Liberating Lacey

by Anne Calhoun

Newly divorced Lacey Meyers wasted too many years yawning through sex in the missionary position. Now she’s looking for a hookup with a man who can make her shatter. What she gets is a hot younger cop with handcuffs… and he’s not afraid to use them.

Hunter Anderson knows the score—though classy, successful women like Lacey might play with guys like him, at the end of the evening, they walk. But when one night leads to another and then another, he finds himself getting too attached to a woman he can’t have.

Lacey knows Hunter—gorgeous, hard-edged and eight years younger—won’t want anything permanent. No matter how hot and daring he makes her first public sex, quickie, backseat encounter and secret fantasy role-play, she can’t mistake adventurous sex for emotional involvement.

They both know it’s got to end, and soon, or someone’s going to get hurt. But can either of them go back to life without the other?

Reader Advisory: Lacey’s highly erotic “forced” sex fantasy comes true in this book. Lucky her!

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

219 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 13, 2009

About the author

After doing time at Fortune 500 companies on both coasts, I found myself living in the suburbs of a small Midwestern city. The glamour of various cube farm jobs had worn off, so I gave up making a decent living to take Joseph Campbell’s advice and follow my bliss: writing romance.

Reviews

[Blacky *Romance Addict* · Rating 5 out of 5]

"He could have sat there with her forever, through the rain, through the night, through the rest of his life, looking down the slope of the hill toward the street..."




This book made some serious damage to my reproductive organs, but it was worth it!

What an amazing book!

Great writing!

Seriously flammable sex scenes!

Fantastic characters!

Absolutely bad cover, but I'm willing to go past it!


All in all, it was an amazing read, and I'm definitely planning to go through all the books by this author!

“Dessert later. After dinner.”
His eyelids drooped as his index fingers traced the elastic stretched over her hipbones. “No rules, beautiful. You can have dessert before, during and after dinner.”

The story

Recently divorced, Lacey is trying to find passion that lacked in her marriage. Deciding to try something different, she goes to a club and meets Hunter, a cop eight years younger than her, hot as hell, and ready to ravish her in the parking lot
Even though he's used to one-night-stands, he doesn't want that with Lacey, and they start seeing each other
And by seeing each other I mean having some very very hot sex
As time goes by, they get more and more emotionally involved, and that leaves a question; Is it possible for them to have a long term relationship?

"She was falling for this honorable man who protected her image at the expense of his own. Falling, and falling hard, despite all common sense and advice to the contrary."

"This wasn’t just fun. Somewhere, somehow, without his knowledge—let alone his consent—this had become something more than fun."

I loved the story, the whole idea of the heroine being older :D Not many of those around, and in this book it was done really well :) You don't really see the age difference because Hunter is very mature, but there are insecurities from both sides, and their relationship was portrayed realistically. There is a lot of time passing, with ups and downs, slowly falling in love, and it's just totally believable. Just another example of the great writing in this book.

"I didn’t want perfect. I wanted you."

Lacey

She is divorced. She is rich. She is elegant. She has a beautiful home and influential friends. She moves in high society and makes multi-million business deals. She is everything Hunter is not.
And with all those differences there is still something special between them, incredible chemistry and emotions neither of them want to face.

She now knew him well enough to know his eyes were the only real indicator of his emotions, as he kept his face under strict control… unless he was making love.

Lacey doesn't know exactly what type of relationship she has with Hunter, doesn't demand anything from him, but still wants more. I loved that she was so happy each time Hunter gave her a bit more of himself, and I'm glad that in this story SHE's the rich one, instead of always being the billionaire rich boy set on seduction :D
And near the end I was so happy that she stuck to what she wanted and that she was ready to take the risk with both of them, that even though there were so many things that were different between them, she didn't want to give up.

"Lacey hadn’t really asked for a chance. She’d just kind of moved into his life. Or maybe he’d let her in. Did it matter how it happened? She was there."

Hunter

He's a cop who sometimes works with his dad in the construction business. Hunter never really had a serious relationship, and pretty much sucks at that part hahah but he can't stay away from Lacey and basically just tries to convince himself that their thing is just temporary, that it isn't going to last because she's so rich, she moves in high society, and he can't give her absolutely anything she needs.
But they keep seeing each other more and more, and as time passes he starts to have feelings for her he can't even understand.

"...with Lacey, he couldn’t detach. Kissing meant he had to touch. Touching meant he wanted to crush her under him. Getting her under him meant he had to be inside her, and when he got there the only thing that kept him from losing it and going all caveman on her was the knowledge that he’d scare her to death if he did."

I just adore that man! He is so so so so so perfect
Hotness personified! Just wow.
Best parts about him were when he slowly realised that everything with Lacey is different than what he had before. The sex is more intense, and the woman, he couldn't stop thinking about her. The first time they had sex without a condom, wow it was such a great scene with him

"What spooked him was how the lack of a barrier ratcheted up not only the physical sensation but also the pound of his heart, the inability to get air into his lungs."

and one of my favorite scenes from the book, after the bad-cop sex when he was in bed with her <3 Just love it <3

"...because his heart seemed to beat to a new rhythm. It was like each pulse whispered a message, one he couldn’t quite understand."

The hot hot hot hot sex

“It’s up to me?”
“If it was up to me, beautiful, you’d be bent over the back of the sofa right now.”

I just couldn't NOT mention this! This book is full of steamy, sensual and flammable sex scenes! They're written well, so well that you'll need lots of cold showers while reading it! The top one being the bad-cop sex. My insides exploded during that one Awesome scene!




And so... a HUGE recommendation to EVERYONE! Do not miss this book!





*this was a buddy read with V and Jill, thanks so much ladies <3*


Vishous, Jill and Blacky:



Glamdring:

[Baba · Rating 4 out of 5]

ETA October 20, 2015: I still love this book but I downgraded it to 4 stars because I gave 5 stars to The Muse which is by far the better book.

5 stars.*****Fourth re-read June 2013. Review edited June 24, 2013

She watched unguarded emotion wash across his face as he sank into her. Wonder. Pleasure. Need. Anticipation. Love. Under it all, infusing every look, every action, every touch. Love.

YOWZA! Anne Calhoun rocks! When I was reading Liberating Lacey for the very first time, I remember that I was SO hooked after two or three Kindle pages. In the meantime, my love for this story hasn't changed. Not at all. I love Hunter to pieces, and I must say that I love Lacey too. She is a wonderful heroine.

Newly divorced and class act Lacey Meyers is looking for someone to take home. She had chosen Buff for her first outing to a nightclub because it was the "Best Place to Meet Someone New". She desperately needed to meet someone new and different. Boy, did she meet someone different.

To her surprise, he leaned toward her. "Like what you see?" he asked.
Oh, yeah, Babe in the woods and swimming with sharks was facing a gorgeous hot hunk with green eyes. And he was young. Younger by eight years, as a matter of fact.

It was simple to engage in conversation.

(…)"Someone who can show me what I've been missing for the last decade. I'm recently divorced and spent my marriage having sex in the missionary position once a week. I want to broaden my horizons."
He pulled back and looked at her, his green eyes slumberous. "What do you have against the missionary position? It's one of my favorites."
She frowned, refusing to get distracted by one of his favorites. "Oh? Why is that?"
It was his turn to lean in. Each warm breath riffled the hair at her temple and tantalizing heat radiated from his body. "Because there's nothing like the feel of a woman's body under mine, all tight and hot and wet as she slowly comes apart."
In fifteen years of marriage, not once had she ever "slowly come apart" under her husband.

Well, Lacey, welcome to Hookup Alley!

From the get-go it's not only about meaningless sex. Sure, they're drawn to each other because they have great chemistry and fabulous sex. But as the story unfolds, their feelings are growing into something more meaningful and intimate. After their sinfully hot erotic encounters, Lacey could wash away the sweat, the slickness between her thighs, the smell of sex. The physical pleasure would fade, however, she couldn't deny the increasing space Hunter occupied in her mind.

