Sweet As Sin by Inez Kelley
Contemporary Romance
January 31, 2011
E-Book
Carina Press
Reviewed by Mandi
Favorite Quote: “Love him hard. And when he pushes you away – and he will – love him harder.”
Livvy has a new neighbor – a very sexy new neighbor. John is an author writing a very popular young adult fantasy series that he also illustrates. But he has been having writer’s block for the past month. Once he meets Livvy, the words start to flow. John grew up with an extremely abusive step-father and has many, many demons. He uses his writing and illustrating as an outlet. When he meets Livvy, their attraction is very immediate. They find this love together, but the demons do not always let the love smile upon them.
Livvy owns a bakery and when she meets John she decides it is time for her to have a passionate summer love affair. But she soon learns, that there is nothing easy going about John and her heart falls hard and fast.
I wish I could portray the amount of emotions I went through when reading Sweet As Sin. The depth of John really amazed me in this book. When you first read it – John is this really sexy neighbor who finds Livvy’s bra in his backyard (it blew off the clothesline) and I thought I totally had the book figured out – sexy neighbors will jump in bed together the end. Boy was I wrong. Because a few chapters later I was riveted to my Kindle and couldn’t believe what a complex character John turns out to be.
He has very dark demons. He is a very, very tormented man. He writes young adult adventure books, with furry little monsters, yet those little monsters are actually his dark, scary childhood rearing its ugly head. His demons present themselves in a variety of ways. From lashing out at Livvy, or at himself, or at his beloved sister. To closing down and not letting anyone near him. Cowering at an unexpected slight touch. There are points where he is SO brutal to Livvy. Yet, he can compartmentalize, pushing those demons to the back and can be a charming, loving human being. Livvy recognizes this from the start (maybe even a little too understanding) and decides she wants to be there for him..through bad and good. Livvy for the most part is an extremely understanding woman. She has a father who had numerous affairs, so her jealousy does come into play, but for a man who she comes to love quite quickly, she is extremely patient when his dark side comes out.
Even when John admits to being in love with Livvy, things are not magically better. Love does not cure the demons – his torture is still present, and it is just another reason why I think John is so well written. Bottom line is – John is not always an easy hero to like. But I believed in his pain, I believed in his demons. Therefore, I believed in his actions.
I wish the ending resolution would have played out just a little longer. John crosses some big lines, and Livvy trusts him very quickly again. I believe in their love for each other, I just would have wanted a little bit more time for them to evolve back into a serious couple. We also get a glimpse into the wonderful world John writes – it mirrors what is happening in his real life and I really think it adds so much to this story.
Sweet as Sin really blew me away. I loved it and I hope it finds its way to you.
Rating: A-
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Goodreads
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February 7, 2011 at 3:11 pm
Nice review Mandi, this one sounds fabulous. I probably would think along the same lines as you when the book started – that it would be predictable. So glad that's not the case and this one turns out to be a much more emotionally complex story. I'll have to add it to the list now!
February 7, 2011 at 3:23 pm
I was wavering about getting this one, but it looks really good. Thanks for the great review
February 7, 2011 at 3:31 pm
Not a big contemporaries fan but this one caught my interest so thanks for the review! I might just have to read it now.
February 7, 2011 at 4:17 pm
I adored this book! And like you went through a plethora of emotions while reading it. Awesome review, Mandi!
Uhmmm…just one little thing: heroine is Livvy, not Izzy
(I do this to characters sometimes too, once it's in your head like that it's hard to get rid off…)
February 7, 2011 at 4:25 pm
zomg…I'm so embarrassed! Thanks Pearl!!!
February 7, 2011 at 4:35 pm
Great review Mandi. I loved this one as well!
February 7, 2011 at 5:22 pm
Lovely review Mandi.
Blew you away, I do love those words, those are the kind of books that I want to read
February 7, 2011 at 7:13 pm
Awesome review Mandi…Im so glad you loved it like I did! And thanks for the little linky at the bottom *MUAH*
February 7, 2011 at 10:32 pm
You make this one sound very good!! I haven't got a book from Carina for a while now and I think it's time. This sounds like just the book since I love me a tortured hero.
February 8, 2011 at 1:13 am
Every review I've read of this book rates it very high. This will have to be on my TBR pile now. I have to be ready for it though, I don't know how much emotion I want to invest to a broken man. I know, but sometimes, those stories are quite emotionally draining.
February 8, 2011 at 1:49 am
Great Review!! I will have to look into reading this one!! I hope you are enjoying Bonded By Blood, I just loved that one!!
February 8, 2011 at 3:13 am
Excuse me while I pop over to NetGalley… awesome review!
February 8, 2011 at 4:34 pm
I have heard so many good things about this book. Unfortunately, it's not available for the Nook yet. So sad! I hope it will be soon!
February 9, 2011 at 9:59 am
I totally just got this on my kindle and started it. So far, so good!
February 9, 2011 at 10:17 am
Excellent! Let me know what you think when you finish!
February 9, 2011 at 11:08 pm
I loved this one, too. And am seriously peeved that John's monster stories don't exist. I wanted to read them.
February 10, 2011 at 8:23 am
Amber – I know..oh I loved those monsters. I srsly love this book!!!