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Alex Kennedy #2
Naked
No strings. No regrets. And no going back.
I didn't think he wanted me. And I wasn't about to get involved with him, not after what I'd heard. Sure, Alex Kennedy was tall, dark and unbearably hot, but I've been burned before. When I solicited him to model for my erotic photography book, I didn't expect such a heated, passionate photo session. And now that we've crossed that line, our bodies aren't the only things that have been exposed.
But I can't give my heart to a man who's so...unconventional. His last sexual relationship was with a married "couple." It's enough that my ex-fiance preferred men, I can't take that chance again no matter how much my body thrives on Alex's touch. I can't risk it, but I can't resist it, either.
Alex can be very convincing when he wants something.
And he wants me.
I didn't think he wanted me. And I wasn't about to get involved with him, not after what I'd heard. Sure, Alex Kennedy was tall, dark and unbearably hot, but I've been burned before. When I solicited him to model for my erotic photography book, I didn't expect such a heated, passionate photo session. And now that we've crossed that line, our bodies aren't the only things that have been exposed.
But I can't give my heart to a man who's so...unconventional. His last sexual relationship was with a married "couple." It's enough that my ex-fiance preferred men, I can't take that chance again no matter how much my body thrives on Alex's touch. I can't risk it, but I can't resist it, either.
Alex can be very convincing when he wants something.
And he wants me.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
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4652 people want to read
About the author
Megan Hart
265 books4,057 followersMegan Hart has written in almost every genre of romantic fiction, including historical, contemporary, romantic suspense, romantic comedy, futuristic, fantasy and perhaps most notably, erotic. She also writes non-erotic fantasy and science fiction, as well as continuing to occasionally dabble in horror.
--from the author's website
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
For Megan Hart, the nutritionist, click here
--from the author's website
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
For Megan Hart, the nutritionist, click here
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 451 reviews
October 4, 2024
4.25 stars**⬇️
Re read October 2024
Re read October 2024
February 24, 2018
3.5 to 4 Stars
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I loved the connection and chemistry between Alex and Olivia. They had a fun, sensual and tender relationship. Plus, a good portion of the book was spent with them together as a couple and I loved that.
I’d have given this book a high rating if the author would have spent less page time on the heroine’s self growth and religious journey and more time allowing the reader to get a deeper understanding of the hero’s character and thought processes. After all, this was suppose to be Alex’s book in the series. Sadly, it was very much the heroine’s as Alex’s character, like in Tempted, was cloaked in mystique. Fortunately, the author gave us a glimpse into Alex’s character in the short novella Everything Changes, Alex’s POV of Tempted. I was grateful I went back and read his novella after finishing this one. It helped me understand his character better and gave me insight into some of his reactions and comments during this book. Boy, would I love his POV. I’m sure his perspective of things would be very different than Olivia’s.
Megan Hart is known for well written angsty stories with abrupt or less than satisfying endings. Luckily, this book had a decent ending. I was happy with it but wouldn’t have complain if we were given a little more.
Note: This series ebooks are very expensive to buy–$7:99 on Amazon. Luckily I was able to find the ebooks at the Library. I would have never read them otherwise.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I loved the connection and chemistry between Alex and Olivia. They had a fun, sensual and tender relationship. Plus, a good portion of the book was spent with them together as a couple and I loved that.
I’d have given this book a high rating if the author would have spent less page time on the heroine’s self growth and religious journey and more time allowing the reader to get a deeper understanding of the hero’s character and thought processes. After all, this was suppose to be Alex’s book in the series. Sadly, it was very much the heroine’s as Alex’s character, like in Tempted, was cloaked in mystique. Fortunately, the author gave us a glimpse into Alex’s character in the short novella Everything Changes, Alex’s POV of Tempted. I was grateful I went back and read his novella after finishing this one. It helped me understand his character better and gave me insight into some of his reactions and comments during this book. Boy, would I love his POV. I’m sure his perspective of things would be very different than Olivia’s.
Megan Hart is known for well written angsty stories with abrupt or less than satisfying endings. Luckily, this book had a decent ending. I was happy with it but wouldn’t have complain if we were given a little more.
Note: This series ebooks are very expensive to buy–$7:99 on Amazon. Luckily I was able to find the ebooks at the Library. I would have never read them otherwise.
July 30, 2010
Ok I waitied ages to read this, the anticipation nearly killed me, it arrived one morning earlier this week and before I knew it I read the whole bloody thing...all that waiting and it was over in a couple of hours, and now I'm left with that post 'fantastic book' depression that I always get when I've read something that I'd like never to finish.
So I guess it's pretty obvious that I loved the third book in the Alex Kennedy story. I was epecting one thing and Ms Hart threw me a blinder and wrote something completly the opposite and far better than I could ever have anticipated. As always Ms HArt writes more than just a love story, each character comes with their ready made baggage which is something I've come to expect, Alex and Olivia are no differnt. This book takes places 3 to 4 years on from Tempted and Everything Changes, Alex is slightly different, perhapes a little more world weary? Olivia is a friend of a 'friend'. and has her own set of issues, the two hit it off and their relationship develops from there. With all it's ups and downs.
I love the way Ms Hart takes her characters outside the 'normal' realms of romance and enhances their personalities with various back stories, this is a story of finding yourself, who you are, and accepting what you find, it's also a story of acccepting love and taking chances even though some of the things you find out may take you away from what think you know and ultimatley trust. This story had it's fair share of surpries and not just little ones but ones of jaw dropping portentous, it also has it's fair share of sadness but lots of happiness too!
I would like to add here that Ms Hart writes what she sees and feels about the world around us and in particular injustice so she is not afraid to take her stories and characters out of the 'cosy cosy'. Naked is no different, same sex adoption, religious diffrences, racism and homophobia are all included and thumbs up to Ms Hart for not fudging about but telling it as it is.
This story had me in tears but it also made me feel happy, any fans of Megan Hart will not be disappointed.
So I guess it's pretty obvious that I loved the third book in the Alex Kennedy story. I was epecting one thing and Ms Hart threw me a blinder and wrote something completly the opposite and far better than I could ever have anticipated. As always Ms HArt writes more than just a love story, each character comes with their ready made baggage which is something I've come to expect, Alex and Olivia are no differnt. This book takes places 3 to 4 years on from Tempted and Everything Changes, Alex is slightly different, perhapes a little more world weary? Olivia is a friend of a 'friend'. and has her own set of issues, the two hit it off and their relationship develops from there. With all it's ups and downs.
I love the way Ms Hart takes her characters outside the 'normal' realms of romance and enhances their personalities with various back stories, this is a story of finding yourself, who you are, and accepting what you find, it's also a story of acccepting love and taking chances even though some of the things you find out may take you away from what think you know and ultimatley trust. This story had it's fair share of surpries and not just little ones but ones of jaw dropping portentous, it also has it's fair share of sadness but lots of happiness too!
I would like to add here that Ms Hart writes what she sees and feels about the world around us and in particular injustice so she is not afraid to take her stories and characters out of the 'cosy cosy'. Naked is no different, same sex adoption, religious diffrences, racism and homophobia are all included and thumbs up to Ms Hart for not fudging about but telling it as it is.
This story had me in tears but it also made me feel happy, any fans of Megan Hart will not be disappointed.
November 21, 2011
I guess I'm the only one who just had a WTF moment with this book. Oh well. What I liked:
1) The cover - even though it's not totally accurate (hey Harlequin, couldn't you guys have found a black model with silky locks like Olivia has? You've got the money to for it);
2) It was interracial--black woman/white male. That's always an automatic on-star with me;
3) Alex, the hero, wore Whip, a fragrance from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, which is one of my favorites from that company.
Outside of those three things, this novel wasn't quite a train wreck, but more of a near-miss. Seriously. It's not that I don't mind the unusual and the unexpected and the edgy--in fact I thrive on books like that--but an author should know HOW to write edgy and unusual without trying to fit into a formula, which Megan Hart unfortunately does. Note to author: if you want to write against the grain, DON'T WRITE FOR HARLEQUIN or any of its imprints! There's little to no room for creativity. Even if your story doesn't warrant an HEA, you'll have to pull one out of your butt because well, it's HARLEQUIN and your readership expects it!
I really didn't know what to make of Olivia Mackey, our erstwhile photographer heroine who was adopted by a white family but somehow never knew she was BLACK until another black classmate pointed it out to her. Are you freaking KIDDING me? How is this even believable that no one in her family would have forgotten to mention something like this, or better yet, didn't the young Olivia ever see herself in the mirror or watch television and notice that she didn't quite look like mommy and daddy? I suppose to make up for her utter and unbelievable cluelessness, Hart gives Olivia silky dreds which lets the reader know she's indeed black. Okay...
I've always found it interesting that some authors are sometimes stuck having to make certain they over-tag a character as being black, especially if they behave in ways that the larger society thinks goes against the perceptions people have about blacks. Write about a drug dealer or a gangbanger and everyone automatically assumes they're black. Write about a black female photographer who speaks proper English and Houston, there's a problem. I'm kind of feeling that way about how Hart handles Olivia. Every couple of pages she has Olivia doing something with her locks, either putting them in a ponytail or twisting them in a bun--but we know she doesn't have a long, flowy mane.
Olivia just comes up short in contrast to the hero and it drives me nuts. Most of the book is spent with Olivia feeling sorry for herself, then horny, then unsure of her place in the world, then unsure of her relationship with Alex, then...just whiny. I HATE whiny!
Alex Kennedy was, well, confusing. Tall-check. Dark-check. Sexy-check. Mysterious-check. So why did he leave me scratching my head wondering what the hell his damage was? Uh, hasn't anyone in Hart-land ever heard of BISEXUALITY? Guess not. I'm not sure what she was trying to accomplish with him by somehow trying to convince me that he was just a straight dude who liked having sex with men on occasion, but it felt forced, as if she's aware her readership just isn't into guys getting it on unless there's guilt and angst attached. I just didn't warm up to him at all, and he had all the makings of an intriguing character. I have discovered that he actually appears in a previous novel Tempted, but Naked was supposed to be his story. Making him a bi-male would have gone a long way to making some of his actions understandable. There were times he just came off as a total asshole.
Worse, Hart commits epic FAIL when it comes to the gay male characters. They're either manipulative bastards, metrosexual model-types or in the case of Patrick and Alex, not certain what they are until they are certain what they are (and even then there's a question mark). And what about the totally unbelievable HEA after the get-together with Alex's best friend Jamie which revealed some pretty interesting history. Oh and lest I forget, the typical Archie Bunker-type parents who just cannot hide their shock/surprise/dismay that their child is marrying out of the race. Just. No.
I didn't hate the book. It just should have been more.
1) The cover - even though it's not totally accurate (hey Harlequin, couldn't you guys have found a black model with silky locks like Olivia has? You've got the money to for it);
2) It was interracial--black woman/white male. That's always an automatic on-star with me;
3) Alex, the hero, wore Whip, a fragrance from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, which is one of my favorites from that company.
Outside of those three things, this novel wasn't quite a train wreck, but more of a near-miss. Seriously. It's not that I don't mind the unusual and the unexpected and the edgy--in fact I thrive on books like that--but an author should know HOW to write edgy and unusual without trying to fit into a formula, which Megan Hart unfortunately does. Note to author: if you want to write against the grain, DON'T WRITE FOR HARLEQUIN or any of its imprints! There's little to no room for creativity. Even if your story doesn't warrant an HEA, you'll have to pull one out of your butt because well, it's HARLEQUIN and your readership expects it!
