Big Rock
Author: Lauren Blakely
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: B/B-
What I’m Talking About:
I bought Big Rock when it came out in 2016 because all the reviewers were raving about it, but I never got around to reading it (nor anything by the author), which is why I selected it for the TBRChallenge, January theme of “New Year, Who Dis?” (new-to-me author).
Big Rock is not a work of literary genius; however, it is quick and fun. I am a sucker for the fake relationship genre and this is a good one, with Spencer relying on his best friend and business parter Charlotte to fill the role of finance. Spencer’s father is trying to sell the family high-end jewelry business to buyer who is big on family values, so when Spencer’s playboy ways may threaten the deal, he convinces everyone he’s in a relationship with Charlotte. She agrees to the charade because it helps discourage her clingy ex, and she convinces Spencer to make it a friends-with-benefits situation since she’s been solo for nearly a year.
Spencer is a good-looking, self-assured, white, hetero, cis man with lots of wealth and security. He enjoys women and sex, especially helping women enjoy sex. He’s good at it and knows it. There isn’t anything special about Spencer, yet I enjoyed his character. I don’t know if I would have enjoyed the story as much had he been a stereotypical playboy billionaire. Rather, he’s a hard worker and grounded despite the wealth and success. He comes from a good family and solid home and actually appreciates it all. Mostly, he cares a lot about Charlotte and is honest with her as they navigate the family dinners and events.
Big Rock is a friends-to-lovers, fake relationship, speedy romance. It works because the pair are best friends who acknowledge their attraction. We witness Spencer realize he’s falling in love and learning to be vulnerable. However, since we only have Spencer’s POV, we are lead to believe things are great as is. Yet it seems pretty clear that Charlotte is in love with him. I wish we would have had her POV to provide some balance to the story.
Overall, Big Rock is a simple, easy-to-read, sexy story. It’s got a couple issues and isn’t overly original, but nothing so problematic that I couldn’t enjoy the story for what it is: a silly, fun HEA romance.
My Rating: B/B-
Jen
About the Book:
It’s not just the motion of the ocean, ladies. It’s definitely the SIZE of the boat too.
And I’ve got both firing on all cylinders. In fact, I have ALL the right assets. Looks, brains, my own money, and a big c&$k.
You might think I’m an as%*$le. I sound like one, don’t I? I’m hot as sin, rich as heaven, smart as hell and hung like a horse.
Guess what? You haven’t heard my story before. Sure, I might be a playboy, like the NY gossip rags call me. But I’m the playboy who’s actually a great guy. Which makes me one of a kind.
The only trouble is, my dad needs me to cool it for a bit. With conservative investors in town wanting to buy his flagship Fifth Avenue jewelry store, he needs me not only to zip it up, but to look the part of the committed guy. Fine. I can do this for Dad. After all, I’ve got him to thank for the family jewels. So I ask my best friend and business partner to be my fiancée for the next week. Charlotte’s up for it. She has her own reasons for saying yes to wearing this big rock.
And pretty soon all this playing pretend in public leads to no pretending whatsoever in the bedroom, because she just can’t fake the kind of toe-curling, window-shattering orgasmic cries she makes as I take her to new heights between the sheets.
But I can’t seem to fake that I might be feeling something real for her.
What the hell have I gotten myself into with this…big rock?
Release Date: January 6, 2016
Publisher: self-published
Series: Big Rock #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): paperback (264 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: Purchased with my own funds
Purchase Info:
Amazon (affiliate link)