Part-Time Lover

Wow, what a fun and flirty, second chance romance! I loved this refreshing, and witty tale filled with serendipity. During their first meet cute, Christian was shocking the tourists as he did naked handstands on his dock. He was so impressed when a beautiful young woman, on a passing boat, applauded him and took pictures, that he asked her to meet later for drinks. Due to fate or chance, it takes a year for that drink to happen. They have instant chemistry, but neither Christian or Elise are looking for anything serious. They agree to meet, as friends, in the most 'undate' like places, where they have a blast getting to know each other. Christian is fun, charming, and thoughtful with a swoony hint of vulnerability. Elise is smart, independant, and gracious. She loves to give people unexpected gifts, so when Christian and his brother are in a bind, she is eager to help. I loved the different turns this story took, keeping me totally engaged from start to finish. Christian and Elise were great together. They're both successful, love to explore and have fun, and their chemistry was off the charts. I liked catching up with Griffin and Joy, and meeting Christians loving family as well. This is a fun, witty, sexy story that is so full of heart. This beautiful tale made me feel many wonderful emotions, but mostly, it made me happy!

**I received an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review** There is something about Lauren Blakely's books that just automatically bring a smile to my face. I know they are going to be entertaining, they'll be humorous and they'll be sexy and Part-Time Lover was no exception. We originally met Elise and Christian in Wanderlust, as they are friends of Joy and Griffin, but there is no reason this book can't be read as a standalone. Both Elise and Christian have had issues in past relationships that have shaped their current thought processes on love and marriage. A chance encounter while Elise is visiting Denmark puts them on each other's radar, but an innocent mix-up leads to them never meeting up later that night as they had planned. It isn't until a year later when they happen to meet once again (or could it be fate?) in France where they are both now living. While the chemistry between these two is off the charts and they have plenty of flirty fun together, neither one of them is looking for a relationship. It isn't until a situation arises with Christian's family and they realize they could help with the situation, that things really get interesting. If they go through with helping, it's going to mean putting themselves out there in a way that could hurt one or both of them in the end. Will they be game enough to do it and if they do, will they emerge on the other side unscathed or more broken than before? This was a story filled with a roller coaster of emotions, but it was so entertaining and engaging. It's not one that you are going to want to miss, so pick it up today!

4.5 stars--PART-TIME LOVER by Lauren Blakely is a contemporary, adult, stand alone erotic, romance story line focusing on language translator Christian Ellison of British / Danish decent, and British / French business woman Elise Durand. Although Christian and Elise were first introduced to the reader in the author’s Wanderlust, PART-TIME LOVER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Told from dual first person perspectives (Christian and Elise) PART-TIME LOVER follows the in the aftermath of a ‘missed opportunity’ in Denmark wherein a chance meeting between Christian and Elise is only the beginning of their fated relationship. Fast forward one year, and fate will throw our couple together, once again, but this time Christian isn’t willing to let go without a fight as he pursues the woman who has starred in all of his fantasies for close to a year. What ensues is the ‘friends with benefits’ relationship, on Elise’s terms, that soon grow into something more when, in order to save the Ellison family business, Elise makes Christian an offer he is unable to refuse-a marriage of convenience with an end date-an end that neither one was willing to accept. The relationship between Christian and Elise is fated by circumstance, by chance, by attraction and by spirit. Elise doesn’t do romance or relationships. Burned in the past, our heroine is no longer willing to risk her heart for a possible happily ever after that will never come to be. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic, and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. PART –TIME LOVER is a fantastic addition to any romance reader’s collection of memorable, sassy and sexy story lines. The back and forth, one on one witty interaction and inter-play between our leading couple is refreshing, amusing, clever and fun. Lauren Blakely pulls the reader into an edgy, emotional and energetic tale about betrayal, heartbreak, reflection and love.