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Taking over from her deceased parent, the founder of the Parisian boutique Meilleurs Amis, Beatrix Clouet and her best friend--and new management trainee--Lela Turner struggle to get their professional and personal lives on track while balancing the temptations of lust, passion, love, and fantasy, in an erotic new novel by the author of Hunting Midnight. Original.
293 pages, Paperback
First published January 6, 2004
17 people are currently reading
420 people want to read
About the author
Emma Holly
93 books1,269 followersI'm a USA Today bestselling author who LOVES the hot stuff, both to read and to write. My favorite obsessions are all things coffee, almost everything on HGTV, and dreaming up new stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 9, 2008
This book falls into the erotica category - so it's quite a bit steamier than an everyday romance novel. This is NOT my usual paranormal romance fare. Main characters include the heiress of a Paris fashion house (Bea), her orphan best friend (Lela), the widowed stepfather of the same fashion house (Philip, who happens to be only a few years older than the heiress), and a corporate mogel who owns a department store chain (Simon). The plot involves scandal and corporate takeover, and everybody ends up happily ever after by the end.
When you hear that a book is erotica, it's easy to imagine that it's just a bunch of sex scenes with a weakly connected story holding them together. In all likelyhood, there probably is a lot of erotica that fits that description. Thankfully, Emma Holly is a much more talented writer than that. This is the second book I've read by Ms. Holly, both at the recommendation of Laura Stamps (Goodreads), and I'm very impressed by Ms. Holly's ability to tell a great story and believably include sex scenes in most chapters. I'm not much of a writer, so I really don't know what the process is to write a novel, but that seems rather hard to do! My suggestion is to not get hung up on the label and instead think of Emma Holly novels as the "advanced level" for romances.
I was crying during a particularly emotional scene near the end of this novel. If it can pluck my heartstrings that well, it doesn't matter what label you give a book; I like it.
When you hear that a book is erotica, it's easy to imagine that it's just a bunch of sex scenes with a weakly connected story holding them together. In all likelyhood, there probably is a lot of erotica that fits that description. Thankfully, Emma Holly is a much more talented writer than that. This is the second book I've read by Ms. Holly, both at the recommendation of Laura Stamps (Goodreads), and I'm very impressed by Ms. Holly's ability to tell a great story and believably include sex scenes in most chapters. I'm not much of a writer, so I really don't know what the process is to write a novel, but that seems rather hard to do! My suggestion is to not get hung up on the label and instead think of Emma Holly novels as the "advanced level" for romances.
I was crying during a particularly emotional scene near the end of this novel. If it can pluck my heartstrings that well, it doesn't matter what label you give a book; I like it.
February 6, 2012
After being in a reading funk for a couple of weeks I picked this up this morning. I finished it this afternoon. A quick read with some emotion and a ton of sex. But it's the sex I have a problem with. It's a really good romance story with some really odd sex that just doesn't sit right with me.
Hi, I'm Bea. I'm an incredibly rich beautiful woman who has a thing for my stepfather. I've never said anything to him and I'm very shy and reserved with body issues. You know the best way to loosen things up for me? How about I suck off my stepfather from under his desk while he has a meeting? sure. Maybe I practically rape him and fuck him in the back of a taxi? Sure. I know how to really open up my world. How about I go to Rome with my stepfather, pick up a stranger, have the stranger fuck my stepfather in the ass while he impales me with his cock? That would seem like the best plan for me. Don't like the idea of me having unprotected sex with the guy who was doing my mom until six months ago? How about my best friend comes to visit me and thinks I'm lonely and might need a little loving so I fuck her boyfriend while she sucks on my breasts. I suppose it's good to have friends.
