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The Hot Box
“Hot Box” is a baseball drill that can be played with three or more players and two to four bases. The players take turns being fielders and runners, ultimately trying to tag the rest of the players out. In The Hot Box, best friends Milena and Lydia are playing the game with Jacour, Yosef, Glenn, and Phil. The only problem: the men do not realize that they are playing. Milena lives a sheltered and dismal existence and has not allowed a man to touch her body in eight years . . . until now. Lydia dreams of getting away from small-town America but, until she can make that happen, she is prepared to do whatever it takes to continue to have her bills paid . . . on time. Good sex always does the trick. Two women. Four men. Two love triangles. Reading has never been this hot because, once again, Zane is taking you outside the box.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
157 people are currently reading
4323 people want to read
About the author
Zane
89 books3,757 followersZane is the New York Times bestselling author of Afterburn, The Heat Seekers, Dear G-Spot, Gettin’ Buck Wild, The Hot Box, Total Eclipse of the Heart, Nervous, Skyscraper, Love is Never Painless, Shame on It All, and The Sisters of APF; the ebook short stories “I’ll be Home for Christmas” and “Everything Fades Away”; and editor for the Flava anthology series, including Z-Rated and Busy Bodies. Her TV series, Zane’s Sex Chronicles, and The Jump Off are featured on Cinemax, and her bestselling novel Addicted is a major motion picture with Lionsgate Films. She is the publisher of Strebor Books, an imprint of Atria Books/Simon & Schuster. Visit her online at EroticaNoir.com. - See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Z...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
December 7, 2020
Very Spicy Read...
Totally unrelated to the story itself, but I could have went without the naked people on the cover.
Not exactly the best idea for someone like myself, who reads on the train during my daily commute.
Anyway though unrealistic, the plot was quite entertaining with a good twist at the end.
I found myself rooting for certain characters and loathing others. I found the details to be well laid out and Zane (as always) did a great job of developing each story line before intertwining them with each other.
Totally unrelated to the story itself, but I could have went without the naked people on the cover.
Not exactly the best idea for someone like myself, who reads on the train during my daily commute.
Anyway though unrealistic, the plot was quite entertaining with a good twist at the end.
I found myself rooting for certain characters and loathing others. I found the details to be well laid out and Zane (as always) did a great job of developing each story line before intertwining them with each other.
August 29, 2010
Best friends Lydia and Milena share all of their secrets, well almost all of them. Lydia is in a relationship with Glenn, but she is having an affair with his best friend Phil. Milena has lived a very secluded life as a veterinarian, taking care of her patients and blocking out physical relationships after her heartbreaking split from Jacour. When she decides to end her drought, she goes all out juggling Jacour, who still has a part of her heart and Josef, a down on his luck man who stepped in and helped her out in more ways than she ever imagined.
"The Hot Box" is an intriguing story from cover to cover. The storyline has just the right amount of drama and made for the perfect backdrop to the steamy love scenes and the emotional pull of the characters. Zane took the time to develop the characters so you felt the tension and chemistry, making it easy to identify with the characters. Don't think you can read a few chapters and have this story figured out; just when you think you are inside the author's head and have it all figured out, along comes a twist that will have your head spinning. If you like Zane, pick it up. If you like drama, pick it up. If you are looking for a story that won't have you ready to move onto the next book, I recommend you give "The Hot Box" a try.
Reviewed by: Lashonda
"The Hot Box" is an intriguing story from cover to cover. The storyline has just the right amount of drama and made for the perfect backdrop to the steamy love scenes and the emotional pull of the characters. Zane took the time to develop the characters so you felt the tension and chemistry, making it easy to identify with the characters. Don't think you can read a few chapters and have this story figured out; just when you think you are inside the author's head and have it all figured out, along comes a twist that will have your head spinning. If you like Zane, pick it up. If you like drama, pick it up. If you are looking for a story that won't have you ready to move onto the next book, I recommend you give "The Hot Box" a try.
