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kaitiecakes's review against another edition
3.0
The reason this book didn’t get a 5 star rating is because of how abruptly it ended.
This book was really good though, I love that they were strangers and ended up falling in love.
They had a bumpy road for sure!
This book was really good though, I love that they were strangers and ended up falling in love.
They had a bumpy road for sure!
noeliacew's review against another edition
4.0
This one is so much better than the first one!
I loved Max and Sara. Really sexy and entretaining.
I may or may not have a thing for british accents.
Ps: If anyone knows where can I find a Max for me that would be amazing
I loved Max and Sara. Really sexy and entretaining.
I may or may not have a thing for british accents.
Ps: If anyone knows where can I find a Max for me that would be amazing
amyroseb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The first few chapters of this book were exciting and enthralling. but here's the thing - when your main characters hook up before you've read 10% of the book, it kind of makes the rest of the book drag. Although the steamy scenes were plentiful, and there were a few entertaining chapters otherwise, this book was flat-lining until 80% when the final conflict was introduced. Plus, I wasn't all that invested in the characters. They had they're moments but we're kind of bland for the most part. I will say, I loved the last 20% and how the climax/resolution was kind of flipped on its head with the MMC being forthrightly broken hearted and the FMC having to grovel.
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
Second in the Beautiful Bastard erotic romance series. The couple focus is on Sara Dillon and Max Stella, and the series has moved to New York City.
My Take
It's another fun story from Lauren, although it's not as dominating as Beautiful Bastard, 1. I love that Sara had the guts to step outside her comfort zone and then to leave Max hanging. It's such a switch from the usual in which the man does the slam-bang-thank you before he heads out the door, LOL. And she continues this out-the-door routine in the deal she makes with Max. One that drives him mad.
Part of me thinks "oh how convenient that these two found each other, shared the same kinks", but then that's how it can work in real life. Not often, but it can happen, so I can't complain. Readers complain often about insta-love and how convenient it is for certain events to occur in a story. In some cases, their complaints are fair. Those insta-love moments that make no sense, that occur without reason. The serendipity of two people happening to meet. Only, writers also create back stories for their characters, so these serendipitous moments are simply a part of a person's (the character's) ongoing life. It just happens that we readers also happen to catch a glimpse into their life at that time.
No, I'm not saying this is a case of insta-love; it's more a case of oh-my-god love that develops: slowly for Sara because she's fighting it, putting all kinds of limitations on it, and rather quickly for Max because, I think, he's so surprised and excited to meet someone as fascinating as Sara. ...I think it's the kink that speeds it up for both.
LOL, Max certainly creates some exciting scenarios for their meet-ups.
What an amazing jerk Andy was...throwing her clothes out the door of her own house! Where does someone get that kind of arrogance…'cause I could sure use a bit...!
Damn it, the one stupid note in this story is when Max gets careless and his carryon gets stolen. With all those pictures on his SD card. No, that's not the stupid part. What's stupid is Sara's reaction to it. With two minds working together, couldn't the authors come up with something better than this extreme reaction of Sara's?
The Story
Sara has finally come to her senses about her two-timing boyfriend and she's changing everything about her life, starting with taking up this new job with Ryan Media.
Her life really changes that night out with the girls, celebrating her newfound freedom when she encounters a beautiful stranger at the club, and her life changes forever.
The Characters
Sara Dillon is Chloe's best friend and the new Director of Finance, grateful to have the opportunity to start her life over. George is her NYC assistant. Andy is the jerk of an ex-boyfriend, ragging on Sara about everything.
Max Stella has a well-deserved rep as a playboy and is one of Bennett's best friends. He's part of a very successful venture capital company, Stella and Sumner, with his friends, Will Sumner and James Marshall. Cecily is an ex-lover who went a bit cuckoo. Richie, Derek, and Robbie are some of his mates on his rugby team.
Chloe Mills and Bennett Ryan are getting married and setting up a new branch of Ryan Media Group in New York City (see Beautiful Bastard). Henry Ryan is Bennett's father and the head of Ryan Media. Julia is best friends with Sara and Chloe.
Johnny French owns several clubs including Silver; Beat Snap, a cabaret in Brooklyn; and, Red Moon, a sex club for voyeurs.
The Cover
The cover is a black-and-white photo from mid-ear to hips of a man ready to relax after a hard day's work, a jacket slung over one shoulder, tie loosened, the cufflink'd, striped shirt with a glass of whiskey in hand. The title is spattered and battered in a bright blue.
The title is Max, for he is a Beautiful Stranger.
My Take
It's another fun story from Lauren, although it's not as dominating as Beautiful Bastard, 1. I love that Sara had the guts to step outside her comfort zone and then to leave Max hanging. It's such a switch from the usual in which the man does the slam-bang-thank you before he heads out the door, LOL. And she continues this out-the-door routine in the deal she makes with Max. One that drives him mad.
