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Malibu Millionaire #1
The Forever Night Stand
It's no fun being a good girl...
Until you find the perfect bad boy.
Luke Kelly is a legend in the music industry. The Grammy-winning producer has amassed four gold records, a fortune that could buy and sell most of Malibu, and an arsenal of luxury sex toys. But he can’t seem to find a relationship that goes more than skin deep.
Ari Reed has life color-coded on her bullet planner. For the book publicist, risks are calculated, and one-night stands happen absolutely never. But when a steamy stumble into Luke’s bedroom lasts an entire weekend, the last thing she expects is him asking her to stay... Forever.
Until you find the perfect bad boy.
Luke Kelly is a legend in the music industry. The Grammy-winning producer has amassed four gold records, a fortune that could buy and sell most of Malibu, and an arsenal of luxury sex toys. But he can’t seem to find a relationship that goes more than skin deep.
Ari Reed has life color-coded on her bullet planner. For the book publicist, risks are calculated, and one-night stands happen absolutely never. But when a steamy stumble into Luke’s bedroom lasts an entire weekend, the last thing she expects is him asking her to stay... Forever.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2022
112 people are currently reading
593 people want to read
About the author
Katie Golding
10 books88 followersKatie Golding is a racing fan with a writing problem. The recovering cheerleader lives in a small town outside of Austin, Texas, mom to a future philanthropist, and wife to a superman. Her writing playlists range from 80s love songs, 90s grunge, 00s punk, to new age underground in less time than it takes her to burn dinner, and she is currently at work on her next romance novel—unless she’s tweeting about it. Represented by Kelly Peterson of Rees Literary Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
January 22, 2022
I had SO MUCH FUN reading this. Highly recommend everyone to do it tbh. It's super cute, I had a smile on my face since the very first page. If you want a hero who is ready to give his life for his love interest since the first time they met, read this book. Luke is THAT HERO!
This novella is very steamy no plot romance tbh. The way they have sex every single chapter and IT'S SO FUN this is kinky AF. They're naughty and fun and you just get a sense that they fit together so perfectly, you know? Luke and Ari are so domestic since the very first page and you won't be able to stop rooting for them. HE HAS A SEX SHOP INSIDE HIS MALIBU MANSION!!! Stopppp he's everything
He literally thinks "gosh she looks so good wearing my $500 dress shirt maybe i should get 10 more and one would be for me while the other 9 would be for hers to use" he's a goner, he's whipped, he would do anything for her. He's rich, a music producer, but I love that she fits together in his life so perfectly. He's so in love with her when even he thinks this is just a hookup. YOU SIR ARE A GONER THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE.
I can't wait for more of this series. It's literally so fun and I loved every single second I spent reading it. January has been a good month for me reading-wise.
This novella is very steamy no plot romance tbh. The way they have sex every single chapter and IT'S SO FUN this is kinky AF. They're naughty and fun and you just get a sense that they fit together so perfectly, you know? Luke and Ari are so domestic since the very first page and you won't be able to stop rooting for them. HE HAS A SEX SHOP INSIDE HIS MALIBU MANSION!!! Stopppp he's everything
He literally thinks "gosh she looks so good wearing my $500 dress shirt maybe i should get 10 more and one would be for me while the other 9 would be for hers to use" he's a goner, he's whipped, he would do anything for her. He's rich, a music producer, but I love that she fits together in his life so perfectly. He's so in love with her when even he thinks this is just a hookup. YOU SIR ARE A GONER THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE.
I can't wait for more of this series. It's literally so fun and I loved every single second I spent reading it. January has been a good month for me reading-wise.
January 26, 2024
* 4½ stars
When book publicist Ari gets dragged to a night at the club, she doesn't expect to meet record producer Luke, who offers her a night of fun and the chance to leave all her inhibitions. But that one night will not be enough.
↪ thoughts:
Luke and Ari are erotic romance excellence. He lets her unleash herself, try new things during sex, and get more comfortable in her skin while he gets charmed by her sweetness and finds himself unable to stop thinking about her. They move a little fast but have so much sexual chemistry and are so into each other that I do believe their feelings for each other.
And, ngl, I kinda want to gatekeep them, but they're way too underrated, so I'm letting y'all know about them in case you want to give them a chance ♡.
(now, please let's ignore that i just reread a book instead of continuing the ones i'm currently reading 😭)
"I swear, I don’t know how I got so lucky with her. Still makes us laugh sometimes though—some one-night stand we turned out to be."↪ plot:
When book publicist Ari gets dragged to a night at the club, she doesn't expect to meet record producer Luke, who offers her a night of fun and the chance to leave all her inhibitions. But that one night will not be enough.
↪ thoughts:
Luke and Ari are erotic romance excellence. He lets her unleash herself, try new things during sex, and get more comfortable in her skin while he gets charmed by her sweetness and finds himself unable to stop thinking about her. They move a little fast but have so much sexual chemistry and are so into each other that I do believe their feelings for each other.
And, ngl, I kinda want to gatekeep them, but they're way too underrated, so I'm letting y'all know about them in case you want to give them a chance ♡.
(now, please let's ignore that i just reread a book instead of continuing the ones i'm currently reading 😭)
January 19, 2022
A hoe book for the hoes!
Luke and Ari had good chemistry and plenty of sexy fun!
January 18, 2022
This was...everything I didn't know I needed in a book. It's an erotica between a music producer and a book publicist that's (somehow? impossibly?) as endearing as it is screaming hot.
My two favorite authors in the business for sexy times scenes are Tessa Bailey and Katie Golding, so I was thrilled when I saw Golding was releasing her first erotica. Ladies and gentlemen, the kink did not disappoint! *gulps water, keeps typing* It was hot, with lots of variety but also...still believable? I guess is the best way to put it. Didn't seem like they were busting out the jungle gym just to impress the spectators, if that makes any sense. This isn't my first from this author, so I was expecting the heat. What I wasn't fully expecting from an erotic novella was how deeply I was going to feel the romance.
The connection between the characters is impossible to look away from. So often in romance, I feel like I only know the characters feel like "this one is different" because the author tells me (often over and over again) but in this book, you can see it in every scene just in the way they tease each other. The way Luke is just a little...softer with her. The way Ari can't help but glance back at him just one more time. It's the way I didn't realize I'd started to smile while I was reading, and now I can't stop.
I could read a thousand words of these two together. I just want to hang out in their world with them, eating takeout while Ari throws on Luke's shirt and her hair's all messy and he loves it and then OOPS they had sex again because they thought of a new, interesting thing they wanted to try and...*rests chin in hands while eyes turn into glowing hearts*
My two favorite authors in the business for sexy times scenes are Tessa Bailey and Katie Golding, so I was thrilled when I saw Golding was releasing her first erotica. Ladies and gentlemen, the kink did not disappoint! *gulps water, keeps typing* It was hot, with lots of variety but also...still believable? I guess is the best way to put it. Didn't seem like they were busting out the jungle gym just to impress the spectators, if that makes any sense. This isn't my first from this author, so I was expecting the heat. What I wasn't fully expecting from an erotic novella was how deeply I was going to feel the romance.
The connection between the characters is impossible to look away from. So often in romance, I feel like I only know the characters feel like "this one is different" because the author tells me (often over and over again) but in this book, you can see it in every scene just in the way they tease each other. The way Luke is just a little...softer with her. The way Ari can't help but glance back at him just one more time. It's the way I didn't realize I'd started to smile while I was reading, and now I can't stop.
I could read a thousand words of these two together. I just want to hang out in their world with them, eating takeout while Ari throws on Luke's shirt and her hair's all messy and he loves it and then OOPS they had sex again because they thought of a new, interesting thing they wanted to try and...*rests chin in hands while eyes turn into glowing hearts*
May 28, 2025
Incendiary levels of hot, mixed with sweet. If you want a read that’s easily 2/3 well-written and not repetitive smut, this is for you.
May 24, 2022
Sometimes a girl just needs some smut without plot to avoid losing sanity
January 19, 2022
It was very hot, not much in the way of a plot, just two strangers meeting, having a super hot one night stand that basically just keeps going and they fall in instalove. I will say there was some language that was a little bit gender essentialism and I do think the addition of Luke’s previous partner showing up could’ve been handled better - it reeked of misogyny and a bit of slut shaming which felt really unnecessary to the story and had a lot of “not like the other girls” vibes towards the FMC. How about we lift up the FMC without having to punch down another woman?
Aside from that, it actually did work for me in that I was exactly in the mood for a super steamy book that just felt easy and quick.
ARC provided by the author, opinions are all mine.
Aside from that, it actually did work for me in that I was exactly in the mood for a super steamy book that just felt easy and quick.
ARC provided by the author, opinions are all mine.
April 2, 2022
4 stars.
Ok this is the second book in a week that TALKS about DP, but doesn’t actually SHOW it. Yeah, we get fucking + a plug. But they talk repeatedly about ordering a strap on for DP purposes, and we never see it. They also mention pegging in passing but we get none of that either.
To all authors: if you’re gonna dribble in Chekhov’s sex scenes, let them get off!
Overall: super hot smut. Fun, light kink.
Didn’t love that the music producer character was named Luke.
Contains: ONS, “oh well stay one more day” but for like a week, music producer hero, book publicist heroine, meet at party, light breath play, light impact play, light sir kink, butt plug, anal, mention of: blindfold spreader bar strap on pegging but not shown, wearing just his shirt, fuck on the couch… floor… doorway…, cook for each other, pool, puppy, moving too fast, commitment issues, reformed playboy meet serial monogamist
5 heat.
Ok this is the second book in a week that TALKS about DP, but doesn’t actually SHOW it. Yeah, we get fucking + a plug. But they talk repeatedly about ordering a strap on for DP purposes, and we never see it. They also mention pegging in passing but we get none of that either.
To all authors: if you’re gonna dribble in Chekhov’s sex scenes, let them get off!
Overall: super hot smut. Fun, light kink.
Didn’t love that the music producer character was named Luke.
Contains: ONS, “oh well stay one more day” but for like a week, music producer hero, book publicist heroine, meet at party, light breath play, light impact play, light sir kink, butt plug, anal, mention of: blindfold spreader bar strap on pegging but not shown, wearing just his shirt, fuck on the couch… floor… doorway…, cook for each other, pool, puppy, moving too fast, commitment issues, reformed playboy meet serial monogamist
5 heat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2023
2.5 stars
The writing is fine, but the sex gets repetitive, the relationship is instalove, and after having sex without a condom and getting Plan B they just... keep having unprotected sex, without discussing anything? As if pregnancy is the only worry?
I also wanted the heroine's best friend/roommate to check in on her like, at all - the one night stand stretched into a weekend and not a single 'let me know you're okay or I'm calling the police' text? Details like that take me out of the story.
The writing is fine, but the content disappoints.
Content notes:
The writing is fine, but the sex gets repetitive, the relationship is instalove, and after having sex without a condom and getting Plan B they just... keep having unprotected sex, without discussing anything? As if pregnancy is the only worry?
I also wanted the heroine's best friend/roommate to check in on her like, at all - the one night stand stretched into a weekend and not a single 'let me know you're okay or I'm calling the police' text? Details like that take me out of the story.
The writing is fine, but the content disappoints.
Content notes:
May 2, 2022
I saw this described as “no plot only smut” vibes and I was like!!! yes I’m in the mood for this, and yessssss I READ IT AND LOVED IT.
I got a sex marathon with FEELINGS and it was fucking amazing.
If you are against insta love maybe this book isn’t for you, but for ME? This was fucking delightful, smutty as hell with some *chefs kiss* excellent kinks and wow I had so much fun reading this!
I can’t wait for the next novella after this one!!!!!
I got a sex marathon with FEELINGS and it was fucking amazing.
If you are against insta love maybe this book isn’t for you, but for ME? This was fucking delightful, smutty as hell with some *chefs kiss* excellent kinks and wow I had so much fun reading this!
I can’t wait for the next novella after this one!!!!!
March 21, 2022
The plot was all the smut.
👀👀 just saying.
👀👀 just saying.
March 30, 2022
Cute, fun, and hot. Would have been great without the third act breakup.
March 14, 2023
Oh. My. Goodness…this was so so so good! Luke and Ari are perfect for each other! I cannot get enough…I was genuinely sad when it was over bc I wanted more 😭 this book had allllll the spice too 😍 it really confirms the whole “when you know you know” saying, no matter how long you’ve been together. Highly suggest this book!
May 17, 2022
dnf @ 38% bored outta my mind
June 7, 2022
Very instalove with a contrived low moment. I wish the characters had been as developed as the hot sex scenes were—although Luke wasn't as filthy as he said he was; this is fairly light BDSM. Luke and Ari felt more like a list of character traits hiding in a trench coat than real people. I wanted to know more about them and for their thoughts and actions to be better aligned.
While I give the author props for Ari taking Plan B after she and Luke have unprotected sex, they don’t really address it again, even though they continue to have unprotected sex. Ari thinks about how they’re probably going to keep forgetting to use a condom and is thankful for birth control. It would have helped if they’d had a discussion about forgoing condoms, especially since they’d only known each other a couple of days at that point. Kudos for normalizing the use of lube though.
Characters: Luke is a white music producer. Ari is a white book publicist. This is set in Malibu, CA.
Content notes: past death of mother (liver failure), MMC has asthma (no issues), past death of father who was neglectful, light misogyny (way MMC treats/thinks of his former hookups), light internalized kink-shaming, unprotected sex, Plan B, on page sex, light D/s, orgasm denial, anal play, spanking, consensual slut-shaming, mutual masturbation, sex toys, p-in-v sex treated as the only real sex, alcohol, inebriation (secondary character), drug references, gender essentialism, ableist language
While I give the author props for Ari taking Plan B after she and Luke have unprotected sex, they don’t really address it again, even though they continue to have unprotected sex. Ari thinks about how they’re probably going to keep forgetting to use a condom and is thankful for birth control. It would have helped if they’d had a discussion about forgoing condoms, especially since they’d only known each other a couple of days at that point. Kudos for normalizing the use of lube though.
Characters: Luke is a white music producer. Ari is a white book publicist. This is set in Malibu, CA.
Content notes: past death of mother (liver failure), MMC has asthma (no issues), past death of father who was neglectful, light misogyny (way MMC treats/thinks of his former hookups), light internalized kink-shaming, unprotected sex, Plan B, on page sex, light D/s, orgasm denial, anal play, spanking, consensual slut-shaming, mutual masturbation, sex toys, p-in-v sex treated as the only real sex, alcohol, inebriation (secondary character), drug references, gender essentialism, ableist language
January 16, 2022
Good lord, this book!
Luke and Ari have stolen my heart!
This perfectly paced story of a one-night stand that lasts a lot longer than one night is sweet, scorching, and I absolutely devoured it. Speaking of devoured, Luke is a hungry, hungry man. Avacado toast, takeout, and of course...
And don't forget
I'd forgotten how hot aviators could be but this book cured me of that real quick
Golding is a master at crafting characters you care about, love stories you believe in, and the sweetest kink you've ever read. The Forever Night Stand made me laugh, cry, and maybe even sweat a little.
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy from the author and I highly recommend this story for any reader looking for a quick, super-steamy, toy-filled, heartfelt read.
And to Luke and Ari, from the bottom of my heart
Luke and Ari have stolen my heart!
This perfectly paced story of a one-night stand that lasts a lot longer than one night is sweet, scorching, and I absolutely devoured it. Speaking of devoured, Luke is a hungry, hungry man. Avacado toast, takeout, and of course...
And don't forget
I'd forgotten how hot aviators could be but this book cured me of that real quick
Golding is a master at crafting characters you care about, love stories you believe in, and the sweetest kink you've ever read. The Forever Night Stand made me laugh, cry, and maybe even sweat a little.
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy from the author and I highly recommend this story for any reader looking for a quick, super-steamy, toy-filled, heartfelt read.
And to Luke and Ari, from the bottom of my heart
January 17, 2022
This was a really fun and quick read. I enjoyed seeing how both characters felt the day after the one-night stand and how they tip-toed around their feelings for so long, worried about how the other would perceive them. It didn't feel like insta-love, but more like finally finding that one person you never realized you were looking for. There were so many laugh-out-loud and endearing moments in this. The kink was amazing. I loved how accommodating and interested Luke was in making sure Ari was pleased, and how he helped her explore her wants and gave her confidence to ask for what she wanted. None of the interactions felt forced, but were sweet and spicy. Luke is exactly the type of man I'd want to be with if I wasn't already married!
If I didn't have kids, I would've been able to read it in one sitting. I didn't want to put it down. I did wish there was more at stake for them to lose if they didn't divulge their feelings, but overall I loved it and I loved Luke and how he fell so fast. Can't wait for the next book in this series!
If I didn't have kids, I would've been able to read it in one sitting. I didn't want to put it down. I did wish there was more at stake for them to lose if they didn't divulge their feelings, but overall I loved it and I loved Luke and how he fell so fast. Can't wait for the next book in this series!
February 8, 2024
4.5 🌶️
Hot sex, with plot. What's not to love? The "third act breakup" was relatively short, and OMG 😳 they actually talked it out?!?!
FMC goes with BFF to a club to hear a band. A creepy dude walks up to her and she's trying to brush him off, unsuccessfully, when MMC comes up playing BF to make the guy go away. They chat, he promises her 4 orgasms, and she goes home with him for a ONS.
The sex is hot, she ends up staying Friday night, but also Saturday night, and then goes home for 10 mins Sunday evening before he texts her asking her to come back.
After a couple of weeks, he's gotta go oot on business, but he buys her a golden doodle. She freaks, they've never renegotiated the relationship. So she says she will stay and dog sit, but they need space.
He gets back, she says I lied, I love you, HEA.
..... I just wonder why the asthma thing was mentioned for him several times, when it was never used in the plot?
Hot sex, with plot. What's not to love? The "third act breakup" was relatively short, and OMG 😳 they actually talked it out?!?!
FMC goes with BFF to a club to hear a band. A creepy dude walks up to her and she's trying to brush him off, unsuccessfully, when MMC comes up playing BF to make the guy go away. They chat, he promises her 4 orgasms, and she goes home with him for a ONS.
The sex is hot, she ends up staying Friday night, but also Saturday night, and then goes home for 10 mins Sunday evening before he texts her asking her to come back.
After a couple of weeks, he's gotta go oot on business, but he buys her a golden doodle. She freaks, they've never renegotiated the relationship. So she says she will stay and dog sit, but they need space.
He gets back, she says I lied, I love you, HEA.
..... I just wonder why the asthma thing was mentioned for him several times, when it was never used in the plot?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2022
Before you dive into this self-proclaimed "low-plot-all-heat" novella, be sure to heed that "all heat" bit. No. Seriously. Grab some ice packs and sit near a cold shower because Katie Golding 100% delivers what's promised in The Forever Night Stand.
A thoroughly enjoyable story chock full of millionaires who obsess over their new instalove interests after a smoking hot hook up, it's also a completely predictable in the most enjoyable way kink-o-rama that gave this reader plenty of "damn, where is MY Luke Kelly, anyway?" vibes. There is plot but it's in service (so to speak) to the sex, not the other way around, and it works, which to me is a testament to Ms. Golding's writing ability. I will definitely read more by this author.
A thoroughly enjoyable story chock full of millionaires who obsess over their new instalove interests after a smoking hot hook up, it's also a completely predictable in the most enjoyable way kink-o-rama that gave this reader plenty of "damn, where is MY Luke Kelly, anyway?" vibes. There is plot but it's in service (so to speak) to the sex, not the other way around, and it works, which to me is a testament to Ms. Golding's writing ability. I will definitely read more by this author.
May 12, 2022
- steamy novella! one night stand that turns into a weekend that turns into… forever?
- instalove, dom/sub, toy and 🍑 play
- this is very very hot
- not a lot of plot but a lot of s3x
- oh my god they’re just so cute together
- the dirty talk is out of this world
- thank god for Tiffany
- the epilogue was so cute (and filthy) i can’t cope
- this was such a fun read! just really fast paced, with very loveable characters
- not loads of depth but sometimes that’s what you need after reading something heavy you know? and i still felt a connection to the characters which is the main thing
- instalove, dom/sub, toy and 🍑 play
- this is very very hot
- not a lot of plot but a lot of s3x
- oh my god they’re just so cute together
- the dirty talk is out of this world
- thank god for Tiffany
- the epilogue was so cute (and filthy) i can’t cope
- this was such a fun read! just really fast paced, with very loveable characters
- not loads of depth but sometimes that’s what you need after reading something heavy you know? and i still felt a connection to the characters which is the main thing
March 14, 2022
My first Katie Golding read and I can't wait to have more of the Malibu Millionaires in my stacks! There really aren't enough exclamation points for how page-turning and happy this story made me while reading. I went in expecting zero-plot, just banging, and walked away falling in love with the character development for both Luke and Ari that Ms. Golding was able to create in a short amount of time.
Do not miss out on this story, it will give you perfect smiles from start to Finish!!!!!!!
Do not miss out on this story, it will give you perfect smiles from start to Finish!!!!!!!
April 11, 2022
“I didn’t know where I was supposed to be until I woke up with you.”
July 2, 2022
3.5 stars. This is straight up banging with a side of adorableness. Like 60% of the book is smut and I wasn’t mad at it.
March 9, 2023
Fun, sweet, and SCORCHING hot 🥵🥵🥵
March 31, 2022
This book is SO SOOD! If you like bad boys/good girl romances and filthy love scenes (I LOVE), then this is the romance book for you. I couldn't put it down!
March 15, 2022
LOVED THIS SO MUCH! This is a Music producer x Book Publicist romance and they have sex almost in every chapter which I loved to see. Luke is such a goner for Ari and it was adorable to watch even though it was insta love. There's no plot just kinky vibes and I highly recommend you read it!!
October 6, 2024
This was a Nick and Sit recommend read and lets all be glad they decide to use their power for good and not evil (well other than destroying my TBR)
CW: death of a parent (past), grief, mentions of alcoholism, dom/sub relationship (consensual)
I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)
-m/f insta attraction
-one night stand
-let's bang this out
-close-proximity
-mutual denial
-it gets me off to get you off
Thinking about this book makes me sweat, let alone reading it. The advertisement that its mostly vibes and sex is spot on and it is in the best way. No unnecessary angst. The plot is these two idiots admitting to themselves and then each other that they've fallen. I am trash for we like having sex with each other and then it only gets better because we're falling in love.
All of the steamy/dirty talk. Both MCs getting off on getting the other off. So much consent. Lots of talking, exploring. They honestly couldn't get enough of each other and I loved it. I honestly never wanted to put it down and want to just pick it up again. Honestly the best example of high steam low angst and now i just need more. Also the writing is just gorgeous, it pulls you in. I'm sorry this isn't coherent just read this book.
Honestly this might just be two simps who fall in love with each other accidentally and do it through having sex with each other. Read this book, you're welcome.
The teaser for book 2 just has me feral.
Steam: 5 (use of sex toys, some light consensual kink and just all the sex)
CW: death of a parent (past), grief, mentions of alcoholism, dom/sub relationship (consensual)
I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)
-m/f insta attraction
-one night stand
-let's bang this out
-close-proximity
-mutual denial
-it gets me off to get you off
Thinking about this book makes me sweat, let alone reading it. The advertisement that its mostly vibes and sex is spot on and it is in the best way. No unnecessary angst. The plot is these two idiots admitting to themselves and then each other that they've fallen. I am trash for we like having sex with each other and then it only gets better because we're falling in love.
All of the steamy/dirty talk. Both MCs getting off on getting the other off. So much consent. Lots of talking, exploring. They honestly couldn't get enough of each other and I loved it. I honestly never wanted to put it down and want to just pick it up again. Honestly the best example of high steam low angst and now i just need more. Also the writing is just gorgeous, it pulls you in. I'm sorry this isn't coherent just read this book.
Honestly this might just be two simps who fall in love with each other accidentally and do it through having sex with each other. Read this book, you're welcome.
The teaser for book 2 just has me feral.
Steam: 5 (use of sex toys, some light consensual kink and just all the sex)
November 22, 2022
huge thank you to that twitter user who made a thread about her fave one-night stand books, i discovered this gem! katie golding wrote the romance trifecta (for me)---equal parts sexy, swoony, and sweet.
December 28, 2022
Reread 12/27 - still oh so delicious
When the sex is fire with a well written plot?? Loved this! Also, the butt stuff was 🥵
When the sex is fire with a well written plot?? Loved this! Also, the butt stuff was 🥵
April 4, 2022
I picked this up on a whim after seeing the author post about the second book that's coming out in a couple of months! I've heard this author's name plenty before but this was my first time reading Golding's books and I had fun with it and it delivered exactly what I was looking for! 3.5 stars rounded up
This is definitely a book to read for the smut and not for the plot because there was none. I had a feeling it was gonna be instalove which was delivered and although I'm not a fan of the trope, I was expecting it so it didn't bother me too much. Ari and Luke do have great chemistry and they were down to get have lots of kinky fun (everywhere, almost all the time!) so it was a whole lot of steamy! That said, I liked that they took the time to have conversations and get to know each other. They might not have talked about what they were to each other or made professions of love until the end, but Luke allowed himself to be very emotionally vulnerable in front of Ari and it was sweet—the man was a total goner for this woman and we're always here for that! Also, if you're looking for a romance with #HeroesWhoEat, Luke was a buffet bae! 🥵 It was pretty reciprocal as well though but something else I also loved about Luke was how he admitted to reading romances and erotica. We're here for that!
There was some attempted OW drama that (I guess) served to highlight even more how just "not like other girls" Ari was but was it really necessary? I personally don't think so. Another thing that I found unnecessary was the 'requisite' third-act breakup. It was frustrating because it felt pointless and simply could've been avoided if Luke had said something right away but it also felt so out of character for Ari. I don't think it added any angsty tension because the days they spent apart were skimmed over but thankfully, this part ended pretty quickly.
Ultimately though this was a fun and super steamy romance that's perfect as a palate cleanser between books or if you're just looking for a quick read as it's just under 200 pages!
This is definitely a book to read for the smut and not for the plot because there was none. I had a feeling it was gonna be instalove which was delivered and although I'm not a fan of the trope, I was expecting it so it didn't bother me too much. Ari and Luke do have great chemistry and they were down to get have lots of kinky fun (everywhere, almost all the time!) so it was a whole lot of steamy! That said, I liked that they took the time to have conversations and get to know each other. They might not have talked about what they were to each other or made professions of love until the end, but Luke allowed himself to be very emotionally vulnerable in front of Ari and it was sweet—the man was a total goner for this woman and we're always here for that! Also, if you're looking for a romance with #HeroesWhoEat, Luke was a buffet bae! 🥵 It was pretty reciprocal as well though but something else I also loved about Luke was how he admitted to reading romances and erotica. We're here for that!
There was some attempted OW drama that (I guess) served to highlight even more how just "not like other girls" Ari was but was it really necessary? I personally don't think so. Another thing that I found unnecessary was the 'requisite' third-act breakup. It was frustrating because it felt pointless and simply could've been avoided if Luke had said something right away but it also felt so out of character for Ari. I don't think it added any angsty tension because the days they spent apart were skimmed over but thankfully, this part ended pretty quickly.
Ultimately though this was a fun and super steamy romance that's perfect as a palate cleanser between books or if you're just looking for a quick read as it's just under 200 pages!
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