Review & Giveaway: Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren

Beautiful Bastard (Beautiful Bastard #1) by Christina Lauren

Publication Date: February 12th 2013

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the book:

An ambitious intern. A perfectionist executive. And a whole lot of name calling.

Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He's exacting, blunt, inconsiderate--and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.

Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family's massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who'd been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative--completely infuriating--creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he's never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe's so tempting he's willing to bend the rules--or outright smash them--if it means he can have her. All over the office.

As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they're willing to lose in order to win each other.

Originally only available online as The Office by tby789--and garnering over 2 million reads on fanfiction sites--Beautiful Bastard has been extensively updated for re-release.

My Thoughts:
You like love/hate romances? Well this is one times about ten! Beautiful Bastard was extreme amounts of fun, with clever and witty banter, and a hefty amount of spice!

Chloe is completing her MBA and working through an internship she loves in spite of her boss, Bennett Ryan, the biggest A-hole or as she calls him, Beautiful Bastard. He’s the boss’s son and is beyond gorgeous; every woman’s dream until he opens that venomous mouth!

If only he would keep his mouth shut, he’d be perfect. A piece of duct tape would do the trick. I had some in my desk that I’d occasionally pull out and fondle, hoping someday I could put it to good use.

Lol!

Bennett seems to gain pleasure from making everyone’s life hell, perfectionist to the extreme. Fortunately for Chloe, she’s somewhat of a perfectionist herself and is usually one step ahead of him, and she gives as good as she gets.  This girl had some spunk and sass, and I liked it! These two are locked in a hate relationship, barely civil, but working perfectly together. 

Things take a heated turn when Bennett can no longer ignore the temptation Chloe presents. In his mind she tempts, teases, and taunts him to the point of insanity! She’s infuriating to him! Soon these two are using every available surface, stair well, and elevator for less than “business like” pursuits. *ahem* Like rabbits, I tell you! It’s a powerful mix of lust and hate, and it was a toss-up whether they’d kill each other or screw each other’s brains out!  

Yes, this story is sex, sex, sex, and oh my, was it HOT, but it was also a wonderful developing romance!  I’ve read some books that had little meat to the plot other than bedroom antics, so it’s hard to become emotionally involved, but I didn’t feel that was the case here. I was hoping both Chloe and Bennett could let their guard down, and let each other in.  We have both POVs so you could see how vulnerable they were on the inside even if they didn’t always let on outwardly.  Little by little the hate between Chloe and Bennett starts to fade and is replaced by genuine feelings.  I think they had been developing for a long time, but they were both too blinded to see it.

This is the ultimate love/hate romance and one that I thoroughly enjoyed! I read the whole book in one sitting! I have to give credit to my bloggy friend Andrea @ The Bookish Babes for suggesting this read over my other picks.  Beautiful Bastard was a definite hit! 

I had the pleasure of meeting the duo that comprise Christina Lauren (see picture below) March 1st at the Huntington Beach Barnes & Noble (Arlene & I attended and we have more awesomeness to come!). Yes, Christina Lauren is two writers, I had no idea!  I had my copy as well as an extra for one lucky reader signed!  So be sure to fill out the rafflecopter below for a chance to win! 

Lauren Billings & Christina Hobbs=Christina Lauren

4.5 Suns

a Rafflecopter giveaway