A lot of women have tried to seduce sweet, sexy Sam Willow. Even his absent-mindedness hasn't put them off. The only woman who doesn’t seem interested in a relationship with him is the voluptuous Carly Miller. So why can't he get her off his mind?
Is seduction in the air, and if so, who is seducing whom?
I'm not in the least bit embarrassed to say that I am a FAN-GIRL when it comes to Angela Verdenius. She has got me hooked on her community of hunky blokes and curvy sheilas. Funny and steamy and sweet, these books seem to have it all for me. But this one, Seducing Sam just went above and beyond--exceeding all of my expectations.
This story seemed to have MORE. The banter between characters seemed funnier than ever, the steam and sexual tension seemed amp-ed up, and there was the lurking element of danger on the horizon that made things interesting and tense (which isn't a usual thing in her BBW series'). Or maybe it's because she didn't let me down when it came to our hero, Sam.
I've been intrigued and half in love with Sam since I read Virgin Sex Queen, but I figured Sam's story wasn't going to be told because Ms. Verdenius took the secondary characters off in another direction to start the Mackay Sisters series. It was a happy day for me when I found out that my (yes, I have dibs) sweet, bespectacled, muscular male nurse would have his story told! Hallelujah!
There is so much about Sam that is endearing. He's sexy, he's studly--but he's no woman's piece o' meat! No Ma'am. He's not interested in being a notch on a bedpost or anyone's boy-toy. He wants a woman with staying power. But sometimes his kind-heart and good manners keep him from being blunt in his rebuffs--which, unfortunately lets the more tenacious of the horny witches worm their way into a date or two with him. Poor Sam.
Sam also has the cute tendency to misplace things. His glasses, his keys, his books (especially when he has a certain voluptuous neighbor--Carly--on his mind). And his cat SJ (Sam Junior) is no help at all. He just judges with his judgy eyes and plots the downfall of the yappy chihuahua, Crusher, across the street.
Carly wasn't delicate, wasn't slim - okay, she wasn't delicate or slim, she was a generously proportioned woman, but hell, she was all woman. All curves and rounded limbs, all big bosom, big hips he could grasp and dig his fingers into, hips his palms could curve around as he held her for their mutual pleasure.
Soft pink lips. Soft flesh. Smooth skin. All curves and peaks, valleys and sweet, sweet scent. If he closed his eyes, he could recall how sweet she smelled.
Now he was getting a boner.
Finishing off the last of the iced chocolate, he wondered about his next step. Did he have a next step? What was that? What did he intend to do? Should he do anything?
Crumpling the carton in his hand, he tossed it through the air. Unfortunately, his eye sight wasn't that good without his glasses and it hit the wall instead of landing in the bin.
Sighing, he picked up the carton and placed it in the bin. Scratching his head, he looked around. Where were his glasses?
Maybe he'd go out for a drive, drop in on Alan and Sophie, let things settle in his own mind before he really thought about what he was going to do.
If he could find his frickin' car keys.
That, folks, is an example of how a funny, sexy, sweet BBW is done. Perfection. And to top it off, we get Alan, Mike, Marty and Tim thrown into the mix-- more hunks and more laughs. Not to spoil anything but Alan still refers to women as "chicks"--he hasn't been reformed by Sophie, obviously. And Tim is still wearing hilariously inappropriate animal t-shirts.
If you are wondering if my Sam is falling into the too-nice category, never fear, he's the right blend of dominant, caring and protective for Carly, who has some past demons that have yet to be worked out.
I don't want to say more... just read it!! And if you haven't read any of the books that came before--get on it!!
A light and quick read, AV is an auto-buy for me. Another lovely, sweet book from AV. I love her writing style and her sweet characters. This hero was one of the best, a sweet man with a really good heart. It was a departure from the usual alpha heroes I read about who are uber-goodlooking and uber-aware of it, well mostly. I am never really clear of what the heroine's issues are in these books, I get the weight and body-image issues but the rest of it is played up too much. It was in this case too and I guess it gave the hero something to work for. Characteristically in these , the tension comes from interrupted moments and other women acting over-aggressively towards the hero, which I can never really understand, its always the sweet heroine Vs. the rest of slutty womankind, it seems...but the story was a simple one and pleasant to read, nonetheless. I would recommend this book.
