Step by Step

Games & Diversions #1

by Natalie E. Wrye

Business mogul Lukas Griffin put the "cock" in "cocky"...amongst other things.
She was the only exception. He should have just walked away...

I’ve simplified my life into a three-part

I binge—I fuck—I come …until I come to my senses.

That’s what my world has been ever since she came into my life.
And I was perfectly content with it staying that way…
Until I actually met her.

Mouthy dancer.
Blonde bombshell.
Elena.

My best friend’s soon to be sister-in-law.

Enemies before we’d ever laid eyes on each other, we were a match made in Hell—a cautionary tale of how not to get along.

But when the spark between us sets our passions ablaze , how do we prevent the unexpected matches (seen and unseen ) from turning our flame into an inferno ?


*** AUTHOR'S NOTE : This volume contains graphic sexual themes and coarse language that may not be suitable for audiences under the age of 17.

***This book is Round 1 of a THREE round, Romantic Thriller series.***

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance

101 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 3, 2015

About the author

Natalie Wrye is a tequila connoisseur, Game of Thrones addict and author best known for writing page-turning Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense.

A fan of the beautifully polarizing anti-hero, she crafts sexy stories about hard-bodied, complex men and the strong-willed women who crave them.

She provides an inappropriate laugh (or ten) and a FREE book here: http://eepurl.com/b4A6_r

She loves it when people get weird with her on Facebook, NatalieWrye.com or NatalieWrites@NatalieWrye.com.

Reader Roundtable:
http://eepurl.com/bkUdof

Facebook author page:
http://www.facebook.com/nataliewrye

Reviews

[Dusty Summerford (Reviews by Reds) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Smoking Hottttt Stars!!

Natalie Wrye has turned up the heat just in time for Winter and I love it!! Her writing is so witty and entertaining. I haven't read anything by her that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed.

We first meet Lukas and Elena in Paradise Forbidden. I suggest you read it first so you know the whole story. Lukas is a silent partner at Tripping Out! with Foxx and Chris. Foxx's fiance Kat works there also and she is Elena's sister.
Lukas and Elena have never met but they have been planning a surprise party for months over the phone. They don't exactly see eye to eye. They are constantly butting heads and it is so entertaining.
Over time they start to warm up to each other but Lukas is known for his late nights with his flavors of the week. Will he change his ways for Elena or will he just make her another conquest?

This is a 3 part novella series and I can't wait to see where Natalie Wrye takes us next. I can guarantee that it will be well worth the ride!!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[1-Click Addict Support Group · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this series but was drawn in by the blurb!

The start of these rounds of the Games & Diversions series was a quick, hot and interesting read. There is nothing hotter than hate sex.

“I never claimed to be a fan of Lukas Griffin. In fact, I’m not sure that I even like him. But I do know this…I don’t just want to fuck him. I need to fuck him.”

Lukas and Elena are thrown together because they have to plan a surprise engagement party together. All they do is fight, which turns out to be foreplay.

“I don’t know that I can be friends with her…But I do know this…I want to fuck the shit out of her. Now. At this very moment.”

By the end of the story I was sucked in by the game that is being played. It has me intrigued and I need to find out who is behind it. I am looking forward to volume two! ~ Tiffany, 4 stars

~~~

Lukas and Elena have an oil and water type of relationship; no matter how hard they tried to be cordial, they are anything but, despite never having met personally. As they plan her sister's wedding to his best friend, they know they have to do a better job in getting along yet they love to push each other's buttons. The love/hate relationship they had for each other was hilarious as well as sassy!

The chemistry between these two is scorching hot and, at times, I really wanted to slap some common sense into them! They had me laughing, swooning, yelling, and laughing again and again throughout the book.

One thing leads to another and next thing we see is that things don't go according to how Elena thought they would, and now she's left to pick up the pieces...will she survive? One thing I'm pretty sure of is that Lukas has not seen the last of Elena! ~ Kara, 4 stars

[ItaPixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The greatest risk is not taking any." - Tim Fargo

This story has captivated me ever since I saw the first teaser on the author page.
I loved the sexual tension between the two main characters,Lukas and Elena.
I didn't expect that ending and I definitely can't wait to read what happens in the next book...fortunately it will be released soon!!!
I want to thank the author for giving me the chance to read an ARC.

[Prissisma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading Natalie E. Wrye's ...and I loved it! Short and exciting.
I loved every minute of it.
I need to read the second one now!

5stars indeed!!

[Sandra Shipman ~ Two Book Pushers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Step by Step is the the first novella in a three part series. I met the main characters Lukas and Elena briefly in her standalone novel, Paradise Forbidden. I knew from that book that Lukas was a bit cocky and Elena was a badass so I was excited when I started reading and put two and two together. I didn't read the synopsis because I already knew I wanted the book so went in blind. Ok...onto the book.

Over the last three months Lukas has been pretty much drinking, having sex with random women and passing out. And in between he might show up to work where he is a silent partner for a magazine run by himself and his best friends. Now for the better part of two months the person that he has been talking to the most, it seems is someone that he doesn't exactly get along with but they are working together on a very special party...

Elena has never met her sister's best friends but has been working with Lukas over the phone and he just gets to her. He is cocky, arrogant and has his flavors of night. She just wants to get this party over with and move on but she is also moving to Tampa so she will have to deal with him in person soon enough.

Lukas and Elena haven't met in person yet but from what he does know is that she is serious, needs a sense of humor and to take the stick out of her ass. And Elena knows that he is a cocky manwhore but she has heard he is a hot one. So when Lukas sees another side of her, he can't wait to meet her and when he does, he wants her. Bad. But does Elena want him? And even if she does, can she settle to just be another one of his flavor of the night?

I loved Lukas. There is just something about him that got to me and not just because he is damn sexy either. I am excited to see more sides of him. And then there is Elena, oh yeah, she is a total badass that loves cupcakes. I can't wait to see what is up next for these two.

I have read Natalie's Blindfold duet and Paradise Forbidden and enjoyed them very much but this series is so far my favorite! Great job Miss Wrye, you got me to move from my 4.5 stars to a 5 star

[Lisa Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Step by Step by Natalie E. Wrye is the first novella in a three part series and dang, do I wish the others were already here! I did NOT want this story to end! It was witty, funny, and sensual and I couldn't get enough of Lukas and Elena.

Elena is moving to Tampa for a fresh start and to open her own dance studio. A dance studio where she can teach without the worry of suddenly losing her job due to it unexpectedly closing down.


Lukas Griffin, (as he sees it) is a silent partner in Tripping Out, along with his two best friends. His life consists of three things. Drinking. Sleeping around. Coming. He's only settled down once and doesn't plan to do that, again.

Though Elena and Lukas haven't met in person, they are planning Kat (Elena's sister) and Foxx's (Lukas's best friend) engagement party. It seems impossible because they can't stand each other. That is until the unexpected happens and they are both left undecided. Elena tries to avoid the, more than ever, determined Lukas and succeeds as long as possible. They HAVE to meet at the party and will be soon living in the same city, socializing in the same circle of friends.

Lukas was warned to stay away from Elena and he should have listened because when he sees her, he is mesmerized. He can't stay away from her. And this is when the cat and mouse game begins!

Do Elena and Lukas see something in one another or do they continue hating each other? Do they hit it off and give it a shot? Do they pretend nothing happened between them before they met? I highly recommend you to read Step by Step written by the extremely talented Natalie E. Wrye to see how this story turns out. It is hot, seductive, sexy, and alluring which made it impossible for me to put down. So excited to continue Elena and Lukas's story in Hour by Hour!

[Liz ~ Liz's Reading Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lukas Griffin is a complicated man with a complicated past. He's a man of few words and even fewer friends. His life is what he makes it not what others tell him. He's a love 'em and leave 'em, a never look back kind of guy.

Elena Lexington is looking for a new start. Everything she thought she had, the life she built, blew up in smoke. Moving to Florida to be near her sisters seems like a good plan, but first she has to finish the plans for Kat's Surprise Engagement Party.

However, party planning isn't ideal with Elena and Lukas not seeing eye to. As the party gets started, the pair will finally met in person, so will they come to fistacuffs or will the sexual tension become too strong to deny.

This is a quick, sexually charge read that introduces Lukas and Elena to the reader. The passion that flows between the two is sizzling and off the charts. Lukas is a tall, dark, handsome, alpha male that knows how to make a woman weak in the knees. Elena is a strong will individual, a take no prisoners woman. She'll do whatever to it takes to make her family happy and keep them protected. They are a lot a like, if they can only stop the fighting to talk.

But there is also a mystery going on and both are hiding something. How is this story going to end? What will happen with Lukas and Elena, is there something more than just physical? So many questions they will have you craving to book two to learn more.

[Samantha Ortegon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Step by Step is a short read but worth every minute that it took me to finish this story.
Natalie E. Wrye introduces us to Lukas Griffin and Elena Lexington, two very gorgeous characters which seem to have a hate relationship without having even met face to face.
Lukas and Elena have been corresponding on the phone while planning the engagement party of her sister Kat and his best friend Foxx. Planning this party seems harder than they expected since Lucas and Elena can't agree on one thing, I found their bantering amusing.
It takes one night of a texting conversation that changes the relationship they have. The tension builds knowing that Lucas and Elena will finally come face to face at the party, it is such a cat and mouse game that the two play with each other during the party, but damn does Lucas take control of the evening in one of the hottest elevator/hallway scenes I have ever read. The night is steamy and passionate and one they will never forget. This story ends with round 1, Lucas finds himself playing a game he never knew was started.

[Chitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

** 4 STARS **

This novella is the first installment of the series. It's short, hot, and addicting. The love hate relationship and banter between Lukas and Elena is hilarious. The sexual tension that grew between them yet they kept pulling back is funny. I felt like locking them in a room to just do it. All in all, I couldn't get enough of them–well, Lukas mostly. ;)

[Siobhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The following is a review of all three parts, originally posted on Perfect Revenge…


Perfect Revenge is the second book in Natalie E. Wrye’s Revenge series, and it was a much more enjoyable read than the first book in the series. Made up of the three parts of Games & Diversions – Step by Step, Hour by Hour, and Minute by Minute – a lot more happened in this one to keep me interested.

While Riske and Revenge was a rounded up two-point-five-star rating, Perfect Revenge is a rounded up three-point-five-star rating. The amount of improvement, however, was enough to leave me considering going back and rounding down my rating of the first book. I didn’t, though, despite the thoughts that passed through my head.

Although Perfect Revenge could work as a standalone novel, I think it works best if you read the prior book first. You get to know the characters in advance, you get to understand certain elements, and it allows for a better understanding of the finer details. In other words, reading the prior book makes this a more powerful read.

Like with the first book, however, I wasn’t crazy about the characters in this story. I enjoyed them marginally more than I enjoyed the characters of book one, but I wasn’t crazy about them. What I did enjoy a lot more, though, was the revenge story.

There were some messy elements with the revenge story, but it was a lot more fleshed out than the story in book one. I was able to overlook some of the messy elements, as I was kept gripped throughout this one. There was more of a game to this one, it kept you guessing a lot more. It sucked me in more than I was expecting, and due to that I was able to round this one up.

Overall, Perfect Revenge was a much more enjoyable read than Riske and Revenge.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

This is round 1 of 3, it's a cat and mouse game between Lucas and Elena and it's fun to read.

We met these characthers briefly In Paradise Forbidden, we get to know them much better in this Series. Somehow Lucas has been drawn into organising an engagement party for his friend with the help of his friends fiancee's sister Elena, it's a pain, she's a pain, she even winds him up about liking Coldplay - now that's cheeky!! As much as she winds him up, he can't help wondering what she's like, he knows her sisters hot but his only ever spoken to Elena on the Phone.

Elena, is a feisty, strong, determined and fun, I really liked her, she's enjoyed her conversations with Lukas, especially the time they Skyped......

Now it's time to meet at the party, it's such fun, it's so obvious they burn for each other, who will give in first that's the question.

This is an entertaining and fun read with characthers that you'll love. I'm lucky as I have round 2 to start straight away but then I'll have to wait until end of month for last round - can't wait to see these two soften there hardened shells.

4.25 stars

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed on Behalf of Give Me Books

Wow! I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this series but was drawn in by the blurb!

The start of these rounds of the Games & Diversions series was a quick, hot and interesting read. There is nothing hotter than hate sex.

“I never claimed to be a fan of Lukas Griffin. In fact, I’m not sure that I even like him. But I do know this…I don’t just want to fuck him. I need to fuck him.”

Lukas & Elena are thrown together because they have to plan a surprise engagement party together. All they do is fight, which turns out to be foreplay.

“I don’t know that I can be friends with her…But I do know this…I want to fuck the shit out of her. Now. At this very moment.”

By the end of the story I was sucked in by the game that is being played. It has me intrigued and I need to find out who is behind it. I am looking forward to volume 2! (4 stars)

[Savannah Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been anxiously waiting to read this book for weeks and it did not disappoint! Lukas Griffin is so cocky and sexy, I loved being in his head. Elena was the perfect girl for him, she had him falling all over himself and doing things out of character for a guy like that. The dialogue was witty and snappy. I gotta go back to Griff, his attitude from the very first line was just so irresistible. The erotic scenes were so hot. Throughout this whole book, I was either smiling, laughing, or super turned on. There were a few parts I covered my mouth in excited surprise. I read this book in one sitting just to see how it ended. I can't wait for round two!

[Nicole Guerrero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lukas and Elena have great chemistry. They get under each others skin. Which makes there attractionthat much hotter. I love Elena's character . I'm not so sure about Lukas yet. I have a feeling we're gonna have a love/ hate relationship. But overall I enjoyed this round and can't wait to read the next round in this series. The book was a lot shorter than I expected, I would have loved to get to know the character's a little better. Hopefully I will in the next round.

Was Provided this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Wanda Slack · Rating 4 out of 5]

The love/ hate relationship between Lucas and Elana before they have even met makes their actually finally meeting one game of cat and mouse mixed in with pure lust. They work together over the phone to plan an engagement party for her sister and his best friend that leads to a night neither one of them will soon be able to forget. The chemistry between them left me wanting for more.

I received this as an ARC for an honest review.

[Christine VanBruggen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am hooked on these books! Lukas is dark, aggressive, and full of built up sexual tension. This first book is the beginning of something so alluring that it will leave you screaming for more, well that or screaming out for Lukas ;-)

[Allison Connors · Rating 5 out of 5]

Left me breathless

This book is hot from start to finish. My heart is still racing. I devoured every word like a decadent dessert. The banter and the pent up desire was intoxicating.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intensely hot sex!!! Great start to the series! Kept me wanting more!

[Laura Reinhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The banter between the characters was hilarious. Once the finally meet the Sparks were off the book. I look forward to reading more of this series.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Step by Step by Natalie E. Wrye is the first book in her Games & Diversions serial. At first I found the story a little hard to follow, then when I realized that the two main characters hadn't yet actually met in person yet it all started to make sense to me. The biting but familiar sarcasm, the frustration, and when they finally do meet it spills over, morphing into sexual tension that is palpable to anyone paying attention. My favorite part was when things got slightly dangerous. Twisted, I know. This moved from a romance to a thriller and I was hooked. I am excited to see what happens next.

[Ayekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book one of a three part series... and the game royale is one between Elena and Lukas. Oh enemy mine.
Lukas isn't the easiest man to get along with and Elena likes her ducks in a row. Between arranging an engagement party for her sister living in Florida, leaving her life in Memphis to relocate to Florida, a jerk wad ex and two sisters, she still manages to pull things off, leaving a Lukas who couldn't have cared less before, impressed and once he sets his eyes on Elena he's all in.
The first book is short, packed with the characters who are the main players and tossed into the mix now is a threat, seemingly targeting Lukas and the company he and his two friends own, but the threat is directed at him.
Onto book two.

[Becky Rendon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Step by Step Round 1

Lukas is in a slump. His man whoring ways don't seem to make him happy anymore. Drinking is harder to recover from now. He just can't seem to be excited by it anymore.

Elena's life is a mess. Her job was closed down. Her ex is an ass. She just can't do it in Tennessee any more. The only thing going for her is this move. Florida will be different.

When Lukas and Elena meet, the undisclosed issues make it hard to want to talk. But they need to do something...


It's entertaining. The game quotes are actually really intriguing. This series is cliffhangers so don't be surprised. This one is actually a pretty quick read too.

reviewed for Reviews From the Heart

[GreenFairy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whatever the hell this was supposed to be...it wasn't. And whoever decided to make the tags for it, please stop. You clearly don't know your genres. FYI...there is no romance. Two people who have never met hate each other? All because of a surprise party. Yeah, ok. And yep, you guessed it...they want each other once they see each other. Even at 75 pages it wasn't well-written. Authors who push out dinky books with no substance JUST to publish a lot of books (or not) annoy me. I don't read them again.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4 stars. Lukas and Elena are planning a party together for Lukas's best friend and Elena's sister. They haven't met in person yet, but they have corresponded via phone and text so the exchanges are tumultuous at times, only further ignited with sparks when they meet in person. Although the attraction can't be denied, Lukas isn't a commitment type of guy and Elena will not be anyone's plaything. With the surprises thrown in, it will be interesting to see where their paths will lead them next.

[Jacinda Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book was beyond hot. Lukas, well he is a hot mess to handle but Elena seems capable, despite that they seem destined to be enemies. I love the dynamic these two share, they always keep you laughing. The ending though, I was not expecting. Holy cliffhanger Wrye...I look forward to book two!

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lukas Griffin and Elena Lexington are a fun couple. They have great chemistry. The banter between them is funny and the naughty scenes are Hot but tastefully done. It's a fun light read but has some really good scenes full of intrigue. It's a novella that reads very fast and you'll want to continue on with the story in Hour by Hour.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Step by Step was amazing read. I loved the characters humorous banter and steaminess. Can't wait to read the next book.

[Julianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

[Jeune · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review on Book #3 Minute by Minute