Book Review (18+): Naked

Naked by Raine Miller
Part 1 of the Blackstone Affair
August 24, 2012
Raine Miller Romance
208 pages
Source: NetGalley (for honest review)
Genre: Adult Romance including graphic sex scenes (18+)

Goodreads Summary:

Brynne Bennett is living the good life. An American art student at the University of London and part-time photographic model, she’s putting her life back on track with school and lots of hard work. When ultra successful London businessman, Ethan Blackstone, buys her nude portrait, he isn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer. He wants Brynne in his bed and makes plans to keep her there no matter what. His dominant nature captivates and ensnares despite the demons she carries inside her. But there are secrets in this relationship. Huge ones. Can Ethan free Brynne from the past that has marked her? Will Brynne let him or will the specters tormenting her resurface to destroy them both…

My Review:

This book had a lot of potential. The main characters were certainly interesting and intriguing. First, we have the elusive Brynne, who has a secret she's hiding, but a body that she isn't (as she is a nude model), and a father who thinks she's in danger and needs to be protected. Enter the mysterious Ethan, who is a security professional, but that has nothing to do with his instant attraction to Brynne. Well, I think a certain nude photo had something to do with that initial attraction.

The book is told from Brynne's POV (although the prologue is Ethan's POV). We are quickly drawn into the passion of their attraction and their ensuing relationship. We also get glimpses of each of their pasts and the nightmares that haunt them. Yes, the sex scenes are steamy. Yes, they have some interesting non-sexual interaction that deepens their interest in one another. But unfortunately, this moved a bit quickly for me. I wanted more from their relationship than sex. I wanted more from their conversations than somewhat stilted dialogue. I wanted to feel more depth to their relationship, because you can sense that they want to start professing their love to one another really quickly, but I wasn't feeling the love, just the lust, and maybe a deep caring. I know it was more of a novella than a novel, but I still think there could have been more.

Bottomline: This is a quick read, with adequate character development and moderate plot development. The sex scenes are steamy, if that's what you're looking for. But I will say I read this quickly and had a hard time putting it down. I found the story and characters interesting enough to want to continue the series.

3 STARS