I bought the Kindle edition of this novel. 

All I ever wanted was to make a name for myself as Candice Salinas, creative writing grad student at the University of Miami. Of course, secretly I already have made a name for myself: as Candy Sloane, self-published erotic romance writer. Though thrilled that my books are selling and I have actual fans, if anyone at UM found out, I could lose my scholarship…and the respect of my faculty advisor, grade-A-asshole Professor Dylan.

Enter James Walker, super-hot local barista and—surprise!—my student. Even though I know a relationship is totally off-limits, I can’t stop myself from sneaking around with James, taking a few cues from my own erotic writing…if you catch my drift. Candy’s showing her stripes for the first time in my real life, and I’ve never had so much fun. But when the sugar high fades, can my secrets stay under wraps?

 

First thoughts: I discovered Lisa Burstein several years ago when I won a copy of her first novel, Pretty Amy. I enjoyed it, and enjoyed Lisa's Tweets so I've kept tabs on her writing career which spans three novels and at least one novella which I have not read. 

What I liked: What I've always liked about Lisa Burstein's books is that they are extremely readable. As soon as you start reading, you instantly fall into the story and there isn't that few chapter slump when you attempt to figure out what your place of the story is. 

I really liked the characters, and was very happy to find that there was actually a good solid cast of characters that I could like. The first two novels, a lot of the characters just aren't the kind of people you would want to associate with outside of the book...but in Sneaking Candy it was clearly defined who was good, and who you didn't want to trust. 

It also made me interested in the erotic fiction genre. It was definitely a genre I hadn't given much thought to before, but after reading this...I had to admit I was a bit curious and have kept my eyes open for an opportunity. It sounds like a fun genre actually.

What I didn't like: There wasn't much that I didn't outright like in this book. The plotting maybe could have used some tweaking and I thought that the ending wasn't quite as satisfying but I can't  complain too much as I suspect it was left open intentionally and I wouldn't be surprised for a follow up.

Candice Salinas. Candy Sloane. Two totally different person. Or maybe not.

The story starts off with Candice, a pretty much normal girl leading a normal life, having normal academic and family issues. As she believed, her life was full of clichés. And in this cliché-full life; Candy seems to be her only escape to a moment of solace. It’s like Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (except for the fact that here she isn’t any psycho). The two are totally different personalities, each needing the other somehow. Candice is more of a person who wants to be on the ‘safe side’ of things, her studies, scholarship, PhD, her career as a writer, proving her worth to her parents…and not opening up to the guy she may or may not have serious feelings for. She lives a life within her self made safety shell.

Candy is quite the opposite. She is feisty, naughty, open about her feelings (at least on the pages), dominating and confident with men. She is a thousand times more expressive when it comes to having fun, maybe because she does that through her writing. Being Candy, writing as Candy is something Candice truly enjoys. But for the sake of Candice’s better future, Candy is to remain under cover. No matter how famous she is, an erotic writer is definitely not something keeping her in the good books of her Professor, something she is badly in need of to prove herself right to her family. But for how long fame can be kept hidden? Specially I this area of technological boom?

Things are already complicated and messy for Candice in this situation. And as if the Candy part was not enough, she has to deal with her Professor, who she thinks she secretly has the hots for:

“I guess I have an ulterior motive,” Professor Dylan said apologetically. “I like the way your cheeks flush when you’re drinking.” My cheeks flushed alcohol-free.

Plus, there is the barista James, who Candice approaches with a great effort from her side, only to realize he is academically unavailable. Her past, her present all make it difficult for her to decide her future, decide what she really wants, or who she really wants…

Maybe I just didn’t want to come out and admit I was willing to risk my academic achievements for a guy who made me forget to breathe.

For Candice, I feel pure empathy for her. No, I’m not an erotica writer…but I’ve realized that dream and ambition can often be two different things in one’s life, and you will never deliberately want to give up one for the other. Candice likes Candy’s profession, her persona, but it is ‘harmful’ for her ambition, which is to make a place for herself Candice, as a conventional and established author. You’re torn between choices and real life situations; you are often left with no choice other than giving one up. I could really connect to Candice’s character which made the plot more appealing to me.

It was like there was two of me. The one who knew what she should do and the one who just wanted to be able to do whatever she wanted.

