Fans of subversive fairytales will love the twists and turns Sharp imagines into her version of Cinderella. Witches, stepsisters, curses, prostitutes Fans of subversive fairytales will love the twists and turns Sharp imagines into her version of Cinderella. Witches, stepsisters, curses, prostitutes and some borrowed elements from other fairytales creates a story that is brimming with action, suspense, humor, romance, and a huge dose of feminism. I look forward to reading more from Sharpe in the future. ...more
Offside-Law 11-Players in an offside position when the ball is touched or played by a teammate, may not becomFavorite Quote: “All the worlds a stage…”
Offside-Law 11-Players in an offside position when the ball is touched or played by a teammate, may not become actively involved in the play.
I enjoy Savage’s works. Though her stories are publicly acknowledged fan-fic, they are enjoyable. My first time reading Shay Savage was Transcendence. A time travel romance that was delightfully unique and dare I say, cute. Her Ethan Aden trilogy is a whirlwind mobster suspense romance that provides us with a dark and violent anti-hero whose redemption comes to him in the form of an abused young woman.
Offside is a mature YA that builds a high school angst tinged, over the top, drama filled emotional romance between a chauvinistic, obnoxious, narcissistic high school soccer star and a new student who fails to appreciate his “obvious” charms. Told from the hero’s point of view, Savage tells a story of love, loss, pain, and redemption. Dry wit and humorous scenes are injected randomly, giving some lighthearted moments to buffer against the more somber elements that weave their way in and out of the storyline. Smooth pacing and personable characters make for simplistic reading. The strong Twilight base was far more visual in here than any of her other books.
The story starts out slow as Savage introduces us to the main characters, highlighting the antagonism and their differences while setting up the storyline. Thomas Malone is the ‘man” at his high school and he makes sure no one ever forgets that. He has no choice. Gorgeous, rich, smart, and a talented athlete, the girls all want to be with him and the boys all just want to be him. But behind all his posturing, Thomas has problems that he wouldn’t wish on his worse enemies. His life of privilege has caused him to become jaded…until he meets Nicole. The one girl who doesn’t fall at his feet. The one girl who isn’t interested in his money, his fame, his body, or his social status. The one girl who doesn’t seem to want anything to do with him at all.
Nicole has come to live with her father for her senior year. Starting a new school with some secrets of her own, her first meeting with Thomas is less than stellar. He runs into her, literally, then yells at her for being in his way. Let’s just say she’s not impressed. When he finds out they are in biology together (sounds familiar?) the games begin. Thomas engages in some light flirting and stalking to gain her attention. It doesn’t take long before Nicole begins to see the real Thomas buried beneath the different roles he is forced to play.
Here is where the similarities to Twilight first start. They are reluctant biology partners. Nicole’s father is the town sheriff and he has “issues” with the Malones, especially Thomas. Nicole does all the cooking, her mother is a free spirit, and she has a crappy car. She is Bella even though I didn’t see much of Edward in Thomas beyond being secretive. I did like Nicole overall because her development is tailored to mesh with Thomas and Shay builds her for us to like her. She is not a pushover or over drama queen and seems to have a good level head on her shoulders but overall I found she paled against Thomas. This may also be a result of the story being written from Thomas’s pov.
Savage does well combining the dynamics of the story with the slow evolving romance and character growth. We see Thomas’s evolution from cretin to gentleman the more time he spends with Nicole and her father. He sees what a real family is like as his own is fractured. Being in a real honest relationship is new for Thomas so he screws up a lot, but you can see him trying to make it work. My heart broke for him once we learn the reasons behind the attitude we saw in the beginning. The Malone household is filled with secrets that only get worse as the story progresses.
Sexually, Savage paints some combustible steamy chemistry between Thomas and Nicole, offering lots of sexual tension, dirty talk, and a few “relief” moments. She doesn’t shy away from her characters engaging in sexual congress but she also doesn’t offer them up for shock or titillation.
The ending is an overly melodramatic affair that is typical of teen romance and uses a predictable trope to allow our hero and heroine to find their happily ever. Regardless of some filler, lag times, and the Twilight theme, Shay Savage writes an entertaining romance contemporary that fans of Travis Maddox, Mason Kade, and Remington Tate will surely enjoy.
Favorite Quote: “So I told the guy, there is no way I’m organizing your ‘play room’. You can arrange your own riding crops!”
When Caroline Reynolds agrees to sublet her bosses apartment, she has no idea of the antics her next door neighbor is involved in. Simon Parker is not a “relationship” kind of guy, evident by the harem of women he’s involved with. When Simon’s late night shenanigans finally push Caroline over the edge, she confronts Simon, only to discover that she’d like very much to involve herself in his shenanigans and his heart.
I absolutely love Alice Clayton’s Redhead series, so when asked if I’d like to read this one, I grabbed a copy and ran; cackling like a loon. Wallbanger is aptly titled. A funny, madcap, smexy romantic contemporary that had me reading straight through. Fast pacing and a smooth flowing storyline will keep you in stitches as Wallbanger and Nightie Girl begin the battle of the headboard. Filled with plenty of humor, sarcasm, engaging dialogue, and well developed characters-I didn’t stop laughing till the end.
