Sext Addict

by Virna DePaul

Everyone knows there are two types of people in this world: those who participate in sex studies, and those who don’t. 


At first, second, and third glance it would appear that I, Tessa Stewart, professional wallflower, adventure non-seeker, risk avoider, party animal (if that animal is a respectable sloth who doesn’t make much noise and goes to sleep promptly at nine pm), the girl who is remembered by all her collegiate peers of four years as ‘Who?’, would fall squarely onto the side of ‘No’ in the sex study dichotomy. 


So when my best friend accidentally sent me the link to apply for participation in a high paying sex study requiring one girl and three guys, he apologized. I wasn’t that ‘type’ of girl, after all. 


But what he didn’t know was that I was done being any ‘type’ of girl.

I was done being the ‘quiet one' who was in love with her best friend, fantasized about her hot yoga instructor, and despite loathing her Neanderthal drumming neighbor, couldn't stop thinking about him. 


I was done fitting into this box or that so easily. 
I was tired of being the Tessa Stewart who would never, ever participate in a sex study.


I wanted to see, for just once in my life, what it would be like to be the Tessa Stewart who did.


Genres: Erotica, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Amazon, Contemporary, Adult

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 2, 2019

About the author

A former prosecutor, Virna DePaul writes "heat, heart, & HEA" for Harlequin and Random House. She is also a bestselling Indie author, with Bedding The Wrong Brother being a top 100 contemporary romance on Amazon with over 150 5* reviews. www.virnadepaul.com

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/27/2019)! 🎁

[Varya · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really fun and steamy read! Full blown hotness and the guys' were just 🔥👀😍🤤❣️
The texts were so much damn fun. I was laughing sooo hard at Ellis' antics with Tessa's bra 😂
Definitely a great rom com.

[Jeannine Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

INTERVIEW WITH VIRNA DEPAUL
One of the perks of doing spotlight interviews is stepping out of my reading comfort zone and experiencing new tropes. Sext Addict by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Virna DePaul was my first reverse harem romance and I loved it!

This romantic comedy is about Tessa, a wallflower who is buried in crazy debt when she decides to take part in a sex study that will help her get back on her feet. Only catch: she needs to find THREE men to participate with her! This book is funny, sweet and totally blush-worthy.

Click here for your spoiler-free SPOTLIGHT!

VIRNA DEPAUL: Thanks so much for having me! I’m glad you enjoyed Sext Addict and hope your readers will too! 🙂
Jeannine Colette: Tessa Stewart is awkward and shy. Yet, on the inside, she’s feisty and has erotic thoughts. How does this non-risk taker end up wanting to take part in a sex study?

VD: Sometimes it takes being brought to our lowest to finally take some risks in life. By the time her best friend accidentally texts her the link to a sex study, Tessa is broke, has just been evicted, and has let her fears get the better of her–she’s skipped yet another audition and she’s fantasized about three men in her life (Ellis, her yoga instructor, and her neighbor) in vivid detail but as always has failed to do anything about her desire. Now she’s facing having to leave L.A. and move back home. It’s at this point she’s lost so much, she figures she might as well take drastic measures to be a “New Tessa,” one who’s bold and adventurous. What she’ll learn is that she’s always been that Tessa.

JC: The book starts out with Tessa at the gym, oogling her yoga instructor crush, and getting a racy text from her best friend. Then she ends up in an argument with her Neanderthal neighbor. The reader is instantly smitten with Cade, Ellis, and Jamie. How does each of these men fit the “hero” status of the story so well?

VD:They are so different! Ellis is a bad boy actor and Tessa’s best friend. He’s sexually adventurous, a total playboy, but it’s clear he has an important history with Tessa. He’s protective of her, and that’s part of the reason he’s never revealed his feelings. Cade, the yoga instructor, is sensitive and charming and wants nothing more than to convince Tessa that she’s beautiful just the way she is. And Jamie, her neighbor, is just an outrageous sometimes-ass who loves to push Tessa buttons. He’s not afraid to make her mad and uncomfortable. So each man brings out something different in Tessa depending on what she needs. Most of all, they are heroes because they care about her and want to protect her and, of course, want to give her everything she needs, in bed and out.

JC: This is a four-person narrative, giving readers a look into the mind of each character. Was there one character you enjoyed diving into more than the next?

VD: I love them all, but I have to admit, Jamie was a lot of fun! He’s such a brash, unapologetic Neanderthal who likes to push buttons, but he’s totally into Tessa, and seeing him find his place in the group was an emotional journey for me.

JC: There’s a lot of bedroom gymnastics! When creating the choreography for a scene, do you have to map it out or let your imagination run free?

VD: LOL. I let my imagination run free, but then I need to go back and make sure everything makes sense (body parts, positions, etc). I also need to make sure there is an emotional connection between each character in the sex scenes because that’s what takes the scenes beyond the physical. Emotional connection is always important in romance, but it’s particularly challenging in reverse harems.

JC: This is a story about putting your reservations to the side. Is there anything you wish you had the courage to do?

VD: Oh wow. That’s a great question. Like Tessa, I’m pretty reserved most of the time, but there’s a boldness to me that few people know about. Setting aside the fact that I have kids in school and wouldn’t displace them, I’d love to move to a strange city and really explore it. Someplace like London. Or Austin. Or Paris. Or Charleston. Etc. Etc.

JC: Do you have a writing ritual or favorite place to create?

VD: I can pretty much write anywhere but I love my new office. I’ve worked at home for years but it’s easy to get distracted and for life to seem monotonous when I never leave the house. So I recently got an office and decorated it in a modern glam style, something that’s not very realistic at home with a houseful of boys. It’s my getaway where I can listen to my music and write the day away.

JC: This is your second Reverse Harem novel after Nailing Studs. Do you have a third in the works?

VD: I know I want to write one and I’ve got a draft for a cover. I just need to come up with a hook. Nailing Studs involved construction worker heroes and renovating a house, Sext Addict involved accidental sexting and a sex study. Not sure what #3 will involve, but hopefully my readers will take a chance on it.

JC: I can’t wait to read it. Thank you so much for being in the SPOTLIGHT!

You can get more AUTHOR INTERVIEWS by subscribing to my NEWSLETTER.

[debturk1970_bookvibes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Wildly Amusing & Sexy Rom-Com With Lots Of Heart!😄🔥💘😍
A 'New To Me' Author That Made LOL 😂
Sext Addict: A Sexy Romantic Comedy Reverse Harem

I think I've only read one other RH in a contemporary setting before but this book could make me a convert!😃 Its packed full of a proper storyline, rounded out characters & is witty, hot as well as romantic. I loved this read & highly recommend it, it will make you giggle!😂🌟

Debbie, 1970, UK

[Xerxia]

DNF at 15%. It was free, and worth every penny. I was hoping it’d be a smutty, sexy escape. Instead it’s a painful down on her luck hot mess of a TSTL heroine who inexplicably has men salivating all over her. Ugh.

[Megan Riverina Romantics · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5/5
Heat Rating: 4/5

Pet Peeve Alert: There are numerous editing issues in this novella.

[Chandera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Virna DePaul’s new book “Sext Addict” is a funny romantic comedy book. I was drawn in from the beginning. Tessa comes off as someone who doesn’t believe she can do anything, she’s an introvert, but wants to be more out there. She wants to be an actress but is unable to enter to audition. But certain things occur that she decides she wants to be the new Tessa and go for it. When she was accidentally added to a sexting between her best friend and girlfriend at the time she learned about the sex study, a threesome sex study. That’s when she decided to be the new Tessa and started to find three men for this sex study. There are three men she is attractive too. There is Ellis, her best friend, who loves her and wishes for her to ask him. Then there is her neanderthal neighbor Jamie. Lastly there is Cade the yoga instructor. When Tessa was searching for the three men for sex study it was really funny, just for awkwardness. To find out what happens between these three, and if Tessa follows through with the sex study I believe as a reader you should find out. I highly recommend this book.

I was given an advanced reader copy of this book for my honest review.