I loved Lacey. Capable. Strong. A class act. It's nice to see a heroine who is the opposite of bitchy. Lacey is quite flawless and for a filthy rich lady she was so "normal" and simple. Even though Lacey is eight years older, the humor and intelligence in her face captivated Hunter. She is very attractive, incredibly kind-hearted, generous and open-minded. On top of that, the mind-shattering sex is helping them to get along just fine.

Well, Hunter…super hottie Hunter who radiates presence from head to toes. Strong. Sexy. Self-confident. Protective. Unpretentious. He is pretty good at talking dirty--nothing OTT, though. Hunter believes that he doesn't belong there and he has to deal with trust issues. Classy Lacey seems to be quite out of his league. Was he ever wrong though.





Liberating Lacey is by far not a BDSM book (except of one very hot scene that included Hunter's handcuffs there are no toys at all, no spanking at all, not even anal sex). But. Hunter's presence is domineering in a very subtle way. He is leading Lacey. Also, Hunter is an excellent listener, and it's helping him to fulfill Lacey's fantasies. As a matter of fact, they are sharing their most eagerly anticipated fantasies. Loved Hunter's low, commanding voice. Overall, this subtle Dom/sub play works perfectly between these two.

He couldn't give her much she didn't have, but he could give her this, the space to explore how it felt to turn control over to someone else.



Hunter said some wonderful things and I adored the nickname beautiful.

"I like how you blush, beautiful."

The look in his eyes was sheer heat and promise. "I'll sacrifice a little skin to watch you come under me, beautiful."

Hunter had a nice conversation with his dad and he said something thoughtful to Hunter:

"She's older than me," he said as his dad dipped the last of his fries in ketchup.
His dad's eyebrows, the tips white with drywall dust, went up. "I figured as much. That's a problem?"
He shrugged. "She's thirty-six." The eight-year span wouldn't be shrinking.
"Last time I checked, women didn't come with expiration dates."

I loved the interaction between these two:

"What makes you think withholding sex wouldn't work on me?"
She shrugged, the blood heated by his stroking thumbs inching through her veins with each pulse of her heart. "You just don't seem like you'd take no for an answer."
His eyes widened ever so slightly. "Hey. No means no. Period. Being manipulated that way pisses me off, but I wouldn't--"
She cut him off. "Of course! That's not what I meant. I meant you're very, very persuasive and I doubt I'd resist for long if you set your mind to convincing me."
"Say no sometime. Let me persuade you."

Ultimately, the hookup led to something special, to love.



As the pounding in her ears receded she heard once again the patter of rain on the windows, the wind in the wet leaves. She added another moment to her list of unforgettable memories, the moment she realized she loved Hunter.

God, she was beautiful. He loved her. And he was fucked.

Lacey discovered so many firsts with Hunter, and I loved that she embraced her newfound sexuality. Here are my favorite scenes:

- Show me yours and I show you mine *playful, fun and sexy*
- Rain scene *beautiful and intense*
- Bathroom scene *fans self*
- Cuff me, Officer! *hot damn!!*

Highly recommended if you're looking for a sinfully hot read with a certain substance. This read is proof that an author can write an erotic book with style and class. There is absolutely no need for hard-core-porn-slutty sex and speech. Happy reading!

"The best things are never easy, Hunter."

"I'm not perfect for you, but you slept with me."
"I didn't want perfect. I wanted you. I want you. We're not a pair of well-matched horses, but we're real."
Fingers still gripping the granite counter, she looked up into his eyes as he towered over her.
"The heart wants what it wants. Mine wants you."

[✦❋Arianna✦❋ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars!!



“Liberating Lacey” was exactly what I expected. And you know why? Because this one was not my first read by this author, so I knew what to expect – a great story, hot as hell sex scenes and combustible chemistry between the characters. First and foremost I want to give you a piece of advice – don’t judge this book by its cover, because let’s be honest here, the cover is ugly as f@ck. If you enjoy a romantic/erotic romance with an older heroine and a younger hero, this book is definitely for you. Now, I must admit I’m not really a fan of this scenario, but for some reason it worked here.

"I didn't want perfect. I wanted you. I want you. We're not a pair of well-matched horses, but we're real."

Lacey is a newly divorced 36 years old woman. She’s only ever been with her ex-husband, a man who only did the missionary position. *poor Lacey* She tried to spice their sex life, but her ex wasn’t very interested. Now, a single woman, Lacey doesn’t want a serious relationship. She wants to meet someone new, she wants something different, someone who can show her what she had been missing for the last decade. One night when she decides to spend an evening at a local bar looking for someone to take home she meets Hunter. Hunter is a sexy as sin 28 years old cop who’s confident, charming and perfect for what Lacey wants and maybe needs.

“…he plastered his body against hers and the world disappeared, leaving only the seduction of his talented mouth, the pressure of his torso and the unyielding erection notched between her legs.”

They are attracted with each other and their chemistry seems to be off the charts so they agree to spend the night together. After their first encounter both of them want more, so they start something… unlabeled, something sexy, but something with an expiration date because a woman like Lacey doesn’t get involved with a man like Hunter and a man like Hunter can’t be enough for a woman like Lacey. But maybe they are wrong and maybe they are perfect for each other in every way that matters. Maybe...

“Hunter simply saw them as who she was. That silent acceptance liberated her in a way that the new haircut, her blatantly sexy clothes at Buff, even choosing a younger, blue collar man for her first lover couldn’t. It was a rare thing to find someone who simply let her be.”

This book was pure and simple fantastic! Loved it! The plot, the characters, the sex scenes,…everything was stellar. “Liberating Lacey” was one of the best erotic romance I have ever read…if not the best. I swear this author writes the best sex scenes. They were so damn hot, arousing, detailed and for sure they left me wanting more. Even if this book is an erotic romance, the amount of sex scenes is just perfect. I guarantee you will not get bored, because there’s an actually story here. I really enjoyed the premise and how everything unfolded between these two characters.

Lacey was one of the aspects of the story I loved the most. She was pretty perfect – smart, self-assured, classy, confident, funny, kind and overall a very endearing heroine. She has money, but she’s not bitchy or arrogant. She’s older than Hunter, but she never was clingy and she never felt desperate to me. Like I mentioned above – very classy. She was portrayed from the beginning as a woman who knows what she wants and I loved her for that.

Hunter was sex on a stick, yes, but he was more than that. I loved that he’s not one-dimensional. He’s sweet, considerate, protective and I must say I loved his dirty talking…and of course his cuffs. *wink, wink* I loved the fact that he wasn’t bothered by Lacey’s age. He figured out pretty quickly that Lacey is different from other woman he met. and he also figured out how to propersly handle her which I enjoyed.

“Her rosy cheeks, her swollen lips, her glassy, satisfied brown eyes fascinated him. He’d never seen a woman look more satiated, a small, knowing smile on her face, like she knew a secret. A secret about him. One he didn’t even know.”

Like I mentioned…the sex scenes were off the charts hot. I enjoyed every single one of them, but my favorite is without a doubt Lacey’s erotic “forced” sex fantasy. scene. Damn…so smokin’!!

Overall, a fantastic erotic romance that I highly recommend!

“You were pretty sexy in your suit, beautiful, but you’re even sexier well fucked.”

************************************************************

A big thank you to Baba who recommended me this book! *Hugs&Kisses*

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liberating Lacey is one of those stories that takes you by surprise because it’s been labeled erotica so many times that you go into it expecting nothing but a heaping helping of crazy hot sex. Well, let me just tell you - you certainly do get that, but you also get so much more!

Lacey Meyers is a successful businesswoman whose husband of 15 years has dropped the D-bomb on her. She tried everything she could think of to save the marriage, including spicing up their sex life. Unfortunately – or fortunately as the case may be, she was the only one interested in saving that sinking ship. So here she is, 36 years old and single again, and on the advice of her very best friend, Claire, Lacey decides to test the ‘casual hook-up’ scene. Claire drills into Lacey’s head that she needs to keep it light – that it’s only about sex, and nothing more.

Hunter Anderson is a 28 year old hot, no-strings-attached edgy cop and when he meets this beautiful, sexy woman who’s looking for a no-strings-attached night of passion, he’s not about to turn her down. He’s done this before and he knows the score – keep it light – it’s only about sex and nothing more.

Hunter and Lacey don’t even make it out of the bar’s parking lot before they’re making hot, wild monkey love, and over the next several weeks it becomes clear that their sexual chemistry is off the charts. It’s a win-win situation for both of them, until the one thing neither of them expected to happen did – their “it’s only about sex and nothing more” relationship starts turning into something more.

This is one of those rare books that you can call an erotic read or a great romance and either way you’d be right. Anne Calhoun did a fabulous job of giving us two amazing people who, each for their own reasons, are feeling vulnerable and who are protecting their hearts. I couldn’t help but fall in love with Hunter, even though he was at times callous. In fact, Hunter holds a place of honor on my "Heroes I'd Do Ten Way To Sunday" shelf! And Lacey was such a wonderful, compassionate woman, how could I not adore her too?

The bottom line - This is so much more than just an erotic read. I was laughing one minute and tearing up the next. I wanted to hurry and finish so I could see Hunter and Lacey get their happily ever after and yet, I didn’t want it to end. I’m so glad to have discovered Anne Calhoun and can’t wait to read more of her writing. I can’t stress enough how much I enjoyed this story and if all of her books are this good, she’ll be an auto-buy author for me!

[*J* Too Many Books Too Little Time · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5--Smokin' Hot--Stars!!

Anne Calhoun sure doesn't disappoint! Hunter was scrumptious! And this book was HELLA HOT!



Best Part:

No annoying MCs. No juvenile drama. No cheesy dialogue. No insta love. No pregnancy.



Lacey is 36 and newly divorced. She's rather inexperienced when it comes to men and dating. Lacey is prim and proper, rich, educated but as sweet and as innocent as can be.

Hunter is 28 and a cop. He's never been married. He dates but nothing serious. He's kind of bitter when it comes to relationships and trust and commitment. Hunter doesn't think he's in the same league as Lacey.

Sexually they were 100% compatible.

In the parking lot. In the car. In the bathroom at the restaurant. In the rain. On the kitchen counter. Fantasy play.



Lacey and Hunter's "relationship" is new territory for both of them. Are they friends? Boyfriend/Girlfriend? Lovers?

Lacey was the perfect heroine. She wasn't clingy. She wasn't annoying. She was open and honest with Hunter. She wanted to explore the exposive sexual chemistry between them.



Hunter on the other hand was more guarded. He fought the connection because he didn't think he was good enough for Lacey. It kind of broke my heart. There were a few times I wanted to shake Hunter but he got his shit together pretty quick.

There really wasn't a lot of angst in this book, which was fine by me.

Do I want my own Hunter??



What can I say. I just really loved this book! It was perfect and made me super happy and smiley!



My only complaint....no epilogue!

[~ Becs ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many of my friends have raved about this book, it’s been recommended to me more than once and there’s even a GR group set up in its honour. I have to say that I’ve been expecting to be totally blown away by this book.


So, Anne Calhoun, no pressure or anything!



Lacey is 36, a newly divorced, childless career woman. She’d been doing the horizontal shuffle in the missionary position with her ex for more than a decade to the point of extreme boredom and had been totally unable to zest up their sex life. Since her divorce she’s had a few well behaved dates but now she’s ready for a no holds barred hook up. She decides to spend an evening at a local bar and meets Hunter, a 28 year old, drop dead gorgeous cop. Their attraction is instant and zinging and they dance but this is more akin to foreplay as the heat between them ratchets up to critical.

They leave together but make it no further than the car park having sex up against an SUV. This is a felony right? Hunter must have been so blown away by lust to risk his career like that. They go back to Lacey’s house and have a whole lot more sex. The next morning Hunter gets dressed looking down at a sleeping, satiated Lacey thinking he’s just going to slip out the door but something stops him and he slides back into bed with her. It’s a pivotal moment that neither of them is truly aware of.

He does eventually have to leave to take part in a charity cops vs fire-fighters Frisbee soccer match (how hot?? And where do I get tickets??) and it’s not obvious that they’ll see each other again but they do and they go on to have a very sexual relationship. They have car sex, sex on the stairs, lunch time nookie, sex in the park, sex in the rain, restaurant sex and even hot fantasy handcuffs sex. It’s an absolute revelation for Lacey and exactly what she needs.

Lacey is falling slowly in love with Hunter but doesn’t tell him. Hunter is holding back. He feels the differences between them keenly – their age, salaries, social standing, education. Basically he considers her out of his league. Eventually, Hunter walks away breaking not only Lacey’s heart but also his own.

Yes, there’s a lot of sex but unlike other erotic fiction, Hunter and Lacey have lives going on, families, careers, friends and time passes between their interludes. There’s great character development and the story is told slowly with time given to develop their feelings and get inside their psyche – we see Lacey’s growing attachment to Hunter that she won’t give words to. Hunter gets spooked after the first time they have unprotected sex but it’s not the physical contact that’s got to him, it’s the depth of emotional attachment he feels for Lacey. Whether he realises this or not, it’s apparent in the dialogue.


Lacey is an extremely likeable heroine – she’s honest, caring, she’s not playing games with Hunter. Hunter is a strong, tough very sexually adept cop but he has trust issues and is holding back in his connection with Lacey . The writing is so good and you can’t help but warm to the pair of them and hope that they find a HEA.

Only one criticism – I could really have done with an epilogue to see how things were going for them.

Big BIG 5 stars erotic contemporary romance

Thanks to Michele and Baba for the rec – you were not wrong, You rarely are!

[Vishous · Rating 5 out of 5]

warning: spoilers with lots of quotes!

buddy read with Blacky and Jill :)

well first let me just send thousand thanks to my GR friends who read the book and didn't judge by the cover like I did, if it weren't for them I would've never read this

AMAZING, HOT, ORGASMIC, AROUSING, AWESOME STORY!

I AM BLOWN AWAY WITH THIS STORY AND OF COURSE HUNTER!

I really could not put the book down! I was glued to it like my life depended on it.... well my ovaries did.... and now...poof...just like that they are GONE!!!!

Only remembering it so I could write a review is pushing the temperature in my room way up high...
because the only thing I can remember is lots of hot, sweaty, steamy sex.... so if you want to know what is going on in my mind now just
read the book!!!


Lacey got divorced and after 15 years of boring sex she wants to try something different and by something different I mean 8 years younger cop Hunter.... *swoooooooooooooooning*

so he decides to show her lots of her firsts!!!!! read it again! lots of her firsts!!!! and again!!!! lots of her firsts!!!!

I really did like Lacey, I thought she was great! She knew what she wants and when she realized that she fell for a player, she simply embraced it. I really loved it how she was the older one and knew with what is Hunter struggling and simply did not push anything... wanting him to realize that there is something more to them...


What I would give to be at her spot in that bar that night! EVERYTHING!

HUNTER YOU ARE THE LOVE OF MY LIFE!!!!

The only bad side is that you are on another continent and you are fictional :(

yes I am crying because of that....

you ruined me for all the others fictional males....

What's not to like about him... cop, 28 years old, great shape (read: lickable abs), very very good under sheets, leather jacket, motorcycle boots, great ass in jeans....

ahhhhhhhhhh... le sigh......

The moment he realized that everything changed in their game... that moment.... his emotions.... MY EMOTIONS..... MY OVARIES....
WHY COULDN'T YOU REALIZED THAT WITH ME?!?! WHY??!!?

If I would have to choose one of my favorite scene that would simply be impossible. From the first page I loved every sentence, every scene, every word that got out of his mouth, every move he made with his hand...

"Still where you want to be?"

I NEVER STOPPED! NEVER! WITH YOU HUNTER I SAW RAINBOWS!!!!

"Because there’s nothing like the feel of a woman's body under mine, all tight and hot and wet as she slowly comes apart."

"Shhhh," he said, his voice strained as he linked their hands and pressed them into the window on either side of her head."

"...but with Lacey, he couldn't detach. Kissing meant he had to touch. Touching meant he wanted to crush her under him. Getting her under him meant he had to be inside her, and when he got there the only thing that kept him from losing it and going all caveman on her was the knowledge that he’d scare her to death if he did."

"Skin to skin. Juicy. Hot. Meaningful....."I want to now. I want inside you so bad."... He surrendered.... Holy fuck, it felt good. Real. Intense. Connected.....He'd been skin to skin with Lacey, in every sense of the word. He'd left part of himself inside her and he was freaked out."

"What spooked him was how the lack of a barrier ratcheted up not only the physical sensation but also the pound of his heart, the inability to get air into his lungs"

"You look so sexy wearing my cuffs," he growled.
"I'm gonna leave them on when I fuck you. Feel how hard I am? That's from thinking about every stroke, so hot and wet."

"There was nothing romantic about her realization, no moment of joyous shared epiphany, just the heat in his eyes, the slick shift of their skin everywhere they touched, their bellies moving in rhythm, the length of the breaths slowly matching while the knowledge settled into her soul. Stupidly, imprudently, against all good advice and common sense she loved him and romantic or not, this was the moment. She was quaking, flushed and sweaty, handcuffed to her own bed. She loved him. She had no idea how he felt."

"...his heart seemed to beat to a new rhythm. It was like each pulse whispered a message, one he couldn’t quite understand. The knowledge danced just out of his reach, coming into better focus as he quit concentrating on it, but never quite within his grasp."

"I didn't want perfect. I wanted you. I want you. ..."The heart wants what it wants. Mine wants you."

"He wasn't seducing. He wasn’t asking permission. This was pure possession, a territorially staking his claim as the last man she’d ever kiss."

"She watched unguarded emotion wash across his face as he sank into her. Wonder. Pleasure. Need. Anticipation. Love. Under it all, infusing every look, every action, every touch. Love."

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunter

Lacey


5 gloriously erotic stars, I'd give it 6 if I could


Every now and then a book comes along unexpectedly and just blows me away. This was that book for me.

”I didn’t want perfect. I wanted you. I want you. We’re not a pair of well-matched horses, but we’re real…
“The heart wants what it wants. Mine wants you.”

Lacey Meyers is 36 and looking to turn a new leaf in her life. After a lackluster marriage to a man that she thought she would spend the rest of her life with, she isn’t looking for Mr. Right, nor is she looking for Mr. Right Now. She wants passion, and she decides to go out with the single minded intent of finding a man that can give her just that. She wants something different. She wants to start living.

While at a bar and looking for a man to take home and show her passion outside of the missionary position, she meets him in the form of a sexy 28 year old cop, Hunter.

“What do you have against the missionary position? It’s one of my favorites.”
“Oh? Why is that?”
“Because theres nothing like the feel of a woman’s body under mine, all tight and hot and wet as she slowly comes apart.”

What follows is the story of two individuals who find something with each other that neither was looking for.

I was sucked in from the very first page. I can honestly say that I love absolutely everything, the plot, the characters…the sex scenes!

I’ve read my share of erotic romances, but it is rare that they are written in such an incredible way that not a nuance, sound, sensation or a minute detail that goes unnoticed by the reader.

Anne Calhoun has an incredible talent of painting a beautiful, vivid, and erotic tale. While there is plenty of sex that takes place in the story, it is never boring, out of place or used as a filler. The journey of Hunter and Lacey was an incredibly touching one.

I loved Lacey. She had a very quiet strength about her that I really enjoyed. She comes from money, but has such a beautifully understated presence to herself that just jumps out at you. She didn’t make stupid decisions. She wasn’t needy. She was a woman that knew what she wanted, but at the same time was endearingly vulnerable.

Hunter, oh my sexy as sin hunter. He just made the book for me. He had me panting for him from the very beginning, that started from their initial meeting, and the scorching hot encounter on a car outside of a nightclub sealed the deal.

Without a word he led her through the bar to the sultry heat of the parking lot, heading for the shadows created by an enormous black SUV arrogantly angled across three parking spaces in the back corner.
“Yours?” she asked as they rounded the truck’s hood.
“Nope, just a place for a private conversation.” He backed her up into the passenger door. Hands braced on either side of her head, he fastened his teeth on the sensitive juncture of her neck and shoulder, sucking at her skin with just enough pressure to make her gasp.

Hunter is a man that likes control, but this is not a BDSM book. There is however a very hot scene that involves a sexy as sin cop and some handcuffs.

""You look so sexy wearing my cuffs," he growled.
"I'm gonna leave them on when I fuck you. Feel how hard I am? That's from thinking about every stroke, so hot and wet."
"I'm gonna spread you wide under me and watch you take it all, over and over..."

Hunter had issues from his past and emotional walls but he never came off as overbearing, controlling, or an asshole. *SIGH*

Don’t let the somewhat cheesy cover fool you. This book is a hidden gem. It is one of the most beautiful erotic romances I have had the pleasure of reading.

(Thanks Blacky for giving me a friendly push to read this! *waves*)

I have discovered an amazing author that I will eagerly anticipate future releases from.

[Michele ~ la Smoocherina · Rating 5 out of 5]

2/5/15- official read count 11.


1/26/14 -Official read count 10. Seeking my comfort food of books.

Read Our Lips Book Blog

Love this book? Come join our group! Anne Calhoun Fans Far and Wide
                                

     My Review:
Liberating Lacey is unquestionably my favorite book. This is the book that introduced me to the world of Erotica. It was my gateway book! I read the first chapter and I was hooked. I stayed up all night reading. I just couldn’t put it down! This is one of those rare books that you wouldn’t change a single thing, even if you could. Lacey is a wonderfully drawn character.

She’s independently wealthy and Ivy League educated but incredibly down to earth. She’s a 36 year old woman who, a year ago, got out of a marriage where she and her husband had sex once week in the missionary position. She decides that she wants to experience the quintessential hookup, to see what she’s been missing just once in her life.

While in a bar that’s decidedly a meat market she meets Hunter. One touch from him to the small of her back and she feels a sexual charge the likes of which she’s never known. She turns to see a 28 year old cop, Hunter. He’s tall, dark, handsome, strongly muscled, and she can’t look away. Their flirty banter leads to the best sexual experience of Lacey’s life and..that’s only the beginning.

They continue to see one another under the guise of helping Lacey with a series of “firsts”. Hunter tries to navigate through his feelings, saying that he doesn’t want a relationship, yet continuing to see her. She brings out the protective, possessive Alpha male in him and it’s hot!. I adored when Hunter discusses the age difference between he and Lacey with his Dad, who promptly replies, “Last time I checked, women didn’t come with expiration dates.” I love Hunter’s dad! He’s that no bullshit allowed voice that every book should have.

Lacey wants exclusivity with Hunter, but doesn’t tell him as she fears that trying to tie Hunter down will only make him fly the coop, so she takes whatever he is willing to give. Their chemistry is combustible. There is absolutely no redundancy in any of the sex scene and there are a lot of them! Rarely does a chapter go by without incredible, hot, spank-bank worthy sex.

But what sets this book apart from a lot of erotica is that it’s just so emotionally satisfying! This book is Anne Calhoun’s only full length novel to date, but boy does she deliver! With its intelligent dialogue, phenomenal sex scenes and emotions that aren’t contrived or a plot device, Liberating Lacey is a rare gem in contemporary erotica.

How hot is it? Raging fire out of control.

How romantic is it? Paris and poem-worthy.

How well written is it? No hiccups, uses broad vocabulary and perfect sentence structure.

