Cassie has fantasized about the ginger-haired personal trainer for months. Brian is friendly, but never more—until he appears on her doorstep and shows her how much her flirting has affected him. The more she’s with him, the more Cassie wants the fairytale, not just hot sex with the 6’2” hunk. She can give Brian full access to her body, but after her ex’s reaction to her explicit photography business, sharing her secrets, and her heart, isn’t an option.
Brian knows better than to break the rules. Don’t date gym members. Keep his inner beast on a leash during sex. Cassie tested his resolve on number one her first day in the gym. Shattered the second rule when he touched her. The petite pixie shares his preferences in the bedroom. She makes him laugh and love—but past mistakes haunt him, emotionally and tangibly. Cassie’s worth the price he’ll pay for breaking the rules. Now he must convince her to give him her heart.
Karla grew up in a small town on the north shore of Lake Erie. She trained and worked in the fashion industry for over two decades, before embracing the writing muse. When she's not writing romance, Karla loves spending time with her family, friends, and pets, reading romance novels, and playing online Scrabble.
4 - "Secrets... they always come back to bit you in the ass." Stars!
I am a fan of Karla Doyles books, her characters are always entertaining in their interactions, and sexy hot in their coming togethers, and her story-lines are always a little bit different from your normal romance.
Brian and Cassie are certainly no exception, one is a Personal Trainer at Iron Works gym, with aspirations of more in his future, and the other is a member, with a sexy photography business in her basement. Both of them are lusting after the other though, and the chemistry between them sizzles, lots of innuendo and banter ensues between lashings of sexy-times. Cassie isn’t shy in going after what she wants, and her confidence in Brian, gives him the courage to show her exactly how he likes things in the bedroom, luckily his particular tastes, match up pretty well with hers.
She wanted him. Daytime, night time, as much as she could get.
Both have secrets, and are keeping things from the other as they work towards a more meaningful relationship, and the path to true love is definitely not smooth for them, in fact I would go as far as to say the Sat-Nav malfunctioned pretty early on. More than a few wrong turns are taken, and a couple of dead ends hit before their co-ordinates match up completely and they are heading in the same direction again.
I love me some alpha male, add in wood chopping, kilts and a huge side order of sweet, and Brian was absolutely adorable, even when he goes about things in the wrong way you can tell that his heart is 100% in the right place. Cassie has been burned by love in the past so is wary of fully committing and giving her heart away again, and initially tries to keep things light between them, but it’s not long before she realizes that this might be a guy to hold onto.
As you would expect there is more than a dash of drama in this one, some of it a little over the top, but all-in-all, I really enjoyed this couples story, and the calories I burned reading of all the workouts (sexual or otherwise) that they partook together.
ARC generously provided, in exchange for the above honest review.
Cutting 1 star because a lot of topics were not totally covered by the end of the book which was a little irritating. Apart from that, a good book.. I enjoyed it.. I liked the authors writing style.. enjoyed the steam- HOT... But as I said, some topics were not properly covered, even in the steam department..
this book should have been longer and more detailed.. it would have totally been a 4-4.5 star book.. but well.. covering the topic of
That said, HOT cover.. the characters - I enjoyed..
Cassie has had her eye on one of the trainers at her gym for months. After flirting with him and not getting any reaction she decides that he isn’t interested and vows to stop flirting. Brian has noticed Cassie. In fact, if it wasn’t for a clause in his contract he would have made a move on her months ago but the threat of being fired makes him keep his distance. Until one night when Cassie forgets her phone at the gym and Brian returns it to her. Once he’s at her house, he decides to throw caution to the wind and make his move.
I loved Brian. Over six feet of muscles, red hair and a beard. He is also the sweetest guy to Cassie. He’s thoughtful, loving, gentle and rough (in bed and other places of course). Whatever Cassie needs at the time. He ends up being more open to Cassie that she is to him. Cassie has major trust issues with men. After she was seriously hurt (emotionally) by her ex fiancé she doesn’t really trust men. Even when Brian is giving her no indications that he will hurt or betray her trust, she just won’t give in. It becomes one of the main elements in the story. Personally I thought she should just let it go and not judge Brian by another man, especially after he proved over and over that he was more trustworthy but Cassie was stubborn.
From the first chapter these two sizzle in and out of bed. The sex was hot, plentiful and varied. Brian was very creative when it came to sex and Cassie was willing to try pretty much whatever he wanted. Both especially liked to be a little rough so there was some light bondage, spanking ect.
I really enjoyed reading about Brian and Cassie. There were times that I was wanting to pull Cassie through the screen and shake her for how she acted but I could understand her fears. I wanted to pull Brian through the screen as well but for completely different and selfish reasons. I did feel like the ending was a little too drawn out but I enjoyed the brief glimpse into the future.
I would like to read more by Doyle. I enjoyed her writing and felt a connection to the characters from the beginning. I like how she slowly brought in new characters and didn’t overload the reader with too much information at once. This was my first book by her but it defiantly won’t be my last.
A steamy hot romance with an adorable couple. Conflict is there in the book, but it comes from external factors, like a sleazy boss etc. so I enjoyed it.
4,5 stars I really enjoyed Karla Doyle's third book. I was expecting Cassie and Brian and their story to be just as good as the other books and I am happy to report it was. It was definitely hotter than the other books (this is always a good thing) and with every book Doyle's writing is getting even better. What doesn't change is the playful, humorous voice that comes through via her characters and their interactions.
The conflict had me worried for a bit a few chapters in as there were things not said and assumptions made that I just knew were coming back to bite both Brian and Cassie in the butt. However, I loved how the issues (Brian's and Cassie's) weren't drawn out and both of them just didn't make a big deal over the other one's issue.
The only minor point of criticism I have is that I missed a little build up in the beginning. Though Cassie and Brian have known each other a couple of months before the book starts it gets hot and heavy BDSM-ish very soon. I understand why as they both are intense and find the same intensity and roughness they both crave for in each other but still I would've liked to see a bit more building up towards that first intense sexual encounter.
This being said, I loved the sexy parts of the book! Brian and Cassie match each other perfectly in the sexual sense, they're uninhibited and aren't shy about going at it whenever they feel like it. Ms. Doyle was original with the sex scenes and there were numerous times I had to fan myself while reading.
I loved the secondary cast, except for one, in this book. My fave was Sam and I hope to read his book some day. But Brian's parents and brother are brilliant too. I loved them! The character I didn't like was so well-written I wanted to dive into the book and kick him in the balls. This character was involved in Brian's conflict and I was very happy with the way he was dealt with.
There's been a lot of buzz about dirty talking heroes lately and as one who has been on the look-out for them since I started reading English romance novels in 2006, I can attest to Brian's dirty talking skills. Hot and bothered was a state I regularly found myself in.
Karla Doyle's voice and I are a great match. I've loved all the books she written and if you're looking for a super-hot sexy contemporary with great, witty characters and a hero to melt for, definitely give BODY OF WORK a try!
Fave Scene: - hide and seek during the blackout > awesome scene, oh and did I mention hot? Muy hot! - Cassie's visit to Brian's parents for the first time > loved this scene for many reasons, Fiona (Brian's mom) was one of them.
Fave Quotes: “You dropped your—” The door inched open. Wide open. Holy hell, there went his jaw, all the way to the ground. He’d seen Cassie in gym clothes and street clothes. Hot, sexy, adorable—those descriptions all fit, depending on the moment. Cassie in a silky, Oriental-patterned robe that barely reached the tops of her thighs and didn’t close all that well in the front, wet hair framing her face…a word didn’t exist to describe the sight.
Even as a card-carrying member of the I Love C#ck society, Cassie couldn’t help staring at Beth’s perfect rack,
Trust Sam to say exactly what he meant. The women he dated didn’t always appreciate that quality, but Brian did. Honesty beat the hell out of pussyfooting around and lies any day.
Haggis, in particular, sounded nasty. Then again, there’d been a time she felt that way about butt plugs.
“I don’t deserve you.” “You’re right, you deserve a hell of a lot better. I’m just hoping you’ll settle for an unemployed brute with a criminal record who’d do anything for you.”
I read Karla Doyle's book, More Than Words, months ago and really enjoyed it. Therefore, when Body of Work released, I was excited to dive into this one. I mean, just look at the cover. All I can say is hot cover, hot book!
