EDITORIAL: Shall These Unromantic Trends Be Forgotten: A Plea to Contemporary Romance Writers

🎉Good-bye 2016🎈Hello 2017 🎉

A new year is almost upon, and resolutions are about to be laid.  If you’re an author in the romance community, do you mind if a few suggestions are made?

 My plea is to writers from famous to virtually unknown, if you’re selling your book in the romance market, can you make them ones romantic readers truly want to take home?

 Because there are some literary devices out there that are a bit yucky when it comes to the fucky. Yes, you read that right. When readers get to the sexy nitty gritty, we don’t want to run in freight.

So my poetry sucks, but I'm not a poet. I'm a romance book blogger and in that role I do my fair share of reading—everything from contemporary romance books to the reviews and comments of other readers on those titles. So I’m going to close the year with a little commentary on the trends in the current romance market. While not everyone is going to agree with me because everyone has different opinions, I did not pull this list out of my ass either. I might have compiled it with sass (*groan* I know, another bad rhyme), but it does represent a fairly valid summation of complaints I see from readers time and time again. 

#1 The Manwhore Characterization

“Yes, I’d like to order a new contemporary romance novel please?  Heavy on the smut factor but go easy on the manwhore. However you prepare him, please don’t supersize him!”

Those so-called sexy male sluts are everywhere. Except when did they become sexy? And when did they become the staple of the romantic hero? Seriously, it’s hard these days to find a male lead without this characterization to some degree.  

Some of them were manwhores in the past, but they’ve now changed their ways after finding love or lust at first sight with the heroine. That’s okay. Romance readers are big on redemption as well as the heroine being the game changer. But writers, ask yourself this before you pen those lurid past details: If the past is really in the past for this character, why is he relating all the titillating tidbits to the reader in the present? Because just like it's not cool to talk about your exes or former conquests on a real date, it can be equally unromantic to the reader when a character does it. 

Look, I get you’re trying to convey that your hero is a winner between the sheets. He has experience; every woman wants him. That’s great. But there’s a finesse to this, a subtly if you will, that makes the difference between conveying him as a talented lover and a walking STD.

It’s okay to drop a few details about his sexual history if it's relevant so long as you don’t beat the reader over the head with it, especially right off the bat. One of the biggest ways I get turned off as a reader is when the hero is introduced with a monologue about how frequently he gets laid and with how many different women. Or worse yet, he is introduced displaying his prowess with someone other than the heroine. Which brings me to …

#2 Hero Has Sex with Other Women (OW) Scene

“Give me a gallon of brain bleach, please?...What you don’t sell that? Then how in the hell am I supposed to get the image of the hero bending one of his bitches over a desk out of my head?”

I don’t want to imply any double standards here, so let me be clear. The heroine having sex with another guy (OM) in a romance is just as counterproductive as the hero having sex with another woman. If it happens after they have they connected/become involved, well then see #4. But even if it’s depicted before the hero and heroine cross paths, what purpose does it serve?  Are you trying to convey they had a life before meeting each other? Yeah, I think most readers are smart enough to figure that out without the TMI. Are you trying to amp up the steam factor in your novel? Well that can be accomplished between the hero and heroine!  Because unless you’re writing straight erotica, with no intentions of a romantic vibe, then leave the panting and moaning action to your main couple. Otherwise it just makes it harder for the reader to picture the pair you’re trying to put together actually together because they're distracted with the image of the hero or the heroine with someone else. 
🙈🙉🙊 And if it isn’t bad enough when the reader has to endure it, it’s even more revolting when…

#3 Heroine Hears or Sees the Hero Having Sex with Other Woman (OW) Trope

“I’d like to speak to a manager! Page Dr. Phill. Is Dr. Ruth around? Or maybe…summon the ghost of Dr. Sigmund Freud? We might need to break out the big guns to analyze this one.”

On what planet did this scenario become foreplay? Because I’m pretty sure on Earth, most women are more likely to break into tears upon seeing or hearing their crush fidgeting the midget in Bridget than they are to suddenly become hot and bothered and want him all the more.  Buzz kill doesn't even begin to describe it. It's heartbreaking, pure and simple. 💔

Now perhaps if you’re trying to convey that your heroine has secret fantasies of becoming a swinger, then this type of scene might work. But if your goal is make the reader connect with the hero and heroine solely as a singular romantic unit, then this trope needs to go the way of the dinosaurs. Enough said. Moving on to another one that should have been extinct in the romance market long ago...

