Overall, this was a pretty lackluster offering, which would have been far better with a stronger heroine. ~ Shadow, Guilty Pleasures
Description:
It took all of Alexia’s courage to leave her abusive boyfriend. When old school-friend Romy offers her a temp job at the glamorous London sports agency where she works, Alexia thinks she is saved. But shy, blonde and beautiful, she is totally unprepared for the fast sexual politics of rich sports men, big money and ambitious women. After witnessing junior agent Tony having sex on the boss’s table, her dormant sexuality is awakened with a violence that frightens her. Tony’s sees her need and Alexia finds herself almost giving in to his desire to dominate her. But despite his devastating sexual charisma, she only has eyes for the boss. Nathan Fallon is the ex army officer, dazzling but damaged, who has risen to the top of the cut-throat world of sports agents. But he thinks she’s Tony’s latest conquest. Desperate to win his respect, Alexia agrees to become his substitute PA for a week. But Alexia finds herself trapped between one man bent on bending her to his sexual will, and another she cannot read. Can she navigate this whirlpool of fame, money, and sex to fend off Tony long enough to win Nathan?
Review copy provided for an honest review
Sometimes a book has a character you just can’t relate to. For me, that was the female lead in Substitute. Alexia has left her controlling boyfriend and started a new life and new job at an agency represents sports figures.
Here she falls for the boss, Nathan, but he keeps finding her in compromising positions with Tony, the office playboy. Can she overcome his distaste for Tony’s leftovers to form a relationship?
Alexia reminded of Ado Annie from Oklahoma-she’s a girl who can’t say no. She doesn’t like Tony but she doesn’t protest when he fondles her in the office and at a special event. She does like Richard, a friend of her flatmate who shows her how to enjoy her passion without actually having penetration sex. Apparently fingering, wanking and oral sex don’t really count as sex in her world–she’s saving intercourse for Nathan.
Basically I found her weak, whiny and annoying. Nathan wasn’t much better, being attracted to her, but not willing to carry the attraction further. Some of the secondary characters, including Richard, Romy and Sophy were more likeable. The sex scenes were well done and the plot wasn’t bad. The book is set in London and be prepared for the language to be British English rather than American English.
Overall, this was a pretty lackluster offering, which would have been far better with a stronger heroine.
2.5 Stars
Thanks for the review Shadow