makes me feel like the only woman in the room. Much to my own dismay, I have yet to meet this man in Philadelphia, although I have met 12,548 of the skeezy Jersey Shore version and THAT accent makes my flower wilt. Lucky for me, Christina Lauren created beautifully flawed and yet near perfect lead character in their follow up novel, Beautiful Stranger.
Max Stella. Max. Stella. Mr. Max Stella. Mr. Beautiful Stranger. Beautiful stranger. Unf. This novel manages to leave me thinking very few words but feeling so much for this fictional man. It has to be the accent, right? He sounds incredibly sexy in my head … Well, I have already cast him in the movie version so I have a lot to work with, but more on that in a later post.
The story follows Sara, Chloe’s good friend from Beautiful Bastard, who comes to work in NYC after her life implodes back in Chicago. Sara unexpectedly meets Max and they both discover their mutual kink for some sexy times in public. For conservative Sara, this is abhors her and excites her at the same time. For Max, Sara is a complete surprise for this life long player/bachelor and leaves him wanting more.
This book generates some steam heat that will most certainly have you scouting for your own beautiful stranger for some naughty public romping. And while in fiction it goes smoothly, in real life things could get really awkward.
That’s Normal Cautionary Guide to Public Romping
In Da Club
Your eyes meet, he’s been watching you do that seductive dance on the floor, you are 4 drinks in, you pull him by the tie into the ladies room…and walk straight into the bathroom attendant. That’s right, you just got c-blocked by that nice middle-aged woman pimping her selection of Juicy Couture perfumes, Rave hairspray and Trident gum. Pretty sure your $1 tip from earlier is not going to erase the look of shame. You could try men’s room, but likely there’s a nice gentleman with a bottle of Drakar Noir, Polo Sport and Cool Water waiting to kill the moment. Hey, at least you smell nice.
Beaches
We have been brainwashed by romantic black and white images of couples making out as the waves rush up. Sand in your crack is not romantic no matter which way you dice it. Neither are sand fleas. If attempted, at least you get free exfoliation (in parts you never knew could be exfoliated.) Remember to watch out for jellyfish — could you look your beautiful stranger in the eyes after he helps you with the sting? DAMN ALL THE JELLYFISH!
Airplanes
Sure, the thrill of possibly getting caught is why most people attempt public rompings, however as a good friend once said to me, “Is it worth missing the free coke and crackers? I think not.” Call us prudish, but in that small space with the overwhelming smell of plane toilet water, the boinking can’t be all that spectacular. You may get to join a club, but in that confined space, you may emerge looking like you got clubbed.
Movie Theaters
Who hasn’t done some heavy petting in a theater as a teen? In fact, that is probably one place that should NEVER go under the black light test. As an adult, you start to think about places you don’t want to find popcorn butter. Plus, with the cost of movie ticket, you kind of want to watch the movie (or is that just me…?)
That my friends, is why it is always fun to live vicariously through our favorite characters and leave it to Christina Lauren for the fun adventure. Btw, did I just write the crack fic version of this book above? Ha.
Beautiful Stranger is now available exclusively in paperback at Target or at your normal e-book online retailers.
Photo Sources – Beautiful Bastard Facebook
Have you read Beautiful Stranger? What places are romantic in books, but awkward when attempted in real life?
