Silk and Shadows

The Virgin Diaries #3

by Lauren Landish

Sassy, classy, and in no need of a man. That's me.

At least, until now.

My mouth has been known to get me into trouble, and now is a perfect example. I've been asked to tutor the star of the football team, Zach Knight. To top it off, no one can know, and I have to pretend to be his girlfriend as a cover story.

And he’s insufferable, thinking with this other head. But the more I sass him, the more he wants me. The more I say no, a word the Big Man on Campus rarely hears, the more he chases me. But his alpha attitude is doing crazy things to me.

Every snarl I make sounds more like a purr. Every bratty pout looks more like a naughty invitation.

And as the line between real and pretend blurs, I suddenly find myself wanting Zach to take everything from me.

My body, my virginity, and maybe even my heart.

Genres: Romance, New Adult, College, Sports Romance, Sports, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

126 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 18, 2018

About the author

Lauren Landish is a WALL STREET JOURNAL & USA TODAY bestselling author and her books have garnered a legion of praise from her readers.

When she’s not plotting about how she will introduce you to your next sexy as hell book boyfriend, you can find her deep, deep in her writing cave, furiously tapping away on her keyboard, writing scenes that would make even a hardened sailor blush.

Lauren, who lives in NC with her boyfriend and fur baby, warmly invites you to her worlds of rock hard abs, chiseled smiles, and men with deep, fat pockets…but beware! These stories are guaranteed to have you addicted and needing your next fix!

Visit Lauren's Website at: http://www.laurenlandish.com/
Join the Mailing list at: http://www.subscribepage.com/w1h8x6
Connect with me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lauren.landish
Follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenlandish

Reviews

[➦Paulette & Her Sexy Alphas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: ➳ ❤- Silk and Shadows
:Series ➳ The Virgin Diaries 3#
Author: ➳ Lauren Landish
Publication:, September 18, 2018
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐


ღ I must say I love how Lauren Landish always mix in just the right amount of humor in to her books

➳Norma Jean is a college Journalism & is asked to tutor/girlfriend Zach Knight the starting quarterback of the football team

➳Thing heat up from their first meet …

➳Norma Jean is a sassy no hold bar kinda girl

➳Zach is cocky football player, who is currently at risk for losing his spot on the football team cuz of his English grades.

📚 I love how Norma & Zach can push each other buttons so skillfully to get a rise out of each other. It’s so funny to watch. Both are so mouthy & stubborn.. This is insta-love story with nerdY virgin & arrogant, cocky jock. The chemistry between them is off the charts. So just sit back & enjoy the ride


📚 Hope you enjoy this read & also always keep in mind this is just my opinion & my honest review 💕

💕 I received an EXCLUSIVE copy of this book in exchange for my honest review of it. 💕

💕 . .**This has not influenced my review.* **


💕 ✎Paulette Review ❤💕

[Hanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silk and Shadows is the third book in the Virgin Diaries series. It can be read as a standalone. I really liked this series so far. It was always exactly what I needed when I read it. Every book was hot and it had some drama. Every book was also fast paced, but maybe a little too much given how innocent every woman was. I enjoyed Silk and Shadows a lot and it was over too soon.

Silk and Shadows tells us Norma Jean and Zach’s love story. Norma is Liam’s (from Leather and Lace, the Virgin Diaries #2) little sister. I already liked her in that book and I liked her even more in this book. Norma is feisty, passionate, independent, honest and caring. She has the dream of being an important journalist. She studies and works very hard to achieve that. Zach is talented, strong, honest, passionate and reliable. He’s amazing at football and he loves playing it. He’s important to the team. I really liked Zach!

Norma and Zach’s relationship started out as a fake one. Nobody expected the jock and the nerd to be together for real, and that was perfect for everybody. But there was chemistry and banter between Norma and Zach from the start. They are actually perfect for each other and exactly what they were looking for in love. Norma and Zach are a solid, beautiful and hot couple.

-- My honest review is based on an advanced reader copy of this book. --

[Clau · Rating 1 out of 5]

La sinopsis tenía todo lo que me gusta, y sin embargo... probablemente una de las peores lecturas del año.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was steamy! I really enjoyed reading Zach and Norma's story! The story-line was a quite classic one, with low drama and not very eventful but still sweet and smooth to read! What I needed right now!

