Reviews

Vanilla on Top by C.J. Ellisson

mandapanda0310's review

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5.0

Fun and entertaining. I read it straight through without putting it down! I like when the characters are not always questioning, and creating EXTRA drama. Loved these two and would highly recommend!

meganramirez13's review

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5.0

Hot, hot, hot. This book was full of steamy scenes and it was a nice change to see a female taking charge for once. I liked that they found a balance in the end. Both characters never really went too deep into emotional problems or issues but it was a nice, light read.

shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review

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3.0

I wanted to love this book. I liked the premise, a girl who's had bad luck with men stepping outside her comfort zone and taking control with a man. But as I read Heather and Tony's story, I realized I didn't really like Heather and couldn't believe that a woman who would get walked on and had such fears as hers would make such a change and do some of the things that she did with Tony.

Don't get me wrong, I though the patio scene during speed dating and he paddle scene at the office were great, but (in my opinion) they didn't really fit in with the type of person Heather really was. She may have had fun doing those things, but given her insecurities and fears it just seemed too far fetched that she would do those things. And in the end, even though she enjoyed doing what she was doing, it wasn't really her "inner dominatrix" that Tony wanted, but the woman with the insecurities and fears that she was trying to tamp down...with a little of the dominatrix sprinkled on top.

I did like Tony. He may have easily given over control at the beginning of the relationship to Heather, but his alpha male soon won out. However he did recognize that while he may want everyone in the world to know Heather was he, he was willing to let her do what she needed to do for the good of her career and take a backseat. I loved that he realized that Heather was what he was missing in his life and that was more important that high stakes takeovers and skads of money.

Even thought I didn't love it like I wanted, it was still a good afternoon read with some really hot sex scenes.

mimireadsromance's review

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5.0

My first C.J. Ellisson read...why did I wait so long? Fantastic chemistry, and a story that had me wishing it would go on forever! Loved the idea of a woman stepping out of her comfort zone & embracing something new. No damsel in distress here!

My favorite lines:
"It's something about how she carries herself, unafraid and confident."
"There's something to be said about dating a woman who doesn't need you to bail her out of life, but wants you in her life nonetheless." Yes, yes there is!

Now that I've "discovered" this author, I'm going to make it a point to read the rest of her backlist.

jlove731's review

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5.0

This book had me swooning right in the first chapter. Vanilla On Top oozes sex and love all in one. Brazen Books are hard not to love and here's yet another book that proves it. With Vanilla On Top you find yourself loving the characters as soon as you meet them, fanning yourself from the hotness, and then smiling with joy in the end.

Read the full review at Shortie Says

anacarter's review

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4.0

Full Review

OMG I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS NOVEL!! The author draws you in from the first chapter, it was soo hard to put down! I just had to see what happened next :D I stayed up all night! Such a good novel!
LOVE Troy & Heather!! this novel is definitely a MUST read!! I highly recommend it!

booklovinmamas's review

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5.0

Review also posted on Book Lovin' Mamas

I have been waiting patiently to read C.J.'s latest release, Vanilla on Top. This is definitely a FAVE for 2013 and I cannot wait to read the next installment.
Discover your inner bad girl, and set her free....hello...is that not catchy? I know after reading this book, I need to set my inner bad girl free more often. =)
"Vanilla on Top" should not be compared to Fifty Shades or even Crossfire. This book is in a league of its own. I had a hard time putting it down and of course my husband kept giving me the weird eyes whenever he would see me reading this from my iPad. He was always asking what I was smiling about...he has no idea. =)
Be prepared to be blown away from the first chapter in the book with a very heated, steamy scene between Heather and Tony.
This book is about Heather Pierce taking control of her life. She is tired of being the good girl and decides to set the bad girl inside of herself finally out. She is new to it, but when she finally gets the courage to set her free, she is about to have some of the wildest times with the one man who she met at a speed dating event, Tony, and he will have a hard time resisting her.
The only thing is Tony is about to change Heather's world once Heather finds out the truth on where he works and what he is up to. He never knew Heather and that his job would end up almost ruining her career.