I really didn't know what to make of Olivia Mackey, our erstwhile photographer heroine who was adopted by a white family but somehow never knew she was BLACK until another black classmate pointed it out to her. Are you freaking KIDDING me? How is this even believable that no one in her family would have forgotten to mention something like this, or better yet, didn't the young Olivia ever see herself in the mirror or watch television and notice that she didn't quite look like mommy and daddy? I suppose to make up for her utter and unbelievable cluelessness, Hart gives Olivia silky dreds which lets the reader know she's indeed black. Okay...
I've always found it interesting that some authors are sometimes stuck having to make certain they over-tag a character as being black, especially if they behave in ways that the larger society thinks goes against the perceptions people have about blacks. Write about a drug dealer or a gangbanger and everyone automatically assumes they're black. Write about a black female photographer who speaks proper English and Houston, there's a problem. I'm kind of feeling that way about how Hart handles Olivia. Every couple of pages she has Olivia doing something with her locks, either putting them in a ponytail or twisting them in a bun--but we know she doesn't have a long, flowy mane.
Olivia just comes up short in contrast to the hero and it drives me nuts. Most of the book is spent with Olivia feeling sorry for herself, then horny, then unsure of her place in the world, then unsure of her relationship with Alex, then...just whiny. I HATE whiny!
Alex Kennedy was, well, confusing. Tall-check. Dark-check. Sexy-check. Mysterious-check. So why did he leave me scratching my head wondering what the hell his damage was? Uh, hasn't anyone in Hart-land ever heard of BISEXUALITY? Guess not. I'm not sure what she was trying to accomplish with him by somehow trying to convince me that he was just a straight dude who liked having sex with men on occasion, but it felt forced, as if she's aware her readership just isn't into guys getting it on unless there's guilt and angst attached. I just didn't warm up to him at all, and he had all the makings of an intriguing character. I have discovered that he actually appears in a previous novel Tempted, but Naked was supposed to be his story. Making him a bi-male would have gone a long way to making some of his actions understandable. There were times he just came off as a total asshole.
Worse, Hart commits epic FAIL when it comes to the gay male characters. They're either manipulative bastards, metrosexual model-types or in the case of Patrick and Alex, not certain what they are until they are certain what they are (and even then there's a question mark). And what about the totally unbelievable HEA after the get-together with Alex's best friend Jamie which revealed some pretty interesting history. Oh and lest I forget, the typical Archie Bunker-type parents who just cannot hide their shock/surprise/dismay that their child is marrying out of the race. Just. No.
I didn't hate the book. It just should have been more.
January 27, 2011
Naked is loosely connected to Megan Hart's book Tempted. It continues with Alex Kennedy meeting Olivia Mackey the morning after a Holiday celebration. It turns out that Alex needs a place to stay for a few months and Olivia has an apartment she can rent out to him while he is in town on business. Both are attracted to each other but Olivia is very hesitant to become involved in a relationship with a man who might swing both ways. She was already hurt once by her former fiancé Patrick who finally came out of the closet.
Megan Hart's writing is so difficult for me to give a grade when reviewing. I think she is such a fabulous writer. Her characters are completely fleshed out and so human that it is hard not to be drawn in by them and have an emotional reaction. But at the same time sometimes the characters are so human, faults and all, that the very same thing that drew you in pushes you away. Am I making any sense at all?
Let's start with Alex. On the outside he seems so completely put together. All posh and circumstance, yet just past the surface the man is a mess. He thinks he knows what he wants, but I am not convinced that he does. Olivia's perception when it comes to relationships is very skewed and much of this is due to the fact that the only serious relationship she has had is with a gay man.
But despite all these obstacles it is obvious that these two when together are happy. They have baggage that they will have to work to overcome. I like that the author doesn't sugar coat things and faces the fact that for the relationship to be successful, Olivia and Alex will have to work for it. I really liked how Ms. Hart ties themes of acceptance throughout the book. She took religion, race and sexual orientation all without being preachy, and showed how these things can affect a person or people. I thought that was very well done of her and it gave the book quite a bit of depth.
I must admit the way the book was going I thought it was going to end badly. Fortunately, things were resolved in the end, but I felt that the ending was VERY abrupt. I wish that things could have been hammered out a little better and eventually this is what led me to lower the grade rating. I am not entirely convinced of the happy ever after.
Megan Hart's writing is so difficult for me to give a grade when reviewing. I think she is such a fabulous writer. Her characters are completely fleshed out and so human that it is hard not to be drawn in by them and have an emotional reaction. But at the same time sometimes the characters are so human, faults and all, that the very same thing that drew you in pushes you away. Am I making any sense at all?
Let's start with Alex. On the outside he seems so completely put together. All posh and circumstance, yet just past the surface the man is a mess. He thinks he knows what he wants, but I am not convinced that he does. Olivia's perception when it comes to relationships is very skewed and much of this is due to the fact that the only serious relationship she has had is with a gay man.
But despite all these obstacles it is obvious that these two when together are happy. They have baggage that they will have to work to overcome. I like that the author doesn't sugar coat things and faces the fact that for the relationship to be successful, Olivia and Alex will have to work for it. I really liked how Ms. Hart ties themes of acceptance throughout the book. She took religion, race and sexual orientation all without being preachy, and showed how these things can affect a person or people. I thought that was very well done of her and it gave the book quite a bit of depth.
I must admit the way the book was going I thought it was going to end badly. Fortunately, things were resolved in the end, but I felt that the ending was VERY abrupt. I wish that things could have been hammered out a little better and eventually this is what led me to lower the grade rating. I am not entirely convinced of the happy ever after.
September 3, 2010
In a word, "disappointed."
In my opinion, Naked started out so strong and so full of potential. However, the story went in all kinds of directions which not only detracted from the main storyline but effectively derailed this book from the story that it could've been. With a whole chapter dedicated to a kiddie party, another chapter dedicated to a religious celebration, and the whole back-and-forth Jewish versus Catholic thing...it was all just too much and completely unnecessary in terms of what it contributed to the story. I found myself reading and scratching my head thinking, "Why is this even in here?"
Furthermore, things which in my opinion COULD/SHOULD have been developed further were not (such as Sarah's situation with Jack). I know that I was interested in reading more about that pairing (or lack thereof) and felt disappointed when all we got was a couple of pages and vague discussions about it. I thought that it had the potential for an interesting secondary storyline within this book which could've developed into a separate story/book, telling Sarah's (and Jack's) story (although, to be honest, I don't know if it's already been done - hope so).
Also, the whole still in love with the former fiancée-turned gay BFF-turned selfish jerk thing - which had SO MUCH potential for a killer climax (no pun intended) - merely came to head in a short, confusing, couple page "blurb" that felt rushed and sadly underdeveloped. I read and read, hoping to reach the point where Olivia and Patrick would face off or come to some sort of crossroads, but what happened instead (or what DIDN'T happen) simply knocked the wind out of my sails and made me lose interest in the story.
In short, I went from enthralled and emotionally invested in the story in the first few chapters to completely bored and just forcing myself through it, hoping to high heaven that the story would get better. It didn't, and it's too bad because I've thoroughly enjoyed Megan Hart's stories in the past.
In my opinion, Naked started out so strong and so full of potential. However, the story went in all kinds of directions which not only detracted from the main storyline but effectively derailed this book from the story that it could've been. With a whole chapter dedicated to a kiddie party, another chapter dedicated to a religious celebration, and the whole back-and-forth Jewish versus Catholic thing...it was all just too much and completely unnecessary in terms of what it contributed to the story. I found myself reading and scratching my head thinking, "Why is this even in here?"
Furthermore, things which in my opinion COULD/SHOULD have been developed further were not (such as Sarah's situation with Jack). I know that I was interested in reading more about that pairing (or lack thereof) and felt disappointed when all we got was a couple of pages and vague discussions about it. I thought that it had the potential for an interesting secondary storyline within this book which could've developed into a separate story/book, telling Sarah's (and Jack's) story (although, to be honest, I don't know if it's already been done - hope so).
Also, the whole still in love with the former fiancée-turned gay BFF-turned selfish jerk thing - which had SO MUCH potential for a killer climax (no pun intended) - merely came to head in a short, confusing, couple page "blurb" that felt rushed and sadly underdeveloped. I read and read, hoping to reach the point where Olivia and Patrick would face off or come to some sort of crossroads, but what happened instead (or what DIDN'T happen) simply knocked the wind out of my sails and made me lose interest in the story.
In short, I went from enthralled and emotionally invested in the story in the first few chapters to completely bored and just forcing myself through it, hoping to high heaven that the story would get better. It didn't, and it's too bad because I've thoroughly enjoyed Megan Hart's stories in the past.
August 11, 2011
3 1/2 stars.
Olivia is a black woman who was adopted and raised by a white family. When Liv was five years old her parents got divorced. Her mother is Jewish, and her father is Catholic. Each parent encourages Olivia to choose their side of religion.
Olivia is single. She was engaged to Patrick when she was at college, but she learned that he was gay two weeks before their wedding. Unfortunately she's still in love with Patrick and she's not really able to leave this drama behind. Until Alex enters her life...She's at one of Patrick's parties when she meets Alex. He's a friend of Patrick. Liv feels immediately attracted to Alex, however she knows that he's gay. And Patrick insists that she shouldn't get "involved" with Alex. He says "Alex doesn't like girls." Eventually she ends up renting him her downstairs apartment.
I think it's the first time I can say that I liked a book but at the end I'm not satisfied with it, and a few things felt kind of strange and not right. This is all too ambivalent...
Ok, what I liked about this book: The hero, Alex, is smokin’ HOT, a special guy. Liv took pictures of him! Mmmmmm...sooo hot and sensual! Loved it! This "thing" with the camera was incredibly special. The Nikon camera is kind of a replacement for a "living" character. There were a lot of emotions and a lot of different struggles. This was very interesting and riveting, but as you'll read below the problems aren't resolved to my utmost satisfaction. There are still too many unanswered questions. I really loved the interaction between Olivia and her friend Sarah. So funny! Actually, there are a lot of thoughtful dialogs in this book. The story is told in first person POV. Usually this is something I don't like too much but it worked for me here. It didn't disturb at all.
Naked also covers religious issues. But don't get me wrong. This is NOT a religious book. The heroine struggles with her family, where she belongs, what she is, what she believes. The book title "Naked" has different meanings. The basic approach is good but I didn't get the impression that I could really say "mission accomplished." Sure, the author thinks the problems are resolved but she couldn't convince me.
And Liv seems to be dreading important conversations with Alex. Sometimes I told myself "Just spill it out, Liv – get over it!" I wanted an open discussion about him being gay or not gay. I wanted his opinion, I wanted his insight. Why does he act like this? I wanted to know more about his background, his family, his problems. He was always "Mr. Mysterious." On the other hand he was really wonderful with Liv. He cared a lot about her, he was tender, he made her laugh, and I even believed that he loved her. But I am not so sure if this couple could "survive" the big marital problems which lay ahead of them yet.
