| Title | : | Beautiful Stranger (Beautiful Bastard, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1476731535 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781476731537 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 345 |
| Publication | : | First published April 16, 2013 |
The whole city knows that Max Stella loves women, not that he’s ever found one he particularly wants to keep around. Despite pulling in plenty with his Wall Street bad boy charm, it’s not until Sara—and the wild photos she lets him take of her—that he starts wondering if there’s someone for him outside of the bedroom.
Hooking up in places where anybody could catch them, the only thing scarier for Sara than getting caught in public is having Max get too close in private.
Beautiful Stranger (Beautiful Bastard, #2) Reviews
-
*****4.5 STARS*****
There are many things I love about the books I read, but one of my faves is when the male MC is a sexier than hell Brit!! Also when the setting takes place in New York City, the city I grew up in, well then I'm in heaven. Had I known that Max Stella was waiting for me in this book, I DEFINITELY would have read this one a lot sooner!!! I am kicking myself for waiting so long to read this book!
Sara Dillon has just moved to NYC and has been given the Director of Finance position at Ryan Media. She used to work in the Chicago branch and is close friends with Bennett and Chloe. Sara is just getting over a bad break up with her fiance, who she only recently learned had been having numerous affairs throughout their relationship. Now in New York, she is looking to shed herself of the old, timid and reserved Sara. She wants to take a walk on the wild side. Her first Saturday night in NYC, she goes to a club with her two best friends and meets a Sinfully Sexy Brit. They flirt a bit at the bar and while out on the dance floor, she struts her stuff knowing that the British Babe is watching her every move.
Let me just say, HOLY HELL, when they run into each other upstairs and end up having sex in a secluded corner, my heart was beating out of my chest. What is it with Brits and their kinky fuckery??!! BTW, I am so not complaining. I will never tire reading about these sexy men.
Sara's not looking for a relationship. She thinks she just wants to have casual sex and after running into Max a few times, since he is friends with Bennett Ryan, she asks Max to enter into an arrangement with her. They will meet every Friday. A different place each time. No having sex in beds or the back of limos. Sara enjoyed having sex in the club, knowing that at any moment someone could catch them in the act. She wants a bit more of that and Max is the man to make all her dirty fantasies come true. He's also a well known player whose conquests are repeatedly gossiped about on Page Six of the Post.
So he too, wasn't looking for anything serious.
Max and Sara get very adventurous all over NYC, but I have to say my favorite part was when they got a bit kinky in the famous New York Public Library. I will never think of libraries in the same way again.
There is nothing really all that original about this story that I haven't read before, but I still very much LOVED this book!! I knew I was going to get some smoldering hot sex and that eventually these two would fall in love with each other. That there would be something to cause a bit of angst. One thing I have to note is that I ADORED his nickname for Sara. Petal. I could just hear it in his British accent and every time I was swooning. I really did fall for Max. Even his name is incredibly sexy.
"I love you, Petal. I've known it for a while now, but everything changed for me last night."
So why not a Five? Although I really did LOVE this one, I had to deduct a half point for the lack of an epilogue and for the predictability of the story. I'm hopeful that I will get more of Sara and Max in the next book. Despite my small gripes, I would still HIGHLY recommend this book!! -
3 Stars
My friends who have read this series told me after I finished
Beautiful Bastard that
Beautiful Stranger is much better but...
So this book began when Sara Dillon met the rich and sexy British executive Max Stella at a club. Fresh from a failed long-term relationship, Sara was determined to have fun and forget her heartaches and just simply set herself free from her modest self. Sara and Max's first encounter immediately led to sex. At the club. And what started off as a sexual fling led to a series of more sexual dates. You see, these two particularly have kinks. They had this agreement to have sex anywhere but in bed. (which kinda weirded me out.)
I actually did have a great time when I was at the first few chapters because as usual,
Christina Lauren's writing was fabulous and Max Stella was a character beyond perfection! I enjoyed Beautiful Bastard when I read it last year so I really had high hopes in this book. However, as I went through the later chapters, I felt a bit exhausted because of the unnecessary and somewhat overdone sexual scenes. I mean, I get that this is the type of a friends-with-benefits romance book, but when sexual scenes tend to become repetitive, it can no longer hold my attention. There were just so much. To the point where there's no longer depth in the story. :(
But as what I've said, I loved Christina Lauren's writing. The authors are a pro in this genre and they really have a way with words. I loved the way they described Max and the way they created the characters. I enjoyed the previous book in this series so I believe the next books will make it all up (hopefully). I heard they're also great! I'm crossing my fingers that I will enjoy them. :)
-
Max is actually super fucking creepy.
