Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
“Kelsey picked out an explicit novel last year, and everyone loved it.” Freya stands erect and parks her hands on her hips.
“It was a historical war romance, and the hero didn’t go down on the heroine during her period.”
“Drayken is a vampire, and it’s appropriate for the genre.”
I chuckle. “I’m not sure that’s ever appropriate.”
“Whatever. Hopefully, your pick will go over better than mine.”
I feel confident my pick will rate higher than the vampire feasting on bloody—
Shaking my head, I wrinkle my nose. Nope. I can’t even think about the words.
“Hello!” Brea and Piper arrive first, as usual. They’re germophobic and want to fill their glasses and plates before everyone else contaminates the food.
Over the next few minutes, small clusters of mingling twenty-and-thirty-somethings snack and chat as everyone congregates on the rooftop. A line of sun umbrellas shields us from the fireball of death in the sky. It’s still in the 90s, but hopefully, the temperature will dip another five degrees as we start our discussion.
“Okay. Let’s take our seats and get started,” I announce.
The small gathering, minus the new guy Eric, takes their places on the lined-up sofas separated by several long coffee tables filled with food and beverages and a few paperback copies of the book, some with sticky tabs marking spots in the first eight chapters.
“Let’s start with our usual opening by going down the line and everyone giving their one-word first impression of the assigned chapters. I’ll go first.” I smile because this is, hands down, the best story I’ve read in a long time. “Gripping.”
Everyone follows with a wide range of adjectives: intriguing, captivating, dynamic, sexy, emotional, intense, fascinating, engaging, and evocative.
They like it so far. Freya shoots me a smile and a nod. I’m off to a much better start than her cunnilingus vampire book. These are my neighbors, my friends, and my village. Of course, I want them to like my taste in books.
“Great. So I have three different topics to discuss tonight. Let’s start with—”
The door to the right creaks open. Eric cringes. “Sorry I’m a few minutes late. I had to grab a quick shower.” He sits across from me with his wet hair, prominent cheekbones, and perfect smile. I might have a tiny crush on Mr. Chivalrous. I inspect his ripped jeans, untied white sneakers, and tee that says “Fresh Out Of” with an image of two ducks at the end.
Yes. I definitely have a crush on him. If he were on one of my dating apps, I’d swipe right so fast my finger might break.
“We’re just getting ready to discuss the prologue,” I say.
“Wait! Eric must share his first impression of the book … with one word.” Freya smiles, passing two different bottles of wine in Eric’s direction.
“Oh …” He takes the red wine and fills a glass. “One word, huh?” His lips twist as he finds an empty spot to set the bottle on the table. “Redundant.” He takes a sip of wine.
I narrow my eyes a fraction as a few other people chuckle. It’s a joke. Right?
Eric shrugs. “Has that word already been used? Repetitive works too. I don’t want to say predictable yet, but I’m a little suspicious that it’s headed in that direction.” When his gaze finds me, his smile doubles. “That’s a magnificent dress, Anna. Red is your color.” He winks.
Clearing my throat, I tighten my low ponytail, adjusting it slightly to keep my hair off my warm neck. Is he flirting with me after insulting my book choice? “Um … what exactly did you find so repetitive about it?” I might be a little protective of my favorite author.
“The physical descriptions. The lead characters’ hair and eye colors are mentioned seven times in eight chapters. Does the author think the readers aren’t smart enough to retain those little details? If their physical descriptions were an integral part of the story—like a tattoo with a hidden meaning—then I can see why repeating that would serve a purpose.”
“True.” Brea nods. “Now that you mention it, it is a little overkill.”
Clearing my throat again, I take a sip of wine and paste a smile onto my face. “I don’t think it takes away from the story. If anything, it keeps the visuals fresh; the characters stay vivid … almost real in the reader’s mind.”
Eric shrugs. “It’s just an opinion. No big deal.”
Ignoring his brushoff, I continue, “Anyway … the prologue. It appears Jasmine is being chased into the woods. Who do you think is chasing her?”
“Her cat. He’s tired of eating off-brand food from a can.”
Everyone laughs at Greg’s comment, knowing he hasn’t read a single word of the book. Mel, his girlfriend, drags him to the book club. Jasmine doesn’t have a cat, and everyone else knows that.
“I think she’s running from her boyfriend. In chapter three, she says he’s been overprotective of her,” Tricia offers the first logical explanation.