Alex is gay or bi or straight or whatever. I don't know a gay man who transforms into being a "normal" and totally faithful straight guy. After reading this book it didn't completely ring true. Not absolutely honest, either. There will always be the temptation and there will always be a nagging insecurity IF he can really deny any advances in the future. And I felt that the end of the book was too rushed. I mean Liv is disappointed (can't tell you what exactly because of spoilers), she's angry, and there are a few words and the problem is resolved during the last chapter. It doesn't feel right, either, and it doesn't feel believable. Jeez, the interaction between Jamie and Alex was so NOT funny!!! Annoying. Dumb. Needless. *Ugh* Last but not least the author used the f-word WAY too much for my liking!
Olivia is a black woman who was adopted and raised by a white family. When Liv was five years old her parents got divorced. Her mother is Jewish, and her father is Catholic. Each parent encourages Olivia to choose their side of religion.
Olivia is single. She was engaged to Patrick when she was at college, but she learned that he was gay two weeks before their wedding. Unfortunately she's still in love with Patrick and she's not really able to leave this drama behind. Until Alex enters her life...She's at one of Patrick's parties when she meets Alex. He's a friend of Patrick. Liv feels immediately attracted to Alex, however she knows that he's gay. And Patrick insists that she shouldn't get "involved" with Alex. He says "Alex doesn't like girls." Eventually she ends up renting him her downstairs apartment.
I think it's the first time I can say that I liked a book but at the end I'm not satisfied with it, and a few things felt kind of strange and not right. This is all too ambivalent...
Ok, what I liked about this book: The hero, Alex, is smokin’ HOT, a special guy. Liv took pictures of him! Mmmmmm...sooo hot and sensual! Loved it! This "thing" with the camera was incredibly special. The Nikon camera is kind of a replacement for a "living" character. There were a lot of emotions and a lot of different struggles. This was very interesting and riveting, but as you'll read below the problems aren't resolved to my utmost satisfaction. There are still too many unanswered questions. I really loved the interaction between Olivia and her friend Sarah. So funny! Actually, there are a lot of thoughtful dialogs in this book. The story is told in first person POV. Usually this is something I don't like too much but it worked for me here. It didn't disturb at all.
Naked also covers religious issues. But don't get me wrong. This is NOT a religious book. The heroine struggles with her family, where she belongs, what she is, what she believes. The book title "Naked" has different meanings. The basic approach is good but I didn't get the impression that I could really say "mission accomplished." Sure, the author thinks the problems are resolved but she couldn't convince me.
And Liv seems to be dreading important conversations with Alex. Sometimes I told myself "Just spill it out, Liv – get over it!" I wanted an open discussion about him being gay or not gay. I wanted his opinion, I wanted his insight. Why does he act like this? I wanted to know more about his background, his family, his problems. He was always "Mr. Mysterious." On the other hand he was really wonderful with Liv. He cared a lot about her, he was tender, he made her laugh, and I even believed that he loved her. But I am not so sure if this couple could "survive" the big marital problems which lay ahead of them yet.
Alex is gay or bi or straight or whatever. I don't know a gay man who transforms into being a "normal" and totally faithful straight guy. After reading this book it didn't completely ring true. Not absolutely honest, either. There will always be the temptation and there will always be a nagging insecurity IF he can really deny any advances in the future. And I felt that the end of the book was too rushed. I mean Liv is disappointed (can't tell you what exactly because of spoilers), she's angry, and there are a few words and the problem is resolved during the last chapter. It doesn't feel right, either, and it doesn't feel believable. Jeez, the interaction between Jamie and Alex was so NOT funny!!! Annoying. Dumb. Needless. *Ugh* Last but not least the author used the f-word WAY too much for my liking!
August 24, 2010
Taxing emotionally. I wish I could have gotten Alex's POV because I felt like there was so much going on with him that we never get to see. I understand that his father is a bigoted bastard, and I do not think that is uncommon. Why did he not drink around Olivia, but seemed to party it up when he was out of town or at Jamie & Anne's? Then she asked him questions and he blows her off. That is so annoying. Men!
I liked how Dan and Elle are revisited, and little peek at Jack. So it seems Jack may be hooking up with Sarah? I don't recall Jack being an actual prostitute in Dirty. I thought Dan just picked him up in a bar using 'vibes' that he'd be into a threesome.
I liked how Dan and Elle are revisited, and little peek at Jack. So it seems Jack may be hooking up with Sarah? I don't recall Jack being an actual prostitute in Dirty. I thought Dan just picked him up in a bar using 'vibes' that he'd be into a threesome.
September 19, 2015
This review was posted at Under The Covers
I feel like I've waited forever to read Alex's story!!! I loved his character in Tempted, I fell in love with him, flaws and all, and I wanted to see him get his HEA. This was a great story all around by Ms. Hart, even though not as emotionally draining perhaps as I was expecting from her.
Alex Kennedy... where do I start? He is a tormented bad boy, he's struggled with who he was, with his family and how they view him, how he interacts with others, and his sexuality his whole life.
Olivia has struggled with her life for a while now as well. She is a black woman, adopted by white parents, who are now divorced. Her relationship with her fiance, Patrick, ended when she found out he was gay. But they've managed to still stay friends, even though she still has feelings for him. Does that just make her pathetic to be around him when he's out with other guys? Maybe. But she still attends a party at his house. Except at the party she only has eyes for Patrick's new friend Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, Alex Kennedy himself... Who is he? Patrick tells her to stay away from Alex, but the sex appeal that comes off him in waves calls to her. And it doesn't help that she actually finds him with a guy in the porch getting a blow job, and looking sexy as hell. She wants to be the one on her knees for him and the one to bring him pleasure.
Turns out he needs a place to live while staying in town for business, and she has a room she can rent! So he moves right in! Their relationship slowly develops. Her history with being with a guy who liked other guys may have hurt her, and she should stay away, but Alex is a complete flirt and seduces her.
I absolutely loved all the sexy scenes with the camera. She's a photographer/web designer, and when she gets him to pose for her in her "office/studio" was SOOOO HOT.
I think Olivia is actually a good match for Alex. I think Ms. Hart always manages to write about very touchy subjects and do it perfectly. In this story we deal with Alex still not being 100% sure about his sexuality and what he wants, and how Olivia will deal with it. At the same time, the social pressures faced by an interracial couple.
I had a problem with how James and Ann were approached in this story. I didn't like the fact that Alex hadn't come clean to Olivia about his relationship with both of them and his feelings for both of them before bringing her to their house and she had to figure it out on her own. Not cool Alex! And then he goes and acts like a moron when he's around James!
The whole drama with Alex's family was heart breaking and hard. I do think, as a lot of other reviewers have said, that the ending was a bit abrupt, it seemed like we were missing at least a chapter! It leaves you wondering if there really could be a Happily Ever After for them. There are still a lot of unresolved issues for both of them personally, and as a couple.
Favorite Quote
"It's okay to struggle to find our place in this world and the person who will take us for who and what we are. Sometimes we dress ourselves in layers that only get peeled away in the end, to leave us as we should be."
ORIGINAL REVIEW
As always, a wonderful book by Megan Hart. I waited forever for Alex's story, I loved his character in Tempted and wanted him to have a HEA. Olivia is a great character, and a good match for him. I do think, as a lot of other reviewers have said, that the ending was a bit abrupt, it seemed like we were missing some 20 pages! But I think with all the topics that had to be discussed, Ms. Hart did it wonderfully. The only thing I didn't like was the fact that Alex hadn't come clean to Olivia and she had to figure it out on her own. Not as emotionally draining as all of Ms. Hart's books, but def emotional! As always, GREAT BOOK!
I feel like I've waited forever to read Alex's story!!! I loved his character in Tempted, I fell in love with him, flaws and all, and I wanted to see him get his HEA. This was a great story all around by Ms. Hart, even though not as emotionally draining perhaps as I was expecting from her.
Alex Kennedy... where do I start? He is a tormented bad boy, he's struggled with who he was, with his family and how they view him, how he interacts with others, and his sexuality his whole life.
Olivia has struggled with her life for a while now as well. She is a black woman, adopted by white parents, who are now divorced. Her relationship with her fiance, Patrick, ended when she found out he was gay. But they've managed to still stay friends, even though she still has feelings for him. Does that just make her pathetic to be around him when he's out with other guys? Maybe. But she still attends a party at his house. Except at the party she only has eyes for Patrick's new friend Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, Alex Kennedy himself... Who is he? Patrick tells her to stay away from Alex, but the sex appeal that comes off him in waves calls to her. And it doesn't help that she actually finds him with a guy in the porch getting a blow job, and looking sexy as hell. She wants to be the one on her knees for him and the one to bring him pleasure.
Turns out he needs a place to live while staying in town for business, and she has a room she can rent! So he moves right in! Their relationship slowly develops. Her history with being with a guy who liked other guys may have hurt her, and she should stay away, but Alex is a complete flirt and seduces her.
I absolutely loved all the sexy scenes with the camera. She's a photographer/web designer, and when she gets him to pose for her in her "office/studio" was SOOOO HOT.
I think Olivia is actually a good match for Alex. I think Ms. Hart always manages to write about very touchy subjects and do it perfectly. In this story we deal with Alex still not being 100% sure about his sexuality and what he wants, and how Olivia will deal with it. At the same time, the social pressures faced by an interracial couple.
I had a problem with how James and Ann were approached in this story. I didn't like the fact that Alex hadn't come clean to Olivia about his relationship with both of them and his feelings for both of them before bringing her to their house and she had to figure it out on her own. Not cool Alex! And then he goes and acts like a moron when he's around James!
The whole drama with Alex's family was heart breaking and hard. I do think, as a lot of other reviewers have said, that the ending was a bit abrupt, it seemed like we were missing at least a chapter! It leaves you wondering if there really could be a Happily Ever After for them. There are still a lot of unresolved issues for both of them personally, and as a couple.
Favorite Quote
"It's okay to struggle to find our place in this world and the person who will take us for who and what we are. Sometimes we dress ourselves in layers that only get peeled away in the end, to leave us as we should be."
ORIGINAL REVIEW
As always, a wonderful book by Megan Hart. I waited forever for Alex's story, I loved his character in Tempted and wanted him to have a HEA. Olivia is a great character, and a good match for him. I do think, as a lot of other reviewers have said, that the ending was a bit abrupt, it seemed like we were missing some 20 pages! But I think with all the topics that had to be discussed, Ms. Hart did it wonderfully. The only thing I didn't like was the fact that Alex hadn't come clean to Olivia and she had to figure it out on her own. Not as emotionally draining as all of Ms. Hart's books, but def emotional! As always, GREAT BOOK!
September 21, 2010
Damn you Megan Hart!! I just wasted an entire day reading this when I should've been doing so many other things!!
When I first started reading Megan Hart, I didn't have much experience with erotica. After I experienced the wondiferousness that is Hart, I set out to read other authors like this. I found that other erotica can be entertaining, certainly titillating, usually eye-rolling, and quite often hilarious---but there are not other writers quite like Megan Hart.
No other author I've found writes such realistic, emotional, intense, absorbing stories as MH does. In this latest novel she has brought back several past characters (Jack and Sarah, Elle and Dan), most importantly the MC's love interest: Alex. We know Alex as the third in a three-way affair that the MC and her husband Tempted engaged in. At the end of Tempted I was concerned for Alex, and wanted Anne to leave her husband (not necessarily for Alex) because that relationship between Alex and her husband, Jamie, was so unresolved and complicated. I'm glad to see Alex further developed in Naked and I feel absolutely content with the pairing between Alex and Olivia.
