Sweet as Sin [Kindle Edition]

Inez Kelley (Author)

Book Description

John Murphy is tormented by nightmares. A bestselling young-adult author, he writes the ultimate fantasy: stories where good always triumphs. He knows better. His past has shown him the worst in people—and in himself. When he moves next door to the sexy, vibrant Livvy—a woman completely unlike his usual one-night stands—he's driven to explore every curve of her delicious body.

Pastry chef Livvy knows that giving in to the temptation that is John Murphy won't lead to anything permanent, but she deserves a passionate summer fling. John discovers she's as sweet as the confections she bakes while Livvy slowly unravels his secrets. But what will happen when she uncovers them all?

104,200 words

Product Details

• File Size: 509 KB
• Print Length: 288 pages
• Publisher: Carina Press (January 31, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004GB1T68
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,104 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet As Sin by Inez Kelley February 6, 2011

By A. Schreiner TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition

Livvy has a new neighbor - a very sexy new neighbor. John is an author writing a very popular young adult fantasy series that he also illustrates. But he has been having writer's block for the past month. Once he meets Livvy, the words start to flow. John grew up with an extremely abusive step-father and has many, many demons. He uses his writing and illustrating as an outlet. When he meets Livvy, their attraction is very immediate. They find this love together, but the demons do not always let the love smile upon them.

Livvy owns a bakery and when she meets John she decides it is time for her to have a passionate summer love affair. But she soon learns, that there is nothing easy going about John and her heart falls hard and fast.

I wish I could portray the amount of emotions I went through when reading Sweet As Sin. The depth of John really amazed me in this book. When you first read it - John is this really sexy neighbor who finds Livvy's bra in his backyard (it blew off the clothesline) and I thought I totally had the book figured out - sexy neighbors will jump in bed together the end. Boy was I wrong. Because a few chapters later I was riveted to my Kindle and couldn't believe what a complex character John turns out to be.

He has very dark demons. He is a very, very tormented man. He writes young adult adventure books, with furry little monsters, yet those little monsters are actually his dark, scary childhood rearing its ugly head. His demons present themselves in a variety of ways. From lashing out at Livvy, or at himself, or at his beloved sister. To closing down and not letting anyone near him. Cowering at an unexpected slight touch. There are points where he is SO brutal to Livvy.... Yet, he can compartmentalize, pushing those demons to the back and can be a charming, loving human being. Livvy recognizes this from the start (maybe even a little too understanding) and decides she wants to be there for him..through bad and good. Livvy for the most part is an extremely understanding woman. She has a father who had numerous affairs, so her jealousy does come into play, but for a man who she comes to love quite quickly, she is extremely patient when his dark side comes out.

Even when John admits to being in love with Livvy, things are not magically better. Love does not cure the demons - his torture is still present, and it is just another reason why I think John is so well written. Bottom line is - John is not always an easy hero to like. But I believed in his pain, I believed in his demons. Therefore, I believed in his actions.

I wish the ending resolution would have played out just a little longer. John crosses some big lines, and Livvy trusts him very quickly again. I believe in their love for each other, I just would have wanted a little bit more time for them to evolve back into a serious couple. We also get a glimpse into the wonderful world John writes - it mirrors what is happening in his real life and I really think it adds so much to this story.

Sweet as Sin really blew me away. I loved it and I hope it finds its way to you. Read more ›

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow. Incredible story. February 1, 2011

By LBJ

Format:Kindle Edition

When author John Murphy moves in next door to Olivia, the chemistry between them is instantaneous. Initially, Livvy is wary about getting involved with a neighbor, but the appeal of the bad-boy next door outweighs her reservations. but it doesn't take long for her to see something isn't quite right with Murphy. The darkness that haunts his stories is just a small slice of what he carries inside him and being near Livvy touches on his personal demons.

This book is very hard, very gritty, and one of the most gut-wrenching stories of a broken hero I've ever read. One by one, Murphy's secrets are revealed, showing us a traumatic life, the sacrifices he's made, and the heroic heart that lies beneath it all.

This isn't a sweet and fluffy read for the reader looking for an escapism fantasy. It is stark look at a reality we all too often turn our backs on. Ms. Kelley exposes the dark side of humans, the bits we don't like to think about, the parts we pretend don't exist, and in doing so, shows us what surviving and heroism really mean.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Review posted at Everybody Needs a Little Romance February 4, 2011

By Heather Brewer

Format:Kindle Edition

Sweet as Sin by Inez Kelley
* I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Sweet as Sin is probably one of the best contemporary romances I have read in a long time. John Murphy is a man so tortured by his past that he hides behind the characters of his books to avoid human relationships. He believes he is damaged goods and only brings bad things to the people he loves.

Livvy is intrigued with her new neighbor but knows he's not the picket fence type of guy. Her sister convinces her to let loose and have a summer fling with him, little does she know she's going to lose her heart to him. The more she is around him; the more she is convinced he's the guy for her.

There are so many things about this book I loved. The main characters are complex and take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. The book only has a few secondary characters but they add to the story not distract from it. They are essential to the story and help us understand John and Livvy.

John is a writer of a children's series about two monsters that are best friends. They kept him sane through his childhood trauma, today they are his salvation. Growing up, he would tell his sister stories to distract her from everything going on in their lives. The monsters play an integral part in the story and help you see John in a different light.

Livvy owns a cupcake store that specializes in erotic confections. She has done well for herself and vows to never be like her mother. She needs to find something to propel her business to the next level and comes up with a new edgier, line. She ends up hurting the one person she loves the most.

One of my favorite scenes takes place at her cupcake store and involves some of her cupcakes.... I will have a hard time eating cupcakes again without remembering this scene. In my other favorite scene, Livvy lets her claws out and surprises John with her spirit. There are so many special moments between John and Livvy that touched my heart.

This book took me through every emotion you can think of, there were some parts that I laughed out loud and others with John that I just wanted to hold him tight. Overall I loved everything about this book and the emotional journey it took me on. I give Sweet as Sin 5 Flaming Hearts. Read more ›

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Seriously Good Book May 21, 2011

By Honeywell

Format:Kindle Edition

I started this book more than once and boy am I glad I stuck with it the last time--I would have missed out on a seriously good book otherwise. It's an extremely emotional story with a tortured hero who's right up there with Zhadist (JR Wards Black Dagger Brotherhood) in terms of a hero who tugs at my heartstrings.

The major flaw in this romance--for me--was that the hero was just too believable. I bought into his issues hook, line and sinker and as a result I can't buy the couples HEA. The hurt he caused was too great and while the couples make-up scene was believable (even though stupidly contrived) I can't help but think it's a pattern that will repeat itself over and over again.

It sounds like I hated the book but I didn't. I actually enjoyed it. Even with the niggles that kept causing me to put the book down in the beginning and the HEA I can't really buy into I still recommend this story.

More About the Author

Inez Kelley is a West Virginia native transplanted to the midwest. She is a multi-published author of contemporary romance (both dark and comedic) as well as Fantasy romance.