Swallow Me Whole

by Gemma James

Sadie Sawyer wants to learn how to blow a guy.

She’s my sister’s best friend.
The girl I’ve known since grade school.
The girl I’ve always considered off-limits.

She’s the girl that crawled under a table in a bar one night and changed everything between us. Now the brain in my pants is more than willing to step up. The rules are simple.

No kissing.
No screwing.
No falling in love.

But the more I let her use my body in the name of experimentation, the more I know being friends isn’t enough. Is it too much to want it all with her?

The taste of her lips.
The sweetness of her innocence.
The chance to earn her love.

I might have a real shot with her…if her douchebag ex and my past don’t ruin everything.

Swallow Me Whole is a friends-to-lovers standalone romance. Full-length at 77,000 words.

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Smut, BDSM, Audiobook

323 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 20, 2018

About the author

Gemma James is a USA Today bestselling author of sexy contemporary and dark romance. She loves to explore the darker side of human nature in her fiction, and she’s morbidly curious about anything dark and edgy, from deviant seduction to fascinating villains. Readers have described her stories as being “not for the faint of heart.”

She warns you to heed their words! Her playground isn’t full of rainbows and kittens, though she loves both. She lives in Oregon with her husband and children, a gaggle of animals, and bipolar weather.

Like her on Facebook or sign up for her newsletter so you don't miss out on future releases!

Reviews

[Nissa | Of Pens and Pages Book Blog]

DNF @ 27%

Sorry but it’s a no for me. I couldn’t get past 27% because the heroine is a complete doormat. Her boyfriend cheats on her so she does this thing with her best friend’s brother, right? Well the boyfriend works at her father’s law firm. He apologizes, she ignores him, her father tells her to understand, she doesn’t stand up to herself. Now at the party to celebrate said ex-boyfriend’s new promotion (this happened RIGHT AFTER THE FATHER FOUND OUT THIS DOUCHEBAG CHEATED ON HER), where she brought her best friend’s brother as her date I might add, douchebag boyfriend announces he’s asked her father for her hand in marriage. You know what this doormat heroine does? NOTHING.

I can’t. I’m so frustrated at her. And she’s supposed to be 23. Right. 🙄

[Carvanz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadie and Ashton have been friends since childhood. Their friendship remains strong and neither has ever tested the boundaries of more even though both have thought about it. After Sadie’s boyfriend cheats on her, she begins to question her own sexuality and what it says about her that she has never been able to let go. Now she’s taking lessons from her best friend and things are getting pretty hot as well as dicey where their relationship is concerned.

I really enjoyed this read. It’s a scorching hot erotica with lovely character growth for both Sadie and Ash. There is a good bit of other woman drama and the hero had an extensive background of sex with other women. But once Sadie opens the door for Ash to step through, he’s not letting her close it again. I love when the right woman can turn a manwhore around and Ashton is completely it where Sadie is concerned.

This is a great friends to lovers story with secondary characters that either helped move the storyline or supported the hero and heroine. The villain of the story was a real piece of work and their presence helped to ratchet the angst level to high. This is a nice paced read that has a lot of sex, great humor, wonderful character development and a perfect epilogue.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Dual POV
Safe ow is pregnant with H’s baby ends up being a lie; after the h attempts to give the H a b.j., he goes to a casual hookup’s house but can’t follow through although there is plenty of touching before he changes his mind
Triggers no apparent triggers

[Denise · Rating 1 out of 5]

Re-read 01/20/2019 - DNF @ 59%
First read 05/24/18 - No rating



You know how sometimes you have a faint recollection of a book and the details are fuzzy, but you remember liking it? Needless to say, some books are better off as a memory. I don't know what crack I was on before, but this book can go straight in the trash, as far as I'm concerned.

I find it awfully funny that Ash was so mad at her for not standing up to her controlling father when he was doing the exact same shit. Sadie told him no repeatedly, to leave her alone, and was so obviously scared and nervous about the stuff he wanted to do to her. Ash blatantly ignored her, did whatever he wished, and disregarded the fact Sadie was not his little fucktoy. The way BDSM was portrayed and how his abusive, controlling behavior was rationalized disgusted me.

BIG SPOILERS/RANT. Sadie is one of the most doormat, spineless heroines I've ever read. In the beginning, she discovers her boyfriend, Jake, getting his rocks off with his secretary and breaks up with him. Sadie, a virgin, thinks she doesn't know how to please a man consequently and decides to crawl under a bar table to give her bestie, Ash, a surprise blowjob to see if she can make a man happy. The two strike up a deal for him to teach her how to blow a guy and it's foreshadowed that Ash likes it rough in the bedroom.