[ari · Rating 5 out of 5]

best story out of the three most definitely. i’m highly gonna miss this couple.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 star. Skimmed most of it.. I actually think I skimmed more than I read.. :/

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silver - per RFS
.
Salve Fenici!!!

Norma Blackstone è una ragazza intelligente e senza peli sulla lingua, che studia giornalismo all’università. Un giorno riceve l’incarico di fare da tutor a Zach Knight, stella nascente della squadra universitaria di football, bello e sicuro di sé. Dovrà farlo però sotto copertura, fingendo di essere la sua fidanzata.

Tra i due scatta subito una forte attrazione e infatti i loro incontri in biblioteca non avranno come unico fine lo studio! Nel frattempo Zach si è fatto un nemico subdolo che è disposto a tutto, anche a usare Norma come una pedina, pur di rovinarlo, sia sul campo da gioco sia nella vita privata.

Questo libro purtroppo non mi ha trasmesso emozioni; non so se sia stato a causa della trama poco originale, ma non mi ha coinvolta.

L’autrice, Lauren Landish, ha voluto dare maggior spazio alle scene erotiche piuttosto che farci capire gli stati d’animo dei protagonisti, non che non si intuiscano, sia chiaro, ma non approfondisce i personaggi, come se non volesse farci empatizzare con loro. La velocità eccessiva con la quale i due protagonisti decidono di fare anche sesso nella biblioteca, bruciando quindi ogni minima tappa, porta seriamente a pensare che l’unico obiettivo del libro sia descrivere la parte erotica e così, il racconto perde di fascino e magia.

Rimane comunque una lettura scorrevole, piacevole e poco impegnativa, ideale sotto l’ombrellone.

Buona lettura!!!

[Erin Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 star review of Silk and Shadows: The Virgin Diaries #3 by Lauren Landish
AUDIO Review:

Having listened to the previous two books in the series from Lauren Landish and the narrating combination of Tor Thom and Melissa Moran I couldn’t wait to one click Silk and Shadow and listen.

I was hooked from chapter one. Zach and Norma were great characters. This was a steamy listen and although not a long book Lauren Landish packed a lot into this story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Silk & Shadows was full of fabulous scenes and honestly I was disappointed when it ended. Once again Tor Thom and Melissa Moran did an awesome job narrating and bringing this story to life.

[Amy Leibenguth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 in the Virgin diaries. This book is stand alone, though some characters from previous books show up. Norma is a student who works hard. Zach, star football player, is currently at risk for losing his spot on the football team because of his English grade. Norma becomes his tutor under the ruse of being his girlfriend, only it’s not a ruse! Zach proves to her they can be a real couple. Norma is a bit fearful because, let face it, the jock and the geek? These two have serious sparks and personalities that are perfect for each other! Definitely a match made in heaven for these two! Great book and an author I will continue to read.

[Marty Sandvik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my favorite out of the trilogy. I loved the chemistry between Zach and Norma Jean. She was his nerdy brat and he was her egotistical jock. Their hot library sessions and sassy exchanges were extremely entertaining and I rooted for them throughout the whole book.

[Sara Oxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silk and Shadows by Lauren Landish a five-star read that will go down like silk. This is the third book in the Virgin Diaries series and they can all be read as stand-alone, but I have loved each and every one. Norma Jean Blackstone is a great character, she is strong and smart and isn’t afraid to let her tongue do the talking, the trouble is when she meets her match that bratty little tongue will do more than talking. This was a phenomenal read, I am a huge fan of the author generally and I don’t know what it was with this one, but it blew my socks off. This author just has a great talent of writing sweet and funny with a hotness that melts your face off without being all showy and raw.

[Margo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This author has a lot of potential, but her books lack dramatic tension. I don't know what's missing, but something definitely is.

[Hart's Reader Group · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was shallow, lacked emotional depth and sexual tension, and left too many plot points unresolved. This was a nope from me.

[Anna Valsa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing special 😐

[April Symes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Bk 3 in the Virgin diaries. This book is a standalone, although you can expect some characters from previous books to show up. Norma is a student who works really hard. Zach is a star football player who is currently at risk for losing his spot on football team because of his bad English grades. Norma ends up becoming his tutor under the ruse of being his girlfriend but guess what--- it’s not a lie! Zach shows her they can be a true couple. Norma is a bit leery because the jock and the geek really never fit, right? All I can say, Zach and Norma really lit up this story with their electricity and heat. This was such a great ending to the Virgin Diaries series by Ms. Landish. I look forward to reading what comes next by this author.

