How To Misbehave - Advance Review

How To Misbehave (Camelot #1) by Ruthie Knox

Publication date: 28 Jan 2013
by Loveswept, an imprint of Random House

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Category: Adult Contemporary Romance
Keywords: Contemporary, romance, short story, bad boy
Format: eBook
Source: e-ARC received from author via Netgalley

Synopsis:

What woman can resist a hot man in a hard hat? Beloved author Ruthie Knox kicks off her new Camelot series with this deliciously sexy original novella, in which a good girl learns how to misbehave . . . with all her heart.

As program director for the Camelot Community Center, Amber Clark knows how to keep her cool. That is, until a sudden tornado warning forces her to take shelter in a darkened basement with a hunk of man whose sex appeal green lights her every fantasy. With a voice that would melt chocolate, he asks her if she is okay. Now she’s hot all over and wondering: How does a girl make a move?

Building contractor Tony Mazzara was just looking to escape nature’s fury. Instead, he finds himself all tangled up with lovely Amber. Sweet and sexy, she’s ready to unleash her wild side. Their mutual desire reaches a fever pitch and creates a storm of its own—unexpected, powerful, and unforgettable. But is it bigger than Tony can handle? Can he let go of painful memories and let the force of this remarkable woman show him a future he never dreamed existed?

Review:

I became a fan of Ruthie Knox’s work after reading her swoon worthy romance About Last Night and was super excited to hear that she had a new series coming out. How To Misbehave is a short story prequel to her upcoming Camelot series and is a deliciously fun read that leaves you wanting more.

Amber Clark seems like your typical “good girl.” She does what’s expected of her and isn’t very adventurous. But Amber’s tired of being a good girl and super sexy contractor Tony Mazzaro is just the bad boy to bring out her wild side.

I enjoyed this fun short story and really liked both Amber and Tony. Amber is someone I can relate to. She hasn’t led the most exciting life but she’s not a boring person. She’s kind and funny and brings out Tony’s softer side. Tony is confident and sexy but hides a heartbreaking secret. He’s very closed off emotionally and it takes Amber’s sweetness and honesty to bring him out of his shell. I really felt like there was an emotional connection between the two.

I did wish that the story was a little bit longer. Amber and Nick are great characters and it would have been nice to spend a little more time getting to know them and developing their relationship. I was also a bit confused as to why this story was set in 1999 since I thought it was supposed to be a current contemp setting. I found out later that the next book in the series is set in present time and this story is supposed to take place years before. Mystery solved!

All in all How To Misbehave was a very entertaining and satisfying introduction to what promises to be a great new romance serie. It has all of the witty dialogue, great sexual chemistry, and fun smexy times that I look forward to in a Ruthie Knox novel. I am really looking forward to reading the full length book in the series, Along Came Trouble, which will be released in March 2013.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

 

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Visit the author online at www.ruthieknox.com and follow her on Twitter @ruthieknox

About Last Night - Review

About Last Night by Ruthie Knox

Publication date: 11 June 2012
by Loveswept, an imprint of Random House

ISBN 10/13: 0345535162 | 9780345535160
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N 

Category: Adult Contemporary Romance
Keywords: Contemporary, romance, opposites attract
Format: eBook
Source: e-ARC received from Netgalley

My synopsis:

About Last Night is a romance between two characters who, at first, seem like polar opposites. Former bad girl Cath has turned over a new leaf and has moved past her wild days. Though she admires the handsome and polished City (Nev), a man sees almost every day at the train station or jogging in the park, she knows that the buttoned up businessman would be a poor match for her. Then one morning, Cath finds herself waking up in his flat and it turns out the two have combustible chemistry both in and out of the bedroom. And what starts out as just sex soon turns into something more.

Review:

I was really surprised by how much I liked this book. I am not usually a big contemporary romance fan, but I saw an interview with author Ruthie Knox (from Bea’s Book Nook) where she talked about romance and knitting, two of my favorite things, that convinced me to give this one a try. Luckily it was still available on NetGalley and I was able to get an e-ARC of it. I am so glad I did, too. This is probably one of the best contemporary romances I’ve read all year. Sweet and funny, with great dialogue, About Last Night will leaving you wanting more of Cath and Nev and Ruthie Knox’s writing.

This is one of those romances where it starts off as “just for fun,” sex with no strings, even though it’s pretty obvious to all parties that it’s not. In this case it’s Cath who keeps Nev at arm’s length. Having made some pretty big mistakes in her life, a reminder of which she tattoes onto her body, Cath is reluctant to get involved with Nev. Her instincts have always been wrong and if her feelings for Nev are any indication, he could be her biggest mistake yet. And sweet, charming Nev plays along with this game while pursuing Cath relentlessly.

Let me just say that I am kind of in love with Nev. A witty Englishman with an artistic streak who’s also a beast in the bedroom? Yes, please! He’s not perfect by any means, with an uptight and overbearing family and some mommy issues, but he is pretty dreamy overall. And the love scenes are HOT! I definitely felt the chemistry between them and the sex is intense but also tender and playful at times.

Cath is a more difficult character of the two. While Nev has some issues to work through, he’s not as emotionally guarded as Cath. It’s hard not to get frustrated with her as she keeps pushing Nev further and further away. She can be pretty pig headed and sometimes I felt that her actions towards Nev bordered on cruel. But hidden behind her smart mouth and attitude is a very insecure person who doesn’t believe that she deserves love or happiness. It was really interesting to see her character evolve over the course of the book and I was rooting for her and Nev to have their happily ever after.

Just a brief note about the knitting. Yes, I love when my worlds collide and there’s a bit of knitting in a book. I loved the small knitting references and the fact that Cath is working on a knitting exhibit for the V&A. It’s clear that Knox knows what she’s talking about but non-knitters won’t be put off by it. I would not consider this “knit lit” but a book that happens to have some knitting references in it. Those who do knit will get a little kick out of having some insider knowledge (Tudor Roses, indeed).

If you’re looking for a fun, contemporary read that still packs an emotional punch, look no further and pick up About Last Night ASAP.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.


Also, Ruthie Knox is giving away 5 copies of About Last Night on Goodreads right now. You can enter up until July 20. Here is the link to enter.

 

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Visit the author online at www.ruthieknox.com and follow her on Twitter @ruthieknox