Caroline, a successful interior designer, seems to have lost her way to the magical ‘O’ after getting mauled by her machine gun style ex lover. She has decided to take some time from dating and focus more on her life and her career. Moving into a new apartment should be exciting, except for the neighbor next door who has a different bed partner every night. After a week of loud giggling, snorting, meowing, spanking, and constant banging against her wall, Caroline has had enough, and goes next door to speak her peace. She never expects the god who opens the door, wrapped only in a low, low slung sheet with voodoo spell casting blue eyes. Regardless, Caroline lays into him, demanding he curtail his activities or at least ‘come’ at a decent hour so she can get some sleep.
Simon Parker, with his dark hair, ripped physique, and gorgeous eyes is a wet dream come true. He is a travel photographer who spends about one week a month at home. He has no time for relationships and instead has three woman whom he dates when he’s available. This works well for all four of them so he is shocked when a beautiful woman in a short pink chiffon nightie knocks on his door then proceeds to call him an inconsiderate arsehole. And so begins the battle of the wills. When her boss holds a party, who should Caroline run into but the ‘Wallbanger’ himself. After some entertaining name calling and bickering, the couple decide to call a truce and from there we watch the relationship shift from frenemies to something neither of them expected.
Caroline and Simon are hilarious in their dialog. Neither give each other a break in the beginning.
“Asshole,” I mouthed to him ”Cockblocker,” he mouthed back, the smirk returning in full force.
As they spend more time with one another, they are like a well rehearsed vaudeville act. Zingers and innuendos flying left and right.
“Oh, my God, that’s so good,” I whimpered, closing my eyes and losing myself to the sensations. “I knew you’d like it, but I had no idea you’d enjoy it this much,” he whispered, staring at me with rapt attention. “Stop talking, you’re going to ruin it for me,” I moaned, stretching and feeling myself respond to everything he was giving me. “Did you want another one?” he offered, raising up on his elbow. “Go ahead, be a bad girl—you deserve it. I know you want it, Caroline,” he teased, leaning closer. “Okay,” I managed, opening up to him once again. I closed my eyes and heard him fumbling about before putting it in. Sighing as I felt it, I closed my lips around what he offered. “I’ve never seen a woman who could take so much in one sitting,” he marveled, watching me come undone once more. “Yes, well, you’ve never met a woman who likes meatballs as much as me,” I moaned.
Caroline’s inner monologue delights as she argues and rationalizes with her inner self about wanting Simon. Simon’s promiscuity scares her and she refuses to give in to the attraction, only to become another dent in his wall.
The Giggler had said I was lovely. She basically told me Simon had told her I was lovely. Simon thought I was lovely. Was the Giggler out of the harem? Was there even a harem left? What did this mean? Would I only think in questions now? And if so, who is Eric Cartman’s father?
The chemistry between Caroline and Simon is HOT! Steamy, panty dropping, hot. I really liked we not only see the physical aspects of their relationship but we also get a wonderful ring side seat to the romance blooming between them. Ms. Clayton takes it slow, allowing them to firmly become friends while amplifying the sexual tension to max levels. I love how Ms. Clayton gives us insight into Simon’s thoughts and feelings towards Caroline even though this is from her point of view. Both of them have legitimate concerns about a future together. Neither of them want to lose the friendship they have built yet the attraction between them is becoming impossible to ignore.
The secondary cast of characters are a delight that will leave you giggling as they try to facilitate a romance between Caroline and Simon. Caroline has two bffs, Mina and Sophie, who have her back in any situation even though they are busy trying to romance a couple boys of their own.
Caroline’s cat, Clive, is the one who steals the whole show. His antics (attacking Simon’s arse when he was “hurting” mommy) and his frantic love for “the one that got away” had me in tears. I really want a Clive. Simon’s harem get in on the act too. My favorite is Purina lady. You’ll have to read to understand, but seriously, it’s priceless.
The ending is funny and heartfelt as we watch Caroline and Simon finally open up to one another and address some of the issues that were holding them both back. We get a small epilogue that assures us that Caroline and Simon have a solid chance at making it and gives us a look at “feeder’s and tall one’s” relationship from Clive’s point of view.
Alice Clayton continues to be a welcome addition to the genre of romantic contemporaries. I wholeheartedly recommend her to everyone who enjoys their couples sexy, funny, romantic, and made of pure unadulterated fun.
I'm not sure how to rate this book. I felt it fell a bit flat after the first two yet it was so much more emotional and turbulent. In a nutshell-it woI'm not sure how to rate this book. I felt it fell a bit flat after the first two yet it was so much more emotional and turbulent. In a nutshell-it wore me out. I cannot imagine being in a relationship like this. Fiction wise, it was acceptable but in real life...I'd have bailed or slapped someone silly. The constant tug of war; Christian for dominance over Ana and Ana for dominance for her independence. Having to watch what you say, wear, act, ect...Lord. Always needing approval or willing to fight in order to be a person in your own right. Even in terms of breakfast. *thud* The only thing I saw going for them was sex. I see lots of readers claiming they want their own Christian. Trust me, no you don't. In real life, Christian would have probably killed Ana then committed suicide. ...more