While More Than Words was sexy, Body of Work was that times ten! I mean, Ms. Doyle amped up the steam factor in this one and I'm not complaining in the least. I'll just say that Brian & Cassie both had a very healthy sex drive and they both made the pages smolder. The sex scenes were plenty, highly erotic and varied and never repetitive which is always a good thing. There were the tender love scenes and then the intense out-of-this world fucking ;)
As for the characters, Brian and Cassie, I had no issues with them. In fact, they were very easy to like. I definitely adored Brian a lot. He was this complete gentleman who was loving, caring, and attentive towards Cassie and oh boy, all the delicious and wicked things he did to her was hot! I mean that scene up against the tree was pretty spectacular ;)
Cassie was a likeable heroine as well. She didn't do anything or had traits that made me want to slap her so that's always good :) Although, she backed away from Brian towards the end which created the mini conflict in the story, I could understand why due to her fears. But, I was glad that they hatched things up and everything was resolved easily. I would've loved an epilogue to glimpse more into their future together, but still thought the ending was sweet.
In the end, reading Body of Work was a total enjoyment for me. Readers looking for a hot book with explosive sex, a sexy six-foot-two ginger-haired alpha hero, and a fun & flirty story, Body of Work is the book for you.
"If I had my way, I'd tattoo my name on your pretty little body as a warning to anybody who dared look too closely, and a reminder to you exactly where you belong. Then I'd keep you so incredibly well-fucked you wouldn't have the time or energy to look at another man."
*ARC courtesy of the publisher, Ellora's Cave, in exchange for an honest review.
Insta-sex of the true-love variety is not easy to buy in a book, but Doyle writes attraction like a boss. This is my second Doyle read, and this one is just as steamy and enjoyable as More Than Words. Bonus, I found the ending on this one much more satisfying.
DNF at 50%. Had potential, but the incessant amount of sex got boring rather quickly. Honestly though, when your book is 13 chapters and at least 6 of them are basically all sexytimes it’s the unmistakable mark of an author that knows her plotting is weak. I was prepared to put up with barely there premise and the annoying miscommunications that wouldn’t even be a problem if the characters had a single, honest, adult conversation, but all the wanna be kinky fuckery had me playing CandyCrush while reading, which is never a good sign. Shame really, cause Doyle is talented in the writing department, so I don’t know why she doesn’t put her talent to better use. I love erotica, but I need it to also have some degree of depth. If you want something similar but ten times better, pick up After Hours by Cara McKenna if you haven’t already.
Super hot, super sexy, and the writing was really good BUT...
There were too many threads in the plot that were just left hanging. Like, how did Brian and Sam know about Leeann injuring herself? Why was Paola so involved? The drama and secrets drove me crazy. I feel like parts of this book were awesome but as a whole, it needed a bit more work. I definitely want to read more by her though.
The slightest move and he’d be buried. Deep. Fucking this tiny goddess in ways she’d never forget. Ways he’d never fucked any woman, always holding back for fear of terrifying them, or worse, hurting them. Cassie’s demands had unlocked his beast. He sure as hell hoped it wasn’t an act, because that key was fucking gone.
I read Body of Work several weeks ago and am late writing my review. As I go back through and look at some of my notes and highlights, I’m thinking I need to go back and re-read this one, sooner rather than later. I mean Holy Hell, this one was HOT. As in Karla Doyle HOT! If you haven’t read Karla Doyle before, you’re in for a treat. Please stop what you’re doing and begin downloading immediately!(I should mention, Karla Doyle is definitely one of my favorite new authors I've discovered this year. Total fan crush!)
“I don’t want to hurt you.” “You don’t—at least, not more than I want you to.”
One of the things I liked most about this book was that Cassie, the heroine, really owns her sexuality. She doesn’t make excuses about her desires and is completely comfortable being an equal with Brian. There definitely was a similar aspect in the last book I read by this author, Game Plan. While I’ll always remain a lover of a damsel in distress story, I also love reading about strong women, especially when that strength extends to the bedroom. I think Karla Doyle does a great job of showcasing how a woman can ask for what she wants, even if it’s a little kinky.
“I want your fingers inside me—fucking my pussy and my ass while you make me come.”
What does every kinky heroine deserve? An equally kinky hero and Brian certainly delivered.
“But give me a taste of rough and raw and I have to fight not to get lost in it. To give in to my possessiveness. And it’s so fucking strong with you. If I had my way, I’d tattoo my name on your pretty little body as a warning to anybody who dared look too closely, and a reminder to you exactly where you belong. Then I’d keep you so incredibly well-fucked you wouldn’t have the time or energy to look at another man.”
