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Forbidden Desires #2
Living in Sin
Her temptation his salvation.
"Living In, Book 2"
At twenty, Lily Andrews has already lived a lifetime. Her battle with leukemia put her three years behind her ballet career, and now that the grueling treatment is behind her, she s eager to put her dancing shoes back on literally and figuratively.
One man has been her personal light at the end of her tunnel, the one man she s sure will help her rekindle her passion for life. Kahu Winter. And she ll let nothing stand in the way of having him not even Kahu himself.
When Kahu catches Lily sneaking into his club, the desire in her eyes tells him it s more than a delayed act of youthful rebellion. Her lively spirit calls to him, but Kahu is too cynical, too jaded, too broken for a sweet young thing like her.
But Lily won t take no for answer so he llmake her a She s got one month to seduce him and after that, he s moving on figuratively and literally.
There s just one thing he forgot to keep out of her reach. His heart
Contains a hot older man in need of some anti-cynicism pills, a snarky younger woman who s going to get past his defenses and make him beg, more forbidden lust, and naked ballet dancing. Advanced WTFery for experienced users only."
"Living In, Book 2"
At twenty, Lily Andrews has already lived a lifetime. Her battle with leukemia put her three years behind her ballet career, and now that the grueling treatment is behind her, she s eager to put her dancing shoes back on literally and figuratively.
One man has been her personal light at the end of her tunnel, the one man she s sure will help her rekindle her passion for life. Kahu Winter. And she ll let nothing stand in the way of having him not even Kahu himself.
When Kahu catches Lily sneaking into his club, the desire in her eyes tells him it s more than a delayed act of youthful rebellion. Her lively spirit calls to him, but Kahu is too cynical, too jaded, too broken for a sweet young thing like her.
But Lily won t take no for answer so he llmake her a She s got one month to seduce him and after that, he s moving on figuratively and literally.
There s just one thing he forgot to keep out of her reach. His heart
Contains a hot older man in need of some anti-cynicism pills, a snarky younger woman who s going to get past his defenses and make him beg, more forbidden lust, and naked ballet dancing. Advanced WTFery for experienced users only."
162 pages, ebook
First published November 18, 2014
About the author
Jackie Ashenden
350 books943 followersJackie has been writing fiction since she was eleven years old. Mild mannered fantasy/SF/pseudo-literary writer by day, obsessive romance writer by night, she used to balance her writing with the more serious job of librarianship until a chance meeting with another romance writer prompted her to throw off the shackles of her day job and devote herself to the true love of her heart – writing romance. She particularly likes to write dark, emotional stories with alpha heroes who've just got the world to their liking only to have it blown wide apart by their kick-ass heroines.
She lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her husband, the inimitable Dr Jax, two kids, two cats and some guppies (possibly dead guppies by the time you read this). When she's not torturing alpha males and their stroppy heroines, she can be found drinking chocolate martinis, reading anything she can lay her hands on, posting random crap on her blog, or being forced to go mountain biking with her husband.
She lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her husband, the inimitable Dr Jax, two kids, two cats and some guppies (possibly dead guppies by the time you read this). When she's not torturing alpha males and their stroppy heroines, she can be found drinking chocolate martinis, reading anything she can lay her hands on, posting random crap on her blog, or being forced to go mountain biking with her husband.
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February 20, 2015
Sometimes I wait too long to write a coherent review…lemme try some free associating…
Lily: I’m done with chemo and ready to get back to my beloved ballet dancing. What better way to get my groove on than to get a dick in me.
Me: Uhhhh, maybe you should practice in the gym. Practice DANCING, that is, without a penis in your cooter. Otherwise you totally throw your balance off.
Lily: I’m 20, and I know everything, so I’m going with the dick.
Me: You sound like my son—except for the “going with the dick” part, though if he went with the dick, we’d love him just the same—he thinks he knows everything, too. He works at Applebees—what does that tell you? All he knows at this point in his life is the tastiest thing to order from the menu.
Lily: I’m asking Kahu, my dad’s business partner to bust this hymen wide open because he’s 38 and knows his way around a spreadsheet. I just know this will help my pirouettes and jetes. Plus, BIG DICK.
Me: Let’s think about this. I’m concerned. You’re so young. Seriously, this age difference is just squicking me out…wait. Did you say, “BIG DICK?” You have my blessing.
Lily: Kahu—I need to find my passion for dancing again, and I think the secret is hidden in your junk. Get it in me.
Kahu: No. I used to fuck people for money, and I’m not good enough for you.
Big Dick: DUUUUUUDE! What about my needs?
Me: Yes, what about the Big Dick’s needs?!
Lily: Pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease
Kahu: Jesus! Okay, okay. However, I’m only going to teach you how to seduce someone over the next six weeks. BUT…we don’t touch each other. Seduction is all in the mind.
(Insert sound of Kahu masturbating furiously in the shower)
Lily: That sounds right, if by right you mean you’re using “mind” as an allegorical representation of a vagina. Which you aren’t. But I’m gonna break you down…with my mad chess skills.
Me: God, you suck at this. Both of you.
Slow seduction to follow. Verrrrrry slow. Do some laundry. File nails. Catch up on bills. Wade through a lot of juicy angst. Wait for good parts to start.
Kahu: Damn! I did not see you breaking out the naked ballet dancing.
Me: WUT?
Kahu: Now I have to get it in you.
Unh unh unh chess pieces flying unh unh unh furniture breaking unh unh unh sashay shantay unh unh unh jazz hands unh unh
Kahu: And I’ma slap yo ass and flog it and make you my sub because I want someone to please me for a change.
Lily: Well, duh.
Me: Not again. I think I just went through this same storyline in the last 12 books I read.
Lily: So, do I need to leave a tip or something? I love you.
Kahu: I love you, too, baby.
Me: Thank God that’s over. Next!
I do love the premise of an inexperienced heroine getting schooled by the older guy and the look-but-don’t-touch premises, but I had a hard time with the age difference.
There’s also the fact that she’s new to the sexxin’ game, but, man, she LOVES the spanking and flogging. Yes, I understand she does it to help Kahu heal his own psychic wounds, but loving it? My eye was giving a little side-eye twitch on that.
There were some hot moments, but it just took a while to get there. However, if you like angst along with your ass-slappin’, this could be the book for you.
Liked the idea; didn’t love the execution. Not a bad book; just a meh one for me.
Lily: I’m done with chemo and ready to get back to my beloved ballet dancing. What better way to get my groove on than to get a dick in me.
