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Sex for Beginners #1
Watch and Learn
Gemma Jacobs needs a life--a sex life. Newly divorced, she vows that this time it's going to be all about her! So when she receives a letter containing an assignment she did for a sex ed course in college, she takes it as a sign.
In the letter, Gemma had confessed her most secret sexual fantasies...as well as her most forbidden sexual vice.
She liked to be watched. By strangers.
And she still does.
Lucky for Gemma, her sexy new neighbor, Chev Martinez, is totally enjoying the show. But how well will her voyeuristic little game hold up when Chev decides to venture behind the scenes?
In the letter, Gemma had confessed her most secret sexual fantasies...as well as her most forbidden sexual vice.
She liked to be watched. By strangers.
And she still does.
Lucky for Gemma, her sexy new neighbor, Chev Martinez, is totally enjoying the show. But how well will her voyeuristic little game hold up when Chev decides to venture behind the scenes?
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 20, 2008
19 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Bond
265 books1,784 followersUSA TODAY bestselling author Stephanie Bond was seven years deep into a systems engineering career and pursuing an MBA at night when an instructor remarked that she had a flair for writing and suggested that she submit to academic journals. But Stephanie, a voracious reader, was only interested in writing fiction–more specifically, romantic fiction.
Upon completing her master’s degree and with no formal training in writing (her undergraduate degree is in computer programming), she started writing a romance novel in her spare time. Two years later in 1995 she sold her first manuscript, a romantic comedy, to Harlequin Books.
In 1997, with ten sales under her belt to two publishers, Stephanie left her corporate job to write women’s romantic fiction full-time. In 2011,
Stephanie launched a self-publishing business. Since that time, she has sold more than 1 million copies of her own books. To-date, Stephanie has published over 70 novels and has over 6 million copies of her work in worldwide distribution in numerous languages and formats.
Upon completing her master’s degree and with no formal training in writing (her undergraduate degree is in computer programming), she started writing a romance novel in her spare time. Two years later in 1995 she sold her first manuscript, a romantic comedy, to Harlequin Books.
In 1997, with ten sales under her belt to two publishers, Stephanie left her corporate job to write women’s romantic fiction full-time. In 2011,
Stephanie launched a self-publishing business. Since that time, she has sold more than 1 million copies of her own books. To-date, Stephanie has published over 70 novels and has over 6 million copies of her work in worldwide distribution in numerous languages and formats.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 31, 2021
This book is boring and racist and won’t shut up about how “exotic” the Puerto Rican love interest is.
July 23, 2021
This was a fun, sexy, quick read. Worth the read.
May 24, 2012
A stubborn peacock, a hunky carpenter and a bedroom window
Gemma White loves waking up in the morning to the promise of some morning lovemaking but not this time. Jason, her husband of ten years, has asked her for a divorce and moved to another state. Forced to fend for herself, she realizes she needs to move on. It hasn't escaped her notice that the house next door has a new owner. A very hunky one at that.
When she receives a letter from an old college professor, old memories resurface of a time she's tried so hard to put a lid on. Without her husband her only anchor keeping her from her dangerous desires is gone. When she accidentally puts on a show in front of her window and catches her sexy neighbor watching her, her shame battles with her arousal. Then she lands a job as a tour guide for a sex exhibit in a museum and the last of her resolve dissipates. Eventually Chev and Gemma get closer, and just when he thinks she might be ready for more, Jason shows up and wants her back. Will she have the courage to give up the last ten years of her life for something new or will she seek the safety of the familiar?
Chev Martinez moves around a lot and flips homes. When he takes on the home next door to Gemma, he's instantly attracted, but doesn't act on it until he realizes she's divorced. Then he accidentally gets a show from her bedroom window. How will he get her to continue this little game of peek-a-boo? They eventually get to know each other over their appreciation for art history and renovation, as well as a pesky peacock that has Chev rescuing Gemma time and time again. Over time he realizes that the strange attraction they share may never extend past the nightly stripteases, and that she might have too much emotional baggage to overcome. Besides, he plans to leave once his house goes up for auction.
