Hootie's Review: The Unidentified Redhead (Redhead #1) by Alice Clayton

Genre: Women's Fiction

Age Group: Adult

Publication Date: February 14th 2013

Series: Redhead #1

Publisher: Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster

Format: Paperback Galley

Source: Provided by publisher for review

When Grace Sheridan returns to Los Angeles to become a working actress, it’s a second shot at a life-long dream. With some help from her best-friend agent, will that dream become a reality—or at thirty-three, has Grace missed her chance at the big time? And when an unexpected sizzling romance with Jack Hamilton, the entertainment industry's newest “it” boy, threatens to shine an uncomfortable spotlight on her life, how will that affect her career…and his? Funny, borderline neurotic Grace is perfect in her imperfections, and the sexual chemistry between her and charming yet blissfully unaware Jack is off the charts. With laugh-out-loud dialogue and a super-steamy romance that will get your heart racing, sneaking around in L.A. and dodging the paparazzi has never been so fun.

My Review:

I really wish this would have been the first Alice Clayton book I read. I made the mistake of reading Wallbanger not too long ago and not that it was bad it just didn't impress me with all the hype surrounding it. I almost wanted to steer clear of Clayton reads because of it but one of my close friends promised me I would love this. She was right. The Unidentified Redhead was witty, charming, gooey and sweet and absolutely romantic and HOT!

Grace Sheridan is back in Hollywood after a failed attempt at an on screen career. She's a little older now and has found her drive to succeed and follow her dreams. Staying with her friend Holly who just so happens to be an agent to top H-Wood celebs gives her a foot in the door. I have to say that Grace is my new girl crush! It's very rare that a female book character makes me fall in love with them but it happened with her. She was funny, spunky, sexy and independent. I loved watching her go after what she wanted and absolutely connected with her personal journey. She's coming off of a few years bad depression and slight weight gain after she moved away from LA but she's more determined to be happy. Her determination was a character trait I felt any woman of any age could relate to no matter where at in life you happen to be. Grace was an amazing inspiration and just adorable and lovable throughout.

The story was already amazing and fun but when Jack Hamilton comes onto the scene I become an ADDICT! Jack was this smoldering up and coming young actor Grace meets at one Holly's client parties. The two are immediately drawn to each other. Jack was absolutely FANTASTIC! He was the kind of guy I would totally molest in real life. Jack was very humble and down to earth even though his career was taking off being the romantic lead from a  book franchise being made a movie. The thing I loved most about Jack is he wasn't some damaged alpha male jerk. He was very sweet but at the same time he could be extremely sexy. It was so funny to see how he reacted to attention from his fans. Being a hot British actor women had a tendency to throw themselves at him or become giggling idiots when he was nearby. He was amazing to Grace especially when they were out in public and she was intimidated by his attention. I really loved and appreciated that he wanted to be seen with her even if it wasn't good for his image. 

Jack and Grace made such a great couple and I loved watching the slow progression of their courtship. They don't rush into anything and aside from their sexual attraction and fast and loose reputation associated with H-Wood they actually took time to get to know each other. They built something authentic with nights full of Golden Girls, sharing bags of chex mix and OH GOD the hot sex! The chemistry between them freaking HOT, intense and steamy. I liked knowing that they fooled around A LOT before they actually had sex, even though I'm not sure a couple in real life could wait that long but I bought it with them. These two develop a deep bond that gets stronger the more they fall for each other. Jack further proved his awesomeness when he supported Grace's career even when they faced separation because of it. I'm such a sap, I loved every second of their love story and felt the pacing of it and the timing were well plotted out. 

Grace's friend Holly was a pleasantly hilarious addition to the story. The friendship between the two felt like a real bond between them and reminded me of my girls. On top of that, throw in the lovable gay sidekick Nick and I was in stitches! I wouldn't mind seeing a book Holly or Nick, they had so much personality between the two of them! I want Holly's story so hopefully I will see her more in the next book!

The Unidentified Redhead was one of the best books I have read lately. I couldn't bring myself to put it down and spent 12 hours locked in my closet to finish it. I can't think of one thing about this book that I didn't like. Even the excessive use of the word Hoo-Hah (Which should be banned from all literature IMO) didn't irk me as much. The laughter and romance had me at the author's mercy and I can't wait to see what is in store for Grace and George. (You thought his name was Jack didn't ya? Guess you have to read it to get the inside joke!) If you haven't read this book I'm telling you, you are missing a really great story! This book left me with a much needed book hangover. I haven't stopped thinking about it for days. READ IT! *whispers* Reead Itttt.

Quotes:

It was soft and sweet. It was tentative and deliberate all at the same time. He kissed me once, then again, and then a third time, with a little more grrr behind it. His scent, which up until now I had somehow overlooked, filled my nostrils. He smelled like sand and sun and sweat, mixed with chocolate and smoke. Not icky cigarette smoke, but warm pipe tobacco and chimney smoke all rolled into one. Sweet Jesus, he's like your own personal s'more. Page 63

"I got a hole that needs fillin', a field that needs plowin', and a stocking that needs to be stuffed." He arched an eyebrow. "That's very crude, Love," he said, chastising me, his eyes dancing with mischief. "Now get the hell up those stairs, get in the shower, wash your kibbles and bits, and then drive my Randy ass up to Santa Barbra so you can make me see God." Page 223

I continued to stare at him, marvelling still at how lucky I was to have him - and realized with surprise he was lucky to have me, too. For whatever reason, he needed me as I needed him. And that was it. He was the yin to my yang, the frick to my frack, the Melba toast to my chex. We'd never stood a chance of trying to fight this - for me, he was the one. Page 303

About The Author:

Novelist Alice Clayton makes her home in St. Louis where she enjoys gardening but not weeding, baking but not cleaning up after, and is trying desperately to get her long-time boyfriend to make her an honest woman--and please buy her a Bernese Mountain dog. After working for years in the cosmetics industry as a makeup artist, esthetician, and educator, Alice picked up a pen (read laptop) for the first time at 33 to begin a new career: author. Having never written anything longer than a grocery list, she soon found writing to be the creative outlet she'd been missing since walking away from the theater 10 years before. She has a great time combining her love of storytelling with a sense of silly, and she was shocked and awed to be nominated for a Goodreads Author award in 2010 for her debut novels, the first two installments of The Redhead Series--The Unidentified Redhead and The Redhead Revealed. Her latest novel Wallbanger is a return to her trademark comedic erotica, or funny smut, that Alice has become known for. Additionally, Alice loves spending time with her besties on Not Your Mother's Podcast (check them out on iTunes) and has recently partnered with actor Greg Grunberg, blogger Brittany Gibbons, and actress Keili Lefkovitz on a new travel show that will begin filming in January. Alice enjoys pickles, Bloody Marys, eight hours of sleep and a good pounding.

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