Release Day, Excerpt, ARC Review & Giveaway: Part-Time Lover by Lauren Blakely

PART-TIME LOVER promises full-time satisfaction…

What do you get when you mix a charming British hero, a temporary marriage of convenience, and a smart & sassy heroine? PART-TIME LOVER, the brand new, standalone rom-com from #1 New York Times bestseller Lauren Blakely! Get your copy of PART-TIME LOVER now!

Kindle US | Kindle UK | Kindle CA | Kindle AU

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Audible (audiobook narrated by Shane East and Grace Grant)

Blurb

I’ll say this about Christian — he made one hell of a first impression. When I first saw the strapping man, he was doing handstands naked on a dock along the canal. His crown jewels were far more entertaining than anything else I’d seen on the boat tour, so I did what any curious woman would do — I took his photo. I might have looked at the shot a few dozen times. Little did I know I’d meet him again, a year later, at a secret garden bar in the heart of the city, where I’d learn that his mind and his mouth were even more captivating. But given the way my heart had been trampled, I wanted only a simple deal — No strings. No expectations.

Our arrangement worked well enough until the day I needed a lot more from him…

***

Let me just say, this whole part-time lover thing was her idea. I’d have gone all-in from the start, but hey, when a gorgeous, brilliant woman invites you into her bed, and only her bed…well, I said yes.

But then, one hysterical phone call from my brother later, begging me to find myself a wife so grandfather’s business stays in the family, and I need a promotion with Elise. Turns out a full-time husband suits her needs too, and a temporary marriage of convenience ought to do the trick, until we can simply untie the knot…

As long as no one finds out…
As long as no one gets hurt…
As long as no one falls in love…

But our ending was one I never saw coming.

Review

“Yes. I believe in fate. But mostly I believe in you.”

4 fated stars

I have been so excited to get my hands on this book! Christian and Elise were introduced in the fabulous Wanderlust, both fun, confident, and a little wild, and from their unique first introduction and their chemistry-filled, all-too-brief interaction, I knew there would be fireworks – and I was not disappointed! Christian and Elise’s standalone story is full of fantastic chemistry and sexual tension. With two people adamant against a relationship, an arranged marriage, hotter than hell sexy time and a beautifully slow-burning, completely unexpected romance, this is a fantastic read!

Elise and Christian first spied each other when she was on a touristy canal cruise in Copenhagen, and he was doing naked handstands on the dock to shock unsuspecting tourists. Sparks flew, and though they were both willing, they never got the chance to take it any further. A year later and they are both living in Paris when they are introduced by their best friends, who have just started seeing each other – Griffin and Joy from Wanderlust.

The chemistry between them instantly sparks back to life, and though neither of them are interested in a relationship, they are keen to finally get the chance to explore the connection that so clearly simmers between them. And so begins the tease. They want each other badly, they make no secret of that, but Elise gave her heart away once and it got shattered. She has walls around her now and though she wants Christian, she wants him with very clear boundaries.

Christian’s life is exactly the way he wants it, and he has no intention of changing it for anybody. But he wants Elise like he’s never wanted anybody else, and though he’s not used to having to work so hard for a woman, he finds that he enjoys the challenge. It sets up a unique dynamic as they tease and flirt, knowing where it’s heading, but enjoying the game to get there.

“You’re constantly trying to get close to me.”
He leans in running his nose along my neck. I stifle a whimper as he sniffs, saying. “You’re right. I am. I find you fascinating and irresistible. Maybe you could stop resisting me.”
A smile spreads rapidly, and I lean a little closer, want a little more. “I’ll see what I can do about that,” I tease, “but I’m not giving in easily.”
“Good. You do that.”

“For what it’s worth, it’s not easy resisting you.”

Honestly, I wasn’t sure I was fully on board with the way this all started out. For two people so incredibly drawn to each other, I couldn’t figure out why they were holding back when they both wanted the exact same thing. But it seemed to work for them, and it ramps up the sexual tension to epic levels.

He lets out a long breath. “Damn, you’re fucking hot like this.”
I laugh. “Oh, shut up. You’re such a horndog.”
“I know, but can you blame me? You’re so fucking brilliant and beautiful and fierce, and your determination makes me want to fuck you even more.”

And when Christian’s family empire hits trouble, there needs to be a marriage, and it seems the obvious choice for him and Elise to enter into a marriage of convenience for a few months where they will help each other out with business, while continuing to explore their wicked attraction to each other.

“We’re doing this.”
He smiles widely. “Yeah? We’re a couple of crazies, aren’t we?”
“Are we?”
Laughing, he pulls me close. “It’s crazy.”
“But brilliant.”
“It’s bloody brilliant. You know what else will be brilliant?”
“What?”
“Finally getting you naked and under me tonight.”
“You’re assuming I’ll put out since it’s our wedding night, are you?”
“Hope springs eternal. So does my cock when I look at you.”

From this point, I was back on familiar territory and I got completely swept up in the fun and passionate intensity that is Christian and Elise together. Their marriage may be fake, but there is a naturalness to them that works, and from the very beginning, nothing feels false. After all of that build up, the sexy time is off the freaking charts, you can feel the intensity between them, and it doesn’t take long for their wild attraction to each other to become something so much more than either of them ever anticipated.

It feels like we’re making love. Like we’re saying new phrases with our bodies. Talking in a bold new language. One that says I love this, and you’re mine, and let’s not stop, let’s never stop.
Soon, I’m seeing stars and saying his name, and this feels like surrendering to love.
It’s terrifying and beautiful at the same time.

The falling is complete. It’s here. It’s happened, and now I’m in love with the woman in my arms.
But this woman needs me to be the kind of man who doesn’t fall so easily.

The feelings are there, but there are still things they need to work through, and I loved watching them sort through it all as they figure out their feelings. And with those feelings comes the swoon, which is gorgeous.

I really enjoyed this book. I admit that it took me a little while to warm up to Elise, but Christian more than made up for it with his hilariously sarcastic wit, his filthy flirting, his downright sexiness and his huge heart. It was fun, flirty and sexy, and ultimately beautifully romantic. The fact that it’s set in Paris is just a bonus.

Loved it – 4 stars.

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Paris with Love

Wanderlust (Griffin & Joy)
Review
Buy: Kindle Ebook | Paperback | Audiobook

Part Time Lover (Christian & Elise)
Review
Buy: Kindle Ebook | Paperback | Audiobook

Excerpt

~Elise~

A year ago

The boat slides under another bridge then motors through a more residential area, passing homes on the water and private docks every few feet. My eyes hungrily eat up the view. My current hometown of Paris is my love, but I could get used to weekends in Copenhagen. It’s a delightful mix of old and new, like a Swiss alpine town mated with a futuristic sky-rise city.

As I gaze at the sun-soaked homes, I imagine lazy afternoons drinking strong coffee on the deck, reading delicious tales under the rays. That seems like a recipe for happiness for the rest of my days.

I want to feel that way. Happy. It’s been so damn elusive lately, and for a fleeting moment, it feels as if I grasp it again, so I’m no longer teetering on the edge of grief and shame.

But that’s why I’m here, to move past that terrible duet.

I try valiantly to simply enjoy everything in front of me: the buildings, the water, the view.

As we round the bend in the canal, I blink at the view.

Holy hell, the unexpected view.

Nearby is a private dock.

On that dock is a man.

He’s performing a downward-facing dog, and his rear is facing us.

What a spectacular ass.

It’s not covered in sweatpants or basketball shorts.

It’s au naturel, as finely sculpted as the statue of David.

He’s a dog all right.

I sit up.

I practically stand. I lean on the edge of the boat, agog. I won’t even pretend I’m not looking. I’m ogling.

The Japanese friends whisper and point. The couple shifts closer to get a better look. The college girls titter and laugh.

We slide along on the calm water, and now we’re fifty feet away from a sight way better than the Little Mermaid statue, more magnificent than the royal palace.

He bends forward, pressing his palms into the wood, lifting his legs, and flipping them upside down.

Full. Frontal. Birthday suit.

He’s a tall drink of a man, and I’m so very thirsty.

“Look,” I whisper to Veronica, though of course she’s already engaged in the fine art of gawking. “Did you know the Mad Naked Handstander of Copenhagen was on the tour?”

She sighs contentedly. “I am so glad you forced me to go to the buffet.” She parks her chin in her hands, watching the tall upside-down creature.

“My favorite part of the buffet is dessert,” I say, as my eyes gobble him up.

This man wears nudity well, even in this unusual position.

“I enjoyed the rubies and emeralds in Rosenborg Castle, but I like these crown jewels even better,” I say.

And hey, perhaps I’m perving, but I’m an equal-opportunity spectator at this private dock show. I don’t merely peer at the centerpiece of his physique, resting majestically against the grooves of his abs. My eyes take a most happy stroll up and down his carved body, from the planes of his stomach, to his strong thighs, to his arms ripped with muscles. His face is hard to read at 180 degrees, but I see the shape of his cheekbones, carved by angels.

Then, he moves. He walks on his hands. Back and forth.

Like he’s performing.

Showing off his most unique skill set.

I chuckle louder.

Then louder still when he holds himself up on one hand only, waving to us.

“What a show-off,” Veronica says.

Lars clears his throat. “And sometimes, we see the unexpected sights of Copenhagen.”

I do what any curious onlooker might do. I grab my phone and snap.

Snap.

The man stands, takes a bow, and waves.

My chest heats up. The temperature in me flirts with mercury levels. He’s a stunner. My God, he’s like Skarsgård, from this distance.

And because I believe in speaking my mind, I cup my hand over my mouth and shout, “Bravo. All of it.”

He doffs an imaginary top hat and takes a bow. “My pleasure.” His voice books across the water, his accent a British one.

Sparks unexpectedly race down my chest. That accent is delicious. “Oh no. The pleasure is truly all mine.”

Giveaway

Let’s celebrate the release of Christian and Elise’s romance with a Kate Spade Tote ($200 value) and $50 Gift Card to Sephora for your own Scentsual Fragrance!

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

The Escapist Book Blog is not responsible for this giveaway

About the Author

A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than 95 times, and she’s sold more than 2.5 million books. In June she’ll release PART-TIME LOVER, a sexy new standalone romance. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter NEWSLETTER!