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 is now Peyton and Tristen’s story. We were introduced to this friends couple in Asking for a Friend. The moment that you meet this couple yes you can see that they are truly great friends but you feel that tingle that there is something deep down brewing for one another. Peyton owns a lingerie shop that is appropriately called You Look Pretty Today. Peyton is a firm believer in feeling good about herself ….right down to her unmentionables !!! When a big box store moves in on her territory she needs to step up her game. Writing her blog had taken a back seat but now she is given some inspiration from a local romance author that would like to include a blog snippet in her new book. Who better to wrote than a woman that wears it , writes it and sells it! She has one problem she needs a male to test out her theories …that is where Tristen comes in. Tristen has always held a flame for his friend but has never felt that it was the right time to tell her. When she comes to him with this not so problem and decides if he doesn’t step up she will find another volunteer he must take that step. Now it is game on or shall we say lingerie on…let the games begin.
Loved their funny sexy banter and crazy escapades !!!
~~Michele McMullen ~~
Sex and Shiny Objects is book 2 in Lauren Blakely’s new series, Boyfriend Material. And damn have you seen the cover??? So hot!
I love that Lauren has the ability to make me fall in love with every single one of her characters and all for different reasons.
Peyton and Tristan are best friends, and who better to help Peyton play out some steamy scenes from a book for her blog then her best friend.
This friends to lovers story is hot, fun and will leave you with a smile on your face!
Can’t wait for more from this series!!
5 stars!
Friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite book tropes so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Sex and Other Shiny Objects, and it did not disappoint! It is a sweet, sexy, romantic comedy that brings on the laughs and fills you with love.
Tristan and Peyton have been best of friends since college. Other than one hot kiss from years ago, they have never crossed the line. However, that doesn’t mean they haven’t thought about it, timing has just always been off. Peyton and Tristan are now both single and Peyton needs help with a project – to test out validity of romance scenarios often included in books – and who better to work with than with her best friend who she trusts. As they find themselves spending more time together and in intimate positions, it’s no surprise things shift between them. What follows is a hilarious and hot hands-on exploration of positions and hidden feelings that will either break their hearts or make them whole.
I love Tristan and Peyton’s story! They are fantastic characters who not only hold their own as individuals but are wonderful together as well. Tristan lost both of his parents and he supports himself and his younger brother, Barrett, by running a successful restaurant. He has a huge heart and wants what is best for his brother, including putting Barrett’s needs first. Peyton is adorable. I love her confidence and the fact that she knows her worth, and I love that she believes in herself. She is so much fun and her love of all things lace was awesome. Her store is fabulous and I found myself wanting to experience her enthusiasm when it comes with what she loves.
The whole setup to the story is entertaining and the execution is on point when it comes to Peyton and Tristan. They are such good friends and they don’t want to risk their friendship by acting on the feelings they’ve hidden away.
“Long ago, we had our chance. Now, we have our friendship, and it’s back on solid ground again. He means too much to me. He matters too much. I won’t let anything topple us. Not even the shiver of desire that shoots down my spine.”
However, as the project brings them closer physically, they also grow closer emotionally. The way Peyton and Tristan attempted the scenarios was side-splitting. They are awesome together and just as the laughs started to die down, they crank up the heat. These two are on fire together with their amazing chemistry. It’s not just physical though, their friendship is everything and they encourage, trust, and support each other unconditionally. They have a believable and true connection, and I loved watching their relationship progress.
Even though it took them a little while to actually act on their feelings, it is worth the wait and the timing is finally perfect. The transition from friends to lovers was believable and well-paced, and the story was captivating from first page to last.
I have to add that I loved seeing Amy from Asking for a Friend again and more of their good friend, Lola. She is awesome and as Peyton says, “I can’t wait to hear what happens next with Lola and the one who got away.” Second-chance romances are another favorite trope of mine so bring on The One Night Stand-In. And I can’t forget Barrett! He is a hoot and his relationship with Tristan was so heartwarming and fun. I’d love to get a glimpse into his future!
Another awesome addition to Boyfriend Material , Sex and Other Shiny Objects is a fun, feel good, sexy read that will put a permanent smile on your face. I loved it!
*ARC generously provided by the author and Candi Kane PR*
Prepare to swoon! Lauren Blakely never disappoints with each unique premise she creates. She is a master at taking a typical trope like friends-to-lovers (one of my favorites!) and spinning it in such a fun way. Sex and Other Shiny Objects was sweet and sassy and wild fun. Peyton was such a strong businesswoman and her darling lingerie shop and related blog were absolutely delightful. Tristan was such a amazing guy- he was doing an excellent raising his teenage brother after his parents passed away. There interactions were so authentic and he was the type of parent I hope to be. All of Lauren Blakely’s book can be enjoyed as standalones, but it’s so fun to meet and keep up with her casts of characters in each series. Cannot wait for her next book!