Reviewed by: Lashonda
August 18, 2010
This is the first novel by Zane that I have read but as a librarian in an urban library, I have gone to the shelf many, many times for her works and I've ordered them for this library. But Atria sent a copy of this book to me through their Galley Grab program and I felt strongly that I should read it so I could see for myself what one of her books is all about. Is there sex in it? Yes. Are the descriptions candid and frank? Yes. But in the author's note at the end, Zane explains her motivation for her writing style and gives specific information on how the subplots in this novel: homelessness, lack of health care and closeted homosexuality, are all part of our world and she wants to put them into focus for her readers. I admire and respect that. She also introduces her readers to another writer, Allison Hobbs, a woman she calls her protege.
November 11, 2011
This was much more vulgar than erotic. We are periodically asked for Zane books, and we limit what we carry in the collection for several reasons. I chose to include one in my yearly challenge so that I could have personal experience and not rely only on what I've read or heard. Frankly, I'm not impressed. The dirty talk and explicit acts seem designed to shock more than to arouse, and it reminded me more of experiences I've had with reading street lit than of reading sensual romance.
April 13, 2012
I own several Zane books. But it's been years since I've read one of her novels. I read "The Hot Box" in one day. What I love about Zane's writing is she writes about normal stuff that most other authors shy away from (morning dump anyone? real talk! LOL)
This novel was funny. I liked part one the best. Who would have thought to use a stinky homeless man as a date to get back at your ex? That was a nice change of pace.
I was disappointed with Milena's choice of seeing Jacour behind Yosef's back. Once was understandable, but making him her jump-off, unforgiveable knowing what he put her through and the reason she called off their wedding.
Also I didn't buy the twist with Glenn/Phil/Lydia. I think Zane could have given us clues so that the twist would be more believable. Glenn and Phil worked different shifts and Phil spent all his spare time with Lydia.
Overall this was a good read.
This novel was funny. I liked part one the best. Who would have thought to use a stinky homeless man as a date to get back at your ex? That was a nice change of pace.
I was disappointed with Milena's choice of seeing Jacour behind Yosef's back. Once was understandable, but making him her jump-off, unforgiveable knowing what he put her through and the reason she called off their wedding.
Also I didn't buy the twist with Glenn/Phil/Lydia. I think Zane could have given us clues so that the twist would be more believable. Glenn and Phil worked different shifts and Phil spent all his spare time with Lydia.
Overall this was a good read.
March 21, 2011
I enjoyed this book. Zane is known for giving her readers wild, crazy, outlandish sex, but I like that she incorporates the sex scenes into an actual story. Yosef is my favourite character in the novel. Didn't quite see the ending coming. Quick read, finished it in a little over a day...
September 22, 2012
I read this book within two days. I could not put it down and it was very good. I don't like the ending because it seem sort of fairytale-ish but the cliffhanger was great I did not see it coming. I love this book.
February 28, 2018
What a colossal waste of my time. My opinion of this book can be summed up in 2 words – skip it!!!
The plot is about 2 best female friends who enter into “triangle” relationships and through these relationships find the true meaning of their worth and happiness. Sounds good, right. Now add in that one relationship involves 2 lifelong factory workers who are alternating having continuous daily sex with one of the females unknown to the other factory worker until she finds out they are gay and, in essence, she is the victim of a “reverse triangle”. Her discovery forces her to come to grips with her life, leave town and, within 5 years, return as a pregnant famous movie star married to another famous movie star and hounded by photographers and tabloid journalists.
The other relationship involves a veterinarian who is involved with an ex-boyfriend multi-million dollar super-star baseball player who had sex with a stripper at his bachelor party, thus temporarily ending their relationship and their wedding. When he returns home after a career ending injury she is forced to pick up a homeless man off the street to have a date for a coming home party for her ex. Of course, the triangle is a struggle between the ex and the homeless man, which the homeless man wins because he is sexually gifted, incredibly caring and who finds employment along the way.
The book ends with the 2 girlfriends happy in their circumstances and both pregnant and due to give birth within 2 weeks of each other.
To summarize: farfetched, unrealistic, pornographic as opposed to titillating, vulgar and intellectually insulting. As the characters would say, “True that”, “Real Talk”.
