VANILLA ON TOP by C J Ellisson

Vanilla on Top by C.J. Ellisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

NetGalley free read

Strangely enough, I really liked this book. No minor character disappeared or storyline given some merit. I get Heather. She's got issues of abandonment in her past and negates her worth. I get this woman. We are similar in a lot of ways. A moment of change gives her the opportunity to be who she really is and wants to be with a strange, yet sexy man, Tony.

I believe there's more than just her fake dominance that captivates him, but he doesn't know what it is yet. He's over had a woman who's been herself without wanting something from him and he connects with her on that level. And the sex is hot and different. Either way, everything about the other person allows them to both live out their fantasies as well as be their authentic selves. I don't mean to be so esoteric, but that's what happens.

I do have a criticism. The first couple sex scenes are well detailed, but to much, but then once you get further into the story they are glossed over. I've found with these types of books, generally they become so graphic they are boring. But in this case it's a start with no finish.

I like the are of both Tony and Heather and feel that the issues they both have are realistic and not so dramatic to seem unreal. We as women have a tendency to go over scenarios in our head so we can somehow prepare, as Heather did for her first date with Tony at her home. I found that so real yet so cute. She executed it well.

I also identified with Heather having her friend Carla, who is alway considered the pretty, sexy one who turns the head of men to be a little jealous when Heather gets the attention of the most eligible man in Manhattan. I think there could have been an ex who came into the picture when they were out or something which could have given Heather her revelation she was jealous also and in love withTony. But I guess the scene at the bar when Tony view Heather dancing with the guy is enough.

Both friends being jealous of our man tow characters could have been a little much, but I think it was well handled. Although I get Carla, probably because I'm a woman and have been in Heather's shoes of a sort. But for Marcus to be all pissy was a bit much. He was like a female friend losing the her guy friend that she thought she would end up with.

I also felt Heather dilemma about fighting the merger and would it would do to their relationship, since she couldn't tell him. The relationship was so new and young, and actually neither of them had told the other they were in love so you can see why she wouldn't say anything. Because as Tony puts it, was two weeks too soon to know if you were in love with someone?

I like how Heather changed to be more in charge and how Tony let her be the woman she was supposed to be and saw in her, at times, what she couldn't see herself.

Although the dropping of the phone was cheesy. But it wouldn't be a romance novel without a little cheese.



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