Olivia, the MC in Naked, is a mixed-race adopted daughter of a Jewish mother and Catholic father. She feels that she really doesn't belong anywhere. Alex has been involved in relationships with men and women and doesn't ever label himself as either gay or straight. Olivia, though, was engaged to a man until she found out that he was actually a closeted gay that really wanted to marry her in order to continue appearances. So, she's gun-shy about being in a relationship with a guy who seems like he may be gay.
Alex and Olivia have much to work out, but I loved being a part of the process. It was sexy, real, and emotional. I felt totally wrapped up in their outcome. This is another winner from Megan Hart, for sure.
Incidentally, I'm hoping Hart writes Sarah and Jack's story next. She's been giving us tantalizing glimpses of those characters' stories--I want more.
When I first started reading Megan Hart, I didn't have much experience with erotica. After I experienced the wondiferousness that is Hart, I set out to read other authors like this. I found that other erotica can be entertaining, certainly titillating, usually eye-rolling, and quite often hilarious---but there are not other writers quite like Megan Hart.
No other author I've found writes such realistic, emotional, intense, absorbing stories as MH does. In this latest novel she has brought back several past characters (Jack and Sarah, Elle and Dan), most importantly the MC's love interest: Alex. We know Alex as the third in a three-way affair that the MC and her husband Tempted engaged in. At the end of Tempted I was concerned for Alex, and wanted Anne to leave her husband (not necessarily for Alex) because that relationship between Alex and her husband, Jamie, was so unresolved and complicated. I'm glad to see Alex further developed in Naked and I feel absolutely content with the pairing between Alex and Olivia.
Olivia, the MC in Naked, is a mixed-race adopted daughter of a Jewish mother and Catholic father. She feels that she really doesn't belong anywhere. Alex has been involved in relationships with men and women and doesn't ever label himself as either gay or straight. Olivia, though, was engaged to a man until she found out that he was actually a closeted gay that really wanted to marry her in order to continue appearances. So, she's gun-shy about being in a relationship with a guy who seems like he may be gay.
Alex and Olivia have much to work out, but I loved being a part of the process. It was sexy, real, and emotional. I felt totally wrapped up in their outcome. This is another winner from Megan Hart, for sure.
Incidentally, I'm hoping Hart writes Sarah and Jack's story next. She's been giving us tantalizing glimpses of those characters' stories--I want more.
August 29, 2010
Closer to 4.5 stars but I won't quibble.
Olivia's first meets Alex at a party given by Olivia's ex-fiance, Patrick. Unbeknownst to Alex, Olivia witnesses him first getting a karaoke serenade/break up song and then getting a blow-job -- in that order, both from the same guy. Such is the allure and mystery that is Alex.
Olivia is fascinated by him, but has been warned by Patrick that Alex doesn't like girls. This is a major point for Olivia as her engagement to Patrick, a mere week before their wedding, was broken because she found out that he didn't like girls either. So much so that he was screwing everything in pants behind her back. The two have since settled into an affectionate yet somewhat toxic relationship.
Despite Patrick's best efforts at keeping Alex and Olivia apart, they gravitate toward each other and Alex ends up renting Olivia's downstairs apartment. The two settle into a great relationship that begins with excellent conversation, great movies and sharing meals and ends with the realization that they are wildly attracted to each other.
I've read two other Megan Hart books: Broken and Dirty. Each time I've picked up one of her books I think I know what to expect. Each time my expectations are subverted. As I mentioned in my review for Dirty her books are often categorized as erotica or erotic romance and in each book of hers that I've read, i have never felt that she fits into either of those boxes easily.
Yes, this book has some frankly sexual elements and yes it is a story of two people finding each other and falling in love when all is said and done. But I think this book's true focus isn't necessarily he romance of Olivia and Alex, at least in my opinion. No, it feels like it is the story of two --I won't say damaged -- but slightly singed people who have been seeking acceptance and find it within each other.
If this book had to have another title, it could be Choices. Olivia is a biracial woman (she identifies as black) who was adopted into a white family. Her mother is Jewish her father is Catholic. She is in love with a man who has sex with men and women. It seems that there are a lot of duality involved in Olivia's life and she feels as if she needs to settle on one thing or another, make a choice in order to sit right with the world.
With the advent of Alex into her life, she begins to question that need quite a bit. There is one telling point where she and Alex are arguing and he is rightly angry about paying for Patrick's crime. He passionately tells her that it isn't about being with a man or being with a woman, but rather about being with the right person, her. She is right person for him. I think at this point Olivia begins to breathe a bit. Her struggle for identity becomes a bit easier because she realize she doesn't have to choose.
I think Hart's writing is stellar. I love how effortlessly she guides us through Olivia's thoughts and emotions as she works through her issues with race and religion and her relationship with both Alex and Patrick. Her voice sounds organic and natural. And Olivia is just so darned likeable. She never comes off as whiny or tiresome.
I have to take a moment to talk about Alex. My god, what a guy. I have not read any of the other books that feature him as a character so he was totally new to me. I can see why so many other reviewers really dig this guy. The story is told from Olivia's first person POV. So we hear the poison poured into her ears by Patrick, we live with her uncertainties as she begins this relationship that could just derail her emotionally. But Alex is wonderful and says and does all the right things. He is a bit enigmatic and mysterious -- at least coming from Olivia's POV, so I was waiting apprehensively for him to do something that would justify some of Olivia's anxieties. But I am glad that Hart didn't go for the cheap shot. Instead we got a relationship that seemed very realistic as the two people navigated around the blind corners and over the bumps that come with a new romance.
I also have to mention a great supporting character cast. I especially love Olivia's BFF Sarah, who was funny and irreverent and just the sort of good girlfriend everyone should have. Patrick, Olivia's ex was a very nuanced character as well. He could easily be despised but under there is a somewhat pitiable person. Previous characters from other books make an appearance. I was actually very glad to see Elle and Dan from Dirty. I didn't like Elle in that book but this view of them shows that Elle has conquered her demons and seems much more easy in her skin that she did in that book. Glad to know that.
And finally I have to mention the cover. It is beautiful and it actually looks like the characters. Olivia's locks and Alex's brown hair. Kudos.
Overall this was a great read with stellar writing, filled with memorable characters. Highly Recommend.
Olivia's first meets Alex at a party given by Olivia's ex-fiance, Patrick. Unbeknownst to Alex, Olivia witnesses him first getting a karaoke serenade/break up song and then getting a blow-job -- in that order, both from the same guy. Such is the allure and mystery that is Alex.
Olivia is fascinated by him, but has been warned by Patrick that Alex doesn't like girls. This is a major point for Olivia as her engagement to Patrick, a mere week before their wedding, was broken because she found out that he didn't like girls either. So much so that he was screwing everything in pants behind her back. The two have since settled into an affectionate yet somewhat toxic relationship.
Despite Patrick's best efforts at keeping Alex and Olivia apart, they gravitate toward each other and Alex ends up renting Olivia's downstairs apartment. The two settle into a great relationship that begins with excellent conversation, great movies and sharing meals and ends with the realization that they are wildly attracted to each other.
I've read two other Megan Hart books: Broken and Dirty. Each time I've picked up one of her books I think I know what to expect. Each time my expectations are subverted. As I mentioned in my review for Dirty her books are often categorized as erotica or erotic romance and in each book of hers that I've read, i have never felt that she fits into either of those boxes easily.
Yes, this book has some frankly sexual elements and yes it is a story of two people finding each other and falling in love when all is said and done. But I think this book's true focus isn't necessarily he romance of Olivia and Alex, at least in my opinion. No, it feels like it is the story of two --I won't say damaged -- but slightly singed people who have been seeking acceptance and find it within each other.
If this book had to have another title, it could be Choices. Olivia is a biracial woman (she identifies as black) who was adopted into a white family. Her mother is Jewish her father is Catholic. She is in love with a man who has sex with men and women. It seems that there are a lot of duality involved in Olivia's life and she feels as if she needs to settle on one thing or another, make a choice in order to sit right with the world.
With the advent of Alex into her life, she begins to question that need quite a bit. There is one telling point where she and Alex are arguing and he is rightly angry about paying for Patrick's crime. He passionately tells her that it isn't about being with a man or being with a woman, but rather about being with the right person, her. She is right person for him. I think at this point Olivia begins to breathe a bit. Her struggle for identity becomes a bit easier because she realize she doesn't have to choose.
I think Hart's writing is stellar. I love how effortlessly she guides us through Olivia's thoughts and emotions as she works through her issues with race and religion and her relationship with both Alex and Patrick. Her voice sounds organic and natural. And Olivia is just so darned likeable. She never comes off as whiny or tiresome.
I have to take a moment to talk about Alex. My god, what a guy. I have not read any of the other books that feature him as a character so he was totally new to me. I can see why so many other reviewers really dig this guy. The story is told from Olivia's first person POV. So we hear the poison poured into her ears by Patrick, we live with her uncertainties as she begins this relationship that could just derail her emotionally. But Alex is wonderful and says and does all the right things. He is a bit enigmatic and mysterious -- at least coming from Olivia's POV, so I was waiting apprehensively for him to do something that would justify some of Olivia's anxieties. But I am glad that Hart didn't go for the cheap shot. Instead we got a relationship that seemed very realistic as the two people navigated around the blind corners and over the bumps that come with a new romance.
I also have to mention a great supporting character cast. I especially love Olivia's BFF Sarah, who was funny and irreverent and just the sort of good girlfriend everyone should have. Patrick, Olivia's ex was a very nuanced character as well. He could easily be despised but under there is a somewhat pitiable person. Previous characters from other books make an appearance. I was actually very glad to see Elle and Dan from Dirty. I didn't like Elle in that book but this view of them shows that Elle has conquered her demons and seems much more easy in her skin that she did in that book. Glad to know that.
And finally I have to mention the cover. It is beautiful and it actually looks like the characters. Olivia's locks and Alex's brown hair. Kudos.
Overall this was a great read with stellar writing, filled with memorable characters. Highly Recommend.
March 16, 2011
*thinks about the past fondly* I remember the day that I added this book. I didn’t know who Megan Hart was. This book was yet to be released, and I didn’t bother looking into her other books. I just saw this hot cover and was drawn in instantly. *shakes head and comes to present day*
These days? Im like an auto-bot when it comes to Hart. I see her name; I add it and buy it. She is one of the true talented authors’ our there. She knows how to tread on subjects that are risqué. Naked is an Erotic story of a woman dealing with the colour of her skin, her past relationship choices and her present ones.
SO in Naked we get to see Alex again. We met Alex in Tempted. Alex and Olivia meet at Olivia’s gay ex-fiancées - Patrick – party. Patrick immediately tells Olivia to stay away from Alex and to forget anything because he doesn’t like girls. Olivia got a close up of this when she cops an eye full of Alex getting a head job from another guy at the party. After meeting Alex the next morning and spending the day together she decided to invite him to rent out her flat after finding out he needed a place. The two ends up spending a lot of time together and not before long – cant keep their hands off each other.
But Alex doesn’t like girls, right? After being burnt once before, Olivia doesn’t want to start someone who has the potential to hurt her in the exact same fashion.
So what did I like? – Umm...let me think about that .....hmmm...everything! I liked Olivia; she was strong and dealt with all her issues head on. She is struggling with Religion and her family. Hart made her struggles seem real. None of characters have a perfect life and that’s what gets me. Just because your related by blood – doesn’t make you family.
Alex was just the same as he was in Tempted, but it was great to see a different side to him. He was a real romantic and considerate. He still had the same wicked smile and his tendency to wear jeans with no shoes or socks and his shirts always half open ---sigh -----
What I didn’t like? – You still don’t really find out about Alex’s sexuality. Is he Bi / gay / straight? I would have liked Olivia to address his sexual tendencies a bit further. I also don’t like, and I didn’t like this in Tempted either, is the way Alex changes when he is around his friend, James. I firmly believe you should never have to act a certain way for someone. Be yourself.
Otherwise, this was just another brilliant novel for Hart. I drool at her humble feet.
These days? Im like an auto-bot when it comes to Hart. I see her name; I add it and buy it. She is one of the true talented authors’ our there. She knows how to tread on subjects that are risqué. Naked is an Erotic story of a woman dealing with the colour of her skin, her past relationship choices and her present ones.
SO in Naked we get to see Alex again. We met Alex in Tempted. Alex and Olivia meet at Olivia’s gay ex-fiancées - Patrick – party. Patrick immediately tells Olivia to stay away from Alex and to forget anything because he doesn’t like girls. Olivia got a close up of this when she cops an eye full of Alex getting a head job from another guy at the party. After meeting Alex the next morning and spending the day together she decided to invite him to rent out her flat after finding out he needed a place. The two ends up spending a lot of time together and not before long – cant keep their hands off each other.
But Alex doesn’t like girls, right? After being burnt once before, Olivia doesn’t want to start someone who has the potential to hurt her in the exact same fashion.
So what did I like? – Umm...let me think about that .....hmmm...everything! I liked Olivia; she was strong and dealt with all her issues head on. She is struggling with Religion and her family. Hart made her struggles seem real. None of characters have a perfect life and that’s what gets me. Just because your related by blood – doesn’t make you family.
Alex was just the same as he was in Tempted, but it was great to see a different side to him. He was a real romantic and considerate. He still had the same wicked smile and his tendency to wear jeans with no shoes or socks and his shirts always half open ---sigh -----
What I didn’t like? – You still don’t really find out about Alex’s sexuality. Is he Bi / gay / straight? I would have liked Olivia to address his sexual tendencies a bit further. I also don’t like, and I didn’t like this in Tempted either, is the way Alex changes when he is around his friend, James. I firmly believe you should never have to act a certain way for someone. Be yourself.
Otherwise, this was just another brilliant novel for Hart. I drool at her humble feet.
May 26, 2015
I didn't like anything about this 'straight for you' story.
Nothing worked for me. I didn't believe the love, the relationship, its progression, the sex, nor the sexual orientation.
And that whole religion dilemma is so overwrought and fraught with contrived drama. Who cares?
Plus, I still think Olivia's an idiot and this reads like chick lit. A lot is unresolved. There's hardly any discernible plot and...*sigh* long story short: everyone loves but me.
Nothing worked for me. I didn't believe the love, the relationship, its progression, the sex, nor the sexual orientation.
And that whole religion dilemma is so overwrought and fraught with contrived drama. Who cares?
Plus, I still think Olivia's an idiot and this reads like chick lit. A lot is unresolved. There's hardly any discernible plot and...*sigh* long story short: everyone loves but me.
September 29, 2015
Naked takes place three years after Alex leaves behind his relationship with Ann and James at the conclusion of Tempted. Olivia Mackey is the heroine of this book and she has baggage the size of a a steamer trunk when it comes to men and pretty much all of her personal relationships. After finding out the man that she was head over heels in love with and about to marry is actually gay she somehow finds it in herself to continue to love him and keeps him in her life even years later as her best friend. Now I have no problem with Olivia forgiving Patrick and keeping him in her life, but she has not been able to heal and move on with him so tightly entrenched in her life. After all that Olivia had been through with Patrick he still proves to be manipulative and untrustworthy and this manifests clearly in his interference in the very beginning before Olivia and Alex even have a chance to meet. Despite Patrick's interference,Olivia meets Alex Kennedy at the holiday party thrown by Patrick and she offers Alex the chance to rent the apartment in the building that she owns. Olivia does this even after she witnesses a very private encounter between Alex and another person and despite her instant attraction to Alex. To be able to enjoy this story the reader needs to have an open mind when it comes to sexual fluidity because the story is definitely based on it. Alex does not tow any line when it comes to his sexuality and Olivia remarkably finds herself able to accept that. Maybe it's the cynic in me,but I didn't really like that despite the fact that Olivia has some qualms about Alex she is able to quickly move forward with a physical relationship with him. The physical relationship between the two definitely moves quicker than I would have liked. Yes, physical attraction is a strong pull for most people, but there should have been a stronger sense of "once bitten" for Olivia.
The full arc of the story was enjoyable, but I was a little disappointed in the ending as it felt rushed; as though Hart realized that maybe it was time to wrap this story up and wanted to make sure that the book didn't end in a cliff hanger. I don't want to give the impression that I didn't enjoy this book because I really did, but there were little disappointments with the story as a whole. However, Olivia is very thoroughly fleshed out and has a complicated back story. She's an African American woman adopted and loved by a white couple who are themselves very different. Her mother is Jewish who after divorcing Olivia's adopted father became Orthodox. Olivia's father is Catholic who also embraced his faith wholeheartedly after the divorce. So Olivia has all kinds of conflict to deal with in her life and feels pulled by both parents to embrace the faith that they each have returned to. I loved the fact that race was really the least of the problems between Alex and Olivia. There are stories where the differences in race would and should be the center of the story, but this wasn't the case for this story and I appreciate the fact that Hart didn't beat that horse to death! The biggest negative for me is that all of Megan Hart's books are a little on the pricey side. All of them, except for one, are over $7 each and you all know by now how I feel about overpriced eBooks!
You can find more at Monlatable Book Reviews
http://www.monlatablereviews.com/
The full arc of the story was enjoyable, but I was a little disappointed in the ending as it felt rushed; as though Hart realized that maybe it was time to wrap this story up and wanted to make sure that the book didn't end in a cliff hanger. I don't want to give the impression that I didn't enjoy this book because I really did, but there were little disappointments with the story as a whole. However, Olivia is very thoroughly fleshed out and has a complicated back story. She's an African American woman adopted and loved by a white couple who are themselves very different. Her mother is Jewish who after divorcing Olivia's adopted father became Orthodox. Olivia's father is Catholic who also embraced his faith wholeheartedly after the divorce. So Olivia has all kinds of conflict to deal with in her life and feels pulled by both parents to embrace the faith that they each have returned to. I loved the fact that race was really the least of the problems between Alex and Olivia. There are stories where the differences in race would and should be the center of the story, but this wasn't the case for this story and I appreciate the fact that Hart didn't beat that horse to death! The biggest negative for me is that all of Megan Hart's books are a little on the pricey side. All of them, except for one, are over $7 each and you all know by now how I feel about overpriced eBooks!
You can find more at Monlatable Book Reviews
http://www.monlatablereviews.com/
September 1, 2016
Once again, this was a rather disturbing read.
To be honest, at one point (around page 70), I just felt this was too much baggage, too weird, for me to be able to relate to the heroine and to enjoy the story. I put it back on the virtual shelf and read something else before picking it up again.
Megan Hart's trademark is that she knows how to give depth to characters through an accumulation of small anecdotes and thus succeeds in creating unforgettable characters. Problem is sometimes they are not so lovable. Alex was really sweet throughout the story, seemed really in love but remained so guarded and secretive that I cannot say I felt confident about their couple's future by the end of the book – though I was sure they loved each other. Then there's Olivia – I really liked the adopted black girl grown in a white environment, with divorced parents, the resulting hang-ups and overall the way she handles all kind of racist behaviors, from the mildest surprise to the blatant insults. What did not feel as convincing to me was her inner spiritual and religious quest which I felt was not linked at all to what's happening in her life at this moment – like if it was another totally independent subplot. And what I really truly hated was her inner submission in her relationship with her ex Patrick, or with Devon and Steven : she realized late in the story how obedient she always had been to Patrick while this one never had her own interest in mind but only his own but then it takes her a while to get over it and finally have it all out and she only did so because Patrick (once again) led the verbal battle. Though she knew Alex had a bisexual history (to say the least), she waited for ages before putting the subject on the table and its solving was way too easy for me to believe the evil had been rooted and would not come back.
Too much angst, too much trauma and an heroine too passive in her relationships to others for me to like it.
To be honest, at one point (around page 70), I just felt this was too much baggage, too weird, for me to be able to relate to the heroine and to enjoy the story. I put it back on the virtual shelf and read something else before picking it up again.
Megan Hart's trademark is that she knows how to give depth to characters through an accumulation of small anecdotes and thus succeeds in creating unforgettable characters. Problem is sometimes they are not so lovable. Alex was really sweet throughout the story, seemed really in love but remained so guarded and secretive that I cannot say I felt confident about their couple's future by the end of the book – though I was sure they loved each other. Then there's Olivia – I really liked the adopted black girl grown in a white environment, with divorced parents, the resulting hang-ups and overall the way she handles all kind of racist behaviors, from the mildest surprise to the blatant insults. What did not feel as convincing to me was her inner spiritual and religious quest which I felt was not linked at all to what's happening in her life at this moment – like if it was another totally independent subplot. And what I really truly hated was her inner submission in her relationship with her ex Patrick, or with Devon and Steven : she realized late in the story how obedient she always had been to Patrick while this one never had her own interest in mind but only his own but then it takes her a while to get over it and finally have it all out and she only did so because Patrick (once again) led the verbal battle. Though she knew Alex had a bisexual history (to say the least), she waited for ages before putting the subject on the table and its solving was way too easy for me to believe the evil had been rooted and would not come back.
Too much angst, too much trauma and an heroine too passive in her relationships to others for me to like it.
October 8, 2010
I was completely enthralled by my first Megan Hart read from the moment I viewed the cover to the final words in the book. Megan’s style of writing had me speed reading the entire time, I continuously wanted more.
The story of Alex & Olivia was erotically romantic and panty scorching HOT! I loved the diversity of the book, not only did it focus on heterosexuality but also included storylines on homo and bi-sexuality which was a first for me as a reader and Megan Hart made it tremendously enjoyable as well as believable.
Another highlight was the realistic nature of the book. Although Olivia has lead a very complicated life it was described very thoroughly which made me feel as though I had lived it myself. The ending was also a bonus as it didn’t give the ‘Happily ever after’ cliché, but more of an ‘I wonder what happened’ sentiment.
The story of Alex & Olivia was erotically romantic and panty scorching HOT! I loved the diversity of the book, not only did it focus on heterosexuality but also included storylines on homo and bi-sexuality which was a first for me as a reader and Megan Hart made it tremendously enjoyable as well as believable.
