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maggiemaggio's review
4.0
4.25 stars
Let's get all of the "meh" stuff out of the way. Yes, this is a book about a somewhat naive and inexperienced college girl and a rich man. Yes, the rich man is into some kinky things. Yes, the rich man seduces the innocent girl. But, and this is a huge but, this book is so much more than that and so much better than anything like it that I've read.
I tend to overuse the word "seriously" in my reviews, but seriously, I loved every minute of this book. I seriously loved Julia, the pre-law student who, fresh off a broken engagement, starts interning at a prestigious law firm. She's assigned the serious, hard working corporate law partner at the firm and she ends up pulling 14+ hour days, but it's what she wants to be doing so she doesn't complain. Her boring lawyer warns her to stay away from another partner at the firm, Brad De Luca, who's pretty much the Casanova divorce attorney.
I seriously loved Brad. Yeah, at first I was like what's up with this guy? Why is Julia supposed to stay away from him? Why does he work 9-5 and throw parties for his wing? Why is he working so hard at seducing Julia? Why is he so much older than Julia (she's 21 to his 40)? But it all just didn't matter. I seriously just really liked them together. After a chance encounter Brad starts pursuing Julia and he's pretty relentless. But it didn't bother me, I wanted them to get together. I wanted Julia to loosen up and let Brad screw her silly and I wanted to know more about Brad and why everyone was so adamant about Julia staying away from him.
Julia is a firm believer in sex accompanying love. She's had sex with two guys in her life, both of whom she thought she loved at the time. While she enjoys hooking up with and teasing guys (I hated that part, teases seriously drive me nuts), she's not the most experienced person in bed. Brad kind of latches on to this and makes it his mission to make her live up to her sexual potential, so to speak. Julia resists, to an extent, but obviously you know she's going to go along with it. I loved Julia's reasons for being unsure, I loved how she handled herself with Brad, and I loved that she let her curiosity win out in the end without losing any of herself.
Brad whisks Julia off to Vegas for a weekend, something I found insane at the time, but I loved everything that happened in Vegas. Brad, to me, is kind of the ultimate Vegas guy. He gambles, he drinks, he smokes cigars, and he hangs out at strip clubs. None of those are normally appealing things to me, but Brad seriously embodies sex and it all just made him hotter. Some of the stuff that happened in Vegas, the gay cabana boy oiling Julia up or the giant seafood tower or the constant mention of how much things cost, was a little much for me, but it's Vegas and it's supposed to be a little too much.
And then there are the sexytimes. The chemistry between Brad and Julia is off the charts. I seriously loved the scenes where they were just talking because even then the sexual tension was so thick. Brad and Julia don't actually have sex until quite a ways into the story, but the wait is totally worth it. And there's some foreplay happening before so it's not like the story is devoid of sex. Through most of the book it's hinted out that Brad has certain sexual needs, but it's not clear what those are until the end. I'm not going to tell you, but I will say that I loved that they weren't BDSM stuff (so if you're looking for that here you'll be disappointed). Yes, Brad likes a certain amount of control, but it's, at least to me, sexy, hot control and it's control that Julia, who is a strong women who retains that strength throughout the book, wants and needs. And the brilliant way the story is told makes it all seem natural and completely believable. Plus, throughout the entire book, I felt like Brad really respected Julia and admired her personality and liked that she had spunk. In a really genuine way.
Bottom Line: In my opinion this is the perfect erotica book. Seriously, the female character has a personality, has a strength in that personality, and retains her personality and strength throughout the entire book. The male lead is hot, sexy, and the right balance of controlling/respectful/dark. The pacing is spot on, the story is spot on, the sexytimes are spot on, and I seriously cannot wait to read the second book in this series.
I received an electronic review copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley (thank you!!!). All opinions are my own.
Let's get all of the "meh" stuff out of the way. Yes, this is a book about a somewhat naive and inexperienced college girl and a rich man. Yes, the rich man is into some kinky things. Yes, the rich man seduces the innocent girl. But, and this is a huge but, this book is so much more than that and so much better than anything like it that I've read.
I tend to overuse the word "seriously" in my reviews, but seriously, I loved every minute of this book. I seriously loved Julia, the pre-law student who, fresh off a broken engagement, starts interning at a prestigious law firm. She's assigned the serious, hard working corporate law partner at the firm and she ends up pulling 14+ hour days, but it's what she wants to be doing so she doesn't complain. Her boring lawyer warns her to stay away from another partner at the firm, Brad De Luca, who's pretty much the Casanova divorce attorney.
