Showing posts with label alcoholism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alcoholism. Show all posts

Monday, September 13, 2021

RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT & REVIEW - MF - Afterglow (Busy Bean #10) by Aria Wyatt

 







AFTERGLOW BY ARIA WYATT

Release Date: September 13, 2021

All the links in one spot: https://shor.by/busy-bean

Add to Goodreads here: http://bit.ly/3p6Z8cA

Cover Design: Elle Maxwell Designs




I’m a numbers girl.

Or at least I thought I was, until my formula fell apart. Back home in Vermont, with my dream on hiatus, I’m working at the Busy Bean and taking online classes. As long as I keep my focus, I’ll be back in New York City next semester. Hopefully.

When Declan O’Shaughnessy storms into the cafĂ©, all muscles and tattoos, wielding his sexy Irish brogue like a weapon, the only equation I can solve is one that lands me in his bed. Even more dangerous is my growing affection for his cherub-faced little boy.

But Declan has complications of his own. He’s cagey, but I’ll win him over.

Yeah, about that focus… mine is all on him. Can we have a harmless fling without getting hurt?




My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Afterglow is Aria Wyatt's contribution to the multi-author Busy Bean series. Each book in this small town series is read as a standalone. 

There's a lot going on in this book. There's alcoholism, mistakes, regrets, a custody battle, jealousy, death of parents, and grief. 

Declan and Solana are amazing together. And holy dirty talk and chemistry. These two burn up the sheets together. 

And, oh, how he handles Solana in the bedroom. Finding out she's a virgin might scare him off, but damn, he recovers. He's dominant and powerful and knows what he wants. 

And of course I adore Solana. She's definitely a little confused about her life and future, but she's the perfect person to balance Declan. Her past is horrible and I am in awe of the way she's survived it all. 

The heart of this story however lays in the hands of Declan's son. What a total charmer he is. There's plenty of custody issues, and the boy hears way too much for a kid his age. But, this presence is what makes this tale. 

I love Declan as a father. Love him. And my heart hurts for him. I appreciate the way Solana is able to help him, and I love the way everything wraps up. 

And of course, Solana's brother is around. And oh god, this part of the story is maddening yet so well done. He's caused her years of pain, so it's nice seeing them talk finally.

Declan and Solana's journey isn't easy. There's plenty of pain along the way. But it's well worth it for them in the end. 

The writing is great, and the storyline nice and developed. I just don't love reading an accent in my books, as reading the Irish brogue starts to get on my nerves after a while. 


Afterglow is a great addition to this small town world. And I absolutely love the ending that Aria Wyatt gave this sweet couple. 






The Busy Bean reminds me of my father’s pub in Galway, where I had my first drink and started my love affair with Irish whiskey. I’ve traded booze for hot cider, but I crave the inviting pub vibe of this bakery. There are plenty of bars in town—like the place right across the car park—but I don’t dare set foot in one. This is the closest I’ll allow myself.

“Hi, what can I get started for you?”

I spin toward the lilting female voice and frown. I come here just about every day and I’ve never seen this woman. She’s a pretty little thing who barely comes up to my shoulder. A black T-shirt peeks from beneath the bright yellow apron that covers her breasts. She’s cinched the tie around her waist, showcasing her hourglass figure.

“Hello?” She props both hands on her hips. “Would you like to order something?”

My gaze snaps to her face and locks on to a set of eyes the exact shade of golden amber as whiskey. With her tanned skin, and thick, honey-blonde hair, I’d swear I walked into a distillery. My throat tightens, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as I try to find the words to answer.

Her mouth starts to move again, drawing my focus to her lips. Full and pink, like a wild Irish rose. “I brewed a fresh pot of coffee and the drink of the day is a dirty apple chai.” She licks those plush lips and adds, “With apples from the Shipley orchards, of course.”

My stomach twists into a knot as I glance at the section of countertop that looks like a bar. I’d give my left arm for a pint of Guinness. And I’d give both arms for some whiskey. Desperate to derail that train of thought, I force my gaze to the display of artisanal honey from some of the local apiaries. Funny how the warm amber color also reminds me of whiskey, making my mouth water.

