Hot Pink

by Susan Johnson

Web designer Chloe Chisholm, determined to have a fling with no strings attached, finds her erotic encounter with sexy stranger Rocco Vinelli turning into something more when she falls for her new lover, who happens to be engaged to someone else. Reprint.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Erotica, Fiction, Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Chick Lit

295 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

And it all began rather serendipitously. Long ago, as they say, in another time, when fast food hadn't reached our area and the only shopping was what the feed mill offered, I was reading a book that annoyed me .

My husband was lying beside me in bed, watching TV. Turning to him, I sort of petulantly said, "How the hell did this book get published?"

"If you think you're so smart," he replied, with one eye still on the TV, "why don't you write a book?"

So I did. And very badly.

I've since learned how to do, he said, she said, and a great variety of other adverb heavy, sometimes lengthy explanations of why my characters are saying what they're saying, along with finally coming to an understanding of what things like POV means. Point of View for you non-writers}.

Although, I still don't fully comprehend why it matters if you switch POV and I cavalierly disregard it as much as possible. So while my technical skills have hopefully improved, what hasn't changed is my great joy in writing. There's as much pleasure today in listening to my characters talk while I type as fast as I can, as there was the first time I put dialogue to paper--in long-hand, then, in my leather bound sketch-book.

Reviews

[Lara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Smoking-hot sex, and Chloe is a sharp heroine who's smart enough (most of the time) to tell Mr. Well-Hung Hero that he needs to get his crap together and tell the girl who thinks they're soulmates that it's never going to happen before he gets back in her bed. Lost a star due to that parenthesis above--Mr. WHH keeps dithering about soulmate-girl (who is presented as a spoiled demanding brat obsessed with him to Fatal Attraction levels; she has no redeeming qualities) right up until the last ten pages of the book. He should have girded his not-inconsiderable loins before succumbing to insta-lust with Chloe and said "I'm not in love with you, I never have been, quite frankly you creep me out, and I don't care if your dad's my business partner, you need to stay the hell away from me." The book would have been at least 50 pages shorter if he'd done that, and I'd rather read hot sex scenes than Awkward Conversation #18 with soulmate-girl.

Quick note--Chloe decides not to see WHH while he's trying to extricate himself from the clutches of soulmate-girl, and indulges in an affair with a younger man during this time. If you consider this to be somehow cheating on WHH, you have not been paying attention to my summary. This is erotica, Chloe has a lot of sex, and refuses to be shamed for it.

[Squallogal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as Illicit Embrace by C.C. Gibbs

I always long for more with C.C Gibbs writing.

Those who know me also know I'm not a big reader of cheating fics. This couple didn't appeal to me. Too angsty and quarrelling. It didn't really resolve itself well enough to be a great pay off. If you're going to read one of her stories other than the fabulous Knight Series (Knights Mistress; Knights Game) then I would recommend reading her other story French Caress which I am rather addicted to.

Happy Reading

[Bonnie G. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love a good sex-positive independent professional leading lady in my modern romance, so that was great. I also love solid friendships with ride or die women friends and strong family ties. This was a 3 point read for this most part but it lost a point for 2 reasons: 1) The crazy-ex-girlfriend was ludicrous from her citrus hued suits (in Minneapolis! Ha! We favor outdoor gear here in the great white north--formal means no fleece) to the fatal attraction maneuvering with respect to a man she has barely dated; and 2) the super rapey "love scene" where Chloe tells Rocco she doesn't want to have sex with him and he ignores her, overpowers her, and eventually she comes around and realizes she was dying to have sex all along. I found this profoundly disturbing. Its too bad, because there was some good stuff here.

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, but I'll round up.

Chloe Chisolm likes sex. She also likes tall dark men. Guess what she really likes. Yeah, sex with tall dark men. This book has a lot of that. I thought Chloe was rather a bitchy slut who sometimes acted like a moody teen, which makes it hard to really like the book. Certainly not a typical romance book, but not really erotica either. It's odd that the guy, Rocco Vinelli has all the good character qualities. Who knew?

