Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Steamy and sexy novella about two characters who have an “experienced” past and find something in each other that they just can’t live without.

Opening Sentence: “Weddings make me horny.”

The Review:

Stripped Down by Lorelei James is a steamy, sexy novella for fans of cowboys, rodeos, ranching and country music! But most of all for fans of passionate characters and hot and crazy, inventive sex. This is a novella that is a part of the Wicked Cowboy series and the 1001 Dark Nights compilation.

Stripped Down starts off quite naughty and it doesn’t let up. Wynton and Melissa meet up at a wedding. They immediately are attracted to one another and start up a flirty and naughty conversation. They each think this is going to be a one night only hookup so they are flirting hardcore with each other. Wyn and Melissa have both been sexually dry for a few months and are ready to scratch that inch so much so that it turns into a one-upmanship over who has had the more adventurous and crazy sex life.

After a family crisis, Wyn needs help on the ranch. He’s already down one brother on honeymoon. Melissa is volunteered into helping because of her rodeo experience. They both weren’t expecting to have this extra time together but they both knew there was something with the intensity they shared. Wyn is going to make sure Melissa’s time at the ranch is something they never want to stop even after the work is done.

Melissa has a secret she is trying to hide. A secret that she hides in the room she is staying in at Wyn’s house. A secret that she hides by not sleeping in Wyn’s room, no matter the connection that they feel towards each other. Ultimately, it is Melissa’s secret that can determine their relationship.

Wyn and Melissa are very similar in character. They both the same past sexual experiences which they bond over. They both have a bit of background in rodeo, farming and horses. Although, their pasts are vastly different. Wyn is completely comfortable in who he is. He doesn’t make excuses for his past. He is hot, passionate and intense in his deep feelings towards Melissa.

Melissa is fun, spunky and spontaneous at the beginning of the novella. She turns a little more secretive and quiet towards the middle only because she doesn’t want her secret unveiled.

As a couple, Wyn and Melissa are very sexual and their banter is funny at times and sometimes uncomfortable. I wasn’t quite sure that I would like them at first but in the end I grew to love how unabashed and free they were in their love lives.

Overall, Strapped Down reminds you about how fragile human life can be and the hope of making the best of everything while you can.

Notable Scene:

Everyone started talking and Wyn leaned down to speak to Melissa privately. “You really okay with this?”

“I was thinking to myself earlier that I wished you and I had more time together, and now I’ve got my wish.” She smirked.

“What?”

“This wasn’t as altruistic of London as you might believe.”

He chuckled. “Yes, it is fortunate that they won’t have to miss more than a day or two of their honeymoon, isn’t it? Becausee the ranch matters are handled.”

“That and you know she’s been trying to fix us up since she and Sutton got engaged.”

That took Wyn by surprise. “Then why is their wedding the first time I met you?”

Melissa looked away. “I have no idea.”

FTC Advisory: Evil Eye Concepts/Inkslinger PR provided me with a copy of Stripped Down. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ( )