S.M. Shade. Was I disappointed? Not in the slightest. While I didn't find this one to be outrageously hilarious (those are my favorite kind) I really liked reading it. There were some pretty funny one liners, and the banter between the characters was priceless. It's just an all around, fun, and ridiculous read that satiated my need for a quick rom com. I am so excited to read Jani's story next as she was my favorite character of all in this book!
A new author ✍️ and 5 stars ⭐️, cause they made me laugh so much. This is one rocking story, from start to finish. It is light hearted and humorous. There is a town, and a cul de sac out there somewhere, just like the one in this book. The characters are so loveable, I could not put this one down. I dare you to read this and tell me you didn’t laugh at all. I won’t believe you! 😂🥰
This is the kind of book that makes a person an instant fan of an author. It was full of so much humor and entertainment and just fun.
Both main characters drew me in from the very beginning. I loved the neighborhood Cassidy lived in with her quirky but supportive neighbors (most of them anyway). I loved Wyatt and his immediately relaxing, laid back, and accepting personality. From the very opening setup of this book I knew it would be something I would like and was not disappointed. As things progressed I found myself not just liking, but loving the story.
I don't want to give away too many details as this is something I definitely recommend any romantic comedy fans experience for themselves. I will be on the lookout for more stories from the inhabitants of Violent Circle. In the meantime I plan to check out more stories by S.M. Shade.
I don't know if would put 'comedy' on the cover when it's actually not funny :/ at least not to me. Ok so the antics were supposed to be amusing, to the characters, but it wasn't witty.
The first part of this book had some funny sections. Then it trickled out. Cassidy is terminated from her job at a local factory but a new place is opening up and she goes for an open interview. The boss is hot and offers Cassidy the general manager position. It’s a retail job selling sex toys and related items. A lot of the book is set in Cassidys street Violet or Violent circle as it’s known. People walk around naked, smoke weed, spray each other with poison ivy water and generally do crazy things. Once Cassidy gets involved with Wyatt the rich owner, I felt it wasn’t as good. Still an interesting read though.
Blurb: Living on Violet Circle, a place that’s less of a neighborhood and more of an insane asylum poured into the street, I thought I was prepared for anything. After you’ve seen a woman strip down at the laundry room to wash the clothes she’s wearing, then saunter across the street naked, you’ve seen it all, right?
How naïve I was.
After the factory closed, leaving me and a good portion of the town unemployed, I took a job managing Scarlet Toys. I knew it wouldn’t be a typical work environment, selling adult toys in a town more uptight than a constipated nun, but some things you just never see coming.
Like the protesters covered in poison ivy, screaming about smut peddlers.
Or a dancing dinosaur named Fappy.
Or the allure of the man standing in the center of all the chaos.
Wyatt Lawson, a six foot, four inch heap of muscle with a quick smile, ignited my interest in more than the available manager position. Like the missionary one. Or the rodeo. Maybe the side rider. What can I say? I’m an overachiever.
Let’s just hope he doesn’t scare easily.
This is the first book in a series of standalone novels.
This was funny, sexy and honest. I loved that the neighbourhood wasn't stripped from it's realities and that nothing was sunshines and rainbows. I would totally work in Scarlet Toys just for the 20% discount!
After the local factory is closed down Cassidy, alongside other 400 people, is forced to look for a new job. By chance she lands herself a position of a General Manager in a new open Adult Shop in town. Will she be able to resist the sexy owner that literally pulls rubber cocks out of his sleeves? And what about the protests happening just outside the shop?
It took me a while to get into the story but once I was hooked I couldn't stop reading until it was over. Let me tell you this... This shit was crazy and I absolutely loved it! Author's sense of humour seems to hit my special spot cause it's a second book that I was just shamelessly laughing out loud. Adorable everyday situations or even the protests against the sex shop made my boring day perfect.
I loved Cass and Wyatt and how their differences didn't pull them apart but actually glued them together. He gave her a chance and she totally rocked it and proved her value, running the shop and solving crimes for him. Even though Cass was overwhelmed when she found Wyatt's real identity, she still wanted to make them work. You go girl!
