Short And Sweet Review: By The Book By Scarlett Parrish
January 31, 2011 
24 Comments
Two’s company; three’s allowed.
Reece Hutton conducts his life between the covers — of books and beds. A librarian by day, in the evenings he’s a man whose tastes are anything but vanilla. So when local writer Daniel Cross appears in the library one afternoon with the aim of doing some research, Reece has a hard time not noticing how attractive he is, or what feels like chemistry between them. They exchange a few words and Daniel’s business card, an interlude which Reece puts down to networking rather than flirtation.
After all, he has his girlfriend Georgia to go home to and her best friend: a threesome to help his birthday go literally with a bang. Reece, being a gentleman (most of the time), has no objection to returning the favor, especially as his new friend Daniel seems all too willing to be their third for an evening. Georgia sees their triangle as nothing more than a temporary bit of fun but Reece…? He’ll eventually have to own up to breaking the unwritten rules of their relationship or close the book on a growing attraction to Daniel.
First Impressions: This story is told from Reece’s point of view and I’ll be honest, I thought he was a girl for at least the first chapter, maybe longer. I’m not sure what exactly finally tipped me off LOL. Once I got my head straight, I loved the chemistry and tension between Reece and Daniel right from the start. Daniel sort of buzzes with sexual energy and it came through well.
The Hero: As I said the story is told from Reece’s POV and so we get a lot of his internal dialogue and insight into his feelings and insecurities. He considers himself straight but finds himself very attracted to Daniel. When his girlfriend suggests that they invite Daniel into their bedroom for a threesome Reece struggles with this on several levels but he wants it. He is in love with Georgia so he has conflicted feelings about betrayal and his attraction to Daniel.
The Other Hero: Daniel Fucking Cross. Need I say more? There is just something about a romance hero that can charm the pants off anyone he wants, man or woman and Daniel Cross is that romance hero. His is S.E.X.Y! But even though he wants Reece he never seems derogatory or negative toward Georgia. He is very open and would be happy to become part of their relationship and doesn’t want to destroy it. He comes of self assured but there is a bit of vulnerability just below the surface.
The Heroine: Georgia is in love with Reece and very open sexually. However when she invites a third into the bedroom she sees it as only play. She is not interested in sharing Reece in a relationship and wants him to make a choice one way or another. I liked that she knew what was right for her stuck to her guns. I found her a very likeable heroine.
What worked: Daniel Cross. The End. Ok, there’s more. Pretty much everything worked for me in this story. I think this is one of the sexiest love triangles I’ve read and I really enjoyed every minute of this book. The sexual tension, the emotional connection between Reece and Georgia/ Reece and Daniel, and Daniel’s heart breaking struggle to make it all work had me riveted.
What didn’t work: There’s not really anything that didn’t work that I want to point out. I really liked this book.
Final conclusion: This is the first book I’ve read by Scarlett Parrish and it won’t be my last. I enjoyed this romance and the m/f, m/m, m/f/m emotional conflict. The relationships felt very authentic and believable and I think Ms. Parrish realistically portrayed some of the emotional issues that would arise in a situation where people suddenly find their relationships and sexuality being dramatically redefined.
Favorite Quote:
“I don‟t feel awkward at all.”
“Don’t you?”
“No. I‟m Daniel Fucking Cross.”
I stopped and leaned against a shop front. “Oh. Well.” I drew in a deep breath. “Good. Good.”
By The Book By Scarlett Parrish
January 4th 2011 by Loose Id
Contemporary Erotic Romance (GLBT)
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Purchase Link: Loose Id.
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Daniel Fucking Cross…oh baby is he HOT!!
And that quote! I want to go read the book again.
ps – I thought Reece was a girl until chp 2! LOL.
Great review FV. I liked how you broke it down.
Smexi told me about this book and I can’t wait to read it.
@Mandi Schreiner: I’m in lurve with DFC. Sexy, sexy man his is.
@Bells:Hurry Bells, read it.
I must give a huge thank you to FV for introducing this book to me.
DFC is one of the best new characters I have come across in awhile. Hello – guyliner. This is one I will pick up and read again and again. I also loved the ending.
Loved the quote! And he wears guyliner? Well then, I must check this one out
I thought it was m/m since I only saw guys on that cover
OMG is this the book you mentioned in your Friday post….?! I’m so buying this one.
Daniel approves of this review.
I’m sending him round to your place, FV, with a bucket of chocolate sauce, some handcuffs, and do you mind if Reece tags along too?
This sounds very smexy. I may have to break my self imposed erotica ban and buy.
YOU AND MANDI HAVE MADE ME WANT THIS BOOK!!!!!
@Samantha: Yes this is in my ‘read it again’ pile too.
@Ava March: Do it, tread yourself. You won’t be sorry.
@blodeuedd: It is mostly an m/m romance but there is a woman involved.
@KC: Yes, this is the one. DFC is the man!! Nommy!!
@Scarlett Parrish: Oh momma!! Tell him to bring a bag of Doritos and some Dr. Pepper and we’ll have a partay! Woot!!
@tori aka ggs_closet: Erotica ban? *stares blankly* I don’t get it.
@Spaz: YAY YOU GO GIRL, GET THE BOOK!! LOL
Fabulous review! Love the quote, love Daniel Fucking Cross and it sounds like a fantastic book that needs to go on my TBR list!
@Deanna: Let me know how you feel about DFC after you read it LOL
I need to read it just so I can say Daniel F*cking Cross
@KC/Smokinhotbooks: And you will. You’ll say it to your hubs and he will look at you strangely and you won’t care because Daniel Fucking Cross is that impressive.
OH MY!!! *runs to add book to wish list* Thanks for the review and introducing me to a new (to me) author. This book sounds fantastic!!
You’ll all give Daniel a big head!
(And a boner).
@Scarlett Parrish:
*giggles*
Good grief. I’ve just had an email from Daniel. Apparently he’s thinking of auctioning himself off online to raise money for lube and beer.
SEE WHAT YOU ‘LADIES’ have started?
oh baby – where do I bid?
I’m reliably informed that he tried whoring himself on eBay but Fiction Vixen crashed the server with her latest bid.