The plot is about 2 best female friends who enter into “triangle” relationships and through these relationships find the true meaning of their worth and happiness. Sounds good, right. Now add in that one relationship involves 2 lifelong factory workers who are alternating having continuous daily sex with one of the females unknown to the other factory worker until she finds out they are gay and, in essence, she is the victim of a “reverse triangle”. Her discovery forces her to come to grips with her life, leave town and, within 5 years, return as a pregnant famous movie star married to another famous movie star and hounded by photographers and tabloid journalists.
The other relationship involves a veterinarian who is involved with an ex-boyfriend multi-million dollar super-star baseball player who had sex with a stripper at his bachelor party, thus temporarily ending their relationship and their wedding. When he returns home after a career ending injury she is forced to pick up a homeless man off the street to have a date for a coming home party for her ex. Of course, the triangle is a struggle between the ex and the homeless man, which the homeless man wins because he is sexually gifted, incredibly caring and who finds employment along the way.
The book ends with the 2 girlfriends happy in their circumstances and both pregnant and due to give birth within 2 weeks of each other.
To summarize: farfetched, unrealistic, pornographic as opposed to titillating, vulgar and intellectually insulting. As the characters would say, “True that”, “Real Talk”.
June 17, 2018
As usual
As usual Zane weaves a tale that keeps the pages turning. The ending fell a bit flat but after the sizzle through it was kind of hard to end it better. Overall a good read with really issues and real situations. I love the way each character makes you look twice in the mirror. Good read.
As usual Zane weaves a tale that keeps the pages turning. The ending fell a bit flat but after the sizzle through it was kind of hard to end it better. Overall a good read with really issues and real situations. I love the way each character makes you look twice in the mirror. Good read.
November 21, 2010
It was ok. I read it in oneday, so I guess I was interested. I kept reading trying to get the good part. The characters where ok. It was just Ok for me. I am slightly dissapointed.
November 25, 2014
This book had me laughing out loud, gasping in astonishment and shaking my head in shame. Two friends, Milena and Lydia go on a journey of self discovery while learning hard lessons along the way.
Milena was that all American girl who was engaged to her first love until she discovers the night before their wedding that he cheated on her at his bachelor party. She cancels the wedding and spends eight years in isolation and manless. When her ex returns, she scrambles to find a mystery boyfriend to throw in his face to prove she's over him, but in actuality, she still loves him. She finds an unlikely candidate in a homeless man, Yosef. Milena learns many things from Yosef, including kindness, how not to be judgmental and realizing her worth. Milena finds love again, but she can't help what her heart also wants. Milena learned how to love herself again and she realized she didn't need a man to be happy.
Lydia was Milena's crazy best friend who was sleeping with two best friends. Glenn was her live-in boyfriend, but she had been sleeping with Phil since before she met Glenn. Lydia enjoyed the stability that Glenn provided and the way he took care of her, but she never truly loved him. She loved Phil's sexual nature but Phil was only sex to her and she constantly reminded him when he hinted at wanting more from their relationship. Lydia was reckless and selfish and felt no other woman could compare to her. She really was an unhappy character that used sex to fill the void of her unsuccessful, disappointing life. She was stuck in her life, with dreams of leaving her small town, but she didn't have the guts to leave.
For both women, it took a drastic event for them to take a really good look at their lives and choose to become better people or to remain stagnant in their unfulfilling existences. This book was a great example of how so many women use sex as a means to express their worth, and how we are defined by the men in our lives. Lydia and Milena proved that they could change their lives for the better with enough drive and confidence.
Milena was that all American girl who was engaged to her first love until she discovers the night before their wedding that he cheated on her at his bachelor party. She cancels the wedding and spends eight years in isolation and manless. When her ex returns, she scrambles to find a mystery boyfriend to throw in his face to prove she's over him, but in actuality, she still loves him. She finds an unlikely candidate in a homeless man, Yosef. Milena learns many things from Yosef, including kindness, how not to be judgmental and realizing her worth. Milena finds love again, but she can't help what her heart also wants. Milena learned how to love herself again and she realized she didn't need a man to be happy.
