REVIEW:
Shel: I have to admit a few things and I understand that you may judge me for these things but I feel like I need to start with the truth:
Shel 1): I didn't need to know the title or read the synopsis to know I'd be interested in this novel because I've come to understand that I very much enjoy Laurelin Paige and Sierra Simone's writing and when given the opportunity to review this novel, I blindly and rapidly clicked YES! about a million times. Court: YEP! They've proven that no matter the topic, no matter the content (I mean, hello...title) that they can take something and make it original and enjoyable and just might make us not be quite so judgey of other peoples choices.Shel: 2) When I discovered the title and read a little of the blurb I felt a little curious and a little trepidation. The blurb didn't give a lot away and I thought uhhh, hmmmm...okay? But then I shrugged and decided I'd just go with it. And guess what?!Court: It did not. But I liked that. I have always wondered about how people in this career choice fall in love. I can't imagine either option...the career or loving someone who did porn, so that is just...out of the realm of our normal in a huge way!
Shel: I FREAKING LOVED IT. I loved it so much that I ignored the piles of ungraded papers, the errands, the laundry, and any other obligation so that I could finish it and it was worth every second of my attention. Court: I was sucked in as soon as Logan wouldn't tell his real name early. Or sooner. But that really bugged me!!! lol!
Shel: Why did I love it?
Shel: Well, first I loved that the characters, Logan and Devi, give us a chance to explore what it means to be a 'porn star' and also what it means when you're a porn star crushing on and then dating another porn star. Logan and Devi's attempts to compartmentalize parts of their lives got so messy so fast, as you might imagine; they both tried to forge a middle ground where their new and fragile relationship could flourish and just wasn't as easy as either of them wanted it to be. Their struggle to navigate how to do this felt so real and challenging and it really made me think about how striking the right balance or putting in the right boundaries, in real life relationships within this industry, must be so important. I also loved Devi's honesty about how she struggled with parts of their relationship and Logan's inability or denial to see the big picture as it was, rather than how he wanted it to be. And, I really appreciated how much they both respected and supported each other. Such good stuff going on with these characters. Court: When jealousy and pettiness could have ruled their every moment together, I really liked how they were adults about such an adult situation. They didn't judge each other...at all...and were exploring something new and exciting. but, I could sense that Devi - as free spirited as her parents raised her to be - needed more from Logan to make sure that he was genuine. I respected her hang ups at diving in with both feet with this experienced guy because even they want to be loved. I think that people who view sex differently than I do would have a hard time having sex for and not for love. It's a very interesting psychological dynamic!
Shel: In addition to reading something completely new --something we may have given a casual thought about but NEVER read before--I absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED that Paige and Simone created an atmosphere of sex positivity (no slut shaming here!) with these characters. I loved that they created a main character of color. I floved the constant checking in with their partners in scenes for their consent and that this conversation was important and consistent. I loved the discussions about safety and women's issues in the industry. I loved how beautiful they made Devi and how positive she felt in her own skin. I could really go on and on and on about all of the things I felt like they did so well when writing these characters but I won't because I'm sure you get it now and I seriously hope you read this one. Court: (Ok, that paragraph was awesome!) Yep. Sierra Simone and Laurelin Paige have always pushed our reading boundaries and thoughts, but never have they disappointed with their writing, their style, pace, plot, characters and definitely bringing in all of the things we want. Diversity, respect for people in hard situations, and just amazing amazing writing!
Shel: I'm sure you're wondering about the sexiness of the novel. I know I was, especially because Laurelin Paige and Sierra Simone are known to melt Kindles with their steaminess. That steam is definitely there and yet it wasn't anything like I thought it would be (considering the title); this isn't a bad thing at all, I really enjoyed the sweetness of Logan and Devi. Court: YES! In scenes. Out of scenes. Anytime they were together in thought or deed, it was incredible chemistry that was the forefront. They were great characters, and hello scene on the hood of the car! O_O
Shel: A few other things and then I really must insist that you go try this book:
Shel: Logan and Devi's parents are amazing.Court: I too love when book parents don't suck!
Shel: Tanner--I love this guy and would love to know more about him? (wishful thinking I'm sure?!).
I loved the science stuff.Court: A book from his POV of the voyeur/camera man would not go amiss, hint.
Shel: The conversation about bisexuality..yes! Court: Yep!
Shel: The angst was crazy--they were both so much in their heads and not telling each other about feelings and I wanted to throttle them but the ending more than made up for it. Court: Can you blame him though?!?!? One word: Raven. Yikes. But, you should read this one stat!
