Switch

May 21, 2011 ♥ Sam ♥ ~S2~Im made of awesomness rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: blog-reviews-for-my-wenchy, contemporary-romance, erotic, megan-hart, romance

Posted at http://shamelessromancereviews.blogsp...

SWITCH – I sit here staring at my computer screen, a little dumbfounded after just finishing, Switch. This is the first Megan Hart book that I didn’t really get – I just didn’t get it. I mean, I’m reading the story and I can see Harts style of writing – its real and deep – but at the same time I just didn’t feel it had much direction.

Paige loves her stationary, not just any plain old paper, we’re talking fancy stuff. One day she finds a card and...more Posted at http://shamelessromancereviews.blogsp...

SWITCH – I sit here staring at my computer screen, a little dumbfounded after just finishing, Switch. This is the first Megan Hart book that I didn’t really get – I just didn’t get it. I mean, I’m reading the story and I can see Harts style of writing – its real and deep – but at the same time I just didn’t feel it had much direction.

Paige loves her stationary, not just any plain old paper, we’re talking fancy stuff. One day she finds a card and envelope that’s been misplaced into her mail by accident, and although she knows it wrong to read it she cannot help herself. What Paige finds is a note with instructions – she reads these instructions then hastily puts the mail in the correct slot. Paige follows the instructions anyway.

Soon these instructions become more of a regular occurrence, always being placed in her box my mistake – Paige always reading them, following the instructions and placing the card back in its rightful place. Some instructions simple, some erotic.

Surrounding this story line are the relationships in Paige’s life, he ex – husband, her sexy neighbour, her work life, family and her friends. Some of these story lines were thoughtful and different but the story just didn’t seem to have much more than that. I understand the story was about Paige’s self development and empowerment but it just didn’t flow like a usual Hart story.

There were a lot of unanswered questions in the book – I wanted to know more about Paige and Austin’s divorce, it’s touched on but if what I’m thinking is the explanation then it was not justified. I wanted to know what the significance of Paul, her boss – was in the story. And what I really wanted to know was what happened to Eric.

There wasn’t as much Erotica per say as usual, and would even say that this doesn’t fall into the erotica category. The sex scenes were few and far between with more self pleasure than coupling.

But I will say on the other hand that I was kept guessing for most of the book – who was writing these instructions? Who would Paige turn to in the end? Would she fuck her boss?

It was interesting enough to keep me entertained and to keep reading it until the end, but I cant say it’s a keeper.

(less)

20 likes · like · see review

Feb 25, 2013 Tia Meador-pittaway rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: i-don-t-recommend

Spoilers!
This book pissed me off a little. Especially with the ending. Sure, she goes back to Austin, but she has started a relationship with Eric even if just a friendship that could have gone further. And then, she leaves him a note that we don't even know what it says nor his reaction. She basically used this man and he doesn't even get to defend himself or be mad. And Paige is basically a coward and doesn't reveal anything to Eric. So what happens to their relationship in whatever vain it b...more

14 likes · like · see review

May 08, 2013 Lina Siyam rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romantic

The plot and technical aspects of this book deserve no more than a 2 star rating. However, I am giving this book a 2 star rating because somehow the author has managed to keep me reading a book about a woman I did not identify with, did not sympathize with, and who I thought was a slut.

Reading this book was almost distasteful at some points because of Paige's former lifestyle, and because of her cavalier attitude toward sex and men.

However, my biggest complaint is that there is absolutely no rea...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jun 09, 2010 Jill Dunlop rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own

Paige finds an anonymous note in her mailbox. It's not meant for her, but instead it’s meant for her neighbor. She can't help but be intrigued by the strange command on the expensive paper. The anonymous notes keep coming, getting bolder and bolder. They take Paige on a journey of self discovery.

I am being sort of vague with my summary of the plot because I think one of the strengths of Switch is the unusual method through which it's told. Paige narrates in first person point of view in present...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jan 10, 2010 Teryl rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebooks, read-in-2010, rating-r

Part of the ending was a surprise, very clever. The only thing I wish for was an epilogue to know how a few of the characters were doing. An awesome book though!

7 likes · like · see review

Apr 09, 2013 Erin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-fiction, romance, erotics

This is the second book I have read by Megan Hart. I wasn't in love with how the other book ended and I feel the same about this one. Switch did end a lot better than the other one but I feel it was a bit sudden. I wouldn't say rushed because again I didn't feel it was the end of the story.
I had mostly enjoyed the writing through the book although her writing style may not be my cup of tea. Megan tends to tell a primary story in her books but then goes into a background story that really doesn'...more

