Dirty Beautiful by Jodie Becker
Contemporary Romance
November 18, 2011
E-Book
Ellora’s Cave
Dylan has moved from LA to a small town in Georgia to start his life over. Many years ago, with a cancer-ridden mother and no money to pay for her treatments, he moved to LA to pursue a career as an adult entertainer. He became “Drake” and made it as a big time porn actor. But he never felt comfortable in that role, and eventually fled to the small town for a fresh start. He buys an older house and falls back on his carpentry skills to build a new career.
His next door neighbor is elementary school teacher, Erica. She notices her cute new neighbor and a flirtation develops. Erica’s last boyfriend cheated on her (which resulted in her contracting a STD, which we will discuss later) and so she is wary of dating again. But Dylan is sweet, and gorgeous and they hit it off. But Dylan doesn’t want Erica to know what he did in his past, but unfortunately it won’t stay a secret forever.
I have a lot of issues with Dirty Beautiful. First, I got so sick of Erica being the perfect, wholesome heroine compared to Dylan who is the dirty, broken hero. Erica seemed to have no faults and during the course of the book was a perfect angel. It drove me insane. Even at one point, when they have sex, and afterwards, they realize Dylan didn’t use protection, this is her reaction:
She looked down at the semen on her and cold dread rose up to choke off her happiness. “Dylan!” He opened his eyes at her rebuke, the guilt written in the way his lips downturned. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist.”
Erica made a sound of disgust and pushed him away from her.
When is it only the man’s responsibility to make sure he is wearing protection? Erica had no idea until she sees semen on her that he wasn’t wearing a condom? I think not. That kind of attitude does not appeal to me at all. Plus we learn Erica had contracted a STD from her last boyfriend. And SHE has unprotected sex with Dylan? Double standard anyone? Erica acted so judgmental and I’m not sure how I was suppose to like her after that.
Further, at this point in the story, Dylan has not told her he was a porn star. And yet he goes ahead with unprotected sex. Later we learn he had lots of unprotected sex as he filmed his movies. Although he was tested and is clean, this doesn’t sit well with me at all. This just screams sleazy. Man up and tell her you were a porn star so Erica has a chance to make educated decisions about her physical relationships.
Another quote in the book made me cringe too. Erica thinks:
If she did make love to him, her heart would be bound to him. A failing in her nature. She could never separate sex and emotion.
Yet, we know Dylan is a porn star and obviously has had lots of sex. I feel like we are being forced to recognize how good and wholesome Erica is, who must have love with her sex as opposed to Dylan who has emotionless sex. It is so stereotypical and really grated on me as I read the book.
Later in the book, Erica’s ex-boyfriend comes back to cause trouble as does a fellow porn star of Dylan’s, both of which felt like a weak plot line. This one did not work for me at all.
Rating: D
Recent Reviews:
Book Lover’s Inc – 3.5/5
Goodreads
Ugh! And it has such a cute cover!
Is this the book you tweeted about?
No..that was Assume the Position. Haven’t posted my review of that one yet. That one was just silly, didn’t make me angry.
Assume The Position. That title makes me laugh. :)
It’s absolutely true that there are some books that just don’t jell. I think the issues you raised are very pertinent and I wonder at authors who write about people like this. Then again, we know there are people who are irresponsible and take lightly important relationship issues. Calling it beautiful is more the problem. If one wants to write about realistic characters, do so. But don’t call what they do “beautiful” when it really isn’t. Very insightful review!!
I felt like maybe the two characters could have explored his past sexual history (and hers too) but instead it was done in a frustrating way (for me). It just felt unrealistic and immature the way both characters went about having sex with each other.
When is it only the man’s responsibility to make sure he is wearing protection?
I’m assuming the question is rhetorical? *grin* It’s not…the only person who will ultimately protect a person (at least at the beginning of the relationship before trust is built up :) ) is oneself. I would have thought, having been exposed to an STD, the heroine would have been way way more careful.
LOL..yes…it was rhetorical. I would think the heroine would be very aware of it.
I am sorry you disliked the book so much. But I also think, the author should not “advertise” unprotected sex so much. I truly does not have to spoil the atmosphere to take the time to use a condom.
It was that plus the way Erica dealt with it. And the hero. I didn’t like her reaction, and I think they were both careless.