Who would have thought that a story of vibrators, dildos and other sexy butt plugs could be so entertaining. I might not check out other Violent Circles stories but I will keep the author in mind.
This was such a fast and fun read. It was totally different than I expected, but in a very good way. This book starts out with Cassidy losing her job and looking for a new one. She lives in a poor part of town and has very interesting neighbors. She finds out about a new business opening up and goes to see about a job. There she meets Wyatt, who plans on opening an adult store. She is a little shocked to be selling sex toys, but she gets to be a manager and she takes the challenge. Her boss Wyatt isn't bad looking, but she doesn't think it's a good idea to get involved with the boss. When Wyatt hits on Cassidy she says she isn't looking for anything serious, but will it stay that way? When the store finally opens, they get a lot of protest from the conservative group of people in their town. Can they win the battle? This book had me laughing out loud and made me really care for the characters. I already know that I need and want more of these characters. For a romance book and them selling sex toys, there was a lot less sex than I expected. This book was really tasteful.
This book will be released at the end of the month. A longer review will be posted on the blog that day: thebookdutchesses.wordpress.com
There are two kinds of adult romance books I encountered: 1. Books with an insane amount of romantic and sexual tension that makes u want to scream 2. The ones that don't even really have a story because they focuse on graphic sex scenes but u still read it because u just do
This book doesn't have any of that. Yeah, it has a couple of sex scenes, but WHAT THE FUCK SAMATHA? In some scenes the theme of sex is portrayed in a really fucking offensive way, involves a fucking 8 year old child looking at nudes and I mean I'm so fucking angry that this book exists...
The story is literally forced. One minute nothing is happening and the next one a sex shop is on fire for no apparent reason, just to make the story move. Did it move forward? No. Nothing fucking changed in the plot. Character development? Hell no. I literally just finished reading and GUYS I DONT EVEN REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE MAIN CHARACTER.
I want my time back.
Also I'm so fucking angry, don't talk to, thanks
HOW THE HELL DOES THIS BOOK HAVE SO MANY POSITIVE REVIEWS
The main couple are so brilliant together they are just so real..... The community was so well written would love to go to one of their get together s... they sound so fun....
From dinosaurs who spray poison ivy at protesters to butt plug cakes this book was hilarious.
This one was highly recommend in a fb group. I love me a good rom-com but sadly this one didn’t do it for me. I didn’t find it really funny, more silly. I kept putting it down and I skimmed some parts.
Picked this one because I hoped it would be as funny as Worth it. It had funny bits and weird bits. Nice intro for the series, the couple was sweet but I preferred Noble and Jani. Funniest moment was the Dino.
I randomly saw an ad or teaser for book 4 in this series (it's not out yet) and I was instantly in love with the blurb. I laughed and wanted it ASAP and looked it up on GR and found it was book 4 in a series! So I immediately started looking at the other books, reading the blurbs and checking them out on Amazon and guess what I found? ... Book 1 (aka this book) was free!!!!!! So of course, I bought it. And started it right away and it was awesome. Beyond awesome. I loved the characters. I loved the world the author built and I loved the story.
I honestly don't know what else to say. I loved the ragtag group of characters that live on Viole(n)t Circle. I love how they have each other's backs. How they're all such a good group of friends, there through thick and thing...always willing to help out.
Honest to god, I was dying at the mocking of the protesters and the poison ivy water.
This book was so much fun and I definitely recommend it to anyone that's looking for a laugh!
This is a fun, hot, sexy read with great main characters and the colorful neighbors in the Violet Circle neighborhood. The residents might not have a lot of money but they keep things interesting.
Cassidy loses her job when the local factory that employs much of the town closes. Luckily for her there is a new business that is hiring. She goes for the interview and meets the new owner of what will become Scarlet Toys, an adult store. Wyatt Lawson is a hottie in a suit and Cassidy can't stop imagining how good he would look out of it. He hires her to manage the store. He is also attracted to her and acts on it. What is the sexual harassment policy in a sex toy store? Fortunately the attraction is mutual and Cassidy and Wyatt form a hot and instant connection. He's unfazed by the crazy neighborhood and has a genuine affection for Cassidy.
