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meggie82461's review against another edition
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a widely-read book, so I’m not going to spend too much time on a review. I’ll just say that it was really sweet, in a good way... the characters were likable and the story good without being over the top. Reece was a great hero, and Pepper, while frustrating at times, was hard not to love. I’ve never been a fan of the inexperienced-girl trope, so that fact I enjoyed this one speaks volumes. If you’re looking for a sweet story about how love can be found in unexpected places, this one should hit the spot!!
This is a widely-read book, so I’m not going to spend too much time on a review. I’ll just say that it was really sweet, in a good way... the characters were likable and the story good without being over the top. Reece was a great hero, and Pepper, while frustrating at times, was hard not to love. I’ve never been a fan of the inexperienced-girl trope, so that fact I enjoyed this one speaks volumes. If you’re looking for a sweet story about how love can be found in unexpected places, this one should hit the spot!!
melly2966's review
5.0
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! loved Pepper and Reece and LOGAN - oh my gosh logan. I disliked that they even got her and hunter together but whatever. I REALLY WANT LOGAN TO HAVE IS OWN BOOK!!!!!!!!!! but i am happy that emerson gets one.
parpacifica's review
4.0
It’s just sooo cute. Can you believe it?
Look at the cover. Look at the title.
It’s not possible for it to be this sweet and beautiful, with those two, but it is!
There was not too much senseless drama, I loved the heroine. She was just funny, and dorky and awesome.
I was a psychology major. Studying human nature was what I did. Tonight I just needed to pretend Mulvaney’s was one giant petri dish.
He thought I was a nice girl because that’s how I looked. I wasn’t going to change his mind with words. That was the kind of thing one proved.
The hero was amazing and very hot ;).
The story was sweet.
And the heroine had a real friendship with her besties, Emerson and Georgia! Like they checked up on each other, didn’t ditch each other for dudes, and teased each other religiously.
I am a happy camper:)
Look at the cover. Look at the title.
It’s not possible for it to be this sweet and beautiful, with those two, but it is!
There was not too much senseless drama, I loved the heroine. She was just funny, and dorky and awesome.
I was a psychology major. Studying human nature was what I did. Tonight I just needed to pretend Mulvaney’s was one giant petri dish.
He thought I was a nice girl because that’s how I looked. I wasn’t going to change his mind with words. That was the kind of thing one proved.
The hero was amazing and very hot ;).
The story was sweet.
And the heroine had a real friendship with her besties, Emerson and Georgia! Like they checked up on each other, didn’t ditch each other for dudes, and teased each other religiously.
I am a happy camper:)
mollywetta's review
2.0
I'm continuing to read titles marketed as NA, and this one caught my eye because it's from an established YA and adult romance writer and published in paperback by an imprint of a Big 6(5) publishing house (HarperCollins).
It has all the hallmarks of NA -- 1) tattooed supposedly "bad boy/player" 2) a heroine with a past of sexual abuse/rape/etc 3) main characters who are lower middle to lower class 4) little actual "college" beyond bars/sex 5) contrived plot to bring the main characters together 6) overly dramatic "plot twist" at the end.
NA is emerging as a very specific type of story rather than a more general category, and I hope it continues to develop more variety. This one was perhaps the best I've read yet, and a quick, easy read, but nothing special.
I will continue my investigation and write a longer post comparing and contrasting this round of reads.
It has all the hallmarks of NA -- 1) tattooed supposedly "bad boy/player" 2) a heroine with a past of sexual abuse/rape/etc 3) main characters who are lower middle to lower class 4) little actual "college" beyond bars/sex 5) contrived plot to bring the main characters together 6) overly dramatic "plot twist" at the end.
NA is emerging as a very specific type of story rather than a more general category, and I hope it continues to develop more variety. This one was perhaps the best I've read yet, and a quick, easy read, but nothing special.
I will continue my investigation and write a longer post comparing and contrasting this round of reads.
celjla212's review
2.0
2.5 STARS
I think I am going to stay away from the New Adult genre for quite a while, because lately all of the NA books I have read have been full of tedious cliches, so much so that it's difficult to discern the plot of one or another. They all just kind of run together. Unfortunately for me, Foreplay fell right into this problem.
