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Hot Spot
In Stella Scott's busy life, she has one firm rule: She doesn't date customers. Ever. So when a drop-dead gorgeous guy strolls into her comic book store, snapping up rare editions and insisting on taking her to dinner, she knows she's in trouble.
Danny Rees isn't used to being turned down. Not even by a woman as beautiful and sexy as Stella Scott. In Danny's eyes, she's more sensational than any comic book adventure - and he'll do just about anything to get her into his bedroom.
It doesn't take long for this superhero-in-the-flesh to work his seductive powers, and soon Stella finds herself revising her little rule. But while she's having a blast between the sheets, there's no way she's going to let herself do something stupid...like fall head over heels in love. Hopefully it isn't too late...
Danny Rees isn't used to being turned down. Not even by a woman as beautiful and sexy as Stella Scott. In Danny's eyes, she's more sensational than any comic book adventure - and he'll do just about anything to get her into his bedroom.
It doesn't take long for this superhero-in-the-flesh to work his seductive powers, and soon Stella finds herself revising her little rule. But while she's having a blast between the sheets, there's no way she's going to let herself do something stupid...like fall head over heels in love. Hopefully it isn't too late...
294 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2005
5 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Susan Johnson
256 books574 followersAnd it all began rather serendipitously. Long ago, as they say, in another time, when fast food hadn't reached our area and the only shopping was what the feed mill offered, I was reading a book that annoyed me .
My husband was lying beside me in bed, watching TV. Turning to him, I sort of petulantly said, "How the hell did this book get published?"
"If you think you're so smart," he replied, with one eye still on the TV, "why don't you write a book?"
So I did. And very badly.
I've since learned how to do, he said, she said, and a great variety of other adverb heavy, sometimes lengthy explanations of why my characters are saying what they're saying, along with finally coming to an understanding of what things like POV means. Point of View for you non-writers}.
Although, I still don't fully comprehend why it matters if you switch POV and I cavalierly disregard it as much as possible. So while my technical skills have hopefully improved, what hasn't changed is my great joy in writing. There's as much pleasure today in listening to my characters talk while I type as fast as I can, as there was the first time I put dialogue to paper--in long-hand, then, in my leather bound sketch-book.
My husband was lying beside me in bed, watching TV. Turning to him, I sort of petulantly said, "How the hell did this book get published?"
"If you think you're so smart," he replied, with one eye still on the TV, "why don't you write a book?"
So I did. And very badly.
I've since learned how to do, he said, she said, and a great variety of other adverb heavy, sometimes lengthy explanations of why my characters are saying what they're saying, along with finally coming to an understanding of what things like POV means. Point of View for you non-writers}.
Although, I still don't fully comprehend why it matters if you switch POV and I cavalierly disregard it as much as possible. So while my technical skills have hopefully improved, what hasn't changed is my great joy in writing. There's as much pleasure today in listening to my characters talk while I type as fast as I can, as there was the first time I put dialogue to paper--in long-hand, then, in my leather bound sketch-book.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 25, 2008
This book had to be one of the lamest, stupidest romance books that I've ever read. I can't count the number of times I shook my head or snorted at something in this book. It was like and Ode to Casual Sex, or the poster child for bad relationships and utter crudeness. The entire book was (the characters) self-serving gratification and was basically just smut. Not that I'm saying smut is bad, it just didn't work for this supposed ROMANCE book. What a total waste of $8.
Romance wise...there was absolutely, positively nothing romantic about this book. The characters screw like bunnies, have fun and decide that means they are in love. Huh? Right! Like that's such a building block for a good relationship. They never have any real, in-depth conversations. They never get past the very basics. And we're supposed to believe they end up loving each other? I don't think so. The concept was ridiculous. And when I finished the book, it was like, who wants to bet they'd be divorced in less than 2 years?