I seriously loved Brad. Yeah, at first I was like what's up with this guy? Why is Julia supposed to stay away from him? Why does he work 9-5 and throw parties for his wing? Why is he working so hard at seducing Julia? Why is he so much older than Julia (she's 21 to his 40)? But it all just didn't matter. I seriously just really liked them together. After a chance encounter Brad starts pursuing Julia and he's pretty relentless. But it didn't bother me, I wanted them to get together. I wanted Julia to loosen up and let Brad screw her silly and I wanted to know more about Brad and why everyone was so adamant about Julia staying away from him.
Julia is a firm believer in sex accompanying love. She's had sex with two guys in her life, both of whom she thought she loved at the time. While she enjoys hooking up with and teasing guys (I hated that part, teases seriously drive me nuts), she's not the most experienced person in bed. Brad kind of latches on to this and makes it his mission to make her live up to her sexual potential, so to speak. Julia resists, to an extent, but obviously you know she's going to go along with it. I loved Julia's reasons for being unsure, I loved how she handled herself with Brad, and I loved that she let her curiosity win out in the end without losing any of herself.
Brad whisks Julia off to Vegas for a weekend, something I found insane at the time, but I loved everything that happened in Vegas. Brad, to me, is kind of the ultimate Vegas guy. He gambles, he drinks, he smokes cigars, and he hangs out at strip clubs. None of those are normally appealing things to me, but Brad seriously embodies sex and it all just made him hotter. Some of the stuff that happened in Vegas, the gay cabana boy oiling Julia up or the giant seafood tower or the constant mention of how much things cost, was a little much for me, but it's Vegas and it's supposed to be a little too much.
And then there are the sexytimes. The chemistry between Brad and Julia is off the charts. I seriously loved the scenes where they were just talking because even then the sexual tension was so thick. Brad and Julia don't actually have sex until quite a ways into the story, but the wait is totally worth it. And there's some foreplay happening before so it's not like the story is devoid of sex. Through most of the book it's hinted out that Brad has certain sexual needs, but it's not clear what those are until the end. I'm not going to tell you, but I will say that I loved that they weren't BDSM stuff (so if you're looking for that here you'll be disappointed). Yes, Brad likes a certain amount of control, but it's, at least to me, sexy, hot control and it's control that Julia, who is a strong women who retains that strength throughout the book, wants and needs. And the brilliant way the story is told makes it all seem natural and completely believable. Plus, throughout the entire book, I felt like Brad really respected Julia and admired her personality and liked that she had spunk. In a really genuine way.
Bottom Line: In my opinion this is the perfect erotica book. Seriously, the female character has a personality, has a strength in that personality, and retains her personality and strength throughout the entire book. The male lead is hot, sexy, and the right balance of controlling/respectful/dark. The pacing is spot on, the story is spot on, the sexytimes are spot on, and I seriously cannot wait to read the second book in this series.
I received an electronic review copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley (thank you!!!). All opinions are my own.
haley_j_casey's review against another edition
3.0
It might be more like 2.5-2.75 stars, though I'm not someone who enjoys these books all too much. So keep in mind this isn't exactly my genre...
My biggest fear with this book was that it would turn into another 50 Shades type of story, and to my happy surprise, it did not. This book is not super kinky. There is no sex contract, no virginal lead female, no BDSM, no horrible childhoods, and no anal plug/sex. All nice to be seen left out.
The first 1/3 or so of the book left me with very mixed feelings about Julia. Because she isn't this party girl who knows she's hot, shoves it in people's faces, and sleeps around every weekend, but she also isn't the timid, introverted virgin that are usually in books like this. And I realize as I’m writing it that sounds like an odd, ‘well duh’ description, because all that seems to leave is for Julia to be an average girl. But she’s not that either. She’s kind of stuck between powerful business woman and easy on the scales, skipping between the two periodically. She refuses to go to Vegas with Brad, she ends up in Vegas with Brad. She cries—cries—because she doesn’t want to sleep with him (*important note—he does not try to force her; she cries all on her own because she’s overwhelmed and he is across the room. It is not because they’re in the act of almost having sex and he won’t stop or I would have put the book down*). But after that outburst, the next morning they’re stripped down to nothing making out in bed. I just... I felt like it took too long for the author and the reader to get a handle on her. I think she should have been more confident and open about herself considering the way she thought about sex and being a total tease, but she isn't, and that made her inconsistent for most of the first part of the book. She also has a tiny bit of a superiority complex, which turned me off from her.
