Insta-love only happens in the movies.
Insta-lust? That she’d buy into.
Until she meets take-charge club owner Landon Bennett and falls head over heels at a glance.
When hot as sin Landon Bennet offers sexy songstress Vivienne Clark a summer residency at his popular Manhattan nightclub, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime and she can’t resist. Add in the man’s obvious interest and seductive attention and life is perfect. Until she puts together the pieces of his past. Fate might have brought them together, but is the intimate relationship they’ve been building strong enough to overcome one painful fact. She’s the sister of the man who killed his twin.
Title: Better Than Sexy (previously known as Sexy Mine)
Author: Carly Phillips
Series: Sexy Series (Book 3)
Pages: 248
Genre(s): Contemporary, US
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Better Than Sexy is the third book in Carly Phillips’ Sexy Series. The heroes of all three books are best friends and co-owners of the hottest club in New York. While there is a common storyline and ‘enemy’ between all three books, they each stand completely alone. You do not need to have read the first two to understand and enjoy this one.
The other thing these friends have in common is the near insta-love they experience when they meet their women. Insta-love probably isn’t the right term. It’s more that the heroes meet the heroines and instantly want them, know it’s something special and want to pursue a more meaningful relationship with them. So if insta-love isn’t really your thing, I think you’ll still be fine with this one.
When I first read the blurb for this book and found out who the heroine was - I was inclined to dislike her. Having read the first two books in the series and knowing the back story of the three heroes and the tragedy that bonded them and led to the creation of their club - how could I like the sister of Landon’s brother’s killer?
Very easily, as it turns out. Ms Phillips has a way with her writing that made me instantly fall for Vivi. She was dynamic, talented, interesting with just the right blend of vulnerability and determination. And my love for her only increased when you realise the lengths she goes to to not hurt Landon, his partners or his family.
And of course I loved the determined, alpha Landon - even when he was being a douche. His relationship with his business partners also showed the man he was and the way he battled his feelings for Vivi. I loved their camaraderie, banter and loyal friendship. His hotness doesn’t hurt either, I suppose!
There are some fairly painful things going on for our characters but it never bogs the story down. In fact, this story fairly zipped along and I all but devoured the pages. Ms Phillips is one of my go-to readers for interesting romances with characters filled with integrity and heart. I also enjoy that you read the blurb and you think you know how the story will proceed and where the conflict will come from. And I would still enjoy the story if that were the case but Ms Phillips manages to surprise me and slightly change up the story, avoiding the obvious and intriguing me enough to continually want to keep reading. She always delivers.
And boy does she deliver on the sex, too. She is one of the best at writing the sexy times - the only time in her books where the pages are turned slowly since they’re so darn hot.
I thought this would be the last book in the Sexy series since we’ve now had happily ever afters for all three friends/business partners. However, it appears there’ll be another - the story of Amber who we meet briefly in this book. That’s a nice surprise and I’ll look forward to seeing her get her own HEA.
Carly Phillips is onto another winner with this quick, dirty and satisfying story. If you’re a fan of Ms Phillips - you’ll love it. If you’re not a fan - you will be after reading this story. 5 stars and recommended.
This book was previously titled Sexy Mine but it’s the same book and no matter its name this is the first time it’s been published [2020].
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EXCERPT!
“So this is the bedroom,” she said, looking around the immaculate space.
“Yes, it is. Feel free to put your own touches on it for as long as you’re here.”The decorator had pulled together an apartment for three single men.
She treated him to a generous smile. “Thank you.”
Knowing he’d be tempting himself and not caring, he stepped closer until her feminine fragrance filled his nostrils. They stared at each other for a long, charged moment, desire he couldn’t escape building inside him.
She met his gaze and her lips parted. It wasn’t an invitation, but her eyes still held his, and she wasn’t backing away either.
He slid his hand behind her neck, cupping her soft skin. “I know I’m your boss, so no pressure,” he said as he applied a bit to her skin. “But I want to kiss you.”
She paused. Looked up at him. Then rose onto her toes. His mouth met hers. Warm and willing, her soft lips glided against his and his entire body came alive. He tightened his grip on her neck as he slid his tongue into her waiting mouth. She tasted sweet and he deepened the kiss, wanting more of her. With a moan, her body leaned against his, her breasts pressing against his chest.
Their tongues meshed and mingled. Their harsh breathing filled the room. The kiss went on and he was in no rush to end the moment. But suddenly she gasped and pulled away.
“We shouldn’t,” she said, brushing her damp lips with her hand.
“Because…?”
She swallowed hard. “I just … I need to focus on my work,” she said, turning away so he couldn’t see her face.
He narrowed his gaze, wondering if something more was at play. A woman didn’t kiss him like she did, then back off that easily. But he also wasn’t going to push her. He’d see how things between them played out during her time here and take his cues from her. Which didn’t mean he wouldn’t play up the charm and test her resolve.
“I think the apartment will work out well.” She headed for the door.
“Do you need help moving in?”
“I’ve got it but thank you,” she said in a strained voice.
“Who’s helping?” he persisted.
“Well, Ellie. Owen wouldn’t get his hands dirty moving my clothing over. It’s fine. We’ve got it. She’s borrowing her parents’ car.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’ll be over at eight a.m. tomorrow and we’ll get you moved in.
”He wasn’t going to leave the two women to drag all her things alone back and forth up to the apartment.
“We’ll get me moved in?”
He grinned. “I’ve got partners, don’t I? All you need to worry about is packing your things up. We’ll handle the rest.”
“But–”
He placed a finger to her lips, and damned if her eyes didn’t darken with desire. She might be focused on her career, but she was interested in him as well.
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