The main character, Pepper (hmm, really?) has been pining away for her best friend's brother for as long as she can remember. When she finds out he's finally single, she convinces herself that in order to get him, her little virginal self needs some...experience. Of the sexual variety. So she sets her sights on the local bartender, who she has heard has plenty to offer in that department.
Except, Pepper has the wrong guy: Reece is not a player, but he is willing to show her a thing or two. They both have horrible pasts, and because of this have trouble connecting. Pepper must decide to go after the guy she's always desired, or the new man who's rocking her world.
So, let me go ahead and get all the cliches that bothered me out in the open. Tattooed bad boy with a past: CHECK. Virginal girl next door with trust issues: CHECK. Friends that offer comic relief: CHECK. The two main characters "break up" more than once but can't live without each other: CHECK. Literally, every New Adult novel I've read has had most of these elements going on. It makes the books very predictable, and when you go in with this feeling, it makes it difficult to connect with the characters at all.
Now for my other big issue: the sex scenes...OH GOD. I'm just gonna be nice and put it this way: they were very far from realistic. The first time they hooked up, all Reece did was touch Pepper ON THE OUTSIDE OF HER JEANS, and he gave her an orgasm. I mean...what do you say to that? This doesn't happen to anyone, much less someone who has no sexual experience. And the scene where he took her virginity was just as bad for me.
What did I like? Well...Reece was a nice guy. I liked the way he treated Pepper, even though she treated him like garbage. Sorry, I just don't have too much nice to say about Foreplay.
I could say a lot more, but I'll leave it at that. I was invested in the story at first, but as it went on it got more ridiculous and I got very annoyed. This is the first book in a series, and if the next book is about these same two characters, I won't be reading it.
I think I am going to stay away from the New Adult genre for quite a while, because lately all of the NA books I have read have been full of tedious cliches, so much so that it's difficult to discern the plot of one or another. They all just kind of run together. Unfortunately for me, Foreplay fell right into this problem.
The main character, Pepper (hmm, really?) has been pining away for her best friend's brother for as long as she can remember. When she finds out he's finally single, she convinces herself that in order to get him, her little virginal self needs some...experience. Of the sexual variety. So she sets her sights on the local bartender, who she has heard has plenty to offer in that department.
Except, Pepper has the wrong guy: Reece is not a player, but he is willing to show her a thing or two. They both have horrible pasts, and because of this have trouble connecting. Pepper must decide to go after the guy she's always desired, or the new man who's rocking her world.
So, let me go ahead and get all the cliches that bothered me out in the open. Tattooed bad boy with a past: CHECK. Virginal girl next door with trust issues: CHECK. Friends that offer comic relief: CHECK. The two main characters "break up" more than once but can't live without each other: CHECK. Literally, every New Adult novel I've read has had most of these elements going on. It makes the books very predictable, and when you go in with this feeling, it makes it difficult to connect with the characters at all.
Now for my other big issue: the sex scenes...OH GOD. I'm just gonna be nice and put it this way: they were very far from realistic. The first time they hooked up, all Reece did was touch Pepper ON THE OUTSIDE OF HER JEANS, and he gave her an orgasm. I mean...what do you say to that? This doesn't happen to anyone, much less someone who has no sexual experience. And the scene where he took her virginity was just as bad for me.
What did I like? Well...Reece was a nice guy. I liked the way he treated Pepper, even though she treated him like garbage. Sorry, I just don't have too much nice to say about Foreplay.
I could say a lot more, but I'll leave it at that. I was invested in the story at first, but as it went on it got more ridiculous and I got very annoyed. This is the first book in a series, and if the next book is about these same two characters, I won't be reading it.
rodriguez_books888's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
dherzey's review
3.0
Out of the stinking commonality and extremely dramatic plot lines that comprised most of the NA genre, there comes a time when sometimes you seemed to hit your lucky shot... Only to turn out that it isn't entirely the gold you're looking for -- it was just a piece of bronze -- but nevertheless, it's still better than the rest in the dump.
This book is like that.
Foreplay started in an almost underdeveloped story with characters directly from the cliche. We have the nerdy, virgin protagonist with the painful past, the slutty bestfriend, the good bestfriend, and a hot guy with sculptured abs and tattoos. And of course, the endless drama and family problems. Just looking at this, we could totally see where this is going and I am mostly right at that -- it did end rather predictably. But let's start with the positive because cliches aside, this book did quite well in juggling them.
