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Delicious #2
Tart: A Delicious Novel
Juliet Lamprey is having the time of her life running her successful bakery, TART, when Gideon Carter comes back into her life. Returning home to help his grandfather run the family on the farm, Gideon is back for good. When they meet again, the spark between them is immediate, and it isn’t long before the former childhood friends play catch up in bed.
That’s not good news for local lawyer Cal Whaley. Though the sexually open but strictly monogamous Cal has loved Jules for a long time, he’s hardly ever taken it further than friendship. When he sees her start to fall for Gideon, he knows he has to make his move or risk losing her forever.
Who would have anticipated that all three of them would connect on such an intimate level? The trio’s scalding liaisons take them places they’ve never dreamed. But such an intensely passionate and unusual relationship comes with equally as complicated emotions, and when Jules must suddenly leave town, she wonders if she’ll have a choice to make when she returns
That’s not good news for local lawyer Cal Whaley. Though the sexually open but strictly monogamous Cal has loved Jules for a long time, he’s hardly ever taken it further than friendship. When he sees her start to fall for Gideon, he knows he has to make his move or risk losing her forever.
Who would have anticipated that all three of them would connect on such an intimate level? The trio’s scalding liaisons take them places they’ve never dreamed. But such an intensely passionate and unusual relationship comes with equally as complicated emotions, and when Jules must suddenly leave town, she wonders if she’ll have a choice to make when she returns
1 pages, Audio CD
First published November 1, 2012
152 people are currently reading
3306 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Dane
112 books4,996 followersLauren Dane has been writing stories since she was able to use a pencil, and before that she used to tell them to people. Of course, she still talks nonstop, and through wonderful fate and good fortune, she’s now able to share what she writes with others. It’s a wonderful life!
The basics: Lauren is a mom, a partner, a best friend and a daughter. Living in the rainy but beautiful Pacific Northwest, she spends her late evenings writing like a fiend when she finally wrestles all of her kids to bed.
The basics: Lauren is a mom, a partner, a best friend and a daughter. Living in the rainy but beautiful Pacific Northwest, she spends her late evenings writing like a fiend when she finally wrestles all of her kids to bed.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 354 reviews
November 6, 2012
4 stars… A couple of bumps on the way to a very sexy and unconventional romance!
“I have . . . so much going on. Speaking of that, since I’m being honest and all, I’m in a relationship. It’s not conventional, but I’m happy and it’s good.”
“You’re a lesbian?”
-Juliet and her mother
Bainbridge Island, Washington
Juliet Lamprey owns a thriving bakery business in a building she shares with her close artistic friends. Jules is beautiful, confident, and smart. Her main heartaches are caused by the choices made by her divorced parents and a best friend who seems to want everybody but her.
Cal Whaley has been her best friend since childhood and held her heart for many years. Known as a serial monogamist, Cal has paraded his various boyfriends and girlfriends before family and friends. Jules is thirty-three years old, and she finally understands it’s fruitless to pine for Cal anymore.
When family friend, Gideon Carter, moves to Bainbridge to take over the management of his ailing grandfather’s farm; he sees Jules for the treasure she is. He will not play games to win her heart. Their flirtation is refreshingly honest and sexually charged. His character is a break from many romance heroes by proving there are men unafraid of relationships despite past heartbreak (divorce), which is a pleasant surprise in a romance story! Gideon is the game changer for Cal, leading to unconventional relationship that challenges everyone in matters of the heart.
First, I have to share how much I love erotic romances with ménage à trois. I think they are smokin’ hot . . . in paranormal romances! In a contemporary romance, it’s the type of relationship that seems riddled with future obstacles, making it difficult for me to see my characters ride happily into the sunset. There are so many factors such as, children, cultural norms, and family reaction, which seem ingredients for alienation and strife, unless the characters live in a remote community. After reading Tart, such a relationship does not seem mere entertainment for erotic romance readers. Gideon, Jules, and Cal altered the way I view triadic relationships in real life. Their emotions, dialogue, challenges, and actions spoke eloquently to me.
“Why can’t I be enough? I’m ashamed that they treat me this way. I’m ashamed that I take it. I’m ashamed of whatever it is that makes them reject me. It’s not something I want to share. Which isn’t about you, it’s about me.”
-Juliet
The dialogue is meaningful, especially Jules’ and Gideon’s honest admissions. Their vulnerabilities are exposed, along with their strengths. Unfortunately, the narrative didn’t have an easy start. Inner dialogue is weighed with exposition. (Information would have been better delivered through alternate means.) The situation leading to this triad is the lowest point in this erotic romance. It’s a shame since Cal, Jules, and Gideon seem the most authentic threesome relationship I have ever read.
What begins as two men sharing the woman they love evolves into something all-encompassing. The main characters form a connected exclusive partnership with one another. Their love scenes are very steamy! Cal and Gideon have their toe-curling moments, too!
The dysfunctional Lamprey family adds a dose of reality to the story. Their dysfunction is very common: divorce, neglectful parents, and the new step-family. Juliet displays convincing growth as she confronts long avoided and hurtful issues.
Tart is the first full story in the Delicious series. It’s preceded by the novella “Sway,” which featured Jules’ friend Daisy and her über dominant love interest, Levi. Daisy and Levi are peripheral characters and do not distract, so a reader may read this as a standalone in the Delicious series.
This book interweaves characters from Lauren Dane’s Brown Sibling series, which I have not read. These information dumps distract from the story’s flow. Brown Sibling fans may be happy with the updates, as a wedding (Adrian and Gillian from Never Enough) occupies much of Jules’ time, and all the Browns are present.
While I struggled with the beginning, I finished this book a very happy reader. Cal, Jules, and Gideon left a strong impression on me and I look forward to glimpses into their life as the series continues. I’m anxious for Lush, the next Delicious novel, featuring Mary Whaley, Cal’s sister, and the rocker she meets at the wedding in Tart.
Digital RC courtesy of Penguin Group Inc. via Edelweiss
November 29, 2012
This is not my kind of book but that is not the reason I gave it only one star. First let me say that a part of the blame is mine for reading a book that I had only briefly scanned the description and thought it was a cute romance book. Funny part is I thought it would be about a girl having to choose between two guys that liked her. That part is funny because the book is about two guys that like the same woman but the unconventional relationship between all three was not what I had expected. Again that is probably because I had no idea what the book was about and if I did know the genre and gist of the book I honestly would have grabbed a different book. But I like to think I am open minded so I read the entire book. That is the where the blame ends with me though.
The second reason for me not liking the book was because of the writing itself. The story takes place in Washington and two of the characters (one of the male leads and the main female character) have grown up their entire lives in this small island community across from Seattle. Both are successful. The third main character is from (if I remember right) California but had spent all his summers and breaks as a child with his grandparents in the small town in Washington (He is also kind of a rugged rancher type). The small community where everyone knows everyone is how all three of them "kind of" grew up together. However as I read some of the speech parts in the story I couldn't help but think that some of the language sounded almost as if the characters were European or that the author may perhaps be a fan of historical English romance novels, because none of the people I know from Washington (also a small community across from Seattle) speak like the way her characters did. There was even a part where one of the characters ran his hand through his "rakish" hair. I had to make sure though that I wasn't just being overly judgmental so I called one of my best friends (who happens to be a gay man) for his opinion on the characters reactions and after a long and quite humorous conversation, one in which had him wondering why I was reading a M-M-W romance novel, I came to the conclusion that even when situations arise like the one in this novel the two men would have spoke a little differently. Reacted a bit differently as well. But that was only part of what had me a little irritated with the book because after reading the entire story I thought this could have been a potentially great book. The idea of the story line has great potential. But then I was also annoyed with the regular cliches that happened to drench this book. Every character in this book seems to be successful and absolutely gorgeous, there isn't the realistic qualities in the characters to make them lovable. Sure there is personal family struggle for the female character but that doesn't even seem to come across as heartbreaking as it should have. I understand that it is a erotic romance novel but that doesn't mean it didn't have to be delivered in the best possible way. I was more horrified at the writing than I was at anything else about the book.
This should be a lesson to me, however I know myself and I know I will pick up a book that really doesn't appeal to my personal taste or books that I have really no idea what they are about but half the fun in reading books sometimes is being surprised. This book just wasn't for me at all.
The second reason for me not liking the book was because of the writing itself. The story takes place in Washington and two of the characters (one of the male leads and the main female character) have grown up their entire lives in this small island community across from Seattle. Both are successful. The third main character is from (if I remember right) California but had spent all his summers and breaks as a child with his grandparents in the small town in Washington (He is also kind of a rugged rancher type). The small community where everyone knows everyone is how all three of them "kind of" grew up together. However as I read some of the speech parts in the story I couldn't help but think that some of the language sounded almost as if the characters were European or that the author may perhaps be a fan of historical English romance novels, because none of the people I know from Washington (also a small community across from Seattle) speak like the way her characters did. There was even a part where one of the characters ran his hand through his "rakish" hair. I had to make sure though that I wasn't just being overly judgmental so I called one of my best friends (who happens to be a gay man) for his opinion on the characters reactions and after a long and quite humorous conversation, one in which had him wondering why I was reading a M-M-W romance novel, I came to the conclusion that even when situations arise like the one in this novel the two men would have spoke a little differently. Reacted a bit differently as well. But that was only part of what had me a little irritated with the book because after reading the entire story I thought this could have been a potentially great book. The idea of the story line has great potential. But then I was also annoyed with the regular cliches that happened to drench this book. Every character in this book seems to be successful and absolutely gorgeous, there isn't the realistic qualities in the characters to make them lovable. Sure there is personal family struggle for the female character but that doesn't even seem to come across as heartbreaking as it should have. I understand that it is a erotic romance novel but that doesn't mean it didn't have to be delivered in the best possible way. I was more horrified at the writing than I was at anything else about the book.
This should be a lesson to me, however I know myself and I know I will pick up a book that really doesn't appeal to my personal taste or books that I have really no idea what they are about but half the fun in reading books sometimes is being surprised. This book just wasn't for me at all.
November 3, 2012
Hot and sexy Ménage à trois
Juliet Lamprey, owner of the Tart bakery, is getting her life back together when Gideon moves back to town to help his widowed grandfather run his farm. They share an instant zinging attraction which they find hard to resist and soon begin an intensely passionate relationship.
Cal Whaley has long since wanted to get his hands on Juliet but has never made a pass at her and Juliet has crushed on him from afar. As soon as Cal sees that she and Gideon have something serious, he can no longer hold back and makes a play for her. Gideon suggests a three way and the story progresses on from her. It’s not just hot ménage à trois sex, it’s true love and all three of them desire each other as the men are both bisexual. Insecurities abound and their path is a difficult and tortuous one as Juls limps from one hang up to the next.
It’s a fairly standard threesome story but what makes it special is that Laura Dane sure knows how to write amazingly, intensely erotic sex scenes which really get the juices flowing. These scenes were incredibly hot and there’s even some delicious male-male loving going down.
There’s a whole host of secondary characters and these all fell into 2 categories – good guys and bad guys. Either they were great friends who supported Juls and understood and accepted her very unconventional relationship or they were opinionated, closed-minded bigots. It was very black and white with no grey in between and I felt these side stories really lapsed into stereotype territory.