Me: Uhhhh, maybe you should practice in the gym. Practice DANCING, that is, without a penis in your cooter. Otherwise you totally throw your balance off.
Lily: I’m 20, and I know everything, so I’m going with the dick.
Me: You sound like my son—except for the “going with the dick” part, though if he went with the dick, we’d love him just the same—he thinks he knows everything, too. He works at Applebees—what does that tell you? All he knows at this point in his life is the tastiest thing to order from the menu.
Lily: I’m asking Kahu, my dad’s business partner to bust this hymen wide open because he’s 38 and knows his way around a spreadsheet. I just know this will help my pirouettes and jetes. Plus, BIG DICK.
Me: Let’s think about this. I’m concerned. You’re so young. Seriously, this age difference is just squicking me out…wait. Did you say, “BIG DICK?” You have my blessing.
Lily: Kahu—I need to find my passion for dancing again, and I think the secret is hidden in your junk. Get it in me.
Kahu: No. I used to fuck people for money, and I’m not good enough for you.
Big Dick: DUUUUUUDE! What about my needs?
Me: Yes, what about the Big Dick’s needs?!
Lily: Pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease
Kahu: Jesus! Okay, okay. However, I’m only going to teach you how to seduce someone over the next six weeks. BUT…we don’t touch each other. Seduction is all in the mind.
(Insert sound of Kahu masturbating furiously in the shower)
Lily: That sounds right, if by right you mean you’re using “mind” as an allegorical representation of a vagina. Which you aren’t. But I’m gonna break you down…with my mad chess skills.
Me: God, you suck at this. Both of you.
Slow seduction to follow. Verrrrrry slow. Do some laundry. File nails. Catch up on bills. Wade through a lot of juicy angst. Wait for good parts to start.
Kahu: Damn! I did not see you breaking out the naked ballet dancing.
Me: WUT?
Kahu: Now I have to get it in you.
Unh unh unh chess pieces flying unh unh unh furniture breaking unh unh unh sashay shantay unh unh unh jazz hands unh unh
Kahu: And I’ma slap yo ass and flog it and make you my sub because I want someone to please me for a change.
Lily: Well, duh.
Me: Not again. I think I just went through this same storyline in the last 12 books I read.
Lily: So, do I need to leave a tip or something? I love you.
Kahu: I love you, too, baby.
Me: Thank God that’s over. Next!
I do love the premise of an inexperienced heroine getting schooled by the older guy and the look-but-don’t-touch premises, but I had a hard time with the age difference.
There’s also the fact that she’s new to the sexxin’ game, but, man, she LOVES the spanking and flogging. Yes, I understand she does it to help Kahu heal his own psychic wounds, but loving it? My eye was giving a little side-eye twitch on that.
There were some hot moments, but it just took a while to get there. However, if you like angst along with your ass-slappin’, this could be the book for you.
Liked the idea; didn’t love the execution. Not a bad book; just a meh one for me.
March 1, 2015
Living in Sin is the second in the Living In series, a series that thus far has focused on the taboo relationships. With this installment, we get the much older man and younger virgin. But Kahu’s contribution to the story isn’t just the nearly forty year old man that takes the much younger girl. He is by far much more broken and vulnerable than his counterpart. When he was forced to prostitute himself as a young boy he fell in love with the woman that saved him from the streets. She gave him everything but love in return. Leaving his as the owner of the private exclusive club, he is rethinking what he wants from life.
Enter the twenty year old, Lily. A woman that has spent her youth battling cancer for a chance to live. But Lily’s fight had stolen all the moments that she should have experienced. Wanting nothing more than to dance, she is lacking the passion needed to get what she wants. So she sets out on a mission to learn all about it at the hands of a man that had captivated her since she could remember. The only problem is convincing Kahu to go along with the plan.
As these two battle, her to seduce and him to refuse, one thing is clear. There is something far deeper than just a physical attraction.
There were parts of this story that really grabbed my attention. The story beneath the taboo of the age difference was far more emotional than I expected and although Kahu’s story was far more heartbreaking – I felt more far more of it through Lily’s reactions. It was like the dynamic for me switched, the connection I shared was completely set on Lily’s character. Which is not typical. But I felt his vulnerability far more when it was expressed in her thoughts rather than his. Overall, I found that a bit odd, but it did work.
There was something a little more erotic feeling about the slow build up to the sex in this story. Kahu fought his desire for most of the story, but when he’d slip up – it was over the top hot. Even just the way he’d look at her sometimes felt more sexual than pages of actual sex being described. But when he finally gives in and takes her for that first time, that night. It was burning up hot. Then he’d fuck it all up by building up his walls all over again.
I think what I enjoyed the most was Lily. She was a far stronger heroine than the typical twenty year old character. I think that strength really shined and in the end, completely made this story much more enjoyable.
Enter the twenty year old, Lily. A woman that has spent her youth battling cancer for a chance to live. But Lily’s fight had stolen all the moments that she should have experienced. Wanting nothing more than to dance, she is lacking the passion needed to get what she wants. So she sets out on a mission to learn all about it at the hands of a man that had captivated her since she could remember. The only problem is convincing Kahu to go along with the plan.
As these two battle, her to seduce and him to refuse, one thing is clear. There is something far deeper than just a physical attraction.
There were parts of this story that really grabbed my attention. The story beneath the taboo of the age difference was far more emotional than I expected and although Kahu’s story was far more heartbreaking – I felt more far more of it through Lily’s reactions. It was like the dynamic for me switched, the connection I shared was completely set on Lily’s character. Which is not typical. But I felt his vulnerability far more when it was expressed in her thoughts rather than his. Overall, I found that a bit odd, but it did work.
There was something a little more erotic feeling about the slow build up to the sex in this story. Kahu fought his desire for most of the story, but when he’d slip up – it was over the top hot. Even just the way he’d look at her sometimes felt more sexual than pages of actual sex being described. But when he finally gives in and takes her for that first time, that night. It was burning up hot. Then he’d fuck it all up by building up his walls all over again.
I think what I enjoyed the most was Lily. She was a far stronger heroine than the typical twenty year old character. I think that strength really shined and in the end, completely made this story much more enjoyable.
December 30, 2017
Audiobook Update - excellent narration by a native New Zealander makes for an authentic listening experience! The story is just as intense and emotional the second time around.
Original Review:
This fascinating tale of forbidden love is the story of Lily and Kahu. Lily is a twenty year old woman, recovered from cancer and desperate to re-establish her dream of dancing ballet professionally. She wants to regain her passion for dance and life and figures an affair with a man she's always wanted, a friend of her father's, will provide that for her. Kahu runs a night club now, but has a seedy past as a male prostitute. When Lily attempts to seduce him he can barely admit to himself that he is sexually attracted to her - but he is, and as she wears him down he begins to feel things for her, real feelings that he never thought would be possible. Yet shame over his past blocks all thoughts of making their sexual fling into something that it could be if he would only give himself the chance. Can two damaged souls, separated by age and life experience find healing in each other?
Wow, Jackie has written a scorcher of a book! From their first meeting together as adults, when Lily approaches Kahu at his club with her request for an affair, the sparks fly between them. The sexual tension is richly drawn out as they meet on a weekly basis until Kahu is willing to accede to Lily's request. The love scenes that follow are steamy and passionate yet emotionally charged as Kahu tries to deny that Lily is attracting not only his body but his heart as well.
The characters are well drawn and engaging to the reader. Lily is mature and confident for her tender age of 20, having suffered through cancer treatments and emerged determined to live her life without fear. She is driven and focused and wants Kahu, and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Kahu is a cynical world weary older man, having lived through a poor and unstable childhood. When he was 'rescued' from his male prostitution by one of his clients, she helped him reach his true potential and make something of himself, but her inability to love him left him with a caged heart and no key - or so he thought until Lily fashions one for it with her persistence and care. Their characters though years apart in age share a stubbornness and determination that are at odds as their sexual relationship becomes one based on love. I found this story to be fascinating and once I started was unable to put it down. It was an emotional , heart rending, passionate story and the happy ending for Lily and Kahu was so well deserved. 5 fabulous stars!
Original Review:
This fascinating tale of forbidden love is the story of Lily and Kahu. Lily is a twenty year old woman, recovered from cancer and desperate to re-establish her dream of dancing ballet professionally. She wants to regain her passion for dance and life and figures an affair with a man she's always wanted, a friend of her father's, will provide that for her. Kahu runs a night club now, but has a seedy past as a male prostitute. When Lily attempts to seduce him he can barely admit to himself that he is sexually attracted to her - but he is, and as she wears him down he begins to feel things for her, real feelings that he never thought would be possible. Yet shame over his past blocks all thoughts of making their sexual fling into something that it could be if he would only give himself the chance. Can two damaged souls, separated by age and life experience find healing in each other?
Wow, Jackie has written a scorcher of a book! From their first meeting together as adults, when Lily approaches Kahu at his club with her request for an affair, the sparks fly between them. The sexual tension is richly drawn out as they meet on a weekly basis until Kahu is willing to accede to Lily's request. The love scenes that follow are steamy and passionate yet emotionally charged as Kahu tries to deny that Lily is attracting not only his body but his heart as well.
The characters are well drawn and engaging to the reader. Lily is mature and confident for her tender age of 20, having suffered through cancer treatments and emerged determined to live her life without fear. She is driven and focused and wants Kahu, and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Kahu is a cynical world weary older man, having lived through a poor and unstable childhood. When he was 'rescued' from his male prostitution by one of his clients, she helped him reach his true potential and make something of himself, but her inability to love him left him with a caged heart and no key - or so he thought until Lily fashions one for it with her persistence and care. Their characters though years apart in age share a stubbornness and determination that are at odds as their sexual relationship becomes one based on love. I found this story to be fascinating and once I started was unable to put it down. It was an emotional , heart rending, passionate story and the happy ending for Lily and Kahu was so well deserved. 5 fabulous stars!
November 19, 2014
Slick‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
From the very first book I read by Jackie Ashenden I was hooked, sure I spent a lot of time trying to figure out why I loved that book so much because it really was not a pretty story and the characters were complicated messes and yet I couldn’t put the book down. With each book I read by her I am blown away by her depth of writing, by the fact that she doesn’t skirt around tough subjects, and that she isn’t afraid to make the reader a little uncomfortable. This is the first time in one of Ms. Ashenden’s books that I truly wanted more; I wanted to know these characters better, I wanted the heroine to have a better resolution with her father, I wanted the hero to yell at a corpse (read the book you’ll understand), and I wanted them to spend more time together before the professed their love. The thing is I still loved Living In Sin but I think it could have been better.
Twenty year old Lily Andrews has spent the last three years of her life battling leukemia, now in remission her first ballet audition doesn’t go well because they say she lacks passion. Having spent her teen years in and out of the hospital the only thing Lily knows is how to fight for her life so she looks up the one man she always thought exuded passion and she doesn’t care that he’s an business associate of her father and 18 years her senior.
Kahu Winter has tried to get Lily to leave him alone and stay away from his private club but he has to give her credit for being tenacious and agrees to a meeting. After hearing what she wants from him he’s ready to throw her out until she begs him for his help. He agrees with great stipulations but he underestimated Lily’s drive, ambition, and the way she manages to get under his skin and into his jaded heart.
I’m just going to say upfront that Lily has some daddy issue so it is no wonder she seeks out a man a lot older than her but there is more to it. She remembers him from her childhood when he would come with his father’s friend (and his older lover) to dinner at their home. She was fascinated by him as a child and as a teen she saw something in him that made her feel safe and made her feel things she wasn’t sure about. Lily hasn’t had an easy life losing her mother as a young child, battling leukemia basically on her own, and a father who hasn’t been there for her for a very long time. She’s got some battle scars but she is also strong, independent, and knows her mind something that comes in very handy when dealing with Kahu.
Kahu is one messed up man; he has scars from his childhood of turning tricks to keep a roof over his family’s head and food in their stomachs, he has scars from being with a woman he loved but never loved him back, scars from that woman being diagnosed with a debilitating disease and cutting him loose, and scars from all of the self loathing. I was amazed at how closed off he was even with his closest friends and doubly amazed how a 20 year old woman not only called him on it but began to break down his walls from the moment she walked into his club.
This is another very difficult love story and getting there wasn’t easy. They both had to give a lot to get to a place where they could be together and I give Lily a lot of credit for forcing the issue and not wavering. Kahu had to do some big time soul searching to realize what all Lily brought into his life and what he wanted from her. Living In Sin is a twisted and complex story of breaking down walls, of facing the hard truth, and accepting that life isn’t always easy but when happiness is offered it is okay to reach out and take it.