Shel: Well, first I loved that the characters, Logan and Devi, give us a chance to explore what it means to be a 'porn star' and also what it means when you're a porn star crushing on and then dating another porn star. Logan and Devi's attempts to compartmentalize parts of their lives got so messy so fast, as you might imagine; they both tried to forge a middle ground where their new and fragile relationship could flourish and just wasn't as easy as either of them wanted it to be. Their struggle to navigate how to do this felt so real and challenging and it really made me think about how striking the right balance or putting in the right boundaries, in real life relationships within this industry, must be so important. I also loved Devi's honesty about how she struggled with parts of their relationship and Logan's inability or denial to see the big picture as it was, rather than how he wanted it to be. And, I really appreciated how much they both respected and supported each other. Such good stuff going on with these characters. Court: When jealousy and pettiness could have ruled their every moment together, I really liked how they were adults about such an adult situation. They didn't judge each other...at all...and were exploring something new and exciting. but, I could sense that Devi - as free spirited as her parents raised her to be - needed more from Logan to make sure that he was genuine. I respected her hang ups at diving in with both feet with this experienced guy because even they want to be loved. I think that people who view sex differently than I do would have a hard time having sex for and not for love. It's a very interesting psychological dynamic!
Shel: In addition to reading something completely new --something we may have given a casual thought about but NEVER read before--I absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED that Paige and Simone created an atmosphere of sex positivity (no slut shaming here!) with these characters. I loved that they created a main character of color. I floved the constant checking in with their partners in scenes for their consent and that this conversation was important and consistent. I loved the discussions about safety and women's issues in the industry. I loved how beautiful they made Devi and how positive she felt in her own skin. I could really go on and on and on about all of the things I felt like they did so well when writing these characters but I won't because I'm sure you get it now and I seriously hope you read this one. Court: (Ok, that paragraph was awesome!) Yep. Sierra Simone and Laurelin Paige have always pushed our reading boundaries and thoughts, but never have they disappointed with their writing, their style, pace, plot, characters and definitely bringing in all of the things we want. Diversity, respect for people in hard situations, and just amazing amazing writing!
Shel: I'm sure you're wondering about the sexiness of the novel. I know I was, especially because Laurelin Paige and Sierra Simone are known to melt Kindles with their steaminess. That steam is definitely there and yet it wasn't anything like I thought it would be (considering the title); this isn't a bad thing at all, I really enjoyed the sweetness of Logan and Devi. Court: YES! In scenes. Out of scenes. Anytime they were together in thought or deed, it was incredible chemistry that was the forefront. They were great characters, and hello scene on the hood of the car! O_O
Shel: A few other things and then I really must insist that you go try this book:
Shel: Logan and Devi's parents are amazing.Court: I too love when book parents don't suck!
Shel: Tanner--I love this guy and would love to know more about him? (wishful thinking I'm sure?!).
I loved the science stuff.Court: A book from his POV of the voyeur/camera man would not go amiss, hint.
Shel: The conversation about bisexuality..yes! Court: Yep!
Shel: The angst was crazy--they were both so much in their heads and not telling each other about feelings and I wanted to throttle them but the ending more than made up for it. Court: Can you blame him though?!?!? One word: Raven. Yikes. But, you should read this one stat!
This was such a quick and absorbing read and I'm so eager to hear what others have to say about it...so go grab it and let us know your thoughts.
Synopsis:
You know me.
Come on, you know you do.
Maybe you pretend you don’t. Maybe you clear your browser history religiously. Maybe you pretend to be aghast whenever someone even mentions the word porn in your presence.
But the truth is that you do know me.
Everybody knows Logan O’Toole, world famous porn star.
Except then Devi Dare pops into my world, and pretty soon I’m doing things that aren’t like me—like texting her with flirty banter and creating an entire web porn series just so I can get to star in her bed. Again. And again.
With Devi, my entire universe shifts, and the more time I spend with her, the more I realize that Logan O’Toole isn’t the guy I thought he was.
So maybe I'm not the guy you thought I was either.
Buy Links
Amazon / iBooks B&N / Kobo
Add to your TBR on Goodreads.
Catch up with Logan O'Toole HERE: http://laurelinpaige.com/loganotoole/
Enjoy a sneak peek of Porn Star’s Logan O’Toole now on iBooks: http://apple.co/1Vlrew9
About the Authors:
NY Times & USA Today Bestselling author Laurelin Paige is a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Game of Thrones and the Walking Dead, or dreaming of Michael Fassbender.
Facebook / Twitter / Amazon / Goodreads / Instagram / Website
Sierra Simone is a USA Today Bestselling former librarian (who spent too much time reading romance novels at the information desk.) She lives with her husband and family in Kansas City
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