Part of me thinks "oh how convenient that these two found each other, shared the same kinks", but then that's how it can work in real life. Not often, but it can happen, so I can't complain. Readers complain often about insta-love and how convenient it is for certain events to occur in a story. In some cases, their complaints are fair. Those insta-love moments that make no sense, that occur without reason. The serendipity of two people happening to meet. Only, writers also create back stories for their characters, so these serendipitous moments are simply a part of a person's (the character's) ongoing life. It just happens that we readers also happen to catch a glimpse into their life at that time.
No, I'm not saying this is a case of insta-love; it's more a case of oh-my-god love that develops: slowly for Sara because she's fighting it, putting all kinds of limitations on it, and rather quickly for Max because, I think, he's so surprised and excited to meet someone as fascinating as Sara. ...I think it's the kink that speeds it up for both.
LOL, Max certainly creates some exciting scenarios for their meet-ups.
What an amazing jerk Andy was...throwing her clothes out the door of her own house! Where does someone get that kind of arrogance…'cause I could sure use a bit...!
Damn it, the one stupid note in this story is when Max gets careless and his carryon gets stolen. With all those pictures on his SD card. No, that's not the stupid part. What's stupid is Sara's reaction to it. With two minds working together, couldn't the authors come up with something better than this extreme reaction of Sara's?
The Story
Sara has finally come to her senses about her two-timing boyfriend and she's changing everything about her life, starting with taking up this new job with Ryan Media.
Her life really changes that night out with the girls, celebrating her newfound freedom when she encounters a beautiful stranger at the club, and her life changes forever.
The Characters
Sara Dillon is Chloe's best friend and the new Director of Finance, grateful to have the opportunity to start her life over. George is her NYC assistant. Andy is the jerk of an ex-boyfriend, ragging on Sara about everything.
Max Stella has a well-deserved rep as a playboy and is one of Bennett's best friends. He's part of a very successful venture capital company, Stella and Sumner, with his friends, Will Sumner and James Marshall. Cecily is an ex-lover who went a bit cuckoo. Richie, Derek, and Robbie are some of his mates on his rugby team.
Chloe Mills and Bennett Ryan are getting married and setting up a new branch of Ryan Media Group in New York City (see Beautiful Bastard). Henry Ryan is Bennett's father and the head of Ryan Media. Julia is best friends with Sara and Chloe.
Johnny French owns several clubs including Silver; Beat Snap, a cabaret in Brooklyn; and, Red Moon, a sex club for voyeurs.
The Cover
The cover is a black-and-white photo from mid-ear to hips of a man ready to relax after a hard day's work, a jacket slung over one shoulder, tie loosened, the cufflink'd, striped shirt with a glass of whiskey in hand. The title is spattered and battered in a bright blue.
The title is Max, for he is a Beautiful Stranger.
lollscoloredglasses's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed BB but I gotta say I think I liked this one a bit better. It is a good possibility that it's partly due to hearing Max's sexy British accent in my head. Ha! Kinky and brilliant. I really loved the library scene. It was so vividly written and also nice to see exactly what he was willing to do to completely satisfy Sara. All in all great book. Moving on to the next!
plaidvamp's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed this book but it definitely had some pacing issues. The ending and final conflict was also very rushed.
kaulhilo's review against another edition
4.0
this book was so cute also max stella is so cute also the cover is terrible can someone please fix it (can you tell i suck at reviews)
vampire_mother's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing! I loved the story and the relationship. Besides I was happy to see Bennet & Chloe again.
sarnacle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Jen and Sarah made me do it!
That’s romance critic, Jen Prokop and author, Sarah MacLean of the Fated Mates podcast. I’m not a devoted listener because 1) I’m too busy reading romance and 2) I like to go in blind when I’m reading, so I would want to read the books they cover before I listen. Anyway, long story short. They had an episode devoted to books they wish they could read again for the first time and this one was one of them.
Along with going into a book blind, another one of my personal rules is to read the books in a series in order. Luckily, I’d already read Beautiful Bastard. I’d also decided I wasn’t going to continue the series. It wasn’t for me. Over the top, unrealistic, and improbable are just a few of the words I’d use to describe that book. I liked it just fine, but the who and the what and the where (the stairwell? really???) were… beyond my ability to suspend reality? Also, was this not the book where he rips more than one pair of La Perla lingerie? I don’t care if you have the money to replace it. That’s just wasteful!
Ok, I’m losing the thread. So the point is, I was not going to continue the series. But then I listened to Fated Mates and how could I not? And I read it. And you know what? I rather enjoyed it. Was it also ott? Yeah. But I liked these characters and their story and I just really dug it. Also, it goes down real easy. That writing is so easy to digest. It’s fun. It’s engaging. You don’t have to think too hard. It’s pure entertainment. And sometimes that’s all it takes.