First he filmed her in the club without her knowing so he could rewatch it later alone?????
Then he set up a camera in his office and filmed her without her knowledge while she pleasures herself?????
Then his room????
I am calling the police Bc I am terrified of this man -
4 STELLA STARS.
You know those books that you pick up, quite popular, you've been looking forward to reading it, even checking what other GoodReads friends have to say. Well this is one of those books and hooray, I fell a little in love. I completely devoured the first in this sexy series ~ 'beautiful bastard' and followed suit with this yummy number.
So what made it a winner for me? Well to start with It's easy, uncomplicated and full of out and out brilliant chemistry. This book also has the enjoyment factor of a novel that deserves 4 Lisa stars.
So here's the plot, meet Max Stella a British business man ~ successful, enjoying his wealth and infamous title as woman loving playboy. This said office hotty has a chance meeting with our staring heroine, who for one night only decides to be someone daring and enjoys the benefits of a woman about town flirting. Little did this beautiful couple realise that their paths would soon cross again. The story follows the journey of a ~ what happens when a 'friends with benefits' agreement doesn't seem quite enough.
The series for me is packed with likeable characters and 'beautiful stranger' hosts a very amenable and easy on the eyes Max Stella. He's got all the essentials to fufill the perfect book husband: Sexy name,
Suited and booted, charm that would get any reader smiling, British endearments and completely swoonworthy. The absolute winning Attribute over everything that I've listed is that this playboy was actually extremely lovely.
I can't continue my review without mentioning Sara our leading lady, bruised from her past relationships this intelligent, loveable character moves from timid and unsure to brave and demanding - all she needed was a Max Stella to realise she could be anything she wanted to be ...
Don't believe me? Read for yourself, if you enjoyed 'beautiful bastard' then you will adore this second in the series.
Sexy. Scrumptious. Swoony ... STELLA!
❤❤"I was ready to start over as a comet: refuel, reignite, and burn across the sky."
❤❤“Women don't always want to be treated like we're delicate, or rare, or somehow more precious. We want to be wanted. We want sex to be just as raw as you do.”
❤❤“Because the whole British thing you have going on makes me want to do very wicked things to your mouth.”
❤❤“The way you seem nervous
makes me think you don’t know that I’m in love with you.”
❤❤“I looked around me as if it were possible to collect together the heart I'd nearly spilled all over the grass.”
4 solid stars and a cheeky British wink from me.
*Additional Lisa note ...
There's no panty ripping like in book one but be prepared for HOT -ENOUGH SAID.* -
4.5 Max Stars
”You give good innuendo.”
I should start off by saying that I didn't finish book 1 of this series, it was a DNF for me. After enjoying the first two books of the Wild Season series I wanted more and decided to give book two of this series a try.
Sara Dillion leaves her long-term relationship and home behind in Chicago for a fresh new start in the Big Apple. On her first night out with her girlfriends she meets a beautiful stranger. Max Stella is WONDERFUL. He is super sexy, funny, kind, and totally smitten with Sara.
"Of course It would be just my luck to meet a gorgeous man just days after swearing off men forever. A man with a British accent to boot. The universe was a hilarious bitch."
Sara does a great job of keeping Max, the Post’s Page Six playboy, millionaire venture capitalist, to a schedule of sex once a week even though he truly wants more from her. Max is open to exploring all of Sara’s fantasies. Sara learns from her first meeting with Max that she’s an exhibitionist. Max caters to photographing her while they're together and having lots of public sex.
Max wants so much more and with time Sara realizes that he isn’t the playboy that he appears to be unlike Andy, her ex.
”I’m not sure I can forever be strangers.”
The sex scenes were truly steamy but what I loved about this story is Max’s patience, his attraction to Sara, his wit and that damn accent.
”When I say ‘I love you’ I don’t mean that I love what being with you does for my career, or I love how often you’re willing to shag. I mean I love you. I love making you laugh, and seeing how you react to things, and getting to know the little things about you. I love who I am with you, and I’m trusting you not to hurt me.”
This story was much better than book one of this series. It is very witty, sexy and has Max Stella, a book boyfriend you must meet! -
I know that Max "Beautiful Stranger" doesn't have super dark hair, but I am going with the British accent and I am just going to state for the record that I replaced Max with David Gandy (Sara who?). I imagine that a shot like this could be found on his camera if Sara got her hands on it.
Before I actually touch the story...Who cares if these authors started out with fan-fiction. Who cares if they started their process with FSOG or Twilight in mind? Who CARES? Many young writers are being pushed in classes to use fan-fiction sites to give themselves a push, some experience. I have read over 250 books in the last 5 months, guess what there have been very few that did not trace over a plot that had been done before. So what is the problem? Is it really about where the idea started? Is it that two authors who wanted to do something they loved for a living, published something for free then decided to sell it - make a living off of doing something they have a passion for? Get over it and move on.
Rant over...now on to Max and Sara...
I have to admit I had to work out who the hell Sara was. Bennett and Chloe had fully consumed me in BB, I could hardly recall anyone else or anything beyond his fetish for stealing panties...But then it hit me. I remembered who the hell she was.
Fresh from a break up with her cheating asshole of an ex, Sara is in New York working for Ryan Media in their the newly opened NY offices. Chloe, Sara and their friend Julia hit the clubs. Sara hits a brick wall of a man...a stranger. A Beautiful Stranger.
'Massive stars leave behind black holes. Small stars leave behind white dwarfs. I was barely leaving behind a shadow.'
Tired of being that girl...Sara does something she never would have done before and it starts of a deal, sex - just sex - just one day a week and no beds... (now I did try to find some GIFs for public sex...do not search for that unless you are prepared to see those images...)
For Max - he can have any woman he wants. But there is something about his 'Petal' that he can't get out of his head. She left the club - no name, no number, no way to find her again. That is until he sees his old University roommate, Bennett having lunch with Chloe and her - his Petal.
"Three fingers of Macallan's, Pete, and whatever this lady is having. She's been waiting a spell, yeah?" He turned to me, wearing a smile that made something dormant warm deep in my belly.
"How many fingers would you like?"
...
"What did you just say?"
Innocence. He tried it on, smoothing it over his features. Somehow he made it work, but I could see from the way his eyes narrowed that there wasn't an innocent cell in his body.
"Did you really just offer me three fingers?" I asked.
He laughed, spreading out the biggest hand I'd ever seen on the bar just between us. His fingers were the kind that could curl around a basketball and dwarf it.
"Petal, you'd be best to start with two."
...
"You give good innuendo."
Now he has an in. And boy does he take full advantage of 'getting in' with Sara. Something sparks with her though, she trusts him and is willing to give into this new adventurous side with him. Photos, sex in places where any second they could get caught...anything goes - no dates, no beds no strings. But things are never that simple right? Feelings happen - and mess up that great casual fling thing you had going.
"Not in my cab!" "Don't worry bate," I told him. I turned to her and murmured, "she doesn't let me fuck her in cars. Or on Tuesdays."
You get both POVs so you see Max open up, which makes you completely swoon for him. He is a nice guy - nearly perfect...okay perfect. Sara has harder time, she had been made a fool of for six years, never doubting the lies her ex told her while he was being the politician, you know the usual - kissing babies, making promises and using his dick to shake the vagina's of women of the 7th district.
I had enjoyed BB, even with all the fighting - sex - fighting - sex - fighting - sex - dialouge - sex - sex - fighting - sex....But I really loved that BS seemed to have been more developed and was more story driven rather than just all about conflict and banging. You had time to become invested with both of them more than just because of sex. I liked Chloe and Bennett - but I was more in lust with them thank in love with them. I felt a soft spot for Sara and fell hard for Max (David).
-
Re-read Review
4.5 Stars!
Was Max worth the re-read?
I first read this one almost 2 years ago so I really didn't remember a lot of the details! But I must say, I enjoyed this one just as much the second time around!
Loved the banter between Max and Sara....and the whole gang really!
Loved their voyeuristic/exhibitionist kink.....SO HOT!
Loved that there was very little drama between Max and Sara!
This series really shouldn't be missed! Can't wait for more Max and Sara in February!