Another highlight was the realistic nature of the book. Although Olivia has lead a very complicated life it was described very thoroughly which made me feel as though I had lived it myself. The ending was also a bonus as it didn’t give the ‘Happily ever after’ cliché, but more of an ‘I wonder what happened’ sentiment.
September 30, 2010
I really should have stuck with my gut on this one because I didn't like the 1st book but I was curious. You know the saying, "curiosity killed the cat" and it sure did kill me. The story was told from Olivia's POV which was interesting. She was a complex character and I was anxious to see how she and Alex was going to act. So when they hooked up, it almost felt rushed in a sense. Alex, in my opinion, is still a big mystery to me. We still don't know much about him. Olivia has tons of issues that were never cleared up or dealt with. Their so call HEA seems temporary, especially after all she had learned at the end. I am sorry to say but this story fell short.
February 8, 2017
Ni le pondré reseña porque no me gustó. Sorry pero no.
July 23, 2010
Warning: This review may look negative because I keep pointing out what moved me beyond measures. But don’t be fooled… I did love Naked! If you need proof looks at the rating *wink*
This is a difficult review for me to write because reading Naked (not to be confounded with reading naked which is illegal in a public space o8O) brought up a tornado of feelings I’m having difficulty dealing with (but I still read it very fast!). I knew this wouldn’t be an easy read…after all it’s a Megan Hart book. All the books I’ve read from this author made me cry and left me with a heavy chest. It’s a wonderful book and I loved the story. I also loved Alex and Olivia. I had Alex in my heart ever since I read Tempted and I wanted a real HEA for him.
I have a love/hate relationship (ok mostly love) with this book for 2 reasons:
First, this book made me FEEL and it made me ponder my life. Which in the end always makes me physically sick. But the story is beautiful and I loved the characters. I even loved the heroine which is not often the case. Olivia is flawed yes but she’s such a great person you can’t help but love her from the first page. I laughed a lot while reading this book, the scene with the dildo made me burst out laughing in public (this is most embarrassing when you can’t STOP laughing). The constant humor helped make the book easier to bear (and who doesn’t like a funny hero? *g*).
Second, I really really didn’t like the events at the end of the book. No don’t close your eyes I won’t spoil anything, I promise (which means I’ll talk in riddles lol). Let’s just say that something came up I thought was in the past and would stay there. I knew it was a possibility but I hoped it would be different (see what I mean about riddles? lol). I am insecure, I need the HEA to be written explicitly (because my brain always imagine the worst otherwise), I need closure (which is why I love cheesy HEA epilogues lol). I think what made me sick was that it happened 3 pages before the end and I needed more time for the HEA to feel real. When I talked to Susi about it she was surprised and didn’t understand why I didn’t like the ending. We saw the ending completely differently (and I like her view of it way better), it might be that she’s an optimistic and I, a pessimistic *wink* but she was happy with it. Now I’m trying to convince myself she’s right lol (otherwise it would completely ruin this perfect book for me…and we don’t want that!)
Of course I just finished reading it so it’s still heavy on my heart. I loved it but It brought up feelings so strong I’m pretty sure it took years off my life LOL. Megan Hart’s writing is amazing. Hours after I closed the book I still can’t shake off the haze Naked inflicted on me. I recommend it to everyone (with a warning to the faint of heart *wink*). This is a heart-wrenching and beautiful story you don’t want to miss.
I give Naked 5 Stars (even though I was THIS close to throwing the Ereader against the wall when I neared the end lol)
This is a difficult review for me to write because reading Naked (not to be confounded with reading naked which is illegal in a public space o8O) brought up a tornado of feelings I’m having difficulty dealing with (but I still read it very fast!). I knew this wouldn’t be an easy read…after all it’s a Megan Hart book. All the books I’ve read from this author made me cry and left me with a heavy chest. It’s a wonderful book and I loved the story. I also loved Alex and Olivia. I had Alex in my heart ever since I read Tempted and I wanted a real HEA for him.
I have a love/hate relationship (ok mostly love) with this book for 2 reasons:
First, this book made me FEEL and it made me ponder my life. Which in the end always makes me physically sick. But the story is beautiful and I loved the characters. I even loved the heroine which is not often the case. Olivia is flawed yes but she’s such a great person you can’t help but love her from the first page. I laughed a lot while reading this book, the scene with the dildo made me burst out laughing in public (this is most embarrassing when you can’t STOP laughing). The constant humor helped make the book easier to bear (and who doesn’t like a funny hero? *g*).
Second, I really really didn’t like the events at the end of the book. No don’t close your eyes I won’t spoil anything, I promise (which means I’ll talk in riddles lol). Let’s just say that something came up I thought was in the past and would stay there. I knew it was a possibility but I hoped it would be different (see what I mean about riddles? lol). I am insecure, I need the HEA to be written explicitly (because my brain always imagine the worst otherwise), I need closure (which is why I love cheesy HEA epilogues lol). I think what made me sick was that it happened 3 pages before the end and I needed more time for the HEA to feel real. When I talked to Susi about it she was surprised and didn’t understand why I didn’t like the ending. We saw the ending completely differently (and I like her view of it way better), it might be that she’s an optimistic and I, a pessimistic *wink* but she was happy with it. Now I’m trying to convince myself she’s right lol (otherwise it would completely ruin this perfect book for me…and we don’t want that!)
Of course I just finished reading it so it’s still heavy on my heart. I loved it but It brought up feelings so strong I’m pretty sure it took years off my life LOL. Megan Hart’s writing is amazing. Hours after I closed the book I still can’t shake off the haze Naked inflicted on me. I recommend it to everyone (with a warning to the faint of heart *wink*). This is a heart-wrenching and beautiful story you don’t want to miss.
I give Naked 5 Stars (even though I was THIS close to throwing the Ereader against the wall when I neared the end lol)
August 28, 2011
***SPOILER ALERT*** I won't give specific details in the story but will discuss overall character behavior and development which may spoil the story for some.
What a let down this book was!!! After reading Tempted I was really looking forward to this book so that I could finally get insight into Alex and what goes on in his head and how he felt during his time with James and Ann. I thought I would be reading Alex's story - I was wrong. Naked is basically Olivia's story with Alex as her love interest. Most of the book is spent with Olivia searching out what her religious beliefs are so she can finally understand who she is. We get almost zero into Alex's background. Yes, we finally meet Alex's family (for about 5 minutes) but other than the fact that we know Alex hates his father we get no insight into what/how his family made him into who he is. We have a small reunion with James and Ann at the very end and Olivia learns just the basics of what the 3 of them had gone through together a few years prior but again NO INSIGHT into what Alex felt during that time and how that time further developed him. I feel very sorry for readers who picked up this book without knowing to read Tempted first because those readers will learn almost nothing about Alex. There is more info given to us about Alex in Tempted than there is in Naked (which is supposed to be his book!). So many questions that aren't given answers... is his experience/love with Ann the reason he hasn't dated any women since that summer? What led Alex to feel for James the way he does? Why did Alex begin having sex with men? Olivia gets none of these answers - maybe she should read Tempted. I was again looking for a deep down, soul searching, soul bearing story but didn't get it. Very disappointed!
What a let down this book was!!! After reading Tempted I was really looking forward to this book so that I could finally get insight into Alex and what goes on in his head and how he felt during his time with James and Ann. I thought I would be reading Alex's story - I was wrong. Naked is basically Olivia's story with Alex as her love interest. Most of the book is spent with Olivia searching out what her religious beliefs are so she can finally understand who she is. We get almost zero into Alex's background. Yes, we finally meet Alex's family (for about 5 minutes) but other than the fact that we know Alex hates his father we get no insight into what/how his family made him into who he is. We have a small reunion with James and Ann at the very end and Olivia learns just the basics of what the 3 of them had gone through together a few years prior but again NO INSIGHT into what Alex felt during that time and how that time further developed him. I feel very sorry for readers who picked up this book without knowing to read Tempted first because those readers will learn almost nothing about Alex. There is more info given to us about Alex in Tempted than there is in Naked (which is supposed to be his book!). So many questions that aren't given answers... is his experience/love with Ann the reason he hasn't dated any women since that summer? What led Alex to feel for James the way he does? Why did Alex begin having sex with men? Olivia gets none of these answers - maybe she should read Tempted. I was again looking for a deep down, soul searching, soul bearing story but didn't get it. Very disappointed!
August 8, 2012
I really wanted to like this book. I still think Megan Hart is one of the best romance / erotica writers out there (although I admit I'm not well read in the genre), but this one was disappointing. For those that have read Tempted, the other novel where Alex Kennedy plays a role, you may find yourself salivating at the chance to delve a little deeper into his character...well, that doesn't really happen. The viewpoint character is Olivia - biracial, raised by Catholic & Jewish parents and left without a path of her own. I wanted to connect with this character...but I just didn't. I read 70% of this book before I finally lost interest and stopped. I picked it up a couple months later to finish it for completeness' sake and was further disappointed by the climactic conflict between Olivia & Alex which lasts only a few pages and I felt should have been the central challenge of the whole novel.
Other 2- and 3-star reviewers have said it more eloquently than me, and I hesitate to continue on lest this devolve into a spoiler-filled rant. I will absolutely read more by Megan Hart - even disappointing she's better than SOOOO many others out there - but this one just did not work for me. Sad.
Other 2- and 3-star reviewers have said it more eloquently than me, and I hesitate to continue on lest this devolve into a spoiler-filled rant. I will absolutely read more by Megan Hart - even disappointing she's better than SOOOO many others out there - but this one just did not work for me. Sad.
August 6, 2010
I don’t think that I convey how great I thought this book was. I really need to think about this, but sufficed to say this was one of the best books I’ve read all year!
August 23, 2011
I almost always use a blurb from Goodreads or Amazon to summarize the story then just jump into my thoughts. But check out these two different blurbs for the book. The first is from the summary on NetGalley:
No strings. No regrets. And no going back.
I didn't think he wanted me. And I wasn't about
to get involved with him, not after what I'd heard.
Sure, Alex Kennedy was tall, dark and unbearably
hot, but I've been burned before. When I solicited
him to model for my erotic photography book,
I didn't expect such a heated, passionate photo
session. And now that we've crossed that line,
our bodies aren't the only things
that have been exposed.
But I can't give my heart to a man who's so...
unconventional.
His last sexual relationship was with a married couple.
It's enough that my ex-fiancé preferred men, I can't
take that chance again no matter how much my body
thrives on Alex's touch. I can't risk it, but I can't resist
it, either.
Alex can be very convincing when he wants something.
And he wants me.
This second one comes from Megan Hart's website:
No strings. No regrets. And no going back.
I didn’t think he wanted me. And I wasn’t about to get involved with him, not after what I’d heard. Alex Kennedy was tall, dark and unbearably hot, but I’ve been burned before. Maybe it was stupid of me to offer but he needed a place to crash and I needed to pay the rent, but now he’s my tenant…with benefits. And now that we’ve crossed that line, I can’t seem to find my way back.
But I can’t give my heart to a man who’s so…unconventional. His last sexual relationship was with a married couple. It’s enough that my ex-fiancé preferred men, I won’t take that chance again no matter how much my body thrives on Alex’s touch. I can’t risk it, but I can’t resist it, either.
Alex can be very convincing when he wants something.
And he wants me.
The first blurb really misses the mark especially this bit:
When I solicited him to model for my erotic photography book,
I didn't expect such a heated, passionate photo
session. And now that we've crossed that line,
our bodies aren't the only things
that have been exposed.