4 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
From the very first book I read by Jackie Ashenden I was hooked, sure I spent a lot of time trying to figure out why I loved that book so much because it really was not a pretty story and the characters were complicated messes and yet I couldn’t put the book down. With each book I read by her I am blown away by her depth of writing, by the fact that she doesn’t skirt around tough subjects, and that she isn’t afraid to make the reader a little uncomfortable. This is the first time in one of Ms. Ashenden’s books that I truly wanted more; I wanted to know these characters better, I wanted the heroine to have a better resolution with her father, I wanted the hero to yell at a corpse (read the book you’ll understand), and I wanted them to spend more time together before the professed their love. The thing is I still loved Living In Sin but I think it could have been better.
Twenty year old Lily Andrews has spent the last three years of her life battling leukemia, now in remission her first ballet audition doesn’t go well because they say she lacks passion. Having spent her teen years in and out of the hospital the only thing Lily knows is how to fight for her life so she looks up the one man she always thought exuded passion and she doesn’t care that he’s an business associate of her father and 18 years her senior.
Kahu Winter has tried to get Lily to leave him alone and stay away from his private club but he has to give her credit for being tenacious and agrees to a meeting. After hearing what she wants from him he’s ready to throw her out until she begs him for his help. He agrees with great stipulations but he underestimated Lily’s drive, ambition, and the way she manages to get under his skin and into his jaded heart.
I’m just going to say upfront that Lily has some daddy issue so it is no wonder she seeks out a man a lot older than her but there is more to it. She remembers him from her childhood when he would come with his father’s friend (and his older lover) to dinner at their home. She was fascinated by him as a child and as a teen she saw something in him that made her feel safe and made her feel things she wasn’t sure about. Lily hasn’t had an easy life losing her mother as a young child, battling leukemia basically on her own, and a father who hasn’t been there for her for a very long time. She’s got some battle scars but she is also strong, independent, and knows her mind something that comes in very handy when dealing with Kahu.
Kahu is one messed up man; he has scars from his childhood of turning tricks to keep a roof over his family’s head and food in their stomachs, he has scars from being with a woman he loved but never loved him back, scars from that woman being diagnosed with a debilitating disease and cutting him loose, and scars from all of the self loathing. I was amazed at how closed off he was even with his closest friends and doubly amazed how a 20 year old woman not only called him on it but began to break down his walls from the moment she walked into his club.
This is another very difficult love story and getting there wasn’t easy. They both had to give a lot to get to a place where they could be together and I give Lily a lot of credit for forcing the issue and not wavering. Kahu had to do some big time soul searching to realize what all Lily brought into his life and what he wanted from her. Living In Sin is a twisted and complex story of breaking down walls, of facing the hard truth, and accepting that life isn’t always easy but when happiness is offered it is okay to reach out and take it.
September 26, 2014
*ARC copy received through Netgalley*
Contains no spoilers
I'll start this review by saying that I've read everything Jackie Ashenden has written. I love her work! With that being said, Living in Sin was another 5 star read for me. When I saw that Kahu was going to get his book, I may or may not have squeed. Okay, I probably did.
This book hit just about every soft spot I have when it comes to romance. From the age difference, to the dance/ballet theme in the story.
But as usual, I'm always scared to read a much anticipated book, because more times than not, I end up disappointed. Thank fuck, Living in Sin wasn't one of them. I loved it from the very first page until the last one.
That's not saying it was a perfect book, but my complaints were mostly minor things (wishing there was more sex and that it didn't end so soon after "the talk") that didn't take away from the overall excitement and hotness of the story. If I'm being honest, they were probably more to do with my greediness as a reader than anything else. Hehe.
Contains no spoilers
I'll start this review by saying that I've read everything Jackie Ashenden has written. I love her work! With that being said, Living in Sin was another 5 star read for me. When I saw that Kahu was going to get his book, I may or may not have squeed. Okay, I probably did.
This book hit just about every soft spot I have when it comes to romance. From the age difference, to the dance/ballet theme in the story.
But as usual, I'm always scared to read a much anticipated book, because more times than not, I end up disappointed. Thank fuck, Living in Sin wasn't one of them. I loved it from the very first page until the last one.
That's not saying it was a perfect book, but my complaints were mostly minor things (wishing there was more sex and that it didn't end so soon after "the talk") that didn't take away from the overall excitement and hotness of the story. If I'm being honest, they were probably more to do with my greediness as a reader than anything else. Hehe.
March 31, 2015
4,75 stars
It's no secret I love Jackie Ashenden's writing. Every book I've read by her I've liked and not one book is the same. She has the ability (that not very many authors have) to make books in a series or trilogy so unique and different from each other, while still keeping the coherence of a series or trilogy written in the same world. It's no different with the Living In...trilogy. I read book 1 and suspected the hero of book 2 would be Kahu but still she managed to give me something totally different from what I was expecting.
Also Ashenden doesn't shy away from heavy emotional issues that make give her books a deeper emotional weight that the average contemporary romance. Since I love to mix up my reading of the contemporary romance subgenre I love it that she delivers when I'm in the mood for some intense emotionally difficult book. And that's exactly what LIVING IN SIN is.
LIVING IN SIN is not an easy, breezy read. Far from it. It makes you think about what you like in a romance novel and why and it made me think about why I disliked Kahu as much as I liked him. Maybe I did both because he was blunt, provocative, cynical and sometimes a bit condescending towards Lily and he was a little too hung up on Anita, still. But also, the more I found out about him, the more I wanted to like him and the more I wanted everything to work out between him and Lily.
Lily is only 20 but so much mature than some of the heroines I've read in my romance-reading career who are way past their twenties. Maybe because of what she survived, maybe because of the way Ashenden wrote her. I really liked Lily and while I'm at a phase in my romance-reading where 20-year old heroines aren't my fave to read, Lily is a definite exception to the rule.
The premise is simple: young girl fascinated by her father's friend and business partner wants him to seduce her so she can learn what passion is to bring that into her dancing as she's been told she lacks the passion in her dancing to have the career she wants. But this book is so much more than that as Ashenden slowly gives you the tools (clues) you need to peel the superficial layers away from the characters and find their raw and complicated persons deep down. I love how she doesn't show her hand right away and but throws some hints here and there and then slowly lifts the veil of the what, how, when and why. Under that veil are 2 broken people who find acceptance and strength in each other, even if it doesn't appear so in the beginning.
Favorite Quote:
“You told me I was pure. That I was your music. Well, I’m a hideous kind of music, sweetheart. But I want to play for you. I want to be there to lead you through the dance. To watch you move and grow and change. See you be the superstar you are.” His voice had grown hoarse but he went on anyway. “I love you, ballerina. You have my heart and you have my soul. You have all the dirty pieces of me there are. Take them, Lily. I don’t want them anymore. They’re yours.”
Memorable Scene:
• the naked ballet scene > it was eveything all at once: sexy, emotional, beautiful. I had goosebumps and tears threatened...amazing and powerful scene
It's no secret I love Jackie Ashenden's writing. Every book I've read by her I've liked and not one book is the same. She has the ability (that not very many authors have) to make books in a series or trilogy so unique and different from each other, while still keeping the coherence of a series or trilogy written in the same world. It's no different with the Living In...trilogy. I read book 1 and suspected the hero of book 2 would be Kahu but still she managed to give me something totally different from what I was expecting.
Also Ashenden doesn't shy away from heavy emotional issues that make give her books a deeper emotional weight that the average contemporary romance. Since I love to mix up my reading of the contemporary romance subgenre I love it that she delivers when I'm in the mood for some intense emotionally difficult book. And that's exactly what LIVING IN SIN is.
LIVING IN SIN is not an easy, breezy read. Far from it. It makes you think about what you like in a romance novel and why and it made me think about why I disliked Kahu as much as I liked him. Maybe I did both because he was blunt, provocative, cynical and sometimes a bit condescending towards Lily and he was a little too hung up on Anita, still. But also, the more I found out about him, the more I wanted to like him and the more I wanted everything to work out between him and Lily.
Lily is only 20 but so much mature than some of the heroines I've read in my romance-reading career who are way past their twenties. Maybe because of what she survived, maybe because of the way Ashenden wrote her. I really liked Lily and while I'm at a phase in my romance-reading where 20-year old heroines aren't my fave to read, Lily is a definite exception to the rule.
The premise is simple: young girl fascinated by her father's friend and business partner wants him to seduce her so she can learn what passion is to bring that into her dancing as she's been told she lacks the passion in her dancing to have the career she wants. But this book is so much more than that as Ashenden slowly gives you the tools (clues) you need to peel the superficial layers away from the characters and find their raw and complicated persons deep down. I love how she doesn't show her hand right away and but throws some hints here and there and then slowly lifts the veil of the what, how, when and why. Under that veil are 2 broken people who find acceptance and strength in each other, even if it doesn't appear so in the beginning.
Favorite Quote:
“You told me I was pure. That I was your music. Well, I’m a hideous kind of music, sweetheart. But I want to play for you. I want to be there to lead you through the dance. To watch you move and grow and change. See you be the superstar you are.” His voice had grown hoarse but he went on anyway. “I love you, ballerina. You have my heart and you have my soul. You have all the dirty pieces of me there are. Take them, Lily. I don’t want them anymore. They’re yours.”
Memorable Scene:
• the naked ballet scene > it was eveything all at once: sexy, emotional, beautiful. I had goosebumps and tears threatened...amazing and powerful scene
November 15, 2014
This book. Oh man, this book.
So, it's no secret that I love Jackie Ashenden's writing. But when I say I loved this book, believe me. It was everything I wanted it to be, and more.
The entire relationship between Kahu and Lily...GAH. It was freaking beautiful. From the very beginning, it was a sensual dance between them, before they were even anything together. That was amazing. Some characters in some books feel forced, or flat, or you just don't feel it. But you feel these two characters. They feel like real people, slowly moving closer together in every way.
As beautiful as they are, as people and as a couple, they're both broken in their own ways. They rip your heart out, twist the knife, and before you know it, you look like this:
And it's not that their stories are any worse than anyone else's, but the fact that it's a very real, raw pain. You connect with these characters and you feel their pain because in their place it could easily be you, or a loved one. That's something not just anyone can accomplish in a book that is also so unbelievably sexy that you'll be fanning yourself next.
Basically, Jackie is an amazing author, and this an amazing book.
I also want to note that although this is book two in a series, you do not have to read book one in order to read this book. (Though I, of course, recommend it because it's also a great book.
And finally, thank you to Jackie for sending me an ARC! <3
So, it's no secret that I love Jackie Ashenden's writing. But when I say I loved this book, believe me. It was everything I wanted it to be, and more.
The entire relationship between Kahu and Lily...GAH. It was freaking beautiful. From the very beginning, it was a sensual dance between them, before they were even anything together. That was amazing. Some characters in some books feel forced, or flat, or you just don't feel it. But you feel these two characters. They feel like real people, slowly moving closer together in every way.
As beautiful as they are, as people and as a couple, they're both broken in their own ways. They rip your heart out, twist the knife, and before you know it, you look like this:
And it's not that their stories are any worse than anyone else's, but the fact that it's a very real, raw pain. You connect with these characters and you feel their pain because in their place it could easily be you, or a loved one. That's something not just anyone can accomplish in a book that is also so unbelievably sexy that you'll be fanning yourself next.
Basically, Jackie is an amazing author, and this an amazing book.
I also want to note that although this is book two in a series, you do not have to read book one in order to read this book. (Though I, of course, recommend it because it's also a great book.
And finally, thank you to Jackie for sending me an ARC! <3
April 18, 2015
Didn't like how he kept comparing her to someone else.
April 18, 2015
****4.5 Stars****
A very simple question that no one has ever asked him, what does he wants, until she asked…. Control is something she needs, will be she able to give him total control over what she needs….
When I read the first book in this series I knew I was going to like Kahu and then I read his story and what he went through. I know that he was an ex-prostitute but that did not matter because he was a good guy. I know that at times he seemed so cold but there was a reason for that he had never been held. When he did do his business he was doing it not because he liked it but because he needed to help out his family. Now here he is lusting after a young woman that could be his child but for me age doesn’t matter just as long as they are an adult and they are consenting. They were both alike because they were both fighters they had to fight to survive and they both wanted to be loved.
When Lily was introduced I didn’t know if I was going to like her because she seemed to snobbish but boy was I wrong. I loved how brave she was and went after what she wanted even though she knew that she was going to have to fight for it. But when Kahu asked her to seduce him she had no idea what to do she had never seduce anyone she never even had a boyfriend. Now here she is on Monday’s going to his club trying to seduce him but something changed the moment that he touched her. Now it’s time for her to figure out whether she can give up total control to him, can she tell him what happened when she was younger and when that does happen will he be able to still see her not a fragile young woman.
Living in Sin was a great read that I enjoyed so much. The emotions that I felt were so powerful there were so many tears that I shed when the story was ending. The characters were well written and the story’s pace was perfect. The chemistry between Kahu and Lily was explosive they were great together.
Received ARC in exchange for an Honest Review
A very simple question that no one has ever asked him, what does he wants, until she asked…. Control is something she needs, will be she able to give him total control over what she needs….
When I read the first book in this series I knew I was going to like Kahu and then I read his story and what he went through. I know that he was an ex-prostitute but that did not matter because he was a good guy. I know that at times he seemed so cold but there was a reason for that he had never been held. When he did do his business he was doing it not because he liked it but because he needed to help out his family. Now here he is lusting after a young woman that could be his child but for me age doesn’t matter just as long as they are an adult and they are consenting. They were both alike because they were both fighters they had to fight to survive and they both wanted to be loved.
When Lily was introduced I didn’t know if I was going to like her because she seemed to snobbish but boy was I wrong. I loved how brave she was and went after what she wanted even though she knew that she was going to have to fight for it. But when Kahu asked her to seduce him she had no idea what to do she had never seduce anyone she never even had a boyfriend. Now here she is on Monday’s going to his club trying to seduce him but something changed the moment that he touched her. Now it’s time for her to figure out whether she can give up total control to him, can she tell him what happened when she was younger and when that does happen will he be able to still see her not a fragile young woman.
Living in Sin was a great read that I enjoyed so much. The emotions that I felt were so powerful there were so many tears that I shed when the story was ending. The characters were well written and the story’s pace was perfect. The chemistry between Kahu and Lily was explosive they were great together.
Received ARC in exchange for an Honest Review
October 6, 2014
Check out my other reviews at: My Written Romance
I received an eARC of Living in Sin from Samhain Publishing in exchange for providing an honest review.
Holy crust! I just read this in one sitting. It's obscenly late and I should be asleep. Don't care! This blew my socks off. So much darkness, pain and sorrow vanquished by such light and beauty.
And boy, does Jackie Ashenden write the hottest of the hot stuff.....
Kahu and Lily, by rights, shouldn't work - their life experiences and differences are diametrically opposed. However, these two damaged and lonely souls find in each other the thing that allows them to repair and grow. Their physical chemistry is insanely hot. I love that Lily is so open and willing to discover what makes Kahu tick, even if it proves painful.
There is a significant age gap, but it matters not. It wouldn't matter if these two were 18 months rather than 18 years apart in age - Jackie Ashenden has crafted their story so well, that you barely think of the difference.
Now, things are pretty freaking spicy in the sexytime department, so if you are a little shy about it, this could be confronting. However, I implore you to pick this up and read it, as there is a really beautiful story at its heart.
I am totally jonesing for Connor's story now......(tapping fingers impatiently on desk)
I received an eARC of Living in Sin from Samhain Publishing in exchange for providing an honest review.
Holy crust! I just read this in one sitting. It's obscenly late and I should be asleep. Don't care! This blew my socks off. So much darkness, pain and sorrow vanquished by such light and beauty.
And boy, does Jackie Ashenden write the hottest of the hot stuff.....
Kahu and Lily, by rights, shouldn't work - their life experiences and differences are diametrically opposed. However, these two damaged and lonely souls find in each other the thing that allows them to repair and grow. Their physical chemistry is insanely hot. I love that Lily is so open and willing to discover what makes Kahu tick, even if it proves painful.
There is a significant age gap, but it matters not. It wouldn't matter if these two were 18 months rather than 18 years apart in age - Jackie Ashenden has crafted their story so well, that you barely think of the difference.
Now, things are pretty freaking spicy in the sexytime department, so if you are a little shy about it, this could be confronting. However, I implore you to pick this up and read it, as there is a really beautiful story at its heart.
I am totally jonesing for Connor's story now......(tapping fingers impatiently on desk)
November 28, 2022
I enjoyed this one almost as much as the first in the series - or maybe even as much. Both were much better than the third and final book in the series. However, I must admit the scenes where pain is inflicted and apparently enjoyed, leave me cold. They are not my cup of tea and I ended up skimming past them. I find it difficult to believe that the heroine can jump straight from virginal status to utter comfort with BDSM practices. But otherwise the author creates a realistic and emotional context for her h/H.
JA’s appeal is her unique voice. Her skill with language shows itself with brilliant, , flowing prose and realistic engaging dialogue.
A fabulous hero and heroine! A good read.
JA’s appeal is her unique voice. Her skill with language shows itself with brilliant, , flowing prose and realistic engaging dialogue.
A fabulous hero and heroine! A good read.
October 10, 2015
It started out promising but as the story went along, I got annoyed that the hero's dead lover was mentioned throughout the story. Ok fine, she played an important role in his life but for him to compare the heroin with her often annoyed me.
February 6, 2020
Living in Sin is the second title in Jackie Ashenden's Forbidden Desires series, and, if you follow my book reviews, you know that I started reading this series with the third novel (where I encountered Lily and Kahu but didn't quite understand what happened between them in that novel), then read the first novel, where Kahu played and minor role, and finally, I got to read this novel, Kahu's and Lily's story, and it gets 5 emotional stars from this reader.
Lily is a 20-year-old ballerina, who was diagnosed with and treated for leukemia over the past 3 years, leaving her weak, thin, scared and depressed. Her entire life is ballet, but 3 idle years can set a dancer's career into free-fall, and during her most recent attempt at getting to join the corps de ballet, she failed her audition and was told that her dancing lacked passion. What did she know of passion? She's still a virgin, never had a boyfriend, her mother is dead, her father ignores her, and she doesn't even have girlfriends anymore, ones who she could ask about sex. If her career is dependent on learning about passion, she knows just who to ask--her father's best friend, Kahu Winter, who owns an exclusive nightclub where, as rumor has it, all manner of things sexual go on, and the big, hunky, sexy Maori, Kahu, has both a jaded past and quite a reputation with the ladies. He's 38 to her 20, and it's going to take a lot of convincing to get him to agree to initiate her into the world of sexual pleasure and passion--and does it ever!
After winning her fight with leukemia, Lily isn't a quitter, she needs to find her passion, but Katu has no desire to have sex with his best friend's virginal daughter, and he certainly doesn't make it easy for her, but when he's finally convinced to give her a one-night chance, I expected my e-reader to go up in flames from their explosive encounter. But this is far more than a novel about a young woman's initiation into sex, it's a highly emotional and angst-filled story about two broken and wounded people who help each other come to terms with who they really are, and how they help one another drop the walls they've been hiding behind, and, just a suggestion--keep your tissues handy, because I'm guessing you'll be tearing up at times, just as I did. If mild BDSM is a turn-off for you, you might take issue with parts of this novel, but "mild" means just that.
This was, quite simply, another excellent read from this talented author, who creates wonderful, fully developed characters and tells their story with pathos and understanding. As someone who studied ballet for many years, I was impressed by Ms. Ashenden's respect for Lily's art, her dedication to the dance, and the pain she gladly accepted and endured as part of it--all were spot-on. I absolutely loved Lily and Kahu's story, and I think you will too.
Lily is a 20-year-old ballerina, who was diagnosed with and treated for leukemia over the past 3 years, leaving her weak, thin, scared and depressed. Her entire life is ballet, but 3 idle years can set a dancer's career into free-fall, and during her most recent attempt at getting to join the corps de ballet, she failed her audition and was told that her dancing lacked passion. What did she know of passion? She's still a virgin, never had a boyfriend, her mother is dead, her father ignores her, and she doesn't even have girlfriends anymore, ones who she could ask about sex. If her career is dependent on learning about passion, she knows just who to ask--her father's best friend, Kahu Winter, who owns an exclusive nightclub where, as rumor has it, all manner of things sexual go on, and the big, hunky, sexy Maori, Kahu, has both a jaded past and quite a reputation with the ladies. He's 38 to her 20, and it's going to take a lot of convincing to get him to agree to initiate her into the world of sexual pleasure and passion--and does it ever!
After winning her fight with leukemia, Lily isn't a quitter, she needs to find her passion, but Katu has no desire to have sex with his best friend's virginal daughter, and he certainly doesn't make it easy for her, but when he's finally convinced to give her a one-night chance, I expected my e-reader to go up in flames from their explosive encounter. But this is far more than a novel about a young woman's initiation into sex, it's a highly emotional and angst-filled story about two broken and wounded people who help each other come to terms with who they really are, and how they help one another drop the walls they've been hiding behind, and, just a suggestion--keep your tissues handy, because I'm guessing you'll be tearing up at times, just as I did. If mild BDSM is a turn-off for you, you might take issue with parts of this novel, but "mild" means just that.
This was, quite simply, another excellent read from this talented author, who creates wonderful, fully developed characters and tells their story with pathos and understanding. As someone who studied ballet for many years, I was impressed by Ms. Ashenden's respect for Lily's art, her dedication to the dance, and the pain she gladly accepted and endured as part of it--all were spot-on. I absolutely loved Lily and Kahu's story, and I think you will too.
May 11, 2018
Lily and Kahu’s story was very enjoyable and not quite the typical forbidden romance. Even though this is part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. Lily is a dancer. She is also a cancer survivor. After a three-year battle she’s ready to get back into the dancing scene. During an audition she is crushed when she’s told her dancing lacks passion. Lily concocts a plan to seduce her father’s friend, Kahu. She sets things in motion hoping if he takes her virginity that she’ll finally know what passion feels like and it’ll make her a better dancer. Kahu is damaged and broken with the belief he’ll never be whole again. He tries denying her because he knows the only thing he’ll do is hurt her. But soon the attraction is too much to fight. Lily and Kahu’s story was slow building but the pay off was well worth it.
June 24, 2020
Super hot AND super sweet story with young Lily being attracted to far older Kahu ( her dads friend) for some time since she was younger . Lily is trying to reach her goal of becoming a ballerina & needs to be taught about passion & Kahu is the only one to fit the bill. Their meetings & sensual slow burn make this my all time NEW FAVORITE of Jackie’s sexy hot hero’ books! A must read for those who love age gap romance stories !
December 29, 2018
I am not into contemporary romance, But, I Loved this emotional, beautiful romance!!! I'm in love with Cahu and Lily!!!! I love, love the way the author describes them. He is a gorgeous, broken man, she is a beautiful young lady. Ms. Ashenden attention to details and narrative, the storyline.....was great! The narrator has a great, sexy voice. I'd definitely recommend this book!!
November 20, 2017
what un emotional story. I love it it was one of my favourite stores this year I won't forget it easily.
March 22, 2017
Cannot say enough about this book>>>>>exceptional
September 2, 2014
Jackie Ashenden is killing it with the Living In series. The first book, Living in Shadow, was one of my favorite romance reads of the year and Living in Sin just continues the trend of this extremely strong series. It is not necessary to have read Living in Shadow in order to enjoy this one, but the couple from the first book does make an appearance and the heroine from Living in Shadow is the hero's best friend here so there is some context to that relationship if you've read the first one.
This story stars Lily Andrews, a twenty-year old ballet dancer on the tail-end of a recovery from leukemia and Kahu Winter, a thirty-eight year old former prostitute with Maori heritage. Lily approaches Kahu, who is also her father's business partner, with an unusual proposition. In the tradition of romances about dancers, Lily is looking to learn about passion in order to fix a problem with her dancing. I have no idea if sex can be used this way, but I so enjoy this trope that I really don't care. Kahu is initially resistant for a few quite good reasons and a few reasons that proceed more from his grief at having recently lost someone dear to him and his deep sense of worthlessness. He definitely fits the mold of many of Ashenden's heroes, who thanks to author Laura Kaye, I have now taken to calling "Tall, Dark & Angsty". Ashenden is one of the best at creating believably tortured heroes and I boy, do I love her for it.
The relationship between Lily and Kahu develops slowly, a tense seduction that blurred the lines between friendship and mentorship, liking and loving, trust and fear. These two really had the potential to damage each other, much more so than Eleanor and Luc in the previous book, who despite their intense relationship, were really very tender with each other. Lily and Kahu do not treat each other at all gently, in or out of the bedroom. While the BDSM-flavored sex is quite hot, it's the emotional pressure between these two that ratchets up the tension, not the use of handcuffs or flogger. There is also a creative use of Lily's skills as a ballet dancer, but I'll let you discover the specifics of that on your own. In world full of BDSM erotic romance, it was nice to see something quite different for a change.
The resolution of their conflicts, and of their individual difficulties, struck just the right note for me as well. All the issues raised throughout the novel were at least touched on in the denouement, but I appreciated that some difficult long-term problems weren't tied up neatly in a bow. This book was quite perfect and I am eager for the final installment.
This book doesn't come out until November (I received an early copy for review consideration from NetGalley), but I can't recommend it highly enough. Since there's time before release day, I do recommend Living in Shadow. The full review of the first book on my blog can be found here: http://www.cooking-up-romance.com/201....
This story stars Lily Andrews, a twenty-year old ballet dancer on the tail-end of a recovery from leukemia and Kahu Winter, a thirty-eight year old former prostitute with Maori heritage. Lily approaches Kahu, who is also her father's business partner, with an unusual proposition. In the tradition of romances about dancers, Lily is looking to learn about passion in order to fix a problem with her dancing. I have no idea if sex can be used this way, but I so enjoy this trope that I really don't care. Kahu is initially resistant for a few quite good reasons and a few reasons that proceed more from his grief at having recently lost someone dear to him and his deep sense of worthlessness. He definitely fits the mold of many of Ashenden's heroes, who thanks to author Laura Kaye, I have now taken to calling "Tall, Dark & Angsty". Ashenden is one of the best at creating believably tortured heroes and I boy, do I love her for it.
The relationship between Lily and Kahu develops slowly, a tense seduction that blurred the lines between friendship and mentorship, liking and loving, trust and fear. These two really had the potential to damage each other, much more so than Eleanor and Luc in the previous book, who despite their intense relationship, were really very tender with each other. Lily and Kahu do not treat each other at all gently, in or out of the bedroom. While the BDSM-flavored sex is quite hot, it's the emotional pressure between these two that ratchets up the tension, not the use of handcuffs or flogger. There is also a creative use of Lily's skills as a ballet dancer, but I'll let you discover the specifics of that on your own. In world full of BDSM erotic romance, it was nice to see something quite different for a change.
The resolution of their conflicts, and of their individual difficulties, struck just the right note for me as well. All the issues raised throughout the novel were at least touched on in the denouement, but I appreciated that some difficult long-term problems weren't tied up neatly in a bow. This book was quite perfect and I am eager for the final installment.
This book doesn't come out until November (I received an early copy for review consideration from NetGalley), but I can't recommend it highly enough. Since there's time before release day, I do recommend Living in Shadow. The full review of the first book on my blog can be found here: http://www.cooking-up-romance.com/201....
September 23, 2016
I really enjoyed the intensity of this book once the seduction began in earnest.
Lily is a dancer, but are a few years behind where she should be in her career due to a terrible illness. During her first audition she is told that he dancing lacks passion, so she decides she needs to discover what passion is.
For this she goes to Kahu. Kahu is a much older man who she has seen and been fascinated with since she was a child. He, of course, is reluctant due to the age difference and the fact that he is friends with her father.
He decides to compromise with her by teaching her the art of seduction without the physical contact.
He doesn't really teach her anything, just makes her try to seduce him without giving her any pointers. Considering the fact that she is experienced and he so clearly is not, I thought that didn't make any sense. I guess it made sense to him though.
Anyway, things don't go as he planned, boy was I glad, and things heat up immensely after that.
Lily is a dancer, but are a few years behind where she should be in her career due to a terrible illness. During her first audition she is told that he dancing lacks passion, so she decides she needs to discover what passion is.
For this she goes to Kahu. Kahu is a much older man who she has seen and been fascinated with since she was a child. He, of course, is reluctant due to the age difference and the fact that he is friends with her father.
He decides to compromise with her by teaching her the art of seduction without the physical contact.
He doesn't really teach her anything, just makes her try to seduce him without giving her any pointers. Considering the fact that she is experienced and he so clearly is not, I thought that didn't make any sense. I guess it made sense to him though.
Anyway, things don't go as he planned, boy was I glad, and things heat up immensely after that.
November 23, 2014
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Samhain Publishing for an honest review**
20 year old Lilly is a girl on a mission is this book, and her mission is to seduce the man that has intrigued her since she was a little girl as she want to know what passion is.
We met 39 year old Kahu in the first book. He is a very jaded man with many issues and has created a massive wall to keep everybody out. Even to a degree his friends.
Many feelings are expressed through the book and when they eventually get to it, the sex is explosive and that one night changes both of them.
Its another book that looks a taboo subjects, but gives them a new life in a way that you can't help and fall in love with the characters and believe that they are so right for each other.
Can't wait for the next book.
20 year old Lilly is a girl on a mission is this book, and her mission is to seduce the man that has intrigued her since she was a little girl as she want to know what passion is.
We met 39 year old Kahu in the first book. He is a very jaded man with many issues and has created a massive wall to keep everybody out. Even to a degree his friends.
Many feelings are expressed through the book and when they eventually get to it, the sex is explosive and that one night changes both of them.
Its another book that looks a taboo subjects, but gives them a new life in a way that you can't help and fall in love with the characters and believe that they are so right for each other.
Can't wait for the next book.
September 5, 2014
Received an ARC from NetGalley.
WOW. Like WOW. Talk about scorching. I wasn't sure how I was going to deal with an 18 year age difference, but Ashenden made it flawless. She didn't make it creepy, instead turning the tables so we saw Lily and Kahu as people instead of ages. I really enjoyed this one and look forward to a lot more from Ashenden.
WOW. Like WOW. Talk about scorching. I wasn't sure how I was going to deal with an 18 year age difference, but Ashenden made it flawless. She didn't make it creepy, instead turning the tables so we saw Lily and Kahu as people instead of ages. I really enjoyed this one and look forward to a lot more from Ashenden.
November 10, 2015
There is no question Jackie Ashenden is one of my favourite authors. Absolutely loved the complexity of Kahu and the strength of Lily to fight for something she wanted. I would have tucked tail and taken off after the first 'No' from Kahu but not Lily who had had her own share of 'hard knocks' in her short life. Awesome read. Can't wait for more in this series.
November 30, 2014
Heart-wrenching and amazing. Two very unlikely people find each other. She's a 20 year old ballerina who survived a three year battle with cancer, he's a former rent boy who's been hurt badly. The execution is beautifully. I really like Ms. Ashenden's writing.
Bought from kindle.
Bought from kindle.
December 22, 2014
2.5 stars
I really tried to like Living in Sin but I just couldn't get into it.
I'm a fan of Jackie Ashenden's work but this was a miss with me =(
Thank you to NetGalley and to Samhain Publishing for the ARC.
I really tried to like Living in Sin but I just couldn't get into it.
I'm a fan of Jackie Ashenden's work but this was a miss with me =(
Thank you to NetGalley and to Samhain Publishing for the ARC.
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
September 1, 2014I started this book because several people on twitter were talking about how great it was. But at 10% in, I decided it's not for me.
September 7, 2014
Nobody does dark, sexy angst like Jackie Ashenden. LOVE her books. And Kahu and Lily's story is another keeper. (I'll never look at ballet shoes the same way again...)
November 5, 2014
*sigh* Kahu...
November 24, 2014
Stayed up all night reading this,loved it! Review to come...
December 14, 2014
Awkward beginning, but then I started to have feelings. Well done.
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