I might still carry my V-card, but I know exactly what I want in a man. Smart, charming and oh-so-skilled. Too bad I haven’t found him yet.But maybe he’s found me.Because when my charming, laid-back, next-door neighbor discovers a secret list I keep, he volunteers to work through every single item on it.Including the last one — at the end, we walk away and stay friends.I say yes to his offer, … friends.
I say yes to his offer, and that’s when I discover another side to him.
A side I adore. A side I crave. He’s commanding, intense, and everything I’ve ever wanted.
But as we check things off one by one, I find myself breaking the most important rule of all. And I have no idea what it will do to my heart.
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Lauren Blakely has done it again with a passionate, playful best-friends-to-lovers romance in The Virgin Gift. Part of the Gift series, Blakely pushes boundaries and tries something new and exciting in this After Dark series of standalone romances. I’ve come to adore this author’s light-hearted, easy-reading contemporary romances and romantic comedies, but through this series, I’ve gained a whole new appreciation for Blakely’s storytelling abilities.
Nina and Adam are best friends and neighbors. They share the same circle of friends, they share the same geeky interests, and they have an easy, uncomplicated friendship. Nina has some secrets—one she’d like to shed and others she’d like to explore. Devising a plan to do just that, she jots down a lusty little list, which Adam happens to stumble upon. Turns out that Adam has a secret of his own, and he’s determined to convince Nina that he’s the honey she needs to help with her to-do list.
Blakely bridged the gap between friends and lovers with more than heat in The Virgin Gift. This was an addictively swoon-worthy love story brimming with heart and hope. Nina and Adam’s story was fun, fiery and full of feels, and I simply couldn’t put it down. Five smooches from me for The Virgin Gift by Lauren Blakely!
~Danielle Palumbo, Red Cheeks Reads
Let’s just be real, I love this series purely for the sex and the hot chemistry between the main characters. I don’t care for the heroine still being a virgin, that trope needs to burn to ashes, but I liked this one and was willing to look past it. I mean I was all for Adam helping Nina out with her sex list. The chemistry was hot and I liked their easy relationship. For something short and sexy, this one will fit the bill. Sue me for being weak yet again.
Such a fantastic sexy story.. two happy endings! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read
Adam and Nina have sparks flying off the pages of the story. These two spend a few days checking off lists and never dream of checking off the big LOVE .
Full of sexy chemistry, trust and bidding love….. enter Cupid
What a fun, steamy friends to lover story. Even though Nina is a virgin, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have an idea of what she wants sexually. Now that she’s well established as a photographer of sensual pictures, she’s ready to lose her virginity and she what other women are talking about. So after listening to a pod cast, she makes a list of items she wants to explore.
Adam is her neighbor and he’s temporarily staying with her while his condo is being repainted. One day he goes to write a message and he finds her list. What follows is a fun and steamy time with a HEA at the end.
5 Is It Getting Hot In Here Stars!!!
I’m absolutely loving this series by Ms. Blakely! This book revolves around Nina and Adam who have been friends for a very long time giving no thought to taking their friendship to the next level. Until Adam finds a “list!”
I love a man that takes the reins and Adam is determined to satisfy ALL of Nina’s fantasies!! And let me tell you, I needed to get my personal fan out for this book because holy moly these two are on fire together!! I’m a HUGE fan of dirty talking men and Adam is now right at the top of my book boyfriend favorites with his oh so dirty utterances!
This is a quick, fun and sexy read and one that everyone who appreciates a friends-to-lovers story that moves from friends to lovers in warp speed but in all the right ways!
Nina Bellamy has remained a virgin because she just hasn’t found the right man to help her with that dilemma yet, although her sexy neighbor, Adam Larkin, certainly would fit the bill. The problem is is that he is a great friend and she doesn’t know if she wants to cross that line. When Adam has his condo painted, he ends up staying with Nina. One day he accidentally finds Nina’s dirty bucket list and decides he wants to be the person to help her cross of those items. Of course the more time these two spend together, the more they realize that they each have feelings of more than just friendship towards each other. This story was a fun, sexy journey that these two friends decide to take and I’m glad I went along for the ride!
Loved this short steamy read in these sexy after dark books by Lauren Blakely. Nina and Adam are friends. It’s always been an easy relationship between them, but when Adam has to stay with Nina while his place is being painted, he accidentally discovers her list one night. After confronting her, Adam steps in to be the man to give her everything on her list. Just because she’s a virgin, doesn’t mean she’s shy and retiring . Nina knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to ask for it. Loved this and loved catching up with the characters from book one, The Engagement Gift.
This type of book happens to be one of my favorite. Woman writes a list, list is found and friend/crush agrees to help her with said list.
Nina and Adam have been circling each other for awhile however they have put each other in the friend zone, that is until Adam finds a list that Nina put together and he doesn’t want anyone else to help her with this list.
The sexy times were hot in the book, as well as the banter and friend times.
This sinfully sexy friends-to-lovers romance is guaranteed to weave its way into your heart. After all who else but the irrepressible Lauren Blakely could dream up a sexual “to do” list that would ensure her readers and characters would have so much fun? I felt like a naughty voyeur as Adam faithfully executed all of Nina’s fantasies and knowing that she and Adam were already half in love with each other satisfied my romantic heart. This one should be fabulous in audiobook version too!
A quick read. Standalone, but continues with the friend group in The Engagement Gift.
Well edited.
Adam and Nina are really good friends. Both have had reasons for not really looking for a dating relationship. Adam’s apartment is being painted, so he is staying in Nina’s guest room. Nina does boudoir pictures for a living. Since she doesn’t have her own experiences, she lives vicariously through her subjects and her imagination. Adam stumbles across a very interesting bucket list in Nina’s apartment and graciously offers to help her cross things off of her list. As they work on her list, Nina and Adam find that their hearts just might be ready for more. Especially since they have an established friendship to build on.
Adam’s friend Brandon is a lot less involved in helping Nina and Adam than Jake was for Finn and Lily. However, Brandon gets a chance at moving on from his past with someone who figured into the creation of Nina’s bucket list. Jake and Kate are up next. Fun times ahead! Enjoy!
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This friends to lovers romance is hot and steamy. Nina and Adam’s friendship takes a sexy detour when he happens upon her special list. This story was entertaining and enjoyable to listen to. I loved how each character had there own voice.
Lots of hot steamy scenes
Holy f*@cking hostess, Lovelies!! Lauren has turned up the heat with this series and at the same time she is turning us all the f*ck on! I have been waiting to read this book until I could read it at night with my man waiting patiently next to me. I made the mistake of not doing that with The Engagement Gift and I was not about to make that mistake again!
Nina is a virgin that knows exactly what she wants. Adam is the man who knows he can deliver on all of her filthy fantasies. These two have been friends and neighbors for years but never saw their dirty sides until now. He saw her list. He wants to check off every one of her items of that list. They agree to part as friends once it is completed. The issue? With every touch they want more. More items. More nights. More mornings.
What will happen when Nina’s Naughty List is all checked off?
OMFG! I loved it. We met Nina and Adam in The Engagement Gift and I just knew they would heat up my iPad but damn. I loved how Nina wasn’t afraid to ask for what she wanted and I loved how Adam would do anything for her. It wasn’t just about him. It wasn’t just about her. It was about them. I can’t wait for the next book!! Jake and Kate…oh, it’s going to be epic.
Quotes:
Stepping away from the list, I paced around the kitchen. I was an explorer who’d stumbled across a precious artifact, one that had great and formidable powers.
“I don’t diddle myself in front of them.”
He wiggled his brows. “You can diddle yourself in front of me though.”
A ribbon of heat unfurled in me, and my laughter ceased. “I want that too. I want you to watch me, Adam. I want to be the one someone’s looking at.”
She wore everything well, including her kinks.
Can’t go wrong with a Lauren Blakely book!
Once again Lauren Blakely gives a story that is outside the realm of the norm. She takes us where we’ve never been before and she burns up the path doing so.
Adam and Nina are the best of friends. They hang out and always have a good time with each other. Nina is strong, knows what she wants and is successful in what she does. Adam is sweet, kind and we think he’s the boy next door (well they are neighbors).
But then . . . the tides change and we see an entirely different side to each. A side that burns up with heat! A side that opens the door of communication! A side that pushes the boundaries of trust.
I love the characters in this story and want to know more about them as well! Lauren always gives me what I want in characters, what I need in a story and what I can never put down! The passion, the fire, the sex, the dirty all make for one burning book!
A sexy and happily ever after! Ashley @ Carolina Chic’s Read
Adam and Nina are friends when sparks fly will these two give in? Nina has a list of what she wants will this list help her to find love? This is full of sexy chemistry and love that you will not want to put down!! This story is H-O-T!!!
This is a standalone from After Dark: Gift series. Adam and Nina story. They are neighbors and friends. This friends to lovers romance will take you on a journey where Nina wants to experience the erotism behind the photos she takes, while Adam has been burned and is now on a dating hiatus. They take the jump and soon things start to get hot. A beautiful perfect romance you don’t want to miss.
5 Cranky Stars
Nina has her life together. She is a successful photographer and owns her own home. She spends her day capturing lust, love and everything in between for her clients and her nights hanging out with best friend and neighbor Adam.
While her life is perfect she feels like she’s missing something. One day she makes a list inspired by Aphrodite herself. When Adam stumbled upon the list he vows to help Nina complete every last item.
I loved this book. The friendship between Adam and Nina is awesome. I could feel their connection through the authors words. Their chemistry is sizzling. I look forward to reading more from this author.
It was just a list. But because of it, the nature of Nina and Adam’s relationship changed from friends and neighbours to Adam fulfilling Nina’s sexual fantasies. They promised to come out of this as still friends but everything changed and they started to have feelings for each other.
If you want something short, angsty and sweet, definitely check this one out!