ugh... I just couldn't even get past about the 4th chapter. All sex not substance. Sorry, not for me. ( )

I freaking loved this book. The writing totally cracked me up and I didn't want to miss a word. The inner monologues were just as good as the conversations. Julia Kent did a great job showing us how different people lived in a humorous way.

Can't wait to read more about Darla. ( )

Cat says: Be warned, this is not your mother's romance. It's hard and gritty and smacks you in the face like that burst of heat when you first open an oven door, which is exactly what makes it a refreshing change from a typical sticky sweet love story.

Cat's staff picks for the week of 6/10/13. ( )

Driving home one day Darla happens to see a very naked man on the side of the road, thumb out and hitchhiking almost as bare as he entered the world. His few articles of 'clothing' consist of a collar & an acoustic guitar, and oh year, a straw cowboy hat stuffed into the guitar. Darla being Darla pulls over and offers him a ride.

After getting off to a rocky start the two actually form an instant connection. Which gets even stronger when Darla finally puts the pieces together and figures out that she has Trevor, the lead singer of her absolute favorite viral band in her car. Naked! The two feel an instant attraction to each other and decide to act on it, which I love because Darla isn't a size two and perfectly groomed. She is an authentic representation of the majority of American women, but she is also pretty comfortable in her own skin and certainly with who she is. Or at least who she wants to be.

Eventually Trevor's bandmate ends up driving his BMW from MA to the middle of nowhere OH to pick Trevor up and return him to his life. The addition of Joe changes the dynamic, making things much more adult from here on out. But the three characters remain essentially true to themselves, and all three do some major growing in their short time together. It is fun to watch as each one struggles to move past their personal hang-up(s), and yet it is written with compassion. Humor as well, but never any cruelty, regardless of the issue being worked on. In the short time they are together they learn to work together to support each other, with authentic feelings and concern for each person's mental and physical welfare.

Though Darla changes both men more than is really believable in such a short period of time, it works in the story. The combination of diverse and interesting characters, a unique plot and solid story arc makes this an entertaining read. However due to the extremely raw sex scenes and very realistic details, this is not a book I would recommend for anyone under 18. Also not for the faint of heart, though the story does not end up being debasing for any of the characters. ( )