Loved it! Reading this author’s BBW books are so fun and sweet and every single time she meets my expectations! Sam and Carly’s story is no exception.
Sam is great! Even his “flaw” of forgetting things is adorable and makes him more lovable. For me, I think Mike will always be my favorite (LOVE them alphas!), then Alan and Tim (if I can’t have an alpha, then give me the funny guys). Like I said, Sam is wonderful but for my preference I found him, at times, TOO sensitive and the way he fell in love – with complete calm and patience with Carly and without doubt, surprise, panic, or just the general “Oh shit! I LOVE HER” moment – just made it all feel like the book hit a plateau and stayed there. Perhaps it was Carly’s uncertainty that was supposed to rock the boat but my emotions – when it comes to the falling in love part – is generally stirred by the hero, not the heroine. Nevertheless, the way Sam dotes on SJ, his job with caring for others, how hard he tries to avoid hurting anyone’s feelings, how patient, protective and considerate he is to Carly was all amazing. Add all that I just mentioned to his amazingly handsome face and sexy body…whoo! Oh Sam, you are better than prince charming!
Carly was a good heroine. She has the insecurities about her body and a damaged confidence from her ex who was a bastard to her. Part of me wishes she showed more grit and gotten over it without having her hand held by Sam – I supposed I prefer the idea of having her own inner strength to recover the confidence she lost or getting her help from girlfriends (girl power and all that) instead of directly from her man, but I understood that Sam did lay it on pretty thick so that was hard to resist.
One of my favorite scenes from all the connected books is in this one though…the scene with the boys (Marty, Alan, Tim, and Sam) at the gym gossiping and ragging on each other – it was too adorable for words especially with Alan and Tim not doing much (or any) working out at all. I was glad to see that Alan, who was always the good sidekick funny friend didn’t change once he married Sophie – he just removed “skirt chaser” from her repertoire.
I’m a true fan of this author and these connected books…I look forward to more! Thank you Shannon for the book loan!!
I absolutely loved “Seducing Sam” as it was such a joy to read. I was all set to give this novel a four-star rating but changed it to five as it filled me with smiles and laughter; the feeling of gratification of reading a sweet, fun, sexy, and sizzling hot novel. I can’t remember the last time I came across a hero quite like Sam Willow. The author did an amazing job developing the hero, especially one who is so different from so many of the typical heroes I often read about. He doesn’t come from a wealthy family; he’s not a millionaire or billionaire; he doesn’t have a different woman on his arm every night of the week; he’s not broken or damaged; and he’s not hiding a deep dark secret. Instead, our hero is a smart, gorgeous, sexy-as-sin, broad-shouldered, beautiful man who is tired of women looking at him like a piece of meat, all vying for a date or a little one-on-one with him. And best of all, he’s looking for a commitment with that special person who just so happens to be his new neighbour, Carly.
““I feel like the girls hitting on me aren’t interested in me. They see the package, not the contents.”
“I want a woman who will still care about me when I’m old and grey. I don’t want a woman who wants me only while I’m young and handsome enough to satisfy her vanity. Youth and good looks don’t last. I want someone to laugh with, to share the good times and the bad, to be there for each other. To support and love and grow old with. To still see each other as the most important person in the world when looks and youth have long gone.””
Don’t you just want to eat him up?
While Sam may at times come across as sensitive, don’t let that fool you because when it’s time to step up and protect what’s his, to defend the woman he loves, watch out as the alpha in him comes alive. What a sexy beast. The woman he wants to protect and has fallen in love with is Carly. Carly was another well-developed character. She’s a very likeable heroine who’s smart and caring, but having just come off a bad relationship that hurt her deeply, she’s full of deep insecurities about her weight and looks, all of which leads her to believe that Sam could do better than her. Sam sets out to prove to Carly how wrong she is, that he loves her and that they belong together, and boy does he ever. The sex is off-the-charts hot between them. On a side note, because I’ve had my own weight issues over the years, I understood everything Carly was thinking and/or going thru. It was as though the author had written my very own thoughts and feelings.
