Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Review: Foreplay

FOREPLAY
The Ivy Chronicles #1
Sophie Jordan
Contemporary New Adult
320 pages
William Morrow
Available November 5th
Source: eARC from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
Before 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…


MY THOUGHTS
Given the familiarity of the synopsis, we crack the spine of Foreplay with no illusions we’re going to get a completely original or mind-blowing story, though we can’t help but hope the execution of it – along with the characters themselves – set this novel apart and mark it as memorable. Thankfully, Ms. Jordan does give us a very entertaining romance between Reece and Pepper that goes beyond what the blurb suggests, creating a few more much-appreciated layers for our resident good girl and her bartending bad boy. Things between them unfold in predictable ways and follow a set pattern in terms of the romantic arc, but honestly, should Ms. Jordan have tossed us a curveball and given us the completely unexpected at the end, readers like myself who crave the happily ever after would have been monstrously disappointed. Instead we get to live vicariously through Reece and Pepper, warm and fuzzy and content when we leave them to move on to the next book.

Pepper is a young woman who at first glance we’ve seen before: quiet, studious and virginal, looking for a little sexual experience before she tries to move forward with the basket in which she’s placed all her romantic eggs: Hunter. One of the problems with this setup (at least for me personally) is the portrayal of virginity as something embarrassing and unwanted that needs to be quickly disposed of so the young woman, now blissfully free of virginity's shackles, can finally be appealing to the one person for whom she pines. Luckily, Ms. Jordan gives us something refreshing in Pepper as she’s not simply looking to do away with her virginity–in fact she’s downright terrified of things going that far with Reece–she just wants an experience or two in dealing with the opposite sex in the hopes those experiences will reduce some of the nerves when she stands before Hunter and reveals her feelings. Her closest friends are also not the type to encourage her to do anything she’s not ready for, instead they’re supportive at every turn and want her to be comfortable with herself more than anything else.

While Pepper is often cute and makes many a humbling attempt to remedy her wrongs when she takes a misstep with Reece, she can be supremely frustrating at times as well, wandering around with an epically large starfish named Denial suctioned to her face. She can’t see anything but Hunter around the tentacles Denial has stretched across her eyes, clinging so desperately to the idea of him that everything good in Reece goes not unnoticed, but even worse, ignored in favor of the dream she’s had since she was little. We’re told repeatedly why Pepper is so hung up on what Hunter represents, and though it’s understandable, we aren’t given a thorough enough examination of her past to make us actually share in her desperation for the perfect life/home/love. We only have one brief flashback well after the halfway point in the book that provides a terrifying glimpse into what life was like with her mother, but it’s too brief and almost too late for us to fully embrace it and understand why she runs away from Reece again and again.

Reece is just about as deliciously swoon-worthy as they come though, a fact that makes Pepper’s death grip on the Hunter fantasy all the more bothersome. He’s got his own not-insignificant baggage, but he faces it head-on and blinder-free unlike Pepper, never letting it get in the way of what he deserves for himself. That being said however, the chemistry between Reece and Pepper sizzles throughout, allowing for a very steamy read that’s also beautifully balanced by a tentative friendship full of firsts for both parties. The only flaw keeping this from a higher rating is Pepper’s unrelenting stubbornness, but Ms. Jordan has written an engaging romance to kick this series off and I am thoroughly looking forward to the next book.

Rating: 3.5/5



Find Sophie:


This book was sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a review
I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.

44 comments:

  1. What else has Sophie Jordan written? Her name sounds familiar. This doesn't sound like a book that particularly interests me, but there is something to be said about relatively formulaic books. They're often good fun.

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    1. She wrote the YA Firelight series with the dragons:) I liked the predictability of this one, as I said, had it gone another way I would have been hugely disappointed. I need predictability in my romances!

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    1. It does! And this one was quite sexy, I enjoyed their relationship:)

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  3. Ah the dreaded Denial starfish—it plagues way too many of my fun romances. I'm still super excited to read this because it sounds like a fun, if predictable story, and Reece sounds swoonworthy. But I'll likely be wishing I could give Pepper a swift kick in the butt about Hunter. Awesome review Jenny!