My rating: 4.5 stars *****

[EpicRomanceReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

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¸.•´¸.•⭐´¨) ¸.•⭐'¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`
❤~🌟~❤ 4 WINSOME STARS! ❤~🌟~❤

I love me a sweet and sexy NA sports romance, and in SILK AND SHADOWS (THE VIRGIN DIARIES #3) by Lauren Landish, I was cheering like a cray cray cheerleader for The Brat and The Jock!!

THE PREMISE:
What do you get when you pair up one smart and sassy college reporter who is recruited to tutor a roguishly sexy, all-star football stud? A whole lotta sizzling hot sparks that’s what! And it gets even more complicated when the put-out ingénue must pretend to be said football hottie’s pretend girlfriend! But the real trouble arises when this ridiculous ruse actually ends up igniting some very real feelings! Can these two hopelessly smitten polar opposites go the distance? You gotta listen to find out but prepare to be TOTALLY TRANSFIXED from start to finish!

MY MUSINGS:
Lauren Landish scored bigtime with this uber fun, flirty and wildly sexy novel featuring a hunky, hotshot star quarterback and the tart-tongued smarty pants who can’t help but covet him! This is the third installment in the author’s Virgin Diaries series, but this can definitely stand alone. In fact, I can fully attest to that since this is my first ever book by the talented romance scribe.

I just RELISHED this fetching romance from start to finish! Zach Knight is the quintessential cocky, arrogant, magnetically sexy alpha who is just plain irresistible…even to our snarky, brainiac heroine! Norma Jean has big dreams and plans to be a successful reporter someday so the last thing she wants to do is take the time to tutor—and pretend to date—this over-confident, self-entitled jerk! But alas she knows agreeing to this bequest by the editor of the school paper could give her a leg up in her journalism career so she grudgingly goes along with the plan. To say she and Zach get off on the wrong foot is an UNDERSTATEMENT!! And it drives her batty that even though he tries her last nerve, his ridiculous come-ons and brazen filthy talk get her all flustered! Which sparks some wicked fantasies of surrendering her V card to the last dude on earth she should ever want!

As for our all-star player, it’s no big surprise that though Zach needs some help with his English class, he is hardly a dumb jock. And yeah even though their relationship is all for pretend to cover up his need for academic support, he can’t help but be enamored with his adorably bratty tutor who has surprising vulnerability and wicked wantonness lurking underneath her prickly, good girl exterior. Sighhhh! He is 100 percent alpha caveman with a sweet chivalrous side that had me melting into a puddle!

Bottom Line? Ms. Landish sure knows how to pen a pulse racing sports romance that tugs at your heartstrings and gets you all hot and bothered! Zach and Norma’s chemistry is OFF THE CHARTS, their razor sharp banter had me giggling up a storm, and their red-hot lusty sexcapades were positively THERMAL! Aside from their electrifying attraction, Norma and Zach also connected on a surprisingly deep emotional level. And there was a dramatic twist at the end involving a nemesis on the field that added some adrenaline-pumping drama into the mix!

THE NARRATION
The audio narration by Tor Thom and Melissa Moran was absolutely enchanting! Melissa was wonderfully cast as Norma Jean. She embodied the sassy, ambitious and secretly insecure heroine perfectly, and as the story unfolded her expert narration really conveyed the evolution of this character. I loved seeing how Norma Jean’s prickly edges were softened by the love of the devastatingly handsome QB who stealthily staked a claim on her heart! As for the Zach narration, Tor Thom tantalized from start of finish! He just charmed the panties off me—for REALS--and just breathed flesh and blood life into this sweet, roguishly sexy and gruffly tender jock! Mr. Thom is a fast-rising star in the audio narration industry and definitely a man to watch!!

A SENSATIONAL MUST LISTEN!

[Jessy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was a pleasant surprise! It's a relatively short read and the relationship between the leads happens very quickly (I felt like they got into a relationship immediately, with zero development), but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Both of the leads were very likeable (even though I was put off by the heroine's comments about sluts) and despite the instalust I did believe their connection. I liked that there was no misunderstanding or lack of communication between them. They had good chemistry, and the dirty talk and exhibicionism scenes were hot (don't read this if you're bothered by sex scenes in public places though, lol). I was only bothered by the fact that there was ZERO mention of condom or birth control use - keeping in mind the hero's history and the heroine's inexperience, that was kind of baffling.