Hi, I'm Lela. I've been in love with my best friend for a long time. I guess the only way i'll get to screw her is with my boyfriend. Oh well, so be it. Meh. I do't think I like this boyfriend anymore. Maybe if I work for a bit something will come to me. *customer comes into a retail store* How about I take you into the back and masturbate for you? how was that for you? Now you masturbate for me. No? fine get the hell out. I still don't know your name but I don't think I want to fuck you. Oh, you are a businessman? How about you come to my house tomorrow then. Cool.
It's like there are good characters with a good story and then there is a random sex scene that just doesn't seem like it goes with the characters. I still liked it, but could have easily been a four star read.
Hi, I'm Bea. I'm an incredibly rich beautiful woman who has a thing for my stepfather. I've never said anything to him and I'm very shy and reserved with body issues. You know the best way to loosen things up for me? How about I suck off my stepfather from under his desk while he has a meeting? sure. Maybe I practically rape him and fuck him in the back of a taxi? Sure. I know how to really open up my world. How about I go to Rome with my stepfather, pick up a stranger, have the stranger fuck my stepfather in the ass while he impales me with his cock? That would seem like the best plan for me. Don't like the idea of me having unprotected sex with the guy who was doing my mom until six months ago? How about my best friend comes to visit me and thinks I'm lonely and might need a little loving so I fuck her boyfriend while she sucks on my breasts. I suppose it's good to have friends.
Hi, I'm Lela. I've been in love with my best friend for a long time. I guess the only way i'll get to screw her is with my boyfriend. Oh well, so be it. Meh. I do't think I like this boyfriend anymore. Maybe if I work for a bit something will come to me. *customer comes into a retail store* How about I take you into the back and masturbate for you? how was that for you? Now you masturbate for me. No? fine get the hell out. I still don't know your name but I don't think I want to fuck you. Oh, you are a businessman? How about you come to my house tomorrow then. Cool.
It's like there are good characters with a good story and then there is a random sex scene that just doesn't seem like it goes with the characters. I still liked it, but could have easily been a four star read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2011
Having gone on a comparison read of erotica recently, I've finally gotten around to reading my purchase of this Emma Holly classic.
I really like the fact that with a Holly book, whether it is more on the romance end of the spectrum or the erotica end of the spectrum, you ALWAYS have men and women enjoying themselves.
The outside situation may have drama, there may be bad guys to vanquish, there may be a sticky situation to be gotten out of, but her couples, whatever persuasion they have - enjoy themselves.
And most often there is a happy end, too.
The descriptions, because the couples usually like each other and she's very vivid with the imagery, really get me hot.
I really like the fact that with a Holly book, whether it is more on the romance end of the spectrum or the erotica end of the spectrum, you ALWAYS have men and women enjoying themselves.
The outside situation may have drama, there may be bad guys to vanquish, there may be a sticky situation to be gotten out of, but her couples, whatever persuasion they have - enjoy themselves.
And most often there is a happy end, too.
The descriptions, because the couples usually like each other and she's very vivid with the imagery, really get me hot.
January 3, 2011
I absolutely adored this book! Some of the best erotica I've read. The writing was beautiful, poetic and yet real. It's one of those stories you become a part of and hate to end your brief but intense relationship with it's characters. It's so hard to find a hot erotica read that has a fabulous tale to be swept along with. Emma Holly you've sealed your position as one of my favorite authors!
June 2, 2008
Red hot.
July 31, 2011
HOT, HOT, HOT!!! Great Multiple story lines.
February 1, 2020
I am a simple woman: is there frequent sex between likable characters with chemistry? Are many of those characters bisexual? Does some of the sex involve a lady tying up her man, and the man loving it? Is the characterization thought-provoking enough to give me something to chew on and a reason to root for everyone to get happily together ever after?
Yes, yes, yes, and yes!
Yes, yes, yes, and yes!
September 22, 2017
3.5 Stars
February 8, 2021
Nicee!!
December 10, 2023
I love Emma Holly's books. I have not read one that I haven't liked yet. This is another winner.
