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Mr. Sinful
A sinfully sexy friends-to-lovers erotic romance – by a USA Today bestselling author.
Previously published by Samhain Publishing under the title Seven Sexy Sins. This is the Director’s Cut edition – featuring previously unseen excerpts from Faith’s blog!
Seven Sexy Sins. One Mr. Sinful.
Faith Hillman is in trouble. She’s writing an article on ways to spice up your love life for her popular blog, but she’s hit a major snag—she hasn’t experienced any of the Seven Sexy Sins on her list. Luckily, her brother’s best friend, Rusty Thorne, offers to help with her research.
Having had a crush on him since the age of twelve, Faith agrees, on the proviso that he signs a contract keeping their short-term relationship a secret. Her brother once decked him for kissing her on her eighteenth birthday, so Rusty’s happy to concur.
While they work their way through the wicked list, Rusty enjoys showing Faith all the sexual delights he can think of. But it’s only as the sins draws to a close that he understands that, where love is concerned, he’s the student and Faith’s the teacher.
He’s determined to keep to the terms of the contract, but when it comes to the crunch, will he be able to let her go?
Warning: Includes rebellious hero who enjoys inserting Tab A into Slots B, C, and even occasionally D. Also includes highly inappropriate use of a Mars Bar.
Previously published by Samhain Publishing under the title Seven Sexy Sins. This is the Director’s Cut edition – featuring previously unseen excerpts from Faith’s blog!
Seven Sexy Sins. One Mr. Sinful.
Faith Hillman is in trouble. She’s writing an article on ways to spice up your love life for her popular blog, but she’s hit a major snag—she hasn’t experienced any of the Seven Sexy Sins on her list. Luckily, her brother’s best friend, Rusty Thorne, offers to help with her research.
Having had a crush on him since the age of twelve, Faith agrees, on the proviso that he signs a contract keeping their short-term relationship a secret. Her brother once decked him for kissing her on her eighteenth birthday, so Rusty’s happy to concur.
While they work their way through the wicked list, Rusty enjoys showing Faith all the sexual delights he can think of. But it’s only as the sins draws to a close that he understands that, where love is concerned, he’s the student and Faith’s the teacher.
He’s determined to keep to the terms of the contract, but when it comes to the crunch, will he be able to let her go?
Warning: Includes rebellious hero who enjoys inserting Tab A into Slots B, C, and even occasionally D. Also includes highly inappropriate use of a Mars Bar.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 7, 2012
1079 people are currently reading
1801 people want to read
About the author
Serenity Woods
171 books917 followersUSA Today bestselling author Serenity Woods writes feel-good romances full of friends, family, and falling in love. Most of her stories are set in Godzone, aka Aotearoa New Zealand, where she lives.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
September 8, 2019
Quite steamy this one was...
Me likey.
A very interesting take on the friends-to-lovers trope.
This book is set in New Zealand... which I loved!
Loved the two MCs.
Rusty's hangups were a little frustrating at times.
But, overall, a very enjoyable, spicy little read!
Me likey.
A very interesting take on the friends-to-lovers trope.
This book is set in New Zealand... which I loved!
Loved the two MCs.
Rusty's hangups were a little frustrating at times.
But, overall, a very enjoyable, spicy little read!
no-way-jose
June 20, 2025No rating, DNF at 12%
🧀 lessons in seduction
🧀 forbidden
🧀 brother’s best friend
🧀 New Zealand setting
🧀 Cheesy McCheeserton storytelling
Rusty - mid-20s, high school history teacher, his father is a jerk so he is convinced that he will never ever be husband material, and he has been secretly crushing on Faith for years.
Faith - 22 yrs old, inexperienced sexually, writes articles/blogs for a popular women’s magazine, needs to gain more bedroom knowledge for an article on the Seven Sexy Sins that she is writing. Of course she does 😉
Rusty offers to teach her a few pointers, from the goodness of his heart, I’m sure. The teacher in him couldn’t resist a student in need 😈. Faith insists on a contract to keep their interactions to be strictly secret and business only. No extra non-lesson shenanigans.
Wow, this was all sorts of cheesy! The characters were immature at best, the FMC complains to her brother and his friends how sexually frustrated she is, actually all dialogue was unrealistic and cringy.
This would have worked MUCH better had the MMC been more resistant to the idea of secrets lessons, to add a bit of yummy angst. And had the FMC a bit more class and maturity around her brother.
Don’t mind us, CB and I just over here cleaning up our book shelves, one failed BR at a time. 🧹💨💨💨
🧀 lessons in seduction
🧀 forbidden
🧀 brother’s best friend
🧀 New Zealand setting
🧀 Cheesy McCheeserton storytelling
Rusty - mid-20s, high school history teacher, his father is a jerk so he is convinced that he will never ever be husband material, and he has been secretly crushing on Faith for years.
Faith - 22 yrs old, inexperienced sexually, writes articles/blogs for a popular women’s magazine, needs to gain more bedroom knowledge for an article on the Seven Sexy Sins that she is writing. Of course she does 😉
Rusty offers to teach her a few pointers, from the goodness of his heart, I’m sure. The teacher in him couldn’t resist a student in need 😈. Faith insists on a contract to keep their interactions to be strictly secret and business only. No extra non-lesson shenanigans.
Wow, this was all sorts of cheesy! The characters were immature at best, the FMC complains to her brother and his friends how sexually frustrated she is, actually all dialogue was unrealistic and cringy.
This would have worked MUCH better had the MMC been more resistant to the idea of secrets lessons, to add a bit of yummy angst. And had the FMC a bit more class and maturity around her brother.
Don’t mind us, CB and I just over here cleaning up our book shelves, one failed BR at a time. 🧹💨💨💨
March 26, 2016
I’ve found a new favorite! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters have such depth, you feel like they could be friends of yours. The story can be so emotional, yet it’s also incredibly sexy and fun. I think it was well balanced, well written, and well paced all around. It actually reminded me a bit of the movie “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Day”, only revolving around keeping the fire alive rather than trying to alienate someone.
A brief description of Faith’s “Seven Sexy Sins” and how she intends to portray them are as follows: Envy involves porn, Sloth involves oral sex, Gluttony involves food, Pride involves stripping, Wrath involves a little light bondage, Greed involves multiple orgasms, and finally Lust involves tantric sex. She and Rusty delve into each of these, all on separate nights, and we get to tag along for the ride. The night of porn is their first sexual encounter and it’s a fairly comical experience as they’re both a little nervous about it. The food exploration leaves me unable to ever look at a candy bar the same way, that’s all I’m sayin’ about that! Wrath and greed were all around fun. Lust is the kicker though, because it’s the final night when everything comes to a head. It goes great, until it’s all over and then everyone’s just left pretty shattered and heartbroken.
Faith’s been in love with Rusty from day one and Rusty’s been in love with her since the moment he saw her as more than just his friend’s little sister, but after Dan (Faith’s brother) gives him a black eye for kissing her on her 18th birthday, he keeps his distance, until now. Faith knows Rusty’s got a reputation as a heartbreaker, but decides to go through with it anyway, and Rusty struggles with his loyalty to Dan as well as his fears of Faith seeing him become like the rest of his family – a mean drunk.
I think many women can identify with Faith’s position, falling for someone you “shouldn’t” and facing the inability to ever have him, but I can actually identify with Rusty too. Alcoholism sucks, and the fear of succumbing to it and hurting someone – physically or otherwise – can be debilitating. The final pages are so achingly satisfying, you could almost cry…when you’re done laughing!
A brief description of Faith’s “Seven Sexy Sins” and how she intends to portray them are as follows: Envy involves porn, Sloth involves oral sex, Gluttony involves food, Pride involves stripping, Wrath involves a little light bondage, Greed involves multiple orgasms, and finally Lust involves tantric sex. She and Rusty delve into each of these, all on separate nights, and we get to tag along for the ride. The night of porn is their first sexual encounter and it’s a fairly comical experience as they’re both a little nervous about it. The food exploration leaves me unable to ever look at a candy bar the same way, that’s all I’m sayin’ about that! Wrath and greed were all around fun. Lust is the kicker though, because it’s the final night when everything comes to a head. It goes great, until it’s all over and then everyone’s just left pretty shattered and heartbroken.