Normally, when an NA book portrayed a smart, virgin protagonist, they exaggerate her flaws. Like always embarrassing herself in front of everyone with the hero one step behind to save the day. I'm not saying that this book have no "hero saves damsel in distress" because that would be like violating an unspeakable yet trite law in the genre BUT Pepper, the heroine in this story, is not much of a headache. Not clingy, not a whiner, and knows when to allot time for her studies. Although she got all her beliefs wrong, her awkwardness and timidness aren't excessively portrayed to make her look like a total helpless, Mary Sue. What's more, this book doesn't make other women look bad just to make the female lead look good.
This book also didn't make the hero some kind of a jerk or a control-freak. Reece is my man. He is:
Good job, Sophie Jordan.
Also, the other characters (although cut-outs from a million other books) are quite atypical from the ones I've read. So, we have Emerson (a.k.a the slutty bff) and Georgia (a.k.a the stick-to-one good kind of girl) but despite their stereotypes, they know that friendship always comes first whatever the circumstances may be like how Emerson, despite her reputation, doesn't leave her friends hanging around to enjoy themselves while she go to snag some guy. They got real friendship here and a good relationship. Again, good job, Mrs. Jordan.
Too bad though, despite the obvious efforts, it still sort of stink...
I know that there's no such thing as "genuine originality" because let's face it: almost all ideas have been created in one way or another. Stories are just inspiration of other stories, but it doesn't mean you can't add a little twist. Mrs. Jordan did quite well in that part, but the plot still lacks development, layers and thickness. It was too simple, too easy to move along with. The drama is good and not too much but it lacks the emotional depth. I can't relate. Reasons?
[1] The drama is written in a not-so-much creative and unfeeling way and it's more telling rather than showing.
[2] The characters, despite the positive things I've said over them, are deficient when it comes to building layers upon their personalities. Maybe, there's a hint or two, but overall, they're not as memorable.
I found the dialogue lackluster. Not so much hint of humor and even if there's one, it just sort of fell. The other side characters only seem to be there if someone remembers to speak their name. And the plot may have a spice of something but is still predictable and formulaic. Most of all, lust at first sight just brim the pages.
Like in every freaking page, Pepper would always admire the taut muscles, strong jaw, short hair, pale eyes, dazzling smile etc. etc. of Reece. She also needs to supply us with these details with every Reece encounter she had. And it's like a whole freaking paragraph of muscle description. Seriously, I thought you're head over heels for Hunter? And she's a psychology major, just to remind you of that.
The romance have the chemistry in it but the bonds between Pepper and Reece seemed fragile -- created upon lust. They've shared their awful past to each other, yes, but even that seemed to be not enough to cement their relationship as "love." It doesn't feel like the burning passion of love...it just seemed like the hot, fiery flame of lust. I'm actually a bit disappointed she chose
Of course, what's an NA without an out-of-the-blue dramatic conclusion? That ending is a complete disappointment. I'm expecting something more. Also, the ending felt like some sort of unrealistic solution. Rushed and too damn smooth. Not much conflict and the past problems of both characters aren't dug deep enough, showed enough or even solved utterly which just piled up further disconnectedness. The writing's pretty okay but like I said, a bit uninspiring and unemotional.
My overall impression is pretty mediocre but I can see why some people might love it and some might hate it. Anyway, I got a fun time. Hope to read more works from this author.
P.S. I read Sophie Jordan's Firelight, by the way, but didn't finish it because it's sooo dull. But I will read contemporary from this author because she seemed to have potential in that.
This book is like that.
Foreplay started in an almost underdeveloped story with characters directly from the cliche. We have the nerdy, virgin protagonist with the painful past, the slutty bestfriend, the good bestfriend, and a hot guy with sculptured abs and tattoos. And of course, the endless drama and family problems. Just looking at this, we could totally see where this is going and I am mostly right at that -- it did end rather predictably. But let's start with the positive because cliches aside, this book did quite well in juggling them.
Normally, when an NA book portrayed a smart, virgin protagonist, they exaggerate her flaws. Like always embarrassing herself in front of everyone with the hero one step behind to save the day. I'm not saying that this book have no "hero saves damsel in distress" because that would be like violating an unspeakable yet trite law in the genre BUT Pepper, the heroine in this story, is not much of a headache. Not clingy, not a whiner, and knows when to allot time for her studies. Although she got all her beliefs wrong, her awkwardness and timidness aren't excessively portrayed to make her look like a total helpless, Mary Sue. What's more, this book doesn't make other women look bad just to make the female lead look good.
He turned that dazzling smile on her and the waitress's eyes might have glazed over. He ordered our pizza. It took her a moment to look down at her pad. She fumbled with the pen before finally managing to write. "Excellent choices. That's my favorite."
Reece's gaze lid to me and his look made me warm from the inside out. "Ours, too."
She looked at me as though remembering my presence. A stupid smile curved my lips and I looked down at my hands together in front of me. Ours. That single word ricocheted through my head.
...
"I'll have that right out." She beamed at Reece and even sent me a quick, awkward smile -- like she knew I knew she was imagining him naked.
This book also didn't make the hero some kind of a jerk or a control-freak. Reece is my man. He is:
☑ Hot
☑ Sweet
☑ Gentle
☑ Protective without an iron grip
☑ Amazing
☑ Good (in bed)
☑ Fun
☑ Attentive
Good job, Sophie Jordan.
Also, the other characters (although cut-outs from a million other books) are quite atypical from the ones I've read. So, we have Emerson (a.k.a the slutty bff) and Georgia (a.k.a the stick-to-one good kind of girl) but despite their stereotypes, they know that friendship always comes first whatever the circumstances may be like how Emerson, despite her reputation, doesn't leave her friends hanging around to enjoy themselves while she go to snag some guy. They got real friendship here and a good relationship. Again, good job, Mrs. Jordan.
Too bad though, despite the obvious efforts, it still sort of stink...
I know that there's no such thing as "genuine originality" because let's face it: almost all ideas have been created in one way or another. Stories are just inspiration of other stories, but it doesn't mean you can't add a little twist. Mrs. Jordan did quite well in that part, but the plot still lacks development, layers and thickness. It was too simple, too easy to move along with. The drama is good and not too much but it lacks the emotional depth. I can't relate. Reasons?
[1] The drama is written in a not-so-much creative and unfeeling way and it's more telling rather than showing.
[2] The characters, despite the positive things I've said over them, are deficient when it comes to building layers upon their personalities. Maybe, there's a hint or two, but overall, they're not as memorable.
I found the dialogue lackluster. Not so much hint of humor and even if there's one, it just sort of fell. The other side characters only seem to be there if someone remembers to speak their name. And the plot may have a spice of something but is still predictable and formulaic. Most of all, lust at first sight just brim the pages.
Like in every freaking page, Pepper would always admire the taut muscles, strong jaw, short hair, pale eyes, dazzling smile etc. etc. of Reece. She also needs to supply us with these details with every Reece encounter she had. And it's like a whole freaking paragraph of muscle description. Seriously, I thought you're head over heels for Hunter? And she's a psychology major, just to remind you of that.
The romance have the chemistry in it but the bonds between Pepper and Reece seemed fragile -- created upon lust. They've shared their awful past to each other, yes, but even that seemed to be not enough to cement their relationship as "love." It doesn't feel like the burning passion of love...it just seemed like the hot, fiery flame of lust. I'm actually a bit disappointed she chose
Spoiler
Reece because like I said, their love doesn't seemed "real."Of course, what's an NA without an out-of-the-blue dramatic conclusion? That ending
Spoiler
the silly fire and everythingSpoiler
particularly, Hunter's easy forgivenessMy overall impression is pretty mediocre but I can see why some people might love it and some might hate it. Anyway, I got a fun time. Hope to read more works from this author.
P.S. I read Sophie Jordan's Firelight, by the way, but didn't finish it because it's sooo dull. But I will read contemporary from this author because she seemed to have potential in that.
charms1976's review
4.0
Foreplay is the first book in a new series by author Sophie Jordan. Sophie Jordan is well known in the young adult genre for her Firelight Series. Foreplay is the first book in The Ivy Chronicles geared for the New Adult genre. The main characters are Reece and Pepper.
Pepper has always had a crush on her best friends brother, Hunter. He is reliable, safe and cute. With her life planned out in her head, Pepper is determined to have Hunter now that he is single. Since Pepper has no experience with dating or with men, her friends decide to find her a man that would be able to help in that department with no strings attached. They decide to use the town playboy that everyone has been talking about from the local bar/club. This is where Reece enters the scene and ladies, pick your chin up and wipe the drool. Not only is he sexy and hot, he is sweet and charming too! He has manners and is an all around good guy. I will say that Reece is not what you expect while reading this book. There is a curve ball thrown in to make you rethink the mysterious aura that is surrounding Reece. By the end of the book you will have a hard time choosing between Hunter and Reece just like Pepper.