[Mell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Saw this on an end cap at the library and grabbed on my way to checkout. And I'd describe much like I would a candy bar: fun without anything substantial or great for you. But a fun and a bit trashy.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sexy, surprisingly good.

[Auj · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read quite a few Susan Johnson books and liked them all, but this wasn't good. I discovered this book at the library (must have been looking for a Susan Johnson book to read, and I know which shelf it's on).

The dialogue wasn't great, the connection between the characters wasn't there, and the plot wasn't the best (crazy OW drama ~ she asserts that she's engaged to the hero for most of the book). I don't know, but something was missing. I did, however, like the dress icon at the start of each chapter's text. That's the nicest thing I could say about the book. And I'm probably only giving it 2 stars since it's Susan Johnson.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly neither of the main characters were very likeable. Chloe was immature and Rocco made poor life decisions. And the ending didn't really give me closure...The sex scenes were very well written and really the only redeemable parts of this story. I'm kind of bummed I didn't like it more, it was recommended by a friend. To each his own.

[Sumi38 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice surprise. I thought it was going to be your every day smut but I liked that the characters were reversed. It was h who couldn’t contain her lust and him who had a little more restraint. I liked that she slept around and did not apologize for it. Good for her. H was almost perfect. Both characters were consistent and have credible fun loving personalities

[Samantha Geromichalos · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried to like this but it was just not my style. The characters were too horny too often and the story moved too fast for me to consider it at all believable. The things they were talking about at the end, after only a couple weeks of knowing each other were unrealistic. I also found both main characters nearly intolerable. Just not my style.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

made me laugh, made me horny, and made me fall in love with them. what more could a girl ask for? 😌

since this was written over 20 yrs ago my expectations were very low, and amy’s character writing (and that grass scene at the party 😒) was my only issue - although she’s painted as the villain i wish we saw a bit more growth and depth from her.

[Megan Fouks · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a little annoying that Rocco didn’t just get his shit handled faster- I thought that just dragged on a bit too long. HOWEVER…the sexy scene happens in like chapter 2 and 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵 all the scenes are 🥵🥵🥵

[Sarah Woodford · Rating 3 out of 5]

thanks ms. webb…

[Katey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not a plausible story, though it did contain modern elements about a woman's view of sexuality. However, the editing was poor, the characters were mainly lame, and the ending was weak.

[L8blmr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This comtemporary from Johnson wasn't flawless, but I did enjoy it. She used a formula perfected in many of her historicals: a couple meets and almost immediately become very intimate; one of them develops deeper feelings and must decide how to go about winning the deep, abiding love of the other. Throw in a jilted party, some interesting secondary characters and the steamy sexual chemistry that exists between our hero and heroine, and it works. It's an entertaining story that doesn't require a lot of mental involvement from the reader.

[Amber Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book grabbed my attention instantly and was the first romance novel I've read so as I would get to certain parts I feel like everyone knew what I was reading haha but it was a great romance novel! I highly recommend it!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first Susan Johnson book that I read. I actually liked it. It was a simple no brainer romance book.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another easy read. I liked how quickly I got hooked on this book and couldn't put it down.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good "by the pool" book, easy read with lots of sex.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This trashy beach read was just what the doctor ordered. Very racy and OK the name of the book pretty much describes what it is about. SEX!

[Kathy Davie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a well-written story with a fun plot line and interesting characters...and...without emotion. I was pleased with the outcome of the story but I was never involved with them.

[Hannah McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST DIRTY ROMANCE NOVEL EVER!

[Trish Turner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just awful.

[Chassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Racy, but interesting...

[Karen Desmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

4

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. To me it was very real. The sex scenes were throughout the book and tastefully written. I also enjoyed the story. I will def read this book again.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars rounding up to 3.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet little romance....

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a hot book! I have re-read this a few times now. I you are into explicit sex everywhere, this book is for you.

[Marleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sexy read!