Faith’s been in love with Rusty from day one and Rusty’s been in love with her since the moment he saw her as more than just his friend’s little sister, but after Dan (Faith’s brother) gives him a black eye for kissing her on her 18th birthday, he keeps his distance, until now. Faith knows Rusty’s got a reputation as a heartbreaker, but decides to go through with it anyway, and Rusty struggles with his loyalty to Dan as well as his fears of Faith seeing him become like the rest of his family – a mean drunk.
I think many women can identify with Faith’s position, falling for someone you “shouldn’t” and facing the inability to ever have him, but I can actually identify with Rusty too. Alcoholism sucks, and the fear of succumbing to it and hurting someone – physically or otherwise – can be debilitating. The final pages are so achingly satisfying, you could almost cry…when you’re done laughing!
August 2, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ this was a cute friends to lovers read.
December 30, 2019
4.4 seriously hot sexual exploration romantic read
August 9, 2012
Reading this book made me feel so many different emotions. I enjoyed reading the story of love that started when Faith was young. She always felt something for Rusty. As the pages flipped by, I was pulled into their relationship of being best friends & then lovers with possibly no happy ending because of Rusty's family demons. I loved this author's writing style. It gripped me from the beginning of the book & didn't let me go until the end. I will be reading more by this author.
August 25, 2017
Mr. Sinful attracted me with a premise of a friends-2-lovers plot and exploration of 7 sins. I was intrigued how author will connect them all to sex.
Well, the part about friends becoming lovers was a disappointment. It was a version I do not like so much. The one where it turns out they both love each other for ages, they were just too stupid to see it or too stubborn to admit it or something like it. I like reading more about how friendship turns into something more.
As for the 7 sins. I loved how Serenity Woods connected them all to sex. It was very imaginative and sexy. I just wish they didn't have sex after committing the first sin, that the sexual tension built up more.
(You have to read the book to understand the Mars bar reference. LOL)
Mr. Sinful didn't really blew my mind, but it was a pleasant distraction. And it was free so I am not complaining... Get it while it's FREE for Kindle: http://amzn.to/2ic04Pt
Well, the part about friends becoming lovers was a disappointment. It was a version I do not like so much. The one where it turns out they both love each other for ages, they were just too stupid to see it or too stubborn to admit it or something like it. I like reading more about how friendship turns into something more.
As for the 7 sins. I loved how Serenity Woods connected them all to sex. It was very imaginative and sexy. I just wish they didn't have sex after committing the first sin, that the sexual tension built up more.
(You have to read the book to understand the Mars bar reference. LOL)
Mr. Sinful didn't really blew my mind, but it was a pleasant distraction. And it was free so I am not complaining... Get it while it's FREE for Kindle: http://amzn.to/2ic04Pt
October 18, 2012
I bought this book because Ruthie Knox told me to on twitter... well, not me specifically, but I just happened to poke my head in there when she tweeted about it, and I'm glad I saw it!
In Seven Sexy Sins, we meet Faith... she's works for a magazine and has signed on to do an article that revolves around what she refers to as "Seven Sexy Sins". The details come out one day while sitting around with her brother and their friends, including Rusty, who Faith has crushed on for quite some time. Rusty, however, is not the settling down kind for reasons that area explained later in the book.
So, the Seven Sexy Sins - based on the seven original sins "with each relating to a 'sexy sin'. The idea is htat your average housewife, who's struggling in the bedroom, could show her partner the list and work through them with him."
The catch is that Faith hasn't actually done any of the things on this list, so she needs to find someone who will agree to them.
Enter Rusty.
So, your typical friends to more kind of story, but this one is hot... they absolutely do everything on Faith's list. The catch here of course is, can they just go back to being friends after this, AND what happens if Faith's brother finds out. Because Rusty definitely isn't the relationship sort... or is he?
Some of my favorite parts:
"I'm just a girl, Rusty, a girl who wants you, very, very much. I don't need to be romanced, and I don't need to be cajoled. And I swear, if you're not inside me in, like, two minutes, I'm going to tie you to the bed and carry all seven sins out on you in one go, whether you like it or not."
and
"Now," she told him huskily, "whenever we're in public, sitting with Dan and Eve and Toby, and I do this - "she licked her lips,"- you won't see me as Dan's little sister, or the skinny girl with braces you used to torture with crickets and cockroaches. You'll think of my lips around you, and me taking you deep inside my mouth, swallowing as you come. Okay?"
He nodded, wide eyed, not trusting himself to speak.
And in all honesty... these are just the tip of the iceberg for this book. It's definitely sexy, but not over the top smutty and I really enjoyed it!
If you're looking for something with some romance and a good friends to lovers book this is for you! Go check it out!!
This review can be found on my blog, Fic Fare:
In Seven Sexy Sins, we meet Faith... she's works for a magazine and has signed on to do an article that revolves around what she refers to as "Seven Sexy Sins". The details come out one day while sitting around with her brother and their friends, including Rusty, who Faith has crushed on for quite some time. Rusty, however, is not the settling down kind for reasons that area explained later in the book.
So, the Seven Sexy Sins - based on the seven original sins "with each relating to a 'sexy sin'. The idea is htat your average housewife, who's struggling in the bedroom, could show her partner the list and work through them with him."
The catch is that Faith hasn't actually done any of the things on this list, so she needs to find someone who will agree to them.
Enter Rusty.
So, your typical friends to more kind of story, but this one is hot... they absolutely do everything on Faith's list. The catch here of course is, can they just go back to being friends after this, AND what happens if Faith's brother finds out. Because Rusty definitely isn't the relationship sort... or is he?
Some of my favorite parts:
"I'm just a girl, Rusty, a girl who wants you, very, very much. I don't need to be romanced, and I don't need to be cajoled. And I swear, if you're not inside me in, like, two minutes, I'm going to tie you to the bed and carry all seven sins out on you in one go, whether you like it or not."
and
"Now," she told him huskily, "whenever we're in public, sitting with Dan and Eve and Toby, and I do this - "she licked her lips,"- you won't see me as Dan's little sister, or the skinny girl with braces you used to torture with crickets and cockroaches. You'll think of my lips around you, and me taking you deep inside my mouth, swallowing as you come. Okay?"
He nodded, wide eyed, not trusting himself to speak.
And in all honesty... these are just the tip of the iceberg for this book. It's definitely sexy, but not over the top smutty and I really enjoyed it!
If you're looking for something with some romance and a good friends to lovers book this is for you! Go check it out!!
This review can be found on my blog, Fic Fare:
Read
August 7, 2012Rhayne's review posted on Guilty Pleasures
5 Stars
Holy smokes folks, I absolutely loved this book!! Serenity Woods latest is a blazing hot story about desires, new experiences, and overcoming self imposed boundaries.
Faith and Rusty have been in love with each other for years. Not only is Faith’s brother, Dan a huge obstacle, Rusty has his own walls up about any type of committed relationship. He comes from a long line of failed/unhappy marriages and has seen what kind of impact that has on loved ones and any children involved. So for him it’s just easier to never allow himself any long lasting happiness.
This wasn’t the typical forbidden romance plot line. You know the one about being in love with your best friend’s little sister. This is more of a complicated scenario. Dan and Faith’s parents died in a car accident 3 years ago. Dan feels it’s his responsibility to take care of Faith. He has a very difficult time realizing that she is an adult capable of making her own choices. To add another layer of drama on the situation, she writes articles about her seven sins as she completes each one. Dan’s friends make sure that he knows everything that is going on with her. So you can imagine the turmoil it causes when he finally discovers his best friend has been the one to give her the experiences that she is writing about.
After Rusty volunteers to help Faith with her “research” for the series she is writing, the feelings they have been holding onto for one another aren’t as easy to ignore. We get a very clear picture of how one lets their insecurities and emotions get in the way of claiming what you deserve, in this case, love.
Now let’s talk about the seven sins…This book is jammed pack of original scorching sex scenes. There is an abundance of creativity and sexy fun within these pages. I will say that I will never be able to walk pass the candy isle in the grocery store and see a Mars candy bar without blushing (see what I mean about creativity?). I don’t want you to get the idea that the whole book is nothing but sex scenes. There are quite a few, but the love story and the heartwarming romance between Faith and Rusty is weaved through so well that it balances perfectly.
