From the bestselling author of the Dangerous Beauty series comes a scorching and addictive new romance.“These kisses of his…they’re demanding and possessive. They’re hungry and deep. They’re the kisses of a man who wants more of a woman—who wants everything—and isn’t going to stop until he gets it.”Author Olivia Rossi hasn’t been able to write a word since tragedy struck two years ago and … tragedy struck two years ago and ripped her world apart. Heartbroken and still haunted by the past, she accepts an offer to spend the summer at a friend’s apartment in Paris in search of healing and her lost muse.
What she finds instead is James, an enigmatic stranger who ignites in her an unexpected and all-consuming passion.
Agreeing to tell each other nothing more than their first names, Olivia and James embark on a torrid affair. But the more time they spend together, the more Olivia begins to realize her summer fling is turning into a powerful connection…and that the magnetic man she’s falling in love with might not be what he seems at all.
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Olivia’s muse has shown back up when she meets artist James. Suddenly things are brighter. Suddenly words are flowing. And she and James are locked in a passionate affair. Or are they?…
Holy shit people, the twist is well, twisty af. That’s all I can say for fear of giving away too much. Just know that if you’re a fan of twisty romance, then Perfect Strangers is the story for you. It’s sexy, it’s crazy entertaining, and I loved it. Kudos to J.T. Geissinger for taking a risk like this. I’m hoping she’ll write more twisty stuff in the future because this one is awesome!
5.5 Amazing Stars!
As an avid (some might say rabid) reader, I’m rarely surprised or shocked by a standalone storyline. But every now and a blue moon a book like Perfect Strangers comes along and blows my mind! I haven’t been able to stop talking about it, to anyone who will listen to my rantings, as my book friends and even with a few of my non-reader friends can attest to.
I loved this Romantic Suspense story and it kept me on the edge of my seat, I was honestly shocked and dumbfounded by the unbelievable ending. The main characters have an insta-love connection, something I’m not usually of fan of but it’s so well written and believable that it worked for me, and their chemistry sets the pages on fire. There’s an emotional backstory involving one of the main characters that is pertinent, slowly and painfully built up, moving me to tears when all was revealed.
Please don’t read any spoilers! It’s like reading the end of a story first, and we don’t like that, do we? It will really ruin the surprise ending, one that you’ll never see coming. Just go with the flow of the story and let it carry you along. Just keep repeating to yourself: it’ll have a happy ending, it will have. A. Happy. Ending! Even when you doubt it, and feel that your heart breaks, keep going. **zipping my lips**
“You’re the most perfect woman a man could wish for, Olivia. You’re the brass ring.”
Olivia Rossi, a writer, has escaped to Paris for a few months, staying at her literary agent’s apartment, hoping the change of scenery will spark her. She needs inspiration, after going through some emotional upheavals, she’s been having writer’s block so change will be good.
“I’ve been around long enough to know that things like this aren’t made to last. This kind of instant thermonuclear attraction inevitably flames out as quickly as it appears, leaving broken hearts and bewilderment in its wake.”
While at a café Olivia is surprised when she catches the eye of a stranger. He introduces himself as James and says he’s an artist, but she runs when she feels he sees her, really sees her, and is scared by the attraction she felt. When they meet again and discover they’re neighbors they decide to act on the allure and have a casual affair.
“This casual summer fling has the potential to burn the whole city down and leave a path of smoking ruins in its wake.”
But first, Olivia sets some rules: they can’t exchange personal information about each other, not even last names, and they have an end date. They’ll be just perfect strangers, until Olivia has to return to the States. They have no time or inclination to flirt and get to know each other.
“’You’re too old for illusions.’ Too old for hope. Too jaded for dreams. Too long in the tooth to be dumb enough to pin my heart to a shooting star.”
There are too many secrets between them, they both have something to hide, things that are too painful and should be kept hidden. Nothing is as it seems, but don’t despair.
“Life’s too short to mince words. Our existence is measured in minutes. Seconds. Heartbeats. Time is the most valuable commodity we have, because it can never be replenished. Once it’s gone…it’s gone forever. And so are we.”
This story is going on my #TopRead list of 2019! It will haunt my dreams for some time, an unforgettable love story!
“This is madness.”
“It’s the opposite of madness. This is the only thing that makes any sense.”
I’m downright speechless. I wasn’t sure how to process what I just read. This 5 star story really had me twisted and say WTF just happened.
This is the kind of story that needs to be experienced and feel what I just did. I was left jaw hanging on the floor, literally. I’m still not sure what the f*^#k happened. Did I read right or interpreted wrong. Or my mind is messing with me. This really doesn’t happen often with me. I devoured this amazing story with a storyline that was highly original.
This page turning story needs to be read, trust me. Standalone with an HEA.
OMG! My mind is still spinning over this one. I was gasping in surprise with my jaw hitting the floor several times. I still can’t believe it. I don’t know what to say.
Olivia and James had an immediate attraction. And their chemistry just skyrocketed from there. James in the bedroom (or the Russian section of a bookstore) was ….wow, the things fantasies are made of. This book was definitely one of steamiest she’s written. And he quotes Hemingway to her! Swoon!
Olivia‘s in Paris running from the pain in her recent past and James has his own dark secrets as well. She draws him in with her haunted eyes. They agree to a summer fling as strangers but of course I knew that wouldn’t be enough for either of them. Especially when things about their personal lives they tried to keep hidden just brought them closer. And then the fun starts- I truly can’t say much more- you just have to experience it for yourself.
4.5 stars– PERFECT STRANGERS by J. T. Geissinger is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, erotic, romantic suspense story line focusing on author Olivia Rossi, and artist James Blackwood.
Told from first person perspective (Olivia Rossi) with an epilogue in third person PERFECT STRANGERS focuses on Olivia Rossi, a struggling author who has lost her muse, and has found herself in Paris, France where her life is about to spiral out of control. Meeting artist James Blackwood gives our heroine hope for the future until all hope is destroyed when the truth is revealed. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Olivia and James, and the fall-out as life and reality take control.
J.T. Geissinger pulls the reader into a twisted tale of exaggerated dimensions; a convoluted story within a story of love; a passionate romance, betrayal and lies; secrets, deception, and beguilement; of erotic encounters and fairy tale endings. PERFECT STRANGERS is a fantasy for the mind; a fictional encounter with the other; a surprising and haunting revelation you will never see coming. The premise is seductive; the characters are haunting; the romance is wild and hot but I struggled with the use of a certain four-letter word.
If I had to use one word to describe this book, it would be “unpredictable.” J.T. Geissinger has again taken her readers on a roller coaster ride of emotions. Just when we think we’ve figured out the story and we’ve reached the happily ever after, she throws a wrench in the plot and we’re left saying “What? No way!!!”
This story is about an author named Olivia who has been unable to write since tragedy struck her family several years ago. It destroyed her marriage, and she lost someone very special and dear. She can’t deal with it, and her mind freezes and she can no longer write, despite having many award-winning best-sellers to her name.
So her agent Estelle offers her a break away–a chance to spend a few months in Paris. She can stay in Estelle’s flat for free. Estelle is hoping the change of pace and environment helps Olivia shake out of her writer’s block.
While in Paris, she meets James Blackwood, a devastatingly handsome artist who seems to be struggling with some of his own inner demons. The two are drawn together by mutual attraction and something much deeper. It’s like they know each other on a more intense level. Olivia is constantly amazed at how James is able to read her mind and give her exactly what she needs without her stating it in words or actions.
But there’s a mystery surrounding James. Olivia is intrigued, but not wanting to divulge her own sorrows and pain, she tells James that she wants to keep their relationship impersonal (not sharing personal stories). He agrees reluctantly.
All of this sounds like the setup for a typical romantic suspense story, but Geissinger takes the story beyond what we would expect. Unfortunately, I can’t say much more because I don’t want to spoil the wonderful twists and turns in this spellbinding plot.
Without a doubt, this book is worth a purchase. Like all of Geissinger’s books, you’ll be drawn into the story and the characters and they will become your world as their own unfolds in front of you.
Pick up the book, and find out why Perfect Strangers will keep you entranced in its story until the very end!
5-I DIDNT SEE THAT COMING AT ALL, YOU’VE DONE IT AGAIN JT GEISSINGER, YOU NEVER DISAPPOINT, STUPENDOUS AND WONDROUS STARS*****
I wasn’t quite sure how to write this review without giving away the story, so let me try this…this story is about Olivia and James and they meet at a cafe in Paris, but wait that’s too much. How about this, Olivia is a writer and James an artist? Wait, wait, wait, that’s too much. Let me give it one more try, Olivia is warm, funny, a true heroine with James, our hero, being a true alpha with dominant sexual prowess? Gah!!! Again too much, Lol. But seriously this was a fabulous read, filled with so much twists and turns and here I am thinking I figured it out! But nope, nah, I didn’t. Ms. Geissinger, in true fashion tricked me and then I was like what the hell just happened? There were times my heart literally felt pulverized from the onslaught of emotions that this story had me go through. It was thrilling, exciting, sad, heart breakingly beautiful, and I stand with all when I say, you are not from this planet, Ms. Geissinger. You are not human, because no mortal could invoke such feelings from reading a book. You are truly a master at your craft, and you deserve all the accolades!!!
BRAVO MS. GEISSINGER, BRAVO AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN!!!
“I hope you won’t take this the wrong way, but … no. I don’t need to get to know you better first. Everything I need to know is what happens to me when I look into your eyes.”
This book. Seriously, this book. Where to start? Perfect Strangers utterly consumed me! I fell immediately under the spell of Olivia and James’ intense chemistry and just went along for the ride. They seriously gave me all the feels that go along with an epic love story set in Paris – that is until it ALL CHANGED! OMG did Geissinger throw a curve ball (or two) with this one and let me tell you, it left me reeling for days. Let me explain.
For the first part of this book I felt like a voyeur of a beautiful love affair. Olivia, a writer from the States, just moved to Paris on a three month “holiday” to find herself and her inner muse again. Years prior she had endured a tragedy and she hadn’t written a book (or been intimate) since. She meets James at a neighborhood café and the sparks immediately fly. Not fighting their immediate attraction, they agree to having a love affair in which no personal information is shared and which ends when Olivia is supposed to return to the States.
To say I was consumed by their passion is an understatement. Olivia deserved a man like James, though as one character later described him, he was almost too perfect. He truly is the embodiment of what fantasies are made of: sexy, smart, dominating yet sweet and caring and he is the BEST dirty talker around. I got totally swept up in their electric attraction and Paris only added to the OMG factor.
I really couldn’t put the book down and yet Olivia’s friend Kelly put it best:
“Well, you ride that fat pierced anaconda, sister, and make sure you take good notes when you do, because from now on, I’m gonna be living for my daily episodes of Olivia Gets Her Coochie Spanked, starring Handsome James the Dirty Talking Artist.”
James was her muse in more ways than one and there’s no denying that IT GOT HOT… until it wasn’t.
Because WOW! Things changed people.
When I say that J.T. Geissinger wrote the plot twists of all plot twists, I’m telling you the truth. I can’t even give a hint of anything without giving spoilers but my jaw dropped and I was like “WTF” in all bold, CAPS, and multiple exclamation points!!!!!
Despite my reaction, I can say that this book solidifies what an amazing author she really is. The originality of this story and the foreshadowing that I can now see after rereading passages, was so meticulously crafted that I’m just amazed. So, for this feat in writing and the sheer passion between these two characters, I give this book a 4 star rating.
BUT I was truly devastated by the turn of events and how the story ultimately played out. I was utterly gutted because it didn’t complete the ultimate high I was initially on, feeling immersed in what Olivia and James had found in one another. There is a HEA but it wasn’t a satisfying one for me. I’ll give it to Geissinger for causing my jaw to seriously fall to the floor and stay there with this story. She is amazing.
