Stranger

by Megan Hart

I pay strangers to sleep with me. I have my reasons….

But they're not the ones you'd expect.

For starters, I'm a funeral director taking over my dad's business. Not exactly the kind of person you'd expect to fork over cash for the lust and urgency only live skin-to-skin contact can create. Looking at me, you wouldn't have a clue I carry this little secret so close it creases up like the folds of a fan. Tight. Personal. Ready to unravel in the heat of the moment.

Unsurprisingly, my line of work brings me face-to-face with loss. So I decided long ago that paying for sex would be one of the best (and arousing) ways to save myself from the one thing that would eventually cut far too deep.

But Sam was a mistake. Literally. I signed on to "pick up" a stranger at a bar, but took Sam home instead. And now that I've felt his heat, his sweat and everything else, can I really go back to impersonal?

Let's just hope he never finds out about my other life.…

Genres: Erotica, Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, Adult, Ebooks

432 pages, Paperback

First published December 23, 2008

About the author

Megan Hart has written in almost every genre of romantic fiction, including historical, contemporary, romantic suspense, romantic comedy, futuristic, fantasy and perhaps most notably, erotic. She also writes non-erotic fantasy and science fiction, as well as continuing to occasionally dabble in horror.

--from the author's website

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

For Megan Hart, the nutritionist, click here

Reviews

[Lady Gabriella of Awesomeness (SLOW) · Rating 5 out of 5]

STRANGER , is now listed as one of my top favourites.

stranger by megan hart is a beautiful story solely based on the realities of a spinster's mundane life.Hart manged to pull off an erotic yet emotional tale that would leave you breathless and wondering weather certain coincidences were actually fate.




The story basically revolves around grace,the family funeral home director a girl who's job demands that she remain solid,independent, practical and on call at all time.

forcing her to keep the world away during the day while only turning to seek comfort in the arms of an stranger by night.


i wouldn't know i was dead,so why be afraid of it ? everyone died.everybody went.

i wasnt afraid of going.
i was afraid of being left behind



Jack (our handsome blue-eyed escort ) and sam (the dark-haired rock singer ) both played significant roles in the making of her character,but so did every other secondary roles.

every chapter had a reason,an event or a decision that had realistic concequences. and i think that what i loved so much about this book.

i know,i haven't really opened up about the plot much,but thats only because this book is the kind to be read rather than told.

RECOMMENDATION: recommended to anybody wanting a good-sit down realistic and emotional evening read.

main genre: smut,romance and angst. (if ur in the mood for all rainbows and sunshine,this book is not really for you )

[Viri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fue El Segundo libro que leo de la autora y creo que será el último.

Le di otra oportunidad después del fiasco pasado pero es que está historia fue un sin sentido tremendo.

1. La prota le paga a un desconocido para acostarse con el.
2. Resulta con el que finalmente tiene sexo no es al "desconocido" al que le pagó.
3. Comienza una relación de "solo sexo" con su gigolo particular.
4. Yo iba ya a la mitad y no sabía si Jack era el prota, porque bueno; si lo digo fríamente ella seguía acostándose con uno mientras andaba con el otro. Al menos así lo vi yo.
5. Y como si eso no fuera suficiente aún sigue pensando en el que se supone que es el prota.
6. Demasiado S.E.X.O
7. Ni la historia (además del sexo) me pareció leíble.
8. Fue aburrido, incongruente y malo.
9. Por si fuera poco el libro tenía errores ortográficos o de tipeo. Como se llamen.
10. Al menos eso quiero creer porque sino esta chica se acostaba con Jack mientras pensaba en Jared y finalmente decidía que quería a Sam.

Sip. No me gustó. Le doy dos porque mínimo lo terminé. Me salté hojas... demándenme.

[Elena R a.k.a. Lunies R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gracie Frawley is a funeral Director.She takes over her dads business,which is a funeral home in Annville that has been in business for 50years. Everyday Grace faces with reality of what family,friends,etc go through,when the times comes and death occurs.When it happens they have to learn to live and move on with out their loved ones. Because of what she sees others go through,she has put up a thick wall,to never get herself involved in a long lasting relationship and love anyone,she's willing to do whatever it takes,to never lose someone she loves so dearly. So Grace decides her best option would be to pay for sex.It's a no obligation warranty with "No Strings Attached" That's her MO.She doesn't want anything more or anything less.

In the meantime she takes care of her business as appose to how a business should be run. During her own time she spends most of her free hours hiring escorts/rentboys for dates,but mostly she's just interested to jump in sack with them.

Grace is satisfied with the life she created and evolved herself in.To her,it's really more of "What can possibly go wrong?,everything is perfect" Until one day she bumps into a STRANGER,while waiting for one of her escorts she hired. When she meets Sam,it's when her whole life changes completely.Just like he once told her "Fate Brought them together".

Sam Stewart,may have at one point been a stranger Grace slept with just for kicks.But he is the one man who conquers her heart.He shows Grace,life is worth settling down,taking risks and falling in love with that one person that let's her be her,and brings joy and happiness into her life. Sam helps Grace break her tough persona,because there should never be a reason for someone not to fall in love just because you're afraid of losing that special someone. You just have to live it day by day enjoy,love and endure the love of your life and say whether there right beside you or if they past away "at least you lived a wonderful life with that person"

I have read other novels by Megan Hart and loved them! I'm officially a sucker for Hart's novels!Each novel had sentimental plots that left me breathless and aching to read more!

Favorite Quote,from Sam to Grace:

"One must have sorrow to truly appreciate joy"

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 big stars for the latest addition to my Megan Hart library. I started this book on the back of Hush Hush because I needed something, moving emotional and sexy from an author who I knew could deliver, and I was not disappointed.

Grace who runs her own funeral home and pays for sex, for the sole reason that she sees so much grief and loss she doesn't want to have to go through that if she becomes involved with someone and becomes the 'one left alone' I can understand that, I can see exactly where she's coming from, and if I worked in that environment maybe I'd feel the same! Jack (from the earler book Dirty) works as an escort and whilst waiting for Jack one night Grace inadvertantly hooks up with Sam and so begins the story, of how Jack starts to fall for Grace, of how Grace slowly starts to fall for Sam and how ulitmately Grace comes to terms with her inner turmoil. If only it were that simple though.....As with all of Megan Harts books there is a totally separate story involving family (both immeadiate and external (I'm including her staff here))issues running along side the main protags story (and why is it that in every book a member of my family rears their head? in this book it was Graces Dad who could, quite frankly, be my own!!) which put together with the choices and decisions that Grace and Sam make, pull the reader along on an emotional bitttersweet journey.
I love Megans observations of human nature and emotion, I love the subtle little twists she puts in place, and I love her scorching hot 'between the sheets' action which is neither smutty,cheap nor vulgar but really beautiful!! This story has a HEA for everyone, I especially loved the HEA for Jack whose girlfriend Sarah made the crossover from 'Broken'. All in all another winner for me.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, so NORMALLY I don't even touch books like this because well they are sexually explicit and UNREALISTIC. However, I was on this website called paperspine.com and was picking books for my queue when I saw this book in the spotlight section. So I let myself just put it on the list because I'll try anything once.

