I WANT MORE!!!! I WASN'T DONE!!! I'm going to be craving more Wolfe and Lace for eternity now. I've never wanted a spicy content creator to exist more, just so I could go and get a fix of what they are up to!!
This book was so cute. It was such a perfect experience of its particular trope. All of my spicy romance boxes were ticked. I loved how well balanced and paced the story flowed. So many of these books try to force things to progress so quickly that they feel disjointed and it feels too soon too much so often. But with Quinn and Clark, it was so realistic in how this type of situation might actually progress in real time. It was comfortable and believable while also taking you on such a spicy fantasy. To become your favorite spicy creators' collaborator!!? What!
Clark is such a relatable FMC. Her pains and struggles and insecurities all radiate off her all while she desperately tries to contain them in silence, to focus and help those she cares about most in this world. She will sacrifice whatever she has to, even her body to the internet. Because when push comes to shove, some people are worth doing things we never thought we would, just to keep it all together for them. Because you love them, and they deserve it.
Quinn, being Clark's neighbor, after their past history of being in high school together, was a perfect setting. It gave space to the relationship while also forcing close proximity in ways that created some fun situations during their some what salty start that began in sarcastic banter and past bad experiences from their youth. Sabastion is an interesting dichotomy of MMC, and I love him. His communication is chefs kiss. It takes a few chapters before you really get to see his characters' sparkle and realize there is a lot more to him than just a good-looking dude, making money off being good-looking. He has pain and demons from his past that become far more complex than I would have imagined starting out in this. When he comes to a tough crossroad and needs a new spicy content partner for his channel, he extends an offer to Clark that comes at the perfect time to help bail her out of her most recent gut punch in life. It all seems simple and a perfect set up to help them both, but as time progresses, they quickly realize that the filters are starting to slip from the fog of their steamy film nights, and the reality of their connection could turn into far more than the cinematic subscription master pieces they have been making together.
I loved how this plot was laid out. Dubree really flawlessly set up this spicy plot to be so addictive. We just fall into one beautiful and steamy scene after the next like delicious moments of indulgence laced within such an emotional and healing story of two beautiful souls that are learning to live for themselves after living years for others. I enjoyed how Quinn interacted with Clark in their agreement and work together. He was so respectful, and his communication was flawless in every situation, but he never came across as too much. It was so grounded the way they worked through it all. There was no unrealistic intense contrast, where they just go hardcore right out the gate. It felt so realistic. But when the cameras turned on and they started filming, I wasn't expecting that to be how it was. It was even better! The spicy scenes are so steamy and engaging. My lord! But they are so realistic still to our plot, and I loved that. I loved that we were still being respectful to the idea that these were two people in an agreement, and it wasn't ignored and lost in the spice. But when that changed... when it went from scheduled filming to real feelings!!! My gosh, that is so addictive the way it was written! The change in the intimacy and Quinn realizing how he struggles in connecting that way after performing for so long... It was just all so good!!
The spice will make you melt.... I was squirming!!! Sweating!! Wolfe is next level, and Dubree is a next level spice writer!!! These scenes had so many levels and elements to them and were perfectly spaced and laid out throughout the chapters. There were some scenes that will forever be my favorites. That book store loft scene..... When she read Bronte and he says "That's the one." AAAAAAAAAAA!!! That moment!!! But the first real time after Sarah's party... that one. I live for that type of spice. MY HEART!!! It's so good! The story really is so intimate and emotional and sweet, and the spice is such a delicious edge added.
This is a perfect spicy romance story. The characters are so likable, and you immediately love them with their high school history pasts and their infectious banter. The spice and underlying storyline are well balanced. There is drama, angst, and the spice is chefs kiss! It's emotional and heartwarming, and the HEA still leaves us with open-ended possibilities for more! I just want more and more of Lace and Wolfe, but I will happily take an extended story into this universe with Fletcher!! I couldn't put it down.
I can't wait for more to come from this series. Heather Dubree could write radio instructions, and I would crawl to her for a chance to read them. Full stop.