Tuesday, June 04, 2013

Review: If I Were You by Lisa Renee Jones

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I received this book for free from Simon & Schuster Audio in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: If I Were You by Lisa Renee JonesIf I Were You by Lisa Renee Jones
Series: Inside Out Trilogy #1
Published by Simon & Schuster Audio on March 12th 2013
Genres: Adult, Erotica, Romance
Source: Simon & Schuster Audio
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three-stars

When Sara McMillan finds a stack of journals in a storage unit, she’s shocked and enthralled by the life the writer led. Unable to stop reading, she vicariously lives out dark fantasies through Rebecca, the writer—until the terrifying final entry. Certain something sinister has happened, Sara sets out to discover the facts, immersing herself in Rebecca’s life. Soon she’s working at the art gallery Rebecca worked at and meeting Rebecca’s friends. Finding herself drawn to two dangerously sexy men, the manager of the gallery and a famed artist, Sara realizes she’s going down the same path Rebecca took. But with the promise of her dark needs being met by a man with confident good looks and a desire for control, she’s not sure anything else matters. Just the burn for more.

As my first Adult Romance novel on audiobook I was a little unsure of what to expect. In the end I’m glad I tried it; it was a pretty good book and the narrator was fantastic. Being an audiobook had me especially concerned, I mean, there were ways this could have been a complete disaster with a lot of giggling on my part and embarrassment for the narrator’s sake, but there was none of that. She didn’t reenact the sexy scenes with awkward moaning or anything of the sort. It was no different than reading the words off the pages, really. She was great at bringing the character’s voice to life, though.

This was a romance through and through, and thus a little out of my comfort zone as adult romances are not something I read very often at all. But I can’t say I disliked much of it. I did find the plot was slow moving, concentrating more on Sara’s flourishing relationship with Chris. So, as a romance alone it was great. Chemistry between these two is insurmountable. Although I both liked and disliked their relationship, which is odd, I know. On one hand they were everything each other needed, but on the other hand it was all a big control competition. Chris could be a little intense, making it hard to see the good in him, but he wasn’t a complete asshole either. I guess I’m saying he’s a hard character to decipher. I think it’s what makes it hard for Sara to fully lend her trust to him, making her a little testy at times. Chris is not the only man in her life (no worries–no love triangle!). There’s also Mark, her boss, who is equally mysterious. He gives off this dangerous vibe but he seems to want what’s best for Sara so it’s mixed signals all over the place. Intriguing though: he absolutely is! I was also especially curious by Sara’s best friend who suddenly runs off to elope some random dude. That whole thing seems bizarre to me so I think something ominous is brewing which could be kind of awesome.

The plot is there in between the romance somewhere. After Sara finds some journals left in a storage units, she becomes privy to a very hot and… dark relationship by its writer, Rebecca–a mysterious woman who has since disappeared. Sara is set to find her; little does she know that her life is about to intertwine with Rebecca’s own. This was very interesting from the get-go–probably my favorite part of the book. What we encounter in these journals is pretty sinister, leading the way for what could be an exciting mystery. However, we barely get anywhere in this particular storyline at all which is disappointing. We do get bits and pieces, but it’s barely grazing the surface. When something big does happen, of course it’s the cliffhanger! GAH! Being an audiobook I had no notion of how long there was left in the novel, catching me especially off guard; when the ending music started I wanted to cry! I think I even gasped out loud. It was a great cliffhanger for sure, and I secretly love them (when they’re well done) so I will, without a doubt, be thinking about it until I can get my hands on the sequel!

If I Were You is scorching hot, dark and mysterious but plot wise it didn’t progress enough for the anticipation it built up. Like I said though, this was my first steamy adult novel, so… maybe they’re not really supposed to have that much plot progression? Dunno. If I rated it purely on the steamy side it would get a 4 (and ok the cliffhanger, too), but as a whole I felt like it wasn’t enough.

three-stars

3 Hot Espressos

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Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.

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13 Responses to “Review: If I Were You by Lisa Renee Jones”

  1. Jenni @ Alluring Reads

    Hmm happy to see that this one worked so well for you in the end. I definitely would not have picked this one up based on the cover but I love that so much focus is spent on building the romance up. Most books need a lot more than that! Also happy that you weren’t giggling through the whole damn thing, an erotica audiobook definitely has the potential to be incredibly awkward!

  2. Amy

    I’m wishing I had gotten this one, but I decided to pass at the time. Maybe I will get the book at some point. OMG and talking about awkward narration… Wallbanger. I know you have that one, and honestly there aren’t too many sex scenes, but the narrator gets very into the characters and emotions. It made the rest of it really good though, just the hot scenes were a bit blush inducing even for me. Lol!! Great review chick. Glad that your first erotica (especially on audio) was pretty good for you.

  3. Siiri

    I tried to read it when I got approved on Netgalley last year, but it just didn’t suck me in enough at one point. The beginning was really good for me though and since you kinda liked it (and my GR friends really like the second one) then I may try this series again at some point when there are more books out. Ha, it’s good that it wasn’t awkward for you. LOL. Like watching porn only without the picture or so. Haha. So yeah, good to know people CAN actually read erotica on a tape 😉

  4. Candace

    I don’t think I could listen to erotica on audio. I’m listening to a book that’s very steamy and I’m constantly blushing. Its definitely a different experience from reading!
    The mystery aspect of this has me curious but unfortunately that’s the only thing that would make me want to pick it up and since its a cliffhanger I guess its best to wait for more books to come out!

  5. Aman

    Erotica on an audio! Ha! Good thing that there was no moaning 😛 I loved this book, the mystery part was done so well and even I got a little mad when I read the ending. Why end like that?!? The second book was even better. Though it had more romance, so not sure if you’d love that, but atleast we get some answers. Great review, Giselle!

  6. Molli

    Well the plot certainly sounds interesting! (Side note: thank goodness listening to it on audio worked out okay, because it could have been mortifying.) I think the whole mystery aspect sounds fabulous, but too bad it wasn’t really as developed as you would have liked. Romance/erotica with an actual plot is fine with me so I may add this one to my TBR!

  7. Jennifer Bielman

    OMG, audiobook Erotica!! You are a brave woman. Did anybody hear you listening to it?? LOL. Anyways, with erotica, you run the risk of a not so great plot, or little progression. Some erotica is amazing though, you just have to find the right books.

  8. Megan K.

    Erotica isn’t my thing, but it’s great that you enjoyed this! I’m sure it takes a lot of skill and talent for the narrator to sound as good as she was – especially for an erotica audiobook. Too bad about the anti-climax, though!