If you have read the Blurb, you know Tristan is chosen to help Peyton test love scenes from a romance book about to be published. Can you really “do it” in a tub? Will buttons fly if in the throes of passion you tear his shirt off? Will you need knee pads…??? And on!
One little problem. Tristan has been in love with Peyton for over 10 years. How can he possibly remain unaffected while testing all these passionate scenes? After all, she has picked him because she trusts he will not take advantage of her. Let’s face it. A man can only control himself for so long!!
Witty and delightful, this book will keep you entranced as our characters move along testing the most common sex scenes found in romance books. Is it possible to undress yourself while going up a staircase while kissing your lover? In high heels?
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with me.
This was a fun, witty, sweet and swoon worthy friends to lovers rom-com read that was engaging from start to finish with a fab story line, easily read as a standalone like I did, but I would happily read more like this!
Tristan and Peyton have been best friends for a long time, the line only having been crossed once 10 yrs ago with a kiss, memorable enough that neither will forget it, but it doesn’t get acknowledged, the timing was wrong, and their friendship means the most to them.
Peyton runs her own lingerie shop with a blog and Tristan has his own bar/restaurant. Peyton agrees to help her friend with a project that will hopefully benefit their business. She has to test tropes in a romance book….. just 5 little tests, who better than to help her out than her best friend?
Their friends and family say they have a special connection, but surely 5 little tests won’t hurt that, it’s not like they’re going to get naked, right?
I loved the 5 tests and the results, they were wonderfully done and had me laughing at the same time!
The connection between Peyton and Tristan is undeniable, yet both want more but fear the loss of their friendship and so just won’t go there. Their past has a history of missed chances that plague them both. Peyton is sweet, caring and kind, always happy to help out others. Tristan is sweet, loyal, swoony and caring, he also turns out to have a dirty mouth in the bedroom!
I also enjoyed Tristan’s connection with his brother Barrett in this story, it certainly added more to the story line, along with their banter with each other.
All in all a really enjoyable read, highly recommended.
Lauren Blakely knows exactly how to write swoony, witty, lovely romance novels!!! She is brilliant!!!! You cannot get better than that!!! I love everything she puts out there!!! Another home run, Lauren!!!!
Peyton and Tristan are best friends who shared a kiss over a decade ago and while both of them felt something, a relationship was never pursued past that kiss. However, things are about to change!
Sex and Other Shiny Objects is the story of Peyton and Tristan, two friends who have this amazing chemistry and pull but yet will not act upon it. When Peyton mentions trying to build her business and blog for her lingerie shop, Tristan offers to become very hands-on in the project 😉
I loved the relationship between Peyton and Tristan. Their chemistry was beyond incredible and so very sexy! The slow burn in this book was threatening to set my Kindle on fire and this couple really set the standard high for any other friends to lovers books coming this year!
I highly recommend this book!
Sex and Other Shiny Objects is the second book in Boyfriend Material series. We meet Tristan and Peyton in first book in the series, Asking for a Friend. I was excited for their story and it lived up to all my expectations and more.
I am a huge fan of the friends-to-lovers trope and add in Lauren Blakely’s humor and you have the perfect romantic comedy. LB is a master at humor, heart and chemistry. I couldn’t get enough of Tristan and Peyton. They are one of my favorite LB couples to date. The banter and chemistry between them had me turning the pages and kept me completely immersed in their story.
Peyton runs a lingerie shop and a blog to help market her shop. She is in need of some help and knows the only person she can trust is Tristan and comes up with a fun, unique way to do so.
Tristan has always longed for Peyton but the timing was never right and knows now is his chance. He is a confident, sexy alpha male with all the humor, and charisma that I love in LB’s male leads.
Although they may have needed a few nudges and pushes along the way when they do get together their chemistry is explosive with so much, heat and passion.
As I did in asking for a friend I adored the girl’s friendship, Amy, Peyton and Lola are such amazing friends. So loyal, and support to on another. I cannot wait for Lola’s story next.
I adored this book so much and highly recommend it for all rom-com lovers out there.
NOTE: ARC received by the author via Candi Kane PR in exchange of an honest review.
Peyton brings happiness to both women and men. She runs a lingerie shop and works hard to make her customers feel their best. When a chain store opens close to her and offers half off she has to up her game to keep her business open. She comes up with a genius plan to not only help her store but also start her blog again and help out a friend.
Tristan is working hard, raising his kid brother and living his best life. He has his best friend back and life is good. When his brother points out he needs to acknowledge his feelings for his bestie he starts to see things differently. When she ask him to help her with a special project he of course says yes, but it may be the hardest favor he has ever granted.
This is a touching story on so many levels. We can all see the love that both Peyton and Tristan have for one another but they are both scared for different reasons to acknowledge that love. We also get to see the love between two brothers and see the sacrifice that Tristan makes for Barrett and how well adjusted he is. I also loved how they are taking a book inside this book and dissecting it for the steamy content to see if those hot scenes are possible. Loved that. I also loved how we get to catch up with the former characters, it always makes me happy to revisit with favorites from previous books. This was a win win for me. Loved everything about it and it made me want to purchase more lace.
I received an early copy to read and review with my honest opinion. I loved it and highly recommend it. It’s funny and sexy and sweet and full of all the good feels.
First things first: I FLOVED Peyton’s last name!!! I was thrilled when I saw it in the book, and ended up grinning like an idiot every time it was mentioned. Okay, now that I’ve got that out of the way, can I just say that I loved everything about the book, but there are three things that I really must mention as standout moments: first is Tristan’s relationship with his younger brother, seventeen-year-old Barrett; second is that the author didn’t drag out the complication that pops up; and third is Tristan and Peyton’s “reconciliation” (I’m using this term extremely loosely since there wasn’t any type of cutting of ties between them). These two main characters are driven by their respective careers as business owners, but they also have time for their families and friends, and who doesn’t love well-rounded people in their books? The story was lighthearted and the characters easy-going, and there wasn’t any unnecessary drama nor did anything feel out of place. Lauren Blakely truly has mastered the art of writing romantic comedies with a heart and heat you can’t get enough of. Five-plus stars for Sex and Other Shiny Objects.
I swear I say this every time I read a Lauren Blakely book, but it was a perfect time for me to read one now! I just finished an emotional and angst filled book so I needed something light and entertaining, which Sex and Other Shiny Things definitely was! This was a stand alone romantic comedy but like most of Lauren Blakely books, there are plenty of characters that pop up from other books and it makes me wish I would just make a chart connecting all of her characters. Tristan is a completely swoon worthy main character… he owns a bar, has been raising his teenage brother since his parents died, has been secretly in love with his best friend for the past ten years… I mean he really is just an all around great guy! Peyton is wonderful, one of the reasons I love Lauren Blakely’s books so much is because she writes heroines that are completely realistic and likable! Peyton owns a lingerie store and preaches that women should wear what makes them feel beautiful and empowered and not worry about what their significant others prefer. She is just now starting to get back to the things she loves after finding her fiance in bed with another women… que her blog and her best friend! The chemistry between Tristan and Peyton is off the charts, and the research they do is HOT! I am a huge sucker for friends to lovers romantic comedies because they are usually lower angst and flow more smoothly, and really they just make my heart happy!
Another great book from Lauren Blakely. This is a friends to lovers’ romance which is one of my favorite tropes. This book will have you laughing and swooning and falling in love with the characters from page one. Peyton and Tristan shared a kiss in the past but it didn’t go anywhere. Now, Peyton is asking Tristan for help on some research and the feelings and attraction that they had for each other hits them full force. I loved the interactions they had with each other and the other characters in the story. I highly recommend this story. You are never disappointed when you pick up one of her books. Her stories stay with you long after you are done. This story is definitely worth a re-read.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sex and Other Shiny Objects is the second book in the Boyfriend Material series and Lauren’s next romantic comedy. You can read it as a standalone but I highly recommend reading Asking for a Friend. It’s so good!! And it’s where I first met Peyton as Amy’s bestie, and Tristan as the delicious restaurant owner and friend to both ladies. It was definitely a tease to what was up next for these two!
Tristan and Peyton have been the best of friends since they met freshman year in college. And in all the years they have only been friends they have only crossed the line once. It happened ten years ago with one passionate kiss that neither of them would ever forget but never acknowledge. It wasn’t the time then and it wasn’t the time now. Tristan is Peyton’s best guy friend and the only man besides her father who she could trust. And Peyton is too important to Tristan to go there. They both have their reasons and they are good ones but…
Peyton volunteers as tribute for a project that her friend Amy needs help with. One that would benefit them both in business. It would help Amy with research for a book and Peyton with her lingerie boutique and blog. To practice tropes in romance books! She just needed a willing partner and why not her best guy friend? It’s only five little tests. It’s not like they would actually be naked. It’s not like it would turn into more, right? They could resist temptation. Their friends might say there is something between them but no, neither of them have said a word about it. They could do this, right?
Come on!! They can do the research but you know they can’t keep their hands off each other! Red lace, chocolate, popcorn, and sexual tension is a recipe for so naughty nights. Ladies! Get on the lingerie that makes you feel sexy and read this book!! Then take a nice bath. Then maybe pounce on your partner, if you don’t have one, pounce on yourself!