What I love about Liberating Lacey:

Hunter’s emotional growth.
Lacey’s sexual growth.
It’s not a cougar book in sprit.
The fellatio scene. So Hot!
The You Show Me Yours, I’ll Show You Mine scene.
The bad cop scene.
The restaurant bathroom scene.
That grilled cheese with tomato is “their” food.
That I’d want to be friends with Lacey.
That I’d want Hunter to fuck me standing up. (If I weren’t married, of course)
The theme of Dominance and submission are so subtle, I missed them on the first read.
That Hunter frequently calls Lacey, “Beautiful”.
That Hunter loves Lacey’s “sexy underwear”.
That Lacey’s underwear isn’t particularly sexy.
It’s a great big book of spank-bank material! (as in-have your favorite man/toy handy girls!)
The rain scene.
And that you can read it over and over and still love it as much as the first time you read it.
What I don’t like about Liberating Lacey

That there wasn’t a sequel.
That Anne Calhoun got me hooked on her writing but only writes short stories
That it wasn’t made into a full length movie, full frontal included!
Rating: 5 Kisses
 

Hunter


Or Maybe
(hard to get a hold on a regulation buzz cut)




Lacey


Or maybe






Lacey

Lacey's Oscar de la Renta Houndstooth Suit.



Lacey's pretty and sexy underwear

[Mo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this one was great. Younger man, Older woman (36, yep she was ancient!!) Two totally different social classes but who cares about class if the sex is that good and it was steamin'. Hunter was gorgeous and I loved Lacey, in her smart suits and sexy underwear. I would have loved to read an epilogue for this one - just to find out where they were maybe 5 years down the road. Of course in my little imagination, they are happily married with 2 kids, a boy and a girl and Hunter and Lacey are still deeply in love - and Grandad is doing great.

[Stacia (the 2010 club) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cover FAIL. ~ Cover FAIL. ~ Cover FAIL. ~ Cover FAIL.

Never, ever in my life have I wanted to abuse my librarian status until now. I have had to fight the urge to want to pull a cover switcheroo for this book. Don't ask me what I would have replaced it with, but I would have found something...

Before I even started writing this review, I took a cruise through the first page of reviews on GR and saw a few mentions of how bad the cover for this book is. However, I was surprised to see that no one mentioned some of the initial thoughts that came to my mind when I first saw the cover.

I'm starting to wonder if anyone else got this vibe?

[image error]

Or perhaps this vibe?


*shudder* at ugly stripper cop. Btw...I'm thoroughly happy that it wasn't a fireman on the cover. I have been forever traumatized by an event involving a fireman stripper at a bachelorette party. Not that you needed to know this, but I tend to throw out useless information every so often in a review.

Or did this picture enter anyone's minds?


Yes, I likened Lacey's hand to a crab claw.

No? It was just me? Sigh. I must spend way too much time analyzing book covers.

This is where I should mention that I'm a huge advocate of "don't judge a book by its cover." Some of my all time favorite books have some of the worst covers ever (Georgina Kincaid and Tairen Soul would be the perfect examples). So, I went into my read of LL with no preset notions of what the book would be about. I'd seen many people praise this for being such a wonderful read, which made me excited to get started.

...and it was...okay? Decent even. Enjoyable. Pleasant. Not sure if it lives up to the hype though.

Liberating Lacey sort of straddles the line between contemporary romance and erotica, not really picking a side to fall on. In many cases before, this combo has worked for me. In the case of this particular book, it left me sort of unsatisfied.

There wasn't enough plot for the book to be considered contemporary romance. The "big obstacle" to the couple getting together wasn't really much of an obstacle at all. A man who lives a basic life feels he may not be enough for the wealthy and sophisticated woman he might be interested in. That's it. There wasn't any huge interference or things to get in the way of the couple getting together...everything was really all in one person's head. I actually do like stories where the man feels like he's not good enough for a woman. But I need some sort of tension to come from somewhere. Maybe there's a friend who constantly puts the idea in his head about why the couple wouldn't work out (okay, so there's a very tiny bit of this but not at a conflict level). Maybe there's an incredibly embarrassing moment that happens, forcing one person to back away. The few small blips in this story were just that - blips and nothing more. There was no real conflict.

There wasn't enough in the sex department for the book to be what I'd want out of an erotica. The book is called Liberating Lacey. Maybe it's my bad that I thought this chick was going to get turned into a sex goddess. The sex bordered on vanilla with some playacting to make it seem racier than it actually was. This would have been perfect for a contemporary romance...the right amount of steam without going into hardcore territory, but then there would have needed to have been more plot and character development for it to be a CR. There really were a couple of sensational scenes (the rain scene and the bathroom scene did in fact rock my world), but rest of it I found myself skimming. I expected more from what I thought was an erotica book. The playacting actually made me feel somewhat embarrassed for the couple.

My thoughts as a whole :

It was a nice read. The emotions were sweet, the sex was about a medium on the steam level, and I got a pleasant HEA. Would I recommend the book? I absolutely would to people who would like to experiment with some erotica without having to commit to anything too "out there." This would be a great starter book for erotica/romantica.

And this line, did in fact, make me laugh out loud :
How did he do that, look as if nothing had happened when she felt like a boneless, skinless, chicken breast?

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Last time I checked, women didn’t come with expiration dates.”

What a wonderful, smooth, well-written, love story. Lacey exudes class. She is money minus the attitude, kind and caring. When she goes out searching for some comfort and companionship in the way of a one-night stand, her path crosses with the delectable Hunter. He is younger that her, but has a level of maturity and responsibility that men Lacey’s age can only hope to attain. As the relationship develops, she is concerned about the age difference, he with the difference in social status. I loved the simple and quiet interactions that they had with one another, and the unspoken connection that you felt between them. As their passion and desire grow for one another they begin to fall in love and you can’t help but fall in love with them. He fulfills her every fantasy, but you get the feeling that she is doing the same for him. Of course, they encounter a bump in the road, and a secret is revealed that explains the reason for the torment that one of the characters feels.

The author’s writing brings the character’s emotions to surface and you as a reader experience every one of them. This is an erotic, tasteful, compelling read that will bring a smile to your face.

I have one small issue and it’s more me than the book, but I wish we had gotten a bit more in the end, or an epilogue. So, since I didn’t get one, I dreamt one up on my own, and boy is it good!

I’m going sappy here, but this book reminded me of a song, you just want to get lost in the feeling, close your eyes and dream…

Fallen by Lauren Wood http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8ZMa_...

[Tammy Walton Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

First things first -- this is without a doubt, hands down, shout from the rooftops the best romance I've read this year.

Second thing - you have to ignore the cover, because it's HORRIBLE. (That babe holding the handcuffs looks like Paula Abdul -- **shudders**).

Oh, and another thing - chuck the synopsis. Doesn't really do the book justice. All that sex they're talking about happens (hoo, boy, does it EVER!) but imho this book is a love story, plain and simple.

Beautifully written, this one grabbed me at the first paragraph and kept me up till 3:00am reading it all in one sitting, with tears in my eyes when I got to the end. I re-read it again today, and again, I'm blinking furiously and sniffling when I get to the words "the end". I want my own Hunter Anderson, dammit.

Now that we have all of that out of the way, I'm out of words. Thanks to my friend, Uniquely Moi Dhestiny, for writing a kick-ass review that got me interested.

And because I can't find the words to describe how very good this book was, I'm going to point you to some ladies who said it better than I ever could (including Dhes, who's up first), and all I can say for each one is, "What she said."

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

5 stars (and if I could, I'd give it a hundred).

[Gio Listmaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-Read 9/30/16

"Look at all those confused people," Lacey said. "They think it's raining. They think they have to get in out of the rain. Little do they know we're sitting here, enjoying a beautiful sunny day."



This Book Checks All Of My Boxes
Low Angst
Character Driven
Funny
No Horrific Plot Twist
Strong Heroine
Smokin Hot Hero

Two People Finding Themselves And Each Other
Ridiculously Steamy Out Of The Bedroom Sex
Emotionally Intelligent Dialogue
The Hero Hunter Is The Hottest Cop Ever
The Heroine Is A Smart Savvy Business Woman

[♡Karlyn P♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! What a great steamy contemporary with two fantastic characters. This book sizzled hot, and the romance made me want to be Lacey soooo bad. Hunter was so much more than a great lover, and watching him fall was one of the best parts of the story. The ending had me in tears, didn't see that coming. This made my keeper shelf. Highly recommended.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Updated review after re-read 7/17 - 5 blazing stars!



