New Release * The Friend Zone by Kristen Callihan * Review * Excerpt * Giveaway

Posted May 8, 2015 by Yesi in Book Reviews, Giveaways / 7 Comments

New Release * The Friend Zone by Kristen Callihan * Review * Excerpt * GiveawayThe Friend Zone by Kristen Callihan
Also by this author: Winterblaze, Entwined, Shadowdance, Evernight, Soulbound, Forevermore
Series: Game On #2
Published by Independently Published on May 5, 2015
Genres: New Adult, Sports
Format: eARC
Goodreads
five-stars

USA TODAY BEST-SELLING SERIES

Gray doesn't make friends with women. He has sex with them. Until Ivy. 
The last thing star tight-end Gray Grayson wants to do is drive his agent's daughter's bubblegum pink car. But he needs the wheels and she's studying abroad. Something he explains when she sends him an irate text to let him know exactly how much pain she'll put him in if he crashes her beloved ride. Before he knows it, Ivy Mackenzie has become his best texting bud. But then Ivy comes home and everything goes haywire. Because the only thing Gray can think of is being with Ivy.

Ivy doesn't have sex with friends. Especially not with a certain football player. No matter how hot he makes her...

Gray drives Ivy crazy. He's irreverent, sex on a stick, and completely off limits. Because, Ivy has one golden rule: never get involved with one of her father's clients. A rule that's proving harder to keep now that Gray is doing his best to seduce her. Her best friend is fast becoming the most irresistible guy she's ever met.

Which means Gray is going to have to use all his skills to win Ivy's heart. Game on.

New Adult/Contemporary Romance with a HEA - Recommended for readers 18 and older.
 

Buy on Amazon


Yesi Thoughts
Rarely does the second book in a series live up to its 5 star predecessor, so imagine my surprise when The Friend Zone hooked me from the prologue and it just kept getting better and better. Last Fall I fell in love with Drew Baylor in The Hook Up. It was one of those books that I went in blind because it had me at football player and no kissing on the mouth. The synopsis was great and it rocked my book world once I read it. We were given a short teaser for Gray’s book, The Friend Zone, at the end of the book and I knew from that small sample that I was going to love, love, love it. Not only because the author is extremely talented but because Gray Grayson was a pretty awesome friend to Drew in The Hook Up. Plus the pink Fiat? Classic! Needless to say it was at the top of my most anticipated reads for 2015.
“ Truth? Had we met before the texts, I’d have tried something. She’s funny and smart and hot. Who wouldn’t want her? Shit, I don’t know, man. I just like her. I really like her. She’s the first person I want to talk to. Every day.”  Gray Grayson
The Friend Zone is Gray and Ivy’s story and it is one that will consume you. The entire book is one big adventure…an amazing friendship is born between Gray and Ivy via text messages and it just takes off. There is humor and sweetness, there is angst and so much emotion, there is the slow build up that I love, and mostly there is a unique friends to lovers story that cannot be matched. Both characters brought their own style to the table and it worked perfectly. I loved everything about Gray and I loved everything about Ivy. If you are a fan of new adult combined with sports, in this case football, then The Friend Zone cannot be missed! It can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend reading The Hook Up as well. I promise, you won’t be disappointed. I am now on high alert for any news or teasers for Dex and Fiona’s book!
the friend zone teaser 2
Excerpt
The backs of his fingers skim up my arm, raising goose bumps on my skin. “Nice top.”
Even though it’s thirty degrees out, I chose a black silk tank that hugs my waist but gathers loosely over my breasts. A tie around my neck holds the top secure. That I am braless is not lost on him. He stares at my stiff nipples as his fingers drift to the bow at the back of my neck and give it a little flick. “Take it off.”“W-what?”

“Let me see those sweet tits you’ve been teasing me with since you walked in the bar.”

“I—” My breath catches. “No. I’m not taking my clothes off for a stranger.”

He doesn’t look away. “But you want to, don’t you? You want me to look at you.” He bends his head until his lips are at my ear. “You’re dying to expose yourself, to let me see those pretty pink nipples.”

My skin draws tight. I struggle not to sway into him.

He leans back, his attention on my top again. “Untie the bow.”

“Someone might come in.” Despite our play, my fear of getting caught is real, though not completely unwelcome.

“They won’t. I took care of it.”

I believe that. Gray would cover all the bases. In his own way, he’s as much of a planner as I am. But I can’t think of him as Gray now, not when he’s doing this for me.

His fingers are back, skimming over my inner arm, teasing the edges of my top. “Just a little peek.”

My breasts ache so badly, they’re hot, heavy, the silk covering them an irritant. With shaking hands, I reach up. The fabric tugs against my neck then comes free. It slithers over my skin like a caress.

He sucks in an audible breath as my breasts are exposed. I see myself through his eyes, sitting half-naked in this dim back room, my nipples puckered, my breasts quivering with each shallow breath I take. The vulnerability of it feels naughty, forbidden, and I nearly whimper.

A noise of pure satisfaction leaves him. Not bothering to lift his gaze from my breasts, he reaches out, runs the tips of his fingers over my nipple. I’m so sensitized now the touch sends a bolt of pure, searing lust straight through me. I flinch, clench my teeth to keep still.

He hums, strokes me back and forth as if he owns me. “So pretty.” He grazes me again.

“You like that, sweetheart?”

Eyes closed, I bite my lower lip and nod.

I feel him move. The wet flat of his tongue drags over my nipple. My eyes fly open on a strangled cry. He grins up at me, his mouth hovering at my breast. It isn’t his usual cheeky grin but something more wicked. “Mmm. Delicious.”

He takes a step closer, and I swallow convulsively. Gray’s voice lowers. “I wonder where else you taste good. You want to show me, sweets?”

I’m practically panting now. My hair swings as I give my head a hard shake. He leans in, trailing the blunt tip of his finger up the curve of my breast. I nearly yelp when he gives the stiff peak a quick, crude pinch.

His smile is pure male smugness. “Lift up your skirt and show me where you’re wet.”

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*** Leave a comment below for a chance to win 1 of 2 ebooks of The Friend Zone ***

Ends May 13th at 10pm EST

the friend zone teaser
five-stars

About Kristen Callihan

Kristen Callihan is an author because there is nothing else she’d rather be. She is a three-time RITA nominee and winner of two RT Reviewer’s Choice awards. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and the Library Journal, as well as being awarded top picks by many reviewers. Her debut book FIRELIGHT received RT Magazine’s Seal of Excellence, was named a best book of the year by Library Journal, best book of Spring 2012 by Publisher’s Weekly, and was named the best romance book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she is not writing, she is reading.

7 responses to “New Release * The Friend Zone by Kristen Callihan * Review * Excerpt * Giveaway

  1. Karen G.

    Thanks for the post and the hot excerpt. I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this book, it sounds fun! I love friends to lovers stories and this sounds perfect for me. Thank you so much for the chance to win!

  2. Sarah Theisen

    Awesome review! I just finished The Hook Up yesterday, and loved it. Can’t wait to get to know Gray better! 🙂

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