Other – In which we review books written before Y2K
Heat Factor: Sorry, not sorry: sex outside marriage will disappoint both Bree and God
Character Chemistry: Simply, no
Plot: Bree promised herself that she would never be with an unbeliever again, so it’s a real problem that her current assignment is, like, the love of her life. (We know this because she falls out of love with the old guy and into love with the new guy in 24 hours.)
Overall: So. Much. Jesus. And OMG the end. I can’t.
Heat Factor: There’s no whoopie and minimal other stuff. The real heat comes from the drrrrrrama.
Character Chemistry: Blaise and Shannon are kind of a classic “you can’t deny their chemistry” type couple, and I could see people really liking this in the 80’s.
Plot: Shannon is recovering (pitifully) from a car accident (which resulted in the loss of her vision) caused by her ex-fiance when she’s swept up by her ex-fiance’s half brother, who is determined to white knight the shit out of her.
Overall: Do you like both romantic AND family drama? Do you like silly ninnies who are mostly helpless? How about emotionally immature men who don’t know how to have feelings? Do you like heroines whose career goals involve helping a brilliant man? This one’s for you.
Heat Factor: Bruising kisses, plus one scene where they remove all their clothes (but don’t get far because Rick has broken ribs)
Character Chemistry: They bring out the worst in each other
Plot: Robyn falls for an older man, and then discovers he’s not who he says he is
Overall: If you dig dubcon kisses and predatory age gaps, then this was a quick and oddly compelling read
Heat Factor: It’s not just a bunch of hot air, this one gets steamy.
Character Chemistry: I mean, it’s basically Tom Selleck and Linda Hamilton in a book involving blimps, how could there not be chemistry?
Plot: Lexy has carved out a space for herself in the very male-dominated airship ground crew industry. But then womanizer Cameron Ramsay joins the crew and throws everything off, with his furry chest and bristly mustache and dimples. How will she manage to withstand the misogyny and his heated glances??
Overall: This was actually fascinating. Cameron starts out just genuinely gross—he lies to her about who he is, asks her out, and then punishes her for rejecting him. But then…
Heat Factor: The whiskers get a bit frisky, but it fades to purple
Character Chemistry: Eh
Plot: Elaine is living her routine hockey life until Roland gets sent down from Edmonton and shakes things up
Overall: This was significantly less infuriating than I expected.
The Smut Report 