Yes, I will admit it was sexually explicit but if you strip away (no pun intended) all the sex you'll actually find a wonderful cast of characters and a really decent plot.

Jack, Sam, and Grace were ALL well constructed characters because I actually started really liking them all. Grace was not a wimpy "oh save me" leading lady. She actually had a level head on her shoulders and is quite realistic. Sam, our leading man, is not only hot in my standards but also very deep. He lost his father and the way he gets quite emotional makes me actually feel something for him. Jack, the other leading man was funny and actually someone I could see myself spending time with.

The thing is this book is not shallow or fluffy. It actually has some real things put in it that make it anything but one of "those romance novels."

[♥ Sam ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

STRANGER -

Before I start my review, obviously no one warned our heroine, Grace – about the above statement ‘STRANGER DANGER’.... because this heroine had a fetish for paying and meeting up with men to spend the evenings with. Grace is a funeral Director, and oh my, what a miserable job. The mundane daily task of looking after the deceased was a real eye opener! But because of her job and constantly being surrounded by death, Grace has major issues with things ending, including relationships – hence the paying the ‘playmate’ to spend time with her. Until one night she accidently picks up the wrong stranger.

Sam – what an awesome name – in my eyes is the really tall and really cute guy. He is often described as being gangly almost and so tall that his hair brushed the tops of door frames. He is a struggling musician and the Stranger that Grace accidently picks up at the bar. Because sometimes –




As usual, Hart has written this story in a way that when you read it, it’s not like a story your reading it’s a secret peak into someone’s real life, the self conflicting dramas; the internal struggles....the story line in Stranger flowed smoothly with the perfect amount of build up.

The setting for this book was based around a funeral home, and although some might find that a tad morbid – I thought it was perfect. That’s what makes Hart books so original. It’s not every day you pick up a book based in a funeral home, now is it?

As for the romance side of things – well holly dooly, hose me down – because I was on fire! There is a huge steamy factor going on throughout this book and with more than once person. Grace is not shy about her sexuality or what she wants out of whom she is with – its effen HOT!

Throughout the book there are numerous other stories weaved in as well, but they didn’t over take the book or feel out of place. What I thought was a nice surprise was that Grace didn’t have the BFF to hold her hand throughout her emotional rollercoaster ride. She has acquaintances that she works with, her sister and family but no one that she can actually confine in – In a whole this made me relate to Grace so much more. I don’t have a lot of close GF around me whom I can confine in either.

Honestly what can I say to some up this book and give it the justice it deserves? Nothing. Nothing I will write will express the way I feel about Hart writing. So just read it. Stop procrastinating about the fact it’s meant to be Erotic, or it’s about a funeral director- because at the end of the day this book was just..... epic.

[✵Damjana✵ · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 45%

This is really really boring story. I don't know why or who marked it with erotica, maybe we didn't read the same book.....????
I read up to page 174 and still nothing happened!!! Heroine is still describing her possible renovations in her home!!!! And I paid 7.99 eur for this dull and uninteresting story!

[☾ Dαɴιyα ☽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

June, 2020

4.5 stars

I can't believe it's been six years since I read this book. Strange. I keep thinking I only discovered Megan Hart's books a few years ago, like three years, four at the most. Stranger even that Stranger almost remained one of the few I haven't reread in recent times.

Then I reread Collide, which prompted me to reread Reason Enough, and that made me immediately pick up Stranger. Weird how that goes.

Six years is a long time. Plenty of time to forget contents of a book. And boy, did I forget the contents of this book. Big parts, important parts. The story managed to punch me in the gut a few times. Out of nowhere, I might add, thanks to my poor memory.

Grace. She was afraid of being left behind.

Dealing with the dead and the grieving families was in Grace's job description. She considered it just her job, she said she didn't let it get to her. She seemed okay with death, seemed at peace with the fact someday it would be her body on the table. What she was terrified of was being one of the grieving, the ones left behind. So terrified was she that she didn't even consider having a boyfriend, but chose instead to hire men for dates and sex.

So terrified that she and Sam get together for real on page 324.

It wasn't all that depressing. Grace kept hiring Jack who was cute and they had fun together for the most part. I keep thinking if only Sam knew that the first person to pay Jack for sex was Dan. That would make for a very, very interesting scene.

Of course, even before page 324 Sam kept popping up to be all funny and charming and persistent. I forgot about that. Inexcusable on my part. As I did his issues with his family and the guilt he carried that eventually came between him and Grace.

Ah, that Sam and that Grace made me cry, the bastards.

Good tears in the end, though.


July, 2014

4 stars

There are times when after only one book you know you have found yourself a favorite author. That is how I felt about Megan Hart after reading Broken, and so far I haven't been proven wrong.

I'd never really gone deep into why I love her books; I just knew they were awesome. And quite frankly, Hart's books usually get me so emotionally involved that I have no time or the wish to think about anything else. Well, Stranger was a bit different. Regardless of the heroine's profession, I found it to be a little lighter than the other MH books I've read, and I managed to pinpoint what it was that I love so much about her book (other than they're awesome).

All of the books were in the erotic romance category, but they weren't focused solely on that part. I'm kind of used to that type of books to be almost completely about the romance, but in Megan Hart's books, I get more than that. Yes, we meet the heroines at a point in their life when they meet their significant other--or just a significant one--but we also learn about every important aspect of their lives; the people that matter to them, and the people from their pasts that made an impact on their lives. Really, they're more books about women's lives, with romance included. And this is why I love reading them.

Here we got to meet Grace Frawley, a funeral director who prefers to pay men to sleep with her than to have a relationship. Oh, yes, Grace led an interesting life. Secret life.

I know I've said that this was a bit lighter than what I'm used to from MH, but those parts that were about Grace's job were rather depressing, no matter how much she told herself it was just work. Dealing with people who have lost their loved ones can't be that easy; neither can handling the dead. There were different cases, even odd ones, and one that made me cry just when I thought this would turn out to be a book by Megan Hart that didn't make me shed a tear.

While I'm on the topic of her business, it was actually a business she took over from her father. It was a fine example how some people meddle where they're not supposed to. Sometimes I thought Grace had more work cut out for her convincing her father the funeral home was doing okay than she had at her actual work. Parents...