Ms. Woods has an amazing talent for writing steamy, sexy stories. She keeps the reader at an intriguing pace as her characters transform and grow across the pages. If you are looking for a page turner that is guaranteed to steam you up and make you sweat, mixed with an amazing cast of characters, with lots of humor sprinkled throughout you won’t want to miss out on this book.
5 Stars
Holy smokes folks, I absolutely loved this book!! Serenity Woods latest is a blazing hot story about desires, new experiences, and overcoming self imposed boundaries.
Faith and Rusty have been in love with each other for years. Not only is Faith’s brother, Dan a huge obstacle, Rusty has his own walls up about any type of committed relationship. He comes from a long line of failed/unhappy marriages and has seen what kind of impact that has on loved ones and any children involved. So for him it’s just easier to never allow himself any long lasting happiness.
This wasn’t the typical forbidden romance plot line. You know the one about being in love with your best friend’s little sister. This is more of a complicated scenario. Dan and Faith’s parents died in a car accident 3 years ago. Dan feels it’s his responsibility to take care of Faith. He has a very difficult time realizing that she is an adult capable of making her own choices. To add another layer of drama on the situation, she writes articles about her seven sins as she completes each one. Dan’s friends make sure that he knows everything that is going on with her. So you can imagine the turmoil it causes when he finally discovers his best friend has been the one to give her the experiences that she is writing about.
After Rusty volunteers to help Faith with her “research” for the series she is writing, the feelings they have been holding onto for one another aren’t as easy to ignore. We get a very clear picture of how one lets their insecurities and emotions get in the way of claiming what you deserve, in this case, love.
Now let’s talk about the seven sins…This book is jammed pack of original scorching sex scenes. There is an abundance of creativity and sexy fun within these pages. I will say that I will never be able to walk pass the candy isle in the grocery store and see a Mars candy bar without blushing (see what I mean about creativity?). I don’t want you to get the idea that the whole book is nothing but sex scenes. There are quite a few, but the love story and the heartwarming romance between Faith and Rusty is weaved through so well that it balances perfectly.
Ms. Woods has an amazing talent for writing steamy, sexy stories. She keeps the reader at an intriguing pace as her characters transform and grow across the pages. If you are looking for a page turner that is guaranteed to steam you up and make you sweat, mixed with an amazing cast of characters, with lots of humor sprinkled throughout you won’t want to miss out on this book.
January 29, 2013
I'm so happy I stumbled up on this author I've been reading a few of her books in row now and each one feels better then the previous..
Being titled seven sexy sins it is obviously a lot of sex in this but it's not to explicit even thought it's HOT....*fan self*
This is also a very sweet and endearing love story...It gets emotional without getting to angsty but there is a fair share of angst in this one...
An excellent friends to lovers story
Being titled seven sexy sins it is obviously a lot of sex in this but it's not to explicit even thought it's HOT....*fan self*
This is also a very sweet and endearing love story...It gets emotional without getting to angsty but there is a fair share of angst in this one...
An excellent friends to lovers story
September 24, 2012
Why I read it: I heard Twitter buzz and pre-ordered this one. As is often the case, it took me a little while to get to it on Mt. TBR.
What it's about: (from Goodreads) The road to passion is paved with guilty pleasures.
Faith Hillman is in a bit of a pickle. She’s been commissioned to write a series of magazine articles on spicing up your love life. She’s got the theme—the “Seven Sexy Sins”—but there’s one major problem. She hasn’t experienced any of them.
Ever since Faith’s older brother gave Rusty Thorne a black eye for kissing her on her eighteenth birthday, he’s kept his distance, waiting for the right time to make his move. This is it. She needs a research partner? He’s the man for the job.
When sex-on-legs Rusty offers his services, Faith is all over it—with one caveat. The notorious heartbreaker must sign a confidentiality contract. Just to keep him safe from her brother’s wrath, of course…and her heart off Rusty’s long list of conquests.
As they work their wicked way through the list, the implications of the contract hit Rusty as hard as the handcuffs binding his wrists to the bed. It isn’t just Faith’s touch that rocks his world. It’s the way his heart likes it that blows his defenses out of the water. And makes him wonder, when the contract ends, if he can bear to let her go.
What worked for me (and what didn't): This book was so much fun! Faith and Rusty are part of a wider group of friends (which includes her brother Dan) who have all hung out together for years and know each other very well. Their camaraderie was obvious right from the beginning. I like friends-to-lovers themed stories anyway, but where this one worked especially well for me was that time was taken throughout the story to show (as opposed to tell) that this couple were actually friends, with things in common. Sure, they had a smoking chemistry together but there was a lot more to their relationship. They talked about work and goals and dreams and I absolutely believed that they would be very happy together for the long term.
The set up calls for seven sexy encounters between the two but each one advances their emotional relationship as well. Although their Gluttony escapade (sex with food) had me raising my eyebrows a little - Two words: Mars Bar. Here's another two words: Yeast infection. I also wondered if either would be able to walk for the week after Avarice (multiple orgasms) but possibly that's just jealousy talking.
Faith is inexperienced, but she's not naive
He pushed her against the wall, moving one hand up her thigh. His eyes met hers, and she felt her cheeks flush as he slipped his fingers inside the black lacy panties for the first time. She opened her legs for him, sighing.
“Am I wet enough?” she asked innocently.
He gave a deep, sexy laugh, sliding his fingers through her warm folds, and brought them up, slick and coated, to arouse her gently. “You’re kidding me, right?”
She let him stroke her for a while before adding breathlessly, “So we don’t need any lubrication then?”
“Ah…not so much.”
She moistened her lips with her tongue as he continued his skillful stroking. “So you’ll be able to slide in and out easily?”
His eyes were hot and exasperated. “That’s it. I can’t wait any longer.”
“Oh, thank goodness.”
and I really liked that she owned her sexuality. Rusty erroneously thinks that he is her "teacher" rather than her "partner" in this experiment and she sets him straight in no uncertain terms
“I’m not your trainee, Rusty. And I’m not your protégée. I may be a step or two behind you, but that doesn’t make me your subordinate. Understand?”
Of course, as things heat up in the bedroom (and various other places too), the pair realise there's much more than physical attraction between them. Rusty however feels he's a bad bet. He comes from a long line of alcoholic abusers - his father, grandfather, even his brother were/are all alcoholics who got mean and violent when drunk - hitting wives and children. Rusty hasn't ever touched alcohol, afraid to unleash what he believes is a monster inside of him. He's also worried that, even if the monster gene has skipped a generation, if he ever fathered any children, he could sire someone like his own dad. So he has flings and brief relationships but believes marriage and a family is not an option for him. Even when he comes to the conclusion that he loves Faith, he cannot take the risk - the fact that he loves her makes hims even less desirous of potentially hurting her and that created the touch of bittersweet toward the end of the story. Don't worry, it has a happy ending but there is a bit of angst getting there.
He felt forlorn. Bereft. Like half a person, as if he’d gone into hospital to have a mole removed and they’d mistakenly amputated his left arm and leg. While he was dating her, he should have written “Not this one” on his heart in black pen.
Dan of course, doesn't know that Rusty and Faith are getting it on and when he finds out (of course he's going to find out!) fists fly. But in the end, it is Dan who helps Rusty see that he is not the monster he fears he is - and it is one of the funny but also kind of touching moments in the book which raised it above the average. (Any book which has made up lyrics to Bryan Adams is a win in my opinion! :D)
I found Rusty's fears believable for him. On the one hand, his friends knew that he wasn't what he feared but I knew that Rusty believed it was possible. I could understand why he was frightened and the scene with his brother just brought it home to him again. It could have been the sort of conflict I got a bit tired of (you know "oh, get over it already!"), but the way it was written, it worked for me (even if he was a bit of a dick to Faith and Dan in the process). I can understand having a negative belief so deeply ingrained that common sense can't root it out. And that's what Rusty was dealing with.