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went through almost every emotion with this book. This is a story about putting your reservations about yourself aside and making a conscious decision to be yourself; your true self. No talking yourself down and just going for what you want, even if it scares you. Especially if it scares you. Tessa got on my nerves at times and so did Ellis. Case was just so zen and Jamie was just hilarious. Jamie's interactions throughout the book were amazing and I found myself smiling at his antics with Tessa. Tessa decided enough was enough and she needed to take control of her life and stop waiting for things to happen and stop feeling sorry for herself. In doing so, she found the happiness she deserved and the three hotties that were meant to be with her. I was especially happy once Ellis and Tessa stopped their childish games and admitted their feelings. It doesn't hurt hat their sexy scenes were hot and practically melted my kindle! And I love a good epilogue!

[Didi Ps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tessa is accidentally added to a sexy group text conversation, which includes a link for a sex study. Then on the same day, gets kicked out of her gym for non payment of fees, then gets an eviction notice for her apartment.

With all these problems staring her in the face, Tessa decides to participate in the sex study because of the money she’d get from it. The problem is she usually has trouble standing up for herself, yet now has to find & ask three guys to participate in the study with her... at the same time...

She’s found two possibilities for guys, but she’s just so awkward & timid it’s hard to imagine she’ll even be able to ask them, never mind actually do it (she’s so awkward & unlucky that she can’t even take a sexy pic of herself without her phone dying on her). As for the 3rd guy? She would love to consider her best friend, but again, she’s too shy to even contemplate it.

This was a nice, fun book to read. Quite original, too!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

So as you can guess from the cover this is a reverse harem romance. However, this one is slightly different in that Tessa who hardly dates at all, she considers herself to be a wallflower, decides to break out of her usual behavior. And boy does she make a change! She decides to apply to become part of a sex study. First because she needs the cash and secondly she wants to change her life. Only problem, she needs to find three guys to join her and she doesn't have the courage to even ask one guy, let alone three!
This was a fun romance with four wildly different characters. There is the yoga instructor with the man-bun, the hot best friend with a secret crush, and a crazy Irish neighbor who likes to play the drums all night and then there is Tessa. Expect plenty of steamy scenes and some humorous moments as these four characters come together to form an unlikely relationship.

[B.A. Malisch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I confess, I thought this book might be awful, and that I would probably stop reading it after a chapter or two. But I was wrong. It’s actually pretty well-written, and has a decent storyline. It’s also frequently funny and heartfelt. I read it straight through.

You get to know the characters and then start to care about what happens to them. It’s not all just wild sex, which is what you would think from the cover. In fact, you don’t see much of that in the first half of the story, because it all takes time to come together. Even when it does, it’s not just obscene, mechanical, expected foursome positions, one after the other (thank goodness). It’s fun, flirty, and emotional. I enjoyed it. It was good escapism during the current blizzard.

[Anima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure, lots of bedroom gymnastics and multiple partners. While that's probably obvious from the cover it needs to be said. I have read books about multiple partners but they were almost too much too handle, way out of left field. This one gets you there gradually, getting to know Tessa and the guys. There is plenty of humor, love and craziness. The group gets together with the idea of a sex study that doctors want to understand the attraction of four versus two people. It's just plain fun to read shy and timid Tessa encourage three men with different personalities to help her: yoga/law student, soap star and drummer. Received an early copy, review voluntary.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot!!🔥

Steamy!!!!! Love how many LOL moments there are k. The book. The inner monologues of everyone was hysterical they each had crushes on Tessa and she was attracted to each of them. Including being in love with her long time best friend Ellis. Who was half assing in his assistance in her study search. Each guy brings something unique to the equation. Love the plot. It’s different and intriguing. And how hot the scenes are between the four of them. Jaimie is the rough hot Irishman. Cade is the sensitive built intellect who wants to save the world and Ellis is the best friend who is the sexual deviant actor.

[Jenniekenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hot, sexy story. I could really feel for Tessa. Feeling like the wallflower, the invisible. She has the hots for her friend Ellis, Cade who works at the gym and her neighbor. She decides to make a huge change when she tells Ellis that she is going to sign up for the sex-study (Ellis accidentally sends the link to her). He cannot believe she’ll do it because it’s not like her. I liked that she was with each guy individually and all together. I liked that they guys all got along too. It was hot, crazy and fun. Virna always delivers.