Lydia was Milena's crazy best friend who was sleeping with two best friends. Glenn was her live-in boyfriend, but she had been sleeping with Phil since before she met Glenn. Lydia enjoyed the stability that Glenn provided and the way he took care of her, but she never truly loved him. She loved Phil's sexual nature but Phil was only sex to her and she constantly reminded him when he hinted at wanting more from their relationship. Lydia was reckless and selfish and felt no other woman could compare to her. She really was an unhappy character that used sex to fill the void of her unsuccessful, disappointing life. She was stuck in her life, with dreams of leaving her small town, but she didn't have the guts to leave.
For both women, it took a drastic event for them to take a really good look at their lives and choose to become better people or to remain stagnant in their unfulfilling existences. This book was a great example of how so many women use sex as a means to express their worth, and how we are defined by the men in our lives. Lydia and Milena proved that they could change their lives for the better with enough drive and confidence.
August 24, 2011
Personal Thoughts:
The part that moved me the most in this novel so far is the fact Milena tries to search for the perfect man to play the infamous, fantasy-made up man at the grocery store in the produce, but only produces a stripper, booty banging man and then links to his lover who nearly wants to slop her up as she ends up being comforted by a homeless man. This homeless man does an amazing transformation from dirty-smelly, unattractive male to GQ chocolate god. I also like how the author brought in a passerby that tells Milena are women getting so hard-up to go from jailbirds to now homeless men to have a man.
I also like the issues the author addressed that can easily be overlooked, those without health benefits or insurance and can wipe out their savings, 401K, and all their monies to take care of the sick. How someone can easily go rock bottom at the turn of the hat? Who cares? Who will be there? There are other personal, social issues she draws out in each character's lives in this Hot Box. Not just HOT with the erotic scenes but also what we put, keep, or dish out of the BOX (hot topics).
*The copy I have is the updated version sent from publicist, Yona Deshommes, publication date 8/16/11 (cover letter) yet on here says August 2010. Paperback.
3.5
Post full review on Dream 4 More Reviews Goodreads page.
The part that moved me the most in this novel so far is the fact Milena tries to search for the perfect man to play the infamous, fantasy-made up man at the grocery store in the produce, but only produces a stripper, booty banging man and then links to his lover who nearly wants to slop her up as she ends up being comforted by a homeless man. This homeless man does an amazing transformation from dirty-smelly, unattractive male to GQ chocolate god. I also like how the author brought in a passerby that tells Milena are women getting so hard-up to go from jailbirds to now homeless men to have a man.
I also like the issues the author addressed that can easily be overlooked, those without health benefits or insurance and can wipe out their savings, 401K, and all their monies to take care of the sick. How someone can easily go rock bottom at the turn of the hat? Who cares? Who will be there? There are other personal, social issues she draws out in each character's lives in this Hot Box. Not just HOT with the erotic scenes but also what we put, keep, or dish out of the BOX (hot topics).
*The copy I have is the updated version sent from publicist, Yona Deshommes, publication date 8/16/11 (cover letter) yet on here says August 2010. Paperback.
3.5
Post full review on Dream 4 More Reviews Goodreads page.
February 18, 2014
I wanted some good erotica reading, and Zane's name been thrown a lot. And I have to admit, I hadn't read any of her work, until I found this one on the bookstore.
Plus, it was inside the bargain bin, so yeah.
The story was about two love triangles between two best friends. Rest assured, nothing was too complicated and put the friendship at risk. Overall, this book is hardly erotic. It was more vulgar than some erotic romances I've read before.
Surely this book wasn't for the advanced reader. I think it's more suitable for some suburban wives' bookclub. Oh yeah, I can picture them, reading this book together while sipping their ice tea. They're mind busy planning to do or simply just fantasizing the sex scenes. A list of questions for a reader's group sure helped a lot. Me, on understanding that this book is more for them who wanted to try erotica. And then BAM! (maybe)
This book pushed my button a couple times, the bad button. Not the good one. I'm not sure if I have some issue with how vulgar it was, or more to the storytelling, or maybe her preachy tone. Until now, I still can't point it out.
1.5 stars, thanks to how annoying it was. And the book was kinda smelly too. :(
Plus, it was inside the bargain bin, so yeah.
The story was about two love triangles between two best friends. Rest assured, nothing was too complicated and put the friendship at risk. Overall, this book is hardly erotic. It was more vulgar than some erotic romances I've read before.
