Smoke and Sin by Shayla Black, Lexi Blake Also in this series: Scandal Never Sleeps, Seduction in Session, Big Easy Temptation, At the Pleasure of the President
Series: The Perfect Gentlemen #4
Published by Black Oak Books on September 26, 2017
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Pages: 460
Format: eBook
Source: Library
More than a decade ago, Roman Calder had a scorching affair with the sister of one of his best friends. Augustine Spencer drove him so crazy he thought of nothing but her. The only thing they did more often than heat the sheets was fight. Unprepared for the intensity of their relationship, Roman broke things off and concentrated on things that made sense to him: his career and putting his best friend, Zack Hayes, in the White House.
Gus Spencer is known to Washington insiders as the president’s secret weapon. Gorgeous and brilliant, Gus runs the press pool with the determination of a shark. No one dares to cross her, not when she’s known for having a spine of steel…but long ago one man melted her down. Despite the fact that she’ll never forgive Roman for breaking her heart, now that they work together she can’t get him off her mind.
When a dangerous investigation leads both Roman and Gus to London, the heat between them becomes unbearable. As they begin to unravel an international conspiracy, they find themselves falling all over again. But when a killer threatens their world, can they fight to stay together or will the sins of their past keep them forever apart?
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Smoke and Sin is the fourth installment in the Perfect Gentleman series and I can’t believe that I am almost finished with the series because man these books are so good and especially I have loved the focus on the male and female friendships in this series. Of course, the focus especially in the beginning was this brotherhood of friends and I will be honest, I WANT to see much more of this in romance. As much as I adore seeing female friendships, there is something so resonating in seeing such strong bonds between males. And of course, Smoke and Sin, is just another installment that adds deeper enlightenment to the series and the overall development of intrigue and mystery.
I was trying so hard not to remember how it felt to touch you, to have your body against mine, because nothing in my entire life has ever been as exciting as fucking you. Not winning the election. Not running the Oval. Nothing has ever made me feel as alive as you.
Smoke and Sin is a story that begins years previous when our hero Roman and Gus first get together, and begin a secret love affair in college. With Roman being best friend with Gus’s brother, there is a forbidden theme to their relationship. But right when Roman is ready to go to D.C. to begin his campaign in getting his best friend to going on the road to becoming President, Gus lays out her hopes and desires for their future. But Roman only had one drive at the time, and hurt Gus and in the process hurt himself and for years Roman and Gus have gone back and forth against each other, the bitterness of the past keeping them from realizing how powerful they are together and the love they has always lived beneath the surface of the resentment and anger. But when the danger to them escalates, and the secrets surmounts, their love and resolve will be tested …..and the biggest test of all…..will love conquer or fail in the end?
Nothing has ever made me feel as alive as you.
And no one has ever broken me the way you did, Roman.
I have to say ever since I SAW the cover of the book (and yes I am vain like that) I wanted this book so badly. Nothing speaks more of sensuality between the sheets than this cover. Even though the style is so not my style, it definitely portrays the sexiness that these books definitely convey. And I have to say ever since the first book I have wanted ROMAN’s book so badly. And it definitely was well worth the wait on this one. I will point out that this definitely has a enemies to lovers theme to it and anyone that knows my reading knows how picky I am about this trope but I can tell you right now I absolutely ADORED it in so many ways. This pair was so hilarious to read, probably my favorite so far to be honest. I just couldn’t get enough of their angst and the drama and the SEX …..some of the best sex scenes I have ever read were in this book here. I couldn’t get enough of it here.
I’ll handle everyone. All you have to do is let me stroke you. Let me kiss you. Fuck you. Let me show you everything I should have before. Affection. Need.
The relationship that we have with Roman and Gus is packed with turmoil and honestly its really hard to get the gist of what is really going on between them at times. Most of the times, the vibe we sense is that there is so much anger, the root of their issues just don’t get addressed for a while. I get it though from both sides. Roman, is looking for a certain woman for his wife and Gus just doesn’t fit the bill but when you see WHY he feels that way, its understandable and once Gus understands WHY, it starts to make more sense to her even when he hurts her, she understands him. Gus has always wanted and loved Roman, but she is her own woman and empowered and will go her own way. I did love her independent streak but I did feel at times she put up her barriers too strong at times, and never let others in. What I DID adore about her, is how defensive she gets on Maddox. Maddox is like the bad boy of the Perfect Gentleman but he was her rock when she really was at her lowest and one of her closest friends. We see how his death really tormented her and how upset she gets when even his best friends don’t honor him the way she thinks that they should.
God, she tasted like heaven, like something sweet and forbidden. Like precious memories he’d forgotten. Like perfection
There is actually quite a bit that happens in this book and one of the major elements is a divide between the men and women. Oh the DRAMA and even though it could feel over the top at times, I found it so lively and entertaining and real in some ways. Quite Frankly, both the women and the men here are so strong willed and stubborn and think they know best, so even though they love each other, you see how they battle it on thinking they know best. And I found it so amusing in multitude of ways. But we also see more built up of the plot and I truly had such a curiousity about what more would be built on and more secrets to be revealed on their great enemy.
Now I will say that there is a cliffhanger of sorts….so much so that I need the last BOOK and now!! And boy this cliffy ….I NEVER saw coming at all. Now its more of a cliffhanger in retrospect to the overall plot of the series not the couple that is featured here, they do get their HEA here. And trust me, I almost passed out in shock from what is revealed here. Because I NEED to know what happens and all the what/why/how/when questions that I do have.
Overall I found Smoke and Sin to be a story that is revealing in its tones of hurt, betrayal, secrets and intrigue that will leave you full of anticipation and eagerness for the sensuality and danger that builds with each chapter!
About Shayla Black
Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than sixty novels. For twenty years, she’s written contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances via traditional, independent, foreign, and audio publishers. Her books have sold millions of copies and been published in a dozen languages.
Raised an only child, Shayla occupied herself with lots of daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and realized that she could have a career publishing the stories spinning in her imagination. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America to pay the bills, her heart has always been with her characters. She’s thrilled that she’s been living her dream as a full-time author for the past eight years.
Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her daughter, and two spoiled tabbies. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.
About Lexi Blake
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem.
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