April 12, 2015
Beginnen wir einmal so: Emma Holly hat ein Buch geschrieben, welches durchaus sexy, frivol mit einem Hauch sinnlicher Erotik aufwartet, ohne dabei jedoch zu "schmuddelig" zu wirken.
Das Buch erzählt die Geschichte zwei unterschiedlicher Frauen, zwei Freundinen und die beiden Handlungsstränge werden vom Anfang bis zum Ende miteinander verknüpft.
Mir hat es gut gefallen, war aber dennoch etwas "zwiegespalten", hätte gerne dreieinhalb Sterne gegeben.
Gefallen hat mir, daß die Autorin einen angenehm flüssigen und fesselnden Schreibstil aufweist. Es gibt zahlreiche erotische Szenen, die detailiert, abwechslungsreich, aber vor allem sehr prickelnd beschrieben werden. Die Dinge werden beim Namen genannt, ohne jedoch vulgär zu wirken. Darüber hinaus reiht sie nicht Erotik-Szene an Erotik-Szene sondern flechtet diese in zwei Liebesgeschichten ein.
Das Lesen hat mich auf jeden Fall nicht kalt gelassen :)
Was mich gestört hat, war zum einen die "Liebesgeschichte", welche an sich so einem Buch ja schon nochmal einen "anderen"Charakter geben kann, aber die "große Liebe" mit Heirat am Schluß war mir dann doch zuviel.
Für mich waren die Charakter ein bißchen unausgereift beschrieben und auch die Handlung war nicht so einfallsreich. Wenn ich so ein Buch lese, gibt es für mich zwei Möglichkeiten: entweder wirklich "nur" sexy und frivol ohne "Liebelei" oder "sinnliche Erotik mit einer Liebesgeschichte, dann aber mit ausgereifteren Charakteren und Handlung.
Generall war ich aber gut unterhalten und hatte Spaß beim Lesen ;)
Das Buch erzählt die Geschichte zwei unterschiedlicher Frauen, zwei Freundinen und die beiden Handlungsstränge werden vom Anfang bis zum Ende miteinander verknüpft.
Mir hat es gut gefallen, war aber dennoch etwas "zwiegespalten", hätte gerne dreieinhalb Sterne gegeben.
Gefallen hat mir, daß die Autorin einen angenehm flüssigen und fesselnden Schreibstil aufweist. Es gibt zahlreiche erotische Szenen, die detailiert, abwechslungsreich, aber vor allem sehr prickelnd beschrieben werden. Die Dinge werden beim Namen genannt, ohne jedoch vulgär zu wirken. Darüber hinaus reiht sie nicht Erotik-Szene an Erotik-Szene sondern flechtet diese in zwei Liebesgeschichten ein.
Das Lesen hat mich auf jeden Fall nicht kalt gelassen :)
Was mich gestört hat, war zum einen die "Liebesgeschichte", welche an sich so einem Buch ja schon nochmal einen "anderen"Charakter geben kann, aber die "große Liebe" mit Heirat am Schluß war mir dann doch zuviel.
Für mich waren die Charakter ein bißchen unausgereift beschrieben und auch die Handlung war nicht so einfallsreich. Wenn ich so ein Buch lese, gibt es für mich zwei Möglichkeiten: entweder wirklich "nur" sexy und frivol ohne "Liebelei" oder "sinnliche Erotik mit einer Liebesgeschichte, dann aber mit ausgereifteren Charakteren und Handlung.
Generall war ich aber gut unterhalten und hatte Spaß beim Lesen ;)
May 13, 2015
Wow! Emma Holly knows how to do racy! This novel intertwines two stories about insecure women finding themselves and their perfect partners through sexual experimentation.
Bea thinks she’s unattractive. After hearing her Parisian mother tell her so for so many years it’s not surprising. Add to that the humiliation of being in love with her handsome stepfather who her mother misused, she’s a girl who has somewhat lost her way. Following her mother’s death though, Bea’s passions and confidence can be unleashed, and Philip is suddenly awakened to her charms.