If you want to read about two deserving people finding the most amazing, passionate love of their lives in Paris then you have to read this book, though you might want to stop at the plot twist. If you love being completely amazed by a plot twist by a very talented writer, then you’ll want to continue reading and give Geissinger your applause for her talents.
PERFECT STRANGERS is the flawless reason why I love J.T. Geissinger writing. She makes you feel like you are right there with the characters and feeling everything they are going through.
I don’t think I can say anything different about this book that I haven’t already read in other reviews about how amazing this book was. So, all I am going to tell you is that you NEED this book and every other book written by this author. Because you will not be disappointed!
Rating: 2 .5 stars….Liked it until the bizarre twist at the end, which ruined the whole book for me.
———————–
As an avid romance book reviewer, I am no stranger to this author’s work. I’ve read at least “14” of her books and with very few minor exceptions have enjoyed them. So needless to say, I’m rather dazed and confused about what happened near the end of this book. It simply made no sense to me, my fellow romance book loving friends, to include such a bizarre, depressing theme/change of direction in the story line near the conclusion (because, hey, hadn’t we as readers already spent considerable time/become invested in what we had just witnessed/were told had happened). Then in a blink of an eye she switched gears yet again to shake off that unwelcome twist to reinstate normalcy. The end result for me was I now feel like I missed out entirely on what should have been the real story behind the main couple.
If I’m talking in circles, well, good. I am trying hard not to give any spoilers away. I have a feeling this review won’t make a whole lot of sense unless you actually read the book. Then you’ll know what I’m talking about, folks.
It started off mostly as a 50 Shades type erotic read (gorgeous girl meets hot guy in Paris, and they start a passionate fling with an expiration date). With hints of Olivia’s sad past, I knew eventually more of a meaningful plot would kick in and blanks would be filled in as these two hot for each other, naughty talking and acting lovebirds were destined to fall in love in a very big way.
At around 25%, some serious getting it on definitely commenced. Olivia sure enjoyed it, as did James. But for me, the overly numerous spanking/slapping private parts, dirty talk, voyeurism, public smex, BDSM kink started to get old. I’m glad they had a good time but that scene is often just not my scene…if you know what I mean. To each their own, I just rolled with it. I wasn’t going to hold it against them. They couldn’t help they were scripted that way. All I could do was be embarrassed for them and try to look the other way so they could have some much needed privacy. Who am I kidding? I also wanted to pretend parts of the smexcapades didn’t happen (i.e. bookstore scene).
Then an actual plot did kick in, and I was beyond relieved, as well as hooked. Seriously, it was headed in a great, suspenseful direction! Just to have an out of the blue, OTT tragic, depressing twisted concept thrown in near the end, likely intended to be clever for throwing us shockingly off guard. Instead, I felt completely and utterly cheated out of what should have been a great wrap up to their romance.
To make matters worse, an unrealistic attempt to put this fictitious relationship back on the rails was even more unexpected. Just to have it revealed something else was happening. Yeah, hopefully now you get a hint why I was dazed and confused after all this.
I’m sorry to say the author’s attempt to create something unique and original by using such a “Ha, made you look!” or “Fooled ya, didn’t I?” shock factor trick actually made me feel sad, depressed, cheated, frustrated, and even somewhat angry. Why in the world would she think we would be OK with what I’m mentally dubbing the “Who shot JR?” type technique..except it wasn’t a dream…it was a (oops can’t tell you. Would be a major spoiler).
Normally, I’d break down my rating to give credit for the parts I liked. However, with such a mixed up bag of elements to dance around that would prove to be difficult without spilling the beans.
For those who felt this book made perfect sense, I’m happy for you. I certainly wish this author continued writing success and look forward to her future releases. Just know the ending ruined this book for me.
Title: Perfect Strangers, Author: J.T. Geissinger, Pages: 332, stand-alone, numerous very erotic BDSM scenes, wasn’t a fan of the wrap up.
(I voluntarily read and reviewed a free advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/PR firm.)
This book made me swoon. Laugh. Cry. Rage. Cry more.
The twists caught me off guard and sent my emotions into a tailspin I am not sure I will recover from in the near future. Brilliant. Loved it!
OMG, I don’t know how to review this book. It is so tantalizing, exciting, heartbreaking and revealing. You can not put this book down if you do it’s not for very long. You can’t get enough. So hard to say much without giving something away. You have to read to the very end of the book to know what happens. I absolutely loved this book.
Wow! This book was hot and intense!! I loved it way more than I thought I would! It’s definitely my favorite read to date by this author!!
“In our case — with our real lives thousands of miles apart — it’s perfect. We’ll be perfect. Perfect strangers, unencumbered by all the bullsh*& that poisons desire.”
A heart wrenching, exciting love story. A chance encounter that leads to the kind of passion one only wishes would come true. I’m not going to give spoilers. But this novel blew me away. Right when you think you have everything figured out, the author throws you for a loop. And then a strong right turn. And then a U turn. And totally worth every bit of it.
“We’ve unearthed a treasure most people dig for their entire lives and never find. But, like most buried treasure, this one comes with a curse. There’s a price to be paid for discoveries such as these. Nothing this valuable is free. “
I have no words! Good-ness what did I just read? Absolute PERFECTION!
THIS. This is why I freakin’ love J.T. Geissinger’s words. There is this truly awesome intelligence in her writing, storylines and embedded in each character that I cannot get enough of. I know with certaintity that I will enjoy reading every new book. Perfect Strangers is my new FAVORITE! Also this book showed me that I’ve read entirely too many ho-hum stories lately because James & Olivia are deserving of so much more than 5 yummy stars!
This storyline is deliciously sexy, captivating and filled with feels and twists that left me staring blankly at my kindle wondering if that really just happened. I love being caught off guard with plot twists I did not see coming and this author writes them flawlessly! The way this entire story builds up then begins to unfold is truly a work of art! Oh and the literary references – omg – brings out my inner word nerd. Gah seriously so insanely smart! Love, Love, Love it ALL!
Olivia & James *le sigh* and their journey is freakin’ amazing. Their wit and banter had me completely consumed. Their attraction and encounters were off the charts. I was fanning myself from the start. James is the absolute perfect man! Oh my, my girly parts quiver just remembering everything about him. Olivia may be hurting at the beginning of her trip but is quickly finding herself and asserting herself in the most feisty, adorable way. I related to her temperment a lot.
The scene when James and Olivia’s ex Chris meet is one of my favorite scenes like this ever. The dialogue and back and forth were brilliant and funny. The things James did and said never ceased to surprise me. Fantastic characters in every way.
If you are new to J.T. Geissinger this is a fantastic book to start with. I have loved every single one I’ve read and am always counting down to her next release.
What a journey! J.T. Geissinger is a fairly new to me author, but quickly she is becoming a new fave. I love absolutely everything she writes and Perfect Strangers was no exception. The journey she takes you on this book is emotional, deep and will having you feeling all the FEELS! with every word right from the beginning you will be deeply invested. Olivia Rossi is an author, recovering from a painful past. She takes a 3 month vacation in Paris as a means to start over and recover from her constant state of sadness, and meets James, a well-known artist. From the moment their eyes connect in a small cafe, you can feel it. Instant connection! In one look James exudes charm, power and strength and he will be draw you in immediately. There was so much about Olivia that I loved. She was realistic and relatable character. Although recovering from a painful past she also has such a strong personality. She didn’t mince words and told it exactly as she saw it. She was not shy in telling James exactly what she wanted–and their chemistry off the charts and addicting. Although this book was emotional it was also unpredictable, which kept me turning the pages and had so many twists and turns I did not see coming. There is so much more I could say but I do not want to give anything away. This book and these characters will stay with you long after you finish it. Pick this up asap and find out for yourself! 5++ stars!
