[b:Long Shots: Books 1-3|15759862|Long Shots Books 1-3|Christine d'Abo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1342705152s/15759862.jpg|21459519] by [a:Christine d'Abo|2737770|Christine d'Abo|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1366236180p2/2737770.jpg]
Genres: Adult, Erotica, Romance.
Book 1 ~ Double Shot (Long Shots, #1)
2.75 Stars
It started out interesting, but I really find it hard to believe that 2 people could feel the same way about each other for TEN YEARS and neither of them know the feeling was mutual.
I mostly 'Liked' the story, but there was to many words about nothing. It is only about 90 pages, so why make Sadie delivering her cake to the party & catering take up an entire chapter. To much Artificial Filler in That Cake!.
Sadie & Paul confused me.
Some romance and humor. A typo or 2. A likable 'ish read.
Book 2 ~ A Shot in the Dark
2 Stars
So numerous I am not going to waste much time on this review. There are typos/editing errors. The writing is sluggish. To much about nothing. The erotic scene are lacking in intensity and conection.
I was tempted many times to put it on my Finish Later shelf.
End result, Painfully Boring! I Can't Take It Any More.
I made it to the end of book 2 and said 'No More'.
So Book 3 is a ?? And I just don't care. ( )

I have a major author crush on Christine d'Abo. I fell in love with this trilogy with ease, and I attribute that to d'Abo's ability to show, not tell what her characters are feeling, and she didn't unnecessarily drag out the drama or conflict portions of each couple. I also loved that she took the time to focus on the family dynamics of the Longs and showed us upfront who they were at their core. To me, they never felt like fictional characters. Despite the individual stories being short, the events never felt rushed. D'Abo was also wickedly creative with some of the erotic scenes. I laughed, I burned and I melted. This is one of those those books I'll be revisiting often for the emotional and sexual high and the awwws. If you're looking for a scorching hot, kinky read, with a dash of heart and humor, then this is the series for you. I am absolutely going to start collecting more of Ms d'Abo's books.

Book #1 – Double Shot

Sadie Long has had a crush on Paul Williams for the past decade. They've been friends for just as long, but she won't do anything to risk that friendship. When Paul requests her catering services for Mavericks (the sex club where he works), things change with one question: What's your fantasy, Sadie?” Dare she tell him?

What I loved the most about this story, is that it's a kinky story filled with humor and a lot of heat. Sadie was a delight; the kind of girl you'd want as a friend. She's shy in certain areas of her personality, and bold in others. She can't get Paul's question out of her head, nor her fantasy about having him and his boss, Josh Scott. As much as she wants to, giving in to her deepest desire could cost her her friendship with Paul. Paul was insanely hot in his slow seduction. Their night together was off the charts hot. Even though it didn't end on a good note, it finally made Paul and Sadie acknowledge what they'd always known but were too afraid or stubborn to say. I hope to catch a glimpse of them in the rest of the books.

There was one line from Sadie's very naughty thoughts that made me spit out my drink and laugh out loud. Something about brains.

Book contains M/F and M/F/M

Book #2 – A Shot in the Dark

Paige Long, sister and self-appointed mother hen to her two younger siblings feels a spark for the first time in years when gorgeous firefighter Carter West strolls into her coffee shop one evening. His attempts to flirt with her don't go so well when she realizes he's a Dom. Her last relationship ended because of emotional and physical abuse at the hands of her boyfriend and Master. Getting involved with the lifestyle once again and with Carter could end in the past repeating itself, or it might give her everything she's wanted but denied herself. But first she will have to face her past and summon the courage to let Carter in.

My favorite story so far! Not just because it involved a sexy as sin firefighter who is also a Dom, but because I found Paige's emotional presence to be clearly defined from the first page. I cringed when she finally revealed her past. Her story is relevant and makes a good precautionary tale when it comes to the BDSM lifestyle. I admired her strength to overcome her fears and Carter was the perfect hero for her. I think my jaw dropped to the floor during their most intimate scene.

Book contains M/F, one hot as hell firefighter and frozen peas.

Book #3 – Pulled Long

For nearly a year, Ian Long and Blue Eyes aka Jeff Carson (a recurring customer/character since book 1) have been flirting furiously. Then Ian found out that Jeff was in the middle of a divorce with his soon to be ex-wife. Ian can't and won't allow himself to be used as an experimental rebound. But one night Ian's resolve leaves him, and he allows himself to get lost in his fantasy. When they take things public at a company function and get caught, Ian's immense guilt from his past threatens to overshadow his future.

Ian and Jeff were so good together, it's difficult to describe. I also liked getting the big picture about the Long's parents and what had happened to them. With Ian's story, Long Shots came full circle.

Book contains M/M, voyeurism, exhibitionism

Thank you Carina Press via NetGalley for the ARC.

Disclaimer: A review in exchange for the ARC was not promised. The views and opinions expressed in this review are my own, and in no way represent the views or opinions of the publisher/distributor. ( )

I have a major author crush on Christine d'Abo. I fell in love with this trilogy with ease, and I attribute that to d'Abo's ability to show, not tell what her characters are feeling, and she didn't unnecessarily drag out the drama or conflict portions of each couple. I also loved that she took the time to focus on the family dynamics of the Longs and showed us upfront who they were at their core. To me, they never felt like fictional characters. Despite the individual stories being short, the events never felt rushed. D'Abo was also wickedly creative with some of the erotic scenes. I laughed, I burned and I melted. This is one of those those books I'll be revisiting often for the emotional and sexual high and the awwws. If you're looking for a scorching hot, kinky read, with a dash of heart and humor, then this is the series for you. I am absolutely going to start collecting more of Ms d'Abo's books.

