A delicious new best friends-to-lovers stand-alone romance from #1 NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely!The second the test-the-sexy-scenes offer landed in my lap, I said yes.After all, I’ve been damn curious about a few things I’ve read in romance novels. Do buttons truly go flying across the floor when you rip off a guy’s shirt? Is staircase nookie hella hot or does it leave you with a big old bruise … you with a big old bruise mark on your back? And don’t even get me started on all that panty shredding, and whether it even works.
Time to find out as I embark on Project Romance Novel Scenes Research, at the request of my hotshot book editor bestie.
All I need is a willing scene partner. Enter Tristan, my best guy friend. The witty, tell-it-like-it-is, bearded hottie volunteers for the experiment.
He’s also the guy who gave me the most devastating, toe-curling kiss of my life ten years ago. But nothing has happened since then.
And nothing will come between my panties and our friendship now since we have a plan to keep it PG.
But once the buttons start flying, all bets are off…
S-E-X AND OTHER SHINY OBJECTS is a standalone romance in the BOYFRIEND MATERIAL series. The other titles are ASKING FOR A FRIEND and ONE NIGHT STAND-IN.
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Sex and Other Shiny Objects by Lauren Blakely is another standalone novel in the Boyfriend Material series. Tristan and Peyton have been friends since college. Ones that have kept deeper feelings to themselves, both because the time wasn’t right and also worrying that they would ruin their friendship. So when Peyton has a project she needs an assistant on, specifically one where she has to see if the over the top scenarios in romance novels actually work the same way in real life, Tristan is her man.
As Peyton and Tristan explore these romance novel scenes we get to know them better and each as an individual character is dynamic and strong. Together they are even more. The friendship dynamic that they had, along with a lot of delayed gratification for their hidden feelings, makes for an amazing couple that is fun and hot, yet cozy and romantic.
I very much enjoyed Sex and Other Shiny Objects by Lauren Blakely and recommend reading it as well as the other books in the Boyfriend Material series, both past and yet to come.
(I voluntarily reviewed an advance review copy of this book I received for free in exchange for my open and honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)
There’s nothing like a slow burn romance keeping you on the edge of your seats, waiting for the characters to ever so slowly realize how they are perfect for each other.
Peyton and Tristan had me losing my mind with their push and pull, and their explosive chemistry. I was rooting for them from the beginning. Tristan is kind and sweet, and so very in love with our heorine. Let’s not forget he, with his playful side, is responsible for the pages been set on fire. I love these two together.
A sweet and hot slow burn romance.
Sex and Other Shiny Objects
By: Lauren Blakely
Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Jason Clarke, Julia Whelan, Joe Arden, Erin Mallon
Series: Boyfriend Material, Book 2
Did you ever wonder if all those steamy scenes would possibly work in the real world? Peyton is trying to make a go of her lingerie shop, and with a discount store moving in and stealing sales, she has to do something quick. She is approached to help with a book, and by writing in her blog helps to publicize the uniqueness of her specialty store. But what she has to write about requires hands on knowledge. In comes Tristan, her best friend. Peyton has to tryout different sex scenes of romance novels and see if they can be done and who better than her trusted best friend to help her out? I have to admit, I was smitten with Tristan. He is a warm, handsome, successful, sweet, romantic, you name it book boyfriend and I totally fell for him. I loved how this relationship played out. This friends to lovers story had me laughing and rooting for this couple to see the light. With great friends coming to their aid, and Gage making an appearance, the story was a blast to listen to.
As in all of Lauren Blakely’s books, she finds the best people to play her characters. Jason Clarke has the best voice and he understands Tristan, You can just tell by his narration, the way you can hear the longing in his voice. It’s amazing. And Andi Arndt too just gets Peyton and using her emotional voices, gives it all to us. With cameos by our favorite narrators coming back to do characters we know, it’s all music to our ears.
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Another Lauren Blakely classic. Tristan and Peyton are amazing together as a couple. Tristan has loved Peyton for a solid decade, but she’s always been taken just as he’d had the nerve to let her know how he feels. He’s been firmly in the friend-zone and he’s been reluctantly ok with that. But now, Peyton needs his help to research classic romance myths for her blog, and things go from 0 to 100 in the space of a few days.
This book is hot, funny, adorable and truly witty, as is every Lauren Blakely book. And let’s add in Tristan’s guardianship of his teenage brother, and the swoony leading man just gets even swoonier. Their relationship is just as important to the book as Tristan and Peyton’s relationship.
I highly recommend this book. If you’re an audio fan, the audio is fantastic.
Good book! I love friends to lovers books! This one was sweet & sexy & so much fun to read!
Peyton’s friend Amy asked her to reenact sexy scenes for a book and write about them on her blog. Thinking this could drum up business for her lingerie store, she says yes and goes to the one guy she trusts and enlists his help—her best friend Tristan. Little does she know that he’s been pining after her since they had that kiss in college, only he thinks he’s waited too long to ask her out and now it’s too late. Scene after scene, post after post, Peyton slowly realizes that she’s in love with her best friend…
This is a unique, sexy read. I loved the dynamic of Peyton and Tristan’s relationship. Their chemistry was on point and I enjoyed their witty banter.
I loved seeing Amy from Asking For a Friend and hearing about Lulu from Birthday Suit . Can’t wait to read One Night Stand-In!
Sex and Other Shiny Objects is a best friends-to-lovers, second chance romantic comedy written in dual first-person POV. It’s a low-angst standalone that ends with a HEA. No cliffhanger, no cheating.
I received this book from at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.
With a name like Sex and Other Shiny Objects of course I was drawn in. Knowing this is a story by Lauren Blakely only solidified my decision more. See, Lauren started this Boyfriend Material Series with “Asking for a Friend”. She had me trapped by the time I was finished with that story and I quickly grabbed this one to continue the fun.
Women like Peyton are rare. She is warm, gentle and observant of others. Her days are busy supporting customers in their decisions and her nights… not so much.
Tristan discovered his true passion early on and success seems to have followed him forward with each door he opened. Life’s hardships tested him will, but his resolve to put family first is one of the traits that made him so well respected. But respect does not keep the body warm on a cold winter’s night.
So what happens when research testing reaches a new level of hotness? How many of those romantic tales can be proven true or false? With these two, we finally get some answers…after they run multiple experiments of course. The results are genuine, heartfelt and some are just downright comical. In the end, their discoveries spanned much more than the limitations of their experiments.
I knew that with Lauren Blakely penning this story I was in for another treat. Sex and Other Shiny Objects is just what I needed to keep that smile on my face. Well done!
This is a swoon-worthy friends to lovers romance with terrific characters. The lovely Peyton is fresh off a break up and ready to get back out there. She’s the owner of her grandmother’s lingerie shop and struggling to keep it going in the face of big box competition. Her guy bestie, the hunky restauranteur Tristan, is up to help in anyway he can. He encourages her to start her blog again and when her bestie Amy offers her the opportunity to use her blog as a tie-in to a romance novel, Peyton is all in. She just needs to find the right partner to reenact the sexy scenes from the book to see if they work in real life and then blog about the results. The only guy she trusts is Tristan and he’s up for it…he just has to control his longtime feelings for Peyton. He’s been in love since college but something always got in the way and he doesn’t have time for a broken heart. Tristan is a fabulous hero. He’s drop dead gorgeous, a successful business owner and parent to his teen brother. Responsible is his middle name and he’s such a grown MAN! Swoon!! And his never ending love her Peyton is so sweet. When things turn steamy during the re-enactments Peyton sees Tristan in a new light and realizes that college kiss was everything. Sizzling chemistry takes the would-be lovers to a great place. It’s just a matter of who’s going to jump first and tell the other how they feel. This is a quick, easy read with a group of wonderful gal pals and a sweet and sexy romance between a couple of hotties. As usual the writing is fantastic and drew me in right from the start and kept me turning the pages as Peyton and Tristan’s relationship goes from a beautiful friendship to a smoking hot romance. I can’t wait for the next adventure with this group of fabulous friends that this terrific author has given us. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
Good things come to those who wait. I adored Peyton and Tristan’s story. You get Lauren Blakely’s signature rom-com and the heat factor climbs up the charts. Peyton is a character I rooted for and her determination to try “New Things” with her best friend Tristan. Well let’s just say that these two were in trouble from the get go. Sex and Other Shiny Objects is a page turner that will have you swooning and laughing.
First off, Lauren Blakely NEVER disappoints, ever!! I love everything I have read from her and also come back for more. I love her writing style and her ability to make you fall in love with her characters and always have you rooting for them. And of course always a page turner. I love both Peyton and Tristan but Tristan completely stole my heart from the get go. I was absolutely number one cheerleader for him. I love the comedy that comes along with the level of steaminess that will have you fanning yourself and blushing. I can’t wait for the next book in this series or anything this author publishes really. Definitely one I will read again and again.
Review by Tabitha
Lauren Blakely just builds and builds a book series, each outshining the last.
Peyton broke up with her ex several months ago and now she’s ready to try again. When her friend tells her that she has an author who is writing a book and they are looking for someone to reenact the scenes, Peyton jumps at the opportunity. She is also going to use it in her blog to help with her sales in her lingerie shop. But, when the man she attempts to ask turns out to already be in a relationship, she turns to her best guy friend Tristan.
Tristan has been in love with Peyton since college. But circumstances have made it to where he has not been able to tell her. So, when his brother makes a bet to ask her out, and then he is asked to participate in her project he is determined to be her partner.
But neither Peyton or Tristan want to chance something happening to their friendship, so they fight their hearts, battling with themselves to protect from getting hurt.
Will they make it through the project with their hearts intact?
A fun, sexy read!
Tristan and Peyton are 2 friends with unfinished business. This is the story of how they try to experiment intimately, while trying to stay friends!
I was so fun to “watch” these two try out romance novel scenes to determine the validity of those scenes!
Peyton (the owner/operator of her own lingerie store) is insecure in her own intimacy. Although that’s possible, it really seemed unlikely, and I expected her to be just kidding and become the confident temptress. However, being uncomfortable about moving and redefining her friendship with Tristan is totally understandable and relatable.
This was a fun, sexy read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Sexy friends to lover’s romance! Ashley @ Carolina Chic’s Read
Peyton and Tristen are friends who all wanted more but never became more but…..they never went there. When Peyton ask for help what does Tristan do nothing more than go all in!!!! This is another great one by Lauren!!!
This is Peyton and Tristan’s story, you get a first look at them from Asking for a Friend book. This is a best friends to lovers and kind of second chance. Peyton a successful business owner of a lingerie shop, to boost her sales she asks her best friend with some research. The humor, the romance, the chemistry is amazing as always with all Lauren Blakely books. This is another great book you should read, light, funny, romantic and with some steamy scenes.
Sexy, Charming and filled with witty comments and innuendo! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read
Peyton and Tristan are the friends that never became more… but always wanted more. These two are friends for ten years. They fell the pull to each other everyday, when Peyton asks him to help her he is all in. What comes is a great love and so much passion!
5 Stars HOT!!!!
I really enjoyed this sexy, swoony rom-com. This is Lauren Blakely at her finest! It was a best friends to lovers with a touch of second chance romance. It was quirky, steamy, lol funny, and immensely enjoyable! I loved the antics and experiments Peyton goes through with Tristan. Their witty banter is hilarious at times. I loved the way they put their friendship first & support each other but most of all, I loved their dynamic and chemistry.
This was a quick, entertaining read that packs a lot laughs, heart, and sexy good times. If you love rom-coms, this is a must-read! It does end with a HEA. Grab your copy now!
****ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.****
4.5 As soon as I knew the premise of this book I got so excited! Tristan and and Peyton test out scenes from a romance novel, all in the name of research and promotion right? These two make the perfect friends to lovers storyline. They both have a buried passion for each other and I loved seeing them wrestle with it. I adore Tristan who takes care of his younger brother and I love much he cares for people. I love Peyton and I really liked seeing her with her lingerie shop. She has such a passion for it and especially the people. Testing out scenes from romance novels is funny and sexy all wrapped in one. I just adored this read!
Sex and Other Shiny Objects was everything I could have wanted all rolled into one engaging and captivating romantic comedy.
My interest was piqued from the start with this intriguing and attention grabbing storyline. I mean as a reader of romance books some of the myths in this book were ones I had pondered about previously. I really enjoyed how Tristan and Peyton dove into their project to demystify said myths with gusto. They kept me constantly entertained and flitting back and forth between laughing out loud and swooning. I loved the witty banter, trust and solid friendship these two had especially when their experiments started to shoot off fiery sparks.
I truly have enjoyed that this series is full of amazing characters I can’t help but fall for. I was thrilled to catchup with some of my favorites in this book and meet a few more new and engaging characters. After this fun and steamy addition I’m eagerly looking forward to the remainder of this series and hoping a few more additions might be added to it. From moments that had me laughing out loud to ones that were sweet and tender and evoked all the feels Sex and Other Shiny Objects had it all.
Prepare to fan yourself with this one – the CHEMISTRY between these two was on fire. This is without a doubt the best Lauren Blakely book I’ve read in a long time – and that’s saying something. It was so light and fun (and SEXY), with great banter and an easy connection between our couple that only comes from years of being friends. It’s a friends to lovers story with a completely unique premise that still showcases all of the things I love best about the trope – the shared history, the depth of the relationship, the strong feelings that don’t waver along the way. Loved this one from start to finish.
The story follows Peyton, the owner of a lingerie shop. She recently went through a bad breakup and is finally ready to move forward with her life and make her struggling business succeed. When she’s approached about testing out popular romance tropes (ripping shirts, tearing off panties and more), she jumps at the opportunity. The only man she trusts to follow out these sexy (but not sex) acts is her best guy friend, Tristan. They came close to crossing the line from friends to lovers in college, but life got in the way and neither one has pushed for more since – if it was going to happen for them, it would’ve already. But stripping each other out of their clothes feels decidedly UN-friendly, and that line begins to blur.
I always love Blakely’s writing because the pages fly by and the banter keeps me smiling, but I’ll admit to being worried that the sexuality in this one would overtake the story. I absolutely should not have worried; Blakely knows what she’s doing. Yes, the book is crazy sexy, but the history between Peyton and Tristan made it easy to see there was more to them than that. Tristan is an incredible guy and he really stole the show in a big way. I devoured this in one sitting. I received an ARC via Candi Kane PR (then purchased it for my collection), and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I can always count on a Lauren Blakely romantic comedy to bring the laughs, the steam, and a cast of characters who provide hilarious fodder and witty remarks that keep me entertain from the first page to the last.
I love the plot line of Sex and Other Shiny Objects; it provides a unique set of circumstances for Peyton and Tristan to figure out how to go from being friends to lovers in a way that won’t feel awkward and will continue past their research project experiments.
I loved the chemistry and the banter between Peyton and Tristan; their underlying feelings for one another just needed a little push to be explored and while they looked to keep things PG, once they were given an opportunity to truly experience what they could be, they couldn’t help but go after what they’ve always wanted…each other.
One aspect of Blakely’s stories that I always look forward to is the friendships she constructs among the main and supporting characters. The girl tribe that Peyton is a part of sustains her in ways that no other relationship could, even one with the man who owns her heart. The camaraderie amongst the guys and the girls add to the humor and hijinks that can always be found in her books and those qualities as well as swoon worthy and heartwarming scenes make for great reading.
4 Poison Apples