The book is pretty much the characters pure self-gratification. Danny thinks Stella might be involved in industrial espionage in stealing his new video game. He's really ticked off, but decides he'd rather be able to sleep with her instead of confronting her. And Stella thinks Danny is some big-time drug dealer, but decides to rationalize it away because she doesn't want to give up his penis. Again, what kind of romance is that? Sheesh. It's just totally self-serving. And the language in this book...it was just utterly crude. I mean, I wasn't offended, but it was thoroughly non-romantic. I don't think I've read a book where the less polite words for body parts were used more than in this one (like c**t for vagina). Danny refers to it that way constantly, even out loud. If a guy ever said some of things to me that he said to her, I'd smack him and send him on his way. It was just beyond crude for a supposed romance. Fine for hardcore smut, but not romance.
And some of the realism in this story? Good grief. Totally unbelievable. For one thing, anyone ever heard of protection? These two screw like bunnies and there's not one mention until the very end about protection. Danny is supposedly a total ladies man with no qualms about casual sex and one-night stands, which Stella knows. And Danny believes that Stella has a bevy of guys she screws regularly. Yet there's not one mention of condoms. Haven't they ever heard of diseases? Sheesh. These two were a walking ad for STD prevention, what not to do. Even if they were using condoms and it just wasn't said, they couldn't have been used right because they were going for consecutive rounds without breaks, or, uh, removal of body parts in between. That's a big condom no-no. Also, these 2 went at it like rabbits with a Viagra IV with an insane number of orgasms. Maybe it's just me...but their constant sexual activity without time for recovery seemed really unrealistic.
Plot...plot? Oh, right, the espionage thing. Can anyone say badly developed after thought?
There were probably other things I could mention, but those were the big points. Overall, just a really poor book. The sex was kind of hot, but everything else sucked. It's a good example of what a romance novel should NOT be. So I highly recommend not wasting your time or money on it, even if you can buy it used for a quarter.
Romance wise...there was absolutely, positively nothing romantic about this book. The characters screw like bunnies, have fun and decide that means they are in love. Huh? Right! Like that's such a building block for a good relationship. They never have any real, in-depth conversations. They never get past the very basics. And we're supposed to believe they end up loving each other? I don't think so. The concept was ridiculous. And when I finished the book, it was like, who wants to bet they'd be divorced in less than 2 years?
The book is pretty much the characters pure self-gratification. Danny thinks Stella might be involved in industrial espionage in stealing his new video game. He's really ticked off, but decides he'd rather be able to sleep with her instead of confronting her. And Stella thinks Danny is some big-time drug dealer, but decides to rationalize it away because she doesn't want to give up his penis. Again, what kind of romance is that? Sheesh. It's just totally self-serving. And the language in this book...it was just utterly crude. I mean, I wasn't offended, but it was thoroughly non-romantic. I don't think I've read a book where the less polite words for body parts were used more than in this one (like c**t for vagina). Danny refers to it that way constantly, even out loud. If a guy ever said some of things to me that he said to her, I'd smack him and send him on his way. It was just beyond crude for a supposed romance. Fine for hardcore smut, but not romance.
And some of the realism in this story? Good grief. Totally unbelievable. For one thing, anyone ever heard of protection? These two screw like bunnies and there's not one mention until the very end about protection. Danny is supposedly a total ladies man with no qualms about casual sex and one-night stands, which Stella knows. And Danny believes that Stella has a bevy of guys she screws regularly. Yet there's not one mention of condoms. Haven't they ever heard of diseases? Sheesh. These two were a walking ad for STD prevention, what not to do. Even if they were using condoms and it just wasn't said, they couldn't have been used right because they were going for consecutive rounds without breaks, or, uh, removal of body parts in between. That's a big condom no-no. Also, these 2 went at it like rabbits with a Viagra IV with an insane number of orgasms. Maybe it's just me...but their constant sexual activity without time for recovery seemed really unrealistic.
Plot...plot? Oh, right, the espionage thing. Can anyone say badly developed after thought?
There were probably other things I could mention, but those were the big points. Overall, just a really poor book. The sex was kind of hot, but everything else sucked. It's a good example of what a romance novel should NOT be. So I highly recommend not wasting your time or money on it, even if you can buy it used for a quarter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2024
Book 29 of '24. Hot Spot by Susan Johnson (297). As unrealistic as any other thinly-veiled lady porn, the story of a shop owner who is instantly infatuated with the handsome mysterious new customer who also happens to be reciprocal in his obsession, add a bad plot line and an insanely lame back and forth point of view swap from one sentence to the next, I can honestly say this is the first bad book I've read all year.
