Wait, how did a smut book featuring a pretty heavy topic as one of it's main conflict-driving plotlines ended up being one of my more wholesome reads this year (and yes, I am counting the absurd amount of manhwa/manga I read in that.) Do I… like insta love? Either way, the story has charm, flowed well, and has good pacing — absolutely nothing about the plot surprised or scandalised (ha! title drop… I'm so funny… not), but isn’t there a comfort in that? In all stories being the same story? Personally, predictability of fiction is much more preferable to chaos of real life.

One thing I was not too fond of was the epilogue, it felt too… itemised and sapped of charisma that the rest of the book had. Still, I'm giving it five stars because I can. Who's going to stop me?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC copy of this book, in exchange for this honest review.

I was drawn to this book by the synopsis and cover.

It was an enjoyable read. Very steamy…not for the faint hearted haha.

The story flowed well and had a good pace, no long drawn out descriptions.

Character descriptions were good and gave each character a unique personality.

My only disappointment was the epilogue…it felt too much like the HEA of a Disney movie. I feel this let the book down for me.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 📚

3.5 ⭐️

Not sure where to start with this review to be honest... I feel like it had a lot of potential but I didn’t love the way it was executed. The writing was fine but I had a few issues with the plot and the characters as well.

Starting with the characters, I didn’t hate the main characters but I didn’t love them either. Perhaps because it was single POV, I feel like I don’t know much about Alec, which is a shame because he seemed like a really nice guy. And while he and Gigi certainly had a lot of (physical) chemistry, I wish we’d seen them connect more emotionally.

In terms of pacing and the plot, I had a bit of a hard time getting into this book and felt like the first half really dragged and nothing much happened. The side plot felt a bit unnecessary, especially in the first half of the book, and seeing as it was such a big part of the story, we barely saw Gigi investigating anything or working at all. Also, the ending felt a bit rushed.

I guess this one wasn’t my cup of tea but I’m curious to see if we’re getting Yael and Sunny’s story in the future. I really enjoyed the tidbits we got to see and would definitely check out their story if I had the chance.

[TW: sexual assault/rape, drugging ]

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Nosy Crow and Piatkus for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Scandalized, the perfect steamy Hollywood romcom, Ivy Owens

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Romance, General Fiction

Well, I've mixed feelings here, I felt the potential was good, the writing style worked for me but there were things in the story that let it down.
I didn't really connect very well with Georgia, and its hard to believe that she didn't know her childhood crush/BF brother was a huge star now – she's a journalist. In a different field but surely journalists need to be aware of everything going on? Who knows when a celeb slip up is gong to result in a hit in their field.
I loved Alec, just loved him. I did feel the whole romance bit was very quick to develop, that the “one night only” had a lot more meaning than they intended. TBH I really prefer reads where romance has more time ti build tension but hey, this one doesn't allow so that's it.
The actual stuff Georgia was working on felt too gritty for a one person story, and her work allowed her an Incredible amount of leeway, in dealing with the story, in time off so she could be with Alec, though of course they didn't know that. I know the story needed that but I needed there to be a plausible reason.
When it all falls apart, for me this was a big strength in the story, I love it when the angst is fully developed. Alec was a real ar se, his reaction was awful but it worked. Later when he explained I understood why he reacted that way but at the time, like Georgia I was gutted.

Stars: Three, a mixed bag, some really good scenes but too much glossed over bits that let it down. For me anyway ;-)

ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers

This book started out strong for me but I soon found that my interest was waning. It just didn’t do it for me and I felt like something was missing.

In saying that it is well written and anyone who loves a steamy romance will enjoy this one. I just don’t think it was for me

4.5 stars
Initially I wasn't sure that a steamy celebrity romance and a story about uncovering sexual abuse would work but somehow it did.
And when I say that this was steamy, this is easily one of the hottest romances that I have read in a long time. But the scenes weren't cringeworthy, like others can often be, especially when there are so many of them.
This is essentially steamy scene after steamy scene with a bit of a plot added in and you know what, I wasn't mad about that.
I didn't necessarily bond with the two main characters like I normally do in a rom-com/romance but Alec seemed like a kind, decent man for the most part and I could easily put myself in Gigi's shoes as she experiences this rush of feelings and attachment and coming to grips with dating a celebrity.
I did, however, really like her roommate and best friend Eden.
When speaking of the topic of sexual abuse, I actually really appreciated the fact that there was a content warning before you even start this book. It's such a simple thing to include but makes a big difference to those who may be triggered by certain storylines. So that is something that I would definitely like to see in more books going forward.
I really did race through this, being unable to put it down and ultimately reading it within one day. And I will certainly be keeping an eye out for what Ivy Owens does next.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book started off really promising and actually drew me in despite usually feeling indifferent to insta love books. However I felt that the characters lacked the development and depth I wanted as the novel progressed, and Gigi's job felt like a stilted sideline plot for the majority of the plot until near the end - and even then, it felt very neatly wrapped up and resolved, when realistically I can't imagine it ever would, and this made the book feel a bit strange to me.