Surely this book wasn't for the advanced reader. I think it's more suitable for some suburban wives' bookclub. Oh yeah, I can picture them, reading this book together while sipping their ice tea. They're mind busy planning to do or simply just fantasizing the sex scenes. A list of questions for a reader's group sure helped a lot. Me, on understanding that this book is more for them who wanted to try erotica. And then BAM! (maybe)
This book pushed my button a couple times, the bad button. Not the good one. I'm not sure if I have some issue with how vulgar it was, or more to the storytelling, or maybe her preachy tone. Until now, I still can't point it out.
1.5 stars, thanks to how annoying it was. And the book was kinda smelly too. :(
September 5, 2011
To be honest I do not like Zane as an author. Her writing style turns me off big-time which is strange because I don't mind reading books with steamy sex or erotica in them. But her writing is more vulgar then sexy. It has no build up or emotional connection. This book was a little better then I was expecting from her. A small amount of emotional connection, a few laughs and a lot of vulgar sex. She needs to work on the sex scenes. Nothing they did appealed to me or turned me on and I have read some books that make you want to be the character in them!
abandoned
December 8, 2011I just have to find out why black women ask me for books by this author all the time. I read the first 5 pages and now I know! It's porn on paper. Not sure if I'll get through the whole thing, but it could be fun ;-)
Abaondoned after 22 pages.
Abaondoned after 22 pages.
August 20, 2011
Great book! Kept me entertained the whole time. The ending was a real shocker!
February 7, 2013
This adult graphic novel picks up steam and does not let up after a bit of a slow start to identify the characters. Erotica lives through Zane. 9 of 10 stars
April 14, 2014
Easy, predictable read.
October 14, 2025
5/5 stars
Zane...I was unfamiliar with your game. Wow.
Yall. LOL.
Backstory to me even learning who Zane was- She got invited to Black Romance Book Festival, and my cousin and I are going next year and attempting to read more of the authors who are going- and everyone on Threads was HYPE about her going. I have never heard of Zane a day in my life and everyone was like ???? "How old are you??" Come to find out her books are before my time- as in when this book was written i was only 4- and the audio was recorded in 2010 making me 9. I didnt start 'sneaking' to read things until the wattpad era was highly popularized- and by then it was mindless behavior, august alsina, and more fanfiction. So I really wasn't sneaking to read anything lol. Book friends on Threads were like "girl i was 14 sneaking to read her books! Am i an auntie now?"
Friend Imma hold your hand when i tell you this......
JK LOVE YALL IM SORRY LMAOOOOOOO
But wow. I see why she is called motha of urban romance (besides the fact that she was first) Yall- ZANE HAS SONSSSSSSS!!! I'm mad I didnt get to start my urban romance journey with these cause WHATTTT!!??? How do yall even read anyyyyy other urban romance after this??? This was BOMBBBBBBB. Juicy, plot twisty, gasp worthy- i mean the list goes on.
Lydia was absolutely insane by the way. I legit don't even know where to start and what to even say if I'm being honest 😭. Absolute nut case.
Merlina pulled at my heartstrings really bad, but she also was wildin. Just know after every single Merlina POV when Lydia would start up i would release the deepest soul clearing sigh. Merlina said "Why don't they just go to the doctor?" Baby cause- cause they are homeles- chile. So much to unpack.
THE PLOT TWIST AT THE END?? IN THE HOTEL ROOM? I gasped so loud in my car i think the drivers around me heard it in their cars. Absolute insanity yall like omg
Then!!! The quotes from this book? Prairie dogging it? Poop beads? Booty Bandits????? LOT LIZARDS????ERIUFGEIRFUHWEIUFC
Overall...if you need something to spin your wig back this is it. This is ITTTTTT.
Zane...I was unfamiliar with your game. Wow.
Yall. LOL.
Backstory to me even learning who Zane was- She got invited to Black Romance Book Festival, and my cousin and I are going next year and attempting to read more of the authors who are going- and everyone on Threads was HYPE about her going. I have never heard of Zane a day in my life and everyone was like ???? "How old are you??" Come to find out her books are before my time- as in when this book was written i was only 4- and the audio was recorded in 2010 making me 9. I didnt start 'sneaking' to read things until the wattpad era was highly popularized- and by then it was mindless behavior, august alsina, and more fanfiction. So I really wasn't sneaking to read anything lol. Book friends on Threads were like "girl i was 14 sneaking to read her books! Am i an auntie now?"
