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meggie82461's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars!
Ethan Blackstone is the kind of man women fantasize about. Strong, alpha, possessive, and obsessed all at once. He works in security. He fell in love with Brynne the second he saw her picture, and took a job to protect her out of instinct, not necessity.
Brynne is a beautiful, charismatic, and damaged women. She carries a lot of pain from her past and Ethan is both patient and insistent when it comes to her. She needs time to trust him, yet because of the way he is, he doesn't quite give it to her. Their instincts are constantly warring, yet underneath it all is an undeniable attraction that Brynne can't deny.
The book ends on a cliffhanger, and I can't wait to find out if Ethan or Brynne's demons will win in the end.
Save for the prologue, it is written from Brynne's POV. The half star deduction was because it ended abruptly with no questions answered, and I would've preferred at least some of the secrets being uncovered.
Ethan Blackstone is the kind of man women fantasize about. Strong, alpha, possessive, and obsessed all at once. He works in security. He fell in love with Brynne the second he saw her picture, and took a job to protect her out of instinct, not necessity.
Brynne is a beautiful, charismatic, and damaged women. She carries a lot of pain from her past and Ethan is both patient and insistent when it comes to her. She needs time to trust him, yet because of the way he is, he doesn't quite give it to her. Their instincts are constantly warring, yet underneath it all is an undeniable attraction that Brynne can't deny.
The book ends on a cliffhanger, and I can't wait to find out if Ethan or Brynne's demons will win in the end.
Save for the prologue, it is written from Brynne's POV. The half star deduction was because it ended abruptly with no questions answered, and I would've preferred at least some of the secrets being uncovered.
rellimreads's review against another edition
2.0
I finished it ~ only because it was an audiobook and I was too lazy to turn it off. I think the fact that it ended on a (completely copied from FSoG) cliffhanger and I had no interest in the next portion was a good indicator of how little it holds my interest.
If you haven’t read Fifty Shades or Grey or the Crossfire series ~ you might enjoy this more. However, there were a LOT of the same elements/plot points/angst “issues”. Granted the writing skill is superior to FSoG (though that’s not much of a benchmark). It was nice that the MC’s had actual tangible employment and Ethan was protective, but not to the level of creepy/stalker of Christian. The nightmares (though given to Brynne) felt lifted from Crossfire.
It just felt like too much like a piecemeal from other popular series.
Audiobook note: The cover says Shane East and Grace Grant are narrators. East only does a 2min prologue from Ethan’s POV and the rest is completely from Brynne’s (Grant) POV. I like Grant as a narrator, however, she can’t seem to stick to British accents consistently here. I’m no expert on the UK, but I feel I know enough to know that she also seemed to be mixing different dialects when she wasn’t completely dropping to American English. I wish they’d found someone more skilled in the accents as it definitely detracted from the story.
If you haven’t read Fifty Shades or Grey or the Crossfire series ~ you might enjoy this more. However, there were a LOT of the same elements/plot points/angst “issues”. Granted the writing skill is superior to FSoG (though that’s not much of a benchmark). It was nice that the MC’s had actual tangible employment and Ethan was protective, but not to the level of creepy/stalker of Christian. The nightmares (though given to Brynne) felt lifted from Crossfire.
It just felt like too much like a piecemeal from other popular series.
Audiobook note: The cover says Shane East and Grace Grant are narrators. East only does a 2min prologue from Ethan’s POV and the rest is completely from Brynne’s (Grant) POV. I like Grant as a narrator, however, she can’t seem to stick to British accents consistently here. I’m no expert on the UK, but I feel I know enough to know that she also seemed to be mixing different dialects when she wasn’t completely dropping to American English. I wish they’d found someone more skilled in the accents as it definitely detracted from the story.
bitchie's review against another edition
3.0
A love story on speed, it moved too fast, and for me, totally skipped over the actual falling in love part of the story. I hate that feeling of missing out on what everyone else sees. All these rave reviews, and here I am with a lost look on my face, going "that's it?"
cheysbookloverreviews's review against another edition
4.0
While Brynn is studying overseas, her past tries to haunt her. Enter: Ethan Blackstone- the security specialist, retired special forces, sexy as sin man who makes her forget, even if for a short time. Their relationship develops and Brynne is head over heels. Will her past stay where it belongs? Will it ruin her and Ethan?
I am going to binge this series. Book 1 is fairly short but the information packed into this is insane! The amazing twist at the end has me running to grab Book 2. Great character building, the subplot that I am hopeful will turn into an amazing ending, everything about this book is a work of art.
I am going to binge this series. Book 1 is fairly short but the information packed into this is insane! The amazing twist at the end has me running to grab Book 2. Great character building, the subplot that I am hopeful will turn into an amazing ending, everything about this book is a work of art.
devansbooklife's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars.
I'll admit I was not really into this book when I started. So I left it sitting for about a month at 46% and came back. I was pulled in faster the second attempt. This book has a lot of potential. And I really enjoyed the characters. So I'm going to keep reading this series. I feel that I need to know more about Ethan and Brynne. They have a a sizzling chemistry and they both are fantastic characters.
I'll admit I was not really into this book when I started. So I left it sitting for about a month at 46% and came back. I was pulled in faster the second attempt. This book has a lot of potential. And I really enjoyed the characters. So I'm going to keep reading this series. I feel that I need to know more about Ethan and Brynne. They have a a sizzling chemistry and they both are fantastic characters.
mostlyfated's review against another edition
3.0
3.8 stars for Naked. A very good and fast-paced read. The story was compelling and I really want to know what happens next to Brynne and Ethan's relationship.
At times I felt a bit frustrated that Ethan was falling in love with Brynne faster than she with Ethan. I would have liked to have seen more character development for Ethan and Brynne but considering that this is a novella with less than 120 pages, maybe I'm asking too much.
The writing is effective but I would advise for better editing next time. I found some rather obvious typos that I was surprised were even included.
Overall, a steamy and likable story and I look forward to reading the next novella.
At times I felt a bit frustrated that Ethan was falling in love with Brynne faster than she with Ethan. I would have liked to have seen more character development for Ethan and Brynne but considering that this is a novella with less than 120 pages, maybe I'm asking too much.
The writing is effective but I would advise for better editing next time. I found some rather obvious typos that I was surprised were even included.
Overall, a steamy and likable story and I look forward to reading the next novella.
missvicki25's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book a lot. Short and sweet. Now on to part two!!
mandapanda0310's review against another edition
5.0
This one I have had on my tbr for awhile now.. I am so mad I didn't read this sooner! Love! Starting All In right now!!
helenloves's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
charms1976's review against another edition
3.0
Naked is the first book in the Blackstone Affair series by author Raine Miller.
This is another book where the review is going to be very hard to write with the rating being even more of a harder thing to decide. While there were some elements that I enjoyed throughout the story, there were some problems along the way. The best way I can explain this journey of Naked is like a car drag race. It is built up with excitement from other readers. It has a start where it is ready to take off and leaves you ready to stomp on the gas. The story speeds along with the relationship -- at times way too fast. Then it suddenly has the finale that is exciting but then you are left with a crash and burn of an adrenaline drop.
Ethan and Brynne have a very fast rate of speed with their relationship. While Brynne states that she wants to take it slow, they do hop into bed fairly quickly. They also start falling in love with each other almost instantly after having mind blowing sex. Ethan is pretty dominant in giving orders and getting what he wants, but he actually had feelings and emotions that weren't bottled up inside. Brynne on the other hand has secrets and can be frustrating at times. She wants to be with Ethan, but she doesn't want to share much with him. Their sexy times are plenty and quite steamy and erotic. While at times the story could have left out one of those steamy scenes, they were ones that were hot.
The ending is left with the reader hanging. We learn that Ethan also had a secret and it is one that is touched on in the prologue of this story. While we still don't know what Brynne's secret is -- just hints here and there -- the ending was a let down for me. It was rushed and then we are left with no real part of the story wrapping up. While cliffhangers can be a huge success, this one was disappointing in the development of the relationship.
While I am curious to read the next book -- especially since it will be in Ethan's POV instead of Brynne's -- I am hoping that it will tie up at least a few loose ends for the reader. The book was enjoyable and addicting, but needs to be slowed down just a bit for the next book.
This is another book where the review is going to be very hard to write with the rating being even more of a harder thing to decide. While there were some elements that I enjoyed throughout the story, there were some problems along the way. The best way I can explain this journey of Naked is like a car drag race. It is built up with excitement from other readers. It has a start where it is ready to take off and leaves you ready to stomp on the gas. The story speeds along with the relationship -- at times way too fast. Then it suddenly has the finale that is exciting but then you are left with a crash and burn of an adrenaline drop.
Ethan and Brynne have a very fast rate of speed with their relationship. While Brynne states that she wants to take it slow, they do hop into bed fairly quickly. They also start falling in love with each other almost instantly after having mind blowing sex. Ethan is pretty dominant in giving orders and getting what he wants, but he actually had feelings and emotions that weren't bottled up inside. Brynne on the other hand has secrets and can be frustrating at times. She wants to be with Ethan, but she doesn't want to share much with him. Their sexy times are plenty and quite steamy and erotic. While at times the story could have left out one of those steamy scenes, they were ones that were hot.
The ending is left with the reader hanging. We learn that Ethan also had a secret and it is one that is touched on in the prologue of this story. While we still don't know what Brynne's secret is -- just hints here and there -- the ending was a let down for me. It was rushed and then we are left with no real part of the story wrapping up. While cliffhangers can be a huge success, this one was disappointing in the development of the relationship.
While I am curious to read the next book -- especially since it will be in Ethan's POV instead of Brynne's -- I am hoping that it will tie up at least a few loose ends for the reader. The book was enjoyable and addicting, but needs to be slowed down just a bit for the next book.