I really liked the character of James. He seems to be the only person, apart from Amanda, who is fine with either Candice or Candy, whoever it is. He seems to be able to look right through her, through the secret she’s never shared with anyone else.

“You do understand you have a split personality, right?”  I did. Of course I did. I just couldn’t believe this guy I barely knew could see it so plainly. Maybe it was because he was the only guy who had seen and seemed to want both sides of me: the studious, serious Candice on the outside, the sultry, sex-kitten Candy on the inside”

Even when he comes to know about Candy, he doesn’t see a point why Candice is so freaked out about her secret being out. It is like the way Amanda says:

“No one can know. No one can ever know.” “You’re not a superhero.” She huffed.” You write erotic romance. Get a hold of yourself.”

Candice’s first attempts at trying to bring out the ‘Candy’ in her real life were really funny, specially when she was trying to hook up with James and again and again, the Candice keeps coming out:

“I whispered in a way I hoped was more Marilyn Monroe than creepy-ass serial killer.”  

I pulled my back tight against the palm tree—the worst hiding place in the world unless you’re as tall and thin as a cattail.

So for a long time, she ignored her feelings then deciding to give up on it only physically, more like ‘no strings attached’ thing (which, I have a feeling, never works :p)

“I don’t want things to be weird between us.” He said. “Why would they be?” I said. Of course they are. I thought…. “We’re adults, like you said,” I replied. “We can act like adults.” It was what I said, but all I could think was, Bullshit. I don’t want to act like an adult.

She is seen constantly fighting over her genuine feelings for the guy, more than she is willing to admit. (After she referred to Channing Tatum, I think I may have grown feelings for James as well*blush*)

Keith vs James was like comparing a rock and Channing Tatum.

Plus, he’s romantic, in a cute way. How could I not love him?

He leaned in, kissed me lightly on the cheek, and whispered, “At least you’ll remember that tomorrow.”

Their effort to act normal, maintaining a pure academic relationship is really a fun to read. Every instance they started to act as friends or as teacher-student, things got peculiar.

“What is all this?” I asked. “Apples,” he said, like he was saying duh. “I see they are apples,” I said. “What are you doing with so many of them?” “Acting like we’re teacher and student,” he explained. He held out the bag. “I brought you an apple.” “You brought me an orchard,” I replied.

I think I may have quoted excessively in this review (is that a new thing though?) But seriously, once I start quoting, I never seem to be able to stop myself from overdoing it. To give it a balance, let me mention why I gave it a 4 stars.

I didn’t dislike anything in particular. I just expected a little more at some places. Like a logical explanation as to why Professor Dylan seems to be so smitten(!) with James would have helped, for starters. For me, the whole Professor- Candice face off thing could have been a little longer. I felt THAT ending was a bit abrupt. I don’t like a dragging climax but it seemed really short, the problem solved even before it was started. Other than that, it’s a complete entertainer.

On a totally different note:

Being forced to read Ulysses was basically like boring yourself to death very slowly; being forced to read Ulysses while being forced to sit in on Professor Dylan’s office hours was like boring yourself past death and into un-death.

Another reason I’m empathetic to Candice. I had to read Ulysses on my first year as an undergrad. I know exactly what it feels like to read that thing.

Okay, so those of you who like to read a book with romantic naughtiness and fun, I recommend giving it a try. I, personally, feel that we all have a little ‘Candy’ somewhere hidden within us (once more, not talking about the writer part), even if we don’t realize. That way, this book will make you feel connected to the character of Candice very easily and make it all the more worth reading.

This review is also available on my blog, Bows & Bullets Reviews

Candice Salinas is a creative writing grad student who just wants to be taken seriously.  Since her fellowship only covers her tuition, she started writing (and self-publishing) erotic romance novels as Candy Sloane to make ends meet.  And, surprise, she is relatively successful, making enough off her novels to pay her rent.  But her asshat faculty advisor would disapprove and no one would take second look at her serious writing if they knew she was moonlighting as an erotic romance writer, nevermind that she kinda loves doing it (pun intended).  Then James walks into the picture, as if she needs more drama.  The hot barista a local coffee shop, he’s finally taken interest in her like she’s fantasized about for quite some time.  But, unfortunately, he is now a student in one of the classes she teaches to earn her fellowship.  The relationship is strictly forbidden, but sometimes Candy sneaks into her brain and she can’t help sneaking around with him.  With so much to lose, will Candice strike out or will things work out for the best?

Candice is that character with split personalities, one minute being the level-headed, if somewhat insecure, Candice and the other being the confident Candy who goes after what she wants.  While I can understand jumping between the two roles, I also became a bit annoyed when she was being overly dickish to James, who was a complete sweetheart.  She usually feels a great deal of remorse and apologizes, but I still wanted to strangle her when she was getting out of hand.  What made me love her, despite the drama, was how this was more about her becoming more confident in both personalities.  She starts out somewhat proud, but embarrassed about her romance novels, and completely lacking the confidence needed to stand up behind her books and proclaim that there was nothing wrong with writing them and that it didn’t make her a “lesser” author like some asshats like to imply.  But she grows and learns and by the end is ready to stop hiding her secondary persona.  I am woman, hear me roar, type of thing.

Then we have James, the sweetest guy imaginable.  He genuinely likes Candice, regardless of which personality she is displaying and puts her with her hot and cold crap.  One minute she is all over him and the next she is cold as ice, claiming this can’t happen because she is his teacher and it’s not worth losing her career over.  Somehow, despite Candice’s attempts to push him away, he still remains by her side when she needs him, proving time and again that they need to give it a try regardless of the fact that it would be highly frowned upon.  He’s got that great ability to deliver witty comebacks when necessary and walk away when Candice is being absurd.  And, of course, he’s hot enough to catch anyone’s eye.  

This does have a slight love triangle, but it isn’t one of those massively annoying ones where the girls is leading two guys on because she can’t decide.  She likes both in the beginning and, once she gets to know both better, it’s pretty obvious she only really likes one of them.  No cliffhangers to be found either, since it is a stand alone.  And, not instalove.  In fact, the characters haven’t even said those three magical words to each other by the end of the book.  They like each other and are attracted and really want to try the whole relationship thing, but the L word is never mentioned.  So we are joyously free of the three main hang-ups I have these days.

It’s definitely a different from any other NA novel I’ve read because neither character harbors a disturbing past.  There are no abusive exes or parents or attempt rape or anything sinister like that lurking in shadows of this novel.  Not that I’m downplaying those elements in a NA novel because I’ve deeply loved many of those stories, but it’s absent here.  Plus the idea of a serious writer moonlighting as an erotica author is fascinating.  I’ve always wondered if any of the erotica authors feel a little embarrassed of their profession.  I’m not implying that there is anything to be embarrassed about, more that I can see where it would steam from.  I imagine introducing yourself to strangers as a professional erotic romance writer can be daunting because there is a stigma attached to it.  Well there is a stigma attached to romance in general, but erotic romance especially.  It was interesting to explore Candice’s feelings about her in-the-closet profession, becoming more and more proud of who she really was and the message her novels sent.  Sure, they were smutty, but they still made people <i>feel</i> things and told a story that her readers loved, so what more can you ask for?  For writing to be worthwhile, must it be dull and dry?  I certainly hope not, for my sake as well as Candice’s.  I love that, by the end, she is proud of her Candy novels and is ready to stop hiding them from the world.  I love books that support that type of message, you know?  That one that say be yourself regardless of what the world things.  Fuck your parents, fuck your colleagues, and, most importantly, fuck the naysayers.  If it is what makes you a happy and you can legitimately make a living off it, then go for it.  We need more novels with that message.

It’s also very funny.  Readers searching for something that will make you giggle and snort constantly, this is it.  Penis jokes and double entendres galore, all of which had me giggling or smiling or somehow showing my glee.  There are double entendre alerts every few pages and all of them at least made me smile.  Here is a novel that isn’t afraid to show its pervy side.  Speaking of pervy, we get a great few steamy scenes that does Burstein credit.  The undeniable chemistry between Candice and James heats up every scene between the two, even the ones where they aren’t getting along.

This novel shines because of its originality, it’s humor, and the “be yourself” theme behind the story.  It’s creative and different and exactly what I was looking for.  Lisa Burstein is definitely an author to watch because it’s apparent she is going to do great things!  

****Thank you to Embrace, an imprint of Entangled Publishing, providing me with an eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.****