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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
In ‘Opening Up’ we meet Penelope Jean, a.k.a. PJ, Coleman, a young and very ambitious woman who is making her way in the body shop painting business. When PJ is trying to get more attention to her business one day, she meets Asa Barrons. Asa is all bad on the outside, very handsome, killer tattoos, piercings and the co-owner of Twisted Steel, a successful custom build motorcycle shop. From the moment PJ and Asa meet there is this huge attraction between them but Asa seems to find a lot of reasons to keep his distance. But PJ is not a woman who’s easily forgotten.
To be honest I didn’t really knew if I would like this book when I started it. I don’t know why exactly. The book description sounded really fun and I loved the cover, but I just had this feeling. Thankfully this feeling was completely wrong. It took me a couple of chapters to get into this story, mostly because I needed to get used to all the car and motor loving people, but I really came to love this story.
The main characters PJ and Asa are not your typical main characters. They both like cars and motorcycles, they are both pierced and have some tattoos.. and PJ is just twenty five and Asa is thirty seven. I loved that the two main characters weren’t average. I loved that they were a little different and weren’t afraid to be themselves. But most of all I loved the attraction that was there from the moment they met.
This book is sexy and very romantic and I didn’t want to stop reading. PJ and Asa are so good together and I loved how they connected throughout this book.
My favorite character was definitely PJ. She was just a kickass woman. She really knows what she wants and works hard for everything. She doesn’t take crap from anyone and she can totally handle an alpha male like Asa. I really want to be more badass like her.
This was my first Lauren Dane book and I really enjoyed it. I will definitely keep my eyes out for the other books in this series.
To be honest I didn’t really knew if I would like this book when I started it. I don’t know why exactly. The book description sounded really fun and I loved the cover, but I just had this feeling. Thankfully this feeling was completely wrong. It took me a couple of chapters to get into this story, mostly because I needed to get used to all the car and motor loving people, but I really came to love this story.
The main characters PJ and Asa are not your typical main characters. They both like cars and motorcycles, they are both pierced and have some tattoos.. and PJ is just twenty five and Asa is thirty seven. I loved that the two main characters weren’t average. I loved that they were a little different and weren’t afraid to be themselves. But most of all I loved the attraction that was there from the moment they met.
This book is sexy and very romantic and I didn’t want to stop reading. PJ and Asa are so good together and I loved how they connected throughout this book.
My favorite character was definitely PJ. She was just a kickass woman. She really knows what she wants and works hard for everything. She doesn’t take crap from anyone and she can totally handle an alpha male like Asa. I really want to be more badass like her.
This was my first Lauren Dane book and I really enjoyed it. I will definitely keep my eyes out for the other books in this series.
Opening Up was a great start to a new series but what I love most about Ms. Dane's books are her strong heroines and PJ was what I've come to expect and love. Asa is definitely a book boyfriend worthy hero, I really love how he was written.
I was glued to my IPad from the very first chapter!! When I grow up I want to be PJ she had a sassy attitude that I absolutely loved and Asa was adorable I loved his protectiveness.
Dane writes fantastic heroines. I adore her heroes, but I admit I pick up her books mainly for the women. PJ was smart, sassy and in charge of her own life. I loved her. Asa was great, too, and her perfect match. Especially once he got over his hangup about their age difference. Another stellar read from a stellar author.
1) So, (a) I was expecting more story and less sex and (b) it's less bdsm than it is spanking with floggers.
2) PJ has this whole feminist rhetoric about how her father, uncle and brother don't respect her because she's female and because she doesn't present herself in an appropriately white middle class manner. Ok, I'm down. But there is no mention of how that restricted mentality affects other employees or clients. Like, she's the owner's kid and getting treated like that so how much worse is it for women who aren't middle class and white who (want to) work there? As a fellow feminist, I want to know how that plays out across the workplace, because sure as hell it's going to. But, *crickets.* At a certain point it makes me wonder how hollow her feminism is, if it starts and stops at her not getting her way.
3) I think the author very thoughtfully plotted out the story to hit all the right notes. Like, I could see each one as it was played. Unfortunately, I could see them so clearly because I had no emotional engagement with the characters. The writing didn't have enough artistry to pull me in. I often have this problem with Dane, though.
Overall, it was ... fine, I guess, but not very memorable and I had to force myself to finish.
2) PJ has this whole feminist rhetoric about how her father, uncle and brother don't respect her because she's female and because she doesn't present herself in an appropriately white middle class manner. Ok, I'm down. But there is no mention of how that restricted mentality affects other employees or clients. Like, she's the owner's kid and getting treated like that so how much worse is it for women who aren't middle class and white who (want to) work there? As a fellow feminist, I want to know how that plays out across the workplace, because sure as hell it's going to. But, *crickets.* At a certain point it makes me wonder how hollow her feminism is, if it starts and stops at her not getting her way.
3) I think the author very thoughtfully plotted out the story to hit all the right notes. Like, I could see each one as it was played. Unfortunately, I could see them so clearly because I had no emotional engagement with the characters. The writing didn't have enough artistry to pull me in. I often have this problem with Dane, though.
Overall, it was ... fine, I guess, but not very memorable and I had to force myself to finish.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for allowing me to read for an honest review!
More reviews at: Creating Serenity
Really enjoyed Lauren Dane's writing. In the beginning the girls are trying to tell their brother why it is not good to go play golf when only the men are going to go although women also own the company. I knew that I would enjoy this from there. But... sadly something was holding me back. Asa Barrons definitely sounds like the kind of guy that women want to read about. No question there. I was lost with PJ however.
Firstly she is pretty young. Asa is in his 40's. Yes, I realize this happens a lot but honestly... ugh. Ugh, Ugh, Ugh!! This just threw me. The writing is gorgeous and the romance is there but every time they got close to each other, I cringed! That girl could almost be his daughter!!! It threw me for a loop.
I did not want to continue reading this. I just ignored her age and continued on, and although I'm glad I did, the age difference really annoyed me. There are some portions where her young age really adds to the story though. Asa comes in to be her knight in shining armor, and I guess that fits his age as well, but ... still! I did enjoy both characters and the plot was good. The steamy portions were way, way steamy!
I liked the outcome but I think I may read some more of Lauren's work instead of judging her by this.
More reviews at: Creating Serenity
Really enjoyed Lauren Dane's writing. In the beginning the girls are trying to tell their brother why it is not good to go play golf when only the men are going to go although women also own the company. I knew that I would enjoy this from there. But... sadly something was holding me back. Asa Barrons definitely sounds like the kind of guy that women want to read about. No question there. I was lost with PJ however.
Firstly she is pretty young. Asa is in his 40's. Yes, I realize this happens a lot but honestly... ugh. Ugh, Ugh, Ugh!! This just threw me. The writing is gorgeous and the romance is there but every time they got close to each other, I cringed! That girl could almost be his daughter!!! It threw me for a loop.
I did not want to continue reading this. I just ignored her age and continued on, and although I'm glad I did, the age difference really annoyed me. There are some portions where her young age really adds to the story though. Asa comes in to be her knight in shining armor, and I guess that fits his age as well, but ... still! I did enjoy both characters and the plot was good. The steamy portions were way, way steamy!
I liked the outcome but I think I may read some more of Lauren's work instead of judging her by this.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Opening Up was not at all what I expected. It was the story of Asa and PJ. Both characters were unique and interesting. Fairly early in the book, their romance was solidified. The book was well-written. The dialogue was realistic and believable, but the conflict between PJ and Asa was minimal because they were both such nice people - almost too nice, too perfect. The main conflict in the book was between PJ and her father. Even at the end of the book, when the reason was revealed, we still don't get any real motivation behind the father's actions. What happens to the father? What happens to the company? What happens with PJ's mother, brothers, and sisters? Maybe some of this will be addressed in future books in this series. In the past, I've enjoyed the work of Lauren Dane. I hope future books in this series are more satisfying.
Characters: car custom painter, car restorer
World Building: paint, cars
Plot: way internal, family drama around future of the family company
Sex: medium, lots
Read another: Probably
At times, this book felt like a slog. I think Dane could have used some help with the through line of the plot.
World Building: paint, cars
Plot: way internal, family drama around future of the family company
Sex: medium, lots
Read another: Probably
At times, this book felt like a slog. I think Dane could have used some help with the through line of the plot.
3.5 I love Dane & the first 3/4 of this book but when the focus moved away from Asa & PJ back to the family saga at Colman I lost some interest.
Asa & PJ are fantastic characters, I loved their courtship.
Great friendship circles
But too much tended to happen off page.
Asa & PJ are fantastic characters, I loved their courtship.
Great friendship circles
But too much tended to happen off page.