For What It's Worth


Thursday, February 19, 2015

Review (DNF): The Sweet Spot by Stephanie Evanovich

18635066 The amazing Stephanie Evanovich returns with The Sweet Spot, the sizzling story of everyone’s favorite couple from her New York Times bestseller Big Girl Panties: hunky professional baseball player Chase Walker and his sassy wife Amanda

When pro baseball player Chase Walker first meets Amanda at her restaurant, it’s love at first sight. While Amanda can’t help noticing the superstar with the Greek-god-build, he doesn’t have a chance of getting to first—or any other—base with her. A successful entrepreneur who’s built her business from scratch, Amanda doesn’t need a Prince Charming to sweep her off her feet. And a curvy girl who likes to cook and eat isn’t interested in being around the catty, stick-thin herd of females chasing Chase and his teammates.

But Chase isn’t about to strike out. A man who isn’t interested in playing the field, he’s a monogamist who wants an independent woman like Amanda. His hopes rally when she discovers that squeaky-clean Chase has a few sexy and very secret pre-game rituals that turn the smart, headstrong businesswoman on—and into his number one fan.

Then a tabloid discovers the truth and turns their spanking good fun into a late- night punch-line. Is Amanda ready to let loose and swing for the fences? Or will the pressure of Chase’s stardom force them to call it quits?

Goodreads | Source: ARC provided via Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review

Review:It takes almost a herculean effort for me to DNF a book. No matter what’s going on, I feel compelled to see how it ends. Even if I just skim. But this book made me so mad that I just couldn’t continue.

Let me backtrack a little.

I grabbed this book off Amazon Vine for review because it seemed like the fun, chick-lit type of book that I enjoy most. Within the first few chapters I already knew the writing style wasn’t for me with the abrupt POV changes, and almost all the interactions are telling not showing, but I did enjoy the characters so I let it go to see where it might lead.

Then the hero starts making little comments about “bratty women” and how Amanda’s ass is big enough for his hand – alluding to spanking. Hey, I’m fine with that kink. I’ve read a lot worse and enjoyed it. It was the “brat” comments that irked me. But again, whatever…the romance as Chase tries to woo a reluctant Amanda into giving him a chance was cute and sometimes it takes a while to develop a character.

Then I get to the sex part and NO. NO. NO. I have a thing about safe sex and discussing protection beforehand – not in the throes of passion where you are distracted by six pack abs. I’ve read many books where there’s no mention of condom use or they equate birth control with safe sex. Which is not the same thing. Not getting pregnant doesn’t mean being protected from STD’s. Blah…blah…getting ranty now…

So anyway – this book crosses a line that just had me fuming. I’ve since read multiple 1 and 2 star reviews on Goodreads that mostly concern the hero and the spanking element of this book (I never made it that far so I won’t comment), so I’ll discuss what was my deal breaker scene that no one else (that I saw) mentioned.

They are having sex for the first time. This is where Chase tries to talk Amanda out of using a condom.

I'm going to quote the passage that pushed me over the edge, it’s a spoiler, so I’ll give you the option to click the button if you wish to see it – or ignore if you still want to pick the book up to read.



AREYOUF*CKINGKIDDINGMERIGHTNOW? No Amanda – you should not trust this man.

So, epic irresponsible handling of sexual safety by the hero – and a heroine who is too distracted by a hot body to think clearly. That’s a total turn off for me so I didn’t continue.

There are several 4-5 star reviews for the book and those reviewers seemed to like the witty banter between the characters, the alpha hero that brings out Amanda’s naughty side, a full figured heroine and humor – so ya know – I just can’t recommend this book myself but to each his own and maybe it will work better for you.

Some people can overlook things like that but it just takes away all my respect for the hero and ruins the romance for me.

23 comments:

  1. Ugh that spoiler.

    As for the talk, I do hate when they are in the middle of doing it and one of them says condom..hello, do that before stuff happens

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  2. “I use one of these every time. I don’t want to use one now. I promise I’m disease-free."

    That sounds like something he could say to EVERY woman. If he uses one every time but doesn't want to use one now, what makes her so special? If he's said it once, he's probably said it before....

    Unbelievable!!

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    1. That's hardly the time to believe someone. And if you REALLY care about someone, safety (both yours AND theirs) should be paramount.

      It's a romance so of course it's true….eye roll

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  3. Oh yes this pisses me off too! Have you read/heard of Disillusioned by JS Scott? They just met and found themselves trapped in an island and instead of trying to find a way out, they have lots of sex sans condom. And shit went down similar to that scene. I hate it when author's treat us like idiots! Reallly? This is what they tell their daughter or niece, or sister? Fuck that!

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    1. I had just read a book two days prior where the couple had sex twice before condoms even occurred to them. Then it was just about birth control - they're both safe because….I don't know why.

      But of course she was on BD's for skin issues lol

      I just can't fall for a hero that's willing to get a sexually transmitted disease and "die" for her just to get laid. That doesn't speak to love and respect for the heroine at all.

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  4. UGh I totally get why that is pet peeve and also mine too. Seriously at least talk about it ...don't get swayed by those hot abs ..seriously I know it takes alot for you DNF a book . HUGS

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    1. In the very next paragraph she can't concentrate on what he's saying because of his abs.

      Not the best time for these decisions lol

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  5. Oh my goodness, sounds like it would turn me off as well, esp at the unsafe sex and pushing a 1st timer

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  6. Wow, what a jerk. I don't like the brat comments either and that's insane about the "I usually wear one" conversation. He KNOWS she's not likely to say no now.

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  7. “I use one of these every time. I don’t want to use one now. I promise I’m disease-free. Are you protected and safe, and do you trust me?” ARE YOU JOKING?! He probably says that all the time. How is she supposed to be safe if he isn't protecting himself OR her?! UGH that's not good. And the brat comments and spanking things just don't seem for me.

    Marianne @ Boricuan Bookworms.

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    1. I was like do you pinky swear?? lol What an ass. Saying you would have irresponsible sex and risk a sexually transmitted disease and death is AWFUL. A it doesn't say much for his impulse control or prior experiences. But it's romance so I'm just supposed to believe he's honest I guess.

      Is that supposed to prove his love? I would never trust a man who did that.

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    2. I never made it to the spanking. That doesn't bother me in general but a few reviews said it happened to punish her for swearing - it's un-lady like. UGHHHH That guy is just not a hero I can love.

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  8. I just read a book where I hated the hero. I didn't hate the book because I loved the heroine. She wouldn't have fallen for that line in the spoilery paragraph. She would have told him where to shove it. :) So, I guess I need the female to tell him like it is before I can continue with a book.

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    1. I should have added the next paragraph from her pov.

      She was trying really had to concentrate on his question because "his tone was compelling" but….ripped abs.

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  9. Yikes.. that spoiler is so weird. I've read similar dialogues like that in other novels, it BLOWS my mind away :( Love how honest your reviews always are x Benish | Feminist Reflections

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  10. Wow, not the way to go about showing how much you want to be with them! I can see why this threw you for sure. Thanks for the honest and thoughtful review Karen!

    Have a fabulous weekend :)

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  11. Wow...I don't blame you for DNFing this one...sounds like one I would not be able to get through! And that spoiler...yikes! :(

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  12. Well, this is probably not a book I would have tried to begin with, but ... yeah, not for me. It's weird, I don't require The Conversation in every sex scene. If the characters obviously care about each other I just assume they have all that figured out and it's TMI for me. But definitely in a scene with a fling or where the characters really don't know each other, it's kind of nice to add that sort of thing. But to have the guy try to manipulate her into not using something .. just ugh. Not a character I could find compelling at all.
    PS Hope you will come to the DNF dark side

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    1. I don't need a long winded, detailed conversation - and if it's never discussed at all then I assume they did what they needed to do but any guy who thinks he's willing to get a STD and DIE for a woman just to have sex…ugh

      I guess it's supposed to show the depth of his feelings for her but to me it shows a total lack of irresponsibility and respect.

      P.S. It's SOOOOO hard for me to not know what happens. lol I do skim though - I'm done in 15 minutes and I know what happens. I just don't review those books though.

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  13. Yep, if the author opens up the dialogue then this is unacceptable.

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  14. Oh, hell no. I had a really hard time with her first book, since the guy started spanking the girl without pre-discussion or agreement or anything but I'm going to take a hard pass on this one. *shakes head vehemently* Especially with that spoiler part. Oh, hell double no.

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    1. I guess the guy in this book does the same thing - spanks her for swearing because it's unladylike and then likes to hear her cry or some other garbage. I never made it that far.

      I guess I'm never trying anything by this author again since it seems to be her thing.

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