Brian is HOT. As in dirty, dirty, dirty HOT! My favorite type of character! I’d let him throw me up against a wall any day. Ha, just saying! One note, I don’t want to give anything away but an incident in Brian’s past is brought up and discussed. The incident has affected his currently life, both his work and personal relationships. That portion of the story line certainly brings up relevant and usually not thought of potential problems for those who participate in the type of relationship Cassie and Bryan touch on. I’m not saying Body of Work offers important commentary on relationship issues but it brought up a potential problem I normally don’t think about when reading these types of stories and emphasizes the trust partners must have in each other.
One thing I didn’t like in the book is that one of the major issues that caused Cassie grief throughout the book really doesn’t seem like such a big deal. I think the problem could have been solved pretty early in the book if Cassie would have just been honest with Brian. I’m not a big fan of manufactured angst, or problems that should have been easily solvable not being solved for the sake of having a story. That was my one major gripe with the story. Because of that, I think that I enjoyed Karla Doyle’s other two books more than Body of Work. All three books are well written and blazing HOT!! For me, Body of Work was just my least favorite of the three. Considering I’m already planning a re-read, that should be an indication on how much I love this author’s books.
Karla Doyle is definitely a must read author and I’m only disappointed that I have to wait to see to see what she releases next. A solid 4+ STAR book!
Reviewed by Melissa D Book provided by Ellora’s Cave Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
I chose this book because the summary inspired me to read this sweet and fun romance. This is the first time I have read anything by Ms. Doyle. I enjoyed her writing style a lot. The emotional aspects of the story connected me to the characters in a way not too many stories do.
Cassie has had her eye on one of the workers of the gym she has a membership too. She flirts constantly with him and after months of nothing she figures he is not interest. Cassie has been hurt by her ex and does not open up much in the beginning. Brian is over six feet tall with red hair. He is what many women want in a man. He is sweet, gentle and considerate all wrapped up in one.
I enjoyed the secondary characters in this book a lot. Each of the characters were well rounded whether in liked them or not. I enjoyed how each of the secondary characters was woven into the story. It was done in way that youwere emotionally invested in not just the main characters but the secondary one as well. I did enjoy how Trevor was dealt with in the end.
The chemistry between Cassie and Brian sizzles. The sex was very hot and steamy. Cassie and Brian was a great match in and out of the bedroom. Despite there lack of communication in the beginning they are a couple that compliments each other very well.
There is nothing that I would have changed about this story. I liked just the way it was. Overall, this was a wonderful emotional story with steamy sex scenes. I will be reading more by Ms. Doyle in the future. I hope this book turns into a series and we see some of the secondary characters in this book get their own.
Going to the gym serves two purposes for Cassie Johnson. One, for the work out and two, so that she can mentally drool over Brian Black, a trainer there who sets her pulse pounding faster than any machine at Iron Works.
Brian does more than desire from afar, he makes his move and the couple enjoy a night they will never forget. There is no denying the chemistry and the passion they feel, how good they are together.
Gun shy about letting any man too close because of a past relationship that almost destroyed her photography career Cassie is wary of letting Brian further into her life. How to explain what she does for a living without endangering her clients privacy is something Cassie wrestles with. An ill timed visit by Brian makes things very difficult to explain. Trying to balance a personal life and a professional one is proving impossible. Cassie deserves both, getting there is another matter altogether.
Lack of honest communication almost destroys a new relationship before it has time to begin in this sexy romance. Hot passion boils over in Body of Work for two would be lovers. Cassie lusts after Brian and vice versa, fireworks when they get together, then the conflict over explaining the delicate matter of her career. The original plotline makes for an interesting story and the main character’s sexual encounters are truly explosive. Body of Work features an intelligent, steamy hard to put down story.
This book was reviewed by Lisa for Joyfully Reviewed (JR), and was provided by the publisher/author at no cost to JR for the purpose of being reviewed.
This is my first book by Karla Doyle. The author's writing style was incredible. Her ability to depict both the physical and emotional aspects during a scene is remarkable. As a reader, I like to connect to the characters and get pulled into the story.
I was immediately able to connect with both Cassie and Brian. Both were wonderful characters with lots of depth and strong personalities. There was just something that pulled me, the reader, into the story.
The sex scenes are vivid, imaginative, and plentiful. The author does an incredible job with development and dialogue. These intriguing characters were given realistic dialogue; the banter is dirty, humorous, with just a bit of naughty tossed in.
Disclosure: This ebook was provided free of charge for the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments, and ratings are my own.
This book scorched my e-Reader. The author certainly knows how to build the sexual tension and let it burn. Nothing like a big hulking scotsman in a kilt...talk about easy access. And the places where Brian and Cassie have their fun can be quite daring. Both have secrets, Cassie more than Brian, although I did not see much of an issue why Cassie would keep the truth about the nature of her photography business a secret. Brian in the meantime is working for a sleazeball of a boss who is also interested in Cassie. I hate it when someone else can manipulate my Alpha male, kinda makes him less Alpha. See, Brian has a past that no one wants to hire him, so if he doesn't step aside for his boss to make his move, he could lose his job. Will Cassie allow Brian to lose his job because of her? I guess, y'all have to read to find out. ;)
Karla Doyle is an auto-buy for me. I’ve read her two previous books (Game Plan and More Than Words). Body of Work offers more of the same great writing and witty dialog. I particularly loved the heroine’s open enjoyment, acceptance of her own sexuality. Cassie is a fitness nut and photographer whose big money comes by photographing people having sex. She has the hots for Brian, a red-headed, red-hot hunk at her gym but fears he won’t be able to accept her work. She has reason to fear, as she was burned by an ex-lover in the past. He thinks he understands what she’s all about, but he doesn’t really. I think Body of Work is Karla’s sexiest novel so far and found elements of it that bordered on bdsm. If you enjoy contemporary erotic romance, Karla Doyle is a must-read.
Main people Brian & Cassie.She's a flirty person who has the hots 4 Brian. Together they are like TNT very explosive. They both share a bond each of them have been hurt by their ex's so together they heal their past with each other hoping that have finally found their mate.(They are 2 crazy in love people who will try & do anything to make it work).But her past that she is hiding from him will either doom or fix her life for good.This book is very erotic,steamy,sexy and naughty.I loved reading this book find out what else happened read it for yourself.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for an honest review at NightOwlReviews.com.
The complete version of this review can be found at Night Owl Reviews
“Body of Work” is a wonderful story about how two people wary of trusting the wrong person again can’t help but keep coming back to each other, first for lust and then for love. The scenes between Cassie and Brian are easily the best part of this book, and their relationship is both touching and believable.
"If you build it, they will come." (Field of Dreams) If she writes it- I will read it. (Me about Karla Doyle) (and I felt like I might "come" myself a few times) oops sorry.
So frick frackin hot. And sweet and so many other words and I cannot seem to come up with! Gah! The sexytimes were beyond smokin hot. And Brian and Cassie were dirty hot together and so totally sweet together.
I just love this author and I'll read whatthefrickever she writes. So...there.
Wow. Ms. Doyle was already on my favorite author list, but this book, Body of Work, is even better than her last. I loved Brian Black and Cassie Johnson. Cassie loved him, too, even when she was too damn scared to grab him when he told her how he felt. Loved the tension, loved the characters, loved their interactions and the sex was hot, of course, and well written. Ms. Doyle has been on my auto-buy list, and she won't be losing that status any time soon. :)
I loved this story! It has Karla Doyle's trademark terrific writing, weaving an emotional and sexy story about a photographer with a secret sideline and the hard-bodied fitness trainer she's crushing on at her gym. If I had to pick my favorite of Doyle's three totally hot books, this would be it.
Ms. Doyle has once again delivered an incredibly sexy book that keeps you turning the pages. The Hero, Brian will melt your heart over and over again. Cassie, the heroine is funny and spirited. I loved her too. Wonderful!
As someone who spends a lot of time in the gym, I greatly enjoyed reading about the forbidden romance developing between a client and trainer. Very hot romance with some unexpected twists.
Looking forward to reading more by this Karla Doyle.
This didn't really work for me. The writing was compelling and the sex scenes hot but both the hero and heroine had some tstl moments where I just wanted to scream.
Dirty talking, red head, sweat, misunderstandings, friendships. Some questionable decisions but the motivation behind them was good. Entertaining read I will check out her other work.
I loved this book!! I tell you what, after reading this book I look at gym equipment in a whole new light. I actually think of what I may be able to do on them if the cameras weren't rolling!
Brian and Cassie have been on a flirty professional relationship until the relationship crosses a boundary. The connection between is hot and in the bedroom something beyond vanilla. Cassie is very open to many parts of art, but is recovering from a betrayal. Brian likes things rough but tries to push it away due to a past issue. However with this relationship they go in deep and keep pushing each other to free themselves of the past. Brian does not care for work consequences and he has the strength to open his own gym. Cassie works toward trying to be open with her heart but keep a secret for her clients. Luckily Brian's brother is a client so now Brian and Cassie work toward a HEA in a home.