#4 'Cheating' Plot Conflict

“Customer Service, please…Yes, I ordered a romantic hero but I was given a cheating bastard instead. I’d like my time and money back pronto. There’s some deceptive advertising going on in your establishment.”

I’m not even going to go into explanation on this one because I’m pretty sure you don’t need a book blogger, Dr. Phil, or Dr. Ruth to tell you that cheating is not only unhealthy in a relationship, it’s also decidedly unromantic. It doesn’t belong here. And if it’s in your novel, then romance is not what you’re writing. And don't try to skirt the issue by having the main couple break up 40% into the novel, screw other people till 90%, and then get a rushed reconciliation. It might technically not be cheating up, but it's unromantic just the same. 

Still feel compelled to use cheating in a ‘love story?’ Allow me to direct you on a little vacation to the Freudian section of the psychology bookshelves where you might gain some insight into that fiction novel you're really writing. In the meantime, the rest of us will be over here analyzing this next one…

#5 ‘Breeding’ Diction and Theme

“I’m sorry; I thought I walked into a contemporary establishment. I must be in the wrong year or maybe I accidentally 1-clicked an erotic edition of Animal Farm!”

I have a post coming up in greater detail on this one, but it needs a mention on this list too. So even if you’ve managed to create a hero who avoids all the issues in #1-4 but then succumbs to #5, he’s still a creep.

Two people in love making a baby 👶 can be a beautiful plot development in a romance, but when the hero spouts off chauvinist gibberish that contain this ‘B’ word, whether it be to the heroine or in the hero’s head, the romance just went out the door. 
Can’t you just smell the chauvinist manure?  💩

“Breeding” in a romance book is a problem with both word choice as well as the message it sends.  It goes beyond being simply a poor use of the word. It’s distasteful and implies a whole lot more than just conception. It’s a misogynist theme. Real liberated men don’t need to conspire to impregnate their woman to claim her or keep her so romantic heroes shouldn’t either.

Writers, you want your hero to show the world that she’s his? Write an epic public marriage proposal. 💍 You want them to have a baby together? Then write an intelligent conversation between a man and a woman who mutually decide to procreate together. 👪 Or have the freaking condom accidentally break. Whatever! But this is not a decision to be made by only one person in the relationship. No doubt readers would look down on a heroine who got pregnant on purpose to trap the hero. Cease the double standards. A hero who does the same should not get a pass.  Heroes who want to "breed" their heroines are not swoon-worthy over-the-top alpha males. They are insecure sexist pigs without an ounce of integrity or respect for the woman they claim to adore. 🐷

🎶 Should these trends be forgotten? And never brought to mind?

Frankly, I’m not sure how they ever became synonymous with the word romance to begin with. They are about as far from romantic as it gets. And if there's one thing that's key to the romance genre, it's certain expectations that readers come to expect when they flip open the pages to escape for a few hours. Positive depictions of love culminating in a HEA is what essentially defines the romance reading genre. If you decide to deviate from that, you're not cutting edge, you're not infusing gritty realism, or thinking outside the box.  You are outside the box! As in, you're no longer writing in the genre. 

And bear in mind, I’m not telling anyone what to write or not write. What I’m saying is that there’s a growing consensus in the reading community that romance, one of the biggest book buying genres, has become a dumping ground for everything from angsty melodrama to erotic suspense to short story porn. So before you slap that “Romance” label on the cover or market it in the romance category, make sure what you’re really presenting is romantic. We need love more than ever these days!

🎉 Happy New Year Everyone! 🎈

🍸Let’s close with a toast….

To a more romantic 2017! 🍻

EXCERPT REVEAL: Blurry by Carina Adams

~Synopsis~

Cecelia Merrill was used to being on her own. Lost and lonely, Lia couldn’t wait to graduate and watch her judgmental little town fade behind her. All she had to do was survive three more years of high school, and she was free. She wouldn’t let anything hold her back.

Craig Knightly had almost achieved what no one in his family had before – all he had to do was complete his student-teaching assignment, and in less than a year, he would have a college degree. He was ready to put down roots and start his life. Nothing was going to stand in the way of his dreams.

Sometimes all it takes is a moment for everything to change.

A student and her teacher. A coach and his athlete. An unexpected friendship. Forbidden feelings between an unlikely pair.

Neither is playing a game they can win.

 GOODREADS

~Excerpt~

“Ground rules. You feel up to making them now?” She nodded. I rubbed my palms on my sweats. “You start.”

“One: Whatever we talk about, whatever I tell you, whatever you tell me, stays between us. I don’t share with my friends. You don’t share with yours.”

I didn’t even hesitate when it was my turn. “Two: We acknowledge that we’re attracted to each other and then never talk about it again.”

The smirk I loved made an appearance. “That’s your ground rule?” The admonishment in her voice was almost laughable. “Whatever.” She rolled her eyes. “Fine. I think you’re hot. Until you talk. Then you just bug me.” I laughed, but she continued, “Three: Our significant others come first. We don’t blow them off to spend time with each other.”

“You have a boyfriend I don’t know about?” The words came out before I could stop them, and I could tell by the irritated look on her face that I hadn’t hidden the jealous tone. “Have someone in mind?” I asked, my voice a little more even.

“Not yet,” she snapped. “But, when I do, I won’t be blowing off weekend plans with him to stay home and take care of you. You need to put Whitney first. I’ll understand. When it’s my turn, you’ll understand.”

“Speaking of, we don’t talk about them. Whitney and your mystery guy.”

“Ever? How is that a good rule?” she demanded, scowling. “No. Four: We can talk about whoever we’re dating, but we can’t complain.”

“You can’t change my rule.”

“I didn’t change it. I simply used my turn to overrule yours.”

“You made two rules. If you make two, I get two.” 

“You are such a pain.” She sighed dramatically. “Go ahead, make two.”

“Five: There are going to be some things we never talk about. Some things we never can.”

“Sex,” she interrupted. “We never talk about sex. I can’t think of anything else.”

“Sex,” I agreed. “Five: We never talk about sex. I mean it.”

She lifted a shoulder in a half-shrug. “That’s all you, buddy. I’m not the one who has a girlfriend.”

“When you do, we don’t talk about it.” 

“Not a problem. Girls are pretty and all, but they’re not my thing,” Lia sassed, completely undaunted as if this was the rule she wasn’t taking seriously. “That’s one. What’s your next rule?”

Needing to make sure she understood this, above all else, was the one we needed to follow, I clasped my hands and leaned forward. I didn’t need to say anything, just gave her a pointed look. She knew me well enough to understand I was getting agitated. 

“Isn’t this against your rules? We’re talking about it right now.”

“Lia,” I growled in warning. I knew her just as well as she knew me. “Not talking about it means you don’t ask questions. You don’t ask my opinion. You don’t tell me one tiny detail simply because you insist it’s something I have to know.”

“Good God! This entire conversation is embarrassing. I’m not going to have sex, but if I do, I swear to all that is holy that I will not mention it to you!” The blush crept up her cheeks as she threw her hands in the air annoyed. She was too fucking cute.

~Also Available by the Author~

FOREVER RED 

AMAZON US / AMAZON UK

Carina Adams has been writing and creating characters for as long as she can remember, allowing her to fall in love with the next man of her dreams with every new story.

Thankfully, fate stepped in and granted her the ultimate wish - a life full of men. Carina lives in a picturesque New England town with her husband, the man who ruined the thought of all others, and two amazing sons who always keep her on her toes.

Carina received her MBA in May, but would much rather play with her imaginary friends (the voices in her head) than work her 8 to 5. When she isn’t trying to juggle being a working mom with karate and football practices, surprising her children with her sci-fi movie knowledge, or writing, you can find her with her nose pressed against her kindle, laughing with friends, or living life vicariously as her Derby Girl persona, Writers Block.

Carina is the author the of Bastards MC series and best selling Forever Red. She is currently writing Out of The Blue, the follow up to Forever Red. She loves to hear feedback from her readers, no matter what type. You can email her at: carinaadamswrites@gmail.com

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Book-Bosomed Book Blog's Best of 2016

Want to know a little secret?... I loathe fan-girl reviews. They don't provide any kind of constructive criticism from which the writer might grow; they're rarely ever truly helpful to other readers; and I quickly dismiss them whenever I encounter them. But once a year I indulge in them! I mean I make up this list and gush, "OMG! You have to read these books! They are awesome!" But I do truly mean it, and because I did originally write honest, unbiased reviews for them, I don't feel so bad giving them a little extra praise at this time of year meant for giving.  And I hope these shout-outs help readers discover some titles that they might have missed throughout the year. 

Confession #2: This list is always a challenge to make. With a year’s worth of books, it’s often hard to decide which ones will make the cut. Sadly, this year I think I’ve had more DNF titles than ever before.  But sometimes you’ve got to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince or princes! 💋 To find yours, keep reading. I promise you one thing, you will find more book boyfriends than books. 😉 I think this is the most eclectic contemporary romance list I've made yet. There's a reason why I called it "Top Page Turning Titles of 2016." While I can't promise the content is right for everyone, I can say that you'll find gritty; you'll find gripping; you'll find humor; you'll find sweet and sexy; and you'll find down and dirty! What more could you ask for? 😀

Happy Holidays & Happy Reading Everyone!

Target on Our Backs by J.M. Darhower

BOOK REVIEW

“‘Places to go.
People to see.
Blood to spill.
You know how it is.’”

When Karissa Reed met the mysterious and enigmatic Ignazio Vitale, her life was never the same. Naz knows Karissa better than she knows herself, and now they're both sucked into a world where revenge knows no bounds. 

My favorite bad man was back this year for a third installment in the Monster in His Eyes series! The previous titles made the list in 2014, and if you haven't read them, I can't recommend them enough. For a gripping, dark, romantic suspense that will keep you turning pages, follow the twisted, so-not-your-ordinary romance of Karissa and Naz. 

#myfavoritebadman #Naz&Karissa4Ever 
AMAZON

The Most Wanted by Annika Martin

BOOK REVIEW

“‘This is how we express our love for each other, and if anybody wants to act like it’s wrong, I will fuck them up.’”

She was just a small town girl working at a bank. They were the robbers that took her hostage. Now they're the infamous god pack, from heists to hot tubs!

I was a little late to the game with this series otherwise I'm sure the previous titles would have made the list before. This is the fourth installment in another must-read series. It's lighthearted, humorous, and full of kinky fun. Why have one hot man when you can have three? The more the merrier, and the merrier you'll be if this series is on your wish list. 

#takemehostage #godpackrules

AMAZON

My Personal Bad Boy by Bethany James

BOOK REVIEW

“…I survived the Wesosuarus Cock…”

Nicole wanted to live a little, have some new adventures. Wes was the bad boy who answered her ad. It's a wild ride from there, and you're guaranteed to get off! 😉

Holy hotness, this is vying for the title of My Dirtiest Read. It's one kinky adventure after the next, and I couldn't wait for Wes to call any more than Nicole could. It's naughty and nice. Or is that nice and naughty? Hmm, well either way if you're looking for a dirty indulgence to ring in the new year than look no further than this no holds barred, low angst, erotic romance.

#filthydirtyfun   #Nice-n-Naughty
AMAZON

Fall With Me by Jayne Frost

BOOK REVIEW

“I’d grown to believe she was my air. The fact I couldn’t breathe without her proved the hypothesis.”

Mel wasn't looking for a rock star in a library. Christian wasn't looking for love in a burger joint. But two unconventional meetings and there's no denying their spark. 🎸

I can be a sucker for rock star romances, but they'e got to be sexy & sweet! And this novella series completely delivers in that department, packing in steamy encounters with swoon-worthy musicians as the hero and heroine experience a journey of not just love, but life as well.

#SwoonworthyMusicianAlert
AMAZON

Double Team by Sabrina Paige

BOOK REVIEW

“‘But you’re mine. I mean ours. And we are going to take every inch of you.’”

Life isn't always easy when you're the president's daughter. And it's downright hard when you have have two bad ass ball players next door.

So I'm clueless when it comes to sports, and the great news is that you don't have to know a thing about football to adore this erotic sports romantic comedy. In fact, a little appreciation of anatomy would probably serve you better when it comes to this hilarious, put a smile on your face and a wet spot in your panties read. Still holding onto your menage reading cherry? Then it's time to pop it by 1-clicking this one!

#DoubleYourPleasure
AMAZON

Want More? 
Try these stand outs in their categories.... 

📚Second Chance Romance

Sketch by Laramie Briscoe

Book Review

“Her juices are coating the head of my cock, and I’m leaking everywhere. Together we’re straining trying to come to the end of this ride, even though neither one of us knows where it’s going to lead us.” 

Tattoo artist Sketch and his wife Nina's marriage is on the rocks, but if they can both find themselves in time, they might just come through with a stronger marriage rather than a divorce. 

This is a MUST READ for anyone in a relationship or anyone that wants to be in a relationship. The lessons and messages in this story are so important to life and love. 

AMAZON

📚Opposites Attract Romance

The Stars in the Sky by Leslie McAdam

Book Review

“‘I don’t know whether to spank you or fuck you for this.’”

Will and Marie couldn't be more different on the surface. But once they take the time to get to know each other, they find out they both have a lot more going on. 

Fun and sexy! Even if you can't stand another minute of US politics, this story is still one to enjoy! 

AMAZON

📚Love-Hate Romance

Cocky F@#ker by Misti Murphy

Book Review

“I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have a nice bone in his body, well unless I count the one I was riding minutes ago.”

They lost their virginity to each other as teens. They married each other in Vegas as adults. They may or may not have divorced each other in Reverence, but now they are certainly having a baby!

Mace and Chelsea are one hot and funny love-hate romance that will leave you smiling!

AMAZON

📚New Adult Romance

Dancer by Jamie Schlosser

Book Review

“‘I need you to know that I love every part of you, Ellie….Now get that pussy on my face.’”

Colton's ready to give up on love till he meets a sexy dancer at the club. He's a good guy, and she's a good girl, but that doesn't mean they can't be bad together!

A sweet, sexy, swoon-worthy new adult story in a series that shows just how good The Good Guys can be!

AMAZON

Bet Me Something by Aubrey Bondurant

Book Review

“‘I’m torn between wanting to fuck you senseless or kiss you breathless. Take your pick, Kenz, but I’m not going anywhere.’”

Kenzie's had a crush on Colby forever.  Colby knows Kenzie should be off limits, but...Well when they can't resist any longer, things get pretty heated. 

If you're looking for a new adult read with plenty of steam alongside the signature themes of becoming an adult, coming into your self, and finding love, then this is a great romance to pick up as both Kenzie and Colby make compelling characters with room to grow. 

AMAZON

📚More Rock Star Romances

Dex by Stephanie Witter

Book Review

“‘A rock star who doesn’t fuck is an anomaly.’”

Front man Dex isn't your ordinary manwhore musician. In fact, he hasn't had sex in years. Music blogger Harley is about to find out why. It may not be part of her assignment but she's the key to Dex's problems in more ways than one.

This is not your ordinary rocker romance, and I loved it for it! Harley and Dex will warm your cold winter nights with their heated sexual tensions.

AMAZON

Sticks by T. Gephart

Book Review
“It was perfect casual sex. I’m getting emotional just thinking about it.”

Joey and Kenzie both play in a band. Commitment is the furthest thing from either of their minds. But things just got real when their friends with benefits one night stand puts them on the road to parenthood.

If you're looking for a rocker romcom, look no further than this witty 'we're having a baby' tale of sex, love, and rock-n-roll.

AMAZON

Hope this list keeps you reading into 2017!

Missed the Previous Years' Lists?
Check them out now...
2015

2014

COVER REVEAL: The Way Back Home by Carmen Jenner

Genre: Standalone Military Romance

Release Date: February 2017

~Blurb~

August Cotton shouldn’t be here. When a tragic accident calls him home to Magnolia Falls, this returned Veteran adds his parents to the list of things he’s lost in recent years, right along with his IED detection dog and his left leg. As the sole guardian of his four-year-old sister, August must rely on his Marine training in raising a tiny hellion who’s as stubborn as he is. But the Corps could never prepare him for this. Nor could they prepare him for Olivia Anders, a woman who’ll stop at nothing to get her way.

As owner of Paws for Cause, Olivia is no stranger to the broken men and women who return home from war. She’s no stranger to broken dogs either. In fact, she’s made it her mission to pair the two and enrich both of their lives, but pairing ornery and aloof August Cotton will take some work. The last thing August wants is some pushy southern woman occupying his parents’ bed and breakfast and forcing him to open up about the hell he narrowly escaped, but that’s exactly what Olivia intends.

They complete one another, and yet they can’t stand to be in the same room.

Can Olivia make this hardened Marine feel again and finally show his heart the way back home?

GOODREADS

Cover Design: Be Designs 

Photographer: K Keeton Designs 

Models: Tessi Le'Anne & Dustin Adams

Carmen Jenner is a thirty-something, USA Today and international bestselling author.

Her dark romance, KICK (Savage Saints MC #1), won Best Dark Romance Read in the Reader’s Choice Awards at RWDU, 2015.

A tattoo enthusiast, hardcore makeup addict and zombie fangirl, Carmen lives on the sunny North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, where she spends her time indoors wrangling her two wildling children, a dog named Pikelet, and her very own man-child.

A romantic at heart, Carmen strives to give her characters the HEA they deserve, but not before ruining their lives completely first … because what’s a happily ever after without a little torture?

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   TWITTER   GOODREADS   AMAZON

COVER REVEAL: The Neighborhood by Stylo Fantôme

Series: Twin Estates #2

Genre: Erotic Romance

Release Date: January 17, 2017

~Blurb~

Things a bad neighbor can do to you:

1. Have loud parties late at night
2. Refuse to mow his lawn
3. Steal your newspapers
4. Rip your heart out and walk all over it

Katya Tocci is willing to admit that she may have bitten off more than she could chew.

Liam Edenhoff showed her a side of life she'd been missing out on - sex and friendship and tacos. But then he betrayed her.

Wulfric Stone taught her that big surprises can come from unexpected places - like from a surly, aggressive, withdrawn bastard. But then he broke her heart.

Now one of them wants forgiveness, and the other wants forever. And Katya? She just wants to forget.

Who knew neighbors could be so difficult?

This story contains scenes of a graphic sexual nature, multiple uses of coarse language, and quite possibly enough confusion to drive a normal person insane. Reader discretion is advised. 

GOODREADS

Cover Design: Najla Qamber Designs

~Also in the Series~

AMAZON US / UK

~About Stylo Fantome~

Crazy woman from a remote location in Alaska (where the need for a creative mind is a necessity!), I have been writing since ... forever? Yeah, that sounds about right. I have been told that I remind people of Lucille Ball - I also see shades of Jennifer Saunders, and Denis Leary. So basically, I laugh a lot, I'm clumsy a lot, and I say the F-word A LOT.

I like dogs more than I like most people, and I don't trust anyone who doesn't drink. No, I do not live in an igloo, and no, the sun does not set for six months out of the year, there's your Alaska lesson for the day. I have mermaid hair - both a curse and a blessing - and most of the time I talk so fast, even I can't understand me.

Yeah. I think that about sums me up.

FACEBOOK   AMAZON  GOODREADS   TWITTER   INSTAGRAM

BOOK REVIEW: Birthday Blaze by Kacey Shea

~Synopsis~

Brennan O’Shea might be every woman’s dream. 
Gorgeous. 
Single. 
Built like a tank and inked to perfection.
A fireman. Really, what else is there?
Yeah, he’s a fantasy brought to life if only it weren’t for one little problem. Okay, it’s a big one. He can’t talk to women. The more attractive the lady, the more words fail him. And his beautiful, friendly neighbor Jenny has Brennan lusting for more than chatty banter. Will a birthday wish give him a shot with the woman he wants? Or will his hopes go up in flames?

GOODREADS

~Review~

1 Star

Brennan O’Shea is dreading turning thirty. He’s still single, but he’d rather be settled down with his spunky neighbor next door, Jenny.  But things might turn around if he can have a dirty thirty with his big crush.

Told via Brennan’s sole point of view, the premise sounded cute. But it turned out to have two major issues that made the story a dud.

First, there is way too much OW drama for all the longer this short story is. I liked Jenny right off the bat when she was depicted as a no manwhore kind of girl. And Brennan is no manwhore so I have no idea why the story is loaded with so many details about his annoying ex.  

“All those weeks with Amber were worth something if I learned how to rock Jenny’s world.” 

That’s what Brennan is thinking when he’s going down on Jenny! Ugh, yuck—who needs those type of details?  If all the references to sex with Amber was meant to show that the guy is still talented in the sack despite being challenged in the conversation department then that could have easily been illustrated by showing the reader via the loves scenes between him and Jenny. But that doesn’t happen, which leads into my second issue with the story...

It ends abruptly just as Brennan and Jenny are about to do the deed!  So what the reader basically get is too many pages devoted to references to dating Amber and how she still makes him hard and very little in the way of relationship development between Brennan and Jenny other than some insta lust. The story stops at 50% with a HFN, and the rest of the pages are excerpts from other stories. I one-clicked this title as a freebie from Amazon; otherwise, I’d feel like it was a rip-off. 

All in all, even as a short story, this is completely underdeveloped. The characters had some potential, but there's not enough development there either, and the OW drama overshadows the hints at romance. 

AMAZON   B&N   iBOOKS