A delicious new twist on lessons in seduction from #1 NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely!
The rules of the game were simple.
One weekend. We play our roles. Actually, we play lots of roles.
I get the info I need for a secret work project.
We go back to how we were. That’s what I proposed to handsome, clever, commanding Jake. That’s what he said yes to — this decadent gift of a weekend that would get … get me out of trouble.
But that’s not what happened when our nights together in Vegas ended . . .
The Decadent Gift is a romance novel in THE GIFT SERIES. The book in this series are The Engagement Gift, The Virgin Gift and The Decadent Gift, and they each follow a new couple so can be read in any order.
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Playing instead of working helps to find that HEA! Ashley @ Carolina Chic’s Read
Lauren turn up the heat in this series and keeps me turning the pages. Jake and Kate are best of friends and the heat between them is hot! These two are workaholics, but can one weekend of letting go become the start of something wonderful! This story has all the chemistry and bets and deals become what the friendship ordered!!! You will not be disappointed!
Another fabulous Gift from one of my favorite authors!
I’ll admit, I fell in love with Jake in The Engagement Gift, so I was thrilled to see him get his girl. But really, this is Kate’s story. Kate’s never been able to find a man she was comfortable enough with and trusting enough of to explore her hidden, secret desires. A new assignment to put together a marketing package for a Vegas male escort service has her thinking outside the box, and choosing to take a few chances. One of those is Jake, the one guy she keeps running into in their mutual circle of friends, and she knows that he’s the guy who helped Finn present the ultimate gift to Lily. Imagine her surprise when she realizes that he’s just as observant as she is, and just as willing to take a few chances.
The clever writing and witty banter propelled this story far beyond a typical fling, making it easy to see them falling in love despite their individual reasons to avoid attachments. The surprise at the end about how it all came about was brilliant, and I was very impressed that the last few chapters focused on giving us an abbreviated story of two other romances between minor characters from the story. It was quite brilliant to see all three couples get their HEAs by the end.
I love the way the Decadent Gift theme was threaded throughout the story, adding depth and gravitas to their wild weekend. I highly recommend this fantastic romance. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
THE DECADENT GIFT by Lauren Blakely is book Three in The Gift Series. This is the story of Jake and Kate. I have read the previous book but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so. If you have read the previous book then you will have been introduced to Jake and Kate, they were side characters who are now getting their story. Kate is working to dig her way out of the whole her ex has put her in which leaves little time for much else. Jake also works but his is more of a workaholic type reason. In this book we get into their story and they start to find that maybe their is more to life that work. Enjoyed their story and hope to read more from this author soon.
Man do I love Lauren Blakely’s After Dark series! Sexy, sensual and fun are just three of the words that come to mind when I think of each standalone story in this series. The Decadent Gift doesn’t disappoint as Blakely delivers a scintillating tale of sexual exploration with a female lead who knows what she wants and finds a way to get it.
I adored Kate! She’s strong, successful and passionate. She knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to speak her mind to get it. Jake is the perfect man. Smart, successful, funny and sexy as sin, he and Kate have been in the same circle of friends for quite some time. Kate and Jake ooze chemistry and when she enlists him to help her with a work assignment, things really heat up. Hot and heavy, these two are drawn together like magnets. Blakely knows just how to steam up your Kindle! Add in a whole lot of witty banter and this is the perfect after dark escape!
Blakely treats readers to multiple POV’s as the story progresses and it was so much fun to explore the behind-the-scenes matchmaking that was going on. It was written and executed perfectly. I adored this delicious treat and can’t wait for the next After Dark installment by this very talented author. 5 stars
I’ve been waiting for Kate and Jake’s story since meeting them in The Engagement Gift. This is a sexier and more sensual story than Lauren Blakely’s usual romcoms, but it’s so much fun. I really appreciated that both characters didn’t lose themselves as individuals as the story progressed and that each of them had their own dreams and aspirations. They were both independent and driven individuals, who worked hard and played hard.
Jake and Kate had scorching hot chemistry and I loved how they each embraced their own sexuality and also nurtured the other’s. There is no judgement about their pasts and it was just so refreshing to see two mature characters communicate openly and honestly with each other. I love that we get a little mini love story or two (and their POV’s!) in addition to Jake and Kate’s at the end and also a little glimpse of the next couple that will be featured in The Gift series. Overall, a sexy and fun read that is sure to leave you craving more.
*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*
Lauren Blakely, extremely talented author and apparently, a naughty fairy godmother making delicious and dirty wishes come true in The Decadent Gift!
Jake is the hot friend that Kate fantasizes about. And lately, he’s been giving encore performances. But Kate needs to focus on her job and ridding her life of the destruction left behind by her ex.
Jake is what many women label as the perfect guy. He’s sexy, great job, and gives a woman pleasure she only dreams about. Only he’s not ready for a relationship.