Our doormat heroine has a controlling father who, even knowing Jake cheated on her, pushes her back toward to her ex and in no uncertain terms demands that she get over her tantrum and forgive him. Then, to top it off, Jake and her father conspire together to announce that Jake and Sadie are engaged - without asking Sadie, mind you. Does Sadie stand up to either man? Nope. Does she defend herself and tell everyone she's not marrying Jake? Nope. Does Ash make a big scene and do it for her? Yep.

Oh, but then we learn that since Sadie didn't stand up to her father, Ash is going to punish her even though Sadie is extremely upset with him for the scene he caused. She makes an off-hand comment wondering whether guys will still think she's boring in bed when their deal is over (re: THEY ARE NOT DATING) and Ash loses his shit. He forces a rough blowjob on her and then cums on her face to degrade her as an act of revenge because her comment made him jealous. Then, to top it off, she apologizes to HIM for making the comment.

EXCUSE ME?! Oh, but it gets better. Ash tells her that she's still getting punished and has her go to a hotel room, wear revealing, slutty lingerie, and demands that she be in a certain submissive pose when he walks in. He proceeds to gag, blindfold, bind, and edge her under the threat of punishment if she orgasms. When she does, he then punishes her with endless orgasms until she's crying and begging him to stop to the point of her passing out.

I am all for BDSM but this was NOT BDSM. This was a guy on a power trip, controlling and manipulating Sadie into doing whatever he wanted and walking all over her. SADIE DID NOT TRULY CONSENT TO WHAT HE DID. She wasn't able to stop him (re: safeword) and he did whatever he damn well pleased whether she liked it or agreed to it. I find it awfully funny that Ash was so mad at her for not standing up to her controlling father when he was doing the exact same shit. Sadie told him no repeatedly, to leave her alone, and was so obviously scared and nervous about the stuff he wanted to do to her. Ash blatantly ignored her, did whatever he wished, and disregarded the fact Sadie was not his little fucktoy. The way BDSM was portrayed and how his abusive, controlling behavior was rationalized disgusted me.

There's this little gem: "I don’t know what it is about the command in his tone, but I stop fighting instantly. Maybe it’s too close to the way my father has spoken to me for years. Or maybe I just want Ash, and I’ll do anything to have him." This is the root problem of their entire “relationship”....she does whatever Ash wants because she was conditioned as a child by her father to obey men.

I peaced out after the scene in the hotel room before I hurled my Kindle across the room. It baffles me that people are giving this book 5 stars when the hero is such an epic piece of shit.

Erienne's review nailed my feelings perfectly.

[Gemma James]

Now available!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D6PWKLM/

[Natalie ~ The Biblioholic]

What. The. Ever. Loving. HECK!!

The title and blurb suggested a dirty little friends to lovers romance I would fall in huge love with. I've read from Gemma James before and each time was a blast. I figured this would be too. And... nope. The heroine was a complete waste of time and I couldn't continue to torture myself with her story.

I'm almost twenty-three-fucking-years old -- the same as Ash and Mandy, who are light-years ahead of me when it comes to sex. But me? I must be the last virgin from our graduating class. How pathetic is that?

Wanna know what's pathetic?
- Thinking there's an age limit on losing your virginity
- Finding your boyfriend getting a bj from someone else (because you never gave him one -- boo hoo) and going out, getting drunk, and giving a bj to one of your best friends for kicks
- Being consumed with the idea of sexuality vs. worth instead of finding some confidence in yourself so people don't walk all over you

I had so many issues with this book. Will I still try Gemma James again? Probably. Hating one story can't erase the pleasure I found in others.

[Leigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

When I first read the description of Swallow Me Whole I was super excited, there is nothing I love more than childhood friends turn lovers. Unfortunately what started out as fun quickly went down hill. I enjoyed the chemistry between Sadie and Ashton but the overall story was boring. The situation with the OW was there only for added drama which didn't work for me. Also I felt the intimate scenes were very repetitive and I couldn't believe it took the entire book for them to really get together. Although Ashton is a total man whore it didn't bother me but Sadie being such a push over got old really quick. There is nothing more annoying than a grown woman who doesn't live at home to be so scared to speak up for herself to her father. Overall Swallow Me Whole didn't work but since this is my first read from this author I would be willing to give her another try.

[Steffi De Ceuster ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It started out so so good! So hot and kind of daring.
But the rest of it all was a bit predicted? I knew it before it was confirmed.

I have a massive hate towards her father what a canoe that one is! How can anybody be so cruel towards their child?
I was waiting for her to get a back bone!

It ended at around 57%, but I'm not reading the other one as the blurb tells me it's not my rodeo.. Life is too short!!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

DEFINITELY A NICE TITLE!

Oh I simply loved it, completely utterly hot! That's all I'm saying! It's followed by TRASHY FOREPLAY, which by the way, I'm glad I read it! I despise the relationship here, the circumstances no way do I condone but I'm loving it anyway! It's a cliffy but don't worry, uh, correction, worry! 2 is NOT out. Gosh damn it! I slipped up again, never read cliffies if the next arent out! ERRRR! BOTH stories...5 stars

[Vicky Sp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recensione in Anteprima sulla mia pagina Bookstagram  
https://www.instagram.com/p/CRHAyx9no...

Sadie era rimasta spiazzata e delusa dal tradimento del suo “rispettabile” fidanzato, l’uomo che suo padre aveva scelto come suo compagno e futuro socio nello studio.

Presa dalla rabbia, aveva deciso di affogare i suoi dispiaceri nell’alcool in compagnia dei suoi amici di sempre Ashton e sua sorella Amanda, con i quali amava trascorrere il suo tempo libero.

Il tradimento bruciava tanto quanto il liquore che stava ingurgitando nel bar insieme a loro. Con le inibizioni ormai allentate dalle ripetute bevute si sentiva più leggera, più spregiudicata e pronta a mettere in discussione le sue scarse capacità amatorie.

Chi meglio di Aston, un uomo bellissimo con la fama di sciupafemmine che gridava sesso allo stato puro, avrebbe potuto metterla alla prova?

«È bello piazzato sotto quella maglietta nera. Sembra che il nero sia il suo marchio di fabbrica, e gli si addice, visto che Ashton potrebbe essere la definizione stessa di dark, pericoloso e bellissimo. Specialmente con tutti quei tatuaggi».

Ashton teneva molto a lei, glielo aveva sempre dimostrato. Perciò Sadie era convinta che non si sarebbe tirato indietro e avrebbe accettato la sua bizzarra proposta. E poi lo aveva colto di sorpresa, sparendo all’improvviso sotto il tavolo del bar al quale erano seduti.

«Grazie ai numerosi shot di tequila, i miei familiari freni inibitori sono dati per dispersi».

Non era “pratica” di quanto stava per fare, ma era certa sarebbe riuscita a spiazzare entrambi con questo gesto provocatorio. Uscendo dalla sua confort zone voleva dimostrare a suo ex fidanzato, al suo migliore amico e soprattutto a sé stessa, di essere in grado di dar piacere ad un uomo.

Aston era l’amico di una vita.

Per questo il motivo Sadie aveva smorzato qualunque sentimento avesse iniziato a provare per lui quando erano al liceo, perché non voleva perdere la sua amicizia. Lui e Amanda erano come una famiglia per lei, il luogo sacro in cui si rifugiava quando sistematicamente veniva disapprovata da suo padre, per il quale non era mai abbastanza, non all’altezza, mai degna di nota.

Ma se con Ashton avesse superato quel confine, sarebbe stata disposta ad accettare la possibilità di diventare semplicemente un’altra tacca sulla sua cintura?

🖋️È stata una lettura sorprendente. Si tratta di un romanzo erotico, a tratti leggero, che si legge velocemente e in modo piacevole, ma non mi aspettavo che trattasse anche argomenti importanti come la famiglia, la stima e il rispetto per sé stessi, ma anche le discriminazioni sociali, ancora oggi perpetrate e maggiormente evidenti negli ambienti facoltosi.

🖋️Sadie nutre dei pregiudizi nei confronti di Ashton data la sua reputazione. È vero che è un dongiovanni che non ama le relazioni stabili e non desidera impegnarsi seriamente, ma è anche quel tipo di persona che non ti aspetti, generosa e altruista, un vero gentiluomo che apre la portiera alla donna con cui si accompagna.

Un uomo che ha saputo dimostrare con fierezza la propria integrità tenendo testa al padre di Sadie. E proprio questo suo gesto avrà un’influenza positiva sulla ragazza, che finalmente avrà il coraggio di gridare al mondo i suoi veri sogni e affrontare a cuore aperto la sua famiglia.

🖋️Una frizzante storia di amici/amanti, peccaminosa e dalle scene bollenti cariche di erotismo.

*Ringrazio la CE per la copia ARC 

 

 

[Coco.V]

💝FREE on Amazon today (5/25/2018)!💝

Blurb:
Sadie Sawyer wants to learn how to blow a guy. She’s my sister’s best friend. The girl I’ve known since grade school. The girl I’ve always considered off-limits. She’s the girl that crawled under a table in a bar one night and changed everything between us.

Now the brain in my pants is more than willing to step up. The rules are simple.

No kissing.
No screwing.
No falling in love.

But the more I let her use my body in the name of experimentation, the more I know being friends isn’t enough. Is it too much to want it all with her?

The taste of her lips.
The sweetness of her innocence.
The chance to earn her love.

I might have a real shot with her…if her douchebag ex and my past don’t ruin everything.

[Beneath The Covers Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friends-to-lovers romance with an eccentric twist!

I really enjoyed this book. Swallow Me Whole was quite a surprise with everything that happened in the storyline. Friends-to-lovers, a controlling father, a cheating ex, and so much more! I can’t go too much further because, ya know, spoilers and all that jazz.

But I will say this, Ashton and Sadie had insta-erotic chemistry! Wowza…I think I got first degree burns from the red-hot flames bursting between them! And the unexpected *cough* “desires” Ashton expresses pushes the heat index to combustible. Seriously, drink lots of fluids while reading as this story will burn right through you!

The character development and growth progressed wonderfully and blended perfectly with the progression of the storyline. But (and this was the only issue I had), I was slightly irritated with Sadie’s objections towards Ashton’s feelings. Yes, Ashton’s past was very “colorful” and he didn’t have the best track record (if any) with relationships. But everyone should be given the chance to show they’ve changed, right?

Swallow Me Whole was a fun and fiery quick read! If you’re looking for a smoking-hot, friends-to-lovers romance, than this is the book for you!

4 Stars!

*ARC provided for a voluntary honest review.* ~Kelly

[Crystal (Crystalreads2) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I would have given the book a high rating, and here is why I didn't. The heroine is a doormat. She finds her boyfriend has cheated on her, and she does nothing. Her father runs her life, wants her to be with said boyfriend, and work for him; she does nothing, granted it's part of the story for her to find her voice. But I don't like reading doormats.


I do like the original storyline and the steam of the book. I adored Ashton; he had a great way to push Sadies boundaries. Once I put aside the doorstep issues, this was a fun, quick read, and I did like how finally, Sadie found her voice.

[Life on Readpeat · Rating 4 out of 5]

* Read more of my reviews at Whoo Gives A Hoot *

Swallow Me Whole is my very first Gemma James read and I have got to say that I loved it! This story was absolutely hilarious and I adored the friends-to-lovers aspect that the author gave us. I couldn't help by fall in love with Sadie and Ashton, childhood friends that find themselves getting a little friendly after a night of drinking...

To find out what happens after that unexpected night make sure to pick up your copy today!

[April Symes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadie and Ashton have been friends since childhood. Both had a crush on the other for most of that time, but kept it to themselves. Ashton turned into this manwhore who doesn’t do relationships. While Sadie has a fear of intimacy which leads to her never finding a satisfying relationship and the one she was in ends due to the man cheating on her. So Sadie decides to ask her best friend Ashton for help to overcome her fears. He agrees to teach her the art of oral sex and seduction. Ashton has always cared so much for Sadie, has always been in love with her but hadn’t thought of making a move on her…until this experiment. Told in dual POV, This is a great friends to lovers story that shows what happens when you stop being friends and start pursuing a relationship other than friendship. Its steamy, its sizzling and its emotional. The existing strong friendship was needed in order for them to survive their crazy idea of them trying out this experiment of Ashton trying to teach her what is needed to keep a man but really, the only man she was going to keep was him. I loved Ashton’s sis. She was so funny and added that touch of sass. Overall, this was a great romance read and I enjoyed every bit of this story.

My Rating: 4.6 stars *****
“I received an advanced copy of this book from the author at no cost to me."

[Veronica 🌸 Ronnie.Bookdreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

“lei è la mia metà. Lei è l’unica ragazza con cui io possa essere me stesso, l’unica ad aver scavato così in profondità, sotto la mia pelle, da diventare parte di me.”

AVVERTENZE ✋
Questo libro causa una serie dipendenza una volta per iniziato è scientificamente provato che Svilupperete una seria dipendenza da Ashton


🔥Sadie è fin troppo dolce mette sempre prima la felicità delle altre persone sbagliando perché dovrebbe mettere se stessa sempre al primo posto.
Per maggior parte del libro ho desiderato fortemente che si ribellasse dal dominio del padre che pretendeva di decidere della sua vita ma ciò accade perché lei glielo permette.
Ho compreso perché cercasse sempre di compiacerlo ma avrei voluto solo che mettesse se stessa al di sopra di tutto, perché niente è più importante della propria felicità e se chi dovrebbe amarti al di sopra di ogni cosa non riesco a capirlo significa che non merita neanche il tuo amore.
Suo padre lo trovato egoista e manipolatore ho odiato che usasse l’affetto che provava la figlia e la sua paura di deluderlo per spingerla a fare come voleva consapevole del potere che esercitava.




🔥 Ashton e Sadie sono amici fin da piccoli sono l’uno la famiglia dell’altro mai avrebbero potuto immaginare e ammettere che potessero andare oltre, per anni si sono ritrovati a nascondere i sentimenti che provano da sempre.
La loro storia inizierà propria una sera in cui complice l’alcol Sadie prenderà coraggio di fare ciò che avrebbe voluto fare da un bel po di tempo, e sarà proprio quella stessa decisione che faranno venire in mente ad Ashton di darle delle lezioni per far imparare a Sadie ciò che ha sempre fatto solo immaginato.
Sarà un viaggio intenso e alla scoperta di se stessi, vi ritroverete in un limbo di erotismo, affrontando sentimenti a lungo taciuti.

“La sua vulnerabilità genera dipendenza, ed il modo in cui lei ripone la sua fiducia in me, al di là della paura che so che le si sta insinuando nella mente, è disarmante.”

🔥L’amore è passione qualcuno senza cui non vivi,
per il corso dell’intero libro questa frase mi vorticava costantemente nella mente e tra la paura di non vedere questa coppia nascere, e il loro amarsi da lontano per anni, tutti i drammi e il costante coinvolgimento di altre persone, sono di parte lo ammetto ma ho fatto il tifo per Ashton fin da subito, questo ragazzo cresciuto senza un padre con solo la madre a fargli da genitore tutta la rabbia che ogni adolescente proverebbe nel dover crescere senza la figura paterna ma allo stesso tempo è un ragazzo che pur avendo una una vita difficile con i mezzi che ha avuto a disposizione non si è mai arreso si è rimboccato le maniche e si è costruito una vita più che modesta.
Sadie è stata la mia spina nel fianco avrei voluto scuoterla e farle aprire gli occhi ma non c’è ne sarebbe stato bisogno in realtà perché lei aveva solo paura: di perdere Ashton però alla fine dimostrerà di essere una donna forte e di poter tenere testa a un genitore che non l’ha mai capita da sempre sempre troppo accecato dal bisogno di comandare dimenticando che avrebbe solo dovuto proteggere sua figlia da chi la feriva e non da chi l’amava.



🔥La famiglia sono le persone che ti scegli coloro che ti permettono di commettere i tuoi sbagli, che ti sono accanto ad ogni passo che non pretendono di scegliere al tuo posto ma che ti sono vicini, Mandy la sua migliore amica e sorella gemella di Ashton è sempre stato tutto questo è anche molto altro, è stata una sorella, una migliore amica è stata paziente e le ha fatto sempre prendere le sue decisioni senza pressarla E solo tra le sue braccia poteva ammettere come si sentiva ammettendo di aver paura, si è sentita capita e protetta.
l’amore ha mille sfumature ogni giorno ci si ritrova a combattere per preservarlo.

“Se le anime gemelle esistono davvero, se ci sono due metà che, insieme, formano un tutt’uno, allora Sadie è il mio destino.”

[Tai Nelson-Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy friends to lovers stories and I do like Gemma James. This one was an okay story. I didn't feel the deep connection between the characters. Especially for friends becoming lovers. I finished the story but it isn't something that I would reread.

[Delanique Waller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but hate the title😂😂😅

[jc · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

[Kim Whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wanted to shout from the roof tops on how phenomenal a book was? Well that’s exactly what I want to do!! Written so perfectly with so many feels! Ashton and Sadie stole my heart! I was so enamored by the whole experience!! Captivated by their brooding relationship!! And holy hotness the for play was off the charts!! Phenomenal!! This one literally swallowed me whole!!