I'm not familiar with this author, but I will check out her other books. Apparently, the heroine from this book already appeared in the previous book in the series.

--------------
POV: 1st person (dual)
story: 3.5
writing: 4
heroine: Norma, 19y(?), college freshman and an aspiring journalist. 4 stars. I liked her pride, wit and honesty, but I was really bothered by her judging other women for their sexual relationships or their looks (fake boobs etc.).
hero: Zach, 21y(?), college sophomore and starting quarterback. 4 stars. I liked him a lot, also the fact that he had zero qualms about beginning a serious relationship with Norma.
secondary characters: 3
couple/romance: 4
instalove? Not really. There is instant attraction and they get into a relationship almost immediately, but it takes some time for feelings to surface.
steam: High. Very good chemistry and hot sex scenes.
angst: Low/moderate.
enjoyment: 4
ending: HEA with an epilogue.

[Brenda Motza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy hell yeah!

Lauren Landish is the da bomb. This lady's writing is fan-damn-tastic. She knows how to pull you into a story and keep you going until the end. And then, you don't want it to end. I plowed thru this story and I couldn't stop turning those virtual pages of my Kindle. If this book was a paperback, I would have gotten a paper cut.

I freaking loved Zach and Norma. When Zach thru it all out there and really let Norma know just how he feels about her, I was like, yes, no bs'ing, no push and pull, no skirting around the subject, just dirty talk and true feelings. Norma was a little unnerved at first, because, not only was she a virgin, but she didn't like the cliché of the QB and the nerd, and just figured that Zach would get what he wanted and then throw her away. Ohhhhh, it was so much more than that and then some. And the sexy times, YES, please and thank you. But, I don't think they ever "did it" in a bed, now that I think about it. Ahahaha!

And KARMA! What happened? Oh, but your going to have to read the story to find out.

I just loved that Liam and Arianna make their appearance.

You will just love this third edition of the Virgin Diaries. And, if you haven't read the other two, well, then, shame on you. But, hey, you still have time, so get to it.

*** I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book. ***

[Lisa Menor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

Norma is away at university studying journalism. She's smart, sassy, takes no crap and knows what she wants for her future. Norma is focused on succeeding. Part of her success seems contingent upon her tutoring the star quarterback, Zach Knight...oh and pretending to be his fake girlfriend. Zach is more than surprised when he meets Norma. Norma, on the other hand, not so much. Zach is cocky, arrogant and expects Norma to fall at his feet. All the girls do, so why not her? Well, Norma isn't like any girl Zach has ever met. Norma takes Zach on, sparring with him word for word and never backing down. Norma is affected by Zach also. Her brain is telling her one thing, but her body wants another...Zach, to be exact. But he's a player with the groupies to prove it. Best for Norma to stick to her original plan and then move on. Zach has other ideas, ideas that don't involve studying. Zach has finally met his match. Now, he just has to convince Norma, that together, they are the perfect match.💞
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SERIES, I WISH THERE WERE MORE BOOKS !
THIS WAS ONE WILD RIDE FILLED WITH INSTANT ATTRACTION, COMPLETE TRUST, AND INSATIABLE CRAVING ! FULL OF ADDICTIVE, INTENSE, MIND BLOWING SEX ! ! !🔥🔥🔥
THIS BOOK WILL DEFINITELY KEEP YOUR ATTENTION ! ! !

[Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

SILK AND SHADOWS

Silk and Shadows is book 3 in ‘The Virgin Diaries series’, and I loved it. I have to say normally I’m not a huge fan of college football stories, but I was pleasantly surprised. The storyline was exciting and entertaining, with a good dash of humour. The author did a great job writing this story, it was cleverly executed. I absolutely loved Zach and Norma. Zach is a cocky and arrogant quarterback in college, and he comes across as all those things. Until Norma finds out that under all that charm his also warm and sweet. Norma, is a fiery cracker, whose asked to tutor him. But Norma is anything but a pushover, she’s stubborn and feisty, and has no problem telling Zach how things are. The banter between them is quick, witty and hot. The chemistry between them was undeniable from the beginning and they fit together perfectly. A really great read. A copy was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book with my honest opinion.