What else? I read a review of this book on Dear Author where Dabney quoted one of the sex scenes. The author used the unfortunate (IMO anyway) phrase "heart of her sensitivity" in it and it did put me off reading for a bit. But, it's only used the once and really the sex scenes are well done. Really well done.
I also enjoyed the New Zealand setting - I honeymooned on the North Island of New Zealand and spent a few special days in Paihia in the Bay of Islands as it happens.
I'll definitely be reading more from this author.
Grade: B+
http://kaetrinsmusings.blogspot.com.a...
What it's about: (from Goodreads) The road to passion is paved with guilty pleasures.
Faith Hillman is in a bit of a pickle. She’s been commissioned to write a series of magazine articles on spicing up your love life. She’s got the theme—the “Seven Sexy Sins”—but there’s one major problem. She hasn’t experienced any of them.
Ever since Faith’s older brother gave Rusty Thorne a black eye for kissing her on her eighteenth birthday, he’s kept his distance, waiting for the right time to make his move. This is it. She needs a research partner? He’s the man for the job.
When sex-on-legs Rusty offers his services, Faith is all over it—with one caveat. The notorious heartbreaker must sign a confidentiality contract. Just to keep him safe from her brother’s wrath, of course…and her heart off Rusty’s long list of conquests.
As they work their wicked way through the list, the implications of the contract hit Rusty as hard as the handcuffs binding his wrists to the bed. It isn’t just Faith’s touch that rocks his world. It’s the way his heart likes it that blows his defenses out of the water. And makes him wonder, when the contract ends, if he can bear to let her go.
What worked for me (and what didn't): This book was so much fun! Faith and Rusty are part of a wider group of friends (which includes her brother Dan) who have all hung out together for years and know each other very well. Their camaraderie was obvious right from the beginning. I like friends-to-lovers themed stories anyway, but where this one worked especially well for me was that time was taken throughout the story to show (as opposed to tell) that this couple were actually friends, with things in common. Sure, they had a smoking chemistry together but there was a lot more to their relationship. They talked about work and goals and dreams and I absolutely believed that they would be very happy together for the long term.
The set up calls for seven sexy encounters between the two but each one advances their emotional relationship as well. Although their Gluttony escapade (sex with food) had me raising my eyebrows a little - Two words: Mars Bar. Here's another two words: Yeast infection. I also wondered if either would be able to walk for the week after Avarice (multiple orgasms) but possibly that's just jealousy talking.
Faith is inexperienced, but she's not naive
He pushed her against the wall, moving one hand up her thigh. His eyes met hers, and she felt her cheeks flush as he slipped his fingers inside the black lacy panties for the first time. She opened her legs for him, sighing.
“Am I wet enough?” she asked innocently.
He gave a deep, sexy laugh, sliding his fingers through her warm folds, and brought them up, slick and coated, to arouse her gently. “You’re kidding me, right?”
She let him stroke her for a while before adding breathlessly, “So we don’t need any lubrication then?”
“Ah…not so much.”
She moistened her lips with her tongue as he continued his skillful stroking. “So you’ll be able to slide in and out easily?”
His eyes were hot and exasperated. “That’s it. I can’t wait any longer.”
“Oh, thank goodness.”
and I really liked that she owned her sexuality. Rusty erroneously thinks that he is her "teacher" rather than her "partner" in this experiment and she sets him straight in no uncertain terms
“I’m not your trainee, Rusty. And I’m not your protégée. I may be a step or two behind you, but that doesn’t make me your subordinate. Understand?”
Of course, as things heat up in the bedroom (and various other places too), the pair realise there's much more than physical attraction between them. Rusty however feels he's a bad bet. He comes from a long line of alcoholic abusers - his father, grandfather, even his brother were/are all alcoholics who got mean and violent when drunk - hitting wives and children. Rusty hasn't ever touched alcohol, afraid to unleash what he believes is a monster inside of him. He's also worried that, even if the monster gene has skipped a generation, if he ever fathered any children, he could sire someone like his own dad. So he has flings and brief relationships but believes marriage and a family is not an option for him. Even when he comes to the conclusion that he loves Faith, he cannot take the risk - the fact that he loves her makes hims even less desirous of potentially hurting her and that created the touch of bittersweet toward the end of the story. Don't worry, it has a happy ending but there is a bit of angst getting there.
He felt forlorn. Bereft. Like half a person, as if he’d gone into hospital to have a mole removed and they’d mistakenly amputated his left arm and leg. While he was dating her, he should have written “Not this one” on his heart in black pen.
Dan of course, doesn't know that Rusty and Faith are getting it on and when he finds out (of course he's going to find out!) fists fly. But in the end, it is Dan who helps Rusty see that he is not the monster he fears he is - and it is one of the funny but also kind of touching moments in the book which raised it above the average. (Any book which has made up lyrics to Bryan Adams is a win in my opinion! :D)
I found Rusty's fears believable for him. On the one hand, his friends knew that he wasn't what he feared but I knew that Rusty believed it was possible. I could understand why he was frightened and the scene with his brother just brought it home to him again. It could have been the sort of conflict I got a bit tired of (you know "oh, get over it already!"), but the way it was written, it worked for me (even if he was a bit of a dick to Faith and Dan in the process). I can understand having a negative belief so deeply ingrained that common sense can't root it out. And that's what Rusty was dealing with.
What else? I read a review of this book on Dear Author where Dabney quoted one of the sex scenes. The author used the unfortunate (IMO anyway) phrase "heart of her sensitivity" in it and it did put me off reading for a bit. But, it's only used the once and really the sex scenes are well done. Really well done.
I also enjoyed the New Zealand setting - I honeymooned on the North Island of New Zealand and spent a few special days in Paihia in the Bay of Islands as it happens.
I'll definitely be reading more from this author.
Grade: B+
http://kaetrinsmusings.blogspot.com.a...
Want to read
August 13, 2017Amazon Freebie 7/15/17
May 11, 2025
With 2,000 plus ratings and over 200 reviews, I doubt I can add much.
I bought this highly erotic romance in 2013 and it remains one of my absolute favourites. I read it multiple times before I started writing reviews. I probably haven’t read it in the last 7+ years, but it remains fresh and exciting (except the reference to DVDs 🤣).
Faith Hillman has had limited experience and longtime friend Rusty has had more than enough for both as they explore the Seven Sexy Sins Faith has been commissioned to write about. She has the plan, but Rusty thinks he’s the leader. He soon learns Faith has far more imagination than he’s ever experienced.
The Sins are: Envy, Sloth, Gluttony, Pride, Wrath, Avarice and Lust. Sounds simple, but the elaborate planning Faith puts into each sin is provocative, sensual and definitely orgasmic.
At one point, Rusty thinks: “She’d owned him tonight, beaten him at his own game, made him realise he’d been kidding himself when he thought he had something to teach her. She’d been right—all he’d done was show her the way. She’d found the path quite easily on her own.”
At another, Rusty says: “I never thought I’d meet a woman who’d be as enthusiastic about sex as me, but you’ve more than matched me, Faith.”
Serenity Woods is simply a terrific author. This story is full of characters evolving, finding their way, realizing their assumptions are inaccurate and changing their minds and attitudes. At the same time, she knows how to pen a steamy scene - example: “Gradually she felt the familiar approach of her orgasm. It crept through her, beginning with a slow ripple like a stone dropped into a pool, causing a wave that radiated out from deep in her belly, down through her sex. It became a rush, and then everything tightened, and she knew he was watching her with satisfaction as she squeezed her eyes shut, the pulsing in her muscles almost too intense to bear.”
This book has been republished as: Mr. Sinful, Love in Reverse #1. The writeup suggests it’s a steamier version. I thought this book was erotic enough.
A resounding 5 Stars. I’m going to tuck this away for another 5 yrs and then enjoy it all again.
I bought this highly erotic romance in 2013 and it remains one of my absolute favourites. I read it multiple times before I started writing reviews. I probably haven’t read it in the last 7+ years, but it remains fresh and exciting (except the reference to DVDs 🤣).
Faith Hillman has had limited experience and longtime friend Rusty has had more than enough for both as they explore the Seven Sexy Sins Faith has been commissioned to write about. She has the plan, but Rusty thinks he’s the leader. He soon learns Faith has far more imagination than he’s ever experienced.
