erinarkin20's review against another edition
5.0
If you know me, you know that Melissa West is on my auto buy list and it’s because she just gets me and knows what I like in my books. Ok, ok…that’s probably not really what is happening here but I can honestly say that I love her stories and her characters and I want everyone else to love them too!
No Kissing Allowed is a new adult romance by Melissa and I am very selective about what I like in that genre. With that said, this book was exactly what I was looking for when I picked it up. It has characters that have wonderful chemistry, a great story, and the romance was spot on.
I’ll start with Cameron…she is smart and driven. I love that about her and while there were things about her that drove me crazy (I will chat about that in a minute), she had clear ideas about who she wanted to be and what she wanted to do with her life. I loved how West showed us not only who Cameron is when she is in New York, but also the snippets of her life when she was back in the South with her family.
So…the story. Cameron and her friends are playing a game one night and tackling a list of dares that they put together and challenged each other to do before they jump into their new jobs and adult lives on Monday. On that list is the challenge to hook up with someone random and a guy just happens to catch her eye – UT Guy is what she calls him (because of his hat). He seems a bit cocky but he is definitely good looking and Cameron hates to lose at anything so she jumps right in and I have to say, the interaction between Cameron and him the next morning was fantastic! As Cameron says goodbye to UT Guy, for what she thinks is forever, she wonders if she did the right thing in not getting his number.
As Monday comes around, Cameron heads to her new job at a Sanderson-Lowe as an account manager. When she gets there she realizes she should have done a bit more digging on those she would be working with – namely the chief creative director, Aiden Truitt. Since he is really her boss’ boss, she didn’t think it would be a big deal but as she realizes she is headed into a meeting with him, she has a slight moment of panic because she really knows nothing about him. But really, that isn’t true because surprise, UT Guy…he’s Aiden Truitt.
Aiden…boy, I don’t know what I can say about him that would really do him justice. First thing I will say is just read this and you will know what I’m talking about. Initially he has this reputation around the office of being somewhat of a playboy but as I learned more about him, it wasn’t so much that as he didn’t want to be anything like his father. It was clear he was looking at his father and doing everything in his power to be nothing like him but in the end, he was really letting his father control this aspect of who he was.
The chemistry between Cameron and Aiden was fantastic! The added twist to this story is that there is a no fraternizing rule at their work (rumor has it that it is because of Aiden) and it is clear that these two are drawn to each other. As they continue to build a work relationship, it becomes harder and harder to stay away from each other in other ways and they ultimately become more than just a one night stand. Despite this, the underlying conflict between these two is a difference in relationship ideals. Cameron knows she wants more than what Aiden says he can give her…namely a marriage and family. Because of his past, he refuses to even consider it. As they confirm they both want different things, they both realize that they need to break it off but that turns out to be harder than they thought.
Admittedly the thing that annoyed me the most about Cameron is that she continued to say she was ok with what Aiden was willing to give her around their relationship and then she would come back and say she wanted more. On the other hand, I loved that she pushed him about it and made him realize that he isn’t his father and no matter what they had, he wouldn’t ever be that kind of man.
So definitely check this book out when you can. There are some swoony bits, some funny bits, and definitely some sexy bits in this story so if you are looking for wonderful characters and a fantastic story – this is the book for you! Also, if you haven’t read anything by Melissa West yet, what the heck are you waiting for? Seriously, go now. There’s something out there for everyone and I want to hear about how much you enjoyed them once you’re done!
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Embrace for the review copy!
No Kissing Allowed is a new adult romance by Melissa and I am very selective about what I like in that genre. With that said, this book was exactly what I was looking for when I picked it up. It has characters that have wonderful chemistry, a great story, and the romance was spot on.
I’ll start with Cameron…she is smart and driven. I love that about her and while there were things about her that drove me crazy (I will chat about that in a minute), she had clear ideas about who she wanted to be and what she wanted to do with her life. I loved how West showed us not only who Cameron is when she is in New York, but also the snippets of her life when she was back in the South with her family.
So…the story. Cameron and her friends are playing a game one night and tackling a list of dares that they put together and challenged each other to do before they jump into their new jobs and adult lives on Monday. On that list is the challenge to hook up with someone random and a guy just happens to catch her eye – UT Guy is what she calls him (because of his hat). He seems a bit cocky but he is definitely good looking and Cameron hates to lose at anything so she jumps right in and I have to say, the interaction between Cameron and him the next morning was fantastic! As Cameron says goodbye to UT Guy, for what she thinks is forever, she wonders if she did the right thing in not getting his number.
As Monday comes around, Cameron heads to her new job at a Sanderson-Lowe as an account manager. When she gets there she realizes she should have done a bit more digging on those she would be working with – namely the chief creative director, Aiden Truitt. Since he is really her boss’ boss, she didn’t think it would be a big deal but as she realizes she is headed into a meeting with him, she has a slight moment of panic because she really knows nothing about him. But really, that isn’t true because surprise, UT Guy…he’s Aiden Truitt.
Aiden…boy, I don’t know what I can say about him that would really do him justice. First thing I will say is just read this and you will know what I’m talking about. Initially he has this reputation around the office of being somewhat of a playboy but as I learned more about him, it wasn’t so much that as he didn’t want to be anything like his father. It was clear he was looking at his father and doing everything in his power to be nothing like him but in the end, he was really letting his father control this aspect of who he was.
The chemistry between Cameron and Aiden was fantastic! The added twist to this story is that there is a no fraternizing rule at their work (rumor has it that it is because of Aiden) and it is clear that these two are drawn to each other. As they continue to build a work relationship, it becomes harder and harder to stay away from each other in other ways and they ultimately become more than just a one night stand. Despite this, the underlying conflict between these two is a difference in relationship ideals. Cameron knows she wants more than what Aiden says he can give her…namely a marriage and family. Because of his past, he refuses to even consider it. As they confirm they both want different things, they both realize that they need to break it off but that turns out to be harder than they thought.
Admittedly the thing that annoyed me the most about Cameron is that she continued to say she was ok with what Aiden was willing to give her around their relationship and then she would come back and say she wanted more. On the other hand, I loved that she pushed him about it and made him realize that he isn’t his father and no matter what they had, he wouldn’t ever be that kind of man.
So definitely check this book out when you can. There are some swoony bits, some funny bits, and definitely some sexy bits in this story so if you are looking for wonderful characters and a fantastic story – this is the book for you! Also, if you haven’t read anything by Melissa West yet, what the heck are you waiting for? Seriously, go now. There’s something out there for everyone and I want to hear about how much you enjoyed them once you’re done!
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Embrace for the review copy!
korecob's review against another edition
5.0
I can't help but give this book 5 stars because I just fell in love with it. This is my first time reading a piece by Melissa West. Don't let the title and cover fool you! People will say it's the typical romance story or they'll say it's cliche but it's not. There's something different but beautiful about this book, the story and especially the characters. I just love Aiden and Cameron so much there are no words to describe it. I love how Cameron is independent and strong. She wasn't "the weak main character" that we see in some stories. What I loved about Aiden is he didn't lie, he was blunt and he was honest of what he wanted. They were just perfect. I recommend this book to every single person who wants to read a beautiful romance book. Amazing story, amazing writing. Congratulations, Melissa West!
mandy_pandy's review against another edition
4.0
Before Cameron starts her first real job, her new job at an ad agency, she has a wild night out with her friends. She creates a list of 10 wild things to do before adulthood. Her friends add #11, to hook up with a stranger. Cameron doesn't do hook ups, she only does relationships and she has no intention of actually hooking up with a stranger. That is, until the sexy guy in at the bar overhears the conversation and instigates her into kissing him. One kiss and Cameron couldn't resist wanting more. After her one night stand, Cameron has no intention of seeing the guy again and she pretty much tells him exactly that when she asks him to leave the next morning thinking she'll never see him again. Except, her sexy stranger happens to show up in the conference room on her first day of work.
I really enjoyed this story! This book had a lot of sexual tension, mild angst, light drama and a little bit of sexy time. Aidan is a great hero and I really wish this book was told in dual POV because I would love to know what was going on in his head for a lot of this story. Cameron is a strong heroine. I really liked both Aidan and Cameron but also the supporting characters, Cameron's friends. This was a really good boss/employee romance. I look forward to reading more from this author.
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
I really enjoyed this story! This book had a lot of sexual tension, mild angst, light drama and a little bit of sexy time. Aidan is a great hero and I really wish this book was told in dual POV because I would love to know what was going on in his head for a lot of this story. Cameron is a strong heroine. I really liked both Aidan and Cameron but also the supporting characters, Cameron's friends. This was a really good boss/employee romance. I look forward to reading more from this author.
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
menrk's review
2.0
2.5 stars
Loved the start but the heroine became too needy and the rules they made were just a joke.
Loved the start but the heroine became too needy and the rules they made were just a joke.
siobhan27's review
5.0
I seriously don't know how to describe how much I loved this book. The characters are lovable yet intriguing and the story keeps you wanting to come back. This book is a one sitting read because you will not want to put it down! And also Aiden is total man candy and you will fall for him from the very beginning! Ease pick up this book when it comes out! You will not be sorry!
crestall135's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
anabelsbrother's review
3.0
I enjoyed it very much but it feels like there's something lacking to it hence only 3 stars.
reading_addict_lemon's review
2.0
It was just ok.
Don't read this if you want something original, unique, awesome, amazing, mind - blowing etc; yeah, I know, it has a ton of high reviews and five stars and I got fooled by them a lil. And know I think that this book doesn't deserve none of those. It's just a book written using an idea that has been written over and over and over again, in different positions, styles, names etc.
The plot kind of coherent at the beginning started slowly to go crazy, because if you read the title then is no kissing and these people kiss like 80% of the time. The characters are stereothypical, the facts you've them them in other books, the dialogue is meh. I dunno. I don't recommend this and for me it's just another book that has amazing rating and doesn't deserves them, full of cliches, flat writing style, characters, dialogue, everything.
Maybe I'm too bad or harsh, or maybe I've read too much of this genre but lately everything is a copy of everything. And this is a bad one.
Don't read this if you want something original, unique, awesome, amazing, mind - blowing etc; yeah, I know, it has a ton of high reviews and five stars and I got fooled by them a lil. And know I think that this book doesn't deserve none of those. It's just a book written using an idea that has been written over and over and over again, in different positions, styles, names etc.
The plot kind of coherent at the beginning started slowly to go crazy, because if you read the title then is no kissing and these people kiss like 80% of the time. The characters are stereothypical, the facts you've them them in other books, the dialogue is meh. I dunno. I don't recommend this and for me it's just another book that has amazing rating and doesn't deserves them, full of cliches, flat writing style, characters, dialogue, everything.
Maybe I'm too bad or harsh, or maybe I've read too much of this genre but lately everything is a copy of everything. And this is a bad one.