Brad... I'm not sure how to categorize Brad. He was the most consistent of the two characters, and I liked him for that and for the fact that he never once tried to force anything with any woman. He was a little controlling (but also a little not, which was kind confusing...), but he was also respectful and kept his distance when he had to—no freaky, stalker vibe. So that was nice, even if he was a bit of a sex addict and apparently just too good for one woman for long to keep him satisfied. Really, he was saved from being completely sleazy because he was so forthcoming with Julia from the get-go. On the other hand, Julia is probably too forgiving with him. I liked her curiosity, and I liked even more that she didn't beg for information and then get pissed about the answer she wanted so badly, because nothing is a bigger protagonist turnoff than that. But there are some things that probably should have caused her to back off that, too soon for my liking, she became okay with. However, the author did have Julia initially stand by her decision not to be with Brad after Vegas and after she hears what he did to Broward. That helped me like the character, the book, and even the author a little more, because often times the girl runs straight back into the man's arms.
There was a little too much insta-love for my tastes, too. Because Vegas is where shit starts to go down, but the trip is also occurring, what, a week after they met? And suddenly Julia has lost all of her inhibitions, goes to Vegas, has sex with Brad, and does other stuff no one should be doing with a virtual stranger who is also her much older boss.
And speaking of that, I think the age difference thing could have/should have been a MAJOR point in the story and their relationship. Instead it was glossed over, mentioned once or twice at best, and didn't even make the list of things Julia had concerns about if she and Brad were to ever have a relationship. I'm actually one of those people who thinks people with vastly different ages can be completely compatible and perfect for each other, but I don't think a relationship like that occurs without both parties at the very least considering the potential problems. It would be talked about, be noticed by them both, but it wasn't.
What I did like about Brad and Julia together was that, even though I disagree with Brad and his views on sex, he made Julie think and made her reconsider her own views. They weren’t portrayed as abso-freaking-lutely perfect for one another in even aspect of their personalities; it wasn’t the kind of relationship where neither person thinks anything about the other should ever change because everything is wonderful and perfect (Okay, so there was a little of that. Brad: “Most women I pick apart in my mind, wishing this part or that part of them was different. But I don’t do that when I’m with you.” Really? Julia’s that drop-dead attractive? That is not the vibe I got from her). But still. I think it helped my opinion of the book that they were able to change each others minds about things, even if the conversations that led to those changes were awfully candid.
Also, I loved the addition of her friends. Both Becca and Olivia were great characters that I would have loved to see more of, but they acted just like best friends do/should/would, which helped make Julia much more relatable.
(I received a free copy of this book in the Goodreads First Reads giveaway)
My biggest fear with this book was that it would turn into another 50 Shades type of story, and to my happy surprise, it did not. This book is not super kinky. There is no sex contract, no virginal lead female, no BDSM, no horrible childhoods, and no anal plug/sex. All nice to be seen left out.
The first 1/3 or so of the book left me with very mixed feelings about Julia. Because she isn't this party girl who knows she's hot, shoves it in people's faces, and sleeps around every weekend, but she also isn't the timid, introverted virgin that are usually in books like this. And I realize as I’m writing it that sounds like an odd, ‘well duh’ description, because all that seems to leave is for Julia to be an average girl. But she’s not that either. She’s kind of stuck between powerful business woman and easy on the scales, skipping between the two periodically. She refuses to go to Vegas with Brad, she ends up in Vegas with Brad. She cries—cries—because she doesn’t want to sleep with him (*important note—he does not try to force her; she cries all on her own because she’s overwhelmed and he is across the room. It is not because they’re in the act of almost having sex and he won’t stop or I would have put the book down*). But after that outburst, the next morning they’re stripped down to nothing making out in bed. I just... I felt like it took too long for the author and the reader to get a handle on her. I think she should have been more confident and open about herself considering the way she thought about sex and being a total tease, but she isn't, and that made her inconsistent for most of the first part of the book. She also has a tiny bit of a superiority complex, which turned me off from her.
