I am a firm believer in reading whatever the heck I want and in indulging my guilty pleasures. So, when I got a Netgalley email about Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren, all I knew was that it had been previously read by a lot of people and that there were sexytimes involved. And based on the cover, I immediately requested it as a connoisseur of sexytimes and all. I know there’s been comparisons of this book to 50 Shades Of Grey but I can’t quite speak to that because I haven’t read 50 Shades. Yet. Anyways, apparently this book is one of those pull to publish fan fictions, and well, I don’t really have an opinion about that SO, I went into the book with a totally open mind. Basically, I ended up reacting like Michael Scott in the Ben Franklin episode where he goes to the adult store with Ryan and doesn’t say anything but just is giggling the entire time. Yep.
Usually this is the paragraph where I describe the plot of whatever book I am reading. For Beautiful Bastard, basically the plot is as follows: Chloe works as an intern for Bennett Ryan’s company while getting her MBA. Bennett is very gruff and rude towards her. The two hate each other so much that they have sex. A LOT. Basically, that’s it. And there’s the whole your love, your love, your love is my drug thing — because sex with other people is nowhere as good as sex with each other. And really, yeah that’s all that happens. There’s no bigger framing story for the sex, which hey if that floats your boat you’ll probably love Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren.
I was not particularly in love with the two main characters,like I wasn’t all I WILL GO DOWN WITH THIS SHIP while reading. However, it was sort of nice to read about a woman who is assertive, both at work and in the sack. I know a few reviews are all Chloe is such a bitch blah blah blah, but honestly? I didn’t mind her. I thought Bennett was a good match for her, although you guys, I still don’t get why he was such a douche to her, like it didn’t make sense to me. But, I do have to say, that I like how career minded Bennett was as well.I guess, it’s weird, but I think it’s great that people who are both very independent and work-oriented should relish getting down and dirty so much. And okay, I realize that’s going to sound totally weird to all of you reading this. Alas, if you are a regular reader of this blog chances are you already know how much of a weirdo I am.
If you are looking for brilliant writing and deep pondering on the meaning of intercourse and sexuality, Beautiful Bastard is probably not going to be the book for you. Honestly, it’s not very well written. A lot of the dialogue comes off as totally false and cheesy, like it just did not feel authentic to me. Also, certain things get repeated a lot and just become kind of boring. I guess the writing is very basic, like it’s nothing where I am all omg best sex book everrrrrr. Yet, I will say that it does read fast and certainly does not suffer from pacing problems, so there is that.
You guys. Would you like to hear how nuts I am when it comes to books? OKAY. So there are sexytimes aplenty in this book. I am totally okay with sexytimes all the time. I am definitely not a prude at all. SO. Okay, well anyways, pretty much every time Chloe and Bennett do it, he like rips her drawers which are this La Perla brand. So I looked that brand up. Holy fuck you guys, can I just say what the hell, rich people? Those things cost like 100 dollars and they have sex probably 10 times so, he ruins in essence, $1000 worth of underwear. I can’t get past that. And yeah, that makes me nuts, but really bro, really? Besides that, the sexytimes aren’t awful. Like I was never all, hmmmm that position exists?
OH OH and before I end this review, I do want to say that I picked up on something kind of cool with Beautiful Bastard. So, there’s a few parts where Chloe freaks out about sleeping with her boss because she doesn’t want to be seen as sleeping her way to the top. And it’s like this whole subtle jab at sexism and how if a woman has sex with her superior, she’s doing it to get favors or whatever. BUT if a man does it, it’s locker room fodder. Anyways, I was like right on sister, when that was being discussed in the book. Straight up, I look for positive things in the books I read and that was very, very positive for me.
In all, Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren is not the worst book I’ve ever read, far, far from it. Nor is it the best. I don’t exactly have a basis of comparison, so I can’t be all if you like 50 Shades of Grey, you will LOVE this. But, I didn’t hate it and I think that there’s really nothing wrong with reading a book that is nothing but the sexytimes. So, if you are interested in that, read Beautiful Bastard without shame. It is not totally awful.
Disclosure: Received for review via Netgalley.
Other reviews of Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren:
Red Hot Books – “kept my interest all the way until the end”
Dark Faerie Tales – “I wanted more, but I’m glad for the ending”
Once Upon A Twilight – “causes all sorts of emotional out burst of happiness”
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Thank you for reading this so I don’t have to. This confirmed my suspicions.
hahahaha happy to be of service!
GUILTY PLEASURES, FTW!!
I gave this one the side-eye but, ultimately, decided to pass. Given your review, it’s pretty much as I expected — not bad, lots of sex, somewhat entertaining. Sounds like, all in all, it was a nice wee indulgence!
I freakin love guilty pleasure reading.
Like you said, it was a nice indulgence but not one that everyone needs to read, ya know.
Okay, so I was tempted for exactly one hot minute with that NetGalley email, but resisted for fear it’d be another Fifty Shades (and I really don’t think my brain can take much more trauma). BUT, this does sound better than Fifty Shades. Doesn’t mean I’m going to read it though. Hahaha. Thanks for taking one for the team!
