Foreplay: The Ivy Chronicles
4.5
123
5
1
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780062279873 |
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| Publisher: | HarperCollins Publishers |
| Publication date: | 11/05/2013 |
| Series: | Ivy Chronicles Series , #1 |
| Pages: | 304 |
| Sales rank: | 484,400 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.31(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.68(d) |
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Foreplay: The Ivy Chronicles
4.5 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
123 reviews.
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***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Foreplay by Sophie Jordan
Book One of the Ivy Chronicles
Publisher: William Morrow
Publication Date: November 5, 2013
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
Summary (from Goodreads):
Before she goes after the life she’s always wanted, she’s about to find the one she needs.
Pepper has been hopelessly in love with her best friend’s brother, Hunter, for like ever. He’s the key to everything she’s always craved: security, stability, family. But she needs Hunter to notice her as more than just a friend. Even though she’s kissed exactly one guy, she has just the plan to go from novice to rock star in the bedroom—take a few pointers from someone who knows what he’s doing.
Her college roommates have the perfect teacher in mind. But bartender Reece is nothing like the player Pepper expects. Yes, he’s beyond gorgeous, but he’s also dangerous, deep—with a troubled past. Soon what started as lessons in attraction are turning both their worlds around, and showing just what can happen when you go past foreplay and get to what’s real…
What I Liked:
NON-SPOILER-FILLED REVIEW, I PROMISE!
I think one of the reasons why I am so harsh with New Adult novels (especially the contemporary romance ones) is that I'm actually in college... so I can pick out completely unauthentic parts of this type of novel. I mean, I know all colleges and universities are different, and I also know that Johns Hopkins is soooo not the same as, say, the University of Maryland. But there are some aspects of college life that some New Adult authors get totally wrong, and some aspects that these author hit on the head.
I think that overall, Sophie Jordan does a good job of portraying a certain TYPE of college student's life. Not all college students go to bars - not all UNDERAGE college students go to bars. Yet, this is the type of lifestyle that New Adult authors portray, over and over. I mean, most of the college students that I know explore the city, or go paint-balling, or rollerblading, or rock-climbing. The adventurous ones, anyway. The non-adventurous ones stay indoors all day, in their dorm or in the library or so on.
But anyway. Pepper is a quiet student who occasionally goes out with her suitemate and roommate - and by goes out, I mean to places with alcohol and dancing and so on. Not like, bowling, or something. But I had no huge problems with Pepper. Usually, I HATE the heroine in New Adult contemporary romance novels. But Pepper was okay. She didn't have some gigantic, soul-eating, mind-consuming secret from the past, that she had to work through, with the aid of a super-yummy hunk of a man, like most New Adult contemporary romance novels feature.
Not that this book didn't contain a super-yummy hunk of a man. Reece definitely fits that profile. But I like Reece a lot. Instead of insipid and arrogant, he is quiet and thoughtful, but also very direct. It is his idea for Pepper and him to practice foreplay, in order for her to score the man of her dreams - the guy she's been in love with for like, EVER.
I know, the plot seems kind of silly. And New-Adult-y. But somehow, the plot ended up being very engaging. I enjoyed the interactions between Pepper and Reece - even the sappy secret-delving conversations that usually make me want to roll my eyes. The difference with this book is that Reece actually seems like a grown MAN, and not a silly and stupid and BRAINLESS teenage boy/young man.
Romance. LOVE. IT. Sophie Jordan does an excellent job of constructing the romance in this book. The growth of the relationship between Reece and Pepper is simplistic and progressive. There is a lust connection at first sight, but it's not insta-love. It's hard to explain, but trust me, it was different in this book.
So, I suppose you could say that there is a love triangle in this book, since there is Pepper and Reece practicing foreplay, in order for Pepper to snag Mr. Perfect. But... it's not quite your traditional love triangle. The romance dominates this book, but I like the presence of this love triangle, and the romance in this book. Not telling you how things end. Not even HINTING.
I liked this book. I'll gladly read the second book in this series. We'll see from there!
What I Did Not Like:
I still think that most New Adult contemporary romance books that are traditionally published/self-published are pretty formulaic. This book wasn't as bad, in terms of the New Adult contemporary romance skeleton, but bits and pieces were still evident. The "good girl", the "bad boy", intense chemistry... it seems like most New Adult contemporary romance novels feature these aspects, whether on purpose or not.
But it wasn't as bad, in this book. Maybe because Sophie Jordan is an adult romance writer, and has a fantastic command on the romance aspect of the novel. Somehow, the repetitiveness of the New Adult contemporary romance genre was present but not overwhelming in this book.
Would I Recommend It:
This is so strange - me recommending a New Adult contemporary romance book. You all know my track record with NA contemporary romance books. But I would recommend this book to New Adult fans or non-New-Adult fans! I mean, I disliked most of the NA books I read, but I liked this one. That must mean something!