The Sins are: Envy, Sloth, Gluttony, Pride, Wrath, Avarice and Lust. Sounds simple, but the elaborate planning Faith puts into each sin is provocative, sensual and definitely orgasmic.
At one point, Rusty thinks: “She’d owned him tonight, beaten him at his own game, made him realise he’d been kidding himself when he thought he had something to teach her. She’d been right—all he’d done was show her the way. She’d found the path quite easily on her own.”
At another, Rusty says: “I never thought I’d meet a woman who’d be as enthusiastic about sex as me, but you’ve more than matched me, Faith.”
Serenity Woods is simply a terrific author. This story is full of characters evolving, finding their way, realizing their assumptions are inaccurate and changing their minds and attitudes. At the same time, she knows how to pen a steamy scene - example: “Gradually she felt the familiar approach of her orgasm. It crept through her, beginning with a slow ripple like a stone dropped into a pool, causing a wave that radiated out from deep in her belly, down through her sex. It became a rush, and then everything tightened, and she knew he was watching her with satisfaction as she squeezed her eyes shut, the pulsing in her muscles almost too intense to bear.”
This book has been republished as: Mr. Sinful, Love in Reverse #1. The writeup suggests it’s a steamier version. I thought this book was erotic enough.
A resounding 5 Stars. I’m going to tuck this away for another 5 yrs and then enjoy it all again.
April 1, 2013
Faith is a journalist who has been asked to write a series of magazine articles aimed at couples who are looking to add some extra fun to the bedroom. She has come up with a wonderful idea for a series based on the seven sexy sins but unfortunately the things she wants to include are ones that she has never experienced. Rusty has had a crush on Faith for years but being best friends with her older brother has always made her off limits. Now that he knows she is looking for someone to help her with her research he just can't resist offering his services. Faith knows that Rusty is a ladies man and is sure he will be the perfect guy to help her but can she spend seven nights with him fulfilling her wildest fantasies and manage not to get her heart broken in the process?
When I was invited to take part in the blog tour for the second book in this series, Six Naughty Nights, I couldn't resist after reading the synopsis. I'm a bit OCD when it comes to reading a series in order though and I'm so glad I decided to read Seven Sexy Sins first because I really enjoyed Faith and Rusty's story. If you enjoy a good friends to lovers romance and you like your stories hot with a capital H then you're in for a treat with this one. This is my first taste of Serenity Woods' writing and I'll definitely be coming back for more.
Faith and Rusty are both great characters, they have been friends for years and both care deeply about each other. They have also both been secretly crushing on each other but too scared to act on it in case it ruins not only their friendship but also Rusty's relationship with Faith's brother. When Rusty offers to help Faith research her articles she knows it would be very easy to lose her heart to him so she makes him sign a contract agreeing not only to keep their relationship secret but also stating that they will only spend seven nights together, one for each article she needs to write. She knows all about Rusty's reputation and doesn't think for a second that she could ever tempt him to settle down. Of course, just because she has a contract in place it won't necessarily keep her heart safe but thankfully Rusty is falling just as hard as she is. The only thing standing in their way is the reaction her brother would have - after all he punched Rusty after seeing them share a kiss years ago.
Serenity Woods has created a believable romance in an incredibly hot package, to say this story is steamy is an understatement and I'm pretty sure that this story will give most people a few ideas about how to spice up their own relationship. Seven Sexy Sins has left me even more excited about reading Six Naughty Nights, especially as we have already met the hero Tony who is one of the group of friends in this book. I'd highly recommend this series to erotic romance fans.
When I was invited to take part in the blog tour for the second book in this series, Six Naughty Nights, I couldn't resist after reading the synopsis. I'm a bit OCD when it comes to reading a series in order though and I'm so glad I decided to read Seven Sexy Sins first because I really enjoyed Faith and Rusty's story. If you enjoy a good friends to lovers romance and you like your stories hot with a capital H then you're in for a treat with this one. This is my first taste of Serenity Woods' writing and I'll definitely be coming back for more.
Faith and Rusty are both great characters, they have been friends for years and both care deeply about each other. They have also both been secretly crushing on each other but too scared to act on it in case it ruins not only their friendship but also Rusty's relationship with Faith's brother. When Rusty offers to help Faith research her articles she knows it would be very easy to lose her heart to him so she makes him sign a contract agreeing not only to keep their relationship secret but also stating that they will only spend seven nights together, one for each article she needs to write. She knows all about Rusty's reputation and doesn't think for a second that she could ever tempt him to settle down. Of course, just because she has a contract in place it won't necessarily keep her heart safe but thankfully Rusty is falling just as hard as she is. The only thing standing in their way is the reaction her brother would have - after all he punched Rusty after seeing them share a kiss years ago.
Serenity Woods has created a believable romance in an incredibly hot package, to say this story is steamy is an understatement and I'm pretty sure that this story will give most people a few ideas about how to spice up their own relationship. Seven Sexy Sins has left me even more excited about reading Six Naughty Nights, especially as we have already met the hero Tony who is one of the group of friends in this book. I'd highly recommend this series to erotic romance fans.
August 6, 2012
Originally posted at: http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
As a journalist and blogger, it is Faith’s responsibility to make sure she does her research on the topics she presents to her readers. As it turns out this latest article is going to require an extensive and personal exploration of the body and she is going to need someone of the male persuasion to help her. An open mind and a willing body is what Faith needs, but having no thought as to how to find such a man is a problem. Or not a problem where her friend Rusty is concerned. He volunteers for the sexy experiment and believes their friendship is strong enough to stand the test when the seven sins are completed. After recovering from the initial shock of his willingness, Faith remains a bit skeptical since she’s harbored a crush on him for the longest time yet agrees with the stipulations. However, as they set out to fulfill each sinful desire, emotions hard pressed to remain hidden come racing to the surface and begin fracturing their friendship while revealing the possibilities of something more. Rusty’s reluctance and Faith’s fear of a broken heart only magnify the intensity of emotions that explode with each encounter as they live for the seven moments they have together.
Fun, sinful, and of colorfully sexy, this story is a buffet of wicked deliciousness. Faith’s erotic journey is brilliantly and creatively well done with genuine characters and stimulating imagery. I appreciated the realism instilled in each scene from the racy to ridiculous parts of their intimate moments. The author effectively mixes humor and meaning into each scene with a gradual intensity I didn’t expect. The characters are likable and with a friendship already in progress, it was easy to fall into a connection with them. Each new sinful excursion was a feast for my reading senses and I often found myself smiling at the pair and their inability to stop wanting each other outside of the bedroom. Faith’s innocence and enthusiasm as well as Rusty’s confidence and inexperience in the art of emotional sex make them a couple to root for. It is a test of friendship and self-awareness that I thoroughly enjoyed with wonderful character growth, a generous pacing, and an outstanding storyline.
Readers concerned with some of the sexual elements in the story should fear not as they are not prevalent throughout and hold meaning to only certain parts of the story. This story is sure to inspire readers looking to experiment and broaden their sensual and kinky desires.
As a journalist and blogger, it is Faith’s responsibility to make sure she does her research on the topics she presents to her readers. As it turns out this latest article is going to require an extensive and personal exploration of the body and she is going to need someone of the male persuasion to help her. An open mind and a willing body is what Faith needs, but having no thought as to how to find such a man is a problem. Or not a problem where her friend Rusty is concerned. He volunteers for the sexy experiment and believes their friendship is strong enough to stand the test when the seven sins are completed. After recovering from the initial shock of his willingness, Faith remains a bit skeptical since she’s harbored a crush on him for the longest time yet agrees with the stipulations. However, as they set out to fulfill each sinful desire, emotions hard pressed to remain hidden come racing to the surface and begin fracturing their friendship while revealing the possibilities of something more. Rusty’s reluctance and Faith’s fear of a broken heart only magnify the intensity of emotions that explode with each encounter as they live for the seven moments they have together.
Fun, sinful, and of colorfully sexy, this story is a buffet of wicked deliciousness. Faith’s erotic journey is brilliantly and creatively well done with genuine characters and stimulating imagery. I appreciated the realism instilled in each scene from the racy to ridiculous parts of their intimate moments. The author effectively mixes humor and meaning into each scene with a gradual intensity I didn’t expect. The characters are likable and with a friendship already in progress, it was easy to fall into a connection with them. Each new sinful excursion was a feast for my reading senses and I often found myself smiling at the pair and their inability to stop wanting each other outside of the bedroom. Faith’s innocence and enthusiasm as well as Rusty’s confidence and inexperience in the art of emotional sex make them a couple to root for. It is a test of friendship and self-awareness that I thoroughly enjoyed with wonderful character growth, a generous pacing, and an outstanding storyline.
Readers concerned with some of the sexual elements in the story should fear not as they are not prevalent throughout and hold meaning to only certain parts of the story. This story is sure to inspire readers looking to experiment and broaden their sensual and kinky desires.
March 27, 2013
Oh Faith and Rusty! Forkin' loved you two. Such a great concept for adding some spice in the bedroom. Things I may actually try myself ;)
So here's Faith, practically an innocent, who's been with 2 men. However, she's a columnist and she writing about spicing up things in the bedroom. She comes up with this idea about the seven deadly sins. You know, envy, lust, gluttony, wrath, sloth, pride, and greed. Instead of making them deadly, she makes them sexy. Boy does she ever!!! HOT! The problem is she's never done any of the things she comes up with on her list. So, she needs a research partner to "help her out". In that she finds her brother's BFF and her friend as well, Rusty.
This was just a fun, quick, steamy read that I found very enjoyable.
So here's Faith, practically an innocent, who's been with 2 men. However, she's a columnist and she writing about spicing up things in the bedroom. She comes up with this idea about the seven deadly sins. You know, envy, lust, gluttony, wrath, sloth, pride, and greed. Instead of making them deadly, she makes them sexy. Boy does she ever!!! HOT! The problem is she's never done any of the things she comes up with on her list. So, she needs a research partner to "help her out". In that she finds her brother's BFF and her friend as well, Rusty.
This was just a fun, quick, steamy read that I found very enjoyable.
December 31, 2017
This book tried to be sex positive, but fell flat. I gave up when the heroine was instructed to shower before receiving oral sex. I think women have enough issues about vaginal cleanliness without the author giving them another. In addition, I considered the heroine's brother's regressive attitude about anyone sleeping with his sister to be very unappealing. I gave up about halfway through the book.
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June 14, 2012Review posted @ Long and Short Reviews
to-buy-small-publisher
February 18, 2013Hot for the older brother's friend is like the best trope evah. Need.
August 15, 2012
Review originally published here: http://thebookpushers.com/2012/08/07/...
Joint review with one of my fellow bookpushers. This was more of a 3.5 to 4 star review.
Publisher: Samhain
Publish Date: Out now
How we got this book: ARC from the author
The road to passion is paved with guilty pleasures.
Faith Hillman is in a bit of a pickle. She’s been commissioned to write a series of magazine articles on spicing up your love life. She’s got the theme—the “Seven Sexy Sins”—but there’s one major problem. She hasn’t experienced any of them.
Ever since Faith’s older brother gave Rusty Thorne a black eye for kissing her on her eighteenth birthday, he’s kept his distance, waiting for the right time to make his move. This is it. She needs a research partner? He’s the man for the job.
When sex-on-legs Rusty offers his services, Faith is all over it—with one caveat. The notorious heartbreaker must sign a confidentiality contract. Just to keep him safe from her brother’s wrath, of course…and her heart off Rusty’s long list of conquests.
As they work their wicked way through the list, the implications of the contract hit Rusty as hard as the handcuffs binding his wrists to the bed. It isn’t just Faith’s touch that rocks his world. It’s the way his heart likes it that blows his defenses out of the water. And makes him wonder, when the contract ends, if he can bear to let her go.
Warning: Includes rebellious hero who enjoys inserting Tab A into Slots B, C, and even occasionally D. Also includes highly inappropriate use of a Mars Bar.
This blurb came from the author’s website here.
E: I was browsing my list of book blogs that I frequent when I came across an excerpt of Seven Sexy Sins on RR@H Novel Thoughts & Book Talk and I loved it. It looked like this story contained two of my favorite tropes; friends to lovers and childhood crush on big brother’s friend. I had to share the excerpt with MinnChica. She loved it too. After talking about it a bit more we decided we would try to contact the author and ask about the possibility of getting a review copy or if she had a point of contact we should talk to. Woods graciously agreed and provided us with a copy. I was very glad to see that the story lived up to the promise I saw in her excerpt.
MinnChica: Yeah, the excerpt in this book was awesome, and after reading it, knew I would enjoy the book in it’s entirety. I was so glad that Woods gave us the chance to review this book. I’m a huge fan of my smutty romances, and I am happy to announce that Woods has just added herself as an author that I will be able to count on for some quality smut, good romance, and overall great storyline.
E: This book certainly provided quality smut. I also liked that despite their pre-established friendship or maybe because of it Faith and Rusty had to actually work on their romance. They accepted their physical lust for each other but even then the doubts between their knowledge of each other’s prowess, their imagination and then the actual situations were great to see. That made both characters seem more realistic and allowed me to buy into their relationship as it grew from “research” into something more. I also enjoyed the interaction within the circle of friends. Some of those conversations had me laughing so hard I had to find a tissue for my eyes.
MinnChica: I couldn’t agree more. I loved the fact that because they were such good friends, the romance and sexy times didn’t come easily for them. Not only were they both nervous at times, but they also doubted themselves, each other, and the situations they kept putting themselves into. It made for a strained courtship, but I liked it. I am always hesitant in friends to lovers stories when the hero and heroine don’t consider how the sex will change things between them. For Faith and Rusty, that seemed to be constant thought at the back of their minds the whole time. I liked the added tension it brought into play, both between them and between their group of friends, whom they left in the dark regarding their arragement.
E: Yes! I don’t care what anyone else says sex is going to change things. The inclusion of that was wonderfully done. The one area that I thought was a little weak was how Rusty’s students knew more of what was going on then their circle of friends. Given how both Faith and Rusty were trying to keep what was going on secret I thought they would have acted with a bit more discretion around his students. It did make me wonder if word was going to get back to other people through those students.
MinnChica: Yeah, it didn’t bother me so much that his students seemed suspicious of them, however I wondered why none of their friends caught onto the somewhat obvious undertones and changes in their relationship. I was actually surprised that it took so long for Faith’s best friend to pick up on it, and that it took them so long to come clean about it. I do have to say though, I did enjoy the way that Faith’s older brother handled finding out one of his best friends was her “mystery man.” I thought his reaction was real and honest and I loved the bickering, fighting and acceptance when Rusty came clean with his feelings. That aspect of it really worked for me!
E: I both dreaded and then loved that scene. I could tell it was hard enough on Faith’s brother finding out that his sister not only wasn’t innocent but was fully enjoying her lack of innocence and then learning that it was one of his best friends. I also have to say that I think my favorite part was how the friends grouped together to help Rusty overcome his understandable fear of commitment. That made me fall a little in love with Faith’s brother because it showed that he really loved his sister and wanted her happy above all else. He also wanted his friend happy.
MinnChica: I don’t know that I agreed with the way Rusty’s friends tried to help him overcome his fear of commitment. Without giving away too much, I didn’t think it was very supportive of his friends to throw him in the deep end, especially in that particular situation.
However, all in all, I really enjoyed this book. I loved the romance between Rusty and Faith, especially the tender moments while they were getting ready to get down-and-dirty. Add in the smutty times that were not cheap, instead sexy and emotional. With the great cast of secondary characters this was an all around wonderful friends to lovers book.
I give Seven Sexy Sins a B-
E: I enjoyed this book as well. Like MinnChica said the characters went through the full spectrum of emotions which added so much depth. Even in the beginning when it was purely “research” their caring for each other was evident which made their encounters worth so much more. I enjoyed how Woods took the tropes and gave them a breath of fresh air. I am looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next.
I give Seven Sexy Sins a B
Joint review with one of my fellow bookpushers. This was more of a 3.5 to 4 star review.
