Dirty Rowdy Thing

October 15, 2014
The pseudonymous writing duo behind Beautiful Bastard (2013) continues the Wild Seasons series with a sequel that is both dirty and rowdy.After a quickie wedding in Vegas, Finn Roberts and Harlow Vega have gone their separate ways despite the explosive chemistry they shared. While Finn struggles to keep his family's Vancouver fishing business afloat, rich girl Harlow is paying her dues as an intern at NBC's San Diego headquarters. Neither of them is ready for anything serious, but when a friend's comic-book store opening brings Finn to Harlow's neighborhood, they can't deny their lingering feelings for long. Many love scenes later (most involving Finn tying Harlow up with rope), they learn that communication is the foundation of a good relationship when Finn discovers that Harlow's mother has cancer and Harlow learns that Finn may have to star in a reality series to save his company. In addition to casual sex, the two distract themselves from more serious life issues with authentic regional fun involving comic books and craft beers with their friends, who make for hilarious secondary characters. Fans will appreciate that Mia and Ansel, who were the focus of Book 1, are still together when they all meet up at the grand opening. In a story that is easily devoured in one sitting, the details are sparse but spot-on-"Apparently there are a lot of nerds in San Diego," notes Finn-and witty dialogue carries the plot swiftly to a happy ending. The romance unfolds like a series of drunken text messages, which, perhaps surprisingly, is not a bad thing.

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November 1, 2014

Lauren (dynamic duo Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings) returns with this hot and heavy follow-up to Sweet Filthy Boy. The sequel revolves around Harlow Vega, Mia's boisterous, fiercely loyal friend, and Finn Roberts, the stoic fisherman to whom she was married for barely 12 hours. Things between them ended on a less-than-pleasant note: their marathon night of passion turned sour when Finn bid Harlow a hasty morning-after farewell and all but threw her into a cab. Months later, the two put aside their differences in favor of hooking up, each seeking a casual distraction from their respective family crises. But as they spend more time together, Finn and Harlow realize their relationship might be worth more than a few wild nights. These seasoned erotica authors once again provide scorching sex scenes rife with desire, humor, and realism. Finn has a kinky side, and Harlow has a bite of her own, setting off a naughty chemistry that translates flawlessly between the sheets. The abundance of dirty talk and rope play will appeal to fans of light BDSM, as will Harlow's newfound appreciation for the erotic freedom of submission. Observant readers will note the multiple hints foreshadowing romance between Aussie comic book geek Oliver and sardonic graphic artist Lola in the next installment. VERDICT Another sexy hit that will appeal to both fans of the series and newcomers.--Ashleigh Williams, School Library Journal

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