Title: The V Card Author: Lauren Blakely, Lili Valente
Series: Standalone
Release date: December 13
(Sub)genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 227
Buy: Amazon US ~ Amazon UK
Rating:
I received this book from Inkslinger PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A brand new sinfully sexy standalone romantic comedy from bestselling authors Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente!
When you think about how easy it is to lose keys, phones, sunglasses and your dignity on social media, you might figure it’d be a cinch for me to ditch my V Card.
You’d be wrong.
At 25, I run a successful business, live in a fantastic apartment, and have fabulous friends to go out with any night of the week. And yet I’m still a card-carrying member of a club I don’t want to belong to anymore. Good thing I know just the man for the deflowering job—my brother’s business partner and best friend.
Graham Campbell is charming, smart, and, I’m told, oh-so-skilled in the sack. As long as I keep my eyes on the prize, there’s no way this pluck-the-flower project could possibly complicate matters.
***
Work and pleasure. As the CEO of a fast-growing company, I’ve been enjoying both to the fullest. What do I do when the board throws me for an unexpected loop so I can keep my business in my hands? I enlist the help of my best friend’s little sister since she holds a big stake in the company. But then I learn there’s another big stake she wants.
The one between my legs.
I can do this. Seven nights to teach her everything I know in the bedroom. There’s no way I’ll fall for her, even though she’s earning top grades in every single sinfully sexy lesson. And turns out I’m learning something too. The trouble is I don’t have the answer key to what to do when I fall hard for her.
And that throws a whole new hitch in my plans.
You’re a guy, and your best friend’s little sister asks you something inappropriate, something you didn’t expect in a million years… What would you do? The V Card tells the funny, sweet and sexy story of Graham and CJ, who know each other for a long time. It made me laugh, roll my eyes a bit (in a funny way) and swoon. I love The V Card!
“You. More. Let’s keep doing this. I’m falling for you.
CJ is young, pretty and successful, but when it comes to dating (and sex), it’s a whole different story. Sex is an unknown territory for her, and unfortunately CJ has learned virgins are a scary species for the modern-day man. So, who else can you ask for help then your brother’s hot best friend, who has quite a reputation?
“Are you really going to do this? Really? For real? A voice inside my head keeps squeaking, but I ignore that wimpy coward because this is GO time. This is the real deal. This is do-or-die.”
Enter Graham, who suddenly realizes CJ is not so little anymore, and a total hot babe who doesn’t play games like the women he usually goes for. The couple agrees on a 7-day ‘training’, just sex, no feelings and staying friends afterwards. But famous last words and all… We all know what will happen.
“The first rule of Sex Club? When the woman you’re supposed to look out for like a little sister propositions you, SAY NO. Right? How can I possibly say yes?”
The V Card is a funny romcom, written by author duo Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente. With the first one’s work I’m very familiar, the second one is a totally new-for-me author. Like other books I know from Lauren Blakely, this is a hilarious story with loveable characters, steamy moments and funny banter. The V Card switches between Graham and CJ’s POV, so the reader gets to know both of them.
Like I already said, I love The V Card. It’s a funny, fast read about a couple who suddenly become much more then just friends. Of course, there’s a wee bit of drama (how else can you have hot make up sex?), but it has nothing to do with annoying exes or over-the-top situations. Just two people who ‘need to come to terms’ with the changes in their lives, and who need to learn to communicate instead of assume what the other one might think/want. CJ and Graham, welcome to adulthood…
“You are my always.” She wiggles her eyebrows, tugs my sweaty shirt, and yanks me into her apartment. “And right now, I want all of you.” “Have me, woman.”
I love CJ and Graham, I give their story 4.5 stars.
Excerpt
As we settle in, the busboy brings the waters, and I cut to the chase. “So, I hate to crash the Sunday Funday vibe, but I invited you to brunch with an ulterior motive. I need a favor.”
She spreads her napkin on her lap with a raised brow. “What kind of favor?”
“I need you at next Monday’s board meeting. As you know, we lost an important account last month when Beaux Rêves in Paris went with a cheaper option. Obviously, they aren’t our only account, not by a long shot. But given how volatile the industry has been lately, I need to make it crystal clear to the shareholders that selling isn’t the right path. With the number of mergers and acquisitions going on, they’re seeing dollar signs, but quick money isn’t the answer. That’s where you come in.”
“You want them to hear from me because of my shares?” she asks, her brow furrowing. “We don’t have anything close to a majority.”
Though CJ inherited Sean’s share of the business when he passed away, that’s not why I need her at the meeting. CJ has a way of putting people at ease, of winning their trust and confidence. She’s a successful business owner in her own right—her accessories company Love Cycle Creations is growing by leaps and bounds every year. Plus, she was courted early on by an accessories conglomerate and she declined—totally the right call, as her company is now a rising star in her field.
I nod. “Of course, but that’s not the only reason. I need to convince them that now is not the time to explore getting into bed with a huge multinational retailer. And to do that, it’ll help to hear from someone with an insider’s stock holdings and an outsider’s perspective. I want them to hear from you in particular since you went through something so similar with Love Cycle.”
“On a much smaller scale, though. My company is tiny compared to Adored.”
“Size doesn’t matter.” I pause to wiggle an eyebrow for effect. “Well, in this case.”
A faint blush spreads on her cheeks. “You and the innuendo.”
“I do love innuendo. I also love Adored. That’s why I want to keep it the way it is—growing, profitable, and independent. I don’t want it swallowed by some faceless corporate giant.” A smile teases her lips for a moment and then disappears. I can’t read her at all, so I’m on the edge of my seat, waiting for an answer. “Please, CJ,” I add when she stays silent for a long beat. “I need you.”
“You need me,” she echoes, her brow smoothing as she sighs. She takes a drink of water, sets down her glass, and runs the tip of her tongue across her lips.
I watch her tongue move, wondering why I’ve never noticed how amazing her mouth is. She has the bee-stung lips of a cover girl, in a shade of pink so deep it brings to mind flushed, hot, intimate things.
Things I should be thinking of in her presence.
In anyone’s presence.
Resist, Campbell, resist…
Finally, just as I’m gearing up to beg, she looks up, a mysterious smile curving her lips. “I know exactly what you need, Graham.”
Damn, that sounded…naughty.
I reach for my water glass, needing something to cool me down since innocent words from a woman I’ve known forever are sending my thoughts straight into the gutter.
“But before I agree to your request,” she adds, her fingers drumming lightly on the white tablecloth, “I need something from you, too. Something I’ve been thinking long and hard about. Very long. And very hard.” Her eyes meet mine, trouble flickering in her gaze.
Glass halfway to my lips, I freeze.
Christ. Who the hell is this sexy-as-sin woman, and what has she done with CJ?
Giveaway
Everything you need for a HOT DATE!
An adorable Kate Spade hand bag to carry the essentials needed for date night ($179),
a $75 Gift Card to the Restaurant of Your Choice,
and a $50 Gift Card to your Favorite Lingerie Shop to heat things up after dinner!
Enter here: https://laurenblakely.com/everything-need-hot-date/
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