Girl Gone Wild

Single in South Beach #3

by Joanne Rock

What all-American male could resist a sugarcoated seduction?

Journalist Hugh Duncan can sniff out international intrigue, but finding a juicy scoop in a Miami singles' club right under his nose? Could a voluptuous chef, singing a siren song while icing a Kama Sutra cream puff, be his next big story - or is she just a luscious piece of fluff? And if the kitchen contessa insists on giving out free samples - well, there's an offer no gentleman should refuse...

Giselle Cesare has a history of stirring up trouble, and not just on her stove. Even so, the minute a handsome reporter wanders into Club Paradise, she knows she's struck gold. By the time their first date draws to a close, Giselle has hit on the secret to spontaneous combustion! Unfortunately, if Hugh persists in digging up her past, more than her sexplicit desserts will be exposed!

Genres: Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Blaze

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 23, 2004

About the author

Joanne Rock is a USA Today bestselling author of over one hundred works of popular fiction, including domestic suspense and romantic suspense. A frequent speaker at regional and national writing conferences she enjoys giving back to the writing community that nurtured and inspired her early career. She has a Masters degree in Literature from the University of Louisville and has taught fiction, film, and writing at the college level. When she's not writing, Joanne enjoys travel to gather new ideas.

Reviews

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

Hugh Duncan is a hard-hitting, serious journalist who ended up with a scandal piece assignment on the new singles club, Club Paradise. This is the club where Giselle, who once got her heart broken by falling for a married man, works as a chef and part-owner alongside the woman whose husband she slept with. Giselle's protective brothers are out of town and she sees Hugh as an opportunity to let loose, but she realizes her mistake when she finds out what Hugh is trying to do. And his reporting on the scandal of Club Paradise and its former owners could seriously affect not only her personal life and relationship with her co-owners, but also the business's success. But Hugh is determined, and also equally determined to pursue a relationship with Giselle despite the damage his reporting could do.

So the lesson that Giselle learns in all of this is that she's done making apologies for her life, she's finished accepting what her brothers want for her and and shying away from defending herself. She's going to live life on her terms and screw what anyone else thinks of her. That whole lesson that she gets from everything is an incredibly awesome thing. I so appreciate that Giselle finally decides to stop living her life according to everyone else. I just wish she hadn't been TSTL along with it I just couldn't fathom how she could look at a guy who was about to ruin her personally and professionally and make her the target of all kinds of scandal and gossip and think, I'll take some of that. And she keeps going back for more, even though he continues to report on the topic that could be detrimental to her way of life. I also can't stand it when people who have no idea what they're doing think they can take on a criminal face-to-face like that...without any backup . She completely overlooks all responsibility he might have in drawing the limelight toward her and potentially affecting the most important thing in her life - her business, and all for a little sex. For that matter, Hugh barely even apologized for his outlook and his actions. He basically took the approach that his reporting was more important than the people affected by it and that's a tough stance for me to appreciate, though I know it's common in other stories with reporters. The truth trumps all and what not. Still.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Giselle’s ex was married to another woman and Hugh is married to his job. She wanted fun and a little fling to feel good but also acknowledged she’s not a casual relationship type either. Although Hugh felt a deep attraction it seemed to be more about getting her out of his system and he’d have fun before moving on in a week when he had another story. She seemed more as an afterthought to him getting the headline story. For a journalist he wasn’t perceptive or observant of Giselle’s reactions to him doing the story. He was completely oblivious and when he did sense she was reacting oddly he made it about himself and disregarded or told her how she should feel about the article. As the book went along he became more self aware and struggled with prioritizing his career over what a relationship with another person might look like.

SPOILERS




Giselle comes a long way to stand on her own and face her fears. Although she had ideas of what she wanted to do overseas, it felt like in the end he got his cake and to eat it too and she was the only one who compromised. Which felt contradictory to her growth and left him being no different than the beginning.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book four in The Single in South Beach series and it is Giselle Hugh’s story. Giselle is the head chef and part owner of Club Paradise and after being betrayed she decides that men are off her menu but she could have some fun especially as her overprotective brothers are away so when she sees a man watching her she goes all out and in for the kill especially as they have a strong attraction and chemistry so they end up having a explosive night where sparks fly all around them. Hugh is a investigative journalist and good at his job but his latest assignment is to write a story on Club Paradise which he isn’t very happy about until he meets Giselle who for the first time takes his mind off his job and ends up have a explosive night with her so that he could get her out of his system and then concentrate on the story which is why he is there but sometimes things don’t always work out as planned. I really enjoyed this book and got engrossed in the storyline which had me turning the pages to see what would happen next and also what the outcome will be for them both in the end. I am really enjoying this series and look forward to reading more books in the future.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugh has been assigned to write a story on Club Paradise the hot new spot in miami for singles looking to play. When Hugh walks into Club Paradises kitchen, he spots a dancing siren in the form of Giselle.
Giselle is part owner of Club Paradise and head chef. After falling for a married man who was also a con artist. Giselle now works with the ex wife of the married man she was seeing. As well as having
very protective older brothers, who are currently away. Giselle sees her chance to have some fun.

When Giselle realises Hugh is watching her, she spots her chance for some fun. Hugh on the other hand is captivated by Giselle. As they get to know each other Hugh spots the story of his career.
Unfortunately its going to stir up trouble for Giselle and the other owners of Club Paradise.

I really enjoyed reading Giselle and Hugh's story, the chemistry between these two was strong.
Both our heroine and hero have to work through some issues standing in their way to a happily ever after. Grab a copy of Girl Gone Wild and get ready for some miami heat.

