Scoundrels & Scotch (Top Shelf, #3)

by Alta Hensley

[Eve1972]

 
 
I have been enjoying this series a lot and was SOOO looking forward to Victor and his dolls. I was expecting something hot and kinky and dark. Alas, this one while still an enjoyable read overall, failed to quite live up to my high expectations... 





That said, I still really do enjoy this author's writing style, and it continued to be very good with this book. The pace was a bit up and down for me. The first 60% was slow and nothing really happened. I struggled to feel a connection between Victor and Ivy. I was halfway through the book and the only thing Victor cared about was the show and Ivy doing well in it. I honestly didn't feel ANY sexual interest from Victor towards Ivy until they finally do the deed just short of two-thirds into the story. Then finally at 60%, we get some sex scenes and the book went into hyper speed from that point on. This was a fairly quick read and I kind of feel like that author would have been better served tightening up the first 60% and spending more page space drawing out the last 40%. Although even with those issues I still found the plot engaging.


 


I also loved that the author didn't go with the old cliché OW drama when it came to the other dolls. The ones that get the spotlight as secondary characters were all very kind to Ivy. The sex scenes once we get to them were hot if a little all over the place. We get a "daddy" once but that is never brought up again. We get Victor domineering Ivy, then Ivy domineering Victor (which felt a bit out of place with Victor's character). I didn't find this book angsty in the least and like I mentioned there was no OW drama or OM drama. Both the main characters were likable. I would have liked to have seen them both fleshed out more. Especially Victor. He had the potential to be SO dark and kinky. I think for me these books are just a bit too short and it makes them feel underdeveloped and rushed (in parts). Last, this one was wrapped up in an OK ending. I didn't like Victor's decision. I also felt it was rushed, and we were left with a loose end as to who was the baddie ultimately behind the attack. Maybe it will be addressed in upcoming books?

So this one was a bit of a mixed bag for me. Some good things. Some disappointing things. That said, I am still firmly onboard for the next book in the series which sounds like it will be a smokin' hot taboo book. Yours truly is giving this one a solid thumbs up.