Brad... I'm not sure how to categorize Brad. He was the most consistent of the two characters, and I liked him for that and for the fact that he never once tried to force anything with any woman. He was a little controlling (but also a little not, which was kind confusing...), but he was also respectful and kept his distance when he had to—no freaky, stalker vibe. So that was nice, even if he was a bit of a sex addict and apparently just too good for one woman for long to keep him satisfied. Really, he was saved from being completely sleazy because he was so forthcoming with Julia from the get-go. On the other hand, Julia is probably too forgiving with him. I liked her curiosity, and I liked even more that she didn't beg for information and then get pissed about the answer she wanted so badly, because nothing is a bigger protagonist turnoff than that. But there are some things that probably should have caused her to back off that, too soon for my liking, she became okay with. However, the author did have Julia initially stand by her decision not to be with Brad after Vegas and after she hears what he did to Broward. That helped me like the character, the book, and even the author a little more, because often times the girl runs straight back into the man's arms.
There was a little too much insta-love for my tastes, too. Because Vegas is where shit starts to go down, but the trip is also occurring, what, a week after they met? And suddenly Julia has lost all of her inhibitions, goes to Vegas, has sex with Brad, and does other stuff no one should be doing with a virtual stranger who is also her much older boss.
And speaking of that, I think the age difference thing could have/should have been a MAJOR point in the story and their relationship. Instead it was glossed over, mentioned once or twice at best, and didn't even make the list of things Julia had concerns about if she and Brad were to ever have a relationship. I'm actually one of those people who thinks people with vastly different ages can be completely compatible and perfect for each other, but I don't think a relationship like that occurs without both parties at the very least considering the potential problems. It would be talked about, be noticed by them both, but it wasn't.
What I did like about Brad and Julia together was that, even though I disagree with Brad and his views on sex, he made Julie think and made her reconsider her own views. They weren’t portrayed as abso-freaking-lutely perfect for one another in even aspect of their personalities; it wasn’t the kind of relationship where neither person thinks anything about the other should ever change because everything is wonderful and perfect (Okay, so there was a little of that. Brad: “Most women I pick apart in my mind, wishing this part or that part of them was different. But I don’t do that when I’m with you.” Really? Julia’s that drop-dead attractive? That is not the vibe I got from her). But still. I think it helped my opinion of the book that they were able to change each others minds about things, even if the conversations that led to those changes were awfully candid.
Also, I loved the addition of her friends. Both Becca and Olivia were great characters that I would have loved to see more of, but they acted just like best friends do/should/would, which helped make Julia much more relatable.
(I received a free copy of this book in the Goodreads First Reads giveaway)
mochalattie's review
1.0
I guess I should have read the reviews a little more carefully before reading this......uh. I think I actually like Brad, his views on sex are very open and honest. If he didn't want to have sex with other people he would be the perfect man. The writer did a good job because I had no clue that "swingers" was what Brad was into. After that I didn't care what happened in this story because uh NO. I disliked Julia....I didn't understand how she was living with roomates and complained to be broke but had Jimmy Choo, Minolo Blanik and a variety of other very expensive shoes. oh well I won't be reading the rest of this series unless it's the last thing on earth to read....
mefrost's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
pghreader's review
3.0
Last year, I read The Girl in 6E. This was my first and only introduction to Ms. Torre. In comparison, I cannot rate Blindfolded Innocence nearly as well as I did the other title.
That being said, a comparison rating is slightly unfair for those readers who have not discovered the other title yet.
This book was a fun read, and although the characters and plot were significantly under-developed, I could and will recommend it to others who enjoy light and relaxing reads.
If you are are offended by the inclusion of sex in novels, you might want to avoid this one. Actually, there are very few illicit scenes and you could possibly just skip those pages. They are a bit graphic, and actually read almost like an instruction manual.
I like Ms. Torre's style of writing, and although I was hoping for the same level of action and suspense provided in the other book, this one wasn't a bad read.
That being said, a comparison rating is slightly unfair for those readers who have not discovered the other title yet.
This book was a fun read, and although the characters and plot were significantly under-developed, I could and will recommend it to others who enjoy light and relaxing reads.
If you are are offended by the inclusion of sex in novels, you might want to avoid this one. Actually, there are very few illicit scenes and you could possibly just skip those pages. They are a bit graphic, and actually read almost like an instruction manual.
I like Ms. Torre's style of writing, and although I was hoping for the same level of action and suspense provided in the other book, this one wasn't a bad read.
geo_ix's review
2.0
The only reason I rated this hire than a one star is because there WAS concepts of this book I liked. I liked that there was the 'swinger' element although it could have occurred earlier, but that wasn't really what it was about I guess? But it also was or the title wouldn't have been that.
Uh. It's so hard to explain why I DIDNT like it. I didn't like the writing or the characters to be honest. Julia was a pain in my ass and while 'innocent' I'd actually say immature. Sure her ideals on sex and relationships is innocent, but the number of times I wanted to hit her? Let's just put it down to 100% of the time.
Many of the people I follow on GR have an aversion to the male (I never seem to see complains about females but maybe because they're less common) having sex with someone else. I don't have that problem. What I did have a problem with, was the fact he took a young girl to Vegas, after she kept saying she'd rather not, claimed her an innocent and all that, but left her in a 'gentlemens club' to fend for herself while he screwed someone he sees often, all of this while he's been telling her he WILL get into bed with her, like, one at a time man. Or he could have backed off when he heard her thoughts on sex (she has to 'love'... Until him).
Also about Julia, I wanted to punch her when she calls herself a cocktease. She's proud of it, which is okay, but the way the scene takes place and her thoughts on it sounded too sultry and seedy for my liking. She claims she has no attraction but looks down on people who have sex with people like that. I find that the same thing. She finds sex, sex because you're 'giving your soul' or some crap (they talk about this) but foreplay isn't sex to her and such. She's a wank, really,
I also don't see why Brad didn't come out at the start that he's into that, lots of people like threesomes and such, and I don't see how that's actually an issue like he made it out to be. Like, look for a girl who likes that stuff and you're set. The whole club/party idea and blindfolds and not knowing the people/the rules would make it even easier! Be real up front dude! Ah I don't think I'll continue even if I wanted more of the swinging type relationship the writing style isn't my thing.
Uh. It's so hard to explain why I DIDNT like it. I didn't like the writing or the characters to be honest. Julia was a pain in my ass and while 'innocent' I'd actually say immature. Sure her ideals on sex and relationships is innocent, but the number of times I wanted to hit her? Let's just put it down to 100% of the time.
Many of the people I follow on GR have an aversion to the male (I never seem to see complains about females but maybe because they're less common) having sex with someone else. I don't have that problem. What I did have a problem with, was the fact he took a young girl to Vegas, after she kept saying she'd rather not, claimed her an innocent and all that, but left her in a 'gentlemens club' to fend for herself while he screwed someone he sees often, all of this while he's been telling her he WILL get into bed with her, like, one at a time man. Or he could have backed off when he heard her thoughts on sex (she has to 'love'... Until him).
Also about Julia, I wanted to punch her when she calls herself a cocktease. She's proud of it, which is okay, but the way the scene takes place and her thoughts on it sounded too sultry and seedy for my liking. She claims she has no attraction but looks down on people who have sex with people like that. I find that the same thing. She finds sex, sex because you're 'giving your soul' or some crap (they talk about this) but foreplay isn't sex to her and such. She's a wank, really,
I also don't see why Brad didn't come out at the start that he's into that, lots of people like threesomes and such, and I don't see how that's actually an issue like he made it out to be. Like, look for a girl who likes that stuff and you're set. The whole club/party idea and blindfolds and not knowing the people/the rules would make it even easier! Be real up front dude! Ah I don't think I'll continue even if I wanted more of the swinging type relationship the writing style isn't my thing.
daniiellexk's review
5.0
It was amazing! I absolutely loved it, and honestly wouldn't be opposed to finding a Brad De Luca for myself!
hannas_heas47's review against another edition
4.0
This book has sat on my to be read shelf for awhile. I waited until the last part was released before reading it and I have to say I enjoyed it. Some people are meant to be monogamous but some just aren't and I think that is where this book is headed. I felt though that Brad took total advantage of Julia given there age difference, because she was pretty plain that she didn't want to have sex with him. She even had an emotional outburst and tears stating that's not what she wanted. Given his sexual experience he used her body's reaction against her to get what he wanted. Then it backlashes on him. Overall entertainment is four stars.
528's review
If you want to read a smutty book go for it.
If you want a romance with smut I wouldnt recommend it.
The actions of the Main charcters made no sense.
I found both equally annoying.
If you want a romance with smut I wouldnt recommend it.
The actions of the Main charcters made no sense.
I found both equally annoying.