Book #1 – Double Shot

Sadie Long has had a crush on Paul Williams for the past decade. They've been friends for just as long, but she won't do anything to risk that friendship. When Paul requests her catering services for Mavericks (the sex club where he works), things change with one question: What's your fantasy, Sadie?” Dare she tell him?

What I loved the most about this story, is that it's a kinky story filled with humor and a lot of heat. Sadie was a delight; the kind of girl you'd want as a friend. She's shy in certain areas of her personality, and bold in others. She can't get Paul's question out of her head, nor her fantasy about having him and his boss, Josh Scott. As much as she wants to, giving in to her deepest desire could cost her her friendship with Paul. Paul was insanely hot in his slow seduction. Their night together was off the charts hot. Even though it didn't end on a good note, it finally made Paul and Sadie acknowledge what they'd always known but were too afraid or stubborn to say. I hope to catch a glimpse of them in the rest of the books.

There was one line from Sadie's very naughty thoughts that made me spit out my drink and laugh out loud. Something about brains.

Book contains M/F and M/F/M

Book #2 – A Shot in the Dark

Paige Long, sister and self-appointed mother hen to her two younger siblings feels a spark for the first time in years when gorgeous firefighter Carter West strolls into her coffee shop one evening. His attempts to flirt with her don't go so well when she realizes he's a Dom. Her last relationship ended because of emotional and physical abuse at the hands of her boyfriend and Master. Getting involved with the lifestyle once again and with Carter could end in the past repeating itself, or it might give her everything she's wanted but denied herself. But first she will have to face her past and summon the courage to let Carter in.

My favorite story so far! Not just because it involved a sexy as sin firefighter who is also a Dom, but because I found Paige's emotional presence to be clearly defined from the first page. I cringed when she finally revealed her past. Her story is relevant and makes a good precautionary tale when it comes to the BDSM lifestyle. I admired her strength to overcome her fears and Carter was the perfect hero for her. I think my jaw dropped to the floor during their most intimate scene.

Book contains M/F, one hot as hell firefighter and frozen peas.

Book #3 – Pulled Long

For nearly a year, Ian Long and Blue Eyes aka Jeff Carson (a recurring customer/character since book 1) have been flirting furiously. Then Ian found out that Jeff was in the middle of a divorce with his soon to be ex-wife. Ian can't and won't allow himself to be used as an experimental rebound. But one night Ian's resolve leaves him, and he allows himself to get lost in his fantasy. When they take things public at a company function and get caught, Ian's immense guilt from his past threatens to overshadow his future.

Ian and Jeff were so good together, it's difficult to describe. I also liked getting the big picture about the Long's parents and what had happened to them. With Ian's story, Long Shots came full circle.

Book contains M/M, voyeurism, exhibitionism

Thank you Carina Press via NetGalley for the ARC.

Disclaimer: A review in exchange for the ARC was not promised. The views and opinions expressed in this review are my own, and in no way represent the views or opinions of the publisher/distributor. ( )

Long Shots, Books 1-3 by Christine d’Abo
4/5 stars
Source: Netgalley

*this is a collection of three erotic novellas for adults only*

Welcome to the Pulled Long café, home of owners Sadie, Paige, and Ian Long. Sadie is the baker, Paige is the manager, and Ian is the totally neurotic about the perfect cup of coffee barista. Each of the Long siblings works long hours trying to make their café successful and forget about the fact that each of them has absolutely no social life. Unfortunately, that last part is pretty hard to do when your café is just down the street from the local sex club, Mavericks.

Mavericks is the secondary setting for each of the three novellas and is a fascinating and disturbing place all at the same time. Mavericks is a super-exclusive high end establishment where the security is tight and the inhibitions are not. Each of the Long siblings not only has friends among the Mavericks staff but they each also have either experience a club members or a distinct interest in becoming a member. That is, if the right partner comes along and they can move beyond their respective pasts. As you might suspect, each of the three novellas follows one of the Long siblings as they face their pasts, their presents, and their futures. One of the highlights of this series is how the three novellas are separate in order to accommodate one siblings’ complete story but still connected to the other novellas with the connectors being the siblings, the café, and Mavericks.

I thoroughly enjoyed these three quick reads for a variety of reasons including the relationship between the Long siblings, the significant others who appear, and of course the naughty bits. Here’s the breakdown: each of the Long siblings are all just a little bit broken but each knows they have the complete support and backing of one another. For the record, there are a few totally typical sibling bits thrown in that will make you laugh. Seriously, what sibling wants to know about the naughty bits of their brother or sister? 
The significant others who appear in the lives of Sadie, Paige, and Ian are as significant as they are deliciously hot. I really liked the fact that each of the partners understood the broken parts of their respective Long sibling and worked to help each one overcome the pain of their past and move into a bright future with a caring, compassionate, and passionate partner. All three of the partners are divine, imaginative, and totally drool-worthy.
And finally, dear reader, the part you have been waiting for, the erotica. This series has a little bit of everything including a bit of light bondage (can bondage be light?), fun with toys and some same gender sex. From my particular perspective none of the sex scenes were disturbing or pornographic just goooood. But, even though the sex is steamy, therapeutic, and sometimes occurring with an audience in a sex club it never overwhelms or overshadows the story. d’Abo has definitively proven that erotica can still be very good erotica without sacrificing the quality of the characters and/or the plot.

Bottom line: Long Shots isn’t going to be for everyone especially if you are a part of the under 18 age group. The sex is varied and certainly not modest but isn’t pornographic and as such will likely appeal to a wide range of erotica readers. d’Abo has an easy writing style and has created characters that are interesting, funny, and fully developed despite the length of the stories. ( )