[Mary Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shy, scared, wallflower Tessa comes out of her shell in a big way in this fun, sexy story. Sent a link to a sex study in error by her best friend/hot actor Ellis, she surprises herself and him by declaring she’s going to participate & needs to find the 3 guys to go with her. How she hooks up with gorgeous Cade (yoga instructor & law student), her hot annoying rock drummer neighbor Jaime, and even finally her best friend Ellis who’s loved her for years makes for a good read!

[Jamie Crain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read

I wasn't sure what I was in the mood to read when I picked this up. This book hit the proverbial spot. I liked watching Tessa bloom as the story progressed. I enjoyed the interactions with the guys and the love that grew. This was my first Virna DePaul book but it won't be my last. If you're looking for fun, sexy guys and sweet, awkward leading lady, this is the book for you.

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun sexy read with a well developed female character you will find yourself rooting for. Tessa is insecure and this story delves into her insecurities and realizing her own worth and strength while giving you hilarious adventures in dating and finding love. You will not want to put it down.

[Melinda Swaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The chemistry simmers, then bubbles over the top

If you are a sucker for this type of genre, this book is definitely for you. The chemistry simmers and then bubbles over the top. There’s drama, romance and this book is very well written, attention grabbing as well as attention holding. I loved the characters, could really connect with the from the beginning. Totally recommend

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be Careful What You Wish For.....

......you just might get it! Very sexy reverse harem story with several tropes: including enemies to lovers and friends to lovers. This book has lots of playful banter, erotic phone sex, romance, emotional drama and light male on male action. If you enjoy menage or reverse harem books, this story is for you!

[Booklover Judy Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was better than many similar books I read. I appreciated that each hero developed his own relationship with the heroine as they came together kind of in pieces to develop as a group. Many aspects of the story are far fetched so the reader needs to suspend disbelief to make some of it work. The strength of this one is in the relationship building.

[Brandy Istre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully Funny

This book of characters is truly hilarious. If your looking for a light, funny read, this is the book for you. The author did a great job with character development and sucks you in right from the beginning with the amazing amount of sarcasm. I would highly recommend this book.

[C.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sexy

This was a brilliant story. Yes, there was a lot of sex but there was plenty of emotion too which just added so much to the story. I loved that the relationship between the four grew together rather than it being three established friends looking for a woman to share. Sexy as hell and a great read.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hopelessly Hilarious!

This is like a sexy funny romp of I Love Lucy. Tessa had no confidence in herself and had no idea how the view she had of herself was completely opposite of most men. This was a fun, HOT read and a great coming together of 4 people into a cohesive group.

[Michelle Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously addicted

Oh wow I love it like this is one of the best menage books I've read I wouldnt mind a sequel on the next couple years I'm so happy for them and miss them ALL already

[Theepit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story with unbelievable, but enjoyable plot. Some final editing issues that were somewhat annoying,but, did not detract from the story line.
Rather graphic. Do not read if that bothers you. If not, enjoy!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh, giggle, oh holy hotness!

Loved this story from beginning to end. Ellis, Cade and Jamie are what every girl dreams of and Tessa totally lucks out! Jamie had me laughing, Cade made me swoon and Ellis was everything all at once. Thank you Virna!

[Jennifer Noseworthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fun read for me. I could related to the MC, especially when things were going wrong and being oblivious to the obvious, but not in a bad way. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys RH's and having a few laughs at strange antics.

[Rachel Engelmann-Gates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed

The story was well written, you could feel the emotions the characters were going through. Her antics were perfectly written. I enjoyed how the characters grew and the twists.
High recommend this was a new to me author and will be check her other books out.

[Lindsay Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

This book was amazing. The heroine felt so real and I was dragged right into the book. The boys all got my heart and there was tons of steam. Happily ever after with ups and downs the characters dealt with, together. I couldn't put it down.

[Rachel (Galaxy Girl Reads)]

DNF.

28%, everything is going well til I literally can't stop cringing at the main character's sexting attempts.

While slightly amusing, it felt more like watching a plane crash in slow motion. The whole "can't look away from the disaster" thing. I can't keep going. To each their own.