Scan barcode
bookloverchelle's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first book from Anne Calhoun and I just loved it! She has such a way with sexy, independent heroines. This book, Uncommon Pleasures, is a two novella collection with interconnected stories. I loved that both heroines, Lauren and Abby, were open and expressive in their sexuality and had no problem letting their heroes, Ty and Sean respectively, know exactly what they wanted in and out of the bedroom. Both Ty and Sean are combat vets that are both trying to acclimate back in Texas after serving multiple tours of duty. Ty tries his hardest to keep emotion out of his life while Sean may have opened himself up to emotional ties he tries his hardest to push them out of his life. Even though these were novellas I loved how involved and sexy the stories were. I didn’t feel like I had to scrimp on story or smexy times. I hope there will be a chance to explore these characters more at a later date because they were all so entertaining and I loved falling in to their stories. Great read from Ms. Calhoun and I look forward to more from her!
cjcharding's review
3.75
4/5🌶️, two connected novellas in one novel, ex-marines MMCs, geologist FMC and overworked, under appreciated FMC in the second book, both “it’s just sex” - for him in the first novella and for her in the second, lots of sexy times, you get a threesome and you get a threesome!
A different type of book to read as it is two novellas with overlapping timelines and characters. A bit superficial in terms of plot, both parts start out as “just sex” relationships but obviously turn into more. The first part deals with an unemotional MMC coming to terms with life after the military and finding out how to love again. The FMC was great, she saw through all his issues and tough guy speech. The first book ends with a MFM scene where the second male character is the MMC in the second part of the book. That was a little jarring. The second part is a second chance romance, MMC wants to win back an old girlfriend he dumped while he was deployed. The FMC is exhausted, working late nights, going back to school and taking care of her sick dad. It was cute watching the MMC try to win over the FMC.
anabelsbrother's review
4.0
First read: August 2014 (3 stars)
Over the Edge was great. All on the Line was meh.
Reread: August 2021
Wow I cannot believe that 2014!Lisa said All on the Line was meh? The second chance romance angst was top shelf.
But anyway I miss Anne Calhoun. Going to reread Ben's book next.
Over the Edge was great. All on the Line was meh.
Reread: August 2021
Wow I cannot believe that 2014!Lisa said All on the Line was meh? The second chance romance angst was top shelf.
But anyway I miss Anne Calhoun. Going to reread Ben's book next.
nononanette's review against another edition
4.0
I just reread these 2 stories and stand by my opinion that they are great. It was rather ingenious of AC to create overlapping stories; it both added depth but gave us the chance to see the 2 men from different perspectives with real insight.
Most novellas can't bring the depth and development required to make them worth reading but a few authors can. Anne Calhoun is one of them. Here's a quote from another reviewer because she said it so well. "AC has this amazing ability to weave a story together so seamlessly that not a detail goes unnoticed. I absolutely adore her writing style. She's able to get every nuance, every little detail, sound, feeling, emotion into her books that make the story truly beautiful to read."
It's the little nuances that make her stories so awesome. I confess the intensely erotic sex scenes are also amazing. You can learn some stuff from these books ;-) Both stories had their issues (different ones) but overall were really well done. Good stories to analyze.
Most novellas can't bring the depth and development required to make them worth reading but a few authors can. Anne Calhoun is one of them. Here's a quote from another reviewer because she said it so well. "AC has this amazing ability to weave a story together so seamlessly that not a detail goes unnoticed. I absolutely adore her writing style. She's able to get every nuance, every little detail, sound, feeling, emotion into her books that make the story truly beautiful to read."
It's the little nuances that make her stories so awesome. I confess the intensely erotic sex scenes are also amazing. You can learn some stuff from these books ;-) Both stories had their issues (different ones) but overall were really well done. Good stories to analyze.
bookphenomena_micky's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This book contains two closely connected novellas that make for a decent length read. Both protagonists are current or ex-marines that know one another. I struggled with the character of Ty in the first novella, I didn’t like him that much, he was very closed off. Both heroines were likeable and relatable. Sean and Abby’s story was my favourite.
The writing was superb and there was lots of heat.
This book contains two closely connected novellas that make for a decent length read. Both protagonists are current or ex-marines that know one another. I struggled with the character of Ty in the first novella, I didn’t like him that much, he was very closed off. Both heroines were likeable and relatable. Sean and Abby’s story was my favourite.
The writing was superb and there was lots of heat.
melonreads's review against another edition
4.0
Good Lord is Anne Calhoun a word master or what? This book contained two novellas. I'm not a huge fan of novellas because I think it's trickier to tell a solid story complete with character development in a shorter, novella format. But holy moly did she hit this out of the park.
The first story featured Ty and Lauren and was compelling, heartbreaking, and just beautiful with a hopeful ending. The second story featured Sean, Ty's comrade and Abby, who were equally as breathtaking in a captivating second-chance romance. Really, really well done.
The first story featured Ty and Lauren and was compelling, heartbreaking, and just beautiful with a hopeful ending. The second story featured Sean, Ty's comrade and Abby, who were equally as breathtaking in a captivating second-chance romance. Really, really well done.
booksnclean's review against another edition
3.0
This review is coming to you since I have received this book as a Goodread first read. Ok so the first story was pretty good, especially since Lauren is the type of woman that knows what and who she wants and she will do anything to make that clear. I am glad that this book contains two women that know what they want and they are adventurous with their sexual appetite. With Ty and Lauren I feel there was a bit of a power struggle but they learned how to work it out. In the second story with Abby and Sean they are young and still trying to find their place in the world. Although it took a threesome with a cop I am glad that they are in a good place now
bookphenomena_micky's review
3.0
3.5 stars
This book contains two closely connected novellas that make for a decent length read. Both protagonists are current or ex-marines that know one another. I struggled with the character of Ty in the first novella, I didn’t like him that much, he was very closed off. Both heroines were likeable and relatable. Sean and Abby’s story was my favourite.
The writing was superb and there was lots of heat.
This book contains two closely connected novellas that make for a decent length read. Both protagonists are current or ex-marines that know one another. I struggled with the character of Ty in the first novella, I didn’t like him that much, he was very closed off. Both heroines were likeable and relatable. Sean and Abby’s story was my favourite.
The writing was superb and there was lots of heat.
melonreads's review
4.0
Good Lord is Anne Calhoun a word master or what? This book contained two novellas. I'm not a huge fan of novellas because I think it's trickier to tell a solid story complete with character development in a shorter, novella format. But holy moly did she hit this out of the park.
The first story featured Ty and Lauren and was compelling, heartbreaking, and just beautiful with a hopeful ending. The second story featured Sean, Ty's comrade and Abby, who were equally as breathtaking in a captivating second-chance romance. Really, really well done.
The first story featured Ty and Lauren and was compelling, heartbreaking, and just beautiful with a hopeful ending. The second story featured Sean, Ty's comrade and Abby, who were equally as breathtaking in a captivating second-chance romance. Really, really well done.
More...