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great ending to the Virgin Diaries stories by Ms Landish. Norma Jean is the younger sister to Liam Blackstone who we met in the second book Leather and Lace. She is a college student studying Journalism and is asked to tutor Zach Knight the starting quarterback of the football team. Norma is a feisty young woman with a quick tongue who has no problems letting others know how she feels. Zach is a cocky jock who is just as quick witted as she is. No one has ever stood up to Zach and that alone has him wondering if he has finally met his match. Norma is thinking the same thing. These to are so good together. I loved the story and found it quite entertaining. There is a little rivalry in the form of another player on the team but Zach handles it well. the chemistry between Norma and Zach is so hot and they are definitely risk takers. I like dhow Norma was able to capture Zach's heart and keep it. Great story with a wonderful HEA!

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Bel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a finish to this series! I think this was actually my favorite. Norma is a college student looking to make her way in life through journalism, so when her college editor gives her an assignment to train the QB of their college football team and be his secret girlfriend as a cover, she reluctantly agrees. However as soon as Zach lays eyes on the fiesty Norma, he aptly nicknames her Brat and thus begins a beautiful chemistry of heat, sass, and unbridled passion neither of them would have seen coming.

For all his cockiness and arrogance, Zack was an undercover sweetheart and I definitely fell for his charm. On paper, jock and nerd should not have meshed so well, but these two broke the mold, they were so well suited between their witty banter and daring sexual escapades, I loved every minute. I recieved an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

[Jolene St Germain Triggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot and super cute insta-love story of nerdy Norma Jean and yummy college football star Zach. This was third in a series of shorter books that I really enjoyed. They don't need to be read in order or anything, but some characters show up in other books and we meet Norma Jean in the previous book with her brother Liam. I really liked Norma Jean's nerdy-ness and insecurity in that I felt more connected to her, we all go through insecurity at some point, and I enjoyed watching her evolve and figure out her value. Its an important discovery into our selves that we can all relate to on a basic level. It spoke to me. I think she will be one of those characters that sticks with me for a while. Good book, not super long, you could probably fit the whole series in on a weekend. I look forward to more from one of my favorite one click authors!

[Margery Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a finish to this series!!!
Super characters! Norma is an absolute trip in her ability to “give as good as she gets”. When she is selected to tutor Zach, the team’s star quarterback, it is supposed to be done on the QT. The tutoring leads to a more personal relationship. There are obstacles that waylay things slightly, and the ways they deal with them are often hilarious. Great characters. Lots of excitement in this terrific story that is as always well written by Ms. Landish.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Lula Pantoofle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of football star Zach and nerd Norma. Zach’s grade are failing so he gets a secret tutor. To mask the fact that he is failing Norma must masquerade as his girlfriend. But it all turns real.

I love the tutor trophe so I was all in. I think my only criticism was that Zach fell for Norma almost instantly. I loved their banter and I wanted him to have to work a bit harder and create more tension in the buildup.

It was a pretty hot read with a lot of dirty talk and exhibitionism with a touch of drama. Nothing very angsty though. An entertaining read.

[Samantha J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silk and Shadows is the third book in The Virgin Diaries series and has quickly become my favourite. Zach and Norma (Liam's sister from book 2) are well developed characters with real chemistry between them and they are not just the sweet chemistry each character has their own quirks and they seem to mesh well. The plotline is entertaining and contains all the elements that keep me entertained. Highly recommend it.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silk and Shadows was a fun and sexy college/ sports romance. Norma and Zach seem like they wouldn't belong together, but he loves her sassy attitude. I do, too. She's pretty fierce and funny. These two get all kinds of creative when it comes to the lovin. It's all about location location location. Oh and the possibility of getting caught! In the end, though, Norma ends up more confident and trusting, these two get a happy ever after, and I'm all smiles. I loved it!

[Natasha Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I loved Norma Jean’s spitfire personality in Leather and Lace & couldn’t wait for her story. She is the perfect heroin, with her sassy take no shit attitude. I also loved the chemistry between Norma and Zach, this story was so much better than the normal jock/nerdy girl romance. I received this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Cheryl Graham-Petit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Landish has given her readers a well-written sports romance story with a terrific storyline and great characters. There's plenty of drama, humor, witty banter, explosive chemistry, panty-melting, toe-curling sex, and a HEA.

I volunteered to review an advance reader copy of this book.

[Sarah Hutchinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 4.5 🌟🌟🌟🌟 for this one! These characters... my gosh... like... they definitely got to it and like rabbits, too. 😂 This one had humor, some mild action... and plenty of 🔥🔥🔥... and of course, a HEA. Worth the read.