3.5 Stars! Review originally appeared on Tempting ReadsFirst, the description of this book does not do it justice. Reading the blurb, I thought this was going to resemble a Harlequin Blaze title with a woman who learns how to channel her inner sexual self and sex her best friend into a committed, forever love relationship. However, this book was more than a sexual awareness/journey tale. Reese Regan is having a bad time: her fiance left her (and their mortgage) because she was "cold" in bed, she just got laid off, and a friend of her sister's wants to hire her to be the promotions director for Sex Goddess Inc. Which would be great if the owner didn't want her to go through the program to fix her problems with self-image. Ben Hawk is Reese's best friend, who wants more, despite their past agreement to keep it just friends. Oh, and there's also the fact that Reese is attracted to Ben's brother. He agrees to help Reese fake it through the program, hoping that maybe she will see him more as just a buddy.This was a book of contrasts. On the one hand, it was sexy and romantic and hot enough to melt my iPad. On the other, it was an honest and upsetting; a real glimpse of the everyday mess of relationships and the lengths some women go to change themselves. There is Ben and Reese, Reese and Mark, Ben and Mark, Ben and his father...See what I mean? This book is in no way one-dimensional when it comes to characterization. There were even times I didn't like some of the characters; they weren't acting the way characters in romance were supposed to. Romances are supposed to be lollipops and rainbows (as a friend of mine says), with the author showing the best of each character, not making me uncomfortable with their actions! These characters, however, were full of self-doubts, failed dreams, broken hearts, and disappointments. It reminded me all relationships--familial or romantic--are messy and take work. And you should never have to change yourself to satisfy someone else's idea of what is "best" for you. You do what you feel is right. I don't always get that from stories, but I understood it clearly from the start with this one.Now, don't be worried. Lest you think this book was bogged down with hidden meanings, it wasn't. There were so many hidden facets beneath the comedy. IT was a good romantic comedy. The characters were likable and funny. The story flowed from page one. I didn't have moments where I was guessing what was happening next or skipping pages to hurry it along. I fell into the story and stayed with it, even through the uncomfortable parts.There was a quote in the book that I really liked, too: "Half of it is this wonderful, progressive look at women's identities and self-esteem that allows them to really examine what they want for themselves and go after it in a way that is both healthy and ambitious.The other half is this tired cliche, helping women find their worth through the eyes of men. I'm not saying it can't be about feeling sexy. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with finding pleasure in being desirable...But if women can't leave it feeling good about themselves...it's not much of a program at all, is it?"The heroine realizes the benefits of the Sex Goddess program but understands the problems and misconceptions it provides as well. Other romantic stories would have kept to the sexy and funny tone of the book, ignoring that obvious fact. However, the author acknowledges the mixed messages of changing yourself for others, while trying to find your true self. And she presents it in such a way to make it understandable to all women and yet entertaining at the same time. This book hit all the right notes for me--funny, sexy, realistic; a definite read.*Review copy provided by author for honest review.
