Sunday, March 16, 2014

Hootie's Review: The Redhead Revealed (Redhead #2) by Alice Clayton

Genre: Women's Fiction/Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Publication Date: November 5th 2013
Publisher: Gallery Books
Pages: 305
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased from Amazon


As their careers catch fire, Grace and Jack -- everyone’s favorite foul-mouthed, funny, and feisty couple -- find themselves on opposite coasts. Grace has landed in New York City, where she loves being onstage again, particularly because she’s playing a fabulous character in a musical written by her old college flame, Michael. Their rekindled friendship makes exploring the city that much more fun. Wait, it’s just friendship, right? Meanwhile, in L.A., Jack can scarcely keep up with the swirling throngs of women who track him everywhere he goes, the endless press appearances, and the ridiculous rules his manager, Holly, keeps concocting for him -- all part of the buildup to the release of Time, his steamy new film. Thank goodness for phone sex. But even when their schedules allow them to connect, Grace and Jack must keep their relationship off the radar and away from paparazzi cameras. Sure, the sex is sensational, but can this duo survive swirling rumors, the demands of their chosen professions, Grace’s raging internal battles, and a whopping nine-year age difference? Tick-tock, the clock is ticking. Isn’t it? Alice Clayton brings the second installment of a tale told with her magical mix of humor and heat, so cuddle up under the sheets and flip on the Golden Girls. Grace and Jack are at it again.





My Review:



"What goes up, must come down"

Sir Isaac Newton said it best when describing the law of gravity. That same principle can be said about relationships as well. What starts out good can sometimes take a turn for the not so good which is where The Redhead Revealed finds Jack and Grace. After solidifying their relationship and getting to a place where they understand each other and the circumstances surrounding them Jack and Grace embark on a new journey. One born of distance and loneliness. We find Grace in New York pursuing her career in an off Broadway play helmed by her ex friend and lover, Michael. Jack is back in L.A. handling his rising fame due to a popular book franchise turned movie deal. The two do the best they can to keep in touch with each other having nightly phone chats full of sexy banter and sweet nothings and visiting as often as they can. The chasm between them grows wider as their respective jobs keep them apart for longer periods of time and with Jack's agent Holly putting the kibosh on declaring themselves an item the tension ratchets up another notch.

Grace has always been sure of the path she wants to take. Pursuing her career with no time or much thought given about having children especially based on her age she seems perfectly content. It's not until a close friend makes an off handed comment that sends her reeling into her own thoughts of what she may be missing out on that causes a rift between her and Jack. God, this book tore me up! After reading the first book I became a die hard Jack and Grace fan and couldn't imagine them not being together. Grace is a woman after my own heart. She's even funnier in this one, more confident in herself and her acting ability and her love for Jack just makes me melt. Jack himself just gets better with every damn page turned and I can't seem to tear myself away from him. He's growing as the series moves on and demonstrates in this one how mature he is which is surprising since he is the younger one in this relationship. I was surprised he showed more depth between the two of them but I loved him for it. He never got flustered or rattled and showed determination to stand by Grace even when she was being difficult. The two are put to the test around the midway point that made me whimper for several chapters wondering if my beloved couple would weather the storm. 

The two of them have to fight through extenuating circumstances and dig deep into who they really are to find out how they can make it through this lifestyle they both chose to be in. Self doubt plagues Grace constantly throughout that really made it easy to relate to her feelings of inadequacy for Jack. Constantly being hounded about your age and seeing pictures playing up a celebrity super couple that you aren't a part of can mess with any woman's heart and mind. Grace's best friend Holly plays a bit of a roll in the bittersweet moments between Jack and Grace with her unsolicited advice and constant meddling. I really disliked Holly in this one despite the fact that she was only looking out for both her friends' well being. I don't fully understand the Hollywood scene but Clayton captured the dynamic of an agent/talent relationship. I'm very fiercely protective of my favorite couples and the inclusion of Michael in this story not only made my heart hurt but my stomach as well when his roll is played up a little further along in the story. 

What I love about a strong couple is their ability to fight for what they have and seeing how strong Grace and Jack are just makes me want something just as rock solid. This is the kind of love story I enjoy with my whole heart and being. Couples fight, couples break up, they do stupid things out of hurt and anger but the really great ones stick out the hard times and make things work so it goes without saying I was beyond ecstatic with the way this emotional roller coaster wrapped up. It was rough going through it but looking back and the journey from the beginning I wouldn't change a thing. I'm  little afraid to read the third book because the ending was so well done I can't imagine what's left to tell but I look forward it as much as I did the other two. The story of Jack and Grace is so wonderful it makes me wish these two people were real as much as I love them. The amazing and sexy yet sweet moments between Jack and Grace are so abundant and special it totally takes the sting out of the hard times. The Redhead series has quickly become one of my favorite book series I've ever had the pleasure of reading, so if you haven't experienced the magic that is George and Gracie it's not too late! 


Quotes:

I saw nothing but the front of Jack's t-shirt as I clung tightly to him, the colors beginning to swim as I blinked back sudden tears. I smelled nothing but the scent of warm pipe tobacco, cozy chimney smoke, chocolate, and Hamilton. I felt nothing but his strong arms enveloping me and his hands running up and down my back, soothing my shaking body. I heard nothing but his quiet laughter, and then his perfect voice whispered, "Aw Gracie, I missed you too." Page 24

"Sheridan, if I wanted to make you stay in all night with me, all I'd have to do is wave some candy in front of you and then kiss on your sweet boobies. You'd be putty in my hands." He grinned sexily. "There's candy?" I asked, looking around excitedly. Jack laughed so hard he fell off the bed. Page 40

"You know I love your body. I mean, come on, you're beautiful. But it's you, my Grace,who I fell in love with - The chex-eating, foul mouthed, funny girl. And nothing's going to change that." Page 72

"This wonderful heart right here?" I said, tapping his chest. The side of his mouth quirked up a little. "This is the heart I need. And if I have this - and a little schmaltz - I don't need anything else in the world." Page 225




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.

Links:
WEBSITE

  









4 comments:

  1. That's what I love about Jack and Grace! They fight for their love (that and they're absolutely adorable).

    ReplyDelete
  2. This book almost killed me, but I love George and Gracie so hard.

    I'm so glad you love this. Now read book three!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have this on my to read list but with so many books it keeps sinking further down :(
    I may have to pull it back up again - thanks

    LJ
    http://ljsecretaddiction.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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