The V Card

Fun, sexy and sweet.

I love Lauren Blakely’s writing and devour her books, but Lili Valente is new to me, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from this co-authored book, well, let’s just say, I’m going to be looking out for more books by Lili. I loved this book. It was fun and sexy. It’s a quick listen but complete, it wasn’t drawn out and it felt like the story had everything it needed, I didn’t ever feel like I was missing anything. I hope Lauren and Lili decide to team up again because the finished product is addictive and enjoyable. With plenty laugh out loud moments. I loved the Die Hard references, I was chuckling away, because, let’s face it, we’ve all quoted John McClane, right? The cover is great, sexy but not overly so, the inclusion of the narrator badge is perfect. I’d love to have Luna and Valerie’s story.

Graham and CJ are fantastic, I loved them together so much, who doesn’t love friends to lovers, right? Graham is your typical sexy alpha guy, who has a dose of cockiness, and sweetness about him. I loved that he didn’t just dive in with CJ’s request, he thought about it and even sought help from a friend but in the end, he cared enough to help her. CJ is one awesome chick, she’s strong and feisty and knows what she wants. She hasn’t had the easiest time, and I loved that she didn’t come across as something being wrong with her because of her age, It was just something that hadn’t happened for her yet, some of us have been there, and it was a nice change of pace to other virgin stories. The fact that they had a shared loss, and kept thinking about that for different reasons made them seem even more suited and added an emotional layer to their characters and relationship. The banter they shared was perfection, I’m a sucker for good banter, and they had it in spades.

The progression of their relationship was fast, I mean, it had to be, just look at the premise of the book. It’s a one-week deal, so they had to fall in love within that time, with that being said, it worked. It didn’t feel rushed, the way they started to develop feelings felt organic to them, and the experiences they were having. Let’s not forget the super-hot sex, the sex scenes in this book are going to melt your device, and they work so perfectly with the story. Anyone else wish they had a Graham when it came time to lose that V card? No, just me? Crap! Erm, let’s move on. I adored their friendship, and that it played a pivotal role in their story, they were still friends throughout and worried about that aspect of the relationship. Was I annoyed at their lack of communication towards the end? Heck yes! I was shouting at my phone as I read and later listened to them make assumptions, rather than just telling the other how they felt, for the record that part didn’t change in the audiobook. (Don’t tell Graham but I’m inserting an eye-roll emoticon here). Thankfully my shouting didn’t last too long and their happily ever after started just as it should. The inclusion of the two epilogues worked really well, and I loved both of them, but that’s all I’m going to say because I want you to experience them for yourself.

Sebastian York and Andi Arndt are probably two of the most popular voices in romance audiobooks, and for good reason. They nail it every freaking time, and this book is no different. I absolutely adored their performances. Both have a great range and change tone when switching between male and female characters, and always use inflections for the different emotions they are conveying. With this audio, I felt the inner thoughts of CJ were performed great, Andi really made those moments stand out with the tones she used. Sebastian’s teacher mode was spot on the gruffness in his tone worked really well. The sexy times were pretty darn sexy, both Andi and Sebastian always deliver those parts of the book extremely well and make it seem even sexier… if that’s possible. Having already read the book I can say that this narration team increased my enjoyment of an already fantastic book, however, their delivery took it to a whole new level and made it something special.
*Side-note - this is just about preference, and not the narrators themselves. I wasn’t sure how the pronunciation of Graham was going to go, here in England we pronounce it a little differently, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn’t spoken in a way that was frustrating to me.
*Another side-note, included at the end of the audiobook are two clips from Lili, and Lauren’s books – which take up around the last 15 minutes of the audio (at standard speed). Both audiobooks are available as part of Audible’s Romance Package.
Excerpt 1 – Hot as Puck by Lili Valente. Narrated by Tyler Donne & Summer Roberts
Excerpt 2 – Most Valuable Playboy by Lauren Blakely. Narrated by Zachary Webber

22 of 22 people found this review helpful

✫✫ 4 Stars ✫✫

Another flirty Rom Com by Lauren Blakely. This book was fun and sexy, its was what I call a feel good book, you know the type, the ones that leave you smiling and feeling a little lighthearted. I love the way her books aren't high in drama and unneeded misunderstandings.
Let me also say that I don't like 20+ year old virgin story lines but Lauren Blakely made this one feel different and didn't draw out that small part of the story and make it into the big deal drama that most books do. I love her mature characters who know what they want and go for it. They aren't afraid to take a chance and even when they are, they still take the leap because you never know if you don't try. I think this author could write any story line and I'd listen to it because I love her writing style! And I always know when I'm in need of a little light in my books after so much darkness I can always find that in her stories.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Sweet and Steamy

I try to avoid the shorter length books because, well, I’m one of those frugal (cheap!) people who wants to feel I’m getting my money’s worth. Audible’s Romance Package has helped me to relax on that front, and I would have otherwise missed out on this terrific, feel-good, hot read! The narrators are excellent, breathing life into the very likable main characters whose conversations made me feel as though I were sitting right next to them. I smiled, I worried, I rooted and cheered for the characters. After listening to the last epilogue, I felt satisfied, and happy. Really, what greater gift can a book give?

13 of 14 people found this review helpful

SebYo & Lauren Blakely are always awesome

It’s no secret that Lauren Blakely has become one of my top favorite authors, I try to read every book she releases and I love them all. So I was excited when I saw she would be collaborating with another author who I haven’t read, Lili Valente. It’s a great way to introduce a new author, and maybe it will bring a new feel to the books that are getting a bit similar to each other.

I would never have known the difference. The V Card seemed like another awesome Lauren Blakely book, and it was so strongly written that I could never pick up where the writing switched.

Graham runs a lingerie company whose sole purpose is to make women feel beautiful. He ran it with his best friend Sean, who recently passed away. He has a board meeting coming up, and he needs Sean’s sister, CJ, to help at the meeting.

But she wanted her own favor in return.

"So I just need... I need you to teach me about... about...Sex, intercourse, coitus, banging, the horizontal hula, the bow-chicka-wow-wow."

Graham is dead-set against it on the outside, but inside…well he’s had the hots for CJ, so it doesn’t take a lot to change his mind. And he sure won’t let any other guy touch her. CJ was a friend and business partner and at almost 26, still a virgin. She can’t think of anyone she trusts for that job more than Graham. So they strike up a business contract.

"I just want to be able to drive a man crazy. To please and satisfy him in every way."

Likes:

•Well written with great flow. I have no idea who wrote what.
•Dual POV. It was nice getting into both of their heads.
•Graham is protective, possessive, and totally treats women with respect.
•I love a friends to lovers book.
•Had me grinning the whole time.
•Filled with laugh-out-loud moments and swoon worthy moments.
•The cat.

Dislikes:

•Had the same feel as a Lauren Blakely solo book. I expected a little more unique. This isn’t really a dislike, because I love Lauren’s books, but I would have liked to feel the other author more, and I didn’t.

The Narration:
Sebastian York and Andi Arndt, as always, do an amazing job. It had been a while since I listened to them, and I loved every second. Still, since I mostly listen to Lauren Blakely books, I think changing up the narrators a little more may help them from becoming so similar to each other.

The Down & Dirty:
The V Card was funny, sweet, sexy as heck, swoon worthy, and downright charming. I listened to the whole thing with a goofy smile on my face. And though I usually don’t love books with virgins, especially beautiful virgins in their 20s, this totally worked for me with it's funny, sweet and sexy swooniness.


Rating: 4.75 Stars, 4.25 Heat. 5 Narration

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Feel Good Listen

This book is such a fun listen. I love the writing style of both authors (Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente) and the narration of Andi Arndt and Sebastian York is top notch.
The premise of this book is a bit far fetched in today's age, but so enjoyable to listen to. I love how both authors are able to write humor, steam, and a feel good story all in one. I hope this winning combination of authors and narrators continues.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Another fun listen

I always look forward to these fun listens. The characters are always fun, the story always easy to enjoy. You just always know what to expect. Great way to pass a few hours.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Graham, Graham, Graham!!

I couldn't wait to get my hands on this collaboration between Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente, two of my favorite creators of dirty-talking alphas. So worth the wait...even though I did get the audiobook a little earlier than everyone else. The dynamic duo of Sebastian York and Andi Arndt do an amazing job, but that's not a surprise. They are so good at immersing in their characters, you feel everything going on.

CJ and Graham have been through a lot together, and through years of being there for one another, in addition to building successful careers, they've gotten close. CJ has a very important favor to ask Graham. And then the fun starts!! No spoilers, but you need to pick this up as soon as it releases. TRUST!!

This is a sweet, hot, and dirty friends-to-lovers/I think my brother's best friend is hot story. If you're familiar with Lauren and Lili, you know they know how to heat up a scene or two--or 40! They also know how to melt your heart, and make you swoon a few times, and totally fall for the guy, yourself. Guilty!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The V Card

Sweet, sexy, predictable.... and worth it! With the talented narration and gooey sweet and totally yummy romance that makes it irresistible.

Great book

this book was great. It keep my attention the entire time. The store was great also.

Good, but not great

I enjoyed this book. I did. I’m a huge fan of Lauren Blakely and have read a couple books by Lili Valente, so I was excited to finally get the chance to dive into The V Card. But I’ll be honest here, I didn’t LOVE it. Maybe I didn’t really enjoy it because I was so hyped up to finally have the time to enjoy this book and had high hopes, but I ended up feeling a little let down after finishing it. It wasn’t bad, not in the least, but it wasn’t my favorite either.

I really liked the originality of the storyline and the initial relationship between the characters. Their shared history with each other made for an already strong connection between them that I found to be very effortless and enjoyable. The humor was fantastic, like always with these two authors, so that was a definite hit. But what I found lacking was the real “spark” between the characters. I don’t know…it just felt like their unique dynamic with each other felt off and forced in a way that didn’t mesh well the further the story moved along. I felt like their feelings for each other flipped too fast, making their intimate relationship the only focus on why the two of them were associated with each other.

Overall, the book was good. I have this feeling that if I had read the book instead of listened to the audio, I would have enjoyed it a lot more than what I did. I caught myself losing interest multiple times, having to backtrack and replay certain parts that I missed. Audiobooks are tricky for me; sometimes they can wow me with the narration and creative storylines, and sometimes they can fall flat. And The V Card, unfortunately, found itself right in the middle of the two. I won’t give up on either author, as I really do enjoy their books. But hopefully the next one I read will be a complete knockout.

3 Stars