[Leila · Rating 1 out of 5]

There is SO MUCH unnecessary ow drama in this book. It is so predictable. Even though the H has always had feelings for the h, he slept around with everything that had legs and was a total manwhore. Of course, she is a total virgin with her only experience being kissing. I mean, really?

The thing that got me the most was after the h went down on the H for the first time and they were starting their relationship, he goes to his hookup’s house and makes her get naked in front of a window and lean over the desk. He proceeds to spank her a couple times and dirty talk her. After that, he puts the condom on and feels how wet she is with his fingers and the lines his dick up with her “opening.”
And then he …. Stops?????? I mean, I still think that this is cheating so I don’t care that he didn’t technically fuck her. This part really pissed me off for obvious reasons.

Anyway, I hated this book.

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maria Antonietta - per RFS
.
Sadie Sawyer è la tipica brava ragazza americana: di buona famiglia, giovane, bella e troppo accondiscendente. La sera in cui scopre il fidanzato che se la spassa con la segretaria decide di trasgredire, ubriacandosi con i suoi migliori amici, i fratelli gemelli Amanda e Ashton Levine.

Nell’ebrezza dell’alcool e persuasa dalla leggerezza che ne deriva, si lascia andare con Ashton in una veste alquanto provocante e priva di inibizioni.

La ragazza è una vergine per scelta, in attesa dell’uomo giusto e molto insicura di sé.

Umiliata per il tradimento subito e confusa più che mai, trova conforto nel ragazzo che le ha fatto battere il cuore sin da bambina (ma questo lui non lo sa).

“Accidenti, Sawyer. Tu non potresti trattare con uno come me.”
E, detto questo, si allontana.
“Tu sei troppo dannatamente dolce.

Ashton è un bel vedere, uno che non passa certo inosservato ed è sempre circondato da splendide ragazze. Il carattere dominante è un aspetto che Sadie non conosce ma che non tarderà a scoprire. Niente baci tanto per cominciare e stabilito ciò, complice la potente attrazione fisica da sempre sopita, i due si accordano per incontrarsi segretamente e darci sotto con delle sessioni di introduzione al sesso, per rendere Sadie più scaltra e sicura di sé.

La regola fondamentale è preservare la loro amicizia, senza un coinvolgimento emotivo e mantenendo intatta la verginità della ragazza.


Chi è questo ragazzo?
Non riesco a conciliare la versione dell’Ashton in piedi di fronte a me con il ragazzo con cui sono cresciuta. È un cazzo di camaleonte magistrale.


Questa lettura è stata sorprendente e la sinossi non gli rende affatto giustizia.

Vi imbatterete in una commedia romantica ad alto tasso erotico e, come sempre, “Gemma James” non si è smentita, rivelandosi un’autrice che genera con le sue parole una carica sensuale ad altissimi livelli.

I personaggi si intersecano alla perfezione, lui è potente e l’ho adorato, sprigiona una forza incredibile in ogni ambito e una sensualità spiccata. È un dominatore con una notevole esperienza sessuale alle spalle e con un repertorio niente male.

Sadie invece è l’anello debole, sottomessa alla famiglia con un padre autorevole e maschilista, (un vero idiota che ho detestato fin da subito). È troppo perbene per opporsi alle prese di posizione che gli impone il genitore, che è anche il suo datore di lavoro.

Il fidanzato fedifrago è un opportunista che si vuole accalappiare la gallina dalle uova d’oro con la complicità del padre di Sadie. Per finire la ex scopamica di Ashton movimenterà la vicenda con un cliché scontato e mai fuori moda, che metterà a dura prova il sentimento nascente tra i due amici-amanti.

Più tempo passo con Ash, più rotoliamo giù nella tana del Bianconiglio, catapultandoci nell’ignoto.


Con un doppio POV scoprirete gli stati d’animo di entrambi i protagonisti, attraverso una lettura appassionata e scorrevole.

Riuscirà l’uomo dispotico e prepotente di cui si è innamorata Sadie, ad abbattere tutte le barriere di cui si circonda la ragazza facendole perdere il controllo e farla sua una volta per tutte?

Non vi resta che scoprirlo godendovi questa bellissima lettura.

[Terri Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author and I have to say I really enjoyed it. The writing was great, the story really fun to read but there was also that sweet romantic side as well.

Sadie Sawyer is a woman on a mission after catching her boyfriend cheating on her. She can't think of anyone better to ask than her childhood friend Ashton who just happens to be the brother of her best friend for some assistance with her lack of sexual experience in the bedroom department. Sadie has known Ashton since they were children and although years ago she had a teenage crush on him; she is over that and confident that Ashton is the one who can help her. Of course Ashton jumps at the chance, he's a manwhore but has lots of respect for Sadie and wouldn't hurt her for the world. Ground rules are laid, discussions had, this is just a platonic friendship with Ashton teaching her how to sexual please a man, no falling in love and definitely no kissing; easy right ? Let the fun begin and boy does it just !!

I adored Ashton's character, he is all alpha male, a bad boy but with a honest to good soul who knows and says exactly what he wants / feels and stands by his words, a man to be admired indeed.
Sadie grew on me eventually but she was a little too weak for me, she needed to grow some balls especially where her father was concerned. In fact just about life in general, she was a frustrating character to read at times until she came into her own a lot later on in the book.

All in all a fun book to read, I finished it really quickly because I just couldn't put it down. In places it was a little over the top and a little unrealistic but that is what fiction is all about and who cares when the story was so good anyway !!!

[Cherry Pie]

Okay, è un erotico. Un erotico di quelli hot, mucho calor. Però la differenza, (lo dico sempre, sono un disco rotto, avete ragione ma devo dirlo) la fa la scrittura. Gemma James racconta la storia della crescita psicologica di Sadie Sawyer, una ragazza che nonostante età e cultura dentro di sé è ancora un’adolescente timorosa e insicura, fino a farla diventare una splendida donna che decide per se stessa e sa farsi valere.

Il mezzo per questa crescita? L’incredibile Ashton Levine, amico di sempre e gemello di Mandy, migliore amica di Sadie.



Il resto della storia è puro estratto di eros che cola fuori dalle pagine e inonda occhi e mente. Descritto con stile e senza diventare mai volgare, né troppo pesante perché la James riesce sempre a mantenere il tono divertente e leggero.

Una maestra di rara bravura in un genere che contrariamente a ciò che potrebbe sembrare, non è per niente facile.

“Non riesco a conciliare la versione dell’Ashton in piedi di fronte a me con il ragazzo con cui sono cresciuta. È un cazzo di camaleonte magistrale.”

Innamoratevi di Ashton e trattenetevi dal lanciare il kindle dalla finestra per la frustrazione di una Sadie troppo remissiva e accondiscendente. Credetemi, imparerà. Oh se imparerà!

Navillus.
https://www.thedirtyclubofbooks.it/sw...

[max · Rating 4 out of 5]

i’ve never been so pro choice in my life like i would’ve gotten the clothes hanger out myself if it meant that girl would fuck off and let my bffs to lovers be together come on now

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lights off no kissing to lights on kissing

[Andrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
The plot:
Sadie is a 23 year old woman who works at her father's company. One afternoon she decides to surprise her boyfriend (who also works there) but instead she finds him cheating on her with his assistant. Devestated she calls her friends (Mandy and Ashton) for support and gets drunk. She thinks the main reason she was cheated on is not only because she didn't give her V card yet but also because she won't even give oral (because she doesn't know how). So, on her stupor she goes under the table and starts doing the deed on her friend Ashton. You see, she always had a thing for him but he's a famous manwhore so she didn't reveal anything. What she doesn't know is that Ashton is crazy about her for years now but thought she didn't share the sentiment. After the deed under the table, he comes up with a plan. He will help her on the sex department (anything but kissing on the mouth and intercouse) while he will try to get under her skin and convince her to give him a proper chance to date her.

My opinion:
I loved Ashton. Ashton is how I want my boyfiend in real life to be. He is affectionate, romantic, handsome with a body of a God and really really good in bed. He is the type of man that treats you like a queen unless you are in his bedroom. In there, he calls the shots and makes all the decisions. Sex wise he's an alpha who likes it rough, blending a bit o pain with arousal. I did not like the decision he took to make Corinne think they had a chance but I understand he did it only because she was blackmailing him into having an abortion (fake pregnancy sham) if he didn't commit to her. Also, I didn't like tha fact that poor Ashton did all the pulling in his relationship with Sadie and even after the book finished I had the feeling he deserved more. He went along with all her rules time and time again just to have her and I wanted her to love him as much as he did. I wanted her to chase him a little.
Now Sadie. It's not that I didn't like her. It's the fact that she pissed me off every other page. She is the reason why this book is not in my 5 star shelf. Her spineless behaviour and cowardness had no bounds. She was trying to come out as the person that wanted to please everybody and didn't like fights but she only came out as a 23 year old woman who was acting 17 and couldn't stand up for her self to save her life. I knew her time would come and she would take control back and thank God she did. She realized to what lenghts her father was willing to go to control her life so she decided to kick him out of her life and finally follow her heart and do what she wants to do. (still a bit late if you ask me. She should have done that when her father took her ex boyfriend's side when she caught him cheating and announce her angagement to that douchebag a couple of days later after their break-up in frond of all the people who went to his party. What I didn't know is that she would go back to a spineless mouse right after and keep Ashton in the friend-ish zone, for no good reason, for a month before, again, he took charge to change it.
Loved Mandy. I hope she gets her own book someday.
I wish there was more of a solid HEA. He asked her to marry him and she said yes....someday.

