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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
First I love all things Lauren Dane - she's freaking incredible and this book did not disappoint. Family drama, stubborn man (hot stubborn, bearded, tatted, pierced man) and a bomb-ass leading lady who wouldn't take anything they (family or hottie love interest) dished at her laying down. She was feisty and ambitious. Loved it.
A great start to the Ink & Chrome series by Lauren Dane. Ms. Dane is one of my absolute favorite authors because she writes amazing heroines. Woman who are strong, independent, and confident in themselves and their sexuality. PJ is no exception. She may only be 25 but she knows that painting cars if her love and does not let her disapproving father stop her from doing what she loves. It also doesn't stop her from perusing super hot and sexy garage owner Asa. Asa can't keep his eyes, and hands, off of PJ but he has a hard time accepting their age difference. When he can't take it anymore they heat up the sheets, and the kitchen, and the couch. But will their heat be enough? Great read, minimal conflict between PJ and Asa but I loved how they build their relationship and it didn't hurt how hot and steamy Asa was. Great read, can't wait to continue the series!
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books
This is a sexy story with engaging characters and a captivating storyline. The story features Asa and PJ, who share a passion for cars and each other. Asa loves cars and motorcycles and owns Twisted Steel, a successful custom motorcycle business. When Asa and PJ first meet there is smoking chemistry, but Asa is twelve years older than PJ and concerned about the age difference between them. AJ doesn’t let anything get in her way when she wants something and she wants Asa. She is persistent and lets him know the age difference doesn’t matter. Asa has a pierced nose and looks big, tough and scary, but he has a tender heart. He likes to be in control in the bedroom, which is something new for AJ, but she likes how he makes her feel. When these two get together, things really heat up. Asa has many great qualities, but I think what I like the most about him is how he treated AJ and was how protective he is. He will do whatever it takes to keep her from getting hurt.
PJ comes from an affluent, but dysfunctional family and unfortunately, her father continually picks on her. I love PJ, she is a rebel. She has tattoos and piercings and colors her hair different colors. She goes against what her family wants her to do and insists on taking the path that is right for her. She marches to her own drummer and although it hurts her feelings, when her family doesn’t support her, she still does things her way. Asa and PJ have explosive chemistry and this story is told from both POV’s. This is the first book in the Ink and Chrome series and is a stand alone. It’s an intriguing story and I can’t wait for the next one featuring Duke.
Reviewer information can be found under the Tags section of the post on our site.
This is a sexy story with engaging characters and a captivating storyline. The story features Asa and PJ, who share a passion for cars and each other. Asa loves cars and motorcycles and owns Twisted Steel, a successful custom motorcycle business. When Asa and PJ first meet there is smoking chemistry, but Asa is twelve years older than PJ and concerned about the age difference between them. AJ doesn’t let anything get in her way when she wants something and she wants Asa. She is persistent and lets him know the age difference doesn’t matter. Asa has a pierced nose and looks big, tough and scary, but he has a tender heart. He likes to be in control in the bedroom, which is something new for AJ, but she likes how he makes her feel. When these two get together, things really heat up. Asa has many great qualities, but I think what I like the most about him is how he treated AJ and was how protective he is. He will do whatever it takes to keep her from getting hurt.
PJ comes from an affluent, but dysfunctional family and unfortunately, her father continually picks on her. I love PJ, she is a rebel. She has tattoos and piercings and colors her hair different colors. She goes against what her family wants her to do and insists on taking the path that is right for her. She marches to her own drummer and although it hurts her feelings, when her family doesn’t support her, she still does things her way. Asa and PJ have explosive chemistry and this story is told from both POV’s. This is the first book in the Ink and Chrome series and is a stand alone. It’s an intriguing story and I can’t wait for the next one featuring Duke.
Reviewer information can be found under the Tags section of the post on our site.
4.5 "Rev up your engines" stars!!
Opening Up is the first installment in Lauren Dane's deliciously erotic Ink & Chrome series and wow!! It is an absolutely FANTASTIC beginning to what promises to be a knock your socks off, über steamy series featuring sexy alpha men and the women who win their hearts. MAJOR props for choosing blue collar, rough around the edges heroes and Oh. My. Gawd! LOVE that they work on cars and motorcycles. And not just any cars. Vintage muscle cars! *fans self*
Oh, yeah, now on to the review ;) . Asa Barrons co-owns Twisted Steel with his close friend Duke Bradshaw and he crosses paths with PJ (aka Penelope Jean) Colman at an industry event where she representing her family's tire business. PJ holds a corporate position in the company but her true love is her fledgling custom paint business. The two are instantly attracted to one another but Asa has a strict rule about mixing business with pleasure and he is also convinced she is too young for him. But an attraction as strong as theirs is too powerful to ignore and they share one night of sizzling sex. However Asa immediately puts the brakes on their budding relationship and although PJ is disappointed, she moves on with her life but that does not mean she has given up on tempting him into reconsidering his decision.
PJ is the youngest of the Colman siblings and she has worked hard to prove herself to the rest of the family. After trying and failing to win her father's approval, she finally dropped out of college to begin working in the family corporation. She is quite successful in her current position but PJ knows that adding her custom paint and detail business to the company would add to their bottom line and bring in new clients. As someone working in a male dominated field, she is used to proving herself, but neither her father nor uncle take her seriously and when they refuse to entertain her idea, she takes a calculated risk and quits the company to start up her own business. PJ is smart, sassy and self-confident and all of this combined with her stellar reputation makes it easy for her grow her new business. She also sees Asa on a fairly regular basis once she strikes out on her own since their careers are so closely intertwined.
Asa oozes sex appeal and he is an adrenaline junkie but he also has a very tender, gooey side that he keeps hidden underneath his tattooed, pierced and somewhat menacing exterior. He has nothing but respect for PJ but he is a little extremely protective of the people he cares about. This, along with his mistaken belief that he knows what is best for her (!), figure prominently in his decision to end their relationship after their night of incredible sex. But in actuality, he breaks it off with her because she challenges his ability to maintain control and his feelings for her are very different than any he has experienced before.
Surprisingly, the relationship between Asa and PJ is pretty evenly balanced. Sure, Asa is a take charge kind of man, but PJ is no shrinking violet. She knows what she wants and what she likes and she has no difficulty letting Asa know when he crosses a line with her. There is little conflict between them since they actually communicate with one another and talk through their problems with little angst or drama. Their compatibility extends to the bedroom and their sex scenes are quite naughty as Asa shows PJ just how pleasurably a little pain can be.
PJ's issues with her father are the main source of friction in the story. She continues to hold out hope he will take her seriously and show his appreciation for her but she does not make much progress with him. This part of the storyline is wrapped up rather nicely and although not everything is sunshine and rainbows in the end, the resolution is realistic.
Opening Up is a well-written novel with fabulously developed, engaging characters. It is fast-paced with a distinctive storyline that is compelling and interesting. The romance is slow growing and believable and the sex scenes are exquisitely sensual and quite erotic. All in all, it is a warm, witty and scrumptiously sexy beginning to Lauren Dane's Ink & Chrome series that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Opening Up is the first installment in Lauren Dane's deliciously erotic Ink & Chrome series and wow!! It is an absolutely FANTASTIC beginning to what promises to be a knock your socks off, über steamy series featuring sexy alpha men and the women who win their hearts. MAJOR props for choosing blue collar, rough around the edges heroes and Oh. My. Gawd! LOVE that they work on cars and motorcycles. And not just any cars. Vintage muscle cars! *fans self*
Oh, yeah, now on to the review ;) . Asa Barrons co-owns Twisted Steel with his close friend Duke Bradshaw and he crosses paths with PJ (aka Penelope Jean) Colman at an industry event where she representing her family's tire business. PJ holds a corporate position in the company but her true love is her fledgling custom paint business. The two are instantly attracted to one another but Asa has a strict rule about mixing business with pleasure and he is also convinced she is too young for him. But an attraction as strong as theirs is too powerful to ignore and they share one night of sizzling sex. However Asa immediately puts the brakes on their budding relationship and although PJ is disappointed, she moves on with her life but that does not mean she has given up on tempting him into reconsidering his decision.
PJ is the youngest of the Colman siblings and she has worked hard to prove herself to the rest of the family. After trying and failing to win her father's approval, she finally dropped out of college to begin working in the family corporation. She is quite successful in her current position but PJ knows that adding her custom paint and detail business to the company would add to their bottom line and bring in new clients. As someone working in a male dominated field, she is used to proving herself, but neither her father nor uncle take her seriously and when they refuse to entertain her idea, she takes a calculated risk and quits the company to start up her own business. PJ is smart, sassy and self-confident and all of this combined with her stellar reputation makes it easy for her grow her new business. She also sees Asa on a fairly regular basis once she strikes out on her own since their careers are so closely intertwined.
Asa oozes sex appeal and he is an adrenaline junkie but he also has a very tender, gooey side that he keeps hidden underneath his tattooed, pierced and somewhat menacing exterior. He has nothing but respect for PJ but he is a little extremely protective of the people he cares about. This, along with his mistaken belief that he knows what is best for her (!), figure prominently in his decision to end their relationship after their night of incredible sex. But in actuality, he breaks it off with her because she challenges his ability to maintain control and his feelings for her are very different than any he has experienced before.
Surprisingly, the relationship between Asa and PJ is pretty evenly balanced. Sure, Asa is a take charge kind of man, but PJ is no shrinking violet. She knows what she wants and what she likes and she has no difficulty letting Asa know when he crosses a line with her. There is little conflict between them since they actually communicate with one another and talk through their problems with little angst or drama. Their compatibility extends to the bedroom and their sex scenes are quite naughty as Asa shows PJ just how pleasurably a little pain can be.
PJ's issues with her father are the main source of friction in the story. She continues to hold out hope he will take her seriously and show his appreciation for her but she does not make much progress with him. This part of the storyline is wrapped up rather nicely and although not everything is sunshine and rainbows in the end, the resolution is realistic.
Opening Up is a well-written novel with fabulously developed, engaging characters. It is fast-paced with a distinctive storyline that is compelling and interesting. The romance is slow growing and believable and the sex scenes are exquisitely sensual and quite erotic. All in all, it is a warm, witty and scrumptiously sexy beginning to Lauren Dane's Ink & Chrome series that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The love story in this book fell so flat for me. But!!! I LOVED PJ’s career and family story!! I kept wishing for more of that and less if the sexy parts, which is not normal for me. So I ended on a very meh 2.5/5 stars.
I read Opening Up in a couple of days. It was a pretty fast read, but it was one of those books that I liked but didn't love.
Anyway, like I said, I did like Opening Up and my favorite thing about it was PJ's character. She did have her daddy issues (her dad was a huge asshole), but she's a strong, independent woman who goes after what she wanted. I really admired her. She didn't take any shit from Asa and when he did something she disagreed with or he stepped out of line, she called him out on it. She communicated her feelings right away and she didn't let things fester and I really, really appreciated that about her and found it very refreshing.
As for Asa, I didn't connect with him as much as I did with PJ. He's 37 years old (PJ is 25) and co-owner of a custom auto shop called Twisted Steel. Like PJ, he has tattoos and piercings (they both have piercings in some very interesting places) and lives and breathes fast cars and motorcycles. He has great relationships with is mom and two younger sisters. He's basically the total sexy package--he's a good guy and he did some very sweet things to PJ and he defended her against assholes (her dad included), but... I don't know... I personally wasn't attracted to him. Maybe it's because I'm not a big fan of piercings or his brand of kink (riding crops, floggers, etc.--but this is not a BDSM novel).
PJ and Asa got together pretty quickly--I want to say within the first 100 pages or so--but it wasn't an insta-love kind of deal. Many months passed within those 100 pages as Asa worked through his misgivings (like, their age difference, mixing business with pleasure, etc.) about starting something with PJ. After that, they had a pretty solid relationship. Outside forces brought on problems but they were a pretty solid couple. If you're looking for that will-they-won't-they all the way to the end romance plot, you might be disappointed. If you are looking for a steamy, turn-the-AC-up kind of read, Opening Up is a good one to pick up. The sex scenes were extra steamy and frequent without being repetitive.
I think my biggest issue with Opening Up was the writing. I have read many books (romance novels and other genres) where I could just breeze through reading the sentences and paragraphs. It wasn't the case here. More than once I had to reread a sentence or two to really get what was being said. I thought the writing was bit clunky and some of the dialogue didn't quite flow well. Admittedly, I did read another book by Lauren Dane previously and I had the same issue with the writing there, so maybe I just don't get with Ms. Dane's writing.
If you're in the mood for a quick, very steamy read, Opening Up is a good one to pick up. The heroine is awesome; the hero, while he wasn't for me, is great; and the sex is hot. I recommend you keep it under your radar.
Anyway, like I said, I did like Opening Up and my favorite thing about it was PJ's character. She did have her daddy issues (her dad was a huge asshole), but she's a strong, independent woman who goes after what she wanted. I really admired her. She didn't take any shit from Asa and when he did something she disagreed with or he stepped out of line, she called him out on it. She communicated her feelings right away and she didn't let things fester and I really, really appreciated that about her and found it very refreshing.
As for Asa, I didn't connect with him as much as I did with PJ. He's 37 years old (PJ is 25) and co-owner of a custom auto shop called Twisted Steel. Like PJ, he has tattoos and piercings (they both have piercings in some very interesting places) and lives and breathes fast cars and motorcycles. He has great relationships with is mom and two younger sisters. He's basically the total sexy package--he's a good guy and he did some very sweet things to PJ and he defended her against assholes (her dad included), but... I don't know... I personally wasn't attracted to him. Maybe it's because I'm not a big fan of piercings or his brand of kink (riding crops, floggers, etc.--but this is not a BDSM novel).
PJ and Asa got together pretty quickly--I want to say within the first 100 pages or so--but it wasn't an insta-love kind of deal. Many months passed within those 100 pages as Asa worked through his misgivings (like, their age difference, mixing business with pleasure, etc.) about starting something with PJ. After that, they had a pretty solid relationship. Outside forces brought on problems but they were a pretty solid couple. If you're looking for that will-they-won't-they all the way to the end romance plot, you might be disappointed. If you are looking for a steamy, turn-the-AC-up kind of read, Opening Up is a good one to pick up. The sex scenes were extra steamy and frequent without being repetitive.
I think my biggest issue with Opening Up was the writing. I have read many books (romance novels and other genres) where I could just breeze through reading the sentences and paragraphs. It wasn't the case here. More than once I had to reread a sentence or two to really get what was being said. I thought the writing was bit clunky and some of the dialogue didn't quite flow well. Admittedly, I did read another book by Lauren Dane previously and I had the same issue with the writing there, so maybe I just don't get with Ms. Dane's writing.
If you're in the mood for a quick, very steamy read, Opening Up is a good one to pick up. The heroine is awesome; the hero, while he wasn't for me, is great; and the sex is hot. I recommend you keep it under your radar.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes