Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1GF5YLn
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1JSnzQv
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1zogya3
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/…/book/the-friend-zone/id989675816…
Book Description
Which means Gray is going to have to use all his skills to win Ivy’s heart. Game on.
Review
I love that Gray and Ivy spent numerous text messages getting to know one another, learning everything they can about each other and building a relationship that is strictly plutonic despite the sexual tension that exists between them once they finally meet each other face to face. Kristen Callihan lays out both Gray and Ivy’s fears and hesitancies in acting on their feelings extremely well; it’s clear right from the beginning what’s at stake if they move beyond a friendship. For Ivy, it’s the constant trepidation that Gray would revert back to the manwhore he used to be and the fact that his father is soon to be his sports agent. For Gray, it’s reprogramming his entire life perspective…it’s not simply living in the present but looking forward – something he just hasn’t done since his mother’s death.
But sometimes living in the moment doesn’t allow for living life to the fullest and once Gray realizes that, he’ll stop at nothing to prove to his Special Sauce that he’s more than the “party guy” persona he’s been playing and he’s tired of his shallow life of fun, booze, and women; Gray wants to be moved out of the friend zone and into the can’t live without you and can’t get enough of you realm with his Ivy Mac.
Every inch of The Friend Zone was amazing – the main and supporting characters, the plot line, the lessons taught and learned, the friends to lover story and the slow burn of the relationship…EVERY INCH.
Gray and Ivy’s electric connection comes through in every text message…in every friendly and then sexual embrace…in every witty conversation and humorous nickname they supply.
Ivy is definitely my kind of heroine. Her wit pulled me in as soon as readers were given her point of view, and her strength and clear thinking made her the perfect choice for Gray because she sees through his facade and accepts him – warts and all. But as strong as Ivy is…she’s also vulnerable and needs someone like Gray who has her back and will work his ass off to protect her at all costs.
Gray (Cupcake) – he’s so much more than what he portrays, which is usually the case in books like The Friend Zone, but Gray’s character seems more honest and real than others that I’ve read, which only endeared me more to him. Getting his backstory and understanding why he turned into the guy he did made his life perspective make sense and I couldn’t help but sympathize with his situation.
Ivy Mac and Gray Gray’s story is a humorous, adorable, and smexy read that had me giggling, sighing, swooning, and muttering. Even though there are heavy undertones to the storyline, it has such a sweet and warm feeling to it that it will leave readers wanting a friendship like theirs, a best friend like Ivy, and a hot and strong guy like Gray.
The Friend Zone is an absolute MUST read; it’s in a genre that I love – sports romance – and it has all the attributes of a story that will keep readers’ attention from start to finish!
A complimentary copy was provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
5 poison apples
Excerpt
Even though it’s thirty degrees out, I chose a black silk tank that hugs my waist but gathers loosely over my breasts. A tie around my neck holds the top secure. That I am braless is not lost on him. He stares at my stiff nipples as his fingers drift to the bow at the back of my neck and give it a little flick. “Take it off.”“W-what?”
“Let me see those sweet tits you’ve been teasing me with since you walked in the bar.”
“I—” My breath catches. “No. I’m not taking my clothes off for a stranger.”
He doesn’t look away. “But you want to, don’t you? You want me to look at you.” He bends his head until his lips are at my ear. “You’re dying to expose yourself, to let me see those pretty pink nipples.”
My skin draws tight. I struggle not to sway into him.
He leans back, his attention on my top again. “Untie the bow.”
“Someone might come in.” Despite our play, my fear of getting caught is real, though not completely unwelcome.
“They won’t. I took care of it.”
I believe that. Gray would cover all the bases. In his own way, he’s as much of a planner as I am. But I can’t think of him as Gray now, not when he’s doing this for me.
His fingers are back, skimming over my inner arm, teasing the edges of my top. “Just a little peek.”
My breasts ache so badly, they’re hot, heavy, the silk covering them an irritant. With shaking hands, I reach up. The fabric tugs against my neck then comes free. It slithers over my skin like a caress.
He sucks in an audible breath as my breasts are exposed. I see myself through his eyes, sitting half-naked in this dim back room, my nipples puckered, my breasts quivering with each shallow breath I take. The vulnerability of it feels naughty, forbidden, and I nearly whimper.
A noise of pure satisfaction leaves him. Not bothering to lift his gaze from my breasts, he reaches out, runs the tips of his fingers over my nipple. I’m so sensitized now the touch sends a bolt of pure, searing lust straight through me. I flinch, clench my teeth to keep still.
He hums, strokes me back and forth as if he owns me. “So pretty.” He grazes me again.
“You like that, sweetheart?”
Eyes closed, I bite my lower lip and nod.
I feel him move. The wet flat of his tongue drags over my nipple. My eyes fly open on a strangled cry. He grins up at me, his mouth hovering at my breast. It isn’t his usual cheeky grin but something more wicked. “Mmm. Delicious.”
He takes a step closer, and I swallow convulsively. Gray’s voice lowers. “I wonder where else you taste good. You want to show me, sweets?”
I’m practically panting now. My hair swings as I give my head a hard shake. He leans in, trailing the blunt tip of his finger up the curve of my breast. I nearly yelp when he gives the stiff peak a quick, crude pinch.
His smile is pure male smugness. “Lift up your skirt and show me where you’re wet.”
Author Links
http://www.kristencallihan.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KristenCallihan
http://www.twitter.com/Kris10Callihan
http://www.goodreads.com/Kristen_Callihan
Fairest Of All Book Reviews 