The wrong man just might be her perfect fit…
Primal attraction is a big red flag to prim and proper office manager, Jane Morgan. After a rough childhood with a mother who liked her men in prison jumpsuit orange, Jane changed her name, her look and her taste for bad boys. So why is she lusting for William Chase with his tattoo-covered biceps, steel-toed boots and unadulterated sex appeal? The man blows things up for a living!
She gives herself one explosive, fantasy-filled night with Chase. The next day, it’s back to plain Jane and safe men.But when her beloved brother becomes a murder suspect, and her lawyer ex-boyfriend won’t help, Jane turns to Chase. And she discovers a man who’s been around the block knows a thing or two about uncovering all kinds of truths.
Lead Me On – Victoria Dahl
Contemporary Romance
January 1st, 2010
Paperback, 352 Pages
Harelquin
Book received through NetGalley
I remember Stacy talking about a Victoria Dahl book recently on Twitter, and she messaged me and told me she thought I would really like her style of writing. When Lead Me On was offered as an ARC on NetGalley, I was more than eager to try Victoria Dahl for the first time. Stacy was right – Victoria Dahl writes the kind of book I love – sexy, romantic and funny. An overall story that entertained me the entire time, and added a new boyfriend to my list (and he entered quite high on the list I must say ;)
Jane is at lunch and annoyed by the man sitting across from her, chewing rather loudly. This man also happens to be Greg, her current boyfriend of four months, and one she doesn’t think she can be with a second longer. On paper, he is great – successful attorney, caring, would make a great father. But in reality, he sucks in bed and likes to try to make all the decisions for her. Jane puts an end to the relationship right then and there, and Greg is none to happy.
Later that same day, Mr. hunky, blue collared, tattooed (up his neck onto his skull *drool*) explosion expert William Chase come sauntering into her office. Jane works for Quinn Jennings, a residential Architect. Although Chase normally takes on commercial jobs, he is excited to start working for Quinn, and even more excited to meet the prim and proper Jane. Although she is strictly business, he notices her stealing glances at him and there is something about her cold demeanor that excites his blood. He asks her to dinner but Jane declines. She not only just broke up with Greg, but Jane feels her life is a fraud. Growing up her family never had much money, and her mother consorted with lower class men. Now that Jane has a respectable job, and a new life, she is scared to fall into that pattern. She is living a very deliberate life. One that is not the real Jane, but the one she thinks she should be living. But Jane is also days away from turning twenty-nine, and tired of the boring, safe men she always chooses. With a little bit of liquid courage, she decides she can give into temptation for just one night.
Chase is excited to be propositioned and ready to mess up the prim and proper good girl vibe Jane has going on. He doesn’t know that she has led a very wild life a long time ago. Jane is ready to be very naughty for one night – even though she has done this before.
That proposition turns into an amazing night of sex – hot, steamy, oh my god can Victoria Dahl write a sex scene. How have I lived my smutty life not reading her before? Right, so back to the sex – Chase thinks he is living “in an alternative dimension”. HA! He is super shocked Jane is the take, charge, girl in the bedroom. And if the sex is not amazing enough, Victoria Dahl puts amusing lines in there:
“Is it insulting that I want you as my (birthday) present?”
“No. No, it’s not.” In fact, his dick was showing interest in being the main showcase of the gift exchange.
After the one night stand Jane has bigger issues to deal with – like her brother in jail, which falls on her shoulders since her mother is too dramatic and her father, who is ex-convict himself can’t get too involved. There is also that small issue of Chase, who is a bit pissed Jane snuck out after their amazing night together.
I loved Lead Me On. Loved it! Is it the most perfect book in the world – no. But it is it a damn good romance book – yes. Period. Chase is sexy as hell – built, tattooed, gets giddy and horny after blowing things up on his job. Loves to have a good time with a woman, but doesn’t take crap from her. Victoria Dahl takes two people and writes their spark and immediate attraction to each other very well. It makes total sense for them to meet and have a one night stand. She can write attraction, and flirting, and verra good love scenes.
“Jane,” he groaned. “You’re the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.”
She was. She was hot and slutty and she didn’t care who might walk by and see her doing Chase in his truck.
For as much as I love Chase (and there is a lot of love going on) I really enjoyed Jane too. For as much as she tried to hide from her past, when she was with Chase and forgot about her past, she let go and embraced her sexuality. She is confident and funny. I was definitely ready for Jane to give up her hold on the past and move forward with Chase towards the end of the book, and I didn’t always love that Jane wanted to use Chase for just sex. Chase held his ground though – demanding dinner or a walk in the park, instead of just booty calls.
I also loved Mac, Jane’s step-father since she was seven. An ex-convict, he has lived a hard life, but a respectable one since he has been out of prison. He still looks and acts menacing, but the thought of Jessie in prison kills him and he feels he let him down. Although Jane also went through a very rebellious period, it was Mac who saved her and got her through it. While he doesn’t show his tender emotions, his intense feelings are just under the surface and he is a character that you can’t help but love.
As I said, this book is sexy and romantic. Lead Me On had let me straight to the Victoria Dahl fan club where I intend to stay.
Rating: 4 1/2 Stars
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Babbling About Books and More – B
Wow. Just…wow. I should be getting my copy today! I think I'll be spending my night with Chase if I have anything to do with it ;)
Loved the review Mandi, and so thrilled you liked Victoria Dahl. (It's good being right LOL).
Yay Mandi!! Welcome to the Victoria Dahl fanclub! I skimmed your review a bit as I am not done with my own review of LMO and don't want to get influenced but it's clear you loved LMO as much as I did!
You must really read her other two books in this trilogy too. Loved Molly, Ben, Quinn and Lori too!
There's one thing that is bothering me and that is that we are going to have to fight over Chase! He's all mine you know…so you can't have him…Oh no! It's bad enough I have to share him with Jane :(
Hugs,
Pearl
Stacy – Thanks for the rec girly!!
Pearl – I will def read the other two books..especially since the others make small appearances. Looking forward to reading your review!!
Thanks for the review. I just read the first book in this series and enjoyed it very much. Now you have me itching to get the rest.
I'm itchin to read the first two :)
Vic Dahl was a surprise find for me this year… I am not a fan of the chic lit looking cover…
But I took a chance with the first book and I really did enjoy it..
I love how Chase comes across… Bad boys so does it for me..
E.H>
I am seeing Dahl everywhere and she sounds so fun, I really must give these a try one of these days
I am all for hot smutty sex in a truck. :)
Nice review Ms. Smexy.
Great review as always! Can't wait to check it out!
EH – I am so glad I read her..finally!
Blodeuedd – Yes, I think you would really enjoy her!
KB – Nice review by you too
Randi – Thanks!
Did you hear that? I just scratched off another book and wrote Lead me On Instead. How can I resist truck sex and tattoos? I can't.
Great Review Mandi!
Sigh…this is on my Kindle as I type. I can not wait to get to it! Great review Mandi, make me want to read it even more!
@erotic horizon
You hit the nail on the head on why it took me so long to pick up the book. Since you mentioned the chick lit covers I had a DUH moment.
*clears her throat* I was getting all hot and bothered just reading the quotes. Can't imagine how great the book will be! Adding it to my list of books I must read now…
Smokin- I haven't read the first two which I know aren't your favorites,but I really think u will like this one
Fv-yay!
Lynette-these covers don't really fit the feel of the books
Caitlin-there were so many quotes to choose from too!!
Okay, this is ridiculous! You keep reviewing authors I've been meaning to read – Josh Lanyon and now Victoria Dahl. And I am getting ridiculously anxious to read their stuff after your rave reviews…. that does it! I am going out and ordering copies right now!
LOL – I'm sorry for causing you anxiety!! But hey – you do it to me all the time!! ;)
Okay, I actually have her first two books on my TBR list… Yea, I think they have thrown themselves at me a time or two! Great job on the review hon! Now I will have to add this one the pile as well.
That is what Christmas was for… Yay!!!
Great job! And I love the little quotes you gave us… lmbo!!!!
Have a great day sweetie!
I've read all 3 contemporaries by Victoria Dahl. Loved them! My favorite was 'Talk Me Down' – Molly is awesome and Ben is hot! In 'Lead Me On', I so loved Chase – he's such a wonderful man, but Jane really tested my patience. When she snuck out after the one night stand, which I'm only sharing since it was also in the review, I was totally ready to smack her. I was very happy when I got 'To Tempt a Scotsman' for Christmas! One of Dahl's historicals.
Yeah! I love Victoria Dahl's books! I particulary loved her TALK ME DOWN. I definitely will check out this book! Thanks for the awesome review!
I don't think I have ever read a contemporary romance before *hides* maybe I should start with this.
I was so sheltered before I met all you crazy book bloggers ;)
Cecile – I just ordered the first two..we should read them together!
Kelly – Yeah, Jane was naughty sneaking out. By the end of the book I was definitely ready for her to move on..get over her past. Chase had the patience of a saint!!
I haven't read any of her historicals. I just read a sneak-peek at the first chapter of a new historical series that is coming out (I assume 2010) and it looks good!
Michele – So glad I finally read her!
KV – I don't read many contemps either..but I will always pick Dahl up now :) (and Julie James!)
Thank you Mandi. I read the first book and thought it was OK, haven't read the second but admit to being quite tempted by the third…
I have the first book in my TBR pile. I will have to see if I like it before I start reading the others.
I couldn't get into Crazy for Love but Lead Me On sounds good. *taps chin*
This book is the third in a series. Can it be read as a stand alone?
Oh yes – I had not read previous two before reading this one. Stand alone.