Initial Review
4.5 Stars.....Max you are one sexy Brit!!!
*fans self* *fans self*
Wow, this book was so smokin' hot! My guess is, if you liked Beautiful Bastard then you will like Beautiful Stranger. Though I liked BS better than BB. Chloe and Bennett had a lot of angry sex in BB and there was nothing, and I mean NOTHING, angry about the sex in BS! It was all kinds of HOT!
In BS we meet Max and Sara. Sara moves from Chicago to NY to work for Bennett. She's finally breaks up with her LOSER boyfriend of six years Andy who had been cheating on her pretty much the whole time. Her first weekend there she is out with Chloe and Julie at a club and meets sexy Max!
She's not looking for a boyfriend but she is drawn to Max. Several drinks later and several dances later she finds herself having sex with Max--in the club--on a balcony--over looking the dance floor. WOW! We discover our little innocent Sara has a thing for having sex in public places and being photographed (by Max)....where others could potential see them.
This was a whole new concept to me....and it was quite HOT to read about. Throughout the book Sara tries to keep Max at arms length...tries to keep their relationship about sex only. But over time it becomes more and they both admit their feelings for each other.
Like BB--there wasn't a ton of angst in this book, which I liked. The angst that did happen was pretty predictable considering the premise of the story but it didn't bother me. I enjoyed the story and all of the characters. Oh, and did I mention the sex was HOT! :) -
Uff. I'm just not really sure what to say. I did enjoy this book more than Beautiful Bastard, but still feel I can't give this more than 3 STARS, which means BB probably should have been a 2 STAR for me instead of the 3 I've given it. These books are entertaining, and I really did love Max and Stella's relationship and interactions much more than Chloe and Bennett's, but there is something about this series that feels very forgettable to me. Maybe I've read too many books, or maybe it's just a case of my not becoming involved in this series as it was ongoing, but I have found both books I've read, so far, to be pleasant while reading, but able to be put down for multiple days at a time without the urge to pick them up. Maybe it's just the wrong time and I should put the series aside until my interest seems back in full gear?
Buddy read with Sam @CluesandReviews. -
3.5 stars
Defy Me comes out in 5 days and I told myself I'd pick up a quick, light book to read in those five days, which means continuing this light but fun and steamy series. And I ended up reading this book in less than 24 hours.
I should've expected this book would be just as addicting as the first book! I think I enjoyed it a little more (.5 stars) than book one, but it still fell in the category of being a bit typical and nothing really blew me away with this story. If anything, I think it was cool that Christina Lauren were able to take something that i'm usually uncomfy with in fiction--public sex/voyeruism--and make it actually interesting and, well, okay. lol. I liked Sara and Max together and their growth and I understood where they were coming from with the circumstances of their relationship, so everything just clicked.
As always, Christina Lauren have a really fun writing style and characters that aren't too cheesy and the dialogue is realistic and they feel like they could be real people, yet there's still that gleam to them that makes you aspire to have what they have. I prefer their newer work just because I think they have less generic plots than your run of the mill office romance, but I really admire how despite reading many books by this duo by now, none of the characters ever feel like copies of others or like they're running out of ideas or types of characters, if that makes sense. Each story has its own set of characters with realistic and unique motivations and backstories. Although these weren't my favorite characters we've met in their novels, I'm enjoying this series a lot more than the covers and cheesy titles would lead you to believe. -
4 Absofuckinglutely SEXY STARS
Beautiful stranger BY:
Christina Lauren
Genres:Contemporary Romance/Erotica
Beautiful Stranger is a part if the "Beautiful Bastard series". this series follows the romance of the most sexy, bachelors in New York City.
In this one, Sara Dillon move to New York in order to get a new start, new life, and a new sara
Then she meets her sexy stranger in a club.
Her "new self" is wild and adventurous. she loves sex in public and Max Stella loves it even more. The sexy British playboy is now living in New york. and When he meets Sara, he was mesmerized and intrigued by her. she was different,and he absolutely loved being with her.
My thoughts
i LOVED this one more than Beautiful bastard. some situations were unnecessarily, i lost interest through the half of the book, but i gained it when it was close to the end. Loved the beginning, and the end.
the Characters
Max Stella: Can i have him for my birthday?
Sara Dillon : liked her!
Chloe and Bennett: i kind of miss them. in this one they seem so interesting and so in love.
Will? LOVED HIM i'm really exited to read (Beautiful Bombshell)
George? Sara's assistant ? :was that his name? anyway i liked him .
