“It was fantastic! This story is so intense I dreamt about it last night. #amazing #TopReadof2018”- Reviewer Jean Siska They said write what you know so that’s what I did. I wrote dirty, I wrote erotic, I wrote the truth.And then they called me a liar. But it’s not me who’s lying, it’s them.Our story isn’t for everyone. It’s not even for us.So if you’re looking for the fairy tale and the stupid … looking for the fairy tale and the stupid prince on his dumb white horse, move along. You’ve got a hold of the wrong book. This is not your story, this is not your life, and this is not your opportunity to dip your frightened little toe into the dark pool of water and “try new things” and then pull it out and decide… #NotForMe.
When you go in with us you go all in. So make a decision before you turn this page.
Because I’m making one promise with this book.
Just one.
We are The Dirty Ones and this is our truth.
The Dirty Ones is a brand new, thrilling, standalone romance about the secret world of erotica authors by New York Times bestselling author, JA Huss.
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Umm… What? That pretty much sums up my thoughts all the way through this bizarre story. I understood what this odd mix of people remembered from their senior year of college – the things they did, the things they were forced to do, the way it brought them all together. What I didn’t get was why. For the majority of the story, the focus is on which of them wrote The Dirty Ones and for most of that time, I kept wondering why they didn’t just read it and go from there. Instead, we get a jumble of “memories” with some steam thrown in. Speaking of steam, I expected there to be a lot of it and the book does have its share, but timing is everything and a lot of the sexcapades were way off on that. To give just one example without spoilers: one minute this group is in a room together trying to figure out who has exposed them all and the next, three of them are locked in another room going at each other with a frenzy. I can appreciate a scorching scene as well as anyone, but a little context and connection to the characters is also an important aspect, both of which were lacking here. We do finally get answers to the many questions that arise, including who wrote the book. Let me note here that this is what kept me reading in hopes of clearing up the confusion and making some sense of it all. However, the answers are as convoluted as the rest and so completely over the top that I was left thoroughly disappointed with the whole thing. From the high ratings I’ve seen, I realize that I’m in the minority here, and maybe this one just missed the mark with me, but it is what it is. I love dark and twisted stories, but this one just didn’t do it for me.
This book. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. JA Huss definitely knows how to screw with your head. Any preconceived ideas I had about what was going to happen was thrown out the window. She weaved a tale of six college kids that had one messed up senior year in college. They believed they were the Dirty Ones. Being told what do and when. Doing “dirty” things with each other. But what really happened? That a for you to find out. This is one of my top favorites of JA Huss.
Wow! That was one hell of a read. Plot twists, intrigue, emotional and seriously hot. Every time I thought I worked out what was happening I realised I hadn’t. Fantastic romantic suspense read. Definitely grab it if you’re looking for something completely different.
I received an arc of this book
What did I Just Read – Mind Blown!!
A group of college seniors are “selected” to participate in an exercise. They are paired off, given explicit instructions and the writer amongst them journals what transpires. This creates quite a bond between them through the year. But there are severe consequences for not obeying.
Ten years later the journal has become a book on the NYT Bestseller list, and our group reconvenes to discuss what this means. To say much more will divulge too much of this story. It is a story of relationships and survival.
You will not predict events. But you will eagerly turn pages and read to the conclusion as you will be drawn in and live in the pages with these characters. My first JA Huss read – what have I been missing?!?
*** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book ***
After finishing reading The Dirty Ones, the first word that popped into my head was the British term, Gobsmacked. That was after sitting there speechless for a bit, mind whirling so much at the same time. Picture a whirling cloud over my head, twisting like a tornado, filled with nothing but words, but they’re all swirling around so fast that your brain can’t land on just one. So I sat for a bit, just trying to quiet the riot in my head until everything went calm, and the first word that floated down was Gobsmacked.
Julie truly is the queen of the mindfuck. She posted a video in her reader group this weekend where she pretty much summed up this book. It is mind bending, and mind fucky. Her words, not mine. But mine are pretty much the same. This book will truly take you on a journey of wondering what the fuck is really happening. Who is telling the truth. Who’s forgotten everything. Why were these particular students chosen for “whatever” it was they experienced.