I loved it even more the second time around! You know that a book is awesome when you can't put it down, even though you've read it before! But this book has the worst cover! It looks cheap and you cannot believe that it is one of the best and most well-written contemporary romances out there.



It has everything! A smoking hot sexy hero. A wonderful heroine. A slow and very believable relationship development. Smoking hot sex. And fun sweet bits.

"Mrs. Duffy across the street called me to tell me a strange man was mulching my petunias."
"It's the latest crime wave, people illegally performing yard work."

I can't describe the story - it was that good! The basic theme is "differences attract" with upper-class Lacey who meets younger working-class cop Hunter. Yes, it is a steamy book but with a great love story.

I call dibs on Hunter! He is strong, sexy, protective and completely drool-worthy. He is younger than Lacey - but not in anyway that counts. And he is also accepting and caring. And he has a way with words *wink wink*

"I'll sacrifice a little skin to watch you come under me, beautiful."

And I was so impressed by Lacey. I want to create a new shelf: "heroines that inspire me". She is strong, independent, soft, loyal and caring. She didn't need a man to complete her, but to excite her and make her life more fun!

Hunter simply saw them as who she was. That silent acceptance liberated her in a way that the new haircut, her blatantly sexy clothes at Buff, even choosing a younger blue collar man for her first lover couldn't. It was a rare thing to find someone who simply let her be.

[Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.75* I went into this one with high expectations, that was the first problem. Lacey (36) and Hunter (28), meet in a bar one night and sparks fly. They end up in the parking lot with their pants down.

Low drama, and character driven, this is usually my favorite kind of story. I simply didn't really get a good feel for these characters nor did I see much character growth. She is a wealthy mortgage broker and he is a police officer. The only drama is income? He feels she deserves better?

The steam level was ok, but nothing out of the norm. I really wanted to understand how these two would ultimately make this 8 year age gap work.

Questions that were never resolved:
He wants kids? No discussion on this?
What happened to his dad?
Does he move into her swanky house?
How do they work through their income differences?

[Auntee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yum! Just the kind of erotic romance I like to read--one with p-p-p-p-lennnty of heat, but with a story too! Thanks to the author's way with words, I felt I really knew these characters, and their physical chemistry was out of this world! There's nothing I like better than an emotionally wounded hero afraid to trust, and Officer Hunter Anderson was all that. Why he was that way wasn't revealed until late in the book, so hang in there and be patient (like the heroine), because it all makes sense in the end.

The plot: Newly divorced red-haired beauty Lacey Meyers is looking for something she didn't have in her 15 year marriage--some excitement, something different. She's not looking for commitment or a Mr. Right, but she would like to spice up her life a bit. And when she meets dark, sexy, and dangerous cop Hunter Anderson, she thinks she's found just the right guy to have a temporary fling with. So what if he's younger (28 to her 36) and far out of her social class (she's old money and a successful professional with a high paying career; he's blue collar all the way and living paycheck to paycheck as a police officer)--they connect from the get-go and he'd be more than willing to initiate her into some sexual "firsts". And oh man does he ever... But, when things start to get a little too comfortable, and he realizes how much he needs Lacey, Hunter backs away. He thinks he's not good enough for her, she deserves someone better than him, and figures she'll eventually tire of him. So he'd better protect his heart before he gets in too deep. Or is it already too late for that?

I really liked Lacey. I thought she really "got" Hunter and was incredibly patient and kind. She was a smart, successful career woman; confident and self-sufficient. She had only ever been with one man (her husband), so she wasn't as experienced sexually as Hunter. But she was a willing pupil and more than able to keep up with Hunter in that department. They had many erotic encounters...most of them super steamy...whew! And that "bad cop" fantasy that they acted out...wow.:) But thankfully the sex didn't take over the book. There was a story here, and the author explored it quite well.

Lacey...




I loved Hunter too. I loved his sexy confidence in himself, and loved the vulnerability he felt in regards to his feelings about Lacey and trusting his heart to someone. I thought his worries about how their relationship could last rang true. It wasn't about their age difference, but about social status and coming from vastly different backgrounds. Could they make it work? Did they want to? Once Hunter realized his feelings for Lacey would that be enough?


Hunter...




That's the only thing that I would've liked to have seen explored more. I wanted to see how Hunter and Lacey were 6 months down the road. Did they go beyond the HFN? Did they get a HEA? A juicy epilogue would've put my mind at ease and satisfied my curiosity. Aside from that, a very good erotic story--plenty of heat, likable characters, and some thought-provoking moments. 4 1/2 stars

Warning: This book contains explicit language and sex (including oral but no anal scenes); light bondage; nearly public sex; and acting out some naughty fantasies. Not for the faint of heart.

[Mirjana **DTR - Down to Read** · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4.5 Grilled Cheese & Interrogation Stars***

"I didn't want perfect. I wanted you. I want you. We're not a pair of well-matched horses, but we're real."

Liberating Lacey is quite the HOT little gem hiding behind a hideous, 80's porn-like cover. Do not let this cover fool you...because what's inside is



Lacey is a newly divorced, 37 year old successful woman. She's only ever been with one man, living a polite life both in and out of the bedroom. Now it's time for her to step out of her comfort zone and spice up her sex life. She goes to a popular club, known as the best place to find a hook up. But what Lacey didn't expect to find there was someone like Hunter...a man who sends electricity coursing through her body like she's never felt before.

Hunter is a salt of the earth, blue collar police officer. His excellent people skills extend past his job and right into the bedroom. He lives his life bouncing from relationship to relationship, never quite getting in too deep. Could all that change after a very HOT introduction with Lacey at his favorite hook-up club?

This book was freaking HOTTTTTTT! Did I mention that already? Well, I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY mean it! Hunter was....how shall I put it?





The chemistry between these two was off the charts. But there was more here than sex. There was a great story. Lacey is trying to figure out her new self. She's moving into the second phase of her life. She's smart, beautiful, successful, independent and a sexual woman. Now what she needs is a man who can handle and accept all of that. She could have come off as pretentious or needy or insecure or any combination of things, but she wasn't. She was strong yet vulnerable, understanding yet determined and above all a woman who knew what she wanted and now wasn't afraid to go after it.

Hunter was the one who had to battle his insecurities and vulnerabilities, which is quite the change in a romance book. But here it was done in a way where it didn't show him as weak or emasculate him. It added an extra layer of endearment to his character, to watch him struggle between his heart and mind. He had a hard time seeing a future with Lacey...what could he possibly bring to the table with a woman like her?

"His hands wielded a nail gun, a hammer, a saw, a .9 millimeter. They lifted, restrained, contained, controlled. They didn't handle beautiful, delicate things."

This could have easily been a five star read, however the reveal about Hunter's past just wasn't believable for me and the ending felt a bit rushed and abrupt. It felt a little convenient how the author just flipped the switch. I could have really used an epilogue to balance out the shift.

Overall, this was such a great read and I'm kicking myself in the ass for having waited so long to read it. This was also my first Anne Calhoun book, but after this introduction I doubt it will be my last.

[Emma ~ The Indecisive Reader ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
WOW, that was HOT!!
At first i was starting to think it was gonna be just all sex and no story. I was wrong.
Yes there was alot of sex and damn hot sex too. But that was kind of the point. Lacey after her divorce from her "perfect, boring missionary sex marriage" wants someone to rock her world. Officer Hunter Anderson, oh Hunter, is definatley the man to do that. But what was supposed to be a one, maybe two time thing becomes more.
I loved that these two were so opposites in life, but had such a strong chemistry. But they also started to fall for each other. And i really did feel the connection between Lacey and Hunter.
Hunter has secrets that cause him to have trust issues and why he backs off and tries to fight it. Lacey just keeps thinking he's having fun giving her "firsts".
I love that they both start to need each other and realise that what they have is more than just hot sex. They comfortable with each other. They want to be around each other.
Hunter, oh my god, i loved him.
Would loved to have read more of these two.
Great erotic romance with a great sweet love story. Loved it.
Oh and one more thing.... damn hot!!!
Thank you Blacky for the rec and pointing out to ignore the cheesy cover haha
Thanks Samantha, Shar, Honey for the buddy read, Chan well you just had to start and finish before we even started! :))

[Awilk -never sleeps- · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will start this review off saying that for all of you readers who loved this, please don't hate me when I say that I don't understand all the fuss about this book.