But Fate deals the couple an undeniable hand. What starts out as friendly flirting and some sexy time together ends up being a pivotal moment for them. Kate knows Jake is a safe way to explore her fantasies. And Jake wants to explore Kate. So what is supposed to be a fun weekend turns into lust and possibly love. The push and pull almost too much.
This couple is so hot. Indulging each other’s senses, pushing boundaries, and discovering all the possibilities that could be…if only they’ll give in.
Blakely writes Jake so flawlessly that you can almost hear him whispering in your ear, promising to fulfill all your darkest desires.
Wow just wow!!! This book was one of the best books I have read so far and I couldn’t wait to read Jake’s and Kate’s story. The wait was worth it.
Both of these characters never take time for themselves being workaholics. Jake is an entertainment lawyer while Kate works as a VP at a marketing firm. They have the same friends so hang out as much as they can but have never thought of taking things further than beyond their friendship regardless of them finally noticing one another.
When Kate’s job gets the chance to represent one of Vegas’s top businesses, her boss thinks she is the perfect person to head up the pitch. She decides that a “girls night” is the way to go to get her ideas of on the right track which ultimately lead to her recruiting Jake to help her experiment.
Jake on the other hand never takes any time to relax or enjoy life that his sister challenges him to take a weekend off for himself. What better way then to take Kate’s offer. A weekend of no strings since both of them have been tainted with either trust or commitment issues.
The chemistry between these two is off the charts mans will you breathless and wanting moray. This book is one hell of a sexy read and you will definitely not be disappointed.
4.5 STARS! So HOT!! We first Jake and Kate in The Engagement Gift book 1. This story was a lot more naughty than anything I’ve read from Lauren, and she writes some HOT stuff. The Decadent Gift is book 3.
The Decadent Gift by Lauren Blakely was a gift to me indeed. It was deliciously dirty. It was wildest fantasies coming alive. It was an enticing cocktail of swoonworthy emotions and scorching hot passion!
Kate has been working hard to pay the debt of her good for nothing ex lover left on her shoulders. Exactly like Jake whose life is all work and no play. They have mutual friends. But they also have this strong undercurrent of lust and attraction. When Kate gets a chance to explore her role playing fantasies while working for a potential client’s campaign, she chooses Jake as her partner. Who is eager to oblige her. But they have a connection beyond antiques in bed. Their arrangement started as no string and only pleasure. But can they keep it like that?
Kate is smart, vibrant, hardworking and with a sexy confidence that made me fall in love instantly! And Jake made me swoon so hard. His wit. His gorgeous body. His sinful mouth. His sweetness. And above all ability to accept Kate with all her quirks and adventurous ideas. He matched her and then gave some more. They are the perfect couple in every sense. This story will also show you HEAs of other characters. The author has this amazing ability to spring characters from other stories effortlessly and to give them a story connected to present one. Like a well thought out puzzle.
The Decadent Gift by Lauren Blakely is a sexy, intense and heartwarming love story. It was driven one hundred percent by pleasure principle!
Received ARC for honest review
The Decadent Gift is the third book in the Gift series by Lauren Blakely, and I have loved this entire series since the first one was released! Jake had my attention when he stepped into the hot scene with Finn and Lily back in The Engagement Gift and I am so happy to finally get more of him! Kate is a strong independent woman who has spent the past two books encouraging her friends to fulfill their fantasies while she has been ignoring her own. Jake and Kate are thrown together a lot when they go out with their friends but both are clueless to the obvious connection. I absolutely love the banter and the text messages between the two and the chemistry is completely off the charts! The end had a couple side characters getting their own romance, but I really wish Jakes sister would have gotten her own story… I feel like her and Daniel could of had a really good book!
Let’s face it girls! We deserve a Decadent Gift!
We have Girls Night Out, our hobby clubs, etc. but we deserve a little more. This is where The Decadent Gift takes us, for the unique once in a lifetime gift that is very personal and intimate. It is that WOW! gift we give a best of friends, a maid of honor, or to a friend who needs the ultimate pick me up.
A Decadent read!
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with me.
Jake finally gets the girl! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read
In the Decadent Gift Jake has had his eye on Kate ever sense the events that happened in the Engagement Gift (holy smokes HOT!). Jake and Kate are easily married to their work, but one weekend of letting it go becomes so much more for our duo. This story has all the flames of hotness… if I had to describe this in one word… Delicious!
We all have been very intrigued with Jack and what he will do next and who he will finally fall for since book one in Lily’s engagement gift. We also have been just as excited to know if it will be with a certain bestie of Lily and Nina’s, Kate whom we have loved reading the banter between the two up till now. And let me say, the banter is still there in double fold as well as some very dirty talking and role playing. What started out as a fun research weekend for Kate’s new project, ended in something so much more.