While the story is told from the POV of both Sam and Carly, I’d have to say without a doubt the true star of the story is Sam. If he’s not at work, Sam can be found puttering in his yard as he loves to garden; or at the beach to surf; or hanging out with his friends. He also has a loving relationship with his cat, SJ. Now I’m not a cat person but the little talks he has with SJ (no, the cat doesn’t talk back) are so cute and funny. If that wasn’t enough the banter and ribbing between him and his best buds at the gym was hilarious (a favourite scene of mine). The author did a great job with this scene as I found their discussions, rants, and teasing to be very realistic.
So if you want to read something that’s light, sexy and fun, I highly recommend reading “Seducing Sam”. Ladies, by the time you get to the end you’ll be wishing for your very own Sam.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I'm somehow addicted to AV's BBW books, because I like the plus-sized&hunky hunk setting. But her stories makes me really frustrated, because they have potential to be a lot better. I mean, they all are basically the same story with different names. The author uses same depictions of her heroines in every book.
Plots in the nutshell: Man meets overblown hourglass lady with low self image. Man becomes a chubby chaser. A minor conflict that ends in accidental sex. Man is annoyingly dominant. Woman loathes herself, so man forces her to tell about her traumatized past.
Man: "C'mon give us a chance." WOman: "No." Man: "Yes." Woman: "No." Man: "Yes." Woman: "Okay."
Sex in dialog and in action. I mean sex is pretty much the only thing the characters talk/think about. Cats (ew) everywhere. The end.
Now, I understand that these are lighthearted romance novels not meant to have many kind of feels, but dammit I NEED some plot that makes me wonder what happens next! If these books would have some deep drama that isn't resolved with just a quick talk and groping man, I would be so happy.
Rant aside, Seducing Sam was a step to the right direction, although minor. Of the previous males in the hunkyville they all live in, Sam is the most endearing for me, because he's not so frickin' perfect(absent-minded) and Carly has some problems that aren't just a distant memory. One star is for the interesting family member.
This was a fun and romantic story. I really enjoy this author and how she writes romances. This hero is really good-looking--so good-looking that women throw themselves at him. He doesn't like it. He is mature beyond the point of wanting to just sleep with any women, and he is hoping someday for a forever love. The heroine just got out of a bad relationship, and she isn't the kind of woman that thinks she is god's gift to man anyways, so she doesn't imagine anyone as hot as the hero would look at her. He definitely likes her looks and likes everything else, too, when he gets to know her. It is a great story and the hero is a devoted cat-lover.
Awesome and steamier than usual. I love Angela and wish that she would do press for her books. I want them as soon as they are released, not stumbling over them accidentally.
3.5 stars Angela Verdenius delivered once again. A very lovely, sweet, short story. It was also nice seeing some of the couples from previous books in this one.
This one was better. Sam was sweet and Carly at least at the illusion of confidence. Their initial time together was pretty hot. And it was also nice to finally see the author not relying on the morning after pill for every last woman... At last some consistent condom usage. I think the women in this town must be buying up the pharmacies for the morning after pill instead of using condoms.
But the more I read Angela Verdenius the less I like her. The characters are cardboard, with very little depth. All the women look pretty much the same (not all plus size women have the same body type) and all the guys are tall and totally ripped. The women all have the same insecurities and responses (they're afraid to be seen naked, they run and avoid the guys that are into them, they feel uncomfortable around "ideal" women... not that these aren't realistic insecurities, but it would be nice to see some variety). Everyone seems to own a cat. Sheesh, even the cameo characters are superficial and shallow with mindless responses. And the descriptions. How many times can we describe a woman as looking like an overblown hourglass? With soft, lush, womanly curves? I get it already. Having read 4 of her books, I'm starting to think I read the same book 4 times...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I loved it! I'm squealing with delight while and after reading this book!
At first I thought Sam really is 'airhead'. But apparently he has so much more than air in his head. I loved how gentle he treated Carly. Carly, a chubby girl with strong heart but soft feeling, is guarding her heart with bubble wrap. Sam managed to get past her guard and made her in love.
