Turner Gable Kahn's first book, The Dirty Version, is a hot romance that deftly weaves a gripping love story with astute observations on the world of entertainment and modern feminism. The setup is immediately intriguing: Tash, writer of a hit feminist novel, is assigned to "sex up" her novel for a Hollywood remake. This sets her on difficult partnership with Caleb, a charming intimacy coordinator.

The following is a delicious combination of banter and tension as Tash and Caleb work through their professional and personal chemistry. Kahn expertly tracks power dynamics, female sexuality, and artistic integrity in the competitive world of film. Beyond the hot romance, the novel provides a witty, layered examination of how women's stories get shaped and watered down for mass audiences. Readers will enjoy the imperfect but human protagonist and the timely discussion the book inspires. It's a new, engrossing read that threatens both to entertain and to make readers think.

There’s something incredibly satisfying about a book that can be both playful and unapologetically bold in its ideas. The writing is snappy and fun, but never shallow. Every moment between Tash and Caleb felt earned, every argument a mix of stubbornness, attraction, and mutual challenge that made the eventual slow-burn payoff so rewarding. I loved how smart the romance was without ever becoming cold or too clever. This book knows exactly what it’s doing and does it brilliantly. It’s messy, sexy, thoughtful and deeply satisfying. I loved every second.

I really liked the premise of this (hence requesting the ARC): author sells her one-and-only book, a feminist dystopian fantasy, to be made into a streaming series but balks at working with an intimacy co-ordinator to “sex it up”. However, the execution of the concept sadly fell flat for me. Part of it was the writing style: there were some strangely constructed sentences and odd word choices that pulled me out of the narrative far too frequently. The rest of it was Tash, who I could not get to grips with at all. She comes across as over-sensitive, intolerant, and far too enamoured of her own opinions, and although I appreciate she has a path to character growth, I was at 87% in the book and still thinking “for God’s sake get over yourself” which means any chance of true sympathy with her is long gone. Still, I liked Caleb, Janelle, and Rohan’s characterisation, and the insight into the industry seemed realistic.

A nice summer read. Easy to read, follows the main character's fight to ensure the Hollywood production of her novel stays true to the original.

Rating: 3.5⭐️
Following Tash through the turmoil of having her book turned into a tv show where the producer wants ‘the dirty version’ going against everything Tash wants her book to stand for. In steps Caleb, a male intimacy coordinator, to help spice things up but the two clash instantly in a ball of tension and witty banter.

This is the perfect summer read! The combination of slow-burn tension, humour, romance and deeper social issue, making it more than your typical steamy romance.
I swooned over Tash and Caleb, watching them grow together throughout the book and the chemistry between them was undeniable with moments that had me laughing out loud.

If you love Emily Henry or Beth O’Leary you’ll adore this one.

Thankyou Turner Gable Khan and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc

The dirty version
⭐️⭐️⭐️
- writer x intimacy coordinator
- workplace romance
- forced proximity
- grumpy x sunshine

Ok, so, I have mixed feelings about this one. In a general sense, it was kinda fun reading at the moment but I don't think I would be thinking about this book anymore, it didn't left a big stamp on me.

Things I liked:
- the main characters: I think that both, but especially Tash were flawed but there was an evolution and even if I didn't agreed with everything they did, I was still rooting for them
- I enjoy the balance between comedy, romance and actual deep social commentary on genre dynamics within Hollywood and female empowerment

Things I didn't liked:
- the miscommunication: I'm sorry but I just couldn't get past it. It's not a trope I usually enjoy
- the third person narration made it at times difficult for me to connect with the characters and their story

Also, a moment of appreciation for the fact that this book is called The dirty version while giving us exclusively closed door sex scenes between the couple, you gotta love the irony.

Overall, like I said before, not a bad book but that's it. Good to read while sit by a pool.

For me, a sadly disappointing novel after the exciting hype. The idea for the book is a good one: Tash has written a feminist first novel and should over the moon when there is interest from Hollywood. However the assigned producer wishes to sexify and change the premise of the feminist novel and totally alter the author’s aims and values. This idea is credible, and the ensuing battle over big screen success versus staying true to your dream and style. However I did not believe in the characters nor enjoy the writing style.