The reason I found Stranger lighter, almost fun to read were the parts regarding Grace's secret. The reason she started paying men to be with her made me feel bad for her, but I really liked Jack, the man she started to regularly hire. If you have read Dirty, you've already met Jack. Dan and Elle actually were the ones that got him to consider this line of work. Speaking of past characters, you might remember Sarah or Sassy from Broken; she starred in one of Joe's stories. She was here, too. With Jack. I really like how the author makes these characters reappear. Anyway, Jack was sweet, and his and Grace's dates were fun.

Now to the romantic interest: Sam Stewart. You may have already guessed he's related to Dan, and you'd be right: they're brothers. They actually required Grace's services (so we got to see more of Dan and Elle, too). But before they met there, Grace and Sam had spent the night together. He was a mistake. One that came back.

Sam was a musician, so he kind of had me on his side from the start; I have a soft spot for artistic types. But Grace, who renounced relationships, was not so easy. Their romance was a very slow burn, but I loved it. I'll always remember Grace saying his name. Usually it was: Oh, Sam. Now get your out of the gutter; it wasn't like that; this was actually sweet. And, of course, this wouldn't be a Megan Hart book, if those two hadn't given me some heartache. In fact, at one point they made my heart stop, but in the end this is a romance, so it all worked out. As much as it can work out in a MH novel. No matter how they end, I always fear what happened after the book ended, but Grace & Sam--I think they'll make it work. Fingers crossed.

There were some other people involved in the plot, their stories interwoven like only Megan can do, and is best to experience firsthand. All I can do is say that I love the stories she writes and the way she writes them. The end.

[NiteReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

4++ STARS
'Stranger' is another Megan Hart gem. The story is beautifully drawn and effortlessly woven with new and recurring characters from 'Dirty'. This book reminds me why Ms Hart is one of my favourite, go-to authors.

[Cecile · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts First:
Now remember, I have not read Broken or Dirty yet...
And this is my first book without any paranormal activity since I don't remember how long!!! With that being said... I can say... this book was awesome.
It is an erotic novel, but it had a hint of class about the way the erotic parts were handled; which I appreciated.
I feel in love with Grace. She seems like a neighbor I would have. Her personality was like that of a "real" person you would know. Her job, which she loves, is a bit strange. Funeral Director...
I find myself rooting for Sam, even though he appears to be a pain in the ass as Grace calls him.
The appeal of the book was really good. I did not want to stop reading, because the thoughts I had as to where the book was headed would change. I wanted to cry at some parts, laughed out loud at some, and just plain wanted to beat the sense into someone at some points. But isn't that what a great books make you want to do.

The Plot:
Grace meets strange (enters Sam), has wow sex and leaves. Grace then gets told she met the "wrong" stranger (enters Jack). Her life, as she thought, was normal up until the moment she met Sam. She continued to see Jack though... that is where I kinda was pulling for the poor guy.
Then her life kinds gets a little crazy; broken washer machine, flooded basement, getting in a wreck with company vehicle, two employees who are falling for each other AT work, a relentless father who does want to "let go" of the business he has handed down to her, a sister who is on her case about bring a guy home to meet the family, one man she wants to bed, and the other she can take to bed without any strings. Okay, except for the last two... when have we had a day like that... To much laundry, cooking, cleaning, playing mom-wife-carpool-employee-and everything else in between - I am raising my hand.
Then she meets an older man who lost his wife and he teaches her about life and more importantly - love.

The Main Players:
Grace - She is a doll. I love her sense of pride in her job. She wants to make sure she does better than her dad can ever imagined. Just picture trying to please your father and now picture it on top of trying to show him you can carry on a family legacy. I love her personality; she is really a quite, tame person but she does fight when she believes in something. You will see. On the aspect of how she views a relationship... I tended to want to give her my shoulder to cry on and tell her all things you would tell a friend to get them going. But she has seen death all her life; people losing the ones they love over and over. That would leave me a bit stale on love too. I mean isn't that what we all want... to find our love and keep it forever. At times, I wanted to slap her and ask her what the hell she was thinking on some of the decisions she made, but overall... it worked for her.

Sam - He was a bit mysterious. At one point, early in the story my idea of him was that he was a loafer and didn't have much in life that got him going. But then the story starts to unfold; with the death of his father being the trigger point for him. We learn that he felt he never lived up to his father's images of him. He never got to prove himself to his dad; which we all know in life, - sucks. But they say the bigger the man, the harder they fall.

Jack - I included Jack in here because I was kinda pulling for him. Jack is one of Grace's fellow "friends." He is the reason she met Sam. Grace teaches him about being a better "friend" and he teaches Grace about going after what you want. He is the one that made her see what she could have.

The Unexpected:
Things unexpected... well... I'm really thinking here...
I didn't really expect to see Sam drink the way he did. He wasn't a drunk or alcoholic, but he used that as a "crutch" to his feeling about his father. Which I guess he character seemed stronger than that to me... but like I said the bigger the man, the harder they fall.
Then there is the sister's rumored affair. I wasn't expecting that. You will have to read to see what I am talking about!!!

The Predictable:
The only thing predictable was that she worked a funeral home and you knew there would be talk of death. That really was it.

Smut Factor: There really was none that. The sex scenes were descriptive... I mean this is an erotic novel... what would you expect and the book delivered. But it wasn't like in your face all the time; which was nice. The scenes were even fun.

What Pleased Me:
The realness of the emotions coming from Grace. She is funeral director in a small town. I grew up and still live in a small town, AND people do talk. Even people you think are you friends. So, her "habit" of paying for sex does not seem too outlandish. I mean, come on... we all know in a small town, who would want to date the person living with the dead. Men are freaky that way. And especially being that she is "the son" her father would want to take over the business, she is doing the best she know how to do.

What Displeased Me:
There is really nothing (even looking at the book now) that I could find that displeased me at all about it. The writing style of Megan Hart, I fell in love with. So... sorry... there was nothing about the book that I did not like. If you find something that you did not like, I would like to hear your thoughts on it, please.

Cover: Can you say OMG!!! I mean... come'on!!! My hubby even commented on it... He asked if I was reading the book with the naked guy on the front!!! I said, "YUP!" I love the simple colors: white... then the background black. I love the fact that it is the hotel door that takes up the cover... leaves you wondering what is to come.

[María Ángeles · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mi Megan Hart me fascinó con "La amante imaginaria", pero he leído dos libros suyos más y casi no hay por dónde cogerlos.
Extraños en la cama me ha decepcionado bastante. Se introduce demasiado en la profesión de la protagonista (que es la propietaria de una funeraria) y hay muy poca interacción entre los dos protagonistas de la historia.
De los que no hace falta leer.

