Verity read and liked Melissab's review of Friends With Benefits (The Boulevard, #2):

"Friends With Benefits is the sequel to the very hot Maverick's Black Cat, where we first meet the smart talking Bailey and the serious Sebastian with the hidden kinky side. This book was a very well-written sexy read that really drew me into the char...more Friends With Benefits is the sequel to the very hot Maverick's Black Cat, where we first meet the smart talking Bailey and the serious Sebastian with the hidden kinky side. This book was a very well-written sexy read that really drew me into the characters and their story plus delivered some very hot sex scenes.

Bailey is an independent woman who knows what she wants in life - and what she wants right now is some hot sex but she isn't satisfied with the brawny self-centered men she normally dates. So she decides she should have sex with her friend Sebastian because he is totally different than her normal men - loyal, kind of quiet and a good guy. Sebastian was attracted to Bailey but only treated her as a friend because that seemed to be best for them. When she tells him her plan for them to be fuck buddies, he is less than pleased. He doesn't appreciate the casual way she wants to use him plus he doesn't think she can handle the way he is in the bedroom - a dominant man who likes to spank and occasionally tie up his lover. So he teases Bailey to the point where she is about to get off - then leaves her hanging. She is pissed but very intrigued by this new side of Bastian.

Bastian gets Cat to invite Bailey to a local club so she can see what he likes in the bedroom. In a private room, along with Cat and Mason, Sebastian sits with Bailey as they watch another couple do what he likes in the bedroom - a little spanking then some fun. Bailey is surprised by how much she enjoys watching it and is even more suprised to look over and see Mason and Cat having a little fun too. Things get hot and heavy between Bastian and Bailey, but the intensity of the love making scared Bailey so she doesn't talk to him for a few days since she has a tendency to run from emotions she can't handle.

Sebastian and Bailey start to work out a relationship of sorts that centers on their intense attraction for each other. Sebastian loves to control in the bedroom but he never takes it too far and he is always making sure Bailey is comfortable. Bailey is one hilarious strong woman so she can take whatever Bastian dishes out, usually with a funny quip back at him. She can accept his spanking and dominance in the bedroom but she has a big problem with him trying to have a deeper relationship with her. Bastian has intense feelings for Bailey but can she overcome a lifelong fear of relationships and dependence on a man in time to accept the love Bastian has for her?

This story was wonderful! I was laughing at times and needing a class of ice cubes at others. The relationship between Bastian and Bailey was very believable and well-written. Bailey's fear of relationships was a result of seeing her mother go through four marriages while using men to fund her lifestyle, so I can understand her reluctance to accept money from Bastian and her fear of admiting her feelings even to herself. Bastian was one of those quiet strong men who has a hidden kinky side that made him want to spank Bailey and screw the heck out of her. He was very skilled with his mouth and not at all selfish, so I can understand Bailey's intense pleasure at his hands. The spanking and dominance did not go too far, he mostly just uses his hand and a little bit of tying up. Bastian was very sweet with Bailey, he tried to be sensitive to her needs and feelings but he also knew he would have to push her a little bit so she didn't treat him as casually as she did her other boyfriends. He did one or two dumb things that pissed Bailey off but he honestly was just being a guy and they can't really help it, right? One thing about the story that is just not a big deal and I am glad - Bailey is African-American and Sebastian is white but it is never a big deal. Bastian justs sees her as an incredibly sexy woman.

Overall, I really ejoyed this story. It was emotional, sweet, funny and sexy as hell at times. This story includes some spanking, a little bit of bondage, two couples doing it in the same room (so voyarism but no touching by the other couple - do you think Mason or Bastian would share?), anal, a toy and one hilarious scene where Bailey accidently walks in on Bastian's lawyer co-worker getting a blow job and she notices that he has the biggest dick she ever saw (they don't call him Big Phil for nothing). Highly recommended but read Maverick's Black Cat by Lena Matthews and Maggie Casper first - both are hot, wonderful reads!(less) "

Verity read and liked Danielle "The Book Huntress"'s review of The Gentleman Caller:

"I think Megan Chance was depressed when she wrote this book. And I think they rubbed off on me, because I certainly had some suicidal thoughts when I finished it. But seriously, this book is really depressing. I had one of those moments when I felt...more I think Megan Chance was depressed when she wrote this book. And I think they rubbed off on me, because I certainly had some suicidal thoughts when I finished it. But seriously, this book is really depressing. I had one of those moments when I felt that a book actually added to the weight of sorrows on my chest instead of lightening it. I am a pleasure reader, so that's not a good thing to me.
Megan Chance does not write happy, fun romance novels. Her romance novels are typically very intense, emotional, and angsty. That is usually a combination that works for this reader, as long as the ending is somewhat happy enough to counteract the sadness. I'm not asking for balloons, and rabbits, and candy, but a reassurance that the couple will go on to have a happy life full of joy.

There was an action that the heroine did as a young, scared girl that I found could not get over. It had some long-lasting repercussions on her and the future. I'm not saying that she doesn't deserve understanding and forgiveness. She does. We all do. But I couldn't get past the sorrow of that action, and the fact that she was placed in a situation that caused her think this was the best decision.

The book could almost be a Southern gothic, the way the hero goes to stay with a family that is full of dark secrets, sorrow, and a bit of madness. Don't get me wrong. It wasn't over the top, but subtle enough that it was apparent with some further reading. Oh, lets not forget the archytpes of a Southern gothic novel. The embittered old maid sister (the heroine), the younger, carefree, flirtatious sister is clearly headed for a tragic end, and the hero (more or less our Nick Carroway in this story). Southern gothic only works so well in a romance novel. I really think that this is one of those historical fiction novels that was snuck in by the publishers as a romance novel because the author previously wrote them. Not very nice, publishers. At least if you do, give us some joy to go along with our despair.

Ah, it's been over fifteen years since I read this book, and I frown when I think about it. The anguish it caused me weighs on my heart. I definitely did not keep this book.(less) "