like · see review

Dec 30, 2012 Bettina Rose rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Switch by Megan Hart
I started this book all up on my high-horse ready to hang and quarter the publisher for being so tacky as to put "Fifty Shades, hotter than grey" on the cover. For those of you who read my previous blog/rant, you will know I went into it a little prejudiced. I was convinced I would hate it and was shocked when I was blown away by page one. This writer has a lovely way with words and a beautiful voice.
On page nine my little writers heart had a little climax of its own when I...more Switch by Megan Hart
I started this book all up on my high-horse ready to hang and quarter the publisher for being so tacky as to put "Fifty Shades, hotter than grey" on the cover. For those of you who read my previous blog/rant, you will know I went into it a little prejudiced. I was convinced I would hate it and was shocked when I was blown away by page one. This writer has a lovely way with words and a beautiful voice.
On page nine my little writers heart had a little climax of its own when I read this; "Most of all, I love the way a blank sheet of paper looks when it's waiting to be written on. Anything can happen in those moments before you put pen to paper." Excuse me I believe I am experiencing another little moment. That won me over a little too hard, and probably also raised my expectations a little too high.
I haven't been so pleasantly surprised by a read in a long time. It had moments that really floored me and connected with me on personal level. There was a realness and a grittiness that got under my skin. But even though it got to me I do have a few complaints.
First of all as I was reading I was making a list of all the things I was going to criticise the Editor for. In the first chapter I was a disappointed by what seemed to be a lack of editing that let the writing down. Paige is looking for the perfect gift for her step-mother. We are told this, then shown this, then have memories of why, then are told again through dialogue, and then it is re-stated again! What editor wouldn't smooth that out, even if just to cut out that last line of re-stating? A good editor prunes the dead weight off a book, and I already had a terrible feeling that this read was going to have a lot of extra branches. It did. Mainly with too many memories, and too much back-story.
About a third of the way through the pace slowed, and for the life of me I couldn't figure out what direction things were taking. I felt like the heroine was wandering around aimlessly. I felt this was large due to all the excess that needed to be stripped away in editing. There were sections such as her interactions with her boss and at work that seemed to not contribute enough to the plot to warrant the time invested in them. I thought they could be cut altogether and things would have moved much more comfortably.
Still I loved it. It made me cry in places. I really felt the loaded history with Austin. I really understood and believed all the family dynamics and situations. My biggest complaint is that it did not really feel like a romance for me until the very end because Paige is so indecisive and unsure about what she wants. The things that frustrated me and confused me during the book did all come together in the end. Although I felt it ended rather abruptly considering how the pace dragged.
One thing I have to point out. For something that is intended to be very erotic I really didn't feel the sex in this book. I liked it more for the plot. Maybe because it did feel too vulgar and something was just not right... Not to mention words like C*#T in a sex scene tend to kill off the romance a for me.
Is it for you?
IF YOU LOVE: Something gritty and real, that gets under your skin then this will get to you. If you like something a little kinkier then you will enjoy. If you like an assertive heroine you will like Paige.
IF YOU HATE: Vulgarity, excessive and unnecessary use of the F & C words and sex that feels well... dirty then you probably wont like this. If you like your romance pure and uplifting this is not going to do it for you. This is no warm and fuzzy kind of romance people. This heroine has issues and allot of the story will make you feel sad.
All in all, I am happy to have read this. I went to the bookstore and purchased the physical book instead of the cheaper Kindle option and I do not regret it. It is one I will probably re-read at some stage. I am very eager to read more by this author.
Characters 4/5
Plot 3/5
Voice 5/5
Love Factor (Possible 1 point Bonus)
Rating 4.5 out of 5
Visit my Blog for more reviews and writing tips.
my link text
(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Dec 15, 2012 Just rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I read the back of the book and was immediately drawn in but once I got into the cusp of the plot I found that it moved a bit slow. I was searching for an adventure where mystery was the key element. I put this book down several times and came back to it when I had time to devote to the snail like slow pace. Main character Paige had a bucket list of problems and I found myself pitting her nonchalant manner about how really messed up her love life truly was. Battling the bullet of being recently...more I read the back of the book and was immediately drawn in but once I got into the cusp of the plot I found that it moved a bit slow. I was searching for an adventure where mystery was the key element. I put this book down several times and came back to it when I had time to devote to the snail like slow pace. Main character Paige had a bucket list of problems and I found myself pitting her nonchalant manner about how really messed up her love life truly was. Battling the bullet of being recently divorced yet still attached to a significant part of her past. My heart pulled for Paige at times and at the same time it began to quicken at how audacious, confident, bold, and empowering she was becoming in some of the most unpredictable situations. There was a part of me that identified with her family life. Being the odd ball out at times and yet still yearning to blend in. She has a family of sorts: her mother is rather kooky, her father awkward yet lascivious, and her siblings a chaotic force of their own. Her best friend isn't who she thought she should be and really who is? The only source of distraction in Paige's topsy turfy life is fancy, beautiful, expensive stationary. Paige's obsession with stationary leads to an event that transforms her entire life. She finds that there is always more to read in between the lines and takes on a new role, a more dominating one, and throws herself into reinventing the woman she has been all her life. She is getting in over her head and at the same time all she craves is more of this boldness. When she is stuck in between a rock and hard place unsure of who to turn to, her comfortable pass or a dangerously new future, she makes a decision that not only affects her but the loved ones surrounding her. Paige does the unexpected and it shocked the hell out of me.