First off, she doesn't solicit him for an erotic photography book, in fact she mentions that is not the kind of photography she normally does. There was one really hot scene in which Olivia does photograph Alex but this blurb got it totally wrong. Anyway, I found that quite interesting that the one sentence in the NetGalley summary could be so off the mark. The blurb from Megan Hart's website is definitely a better representation of the book.
I read Tempted, where Alex is one of the three main characters, before reading Naked. While Megan Hart's website says all the books can be read stand alone, I would highly recommend reading Tempted before reading Naked. Because Naked is written from Olivia's perspective and she has no knowledge, until the end of the book, of Alex's involvement with a married couple, it helps to have his background story. You have a little more insight to his character.
I thought this was a pretty sweet book for being erotica. I haven't read much erotic though so I don't really have anything to compare it to. I guess after reading Tempted which was a little more emotionally draining this one seemed downright romantic. I know that many of Hart's other heroines aren't always lovable, or even likable for that matter, but I really liked Olivia. Alex has been through so much that you really just want him to get his happily ever after.
I found it interesting that Olivia seemed fairly accepting of Alex's bi-sexuality in light of her past relationship where her fiance lied to hear about his sexuality and, ultimately cheated on her with another man.
Overall, I really enjoyed Naked. Olivia and Alex's relationship felt believable and felt like it progressed naturally. Megan Hart definitely has a talent for writing true to life characters intermingled with tantalizing love scenes. I'm looking forward to reading more of Hart's back-list!
Disclosure: I received this as a digital ARC through NetGalley. I did not receive any compensation for this review.
No strings. No regrets. And no going back.
I didn't think he wanted me. And I wasn't about
to get involved with him, not after what I'd heard.
Sure, Alex Kennedy was tall, dark and unbearably
hot, but I've been burned before. When I solicited
him to model for my erotic photography book,
I didn't expect such a heated, passionate photo
session. And now that we've crossed that line,
our bodies aren't the only things
that have been exposed.
But I can't give my heart to a man who's so...
unconventional.
His last sexual relationship was with a married couple.
It's enough that my ex-fiancé preferred men, I can't
take that chance again no matter how much my body
thrives on Alex's touch. I can't risk it, but I can't resist
it, either.
Alex can be very convincing when he wants something.
And he wants me.
This second one comes from Megan Hart's website:
No strings. No regrets. And no going back.
I didn’t think he wanted me. And I wasn’t about to get involved with him, not after what I’d heard. Alex Kennedy was tall, dark and unbearably hot, but I’ve been burned before. Maybe it was stupid of me to offer but he needed a place to crash and I needed to pay the rent, but now he’s my tenant…with benefits. And now that we’ve crossed that line, I can’t seem to find my way back.
But I can’t give my heart to a man who’s so…unconventional. His last sexual relationship was with a married couple. It’s enough that my ex-fiancé preferred men, I won’t take that chance again no matter how much my body thrives on Alex’s touch. I can’t risk it, but I can’t resist it, either.
Alex can be very convincing when he wants something.
And he wants me.
The first blurb really misses the mark especially this bit:
When I solicited him to model for my erotic photography book,
I didn't expect such a heated, passionate photo
session. And now that we've crossed that line,
our bodies aren't the only things
that have been exposed.
First off, she doesn't solicit him for an erotic photography book, in fact she mentions that is not the kind of photography she normally does. There was one really hot scene in which Olivia does photograph Alex but this blurb got it totally wrong. Anyway, I found that quite interesting that the one sentence in the NetGalley summary could be so off the mark. The blurb from Megan Hart's website is definitely a better representation of the book.
I read Tempted, where Alex is one of the three main characters, before reading Naked. While Megan Hart's website says all the books can be read stand alone, I would highly recommend reading Tempted before reading Naked. Because Naked is written from Olivia's perspective and she has no knowledge, until the end of the book, of Alex's involvement with a married couple, it helps to have his background story. You have a little more insight to his character.
I thought this was a pretty sweet book for being erotica. I haven't read much erotic though so I don't really have anything to compare it to. I guess after reading Tempted which was a little more emotionally draining this one seemed downright romantic. I know that many of Hart's other heroines aren't always lovable, or even likable for that matter, but I really liked Olivia. Alex has been through so much that you really just want him to get his happily ever after.
I found it interesting that Olivia seemed fairly accepting of Alex's bi-sexuality in light of her past relationship where her fiance lied to hear about his sexuality and, ultimately cheated on her with another man.
Overall, I really enjoyed Naked. Olivia and Alex's relationship felt believable and felt like it progressed naturally. Megan Hart definitely has a talent for writing true to life characters intermingled with tantalizing love scenes. I'm looking forward to reading more of Hart's back-list!
Disclosure: I received this as a digital ARC through NetGalley. I did not receive any compensation for this review.
May 17, 2012
I will admit I spent most of this book wondering what the deal was with Alex Kennedy.
Olivia Mackey is a photographer. She meets Alex Kennedy at her ex/now BFF's house for a holiday party. Actually she doesn't officially meet him until the next morning. BFF gives her a cryptic warning to stay away from Alex but this wouldn't be a book if she did! LOL
Olivia has a history - She isn't close with her family, her parents are divorced. There are a lot of different things going on in this story revolving around religion, family and beliefs. Olivia isn't sure who she is or who she's supposed to be. But I found myself wondering more who Alex was. We know very little about him throughout almost the entire book.
So... Olivia and Alex fall into a relationship. It's easy... then it's not... meanwhile the BFF is a complete asshole and I can't believe she ever put up with his shit.
I think for me, I was confused what the book was truly supposed to be about. I didn't feel like the blurb of the book matched what I was reading about. There was NO mention of this erotic photography book by the way. The emotions felt very real, the heartbreak, the sadness, the loneliness, the worry and the relief... all very well written but the book wasn't really what I was expecting.
"I didn't think he wanted me. And I wasn't about to get involved with him, not after what I'd heard. Sure, Alex Kennedy was tall, dark and unbearably hot, but I've been burned before. When I solicited him to model for my erotic photography book, I didn't expect such a heated, passionate photo session. And now that we've crossed that line, our bodies aren't the only things that have been exposed.
But I can't give my heart to a man who's so… unconventional. His last sexual relationship was with a married couple. It's enough that my ex-fiancé preferred men, I can't take that chance again no matter how much my body thrives on Alex's touch. I can't risk it, but I can't resist it, either.
Alex can be very convincing when he wants something."
BTW Alex Kennedy is the character in the book Tempted by the author - which explains a lot of his backstory I suppose. You don't necessarily need to read it first, but it might give you a bit more insight into Alex before reading this.
Olivia Mackey is a photographer. She meets Alex Kennedy at her ex/now BFF's house for a holiday party. Actually she doesn't officially meet him until the next morning. BFF gives her a cryptic warning to stay away from Alex but this wouldn't be a book if she did! LOL
Olivia has a history - She isn't close with her family, her parents are divorced. There are a lot of different things going on in this story revolving around religion, family and beliefs. Olivia isn't sure who she is or who she's supposed to be. But I found myself wondering more who Alex was. We know very little about him throughout almost the entire book.
So... Olivia and Alex fall into a relationship. It's easy... then it's not... meanwhile the BFF is a complete asshole and I can't believe she ever put up with his shit.
I think for me, I was confused what the book was truly supposed to be about. I didn't feel like the blurb of the book matched what I was reading about. There was NO mention of this erotic photography book by the way. The emotions felt very real, the heartbreak, the sadness, the loneliness, the worry and the relief... all very well written but the book wasn't really what I was expecting.
"I didn't think he wanted me. And I wasn't about to get involved with him, not after what I'd heard. Sure, Alex Kennedy was tall, dark and unbearably hot, but I've been burned before. When I solicited him to model for my erotic photography book, I didn't expect such a heated, passionate photo session. And now that we've crossed that line, our bodies aren't the only things that have been exposed.
But I can't give my heart to a man who's so… unconventional. His last sexual relationship was with a married couple. It's enough that my ex-fiancé preferred men, I can't take that chance again no matter how much my body thrives on Alex's touch. I can't risk it, but I can't resist it, either.
Alex can be very convincing when he wants something."
BTW Alex Kennedy is the character in the book Tempted by the author - which explains a lot of his backstory I suppose. You don't necessarily need to read it first, but it might give you a bit more insight into Alex before reading this.
November 6, 2018
I'm sorry, but Megan was out of her depth with this book. As a reader who loves the IR genre and as a black woman, I felt insulted by a lot of this book and that Megan's SJW persona and attempt to tackle the political arena resulted in sloppy work and a lot of cliches..
1. Black women do not go "natural" to get in touch with their black side and being natural does not elevate your black status. I wonder how many black natural women she talked to before adding that little tidbit (*cough* bullshit *cough*) to her book.
2. In this day an age, interracial couples do not receive the same side eye looks that they would back in the day. And to throw Pres Obama in the mix--again sloppy, convenient and cliched. Especially given the fact that we have been told in two books how hot and sexy Alex is.
3. Both books in this series do not really draw you in until the last 25-30% of the book. WTF cares that the designer mixed blacks and browns and reds and oranges or that they were installing fairy lights?
4. I cannot stand the over abundance of "oh I'm black and people look at me differently and I have to prove to them blah blah blah" and then everyone in their life is white. If everyone in your life is white and they have never looked at you differently then why do you feel that you are different?
5. I hate the over the top racist hillbilly stereotype that was thrown in and I am not even from Ohio. What was the point? He brought home "Hallie Berry" not "Leslie Jones" but again the social consciousness aspect had to be thrown out there.
6. We went from her finding out about the event in book #1 and taking off the ring to they are married--what happened to his family? Did they come? What about Jamie and Ann and the baby with the grey eyes (huh)? She never got resolution from the one thing that caused her to want to end the engagement.
I have given up on this author and will not be able to read any more of her books. Her work is sloppy, full of cliches, with a slow plot line, and no character development. I know that many of you will read this because you read book #1 and feel like you have to complete the series--I agree with you as that is why I have read it. But to continue to engage this author is the personification of what they say about insanity!!!
1. Black women do not go "natural" to get in touch with their black side and being natural does not elevate your black status. I wonder how many black natural women she talked to before adding that little tidbit (*cough* bullshit *cough*) to her book.
2. In this day an age, interracial couples do not receive the same side eye looks that they would back in the day. And to throw Pres Obama in the mix--again sloppy, convenient and cliched. Especially given the fact that we have been told in two books how hot and sexy Alex is.
3. Both books in this series do not really draw you in until the last 25-30% of the book. WTF cares that the designer mixed blacks and browns and reds and oranges or that they were installing fairy lights?
4. I cannot stand the over abundance of "oh I'm black and people look at me differently and I have to prove to them blah blah blah" and then everyone in their life is white. If everyone in your life is white and they have never looked at you differently then why do you feel that you are different?
5. I hate the over the top racist hillbilly stereotype that was thrown in and I am not even from Ohio. What was the point? He brought home "Hallie Berry" not "Leslie Jones" but again the social consciousness aspect had to be thrown out there.
6. We went from her finding out about the event in book #1 and taking off the ring to they are married--what happened to his family? Did they come? What about Jamie and Ann and the baby with the grey eyes (huh)? She never got resolution from the one thing that caused her to want to end the engagement.