Damn…Lauren’s books always make me happy! They make me smile, swoon, and get all hot and bothered. They are always so much fun with a twist of naughty and full of love. I can’t wait for Lola’s story, I do love a good second chance romance.
P.S. I always get giddy when I see my name in a book
Quotes:
“I need to do something that stands out. Like what you do with your videos.”
He gives me a wry leer. “You could post fifteen seconds of you trying on lingerie.”
I grab my napkin, ball it up, and toss it at him. “Smart-ass.”
“Do you have any idea how gorgeous you look? How beautiful you are? You’re so fucking stunning in every way, but especially like this.”
Peyton: Also, it turns out that not only does the hero in this book like to shred panties . . . he likes to shred them with his teeth.
I trip.
My phone flies out of my hand and skids across the concrete landing as I fall on the staircase, tumbling over my own feet.
There is something magical about a friends-to-lovers story. Something about two people who have longed for each other finally coming together that is just so special. In Sex and Other Shiny objects, Lauren Blakely brings that magic to life.
If you read Asking for a Friend then you already met Peyton and Tristan briefly, but they come to life in this book and just steal your heart. Their story is super sweet, super flirty, and the build in their chemistry is so so soooooo good.
As with everything Blakely does, she delivers this story with heart, humor and a few tricks up her sleeve. This is the perfect RomCom to start 2020 off with!
Sex and Other Shiny Objects is a friends to lovers second chance romance. Lauren Blakely brings in the fun, romance, friendship, trust and love with fan yourself re-enactments all in the name of research to help a friend. Let me tell you, it’s an eye opening, button popping, I want more experience.
4.5 stars! When it comes to love, being bold is mutter than being careful
Sex and Other Shiny Objects is book #2 in the Boyfriend Material series. There’s so much sweetness, hotness, funny in Tristan and Peyton’s story. I loved it
This new series from LB is fast and fun and definitely very flirty! This book has the perfect balance of wit to romance to swoon. I devoured this friends to lovers that has a slight hint at second change romance as well in a day. They are total standalone novels and even if some characters from the previous books make an appearances, it won’t matter if you haven’t read them, or can’t place them, as each tale is purely centered on the leads on this book.
I loved a confident and sassy woman but I adore her more when she has a sensitive or vulnerable side to go with it. Peyton is cultivated, has an education and is accomplished in all aspects of her life except with men. After one serious setback, she is on the market again. Tristan owns his own restaurant and is the guardian to his teenage brother whom he will do anything for. He is Peyton’s best guy friend, and can think of no one better to help her with her quests for her blog. Peyton discovers a few new things about her bestie in the process, one being he is a dirty talker. He also is a superb listener as well as a gift giver. He aims to please at all times.
I feel like Goldilocks in saying I got just the right amount of angst to go with the rest of the storyline. Their coupling is not all smooth sailing and each needs to find that inner strength to fully and completely trust the other. I loved reading the epilogue and the hint of what’s up next.
I loved this friends to lovers romance and it’s wild laugh out loud banter and crazy moments which kept me amused from the start and continued through out until the end. The chemistry between Tristan and Peyton was undeniable and their friendship just wasn’t enough for their relationship and something more was always waiting for them on horizon.
Another great read for this series. I highly recommend it!
4.5 stars
Peyton runs a lingerie shop and is trying to get back into dating. In an effort to boost publicity for her store, she decides to reinstate a blog she once used to drive sales in the store. At the same time, an offer to help her publisher friends drops into her lap. The only problem is she needs a partner to help her enact the steamy scenes from a book, a partner she trusts.
Tristan is her best guy friend. They have been friends since college, and even shared a kiss back then, but have never progressed further due to a variety of complications. He has always had a thing for her but his timing never worked out. When she asks for his help he jumps in with both feet, hoping he can keep himself in check.
As Tristan and Peyton play out the scenes, the underlying feelings they have been ignoring become too much to ignore any longer. The sparks fly between these two even when they can’t see them. They have been resisting what they felt for so long that even the more innocent of the tropes they are play-acting ratchet up the temperature to scorching levels.
As usual the side characters only add to the main characters’ story arc. I loved the relationship between Tristan and his younger brother, Barrett. They don’t have a typical brotherly relationship, and as such they are both constantly challenging the other. I loved several of their interactions and one in particular had me falling for Tristan all over again.
This was a fun, flirty story with heat through the roof. This is friends-to-lovers perfection! Their friendship is so strongly developed both in this book and previously in Asking For a Friend that watching them maneuver through friends who trust each other implicitly to lovers was a treat.