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    1. Right?! I really liked Pepper overall, I just wanted to shake her until that starfish fell right off. Reece is fantastic, I absolutely adored him, which just made her preoccupation with Hunter that much harder for me to deal with:)

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  4. The tentacles of Denial made me grin. ;) Anyway, this is a formulaic plot lunch, and though it's a shame about Pepper's past not being fleshed out enough, I'm glad that she has supportive friends and virginity isn't portrayed the way it typically is. I'm not sure if I'll be picking this up soon, but I'm glad to see it has its positives. Lovely review, Jenny!

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    1. It was the only way I could think of to describe it, she's just blinded by Hunter for nearly the whole book. I got what she saw in him and what he represented for her, but she had someone right in front of her who made her feel beautiful and safe yet she denies him for so long.

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  5. I remember when I first saw this book around and I was quite eager to read it, but the way you've described Pepper's character, I'm thinking that she's going to leave me to frustrated, I hate it when characters are continually stuck on something. But then you have me sold on the steamy romance and chemistry, because of this I think I will end up giving this book a go! Lovely review Jenny! :)

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    1. I really did like this one despite my issue with Pepper's stubbornness, I like the way Sophie writes and the steamy moments are oh-so hot, so I'm definitely going to continue on with the series. I hope you give it a try Jasprit!

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  6. Damn that starfish named Denial!! He's a right bastard. I was NOT a fan of Sophie Jordan's YA series and, sadly, her NA is not calling to me either. But at least it was a relatively enjoyable read for you, Jenny!

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    1. Isn't he though? I just wanted to punch him right in the face so he'd let Pepper see a little more clearly:) I loved Reece so much though, and their relationship was enjoyable, so all in all a pretty solid read for me.

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  7. I think I enjoyed this a bit more than you did. I didn't really find Pepper that frustrating because I understood where she was coming from. I do agree with you that some of the characters' pasts was not as fleshed out as it could have been. That being said, I enjoyed the book mostly because of the romance. It was all sorts of great.
    Lovely review, Jenny!

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    1. I understood too, I just wish we had gotten another flashback or two earlier on you know? Something to really make the reasons for Pepper's fixation on "the good life" with Hunter more emotionally gripping. I'm madly in love with Reece though, and the romance was delicious:)

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  8. Uh-oh, this sounds really exciting, I love the promise of the plot, but I'm afraid Pepper would just annoy me. I'm not a huge fan of Sophie's YA series. I liked its plot but the protag grated on my nerves. Anyhow, glad you liked this, Jenny! I'm not totally closing my doors for this and it's still going to my TBR but it's not a top priority.

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    1. I had my issues with Pepper, but overall I did like her and she didn't frustrate me every moment - just in that one area with Hunter. Everything else was a plus for me!

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  9. I actually just read Nick's review of this one, and I'm a bit on the fence now. I think she enjoyed it a tiny bit more than you, and you know how I feel about backstory...I NEEDS IT. But f'reals. I'm intrigued, so who knows? I might pick it up...eventually. Lovely review, m'dear! :)

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    1. We just got told more than shown Pepper's life with her mother and why its driven her to near obsession with Hunter and his perfect family. I got it, I just wanted to feel it the way I did when we finally got a flashback halfway through - I wish that had happened sooner.

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  10. Just got this one yesterday. I'm excited to read it because I really liked her Firelight series.

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    1. I really liked her Firelight series too - hope you love this one!

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  11. Yep, cashing in on the V card is so irritating in a romance novel. I definitely have to agree with you there. I don't know how we got there, if it's a societal thing,or you aren't considered sexy or desirable if you haven't reached that limit. And your starfish of denial had me busting a gut. SO true though and it's irritating to wait for the light bulb to eventually go off.

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    1. I don't know how we got there either, but it's a sad way to see things I think. I was really happy in this one though - Pepper's not shamed into losing her virginity by her friends and it's not regarded as something she needs to "take care of" before moving on to Hunter, she just wants to know how to deal with guys a bit better. And that includes flirting as much as it does anything physical:)

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  12. I have noticed a trend in that as well Jenny and it makes me sad. One's virtue should never be so..disrespected? I am not sure what word I am looking for but I admit, I am not loving that theme in NA and even YA's lately. :(

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    1. I agree Ali. I was glad that despite the premise suggesting that would be the case with Pepper, it wasn't at all. I'm hoping this "need to lose my virginity quickly because I'm simply much too old to be a virgin and it's embarrassing" trend comes to a close, or is dealt with far better as it is in this book.

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  13. Hmm. I have a feeling I might be too frustrated with this book to like it much. I'd probably spend more time wanting to shake the characters...

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    1. I did want to shake her a little, Reece was just so damn sexy and treated her so well, I don't know how she didn't fall for him way sooner. I would have been all doe-eyed almost immediately ;-)

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  14. Great review! I have this one on my TBR list and hope to read it next month. I was a bit hesitant, because, like you, I was worried the plot was going to be too familiar. I feel like everyone is writing about this situation (esp. when you talk about the virginal archetype.) I love Jordan's Firelight series, so I am hoping this book is better than average. I'm glad you are going to continue with the series--a good sign! I like that you said the relationship between Reese and Pepper is steamy..I could use a good NA book right about now.

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    1. It's very steamy, but also not just sex for the sake of sex either which was great. I liked how things progressed between them, even if Pepper's inability to see what was right in front of her was frustrating:)

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  15. This one sounds pretty steamy! I loved Firelight by Sophie Jordan, which is why I have this one on my list even though I am kind of over NA at the moment. I'll save it for when I'm in the right reading mood - otherwise I know I'll probably get all annoyed with it. ;) I'm very difficult to please when it comes to NA.

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    1. I had to take a break from NA for a while too Leanna, so I completely understand. I'm back in a good NA place now though and am having fun reading them, so I'll be interested to see what you think if you pick this one up in the future!

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  16. I'm so excited that this weekend (Houston Book Rave) I get to meet Sophie Jordan! I love this author. Nice review :)

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  17. I'm reading a very similar book right now and I too am disappointed when the heroine is just supposed to get that first sexual experience "out of the way". It's treated very lightly so I'm glad that's not the case here.

    Reese sounds wonderful even if Pepper seems clueless.

    I remember Jordan talking about this series at a con I attended.

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  18. I had similar feelings.. Loved Reece and very lukewarm towards Pepper... (see how diplomatic I am :P)

    Great review Jenny

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  19. I've been avoiding this book like crazy just because it has that same old NA story vibe. I don't think I can take more of that. Anyhow I've been wrong about this one it seems. I should have never doubted Sophie. Great review Jenny :)

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  20. I would like to know more why those tentacles have such a hold on her. Oh and even though this doesn't throw us curves, it gives me an HEA and so I'm happy with that. May not be outstanding or different, but it still sounds like a enjoyable book!

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  21. Yes, stubborness isn't exactly a virtue and I'm very stubborn. It can often cause unwanted drama, but I just can't help it. It's easier to judge other people though and I guess I'd be a bit upset with Pepper as well. I do love the premise though and Nick's 5 star review totally sold me today. I'm glad you found some refreshing qualities to Pepper and Reece to be oh-so-swoon-worthy :) I can't wait!!

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  22. Between you and Nick I'm a bit more curious about this one. I wouldn't have picked this up before but I'm wanting to meet Reece!

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  23. The 'for like ever' in the blurb worries me a bit, to be honest. Really, I'm a bit complicated that way.
    I'm glad this turned out to be slightly better than you expected, or that it had some redeeming qualities at least. I have little patience ffor frustrating heroines, but I might give this a try on a Sunday afternoon.

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  24. Nice bit about the "tentacles of denial"!

    It's sad that it's so hard for a woman to feel proud or even neutral of being a virgin in today's culture.

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  25. The cover is a big miss for me. I put this into Friday Forecast and ignored it, but after reading your review and Nick's today I am going to reconsider. I like the way she handles the whole virginity thing.

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  26. I keep hearing great things about this one! Stubbornness always bugs me too. But hopefully all the hotness will make up for it ;).

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  27. From the sound of things I think I'd want to head butt Pepper throughout this read! Starfish of Denial?! Love it, lol! This girl sounds like she seriously needs to get a clue. Oh well, at least you had Reece to fantasize about! :)

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  28. Good girl + bad boy is indeed a scenario that's been done a million times, especially in the YA/NA universe, but this one does sound pretty entertaining and I'm glad that overall you enjoyed it Jenny! This is actually the first time I'm seeing this one around, but I'll look into getting a copy when I get a chance! Great review, Jenny! :D

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