To start, I will tell you my problems with this story.

1. Lacey was a character I couldn't connect with. Perfect job, perfect house, perfect car, perfect clothes, do you see what I mean? She was too perfect for me to feel anything for. Her divorce did sound like it could have been a bit sad, but I didn't get enough information about it to form an opinion. Then to really annoy me, the first time she goes out looking for a man she finds Hunter.

2. I really couldn't tell you the plot of this story. Woman goes out looking for a new man, finds a near perfect one, and they continue on having sex like bunnies.

3. The only slightly exciting bit at the end of the story I could see coming from a mile away, and I had it spot on.

4. I realized while reading this that I was a little bored at times.

Now for the good.

1. Hunter. He was a sexy as hell cop who knew there is more then one use for his handcuffs. This man was a stud, and I would like him for myself.

2. Hunter's Dad. He had all the best lines. I liked this man, and would like to know him in real life.

3. I enjoyed the subtle use of the dominant/submissive natures of the characters. With so much BDSM in novels these days, I appreciated how this was dealt with in this story. It was not in your face. You could even miss it.

So by the time I got to the end I didn't dislike this book, well because I got to the end rather quickly, but there was nothing in the story that made me excited or emotionally involved. I quick, little bit steamy read, but it wasn't really for me. Sorry.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't have enough words to express, how I feel about this book. It left me with tingles and a warm heart. A wonderful story, absolutely loved it.

[TinaNoir · Rating 5 out of 5]

2019 - UPDATE:

In a bit of a reading slump. Decided to revisit some older books hanging out in the last pages of my kindle cloud. Saw this one and remembered how ridic the cover is, but remember thinking the story was great. I see that I gave it five stars and wondered if it would hold up under a re-read?

It completely did. Same rating. The book is smartly written. I love how the author conceptualizes both Lacey and Hunter. She paints a very vivid picture of them both physically and character wise through the movement of the story. Also it is hot without being porny. And I enjoy how incremental but important the relationship conflict is.

----

Lacey Meyers is a recent divorcee whose husband left her after many years of marriage. They had met in college and married right after. He had been her one and only love. Now single and celibate for almost two years, Lacey feels that she needs to expand her horizons. She had lived vicariously through her best friend who had lived the club girl and quick hook up life. Just once, Lacey wanted to try it for herself. Meet a guy at a bar and take him home for no strings sex.

Hunter Anderson is a cop who just happens to be a popular meat-market type bar waiting for a friend who never shows up. But he runs into Lacey. The two of them flirt, lightly at first and then with much deliberation. Before you know it, they are having seriously hot sex in the parking lot.

But what was supposed to be a simple hook-up with no strings becomes something more. For Lacey, Hunter's consideration and respect was definitely something she wasn't anticipating in a one-night stand. For Hunter, Lacey's shyness and obvious good-breeding makes her an atypical bar bunny. The two begin, somewhat tentatively, making steps toward a more fulfilling relationship.

Firs to say, the cover does this book no justice. The quality of the writing and the storytelling is much higher than the quality of the cover.

While this book is listed as erotica it reads really more like a hot romance --- scorching hot parking lot sex notwithstanding. But that is just the prelude to what becomes a very satisfying love story.

What I liked the most about this book is that the relationship conflict was completely internal and 100% believable. Lacy simply wanted to break out a bit. She has a blue-blood pedigree, a high powered career and a healthy trust fund. She's had been married to, and sincerely in love with, a man who has some self hate issues and was uninventive in bed. Shes' 36 years old and feels that she has lost out on the the things that a lot of women experience in their 20s.

For his part, Hunter is very satisfied with his life. he loves being a cop and a free and easy bachelor who, as we find later, has major commitment issues. He is decidedly blue collar and is a cop down to his toes.

They begin to negotiate the delicate balance between how to mesh their disparate life styles with their very real desire and burgeoning affection for each other.

There are a lot of internal though processes that enhance the story rather than bog it down. The reader really gets where each of the two characters are coming from as they navigate the relationship so their actions and reactions toward each other make sense. As you are reading the book you actually can feel the relationship build.

This is why I have to give a major hats off to the writer. Ms. Calhoun does a great job of building the romantic/relationship tension between these two. I felt very involved and invested in them succeeding and I was really rooting for both of them.

I have one small niggle, though. Hunter is younger than Lacey by 8 years (he's 28 she's 36) and there is reference to her being a cougar. However, not once did I get the impression of Lacey being that much older or mature than Hunter so that that age difference gave the feel of an older lady and her boy toy. The writing also didn't bear this out. Their difference was a class differential that Hunter felt more keenly than Lacey, but the age thing never resonated.

But this was such a good book that I read it in one sitting because the two protagonists were so approachable, the story was just a good, no frills story about a growing relationship with no external frou-frous and the sex, while really hot, wasn't vulgar.

Highly recommend!

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a divorce three months behind her, Lacey is ready for a first. Married fifteen years to Davis, after he left her over a year ago, Lacey is now ready to pick someone up in a bar. And that someone turns out to be Hunter Anderson. A cop, Hunter immediately zones in on the very attractive Lacey. She tells him straight out she is looking to hook-up, and they make it out to the parking lot before passion overtakes them. (Hello hot sex up against a SUV!) After their initial romp, they make it back to Lacey’s house where they continue their fling.

The first thing Hunter notices in Lacey’s house is the wealth surrounding him. Lacey is a high-powered mortgage broker who has done very well for herself. Hunter is a police officer, more of a blue collar worker. He immediately doesn’t feel like he belongs, except it feels so right to be in Lacey’s arms. Besides the difference in status, Lacey is 36 and Hunter is 28. From here, this couple which start off as a one night stand turn into so much more.

First of all, a big shout out to Kati, from Katidom for recommending this book to me. When I read her review a few days ago, and she stated that this erotic book flew into her top ten favorites for this year, I knew I had to check it out.

Liberating Lacey is an extremely well done erotic romance. In a sense Lacey is naive about the dating world, having only dated her ex-husband. She has a close friend who whispers advice in her ear about how men really act. And this confuses her because although her intent is to only sleep with Hunter once, she can’t help but feel more for him right from the start. And while she feels unsure of herself and the path she is taking, she is not scared to try new things and let it be known what she wants. They start this series of “firsts” for her. The first time she has sex in the kitchen, the first time she has sex outside etc. This not only gives the readers very intense erotic scenes, but it gives Lacey this new found confidence. She looks in the mirror and doesn’t see a 36 year old divorcee – but someone with a new future ahead of her.

Hunter struggles with feeling good enough for Lacey. Although Lacey herself never makes his lower class an issue, being in her house surrounded by her things, or surrounded by her impressive coworkers, makes him feel like he can’t provide what she needs. This eats at him through the whole book. Having trust issues from childhood, it eventually catches up with him.

This entire book read so smoothly and showcases their relationship in a wonderful progression. This is an erotic book, and the sex scenes are plentiful and long. It is just the perfect blend of sex and storyline. They are woven together so beautifully. And the end – it choked me up. Such a poignant scene. I honestly can’t think of anything I didn’t like about this book. So you know what that means – It’s a Smexy Must Read!

Rating: A

[Kelly| Just Another Horror Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why did I wait so long to read this? What a fantastic book. I loved Lacey and Hunter together. So many great scenes, especially the one in the rain. And every time he called her "beautiful", swoon...!!!!