C.J. Ellisson does an amazing job with writing a book that actually has a female character taking over the dominant role in the bedroom, and without using the tools you would find in a sex shop, but instead every day things that make it romantic.
She even writes a male lead who is able to let the female take over in the bedroom, or whenever, or wherever. Tony definitely needed Heather though since he was used to being in control. She managed to tame the man from his own ways.
She reminds us how women could play the vanilla Dom in a relationship.
Heather had her insecurities at first, but in my own opinion she overcame those insecurities. The best part of Heather is that she used fantasies that she was comfortable doing and she happened to be a romance reader. (And she even referenced she never read Fifty Shades...which she may be a fictional character, but I definitely am one of those readers who has not read it...I'm really trying to now...but it may be my first DNF ever)
C.J.'s writing style is unique compared to other contemporary romance or erotic writers out there, which makes me adore her even more. She does not follow in others footsteps. She takes a different route into the genre.
There is no comparison with Vanilla on Top to other erotic books.
If you are a fan of contemporary romance or erotic genres and want to read a book where the roles are switched, you definitely need to read "Vanilla on Top".
Warning....sex scenes are throughout this book. Who knows maybe you as a woman, will find out you have a inner bad self yourself after reading this book.
I know I must unleash my inner bad girl more often. (It does drive the hubby crazy) =)

I received a complimentary copy of the book for the blog tour in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own personal opinion and I was not paid for it.

asmushy's review

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4.0

Rating: 3.75/5

Favorite quote:
"A smile of pure happiness leaks from me as I realize this has been my dream all along. To wake up next to someone I care about, and who cares for me in return.
No one judging me or tearing me down, no empty declarations when I open my heart, no cold sheets on a long winter’s night."


My first Entangled Publishing book, and I liked it!

Different story line, refreshing new kind of characters, Heather and Tony were great and felt real to me; they were both self-made, successful and at the top of their careers yet aspiring for the next big deal, but deep down they were insecure about themselves and the path their lives were taking. At the end, they were looking for the same thing: settle down, find inner peace and a pair of arms to come home to and to hold at night.

Their relationship started fast and crazy hot, but then it became very sweet and I grew fond of them and the way they fell in love with each other. Not to mention the very hot love making sessions they had.

enchantressofbooks's review

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3.0

I really enjoyed and like "Vanilla On Top". Its an interesting story of a woman coming into her own and finally knowing her self worth and taking charge of her own life!

The first chapter truly sets the pace and things progress rather quickly. I will admit (because I'm honest) that at first Heather was getting to me (not in a good way) as she seemed to be the whiny type and honestly, I was thinking "Not again"! Not another heroine who thinks she's ugly and unlovable when she's hot and gorgeous and every guy wants her. THANKFULLY, this isn't one of those stories!! Whew! This is about learning that you own your own destiny and that if you believe that you are smart, sexy and desirable, that is what you're putting forth into the universe and that's what will attract others to you! Heather is smart and beautiful, but she's always thinking otherwise and allows others to ping pong her around or she even goes as far as pushing the men she's dated out of her life because "Why would they want to stay w/ little old me? I'm nothing!" (insert rolling of eyes). We've heard the saying "Fake it til you make it", well here is a perfect example of how that works! Heather may be "pretending" to be someone she's not; someone who is confident, knows she's sexy, will tell the man what she wants and how she wants to be pleasured, but while she thinks she's pretending she's learning that she CAN be "that woman" and finds her true self.

Tony is sexy, smooth and well, known as a play boy. He's tired of being the one in charge and providing everything, both at work and in his personal life. Co-workers ride his success and the women he's dated want him to pay for everything from the dinner check to the bills. Imagine his surprise when he meets Heather! She's in complete control of her life, she's successful and in charge of her sexuality. Completely mesmerized and smitten with her.

Can she learn to be this assertive women that she has portrayed thus far?

A great read with a wonderful story and wow talk about hot and steamy scenes!! HOT!!

Stop by my blog for an excerpt and additional information!

This and other reviews available at Viviana, Enchantress of Books

caligurlreads's review

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4.0

4 Stars all the way!

I pulled this out of my TBR last night after reading an emotional read. It was exactly what I needed to clear my head! Thank you, C.J. Ellisson!!

Heather is the kind of girl that goes with the flow when it comes to everything. She has let men walk all over her in both her personal and professional life. On a whim, and as a favor to her best friend, Carla, she attends a speed dating session. She's frustrated and out of her element, doesn't want to be there. Carla urges her to "be someone else".

Tony is a HOT business executive, always in control of everything. He attends the speed dating event with his friend, Marcus. He isn't really looking for anything in particular. When he approaches Heather, his phone rings, and and he realizes he just wants someone else to be in control of his life for once.

The chemistry that these two had instantly was amazing. Their characters were totally believable. You instantly feel a connection to them and to the story, leaving you wanting more. It's rare to find an erotic read where the story carries all the way through...and C.J. Ellisson has done just that.

I will be looking out for the next one in this series. It will be interesting to see which way the author takes it.