3 stars for the hot sex
ARC courtesy of Berkley Trade via Edelweiss
For more reviews, please visit Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews
Juliet Lamprey, owner of the Tart bakery, is getting her life back together when Gideon moves back to town to help his widowed grandfather run his farm. They share an instant zinging attraction which they find hard to resist and soon begin an intensely passionate relationship.
Cal Whaley has long since wanted to get his hands on Juliet but has never made a pass at her and Juliet has crushed on him from afar. As soon as Cal sees that she and Gideon have something serious, he can no longer hold back and makes a play for her. Gideon suggests a three way and the story progresses on from her. It’s not just hot ménage à trois sex, it’s true love and all three of them desire each other as the men are both bisexual. Insecurities abound and their path is a difficult and tortuous one as Juls limps from one hang up to the next.
It’s a fairly standard threesome story but what makes it special is that Laura Dane sure knows how to write amazingly, intensely erotic sex scenes which really get the juices flowing. These scenes were incredibly hot and there’s even some delicious male-male loving going down.
There’s a whole host of secondary characters and these all fell into 2 categories – good guys and bad guys. Either they were great friends who supported Juls and understood and accepted her very unconventional relationship or they were opinionated, closed-minded bigots. It was very black and white with no grey in between and I felt these side stories really lapsed into stereotype territory.
3 stars for the hot sex
ARC courtesy of Berkley Trade via Edelweiss
For more reviews, please visit Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews
November 24, 2012
I adore Lauren Dane. The Brown Sibling series is one of my favorite adult series' EVER. I got excited when I found it that it would linger on in the Delicious series as well, but this latest book had me wondering if Lauren Dane even wrote this herself.
First off, Juliet (Jules) is a self-professing bitch. And it shows. Oh, lord, does it show. This girl got on my nerves horribly. She was abrupt and rude and bossy. She got offended so easily that I got offended with her.
I know Lauren Dane can write menage well - just look at Laid Bare. AMAZING. But this? I never got the connection between Gideon and Cal. It was very much: "I like her. You like her. I guess we can get together, too .... OK, now I love you."
So much of this novel was spent explaining things that had happened in the recent past. Like Jules' fallout with her brother. I would have loved to see that to establish a connection to Jules, but instead it was explained a week later?
Definitely my least favorite of the series. Or any book Lauren Dane has written.
First off, Juliet (Jules) is a self-professing bitch. And it shows. Oh, lord, does it show. This girl got on my nerves horribly. She was abrupt and rude and bossy. She got offended so easily that I got offended with her.
I know Lauren Dane can write menage well - just look at Laid Bare. AMAZING. But this? I never got the connection between Gideon and Cal. It was very much: "I like her. You like her. I guess we can get together, too .... OK, now I love you."
So much of this novel was spent explaining things that had happened in the recent past. Like Jules' fallout with her brother. I would have loved to see that to establish a connection to Jules, but instead it was explained a week later?
Definitely my least favorite of the series. Or any book Lauren Dane has written.
January 19, 2013
I swear it was mentioned that Cal was Gay in Sway, the first book of this series. So I can't wait to see how this pans out.
Not Gay Bi!! and what a pleasant suprise it was that Gideon was that aswell.(smart arse reply) Sorry, I have just finished this book and I had a few problems with it. If you can't gather from the front cover this is a menage story, but it was weird. The way it was all just decided on, I didn't groove on. The way the majority of this book seemed to be about and engagement party and a wedding of another character was annoying. Sorry for those who are fans of Adrian and Gillian, I just felt that it was only fair that Cal, Gideon and Jules got there own time.
I didn't really get into the book, I found myself getting bored and skipping ahead. It was still decent but I prefer the first book in this series, Sway.
Not Gay Bi!! and what a pleasant suprise it was that Gideon was that aswell.(smart arse reply) Sorry, I have just finished this book and I had a few problems with it. If you can't gather from the front cover this is a menage story, but it was weird. The way it was all just decided on, I didn't groove on. The way the majority of this book seemed to be about and engagement party and a wedding of another character was annoying. Sorry for those who are fans of Adrian and Gillian, I just felt that it was only fair that Cal, Gideon and Jules got there own time.
I didn't really get into the book, I found myself getting bored and skipping ahead. It was still decent but I prefer the first book in this series, Sway.
November 15, 2012
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: B
…Mary grinned to Jules and then noticed Gideon. “Gideon Carter, I’d recognize you anywhere.”…“What brings you here to Tart today?”
Gideon looked to Jules and then back at Mary. “Jules here does. Man’d have to be a fool to resist something sweet with some coffee and that face to look at.”
His gaze moved back to Jules and once he’d caught her attention, his mouth slowly curved up into a smile so naughty her nipples got hard.
By the time Jules had remembered anyone else existed, Mary was staring at her with one brow raised and a smile. Oh man, she’d never hear the end of it now.
Jules has a full life, living on Bainbridge Island, just outside Seattle. She’s the owner of Tart, a successful bakery on the island. She has a close circle of friends and she’s currently helping her best friend, Gillian, plan her wedding to Adrian Brown. She’s single and happy, but she’s loved her friend Mary’s brother, Cal, for years but he’s never made a move. He’s instead dated men and women in front of Jules, but they’ve never gone beyond one kiss back when they were kids.
Gideon is back in town, moving in with his Grandfather to help him run the family farm. He’s divorced, traveled a bit after that was finalized and he’s now ready to put down some roots. He and Jules hit it off immediately and start dating. Dating leads to crazy chemistry and equally crazy hot sex. Jules finds herself falling in love with this sweet cowboy and Cal can’t stand it. He finally decides that seeing Jules get close to another man, a man he grew up and was close friends with, was the kick he needed to take a chance on a relationship with Jules that went beyond friendship. He kisses her outside of Tart one and night and she immediately goes to Gideon to tell him. Cal follows and they have one massively important conversation about what a relationship between them all could be.
If I have one small issue with the book, it’s this: Gideon seems to very easily accept not only Cal’s feelings for Jules, never mind that for years he never acted on them until Gideon came into the picture. But he quickly gets on board with the idea of a relationship between the three of them. Also making things easy is the fact that Gideon is bi-sexual like Cal. It just felt way too easy how once Cal decided to make his move after Jules and Gideon were already falling in love, Gideon just moves over and lets Cal in. Gideon and Cal were close friends growing up, never had or acted on any sexual feelings towards one another but now, they’re all sex and love with each other and with Jules. It came across as an easy way into this unique relationship.
This issue aside, once they all came together, their threesome is sexy, they’re open and honest with each other and did I mention sexy? There’s no doubt that Lauren Dane can write some naughty, erotic scenes and Jules, Cal and Gideon don’t disappoint. What balances out the sexiness is the honest emotion her characters have. They’re committed to doing the right thing by each other, they show each other love and they love their friends and family fiercely. That all comes across in small scenes throughout the book whether it’s a moment between Gideon and his grandfather, Patrick, Jules with Miles (Adrian and Gillian’s son), or the moments she has with her friends that make up their group, Delicious. Dane writes about love and her characters reflect that by their actions toward others on page.
“I love your shower. Really, it’s like a fantasy come to life.”
…She stepped in and groaned as the water hit her from all sides. “Damn, this is almost as good as whatever you’re going to do to me when you stop staring and get in here.”
He [Cal] snapped out of it and moved quickly, grabbing some towels and then joining her. “It’s like I knew I’d be nailing you in here.”
She laughed. “You’re so fancy and genteel with your love talk.”
He needed her to understand. “What you make me feel, each time I look at you, isn’t genteel. It’s feral. I want to eat you up in one bite. I want to touch every single inch of you, lick and kiss, nip and lap away the sting.”
“Wow, that was…” She shivered. “I’m all yours to eat up. Any way you like.”
Cal and Gideon are two hot, alpha males. They both love Jules completely and their love for each other seemed like it happened overnight. I felt more invested in their relationship as a threesome and individually for each of them with Jules. Cal and Gideon do have time alone on page and they have sweet, affectionate moments with each other, but I never bought in with how easy their part together in the relationship happened.
Most of the drama comes from Jules immediate family, which was torn apart when she was younger after her dad announced he was divorcing her mom and getting married to a woman he got pregnant. He’s been an absent father, her mother is now absent and her brother is a rat bastard (there’s more to that story, but I think that label sums him up nicely). Jules struggles with trying to be the tie that binds all these loose family members together. Trouble is, they don’t care much about staying a family and end up using Jules. Her growth comes from finding the strength to stand up for herself and not take it anymore. Her family is who she’s made it, her best friends who don’t judge and support her always.
There’s quite a bit of page time for Gillian, Adrian and Miles as their wedding takes place during Tart. I love catching up with the Brown’s and it was nice to get the majority of that side story through Gillian. We get an answer as to where Adrian and Gillian will live, this was a loose end for me in their own book, and I was curious to know where they’d end up; a small detail, but one I wanted.
The heart of the story is Jules, Gideon and Cal making a go of their relationship. It was sexy, but at times maybe a little too perfect, to be honest, but the love between them came across on page and I enjoyed their story.
Blog rating: B
…Mary grinned to Jules and then noticed Gideon. “Gideon Carter, I’d recognize you anywhere.”…“What brings you here to Tart today?”
Gideon looked to Jules and then back at Mary. “Jules here does. Man’d have to be a fool to resist something sweet with some coffee and that face to look at.”
His gaze moved back to Jules and once he’d caught her attention, his mouth slowly curved up into a smile so naughty her nipples got hard.
By the time Jules had remembered anyone else existed, Mary was staring at her with one brow raised and a smile. Oh man, she’d never hear the end of it now.
Jules has a full life, living on Bainbridge Island, just outside Seattle. She’s the owner of Tart, a successful bakery on the island. She has a close circle of friends and she’s currently helping her best friend, Gillian, plan her wedding to Adrian Brown. She’s single and happy, but she’s loved her friend Mary’s brother, Cal, for years but he’s never made a move. He’s instead dated men and women in front of Jules, but they’ve never gone beyond one kiss back when they were kids.
Gideon is back in town, moving in with his Grandfather to help him run the family farm. He’s divorced, traveled a bit after that was finalized and he’s now ready to put down some roots. He and Jules hit it off immediately and start dating. Dating leads to crazy chemistry and equally crazy hot sex. Jules finds herself falling in love with this sweet cowboy and Cal can’t stand it. He finally decides that seeing Jules get close to another man, a man he grew up and was close friends with, was the kick he needed to take a chance on a relationship with Jules that went beyond friendship. He kisses her outside of Tart one and night and she immediately goes to Gideon to tell him. Cal follows and they have one massively important conversation about what a relationship between them all could be.
If I have one small issue with the book, it’s this: Gideon seems to very easily accept not only Cal’s feelings for Jules, never mind that for years he never acted on them until Gideon came into the picture. But he quickly gets on board with the idea of a relationship between the three of them. Also making things easy is the fact that Gideon is bi-sexual like Cal. It just felt way too easy how once Cal decided to make his move after Jules and Gideon were already falling in love, Gideon just moves over and lets Cal in. Gideon and Cal were close friends growing up, never had or acted on any sexual feelings towards one another but now, they’re all sex and love with each other and with Jules. It came across as an easy way into this unique relationship.
