TURN IT UP is another wonderful contemporary romance by Inez
Kelley.
Dr. Bastian Talbot and Charlie Pierce are co-hosts of the
late night radio program "Let's Talk about Sex with Dr. Hot
and the Honeypot." The sexual banter between their on-air
alter egos has never threatened their long-standing (and
platonic) friendship. Everything changes when a "s'morgansm"
is quickly followed by Bastian's declaration of love and a
marriage proposal. Charlie doesn't do commitment, though
she's more than willing to have sex with him before mourning
the loss of a dear friendship. Bastian, holding out for
forever, refuses to have sex with Charlie until she says yes
to his proposal. Thus the on-air and off-air battle of
wills, known to all as The Race to Bed or Wed, begins. Who
will give in first? And at what cost?
Because one of the characters is refusing to have sex, TURN
IT UP is less overtly erotic than some of Ms. Kelley's other
books. However, there is no absence of sexual tension and
playfulness. I was fully invested in both the friendship
and romance between Bastian and Charlie. At the heart of
this story is the emotional struggle in redefining their
relationship and trusting a different future than what each
believed was possible. Their desires, longings, and fears
were palpable. I couldn't stop reading until I found out how
they got to their happily ever after. The supporting
characters' (Bastian's brother and Charlie's mother) have
their own journeys that serve to enrich the story.
"Dr. Bastian Talbot and self-proclaimed sex goddess Charlie
Pierce heat up the air waves with their flirty banter as
radio hosts Dr. Hot and the Honeypot. Off the air, they're
best friends...but Bastian wants to be so much more. He
wants Charlie-in bed, and forever.
Problem is, Charlie doesn't do commitment. Sure, she's had
X-rated fantasies of Bastian, but he was always just a
friend-until he impulsively proposes and unleashes the lust
they've been denying for years. Charlie's willing to explore
where their wild chemistry leads, but she won't marry him.
And he won't have sex with her until she accepts his
proposal, despite her seductive schemes.
What are Dr. Hot and the Honeypot to do? Ask their listeners
for advice on how to tame a sex kitten and turn a perfect
gentleman into a shameless lover. The Race to Wed or Bed is
on...who will turn up on top? "