Then again, maybe it’s blondie who’s got me salivating. Whiskey be damned, I’d sell my soul to the Devil for a taste of her.


Tuesday, June 15, 2021

MF - The Risk Taker (Boston Hawks Hockey #2) by Gina Azzi

 






My brother's best friend, NHL god Easton Scotch, has always seen me as a kid. Now, I'm his new roommate and I'm determined to show him that Claire Merrick is all grown up.

Boston Hawks left wing and bad boy personified, Easton is untouchable, reckless, and sexier than any one man ought to be. He has a complicated past, makes questionable life choices, and doesn't want anyone growing too close. Least of all me.

East makes himself clear on his first day out of rehab, when we become reluctant roommates. At best, I'm angling for friendship. But soon, East is lowering his guard and we're bonding.

When we cross a line there's no coming back from, he spirals, jeopardizing his recovery and my heart. If Easton is the risk taker, then why does it feel like I'm the one gambling it all?




My Rating - 4.5 Stars!


The Risk Taker is the second book in Gina Azzi's Boston Hawks Hockey series. And it's a fun brother's best friend romance. 

Brother's best friend is my favorite trope. Add in sports, especially hockey, and it's absolutely awesome!

Claire and Easton's story is great. I was excited to read about Easton after meeting him in the first book, and am thrilled with his story. 

When we first met Easton, he was in rehab. Now he's out and trying to get his life back on track. With Claire as his new roommate, he is determined not to get involved with her. 

What follows is the slow breaking down of walls and a delightful ride from acquaintances to lovers. 

Both are at a crossroads in life. Easton's trying to keep his career going and trying to stay sober. Claire's struggling to get her life in order, trying to follow her dreams instead of the expectations put upon her. 

I love the way they support and encourage one another. 

Easton's demons with alcohol are well illustrated, including the things that make him want to drink. I applaud his character in the end. His lack of self esteem is heart breaking. 

The family dynamics are fabulous, with lots of wonderful moments and fun. 

The Risk Taker is a great read. This Gina Azzi tale had me happy throughout. I am in love with this sports romance series so far. 



Sunday, April 25, 2021

Double Shot (Bold Brew #10) by Gwen Martin

 


Amazon Link   - Available in KU  





Coffee, with a double shot of desire....

West is still floundering three years after a failed relationship spun his life out of control, and forced him to move back to his hometown. When he meets Rhys at Bold Brew, his curiosity sparks, and he wonders if the alluring photographer could be his shot at embracing the inner Little he suppressed in the past. Rhys's photos are a passionate exploration and call to West's needs and desires. 

Rhys loves to guide and nurture partners—then send them on their way. But something about West is different. The quiet man responds to Rhys's Daddy dominance in beautiful ways. And the camera loves him, too. 

When West agrees to a photoshoot, their chemistry ignites. Rhys and West are a perfect complement to one another's cravings. But can this double shot at love last as long as one of Rhys’s photographs, or will they drink their fill and move on?

Double Shot is a stand-alone novel in the multi-author Bold Brew shared universe centered around an inclusive coffee shop set in a fictional small city. Each steaming hot coffee shop romance can be enjoyed alone, but collect all ten for the most fun!

Potential Trigger Warning for a character discussing issues with alocholism. There is no replase on page.





My Rating - 3.5 Stars!


Double Shot is a good BDSM romance by Gwen Martin. The tenth book in the multi-author Bold Brew series, each book is a standalone. 

Wes and Rhys make for an interesting duo. The two start with some sexy photo shoots that include plenty of heat, and end up as Daddy and little. 

The Daddy aspect is a lot of fun, with it developing naturally.

The age play aspect is there, but isn't very developed. As a fan of age play, I enjoy the little ways that Rhys helps Wes to accept and be calmed by his regression. But, as a fan of age play, I really want more. Just more of these scenes. 

One of the men struggles with alcohol and it's a large part of his character. I enjoy the way it's all handled. 

My favorite part of this story is the erotic feelings evoked during the photo shoots. These scenes help the men give into their feelings and are just freaking hot. And, damn, I enjoy all of the photography element.

In the end, this is a story with some healing. If you enjoy hurt/comfort reads, you'll enjoy that aspect of the tale.

Unfortunately, I also felt disconnected at times. I would have preferred to have connected to the men more, with less description. Thus the lower rating, as my mind wandered from time to time.

Double Shot is a decent addition to the Bold Brew series. 



Sunday, April 11, 2021

MF - This Boy (This Boy #1) by Jenna Scott

 


Amazon Link - Available in KU 
Goodreads Link






Nothing in Camilla's life will be the same after This Boy...

Camilla dreams of the day she can leave her life behind. Saying goodbye to the mother she's never been good enough for, to the bottles there's always money for, to the bills there's never money for—and most of all, to being the help in someone else's dream home.

But the scholarship to her new private school that gives her a real chance at a future comes with one big catch—Hunter Beck.

It's his home her mother cleans. His little brother that Camilla babysits. It's his face that she dreams of at night, and his cruel voice that taunts her every day. Hunter is the most popular boy in school, and she's his favorite target. She hates him, but even more, she hates how drawn she is to him. Becoming his debate partner seems destined to end in disaster.

As she's drawn further into his world, he alternately pulls her close and pushes her away. But behind the roller coaster, Camilla senses true emotion. A man she wants to know hiding inside the boy.

She's so close to getting everything she wants. Getting into college. Leaving this town forever. She’s let nothing get in her way so far.

So why does it feel like Hunter Beck might be the boy who ruins it all?

Book One of Three
 




My Rating - 4 Stars!


This Boy is one of those books I probably enjoy more than I should. But, damn it, sometimes one just wants to fall into a world of anger and anger. This Jenna Scott book is just such a world. 

I definitely enjoy this young adult book. 

Mila and Hunter are a hot mess. With Mila and her mom working for Hunter's family, he certainly treats her like shit. 

As the layers unfold, we learn that not only is Mila's life a mess, but so is Hunter's. 

And together, the chemistry is explosiveness. 

The good? Mila is wonderful. And I adore her relationship with Hunter's brother. 

The bad? Omg. Pretty much every one else is a total jackass. Horrific parenting. Cheating. Alcoholism. Bullying. And more. 

But it's the riveting kind of bad and I didn't want to put it down 

This Boy is just the start of Mila and Hunter's story. I am excited to dive into the next book in this Jenna Scott series. 



Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Songs of a Red Currant Wine (Colors of Love #6) by V.L. Locey

 


Amazon Link   - Available in KU  





No matter how far you go love will always lead you home again.

The world has changed quite a bit since Carl Cimino was a young man in Port Plechard. The small Connecticut coastal town once had everything that he held dear: his family, his friends, his hockey team, his school, and his first love, Mike Rinnert. Back then gay boys didn’t parade along the rocky shores in bright rainbow swim trunks. They hid their shame then moved away or married a nice girl and pretended to be happy. After a dismal marriage attempt and a lackluster playing career that ended with an equally unsatisfying coaching job, Carl is called back to Port Plechard to attend Mike’s funeral and swears that he’s just seen a ghost.

Either that or he’s had one too many sips of his father’s homemade wine. He soon discovers that the spirit hovering around Mike’s grave isn’t a phantom at all, it’s Tigh, Mike’s much younger brother. Tigh is nearly an exact replica of young Mike right down to his dark sensual eyes, wavy hair, and lips that beg to be kissed. The two men are drawn to each other immediately, but there’s more than one hurdle to overcome: a sizeable age difference, small-town gossip, personal demons, family problems, and a hurricane just to name a few.
 




My Rating - 5 Stars!


VL Locey's Songs of a Red Currant Wine is an absolutely beautiful May to December romance. The sixth book in the Colors of Love series, it's a powerful standalone. 

I was drawn in from the start, as we meet Carl, a former hockey player, who's in his fifties and floundering through life. 

The first scene between Carl and Tigh, when Carl believes that Tigh is Mike's ghost, wow. What a scene! I love it. 

This story is one with years of homophobia, not just in a small town, but also in the hockey world. It's a tale that explores the ramifications of spending one's life in the closet. Lying to others and denying himself from being honest has left Carl an unhappy alcoholic. 

And then he meets Tigh.

What follows is a journey of starting over, finding a purpose and grabbing onto happiness. I love the way the author gives Carl a chance to live authentically. Seeing him do what he wants to do instead of what he's been conditioned to do is wonderful.  

If you enjoy romances with closeted athletes, you will love this story. Damn, the sports world is tough to live as openly gay, and with Carl being in his fifties now, he certainly couldn't have been open when he was younger.

The ex's brother aspect is obviously a huge deal when they first meet. But it's never an obstacle, which is quite impressive.

Songs of a Red Currant Wine is a serious story, full of pain and addiction. But this VL Locey romance is one of getting over one's past and working on a better future. And it's fantastic. Basically, another amazing book by VL!



Sunday, February 7, 2021

Out of Your League (Shoot Your Shot #2) by Joe Satoria


Amazon Link   - Available in KU  






MARCUS
After growing up in Becker Bay, it was the last place I thought I'd be forced to look for talent as a football scout. Least of all, finding my high school bully trying to impress me.

Ricky Stone swears he's the best, and he's willing to show me a good time to prove it--who am I to ignore the advances of an attractive man?

RICKY
I was a king on the football pitch; destined for greatness, signed a pro contract at 16, then ten years on and nothing's changed. Except for seeing a guy who once kissed me.

Marcus Mitchell has the power and contacts to make or break my football career, and I'll do whatever it takes to win him over--but first I'll need a drink.

OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE is a standalone MM sports romance. Read on and you'll find enemies-to-lovers in a second chance, gay for you/bisexual awakening with a HEA.





My Rating - 3 Stars!

Out of Your League, the second book in Joe Satoria's Shoot Your Shot series, is a standalone sports romance.

Marcus is sent home due to a family business deal. There, he 
reunites with the man who was his first kiss. Of course, Ricky's also the man who bullied him. Marcus also has to face his half brother and mother, which causes him plenty of angst. 

In general, I am totally torn about this book.

Good god, I hate Ricky at first. He's such an ass who also happens to have an alcohol addiction and a gambling problem. It took me a while to "get" him and I'm still 
struggling to figure out why and how Marcus is able to look beyond Joe's behavior. It doesn't work for me at all. I needed something as to WHY he would forgive and forget. The fact that he's a former crush is not enough for me.

But, later, after a second kiss, Ricky starts to drop his walls and becomes a little more likeable. Maybe.

I am a huge sports romance fan so I was excited to read this book. But I have to warn you, it's not much about sports at all. It's definitely focusing on Ricky's growth as a person. 

Honestly, I am still in awe that the author manages to turn Ricky around at all. He is a vile person. Until he isn't as much of one. Sort of.

And I wanted to kick Marcus to just leave his ass. But I guess Marcus is a better person than me. Why the hell he sticks by Ricky is beyond me. And ultimately, I just can't get past this issue.

I do enjoy the family issues for Marcus. His father is quite the character, and all this makes for some memorable moments. As well, his mother and brother, and all the background between them is quite unique. 

I enjoy the GFY aspect. Hell, I always love a GFY tale. 

I continue to like the author's writing style, which is pleasant, with a good pace, and great dialogue. And, damn, there's foreskin play! I repeat, there's foreskin play!

Out Of Your League is a good book when you're in the mood for character growth. This Joe Satoria book has it in spades. But it isn't quite my thing and I'm struggling to recommend it.



Saturday, October 10, 2020

Taming Dante (Dante's Infernal #1) by Joel Abernathy



Amazon Link  - Available in KU
Goodreads Link





Keeping up the rock star image ain’t easy, but someone’s gotta show these fakers how it’s done.

Hotel-room-trashing tantrums?

Check.

Daddy issues galore?

Check.

Glitz, glamour and general debauchery?

I wrote the f**king book.

I’m a textbook bad boy rockstar cliche, and I’ve never claimed to be anything else.

Hell, I own it.

At least, I did, until he came along: Mr. Self-Righteous who acts more like a priest than a drummer. Now he’s my bodyguard and the guy in charge of making sure I don’t OD before the tour ends.

Oh, right. I also have a crazy stalker who’s been obsessed with me since I was a kid. So that’s fun.

It doesn’t take long to figure out Cash is more of a danger than any freak with a shrine of me in his closet, and he’s way harder to shake. He’s managed to convince our band manager (AKA, the crappiest father ever) that he’s the only one who can protect me from my stalker and my own vices.

Cash thinks I’m stuck with him while he forces me to get clean, but what starts out as a Daddy/boy roleplay meant to freak him out turns into so much more than a game.

For the first time ever, I don’t know who’s going to win, but I’m not going down without a fight.

-

My new job is a nightmare.

The name of that nightmare? Dante Jung, lead singer of the world-famous band Dante’s Infernal, living trainwreck, and all-around brat.

His manager hired me to be the new drummer for Dante’s Infernal--since the singer has run everyone else off--and his undercover bodyguard.

The only problem is, I’m pretty sure Dante is more of a threat to himself than even his obsessed stalker. He drinks hard, parties harder, and he’s never turned down a lovesick groupie.

And there are a lot of those.

Dante is a brash, selfish, narcissistic douchebag. And he’s also a brilliant, devoted and passionate musician who can be unexpectedly vulnerable at times.

When he asks me to be his “Daddy” for the month we’re stuck together, I’m shocked, but not for the reasons he thinks.

Taming Dante is going to be one hell of a challenge, but he will break before I ever back down, no matter how undisciplined he is now.

He doesn’t know what he’s in for, but he’s about to learn.
 





My Rating - 5 Stars!

Taming Dante is an awesome rocker romance that definitely hits on the messed up part of fame. The first book in Joel Abernathy's Dante's Infernal series, it is fabulous. 

From the first page, this one grabbed my attention and I couldn't put it down. Dante's a famous rock star who's drug addiction has him hitting rock bottom. Enter Cash, a bodyguard sent to save him. 

With Cash taking control of Dante, trying to rehab him and turn his life around, the fun starts. That's right, ends up that Daddy play/age play helps tame the man. 

Their tale is hot, as well as emotional. I love seeing the lines blurb and absolutely love the steamy sex scenes. For me though, my favorite is the age play, as that is my guilty pleasure in romances. 

This is a story with a controlling, vile father/manager. Drake is the perfect evil character, and my heart hurt for Dante. It's a story with plenty of danger, with a stalker running loose, and I enjoyed it all. 

Taming Dante is a thrilling mix of action, danger, romance, and emotion. Joel Abernathy had me obsessed throughout and I
love the ending. Every single thing about this book worked for me. I can't wait to see what happens next in the series. 
 


Tuesday, June 23, 2020

BLOG TOUR & REVIEW - Lost in the Florist By Riley Long & Marie Cole



Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway:
Lost in the Florist
By Riley Long & Marie Cole

 

Blooming Hearts, Book 1



Lost in the Florist Cover




A fast-paced, sexy romance in the woods that will make Smokey Bear come running.


Jax fled his small hometown eight years ago to make it big in LA. His music career took off and he hasn’t been back to see his childhood best friend Emmett–his first, unrequited love–since. No man has lived up to that first love, though Jax has certainly tried.


When he finally gets a vacation, Jax decides to put his playboy ways behind him, surprise Emmett with a visit, and finally lay his feelings on the line. But Emmett has a few surprises up his sleeve, too–including one big secret. Emmett is a virgin.

Book Link:

Amazon US  *  Universal Link
Goodreads

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My Rating - 4.5 Stars!



Lost in the Florist is a great small town romance by Riley Long and Marie Cole. There is lots to love about this book. Friends to lovers is a delightful trope, and these two friends don't disappoint.

A mix of a famous, closeted singer and small town life, these two best friends are faced with revealing their truths to one another. Jax is back in town after being away for years. He has some things to tell his best friend, Emmett.

Dear lord, the emotions in this one hit me hard. The fear and hesitation is certainly painful. A story of taking chances, revealing secrets and desires, and risking it all, I love it! Every single second of this book had me captivated.

This is a story with miscommunication and misunderstandings, so avoid this book if those are a hard limit for you. It includes an entertaining grandmother, an alcoholic father, and some fantastic friends.

The downfalls of living in a small town are well illustrated, including the lack of a lgbt community. As well, there's some other aspects displayed, which certainly add to the storyline.

Jax's alcoholism is well done and completely realistic. It isn't heavily explored, yet still makes an impact.

Lost in the Florist is a fast read that left me satisfied. Riley Long & Marie Cole definitely delight in this sweet and sexy coming out story. I am excited to see what comes next in this series.



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Jax

The second Jax placed his can in the cup holder, his phone started vibrating. His heart leapt a little, but when he flipped the phone over, he saw that it was just his manager, not his best friend Emmett calling to tease him with more mental imagery of the blow job he’d always dreamed of--not that Emmett knew that. Jax had kept that little fantasy very close to his chest throughout high school. Their small town wasn’t exactly the gay man’s safe haven and the jocks had a reputation for being extremely anti-queer. Jax hadn’t thought Emmett was anti-queer, but he was on the football team, and Jax knew if there was even a sniff of male on male activity that it would spread like wildfire through the school. Part of him still regretted not saying “Fuck it” and kissing his best friend when he’d had the chance. He’d come close once.

He swiped the screen to answer the phone and scooped it up. “Hey, Ron.” In his free hand, he picked up the remote for the TV and turned it on, quickly muting the volume and switching it over to the internet browser. He pinned the phone between his ear and his shoulder.

“Jax, hey. Just calling to tell you everything’s all arranged.”

“Uh, what’s that now?” Jax was already only half-listening to Ron, attempting to navigate the TV’s browser to pornpornporn.com at the same time.

“The R&R you asked for. The time off. We’ve got it all arranged. You’re going to be staying in a little cabin about a thirty minute drive outside of Camellia. The cabin is already reserved. Do you need me to send someone to stay with you? Sophia maybe?”

The double-meaning was thick in Ron’s tone, catching Jax’s full attention. “Ron, there was only one time that the paparazzi took pictures of me with her. And I told you, we didn’t actually do anything. It was all just coincidental. Uh, circumstantial. Whatever that word is. It just looked compromising. There’s no actual evidence that we hooked up because nothing happened.” He let his gaze travel across the screen, thumbnails of naked guys in all sorts of configurations, waiting for him to choose. “Besides, I’m going there to surprise my best friend, not to get laid.”

“Sure, sure, whatever you say. Listen, it’s none of my business, I’m just trying to keep you happy.” Ron cleared his throat. “The cabin is all yours in a little over a week.”

“This time off is all I need to stay happy. A couple of weeks of rest before the wolves start howling at my door again.” He spotted an image of a muscular man with short brown hair and a beard, frozen in mid-kiss with a guy with a lean, sculpted body, and clicked on it. Immediately, the video took up his full screen and started playing, the two men on a couch, wearing nothing but underwear and making out. His dick twitched and started to grow. “Listen, Ron, I gotta go. Something’s just come up and I need to take care of it. Thanks again. Bye.” He pressed the button to end the call without waiting for a confirmation from his manager and tossed the phone on the bed next to him again.  




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Enter the Giveaway:


To celebrate the release of Lost in the Florist, we are giving 2 lucky winners the chance to win an e-copy of Lost in the Florist and an e-book of their choice from Riley Long’s published backlist.



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About Riley:


Riley Long is a wife and mother living a quiet life in Virginia, with her husband, son, and one goofy pit bull. She passes her evenings writing, reading, and watching bad television (or not so bad television). For fun, Riley participates in NaNoWriMo, GISH, and reads with her book club, the BAMFs. She likes things with silly acronyms. The craziest thing Riley has ever done involves whipped cream and hugs. Riley writes sweet and sexy romance, with a special place in her heart for hipsters and musicians.



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About Marie:


Marie Cole is the author of the contemporary romance #JustFriends Series. Lost in the Florist is her very first boy/boy romance and she’s super excited to be stepping into the m/m arena beside her writer bestie, Riley Long.

She is currently living in Virginia, is a self-professed Kwave addict, Karaoke Queen, and social binge drinker. When she’s not writing she’s taking photos of everything from her fluffy cat Dustpan to birds conversing on her porch. She loves to show them off on her Instagram account.



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Season's Change (Trade Season #1) by Cait Nary

  Amazon Link    Goodreads Link A veteran hockey player and a rookie can't get away from each other—or their own desires—in this sexy, h...