I have given up on this author and will not be able to read any more of her books. Her work is sloppy, full of cliches, with a slow plot line, and no character development. I know that many of you will read this because you read book #1 and feel like you have to complete the series--I agree with you as that is why I have read it. But to continue to engage this author is the personification of what they say about insanity!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2010
I don't feel comfortable giving written reviews - I rate books for myself more than for others, a way to keep track of the books that I love to read, or sometimes not.
But I can't let this book go unreviewed - Megan Hart is amazing. She has an unbelievable ability to make you live in the shoes of her characters. You get totally sucked up in the minutia of their lives...she lets you breathe them..I don't know how else to explain this, but it is an ability that very few authors have, no matter how much you may love their books and the story - for me, this is the difference between a 4 star and a 5 star book.
In my opinion, "Naked" cannot be fairly appreciated if you haven't read "Tempted" or more importantly, "Everything Changes". Without having read Everything Changes, Alex feels flat/one dimensional, and he is anything but. Without knowing his back story, you can't understand his bisexuality or his insecurities or his need for love. I would think that unless you read the prior two books, that Naked could leave you feeling unsatisfied - or missing something, but not knowing quite what you're missing. For me, I finished this book feeling like I wanted to read all 3 books again - it filled in holes that I didn't know were there. I hope that Megan Hart will write more stories with the characters in this world.
I loved this book, even though I didn't love Olivia. I loved this book, even though it wasn't perfect. I loved this book, even though I was disappointed that Anne and Jamie's son had grey eyes. I love breathing in Megan Hart's worlds.
But I can't let this book go unreviewed - Megan Hart is amazing. She has an unbelievable ability to make you live in the shoes of her characters. You get totally sucked up in the minutia of their lives...she lets you breathe them..I don't know how else to explain this, but it is an ability that very few authors have, no matter how much you may love their books and the story - for me, this is the difference between a 4 star and a 5 star book.
In my opinion, "Naked" cannot be fairly appreciated if you haven't read "Tempted" or more importantly, "Everything Changes". Without having read Everything Changes, Alex feels flat/one dimensional, and he is anything but. Without knowing his back story, you can't understand his bisexuality or his insecurities or his need for love. I would think that unless you read the prior two books, that Naked could leave you feeling unsatisfied - or missing something, but not knowing quite what you're missing. For me, I finished this book feeling like I wanted to read all 3 books again - it filled in holes that I didn't know were there. I hope that Megan Hart will write more stories with the characters in this world.
I loved this book, even though I didn't love Olivia. I loved this book, even though it wasn't perfect. I loved this book, even though I was disappointed that Anne and Jamie's son had grey eyes. I love breathing in Megan Hart's worlds.
May 2, 2011
The reason I like this book is because it is so Ridiculous. A GAY man turned straight. Who is now ready to be 100% hetrosexual and faithful to a woman.
Olivia is a desperate, low self-esteem mess. This woman will accept anything in a relationship to have a gay man as her lover. Her first encounter with Alex, watching him receive a blowjob from a man. Second, Alex tells her he has not been with a woman in years (hey dumbass he's been f**king men). This nut starts a relationship with him - WTF.
Damn this is pure comedy.
Olivia is a desperate, low self-esteem mess. This woman will accept anything in a relationship to have a gay man as her lover. Her first encounter with Alex, watching him receive a blowjob from a man. Second, Alex tells her he has not been with a woman in years (hey dumbass he's been f**king men). This nut starts a relationship with him - WTF.
Damn this is pure comedy.
September 18, 2021
I have no idea what the hell this book was and has become, but it was rubbish.
It wasn't a good storyline. Only the female lead provides narration, and her perspective is dull.
The man lacked any form of backbone, depth, or anything else. In the female's case, everything was black and white and she lacked personality.
Who are you, girl? Black, white, Jewish, or gay lover? What are you? This is the question I keep asking, but obviously the author doesn't even know it herself.
There are so many absurd things about this book that if I had to describe them in broad brushstrokes, it would take me all of next year to explain.
I wasted my time and energy reading a book which started with a tangible topic and evolved into a big nothing.
It wasn't a good storyline. Only the female lead provides narration, and her perspective is dull.
The man lacked any form of backbone, depth, or anything else. In the female's case, everything was black and white and she lacked personality.
Who are you, girl? Black, white, Jewish, or gay lover? What are you? This is the question I keep asking, but obviously the author doesn't even know it herself.
There are so many absurd things about this book that if I had to describe them in broad brushstrokes, it would take me all of next year to explain.
I wasted my time and energy reading a book which started with a tangible topic and evolved into a big nothing.
August 24, 2019
This book made me have all the feels! I was so broken hearted for Olivia. Patrick’s an butthole! Alex is so swoon worthy and sweet. However, everyone has secrets and secrets can break the greatest bonds.
Narration was good.
I love how you saw so many sides to all the characters. This was just an amazing story!
#MyBookObsessionApproved
Narration was good.
I love how you saw so many sides to all the characters. This was just an amazing story!
#MyBookObsessionApproved
July 23, 2010
Warning: This will be an ode to the awesomeness that is Megan Hart so expect to read the words love and adore often in this review.
I admit this is the first book I read twice before I started to review it. First time I was too enthralled to make any notes and the only thing I could say about it afterwards was WOW. That would have been a really short review so I started it again and forced myself to take breaks and write down what I thought. Long list and now I'm trying to get the things in order for you.
Naked is finally Alex Kennedy's book but that's by far not the only reason I loved it. I waited so long for his HEA and I knew the moment I had the ebook that I couldn't wait any second longer to start it. And I loved every word written in it. It's hard to explain but this book was for me one big OMG-So-Good-Moment. I couldn't stop and I wanted more at the end. I enjoyed reading it twice and today Caroline told me she started it and I thought: "You have to read it again." That's how much I loved it.
Naked is written out of Olivia Mackey's POV. She is a woman with a past. Olivia got burned by a man in the past. She was hurt but still couldn't cut all the emotional strings attaching her to him. She knows she should but you know how that can go- it can be hard to let go. But when she meets Alex she sees the potential even if she's still cautious about the danger he represents. She decides to grab her chance for happiness. She developed a method to avoid being hurt: just don't ask about the uncomfortable things. She is still insecure but which girl wouldn't be after that last relationship. Olivia is strong at heart and she works hard to get what she wants. She still tries to find her way in life and sometimes she feels a bit lost in the middle of everything.
Alex is still Mr. Mysterious but he shows more of his vulnerabilities in this novel (we met him for the first time in Tempted). He tries hard to be seen as more than a world travelling gay guy. He wants to be seen as the character he is, as a person who deserves the complete focus, love and adoration of someone- no sharing for him anymore. He is such a caring and loving character- sure he has his quirks from time to time too but most of his actions are based on his yearning for acceptance, appreciation and love. He's says the sweetest things and he totally melted my heart to a puddle of goo. I love him and I know I want an Alex of my own. *dreams*
Besides our couple Naked is full of other great characters. I adore Sarah, Olivia's BFF. She's one of the funniest persons ever and she made me laugh so hard that I had tears in my eyes. I just say Cunnilingus Phone Survey. We also meet some characters from former novels again and I'm always squeeing when I read about those. They all found a place in my heart and it makes me smile to see them happy or on the way to get there. ;)
The story focuses on family, homosexuality and religion- and how they influenced Olivia. All can be touchy topics but Mrs. Hart handles them great. I loved how she explained Olivia's way of finding her own religion. She showed how hard it is to find what fits you best. Being agnostic, or whatever it's called, myself I usually don't appreciate much religious talk but she never ventured into the preaching site of it- she just told about experience and not about how to convert someone. She also included some rather sensitive family problems. She made me think about myself and my life again and that's one of the main reasons why I love her books so much. And she has those wonderful Star Trek and Douglas Adams references I adore so much.
Naked is a very sexy thought provoking novel. The writing is outstanding and the characters will draw you in from the start. Naked made me laugh, think and cry and I loved every second of it. When you want a book that will touch you deep inside and entertain you the whole time this is the book for you. I'm sure it will be at the top of my Best Reads in 2010 list. An absolute Keeper and I'm sure I will talk about this book for a long time to come.
I admit this is the first book I read twice before I started to review it. First time I was too enthralled to make any notes and the only thing I could say about it afterwards was WOW. That would have been a really short review so I started it again and forced myself to take breaks and write down what I thought. Long list and now I'm trying to get the things in order for you.
Naked is finally Alex Kennedy's book but that's by far not the only reason I loved it. I waited so long for his HEA and I knew the moment I had the ebook that I couldn't wait any second longer to start it. And I loved every word written in it. It's hard to explain but this book was for me one big OMG-So-Good-Moment. I couldn't stop and I wanted more at the end. I enjoyed reading it twice and today Caroline told me she started it and I thought: "You have to read it again." That's how much I loved it.
Naked is written out of Olivia Mackey's POV. She is a woman with a past. Olivia got burned by a man in the past. She was hurt but still couldn't cut all the emotional strings attaching her to him. She knows she should but you know how that can go- it can be hard to let go. But when she meets Alex she sees the potential even if she's still cautious about the danger he represents. She decides to grab her chance for happiness. She developed a method to avoid being hurt: just don't ask about the uncomfortable things. She is still insecure but which girl wouldn't be after that last relationship. Olivia is strong at heart and she works hard to get what she wants. She still tries to find her way in life and sometimes she feels a bit lost in the middle of everything.
Alex is still Mr. Mysterious but he shows more of his vulnerabilities in this novel (we met him for the first time in Tempted). He tries hard to be seen as more than a world travelling gay guy. He wants to be seen as the character he is, as a person who deserves the complete focus, love and adoration of someone- no sharing for him anymore. He is such a caring and loving character- sure he has his quirks from time to time too but most of his actions are based on his yearning for acceptance, appreciation and love. He's says the sweetest things and he totally melted my heart to a puddle of goo. I love him and I know I want an Alex of my own. *dreams*
Besides our couple Naked is full of other great characters. I adore Sarah, Olivia's BFF. She's one of the funniest persons ever and she made me laugh so hard that I had tears in my eyes. I just say Cunnilingus Phone Survey. We also meet some characters from former novels again and I'm always squeeing when I read about those. They all found a place in my heart and it makes me smile to see them happy or on the way to get there. ;)
The story focuses on family, homosexuality and religion- and how they influenced Olivia. All can be touchy topics but Mrs. Hart handles them great. I loved how she explained Olivia's way of finding her own religion. She showed how hard it is to find what fits you best. Being agnostic, or whatever it's called, myself I usually don't appreciate much religious talk but she never ventured into the preaching site of it- she just told about experience and not about how to convert someone. She also included some rather sensitive family problems. She made me think about myself and my life again and that's one of the main reasons why I love her books so much. And she has those wonderful Star Trek and Douglas Adams references I adore so much.
Naked is a very sexy thought provoking novel. The writing is outstanding and the characters will draw you in from the start. Naked made me laugh, think and cry and I loved every second of it. When you want a book that will touch you deep inside and entertain you the whole time this is the book for you. I'm sure it will be at the top of my Best Reads in 2010 list. An absolute Keeper and I'm sure I will talk about this book for a long time to come.
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