J.T. Geissinger!!!! Holy Hello Kitty!!!! This book have top of 2019 written all over it!!!! I loved it!!!! The storyline, their chemistry, everything was FIRE!!!!! Brilliantly written, by a fantastic author!!!!! Can’t wait to read J.T’s next Book!!!!! Geissinger has a new Fangirl!!!!!!!
This is my first book by JT Geissinger and I’ve been blown away. Do you believe in fate? How about destiny? Love at first site? Karma? In some way, shape or form, I believe in all of them…and then I read this damn book. During which she blew all of my beliefs to smithereens. Ugh, I feel like I can’t even give you all of my feelings because it will ruin the plot for you. I will tell you that there are several times during reading this, that I wanted to throw everything within reach, at the Author. “And I’m going to start by saying this: you’re evil! Evil, you hear me?”
Now that I’ve gotten all of that out of my system…This book is a masterpiece of epic proportions! I couldn’t read this book fast enough. The characters are believable. The plots twists you won’t see coming. The writing is incredible! So much so, that I had to let me emotions simmer for days before writing this. “if it seems to good to be true, it is.” Sometime, but not in this instance. This book will blow you away. You won’t even know what hit you.
Perfect Strangers is the latest standalone by JT. I’m having a hard time putting my thoughts into this review, because it is not like anything I’ve read before. It’s complex, sophisticated, genius story plots, witty humor, and beautiful writing, a JT’s signature style .
I don’t want to spoil this overwhelming reading experience, but I can tell you it will shake you to the core . It’s absolutely fantastic, unputdownable, highly emotional, intense, and unpredictable. You won’t be able to tell what comes next and how the plots unfold, but I guarantee it will leave you satisfied in the end. JT leads you on this roller coaster ride of emotions that combines steamy, passionate sexual moments with mysterious, thrilling adventures, weaving in heartbreaking, traumatic life experiences.
It all started with an instant, explosive chemistry, immediate connection, love at first sight for James and Olivia. The more I read, the more the plot became mysterious. It kept me in suspense, drawn in, and completely lost in their worlds. James is an enigma that Olivia was curious to discover, but she was also scared to share her own feelings and her past heartbreak.
All we know is that Olivia is a writer who took a break in Paris to search for her next muse, and James is a talented artist with a supreme talent in portraits that could capture the intense feelings of his objects. But there was more to it, A LOT MORE… Toward the last few chapters, I was screaming out loud with the absolutely mind-blowing plot twists . Even up until 90% through the book, I still had no idea how it would end and how happily-ever-after will ever happen.
I’ve been a huge fan of JT and read every single one of her books. Her writing is out of this world, and her plots always have unexpected turns. I love how her character development is so natural and real, and she makes you feel like you know them personally. Perfect Strangers is definitely worth a 10- out of 5. It’s steamy hot, leaving you blushing and fanning yourself through their intense sexual encounters. It’ll also make you laugh out loud, keep you on your toes, then rip your heart out and put it back in place again. Basically you’ll experience all the feels . I believe it’s the best of JT’s works thus far. Hands down one of the best books of the year, and it certainly becomes one of my all-time favorites.
*ARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review.*
Olivia, an author, is staying in a friend’s apartment in Paris for a few months hoping to get past her writer’s block. While she visits a local cafe she catches that eye of a extremely handsome man, James. He joins her and asks if he can draw her. She thinks it’s a pick up line and takes off. She later finds out he’s an artist. James agrees with Olivia agreement that they have a sexual relationship for as long as she is in Paris but that they are not to ask anything too personal of each other. The chemistry between these two is off the charts and sex is sizzling! The banter between these two is absolutely hilarious. She definitely kept him on his toes and he absolutely loved him. I laughed out loud many times while reading this book..
I loved Olivia’s description of herself when she first getting intimate with James “You know what I mean. Compared to you, I’m sort of … gelatinous. Jiggly. Like Jello-O.” I don’t know how anyone could of kept from laughing after that one.
This book is amazingly awesome even with the couple twists that had me going WTH just happened. Great job!!!