Warning: This book includes mature content such as: sexual content, and/or drug and/or alcohol use, and/or violence.
Dirty English by Ilsa Madden-Mills Published by Little Dove on 10 October 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Pages: 272
Format: Kindle
Source: Kindle Unlimited
A scarred fighter.
A girl with rules.
One night of unbridled passion.
There are three things you need to know about Elizabeth Bennett: she’s smart as a whip, always in control, and lives by a set of carefully crafted rules. She’s learned the hard way that people you love the most always hurt you in the end.
But then she meets Declan Blay, the new neighbor at her apartment complex.
A tattooed British street fighter, he’s the campus bad boy she’s supposed to avoid, but when he saves her from a frat party gone bad, all her rules about sex and love fly out the window.
She gives him one night of unbridled passion, but he longs for more.
With only a cardboard-thin wall separating their bedrooms, he dreams of possessing the vulnerable girl next door forever.
One night. Two damaged hearts. The passion of a lifetime.
Dirty English is dark and gritty, beautiful and hopeful, and has some very interesting and complex characters. I have to admit I cried, because Elizabeth had truly been through hell, but then, so had Declan – even if that was a different kind of hell.
From the beginning of Dirty English, I knew I was going to enjoy this story! The prologue made me cry – Elizabeth’s hell was very personal, and also something that was shared against her will with several people. However, once the first chapter opened, and she was in college, moving in to her new apartment, next to a guy who had old classics in a box by his door, I just knew it was my kind of story. And Declan… yeah, talk about hot guy! A fighter, an English major, smart, good-looking, tender-hearted and strong-bodied. What’s not to like, right?
Dirty English is written in dual point of view, with some chapters from Elizabeth’s perspective, others from Declan’s, and I really got to know both of them very well. Strong personalities, which they needed, and also loyal and loving – when they opened up, which didn’t happen often at all.
The character development for both of the main characters was great, because they both had a lot of crap in their past that they had to let go of, but that can be so very scary. However, especially Elizabeth realized that as long as she let the past dictate her present and her future, she wouldn’t really have a life at all, she’d only have an existence, and she knew she both needed and deserved more than that.
The only negative note I have about Dirty English is that there are sex-scenes without condoms… and that’s just a big no-no in my opinion! Using a condom is not something you just forget! That’s like forgetting to go to the bathroom when you need to pee. And nobody should trust someone they’re just starting to get to know when it comes to their health and past sex-life. The story is very emotional, but the characters were so realistic, and the main storyline really spoke to me, and I loved how Elizabeth and Declan dealt with the things they needed to deal with. And I loved how Declan’s British accent came out in his dialogues 😉
As far as I knew, Nadia was still with her new guy, some fancy tennis player form Brazil. Donatello or Michelangelo or something. Ninja Turtle? Yeah.
Elizabeth Bennett was the most awkward person to ever come to a frat party. Not only had she came through the door like she was going to an execution, but she’d asked me to shag her in the most unsophisticated manner I’d ever seen in my days at Whitman.
She debated for a few seconds, a small smile curving her mouth. Full and plump, those lips on mine had been my fantasy way too many nights. “Okay, but only if you let me take you down a few times. Like flip you over my shoulder, toss you to the ground kind of take down. Maybe sit on you.”
I exhaled, picturing that little scenario, and I couldn’t stop the little grin on my face. “You can sit on me whenever you want.”
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Oooo I like the sound of this one. I do love a raw and emotional new adult novel. It’s amazing what you discover on Kindle a unlimited too, some people you’ve never heard of turn out to be great books. Great review.
Yes, definitely raw and emotional, Emma. I love discovering new authors, and so KU is a great way to do it! Thanks for stopping by.
I agree with you for the condoms thing but it sounds like a nice story and it’s great that the characters evolve like that!
Yeah, that’s just something that always bothers me… But that’s also a personal preference.
Twitter: ailynk
pretty funny
🙂
Wonderful review! This one sounds really good and I absolutely love the cover. I like alternating points of view if it is done well. I will have to check this one out.
Thanks, Carole 🙂 The cover is awesome, I agree. And the story is well done, too. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.
This one was already on my TBR pile, Lexxie, so you’re not on the hook for that. 😉 Can I admit that I was originally drawn to the cover…not only because of the guy’s back but because of the Union Jack. I don’t know if you know this about me – I’m an Anglophile. So reading that Declan is British and is an English major (be still my heart) makes me all sorts of giddy. I giggled when I read he was a fighter, thinking “of course he’s a fighter, he’s a man and an English major”. 😉 Seriously though, the story sounds intense and emotional, and you know I can’t pass those up. I’m happy you pre-screened this one for me, my friend. I’ll move it up in the queue. 😀
**BIG HUGS**
I’m glad for once that I’m not tempting you and making you add more books to your devices, Brandee. And hey, the cover is great! The characters are, too, you are gong to love Declan, I’m sure of that. I can’t wait to see your review. *BIG HUGS*
Twitter: kbaby81
I so can’t wait to read this! I may have to go ahead an crack it open, because your review makes me want to get into this. Maybe this weekend? I don’t know just yet, but it’ll be soon. Great review!
Oh you definitely should, Lekeisha 🙂 I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.
Though honestly as a New Adult book that condom thing is probably believable. Mostly cause that is probably an after thought during that time (even though the older adult in me cringes) 🙂
I guess it’s different for me, when I was their age, HIV was so present, and condoms were talked about (and brought along) basically everywhere… You might be right, though, and that just makes me cringe, too.
Twitter: talksupeblog
I get the fantasy these authors are trying to sell with these no-condoms thingy. But is that really something they want to advocate? Like if they’re talking to their children, do they say HEY IT’S OKAY THAT YOU HAVE SEX WITH A VIRTUAL STRANGER SANS CONDOM. AS LONG AS THEY SAY THEY’RE CLEAN, YOU’LL BE FINE!
I doubt it. That ticks me off too.
I know, Braine, it always irks me! I think it’s much more sexy when they act responsibly – it shows they care about themselves and each other.
I have this on my wishlish, and man, do I need to read it. Maybe soon between review books.
I hope you’ll find the time for it soon, Christy, it’s a great story!
Okay just scanning a little because this one is on my tbr pile but Ooooo Oooo!!!! I am going to HAVE to make some extra reading time very very soon 😀
Yes! You have to make some extra reading time so you can enjoy this, Anna 🙂