The end of this book is not quite what you hoped for depending on who's side your routing for. For me it was bittersweet and at the same time satisfying. Somedays I feel like there should of been more to the author's conclusion, I feel the author took the easy way out and left her readers a bit anxious in the hopes for more. But sadly there is no room for more. It is what it is and for you, I hope it is great. I guess the part where I satisfied with the ending comes in when I think of how unlike Fifty Shades of Grey this book is. I love that it is not cliche or predictable. I love that there is an element of uncertainty in it and that the author is slowly weaving a storm for the readers to await. Yes, it was a slow read at first but eventually the pace moved so fast I could hardly put it down. The author is also tastefully profane in her language and word choice.

I hope I've left plenty up for the imagination and I truly recommend giving this book a reading if you are looking for something that takes Fifty Shades and throws a seriously different spin on it. I might even recommend reading this book before reading Fifty.(less)

like · see review

Nov 03, 2012 Rose rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mature, erotica, romance, tbr-challenge, realistic-fiction

Initial reactions: Sorry to say I didn't like this story much at all. I thought I would, but the story did not flow as well as some of Hart's other works, and I was hard pressed to care about very many, if any of the characters. Plus, some of the revelations really came out of thin air, and there were no resolutions to some of the character relationships, which left me disappointed.

Full review:

Having to write a review for Megan Hart's "Switch" stings quite a bit, because this was a book that see...more Initial reactions: Sorry to say I didn't like this story much at all. I thought I would, but the story did not flow as well as some of Hart's other works, and I was hard pressed to care about very many, if any of the characters. Plus, some of the revelations really came out of thin air, and there were no resolutions to some of the character relationships, which left me disappointed.

Full review:

Having to write a review for Megan Hart's "Switch" stings quite a bit, because this was a book that seems to have an interesting premise, and started off rather well in terms of the narrative flow. Then somewhere along the way, it became rough and really dropped the ball as far as having a staggering progression was concerned. It's one of those reads where I think it had a lot of interesting ideas and narrative threads, but the cohesion of those threads did not tie together well, nor did they really come to any satisfying conclusive notes. I felt I had more questions than answers once I finished the work, though I had an idea that the ending would be the way it was.

I'll start off with the positive because this story actually hooked me in the beginning with a rather interesting quirk of the heroine's. Paige is a woman who loves collecting stationery. This has a bit of a personal tie for me because (and I know people are going to rail on me a bit for this, but I'm a writer and I have no regrets) I collect different pens and journals to write in. I started oollecting different kinds of stationery (mostly of the Lisa Frank kind) when I was just 11 years old and as I grew older, I started collecting journals for their covers and using them to record my dreams, write my story ideas, or just talk about my life in some modes. I still continue that habit to this day. So to see a heroine gush over stationery and writing was an interesting and refreshing quirk for me personally, because I don't come across a lot of people who are into that. I didn't think it was too much (if anything I didn't think Hart really carried that along through the narrative in an even spectrum - it's mentioned quite a bit at the beginning of the story, but wasn't revisited that much in the narrative) in terms of getting to know what the character liked.

Tangent aside, Paige comes across a series of notes in her mailbox that aren't addressed for her, she realizes, but they are rather eyebrow raising instructions from an anonymous writer, erotic in scope. The notes begin as a series of confidence boosters and random instructions for the day, then turning into much more specific and explicit details. Paige gets a thrill from the notes and actually works herself into a position where she's following them, even if she doesn't know who the mysterious letter writer is. Along the way, she's dealing with her work as a secretary, taking care of her half-brother and dealing with family issues, fending off her ex-husband's advances and having to revisit details of her past she would rather not remember, and meeting a mysterious man she keeps running into (Eric) and being charmed by in the process.

There were times when I found myself following Paige's perspective well enough, but suffice to say - I never felt connected to her fully. I liked the tone of her voice, but suffice to say I thought the presentation of this respective story was all over the place. It was difficult to follow, though I wanted to understand more about Paige and the men in her life as well as her family. I got that she was helpful to her boss and he had a lot of flaws for a man of his consideration. I got that Eric was a charming mysterious stranger, and that Paige's ex-husband Austin is a man who loves her and keeps trying to win her affections again, but she keeps turning him down. But I never felt like I really *knew* these characters, not the way I have in Hart's other works. The connection to them was threadbare at most, and left me wanting more. Not to mention when Paige is blindsided by a family crisis towards the end of the novel - I felt it comes out of nowhere without any lead-in, and that's further confounded by the fact that it's not followed up with any kind of resolution of events (what happens to Paige's mother, and is Paige able to take care of her young half-brother?)