[Kari Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugh is an investigative journalist who has drawn the ire of his boss and is now tasked with writing a story on Club Paradise. What begins as a chore takes a turn when he meets Gisele, the resort’s chef and not only do the sparks fly but she gives him an idea for a story that might just help both of them in the end.

Gisele’s life had taken a detour when she trusted the wrong man. She wants to move forward from her mistake but that is easier said than done when her brothers are determined to shelter her and one of the people hurt by what happened also happens to be her new partner. She has concerns about the backlash that could result from Hugh’s story, but he is proving to be a temptation she can’t resist.

Hugh didn’t believe he had time for anything more in his life than his career while Gisele was only looking for a fling while her brothers were out of town but they are both in for a surprise as love will always find a way.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugh Duncan can sniff out a story and get right to the heart of a crime. When he finds himself on the trail of finding the man who swindled his business partners, his ex-wife and his mistress, it takes him to the kitchen of the Paradise Club and the sexy chef who is dreaming up pastries that will awake more passion than the Kuma Sutra. Gisselle is one tempting morsal, dancing like no one is watching...and has Hugh under spell with more than her cooking...

As the two heat up the hot Miami nights, they find that passion comes in many forms. And they will find any way to be together, knowing that there might not be a future for them.

I loved this quick and quirky steamy read. Hugh and Giselle together are hot and burning up the beach.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spitfire who’s been feeling stifled under the overprotection of her brothers, Gisele is ready to take her (love) life into her own hands while all the Cesare men are away. Hugh’s feeling stifled, himself. He ruffled too many feathers with his last article, so now he’s grounded and expected to write a puff piece. However, the Italian goddess he’s stumbled across just might make this assignment a lot more interesting. I loved the way these two were constantly pushing each other. Their battle for dominance made each of them better. I also really liked the way it made both of them reevaluate the ways they saw their families.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giselle and Hugh have a sweet meet cute that brings all the heat. This story has a bit of everything. We get sweet. We get emotions, between Giselle and Hugh, between Giselle and Lainie, and between Giselle and her brothers. We get the suspense from Giselle's ex and his embezzlement. We get a bit of action and excitement. I love watching Hugh realize that he wants more than what he has and figuring out he can actually have it. I love seeing Giselle owning her adventurous nature and standing up to herself, her actions and her brothers. This is a well crafted and engaging story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vilma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugh Duncan is an investigative reporter tasked with finding information on the original club owners who embezzled money and fled the country. He runs across Giselle Cesare, head chef and one of the owners in the kitchen late one night. While he is instantly attracted to her, Giselle has been burnt by one of the embezzlers and doesn’t trust easily.

The story is fast paced and includes an overprotective, retired hockey player, older brother, a burned ex-wife, and drama and suspense.

There is a happy ending, and another one of the embezzlers gets taken down.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving the Single in South Beach series!
I feel for Giselle who you meet in prior books in the series where the women have launched their new club despite its scandalous past. Enter Hugh, an investigative reporter looking for a story on Club Paradise who is captivated by Giselle in the kitchen who whips Hugh up their signature dessert. Giselle seizes the moment with her protective brothers away to have a fling with Hugh. With their pasts and career focus, and the plot twist of the scandalous club’s past; how can the two have a happily ever after? You have to read to find out!

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giselle was wronged by a man but she wants a chance to date again without her overbearing brothers watching. In literally walks Hugh into her kitchen but he wants to bring her ex out of hiding and help take him down. Can she trust him enough with her past and her heart? Hugh almost made an appearance in the last book where Giselle’s brother Renzo showed up for the blind date in his place. Giselle and Hugh have a lot of sexy time in this book but he wants to protect her from her ex not realizing she is capable of protecting herself in this steamy romance.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girl Gone Wild is serving up a generous helping of romance in this steamy read. Duncan has met his match with the Giselle a chef who has served up erotic pastries to a food critic or is he. He is there to gather information for his expose on the club, but meeting Giselle has placed a damper on things. Will he lose Giselle in the process of getting the story he uncovers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angélica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amo los libros de este sello (Fuego/Pasión) y este se me hizo muy divertidas y excitantes las situaciones, al involucrar comida 😊 Hasta el momento el más divertido de la serie, aunque no sé si los estoy leyendo en el orden que es, igual creo que el orden no es tan importante 😁

[Caitlin Warrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book overall. I wasn’t a huge fan of some of the characters’ actions, but it was a good read for the most part. I still miss the Harlequin Blaze line, it was my favorite but I can still find some good books from Harlequin to read.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked the chemisty and heat between Giselle and Hugh. I'm glad they found a way through everything to find love with each other.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read! Giselle and Hugh’s story is a cute and well written story. I loved the characters and flying sparks. It has drama , some suspense a little bit of everything. It’s entertaining and a great addition to the series.

[Isha Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

From flirty to funny, Giselle and Hugh are HOT. Their seductive dance with heartache has all the right moves to put a claim on the heart. Rock shakes up emotions with a burning the engulfs the soul.

[Andrea Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice fast read

[Fedora · Rating 4 out of 5]

GIRL GONE WILD is part of Joanne Rock’s fun, flirty hot Single in South Beach series, set at the delicious Club Paradise. Reporter Hugh Duncan and chef Giselle Cesare meet by chance, and the chemistry is immediate and fierce. Passions continue to run high while Hugh's articles about Giselle's criminally inclined ex threaten the possibility of a happy future.

Joanne Rock's story is an entertaining page-turner, and the perfect beach read!

[lf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will he choose the story or the forever

Girl Gone Wild is the fourth book in the Single in South Beach series. I enjoyed this story about Giselle Cesare and Hugh Duncan. They definitely have some three alarm chemistry going between them, along with a story-line that kept my attention throughout the read.