Rating:
4 stars. I know, I know, a New Adult contemporary romance that I actually enjoyed! It MUST be pretty good, right? I thought so!
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At the tender age of 12 Pepper was pretty much an orphan. Her father had died and her mother abandoned her on the doorstep of her grandmother's house. Ever since she's lived her life according to one goal, end up with Hunter Montgomery, the brother of her best friend. She's seen Hunter as the safe choice, the right choice for where she'd end up in her life. Everything she's done she does it in hopes of him noticing her, not just as his sister's best friend, but as a woman.
However, Pepper knows she's lacking in certain areas of her life, most noticeably romance. With the help of her friends, Emerson and Georgia, she takes it upon herself to learn the art of foreplay in hopes of snagging Hunter. The friends come up with a sure-fire plan, get Pepper to hook up with Reece, the infamous bartender at a local bar known for doing anything that walks.
Foreplay is a good book and one I really enjoyed. It was funny, cute, and had the right amount of heat. Pepper is rather likable in that awkward, doesn't know what to do with her life way. She grew up moving around with her mother, hiding from the men her mother brought home, and just plain lonely, at least until she moved in with her elderly grandmother and met her best friend Lila. She doesn't share her past as she's trying her best to run away from it.
Reece is simply amazing and even he has his own troubled past. His mother died when he was eight and his father was one in name only. When he met Pepper he could tell there was something special about her. He also knew that Pepper was using him but he still wanted to be around her.
Foreplay could have used a few things though. I liked learning about the two leads and their pasts, but it just seemed too rushed. I wish it was expanded on more, especially Reece's past. I also wish that Reece was in the book more. Yes, I know this is more Pepper's story, but if she was using Reece, he should have been there more! And given how the book ends up, which we can all predict, where was he? Maybe I'm just used to dual POV's now, I don't know. I guess it would have been nice to peek into his psyche and see more than we were given.
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4.5 STARS
Foreplay is not the first novel I've read by Sophie Jordan. However, it's the first new adult book written by her that I've read (her writing is perfect for the new adult genre!), and it's by far my favorite of her books I've read. I just loved it!
What made me enjoy Foreplay so much was the relationship between Pepper and Reece. It was hot! I felt like I had to fan myself nonstop whenever Reece was around because he was so intense. He was also patient and protective and at times vulnerable. Honestly, I was a bit jealous of Pepper (I want my own Reece!), but she was a great character as well. I liked her personality and understood the reasoning behind the choices that she made. I loved that although Pepper and Reece seemed to be completely different they were actually similar people. They have both gone through rough childhoods, and I'm glad they were able to find each other because they are perfect together and both deserved happiness.
I wish the last few chapters had the same pace as the rest of the story because I think things were resolved rather quickly. Still, it didn't take away my enjoyment of everything else. And the very end was really sweet! I'm looking forward to reading more new adult novels by Sophie Jordan, including the next book in the Ivy Chronicles.
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Loved it. The only reason i didnt give 5 stars was the ending was kind of rushed and anticlimatic.
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3.5
As a huge fan of the recent New Adult genre bloom, I was super excited to get to read Sophie Jordan’s New Adult title, FOREPLAY.
Having read her Young Adults books, I knew I really enjoyed her writing and let’s face it - who can resist this title or cover?!
Pepper has been secretly in love with her friend’s brother, Hunter, for years. All of a sudden, he is single and she knows she needs to act fast before another girl swoops in and snatches him back off the market. The only problem is that she is a very inexperienced virgin, with only one (badly done) kiss. The solution: take her friend’s advice and go try to find experience with the “easy bartender”, Reece.
Sounds good, right? I thought so, too. However, I felt like at the 40% mark, Jordan was just letting the two main characters really get to know each other. Up to that point, it seemed as though they were just going around and around and around and around in circles. Also, for some reason, I know Pepper had a troubled past, but her constant self-doubt and lack of confidence – which is normal at any age when dealing with dating – but this was so bad it got to the point that I felt like it was distracting me from concentrating on finding the plot.
Admittedly, FOREPLAY did pick up around the halfway point and Pepper and Reece FINALLY has to start interaction, apart from small talk, sudden rescues, and the like. They have a great chemistry and it was fun to watch them get to know each other and start to feel the tug at the heartstrings.
Overall, FOREPLAY was good, but you have to be very patient and wait for the middle of the novel for things to actually get going. While I liked it, I cannot say I loved it and am still debating the next book.
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Read this book in just one day. Couldn't put it down. Love me some Reece. Can't wait to read the next novel in this series.
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Pepper has always been in love with her best friend's brother, Hunter. But he's always seen her as a sister. And Pepper is sure it's because she's inexperienced and barely has any sex appeal. How can she even bring it to the bedroom. Lucky for her, her friends have a plan. And that's to hook up with the very hot bartender, who might be very willing to teach her.
The plot is very interesting even though it's nothing new. But then again, this book was released around six years ago. Truthfully, I'm not really a fan of the new adult genre. But I thought I should give it a try. And truthfully, I thought it was okay.
I do like the book. It was good. I thought Pepper was a very good character. And I like how driven she is. Reece is also very interesting and I like the maturity thing that he has going on. I also like the other characters.
The flow of the story is actually quite good. It can get side tracked but I liked that it was very straight forward in to the story of Pepper and Reece.
It was a good book all in all. The narrator of the audiobook was pretty good too. But she was speaking to slow! I had to speed up the narration. Which also prolly ruins the book for me. But oh well.
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I enjoyed reading this book. I love the story . More realistic.
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Sweet love story. I am a much older woman than this couple so it was a trip down memory lane of young love with a happy ending.
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I'm a sucker for love stories and this was perfect!
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Seriously, buy this book. The characters so are so real and there was never a point where I was screaming 'that would never happen'. I really connected with the heroine and I fell in love with the hero. (Well more of anti hero) Reece, why do you have to be a character in a book? Man , oh man, what I wouldn't do to find a guy like him!
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Awesome story. Could not put it down. Loved it!
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Upon finishing, my initial reaction:
I can't find the words... <3 Review to come!
My Thoughts (full review):
Okay... SERIOUSLY... This book. OMG. So, when I read the synopsis months ago, I was like, "Must. Get. Hands. On. A. Copy. NOW." Then I saw the release date and freaked out. THEN. I found it on Edelweiss and somehow I managed to get approved. And then I danced. And started reading immediately. I got so sucked into the story that I finished it in nearly record timing.
The way the story begins somehow felt perfect. Once we get to the initial interactions between Reece and Pepper, it was all I could do not to start swooning. As their friendship--and more than friendship--progressed, it was just astounding. I absolutely adored Reece and his sweetness. Watching Pepper become more comfortable with showing affection, there was something just so real about it. How it is brought out and discovered, just... wow.
Of course, there's a complication. The whole point of her learning these things is so she can be with Hunter. They both know it, they both accept it. At least, that's what they keep saying. But can they really?
Foreplay was just one of the best books I've read in awhile. I couldn't stop reading. Just couldn't. And even though I still had the galley on my Nook, I went ahead and preordered so that I could immediately have it once the galley expires. This was my introduction to a Sophie Jordan novel and let me tell you, I am SOOO needing to read more of her books.
My Rating: Exceptional
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I've read and enjoyed other books by Sophie Jordan, and this story is another keeper. Pepper and Reece are both young adults, but mature for their age. They've each suffered painful experiences in the past, but they've grown from them instead of getting mired down by self-pity. The characters are likable as individuals--they are both hard-working, responsible, and caring. The chemistry between them is very strong. The love scenes are steamy, but romantic as well. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.
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Like this series!
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Great book! I really enjoyed reading this book and couldn't put it down until I was finished! Great plot and characters! Can't wait to read the next book! Loved it!
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Wonderful story with engaging and lovable characters. Highly recommend this author! You wont be sorry!
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I was really surprised that I enjoyed Wild (Ivy Chronicles #3) by Sophie Jordan. So much so that I read the whole series! I really loved the story of the three best friends: Pepper, Emerson and Georgia!
Foreplay, focuses on Pepper’s love story to bar tender/owner Reece. When shy Pepper finds out that the love of her life, her best friend’s brother breaks up with his serious girlfriend, she sees it as a sign! She had been in love with Hunter since she was in high school and now want him all to himself. But wait! She has no experience in the flirting department. Enter a hot bartender from Mulvaney’s rumored to be skilled and free of his uhmm favors. When Pepper sees him in the bar, she is stunned and is attracted to the hottie bartender and immediately practices her wiles on him. Incidentally, he is the hottie who helped her with her car when it stalled after her babysitting gig one night.
When Reece agrees to tutor Pepper with foreplay (and more), Pepper starts to fall but she still can’t let go of her love for Hunter, especially now that Hunter has started to notice her.
I love the sparks between Reece and Pepper. Reece is the perfect badboy/goodboy/experienced older man (not so older though) for Pepper and naturally, they can’t keep their hands off of each other. I also loved that despite having a bad boy image, Reece is responsible, which I really liked.
Foreplay was a quick and steamy read for me and I enjoyed it. I was a little annoyed at Pepper a few times but she did redeem herself in the end (she saves a puppy from a fire and almost gets killed in the process).
Sophie Jordan has become a go to crossover author. I love her historicals and now her new adult books! I have also read her young adult Firelight series.
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