Book Review – Seduction and Snacks by Tara Sivec

Seduction and Snacks (Chocolate Lovers)
I wish I could post a soundbite here, because listening to me giggle, chuckle and belly laugh as I read this, would be the perfect way for me to review it for you. Sometimes actions speak louder than words, and to hear my giggle-fest would speak volumes. Alas… I didn’t record myself. *sigh* So words it is…

A fantastic lighthearted, witty, sarcastic (but sweet) read, in full effect! But there’s romance, too, and even a touch of angst at times, enough for you to connect and “want what you’re supposed to want”, when reading a romance novel. Plus. HOTNESS! It’s the whole shebang minus the intense book-pain that I crave, but definitely needed a small break from. THIS was the perfect break, the perfect “reading-palette cleanser”, and a great change of pace to keep me on my toes. I grinned from ear-to-ear from start to finish, and laughed out loud so many times, that I just HAD to read some parts to my husband (for example, Carter’s first drunken-bar scene… *woof* “Did I just bark?”) LOL!!!! I was a goner, then.

“Um, tequila please?” I asked questioningly. enunciating each word as best as my drunken mouth would allow. So really it came out as “Ufff, shakira pea?”

A huge psychotic smile broke out on her face and she quickly stood up.

“So what can I get you?” she asked me bright, resting her hand on top of the bar and leaning into them.

Drew and I slowly turned to face one another. We both shrugged and I turned back to her, but not before noticing that Drew was busy tucking his shirt back into his jeans.

“T-e-q-u-i-l-a,” I said very slowly, wondering if the bartender was drunker than me.

Her smile got bigger if that’s even possible.

“Whiskey, coming right up!”

Tee hee!!!! Oh it’s just soooo much better than that. *blush* I guess you just had to be there. 😉

And apparently it was one of those “you had to be there” type reads (meaning you just have to read it to “get” what all the fuss is about). ‘Cause it would seem I wasn’t the only one struggling with “public displays of reader-enthusiasm” next to the “perplexed non-reader”:

Erin: I started this one yesterday (about 75% now) and my husband kicked me out of bed last night because I was laughing so hard. When I tried to read him a passage, he didn’t find it as hilarious as I did, but what does he know? He’s such a crabby-daddy

Kirsten: Erin- I had the same issue. Hehe.

Keighley: I promised myself- no more books this month, but I’m in need of a laugh so I bought this. On page 4 and already laughing too loud for public transportation- anyone who quotes so I married an axe murderer is a legend!

Maryse: Oh YES!! I read a bunch of parts to my husband too, and he was all… *raised eyebrow* I think if we didn’t irritate them so much with our incessant giggling, they might be more open to the comedy parts that we try to read them. I kept saying, it’s hilarious, you just gotta read the whole part to get it… Ah well. At least we’re having fun, right guys?

And why were we so enthralled with this story? Because it was just so outrageously coincidental and yet so real at the same time. You could visualize everything perfectly, facial expressions & reactions, snorts, eyebrows and all. You could feel out each character, know and connect to them, in all of their hilarious randomness. Erratic thought proesses, panic attacks and lusty emotions, crude reactions, total goofy flubs… the works! Just a riot.

And for those of you who enjoyed “Bear Otter and the Kid” as much as I did, and loved “Bear’s” hilarious thought process, this one has that similar feel:

Debra: This book is hysterical Carter’s brain to mouth issues (did I say that out loud?) reminding me a bit of Bear from BOATK.

Maryse’s Book Blog: YES!!!!! I was just saying that to Jackie. I thought OMG I’m so lucky ’cause I get to experience another “Bear-like” character. I LOVED that with him. Made me crush on him… he’s not a bad-boy but OMG he is just so cute that it’s sexy!

Crystal: I’m half way through it now and have threatened all my friends with bodily harm if they dont buy it asap LOL. FUNNIEST book ever!!! The cover and title doesnt do it justice though. I feel like I would have never even glanced at it had it not been recommended to me.

So what’s it about?

Claire, had her whole life planned out, but meets a super sweet cutie one night, at a frat party. They are PERFECT for each other, and they spend the evening being perfect together. And drinking. And drinking. And being even more perfect together.

He wasn’t too tall, wasn’t too short, he was just right. And just… beautiful. I wanted to punch my own face for calling a guy beautiful but it was true.

And of course, things get steamy! He “takes” her (all of her), and he wakes up the next morning… alone. *sad face* 🙁

‘Cause… she left. Why? I dunno. They think crazy thoughts in these books sometimes… (just like we do) and act all crazy-like (just like we can). So off she went, thinking that was the thing to do after a drunken hook-up. No names, no phone numbers, nothing.

‘Cept… there is *something*. ‘Cause, a few weeks later, she realizes she’s pregnant, and her whole life changes on the spot.

I knew without a doubt Mr. Beer Pong was the father. I just had to find him. Who the hell gave a guy her virginity and never bothered to ask him what his name was?

Oh yeah, that would be me.

Where is Mr. Perfect when she needs to tell him something monumental? Oh right. He barely exists, but for a drunken memory (and even that is so hazy she wonders if she imagined it).

Oh right. She didn’t imagine it because she’s pregnant.

And both of them pine for each other for … quite a while. Search for each other (but that’s kind of hard to do when you can barely remember the night you had together). Plus you know. Might I remind you, not even a first name. 😉

And then one day….

That’s it. I’m zipping it!!! The rest is wayyyy too fun, not to experience on your own.

And it would appear our whole Facebook reading group concurs! So if my enthusiastic review doesn’t convince you 😉 maybe these guys can!

Rachel: ♥ this book!

Christine: This book was such a great in between the steamy HOT books book. Sweet, funny, romantic. Looking forward to the sequel!

Alana: Funniest book ever!!!

Francine: soooooo funny! I found myself lauging out loud more times than i could count! sexy, sweet and hilarious! enjoy!

Veronica: I’m reading this now too. Easily the funniest book I’ve ever read. Loving it!

Alicia: great book … never had a book make me laugh so much.

Megan: I finished this book 2 nights ago and I LOVED IT! HYSTERICAL!

Angie: Maryse I just finished it and LOVED it….. so freaking HILARIOUS………….

Barbara: Funny sweet lovable !!! Can’t wait for the sequel !!!!

Pamela: Impatiently waiting on the next one. I loved it!

Tiffany: I am currently reading this too! I don’t think I have laughed so hard from a book before!! I love it!!!

Danielle: I am reading this right now and i don’t think I’ve gone more than two minutes without laughing out loud. It’s the best kind of book. 🙂

Milagro: Loved this book! Laughed hard that I was kicked out of bed for keeping the husband awake.

Trish: I ♥ this book so much and Tara Sivec rocks!!!!!

Shelley: Nearly peed my pants reading this one! And I was dared to post a Drew t shirt quote on my Status too!

Lisa: Told ya!! This book is hilarious!! I’m so glad you decided to read it. This one is literally laugh out loud funny. I’m looking forward to book two 🙂

Jennifer: I laughed so hard I cried. Awesome book!!!

Kristin: Can’t wait to see your review! Hope you love it as much as I did…one of my absolute favorites this year!!!

4.5 stars!!!

P.S. My I’m going to quote one of my favorite scenes, but don’t look down if you haven’t read it! Not that it’s a spoiler, really, but this book is best enjoyed in full motion. BUT OMG it is just tooooo funny not to celebrate, here. (Carter’s introduction to George. Tee hee!!!!) 🙂

—

—

“I slept with your wife,” I stated, crossing my arms in front of me and staring him down.

All three of them gaped at me with equal looks of confusion on their faces.

“You swept wif my Nana? Did she read you a bedtime story? Papa says she snores.”

George took a step towards me and I actually gulped. Regardless of how old his balls were, I was sure he could kick my ass. Or kill me and make it look like an accident.

“Dad,” Claire said in warning.

Dad? Oh, f&ck. I really am an a$%h*le. I have Tourette’s of the mouth. Claire never once mentioned his name when she talked about him. This was the man who punched someone in the face for calling him grandpa. And now I just told him he had old balls. He was going to straight up murder me.

“Sh*t. I didn’t sleep with your wife. Total mistake.”

He stopped walking towards me and if I had a brain I would have kept my mouth shut from that point on. Obviously I was drunk the day they were handing those things out.

“I got confused. I meant to say I slept with your daughter.”

I heard Liz groan and saw Claire’s mouth fall open.

“But it’s not what you think,” I continued quickly. “I mean we were both really, really drunk and I didn’t even know who she was until a minute ago.”

Oh my God, stop. STOP!

One of his eyebrows cocked and I swear I heard him crack his knuckles.

“She smells like chocolate and I don’t like to be spanked,” I blurted in a panic.

Cue full on belly-laugh from me, from this point on!