December 9, 2025
oh my god
This book was really well written as well the author made you feel truly apart the story as if you were one the person even know them. I would keep reading this book again and again ✌🏾! Thanks so much.
This book was really well written as well the author made you feel truly apart the story as if you were one the person even know them. I would keep reading this book again and again ✌🏾! Thanks so much.
June 7, 2019
Okay
April 16, 2020
Hot,hot stuff. Very good book☆☆☆☆♡♡♡☆☆☆☆
January 3, 2013
Comic book store owner and artist, Stella, doesn't date customers until she meets Danny. A computer programmer who normally plays the field, Danny isn't looking for something serious. When their affair turns red hot and they find they have more in common than just the physical, they have to decide what they really want out of life.
A surprisingly fun read, this was a couple that actually seemed like they could date in real life. Yes, there are many unrealstic situations in the book and the ending was ridiculous, but overall Johnson succeeding in creating an enteratining love story.
Recommend: Yes (sexiness level, R rated)
A surprisingly fun read, this was a couple that actually seemed like they could date in real life. Yes, there are many unrealstic situations in the book and the ending was ridiculous, but overall Johnson succeeding in creating an enteratining love story.
Recommend: Yes (sexiness level, R rated)
October 19, 2008
“Hot Spot” has a beautiful heroine that owns a comic book store so I thought why not. Bottom of page two, the narrator says about a guy in her store, ‘He’d make a bomb-ass superhero.’ I don’t know if I will get passed the use of ‘bomb-ass’ in something that is not a screenplay. However, the character thought it so I might forgive it because something like ‘bomb-ass’ would be acceptable dialogue.
September 25, 2012
Not so sure about this book. The way the author changed from one character to the next in the same paragraph or even in the next was a bit confusing at times. The plot took far too long to develop to me. And some things were a bit over done to a point where I was thinking get on with it already. Probably not a book I'll be reading again.
September 28, 2015
A comic bookstore kind of love.
CC Gibbs contemporary books are always a battle of wills and beds. Guess which one often wins out. Always a story of intrigue to go along with the love story. This is no exception.
Just a sweet, easy read.
CC Gibbs contemporary books are always a battle of wills and beds. Guess which one often wins out. Always a story of intrigue to go along with the love story. This is no exception.
Just a sweet, easy read.
Currently reading
April 24, 2008So far, this book is almost soft porn. But, there's some mystery to it...when a break-in occurs. HA HA The book's good, I guess I'm just not into the 'porn' side of things anymore.
September 21, 2008
So I found this book at work one day and had nothing else to do but read it. Hot spot is not something I would ever pick up if I had the choice. However, it kept me entertained. Not too bad.
June 20, 2009
Great book hidden inside a cheezy cover. :)
May 25, 2010
there was do make sex for my likeing. in was like every 5 min they there doing in as if that ws the hole polt of the book
April 18, 2012
I think Susan Johnson is a man. That said, the book has more sex and less description than many a genre romance. I haven't found a story yet, but then I'm only on page forty
August 8, 2012
Two & a half stars. Fluffy smut, very easy read. It's contemporary but has less realism than a lot of urban fantasy or paranormal stories.
meant-to-read-but-didnt
January 13, 2016Another cheap B&N purchase from that same visit. What?? Maybe I thought the comic book store part sounded interesting???
January 14, 2015
This book was ridiculous and from CC Gibbs!?! To say I was disappointed was an understatement. The truth is I did not even finish it - I simply couldn't.
October 23, 2014
Eons since I'd read something by this author, and this may well have been the first contemporary. Although I didn't find it wildly credible, I enjoyed it.
Read
April 6, 2015loved it
November 27, 2016
This book is so boring
January 5, 2010
Yummy.
January 18, 2018
A case of insta love and a so-so storyline made this less enjoyable than Ms. Johnson's historically for me.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews