This wasn't a bad book, it just wasn't the book for me. I liked Akira: supremely in charge of her life and sexuality. The sex scenes were pretty over the top and well done (definitely adventurous, so kudos for that!). But I thought the conflict was thin and didn't drive the story quite enough. I mean, I understand that family can scar you but to make that the whole problem? I guess I just didn't 'buy' it. I took another chance hoping to find something enjoyable outside my usual genre choices and bombed out again..ah well.

Triggers: Right now, I don't remember any, but if someone else read this, please let me know.

Okay, so, this is my first time reading this author. And I'll admit I was a little bit worried. As much as I love(and still root for) interracial romance novels, I have most definitely been burned by them before. In fact, repeatedly. So, I was really, really concerned. 

BUT!...I was happily, tremendously surprised by this, and I honestly couldn't get enough. This is by far one of the best IRR Romances I've read, if not in general, then most definitely in a long time.  

It was refreshing. Akira was the right mixture of vulnerable and tough. She didn't want to nor need to be saved by Jacob's love, and Jacob didn't cheapen his feelings by saying that he was. He also didn't try to "love-her-because-she-doesn't-love-herself". He wanted to show her that she deserved love and everything else that she had. I also liked the fact that Akira was bisexual and polyamorous, and that she was highly open and blunt about her sexuality and needs sexually. I also liked the fact that mention of multiple partners wasn't just held or put to one scene(usually, for the hero'es pleasure first then the heroine's) but mentioned or brought up repeatedly and comfortably. That being said, this is highly explicit, still being tasteful mind you. But there were a few things even I wasn't prepared for and found myself wanting blush at, and I've been reading erotic romance/erotic fiction for a while. 

Jacob. -enter swoon and sigh here- I adored him. It was probably due to the fact that I saw him as Chris Evans that made him even more attractive. But he was sexy and attractive even if there wasn't a face claim to him. Like I said, I liked the fact that he wasn't trying to change Akira from her ways, with the obvious exception of her not loving herself, her ideas on love, and etc. I don't want to say that he conformed to her sexuality. It was more of he became more aware of his own sexuality and what he liked and wanted from a relationship as well. Basically, they both learned something from one another. I also liked the fact that after he decides how he really feels about Akira he doesn't start acting like his old self and becoming distant or whatever toward her. He basically knows what he wants but does it in a way that isn't sexist/gross/over-bearing. He proceeds at a pace that they're both comfortable at with each other, if that makes sense. He doesn't really go in a "I-know-you-love-me" type of thing, thankfully. It's more of "we-know-we-both-like-each-other-but-we're-too-trapped-up-in-things-to-let-it-happen", each side for various reasons. I don't want to give too much away. 

I also liked the way it ended. It fit both of them. That made me happy. 

The sex scenes were hot, super hot. Like I said, this is extremely explicit. In a great way. There were times I had to walk away due to what I was reading. They were definitely one of a kind and didn't feel like the same old, same old, if that makes sense. 

 I had tons of fun reading this, and I really hope I get read more by this author.

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

• Jacob No! ARG!
• He's in a suit. That was the sound of my panties being flung across the room.
• Sweet baby Cthulhu! That escalated quickly.
• "Fuck her." 
• "Now we can forget it. Well. You can try." 
• No time to update. Too busy knitting a super hero cape for Akira because she fucking rocks! I was punching the air every time she spoke. Imagine I found a gif of her standing in front of 10 foot tall neon sign that says "FLAWLESS"
• "It didn't matter he hadn't intended it. What mattered was how he had made her feel." BOOM! Thank you. Also love Jacob's brothers, Connor and Ben.

"Don't let anyone hear you."

"...tugging him away from her pussy. He snarled at her..."

"...he shifted and inadvertently rasped his beard over he sensitive flesh."

Jacob has a beard. Hold on readjusting mental image...

 Thanks to this opening scene the role of Jacob will be played (in my head) by Chris Evans.

• "Don't be a type, girl." - Amen! I love Akira so much.
• Amira's a great example of how to switch up a trope into something I can not only dig, but identify with. She maybe rich, but she's also intelligent, confident and unapologetically sexual. I can believe she's a savvy business woman. She is no "poor little rich girl." Me like.
• The UST between these two is fogging up my glasses and how Jacob chooses to "handle" it almost killed me. Sweet baby Cthulhu this book is HOT!
• Googling gas huffing. Bwahahaha
• Men who are vocally against slut shaming has now been added to my list of turn ons. *drools*
• Akira is a an awesome boss. I hope we get to meet Kim.
• "He was the one who twitched, his finger gliding over her lower lip, coming to a rest against the center. Acting on instinct, her tongue flicked out, making contact with his skin."