This was just not the book for me. I don’t think I am a fan of insta love and I just couldn’t connect with the writing style.

#Scandalized begins as Gigi is stranded with no hotel after a flight cancellation when she bumps into Alec, her childhood best friend’s older brother. After no contact since they left for London years ago, he invites her to stay the night in his hotel room and their chemistry is intense from the get-go! What she doesn’t realize is he’s a huge TV star now and he’s only in town for a few weeks and in that period we see their relationship unfold.

This book is categorised as a ‘rom-com’ and yes it fits into that category, but there is so much more to this book. Some of the writing in this book is so raw, it gives you a feel for the intensity of Alec and Gigi’s relationship. You can expect childhood friends brother, age gap, celebrity and the media, and chemistry and steam that’s off the charts! The first and second night, the phone scene, EVERYTHING was 🥵 Anyone who know’s what I read will no that the inta-love trope isn’t my first choice but in this book, I didn’t even blink!

A massive congratulations to Ivy on the upcoming release of this book, her debut novel as Ivy Owens (we’ve seen bestsellers for nearly a decade under a different pen name) and many more successful ones to come I’m sure of it! My only question is are we going to get an Eden spin-off… or even a book for Yael and Sunny 🥺 I will be re-reading this at some point, possibly an audio listen?

TW: Sexual Assault/Sex Trafficking/Sexual Acts Filmed W/O Consent

This was such a fast-paced book with loveable characters. Alec and Georgia knew each other in childhood but completely lost contact when his family moved to London 13 years ago. A chance encounter at the airport as a result of a cancelled flight throws them back to each other, but he’s now an A-list actor and she is a journalist on the cusp of breaking a big story.
I loved this book as soon as I was aware of the lack of miscommunication as a plot device! Men written by women, who are able to express their thoughts and emotions!! And Alec Kim is the definition of that.
As all the other reviews mention this book definitely has its share of spice but the story outside it is equally as good and really highlights the less appealing sides of fame and celebrity status, rebuilding yourself after heartbreak and the true strength of sibling and true friendship bonds.
Also the beginning of the book has a content warning which is a really simple touch but I loved it because all too often books deal with really heavy topics without any indication of this prior to starting the book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'Scandalized' by Ivy Owens.

A relationship between a reporter and an actor... what could go wrong? A lot. And thank goodness, it wasn't really the miscommunication trope which was lovely - I enjoyed the way this book pivoted, it felt realistic and gritty and I loved it.

There was a LOT of mature content which of course made me feel uncomfortable but that didn't take away from the plot or my enjoyment levels in any shape or form.

Overall, this book was beautiful and I would happily read again.

I don’t usually like celebrity romances or insta-lust/love stories. But this. This got me.

Journalist Gigi, on her way home from a trip interviewing for her newest story, runs into her childhood crush Alec in the airport leading to a steamy reunion.

I loved the characters especially Gigi’s friend and roomate Eden, though I feel Alec could’ve had more story to him than just being a celebrity.
This book had cute moments, parts that made my heart ache, and spicy scenes. So so many spicy scenes (not a bad thing).
The first page in the book was recommendations from various other people. All of them having one thing in common- the book was steamy. Though I didn’t believe them going into this, I definitely understand now I’m finished.

From start to finish I loved this book and finished it in a day.
Would love to see a Sunny and Yael spinoff someday!

Thanks to Netgalley, Little Brown Book Club UK, and Ivy Owens for the ARC.
Review will be published on Goodreads 10/8/22

Unfortunately, I couldn’t finish this one. It got so corny and cliché that even me ever the romantic couldn’t swallow it. There’s nothing original about this book.

This was a super cute easy read, I thought that Alec could have done with more depth, and the scandal could have done with being a bit more present- it only seems to ramp up in the last couple of chapters and is resolved super quick.

I absolutely LOVED Scandalized by Ivy Owens, it was such a fantastic read and a very easy five stars. I think this will be one of THE rom coms of the summer.

Scandalized is the story of Gigi Ross and Alexander (Alec) Kim, childhood friends who’ve not seen each other in 14 years. When their flight is grounded they reconnect, leading to a night of serious passion. But will this one night stand turn into something more? And why is it that Alec seems so familiar to her, beyond simply being a blast from the past?

