Location
Devil’s Rock, Book #1
Heat Factor: Their attraction is very physical, and the sex is animalistic (rawr!)
Character Chemistry: They give each other spidey senses, but, like, in a hot-for-you way
Plot: Convict meets nurse volunteering at the prison, rescues her, is released, and much should-they-shouldn’t-they angst ensues
Overall: It fills a specific desire and is written (pretty well) accordingly
Heat Factor: We’ve got some dildo action!
Character Chemistry: It’s pretty insta.
Plot: Summer is trying to stop gentrification; Aiko works for a developer. Even though they’re on opposite sides of a proposed building project, they can’t help wanting to date.
Overall: This book made me irrationally angry.
Heat Factor: The making out is hot and heavy (plus there’s some sex, too)
Character Chemistry: Their families believe it instantly, but there’s no way this can be anything but fake. Right?
Plot: Kris and D’Vaughn are on a reality show where they have to convince their families that they’re in love—and then plan a wedding together
Overall: Utterly charming
Heat Factor: Planning ahead never felt so good
Character Chemistry: Y’all. On the narrator side it’s a slow bi awakening this-new-friend-is-a-lifeline to oh-damn-I’m-actually-in-love-with-him while on the other end it’s CLEARLY an unrequited crush. I did a little happy dance.
Plot: Luke’s teen son won’t talk to him, his estranged wife is tragically dead, and his emotional state is terrible. Luckily he meets Landon, his son’s best friend’s dad, who encourages him to join the football booster club to repair his relationship with his son. Unluckily, he’s just realized he’s actually in love with his new best friend.
Overall: What is all this wetness on my face?
Lone Star Legends #3
Heat Factor: It’s medium spice–there are certainly scenes but they’re not down-to-the-minute detailed and they aren’t too plentiful
Character Chemistry: Initially very juvenile and irrational but ends up mature and deep
Plot: Paisley moves back to her hometown after the untimely death of her father, convinced that her first love’s family is behind it. Crockett is still as smitten as ever, but until Paisley sees that his family is pure as the driven snow, they can’t be together. Plus, the unhinged and abusive brother wants to kill everyone.
Overall: It’s a classic western, slower paced and sometimes a bit flat, but the plot ultimately carries the story just fine.
The Smut Report 