As far as the sensual scenes are concerned, I think this novel says a lot to the measure of body confidence, self-satisfaction and the measure of sex and power, but the sensuality doesn't really pop off the page like Hart's other works. I think this is further complicated by the lack of character chemistry/direction, and while the writing might be erotic, it doesn't come across as erotic because the reader-character connection isn't firmly established here. I was disappointed by this and I wouldn't say that this is a novel that reflects the best of what Hart's writing brings across. It doesn't reflect the level of depth that I found in works like "Dirty", "The Space Between Us", "Deeper", "Tempted" and even "Stranger" (the latter of which I had some qualms with, but still liked well enough.)

I'd recommend passing this one, though there were moments where I could see the strength of her storytelling. It just wasn't fully realized or developed to its fullest potential.

Overall: 1.5/5(less)

5 likes · like · see review

Sep 24, 2012 Candace rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

SO yeah.. I read "Switch".. I started it while hanging out at a Barnes and Noble..it was on the same display with "FIfty Shades". I read all three of those and while the writing was less then stellar.. I wanted to know what happened. So I picked up "Switch" and sat down with my Caramel Macchiato...I got to Chapter Nine and kinda tilted my head, thoughtful... Better written then "Fifty"...but..surely there had to be more then what was disclosed in the first NINE chapters! ...and there was...just...more

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 20, 2012 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I picked up this book because I like the idea of combining sexy erotica with a storyline that is enjoyable as well. I don't like typical "smut" stories, due to their lack of plot. So, after reading this book, I have to admit that the storyline was VERY GOOD. I liked the humor that the author used all throughout and found myself laughing out loud more than once. The characters were likeable and the way they ended up in the erotic situations were pretty believable. However, I only gave it four sta...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 11, 2012 Krystle rated it 4 of 5 stars

I gave this book 4/5 stars because I really liked it! It captured my interest and although the book had a lot going on with Paige and Austin and Eric and Paige's mom and her dad (whew) oh and Kira, the author seemed to space them out enough to where it wasn't too chaotic. Generally I can't stand books that have so many background things other than the plot itself but this did it pretty nicely.

That being said, I didn't find this book to be very predictable which I liked and disliked at the same...more

2 likes · like · see review

Aug 28, 2012 Monique rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. As far as erotic, I don't think it was. And that isn't what I look for in a book anyway. I look past that at the story. Whatever sex is in a book just somewhat shows I have made it out of the land of kids books.

I really thought I was going to like this book. Then in the last three chapters I was left wondering what in the world just happened!

I realize the focus was on Paige and her growth. I felt like the characters around her were growing too and that you were starting to get a feel with how th...more As far as erotic, I don't think it was. And that isn't what I look for in a book anyway. I look past that at the story. Whatever sex is in a book just somewhat shows I have made it out of the land of kids books.

I really thought I was going to like this book. Then in the last three chapters I was left wondering what in the world just happened!

I realize the focus was on Paige and her growth. I felt like the characters around her were growing too and that you were starting to get a feel with how they connected in her life. The end just seemed rushed though.

It felt like her mothers cancer was just tossed in there. And I know that was more just to show that Austin would be there for her. It just didn't feel right though.

Then the growth between her and Austin. To me it all seems physical. It didn't seem like there was any real emotion. Yeah, they said they loved the other, but I didn't really feel it. He grew up and has his own business. He cares about her. But to me it felt like he wanted to be with her more because it was what he knows rather than what is right. And those two are not always the same. I just don't think there was enough there. It just lacked something. I just didn't feel like he proved himself to her. Plus you don't really know what happened to them. You got a small taste of why they split up, but it wasn't clear as day. All in all, I felt like all they had was great sex. And a lasting relationship needs more than that...

Then there were the letters. I have a feeling that they were delivered to her intentionally. I knew as soon as she bumped into her outside of the sex store that they were from her. I just don't know how they started or why. That bothers me for some reason. Did Eric go to the store and ask to be controlled? Was it the grandson that messed up and put it in the wrong box or is that what his grandmother told him to do? I have a feeling he was told to do that. I think she was trying to give two people what they needed.

So then this brings me to the part that I cannot seem to get over. What happened to Eric? What did the letter say? Was that enough for him? Did he get what he needed out of this? How did he really feel about Paige? Was he left broken? It would have been nice to have had an epilogue or something at the end that had him reading the letter and him saying thank you and taking the band of his wrist or something. To me it just feels like he was going up there to be crushed! But to me, him and Paige felt like they had more bonds and that the chemistry was there too, but they never really experienced it.

I was just left wondering if anyone really got what they needed. Everything was left up in the air. There was no real closure. To me it felt like she did all this growth only to fall into the trap of what was easy again. So what was the point? It is as if she is back to square one.

I needed closure from this book and I didn't get it. That is why there was such a low rating. This was the type of ending that I expect from a book that has a sequel. And as far as I know, there isn't one. I hope I am wrong.(less)

9 likes · like · see review

Aug 13, 2012 Amy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

For the record, I really don't like the book cover...I could never read this book on the bus without someone thinking I'm a perv...I really like the new edition cover with the flower about to bloom.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice change from all the Fifty Shades hype. This is my first Megan Hart novel and I was not disappointed.