I loved everything about this book. Owens has struck the perfect balance in creating this brilliant rom com. You have characters written with depth and humanity. You have a brilliant plot, with a dark undercurrent running through it. Finally there is the steam, steam so intense it will fog up all your windows!

I really liked both Gigi and Alec. Gigi is a plucky journalist who is working so hard to break a story that she has given so much to. The investigation she’s working on does need a CW but Owens thoughtfully puts this at the start of her book. Alec meanwhile is a kind and decent man, who just happens to be an international film and tv star. Their romance does fall into Insta-lust/Insta-love, but given their history and circumstances it worked really well, and their chemistry was off the charts.

The investigation that Gigi is working on throughout the book added so much depth, but also a lot of grit. This isn’t an easy investigation, as she tries to expose sexual abuse within a VIP club. This is a heavy topic but is dealt with deftly by Owens and never once does it feel a heavy read.

There is so much heart to this story and I found myself rooting for Gigi and Alec throughout. Don’t let this book pass you by, it’s really great!

This was pretty much a perfect contemporary romance for me.

Right off the bat, I loved Alexander and Georgia. Georgia had such a distinct voice from page one and their chemistry was off the charts and super believable. You can really feel them slip back into their childhood friendship. Although their relationship is quite insta-lovey (which I personally enjoy) it still feels like they have a strong foundation to fall back on.

Plot-wise, this was just cozy and comforting. If you grew up reading the abundance of celebrity/regular person fanfiction in 2008-2015, this is absolutely the book for you. This was the perfect blend of spice, plot, romance, and character development. I loved Georgia’s job plot line (I’m always here for reading about a badass woman who is killing it at her dream job) and I enjoyed the way the author tied Alexander and his sister into that plot line.

I can’t pretend that this story isn’t predictable. It goes exactly how you expect it to from the blurb and you know what? I loved that. This was a perfect, classic, celebrity/childhood best friend’s brother romance and, though it didn’t do anything particularly new, it didn’t everything absolutely spot on.

I can’t wait to pick up a physical copy of this one and I really really hope the author writes a Sunny/Yael book. Already obsessed with them.

Content warnings: Drugging, rape/sexual assault, filmed sexual acts without consent.

This is sweet and a little steamy and, though Gigi’s investigation into Jupiter’s sexual assault allegations is heavy, the story in general remains easy to read.
Despite how quickly the relationship between Gigi and Alec happens, I found myself buying into their connection as it becomes clear how comfortable they are with other (there’s a scene where they order food and watch movies and I honestly don’t know why but it turned me into a puddle).

Review will be published 10/08

Thankyou to Netgallery, Nosy Crow & Piatkus for the ARC

I loved this, so much. The chemistry, the plotline and characters were brilliant.
Always be careful with the cartoon covers, because they're always the least suspecting for smut.
However, it's the reason I requested it and I'm so glad I did. This is basically smut with a plotline haha
Great job, can't wait to read more by Ivy Owens.

Thank you to Nosy Crow, Piatkus and Netgalley for this ARC.
I saw they described this book as steamy I just didn't believe them. I thought this was going to be a cute rom-com. This was porn with a plot, but a good plot! like everything in this book was so well done. It was funny, cute, sad, honestly, just so good!

Thank you very much for the opportunity to read/review this book. Full review to follow both here and on the blog. This looks so interesting and like it would make a perfect movie. I can’t wait to read the adventures of Gigi and Alec. I can’t wait to see what this international scandal is all about as well. The investigative aspect really makes it super interesting as well. I hope this is the first of many of Ivys books I get to read.



THE STEAMY ROMCOM FOR THE SUMMER!

A one-night stand between two old childhood friends turns into something more, but when a scandal threatens to tear them apart, they must decide how hard to fight for love - a steamy romance debut perfect for fans of Tessa Bailey, Helen Hoang and Rosie Danan.

Exhausted and on deadline with a story that could make or break her career, investigative journalist Georgia Ross is on the verge of a meltdown when a cancelled flight leaves her stuck overnight in a city with no hotel rooms to be had. But when a familiar face appears - the older brother of her childhood friend - and offers help, Gigi finally seems to have caught a break.

Alec Kim is handsome, humble, and kind - exactly the sort of man that Gigi has forgotten existed after her own painful heartbreaks. An evening of reconnection followed by a night of no-strings-attached passion with Alec feels like a gift - that is, until Gigi finally realizes that their childhood connection isn't the only reason he seems so familiar to her. He also happens to be an international TV star. But as their feelings for each other grow deeper, Gigi and Alec must navigate a new reality... one where both of their hard-won careers are put directly in the path of an international scandal.