This book's one of my favorite. Angela Verdenius always write a sweet and romantic BBW story. If you're looking for BBW story with endurable length (not too short nor too long), romantic Hero, stubborn yet insecure chubby heroine with small amount (but enough) drama, this book is super perfect.
Looking forward to read another BBW stories from Angie! :D
It was a rushed ending made even more obvious because I really really didn't want it to end.
Sam was lovable, adorable and so sweet when it came to expressing his ideals in starting a relationship. It was even interesting seeing Sam's experience as the hot guy and how it made him feel uncomfortable dealing with the concept of just 'being a piece of meat'. It was a first for me in a book and so enjoyable. Sure I've read about gold diggers etc but this was an interesting take on an often reversed circumstance.
Carly was great too. I felt she was far more underdeveloped than Sam and had less page time but I still understood her. She just needed more time and as a reader I would have loved her more if the ending wasn't so rushed.
I always enjoy books by Angela Verdenius. Familiar tropes run across the curvy woman/hot alpha guy books, and it's as though I go back to a part of the world where I know many of the characters who inhabit the place. In this one, Carly moves across the street from Sam, a hunkalicious guy who looks like the epitome of the beach bum surfer. Yum! Carly has been through some tough times and is still being bothered by an ex-boyfriend, but she's getting stronger and tougher each day. Carly and Sam together have some hot sex in some different places. AND we get to see some of the characters we know from Big Girls' Lovin series that started it all for me as a fan of Angela Verdenius. Keep them coming, please.
I liked the story, it reminded me as to why I read fictional love stories. The idea of the storyline was perfect something I wished happened more in life.
For some reason I didn't feel that the H/h characters were developed enough, especially the heroine's. It bothered me that their ages weren't mentioned. The hero's occupation was mocked, but there was no explanation as to why he chose that career. I still enjoyed the story, but with only a few more pages of more detail it could have been a great read.
The Bottom Line BBW romance told from the hero’s POV. He’s gorgeous, tired of being only seen for his looks and she’s insecure, and not interested in a relationship after getting out of a bad one. There’s a tiny bit of danger at the very end. Familiar, but Verdenius switched up her formula a bit and it saves this story for me. If you’re into the curvy girl getting the super hot and sweet guy who loves that she sees past his prettiness, I think you’ll enjoy this.
FINALLY! :) It was a awesome book to read. It was hot, enticing, sexy, sweet, sad at times, and filled with family, friends and love. I enjoyed reading it and I happy that Sam got his own book and got his woman. But who is next?!? and will there be a big get together with everyone from this series? Well I can't wait to see what Angela Verdenius brings us next, such an awesome author.
My goodness, Sam was just the cutest. I definitely preferred him in the first half before he went all alpha male on us. I enjoyed his relationship Carly, especially because they became kind of friends first. Also, that ending? I don’t really like how rushed the relationship was (meaning how fast it was moving) but the fact that she’s the one who proposed? I loved it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
My kindle says 79% and I've only gotten so far by skipping ahead to see if it gets better.
I really wish that someone would write a romance where the guy isn't an over protective / possessive / "manly man". So many of these books portrays toxic relationships where jealousy and possessiveness are markings of true love.
It was ok a little drawn out, i wish Sam had more of a backbone throughout the story. I understood the premise the author was going for but i personally don't think she quite achieved it.
I am a first time reader of Angela Verdenius and I am so glad I did.
This book had a very simple premise; smokin' hot male and Rubenesque female who are new neighbors.
Carley moves in across the street from this tall cool drink of water, except she thinks he an absent minded dope. He's always misplacing things and then wandering around to find them.
Sam feels most women only think of him as a hunk of meat and he's right. However, Sam actually has a brain and he wishes someone would see him for that, not just his handsome face & form.
Carly soon learns that Sam does have a brain and is actually quite smart and genuinely nice to be around.
Que the hot romance, and all the idiots who cannot believe that Sam should or should be dating the voluptuous Carley. How dare he! He belongs with the Beautiful People! Sorry, had to add the sarcasm.
They both have some social and emotional hurtles to climb, but they figure it out.
I don't generally care for contemporaries, but this book had it all for me. It was sizzling hot and sweet as can be.
This book left me with a great big smile on my face when I finished, a giggle bubbling up and my heart feeling glad and full. Haven't had that happen in a very long time. A 5 star book for me!
Sam Willow has women falling at his (very large) feet, not that he seems to notice. Slightly absent minded Sam is often mistaken for being all brawn an beauty and no brains, but he soon notices his neighbour Carly Miller and can't get her curvy body and slightly grouchy personality out of his head. Could it be that some one has finally managed to seduce Sam?
I love reading an Angela Verdenius book, I know what is going to happen before I have even opened the book, but that doesn't stop me from devouring it and eagerly waiting for the next one; they are delicious brain candy, sweet and addictive. Seducing Sam was no different, it was a sweet story about two people falling in love. Sam himself was so adorable and definitely too good to be true, sexy as hell and looking for The One, he didn't hesitate to pursue Carly once he realised she could be it. Carly was great as well, wary after a relationship gone bad but together they made a cute couple.
If you are looking for a short, lighthearted read than look no further, Seducing Sam is the perfect book, especially if you have read previous books by Angela Verdenius as you see some familiar faces pop up.
I will admit to no recognition of this book when I plucked it from my TBR pile. I think this was possibly one of those "Oh, I liked so-and-so-book by that author and this one's on offer right now so I'll buy it" purchases. I occasionally decide to pick a random book from my TBR selection and go with the flow. Thus the background on me reading this book. Because I think I just wasn't really in the mood for a beta hero. The writing and plot and sex scenes and characters - all well written and relatable. But I didn't fully enjoy Sam, and I think it's just because I wasn't in the mood. So I'm going with the I like it of 3 stars though I was not fully into it. I remember enjoying the Big Girls Lovin' series https://www.goodreads.com/series/6993... some time back so I'm assuming it was a mood thing that detracted from it. As readers I think personal mood has a colossal impact on reading enjoyment of a any particular story so I'm ignoring my "meh" feelings and might reread at a future point.
Another funny and charming story by Ms. Verdenius. I enjoyed the developing relationship between Carly and Sam; his frankness and honest approach and her strength to overcome insecurities and courage to battle demons from her past. What shone through the book was the witty banter between Sam and his friends - characters that the reader already knows from other books by the author - and colleagues. I loved their conversations, they flew so smoothly and naturally, and never failed to made me laugh. A huge plus to the story are those short scenes where previously known characters make appearance. I enjoy the feeling of continuity between stories. Furthermore, even a short dialog can give a glimpse of what's happening to the couple after the "and they lived happily ever after". I'm looking forward to read latest book by Ms. Verdenius. 4/5
loved it!!, one of my favourites of all the books, Sam was gorgeous, kind, genuine, funny and just bloody lovely, there was no agenda with him, he liked Carly, he wanted Carly, he didn't mess her about, was completely honest with her, I really liked that, how he built her confidence and made her realise just how beautiful she was, a joy to read I sighed a few times I can tell you. I loved the part at the beach where Mike, Alan and Tim and their partners make an appearance, nice little catch up there, also I don't know why but I love that there are always pets in the stories, always gives me the warm fuzzies, I'm catching up to all the books, so I'm taking it slow, savouring the moment. looking forward to the next read.
You did it again Angela! Another great story. I just loved Sam & Carly's story. What I just loved about Sam was even though he was this Hunk of a guy he would not settle. He wanted a lasting relationship, someone who would grow old with him as he grows old & looses his hunkness. And when he kept loosing things his glasses, his book & keys. Too cute. Carly is insecure, and not interested in any relationship after getting out of a bad one. But Sam slowly brought her along and they found lasting love. I enjoyed seeing some of the older characters appearing in Sam's book. I can't wait for the next book.
A lot of women have tried to seduce sweet, sexy Sam Willow. Even his absent-mindedness hasn't put them off. The only woman who doesn’t seem interested in a relationship with him is the voluptuous Carly Miller. So why can't he get her off his mind?
Is seduction in the air, and if so, who is seducing whom?