[Baba · Rating 2 out of 5]

"If there's no sorrow," he murmured, "how can anyone appreciate the joy?"

Grace is a funeral director. After being disappointed by love and seeing first hand how difficult it is do deal with all the loss and pain that comes along with her job, Grace prefers she'd rather pay for having sex than invest in a real relationship. She's got an "appointment" at a bar with her latest rent boy, when she meets a stranger. Sam. She's assuming that this man is the guy she paid for having sex with her. Shortly afterwards, she's meeting him again when his family hires her to bury Sam's father...

Ok, where should I begin? Stranger gave me a really bad headache. I didn't like this book. Not at all. Being a funeral director is a very burdening job. The book's vibe felt totally depressing, dark, and kind of sad. This stuff about sorrow and appreciating joy...I do hope that I can leave this book behind and start reading another one I'll truly enjoy. When I was reading this book I wanted it to be OVER. I loved Dirty by Ms. Hart but I can't say the same for this book. The pace was too slow, even boring at times, and there were a lot of fatalities. And the main problem: there wasn't much of a relationship development between hero and heroine! Grace was quite busy fu***** Jack. However, I have to admit that I really liked good old Jack. He was an interesting and cute character. I'd love to read his story – if it'd be good (emphasis on if).

Only after reading 70 % of the book, Grace and Sam are obviously beginning to have a relationship development. Sorry, but that's just too late for me. And the big question: how will Sam react when he finds out the truth about her little, "dirty" secret? Guess what? I thought he behaved like an indignant, self-righteous bastard! Such a jerk. Of course even Grace annoyed me. I mean how can she f*** Jack when she's got another guy on her mind? Sometimes I said to myself, "Grace, just make a move, and get the hell over it!" Furthermore, Sam had a drinking problem, and in my opinion that should have been explored much more. Sam had issues about his father's death and his being "not good enough." But the author didn't dive deep enough to make me believe that he'd be able to cope with that and overcome all his guilt. But suddenly everything's just fine. Hello?? The ending was too rushed, and Sam came off sooooo well! He didn't have to grovel a lot. Aw, Gracie, Gracie, why were you so easy on him?

"...I couldn't read about lovers finding their way into each other's arms..."
Yes, it fits like a glove! Indeed.

[Unapologetic_Bookaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this novel Grace Frawley is the owner of a funeral home. She is single and does not see the point to having a boyfriend. So she pays for sex using an escort service.

Sam finds his self in a situation that can only be described as once in a lifetime, and he takes no chance in losing out. He finds Grace sitting at a bar talking about going up to the hotel room and living out a night of passion. Though he does not know Grace thinks he is a paid stranger. Things only get stranger from there.

Grace finds her self getting more involved with a particular escort and knows she will have to break it off. In the mean time Sam insists on calling her all hours of the day and night. At work. At home. Then nothing. Frustrated, Grace knows this is the reason she does not date. But her lovely paid sex dates relieve any worked up stress she gets.

The complication of paid sex but no relationship, then a maybe relationship and breaking it off with her escort she was falling for was the perfect mix of emotion and erotic sex Megan Hart brings to her novels. There was the underlying family meddling but it was not so heavily dosed as with Tempted. I enjoyed this book very much. The love scenes were bittersweet.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan Hart's characters continue to fascinate me. Her writing is both amazingly simple and intensely complex making her first person narratives flow seamlessly. While sexually erotic, her novels also embody a stark reality that resonates with real life and real people. Megan Hart is an author who deserves to be on top.

There is one garishly loud technical problem with Grace Frawley owning Frawley & Sons and that being the obvious. Living in a small town leaves Grace with limited clients. But after working tirelessly, cutting her pay down to the minimum, and ramping up marketing opportunities, she's been able to pull the business back from the brink of closing. This, of course is unrecognized by her anal retired father who needs to find a hobby that doesn't involve checking up on Grace's every move as far as the business is concerned. Yet despite her father's recriminations, Grace is good at her job and she loves her work. While some may think a funeral director and it's corresponding job objectives as being morbid, Grace would say the very opposite. She is there to help people through the most difficult time of their lives. Not only does she help bury their loved ones in the most respectable manner possible but she is also there to assuage their grief by lending them a hand of understanding.

Grace also has a little secret...

Grace awaits him at a local bar. She's there to meet a stranger, a stranger in fact but not in the sense whereby stars align and fate bestows the one. Grace has paid in advance for this meeting with her stranger and she hopes to get exactly what she paid for, and boy does she ever. His name is Sam and he gives Grace the most gratifying sex that she's ever had. The only problem - Grace didn't pay for Sam. Her hired rent-a-boy happened to be late and Sam truly was a stranger...

While confident in her own skin, Grace is not confident in her life. Death and grief have marked her soul, leaving her with only one option - protection. Terrified of one day losing a husband, Grace has made the decision that she'll never allow a man close enough to cause her pain when he is gone. Her paid escorts provide a scratch to an itch and the impersonal quality of their dates gives Grace comfort. But two men are going to change Grace's life, one is Sam and the other is Jack.

Jack and his jaw-dropping, pantie-wetting, and immobilizing megawatt smile steals Grace's heart from almost day one. Fresh after her wild night with Sam the stranger, Grace is looking for any man to take her mind off her lingering and arousing thoughts of him. Her escort service has paired her with a man who is different from Grace's general type with his tattoos and body hardware, plus he's young but boy can he smile. Jack, new to the business but eager to learn, takes Grace through some of her most daring sexual escapades that are heavy on the role play. Yet as the layers pull apart one by one, Grace finds that she really likes Jack. For the first time in a long time, a man knows her.

Meanwhile, fate has stepped in again. Sam hurls back into Grace's life with the tragic death of his father. After mistaking him for a burglar and nearly bludgeoning him with a golf club, the heat between Sam and Grace erupts with as much force as before. But Grace, terrified of Sam's effect on her, denies his attempts for a relationship at every opportunity. But Sam's persistence pays off.

For the first time in long line of paid dates, Jack and Grace have unpaid sex. Dropping their masks, the two have true sex and it's during this one moment of pure reality that Grace imagines that it's Sam, not Jack. It's at this moment that Grace realizes that her yearning for Sam has reached the ultimate crescendo and she decides to give him the chance he's been begging for.

Yet as their relationship blossoms so does Sam's drinking. While outwardly he may appear like his father's death has meant little, his drinking shows something else entirely. As her job and family pressure escalates, Grace finally breaks down and tells her secret to Sam. Now with the ball in his court, can Sam accept Grace's past or will it just be the icing on the cake that will send him along with his drinking to an early grave?

I loved this story. I stayed up all night reading it in order to discover whether or not Sam and Grace would be able to work out their differences and try to make a life together. Hart writes some of the best erotic love scenes in the genre. Each experience it new and each provides further growth of her characters. 'Stranger' was stunning and I challenge my blogger friends to give this author a chance.

[I ♥ Bookie Nookie (bookienookiereviews.blogspot.com) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I am not done with the book, I thought it important to note that however much I am enjoying this book, I am finding the day in and day out of her life as a funeral director is becoming somewhat mundane. I am sure her daily dealings with death and dying is one of the main reasons for her hesitancy to commit...really hoping for some semblance of an HEA for Grace.

Now then, I'm finished. Megan Hart has such a unique voice. I am sort of undecided about how I feel about her writing style. This being the 2nd book I have read of hers, I can say that both have been emotional and very deep--and I have rated both high, with 4 stars. Her first person narrative is what holds me back from 5 stars--since that isn't typically my favorite. On second thought, maybe I should be giving her 5 stars because her story telling ability does entice me to read more of her books despite of the POV in which they are told.

Once again, Hart weaves a tale with a female protag at its center- one who epitomizes taboo in traditional American households. Although the details of Grace's daily activity became a little...repetitive--that's not really a good word because it sounds negative, but it's the best I can think of right now--but these details were a necessary evil to understand why she does what she does. I really liked this book. It was a great story of loving, being loved and embracing being loved.

- had this book shelved as "trashy-erotic", but it's really not either-there are some super hot sex scenes, not trashy though. I saw in another friend's review that she has categorized it as a "not so fluffy romance" and that is a perfect description, so I created a shelf for it!

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews

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[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very good. Megan Hart's books are not only erotic and sensual, they're also emotionally captivating; Stranger was no exception.
Grace owns a funeral home passed over to her from her father. She does an excellent job of maintaining the same standards and quality that her father worked so hard to achieve. Helping Grace so this are her two employees Jared and Shelley. Because Grace is surrounded by death and loss on a constant basis Grace doesn't involve herself in personal relationships that could result in an outcome that she's become numb to. To satisfy her "needs", Grace hires herself "rentboys". On this particular night she puts in an order for a very specific type of guy and sets out to meet him. What happens is the most mind-blowing sexually experience she's ever had and then she later finds out, it wasn't who she had hired, put truly a perfect stranger named Sam.
If you've read Dirty and Broken, you will be pleasantly surprised to see some favorites in this. What surprised me the most was how captivating the story of the funeral business was to me. There were scenes within the funeral business duties that had me in tears. Hart did such an excellent job with this part of the story.
As with all of Megan's books, the sex is amazingly written; raw, sensual, and at times touching. What made it even better, of course, was the excellent plot and believable characters.
Five stars for another great read by one of my favorite authors.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when you pick up the latest book by one of your favorite authors, intending to only read a few chapters until you're sleepy, so you can try to get some sleep even though you can't breathe laying down from a cold?

You stay up until 4:30 am to finish it.

There is something so fun and easy about the way Megan Hart writes. Her heroines are so real, so flawed, that I can't help but be drawn in. I also love that her books are all set around Harrisburg, PA, because having gone to college near there, I know the area pretty well. Local references make me grin.

Some SPOILERS be had here.



I love that, in this book, we get to catch up with characters we met in "Dirty." Especially Jack, whose scenes in "Dirty" were, ahem, seriously memorable. I was rooting for him by the end of this story, so I'm glad he got a girl of his own.

The heroine, Grace, isn't quite as emotionally damaged as previous heroines, which was a pleasant change of pace. She was my age, which was awesome, and her pop culture references made me think she could have been any of my high school friends (except for the whole funeral home thing).

And as always, there was a scene near the end that had me in tears. It can really be summed up neatly in a line spoken by Sam, the hero: One must have sorrow to truly appreciate joy.

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

No commentary can do this book justice, and a review will give away the storyline if detailed so let me just say that I am so glad I read this book! It restored my interest in reading "erotica", as it is classed, with the female-empowered sex included but the emphasis on sex is a trick; the reason for the sex is the crucial crux of the tale. Megan Hart has got to be one of the very best authors out there today, with her first-person emotive prose that rings so true. The suspense rose as I wondered what Grace would do next and why, I got hot for Sam but still wanted to smack him a few times and immediately began rooting for him only to root for the shy bad-boy Jack next. As I read through this incredible book, the original premise - the extreme way Grace runs her personal life - suddenly didn't look so extreme. I was amazed and jealous of how empowered and confident she was; this professional woman who had papered smoothly over her biggest chip until it just wasn't there. I cried at the end, both happy and sad tears. I reread the last few pages only because I didn't want this story to ever end. And maybe for the characters, in their fictional life, it hasn't. I hope so.

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. I really really liked this. The characters felt real to me. Things get messy but that's how life is. The odd thing about Megan Harts books is that they are filled with sex yet I don't find them sexy. I'm not sure why either. All the elements are there but something that just doesn't quite flip my switch. In Stranger there are a toys and role play games that are hot as could be. But throughout I just want to find out what the characters are feeling about this or how they will react. Is that bad that I care about the characters so much in her books? Hard to say. This will definitely go on my recommend to others list.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

To make a note on this review, I honestly didn't expect to read and review two Megan Hart books in a row, somehow I just ended up picking "Dirty" and "Stranger" out of the blue to read and going with what they offered between catching up with some of my ARC readings. I didn't expect Hart's "Dirty" to impress me as much as it did, so going into reading "Stranger," I had somewhat high expectations. Particularly when considering some familiar characters from "Dirty" resurfaced in this book, some as side characters (Dan and Elle make a brief appearance in a few scenes), and some as major characters (Jack returns as a major character in this book).

"Stranger" didn't wow me, in so many words, and I think I understand one of the reasons why it didn't work as well as some of Hart's other stories. I was waiting for a moment to click with the narrator, Grace, a little more than when she was initially introduced, and that moment never came. She's a funeral director who has to deal with a lot on her plate - between taking over her father's business, dealing with the clients and the nature of the business and occasionally stepping in to help her sister (who seems overwhelmed with juggling her family life). But Grace's no stranger to (no pun intended) spending her own funds for pleasure. For such pleasure, she hires men to take her out as she's not in any committed relationship of any kind. Sometimes it leads to dinner, other times it leads to sex (sometimes both, given the price). In the beginning of the book, Grace mistakes a random stranger she meets in a bar (hence the name for the book) for one of her clients. And we meet the dark haired, long legged Sam. Sam throws a wrench into Grace's plans for a non-committed relationship, and even aside from that - her actual client (Jack) seems to be in her circles as well, and she's not exactly certain what to make of her relationship with them, though it's clear she cares for them both in different ways.

I don't think the primary characterizations really popped off the page that much. Perhaps it was for lack of a centralized conflict that was able to draw me into the narrative (at least with "The Space Between Us" and "Dirty" - the conflicts were front and center and came with some heavy costs). Here, it isn't as much, but there are moments that I saw some intriguing sparks of character dynamic and I liked them in the stronger moments. The sensual encounters are well written, as per Hart's usual flare for showing the chemistry between the characters, but I felt that Sam and Jack's actual characterizations, as well as Grace's, could've been shown more than what they were, and it was clear - after a certain point - whom Grace would end up with.

Sure, Sam is charming and the dialogue he has with Grace is funny. I get that he's supposed to be Dan's slacker brother and there was even a time when Dan beats up Sam for something he did, but that's told more in this story that shown, and the story doesn't quite delve as much into his character as I would have liked to see in order to make me feel more for him. As well, Jack - whom I actually liked for the brief time I saw him in "Dirty" - is shown well enough and is a likable character in spurts, I still didn't really get as much inside his head or experiences to really feel more for him than I did. Grace, for a protagonist, I understood her experiences but I didn't necessarily feel connected to them. So the character intimacy (not the physical intimacy, rather the intimacy between reader-character) was lacking.

I did enjoy the secondary storylines this work had to offer. I was intrigued to see the issues that Grace's sister was dealing with her family and closely guarded secrets, as well as the brief fling between the coworkers that were in Grace's business. However, I felt they were a little too easily resolved/terminated toward the end of the novel, as nice as the build-up was for those particular plotlines. I expected a little more from them, and it's something to say when there's more direct conflict stemming from those plotlines than the primary one. There was just a lot more potential to be had from what I saw in the narrative than it delivered.

Still, I wouldn't say that "Stranger" is without its intriguing points. I liked parts of the novel enough to say that I liked the read, but I think it could've amounted to more than what it provided.

Overall: 2.5/5

[KarenH · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third novel I have read by MH and definitely my least favorite. Unlike Bess (Deeper) and Sadie (Broken), Grace did not work her way into my heart. She paid for sex from strangers ("escort" services) because why? She was too busy to find a man on her own? She didn't want an emotional involvement? She was a sex addict? LOL Okay, the first two reasons were hers and the last was mine, but since she lived like a pauper (beat-up car, tiny apartment above the funeral home, appliances from the 70's), her spending $300-$500 a man didn't have much merit. However, the two men she is involved with in the story are yummy enough to eat with a spoon. Jack, the tatted stud from the escort service who Grace repeatedly requests (no involvement, huh?) and Sam, the stranger Grace mistook for an escort and slept with. Both guys had issues of their own, yet, unlike Grace, they weren't so self-absorbed that they had to erect a wall of emotional defense. There is a HEA, although not the sigh-worthy kind I enjoy. Despite all this ranting, I still remain a Megan Hart groupie. She has such a unique way of storytelling and can coax a number of emotions out of a reader at will. The most touching scenes in this book take place in the funeral home, where even the most hard-hearted reader will have trouble controlling the waterworks. If you've read MH before, go ahead and read Stranger; however, if you have not, I wouldn't suggest cutting your teeth here.

[Michelle [Helen Geek] · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid 4.5 stars. I have to say, this one was a surprise. Up until the end, I couldn't say who Grace would end with, or if she would end with anyone. At points I didn't like her much or her self-absorbtion, but at other times, I could relate and identify completely.

I LOVED Jack. I also really liked Sam.

I thought her personal family dynamic was well written. The overall character development of this book was very well done.

But, I didn't feel good at the end. The end was happy, but the angst to get there was so sharp, I didn't "trust" the end. I know, doesn't make sense.

Okay, so now I want to read another, but none of the other books had the appeal this one had for me. Guess I'll wait and read recommendations.

If you want a superbly well written, quirky [not in a funny way] book, this is the one for you.

Happy Reading!

[Ang C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I believe Megan Hart is a very good writer......her books end to abruptly for me. The HEA occurs right at the very last moment (if you consider her endings happy). No epilogue to wrap up the main character's story - Just left hanging, hoping that closure is received if the characters appear in her next novel. UGH, so frustrating.

[Susi · Rating 4 out of 5]

In one of my usual shopping sprees I had to feed my Megan Hart addiction and got this beauty to reward myself. Don't ask for what because I already forgot. LOL But I'm so happy I bought it and I will never part with this book or any other of Ms. Hart's books - they are all keepers.

Back to this one: As every Megan Hart book I read so far, this one has a deep emotional background. It's nothing too fancy or overly imaginative but in my opinion that makes the whole experience more, not less.

The story is about Grace, a funeral director. I have to say that is an extremely emotionally straining job. I absolutely don't want to change lives with her. She totally loves her job and is fully committed to it. She knows that she does something important for the community and also helps the families of the deceased. She knows what to say and what to do in the situations that leave us completely helpless in our grief. But the one thing she decided for herself is a real mistake in my eyes: She doesn't want to find herself in the situation of being helpless after losing the love of her life to death. So what does she do? She calls one sexy gigolo after the next and doesn't regret any of her sexy adventures. You go girl! In her opinion it's the best way to keep love at bay. She never expected to find someone like Sam by accident. He's all she never wanted but craves nonetheless. He is her perfect match and she tries to find a way to get rid of him, although all she wants is him. Confusing? No, just typically female.

Sam thought he had the luckiest day in his life when he finds sexy Grace willingly in this bar. More fortunate when he meets her again. He's a very persistent specimen and doesn't give up in his pursuit of Grace. He knows how to tease her and he was really confusing from time to time with his frontal attacks and immediate retreats after. His character is a mystery through nearly the whole book so I won't tell you too much because I wanted to figure out why he acted the way he did myself and you will too.

Oh, and I nearly forgot Jack, Grace's new gigolo discovery. He's a newbie in the occupation and found a great mentor with our heroine. She shows him what a girls wants and likes and how to become an even better lover.

Jack is a really cute character. He's young, pierced and really tempting. Grace really likes him but more in a friendly way. He helps her to unwind and with his help she has something to block out her feelings for Sam. He's the shield to save her heart.

This book is full of fascinating side-characters but this review would really get too long if I mentioed them all. Just be assured Ms. Hart knows how to create a community of many different and complex characters. Sure, this book gets a bit emotionally hard to stomach because of all the families we meet at the funeral home. But I never had the feeling I would drown in my sympathy and compassion for the individual clients she had.

As always Ms. Hart created an emotional and sexy story that drew me in from the first page, didn't let go of my attention on the whole ride, made me cry in one of the last chapters but also made up for it in the end. Okay, I would have loved this book even more with an extra chapter at the end but I'm a HEA addict and always would prefer to read more about that.

I love to read her books- they make you think, laugh and even cry, while still offering up their fair share of smut too. So what is not to like?

I give Stranger 4.5 out of 5 stars.

[Wicked Incognito Now · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading Megan Hart books back to back, and this is the first one that I didn't enjoy as much as the others.

It was every bit as realistic feeling, but lacked some of the emotional aspects I've come to expect from Megan Hart books. Not that the emotions weren't there, they were, I just didn't believe them or relate to them as thoroughly as I did the other books.

In Dirty and Broken, I couldn't possibly know what it feels like to be an adult overcoming childhood sexual abuse, or the wife of a quadriplegic. But I still felt as if I could understand how those women felt.

Stranger is about a woman who's family business is a funeral home. She's taken over the business, and for the most part, the business of death is just business to her. But watching the grief of countless people has effected her profoundly. She has developed a fear of meaningful relationships because she doesn't want to experience the sort of grief she sees every day. As a result, she has decided to PAY escorts for their sexual company. It's less complicated that way. No emotions involved, no mess.

The only problem I had with this storyline is that I've read this type of thing in romance novels over and over again. The hero or heroine has been hurt in the past, or has loved and lost, or experienced death and NEVER wants to open themselves up for that sort of hurt again.

I never enjoy this storyline, because it has NEVER felt real to me. I've not met a single person who does not go back for pain time and time again despite getting hurt over and over again. The reason is simple...the GOOD feelings surrounding love overwhelm the hurt feelings to the point that humans have hurt amnesia.

Mothers, for instance, will get pregnant more than once...ON PURPOSE. Despite the fact that while we are going through labor we swear it is the most excruciating nonsense we've ever afflicted ourselves with, we will get pregnant again. Why? Because the love we feel for our children overcomes any memories of pain. I believe it is the same with almost anything. The warm fuzzy feeling of being drunk will make us forget the inevitable hangover. The endorphins released by eating yummy yummy food will make us forget the unsightly cellulite and the hours in the gym required to demolish it.

Pleasure, love, happiness...always trumps fear of pain. People don't turn away from the warm fuzzies they feel when they meet someone that makes them feel good. They just don't. I've never met a person that does.

So my assurance of this fact took me out of my enjoyment for this Megan Hart novel. I just couldn't relate to this heroine.

[Dalimar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tengo que felicitar a Megan Hart,es increible la forma tan original que ella crea un personaje.El oficio,lo bien que los describe y tan bien informada al respecto de sus labores.En este caso tenemos a Grace,que tiene un trabajo tan particular,ella es la encargada de una funeraria.No solo es original el oficio de la protagonista si no lo bien que se informo del mismo Hart.Maravilloso,las demas autoras deberian emularla y no solo buscar una historia que parezca creible y entendible al publico,si no tambien informarse tan bien al respecto.En esta Megan se informo hasta la saciedad de como es que se lleva el negocio funebre.

Siguiendo con Grace,el hecho de ella ver en primera mano el dolor y el vacio que deja perder a un ser querido ha hecho de ella una mujer con miedo a amar y no por miedo al amor si no su miedo se fundamente en el hecho que tene llegar amar y perder a su ser querido.Dicen "que quien no se arriesga no gana",pero para ella no es facil viendo dia a dia como la gente sufre.Creo que ver en primera mano el dolor hace que ella haga hasta lo imposible por no padecerlo ,no quiere tener que vivirlo.Pero como es joven y tiene sus deseos,lo que ella cree mejor es contratar gigolos para satisfacer sus necesidades carnales y no mezclar los sentimientos.Hasta que por una confusion se ve en la cama con un “extraño”,pero ese no es el problema.El problema es que desde ese momento no deja de pensar en el y se encuentra de una manera u otra con el,lo que hace que esa atraccion que ambos sienten llegue a algo mas y Grace se replantee sobre su miedo a amar.

Como siempre me sucedo con los personajes de Megan,me los vivo de una forma tal que sufro,rio y me enojo con ellos.En algunos momentos me dan ganas de sacurdir a Grace y decirle que ya basta,que deje de pensar en el futuro y viva el dia a dia.Lo que importa es el presente.Lastima que cuando se da cuenta que es mejor vivir con amor y sufrir que nunca tenerlo es cuando se encuentra con el hecho que no solo perdemos el amor,cuando morimos si no que algunas veces debido a nuestros propios errores nos toca perder el amor y aprender a vivir con esa perdida.Sam,en ocasiones me molesta,xq quien es el para juzgar el pasado de Grace? Pero si me pongo en su lugar tambien pienso que debe ser “extraño” saber que la persona a la que amamos paga por sexo.

En fin un libro super recomendable,tan original y menos intenso a los que Megan Hart nos tiene acostumbrados,pero un gran libro.

[Tessamari ♥Many Waters...♥ ~ Sweet Spot Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-3.75 Stars

I enjoyed this book for the most part, but i felt that the story needed just a little more. I wasn't a huge fan of Grace, our heroine, and thought her reasoning for wanting to pay for sex wasn't convincing enough for me. Sam, our hero, was very sexy, funny and persistent, but i wish i knew his reasoning why he kept pusuing Grace. Third, i felt that Jack's character couldve been delt with more. He was a huge part of the story in the beginning and then he kinda just faded away. Lastly, the ending, to me at least, was unsatisfying. They got their HEA, but I thought it could've used an epilogue or something. After all the drama they went through, and their sudden reunion, I wanted just a little more.

[Nina · Rating 2 out of 5]

So Grace is a funeral director who has a deep fear of intimacy and pays for sex in an effort to lie to herself that she is "fine" and "dandy." Mind you, its not like she has tons of great alternatives as the male love interest is a bit of a flying bird in the sky when it comes to responsibility and a bit of a fish when it comes to guzzling alcohol. So between her rent boy and her "love" interest you don't really end up with awesome choices.

I was kind of disappointed.

[Erotic Horizon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Characters:

The main protagonist are Sam – the less than useful son, the brother that is loved and hated in equal measure, the son a mother just loves unconditionally and the Stranger that Grace picks up in a bar.

Then there is Grace, what can i say, She knew what she wanted from quite early in her life, she has little or no illusions about the realities of life and sets her own rules and create her own fantasies as she enjoy life. She’s also the daughter trying to hold it together in a father son business. Peripheral character are families and friends of either Sam or Grace, and then there was Jack.

Most of the characters are fully developed, there were no grey areas here, i definately bonded with these people the more i read i either love or loathe them in equal measure. I love the by play between Grace and her family. I would have loved to see a bit more on Sam and is family.