Hahahaha, I have never read 50 Shades so I can’t tell you.
Sometimes I will happily take one for the team, as it seems it’s nice to return the favor. 😉
Yeah, I read this a while back as well. And I didn’t exactly think Chloe was bitchy, but I felt like I didn’t get to know her at all. And I thought that even the smexy times were a little boring at times… I’ve read far better books with lots of sex, that’s for sure 😀
Ah, that makes sense. She did seem a bit arm’s length. What I got from her character is that she’s a hard and competent worker who likes sex and expensive undergarments.
Yeah, I’ve read better sexytimes scenes as well, but in all I did not entirely hate this one, so there is that.
Hi April! 🙂
What a great review! I absolutely adore your review style! I haven’t heard much about this book to be honest, nor did I have any plans to pick it up – until now, that is! Your review definitely piqued my interest! And I’m not really into sexy reads, so that says a lot!
Anyhoo, just stopping by to say hello to a fellow BEA panellist! Can’t wait to meet you at BEA this year!
Hi Evie!
Thanks for dropping by. I like to have fun with my reviews, because if I am not having fun, I don’t think my readers are having fun either.
Our panel will definitely be awesome.
Oh my gosh, April, your reviews are the best. You put so much personality in them, and I love it.
But anyways, I don’t have a problem with lots of sexytimes in books either! I mean, who cares. Sure I get that it might make some peopel uncomfortable, and that’s fine, but it doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with the book.
And yay for feminism too, and not wanting to be thought of as sleeping your way to the top. Because that is ridiculous.
Thank you, Quinn. I actually really try.
Same here, a book has lots of grown up stuff going on, BFD. No1curr.
Dude, yes the subtle sort of feminism, at least as far wanting equality and also owning one’s sexuality was really cool.
i am a big fan of sexy times but this book doesn’t really appeal to me. i feel like there are so many books out there that are just all about the sexy times but no real plot or emotional development. that might be fine if all you want is sexy times but there are so many awesome books out there with fantastic sexy times and a plot/awesome well-written characters. so yeah, probably won’t be picking this one up unless someone i know tells me it’s awesome. and wow, i said sexy times a lot in this comment. 🙂
Hahahha yeah, that’s a lot of sexytimes mentions LULLLLLL. It happens though.
I will concur this is not the best book I’ve read that has sexytimes, but it’s not awful either. And yeah, I think that books that have a larger framing plot and emotional development are much better.
First, can I just say that you rock!? Seriously, I had the giggles reading this review.
Secondly, I was on this super rampage against the whole 50 Shades of Grey because I can’t stand a super-dependent, whiny, needs-a-man-to-survive kinda girl. But then I heard about this book and the fact that it’s loosely based off of Twilight. And I thought to myself, “oh, hell to-the-no!” And then I read the first chapter online and was kinda like, “Hmm, okay hey! Not the best of writing but it’s hella entertaining!” So yeah. That’s kinda where I stand on it now. I have a copy on my Nook and though this is new territory for me, I don’t have super high expectations.
My lesson learned from all of this: Stop being super judgey. :p
Hahaha, thanks Nikki!
Yeah, huh, I still have not at all read 50 Shades Of Grey, but that whole dynamic sucks. It’s 2013, girls totally aren’t like that anymore. Well, some are. But independent ladies put your hands up and all that.
It’s definitely not the best writing, but it’s fun and like you said entertaining. Keep your expectations low and you might end up really liking this.
That’s not an awful lesson to learn, ha ha.
I am laughing so hard because I do that thing with the underwear $$ all the time — in movies and books. I don’t even care if they mention the brand, it’s just that, damn, that bra probably cost $50!! And, you know, I’m tight and don’t like to waste money — usually pulls me right out of the drama.
Thanks for the great review!
I am so glad that I am not the only one silently calculating the price of things. AND YES, ugh I hate wasting money and lol when I read about it wasted that mental calculator comes right out.
🙂
I read this a few months ago and I thought it was a great guilty pleasure. I totally agree with you on all your criticisms, but I really enjoyed the sexy times and that Chloe and Bennett (but especially Chloe) didn’t turn into co-dependent losers halfway through the book (like 50 Shades or Crossfire). And I also pulled out the sexism part of the story, which I thought was a good point and I always appreciate seeing.
As someone who’s read 50 Shades I can say, without a doubt, that this story and these characters are so, so, so much better than the story and characters in 50 Shades. And compared to EL James these authors are practically Faulkner (but I’ve read interviews were they seem to have a sense of humor about how ridiculous their book is which I definitely appreciate).
The first thing I thought when I saw this book is – my sister will probably like it. My sister has actually read all three books in the 50 Shades series, and liked them (not loved, mind you). I think she might actually find this enjoyable, so I might have to go and recommend it to her.
That said, this is a fun departure from the books I usually see you review. While I don’t think I’d ever read the book myself, it does sound like it’s pure entertainment. Sometimes, it’s just wonderful to kick back and relax with a book like that! (My guilty pleasures always revolve around historical romances though!)