“When I say ‘I love you ’ I don’t mean that I love what being with you does for m y career , or I love how of ten you ’re willing to shag . I mean I love you. I love making you laugh,and seeing how you react to things, and getting to know the little things about you .I love who I am with you , and I’m trusting you not to hurt me.”
SWOOOON...
I love England. It produces the sexiest people ever! And that accent? Can i buy it in a bottle ?
Max Stella
Sara Dillon
-
Hello Max. My name is Jessica and you can take me anywhere. And do mean ANYWHERE!
Well holy moley. That Sara girl is one lucky chick with Max.
This book starts off GREAT. You guys know how much I love a good sex up against the wall scene. And boy does it deliver. There are quite a few smexy scenes in this book. Max was quite creative too. The man took her, and when I mean took her, I mean TOOK HER, in the NEW YORK FRIGGIN PUBLIC LIBRARY! Come on! Books AND sex with an outrageously hot guy. My day is set.
Book #2 was fabulous. I liked it even better than the first one. -
b>5 Deliciously Scrumptious Stars
Max, Max, Max.....you are one heck of a Beautiful Stranger♥♥
That girl who didn't want to fall but fell anyways for a Beautiful Stranger.
The story of Max and Sara is a wickedly wonderful story. It is super sexy, angsty, playful, delightful and just a great read!! Sara just broke off a long engagement and is wanting to find herself but meeting a Beautiful Stranger at a club changes everything. No one is looking for forever but Max and Sara meet and start a just sex and nothing more relationship. They both seem to have a similar like of having sex in public places. Might I say those are some pretty hot scenes too. But along the way, feelings develop but can they overcome their past to come together.
The Beautiful Bastard Bennett and the Beautiful Bitch Chloe play a role in this book. As Sara and Chloe are best friends and Max and Bennett were roommates in college. We also get to know Bennett's partner Will, the Beautiful Player. I must say that I love books that bring in former H/h in new stories. It's just so endearing and heartfelt.
So, if you want a wonderful sexy love story- look no further cause Beautiful Stranger is your ticket!!
BR with one of my Besties!!! -
5 Always Beautiful Stars ⭐️
Beautiful Stranger was an absolute winner.
I love all things British; the music, the accent, the crass humor, the Cider, the men (so I married one), and now Max Stella and his three fingers..... I could just go on.
Sara has left her previous life and boyfriend for a new beginning in New York. Tired of the mundane life she left behind, a girls night out ends with her getting eloquently banged against the wall in a club by a beautiful stranger.
When Sara discovers that Max is in fact a womanizer she tries to resist all of his advances while failing phenomenally. So commences a series of hookups until eventually they can no longer deny their feelings.
The chemistry between these two was off the charts hot. Their public sexual shenanigans and kinks were delicious. I loved, loved this book. It was sweet, funny and raunchy. What a delight to read. -
2.5 Stars..
This book was not as good if compared to the first book.. Beautiful Bastard was I think a 100 times better in every way possible.
I didn't like Sara.. She isn't the kind of a girl I like. I hate it when one guy pays for the mistakes of another because the girl is just plain stupid. AND I hate blind women. I mean wake up and smell the fucking coffee Sara!!
She wasn't half the woman Chloe was. She was irritating me more than anything..
I liked Max, He was british.. I MEAN C'MON.. You cannot not like him.. ;)
but he wasn't Bennett :P
The last scene of the book was stupid; It wasn't needed, the twist was quite bad..
And in the middle, the book was highly dragged.. I enjoyed the book from 60% to 90%
Although I liked the kink of this book, that way hot.. but appart from that the book was mediocre.
I guess I was expecting more because Beautiful Bastard was AMAZING!! -
THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING!
-
Max Stella… You will continue to be in my top ten Book Boyfriends! The Bastard Series blesses us with yet another fun read!
Beautiful Bastard moves on from Bennett, Chloe, & Chicago…
to
Sara Dillon,
Max Stella,
& New York City!
But no worries, the newly engaged Bennett and Chloe are still featured in the story!
Also prominently featured…
Lots and LOTS of Panty-scorching sex in public!
I'm a big fan of this series… All of these books (so far) are great little reads. You're not going to learn anything, or have any life-altering realizations in the course of reading….
But you are going to laugh & giggle, blush, and squirm a little.