Being new to the erotica-romance genre, this one is by far my favorite! Unlike Ana Steele (from Fifty Shades), Paige is a strong, confident and sexual person wh...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 31, 2012 Soo rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Contemporary Romance, Erotica

Shelves: reviewed

In tangential leaps of thoughts & memories, I decided to have a little Hart-a-thon once I finished another trilogy. I wasn't sure if I would like the story because of a review I read but I figured it wouldn't hurt to try. I just finished the story.

Switch is beautiful.

As a sensualist, it's habit to perceive everything in as many ways possible. How unusual and yet fitting to read about the art & love of writing in a book. It's not often that people think about different kinds of paper an...more

2 likes · like · see review

Oct 01, 2011 Sip Ramos rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Just finished reading this book "switch" from Megan Hart. Well, from my ratings, you could say I did not enjoy it well but I did, it's just that I expected too much from this book.
What I meant is, for months I've been looking forward to reading this, I've waited long enough to read this and yet here i am, done reading but not satisfied.

Moving on, the story is centered as always to a woman. Her name's Paige, a divorced woman who by chance is still haunted by her ex husband Austin. Her ex husband...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 21, 2011 Sandy M rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, erotic, dnf

It’s been a long while since I’ve not finished a book. I usually stick with whatever I’m reading, good or bad, until done, but this time I’ve read half a dozen books since I put this one aside and I just can’t make myself pick it up again.

I’m getting ready to start Chapter 11, and I just don’t care anymore. I have no idea who the hero of this story is. Too much time is spent on issues in Paige’s life that just don’t make any difference to anything so far in the book. With most of it I was just p...more It’s been a long while since I’ve not finished a book. I usually stick with whatever I’m reading, good or bad, until done, but this time I’ve read half a dozen books since I put this one aside and I just can’t make myself pick it up again.

I’m getting ready to start Chapter 11, and I just don’t care anymore. I have no idea who the hero of this story is. Too much time is spent on issues in Paige’s life that just don’t make any difference to anything so far in the book. With most of it I was just plain bored. Shopping with Paige for a birthday gift for her stepmother, which the woman won’t like, and then going through the party itself lends nothing to the concept of this book. And there are other similar issues too. Getting to know Paige maybe? Fine, but I have to like the character first before I want to get to know her/him/them. There’s really nothing so far that makes me like Paige all that much.

Paige is in her mid 20s, lives alone, has a job she likes okay with a so-so boss. She goes out now and again for a night on the town with her best friend, who really turns out not to be that good of a friend after all. Their latest jaunt takes them to a local bar where Austin just happens to be. This is Paige’s ex.

She’s irritated that the friend told Austin where they were going, not wanting to be near him because of the way he treated her, but she ends up having sex with him anyway. He tries to tell her he’s changed, to give him another chance, but she won’t listen. Just heads home and life goes on as usual.

But the unusual that happens is bizarre notes are being inadvertently left in her mailbox, notes that make her think with the demands each one makes. And she’s starting to see and run into a new guy in her building. He doesn’t notice her for a while, that is until they finally have a few words at a neighborhood coffee house.

There’s other family issues and the like described in detail as they come along, but that’s it for eleven chapters. I figured the new guy is going to the hero after she leaves Austin behind, but still nothing of any substance has yet to happen because the man is hardly in the story at all. At this point I’m not even curious enough to keep reading to find out which man wins, nor am I curious enough to find out who the switch is and how Paige fares in being submissive.

The story just doesn’t grab a reader. It’s very slow. The characters aren’t all that interesting. The one sex scene in all those pages is good, enough to make me like Austin at that point. But that’s not enough.

Maybe I’m giving up too soon. Maybe in Chapter 11 things start to move in the book, things become more clear. I’ll never know.

See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com (less)

12 likes · like · see review

Mar 14, 2011 ♆ BookAddict ~ La Crimson Femme rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: erotica, femdom

I never know what to expect from a Ms. Hart book. Her mind takes odd twists and turns and her endings aren't always what I wanted. It's not that she doesn't provide HEA or HFN endings, it's more, the endings are not what I anticipated or wanted for the characters. This is the second book in a row where the main character ended up in a place I wasn't expecting. Ms. Hart likes to throw curve balls, that's all I can determine.

In Switch, a cleverly titled novel, Paige starts out wanting a brand new...more

5 likes · like · see review

Feb 14, 2011 Manuela rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: venduto, contemporaneo

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Dec 05, 2010 Darcy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010

I found this book to be an oddly sweet story about Paige and her self discovery. Being the child of an illicit affair between her parents, it has seemed to color her life. Her and her mother were more friends then parent/child, Paige was definitely a wild child growing up, and is now just settling into herself and who she wants to be. It is a fight she has worked hard on.

Paige has a love of paper, the kind of specialty paper that is only used for special occasions and is very expensive. It is t...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 17, 2010 Alina rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: erotic-romance

The plot and technical aspects of this book deserve no more than a 2 star rating. However, I am giving this book a 3 star rating because somehow the author has managed to keep me reading a book about a woman I did not identify with, did not sympathize with, and who I thought was a slut.

Reading this book was almost distasteful at some points because of Paige's former lifestyle, and because of her cavalier attitude toward sex and men.

However, my biggest complaint is that there is absolutely no r...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 15, 2010 Robert Beveridge rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: finished, amazon-vine, owned-and-still-own

Megan Hart, Switch (Spice, 2010)

It occurred to me while I was reading Switch that the “erotic romance” genre—now a business that turns over many, many millions of dollars annually for prestige publishing houses—consists of the same books we had to buy from seedy bookstores we needed fake IDs to get into when I was in high school. Sure, there's a shade more character development and not quite as much sex as you'd expect from a title Beeline put out in the early eighties, but for all intents and p...more Megan Hart, Switch (Spice, 2010)

It occurred to me while I was reading Switch that the “erotic romance” genre—now a business that turns over many, many millions of dollars annually for prestige publishing houses—consists of the same books we had to buy from seedy bookstores we needed fake IDs to get into when I was in high school. Sure, there's a shade more character development and not quite as much sex as you'd expect from a title Beeline put out in the early eighties, but for all intents and purposes, this is porn that cleans up pretty nice. Far be it from me to complain; I had more than my share of Beeline paperbacks in high school and college. The risk, however, with introducing more traditional aspects of the novel is that you'll get people thinking about things other than sex, and thus analyzing your output more closely. Thus, when Switch falls off a cliff in the final chapters, it's a lot more annoying than it was in, say, Suzi Likes It Rough twenty-five years ago. Ah, the stigma of respectability.

Paige is a career girl from the country; she moved to the relatively large town of Harrisburg, PA, in order to both give herself an upward path and flee from the beauty-queen-with-no-brain image—and the husband—she had in rural Lebanon. And things seem to be going well for her. She knows what she wants, and she's got a good idea how to get it. Everything changes, though, when a note accidentally slipped into her apartment's mailbox (meant for the apartment three floors below hers; the address was smudged) gives her an insight into a kind of private life she never knew existed. She finds herself enjoying it, and her new boldness finds her not only flirting with a hunky doctor from her building, but seems to be attracting her boss, as well. And then there's the ex-husband Austin, who's moved to Harrisburg as well, though whether it's to pursue business opportunities or pursue Paige is subject to debate.

It's all going along rather well for a while. Paige is a good character, far better than what I'm used to in books like this (even from more “legitimate” porn presses like Black Lace), with a solid psychological foundation and reasons for pretty much everything she does. Believe it or not, folks, a three-dimensional character in a porn novel. Oh, excuse me, an erotic romance. Because Paige is so finely-drawn, however, many of the book's other characters stand out as being stereotypical or shallow. Paige's dad's new wife is about as stereotypical the wicked-stepmother as they come, and both Eric (the hunky doctor) and Austin are straight out of the pages of half the romance novels you've ever read. (For that matter, if you can't see Kim Basinger in 8 Mile playing Paige's mom from page one, you're a better man than I, Gunga Din.)

Contrasted to that is the sex itself. I'm not sure what book some of the other reviewers were reading, but it isn't Switch. Steamy scenes aren't splashed across every page here, but they're not rare, and depending on your particular kink, some of them are pretty darned hot. (Don't we all have a little of the voyeur in us? Hart plays to it very nicely about halfway through the book.) But then, maybe that's another part of the price of trying to legitimize porn; the real pornhounds are going to attack you for the book not being erotic enough. Unless you're another pornhound, don't listen. The book's all kinds of hot, albeit sporadically.

Something to note, and I apologize in advance if I'm wrong about this (I'm not at all familiar with the D&S community): about two-thirds of the way through the book is a section, involving the subplot between Paige and her boss, that may well piss a lot of people off (Hart links, strongly, D&S games to mental illness). Be warned. I thought the execution of that scene was tastefully done and sensitive, but the association itself left a bitter taste in my mouth. Again, I may be wrong about this, and there may be a body of academic literature to support that link. But be aware it's there.

And then comes the final few chapters... which tell me that this book had a length limit and Megan Hart found herself crushed against the word-count wall. This is as abrupt and frustrating an ending as that of David Cronenberg's film Videodrome, but without any of the ambiguity that made that ending worth talking about. Twenty pages from the end, Hart still has her heroine juggling princes. Then, all the sudden, everything wraps up in the neatest, most predictable way possible. It made me want to hit myself in the head with the book. In fact, I think I may have.

In other words, you may like this book. You may hate it. I don't think it's good enough for anyone to put it on the short shelf of sacred texts, but it's a fun way to kill a few hours as long as you don't mind shallow characters. ***
(less)

5 likes · like · see review

Mar 04, 2010 Cherise rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-or-review-copy, erotica

Paige is a lover of stationary and pens. She appreciates the different colors, textures and thicknesses of good writing paper. She appreciates the silky smooth flow of the ink when it meets paper. She even enjoys the unique smells inks and papers have.

When she opens her mailbox in the lobby of her upscale apartment building, she is puzzled and equally thrilled to find an envelope and card, made of the high quality linen, containing instructions for the beginning of a sort of game. The card give...more Paige is a lover of stationary and pens. She appreciates the different colors, textures and thicknesses of good writing paper. She appreciates the silky smooth flow of the ink when it meets paper. She even enjoys the unique smells inks and papers have.

When she opens her mailbox in the lobby of her upscale apartment building, she is puzzled and equally thrilled to find an envelope and card, made of the high quality linen, containing instructions for the beginning of a sort of game. The card gives simple instructions for the reader to make a list of 5 flaws and 5 strengths and deliver them to an address by a certain date. When Paige looks closer at the address on the envelope she discovers that the envelope was placed in her box by mistake. She reluctantly puts the envelope in its correct box but decides, for kicks, to follow the instructions anyway.

Over time more letters and instructions are mistakenly placed in her box and Paige always opens them, reads them and then promises herself to obey the instructions before placing the cards in their correct mailbox. The cards instructions range from the simple, like what to wear, to the sexual, like writing in explicit detail an essay about your most erotic experience.

The notes add a mystery to the story, as to who is sending them and who is really receiving them. They also add a sexual and voyeuristic aspect to the story. Paige discovers a little bit more about herself via the letters and their tasks.

While the letters are an important part of the book, Paige’s relationships with the people in her life are really center stage. Her family, her boss, her friend, her ex-husband and the hottie in her building, all add to the fabric of this compelling tale.

What I like about Megan Hart’s writing is she always has me assuming the story is going to be about one thing, like this one and the letters, and then she always surprises me with added complexities and emotional ties that place her books on a whole other level. It’s not just about the sex, although that is always a huge plus, it’s about all those other human reactions and emotions that come into play in and out of the bedroom.

She has Paige exploring all the feelings and emotions that spark with a new love interest, the excitement that comes with the new and unknown, the promise of discoveries and firsts. Then she has Paige reexamining old relationships and the excitement that comes from comfort and the knowledge of each others bodies and of wants and needs and the fulfillment of those things without having to ask or instruct.

I was completely spellbound by Switch from page one, and could have devoured it in one sitting. The erotica is exemplary, the story salacious. Switch is highly recommended to fans of erotica and anyone who enjoys both complete control and complete submission.

Cherise Everhard, March 2010(less)

4 likes · like · see review

Nov 20, 2012 Lisa Waters rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Jan 14, 2013 Laura Reed rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bdsm

I really did not like this story very much. The general premise is great and it could have been soooooo much better if the story had an actual climax to it. The ending did not really make sense at all, I get why she left Austin and I kind of understood why she got back with him. But the whole time she's basically saying something inside of her needs to be a Domme and in her relationship with Austin that was not going to happen.

Paige receives these anonymous notes that are not meant for her but...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 11, 2013 Melissa Marlow rated it 5 of 5 stars

Submission is a relief when life is so hectic that sometimes you just don’t want to think. It was the secret notes that were making it into her mailbox by mistake that made her submit. Waiting, wondering, and reading each one allowed her to tap into the unknown, just before forwarding it to the rightful owner.

Eric, a man she met in passing, a man she noticed, a man she smiled at. Could this be her new beginning? Could this be the person receiving the notes? When she finds out she decides to carr...more

like · see review

Jul 23, 2012 Krystal rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was something I found at Target one day while I was bored. It sounded different (playing by her rules) kind of thing so I thought I would check it out. For $12, it wasn't bad.

I was kind of disappointed by this book. It had its hot moments, don't get me wrong. It took me a while to really get into this story. It didn't really capture my full attention until she started talking to Eric & writing him the secret notes. I liked Austin. I have mixed feelings about this overall story beca...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jan 18, 2010 Pauline Allan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary

Once again, Ms. Hart has blown me away. I enjoyed her first person point of view as Paige, a woman who has stumbled through a difficult past to find her inner strength and build a new future. This book didn't make me huff and heave with tears like Deeper and Broken, but it made me re-evaluate and appreciate the relationship I have. This author is a master at building characters women can relate to and travel on a personal journey with. Without a doubt I have decided that I must find a pen pal th...more

3 likes · like · see review

Jan 23, 2010 Tiffany Danner rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010-reads, for-review

This was my first Megan Hart book and I wasn’t sure what to expect. From the cover I expected Switch to be steamier than it was. Don’t get me wrong, there is lots of smex and steam, but I found the story to be more about Paige figuring out who she is.

Paige is a young, mid twenty year old woman. She has a weird obsession with stationary. I have to admit I have never thought about paper and pen in the ways she does…. but I enjoyed reading about it! At first I had a hard time connecting to her, or...more This was my first Megan Hart book and I wasn’t sure what to expect. From the cover I expected Switch to be steamier than it was. Don’t get me wrong, there is lots of smex and steam, but I found the story to be more about Paige figuring out who she is.

Paige is a young, mid twenty year old woman. She has a weird obsession with stationary. I have to admit I have never thought about paper and pen in the ways she does…. but I enjoyed reading about it! At first I had a hard time connecting to her, or even liking her. She came across as harsh sometimes, especially in her reactions with her ex-husband Austin. Even after finishing the book I am not sure that I understand what went so horribly wrong in their relationship and why she was so hurt by him. I don’t want to give anything away, so I am being vague, but there was a flashback that I think was the supposed reason however I found myself siding with Austin in that scenario. I am happy to say that Paige did grow on me as I got to know her. I enjoyed seeing her grow through the tasks she took upon herself from a neighbors’ anonymous notes.

Paige finds herself torn between her ex-husband Austin and a dark and sexy neighbor Eric. What is worse is that I found myself torn between the two men! One chapter I was rooting for Austin and wishing he would just show up on her door and stay there until she came to her senses. The next I was cheering Eric on hoping he would make a move! In the end I was totally Team Austin, but it was a close race. His devotion and trust in Paige was so sweet, I couldn’t bear to see his heart broken.

Outside of the relationship plot, I enjoyed the story. I liked her quirky boss Paul and the relationship she has with her half siblings. The story borders on being too busy when you add in the work and mom/dad plot lines and because of that drags a bit in the beginning. I would have liked to quick epilogue and I really really really want to know what was in the last note. Maybe I can bribe the author with cookies? Switch overcomes these minor flaw with its’ steamy eroticism, interesting personal adventure, and sexy men! This will definitely not be my last Megan Hart novel.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Dec 22, 2009 Sophia (FV) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

RATING: 4.5 STARS

The cover on this book jumped off my computer monitor and screamed, “You must read this book!” I immediately clicked for a better look and something strange happened. You know those optical illusions where you look at a picture and your brain interprets it one way, and then you can look at it again later and your brain will interpret it in a completely different way and you’ll see a whole new picture? That’s what happened for me with this cover. At first I saw a sexy cover that...more RATING: 4.5 STARS

The cover on this book jumped off my computer monitor and screamed, “You must read this book!” I immediately clicked for a better look and something strange happened. You know those optical illusions where you look at a picture and your brain interprets it one way, and then you can look at it again later and your brain will interpret it in a completely different way and you’ll see a whole new picture? That’s what happened for me with this cover. At first I saw a sexy cover that convinced me I needed to check this book out. Then, next thing I know I saw a man, with a deformed bicep, sniffing his own armpit, lightly touching his own head. Huh? I knew this was ridiculous but no matter how I tried to reconcile, all I could see was the weird bicep guy. Then, as fast as the weird bicep guy appeared, poof he was gone and gorgeous guy nuzzling his lovers thigh, while she lovingly touches his head was back. I am aware that by publicly admitting this that I’m providing solid proof of my impending insanity, but whatever, my secret was bound to get out sooner or later. So now that we’ve established that I’m well on my way to the loony bin, let’s talk about one of the best erotic romances I’ve read this year.

I know some people are turned off by a story written in first person because they feel they miss out on the other characters perspective, but I generally like it. I think it makes it easier to sympathize with the protagonist, understand where they’re coming from and why they do what they do. However this was not the case for me in Switch. Although I enjoyed reading from the main character’s point of view, I was all over the place in who I was rooting for, and how I felt about the main and secondary characters. I think switch is a good description of my loyalties to the characters in this book. This novel was an emotional ride for me to say the least.

Paige is a young, single twenty-something working hard and living in one the areas hottest new apartment buildings. When she finds a note in her mailbox meant for someone else, she decides to take a peek. Paige realizes the note is from a Dominant, meant for his/her submissive and she becomes intrigued and a just bit aroused. She commits it, and all the others that follow to memory so she can carefully follow their instructions. Discipline is the theme of the notes and it’s something Paige seems to crave in her life.

Through the notes, Paige develops an anonymous pseudo Dom/sub relationship first with the sender and then later with the receiver. In the course of her pseudo relationships, Paige begins to work through her relationships with her parents, boss, friends and her romantic partner. Some of her decisions and actions frustrated me but it’s part of what made this novel so great. Megan Hart has written a story that effectively took me on an emotional journey from joy to frustration to anger with a few erotic twists and turns.

There is one particular scene where no one actually has physical sex with with anyone else but I must say it was an incredibly titillating scene. Actually there are two “sex but no sex” scenes that will get your blood boiling.

Megan Hart’s erotic writing style is sizzling hot, but it doesn’t overpower the heart of the story which is very important to me as a reader. I definitely want to read more from this author and if her other books are anywhere near good as this one, I will safely say Megan Hart has reset the bar in what I expect from an erotic romance. This novel was a winner for me.(less)

3 likes · like · see review

title link	preview: Switch
avg rating	preview: Switch Goodreads rating: 3.28 (3842 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14744401-switch?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1351198274l/14744401.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14744401-switch?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Switch by Megan Hart[/url]

Switch

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (18)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Megan Hart

Books by Megan Hart

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Switch

Quotes from Switch