We know Monica’s previous series (One Week Girlfriend) was very NA. But she has a new series that is more contemporary erotica.In some ways, the book could be slightly seen as NA, as the main character Violet comes out of her shell and into her own — but she is not a virgin, and the main hero is not necessarily her first love.
Real Quick Book Review for Owning Violet.
How about that Plot?
Violet Fowler is NYC royalty- the middle child of the family that owns Fleur Cosmetics (think family-run Estee Lauder) who is working her way up through the business, about to launch her own luxury cosmetics brand. She’s been dating Zachary Lawrence, a fellow Fleur employee, for a few years, and he is an utter asshole: Man-whore, cheater, using her to impress her CEO father- you name it.
Ryder McKay and Pilar Vasquez are co-workers at Fleur. They want to keep climbing the ladder at the company and don’t want anyone getting in their way- especially perfect, daddys-girl (or so they think) Violet and her backstabbing boyfriend Zachary. The devise a plan to ruin Violet and Zachary’s relationship and their careers while moving themselves up in the company. Pilar sets her sight on blowing Zach while Ryder tackles Violet. And tackle he does….. Ryder, expecting to find a spoiled, expects-to-have-everything-handed-to-her-princess, is surprised at how accomplished Violet is. And when she opens herself up to him, well he questions whether he should be trying to ruin her at all…
How likeable is the girl?
Really likeable. She’s hard-working, gorgeous but doesn’t know it, smart, rich, a killer dresser and completely unaware of what she has to offer men and the world. She’d make a really great bff. I picture Olivia Palermo except less annoying.
To best honest, I’m only annoyed by Olivia Palermo because she is perfection.
How hot is the guy?
Hot. He’s that guy at the office you stare at but never have the nerve to talk to. When you see him after a few glasses of wine at the cocktail party and accidentally speak to him getting a refill at the bar, you stutter and turn red. He knows what he does to you. He loves that he makes you squirm. He’s definitely the kind of guy you’d never date, but always fantasize about. But he’s kinda an asshole from time to time. Yet Violet can’t stay away. It’s not my favorite thing about her personality, but I guess when you look like Ryder and f*ck like Ryder, you forgive assholey-ness from time to time.
How was the Sex?
We’re talking Beautiful Bastard office sex here. It’s hot. There’s lunchtime oral sex on a couch. There’s against-the-penthouse-door for the first time penetration. There’s closet at a cocktail party manhandling. The sex is hot.
But is it cheesy?
Sometimes. Violet refers to her dad as “Father.” Her sisters (Party girl Lily, and young responsibl(er) Rose call him Daddy. Ew). It feels weird and fake and forced. An she’s an IDIOT for staying with Zachary after knowing he’s a man-whore cheater. Her insecurity seems unfounded at times. (Sorta….) You know when books take place in a city that the author is completely unfamiliar with and he or she writes a rich New York character who gets Friday night drinks somewhere in midtown when you know there is literally no where anyone who knows anything about NYC would be caught dead in Midtown? And they grab their morning coffee at Starbucks instead of one of the million available locally roasted coffee shops on every corner in any neighborhood worth living in, and it makes you want to scream because all it takes is a overnight vacation to the city to do a little research and send your characters somewhere cool where a NYC resident would actual frequent? Yeah, that didn’t happen here. Either Monica knows about New York City or she did her research. She didn’t try to come up with cool names and hip places, but she kept the character away from tourist NYC and it felt real. Good job Monica!
Overall:
Owning Violet gets a solid 3.5 out of 5 from me. I definitely want to check out the next in the series (Stealing Rose) which follows the story of the youngest sister Rose. I have to say reading a story that has a scenerio (office sex, basically) like Beautiful Bastard made me appreciate how talented the writing duo Christina Lauren are. They take their stories to a whole other level not typically seen in romance. But Monica Murphy wrote likeable characters, great sex and a realistic plot that I’m excited to keep exploring with more books! Buy Owning Violet
We’re giving away copies!
Our pals at Random House know how everyone around these parts LOVES contemporary romance like Owning Violet, so they’ve offered us TEN COPIES to give away! Enter by Tweeting the message listed below, Visiting us on Facebook (like us while you’re there why don’t you!) OR commenting with your favorite restaurant in Times Square.. It can be Sbarros Pizza. I’m not too proud to admit I haven’t had a drunken night or two that ended there. Never been to NYC? Make it up! (Commenting is mandatory, but you get the most entries for Tweeting!)
