Beautiful Bastard (Beautiful Bastard, #1) by Christina Lauren Series: Beautiful Bastard #1
Published by Gallery Books on February 12th 2013
Pages: 305
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Grace Grant
Genres: Erotica, Romance
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An ambitious intern. A perfectionist executive. And a whole lot of name calling.
Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He's exacting, blunt, inconsiderate—and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.
Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family's massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who'd been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative—completely infuriating—creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he's never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe's so tempting he's willing to bend the rules—or outright smash them—if it means he can have her. All over the office.
As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they're willing to lose in order to win each other.
I’ve heard nothing but good things about this series, and I must say that Beautiful Bastard (book 1) is a highly entertaining read. It’s also one very, very dirty book.
The authors take the tried and true enemies to lovers/office romance trope to the next level. Chloe is an intern at a multi-million dollar company, and Bennett is her boss. To say they aren’t fond of each other is the understatement of the year. Chloe openly detests Bennett, reminding him frequently what an a$$h*le he is. He treats her with condescending disdain.
Their fiery bickering is amusing, but arguing always leads to frantic fu–un. Remember what I said about this being a dirty book? These two turn combustible quickies into an art form, sneaking sex in every location and on every surface imaginable. Bennett is one naughty man, which typically rings my bells, so it feels odd to say that there is almost too much sex in this book.
Bennett is a fantastic douche nozzle, and I mean that in a good way. I loved to hate him and then I hated that I loved him. I treasured Chloe’s sharp mind and professional competence, not to mention her enviable wardrobe. The two of them are well matched and magnetic.
I listened to the audiobook and was very impressed by Grace Grant’s fluid narration.
I don’t know if the other books in the series are interconnected, but I’m certainly interested in reading more.
Recommended for fans of:
Enemies-to-lovers stories
Office romance
Alpha holes
Luxury lingerie
About Christina Lauren
Yes, there are two of us! Lauren (on the left) and Christina (on the right).
Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners/besties/soulmates/brain-twins Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced fourteen New York Times bestselling novels. They are published in over 30 languages, have received multiple starred reviews from Kirkus and Library Journal, been selected as one of NPR’s Top 100 Swoon-Worthy Romances, and won both the Seal of Excellence award and Book of the Year from RT Magazine.
Lauren Billings (but everyone calls her Lo) has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and before she made writing her full-time job, would spend her days doing nerdy research-type things wearing a lab coat and goggles. She is silly Mommy to two littles, wife to one mountain biking homebrewing scientist, bestie to a shoe-stealer, and an unabashed lover of YA and romance.
Christina Hobbs (but you’ll always hear Lo call her PQ) used to spend her days in a junior high counseling office surrounded by teenagers. These days you’ll probably find her on tumblr. She is married and absolutely not old enough to be the mom of a 16 year old (right??), thinks she’s the luckiest person in the world to write books with her best friend, and is an unapologetic lover of boy bands and glitter. She also likes to steal Lo’s shoes.
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