Both Jake and Kate have relationship issues of trust and commitment and the added contention of being workaholics. What they do discover over their weekend of role playing and investigating is how much they have in common, and how much they like being together. They just need to navigate through their feelings and be honest about it.
This is not the last of the series, there are a few more to come, which is brilliant. I enjoyed the way this book played out at the end and it gave us a few HEA’s. I came away with such a light heart and knowing that everything felt right. This series tackles a lot of different angles and desires that adults might have with their fantasies, but it is also a frolicsome and cheerful series that you will want to read.
Whew! I love this series! Lauren Blakely is a favorite of mine, but I think this series is my favorite of hers! I feel like we have been waiting for Jake’s story FOREVER, but it was so worth the wait! Jake and Kate are so hawt – the completely burn up the pages! LOVED! FIVE STARS!!
A sizzling addition to Blakey’s Gift series that is dirty and flirty, delicious and decadent all rolled into a hot new read.
Jake and Kate will melt your reading device while they light up Vegas with their role playing lessons. They are the last of their friends to pair up, but aside from that, they have been sending out sparks with their looks and glances at each other for months. Their foreplay has been building up, subconsciously between them, so now that they are willing to give in to their desires their passion blazes hot.
Even they both agree to a weekend of no strings, no attachments fun, when the weekend ends, it might be harder than they both thought to go back to being just friends.
This is sexy and fun and I enjoyed reading this so much! Kate and Jake are in their own world and have put love on hold for different reasons but they both have been burned before. Their attraction is explosive though and they agree to a weekend together while also exploring their desires. That turns even hotter fast. They have to evaluate what they thought and what they want. Their banter is great and what I loved was that this is ultimately about trust and learning to trust someone again and taking that risk.
Another great book in this steamy series.
We met Kate and Jake in the first book, the Engagement Gift and even back then I was hoping that they would end up together and that Lauren would write a great love story for them and boy she did not disappoint with this book. This is another winning story set in sultry Vegas and has just the right amount of kink to make it difficult to put this book down. The chemistry between Jake and Kate was hot and I loved the way they role played with each other and just complimented each other. It was funny to see how everyone kept trying to push these two together and how they finally did get their happily ever after. I loved catching up with Lily and Finn and Nina and Adam and how this group of friends got along so well. Jake was the perfect mix of sexy yet sensitive while Kate was smart, sassy and ready for anything. This is a great story and you don’t want to miss out on reading it.
Another hot sexy winner by Lauren! This book will not only have you swooning over Jake, you will fall in love with Kate, a strong sexy woman who knows what she wants! 5 stars for this one!
You met Jake & Kate in The Engagement Gift, I was so excited for their story and Lauren delivered it in hot fashion! You will love their banter you will also love their chemistry! Don’t miss out on this one, grab it asap and settle down for a hot steamy story!
I have been waiting for this book since first meeting Jake and Kate in book one. The Decadent Gift was everything I wanted and everything I didn’t know I needed.
Jake and Kate are friends, there is a mutual attraction between them. So, what happens when the decide to have that one weekend, no strings attached? LOADS of explosive CHEMISTRY and plenty of HEAT! These two have amazing chemistry and plenty of amazing banter.
Kate is strong, hardworking and knows what she wants. Jake is hard working, knows what he likes and a great friend. These two are perfect for each other. There is an easy flow between them, nothing about their friendship or relationship feels forced. Kate brings down her guard when it comes to Jake, she easily shares all her deepest desires and Jake isn’t one to back down from helping out a friend, especially one like Kate.
If you’re looking for a quick read that is full of chemistry, banter and plenty of HEAT then you’ll want to pick up The Decadent Gift. Another amazing addition to the Lauren Blakely After Dark collection.
I’ve been intrigued by Jake and Kate since we first met them in the first book in this series, The Engagement Gift. The wait was definitely worth it and Lauren Blakely gave us another awesome story to add to this collection.
Kate is a marketer and while she’s smart, creative and outspoken, she’s also coming off of a break-up that not only hurt her heart, it also hurt her bank account. She’s less than thrilled about the idea of another relationship, however she does love role playing and a little voyeurism when it comes to matters of the heart.
Jake is a lawyer who is pretty much married to his job. He’s always wanted to give back to his parents since they did so much for him as a youngster. He hasn’t had luck with his past girlfriends since most of the time his job came first and they didn’t appreciate that. Jake is smart, sexy and romantic, but he doesn’t get to use those last two traits very often!
When Kate gets a new assignment at work, she needs some help and she calls on Jake. He’s more than willing to help and when the two discuss Kate’s assignment, they agree to one weekend where they play roles mainly as “research”, but will it really be that easy to walk away when it’s clear there are sparks flying like the Fourth of July!?
I enjoyed this tale a lot and I’m excited that there will be additional characters getting stories in the future. I wasn’t quite ready to let go of this series and I’m glad I won’t have to quite yet!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**