This story starts out ten years after the events that happened to this group of people, with a book that’s hit the NY Times bestseller list. A book that details everything they went through, everything they all promised they would never talk about. So who wrote the book? And why now?
Julie is a master at dropping the reader into a story that from the very beginning has you wondering, what the hell is going on? And the characters in the book are also asking, what the hell is going on? There’s just enough information made available to them to keep them going forward, looking for all the answers, but the answers are only coming to them in small bits and pieces at a time. It’s SO maddening, like that carrot that dangles in front of the hungry donkey to keep them moving forward. There is so many layers woven into this story. Even though it’s told from only two points of view, you feel like you are getting all of the points of view of those involved and it kind of became a game of clue, like the character Camille jokes about. Will Mrs. Peacock kill us with the candlestick in the library? Or the wrench in the billiard room?
I don’t really think I can articulately even tell you much about the story without spoiling plot points so I’ll just say, this book really is a guessing game all the way through. I highlighted so many things to try to keep track of what I thought were clues, I should probably do a reverse search of what I didn’t highlight if I don’ want my Kindle to explode.
I will mention, because it is very worth mentioning, that this book IS about The Dirty Ones. It is about sex and erotica and doing dirty things. We are The Dirty Ones and this is our truth. I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about the sex. Julie has always, always been one of my favorite authors to read about the SEX. She can write sex like no one else. Holy hell… Talk about living vicariously through a group of fictional people! Yeah, it’s hot.
This is some of Julie’s best writing yet. It is intense and complex and mind blowing and hot and thrilling and mysterious. I know I will reread it countless times, but I need to give my mind a break for a while before I delve in again!!
WHOA! What a mind bending, keep you on the edge of your seat, What did I just read? thrilling ride!
This book is about a group of friends and what happened to them in their senior year. It is not an average senior year for any of them. Just when you think that you may know what is going on, your hit with twists and turns that change everything! It is one helluva wild ride with sexy, steamy, erotic scenes that will leave you panting for more.
Julie did a great job of writing a thrilling plot that will have you turning pages as quickly as possible. The main characters are so different, yet alike in many ways. The supporting characters only add to the mystery and intrigue. So, if you like a sexy, steamy, erotic, mystery that leaves you hanging on to every word, this book is a must read!!!!
****ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.****
The Dirty Ones is storytelling at its very finest. J.A. Huss masterfully combines erotica with mystery like no one else. This tale of 7 college friends who enter into a web of deceit, unsure memories and a year they’d like to both remember and forget is beyond exceptional. It’s a book within a book as Hayes, Bennett, Camille, Sofia, Emily, Connor and Keira try and figure out who penned a NYT bestseller about their secret antics in a remote tower near their college campus. But then as the story progresses, it becomes a mystery within a mystery as events come to light and long-held questions are answered that have plagued this group for the last 10 years.
I was caught in this brilliant maze and honestly didn’t know if I’d find a way out. With Connor and Kiera as the dual narrators, alternating chapters with their point of views, the path as to why this book was written becomes ever more complicated with each turn of the page. But Huss is our genius guide as the pieces of this jagged puzzle start to fall into place with jaw dropping results. Not to mention the sexy trysts that are the underlying ‘reasons’ for their dirty year in college. Holy smokes were they hot!! Both past and present, these characters have an undeniable chemistry that simply cannot be denied. They provide the perfect distraction from all the tangled up mayhem that is this book.
In addition, the slow-simmer romance between Connor and Kiera that often feels out of reach even as they become close once again after this 10-year gap was a crucial part of this story. Their own push and pull as they try to rekindle their long-suppressed feelings was never just an aside. These two were clearly meant to be but it’s anyone’s guess if they’ll even survive the hows and whys they are together once more.
As a matter of fact, when all of them are together, with the exception of Emily and the oft-times forgotten Louise, it’s like this separation in time never existed. Their bonds were never stronger even if there might be outside forces wanting them to permanently break. Their wicked banter and deep feelings they each had for one another was something I truly adored about all of them. I also want to give kudos to Huss in putting a bit of herself into the character of Kiera, giving erotic authors everywhere a huge thumbs up. Using loosely-based parallels to her own life was very clever on her part and conversations between her and Sofia and even Camille was a nice extra and gave me a chuckle or two when needed.
I’m in awe at how Huss manages to create such an intricate chain of events together with a complicated history between friends that includes passionate and steamy scenes that had me fanning myself and often. I love a great mystery and to combine it successfully with love and sex and an ending that had me completely gobsmacked is nothing short of incredible.
The Dirty Ones is not to be missed and it deserves nothing less that 5 superb stars!
“But I think giving us this story gave us power too. They wanted to divide us that night. Make us hate each other. But that’s not what happened. We fell in love. As a group, I guess. We grew closer. We became friends. These special people who were raised in privilege took my side and saved my life. That’s my story, anyway. That’s the happy ending I need to write.”
I need to preface this review with a warning. As I’ve noted on my blog page, I am a writing professor. I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degree in literature. When reading romance, which I oft do nowadays, much to the detriment of my grading sadly, I am not always looking to analyze it deeply. I like to sit back and “enjoy the ride,” so to speak. This post won’t be me “sitting back and enjoying the ride.” JA Huss’s book pushed my internal literature student out of hibernation with her newest book, The Dirty Ones.
To me, this book is not a standard romance. Yes. There are seemingly a main male and female protagonist, Connor and Keira. (I say “seemingly” because there are other characters who figure in prominently to this story). And yes, we encounter their love relationship. However, if you read this book and only see that relationship, then you have missed the genius of Huss’s book.
Okay, I am going to book nerd out hard right now. Firstly, I have a love-hate relationship with looking deeper into books. I did it for so many years, I teach students to do it every day, and I don’t really want to do it with my leisure reading. But Huss wouldn’t allow me to put my mind on pause with her story. From the outset, the cover is suggestive of something meatier within her story. Styled in 1920s Art Deco, it looks very MUCH like the most recent cover of The Great Gatsby (post-2013 Leo Dicaprio movie version Gatsby). You should initially ask yourself “why.” As you read, however, other than a nod to The Great Gatsby later in the story, you cannot initially see the connection. At least, until the end. This book has given me a bit of a book hangover, as I ponder its depth. In many ways, this story IS The Great Gatsby (TGG) of modern romance. Keira is the Nick of TGG. Her family has some wealth, but it is nowhere close to the other members of their group, The Dirty Ones. They are wealthy and come from “old money.” As such, it doesn’t allow her to be fully integrated and accepted into their group. This is mentioned multiple times through the words of the other characters that you start to believe it. Like Nick, Keira skirts the perimeter of this group as an observer, at least, seemingly so.
Like TGG, nothing is at all as it seems. I have to admit. I was worried I wouldn’t like the book after reading the first couple of chapters. Like the characters in the book, I felt confused. I didn’t really know what was going on, and I worried it wouldn’t be remedied. I was completely wrong. I will not be offering any kind of true summary or synopsis of this book because there is so much that transpires in the story I don’t want to ruin any of it. All I can say is…read it. And be prepared to feel confused. I believe that’s intentional. Like TGG, we have an unreliable narrator who makes you question everything that happens in the story.
This story doesn’t shy away from hedonism. There were times when my straight-edged brain struggled with the hedonistic tendencies of the characters. But, again, this is so The Great Gatsby. While this book sits in a different era from TGG, people’s lust for each other hasn’t changed. Be prepared to cool off after reading this book.
Finally, the allusion to The Great Gatsby aside, this book is a book about writing one’s truth. It is a meta-offering of writing. The story asks the question of responsibility to self. Is it ethical to allow others to write your story or co-opt it? There are so many moments in the story when Keira tasked with writing the story of their group, The Dirty Ones, will not take responsibility for it. She recognizes that it was written outside of her, and it lacked the truth of their situation. These moments made my head hurt in all the best ways as I thought about the ethics of authorial agency. And morality.
Now, if you’ve come this far in my review, and you’re either bored or confused, I am sorry, dear reader. I LOVE a book that challenges my thinking while satiating my lust for romance. Most people will read this book and see something completely different from me. And that is fine. That is the beauty of writing. There are some amazing moments between the characters. There are some moments when you really don’t like them. And there are moments when your heart will hurt for The Dirty Ones. In the end, though, I think you will see that this story is something more than the average romance. It holds a little bit of Gatsby’s magic.