Friend Imma hold your hand when i tell you this......
JK LOVE YALL IM SORRY LMAOOOOOOO
But wow. I see why she is called motha of urban romance (besides the fact that she was first) Yall- ZANE HAS SONSSSSSSS!!! I'm mad I didnt get to start my urban romance journey with these cause WHATTTT!!??? How do yall even read anyyyyy other urban romance after this??? This was BOMBBBBBBB. Juicy, plot twisty, gasp worthy- i mean the list goes on.
Lydia was absolutely insane by the way. I legit don't even know where to start and what to even say if I'm being honest 😭. Absolute nut case.
Merlina pulled at my heartstrings really bad, but she also was wildin. Just know after every single Merlina POV when Lydia would start up i would release the deepest soul clearing sigh. Merlina said "Why don't they just go to the doctor?" Baby cause- cause they are homeles- chile. So much to unpack.
THE PLOT TWIST AT THE END?? IN THE HOTEL ROOM? I gasped so loud in my car i think the drivers around me heard it in their cars. Absolute insanity yall like omg
Then!!! The quotes from this book? Prairie dogging it? Poop beads? Booty Bandits????? LOT LIZARDS????ERIUFGEIRFUHWEIUFC
Overall...if you need something to spin your wig back this is it. This is ITTTTTT.
August 24, 2011
Title : The Hot Box
Author: Zane
Publisher: Simon and Schuster/Atria Books
Release date (or anticipated release): August 14, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7434-9928-6
ASIN (if applicable):
Ebook ISBN:
Specs: 6x9 paperback, $14.00/$16 Canada
Website (optional): www.eroticanoir.com or www.facebook.com/zane1
Category: Erotica
The author shares a story about Lydia Sterling who thinks she has to play the game first with best friends, sexy Black Brothas, while the bases are loaded to get her pickings before she gets played or strikes out. Lydia has the mentality like most women who have been hurt, bitter, or cheated on and believes most men are “dogs” lurking behind some other woman—cheaters alert to avoid getting hurt. She has the take vs. give mentality; play or get played motto early on. Therefore, why not have a man on the side for the ride? Later, her best friend, Milena Clark joins the party, and brings in another partner (Yosef Samson) to show up at Jacour’s party, the ex-fiancé. Milena lost the man she loved on her wedding day after hearing and watching a sex tape made at his bachelor’s party and heard it from her long-time girl friend—but goes off the dating scene for eight years without sex. Unbelievable for most women and men to fathom, yet I can understand and relate since I’ve been off the scene for over seven years. Can these lovebirds make it happen a second time around?
“The Hot Box” is laced with erotic senses, verbal and imaginative descriptions of sexual scenes, and what two women are willing to do for love and lost love. The book also starts off with Lydia categorizing three men as the Three Musketeers who were inseparable friends who lived by the motto “all for one, one for all”: Glenn (Portho), Phil (Athos), and Jacour (Aramis). As the reader/reviewer, I am eagerly waiting to see if this story will play out like the three duels from the historical novel from the seventeenth century (1625) and bring in another character that will learn from the leader of the pact, and took a glance of the historical novel on Wikipedia. Milena was my favorite character, the protagonist, and discovered love lessons through Yosef. (I also have a character named 'Yosef' in my future upcoming Miss the Mark Series, apocalyptic thriller, who is an African).
*Overall, I loved Zane earlier works like “Addicted,” “Afterburn,” to name a couple.
Dream 4 More Reviews received a copy from publicist, Yona Deshommes, at Simon and Schuster/Atria Books/Stebor Books for a review.
Dream 4 More Reviews,
Adrienna Turner
Dream Rating: What a Dream!
www.dream4more.webs.com
Author: Zane
Publisher: Simon and Schuster/Atria Books
Release date (or anticipated release): August 14, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7434-9928-6
ASIN (if applicable):
Ebook ISBN:
Specs: 6x9 paperback, $14.00/$16 Canada
Website (optional): www.eroticanoir.com or www.facebook.com/zane1
Category: Erotica
The author shares a story about Lydia Sterling who thinks she has to play the game first with best friends, sexy Black Brothas, while the bases are loaded to get her pickings before she gets played or strikes out. Lydia has the mentality like most women who have been hurt, bitter, or cheated on and believes most men are “dogs” lurking behind some other woman—cheaters alert to avoid getting hurt. She has the take vs. give mentality; play or get played motto early on. Therefore, why not have a man on the side for the ride? Later, her best friend, Milena Clark joins the party, and brings in another partner (Yosef Samson) to show up at Jacour’s party, the ex-fiancé. Milena lost the man she loved on her wedding day after hearing and watching a sex tape made at his bachelor’s party and heard it from her long-time girl friend—but goes off the dating scene for eight years without sex. Unbelievable for most women and men to fathom, yet I can understand and relate since I’ve been off the scene for over seven years. Can these lovebirds make it happen a second time around?
“The Hot Box” is laced with erotic senses, verbal and imaginative descriptions of sexual scenes, and what two women are willing to do for love and lost love. The book also starts off with Lydia categorizing three men as the Three Musketeers who were inseparable friends who lived by the motto “all for one, one for all”: Glenn (Portho), Phil (Athos), and Jacour (Aramis). As the reader/reviewer, I am eagerly waiting to see if this story will play out like the three duels from the historical novel from the seventeenth century (1625) and bring in another character that will learn from the leader of the pact, and took a glance of the historical novel on Wikipedia. Milena was my favorite character, the protagonist, and discovered love lessons through Yosef. (I also have a character named 'Yosef' in my future upcoming Miss the Mark Series, apocalyptic thriller, who is an African).
*Overall, I loved Zane earlier works like “Addicted,” “Afterburn,” to name a couple.
Dream 4 More Reviews received a copy from publicist, Yona Deshommes, at Simon and Schuster/Atria Books/Stebor Books for a review.
Dream 4 More Reviews,
Adrienna Turner
Dream Rating: What a Dream!
www.dream4more.webs.com
October 30, 2011
Zane, is known for writing black erotica, how to get it and being satiated upon finding it, The Hot Box is written along the same lines, with the added drama and foreplay that is Zane’s brand. This story centers on two women and four men, Milena and Lydia, Glenn, Phil, Yosef, and Jacour.
Milena (one of my favorite characters) walked away eight years ago from the love of her life Jacour, his eighty-five million dollar baseball contract and left him at the altar. Her mother tells her to go on with the wedding, because what Jacour did is not considered cheating.
Fast forward eight years; her friend Lydia seems to be trying to put the two back together Jacour and Milena. Instead of dipping into her friend relationships Lydia might want to rethink her sexual appetite, and dodging dangrous bullets. Lydia lives with Glenn and have been jumping Phil’s bones for years. Glenn, Phil and Jacour are three peas in a pod, but for her the cheat is the rush. She and Phil service one another with no further expectations. That is until Phil decides he wants something Lydia didn’t sign up for.
I enjoyed this read quite a bit and I didn’t know if I would. I’m not much into sports or books littered with sex, but The Hot Box was none of that. There was some bases loadd with sex but it was well written and executed. Zane wrote a sensitive read about self esteem, friendships and being true to you. I believe the theme of “The Hot Box” is; focus more on the things you need instead of what you want.
A complimentary copy of this book was received from Simon & Schuster for the purpose of this review.
Missy
Readers Paradise
5 bookmark
Milena (one of my favorite characters) walked away eight years ago from the love of her life Jacour, his eighty-five million dollar baseball contract and left him at the altar. Her mother tells her to go on with the wedding, because what Jacour did is not considered cheating.
Fast forward eight years; her friend Lydia seems to be trying to put the two back together Jacour and Milena. Instead of dipping into her friend relationships Lydia might want to rethink her sexual appetite, and dodging dangrous bullets. Lydia lives with Glenn and have been jumping Phil’s bones for years. Glenn, Phil and Jacour are three peas in a pod, but for her the cheat is the rush. She and Phil service one another with no further expectations. That is until Phil decides he wants something Lydia didn’t sign up for.
I enjoyed this read quite a bit and I didn’t know if I would. I’m not much into sports or books littered with sex, but The Hot Box was none of that. There was some bases loadd with sex but it was well written and executed. Zane wrote a sensitive read about self esteem, friendships and being true to you. I believe the theme of “The Hot Box” is; focus more on the things you need instead of what you want.
A complimentary copy of this book was received from Simon & Schuster for the purpose of this review.
Missy
Readers Paradise
5 bookmark
March 3, 2016
Very well written. I think that Zane does a great job with drawing you into the book with the steamy sex but then also allows you to see the internal conflicts that these two women experience in this book.
Although Lydia kept telling herself that she had a sexual addiction, she did not. She used Glenn and Phil to feel empowered. This was a false sense of confidence which is why she couldn't get enough. She continued to try to fill a void within herself that could only be fulfilled by doing some real soul searching and finding herself. I was very happy that Lydia was eventually able to find herself and discover true love and happiness in the end. I really liked her no nonsense attitude, which was a good balance for Milena.
In contrast to Lydia, Milena was very sexually repressed for nearly a decade. Milena used the fear of heartbreak as her reason for staying away from men but in my opinion, she was scared of the unfamiliar. This is part of the reason she ended up being back in the arms of Jacour (although not for long) when he returned to Kannapolis. I can't fault her especially since the brother was paid and fine lol. I'm very happy that she ended up with Yosef in the end because he essentially helped her overcome the fear of the unknown and find love.
Although Lydia kept telling herself that she had a sexual addiction, she did not. She used Glenn and Phil to feel empowered. This was a false sense of confidence which is why she couldn't get enough. She continued to try to fill a void within herself that could only be fulfilled by doing some real soul searching and finding herself. I was very happy that Lydia was eventually able to find herself and discover true love and happiness in the end. I really liked her no nonsense attitude, which was a good balance for Milena.
In contrast to Lydia, Milena was very sexually repressed for nearly a decade. Milena used the fear of heartbreak as her reason for staying away from men but in my opinion, she was scared of the unfamiliar. This is part of the reason she ended up being back in the arms of Jacour (although not for long) when he returned to Kannapolis. I can't fault her especially since the brother was paid and fine lol. I'm very happy that she ended up with Yosef in the end because he essentially helped her overcome the fear of the unknown and find love.
August 28, 2010
I was truly disappointed in this novel...After reading Total Ecplise I was ready for a great story....NOT....it was too far fetched for me...Melina falling in love with a homeless person I could follow..but Lydia cheating on two men and finding out they were both gay cheating on her... Then Lydia leaving NC for TN then in her thirties she was picked up to be a star on Broadway...Get real. I just believe that half of the story could have been developed differently. I always enjoy her work...just not this one...I didn't learn anything from this book.
September 3, 2024
Well that was a complete waste of my time. Literally, the only person I liked in this story was Yosef. Lydia was disgusting and Milena was just dumb. Phil and Glenn were weak men. Apart from that, the writing reads like a young novelist. I just felt like there was no real plot. 1.5 stars and that is for Milena's ending. Lydia's was just too fantastical.
Read
January 15, 2011It was a good read it showed how females need to really look at the character and actions of males when they are looking for love and they need to pursue their dreams. Also always aware of the down low,and bisexual nature of some men, who do the cover up.
June 29, 2021
I really loved the characters in this story, Zane really outdid herself. They were all so complex and imperfect and made the story so entertaining. This was definitely not much of a romance, but a complex story of love, friendship, and betrayal covering heavy topics.
September 23, 2010
This audiobook was awesome. However, if you have "tender" ears, you might want to skip this one. Spicy, but it has a great message for women underneath all the drama.
October 31, 2011
Full review on my blog.
November 26, 2011
It was just okay. I didn't really CARE about the characters or the ending. Perhaps I've outgrown Zane?
November 30, 2015
This book was decent !!! I felt Melina was doing too much to prove something to her ex-husband and Lydia was just a straight hoe :-( . . . I was relieved both women got their happy ending at least
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