This issue aside, once they all came together, their threesome is sexy, they’re open and honest with each other and did I mention sexy? There’s no doubt that Lauren Dane can write some naughty, erotic scenes and Jules, Cal and Gideon don’t disappoint. What balances out the sexiness is the honest emotion her characters have. They’re committed to doing the right thing by each other, they show each other love and they love their friends and family fiercely. That all comes across in small scenes throughout the book whether it’s a moment between Gideon and his grandfather, Patrick, Jules with Miles (Adrian and Gillian’s son), or the moments she has with her friends that make up their group, Delicious. Dane writes about love and her characters reflect that by their actions toward others on page.
“I love your shower. Really, it’s like a fantasy come to life.”
…She stepped in and groaned as the water hit her from all sides. “Damn, this is almost as good as whatever you’re going to do to me when you stop staring and get in here.”
He [Cal] snapped out of it and moved quickly, grabbing some towels and then joining her. “It’s like I knew I’d be nailing you in here.”
She laughed. “You’re so fancy and genteel with your love talk.”
He needed her to understand. “What you make me feel, each time I look at you, isn’t genteel. It’s feral. I want to eat you up in one bite. I want to touch every single inch of you, lick and kiss, nip and lap away the sting.”
“Wow, that was…” She shivered. “I’m all yours to eat up. Any way you like.”
Cal and Gideon are two hot, alpha males. They both love Jules completely and their love for each other seemed like it happened overnight. I felt more invested in their relationship as a threesome and individually for each of them with Jules. Cal and Gideon do have time alone on page and they have sweet, affectionate moments with each other, but I never bought in with how easy their part together in the relationship happened.
Most of the drama comes from Jules immediate family, which was torn apart when she was younger after her dad announced he was divorcing her mom and getting married to a woman he got pregnant. He’s been an absent father, her mother is now absent and her brother is a rat bastard (there’s more to that story, but I think that label sums him up nicely). Jules struggles with trying to be the tie that binds all these loose family members together. Trouble is, they don’t care much about staying a family and end up using Jules. Her growth comes from finding the strength to stand up for herself and not take it anymore. Her family is who she’s made it, her best friends who don’t judge and support her always.
There’s quite a bit of page time for Gillian, Adrian and Miles as their wedding takes place during Tart. I love catching up with the Brown’s and it was nice to get the majority of that side story through Gillian. We get an answer as to where Adrian and Gillian will live, this was a loose end for me in their own book, and I was curious to know where they’d end up; a small detail, but one I wanted.
The heart of the story is Jules, Gideon and Cal making a go of their relationship. It was sexy, but at times maybe a little too perfect, to be honest, but the love between them came across on page and I enjoyed their story.
August 8, 2018
Jules, Gideon & Cal. This is one of my favorite Lauren Dane books.
These 3 find a way to have a relationship and be there for each other. I think what I liked best was how honest they all are to make this kind of relationship work.
It is also really freaking HOT, no lie these three are scorching together. It isn’t just all the hot sex that makes this book so hot it’s the connection these 3 have for each other.
The need to be with people who love you and want to take care of you through it all.
I am not a huge fan of the narration I think it would have been better to have had a male narrator in the mix.
These 3 find a way to have a relationship and be there for each other. I think what I liked best was how honest they all are to make this kind of relationship work.
It is also really freaking HOT, no lie these three are scorching together. It isn’t just all the hot sex that makes this book so hot it’s the connection these 3 have for each other.
The need to be with people who love you and want to take care of you through it all.
I am not a huge fan of the narration I think it would have been better to have had a male narrator in the mix.
February 22, 2019
2.5* and yes always and forever more....spoilers ahead 😂
Gideon and Jules meet as he moved back to his hometown after a divorce from his cheating ex, to help his grandad on the farm. Though the knew each other as youngsters the Sparks fly pretty quickly. They date for a month when Cal who's a friend to both but closer to Jules, decides to stake his claim on the woman he's always wanted. Gideon isn't willing to give her up, Cal isn't either and they both enjoy men as well......solution? A menage. While the men both loved Jules they started as friends but end as true lovers. Some family drama along 5he way as some people have a problem with the relationship but they've also got lots of supportive friends including others from previous books by this author.
Now I had no problem really with Jules and Gideon's relationship, though she was a bit agressive for my tastes she was ok. Gideon was cool as well, he was a loving grandson and a good man who loved Jules. My problem isn't even the menage. Love is love and my rules for menage follow my rules for hetero once there's no cheating and an hea I'm a happy camper.....my problem here is Cal. See Cal has known since his teens that Jules wanted him. He actually wanted to be with her too but he was afraid to lose their friendship so what does he do? He's with lots of OW and OM over the years, refusing to cross the line from friendship to more. It's only as she enters a settled relationship with Gideon that he declares his love and decided to fight for Jules. I was skeptical but by the end he was a good part of the relationship I just couldn't get past him fucking around for years and then just swooping in to claim his woman. Though Jules too dated many times during the years before Gideon it was only because Cal made it clear he wasn't going to be with her.
I did think too, that Jules' family drama was a bit OTT, she should've just removed herself from the situation rather than take the calls the put her in a tough spot. Her brother too acted a fool.
All in all this was ok, I skimmed a bit in places especially in the beginning and the writing style took a bit to get accustomed too but I'll probably read more from this author.
Gideon and Jules meet as he moved back to his hometown after a divorce from his cheating ex, to help his grandad on the farm. Though the knew each other as youngsters the Sparks fly pretty quickly. They date for a month when Cal who's a friend to both but closer to Jules, decides to stake his claim on the woman he's always wanted. Gideon isn't willing to give her up, Cal isn't either and they both enjoy men as well......solution? A menage. While the men both loved Jules they started as friends but end as true lovers. Some family drama along 5he way as some people have a problem with the relationship but they've also got lots of supportive friends including others from previous books by this author.
Now I had no problem really with Jules and Gideon's relationship, though she was a bit agressive for my tastes she was ok. Gideon was cool as well, he was a loving grandson and a good man who loved Jules. My problem isn't even the menage. Love is love and my rules for menage follow my rules for hetero once there's no cheating and an hea I'm a happy camper.....my problem here is Cal. See Cal has known since his teens that Jules wanted him. He actually wanted to be with her too but he was afraid to lose their friendship so what does he do? He's with lots of OW and OM over the years, refusing to cross the line from friendship to more. It's only as she enters a settled relationship with Gideon that he declares his love and decided to fight for Jules. I was skeptical but by the end he was a good part of the relationship I just couldn't get past him fucking around for years and then just swooping in to claim his woman. Though Jules too dated many times during the years before Gideon it was only because Cal made it clear he wasn't going to be with her.
I did think too, that Jules' family drama was a bit OTT, she should've just removed herself from the situation rather than take the calls the put her in a tough spot. Her brother too acted a fool.
All in all this was ok, I skimmed a bit in places especially in the beginning and the writing style took a bit to get accustomed too but I'll probably read more from this author.
January 25, 2015
This series is truly delicious and I'm reading them backwards, I realize that and yet it still is good regardless. Ms. Dane creates a great story about acceptance, family and friends.
The MMF aspect to this is super hawt. For Juliet who's crushed on Cal for a long time, she gives up and takes up Gideon's offer. With Gideon in the picture, NOW Cal wants where. W.T.H? Gideon and Cal are two men determined to have Juliet. Well, why not have both? Fortunately, the threesome get it on despite some family rejections.
Honestly, I don't get people. What made me furious in this book is Juliet's family. They are just as Gideon's grandfather states...selfish. Juliet deserves better. I'm glad Juliet formed her own family. Because she needs love and acceptance. This mmf menage is recommended to all romantic readers who enjoy a happily ever after.
The MMF aspect to this is super hawt. For Juliet who's crushed on Cal for a long time, she gives up and takes up Gideon's offer. With Gideon in the picture, NOW Cal wants where. W.T.H? Gideon and Cal are two men determined to have Juliet. Well, why not have both? Fortunately, the threesome get it on despite some family rejections.
Honestly, I don't get people. What made me furious in this book is Juliet's family. They are just as Gideon's grandfather states...selfish. Juliet deserves better. I'm glad Juliet formed her own family. Because she needs love and acceptance. This mmf menage is recommended to all romantic readers who enjoy a happily ever after.
July 9, 2017
Hot, but two issues. One is the ongoing one of finding her dialogue not convincing. The other is that Jules family was SO TERRIBLE and it all felt like a setup to have her lean into the triad life that she seemed to want anyway. It was just over the top. I don't doubt that plenty of people would react the way her brother did and I know that lots of people have estranged families, it was just everything happening in one place. Did enjoy the confrontations, though, even if again, NO ONE TALKS LIKE THAT.
October 2, 2019
Nice, erotic story with a threesome where the plot seems to work here.
June 13, 2013
Initial reaction: So after quite a few months, I finished "Tart" and actually really enjoyed the development of the relationship between Jules, Cal, and Gideon. They have their moments of weakness, and sometimes there were parts of the story I was a little sketchy to buy, but ultimately, this was a very sweet story for its respective genre and I enjoyed watching the dynamic of the characters, their interactions, and their growth from various challenges that tested them in their lives. I'd probably give this either 3 or 3.5 stars on the whole.
Full review:
"Tart," the second story in Lauren Dane's "Delicious" series is a sweet read. I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would going into the novel, given that Dane has such an eye for natural character chemistry and developing relationships. That was one of the parts I appreciated the most about this read.
One thing to keep in mind when going into this novel - if you don't know the relationships beforehand, it can be a little difficult to get started because Dane throws you into the narrative head first. I think that might've been what made me put this novel down because I thought I was missing something to start with, but I realized - as I picked it up again several months after the fact - that it just takes a bit to follow along with the narrative as it's presented. I think if you've read some of Dane's other works, you may have more of a handle on the characters featured in this, but as someone who was introduced to this particular series via galley, I found my flow with the story in time. It took patience to see and it paid off rather well.
Jules (Juliet) is just one of the bakers a part of Delicious, and she's very passionate about her work. She doesn't expect her old crush Gideon to show up in town to help his grandfather, nor does she expect him to be so...grown up. ;) The two have a very nice connection and overarching developing relationship - which I loved watching unfold steadily because it felt like a real coming to terms.
The other shoe drops when Jules's childhood best friend, Cal, realizes Gideon's in town and will pose a threat to his long unstated sentiments for Jules, though he identifies as bisexual. Cal's advances lead to an encounter between all of them that seems to come to a head, but is resolved in Gideon's rather interesting proposal to Jules: why not a relationship between all three of us?
And that's where it gets interesting and complicated at the same time.
The story does a nice job of balancing fluff, real world coming to terms with tough issues, sweetness and steamy sexy times. I had a hard time believing the reason for them hooking up, but in the end, I was rooting for Jules, Gideon and Cal, particularly when they were up against some horrible standards on behalf of their not so "conventional" relationship. I loved the other characters in the novel, including Gillian and Mary, whom I was able to see in brief snippets here, but still fairly developed for what they brought to the story.
It was certainly worth the read, and I look forward to the next book in the series.
Overall score: 3/5
Note: I received this as an ARC from Edelweiss, from the publisher Berkley Trade.
Full review:
"Tart," the second story in Lauren Dane's "Delicious" series is a sweet read. I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would going into the novel, given that Dane has such an eye for natural character chemistry and developing relationships. That was one of the parts I appreciated the most about this read.
