Item: A is for Abstinence
Rating: 4.00
Author: ladygrey

by Kelly Oram

"It may have been four years, Kyle, but that doesn’t mean I don’t remember how you operate."

I snatched her hand as she reached to open the door to the studio. I wasn’t ready to end this moment alone with her. "You don’t think I’ve learned a few things since then?"

She smirked and shook her head. "New tricks. Same dog."

It was impossible not to take her words as a challenge. I pushed her back until she was pinned against the door and leaned in close enough that our breaths mingled. Her eyes snapped wide the same way they always had whenever I’d invaded her personal space, and I watched, satisfied, as she sucked in a lung full of air and held it.

"That mentality will be your downfall this time around, Val." I leaned in, letting my lips linger at her jawline for a moment too long before bringing them to her ear. "Same old tricks," I whispered. "New man."

With that, I kissed her cheek and breezed past her into the studio, leaving her flustered and in need of another moment to collect herself all over again.

…

Best selling YA romance author Kelly Oram takes her first dive into new adult romance with this heartfelt and hilarious tale of a rockstar and a virgin.

Rockstar to the core, Six-time Grammy Award-winning musician Kyle Hamilton has it all—money, fame, talent, good looks, and a job he loves. His only regret in life: walking away from a certain notorious virgin because he was too prideful, stubborn, and even afraid to give her the only thing she asked of him—his abstinence.

Four years and a broken heart later, Kyle realizes that sex isn’t everything, and he suddenly can’t stop thinking about the girl that got away. Virgin Val Jensen got under his skin like no one else ever has. He wasn’t ready for her then, but things are different now. He’s grown up, he’s learned a few things, and he’s finally figured out exactly what he wants, or, rather, who he wants.

Kyle Hamilton wants a do-over, and this time he’s willing to do—or not do—whatever it takes.

Note from the author: A is for Abstinence is the second and final installment in the V is for Virgin series. While V is for Virgin was a young adult book, A is for Abstinence is a new adult romance and was intended for a more mature audience. Not only is this story told from the perspective of a notorious bad boy, the characters have grown from the first book and are older now. The book was written with a more mature audience in mind. It's still PG-13 (I don't write graphic sex scenes) but it's not as clean as my YA romance. Please keep that in mind if you're a sensitive reader or thinking about passing it to your teenage daughters.

I'm tempted to give this 4 stars but I don't know if that's because I *just* read it and so am still a bit enthralled or if it's actually that good. I suppose I'll decide to be a bit overrated and pull it back later, if necessary.

But this is one of the better Kelly Oram books I've read. I was reluctant at first. [b:More than Jamie Baker|16162774|More Than Jamie Baker (Jamie Baker, #2)|Kelly Oram|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1363223607l/16162774._SY75_.jpg|22005265] and [b:Chameleon|16047646|Chameleon (Supernaturals, #1)|Kelly Oram|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1353464808l/16047646._SY75_.jpg|21827630] really let me down so I wasn't excited to dive into this one, even though I enjoyed [b:V is For Virgin|15703297|V is for Virgin (V is for Virgin, #1)|Kelly Oram|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1345676801l/15703297._SY75_.jpg|21364310] well enough and was curious about Kyle and Val's story after it ended. I wanted the happy ending for them.

And boy, did I get it. This book is dedicated to the fans and she totally gave us exactly what we needed. This novel was more focused and well written narratively than any of the others. Oram's books tend to feel like they drag out a little too far at the end and aren't quite as tight as they could be - just in need of a bit of editing. This one was edited well. The plot moved along at a nice clip, built up well, hit the climax and ended as it should.

The characters were also rather great. After I finished, I went back and read pieces of the first book. The characters in that one were very much teenagers - impulsive and emotional and irrational - it was part of the fun of the first book. But in this one the characters have matured and communicate even when they get their feelings hurt and compromise and it was really kind of cool to see them grown up. Kyle's narration was really fun. He's playful and egotistical and doesn't apologize for it but he's also thoughtful and sweet, sometimes. I just really like characters that are honest and don't pull punches and then don't apologize for it. And both Kyle and Val are that kind of character.

The title makes it pretty clear this is a book that talks about sex, but it's really more about their hearts and the story and conversations handle the topic in a very real way. But the story is also funny. And sweet. And kind of fun to live in Kyle's completely idolized rock star world.

oh, but the fashion!! So, so bad! Cara, our award winning daytime soap opera actress who is married to a rock star wants to dress "conservatively" for a lunch so she wears a jean skirt! and it's not a period piece set in the 90s!! And when Val gets dressed up for her first date with Kyle - she wears something "classy and tasteful" because that's exactly how one describes a strapless red cocktail dresses. It's a good thing it made me laugh for other reasons too.

A is for Abstinence

by Kelly Oram

Reviewed by ladygrey on Jan 24, 2015

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