Plot:

The author clearly spend some time on this one, the build up was not easy to grasp especially if you are a bit queasy about dead people – I must be morbid, i jump right in. The main story line, flowed smoothly – (no confusion there, we knew who was doing what when and to who), lots of sexually charged moments, despite that there was actually a story.

Along with the main storyline, there are a few additional stories running through this books as well. They are all tied in perfectly and they all provide us with some of the more hilarious and shocking scenes in the book.

While the general concept is not really new, the sting is in the details and Ms. Hart clearly has some sting going on with STRANGER.


Surprise Element:

What sort of surprise was i looking for – for heaven sakes the setting was created around a morgue for god sakes. That being said, there was a moment there when i thought is this book going where i think it is going – and it did and WOW. Both Sam and Grace are not conservative about there views or action – however when all the chips are laid on the table i must admit i was surprised at how some details emerged and how unpredictable some the characters were in their attitudes and mannerisms.


Predictability:

Other than the fact that i knew this was a HEA read, the getting there was a real treat. There are twist and turns a plenty and what Sam and Grace does not provide in story line, the supporting cast eagerly makes up for with their panache for being nosy and their almost single minded attitude in getting their own way.



Smut/Ick Factor:

Hell yeah there was smut factor, and lots of it, and in many different position and with different people. The sex scenes were not only hot but Grace is some creative woman. Lots of emotional moment in and out of the bedroom. Be warned you will laugh out loud, but be prepared to reach for the tissue box a time or two.


Positives:

I actually got this book as a gift after reading a review on Romance Book Wyrm site and i loved her built up to it. Ms. Hart is a new to me author, and with that in mind i was prepared to be as objective as possible. I love the book – there I've said. I like the story line, most of the characters were endearing and i doubt the average person would have an inkling of what the world of a mortician is all about. I am not squeamish about death and all it entail by any means, however Ms. Hart has simplified the workings of a mortuary in such a way that i not only now have a healthy respect for that particular profession, but it also highlight the strength of this authors writing.

I also like Grace’s role as the boss and how she tackle day to day event, even with all the drama happening around her. It’s nice having a woman take charge from the get go and is determined to get as much out of life as she can on her own terms.


Negative:

The only draw back for me was probably Sam’s character, he is clearly different from the heroes that i am used to. While is character was not as developed as grace - i knew him, i empathise with him and i knew what he wanted. However there was too much of a laid back quality to him or probably he was just too real for me to appreciate.

To be fair to him, i kept on comparing him to the “other man” in the book and he was not winning any points. Probably after re-read i might adjust my opinion – i doubt it though – I wanted something more for Grace.


Cover:

It didn’t blow me away when i initially looked at it, but you know when you read a book and some where about a third in you just have to look at the cover to see if it portray anything of the book in any way shape or form – well i did and the cover is a true reflection of the book. There is an element of the unknown and a little voyeurism about the cover, and in alot of ways that sums up the book - I like it.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace ~ Not a person you would expect to be a funeral director or pay for sex but she does both. She enjoys doing both. She's good at her job and wants no strings in her relationships so paying for sex makes sense.

Sam ~ The stranger in the bar. But not the right stranger. Too late, Grace realizes her mistake. Then trying to undo the mistake becomes a matter of trying to learn to live with pain and loss. Something she wants to avoid at all costs.

I'll start with stating right off the bat that I love Megan Hart's writing. I've read two of her previous books, Dirty and Broken and enjoyed both of them. I would say Broken is one of my all time favorite books. So when I started reading Stranger I had a pretty good idea what I was getting. Did Ms. Hart deliver? Hell yeah! Stranger was pure Megan Hart magic! Sure it's erotica and there are many sex scenes, heck the heroine pays for sex. But Hart's writing is much more than just the bump and grind of two people. She gets you into their minds and lets the reader see their insecurities, fears, needs and dreams. Are her heroine and heroes your typical contemporary fictional characters? Nope. They are sometimes so flawed you can't help but wonder how they can be considered hero/heroine material. But in the end they are people just like us in so many ways. Hart shows us that flaws are beautiful and that being perfect is highly overrated and very boring. Bring on the beautiful, flawed characters!

A funeral director is not a job for just anyone. You need compassion, sensitivity, organizational skills, certainly people skills and a strong stomach. Grace has all of these. She inherited her father's funeral home, Frawley and Sons, when her father retired. Her brother and sister had no desire to go into the family business but Grace knew it was what she wanted. She's very good at it. But it's also left it's mark on her. She sees death, works with it and it's made her decide that she doesn't want the closeness of a long term relationship. She doesn't even want a boyfriend. So paying for escorts and what may or may not follow is what she's chosen.

Sam comes to Annville, Pennsylvania out of family obligation. He meets Grace in a bar and has the most amazing sexual encounter. When he tries to continue seeing Grace she gives him the brush off. But Sam can be very stubborn and determined. He's got some serious issues to get through and Grace is someone who he connects with on more than just a physical level.

Sam is such a complex male character. Many layers to him. On the outside he seems like a fairly simple guy. Hangs out in bars, plays guitar, easy going with some family issues thrown in. But once you see past the easy going nature to the emotional wreck that he is it's obvious he needs more than what he can possibly ask for. So who does he end up turning to but someone who has no intentions of getting into an emotional relationship. Sam and Grace learn from each other, not without pain but anything worth learning often comes at a price.

And then there's Jack. Wow. What can I say about Jack? He's what I would call a catalyst for Grace. He's the one that helped her see what she really wanted, needed. I do think he was necessary even if his initial intention was only to make money and give Grace some great sex. But Grace did need him, not only in a sexual way but to get her to really think and be honest with herself. Some readers might not like that Grace slept with Jack after she had been with Sam but IMO she couldn't have gotten to the point of wanting to be with Sam in a long term relationship without first being with Jack. The relationship she developed with Jack was critical. And I do hope that Jack gets his own story. There's more to him than just a pretty face and great sex.

And those sex scenes are certainly as graphic as any erotic novel but they are more than just bodies coming together. They give a special perception into a character. Showing rather than telling. Hart is very good at the show instead of tell of writing. The hows and the whys of a characters' feelings are reflected in the way they have sex. Is it fast and rough? Or do they take their time, going slow and savoring each other. Do they give the other person what they need or simply take what they want? All of this gives the reader insight to the character's emotional personality at the time. What's driving them to do what they are doing? Why they are there instead of somewhere else? Are they where they belong? Much more than simple sex scenes.

I could go on and on about this book. There are some great secondary characters and side stories as well. If you like a well written erotic novel then I would strongly suggest giving Megan Hart a try.