Such a fun and easy read, I ended up finishing it in one sitting without even meaning to. The writing flows so well and it never felt like a slog to get through, which is exactly what I needed. It’s one of those books that pulls you in straight away and keeps you hooked.

I really loved the characters, they felt properly three dimensional, which isn’t always something you get with romance books. They were relatable and had a good bit of depth, and the chemistry between them actually made sense. Even the side characters added something to the story without feeling like extras just thrown in.

The premise was great too. It had just enough tension to keep things interesting, but overall it was such a feel-good read. If you’re in a bit of a reading slump or just fancy something light but well done, this one’s definitely worth picking up.

This was sweet but it didn't land for me. The male character is HOT but the female MC is very irritating. She's incredibly whiny and difficult. This did make the story hard to get into. Also, I didn't always follow her motivations eg I remain unconvinced that killing a baby (this is a plot point in the FMC's own book) would ever work. That was a real stumbling block for me as I didn't understand why the FMC would push to keep it.

Overall this is a good solid romance, but it didn't pull me in.

I wasn't really a fan of our FMC, however I think the parts of her character that annoyed me were addressed towards the end of the book so this may be by design. I did like that this was addressed be other characters.

My favorite part of the book however was Caleb's backstory, i loved this and thought it was so different and imaginative!

A fun and sweet little romance novel about a first time author who's book is being turned into a film and the resulting tension having to work with an intimacy coordinator for the script. It has some nice witty dialogue and I enjoyed reading it.

loved this book a little. it was full of humor and wit and the characters were strong in their own rights.
i did really enjoy our FMC owning and holding her strength and sometimes rage. there is a reason for it and it didnt just become a trope or cop out. she might grow and learn things along the way but i never felt her courage in herself wavering in cliche moments.
this is a definite good beach or pool read. you would happily be smiling and giggling with this book anywhere though.
Tash is the author of a book she has worked so hard to get actioned. she hasnt given up on her vision, so when its taken on by a huge movie director its feels like a win. until he says he want her movie to be a more risqué version of the book. lets just see this isnt helping Tash's rage. she then gets assigned an intimacy coordinator who as you might expect she isnt happy to be working with! but as they navigate the scenes together they also have to start navigating their own "scenes" together. and as their own intimacy creeps in to their time together they have to work hard to keep to the script.
but things are starting to blur and Tash is afraid it could effect keeping on eye and control of her work. can she and Caleb be brave enough? do they want to be? will this new found connection continue after the filming calls cut?
this book was full of brightness and love. its held heart and humour in a wonderful revolving balance. i liked this book alot.

This was a lighthearted, easy read, perfect for reading on the beach!
It was fun & a nice bit of escapism

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Tash sold her book rights for a TV adaptation to an indie filmmaker who promised to bring her vision to life, only for the script to be traded several times until it ended up in the hands of a big action movie director who seemed like a completely wrong fit for Tash's feminist dystopian novel. She then has to work with Caleb, the intimacy coordinator who is her best bet to both keep her vision alive while giving the movie studio what they want.

This novel was a breath of fresh air. The dialogues are witty, the connection between Tash and Caleb electric, and the idea to have them choreographing intimate scenes while falling for each other was brilliant and sexy.

The writing is also really convincing in making me care about the novel within the novel. I could feel Tash's anguish when things started slipping out of her control and her protectiveness over the integrity of her creation. I went in expecting a cute romance, but got so much more. I found the plot original and it made me think of the process of adaptation from a whole new angle.

Thank you, NetGalley and Verve Books, for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley, Verve Books, and the author for granting my request to read this e-ARC and provide my honest opinions.

From the very first page Tash was introduced to us, the readers, I knew she was carrying a lot of rage and ready to deposit that rage on anybody. Her feminist dystopian novel honestly felt more compelling than the actual love story unfolding in the background, to be honest.

Tash’s messy dynamic with her parents and exes made her feel layered and real, while Caleb, soft-spoken and gentle, was her perfect contrast.

When I saw the title, The Dirty Version, I was expecting more spice, but this romance is definitely fade-to-black, closed-door. I enjoyed the banter between Tash, who wrote this one powerful novel, and Braverman, who bought the film rights to the story, and how protective she was of her book baby but yet how flawed she is.

I also loved the side characters, Janelle especially. And seriously… who calls their sister Trash as a nickname?

