Sigrid H. (sigrid) reviewed Unlaced: The Ties That Bind / Undone / Controlled Response / Rubies and Black Velvet on + 55 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
The common denominator between the stories isn't just a corset, it's strong sensuality and great writing. I can't bring myself to give this five stars, but it's definitely a little more than 4. Probably 4 1/2.
Jaci Burton's "The Tie That Binds" - There's nothing very original about the premise, but I loved the emotions running between the hero and the heroine as they come back together after their daughter graduates from high school. They gave the tamer erotic scenes depth that really got to me.
Jasmine Haynes' "Undone" - My favorite of the anthology by far. Incredibly sensual, highly romantic, with two leads I would want to know in real life. Dirk is the perfect balance, strong yet gentlemanly when the time came for it. Even though I don't like headhopping (and this author does it), I barely even noticed.
Joey W. Hill's "Controlled Response" - Ms. Hill is the reason I bought this anthology in the first place, so it's hard to admit this was my least favorite of the bunch. Not because it isn't well written or richly characterized. It is. But it just seemed to go on forever. It's the second in a series with these amazing businessmen (the first is "Board Resolution" which I liked a lot more than this one), but it stands well enough on its own.
Denise Rossetti's "Rubies and Black Velvet" - The only non-contemporary of the bunch. I never thought the balance between the demon backstory and the wonderfully romantic story of Meg and John was very smooth, and honestly, probably would have preferred it left out completely. The characters were well developed on their own to carry the novella, and while this was likely the least erotic of the entire anthology, the emotions between the hero and heroine leapt off the page, whether they were loving, fighting or crying.
Overall, one of the strongest anthologies I've read in a long time. Just because Hill's story wasn't my favorite, doesn't mean I don't think it's worth 4 stars. It's just that the first two were worth 5, in my opinion.
Jaci Burton's "The Tie That Binds" - There's nothing very original about the premise, but I loved the emotions running between the hero and the heroine as they come back together after their daughter graduates from high school. They gave the tamer erotic scenes depth that really got to me.
Jasmine Haynes' "Undone" - My favorite of the anthology by far. Incredibly sensual, highly romantic, with two leads I would want to know in real life. Dirk is the perfect balance, strong yet gentlemanly when the time came for it. Even though I don't like headhopping (and this author does it), I barely even noticed.
Joey W. Hill's "Controlled Response" - Ms. Hill is the reason I bought this anthology in the first place, so it's hard to admit this was my least favorite of the bunch. Not because it isn't well written or richly characterized. It is. But it just seemed to go on forever. It's the second in a series with these amazing businessmen (the first is "Board Resolution" which I liked a lot more than this one), but it stands well enough on its own.
Denise Rossetti's "Rubies and Black Velvet" - The only non-contemporary of the bunch. I never thought the balance between the demon backstory and the wonderfully romantic story of Meg and John was very smooth, and honestly, probably would have preferred it left out completely. The characters were well developed on their own to carry the novella, and while this was likely the least erotic of the entire anthology, the emotions between the hero and heroine leapt off the page, whether they were loving, fighting or crying.
Overall, one of the strongest anthologies I've read in a long time. Just because Hill's story wasn't my favorite, doesn't mean I don't think it's worth 4 stars. It's just that the first two were worth 5, in my opinion.
Rebecca D. (floridagirl) reviewed Unlaced: The Ties That Bind / Undone / Controlled Response / Rubies and Black Velvet on + 103 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
4 short stories. 1st one is good. I haven't read a Jaci Burton book yet that I didn't love. 2nd one is good. Will look for more books by this author. 3rd one was ok. 4th was pathetic at best. I didn't even finish the 4th story.
Lori M. (mshrm) - reviewed Unlaced: The Ties That Bind / Undone / Controlled Response / Rubies and Black Velvet on + 144 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Good stories, lots of happily ever after. I thought some of the sex was pretty vanilla.