Conclusion:
If you are searching for a deep meaning book or an emotionally charged one then keep on looking. This is the book for you if you are searching for a light, very steamy book. Something that you will read in between those deep meaning or emotional books or something that you will read because simply you are horny and in the mood for an alpha yound guy who knows his way around the bedroom.

Advance Reader's Copy kindly provided by the author in exchange for my honest review.

[Steven Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

**Full disclosure – I received Swallow Me Whole free in exchange for a review.**

For super trope-laden best friends to lovers romance Swallow Me Whole was not a terrible romance. Swallow Me Whole follows typical romance tropes, with a lot of typical romantic angst.

I really disliked how the MC does not stand up to her father until nearly the very end of the book. I also found the fact that the MC was still a virgin at 23 to be a bit unrealistic. I understand that romance books such as Swallow Me Whole are not reality based. I find virginity in this day and age so late in life a little hard to believe. I know I should just hit the ‘I Believe’ button and carry on, but to me virginity so late in life stretches the author’s credibility.

I really disliked how the MC’s father tells her to go ahead and marry her a-hole of an ex-boyfriend after she caught him banging his assistant in his office after hours. What kind of jerk father does that to his daughter? The MC is a doormat through much of the book and gets pushed around by her overbearing father a lot.

There is a fair bit of foul language, but not as much as some other books in this genre. Dialogue is easy to follow even for a knuckle dragging male such as myself. Character development is a little light, but enough so the pieces fall into place.

The sex is frequent, graphic and just slightly on the side of light BDSM and roughness (YMMV). Swallow Me Whole sex is well written and the sex scenes are a bit erotic. The sex does not slide to the pornographic, but are still very well described with little left to the imagination. Not what I would consider word porn, so if you seek that look elsewhere.

The male best friend to lover likes to be the one in charge in bed. He orders the woman to her knees a few times, and likes to roughly guide her mouth by her hair when she orally pleasures him. Not 50 Shades of Puke BDSM, but does have some echoes of that horrible book.

Ultimately, I found Swallow Me Whole to be a meh romance. Swallow Me Whole is not something I would have read had I not received it for free. I probably would not read anything from this author again unless I received it for free.

[Kathleen Lemke (Kathy Page) · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating: 3 stars

What I liked: I liked the friendship between Sadie(h) and Mandy. I also liked the drama that came from the ow.

What I didn’t like: I didn’t like how we didn’t get to read the conversation between Ash(H) and Sadie after he talked to Corrine confirming that she wasn’t pregnant (to me it was a missed opportunity) I also would have liked to know if the dad ever apologized.

How hot was it: 3 out 5

Triggers: H and h are friends and start something more after h catches her fiancé cheating on her. A chick that the H had a sexual relationship with says she is pregnant by him and causes problems. Some light bdsm and h is a virgin.

Final thoughts: This was an ok read. I needed a little more (see what I didn’t like). Overall is wasn’t a bad read but I probably wouldn’t reread it.

[Pelusa Rivera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..Sadie finds her boyfriend Jake cheating on her as she was on her way to surprise, unfortunately she was the one that was surprised. Heartbroken she asks her best friend Ashton to teach her, they have rules so that they are no complications well rules are made to be broken. Feeling start developing as they are trying out things and of course we have complications in the developing romance. Sadie's father was a jerk who discards Sadie's feelings and till promotes Jake and still wants Sadie to marry him..(wow father of the year). Then we also have OW drama telling Ashton that they are pregnant, destroying what he had with Sadie..What happens well you need to read.

[Carole · Rating 1 out of 5]

Amazon freebie had Swallow Me Whole and opening chapters of Trashy Foreplay. Rough BJ Sex and infidelity -in both stories women felt very, very disempowered - immature and dysfunctional relationships were too much like bad TV Soap Opera - not my cup of tea! Toasted from Ebook Library...