Highly Entertaining!
I highly recommend!
Some of My Favorite Moments:
Update May 9, 2014:
I had the opportunity to say hello to the lovely and hilarious duo
Christina Lauren in Memphis while they were traveling with the Belles on Wheels Book Tour. I had an awkward photo op and got them to sign a copy of this fabulous book for me... Because Max Stella is my #1 Book Boyfriend :)
My Other Reviews in the Beautiful Bastard Series:
1. -
Beautiful Bastard -
My Review
1.5 -
Beautiful Bitch -
My Review
2. -
Beautiful Stranger - YOU'RE READING IT
2.5 -
Beautiful Bombshell -
My Review
3. -
Beautiful Player -
My Review
3.5 -
Beautiful Beginning -
My Review
-
HOLY SMOKES this was hot. I took less than 0.5 seconds after finishing the last word to check if there was another installment in the series I could pre-order. Alas, I'll have to keep checking, but this writing duo has made the ultra short-list of authors I'll insta-buy no matter the price.
I don't have anything particularly clever to add aside from my enjoyment. It's solidly written, smexy contemporary romance with the usual bells and whistles -- glamorous New York City backdrop, fabulous c-level jobs that magically leave time for loads of hot sex, a ridiculously attractive man with *drool* a British accent, etc. All in all, a pleasing mix of familiar tropes and new twists executed with style.
What I am at a complete loss to understand is the sheer volume of vitriol posted in the reviews section for this book. It's like the authors declared their love of baby seal clubbing, membership in a neo-Nazi party, and disbelief in global warming in the first chapter. Who cares if it's based on fanfic? Who cares if some other work of fiction was the inspiration for this novel? That is such a hypocritical insult in the romance genre. I can't speak for all romance fans, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who reads for entertainment, escapism, and fantasy. We all have our favorite sub-genres with characters and plot lines we return to again and again with multiple authors. Y'all need to get over yourselves.
Pissed off that you're paying for something that used to be free? A) I seriously doubt that the cleaned-up, tightly edited version in the published book is exactly what was floating around on the internet, and B) even if I'm wrong about (A), I am so happy to be paying these ladies for their work. You know why? BECAUSE THEN THEY WILL WRITE MORE FOR US TO ENJOY.
Edit 4/27/13: Ask and ye shall receive. Beautiful Bitch just got pre-ordered. BAM. -
I'm really enjoying this series. It's quite simplistic, what I mean is the plot isn't intricate there's not much depth and I guess it's very predictable. But it's fun and hilarious. It feeds that starry eyed dreamer in living inside me. The bickering and banter between the characters is entertaining. Fun.
Our characters are Max Stellar a British businessman and Sara Dillon, she works in finances but really she's a woman who's been burned in a previous relationship. She's starting over in New York she's not interested in a relationship but she's determined to experience everything she missed out on after being stung in a relationship since she was 21. All those plans go out the window when she meets Max Stella, and they begin steamy but secret affair.
Max, has been branded the cities heart breaker, he's rumoured to have a different woman in his bed every night. This all stops though when he realises that he's become quite obsessed with Sara Dillon.
And since Sara's discovered she has a hidden kink, and she's not afraid to explore it. Who better than Max Stella to help her act out all her fantasies. But even with a set of rules in place these two still manage to touch each others hearts.
-
"You could break my heart. Just know that, yeah?"
I listened to this in audio, and I have to say the narrator for Max's voice was dreamy, especially when he was talking dirty! I actually could have listened to him read anything, and I loved Max's character...
"I know you're saying something profound, but it's hard to focus when your tits are out."
Actually the female narrator did a great job too. It was really entertaining when she would lower her voice and add his accent when she was reading his parts in her chapters. The only problem was that it was a little distracting because I found myself trying to see if I could do it too. :)
Anyway, I enjoyed the book about the same as Beautiful Bastard, but I'm rounding up for Max and his narrator. I don't think the whole hooking up in public story line is really my cuppa. The book was basically a series of sex scenes, and imo could have used more dialogue. I loved the appearances of Bennett and Chloe, and I'm looking forward to Will! -
Sara's made some big changes in her life recently and when she sees a gorgeous Brit that obviously wants her, she thinks why not? And so it begins...
I've really been drawn lately to books where the male lead is more into the female lead...or so it seems. I love seeing their vulnerability and Max did not disappoint!
In fact, he was all types of yummy! Whether it was his experience or just being able to figure Sara out, I loved how he knew exactly what she wanted. And...I loved all the things/places he set up...and there were a lot of places!! ;)
So extremely steamy but again, I just loved how much Max was into her and how much that came through. It was amazing having his POV!
Sara's a little unsure of him since he has a certain reputation but for the most part, she is just going with the flow. It certainly helps that she can't stay away from him. It was a little funny how they thought they were being so secretive!
Of course, it was pretty predictable what the big fall out would be once Max started keeping little mementos. I do think that Sara handled things really well except for not letting him explain but that has to add to the drama.
The ending was sweet but seemed a bit rushed. I guess it's a good thing to that I was left wanting more.
We got to know Will in this book and I'm really looking forward to reading his story in the next book, Beautiful Player.
Favorite quotes:
♥ "And God knows it’s been forever since I’ve been properly manhandled.”
♥ “That is the best thing you can say to a man. You could even tell me you’re not sure I’ll fit.”
♥ “We’re establishing a pattern here, Sara. You come, you go.”
♥ “Nice photo, Stella. A bar?”
I felt my eyes go wide. “What, the eighteenth-floor stairwell would be better?”
His head whipped to Chloe. “Seriously, Chlo? You told her that?”
“Of course I did.” She waved him off with an impatient hand, and beside her, Max laughed.
♥ “Jesus Christ, Sara,” I said, my head falling back against the pillows and my eyes closed tight. “And here I thought you were this little innocent little thing and I was the Great Corruptor.” -
When given the opportunity to read this story way before it's publishing date, I pretty much dropped everything to devour this story immediately. And that's exactly what happened.. I not only ate up every word, but licked the bowl too.
For those of you joining us from 'Beautiful Bastard', please note that this novel is NOT fanfiction derived in any way shape or form. While I enjoyed reading BB, I was looking forward to 'Beautiful Stranger' the most because it was original and gave me an insight to how Christina and Lauren wrote.
'Beautiful Stranger' follows the story of Sara, Chloe's friend who leaves Chicago behind for a new life in NYC. Upon her first days, she meets the intriguing Max Stella in a club and thus begins their hotter than hot rendezvous. Sara is a strong female character that is trying to mend her broken heart after her douche of an ex fiance slept around with the Chicago female population. Max is no stranger to Page Six, with being rumored to encompass the role of a playboy with NYC socialites and celebrities. The chemistry between these two is clearly there in the pages and you can't help but root for Max to help Sara mend her broken heart.
If you thought that 'Beautiful Bastard' had smuttilicious scenes, hold on to your panties because this story involves photo taking during their sexual escapades and numerous sex in public situations.
Joining us from 'Beautiful Bastard' are Chloe and Bennett, who make a few appearances here and there but the story mainly focuses on Sara and Max.
Overall, I was thrilled and pleasantly happy with how this novel turned out and hopefully they will continue with a third book, maybe surrounding Will (another friend of Bennett and Max). -
Gah!!!! MAX!!!!! I love you!!!! I loved it!!! Review to come!!!
My Max:
My Sara:
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Αν μπορούσα να περιγράψω το βιβλίο με μια εικόνα :
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I think I might've liked this one better than BB. I don't know...I really loved Sara and Max. But I loved Chloe and Bennett too. Fine, I can't decide. I love them all equally. :)
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My teenage self would have loved it 😬
But my 24 yearself is not impressed!
I love smut of course but I need more engaging and exciting story than this not just exciting smuts 🙃 -
4 “Stellar” Stars.
(I’m sorry, I have a poor sense of humor!)
Sara just ended a 6 years relationship (finally!!) with her asshole cheater ex-boyfriend. Wanting to start a new life, she moves to NY and starts to working in her best-friend fiancé company. (Yes, Bennett’s company,)
In her first night there she meets a sexy (oh so sexy!) brit in a bar and they can’t seem to stop their growing attraction for the other and well, things happens. They are supposed to be strangers and not see each other again, but turns out Max is one of Bennett’s best-friends and guess what? He wants more.
Sara wants more either, so what started as a one-time-thing turns into a no-strings-attached-totally-secret-and-only-physical relationship (it’s kind of complicated) and even that soon turns into something more, when feelings start to get involved. I bet you didn’t see that coming, uh?
Max wants Sara and makes no secret about it, but how can she trust that her heart will not be broken again?
Rating: 4 Stars,
Storyline: It was kind of predictable, I mean, physical relationships who turns into more against the will of the MC’s? Yep, never happened before, But it was sweet, addictive and so, so sexy!
Writing Style: First person, dual POV. This books are always sexy and addictive. It still messes with my mind how two different people (Okay, best-friends. But still!) can write such sexy scenes. Think about it: do they change their experiences / fetishes / desires with the other and then start writing and one says: “You know what would be great? Your fetish about potatoes (not realistic example) would fit perfectly on chapter 10!”
Okay, I’m rambling, I’ll stop now.
Character Development: I loved Max. LOVED! He was a “what you see is what get” kind of guy and that’s always good, Nothing sexier than a guy who knows what he wants and goes for it. Nothing except his British accent, of course. Sara was good through most of the book, despite one or two annoying attitudes.
It was nice to see more of Chloe and Bennett.
Steam: OH SO HOT!
HEA: -
** 4,25 “I love you, Petal.” STARS **“Do you ever think about how weird it is that we run into each other all the time?” he asked, eyes unreadable.
“No,” I admitted. “Isn’t that the way the world Works? In a city of millions you’ll always see the same person.”
“But how often is it THE PERSON YOU MOST WANT TO SEE?”
Oh God Max Stella, you're my latest Book Husband and you're not even aware of it...“You could break my heart. Just know that, yeah?”
~ MAX
OVERALL: Definitely better than Book#1.
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okay lets start off with the usual, shall we?
My "Same shit different day" list:
billionaire✓
gorgeous✓
Big cock ✓
orgasm donor ✓
never been in love ✓
got hubby laid ✓
Geesh, now that we got that covered let's move on to what Max isn't......
My "Something missing. I quite can't put my finger on it" list :
jealous stalker- X
confusing- X
secrectative- X
dominating- X
closed off-X
rape victim-X ( what's with all rape anyway?)
infuriating-X
.... with all that being said, its pretty obvious I really enjoyed
Beautiful Stranger. Max's is by far the most charming English bloke I've had the honor of fantasizing about. If you're in search of a lighthearted read, I highly suggest the series(although it isn't necessary as they're each a standalone novel)........ Oh' yeah, Max isn't fucking his hand the entire time. There's a rather fun and extremely lucky heroin named Sara. But come on, I don't read books to hear about how the heroin's day is going, I read to...........Exactly!!! -
5 Gi-normous Max stars
"You're fucking dirty, you know that?"
This is the second book in the Beautiful Bastard series and is about Sara and Max. Sara is Chloe's best friend. Max is old friends with Bennett. It's ladies night, and Sara is out with her girlfriends and meets Max. They hit it off right away and the next thing you know....Sara is against the wall..getting slammed! *fanning self*
They agree to no names, no strings. no regrets.
This book was AMAZING....HOT....SIZZLING....loved it!!
If you haven't read this series yet....i highly recommend it and if this doesn't convince you....Max is British. Yum Yum
End of~
"HARDER."
"My hand, or how i'm fucking you?"
Both...
One....he wants what you want. Sex no strings.
Two...don't be afraid to ask for what you want. And Three....be young. Have fun. Turn the rest off."
"Good Lord, little stranger. You've wrecked me."
New life. New love. New Sara.
*BR with Lady D(yes lady..lol) -
If you've read Beautiful Bastard then you already know about Sara, but getting to see this new side of her was amazing. She is a strong character, with a lot of mystery surrounding her. You'll probably be like me and think she's a little annoying at first with her dumb rules, but once the secret is reveal you'll be seeing her in a whole new light. Max Stella, whoosh! Are there any words to describe him! His easy going, alpha, I'll chase after what I want attitude really did it for me. The thing I love about Christina Lauren's guys are how they know what they want and they go for it.
As far as the plot goes, it ran so smooth. This book had me hooked from chapter one! The timeline ran the same. I was never once bored or annoyed by the way things played out. I liked that they put a new spin on steamy, and how they always find new ways to keep up interested. The story also follows their usual pattern and switches POVs every other chapter. I LOVE THAT too.
And the guys in these books..... GOTDAMN SO SO FINE!
Christina and Lauren have definitely found their way on to my favorite authors list.
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