Thank you to Lauren Blakely and her team for the advance reader copy of My So-Called Sex Life, the first book in the Dating Games series.
Romance novel fanatics will swoon over Lauren Blakely’s ode to romance writers and fans alike. Hazel and Axel are celebrated romance writers, who went from writing a popular series together to dissolving their working relationship. An author tour in Europe, with only one bed on the train’s sleeper car is the push these characters need to reckon with their feelings. Ultimately, Hazel and Axel’s journey is a love letter to romancelandia and I adored it.
I am a Lauren Blakley review team member, but my reviews remain honest and genuine.
I’ve got a list of people I absolutely don’t ever want to be stuck with on a boat, or a plane, or a train, and it starts and ends with the broody, grumpy, too-sexy-for-my-own good Axel Huxley.
Also known as this romance novelist’s number one nemesis.
The man is legendary for his mighty pen and his even mightier scowl. I tried to work together with the cocky thriller writer once upon a time, but the two of us are like vodka and good decisions. We don’t play well together.
Only now, our publishers are sending us on a joint trip across Europe to mingle with our most devoted readers on an old-fashioned luxury train. And thanks to a booking snafu, we have to share a sleeper car.
You guessed it–there’s only one bed.
I’m not sure I can survive the next seven days and nights with my dangerously sexy enemy and all our fiery tension.
Which explodes one night in a desperately needed hate bang.
But the bigger plot twist is this – the more time we spend together, visiting the most romantic cities in Europe by day and discovering each other at night, the more I’m forced to face our past.
To let go of the hurt.
To see the man he’s become.
And when I do, I wonder if it’s too late to write a new happy ending for us?
Check out my more detailed thoughts below…
- Characters: Hazel Valentine is our heroine; a romance writer fueled by writing perfect meet-cutes. I loved how unapologetic she was, from the outlandish things she would say, to just being a bit of a failure when it came to her own love life. Our hero is Axel Huxley, another writer who had been Hazel’s co-author of a popular romance series. I did not get attached to him right away as he was a bit more standoffish. Once you are off to Europe with him and you get to know him better readers will begin to understand why he is built the way it is.
- Setting: The story’s setting is such a gem! Hazel and Axel have the same publisher so they are sent on a European book tour. It is an ideal book tour with stops in Barcelona, Paris, and Copenhagen. The best part was that they took a train from city to city and had to share the same bed. As romance authors, these two make so many jokes about all the tropes they encounter during their journey. This book feels like a big inside joke. Avid romance fans will eat up all the poking fun of tropes and love seeing their passions on full display.
- Pacing: I want to warn you this book has a few pacing issues. I found the beginning dragged on, as the story starts states-side and all I wanted was to get going on the European book tour.
- Romance: This couple has a fascinating history. They used to be writing partners and had a bit of a falling out. Very much prompted by Axel who broke things off before they had finished their book series. The deeper parts of their working relationship were kept a secret, so as they began to reconnect on this author tour around Europe I loved how private all their sweet moments were. As this is the only one-bed trope there is some excellent fodder for some super sexy scenes. Even just the kisses were oozing with sexual tension. I really loved this couple’s journey from work partners to rivals to friends to lovers.
My So-Called Sex Life receives four out of five stars.
You can pick up the story below…
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Thank you again to Lauren and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!