Overall: 5 Stars
Blog: professorromance.wordpress.com
I don’t know how J.A. comes up with this stuff but I hope she never stops. Such smart and clever writing. I was hooked right from the very beginning. I was worried for a sec because there’s a lot of characters to keep track of but I had no problems following along. When I finished I had to talk it out with my husband because my mind was completely blown away by everything that happened. This would totally make a great movie, even all the extremely hot parts. Yeah, so hot. Seriously, I finished this a couple of days ago and I’m still thinking about it. It really is one helluva story.
This was a fantastic dark erotic dark romance. Well written with authentic complex characters that were beautifully twisted. This book grabbed me from the start. It’s clever, mysterious, suspenseful and it kept me turning the pages from beginning to end. If you like hot and steamy dark romance this is a must read.
I voluntarily received an advanced readers copy of this book through Net Gallery.
The Dirty Ones – JA Huss
### 4.75 Hashtags ###
Whoa, what a headf*@k, this read has twist upon twist. A superbly woven and intricate story with so many different layers. The suspense and mystery is perfectly executed, you will find yourself doubting everyone at some point.
I loved this book, it’s unique and addictive and there’s plenty of chemistry and steamy action.
So why didn’t I give it 5 full stars?…. I wanted far more ‘dirty’ ! I personally felt the group didn’t quite live up to their name, but having said that the story itself is amazing.
Definitely worth a one-click, a great read that certainly wont disappoint.
Ten years ago, seven friends did something they aren’t proud of, and none of them ever fully healed from. They have since moved on with their lives and upheld the unwritten rule that they would never speak of it again. Until someone writes a book about it… and publishes it for the entire world to see…
Kiera Bonnaire was the outsider, the person who observed and was tasked with keeping to herself. But, when Connor Arlington shows up on her doorstep demanding an answer for the book, she finds herself pulled back into the depraved group she life behind all of those years ago…
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I was immediately pulled into this twisted and hot AF book from the one and only JA Huss, queen of mind distortion and insanely unforgettable stories…
Kiera Bonnaire and Connor Arlington lived through the events in their senior year that changed them forever. The tasks, the parties, the group sex, and the story that was all their own. Now with Connor’s career in the balance and the truth of their pasts threatening the privacy of all of them, the seven players are reuniting, and they are determined to never be used again…
This book was an atypical love story of a forced relationship between seven people that turned into a very unlikely friendship.
This story was just incredible. I was completely unable to put this book down, from the suspense, to the twists and turns, the hot sex and the complicated relationships, this story left me spent, in the absolute best way. You must read this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.
WOW! I am still trying to get my wits after reading The Dirty Ones. This book will play with your mind and emotions. All the characters were amazing. Our main characters Connor and Kiera had me perplexed. Okay lets be real, the whole story line had me perplexed lol. Okay so The Dirty Ones is not just your normal erotica story. There is Mystery and Suspense behind it too.
I was suckered into this book and my heart strings were pulled. My initial thoughts were, WTF am I reading. But as I got more into the story, it was so much more than I could imagine. I was trying to put all the pieces together. I failed so bad because the ending was so unexpected. This is book is on my top 10 for 2018!
Wow! Just WOW! What a fantastic book! JA Huss is an automatic buy for me and The Dirty Ones just underlines why. Intricate, detailed plotting. Intelligent, clever, absorbing writing, with a huge side order of, that’s so hot, thrown in. I don’t know how she does it! Each book she writes is like an onion in that it has layer after layer, that need to be peeled off until you get to that sweet kernel…then you just have to sit back and think about what you just read and how skilfully you were guided on that journey!
I loved everything about this book from Connor’s trudge through that encrusting snow, to the POV from Connor and Kiera’s standpoint, through to the denouement and epilogue..no, you get no more from me because you have to do yourself a favour. Buy the book, clear your calendar and settle in. Marvellous!
***4 Stars***
My brain hurts.
Not in a bad way…though saying it hurts in a good way may not be the correct thing to say either.
It’s more that it’s still in overdrive mode even as I’m clawing my way out of this chaotic, yet fascinating, psychological rabbit hole called The Dirty Ones and this review will be all kinds of vague and verbal vomity, so reader beware.