There are some residents of the town that do not want such a decadent establishment to do business there. Think of the children! Cassidy and Wyatt have to deal with protestors, an arsonist, and a plan to pass a proposition that would close Scarlet Toys for good. There are lots of laughs in this story and . For a good time, read this book.
What can I say about this book that hasn’t already been said. Firstly the characters in this story were on point. I don’t think I have laughed so hard at the antics of a bunch of fictional characters in a long time.
Cassidy has just lost her job. Not only that, but everyone else she had worked with is in the same boat. She does land an interview and falls a bit hard for the guy who’s interviewing her.
Wyatt is new in town and just wants to get his business up and running who hires Cassidy to manage his new store.
The crazy bunch of people in this fictional masterpiece by SM. Shade are funny, out there and sometimes freaky characters but I wouldn’t expect anything less from Viole(n)t Circle.
If you need a laugh then this book is definitely one you should read.
This was a fun and quirky read. An easy story to digest. Once I started I couldn't put it down. The characters were funny, the story was hilarious at parts, and the setting was barbaric. It was just a crazy ride that I didn't want to get off. A definite one click if you want a book to escape real life with.
Scarlet Toys is a sexy Rom Com that will make you laugh out loud and smile constantly until both your sides and your face hurt.
Shannon Shade's brand of comedy had me in hysterics. This cast of characters and the neighborhood they lived in was straight out of a comedy sitcom. A cross between Friends, Modern Family and maybe some SNL. I almost wonder how Shannon made it through even writing this book. I would legit have spit coffee and or food all over my computer. Let's hope she wasn't eating or drinking while writing. Which leads me to my warning. Don't eat or drink while reading this.
Wyatt and Cassidy seem like a very unlikely couple, she's struggling to get by and he's a successful business man. However these two have a chemistry and those moments are hot as well as funny. Whether it's Cassidy's thoughts running through her head or the fact that Wyatt finds a way to fit into her neighborhood so well, this story just has something that will make your heart happy. It's such a feel good book.
I absolutely can't wait for more from this series. I highly recommend this for those days where you are in the mood for a funny, light hearted romance that will just make you smile.
S.M Shade has done it again. 5 star read with lots of laugh out loud moments. Definitely a must read if you like a lighthearted Rom Com. I can't wait to see what other shinanagans the people of Violet Circle will get up to next. 1-Click this awesomeness now! You know you want to ;)
I received this book for an honest and unbiased review.
An absolutely wonderful sexy romantic comedy by S.M.Shade. One that you can’t help but love because of the eclectic mix of characters and the hilarious scenarios they find themselves in.
Cassidy West has just been let go from her job along with the rest of the employees. That’s going to make finding a job so much harder but when she hears about an opportunity, she attends an interview and can’t believe the gorgeous hunk behind the suit who interviews her.
Wyatt Lawson just wants to establish his adult store in a regional town, move in, establish it and move on to the next store set up. What he’s not expecting is the sassy mouthed, sexy stranger who interviews for a job. She’s got his attention and that’s enough for him. Where it leads is definitely a story worth your reading.
Their manic and mayhem driven story will have you laughing out loud and feeling every sweet moment as well as the passion and fire between these brilliantly written characters.
Supporting characters are equally as weird and just as much fun as the main characters and definitely add to the quirkiness of the story. Definitely some strange people live on Violent Circle, the not so upper class part of town.
Fabulous characters, brilliant writing and a hilariously funny and equally sexy story by S.M. Shade.
This is the perfect Rom-Com!! Some true laugh out loud moments mixed in with the free flowing giggles, enough drama mixed throughout the story to keep you hooked in even more & then there's the beautiful romance that sparks between Wyatt, the 'new to town' business owner & Cass, the feisty new manager he employs who lives in Viole(n)t Circle.
The cast of characters that live in the circle are absolutely fantastic. They are so colourful, freaky, funny, loving, supportive & weird they make you hanker after the 'old days' when we all used to actually talk to our neighbours & have street parties etc
Wyatt & Cass' relationship is so fun, loving & supportive. Everyone has insecurities & these two are no different but they don't manifest often & are dealt with quickly, Yay!! Nothing is dragged out in this book, they're actual adults 😃
This book is a slice of heaven, a breath of fresh air, it leaves you smiling, feeling happy & nostalgic. It's not dark, deep or full of angst. It makes you think it could happen to you, that this could be your life, your friends, your job, your neighbourhood, your family!! Honestly, I loved this book. Shannon has knocked this book out of the park in my opinion, I highly recommend it!!
I absolutely loved Scarlet toys, fantastic read, full of so many laughs. There was hardly any lows in this story which I found really refreshing. I laughed out loud a lot. “Damn, I have been in here too long. My skin looks like your balls.” This was my favourite line in the book. It seriously made me have tears from laughing, my husband though I had lost it.
This is a feel good story, it gives you a sense of love and community as well as lots of laughs. I highly recommend scarlet toys. S.M Shade is fast becoming one of my favourite Authors. I didn’t want this story to end which is why it took me so long to read it.
If you haven’t preordered it the go now. Yes this second. That’s it click pre order.
Omg! I floved this book! So fun and lighthearted with lots of shenanigans and jokes that will keep you highly entertained and laughing your behind off. S. M. Shade has done it again and will always be an instant one-click author for me. Read this book, it's awesome....Scooby-Dooby-Do! lol #BookSmackedReviewer
It had some funny moments and dialogue, and I loved the idea of the neighborhood but I felt zero connection to either Wyatt or Cassidy and that never changed. It just went from insta-lust to insta-love and outside of sex and some witty comebacks I have no idea why the two of them were together.
Book 1 of a new series! If they all go on the same as this one it's gonna be a fun and fab series!
Cass lives in Violet Circle dubbed Violent Circle. Being one of the poorer areas everyone is in everyone's pocket. Cass loves it! Unfortunately she's made redundant and needs to find a job to pay her bills or she could lose her apartment. A new shop is about to open in town. No one knows what it is but Cass is desperate and doesn't care what it is. She goes in for an interview and finds the hottest man she has ever met. Wyatt.
Wyatt is trying to prove his father wrong and make his family buisness a success not only in the big city but also in smaller towns too. He needs a good selection of staff to make it work. When he meets Cass he knows she'll be perfect for the job and hires her on the spot.
The shop causes an uproar in the town with protests held daily outside. (One particular protest scene actually made me a wee a little!) Can Cass make it work? Can she also keep her heart safe after Wyatt decides to make her his for the time he's in town?
I think i pretty much smiled all the way through this book. It was fun and sweet and i loved the humor running all the way through. It was well written and you can't help but love the characters in this crazy neighborhood.
Cass is a girl you would want as your bestie. She's fun and amazing and it's no surprise that Wyatt would want her.
Wyatt is cocky but also sweet too. I loved how he embraced the craziness of Violent Circle like he'd lived there all his life instead of in a high end Penthouse.
The story drew me in and kept there right along with them. I loved it wasn't too heavy and serious but just a great feel good book.
I think the supporting characters had a massive part in making this book what it was and i can't wait to find out more about the residents.
Wyatt and Cass are amazing together and i love the fun they have with sexy time. The bouncy castle... well tears of laughter followed other bodily fluids that flowed! ;)
Great start to a brand new series can't wait for more!
Maybe it's because I was chasing the high from C. M. Owen's Wild Ones series, but this one didn't really hit the spot for me.
It was missing that spark. I felt like it was trying to check boxes and trying too hard to be funny. It felt impersonal and dispassionate, like it had a road map of landmarks it had to pass through, but all the while it wasn't the journey what was important, but the destination.
There's a strong possibility I might have enjoyed it more had I gone into it with zero expectations and nothing to compare it to, but that wasn't the case and the books it had to live up to were some seriously tough contenders.
Perhaps I'll revisit the rest of this series in the future, when I'm in the mood for something quick that doesn't take itself too seriously.