Lush by Lauren Dane

Title: Lush (Delicious #3)
Editor: Lauren Dane
Format: Galley edition
Pub. Date: April 2nd 2013
Source: Netgalley

★★

Two stars.

Mary has no time for a serious relationship. Her catering business is finally taking off, and with the help of her friends she's finally making money doing what she loves. When rock star drummer Damien and Mary meet privately through mutual friends, she takes it as a one night stand. But over time, Damien wants more from her and learns that he'll need to do much more to impress her in order to be more than a fun fling.

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Meh. I was really anticipating the release of this book, but Lush left me disappointed.

-This book has a plot that lately has been really overused- the rock star and the common girl. It was a nice idea the first couple stories I read, but now it's just become monotonous to read and too big of a cliche. That alone was enough to lose my interest from this story.

-The dialogues within this book seemed forced and fake. I didn't really feel for any of the characters, nor did I focus much on their conversations after awhile. It read like a bad sitcom...

-Except for the sex scenes, which were more vulgar but still awkward and forced. I didn't find the scenes to be steamy or erotic, but rushed and choppy. Not to mention the use of crass language just to be crass. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big girl who can read profanity without being offended. It was just like everything else in this story- overdone.

-The writing itself wasn't so smooth either, consisting largely of jagged, fragmented sentences and the same. Staccato. Writing. That. I. Hated. In. Fifty. Shades. Of. Grey. While I understand it's meant to show a thought process, it really just drew me away from the plot and question the structure of the novel.

-+ Neither positive nor negative, this is an observation that I also noticed in book two, Tart. There are a LOT of characters. Perhaps too many. Characters are constantly coming and going almost to the extent of confusion.

+Now, there are some positives. I am liking the whole "epicurean/chef/foodie" trend in romance novels and erotica right now, and Lauren Dane does a good job mixing her romance with food. I liked Mary's passion for her job, and how it carried over into other aspects of her life, from friendships to romance and everything in between.

+I enjoy that this is a familiar cast of characters, since this series follows the friends who call their little group Delicious. I like that each one gets a chance in turn to find love, and that all of the friends appear in each others' books. It gives a stronger sense of bonding and familiarity.

+Look at that cover. It's gorgeous. I'd love to have it on my shelf. It summarizes the plot quite nicely, looking both classy and sizzling at the same time.

Overall, this book was alright. It's not one of the worst I've read, but I won't rush out to buy it anytime soon. Do not just read this because you read Tart, or you will be disappointed. However, if you like rock stars or chefs, give this book a shot. It won't do anyone harm to read it once.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy of this book.