In the Flesh

by Emma Holly

Surely there has never been a woman more sensual, more irresistable than svelte dancer Chloe Dubois. She is a heady combination of innocence and sultry seduction, and Japanese-American businessman David Imakita will risk everything he has to keep his career, his friends, even his integrity—such is her power over him. But who is this temptress and what does she want? Is it just love? David's ex-Sumo bodyguard, Sato, believes Chloe will cause havoc in their ordered lives and turns up information on her that is far from pretty. The warning signs are there, but it is already too late for David, who is under her spell and besotted. Will this unrepentant temptress overturn her wild ways and accept the opportunity to change her life for the better, or will the dark family secrets of her past resurface and destroy them both?

Genres: Erotica, Romance, Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Fiction, M F Romance, Japanese Literature

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

I'm a USA Today bestselling author who LOVES the hot stuff, both to read and to write. My favorite obsessions are all things coffee, almost everything on HGTV, and dreaming up new stories.

Reviews

[Kateri Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You want me to spill my guts, don’t you? You want me to lay my intestines on the table and let you poke at them. You think it will bring us closer.”

This book has been sitting in my TBR list for nearly two years and I finally found the time during the Easter holiday to enjoy it. As much as I love my dark thrillers, I do enjoy the occasional romance especially something that is slightly taboo, or unconventional. Emma Holly has brilliant writing talent. I loved her poetic descriptions and when it came to the sex scenes, she pulled the reader into a sensory, emotional experience, embodying why I love reading romances. It was also clear that she had heavily Japanese culture when it came to the language, etiquette, fashion and so much more. It made it more believable.

The downsides to this, I didn’t fully dig the David/Chloe relationship. It was too rushed & important events of their romance were clearly hacked out to bring the story to a close. I think David needed more development as a character. I would have enjoyed this story more if Sato, the tortured bisexual sumo bodyguard had been the MC. He was favourite character, the dark horse of the story.

[Alia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now THIS is a romance novel. The sex scenes were not only hot and steamy, but frequent as well, which is what I prefer in my romance. But what I didn't expect, and was pleasantly surprised by, was the plot being actually pretty good, too! I quickly got into the book for the sex scenes, but before I knew it, I was totally hooked on the plot and flipping ahead to see what happened next. Well done, Emma Holly! I would absolutely read another of her books.

[A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Emma Holly is the reason I signed up at Booksfree.com because you just can't get erotica at the library. I have loved every book I've read by her...except this one. For me, it was just a dud. The story was blah and I just couldn't click with the two-dimensional characters. It was an apathetic read. Oh well, one out of over a dozen aren't bad odds. On to the next one!

[justmeri_an · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first Emma Holly I read, first erotic theme too.

I love David! and Chloe of course...
David for me is Rick Yune or maybe Sung Kang and Chloe has that Angelina Jolie or Megan Fox feel. =)

[Cindy (BKind2Books) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read other books by Holly and enjoyed them, but this one did nothing for me. The story revolves around David & Chloe with Sato thrown in as the third leg of the love triangle. There was some steam but for me it fell flat - I thought that it was dispassionate and lackluster. The story improved a little once Chloe is injured, but even then I could not bring myself to care. Sato is David's bodyguard and he is in love with David (from afar) but has sex with Chloe. This was not really an erotic romance as there is little of either in this. I did finish but it took a while. Maybe someone else will like this but it is not my cup of tea.

[Kathy Davie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sad story of childhood trauma affecting the adult along with the conflict of cultures: man's view of woman, Japanese culture versus American, and, the need for the child to please a parent.

The sexual theme is one of a subtle submission dominating throughout winding around manipulation, the culture of the geisha, forbidden theatrics, gay love, and the emotional art of stripping with voyeurism rampant throughout.

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book because I really enjoy Ms. Holly’s writing. I knew going in to the story that it wasn’t a romance per se. It was tough reading for most of it. Neither of the main characters are very nice people, and there is a lot of time spent in their heads. There is a HEA, I just didn’t enjoy getting there. I did really enjoy the details about Japanese culture - fascinating stuff.

Bought from kobo

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Emma Holly. This one was very sexy and also had a very intense story. It really drew me in and I didn't want to put it down. She didn't do what I expected with the story, but I was still happy with how it ended.

[Christie Hammer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the steamy descriptive scenes!! But I walked away feeling disturbed and dirty by the characters lack of moral fibre and genuine growth or development. I felt battered and robbed by the whole experience. I kept hoping it was going to get better feeling.... But it really never did. Too bad.

[LilMisGrayBrisk · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[penelopewanders · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found this disappointing for an Emma Holly.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do like Ms. Holly's erotic books. Chloe is a whirlwind of trouble. I enjoyed how she lead David essential by his dick. This was a smexy book before I started reading so much erotica.

[Kim Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

ok book

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lame.