Thank you Anne Calhoun for writing this book. It was refreshing to read about such a strong, independent heroine and an equally strong, but not overbearing hero. I loved every word, every page and I didn't want it to end.

This is definitely one for the favorites shelf! Loved it!

[Duchess Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liberating Lacey is just as much Hunter's story as Lacey's. And even though both the awful cover and the blurb emphasize a porno-like read, it's so much more. I will admit, the first half of the book is a lot of sex, not much talking, and quite a bit of inner dialogue. But it perfectly sets the tone for the book and the changes that take place in this couple's lives.

Lacey and Hunter's hookup happens within a year of thirty-six year old Lacey's divorce. Lacey comes from money, and her prim and proper marriage was not conducive to spontaneity. She knows there's more out there, and since she was married while in college, she never got to explore her sexuality with a willing partner. So she finds herself at a club where she bumps into Hunter, a twenty-eight year old cop who is also looking for a good time. One thing leads to another, and the novelty of each other leads to a relationship, if only the occasional weekly bump-n-grind.

Ahem. While the erotic aspect is not the ONLY focus of the story, it definitely catches your attention. Parking lots, countertops, bathrooms, bedrooms, mutual masturbation and handcuffs (because come on...he's a cop!) just to name a few of the highlights.

Just when I'm getting comfortable with the idea that this is a sexy, well written erotic story, both players start to change their way of looking at the other. Hunter is hung up on the idea that Lacey should never stay with a man like him, a paycheck to paycheck living man who deals with the dregs of society on a daily basis. And Lacey is positive that Hunter couldn't possibly be interested in more than the game they've been playing...even when nights turn to weeks, and weeks into months.

Just when I get comfortable with the thought that this could turn into a really sweet contemporary romance/romantica, more game changing takes place and I'm brought to tears by a profound love story that is such a struggle for both Lacey and Hunter to come to terms with. They are so lonely individually. As a reader, you can feel their comfort in each other, see how one is perfect for the other, but can do nothing but sit and watch as they circle, circle around, both too afraid or unbelieving to make a decision or take a chance.

This story is told from both Hunter and Lacey POV, which I love. I think it made me much more emotionally invested in their lives. I cried at the end. I'm so so glad, that a whole YEAR after this was recommended to me, I finally picked it up, and highly recommend this to anyone who loves highly personal, emotional romance with hot erotica.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Dreamy Stars from me!!! I was invited to read this book as a buddy read with V and Blacky. I am so sorry guys, I started before you and just couldn't put the darn thing down. So now I am finished and I advise you guys just to keep reading and don't worry about reading my review until you are done!!
This book really doesn't look like anything special by the cover, in fact I think this cover does this book a complete diservice, it looks cheesy. This book is anything but cheesy.
It's real people!! Hunter is real,Lacey is real, like as in you and me!!
Lacey, 36, recently divorced from an exremely wealthy background.
Hunter,28, very at ease with himself (at first glance) cop, from dubious, secretive background. Caring, gentlemanly, hot, sexy..... I could seriously go on forever because I love him.

These two meet when Lacey decides she is going to pick up a man after a life of missionary postition sex, very unsatisfactory sex. She wants to know, if it's possible to feel more or if it really is all just in the movies. So they meet and have incredible chemistry from the beginning. Both just start off thinking this is going to be a one night thing.

Their blooming relationship was so wonderful to read about , it was natural.
Theirproblems ,well just look at there age difference, you know things aren't going to be easy for either of them as they deal with stereotypes. These exceptional characters,suprised me at every turn. Lacey with her spunk and steely spine. Hunter with his self awareness, his ability to flex and give this lady what she wants.

This book is also one of the hottest books I have ever read, however, it isn't rude and crude. They don't have to curse and use the rooster or kitty cat words. It's subtle, beautiful, raw and real oh god and the fantasy scene, sheesh. Read it!! You will die at the hotness of the bad cop scenario. I wish I was married to a cop!!!

This is also an incredibly well written book, you will not be ablt to put it down. Do not judge this book by the cover, please give it ago I promise you it is worth it!

[Mindy Lou's Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was probably one of the hottest books I've read in a long time. The author did an outstanding job conveying the sexual attraction between Hunter and Lacey. To be honest, the book blurb didn't do much for me. This was a recommendation and the only reason I actually read it. I would have been missing out on a great story!

This book touches on two issues. Lacey is 8 years older than Hunter. She's 36 and he's 28. I don't really see what the big deal. This is a typical age difference for an older man/younger woman and not thought as outside the norm. so why is it for a woman that's only 8yrs older? Now if she was 15 years older, then I would understand this being a social issue. Either way, Hunter was a very mature man and I did not feel any gap for these two. I especially loved Lacey's attitude. She was mature, calm and composed.

The second issue was their social status. Lacey is wealthy and Hunter is blue collar. This one actually ticked me off. I don't really get why the male ego is so fragile they have a hard time with the woman making more than the man. I wanted to fist pump Lacey with her response to Hunter when the social/wealth status was brought up as an excuse. So in essence, neither issue really was an issue for me.

The thing that could turn people off on this story was Hunter and his trust issues. He wasn't a romantic, fun fling for Lacey, which was her goal being freshly divorced. He was intense and very closed off. This so happens to work for me. I love it when a man is so closed off that it takes the one woman to bring him to life and that's what Lacey did.

This book was basically a dance between the two. Neither one expected their fling to last but felt this undeniable pull towards each other that it was a struggle to stay away. This was a seriously hot attraction and you felt it! I loved this book!

[Rain Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfect story!

I love older woman/younger man theme.
Not Mrs. Robinson kind, though. Just so we're clear.

Despite the fact that this book definitely belongs to erotica genre, it's not as limited (emotionally or romantically) as most of the books in that genre are. It has a certain depth, characters are amazing, and there's actually a story going on, that's as important and carefully done as all the steaming hot sex scenes. That's rare.

Simply put - I was hooked. It was sort of "You had me at Like what you see?" moment for me.
Scene after scene, and page after page, it was only getting better and better.
I loved both Lacey and Hunter. They are amazing together. Their thoughts, the way they develop a relationship, their dancing around each other, the new ground they both find themselves on, the beautiful thing, all the sharing of the firsts...

And, oh my, all those hot, steaming hot, scenes. I love them all. Their dance, parking lot scene, dessert now scene, the step-by-step BJ instructions (I know, I know... fellatio is PC expression), "I'll show you mine if you show me yours" scene, the back seat scene, the rain scene, the restaurant bathroom scene, the bad cop scene...
Have I missed something?

What I really loved were the last two chapters. So emotional, so good, so... everything.

What I needed (and the only thing I didn't get here) is... yes, an epilogue! Any kind. Just so I can see a little something more of them together.

But... that's not something that'll stop me from rereading this one. Today. :)

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars.

Totally amazeballs. This started out so freaking hot and just kept getting hotter and hotter.

Lacey (h) is a 36 year old divorcee who wants to get amongst it and experience a "hookup" for the very first time. She's hoping this will include more varied and spicier sexy times than what she had to put up with in her failed marriage. It's on her first singledom adventure out at a club one night that she meets Hunter (H), 28 year old sex on a stick, and they mutually ignite.

Lacey and Hunter both know the rules when it comes to one night stands, they meet, they have sexy fun times, they don't see each other again. No feelings = no worries. But it doesn't exactly turn out that way.

This could have just been one big old screwfest with no substance or nothing to gel it together, but it wasn't. Anne Calhoun wrote this so evocatively and emotionally that you were totally rooting (ahem) for Lacey and Hunter the entire way through.

I loved that they felt so much for each other but couldn't demonstrate it for fear of breaking the unspoken rules of a casual fling. Lacey didn't want to push Hunter away and Hunter didn't want to let Lacey go. The perfect amount of angst, god it was good.

The only gripe I have is that there was no epilogue... I really wanted to see how their relationship had progressed - marriage, kids etc.

And PS - just a warning - beware of combusting into fiery hot flames when reading the sex scenes, hoo-doggy! *fans self*