Meanwhile her best friend Lela is fed up of being the good-time-girl and is looking to find a career to take seriously. But as she works towards a management role in a high class New York boutique, in walks a powerful, sexy guy who she’s not sure she can resist.
Holly has tried hard to mix up the sex scenes in this book, so they don’t become to samey – which is a problem I find with erotica. With kind Philip, domineering Simon and cheeky Andrew we have a mix of men willing to satisfy our heroines’ wants. They’re also taken to (and in) some of the most exquisite and the most run down city scenes, so there’s something in here for every fantasy. Most endearingly, there are some quite sweet love stories hiding beneath all that explicit lust, though I would, perhaps, have liked a little more subtle character development along the way.
review by Nikki Mason on behalf of Bestchicklit.com
Bea thinks she’s unattractive. After hearing her Parisian mother tell her so for so many years it’s not surprising. Add to that the humiliation of being in love with her handsome stepfather who her mother misused, she’s a girl who has somewhat lost her way. Following her mother’s death though, Bea’s passions and confidence can be unleashed, and Philip is suddenly awakened to her charms.
Meanwhile her best friend Lela is fed up of being the good-time-girl and is looking to find a career to take seriously. But as she works towards a management role in a high class New York boutique, in walks a powerful, sexy guy who she’s not sure she can resist.
Holly has tried hard to mix up the sex scenes in this book, so they don’t become to samey – which is a problem I find with erotica. With kind Philip, domineering Simon and cheeky Andrew we have a mix of men willing to satisfy our heroines’ wants. They’re also taken to (and in) some of the most exquisite and the most run down city scenes, so there’s something in here for every fantasy. Most endearingly, there are some quite sweet love stories hiding beneath all that explicit lust, though I would, perhaps, have liked a little more subtle character development along the way.
review by Nikki Mason on behalf of Bestchicklit.com
September 15, 2012
All in all , i hated this novel and would never like to face Emma Holly in person cause if i do then i may end up murdering her for making me suffer.
This is the most stupidest novel ever written. People want to read novels to make them feel lighter with the ongoing story but this novel fails to catch your attention as it is only about fucking your brains out. It's a shame, a huge burden to the erotic romance genre as it has sex scenes in all the individual chapters which make you puke.
If the heroine sees a man she starts flirting with him and eventually ends up fucking him hard and its not that it happens a few times but all the time whenever she sees a hot man. It almost feels like apart from all the sex, there is no reason for the characters in the story to pursue their lives. A guy sees a girl, he fucks him and if a girl sees a guy , she fucks him no matter where they are who they are fucking, they do it casually as if not feeling this way is a crime and i simply don't understand that how come all the people in the novel despite working in offices or wandering in parks have condoms in their pockets as if they know it somehow that they are at least gonna fuck a stranger once in a whole day wherever they see a hot man or a woman and they are also gonna ask some stranger in the park to have a threesome with their girl friends right that instant in the park.
This is the most stupidest novel ever written. People want to read novels to make them feel lighter with the ongoing story but this novel fails to catch your attention as it is only about fucking your brains out. It's a shame, a huge burden to the erotic romance genre as it has sex scenes in all the individual chapters which make you puke.
If the heroine sees a man she starts flirting with him and eventually ends up fucking him hard and its not that it happens a few times but all the time whenever she sees a hot man. It almost feels like apart from all the sex, there is no reason for the characters in the story to pursue their lives. A guy sees a girl, he fucks him and if a girl sees a guy , she fucks him no matter where they are who they are fucking, they do it casually as if not feeling this way is a crime and i simply don't understand that how come all the people in the novel despite working in offices or wandering in parks have condoms in their pockets as if they know it somehow that they are at least gonna fuck a stranger once in a whole day wherever they see a hot man or a woman and they are also gonna ask some stranger in the park to have a threesome with their girl friends right that instant in the park.
March 15, 2011
Haven't read a Holly in a long time...
I wouldn't say this is one of her best. I enjoyed parts of it, and her characters are interestingly complex, but the whole ends with a bit of a fizzle (at least, I think I finished it... seems there were no more pages...).
The whole plot of the savage takeover and business world ruthlessness just doesn't cut it with the main characters going all starry-eyed over each other. And in the end they all lived happily ever after, which is fine with me, but either I don't need the dramatic build-up which collapses, or I need a more impressive resolution.
I wouldn't say this is one of her best. I enjoyed parts of it, and her characters are interestingly complex, but the whole ends with a bit of a fizzle (at least, I think I finished it... seems there were no more pages...).
The whole plot of the savage takeover and business world ruthlessness just doesn't cut it with the main characters going all starry-eyed over each other. And in the end they all lived happily ever after, which is fine with me, but either I don't need the dramatic build-up which collapses, or I need a more impressive resolution.
December 12, 2008
This book takes place in New York and Paris. In Paris - the relationship between Beatrix and her step-father, Philip is sizzling from start to finish. There is a scene in an Italian cemetery that makes me melt. In New York - the relationship between Lela (Beatrix's best friend) and Simon, a CEO of a retail chain is hot, but less interesting. The end is contrived, but the sex is so hot...who cares.
November 30, 2010
This is the third of Ms. Holly's adventures that I have read. I have enjoyed them all so far, but this didn't have the intrigue of Fairyville and niethr was as good as Strange Attractions. I have also read some of Emma's short stories which have had more plot and action than this story, but still a nice companion to take to bed.
September 18, 2012
I just love Emma Holly's books. I can't describe how her books got me hooked, but if any of you read In The Flesh, Menage & Cooking Up Storm you'll understand. Her novels are interesting bcoz there's always a story behind every character. She's the only ero-rom author I can't give better reviews bcoz -- she's Emma Holly!!! (sorry, if my English is bad)
March 12, 2013
Was anticipating this book, the bitchy mother, the younger husband...the ugly duckling daughter kind of story...but it was not quite what i expected...the story was hijacked by the ugly ducklings best friend in the middle and then back to the couple i wanted to read about as almost a after thought. LOve the author...not so much this book
April 11, 2009
Another great book by Emma Holly! I continue to be amazed at how she creates stories with interesting plots and characters that really pull you in, all while weaving incredibly steamy sex throughout.
September 12, 2009
It took me a little while to get into this one. I skimmed a bit in the beginning. But once it grabbed me...I was hooked. As always, Emma Holly weaves a great tale with steamy romance and great characters. She has yet to disappoint!
March 11, 2013
3 1/2 stars. Surprised by this one, in a good way.I didn't know what to expect of this book. It had F/M/F and a bit of M/F/M. But really the story revolved around two couples with their own relationships and challenges. A variety of steamy scenes would firmly place this in the erotic category.
December 24, 2017
This book has me all torn up. There were scenes I didn't enjoy at all and scenes I really enjoyed. I would give kudos to Holly for the risks she takes in this book, while they don't all work for me there were some steamy scenes that still make my neurons misfire.
-EM
-EM
July 25, 2007
I can't even wrap my mind around that question.
March 23, 2009
Pretty pervy -- a positive word in my book. Any erotic romance by Emma Holly is going to be a number of cuts above the usual for the genre.
April 12, 2009
wow, so good
July 14, 2010
Didn't write review of this book.
July 25, 2010
This was the first time I've read Emma Holly. The sex was good and the story was cute.
September 13, 2010
HOT!!! Added scenarios to my fantasy world. All I can say is desk scene and crypts.
October 2, 2010
I love Emma Holly's books. I have not read one that I haven't liked yet. This is another winner.
November 27, 2010
Not really my thing. Mostly PWP until it became a silly romance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews