Foreplay by Sophie Jordan
Series: The Ivy Chronicles #1
Published by William Morrow on November 5, 2013
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 320
Format: eARC
Source: Edelweiss, Publisher
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Before she goes after the life she’s always wanted, she’s about to find the one she needs. 

Pepper has been hopelessly in love with her best friend’s brother, Hunter, for like ever. He’s the key to everything she’s always craved: security, stability, family. But she needs Hunter to notice her as more than just a friend. Even though she’s kissed exactly one guy, she has just the plan to go from novice to rock star in the bedroom—take a few pointers from someone who knows what he’s doing.

Her college roommates have the perfect teacher in mind. But bartender Reece is nothing like the player Pepper expects. Yes, he’s beyond gorgeous, but he’s also dangerous, deep—with a troubled past. Soon what started as lessons in attraction are turning both their worlds around, and showing just what can happen when you go past foreplay and get to what’s real…

Foreplay, Sophie Jordan’s first foray into the new adult genre, is completely fabulous.  Foreplay is at the top of my list for best new adult books so far.

Sophie Jordan is an amazing author at whatever she does.  I’ve read her YA, her historical romances, and now her NA and she truly does bring her own flair to each genre.  The NA books already out there are getting a little typical but that’s not the case at all with Foreplay.  The story is really fun.

Reece and Pepper are awesome characters.  Pepper is very sheltered at first.  She doesn’t have experience with guys and she really doesn’t know how to act around them (especially Reece.)  She’s adorably awkward.  Reece is the exact opposite.  From the moment they first meet, it’s clear Reece knows what he’s doing.  He’s subtly sexy in the way he acts.  Together, he and Pepper make an odd couple but they’re perfect together.

Pepper’s friends are hilarious, if not the smartest.  They help Pepper come up with her plan to get Reece to teach her foreplay.  They also help her screw up the plan a few times and fix it when she screws it up all on her own.  They were true friends that were legitimately there for Pepper.

The story, like I said earlier, is fun.  There are some rather predictable moments throughout but not too many.  It also wasn’t an overly angsty story.  There was some angst and there were times I wanted to smack Pepper, but overall it was pretty angst free.  It’s one of the less dramatic NA books I’ve read.

Overall, Foreplay is a must-read for fans of new adult or fans of Sophie Jordan.  It’s a great start to The Ivy Chronicles series and I’m eagerly awaiting the second book.

What others are saying about Foreplay:

 The Bookish Babe’s review: “The story got off to a good start, never lagged in the middle, but I wasn’t consumed.”

Smexy Books’ review: “I think the end could have played out a little longer, but otherwise this is a solid new adult romantic book.”

The Irish Banana Review’s review: “If you were like me and starting to feel exhausted by the NA genre, I’m telling you to give Foreplay a shot.”