THE HARD SELL
by Lulu Wright
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Blurb
Lily Brook works in men’s underwear, but she would love to get Jack Stewart out of his.
Lily hasn’t dated anyone worth writing home about for years. So when she meets the impossible and impossibly handsome Jack Stewart–well, you could say he piques her interest. It doesn’t matter that he’s the cockiest asshole this side of the Mason-Dixon line.
Jack Stewart is destined for success. With his designer suits, intense hazel eyes, and penthouse apartment, he’s the total package. But he’s also the manager of Hamilton’s Department Store–the store where Lily could make or break her career. He would never fraternize with an employee. And there’s no way in hell Lily would risk her job on the hottest guy in Philadelphia. Right?
But she can’t stop imagining what he’d look like in a pair of Flash Fit’s sexy male underwear…
He shouldn’t dip his wick in the company’s ink, but he can’t resist Lily’s curvaceous body and wacky charm. He wants Lily–in the break room, the dressing area, everywhere.
Making a move on Jack could end her career. But can Lily resist his Hard Sell?
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Review
4 “Right now it’s manty time” stars
Yeah, I have a lot of cock in my life.
Sadly, most of it is just a tease.
Lily is the merchandiser off Flash Fit, a men’s underwear brand. She loves her job, which offers her entertainment and variety daily. That all changes when the head of Hamilton department stores decides he isn’t happy with with Flash Fit sales and Lily is brought in to fix it. It is up to her to make the brand profitable again in the Center City store if she wants to save her job. If she can pull off this feat there is even the chance for a promotion.
Jack Stewart is the Men’s Basics manager for the Hamilton Center City department store. He wants the store’s sales to soar and doesn’t think Flash Fit is a good brand to help reach that goal. He will do anything to up sales, including get rid of the new Flash Fit merchandiser by any means possible.
To say Jack and Lily started off on the wrong foot would be the understatement of the year. From the first moment they met, Lily and Jack have clashed. He has an infuriating personality and seems to stop at nothing to make Lily’s life more difficult. While she is trying to save the Flash Fit brand, Jack is trying to eliminate it all together. And this just doesn’t work for Lily. Jack is also dealing with an ex who won’t except that she is an ex which only adds to his frosty demeanor.
At first glance, Jack seems like an arrogant jerk but when we get to know more about him we realize he’s hardworking and trying to put the mistakes of his past behind him. He has secrets he wants kept hidden but it seems it will be more difficult than he had hoped. As Lily and Jack begin to get along and give into the feelings they have developed for one another, it seems like it could be the start to something good. But everything changes when Jack’s secrets are finally revealed. Can Jack win back Lily’s trust and give them their HEA?
The Hard Sell was an enjoyable read that was sweet, sexy, and fun with well-developed characters. Though Lily and Jack seem to hate each other in the beginning, you could tell it was only a matter of time before they realize that first impressions are not always right. Along with the bickering and glaring, there is a lot of pent up sexual tension simmering just beneath the surface waiting to erupt. I loved their banter and trying to one up each other.
“What are you going to do, spank me?”
“I think you would enjoy that too much, Miss Brook.”
She smirks. “Maybe. But it’s not like I need to worry. You don’t have the guts, Jack.”
…
I can’t help but almost grin myself. I want to know how far she’ll take this. Or how far I will. We’re deep in this game of chicken now, and neither of us seem the type to back down. “Well, like you said, you aren’t technically an employee . . . So what else can a department manager do to keep his naughtiest merchandiser in line?”
She eyes the belt in my hand and then casts those deep brown eyes on me. Her smile turns devilish. “I dare you,” she whispers.
Challenge accepted.
When Jack and Lily are together, it is steamy. I loved how they discovered what they liked together and tried new things. They complimented each other inside and outside of the bedroom.
I loved Lily. I could totally relate to her. I loved her quirky ideas and found myself completely fascinated with her thought process. She cracked me up on numerous occasions and I could imagine being in her shoes.
Of course, my backpack has eaten my wallet. Shit. It never matters how big or small the purse (or backpack) is, they always manage to swallow the only thing you need, right when you need it.
I liked Lily’s confidence and her drive to fix the situation with the Flash Fit brand. She was hardworking and wanted to get the job done. She cared so much about the brand and the people she worked with. I loved that she took Mona, one of the other employees, under her wing. She was also both daring and bold which made her even more interesting.
It took me a little while to warm up to Jack. He came across as an asshole in the beginning but when he started to warm up to Lily he showed his sweet side. To be honest, there were times I wanted to shake my head at him though. I understand some of his actions but the situations definitely could have been handled better. I did feel bad for Jack when his secrets were revealed and the actual consequences of his past actions hurt my heart. He worked hard to become who he is and I loved that Lily saw the real him.
Overall, The Hard Sell is a great debut novel. I really enjoyed it and am excited to read more from Lulu Wright.
*ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
About the Author
Lulu Wright is a sushi eating lover of Broadway shows, long walks on the beach, and sexy book boyfriends. After working in retail for ages, she’s proud to put her hilarious experiences to paper in her first romance novel, The Hard Sell.