One thing to keep in mind when going into this novel - if you don't know the relationships beforehand, it can be a little difficult to get started because Dane throws you into the narrative head first. I think that might've been what made me put this novel down because I thought I was missing something to start with, but I realized - as I picked it up again several months after the fact - that it just takes a bit to follow along with the narrative as it's presented. I think if you've read some of Dane's other works, you may have more of a handle on the characters featured in this, but as someone who was introduced to this particular series via galley, I found my flow with the story in time. It took patience to see and it paid off rather well.
Jules (Juliet) is just one of the bakers a part of Delicious, and she's very passionate about her work. She doesn't expect her old crush Gideon to show up in town to help his grandfather, nor does she expect him to be so...grown up. ;) The two have a very nice connection and overarching developing relationship - which I loved watching unfold steadily because it felt like a real coming to terms.
The other shoe drops when Jules's childhood best friend, Cal, realizes Gideon's in town and will pose a threat to his long unstated sentiments for Jules, though he identifies as bisexual. Cal's advances lead to an encounter between all of them that seems to come to a head, but is resolved in Gideon's rather interesting proposal to Jules: why not a relationship between all three of us?
And that's where it gets interesting and complicated at the same time.
The story does a nice job of balancing fluff, real world coming to terms with tough issues, sweetness and steamy sexy times. I had a hard time believing the reason for them hooking up, but in the end, I was rooting for Jules, Gideon and Cal, particularly when they were up against some horrible standards on behalf of their not so "conventional" relationship. I loved the other characters in the novel, including Gillian and Mary, whom I was able to see in brief snippets here, but still fairly developed for what they brought to the story.
It was certainly worth the read, and I look forward to the next book in the series.
Overall score: 3/5
Note: I received this as an ARC from Edelweiss, from the publisher Berkley Trade.
December 16, 2013
silly. formulaic. instances of reallllllly bad writing (pretty painful similes abused throughout).
PROS: set on bainbridge island. atypical romance construct, which the author really fought to treat honorably and not superficially. lots of mentions of baked goods.
CONS: that stuff i mentioned at the top of the review. plus:
(1) though i feel she really, really tried, ultimately i think the author failed to convincingly present a balanced triad. that is, i totally didn't believe that gideon and cal's relationship was anywhere near as strong or believable as gideon's with juliet or cal's with juliet. in fact, when gideon and cal started kissing and murmuring sweet nothings into each others' ears, it sort of came out of left field and was jarring. transition fail.
(2) every single character had pretty much the same psychology with only the most superficial of differences: they all cracked the same uninspired jokes, they all had the same mostly sunny outlook on life. they were pretty much interchangeable -- awesomely mellowly artistic, maaaaaan.
(3) an extension of #2 above: though ostensibly juliet's best friend was . . . a character whose name eludes me? about four other women just effortlessly, inexplicably, stepped into that BFF role whenever the author needed someone, sometimes after they'd only superficially interacted with juliet previously. lazy characterization resulting in mary-sue-ification of one of the nation's most amazing island communities.
(4) dude, if juliet ate that much butter in real life, her body wouldn't be the perfect eleven everyone insists it is. just sayin'. 'cuz, i mean, they ain't NO mention of free weights anywhere up in her house, y'know? #AuthorPersonalFantasyInterferingWithPlausibility
(5) the many secondary characters were really unnecessary to relating juliet's story. the worst series shoehorn too many characters into one tiny scene, for the sake of nostalgia, i'm guessing, or a failed attempt at multidimensional community, maybe?, but end up merely confusing the reader with long litanies of forgettable names and too few meaningful interactions to engage our sympathy.
AUTHORS OF ROMANCE SERIES EVERYWHERE: please stop trying to treat your sequels as postlogues to previous stories. or please stop treating book 2 as a long prologue for book 3. this waters down the goodness of ALLS of the books in your series, and i have no patience, then, to go and buy the rest. and please stop thinking that because Dude A was critical to book #1 that he must even cameo in book #2. book #2 isn't book #1. otherwise it'd be titled and marketed as book #1. see?
what could have been a cute, sweet tale of carefully, lovingly explored polyamory comes out sloppy and bland -- half-baked (<-- see what i did there??). too bad.
PROS: set on bainbridge island. atypical romance construct, which the author really fought to treat honorably and not superficially. lots of mentions of baked goods.
CONS: that stuff i mentioned at the top of the review. plus:
(1) though i feel she really, really tried, ultimately i think the author failed to convincingly present a balanced triad. that is, i totally didn't believe that gideon and cal's relationship was anywhere near as strong or believable as gideon's with juliet or cal's with juliet. in fact, when gideon and cal started kissing and murmuring sweet nothings into each others' ears, it sort of came out of left field and was jarring. transition fail.
(2) every single character had pretty much the same psychology with only the most superficial of differences: they all cracked the same uninspired jokes, they all had the same mostly sunny outlook on life. they were pretty much interchangeable -- awesomely mellowly artistic, maaaaaan.
(3) an extension of #2 above: though ostensibly juliet's best friend was . . . a character whose name eludes me? about four other women just effortlessly, inexplicably, stepped into that BFF role whenever the author needed someone, sometimes after they'd only superficially interacted with juliet previously. lazy characterization resulting in mary-sue-ification of one of the nation's most amazing island communities.
(4) dude, if juliet ate that much butter in real life, her body wouldn't be the perfect eleven everyone insists it is. just sayin'. 'cuz, i mean, they ain't NO mention of free weights anywhere up in her house, y'know? #AuthorPersonalFantasyInterferingWithPlausibility
(5) the many secondary characters were really unnecessary to relating juliet's story. the worst series shoehorn too many characters into one tiny scene, for the sake of nostalgia, i'm guessing, or a failed attempt at multidimensional community, maybe?, but end up merely confusing the reader with long litanies of forgettable names and too few meaningful interactions to engage our sympathy.
AUTHORS OF ROMANCE SERIES EVERYWHERE: please stop trying to treat your sequels as postlogues to previous stories. or please stop treating book 2 as a long prologue for book 3. this waters down the goodness of ALLS of the books in your series, and i have no patience, then, to go and buy the rest. and please stop thinking that because Dude A was critical to book #1 that he must even cameo in book #2. book #2 isn't book #1. otherwise it'd be titled and marketed as book #1. see?
what could have been a cute, sweet tale of carefully, lovingly explored polyamory comes out sloppy and bland -- half-baked (<-- see what i did there??). too bad.
July 1, 2015
http://bookslifewine.com/r-tart/
3.5 stars rounded down to 3 stars
As I mentioned in my review for Sway , I'm reading the Delicious series because I read the Hurley Boys series and one of the Hurley's books actually take place in the Delicious series. I will also try to make my way through the Brown Family. It seems that at least 2-3 couples in the Brown Family series are major secondary characters in Delicious.
When I decided to read this series, I went to do some price checking: all book stores carrying this series have each book priced around $10+ for the ebook (except for Sway which is a novella). I was not paying those prices. So it was off to the library. My goodness! I now have a TON of books borrowed via my county library or being shipped in from other libraries across the state (The Brown Family are up next).
Tart was the only book in the Delicious series that I could locate at my county library in print (Sway was on audio). I find it hilarious that Tart was the only easily available book...the one with the menage. LOL. I really need to meet my county's book-buyers. *evil grin*
Read the rest here: http://bookslifewine.com/r-tart/
3.5 stars rounded down to 3 stars
As I mentioned in my review for Sway , I'm reading the Delicious series because I read the Hurley Boys series and one of the Hurley's books actually take place in the Delicious series. I will also try to make my way through the Brown Family. It seems that at least 2-3 couples in the Brown Family series are major secondary characters in Delicious.
When I decided to read this series, I went to do some price checking: all book stores carrying this series have each book priced around $10+ for the ebook (except for Sway which is a novella). I was not paying those prices. So it was off to the library. My goodness! I now have a TON of books borrowed via my county library or being shipped in from other libraries across the state (The Brown Family are up next).
Tart was the only book in the Delicious series that I could locate at my county library in print (Sway was on audio). I find it hilarious that Tart was the only easily available book...the one with the menage. LOL. I really need to meet my county's book-buyers. *evil grin*
Read the rest here: http://bookslifewine.com/r-tart/
November 1, 2012
This book started out so well for me and then just quickly went down the hill. I never really believed in the triad. The way it was brought up just seemed out of nowhere and I never got a sense that Cal and Gideon really had any feelings for one another. Yes, they both are in love with Jules but I never felt like there was an attraction between them. I feel like all Cal and Gideon did was talk about how much they loved Jules and found her sexy and Jules just talked about how sexy they were. Nothing really happens in the book and when we are presented with a chance for something to happen it's shown behind closed doors. Why? It just made me aggravated because I felt like the full focus of the book wasn't on the relationship between Cal, Gideon and Jules but rather the wedding between Adrian and Gillian.
July 15, 2025
Not gonna lie, this was super HOT and I really liked the dynamics between each of the 3 MCs. I will say I found Cal’s timing suspect, the second he realized that Juliet and Gideon were headed towards something serious, that’s when he finally decided to pull his head out of his ass. The second thing, Juliet’s family is AWFUL and I’m so glad that she finally stood up for herself to all of them or at least to her awful stepmom and also to her absentee mom. I wish she’d been able to have a reckoning with her father directly and also with her terrible brother. I’m glad she had 2 men who clearly adored her and her found family was strong and supportive. The ending felt a little abrupt and this is a story that really could have used a years down the line epilogue.
Content notes: toxic family dynamics, parental abandonment, cheating wife in the past, slut shaming language
Content notes: toxic family dynamics, parental abandonment, cheating wife in the past, slut shaming language
January 7, 2015
4.5 Stars, Rounded up.
Juliet Lamprey is a strong, assertive woman who knows what she wants. She's her own boss- the owner of the infamous Tart bakery. Up and coming, it's growing in popularity thanks to the artwork and catering company run by her friends in the same building, but because her baking is perfection. Things are getting settled in when Gideon comes back into her life. They'd known each other growing up, but he's definitely more than the boy she remembered. When he's in town helping out with the family farm, Juliet starts a romance with the family loving cowboy that's just too good to resist. Only, one of her best guy friends since forever, Cal, isn't too keen on Juliet seeing people that aren't him. He's pined for her since they were young, but has waited too long to do anything about it. Juliet's world as she knows it comes crashing down around her with an unexpected kiss and a proposition that would leave all three of their delicious appetites satiated....
-----
This is a book with adult content and situations. If this offends you, please scroll along.
I am pleasantly surprised to say that I loved this book. Not afraid of sounding too shallow, I originally wanted to read this because of the cover. My regular followers know that I'm very picky but just as hopeful when I read romances. Most of the time, I'm left wanting more and regretting my book choices. However, I'm very happy to say that this Tart filled me up in all of the right ways.
+One of the most important aspects of a good romance, in my opinion, lays in the hands of the female protagonist. In Tart, this position is filled by Juliet Lamprey, baker extraordinaire. She is an alpha female who does just fine on her own. She knows what she wants, how she wants it, and just exactly how to obtain it when she needs it. This assertiveness made all the difference. She's not made of stone, and can be a bit bitchy and even weak in moments, but she's not the perpetually useless damsel in distress, and for that reason alone I cheered her on.
+The males in this book are tasty. Cal is a dark haired lawyer with designer clothes and piercing eyes who can be a bit too bossy for his own good. Gideon is a golden haired cowboy with manners and a deep love for his family and the land that he so laboriously looks after. Both men are dominant and it leads to some interesting sex scenes with their "alpha" female. I can't blame Juliet. I'd want to enter a three-way relationship with this fine gents too.
+The element that surprised me the most (in the best of ways) was the actual plot. Too many times in the past, I have picked up a romance that seems generic and weakly written, or in other cases, only sex and no plot. This book actually made me tear up at parts. There's a beautifully narrated wedding full of loving friends and family, there's a hospital scene that brought to surface extreme feelings of rage and "stabbity", as Juliet puts it. Though the sex scenes were great (and I'll get to those later), there was far more than meets the eye in this book. It's got layers to it, and it made it all the more encompassing.
+Now, the part that everyone really cares about: the sex. Lauren Dane has exceeded my erotica-reading expectations. She writes scenes between the three of them with just enough detail to leave the reader hot and bothered, but not too much detail so that it's off-putting. None of the three in their menage is ever left out, nor are any of them slacking at any point. Each of them is aggressive and sexy in their own way, and the three of them together make for steamy happenings. Props to the author for using so-called "naughty words" in her writing. I much prefer them to broad statements like "he touched me there."
+The cover, as I mentioned at the beginning, is gorgeous. It does a great job of summarizing what the book is about: a sexy baker and her two lovers.
+This book does a very good job of leading up to the next Delicious book, which isn't so much a sequel as it is a continuing story with one of Juliet's friends. The expected publication is April 2, 2013. Assuming I'm not lucky enough to snag an ARC -wink wink- (Never hurts to try), I know I'll be getting it upon release.
-One of the things that did irk me about this book was the sentence fragments. They don't occur often, namely when one of the characters is aroused. I understand the theory of characters' thoughts being muddled by sexiness, but it bothered me just a smidge.
+/ My last point is neither positive nor negative, just an observation. There are a LOT of characters in this book. At some points I found it extremely difficult to remember who was who. It wasn't a constant, and it didn't take away from the story. It did just take me a few moments, here and there, to refocus on who was involved.
This book is a very solid 4.5, rounded up. This is my warning/disclaimer: If you are offended, repulsed, or closed-minded to the ideas of polyamory, three-way sex, vulgar language, or male-male sex scenes, do NOT read this book. I promise you, you will not enjoy yourself. However, if you are like me and can't resist the idea of two handsome men together with their darling, delicious bakery owner, are impartial to homosexual scenes and dirty language, then read this book immediately. Your ovaries will thank you (Or man parts. I don't judge).
Thank you to the "I am a book addict...and proud of it" blog for my copy.
Juliet Lamprey is a strong, assertive woman who knows what she wants. She's her own boss- the owner of the infamous Tart bakery. Up and coming, it's growing in popularity thanks to the artwork and catering company run by her friends in the same building, but because her baking is perfection. Things are getting settled in when Gideon comes back into her life. They'd known each other growing up, but he's definitely more than the boy she remembered. When he's in town helping out with the family farm, Juliet starts a romance with the family loving cowboy that's just too good to resist. Only, one of her best guy friends since forever, Cal, isn't too keen on Juliet seeing people that aren't him. He's pined for her since they were young, but has waited too long to do anything about it. Juliet's world as she knows it comes crashing down around her with an unexpected kiss and a proposition that would leave all three of their delicious appetites satiated....
-----
This is a book with adult content and situations. If this offends you, please scroll along.
I am pleasantly surprised to say that I loved this book. Not afraid of sounding too shallow, I originally wanted to read this because of the cover. My regular followers know that I'm very picky but just as hopeful when I read romances. Most of the time, I'm left wanting more and regretting my book choices. However, I'm very happy to say that this Tart filled me up in all of the right ways.
+One of the most important aspects of a good romance, in my opinion, lays in the hands of the female protagonist. In Tart, this position is filled by Juliet Lamprey, baker extraordinaire. She is an alpha female who does just fine on her own. She knows what she wants, how she wants it, and just exactly how to obtain it when she needs it. This assertiveness made all the difference. She's not made of stone, and can be a bit bitchy and even weak in moments, but she's not the perpetually useless damsel in distress, and for that reason alone I cheered her on.
+The males in this book are tasty. Cal is a dark haired lawyer with designer clothes and piercing eyes who can be a bit too bossy for his own good. Gideon is a golden haired cowboy with manners and a deep love for his family and the land that he so laboriously looks after. Both men are dominant and it leads to some interesting sex scenes with their "alpha" female. I can't blame Juliet. I'd want to enter a three-way relationship with this fine gents too.
+The element that surprised me the most (in the best of ways) was the actual plot. Too many times in the past, I have picked up a romance that seems generic and weakly written, or in other cases, only sex and no plot. This book actually made me tear up at parts. There's a beautifully narrated wedding full of loving friends and family, there's a hospital scene that brought to surface extreme feelings of rage and "stabbity", as Juliet puts it. Though the sex scenes were great (and I'll get to those later), there was far more than meets the eye in this book. It's got layers to it, and it made it all the more encompassing.
+Now, the part that everyone really cares about: the sex. Lauren Dane has exceeded my erotica-reading expectations. She writes scenes between the three of them with just enough detail to leave the reader hot and bothered, but not too much detail so that it's off-putting. None of the three in their menage is ever left out, nor are any of them slacking at any point. Each of them is aggressive and sexy in their own way, and the three of them together make for steamy happenings. Props to the author for using so-called "naughty words" in her writing. I much prefer them to broad statements like "he touched me there."
+The cover, as I mentioned at the beginning, is gorgeous. It does a great job of summarizing what the book is about: a sexy baker and her two lovers.
+This book does a very good job of leading up to the next Delicious book, which isn't so much a sequel as it is a continuing story with one of Juliet's friends. The expected publication is April 2, 2013. Assuming I'm not lucky enough to snag an ARC -wink wink- (Never hurts to try), I know I'll be getting it upon release.
-One of the things that did irk me about this book was the sentence fragments. They don't occur often, namely when one of the characters is aroused. I understand the theory of characters' thoughts being muddled by sexiness, but it bothered me just a smidge.
+/ My last point is neither positive nor negative, just an observation. There are a LOT of characters in this book. At some points I found it extremely difficult to remember who was who. It wasn't a constant, and it didn't take away from the story. It did just take me a few moments, here and there, to refocus on who was involved.
This book is a very solid 4.5, rounded up. This is my warning/disclaimer: If you are offended, repulsed, or closed-minded to the ideas of polyamory, three-way sex, vulgar language, or male-male sex scenes, do NOT read this book. I promise you, you will not enjoy yourself. However, if you are like me and can't resist the idea of two handsome men together with their darling, delicious bakery owner, are impartial to homosexual scenes and dirty language, then read this book immediately. Your ovaries will thank you (Or man parts. I don't judge).
Thank you to the "I am a book addict...and proud of it" blog for my copy.
May 8, 2017
Borrowed from Tongue Hanging Delicious on Amazon
This was my second Lauren Dane story. I read Sway a story featured in the anthology Cherished. I fell in love with how Dane writes when I read that, and I'm still in love with how she tells a story in Tart. Her writing has humor and a freshness is added to the dialogue. When you're introduced to the people in the delicious group you get a total picture and understanding of who they are. I could even see and hear them as they talked because that's just how good the dialogue was and the setting was written.
I loved the chemistry between Gideon, Juliet, and Calvin. Even though we don't see a triad relationship in our every day life that doesn't mean that the reader can't relate to what they are going through, the issues that rise, and the love they share. It's a complete love story in the sense that the reader for the most part really gets to watch their every day life for 3 months; skip a few days or weeks give or take, here and there. There is the interaction with each other but also with everyone involved in their lives, so it's not just sex scene and after sex scene. It's more like the sex scenes are placed around what's important in their lives and the sex is just one of the many other things that is a part of their normal lives. The sex is hot but it's also very tasteful and so is the menage relationship.
Lauren Dane's writing made me feel like a fly on the wall sitting on a tart eves dropping on everything happening. I wasn't just reading a book. Buy it and you'll enjoy the release of stress you'll feel and the lightness on your shoulders from everthing else going on in your life. Don't forget to have some dessert and tea on hand while you read. The complete experience will be well worth it.
This was my second Lauren Dane story. I read Sway a story featured in the anthology Cherished. I fell in love with how Dane writes when I read that, and I'm still in love with how she tells a story in Tart. Her writing has humor and a freshness is added to the dialogue. When you're introduced to the people in the delicious group you get a total picture and understanding of who they are. I could even see and hear them as they talked because that's just how good the dialogue was and the setting was written.
I loved the chemistry between Gideon, Juliet, and Calvin. Even though we don't see a triad relationship in our every day life that doesn't mean that the reader can't relate to what they are going through, the issues that rise, and the love they share. It's a complete love story in the sense that the reader for the most part really gets to watch their every day life for 3 months; skip a few days or weeks give or take, here and there. There is the interaction with each other but also with everyone involved in their lives, so it's not just sex scene and after sex scene. It's more like the sex scenes are placed around what's important in their lives and the sex is just one of the many other things that is a part of their normal lives. The sex is hot but it's also very tasteful and so is the menage relationship.
Lauren Dane's writing made me feel like a fly on the wall sitting on a tart eves dropping on everything happening. I wasn't just reading a book. Buy it and you'll enjoy the release of stress you'll feel and the lightness on your shoulders from everthing else going on in your life. Don't forget to have some dessert and tea on hand while you read. The complete experience will be well worth it.
November 5, 2012
**4.5
Hot sexy-Alpha men...check! Visits from the Brown Siblings...check! Mention of food and/or coffee in each chapter...check! Bainbridge Island, WA....check!
This story went beyond the HOT sex, the moving romance and the three main characters finding their HEA in a Triad relationship. Yes the elements were there to follow the footsteps of the previous books, but the relationship building was not only between Juliet, Gideon and Calvin. It was enjoyable to read about the connections they had with each other and with the other people in their lives that truly defines what "FAMILY" IS! Most of the secondary characters in this book assist in revealing the true nature of the main character, Juliet. She's a tough woman who knows what she wants and does not mince words. Her friends love her because she's organized and can "take-charge" of any situation. She's been on her own since she was 19 years old and it's difficult for her to ask for help. With all that said, she has a weakness too - when it comes to family.
Gideon Carter was a childhood friend who would visit the island during the summer breaks and holidays. He's back to live with his beloved grandfather permanently and help with the family farm. Upon their first meeting, sparks fly between Gideon and Juliet.
Calvin Whaley has been friends with Juliet for as long as he can remember. She was, and still remains his sister Mary's friend. Through the years he's even considered Juliet his best friend. In fact they are all part of the small group of friends that live on the island. He's a prominent attorney in the community. He's also an open bi-sexual. (The reader also learns that Gideon is too.)
The sparks between Gideon and Juliet catches fire. After a month of dating, Calvin throws himself smack dab in the middle. After years of loving Juliet and dating the "wrong man or woman" Calvin finally takes the step to let Juliet know how he feels about her. He wants her and plans to win her heart. Gideon loves her too and notices that Juliet's has feelings for Calvin. To make everyone happy, he suggests sharing her with Calvin.