Publisher: Samhain
Publish Date: Out now
How we got this book: ARC from the author
The road to passion is paved with guilty pleasures.
Faith Hillman is in a bit of a pickle. She’s been commissioned to write a series of magazine articles on spicing up your love life. She’s got the theme—the “Seven Sexy Sins”—but there’s one major problem. She hasn’t experienced any of them.
Ever since Faith’s older brother gave Rusty Thorne a black eye for kissing her on her eighteenth birthday, he’s kept his distance, waiting for the right time to make his move. This is it. She needs a research partner? He’s the man for the job.
When sex-on-legs Rusty offers his services, Faith is all over it—with one caveat. The notorious heartbreaker must sign a confidentiality contract. Just to keep him safe from her brother’s wrath, of course…and her heart off Rusty’s long list of conquests.
As they work their wicked way through the list, the implications of the contract hit Rusty as hard as the handcuffs binding his wrists to the bed. It isn’t just Faith’s touch that rocks his world. It’s the way his heart likes it that blows his defenses out of the water. And makes him wonder, when the contract ends, if he can bear to let her go.
Warning: Includes rebellious hero who enjoys inserting Tab A into Slots B, C, and even occasionally D. Also includes highly inappropriate use of a Mars Bar.
This blurb came from the author’s website here.
E: I was browsing my list of book blogs that I frequent when I came across an excerpt of Seven Sexy Sins on RR@H Novel Thoughts & Book Talk and I loved it. It looked like this story contained two of my favorite tropes; friends to lovers and childhood crush on big brother’s friend. I had to share the excerpt with MinnChica. She loved it too. After talking about it a bit more we decided we would try to contact the author and ask about the possibility of getting a review copy or if she had a point of contact we should talk to. Woods graciously agreed and provided us with a copy. I was very glad to see that the story lived up to the promise I saw in her excerpt.
MinnChica: Yeah, the excerpt in this book was awesome, and after reading it, knew I would enjoy the book in it’s entirety. I was so glad that Woods gave us the chance to review this book. I’m a huge fan of my smutty romances, and I am happy to announce that Woods has just added herself as an author that I will be able to count on for some quality smut, good romance, and overall great storyline.
E: This book certainly provided quality smut. I also liked that despite their pre-established friendship or maybe because of it Faith and Rusty had to actually work on their romance. They accepted their physical lust for each other but even then the doubts between their knowledge of each other’s prowess, their imagination and then the actual situations were great to see. That made both characters seem more realistic and allowed me to buy into their relationship as it grew from “research” into something more. I also enjoyed the interaction within the circle of friends. Some of those conversations had me laughing so hard I had to find a tissue for my eyes.
MinnChica: I couldn’t agree more. I loved the fact that because they were such good friends, the romance and sexy times didn’t come easily for them. Not only were they both nervous at times, but they also doubted themselves, each other, and the situations they kept putting themselves into. It made for a strained courtship, but I liked it. I am always hesitant in friends to lovers stories when the hero and heroine don’t consider how the sex will change things between them. For Faith and Rusty, that seemed to be constant thought at the back of their minds the whole time. I liked the added tension it brought into play, both between them and between their group of friends, whom they left in the dark regarding their arragement.
E: Yes! I don’t care what anyone else says sex is going to change things. The inclusion of that was wonderfully done. The one area that I thought was a little weak was how Rusty’s students knew more of what was going on then their circle of friends. Given how both Faith and Rusty were trying to keep what was going on secret I thought they would have acted with a bit more discretion around his students. It did make me wonder if word was going to get back to other people through those students.
MinnChica: Yeah, it didn’t bother me so much that his students seemed suspicious of them, however I wondered why none of their friends caught onto the somewhat obvious undertones and changes in their relationship. I was actually surprised that it took so long for Faith’s best friend to pick up on it, and that it took them so long to come clean about it. I do have to say though, I did enjoy the way that Faith’s older brother handled finding out one of his best friends was her “mystery man.” I thought his reaction was real and honest and I loved the bickering, fighting and acceptance when Rusty came clean with his feelings. That aspect of it really worked for me!
E: I both dreaded and then loved that scene. I could tell it was hard enough on Faith’s brother finding out that his sister not only wasn’t innocent but was fully enjoying her lack of innocence and then learning that it was one of his best friends. I also have to say that I think my favorite part was how the friends grouped together to help Rusty overcome his understandable fear of commitment. That made me fall a little in love with Faith’s brother because it showed that he really loved his sister and wanted her happy above all else. He also wanted his friend happy.
MinnChica: I don’t know that I agreed with the way Rusty’s friends tried to help him overcome his fear of commitment. Without giving away too much, I didn’t think it was very supportive of his friends to throw him in the deep end, especially in that particular situation.
However, all in all, I really enjoyed this book. I loved the romance between Rusty and Faith, especially the tender moments while they were getting ready to get down-and-dirty. Add in the smutty times that were not cheap, instead sexy and emotional. With the great cast of secondary characters this was an all around wonderful friends to lovers book.
I give Seven Sexy Sins a B-
E: I enjoyed this book as well. Like MinnChica said the characters went through the full spectrum of emotions which added so much depth. Even in the beginning when it was purely “research” their caring for each other was evident which made their encounters worth so much more. I enjoyed how Woods took the tropes and gave them a breath of fresh air. I am looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next.
I give Seven Sexy Sins a B
Want to read
January 3, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (1/3/2018)! 💝
Blurb:
A sinfully sexy friends-to-lovers erotic romance – by a USA Today bestselling author.
Previously published by Samhain Publishing under the title Seven Sexy Sins. This is the Director’s Cut edition – featuring previously unseen excerpts from Faith’s blog!
Seven Sexy Sins. One Mr. Sinful.
Faith Hillman is in trouble. She’s writing an article on ways to spice up your love life for her popular blog, but she’s hit a major snag—she hasn’t experienced any of the Seven Sexy Sins on her list. Luckily, her brother’s best friend, Rusty Thorne, offers to help with her research.
Having had a crush on him since the age of twelve, Faith agrees, on the proviso that he signs a contract keeping their short-term relationship a secret. Her brother once decked him for kissing her on her eighteenth birthday, so Rusty’s happy to concur.
While they work their way through the wicked list, Rusty enjoys showing Faith all the sexual delights he can think of. But it’s only as the sins draws to a close that he understands that, where love is concerned, he’s the student and Faith’s the teacher.
He’s determined to keep to the terms of the contract, but when it comes to the crunch, will he be able to let her go?
Warning: Includes rebellious hero who enjoys inserting Tab A into Slots B, C, and even occasionally D. Also includes highly inappropriate use of a Mars Bar.
Blurb:
A sinfully sexy friends-to-lovers erotic romance – by a USA Today bestselling author.
Previously published by Samhain Publishing under the title Seven Sexy Sins. This is the Director’s Cut edition – featuring previously unseen excerpts from Faith’s blog!
Seven Sexy Sins. One Mr. Sinful.
Faith Hillman is in trouble. She’s writing an article on ways to spice up your love life for her popular blog, but she’s hit a major snag—she hasn’t experienced any of the Seven Sexy Sins on her list. Luckily, her brother’s best friend, Rusty Thorne, offers to help with her research.
Having had a crush on him since the age of twelve, Faith agrees, on the proviso that he signs a contract keeping their short-term relationship a secret. Her brother once decked him for kissing her on her eighteenth birthday, so Rusty’s happy to concur.
While they work their way through the wicked list, Rusty enjoys showing Faith all the sexual delights he can think of. But it’s only as the sins draws to a close that he understands that, where love is concerned, he’s the student and Faith’s the teacher.
He’s determined to keep to the terms of the contract, but when it comes to the crunch, will he be able to let her go?
Warning: Includes rebellious hero who enjoys inserting Tab A into Slots B, C, and even occasionally D. Also includes highly inappropriate use of a Mars Bar.
August 12, 2017
[Almost 3 stars.]
First of all, remember: Don't judge a book by its cover. ;-)
It wasn't my genre. I took it for free on Amazon as a summer try with something different. And although I don't think I will try another book by Serenity Woods in the future, I don't regret that I have read this piece.
