Review: Naked by Megan Hart

Format Read: eARC from NetGalley
Number of Pages: 384 pages
Release Date: August 1st 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Spice
Formats Available: Paperback, eBook
Purchasing Info: Author's Website, Goodreads, Amazon, BookDepository(US), BookDepository(UK)

Book Blurb:

No strings. No regrets. And no going back.

I didn't think he wanted me. And I wasn't about to get involved with him, not after what I'd heard. Sure, Alex Kennedy was tall, dark and unbearably hot, but I've been burned before. When I solicited him to model for my erotic photography book, I didn't expect such a heated, passionate photo session. And now that we've crossed that line, our bodies aren't the only things that have been exposed.

But I can't give my heart to a man who's so… unconventional. His last sexual relationship was with a married couple. It's enough that my ex-fiancé preferred men, I can't take that chance again no matter how much my body thrives on Alex's touch. I can't risk it, but I can't resist it, either.

Alex can be very convincing when he wants something.

And he wants me.

My Thoughts:

Warning: This review may look negative because I keep pointing out what moved me beyond measures. But don’t be fooled… I did love Naked! If you need proof looks at the rating *wink*

This is a difficult review for me to write because reading Naked (not to be confounded with reading naked which is illegal in a public space o8O) brought up a tornado of feelings I’m having difficulty dealing with (but I still read it very fast!). I knew this wouldn’t be an easy read…after all it’s a Megan Hart book. All the books I’ve read from this author made me cry and left me with a heavy chest. It’s a wonderful book and I loved the story. I also loved Alex and Olivia. I had Alex in my heart ever since I read Tempted and I wanted a real HEA for him.

I have a love/hate relationship (ok mostly love) with this book for 2 reasons:

First, this book made me FEEL and it made me ponder my life. Which in the end always makes me physically sick. But the story is beautiful and I loved the characters. I even loved the heroine which is not often the case. Olivia is flawed yes but she’s such a great person you can’t help but love her from the first page.  I laughed a lot while reading this book, the scene with the dildo made me burst out laughing in public (this is most embarrassing when you can’t STOP laughing).  The constant humor helped make the book easier to bear (and who doesn’t like a funny hero? *g*).

Second, I really really didn’t like the events at the end of the book. No don’t close your eyes I won’t spoil anything, I promise (which means I’ll talk in riddles lol). Let’s just say that something came up I thought was in the past and would stay there. I knew it was a possibility but I hoped it would be different (see what I mean about riddles? lol).  I am insecure, I need the HEA to be written explicitly (because my brain always imagine the worst otherwise), I need closure (which is why I love cheesy HEA epilogues lol). I think what made me sick was that it happened 3 pages before the end and I needed more time for the HEA to feel real.  When I talked to Susi about it she was surprised and didn’t understand why I didn’t like the ending. We saw the ending completely differently (and I like her view of it way better), it might be that she’s an optimistic and I, a pessimistic *wink* but she was happy with it. Now I’m trying to convince myself she’s right lol (otherwise it would completely ruin this perfect book for me…and we don’t want that!)

Of course I just finished reading it so  it’s still heavy on my heart. I loved it but It brought up feelings so strong I’m pretty sure it took years off my life LOL. Megan Hart’s writing is amazing. Hours after I closed the book I still can’t shake off the haze Naked inflicted on me. I recommend it to everyone (with a warning to the faint of heart *wink*).  This is a heart-wrenching and beautiful story you don’t want to miss.

I give Naked  5  Stars (even though I was THIS close to throwing the Ereader against the wall when I neared the end lol)

Source: http://pattepoilue.blogspot.com/2010/07/review-naked-by-megan-hart.html