The triad relationship has been done before in Laid Bare. In Tart, it's told in a slightly different perspective. It was quickly introduced and accepted by all in the close knit group, with a slight "bump" on the road. The focus was not about three in one relationship, but how they build a relationship and keep it strong. There are insecurities on Juliet's part, but not for the reasons "others" may think/say/do. Her insecurities are a personal matter. What I enjoyed about this book is the growth and struggles of Juliet. She had a solid group of friends, which includes her best friend Gillian's new family and friends through Adrian Brown. Juliet would do anything for them and clearly the feelings are mutual. The disappointments in her life were caused by her own family - father, mother and eventually her brother. The friends and the men in her life shows her that you don't need to be related by blood to be loved and accepted.
Hot sexy-Alpha men...check! Visits from the Brown Siblings...check! Mention of food and/or coffee in each chapter...check! Bainbridge Island, WA....check!
This story went beyond the HOT sex, the moving romance and the three main characters finding their HEA in a Triad relationship. Yes the elements were there to follow the footsteps of the previous books, but the relationship building was not only between Juliet, Gideon and Calvin. It was enjoyable to read about the connections they had with each other and with the other people in their lives that truly defines what "FAMILY" IS! Most of the secondary characters in this book assist in revealing the true nature of the main character, Juliet. She's a tough woman who knows what she wants and does not mince words. Her friends love her because she's organized and can "take-charge" of any situation. She's been on her own since she was 19 years old and it's difficult for her to ask for help. With all that said, she has a weakness too - when it comes to family.
Gideon Carter was a childhood friend who would visit the island during the summer breaks and holidays. He's back to live with his beloved grandfather permanently and help with the family farm. Upon their first meeting, sparks fly between Gideon and Juliet.
Calvin Whaley has been friends with Juliet for as long as he can remember. She was, and still remains his sister Mary's friend. Through the years he's even considered Juliet his best friend. In fact they are all part of the small group of friends that live on the island. He's a prominent attorney in the community. He's also an open bi-sexual. (The reader also learns that Gideon is too.)
The sparks between Gideon and Juliet catches fire. After a month of dating, Calvin throws himself smack dab in the middle. After years of loving Juliet and dating the "wrong man or woman" Calvin finally takes the step to let Juliet know how he feels about her. He wants her and plans to win her heart. Gideon loves her too and notices that Juliet's has feelings for Calvin. To make everyone happy, he suggests sharing her with Calvin.
The triad relationship has been done before in Laid Bare. In Tart, it's told in a slightly different perspective. It was quickly introduced and accepted by all in the close knit group, with a slight "bump" on the road. The focus was not about three in one relationship, but how they build a relationship and keep it strong. There are insecurities on Juliet's part, but not for the reasons "others" may think/say/do. Her insecurities are a personal matter. What I enjoyed about this book is the growth and struggles of Juliet. She had a solid group of friends, which includes her best friend Gillian's new family and friends through Adrian Brown. Juliet would do anything for them and clearly the feelings are mutual. The disappointments in her life were caused by her own family - father, mother and eventually her brother. The friends and the men in her life shows her that you don't need to be related by blood to be loved and accepted.
September 19, 2015
This review was posted at Under the Covers
Ms. Dane has done it again. TART is everything I was anxiously awaiting! There's a wonderful new set of people in this series and women that have a close friendship and now it's their turns to find love. You'll feel right at home in their lives just as we did with the Brown Siblings.
Starting with Juliet. We read about her in the CHERISHED anthology. She owns a pastry shop and is a very independent woman, always used to doing things for herself and succeeding at them. She doesn't have the love and support of her own family either. But she's also the type of woman that will do anything to help others and sometimes that can get in the way of her own happiness.
She's had a crush on her buddy Cal for years, but then she thought Cal was gay, and then we he started dating both men and women she kind of gave up on the hopes that he would ever look her way. So when hunky cowboy Gideon comes into town and she's doing business with his grandfather's farm, she acts on the sizzling chemistry she feels with Gideon. Of course that's just what Cal needed to kick start him into action because Juliet should've always been his.
I like how Ms. Dane starts this series off in sort of the same way as her Brown Siblings, with a permanent menage. And it works. They all care about each but their individual connection with Juliet was cemented perfectly. She's the anchor that makes the relationship work and when permanent menages can be hard to imagine working, Ms. Dane has a talent for making me believe that they can.
And just as the relationships and love were perfectly and independently developed, the sex was as well. I can't say there's one thing she didn't explore and I loved every minute of it. There's Gideon and Juliet, Cal and Juliet, Cal and Gideon and all three together with different roles. It was hot and had me bothered! ;)
Then there's the familiar faces we love to read about. I love the Brown siblings and I'm happy to report there's a lot of them in this book. Erin, Todd and Ben are around and offer support for their menage relationship. Erin and Juliet develop a close friendship which was nice to see. Gillian and Adam are also getting married so they are going through the stress of that as well as the excitement.
I have to admit I might've gotten almost teary eyed at some parts and while this book is hot as hell and perfectly written as far as the relationship goes, it's also a bit emotional and sweet. I can't wait to read more from this series!! Wonder who will be next?
*ARC provided by published
Ms. Dane has done it again. TART is everything I was anxiously awaiting! There's a wonderful new set of people in this series and women that have a close friendship and now it's their turns to find love. You'll feel right at home in their lives just as we did with the Brown Siblings.
Starting with Juliet. We read about her in the CHERISHED anthology. She owns a pastry shop and is a very independent woman, always used to doing things for herself and succeeding at them. She doesn't have the love and support of her own family either. But she's also the type of woman that will do anything to help others and sometimes that can get in the way of her own happiness.
She's had a crush on her buddy Cal for years, but then she thought Cal was gay, and then we he started dating both men and women she kind of gave up on the hopes that he would ever look her way. So when hunky cowboy Gideon comes into town and she's doing business with his grandfather's farm, she acts on the sizzling chemistry she feels with Gideon. Of course that's just what Cal needed to kick start him into action because Juliet should've always been his.
I like how Ms. Dane starts this series off in sort of the same way as her Brown Siblings, with a permanent menage. And it works. They all care about each but their individual connection with Juliet was cemented perfectly. She's the anchor that makes the relationship work and when permanent menages can be hard to imagine working, Ms. Dane has a talent for making me believe that they can.
And just as the relationships and love were perfectly and independently developed, the sex was as well. I can't say there's one thing she didn't explore and I loved every minute of it. There's Gideon and Juliet, Cal and Juliet, Cal and Gideon and all three together with different roles. It was hot and had me bothered! ;)
Then there's the familiar faces we love to read about. I love the Brown siblings and I'm happy to report there's a lot of them in this book. Erin, Todd and Ben are around and offer support for their menage relationship. Erin and Juliet develop a close friendship which was nice to see. Gillian and Adam are also getting married so they are going through the stress of that as well as the excitement.
I have to admit I might've gotten almost teary eyed at some parts and while this book is hot as hell and perfectly written as far as the relationship goes, it's also a bit emotional and sweet. I can't wait to read more from this series!! Wonder who will be next?
*ARC provided by published
October 30, 2012
Lauren Dane sure does know who to write a good menage story. Her couples are more about feelings and how they related to each other, rather than just a bunch of sex thrown in for sex sake. That formula was perfect for Jules, Cal and Gideon in Tart.
Jules has live on Bainbridge Island her entire life. While her parents marriage may have imploded and left her on the island by herself, she's surrounded herself with a group of friends that have become her family. If you read Never Enough (Brown Sibling #4 by Lauren Dane), you'll recognize many of the people she has surrounded herself with, including Adrian Brown and his family and friends. But what Jules longs for is a man to give her what she's missing in her life.
Gideon Carter moves back to Bainbridge Island to help his grandfather run his farm. When he runs into Jules, he's instantly attracted to her and reminded of all the times as kids he used to run around with her on his visit. Gideon may have been had bad luck when it came to his first marriage, but he sees something in Jules that he refused to ignore and plans on grabbing with both hands.
Cal Whaley has been in Jules' life for many, many years. As the oldest brother of her best friends, Mary, Cal's watched Jules grow from little girl to the beautiful woman he loves. Cal's denied his feelings for Jules for years, instead trying to lose himself in the men and women he dates. But when he discovers his good friend Gideon is back and he's staking a claim in his woman, Cal decides it's time to step up to the plate.
The relationship between Jules, Gideon and Cal was interesting. While I was expecting a lot of sex, what we got was the development of the emotional connection between the three of them. Jules and Cal has a lot of "stuff" to work through to get their end of the triad on solid ground, but that also spilled over into how Jules and Cal built their relationship with Gideon. While they did hot have some hot sex, as a threesome and separately as couples, I enjoyed 'watching' them build their triad (especially since the dynamics between them were so different from Erin, Todd and Ben's).
I really enjoyed this story. Not only having this new relationship grow, but to also see what was happening with some old friends. Adrian and Gillian's wedding was perfect and being able to visit with the Browns and Copelands is always a plus.
I can't wait for the next book to see what is going to happen with Mary.
Jules has live on Bainbridge Island her entire life. While her parents marriage may have imploded and left her on the island by herself, she's surrounded herself with a group of friends that have become her family. If you read Never Enough (Brown Sibling #4 by Lauren Dane), you'll recognize many of the people she has surrounded herself with, including Adrian Brown and his family and friends. But what Jules longs for is a man to give her what she's missing in her life.
Gideon Carter moves back to Bainbridge Island to help his grandfather run his farm. When he runs into Jules, he's instantly attracted to her and reminded of all the times as kids he used to run around with her on his visit. Gideon may have been had bad luck when it came to his first marriage, but he sees something in Jules that he refused to ignore and plans on grabbing with both hands.
Cal Whaley has been in Jules' life for many, many years. As the oldest brother of her best friends, Mary, Cal's watched Jules grow from little girl to the beautiful woman he loves. Cal's denied his feelings for Jules for years, instead trying to lose himself in the men and women he dates. But when he discovers his good friend Gideon is back and he's staking a claim in his woman, Cal decides it's time to step up to the plate.
The relationship between Jules, Gideon and Cal was interesting. While I was expecting a lot of sex, what we got was the development of the emotional connection between the three of them. Jules and Cal has a lot of "stuff" to work through to get their end of the triad on solid ground, but that also spilled over into how Jules and Cal built their relationship with Gideon. While they did hot have some hot sex, as a threesome and separately as couples, I enjoyed 'watching' them build their triad (especially since the dynamics between them were so different from Erin, Todd and Ben's).
I really enjoyed this story. Not only having this new relationship grow, but to also see what was happening with some old friends. Adrian and Gillian's wedding was perfect and being able to visit with the Browns and Copelands is always a plus.
I can't wait for the next book to see what is going to happen with Mary.
April 30, 2015
DNF at 60%
I don't really have much to say about this one other than that, for a menage book featuring two bisexual males and a woman, this was pretty... boring. I suppose that speaks well for the triad in the long run because melodrama creates great fiction, but unstable relationships. By the time I finally decided to drop the hammer on this one, the only plot I was interested in reading about was Jules's relationship with her mother. I wouldn't mind seeing how that works out someday and I might try this one again, but I'm not in a hurry. Even the sex was kind of boring for me, which sucks because it's hard to find books about triads that don't feature multiple males that are solely focused on the female and include all parties being sexually and emotionally interested in each other (having known several successful triads in my personal life, I find the trope of an entire group being sexually and emotionally focused on one member to be unrealistic for long-term relationships).
Sorry, went off on a tangent there. This one just didn't work for me. It might work for you. Just not my bag, baby. I might go back and read it someday... but probably not. There are too many books out there that can hold my interest to put forth that much effort into finishing one that I'm "meh" about.
The following gif has nothing to do with this review, but I found it when I was searching for the above gif and, well, who can resist the Mmmmmmmm... Alec... era of Jensen Ackles? (Frequently shortened to Mmmmmmalec...)
I don't really have much to say about this one other than that, for a menage book featuring two bisexual males and a woman, this was pretty... boring. I suppose that speaks well for the triad in the long run because melodrama creates great fiction, but unstable relationships. By the time I finally decided to drop the hammer on this one, the only plot I was interested in reading about was Jules's relationship with her mother. I wouldn't mind seeing how that works out someday and I might try this one again, but I'm not in a hurry. Even the sex was kind of boring for me, which sucks because it's hard to find books about triads that don't feature multiple males that are solely focused on the female and include all parties being sexually and emotionally interested in each other (having known several successful triads in my personal life, I find the trope of an entire group being sexually and emotionally focused on one member to be unrealistic for long-term relationships).
Sorry, went off on a tangent there. This one just didn't work for me. It might work for you. Just not my bag, baby. I might go back and read it someday... but probably not. There are too many books out there that can hold my interest to put forth that much effort into finishing one that I'm "meh" about.
The following gif has nothing to do with this review, but I found it when I was searching for the above gif and, well, who can resist the Mmmmmmmm... Alec... era of Jensen Ackles? (Frequently shortened to Mmmmmmalec...)
March 17, 2013
Usually I am a huge Lauren Dane fan, but the first two books in her Delicious series have not been my favorite's.
One of my favorite things about Lauren's writing is her character development. She has such a strong emphasis on the characters, and really builds the relationships within her stories, making it impossible not to connect with them and develop your own (the reader) relationship with them. in Tart, I didn't feel a connection with any of the characters. Not only did I not connect with them, I felt like their relationships within the book were flat as well.
I loved Laid Bare, one of my favorite erotic romance novels ever, and the threesome relationship in that story was realistic and just worked. Even now, when ever Erin, Ben, or Todd is mentioned within another one of Lauren's stories, it's easy to believe their relationship is one that could realistically happen. Jules, Cal, and Gideon, just didn't work, for me at least. I have a hard time believing that two men like Cal and Gideon would just share a woman like Jules, and the whole thing was just very unbelievable to me.
Will I read the next books in the series? For sure I will, because I love Lauren Dane and am a huge fan of her work. I am really hoping that Lush will be a better read for me. Two and a half stars.
One of my favorite things about Lauren's writing is her character development. She has such a strong emphasis on the characters, and really builds the relationships within her stories, making it impossible not to connect with them and develop your own (the reader) relationship with them. in Tart, I didn't feel a connection with any of the characters. Not only did I not connect with them, I felt like their relationships within the book were flat as well.
I loved Laid Bare, one of my favorite erotic romance novels ever, and the threesome relationship in that story was realistic and just worked. Even now, when ever Erin, Ben, or Todd is mentioned within another one of Lauren's stories, it's easy to believe their relationship is one that could realistically happen. Jules, Cal, and Gideon, just didn't work, for me at least. I have a hard time believing that two men like Cal and Gideon would just share a woman like Jules, and the whole thing was just very unbelievable to me.
Will I read the next books in the series? For sure I will, because I love Lauren Dane and am a huge fan of her work. I am really hoping that Lush will be a better read for me. Two and a half stars.
August 7, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyed this! I like this gang of friends and the overlapping with the Brown Family series, as well as the Hurley Boys. I liked the characters of this triad, but I admit to wanting to smack Cal upside the head a time or two. I really liked Juliet though, I thought she handled all that was thrown at her better than could have been expected. Good story, I'm looking forward to the next one!
I listened to the audio and enjoyed it a lot. The narrator's name was unfamiliar to me, Annadelle Waters, but her voice fit very with with the narrators of the related series and I was very comfortable with it. Would certainly listen to her again.
I listened to the audio and enjoyed it a lot. The narrator's name was unfamiliar to me, Annadelle Waters, but her voice fit very with with the narrators of the related series and I was very comfortable with it. Would certainly listen to her again.
April 10, 2014
I absolutely love this new series that also incorporates the Brown family series. Juliet or known by her friends as Jules find the love she is looking for in Gideon and Cal, they help her com to turns witha a family that has used her and abandon her. Helps her find her strength. It is okay to be independent and also not afraid to ask for help from those who truly love her. Fun, Fun sexy hot read.
Originally read 12/25/2012
Reread 4/9/2014
Was in the mood for a little three way and reread this story. Loved it the second time around as well.
Originally read 12/25/2012
Reread 4/9/2014
Was in the mood for a little three way and reread this story. Loved it the second time around as well.
April 21, 2013
I like the narrator on this one.... After Laid Bare.....was not sure but she did a great job
March 19, 2015
Well, hot damn.
3 stars!
3 stars!
September 24, 2016
This was a real disappointment. I've owned this for awhile now but between studying for the bar and recovering from the bar I haven't felt much like reading. I finally started this one last night and I have to say it was my least favorite Dane book I've ever read and most of it didn't really feel like one of her books. The base of this book was more or less a pale imitation of Laid Bare. Not enough for me to cry foul but enough to whisper it. Triad relationship? check. Crappy family members obsessed with the MC's sex lives? check. Ex popping up trying to create problems? Well half a check because Gideon shut it down an that part served literally no purpose. When I read the blurb I was afraid the entire plotline was going to be straight out of Laid Bare. It wasn't but it wasn't different enough to really make it stand out in my mind. Now there have been plenty of Dane characters that rubbed me the wrong way at first read, but though I didn't rerate/rereview any of the ones i liked less each one grew on me with rereads. I will NEVER reread this one because Cal rubbed me so much the wrong way that I had an involuntary lip curl every time he entered a scene. The only character that's disgusted me more has been the Hurley brother who was the second in that series, but he was just a side character because I refused to read his book.
This book had such a stellar start. I loved Jules and LOVED Gideon and adored them together. The way they were together is what I dream of having just unconditional love and adoration. Enter Cal to more or less ruin the rest of the book for me. The non spoiler version is that he's entitled and pushy and in a lot of ways just a shitty human being of a character. The spoiler version is as follows: For pretty much the entire book Cal poked at Jules's vulnerable spots just to get a rise out of her, accusing her of doing/not doing things because she didn't trust him when he made it damn clear he didnt trust her. Nearly every interaction involving Cal was all about sex, not altogether unusual for erotica, but I had a hard time believing he had any deeper emotions. Jules and Gideon stayed a beautiful couple to me but everytime Cal entered a scene it was ruined, which happened frequently since he's a member of the triad. So that covers the relationship and Cal as an individual. Jules is tough, independent, and sassy. Gideon is delicious, all cowboy politeness, and alpha but laid back all at the same time.
Most of the sex scenes were up to Dane's usual writing but there were some issues. There were several scenes where if you missed one or two words you end up in the middle of the scene wondering how what's happening is even anatomically possible. Then towards the end there's a scene where theyre like having a conversation about moving in and the future...just like a chat while they're having sex. Who does that? And as if that weren't bad enough they bring Gideon's 80 y/o grandfather into the mix...during sex. Ewwwwww that's just wrong. Then the last scene skeezed me out so much I skipped it entirely. Role playing is nice and fun and all...but oh you're in high school and i'm a camp counselor? That's not...it's not sexy its creepy and makes me wonder about pedophilia tendencies.
Plot wise this book was just really boring. Dane's books generally have one or two..maybe three big issues to overcome before the happy ending. This one was kind of a hot mess. Jules had some trust issues with the men that she worked out over time. Despite being unafraid to tell everyone else off she was a total pushover with her family which was a fairly large issue. Then with no catalyst at all she magically gets over it and tells everyone off. Gideon's ex shows up for one page for no apparent reason. Jule's deadbeat estranged dad has some health issues but that doesn't really go anywhere. Her brother is a dick and that's never really resolved. There's worry about moving in together then they just magically are. Basically it was just a bunch of minor hiccups rather than real plot points. All the other books had these really big dramatic things the couples had to overcome...this one not so much and it felt like an effort to get through it all when none of the things really seemed to serve much purpose other than to attempt to make the book more interesting than it really was.
Other assorted things: The writing was still solid but frequently there were odd word choices that while not incorrect interrupted the flow which is unlike Dane. The character didn't always seem to act in accordance with my own experience or how they'd been written. I find it hard to believe that both the male characters discovered their homosexuality so late in life. I've been close to the LGBTQ community pretty much my entire life and I've never known anyone who was surprised to find that they liked their own gender in their 30's. Sure there's people who may not act on their desire til later in life but they generally have always felt same sex attraction. Now here we have not one but two men who just randomly decided to try penis and discovered that they liked it. I'm not sure I buy that. It was odd to me that Jules was so stubborn and independent, but let her family walk all over her, it seemed out of character. Also out of character was her brother's reaction to the news of her relationship. They seemed to be very close and caring with each other then suddenly because shes with 2 men he calls her a whore, tosses her out of his house, and cuts her off from his two kids who worship her? It could happen but it felt more contrived than in tune with his character...to drum up drama. Although it's not exactly a requirement for my books, Dane has sort of created this world filled with artsy people with tattoos and piercings. That was mostly missing from this book and while not something that detracted exactly it was a bit of a disappointment. Also something i disliked was cal's use of "cunt." Now thats one of the few words i find truly distasteful but Dane has always made it sexy. In this book it felt negative again. My last gripe is that the ending wasn't exactly HEA. They moved in together and had some more sex but their internal relationship issues and the external stuff didn't really get resolved so the ending felt like there were a lot of loose ends. More than could possibly be tied up in the peeks of them we'll get in the next book. The best part of this entire book was a side character- Gideon's grandfather Patrick. He was adorable and probably my favorite side kick is a snarky but adorable old person...like Betty White. Patrick provided a lot of amusement in an otherwise blah book.
Bottom line: I still love Dane as an author and I'll be reading the next in the series but this won't be a reread for me. Would've been a lot better without Cal mucking things up.
This book had such a stellar start. I loved Jules and LOVED Gideon and adored them together. The way they were together is what I dream of having just unconditional love and adoration. Enter Cal to more or less ruin the rest of the book for me. The non spoiler version is that he's entitled and pushy and in a lot of ways just a shitty human being of a character. The spoiler version is as follows: For pretty much the entire book Cal poked at Jules's vulnerable spots just to get a rise out of her, accusing her of doing/not doing things because she didn't trust him when he made it damn clear he didnt trust her. Nearly every interaction involving Cal was all about sex, not altogether unusual for erotica, but I had a hard time believing he had any deeper emotions. Jules and Gideon stayed a beautiful couple to me but everytime Cal entered a scene it was ruined, which happened frequently since he's a member of the triad. So that covers the relationship and Cal as an individual. Jules is tough, independent, and sassy. Gideon is delicious, all cowboy politeness, and alpha but laid back all at the same time.
Most of the sex scenes were up to Dane's usual writing but there were some issues. There were several scenes where if you missed one or two words you end up in the middle of the scene wondering how what's happening is even anatomically possible. Then towards the end there's a scene where theyre like having a conversation about moving in and the future...just like a chat while they're having sex. Who does that? And as if that weren't bad enough they bring Gideon's 80 y/o grandfather into the mix...during sex. Ewwwwww that's just wrong. Then the last scene skeezed me out so much I skipped it entirely. Role playing is nice and fun and all...but oh you're in high school and i'm a camp counselor? That's not...it's not sexy its creepy and makes me wonder about pedophilia tendencies.