I like to find a romance between ordinary people. In this book were e.g. a teacher, an office worker. These characters were simply human and from the real modern world, not some fancy billionaires and so on.
It was also funny.
Yes, there were quite a lot sex scenes. I saw them not simply like erotica but like a guide for some women. You see, the heroine was trying to teach her readers (she wrote a blog) how to make a sex life more satisfying. I think that this novel could be a real help for some women in this matter.
The love story was good. It wasn't just sex or simple: they met they had sex and they fell in love. The hero had own issues, the heroine struggled also.
I am not against sex in a book, but I prefer when it is an addition to the story, not the other way around. Here, there could have been less sex, I wouldn't mind that ;-) But I wasn't a main target of this novel, I think.
I don't recommend it, if you don't like sex in the book. But if you don't mind and you search for a summer light reading you can take it for free on Amazon (at least it is free as for now).
Besides, you can always skip those paragraphs.
First of all, remember: Don't judge a book by its cover. ;-)
It wasn't my genre. I took it for free on Amazon as a summer try with something different. And although I don't think I will try another book by Serenity Woods in the future, I don't regret that I have read this piece.
I like to find a romance between ordinary people. In this book were e.g. a teacher, an office worker. These characters were simply human and from the real modern world, not some fancy billionaires and so on.
It was also funny.
Yes, there were quite a lot sex scenes. I saw them not simply like erotica but like a guide for some women. You see, the heroine was trying to teach her readers (she wrote a blog) how to make a sex life more satisfying. I think that this novel could be a real help for some women in this matter.
The love story was good. It wasn't just sex or simple: they met they had sex and they fell in love. The hero had own issues, the heroine struggled also.
I am not against sex in a book, but I prefer when it is an addition to the story, not the other way around. Here, there could have been less sex, I wouldn't mind that ;-) But I wasn't a main target of this novel, I think.
I don't recommend it, if you don't like sex in the book. But if you don't mind and you search for a summer light reading you can take it for free on Amazon (at least it is free as for now).
Besides, you can always skip those paragraphs.
December 30, 2019
Interesting and fun HEA
September 3, 2017
I had ZEROOO motivation to finish the book. The writing style was beyond bland and the characters were more mayonnaise than any sandwich needs. Let's not forget the chemistry and sex was yawn inducing, I think I will pass. No thank you! Some New Zealand shit was mixed in there for location setting..
June 28, 2022
3.5 stars
I can't believe I got two books in a row that I actually enjoyed! This book has been sitting on my iPad forEVER, and I finally thought I'd give it a whirl. It's one of my favorite tropes (brother's best friend), and I really loved the way Ms. Woods handled it. It was seamless and realistic, and played out nicely. The easy banter between Rusty and Faith was so fun to read and helped to illustrate their long-standing friendship. The sex was smokin' hot, and I'll admit that I sorta loved that this was set down under (I'm pretty sure) because I'm a sucker for a man with an accent.
A couple things stopped me from giving this 5 stars. One, the moon business. From Rusty's POV, this was just...weird. You'll know it when you get to it. Two, the Mars Bar. And then the repeated mentioning of the Mars Bar. I mean...I hope she saw her gyno after that tryst. Three, a couple other small details that kept my brain from the sexy times and instead on what kind of science experiment was happening in Faith's lady business.
Without those minor hiccups, this would've been a 5 star read from me, but I just cannot overlook them. I'm still shuddering just thinking about it, to be honest.
I can't believe I got two books in a row that I actually enjoyed! This book has been sitting on my iPad forEVER, and I finally thought I'd give it a whirl. It's one of my favorite tropes (brother's best friend), and I really loved the way Ms. Woods handled it. It was seamless and realistic, and played out nicely. The easy banter between Rusty and Faith was so fun to read and helped to illustrate their long-standing friendship. The sex was smokin' hot, and I'll admit that I sorta loved that this was set down under (I'm pretty sure) because I'm a sucker for a man with an accent.
A couple things stopped me from giving this 5 stars. One, the moon business. From Rusty's POV, this was just...weird. You'll know it when you get to it. Two, the Mars Bar. And then the repeated mentioning of the Mars Bar. I mean...I hope she saw her gyno after that tryst. Three, a couple other small details that kept my brain from the sexy times and instead on what kind of science experiment was happening in Faith's lady business.
Without those minor hiccups, this would've been a 5 star read from me, but I just cannot overlook them. I'm still shuddering just thinking about it, to be honest.
August 19, 2012
This is a fun and sexy read. Serenity Woods always does a great job creating characters that seem very real--like the friends you hung out with in college. This is an ensemble story of two people in a circle of lifelong friends who become lovers, but only for the time it takes to research the heroine's latest article on spicing up your love life. Ms. Woods' has a fresh, funny voice and the setting of New Zealand is vividly rendered. Her heroine, Faith, is a plucky everywoman whom most women can probably relate to. The only quibble I have is that Rusty's motivations for keeping the relationship casual seemed a bit weak. Rusty's continual worries that his father's and brother's violent behavior would eventually surface in him seemed unreasonable, especially when he'd scarcely shown a hint of temper throughout the entire book. But that's a pretty minor quibble--overall, this is a funny and enjoyable book, well worth the read.
August 10, 2012
Fantastic!! This was a total joy to read. It was one of those books that had everything I needed in it. It had plenty of hot steamy sex and love scenes, and a feel good plot too. The characters were both awesome...Rusty was so sexy and hot and Faith was beautiful and sweet. I loved the friends to lovers story and how they did these seven sins with each other as research for her writing article. We got to see some different types of sex scenes that we don't usually get all in one book. Wow I will be checking out the chocolate bar isle in the grocery store! I'll never look at a Mars bar again without a smirk on my lips that's for sure! Also the story line was equally good. A great book. Highly enjoyed it.
March 13, 2017
TO READ
If you don't like fifty shades of gray this is the BOOK FOR YOU!
if you love fifty shades of gray this is the BOOK FOR YOU!
At the end of the book you"ll completely forget Mr.Grey....Christian Grey whooo?? haha
This is a sweet and sexy love story about two friends who decide to change their relationship for fun and research and who will discover that sometimes love is right in front of us
Finally two really good characters
I love Faith...smart, funny and determined
About Mr.S69...*faints*
Sweet, tender, respectful of women and in particularly of the woman he loves, handsome, hot,sexy and so on
I pick this book thinking *maybe this book will be good* and I finish it thinking *OMG*
If you don't like fifty shades of gray this is the BOOK FOR YOU!
if you love fifty shades of gray this is the BOOK FOR YOU!
At the end of the book you"ll completely forget Mr.Grey....Christian Grey whooo?? haha
This is a sweet and sexy love story about two friends who decide to change their relationship for fun and research and who will discover that sometimes love is right in front of us
Finally two really good characters
I love Faith...smart, funny and determined
About Mr.S69...*faints*
Sweet, tender, respectful of women and in particularly of the woman he loves, handsome, hot,sexy and so on
I pick this book thinking *maybe this book will be good* and I finish it thinking *OMG*
October 16, 2012
Ms. Woods has an amazing talent for writing steamy, sexy stories. She keeps the reader at an intriguing pace as her characters transform and grow across the pages. If you are looking for a page turner that is guaranteed to steam you up and make you sweat, mixed with an amazing cast of characters, with lots of humor sprinkled throughout you won’t want to miss out on this book.
Complete Review posted here: http://www.guiltypleasuresbookreviews...
Complete Review posted here: http://www.guiltypleasuresbookreviews...
August 20, 2012
Reading this, I wish I had an older brother with hot guy friends. I really do.
I love stories where the characters have known one another for a while and the love blooms from that.
Rusty is the ultimate player, going through women but Faith is someone who is less experienced but becomes uninhibited in Rusty's hands.
I liked this book quite a bit because I can see the characters growth and how it affects the people around them.
I definitely am going to look out for more Serenity Woods' books.
I love stories where the characters have known one another for a while and the love blooms from that.
Rusty is the ultimate player, going through women but Faith is someone who is less experienced but becomes uninhibited in Rusty's hands.
I liked this book quite a bit because I can see the characters growth and how it affects the people around them.
I definitely am going to look out for more Serenity Woods' books.
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