REVIEW: Turn It Up by Inez Kelley

Title: Turn It Up
Author: Inez Kelley 
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: NetGalley
Published: August 1, 2011 by Carina Press

Dr. Bastian Talbot and self-proclaimed sex goddess Charlie Pierce heat up the air waves with their flirty banter as radio hosts Dr. Hot and the Honeypot. Off the air, they're best friends…but Bastian wants to be so much more. He wants Charlie—in bed, and forever.

Problem is, Charlie doesn't do commitment. Sure, she's had X-rated fantasies of Bastian, but he was always just a friend—until he impulsively proposes and unleashes the lust they've been denying for years. Charlie's willing to explore where their wild chemistry leads, but she won't marry him. And he won't have sex with her until she accepts his proposal, despite her seductive schemes.

What are Dr. Hot and the Honeypot to do? Ask their listeners for advice on how to tame a sex kitten and turn a perfect gentleman into a shameless lover. The Race to Wed or Bed is on…who will turn up on top?

Why I Read this Book: I loved Sweet as Sin (my review). It was a great emotional read and even though it was the first book I read by this author, I knew I wanted more. So when I saw Turn It Up on NetGalley, I snapped it up in a jiffy. So far, Inez Kelly is 2 for 2 with me.

What I Liked: While Turn It Up wasn’t as intense of a read like Sweet as Sin was, it was still every bit delectable. The author writes well-developed characters. And I loved the chemistry between Charlie and Bastian.

I love a good friends-to-lovers romance and Turn It Up fit the bill. I like that the author turned the tables; it wasn’t the guy looking for just sex, it was the female character. They’ve been BFFs for 6 years and she doesn’t want to jeopardize their friendship in the name of love. She’s down with having casual sex with him but Bastian wants the whole package – marriage – so he isn’t giving up the goods so fast.

I loved the on air antics between Charlie and Bastian! Their late night radio program, Let’s Talk About Sex with Dr. Hot and the Honeypot, was filled with sexual innuendos and witty banter that just rolled off the tip of their tongues. They just bounced right off one another. The chemistry between them – on the air and off – was undeniable. It was one of my favorite parts of the book.

What I Didn’t Like: I wish there had been an epilogue but there wasn’t. I know, me and my epilogues.

I read Turn It Up right after reading a book about a single woman seeking a sperm donor in order to have a child. I have to wonder why a sperm donor or adoption was never considered by Bastian and his wife (when they were still married). He wanted children so badly yet neither of these options ever came up as a possibility.

I didn’t like ‘Bastian’ as a nickname for Sebastian but what can you do. (This is just a tiny weenie thing and had no effect on my rating of the book.)

Overall Impression: Turn It Up was dripping with sexual tension and loaded with funny, flirtatious banter. And you won’t look at peaches the same way after reading this book.

The Book Vixen’s Rating: