Tart (A Delicious Novel) [Paperback]

Lauren Dane (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 6, 2012 | Series: A Delicious Novel

USA Today bestselling author Lauren Dane serves up a sweet, sensual, and hot-to-the-touch novel in which one woman's most intimate desires are stirred by two very special ingredients

Juliet Lamprey is having the time of her life running her successful bakery, TART, when Gideon Carter comes back into her life. Returning home to help his grandfather run the family on the farm, Gideon is back for good. When they meet again, the spark between them is immediate, and it isn't long before the former childhood friends play catch up in bed.

That's not good news for local lawyer Cal Whaley. Though the sexually open but strictly monogamous Cal has loved Jules for a long time, he's hardly ever taken it further than friendship. When he sees her start to fall for Gideon, he knows he has to make his move or risk losing her forever.

Who would have anticipated that all three of them would connect on such an intimate level? The trio's scalding liaisons take them places they've never dreamed. But such an intensely passionate and unusual relationship comes with equally as complicated emotions, and when Jules must suddenly leave town, she wonders if she'll have a choice to make when she returns

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for the novels of Lauren Dane

“Dane always delivers a steamy, exciting ride…she leaves me wanting more!”--Larissa Ione, New York Times bestselling author

“Unputdownable…Great characters, wonderful world-building, and, as always, a delicious romance. If you pick this book up, make sure you've cleared the afternoon.”--Ann Aguirre, national bestselling author

From the Back Cover

USA Today bestselling author Lauren Dane serves up a sweet, sensual, and hot-to-the-touch novel in which one woman's most intimate desires are stirred by two very special ingredients

Juliet Lamprey is having the time of her life running her successful bakery, TART, when Gideon Carter comes back into her life. Returning home to help his grandfather run the family on the farm, Gideon is back for good. When they meet again, the spark between them is immediate, and it isn't long before the former childhood friends play catch up in bed.

That's not good news for local lawyer Cal Whaley. Though the sexually open but strictly monogamous Cal has loved Jules for a long time, he's hardly ever taken it further than friendship. When he sees her start to fall for Gideon, he knows he has to make his move or risk losing her forever.

Who would have anticipated that all three of them would connect on such an intimate level? The trio's scalding liaisons take them places they've never dreamed. But such an intensely passionate and unusual relationship comes with equally as complicated emotions, and when Jules must suddenly leave town, she wonders if she'll have a choice to make when she returns

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (November 6, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425253252
• ISBN-13: 978-0425253250
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #52,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The story goes like this - While on pregnancy bed rest, Lauren Dane had plenty of down time so her husband took her comments about "giving that writing thing a serious go" to heart and brought home a secondhand laptop. She wrote her first book on it before it gave up the ghost. Even better, she sold that book and never looked back.

Today Lauren is a New York Times bestselling author of over fifty novels and novellas across several genres.

Visit Lauren on the web at www.laurendane.com
E-mail [e-mail]
Blog www.laurendane.com/blog
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurendane
You can write to her at: PO BOX 45175, Seattle, WA 98145

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars First off, I have to say that Tart was a fabulously well-written ménage story and one of the best I have read to-date. November 9, 2012

By Crystal @RBtWBC

Format:Paperback

Juliet Lamprey has been in love with Calvin Whaley for as long as she can remember. Her best friend's brother, he has been around through it all but besides their one kiss as teenagers Cal has never picked up on the hints Jules has been throwing his way. Despite what Jules thinks though, Cal has loved her just as long. He is fearful to ruin their long friendship though if a relationship doesn't work between them. It takes their childhood friend, Gideon Carter, coming back to town and setting up shop in Jules life for Cal to throw chance to the wind and fight for his place besides Jules before he loses her to another.

I loved how the main focus of the story in Tart was on the emotional relationship between the three as oppose to the sexual relationship. Don't get me wrong, there was some hot three-way action going on but it was portrayed as more sensual then graphic, which really worked for the triad. Jules, Cal and Gideon had some obstacles to get over; negativity from family, the mechanics of a three-way relationship, trust...but thankfully they have a wonderful support system in their friends and other family members. And throughout it all, Lauren Dane kept it real. I had no trouble believing that this relationship could happen in real life to any one of my friends. I really enjoyed watching it unfold and the dynamics between the triad develop. And the dynamics of the relationship was a major lure for me. Lauren Dane I think gave the story a unique twist with not making it a typical M/F/M, yes the three were together sexually but each of the men took turns with Jules or each other, there were plenty of M/F scenes alone and surprisingly only one M/M scene. It was all very tastefully written.

Adrian and Gillian, from the Brown Siblings series, were big players in Tart, as well as Adrian's sister, Erin. I haven't read the Brown Siblings yet, though the series is on my wish-list, and instead of feeling lost during their part of the story I was intrigued to find out more! All in all, Tart was a wonderful story set in a quaint small-town, packed with emotion and fantastic characters. I am looking forward to Mary's story next!

***A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review, no monies were exchanged.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars ❤❤❤❤ Loved November 11, 2012

By BookChick

Format:Kindle Edition

Lauren Dane hits this one out of the park. It was an amazing read that kept my attention the whole way through.

I won't bore you with a thorough review because it's something that you'd have to read for yourself to appreciate. Lauren Dane's witty and straight forward humor is on point in this romantic tale of three hearts coming together and finding a lasting love.

Some of my favorite quotes from the book:
When Cal tells his mother about the unconventional triad relationship she replies to his brother: "Ryan, bring me my emergency cigarette." I laughed so loud that I had tears in my eyes.

Cal comes over to Juliet's house wanting to have some sexy time and her reply was simply: "Dude, please don't manage me right now. I'm telling you, I'm on my period and I want to cut someone. Just begone." Again...L.O.L. *Waves hand in the air* Been there!

And finally when Cal goes to Gideon's to tell him about his time with Juliet (see above quote) and Gideon responded with: "She told me she was feeling stabbity and to go away." "Stabbity got me and I literally hollered.

Gotta love Lauren Dane! 4 shiny stars!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME! November 6, 2012

By Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition

Juliet Lamprey is having the time of her life running her successful bakery, TART, when Gideon Carter comes back into her life. Returning home to help his grandfather run the family farm, Gideon is back for good. When they meet again, the spark between them is immediate, and it isn't long before the former childhood friends play catch up--in bed.

That's not good news for local lawyer Cal Whaley. Though the sexually open but strictly monogamous Cal has loved Jules for a long time, he's hardly ever taken it further than friendship. When he sees her start to fall for Gideon, he knows he has to make his move or risk losing her forever.

Who would have anticipated that all three of them would connect on such an intimate level? The trio's scalding liaisons take them places they've never dreamed. But such an intensely passionate and unusual relationship comes with equally as complicated emotions, and when Jules must suddenly leave town, she wonders if she'll have a choice to make when she returns...

I have been waiting and waiting for Tart, book 2 in the Delicious series, and I was not disappointed. I am completely and utterly in love with Cal, Gideon and Jules.

Juliet "Jules" has been in love with Calvin "Cal" Whaley since she was a teen, but Cal has been afraid to admit his feeling for Jules and risk loosing their wonderful friendship. Jules and Cal have known Gideon since childhood. Gideon's grandparents own a local farm on Bainbridge Island and he has come home to help his granddad with the farm after the loss of the grandmother. When Jules and Gideon reconnect and begin dating, Cal knows he must step and tell Jules how he really feels.

Jules, Cal and Gideon must deal with a lot of ups and down, but with each other they handle each obstacle with grace. I enjoyed that they have Erin, Todd and Ben to help them deal with issue that can come from a relationship like theirs.

We get to see Gillian and Adrian's wedding which was perfect, and we get to meet Mary's hero Damien. Boy howdy am I ready for Lush.

What I love about this book is that Lauren Dane writes a believable menage story. Her characters are people that could be your friends and even though the relationship is not the norm, you root for the characters the whole way. I felt for Jules the whole book. She has great loving friends that are her family. What Jules goes through with her real family really hit home with me. I loved that she has her "true" family, Cal, Gideon and the rest of her friends that allow her to be herself.

Another great story by Lauren Dane and I can not wait for this series to continue.

Happy Reading!!

Review copy provided for an honest review.