Lick

Evelyn Thomas has always stayed on the straight and narrow: getting good grades, avoiding boys, and pursuing architecture for her father's sake. But she plans to change all that for one wild night in Vegas—her 21st birthday. What she doesn't plan on is waking up on the bathroom floor with a splitting headache and a massive ring on her finger, courtesy of rock star David Ferris, her new husband. Highs and lows (and lots of sex) abound as the two try to navigate their nuptials away from annulment and toward marital bliss. Scott (Flesh; Skin) has crafted a thoroughly entertaining erotic romance in this first book in her "Stage Dive" series, with endearing, interesting characters both primary and secondary. "Ev" is a delightfully relatable protagonist, with pluck, neuroses, and a fantastic sense of dark humor; her chemistry with the sarcastic albeit sensitive rocker David is tangible from the start. The novel moves at a steady pace that is realistic without trudging, although things don't start getting steamy until halfway through. Those seeking more immediate, explicit gratification might do well to look elsewhere—the LJ 3/15/14 column, for a start! The action that does take place is hot and sweet, perfectly embodying the novel's overall tone.