Foreplay audiobook

I am conducting what I'm shelving as a "New Adult (NA) Experiment". I'm going to work my way through some of the popular New Adult books and see if I can weed out the crap and hopefully find some surprising gems. Here's hoping!"Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans." - John LennonThis book is New Adult. It's contemporary romance. And it's New Adult. I liked it. And it's New Adult. I'm starting to believe that 2014 may be the year when pigs grow wings and take off in flight.For this once in a blue moon occurrence, I'm going to treat you to some visual, er, stimulation. Let's take a look at the hottie of this piece (well, in my mind):I don't want to risk overselling this to my cynical, unromantic friends on the internet (you know who you are) - if you couldn't tell already, Foreplay is a contemporary romance with a lot of sexual content. I doubt your life or worldly perspective is going to be changed by this book. But it is an entertaining, fast-paced read that avoids all the usual misogyny and actually produces a male love interest that I could see myself being interested in in real life. Plus, throw in a bit of humour, crazy ass college friends and a story about the way our perspective changes as we get older... and you have a pretty damn good book. If you ask me.I really liked the way the romance played out in this one. The author approached it in a slightly different way. Our heroine doesn't fall in love instantly and Reese (see above) wasn't supposed to be the one she ended up with. Pepper has been in love with Hunter forever. He represents everything she longs for in life: safety, security, comfort, love... and his recent breakup with his girlfriend makes her start to wonder if there could finally be a chance for the two of them. But Pepper is socially awkward, clumsy and inexperienced. She says stupid things when trying to flirt. She knows next to nothing about sex and/or relationships. But unlike other books I've read recently (take your pick from my na-experiment shelf), this isn't another example of a book that creates a good girls versus "slutty" girls story. It's handled in a far more sophisticated way. "This wasn't a fling. It was less than that. It was us pretending. Playing at something more."Anyway, so Pepper decides to find a guy she can use to show her the ropes of foreplay. And who better than the smokin' hot bartender. It's easy, she thinks, she can just use him to become a sexual goddess and then go running back into Hunter's arms a whole new woman. But, as you can imagine, things don't quite go to plan. And I like that. It's why I started with that John Lennon quote. I don't know about you, but the best things that have happened to me in my life have always been the unplanned, unprecedented accidents that drive me to exactly where I needed to be - even though I never realised it at the time. We have so many plans and dreams and thoughts about who we are and where we're headed but, in the end, life isn't something you can really plan for.I liked a lot of things about this novel, including the fact that the guy was sweet instead of the usual jerkfaced douchebag. And I was thankful for the lack of icky sweet nothings. My criticisms are few, but the main one which irked me was the use of yet another attempted rape scene to instigate a scenario where Reese got to play hero. This is used so often it's fast becoming a cliche. And a particularly annoying one at that. The book would have been better without it.Honestly, I liked Foreplay. I didn't really expect to and I will continue to keep my expectations of New Adult low. But it's nice to know a few good ones are out there.

4 Light StarsThis was exactly what I was in the mood for and I really enjoyed it.

Do me a favor and disregard everything you've heard about this book. (Especially if you've read the synopsis.) And, while you're at it, throw out those pre-conceived notions you may have looking at the cover or title of this novel.Hmm...ready to listen? Foreplay is, in a few simple words, a genuinely good New Adult title.Now that you've gone off in a huff, called me crazy, shut down your laptops and hastily logged back in, I'll use a few more words, shall I?Jordan's Foreplay is about Pepper. From the first page itself, Pepper is in love with Hunter Montgomery, her best friend's older brother. Unlike the Montgomery's, Pepper's life has been far from perfect. Instead of a nuclear family she's dealt with a deceased father and missing mother, being brought up by her grandmother. Instead of family vacations to Disney land and an atmosphere of safety, Pepper has never been able to let go of the past she led running from one place to the next when her mother was still around. Needless to say, for as long as Pepper can remember, Hunter Montgomery has been the symbol of all she has ever hoped for: safety, security, and love. Now that he's finally single, though, after two years in a committed relationship, Pepper has no idea how to woo him over.Enter: Reece. Or, as most people would rather call him, sexy bartender. While Reece isn't the type of guy Pepper would ever go for - and neither is the goody-two-shoes beauty the type of girl he'd usually pick either - the two are strangely drawn to one another. And Pepper, hoping for an experienced guy to teach her a few tricks of the trade, happily launches onto Reece to become that person. What she doesn't expect is the unexpected intimacy - and genuine feeling - that creeps into her heart after spending so much time with him. After all this time, is Hunter really the one she wants? Or is it someone else?Although Foreplay doesn't necessarily sound as original as, say, mutant zombies in space wielding katanas and riding space unicorns (I just made that up...), in comparison to other New Adult reads, it genuinely does stand out. (Besides, isn't the summary I just gave you far better than the nasty internet rumor going around of Foreplay being about a girl who wants to lose her virginity?)1. This is a story about broken people who do NOT heal one another. Both Reece and Pepper haven't lead the best or more comfortable lives, but they fall in love despite those issues, not because they expect to change each others lives. Moreover, Jordan never sugarcoats their romance. Every issue that Reece and Pepper start out with in the beginning of the book is carried over to the end, but that only strengthens the bond between these two.2. Zero Slut Shaming. Zero. First off, Pepper doesn't want to lose her virginity in this book. She is more than happy to stay a virgin until she finds the right guy, but she doesn't look down upon those with different attitudes either. Are there still women who "thrust their cleavage" and what-not? Of course, but these are treated as observations and never explicitly remarked upon, which I appreciated. It's all too common for New Adult books to veer into sexism or misogyny because alpha-males are trying to hard, but Jordan avoids that issue with this book quite adeptly.3. Friends. Real Ones. Emerson and Georgia, Pepper's close college friends, though leading different lifestyles than Pepper are watching out for her regardless. If she isn't comfortable in a situation and they're about to land a hot date, they do the right thing and make sure Pepper gets home instead of ditching her for their one-night stand. Friendship. It exists in NA. *gasp*4. College Exams/Dorm Life/Jobs. Everyone in this book is young, but they deal with regular activities like a job, parties, exams, having dorm rooms and suite mates. It's so blessedly normal and the fact that this existence is even acknowledged outside the romance is a plus point in favor of this novel. (Yes, that's how bad NA has gotten...)5. A respectful romance. What I really appreciated with this one was how little angst was present. Reece knows that Pepper wants Hunter for safety and comfort and though he has feelings for her - and her for him that she refuses to acknowledge - he's mature and let's her find her way on her own without ever forcing himself on her. Reece only goes as far as Pepper is willing, never telling her that she'll enjoy more or trying to please only himself. It's a strong, mutual relationship in which both parties give and take, compromising in a realistic, but equal, manner.If those aren't five promising reasons to pick this one up, then I don't know what are! Seriously - give this one a shot. You won't be disappointed.P.S. - Emily May's NA Experiment has never led me astray. If you aren't already aware of this, I'd urge you to keep track of these reviews. Not only have they helped me find decent NA reads, but they're wonderfully written too. Thanks Emily May! :)

Actualización de review “I wouldn’t have waited this long for you. I would have already showed up at your dorm the minute I decided I wanted you. I wouldn’t leave until I convinced you that you were mine” Ok, Foreplay quizás no sea uno de los mejores libros New Adult, pero fue la primera novela de ese género que leí y por eso tengo derecho a ponerle 5 ★★★★, ya que me parecía increíble. Además, Reece Mulvaney es uno de los primeros protagonistas masculinos que me enamoraron (junto con Cameron Hamilton, obvio). Lo acepto, podría ser un poco más original que el “chica buena conoce a chico malo”. Sin embargo, aunque tiene varios elementos clichés, hay algo interesante y refrescante en la historia. Tiene un ritmo ágil, no es muy extensa y no se torna aburrida o muy dramática. La historia tiene momentos graciosos, sexys, emotivos y románticos. También creo que los personajes son un elemento muy positivo, sobre todo, Reece. Son muy simpáticos y conectas con ellos desde el inicio. “You can’t even see it. I’m the safest thing you’ll ever find” Reece fue mi personaje favoritos por varias razones. Creo que es un protagonista masculino muy completo. No es perfecto y eso lo vuelve aún más real. Y, aunque aparenta ser un chico malo, es más que eso también. Creo que Reece es una combinación de muchas cosas que lo hacen el tipo ideal. Él es tan maduro, inteligente, directo, sexy, atractivo, leal, protector… awww podría seguir por siempre...LO AMO... (perdoname, Cam). Por otro lado, Pepper fue el personaje con quien más conecte. He leído varias novelas con protagonistas con características similares a ella, pero no me agradan del todo o nunca terminan de llegarme. Sin embargo, con Pepper es distinto. No voy a negarlo, hubo ratos (muy breves) en que me costó porque tenía pensamientos bobos (culpo a la adolescencia). Sin embargo, en general, ella me pareció un personaje muy bueno. “I see enough. I saw you.” Ella me agradaba y no me parecía sosa. De hecho, era una chica buena, pero no estúpida. Tenía un corazón muy grande. Ella es amable, cariñosa, inteligente, responsable. Simplemente, a veces, tenía miedo por cómo su infancia había sido junto a su madre. Sus inseguridades y miedos los entendía por completo. Lo que no entendía y si me costaba era que creyera que Hunter seria la solucion, pero bueno. En cuanto a los personajes secundarios, estuvieron bien. Aunque sin destacar. Mi favorita fue Emerson (su libro me gusta mucho también). Hunter no me gusto mucho en esta novela, pero si en su novela super corta, Crash. Georgia y los demás fueron nehh. “I’m not going through this again with you just so you can run when you get scared that I’m not like some ideal you built up in your head. I love you. I’m fucking in love with you, but it’s all or nothing. I won’t do this again unless it’s going to be like that.” El romance es lo mejor. No es exactamente un “insta-love” y eso es algo muy MUY bueno, caso contrario, todo se hubiera arruinado. Las circunstancias en que Reece y Pepper se conocen son muy peculiares pero, de alguna forma, todo es muy convincente. De hecho, en general, la evolución de su relación me pareció muy auténtica. Es lenta, emotiva, se construye poco a poco con mucha tensión, química y momentos demasiados adorables, divertidos y sexys. Ellos son como la pareja perfecta, a pesar de que tienen actitudes muy diferentes. Así que si, es uno de mis novelas NA favoritas y no me arrepiento de nada. La recomiendo por completo y, finalmente, ya la compre. ~~*~~25/05/14Lo ame!!!! Me encantó Reece y pienso que el y Pepper hacen una extraordinaria pareja. Me parecieron tan lindos y tiernos. Fue hermoso!!!

Pepper, having gone through a rough childhood, craves warmth and comfort of a stable relationship and Hunter is the embodiment of everything she needs. But, things take an unexpected turn when she finds herself attracted to a bartender Resse, who’s gorgeous, dangerous and has a troubled past. Now, she has to choose between what she really wants and what she needs.It’s a genuinely good book despite what the title and description suggest. It was a refreshing take on an adult romance. The story is engaging with likable and imperfect characters. I loved the way the relationship blossomed. Sometimes things don’t go according to your plan and you have to accept that and make the best of it. That’s what the story expressed. I really enjoyed reading it.

4 Super Cute StarsPepper is a virgin. She doesn’t go on dates nor has any interest in them. She’s awkward, shy and very naïve when it comes to sex. Her long time crush Hunter, is recently single and this is finally Pepper’s chance to snag her crush. She just needs confidence sexually. Pepper’s girlfriends decide Pepper needs to find a hot guy to teach her the art of foreplay. Sexy bartender Reece is the guy that is happy to step up to the plate and help Pepper.Foreplay is a super adorable easy, feel happy kind of novel. I really like the summary and plot. I know you've been hurt....So have I. Maybe we can help heal each other Pepper is the typical virgin Heroine. She wasn’t annoying or too shy. I liked her innocence. Reece is the sexy bartender who doesn’t really give any attention to girls. I was surprised he wasn’t a man-whore, so it was really refreshing. I also liked how in the beginning it was Pepper pursuing Reece to get his attention.The relationship between Reece and Pepper was cute. It wasn’t typical and I really enjoyed the slow connection that was forming. I wouldn’t say Foreplay is too steamy, but I still interested and very entertained. As Reece and Pepper get to know each other better, their past secrets are slowly revealed and it kind of brings them closer.I kind of wished Sophie Jordan played up on the past issues more. I wanted Reece and Pepper to go to the next level and be really open. Although the dialogue flowed and the chemistry was there, I wanted something deeper.There is a slight love triangle because of Hunter and that I enjoyed. It brought tension the book. I was really surprised on how much I enjoyed Foreplay. I recommend. AMAZONFor more reviews, http://jacquelinesreads.blogspot.com

4.5 Davvero carino! Tralasciamo però il discorso cover: mi aspettavo una cosa totalmente diversa!

http://wp.me/p23dZM-1lP

Confessions of an Opinionated Book GeekI already know what negative reviews of this book will say. They will say they’ve read this story before and that it’s not unique and I am going to say…whatever. Not a very strong argument, I know, but I enjoyed this book. When I opened Sophie Jordan’s FOREPLAY, I was really stressed out. It was 48 hours before an intense deadline and I needed a break. I tried other books, but I could not get into them. FOREPLAY pulled me in right away. Why? Because I understood Pepper more than I have understood a character in a long time.Pepper is a girl who has made up her mind. In fact, her mind has been made up most of her life. She loves Hunter Montgomery. In fact, she loves Hunter so much that no other guy exists. She has spent her life in love with an idea and a hope. She is so focused that she allowed relationships, experience and most of the years regulated to being wild, to pass her by. When Hunter is suddenly available, Pepper freaks out. She doesn’t have the experience of other girls her age and the last thing she wants to do is turn off her dream guy with her lack of ability. Enter Reece, the hot bartender with the even hotter reputation. The hot bartender from the local bar may not be the one, but he is definitely the one to train Pepper in the art of Foreplay.FOREPLAY is one of the most emotional books I have read this year, because it is subtle. I say subtle, because I did not cry, but I felt Pepper’s journey. I know what it is to have a tough life and pull yourself up by your bootstraps. I know what it feels like to see a life that you want and work endlessly until you have that life. For Pepper, that life is family dinners, vacations to Disney world and Hunter Montgomery. What’s great about this book is that you think you know how it’s going to end. If you have seen enough movies or TV you know that the guy being used, becomes the guy. The issue with FOREPLAY is you understand that he may not and you get why. Pepper’s reasons for being attracted to both Reece and Hunter are very real. They are both perfect, charming and handsome in their own ways.With all that, I can’t really call this story a love triangle, because from the very start one of these guys never stood a chance. It becomes pretty clear early on who Pepper’s true love is and it is really just waiting for her to get the guy.So yes, FOREPLAY has elements we have seen before. Many heroines have had pretend boyfriends and many heroines have used a guy to grab the attention of another, but none of those Heroines learned the art of Foreplay from Reece. He may not be the one for her, but Reece is HOT! So, so, very HOT. Their scenes roll of the page with literal steam. Reading this book you understand sexual attraction. You understand what it is to look across the room and see someone you want. Reece sets a fire to Pepper that she didn’t know she was capable of.FOREPLAY is funny, it’s awkward, sexy, romantic and filled with drama. There’s a moment so stressful, that I screamed and threw my nook across the room to get away from it. Honestly, it is that well written and executed. Just great. Absolutely fantastic. Recommended for fans of Easy, A Song for Julia and Slammed.

I liked the book quite a bit. It wasn`t at all what i was expecting, but not in a negative way. The difference was that the book focused more on the needs of emotion rather than the lust-filled feeling i get with quite a lot of other books in this genre. Pepper and Reece, well, what do i have to say about them? Instead of the usual difficulties they had the trust issues other clichees had. I think that was the one factor that kept the book from a five-star book. Pepper was a real cute character, so was Reece! He was more of the unconventional type of bad boy, meaning he had the looks but not the matching personality. He was unbelievably sweet and considerate. I loved the book in the end, it was charming and exciting and everyhting a good romance novel needs!4/5 stars

Of all the NA books I've read, this is far and away my favorite. Gorgeous, smart and sexy (like both lead characters), it completely resonated with me. Loved it. One of those instant-reread-your-favorite-scenes books.