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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This book was entertaining with a side of off the charts hot sizzling chemistry!
Oh boy, needless to say cold showers will be needed…
Nina is a photographer and creates beautiful photos for her clients. When one of them recommends she listens to a certain podcast well, Nina embarks on a wonderful discovery with none other than her neighbor!
This story was well written and made me almost break out in a sweat! I loved the characters, the witty but also steamy banter and I especially loved how it ended! A real connection is formed between Nina and Adam but what happens should feelings get in the way?! The talented author has written a story that will cause you to melt many times over!!
I loved Nina and Adam’s story. How it all started and came together. The chemistry between the two was so sensual and romantic and VERY HOT. Who knew you get insight from this reading book, you’ll know what I mean when you read it.
I have to be honest…the whole virginal story line is one that I struggle with, not because I don’t believe that women and/or men can choose to be virgins into adulthood and even beyond, but more so that someone sexually innocent would dive in feet first, not anticipating the overwhelming emotions that come with such a decision as asking a friend to ‘show you the ropes’ for lack of a better term when it comes to what men/women want in bed.
Thankfully, Lauren Blakely didn’t craft Nina’s character to be overly demure and virtuous. It’s made abundantly clear why Nina still has her virginity and why she’s taking the steps to lose it her way, and the fact that her sexy neighbor/friend wants to take part in the process makes it even more delicious, for both the characters and the readers.
I really liked how Nina and Adam’s friendship was established before they headed into a liaison that would most definitely redefine the dynamics of their relationship, and as Adam helps Nina explore all of her sexual fantasies, she learns what she likes, what she loves, and what she can’t live without, but what she also figures out is that Adam is the only one she wants to consume her, which means that their lessons are not something they want to end, even if they vowed that it would end.
The Virgin Gift is a super hot read where both the hero and the heroine learn a lot about who they are when it comes to sex and what they want, and let me tell you, Adam definitely delivers on what Nina wants and needs and their relationship evolving in the way that it does feels natural and it becomes essential to both of them.
Lauren Blakely’s The Gift series is all kinds of decadent deliciousness; it’s an edgier more sexual side of Blakely’s writing and I love that it showcases her ability to vary her storytelling in wonderful ways.
4 Poison Apples
The Virgin Gift
By: Lauren Blakely
Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Elena Wolfe, Joe Arden, Maxine Mitchell
Lauren Blakely never ceases to amaze me with her wealth of stories, but this one has to be one of my favorites. It’s not the steam factor, though it’s definitely high, but the story itself it just so good! Nina is a virgin, though not your typical innocent. She has ideas and desires. When Adam, her next door neighbor and good friend happens upon her written list, he makes it his mission to be the man to fulfill them. Nina has not thought of Adam in this way, but takes the plunge. These two are magic together. The chemistry is so explosive, and the build of their relationship from friends to lovers is so smooth, it’s hard to even notice the shift! Love, love love it! And add in the advice from the podcasts by Aphrodite and we have an incredible listen. I just can’t wait to see where Blakely takes this next! Fun, flirty and steamy, I am sure we are all waiting.
Blakely writes with such passion, I know she hears specific narrators in her mind and this team she chose is amazing. Elena Wolfe and Teddy Hamilton burn up the sheets with their performance. They have a great connection while narrating and I loved them together. Maxine Mitchell and Joe Arden are like icing on the cake for me. Two of my favorites with supporting roles just add that extra spice to the story. Loved every minute of this one!
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Well that certainly steamed up the ol’ reading glasses!
Nina and Adam’s friends-to-lovers tale was almost too hot to handle. The Virgin Gift went from SweeTarts to Red Hots in 0.7 seconds.
The candies referenced above have absolutely no connection to this story, at all- I just thought it was fun how well they fit with the way things went down between Nina and Adam. Speaking of going down…
Nina and Adam have been great friends, with no thoughts for anything more, until the day Adam comes across Nina’s sex bucket list. And that’s where the fun begins. But in the midst of all the fun, both Adam and Nina realize what’s between them is so much more, they just don’t know if the other feels the same.
I liked that there wasn’t a lot of pussy-footing around with these two. They didn’t play games, well games outside of the bedroom anyway! Once it became apparent how they felt about each other, it was full speed ahead. Friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes and Nina and Adam’s story was a great example of how to do it right. No need for a lot of drama, no misunderstandings or lack of communication. It was sweet and spicy in all the best ways.
Good Lord! I am addicted to Adam’s mouth!! His deliciously dirty, dirty mouth. *drools* Can I just take a second to fully appreciate Lauren Blakely’s brilliance?! I am seriously loving this After Dark series!!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I expected it to be wildly sensual and uber steamy. (*fans self* It was definitely that) However, at its core, The Virgin Gift is a really sweet friends to lovers romance with two characters that have so much genuine love and faith in one another. I could not get enough of the relationship and the chemistry between Nina and Adam. Their friendship seemed so easy and natural. The trust between them allowed them to have a safe space for Nina to unleash all her wildest fantasies. It should go without saying, but holy crap! Her fantasies were I-need-a-cold-shower- HOT!!
Also, I have to say, I love the “yes, girl! Get it!” feeling I got from reading Nina list her hidden desires and then go after them. It was empowering and liberating. I am all about the message of don’t be afraid to communicate want you want.
If you want a quick and sinfully yummy friends to lovers romance with amazing character chemistry and drool worthy dirty talk, you need this book asap.
5 star review of The Virgin Gift (Gift #2) by Lauren Blakely
I was hooked from the first to the last chapter and could not put The Virgin Gift down. This is the second book in The Gift series by Lauren Blakely and is Nina and Adam’s story.
The friendship between neighbours Nina and Adam is genuine. You can feel the depth of their relationship, they really like and enjoy each others company.
I absolutely loved these two together and the fantasies that they engaged in were spicy. I loved how Adam was so invested in helping Nina enact an explore her fantasies.
Of course the chemistry between Adam and Nina is intense and it only increased as the story progressed. The secondary characters were entertaining and was I am excited to read their stories.
This is a story of friends to lovers, of taking a leap of faith and reaching for the stars. It is a story that is hot, fun and flirty and above all is a story of love and friendship.
This is Nina and Adam’s story. She has a job that entices her naughtiest fantasies, but she’s yet to act on them. Adam is her friend and neighbor and the last man she’d expect to fulfill her wildest dreams.
This is the second book of the After Dark series by Ms. Blakely and it’s only hotter and sexier than the first one, at least in my opinion. Nina is a strong woman who knows what she wants and when she’s ready for it and Adam is the perfect man to give it to her.
I really enjoyed the storyline, the way it was written and the friends to lovers transition. Ms. Blakely definitely has the Midas touch and I can’t wait for her next story.
The Virgin Gift by Lauren Blakely
The Virgin Gift is the second story in Blakely’s after-dark series of super-steamy novellas and is the story of producer Adam and his best friend, boudoir photographer Nina who happens to be the virgin in this story. But Nina is not your average virgin. In fact, she has quite an extensive list of fantasies and when Adam sees the list, he’s only too happy to help Nina fulfill every single one and then some.
This is a quick, sexy read and satisfies in so many ways. Adam and Nina started out as friends and the progression to more seemed natural. There was a great chemistry between them and I loved that although she was a virgin for very good reasons, Nina wasn’t shy about vocalizing her desires. Great characters and I love the friendship group. I particularly loved the additional chapter thrown in.
*I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.
The Virgin Gift is the second book in The Gift Series and what a sexy story! You can read each of the books as a standalone if you choose too. But, let me tell you that you might be missing something really good by not reading the first book.
The Virgin gift is Adam and Nina’s story. Nina is a photographer for sensuous photo’s and she is also a virgin. Nina has some fantasies of her own she just doesn’t know how to go about making them happen, although she definitely knows what she wants. Adam her best friend who has been staying with Nina while his place is being painted. Adam comes upon Nina’s list and he wants to make her fantasies a reality. (Oh lucky girl!!!)
The chemistry between these two might just set your kindle on fire it is so HAWT! Another set your kindle on fire kind a book that Lauren Blakely is known for. 5 hot and fiery STARS! Oh and I CAN’T wait for The Decadent Gift (The Gift #3)!!!
I just finished this book a few hours ago and I’m ready to read it again! Not only was it super hot but it was sweet and told a great story. Also, I’d love to have a friend like Adam 😉 Lauren is killing it with her After Dark series and I hope she keeps it going.
I am a fan of Lauren Blakely but this sexy series makes her the queen of the rom-com! Adam and Nina are friends, neighbours and are to become so much more because of a list that Adam found. The story is sexy, funny and swoon worthy. Adam and Nina’s story will ignite your kindle and warm you heart and soul in true Lauren’s fashion. An epic love story! I honestly volunteered to review this arc.
Virgin Gift is everything I love about Lauren Blakely’s books; Funny, swoony worthy, and hot as hell romance. Adam and Nina’s relationship is sweet and lovable as friend/neighbors but when things get ‘physical’ everything comes full circle in a way that melts my heart.
I am here for The Virgin Gift! This book is everything and more I could have wished for! Lauren Blakely took me on journey of self discovery. Every page is empowering, scintillating and down right sexy! Nina’s confidence and fearlessness is so inspiring. Her chemistry with Adam is relaxed and heated all the same. Their relationship is popping HAWT!!
Nina and Adam have the perfect friends to lovers relationship. Adam is the perfect person to assist with Nina’s road to self-discovery and claiming her bold sexual desires. Adam’s dirty taking is feverishly addictive, I can see why Nina can’t keep her hands to herself 😉 But not only is their relationship about Nina’s exploration list, but the intimacy that trust can create. I was totally drawn into their intimate moments that screamed YOU ARE THE ONE heart and soul!!
This book made my heart sing! The Virgin Gift is devilishly sexy and daring while still maintaining LB’s signature lovable relationships and characters. I am in love with this series!
This was a great follow up to the Engagement Gift which was a hard book to top but Ms. Blakely has done it with the Virgin Gift. Adam and Nina were so great. Their chemistry was radiating off the pages. Loved how they were friends/neighbors/temporary roommates first and how that gradually turned into something more. The journey they were on to reach their HEA was so good to watch. The love between them was real. Loved seeing old characters and meeting new characters. This is one hot series and I can’t wait to read more.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Fun and flirty with just the right mix of steamy goodness and feels The Virgin Gift was a fantastic friends to lovers romance. Nina was such an interesting character from the start. I enjoyed her quirkiness and how she embraced her desires and went about getting exactly what she had always dreamed of. I absolutely loved Adam!! This boy next door had such a huge heart and an intriguing naughty side that I enjoyed watching him reveal. Adam and Nina together were riveting from their off-the-charts chemistry to their sweet and tender moments that caught me off guard. If you like your reads fun, sweet, steamy and with some delicious dirty talking then you’ll definitely enjoy The Virgin Gift.
The Virgin Gift made me melt. There’s nothing better than a friends to lovers romance. Nina and Adam are neighbors who have become great friends. They can’t see what’s more than obvious…they’re perfect for each other. Only after Adam stumbles on a very private list of Ninas and makes it his mission to check off every item on her list, do they discover what we’ve known from the beginning. Once the spice is added to more than just Adam’s cooking, you get a mouthwatering match made in heaven, and a perfect romance.
I loved Adam’s and Nina’s love story! The chemistry was off the charts hot! I loved how we can see how a friendship blooms into something more. Funny how when you are not looking, the best thing to ever happen falls into your lap unexpectedly…Pun intended!
I have always been a fan of Lauren Blakely’s writing and this book was amazing! I have not blushed so much in such a long time. I freakin’ loved this story. Nina is my hero and I want to be like her when I grow up 😉 Seriously, I loved everything about this book, from the cover, to the story, right down to the characters. This book has been added to re-read list!
Blakely keeps the laughs going, the heart glowing and the temptation growing. Adam and Nina will have steam coming out of your senses. The Virgin Gift goes beyond a little naughty. From neighbors to friends than lovers, this duo learns how to be vulnerable as they break their own rules and fall in love. There is no limit to the deliciousness that is a Lauren Blakely romance. Temptation goes to your head until love comes out of your heart.
The Virgin Gift far exceeded my expectations. I am an absolute goner for the friends-to-lovers trope, but if an author makes it a “friends with benefits and we won’t let ourselves fall in love” story, well just Take My Money! I could not read this book fast enough, and then when it was over I felt as though I’d read too quickly and now I need to read it all over again so I can spend more time with this competent, no drama, sex-positive couple. The dialogue and continued focus on consent was present, without feeling like a lecture because CONSENT IS SEXY! I could go on and on, but it’s a short book and I absolutely don’t want to spoil anything for anyone. I’ll just say, if you’re also someone that loves to watch two adults with sizzling chemistry try to convince themselves that there are no strings attached, this book should be on your radar. Watching them realize the other was The One was so gratifying!