Overall, this was a strong, engaging debut— and can I read The Colony ?Thank you once again for the e-ARC.

I enjoyed the characters and the premise of this book, it sounded sexy and a different take on a romance, the writing is a bit flowery and long winded, but overall this is an enjoyable novel.

Tash is an independent author who has written a “dystopian feminist” hit drawing a body of passionate readers. When optioning her book to the big screen she has been picked up by a production house who are not known for their kid gloves or accurate rendering of feminine power. Enter, Caleb, mild mannered and patient intimacy choreographer, to work with Tash to bring her words to life through the spice on the screen. Where Tash is protective and resents giving ground, Caleb tries to bring her to the middle so as not to alienate the production company while developing a hot and heavy relationship.

As readers, we classically want authors to ‘show us, don’t tell’ and this is Caleb’s job in bringing Tash’s book to the screen. The irony that I wanted the author to do the same was not lost on me.

The 3rd person POV worked but holds the reader at arms length. The prose has moments of being very flowery and wordy. Just get to the point.
I find miscommunication isn’t a favourite trope of mine. The Dirty Version is circuitous to the max and the 3rd act blow-up is self-orchestrated. My sympathy or emathy for the FMC was a small range. I understand the plot choice but this character was in her own way despite the open doors available to her.

Speaking of doors, this leaned to closed door fade to black, which was classy given the topic. This is the second book I have read in recent time that uses the #metoo movement for the framework of their workplace romance plot.
3.5-4

My thanks to Netgalley and Verve Books for the eARC to read ahead of publication. All opinions are my own

The Dirty Version by Turner Gable Kahn is a fun and steamy debut romance that delves into the tension and chemistry between a feminist author and an intimacy coordinator as they collaborate on writing sex scenes for a TV series based on her hit book.

Tash, the author, is thrilled when the dramatic rights to her surprise hit book are purchased by an indie film studio. But things take an unexpected turn when a big-shot action-movie director demands a more risqué version of her book, pushing her strong, complex female characters into roles that feel like mere eye candy. Assigned to work with Caleb, the studio's intimacy coordinator, Tash is frustrated. She’s convinced Caleb is the enemy, a handsome man who doesn’t understand her vision. However, as they work together to transform her characters, sparks fly—both creatively and romantically.

What begins as a professional collaboration soon turns into a passionate relationship. Tash is torn between her growing attraction to Caleb and her determination to maintain control over her work. As their personal and professional lives blur, they must navigate the complex intersection of love, creativity, and career.

Kahn’s writing is witty and engaging, capturing the tension and chemistry between the characters beautifully. The dialogue is sharp and full of humour, and the setting in coastal Florida adds an unexpected charm to the romance. The book does an excellent job of exploring the complexities of falling in love while trying to retain a sense of self. With relatable characters and a plot full of twists and turns, The Dirty Version is a delightful and entertaining read for anyone who enjoys steamy romance with a dash of humour.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Ah well the story is about adding spice into the script, but I wished this was also added in the actual book… I had some trouble with the flow of the writing too as I kept losing interest and/or felt disconnected to the story and characters. Even 50% into the book I felt so detached.
Sadly, not one for me.

3 out of 5 stars

It’s never great when you like the sound of the book mentioned in the one you are reading better. That’s how this went down. I wanted to read the feminist dystopian that the main character, Tash wrote in the book then the romcom she was in. She has a complicated relationship with men. All men in general and most of her family but yet we are meant to believe that she isn’t the problem and everyone else was. She meets and immediately gets off on the wrong foot with the man who has to help her write the ‘sexy’ script for an adaptation of her bestselling book. He is an intimacy coordinator expect that is never fully explained why he is important and is just sort of assumed that he needs to be here. They eventually get together but in my opinion is because of the heightened pheromones of writing sex scenes all day and not a genuine connection. Then as we have learnt before, Tash learns something that makes her fly off the handle and comes back to all men are bad and I should have nothing to do with them. Spoiler she doesn’t listen to herself again.

Whilst this book is quite frustrating it did have good pacing and I actually enjoyed the male lead, Caleb. The book is worth the read as long as you accept the book Tash wrote is better then the one the author wrote about Tash.

Three words to describe the book:
Script
Trees
Longing