The only reason I didn’t give this book the highest rating is because it did drag in some parts of the story. There were a few times I just wanted the author to get on with the story already and get rid of some of the ‘filler’ pages. This is one series though that I am excited to read more of in the future!
Pepper has always had a crush on her best friends brother, Hunter. He is reliable, safe and cute. With her life planned out in her head, Pepper is determined to have Hunter now that he is single. Since Pepper has no experience with dating or with men, her friends decide to find her a man that would be able to help in that department with no strings attached. They decide to use the town playboy that everyone has been talking about from the local bar/club. This is where Reece enters the scene and ladies, pick your chin up and wipe the drool. Not only is he sexy and hot, he is sweet and charming too! He has manners and is an all around good guy. I will say that Reece is not what you expect while reading this book. There is a curve ball thrown in to make you rethink the mysterious aura that is surrounding Reece. By the end of the book you will have a hard time choosing between Hunter and Reece just like Pepper.
The only reason I didn’t give this book the highest rating is because it did drag in some parts of the story. There were a few times I just wanted the author to get on with the story already and get rid of some of the ‘filler’ pages. This is one series though that I am excited to read more of in the future!
whisperedsigh's review
5.0
Well that was a other good read this year, ofc there is some conflict that could have been avoided and all, but i love how it is written and especially the friends they are too awesome
sofyy1102's review
3.0
I’m going to be very straightforward with this. This book is good, honestly. It’s interesting, sexy, sometimes funny and it just keeps you hooked, at least it did to me. Yet, it is not one of those books you just have to tell your friends about and try to convince them to read it. It’s very light, romantic, sensual, something you read very quickly, and something you read when you just want some sexy, romantic, happy-ending treat xD
The main character, Pepper, is very sweet and innocent, who just idealizes that she will have a perfect marriage with her brother’s best friend, Hunter. It annoyed throughout the book, because she just kept, on and on and on about making Hunter fall in love with her , then they would marry and have 2.5 children…. *yawns*
Anyway, since she is a virgin, her friends take her out at night to hook her up with the bar tender, the so-called playboy who can teach her the ways of “love-making” (typical, might I add). So she meets the bar tender, major hottie, heart-throb, etc.
After seeing each other for a couple of times, Reece (bar tender’s name, aka Cheese xD), starts “teaching”Pepper foreplay… so Pepper can later apply it to Hunter.
Obviously they fall for each other, but idiot Pepper still insists she must stay with Hunter. Hunter takes a notice on her at last, they start dating, until something tragic happens (not too tragic), Pepper finally sees the light and gets together with Reece.
Seems like a very simple plot, which it is, but I quite liked it. There’s more to it, I don’t want to ruin the book for those who haven’t read it. I know I kind of spoiled the end, but still, it was just too obvious, so I guess I didn’t spoil too much xD
Btw, Pepper is such a stupid name xD
The main character, Pepper, is very sweet and innocent, who just idealizes that she will have a perfect marriage with her brother’s best friend, Hunter. It annoyed throughout the book, because she just kept, on and on and on about making Hunter fall in love with her , then they would marry and have 2.5 children…. *yawns*
Anyway, since she is a virgin, her friends take her out at night to hook her up with the bar tender, the so-called playboy who can teach her the ways of “love-making” (typical, might I add). So she meets the bar tender, major hottie, heart-throb, etc.
After seeing each other for a couple of times, Reece (bar tender’s name, aka Cheese xD), starts “teaching”Pepper foreplay… so Pepper can later apply it to Hunter.
Obviously they fall for each other, but idiot Pepper still insists she must stay with Hunter. Hunter takes a notice on her at last, they start dating, until something tragic happens (not too tragic), Pepper finally sees the light and gets together with Reece.
Seems like a very simple plot, which it is, but I quite liked it. There’s more to it, I don’t want to ruin the book for those who haven’t read it. I know I kind of spoiled the end, but still, it was just too obvious, so I guess I didn’t spoil too much xD
Btw, Pepper is such a stupid name xD