SueBee★bring me an alpha!★'s Reviews > Naked

★★★★★! Naked, book 1 of 4. The Ethan Blackstone, larger-than-life, handsome, rich playboy and security expert extraordinaire sets out to protect his American girl in a suspenseful and deadly high-stakes political game!

“That picture changed everything. I was not the same after I saw it and I couldn’t go back to the man I’d been before seeing it either. Not after we met that night on the street. My whole world altered because of a photograph. A photograph of my beautiful American girl.”

The Blackstone Affair series follows world-renowned security expert and owner of Blackstone International Ltd., Ethan Blackstone in his whirlwind romance with American born University of London student Brynne Bennett.

Their story is nothing short of spectacular! Follow them through ups and downs across the globe as Brynne’s past comes back to haunt her and Ethan sets out to protect and solve the mystery of who is out to hurt her. It’s a treacherous and deadly high stake political game involving the Vice Presidency for the United States. No one is safe, and neither is the heart of sworn playboy Ethan. One look at Brynne and he is determined to have her at any cost.

SOMERSET HISTORICALS
Book 1: The Passion of Darius
Darius & Marianne (year 1837)
Book 2: The Undoing of a Libertine
Jeremy & Georgina (year 1837)

THE BLACKSTONE AFFAIR - Ethan & Brynne
Book 1: Naked
Book 2: All In
Book 3: Eyes Wide Open
Book 4: Rare and Precious Things
Book 5: The Blessings of Ethan Blackstone

Naked (book 1) follows Ethan and Brynne during their initial meeting and the blossoming romance that follows. The story opens up with an email sent by Brynne’s dad to his long-time poker buddy Ethan asking him to help protect his daughter studying in London. Little facts are given initially, but will instead slowly unfold throughout series as Ethan sets out not only to guard Brynne but to win her heart and own her. He will stop at nothing.

“No,” I said slowly, trying to put the brakes on my escalating heart beat, “I did not give you my number last night.” Why was he calling?
“I may have borrowed your phone by accident while you were dozing… and called my cell with it…”

Brynne Bennett’s traumatic past is what brings them together and it will unfold throughout the series. Based on everything that has happened she could so easily have fallen into the “damsel in distress” category, but she doesn’t. I feel she does evoke nurturing emotions without being week. She is working very hard to come to terms with her past and though emotional and irrational at times, she is mostly very pragmatic about her issues.

She doesn’t realize that their first meeting was well orchestrated by Ethan. She is immediately smitten with him and once she’s had sex with Ethan she is hooked:

“Ethan dominated during sex. He wanted his tongue and his fingers and his c~ck in me all at once. Like that way he could claim me more completely. I don’t know why, it was just his way. And I loved it. His way was honest and totally direct. I knew what I would get with Ethan and it always ended with an orgasm that left me trembling.”

But even though Brynne falls easily for Ethan’s intense seduction she is the one putting the brakes on their relationship. Ethan has to work hard, probably harder than ever before at wooing her.

Five words to describe Brynne: Tenuous, determined, fragile, enchanting and compelling.



Ethan Blackstone is one of my all-time favorite heroes. He is the uber-sexy, beyond handsome and elusive man-whoring playboy. Having put all his focus into building his empire has afforded him wealth, fame and women at his feet.
But that was all before he saw the photo of his American girl. Now he has his sight on her. And just like in poker, winning is the only option. He is relentless:

“He didn’t ask. Ethan took.”

Six words to describe Ethan Blackstone: Unforgettable, dominant, enigmatic, smart, captivating and driven. Ethan, like Brynne, has a dark past that will unfold over the span of the series.

Naked is nothing short of a magnificent and all-consuming roller-coaster of romance, sex, secrets, suspense and intrigue only to come to a mind-blowing, chocking cliffhanger ending. But no worries, just open up book 2, All In for the continuation of their story. Addictive and suspenseful plot! Spellbinding storytelling. Unforgettable Ethan! A must-read series!

“I don’t want you to go yet. I like having you here with me. You soothe me, baby. He rested his head on top of mine. You are my ray of light in a fog of ignorance and frustration.”

***
Hero rating: 5+ stars
Heroine rating: 5 stars
Sex scenes rating: 5+ stars
Sex scenes frequency: 5 stars
Storyline concept rating: 5 stars
Storytelling skills rating: 5 stars
Story ending rating: N/A
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Overall rating: 5 stars

Would I recommend this series: Yes.
Would I re-read this series: Yes.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.