*I received a free copy of from St. Martin's Paperback via Netgalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
Warning: This book includes mature content such as: sexual content, and/or drug and/or alcohol use, and/or violence.
by Shiloh Walker Series: Thirty Nights with a Dirty Boy #1
Published by St. Martin's Paperback on 2 February, 2016
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Erotica
Pages: 74
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
Money Can't Buy Love...
Ella Cruise doesn't like to be touched. A survivor of childhood abuse, she craves security in all aspects of her life: fulfilling work at the nonprofit she runs, more than enough money to live comfortably, and a good friend and confidant. But none of it can ease her longing for intimacy, even if just for a night. When she meets a gorgeous bartender who moonlights as a male prostitute, a bold idea begins to take shape...
But It Can Buy a Night of Passion —or Thirty...
Sean Lachlan is stunned by the cool beauty's offer: 30 nights of no-strings sex in exchange for all the money he'd need to start over. The deal seems too good to be true, especially since his desire for her is no act, but Sean finds he can't turn her down. Before they know it, Sean and Ella realize they're in deep, their defenses crumbling. Will thirty nights with a dirty boy be enough after all, or will love lead Ella and Sean back to the negotiating table?
Thirty Nights with a Dirty Boy was delicious and intriguing, as Walker always manages to include very complex characters, even in her shorter stories.
I don’t know how she does it, but Walker manages to draw me in from the start, and Thirty Nights with a Dirty Boy is intriguing, to say the least. Both Ella and Sean are fleshed out and realistic, even if there is an air of mystery surrounding both of them. Ella is accomplished, at least on the outside, she has an organization to help women in trouble, and she’ll soon open up a safe haven for them to help them, the same way she was helped by her mentor in the past. However, beneath the surface, she is not as together as she seems.
Sean is a gorgeous bartender, but there is more to him than meets the eye, and when Ella figures out just how much more, she decides that she needs him to get over some of her hang-ups. It will all be safe, she’s sure, because there will be no feelings involved. There is something in Ella’s past that has left her with the impossibility to deal with people touching her. It’s so bad she’s always wearing gloves, and she wants to get past this and become more ‘normal’. Sean is the opposite, touching people, handing out his phone number to female bar patrons, and not minding others watching him in intimate moments.
Written in first person point of view from Ella’s perspective, in past tense, the story unfolds at a nice pace, and even though the story is short, I got a good grasp on both Ella and Sean, and I can’t wait to learn more about both of them.
He glanced back, dark brows arched over his eyes. In the dim light, I couldn’t see the color clearly, but his irises were pale. Pale and large, set under slashing brows. Combined with that mouth, that face, that body… Really, I didn’t know how that much perfection managed to end up in one body.
I wasn’t really doing anything but enjoying him from a distance. That was all I ever did when it came to men. It got kind of boring, really.
He braced his elbows on the bar and leaned in, his smile taking on an intimate slant that made me feel like I’d caught him looking at me while I was undressing – and he wasn’t even looking at me.
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.
Short sotries can be tricky because often you don’t get enough feel for the characters; I’m glad to hear that’s not the case here.
I agree, I’m more often frustrated with short stories than not, but Walker totally hooked me with her characters, Majanka.
You have me intrigued! It’s a feat that you already feel so invested in Ella and Sean in so few pages. And it’s wonderful that the pacing is so well done. I’ve read SWalker and have always really enjoyed her books so I’m eager to see what you think as Ella and Sean’s story continues.
Happy Friday, my friend! I hope you’ve had a great week! **BIG HUGS**
I agree, it’s really a feat to have me so invested in the characters after spending such a short amount of pages with them. I can’t wait to read more about Ella and Sean! *BIG HUGS*
I haven’t tried the author yet but heard so much about her, I want to try her UF / PNR series!
I have enjoyed all of the books by hear I’ve read so far, Melliane, you should definitely give her a try!
Ooh I like the sound of this one, Lexxie! I love realistic characters. I’ve never read a serial style book, but I feel like giving this a shot because the characters sound fab!
Lovely review! 🙂 I hope the rest of the series is awesome too!
Serials can be really good, because you get a real story, but it’s kind of broken up into sub-stories, if you like 🙂 I hope you’ll give this one a try, and that you’ll enjoy it as much as I do!
I read a book by Walker years ago and loved it. I should check this out!
Karen @For What It’s Worth
Yes, you should, Karen! It’s really well done.
Twitter: xxertz
Mmm, sounds sexy and complicated! I am curious as to how your propose such an arrangement.. Great review 🙂
I don’t think I could do it, but it worked out the way Ella dealt with it, Xxertz 🙂
Twitter: limabean74
You had me at the cover…This looks like a something I would like. I do enjoy serial books and I am glad this one wasn’t to short that the characters get lost from details.
Great review, Lexxie!!
Oh yes, this is right up your alley, Michelle!
Sounds intriguing! I’m glad it seems to have a true story and substance and isn’t JUST an erotic novel.
Thanks for sharing.
It’s much more than just the erotic, actually, not that much erotic happens in this first instalment… And the characters are so well done!
Twitter: kimbacaffeinate
Darn you, my tbr pile is huge and you really have me wanting to add this!
You mean the same way I feel whenever I visit you, Kim? :p
She is such a fun author. I always have a good time with her. I skipped this one since it was a serial but so glad to hear it was good too!