Plot wise this book was just really boring. Dane's books generally have one or two..maybe three big issues to overcome before the happy ending. This one was kind of a hot mess. Jules had some trust issues with the men that she worked out over time. Despite being unafraid to tell everyone else off she was a total pushover with her family which was a fairly large issue. Then with no catalyst at all she magically gets over it and tells everyone off. Gideon's ex shows up for one page for no apparent reason. Jule's deadbeat estranged dad has some health issues but that doesn't really go anywhere. Her brother is a dick and that's never really resolved. There's worry about moving in together then they just magically are. Basically it was just a bunch of minor hiccups rather than real plot points. All the other books had these really big dramatic things the couples had to overcome...this one not so much and it felt like an effort to get through it all when none of the things really seemed to serve much purpose other than to attempt to make the book more interesting than it really was.
Other assorted things: The writing was still solid but frequently there were odd word choices that while not incorrect interrupted the flow which is unlike Dane. The character didn't always seem to act in accordance with my own experience or how they'd been written. I find it hard to believe that both the male characters discovered their homosexuality so late in life. I've been close to the LGBTQ community pretty much my entire life and I've never known anyone who was surprised to find that they liked their own gender in their 30's. Sure there's people who may not act on their desire til later in life but they generally have always felt same sex attraction. Now here we have not one but two men who just randomly decided to try penis and discovered that they liked it. I'm not sure I buy that. It was odd to me that Jules was so stubborn and independent, but let her family walk all over her, it seemed out of character. Also out of character was her brother's reaction to the news of her relationship. They seemed to be very close and caring with each other then suddenly because shes with 2 men he calls her a whore, tosses her out of his house, and cuts her off from his two kids who worship her? It could happen but it felt more contrived than in tune with his character...to drum up drama. Although it's not exactly a requirement for my books, Dane has sort of created this world filled with artsy people with tattoos and piercings. That was mostly missing from this book and while not something that detracted exactly it was a bit of a disappointment. Also something i disliked was cal's use of "cunt." Now thats one of the few words i find truly distasteful but Dane has always made it sexy. In this book it felt negative again. My last gripe is that the ending wasn't exactly HEA. They moved in together and had some more sex but their internal relationship issues and the external stuff didn't really get resolved so the ending felt like there were a lot of loose ends. More than could possibly be tied up in the peeks of them we'll get in the next book. The best part of this entire book was a side character- Gideon's grandfather Patrick. He was adorable and probably my favorite side kick is a snarky but adorable old person...like Betty White. Patrick provided a lot of amusement in an otherwise blah book.
Bottom line: I still love Dane as an author and I'll be reading the next in the series but this won't be a reread for me. Would've been a lot better without Cal mucking things up.
November 3, 2012
(This review was originally published on Book Lover Inc)
It’s no secret that I have been under Lauren Dane’s spell ever since I read Laid Bare, the 1st book in the Brown Series. Tart is the 2nd book in her new Delicious series. This new series is connected to the Browns so it’s just like the family is getting bigger. I’m putting the emphasis on ‘family’ because this is what they are, a fantastic family, even if not by blood. I LOVE that!
Tart is Juliet’s (Jules) story. She’s the baking goddess of the group, and I wish I could have tasted all the pastries she made in this book. It had me salivating every few pages . Jules is a successful woman, she has her own business, Tart, where she bakes delicious goodies and she just entered into a partnership with her friends to develop her business.
Gideon is coming back to his hometown to help his grandpa work at the farm. He’s no longer married and is starting a new life. When Jules and Gideon meet you can see the spark between them. The easy flirting soon develops into something more. They are both very direct with what they want and they do not beat around the bush. This chemistry between them is obvious to all of their friends and family…even to Cal.
Jules has been in love with Cal for years, they’ve been friend forever and she always thought one day Cal would find himself and realize he wants her too. Cal is a successful lawyer, he’s openly bisexual and has been with a string of men and women over the years. He values his friendship with Jules and he doesn’t want to loose her. When he realizes that Gideon is not just another passing man in Jules life and that he could seriously loose her to him…he acts and declares himself to Jules. Here comes the only thing that left me unconvinced…I’m not telling you how they got there because you do need to read the book but they end up in a triad. Oh I’m happy about the result for sure, but I just found the set-up of this triad a bit weird and clumsy. I do understand the logic of this decision but it still made me take a step back from the story. They seem to fall for each other a bit too fast, too easily. But oh well, once you’ve accepted that it’s just pure pleasure to read.
Lauren Dane writes the best threesome sex scenes. The book is HOT. Really really hot. And she made this menage work. Jules, Gideon and Cal are different from the other triad we know ( Ben, Todd and Erin from Laid Bare). This feels different and new. Yes, I was a bit scared it would be too much alike but nope the three of them have their own personal flavor. I loved that we did get some fantastic M/M action in there too. It made this triad stronger in my eyes. I do not want my Ménage to be just ALL about the heroine, I want all of them to be equally in love with each other. Oh and how Lauren Dane delivers! Cal and Gideon couldn’t be more different. Cal is the well groomed lawyer, wearing expensive suits and looking absolutely delicious in them. Gideon has this cowboy look that made me melt, he works in the farm all day and everything about him shouts cowboy! He’s the kind of man who opens doors for a woman, or pulls out her chair at the restaurant. Nom They are both extremely appealing in their own way.
Jule’s fears are completely understandable. Both men in her life enjoys being with each other and Cal has been with men before. She’s scared that one day they’ll realize they are actually gay and don’t need her. This fear made Jules seem very human (because hey, I would have the same concern!). I like that it didn’t change anything for them, Gideon and Cal still enjoy their relationship and aren’t trying to act differently.
This book, like the other books in the Delicious and Brown series, is centered around family, friendship and relationships. Jules’ dysfunctional family brings its own set of problems and trauma. I actually really enjoyed seeing Jules grow into herself and deal with her family. I wanted to shout ‘Good for you!’
I enjoyed this book immensely in big part because we got to see all the characters I came to love in the previous books. This extended group of friend/family is just made of awesomesauce. We finally get to see Adrian and Gillian’s wedding and that was worth all the wait! We also get to learn more about Todd, Ben and Erin and all the others. You know that really made my cheeks ache from all the smiling. Now I think I need to mention something that made me squee… we finally meet Damien!! Damien who seems to have his eyes set on Mary, if you don’t know it yet the next book in the series is about Mary and Damien!! *g* I can’t wait to really meet this Rockstar (yes I have a weakness for Rockstars I can’t help it).
Tart is a beautiful story of love, friendship and family. It made me smile and tear up, it made me blush and hope no one could see what I was reading (*g*). This is a very hot story wrapped in love and deliciousness. You can read it as a stand alone but you’d be missing so much on all the other characters. It’s a perfect addition to an already pretty amazing series. I’m now craving the next book, Lush.
I give Tart 4,5 stars
It’s no secret that I have been under Lauren Dane’s spell ever since I read Laid Bare, the 1st book in the Brown Series. Tart is the 2nd book in her new Delicious series. This new series is connected to the Browns so it’s just like the family is getting bigger. I’m putting the emphasis on ‘family’ because this is what they are, a fantastic family, even if not by blood. I LOVE that!
Tart is Juliet’s (Jules) story. She’s the baking goddess of the group, and I wish I could have tasted all the pastries she made in this book. It had me salivating every few pages . Jules is a successful woman, she has her own business, Tart, where she bakes delicious goodies and she just entered into a partnership with her friends to develop her business.
Gideon is coming back to his hometown to help his grandpa work at the farm. He’s no longer married and is starting a new life. When Jules and Gideon meet you can see the spark between them. The easy flirting soon develops into something more. They are both very direct with what they want and they do not beat around the bush. This chemistry between them is obvious to all of their friends and family…even to Cal.
Jules has been in love with Cal for years, they’ve been friend forever and she always thought one day Cal would find himself and realize he wants her too. Cal is a successful lawyer, he’s openly bisexual and has been with a string of men and women over the years. He values his friendship with Jules and he doesn’t want to loose her. When he realizes that Gideon is not just another passing man in Jules life and that he could seriously loose her to him…he acts and declares himself to Jules. Here comes the only thing that left me unconvinced…I’m not telling you how they got there because you do need to read the book but they end up in a triad. Oh I’m happy about the result for sure, but I just found the set-up of this triad a bit weird and clumsy. I do understand the logic of this decision but it still made me take a step back from the story. They seem to fall for each other a bit too fast, too easily. But oh well, once you’ve accepted that it’s just pure pleasure to read.
Lauren Dane writes the best threesome sex scenes. The book is HOT. Really really hot. And she made this menage work. Jules, Gideon and Cal are different from the other triad we know ( Ben, Todd and Erin from Laid Bare). This feels different and new. Yes, I was a bit scared it would be too much alike but nope the three of them have their own personal flavor. I loved that we did get some fantastic M/M action in there too. It made this triad stronger in my eyes. I do not want my Ménage to be just ALL about the heroine, I want all of them to be equally in love with each other. Oh and how Lauren Dane delivers! Cal and Gideon couldn’t be more different. Cal is the well groomed lawyer, wearing expensive suits and looking absolutely delicious in them. Gideon has this cowboy look that made me melt, he works in the farm all day and everything about him shouts cowboy! He’s the kind of man who opens doors for a woman, or pulls out her chair at the restaurant. Nom They are both extremely appealing in their own way.
Jule’s fears are completely understandable. Both men in her life enjoys being with each other and Cal has been with men before. She’s scared that one day they’ll realize they are actually gay and don’t need her. This fear made Jules seem very human (because hey, I would have the same concern!). I like that it didn’t change anything for them, Gideon and Cal still enjoy their relationship and aren’t trying to act differently.
This book, like the other books in the Delicious and Brown series, is centered around family, friendship and relationships. Jules’ dysfunctional family brings its own set of problems and trauma. I actually really enjoyed seeing Jules grow into herself and deal with her family. I wanted to shout ‘Good for you!’
I enjoyed this book immensely in big part because we got to see all the characters I came to love in the previous books. This extended group of friend/family is just made of awesomesauce. We finally get to see Adrian and Gillian’s wedding and that was worth all the wait! We also get to learn more about Todd, Ben and Erin and all the others. You know that really made my cheeks ache from all the smiling. Now I think I need to mention something that made me squee… we finally meet Damien!! Damien who seems to have his eyes set on Mary, if you don’t know it yet the next book in the series is about Mary and Damien!! *g* I can’t wait to really meet this Rockstar (yes I have a weakness for Rockstars I can’t help it).
Tart is a beautiful story of love, friendship and family. It made me smile and tear up, it made me blush and hope no one could see what I was reading (*g*). This is a very hot story wrapped in love and deliciousness. You can read it as a stand alone but you’d be missing so much on all the other characters. It’s a perfect addition to an already pretty amazing series. I’m now craving the next book, Lush.
I give Tart 4,5 stars
March 1, 2018
I loved this book. I felt bad for Juliet when she had to choose between Cal and Gideon. I like Gillian and how she is always there for her friend. I like how she chose both of the guys and they both chose her. I like how they worked through the difficult times together. I rate this book five stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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