So, what can I say about this story without giving anything away?
I was drawn in from the first page and even with all the mind bending twists and turns, which I couldn’t help but attempt to figure out, and I was absolutely fascinated by the story. The characters were all perfectly imperfect and intrigued me, though I did waffle quite a bit on how much I liked each of them…I never disliked any of them, but they all had their moments, which actually served to keep me turning the pages to see what would happen next.
As for the romance aspect of the story. It’s there. It’s something that evolves even as the crazy evolves and I have to say that I liked how all of that worked out with the characters involved. Is it dark romance? Well, when it comes to my own definition of dark romance, not really, but I can see how some would feel that it is.
But the real meat of the story for me is the mystery surrounding all that had happened between this group of characters in the past and how it affects them in their present. It was a psychological mind fuck. Plain and simple and where most of the “dark” theme came into play, at least for me. As I stated earlier, I tried to put the pieces together as I read, though I failed more often than not, so when the final twist was revealed it had me pausing to take in the enormity of it as all the pieces FINALLY came together and letting out a half hysterical laugh at how well everything had been thought out and executed.
This was my first read by the author, and what a way to be introduced to her mind. It has me wanting to snatch up more of her books even as I’m a tinsy bit wary since I’m not sure my brain can handle any more twisty and turny story lines any time soon. But, if you like a good mind bender of a story touched with some steamy smexy moments, then this one is definitely for you!
~ Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley & voluntarily reviewed ~
Whoah! My first JA Huss full length novel and it blew me away! Was it erotica? Was it mystery? Was it suspense? Was it romance? All of the above, I think. I know one thing, I was hooked, I was mesmerised, I was desperate to get my hands on THAT book. I was desperate to find out what would happen at the end of THIS story. Brilliantly clever, wonderfully written and I’ll let you in on a little secret…..whatever you think is happening…..you’re wrong. So many little twists and plot turns, all getting ready for the grand finale. A story that will stay with me for a long long time. I loved Connor and Kiera, I was desperate for them to get a HEA. Is that even possible for a Senator and an erotica author? What is the real story here? Who is telling the truth? How do you write a review without giving anything away? You can’t – well I for one can’t. All I can say is, All is not as it seems. I absolutely loved it. 5 ‘what the hell’s happening?’ stars. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.
This started to intrigue me from the very first pages. The fact that the story revolves around so many characters, makes it different. Even when the story mostly revolved around Connor sometimes I liked his friend better since he was the one really under control. The one pushing for answers. Because let me tell you, there will be many questions. These characters are messed up, sad and frustrating. Aside from that they have a strong bond and a connection full of desires and care. This is a mystery withing a mystery and is full of surprises. You wont see it coming but you will love it.
Holy smokes! This book is the perfect combination of sex and thriller. I loved it so much. The characters are amazing, you get to know each one of them. The twists and turns, you just don’t know what is going to happen, no way you can guess. Just fantastic!
Holy Cow! I was not expecting that!!! I went into this book without research and I strongly urge anyone reading this review to go in blind as well. It made for an ending that just pretty much blew me away due to the unexpected turn of events.
The way this story started, I had no idea where it was going to lead. Like most of J.A. Huss books, this ended up in a completely different place than I was expecting. I absolutely love when that happens. I immediately wanted to find someone who has also read this so I could discuss what happened.
The only thing I will say is this story picks up 10 years after the event took place. A group of 8 college students did something their senior year that is coming back to haunt them. Now they are on a race to find out why everything is being dredged back up in a book that is being published anonymously.
That’s it. I won’t give anything else away because you just need to experience this story as it unfolds. I will give you a warning that I am copying out of the anonymous book that is in the actual story line. It’s seems appropriate for us as well. Basically, it states: “Our story is not for everyone. It’s not even for us. So if you’re looking for the fairy tale and the stupid prince on his dumb white horse, move along. You’ve got the wrong book.”
Holy crap this book is like quick sand. It will drag you in from page one. If you are a fan of Julie’s Mister serious the Dirty One is right up your alley. It is full of twist, turns and is down right sexy.
It is like a messed up version of clue that will keep you guessing. Amazingly written.