This was my first book with exhibitionism at its core. Her behavior during college was incredibly risky, and her flashbacks made it abundantly clear why she became the “little woman” once she had met Jason. She waffled a lot, teasing Chev one day then ignoring him the next, which I found a little immature on her part. Chev summed her up perfectly:
Intelligent but unhappy, educated but badly employed, homey but sexy, bold but unsure of herself … complementary and contradictory.
However, I really liked the way Chev handled her by being patient and honest with her. It was a far cry from anything she'd ever had from the people closest to her – her mother, her best friend and her ex-husband. The author did a really good job in conveying Gemma's inner turmoil, and the story flowed at a believable pace to help her realize what she really needed in her life and which man would make her happy in the long run. I really enjoyed this story and seeing her find and stay true to herself.
November 29, 2014
Originally posted on Joyfully Reviewed: http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/revie...
Gemma Jacobs’ life isn’t going the way she planned. After spending years being the perfect wife of a politician, her now ex-husband’s sudden departure has left her devastated. Picking up the pieces and moving forward with her life, Gemma receives a most unusual letter in the mail. It’s a letter from herself, written ten years ago in her Sexual Psyche class (dubbed “Sex for Beginners” by students). The letter brings memories flooding back, including a secret sexual vice Gemma used to enjoy…being watched. And when the incredibly sexy Chev Martinez moves in next door, Gemma decides to take a chance and indulge her inner exhibitionist. But when Chev wants to take their game to a more personal level, will Gemma trust him, and herself, enough to open herself up to the possibility of love?
Watch and Learn is a red-hot, deliciously wicked, fantastically entertaining start to Stephanie Bond’s Sex for Beginners series. Watch and Learn brought a smile to my face, a flush to my cheeks, and was a pure joy to read, to say the least.
Chev is the kind of hero I only wish would move next door to me. Not only is he devastatingly sexy, he’s also patient, kind, and utterly endearing. As for Gemma, her insecurities grabbed my heart. Her battered self-esteem from her divorce and her reluctance to take a chance and start a relationship with Chev are completely understandable. What’s more, I admired her determination in rebuilding her life and loved Ms. Bond’s humanizing of her character with the mistakes Gemma makes on her road to self-discovery.
As for the exhibitionist-voyeur games Gemma and Chev play; they practically sizzle on the page. Gemma and Chev were perfectly matched on every level and Ms. Bond had me reading late into the night, unable to put Watch and Learn down until I finished it. This is my first book of Ms. Bond’s, and I can definitely say it’s not my last. I was on the computer, ordering her following two Sex for Beginners books, In a Bind and No Peeking… as soon as I finished Watch and Learn. Though each of these books stands on their own, I’m sure readers of Watch and Learn will finish the book eager for the next book by the supremely talented Ms. Bond.
Gemma Jacobs’ life isn’t going the way she planned. After spending years being the perfect wife of a politician, her now ex-husband’s sudden departure has left her devastated. Picking up the pieces and moving forward with her life, Gemma receives a most unusual letter in the mail. It’s a letter from herself, written ten years ago in her Sexual Psyche class (dubbed “Sex for Beginners” by students). The letter brings memories flooding back, including a secret sexual vice Gemma used to enjoy…being watched. And when the incredibly sexy Chev Martinez moves in next door, Gemma decides to take a chance and indulge her inner exhibitionist. But when Chev wants to take their game to a more personal level, will Gemma trust him, and herself, enough to open herself up to the possibility of love?
Watch and Learn is a red-hot, deliciously wicked, fantastically entertaining start to Stephanie Bond’s Sex for Beginners series. Watch and Learn brought a smile to my face, a flush to my cheeks, and was a pure joy to read, to say the least.
Chev is the kind of hero I only wish would move next door to me. Not only is he devastatingly sexy, he’s also patient, kind, and utterly endearing. As for Gemma, her insecurities grabbed my heart. Her battered self-esteem from her divorce and her reluctance to take a chance and start a relationship with Chev are completely understandable. What’s more, I admired her determination in rebuilding her life and loved Ms. Bond’s humanizing of her character with the mistakes Gemma makes on her road to self-discovery.
As for the exhibitionist-voyeur games Gemma and Chev play; they practically sizzle on the page. Gemma and Chev were perfectly matched on every level and Ms. Bond had me reading late into the night, unable to put Watch and Learn down until I finished it. This is my first book of Ms. Bond’s, and I can definitely say it’s not my last. I was on the computer, ordering her following two Sex for Beginners books, In a Bind and No Peeking… as soon as I finished Watch and Learn. Though each of these books stands on their own, I’m sure readers of Watch and Learn will finish the book eager for the next book by the supremely talented Ms. Bond.
July 23, 2011
The heroine Gemma is very recently divorced and feels completely lost. She had dedicated her life to her political aspiring husband and is struggling to be anything other than sad. Then she receives a package including a 'letter to your future self' from a college project 10 years ago. The letter discusses her sexual fantasies and Gemma's is/was that she liked to be watched. She is shocked to read it as she had buried that side of herself when she met her husband, but now she realises that she lost a big part of herself. Excited by her rediscovered sensual side she also notices her sexy new neighbour, the hero Chev. Chev is renovating the house next door and has also noticed Gemma on more than one occasion, he also sees Gemma's sadness and wants to help her feel good again. When he, completely by accident, sees Gemma undressing he is more than intrigued, especially by the fact the she knew he was watching. Along with the occasional 'shows' he and Gemma also become friends and grow very close. But with Gemma's new found sexual freedom and Chev's lack of interest in commitment there doesn't seem to be any future for them.
I'm a fan of Blaze books and the more daring or forward subject matters they deal with. However this one just didn't really live up to expectation for me.
I liked the 'letter to your future self' about sexual fantasies idea, as well as how it enabled Gemma to reclaim her life. But I felt the execution of Gemma's exhibitionism fantasies felt a little flat. I also found Chev's character a little lacking, I would have liked to have learned a little more about him, when we had his point of view it was mostly about Gemma.
This is an OK book, quick and enjoyable but lacked that spark that makes a really great Blaze book.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
I'm a fan of Blaze books and the more daring or forward subject matters they deal with. However this one just didn't really live up to expectation for me.
I liked the 'letter to your future self' about sexual fantasies idea, as well as how it enabled Gemma to reclaim her life. But I felt the execution of Gemma's exhibitionism fantasies felt a little flat. I also found Chev's character a little lacking, I would have liked to have learned a little more about him, when we had his point of view it was mostly about Gemma.
This is an OK book, quick and enjoyable but lacked that spark that makes a really great Blaze book.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
November 24, 2008
Watch And Learn (Harlequin Blaze) by Stephanie Bond
Contemporary Romance Mass Market Paperback – October 1, 2008
4 Stars
Gemma Jacobs is forced to undergo a major change in her life – divorce. After her husband leaves, followed closely by the signing of divorced papers, she is almost ready to surrender to sadness. That is until she receives a letter with an assignment for a sex education class she's taking.
This assignment leads her into a completely new path of sensual pleasure and forbidden fantasies. She is "helped" through this new path by stunningly handsome next-door neighbor Chev Marinez.
Chev is mesmerized by Gemma, but he's not content with just watching from a distance. He wants to join Gemma into her fantasy world. Is Gemma willing to open her heart and trust again? Does she dare share her innermost fantasies?
It is delightful to follow Gemma's development from sadness to taking control of her own life. Stephanie Bond has written an enjoyable book about romance with a dash of daring mischief and genuine affection.
Reviewed by Monica from Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Contemporary Romance Mass Market Paperback – October 1, 2008
4 Stars
Gemma Jacobs is forced to undergo a major change in her life – divorce. After her husband leaves, followed closely by the signing of divorced papers, she is almost ready to surrender to sadness. That is until she receives a letter with an assignment for a sex education class she's taking.
This assignment leads her into a completely new path of sensual pleasure and forbidden fantasies. She is "helped" through this new path by stunningly handsome next-door neighbor Chev Marinez.
Chev is mesmerized by Gemma, but he's not content with just watching from a distance. He wants to join Gemma into her fantasy world. Is Gemma willing to open her heart and trust again? Does she dare share her innermost fantasies?
It is delightful to follow Gemma's development from sadness to taking control of her own life. Stephanie Bond has written an enjoyable book about romance with a dash of daring mischief and genuine affection.
Reviewed by Monica from Bookaholics Romance Book Club
November 7, 2008
#1 Sex for Beginners series
3.5 stars
An OK read. Stephanie Bond is a HUGE favorite author of mine -- and I wouldn't want to miss any of her books.
This was a bit different in the steamy book genre in that Gemma explores her inner exhibitionist *g*.
Gemma struggles with getting to know and embracing her real self after her husband divorces her. Gemma's up against her mother's and Gemma's own view of who and what she "should" be struck a nice cord with me. I guess we all go through this inner struggle on the way to hopefully embracing who we truly are.
I liked the colorful, loud, aggressive male peacock who stalked Gemma throughout the book too *g*. (I mean, a real peacock bird. Or is it a "peafoul"?)
3.5 stars
An OK read. Stephanie Bond is a HUGE favorite author of mine -- and I wouldn't want to miss any of her books.
This was a bit different in the steamy book genre in that Gemma explores her inner exhibitionist *g*.
Gemma struggles with getting to know and embracing her real self after her husband divorces her. Gemma's up against her mother's and Gemma's own view of who and what she "should" be struck a nice cord with me. I guess we all go through this inner struggle on the way to hopefully embracing who we truly are.
I liked the colorful, loud, aggressive male peacock who stalked Gemma throughout the book too *g*. (I mean, a real peacock bird. Or is it a "peafoul"?)
October 12, 2008
This book was just okay. It was nothing spectacular. There didn't seem to be any real connection between Gemma and Chev. Yes there was sexual attraction, but no deeper connection. It seemed like her need to be watched wouldn't allow her to make real connections with the man in her life. I had no real connection to the characters. I didn't care one way or the other if they ended up together or if she went back to her husband.
May 8, 2009
This was a fast and steamy read from Stephanie's miniseries Sex For Beginners. I finished it in a day and a half and I can't wait to mover on to the next book in the series.
It was great to read a story about the kinkier side of sex too, without it being too graphic.
It was great to read a story about the kinkier side of sex too, without it being too graphic.
November 16, 2010
A good, quick read with a predictable outcome. I enjoy Bond's books in general. In this one, Gemma, a recent divorce rediscovers her desire to be watched, much to her new neighbor's delight and frustration. He really wishes she would do more than put on a show.
Read
July 27, 2011Gemma rediscovers herself, and her exhabitionist side loves being on display for her neighbor, Chev. Very hot and steamy action as they, slowly, heat up things between them.
A very nice story.
A very nice story.
July 1, 2015
This story had the potential to be HOT. But it wasn't. I get that Harlequin doesn't do SCORCHING reads but I really just wanted this one to take the next step and get there. It was just "Meh" for me.
story - 2.5
narrator - 2
story - 2.5
narrator - 2
September 9, 2010
Couldn't believe a home that needed that much work could be renovated that quickly, other than that fine.
November 8, 2010
Pretty good story, but I'm not much of an exhibitionist, so I couldn't get really into the good parts.
December 31, 2011
A few good moments but overall just okay.
Read
April 19, 2012Can't remember. $3.60 on June 2010
February 6, 2013
I was iffy at first but ended up liking it. Wonderful connection between them!!
April 7, 2014
Hot and sexy is the best way to describe this fun read! Super quick but never wanting the thrill to be over. If only every neighbor could be so helpful post divorce!
November 1, 2015
Typical Harlequin fare. A light read with no expectations.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews