For What It's Worth


Monday, November 25, 2013

Review: Foreplay (The Ivy Chronicles #1) by Sophie jordan


17254035Before she goes after the life she’s always wanted, she’s about to find the one she needs.

Pepper has been hopelessly in love with her best friend’s brother, Hunter, for like ever. He’s the key to everything she’s always craved: security, stability, family. But she needs Hunter to notice her as more than just a friend. Even though she’s kissed exactly one guy, she has just the plan to go from novice to rock star in the bedroom—take a few pointers from someone who knows what he’s doing.

Her college roommates have the perfect teacher in mind. But bartender Reece is nothing like the player Pepper expects. Yes, he’s beyond gorgeous, but he’s also dangerous, deep—with a troubled past. Soon what started as lessons in attraction are turning both their worlds around, and showing just what can happen when you go past foreplay and get to what’s real. Goodreads | Author | Amazon

Source: Borrowed by my awesome friend Julie! {{HUGS}}

Review:
I had sworn off most of the New Adult genre after too many over the top, just about the sex, plots. I had heard about Foreplay but after reading the summary, found it contained every single thing I hate about NA, I was like NO THANKS. Then my friend Julie said it was great and offered me her copy to read and Wendy from The Midnight Garden recommended it to me. We have similar likes/dislikes for the genre so I trusted her judgment and took the plunge.

Guys! I loved this book!!

I swear I did not see that coming. A virgin looking for experience with the hot, tattooed, (rumored) man-whore that works at a bar? Trying to woo her life long crush who happens to be her BFF’s brother? No. Just no. I hate all those things! I’ve read them 1000 times. But Jordan does such an incredible job writing a good old school romance. It was sexy. It was fun. And it’s nothing like what the summary suggests.

Both Pepper and Reece have had a difficult childhood that scarred them but it doesn’t devour them like in so many NA novels out there right now. It shapes them – but does not define them. They have school, jobs, friends, money problems. Normal things – normal day to day hopes and dreams.

It’s so refreshing reading about a couple falling in love, really feeling the attraction between them jump off the page and watch them work out the issues that keep them from commiting. There was frustration and angst of course but not in the overwrought, I want to throw this book across the room, way.

The sexual interactions happened a little too soon (IMO) but it’s a slow building romance and even the sex is taken in slower steps so it ended up working for me. We hear over & over how hot Reece is and that gets a tad annoying – but he IS hot lol and NICE! Jordan used a few phrases repeatedly (muscles feathering across his jaw for example) but nothing too distracting.

Final thoughts: To be sure, Foreplay isn’t breaking any new ground but it was fun and the first book in a long time that had me all swoony with butterflies in my stomach for the couple. They were mature with real life problems but didn’t resort to whining and melodrama. I didn’t want it to end – this was a surprisingly fast read.

If you’re feeling jaded about the genre, give this one a shot. It’s still got all the heat but also has characters that have a real life outside of each other and they’re not drowning in a sea of angst.

21 comments:

  1. You just listed all the reasons I dislike NA, too, and have avoided this book (well, that and I didn't like her other series). However, between you and Wendy and the other reviews I've read, I might have to break down and try it!

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    1. It just *sounds* like everything I hate. It's predictable but still a lot of fun.

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  2. Oh yes, I totally need to read this one.

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  3. Yay, old school romance! I'm sold.

    I wanted to read this book since it was announced (and I feel the same way about NA) but this one looked different and now I'm so glad to know that you approve, woohoo! Hopefully I'll be able to read it someday :)

    Swoony with butterflies?! I NEED THIS!!

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  4. Yeah, I would never have picked up this book without your glowing recommendation. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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    1. It's probably not something you would enjoy Pam but I was surprised by how much I did.

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  5. I am so glad that you loved it and yes it was a bit of the same monotony but she is an author that makes it works. Reece for the Win . I am glad that it was different from other NA :)

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    1. Thank you for letting me borrow Julie!!

      It was drama filled without being TOO drama filled.

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  6. LOL Well at least it surprised you in a pleasant way. Hopefully SJordan will make you rethink your position about NA. :D

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    1. I think I'm just fussy these days. I'm happy to know that there's hope for me lol

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  7. Well, since you basically said why I avoid this genre, but loved this one... so making sure this one is on my wishlist. Darn it! I've had several recs from people on this genre, but this review just might make me take the plunge even more so than I have. I mean I think I've read a couple, but it could have been YA... I donno... LOL

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  8. "Both Pepper and Reece have had a difficult childhood that scarred them but it doesn’t devour them like in so many NA novels out there right now." <--- That's what I appreciated about Foreplay. I do agree that descriptive phrases were repetitive. I seem to remember a lot of "bunching and flexing" of muscles.

    Overall I really enjoyed Foreplay too. Great review!

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  9. you have CONVINCED ME! not the biggest fan of NA but you have me curious about this book. yay for not throwing the book across the room. and ugh, I KNOW about repeated descriptions about the dude being hot. guess you can't escape that!

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    1. Nothing new with this one but it was good. Another really good NA is Faking It by Cora Carmack.

      I can only read NA in small doses. The angst just irritates me lol

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  10. SO over the whole "pure good girl meets tattooed bad boy" thing. Are there no other NA stories to tell???
    But I've heard great things about this and Sophie Jordan IS a romance writer, so I'm in :)
    Jen @ YA Romantics

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    1. When you start it you just think - seriously? I've read this SO many times before but while it isn't anything new, the writing and characters are a step above cliches and it works. The only real drawback is the repetitive phrases and saying how hot Reece is - over and over again.

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  11. Wow! sounds like i need to pick up my copy and read it. swoony!! yay!

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  12. Glad you gave this one a chance and found it such a good read.

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  13. I know, right? This should not have worked, but it totally did! I'm excited to read more NA from this author. I haven't read any of her YA titles yet, but I've heard they are very different. And, um, not just because they have dragons in them.

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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