Decadent

Wicked Lovers Series, Book 2

By: Shayla Black

Narrated by: Lexi Maynard

Length: 13 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

How can a virgin seeking happily ever after with a hot pop star who has a penchant for threesomes win her fantasy man? Kimber Edgington desperately needs a plan to convince Jesse McCall, who's been her friend and secret crush since they spent a summer together as teenagers, that they are meant for each other. But all the tabloid stories about his sexual escapades make her feel oh so inadequate.

Determined to prove she's woman enough for Jesse, Kimber turns to bodyguard Deke Trenton for sexual education. Bold and brash, Deke warns Kimber that playing with him is playing with fire. But he can't bear to imagine the innocent beauty in someone else's arms. So Deke and his super sexy cousin, Luc, take Kimber under their wings and dangerously close to the edge of ecstasy. Though she's saved herself for Jesse, Kimber soon learns he's not the man adept at stroking her aching, endless need. That's Deke, and he can't resist when Kimber begs for more-and more.

©2007 Shelley Bradley, LLC (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Hot sex scenes, a strong yet innocent heroine, two devastatingly sexy heroes and enough danger, intrigue and tragic pasts to keep the pages turning." ( Romantic Times)

Good 2nd Book

Very good continuation of Wicked Ties. I loved the characters but I must say Deke's issue doesn't really make sense. It does, but it doesn't. I kinda feel like Black just needed to end the book so she came up with the lame reason for Deke's issue. Everything was on the same level as Wicked Ties up until that point. Still worth a good listen. Worth the credit. Just wait for your free credit. Don't buy this, use a free credit. Great listen though. Amazing smex! A little tooo amazing to be real if you ask me.

Spoilers...

** spoiler alert ** I liked this book more than the first in the series, but it still has a few problems...

This book was filled with knock your socks off steamy scenes, the problem for me is that Deke and Luc are cousins. That's weird for me. I know they don't actually touch each other during their sexcapades, but it's just weird. I felt like Luc was the gay best friend that is scared to come out of the closet. He's too sensitive. Deke is emotionally damaged and Kimber is his savior... we've heard this story before. Not to mention that the crime doesn't fit the punishment so to speak.

Kimber's infatuation with a pop star is believable - but if she were truly in love with him would she really have let two mostly strange men do those hot and steamy things to her as tutors? In reality, no; but it makes the book interesting and we read books to escape reality, right?! Jesse's obsession with Kimber however is rather odd and I could have done without that whole part of the story.. but it leads to the only non steamy action scene in the book - where we finally see the original Deke - super hot, masculine, kick ass body guard.

Overall it was a good listen. (audio book)

You have to hand it Shayla, she can write some awesome sex scenes. For the most part the story is good, especially for the length of the book, I was never bored with it, always interested in what was going to happen next, and definitely a little hot under the collar a few times.

Deke thinks too much........

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you are reading the series you may want to read it.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Typical......

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Kimber's voice was fingernails on a chalkboard.....very annoying.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wanted to get it over with...

Is Two better then One?

This is my least favorite of the series. Deke was wonderful in the first book but I agree with other reviewers he was a little too tortured and tormented in this one. However his partner in crime cousin Luc is well worth admission. Kimber's character does not inspire much, shes smart and has a great background with Deke and Jessie her pop star but didn't really care much about her. Thought her scenes with Luc were hotter then with Deke. I know I would have done a lot less talking if I found myself between these two men.

Baby doll narrative voice

This one was difficult to finish. Lexi's narration of Kimber was in a baby doll/child's voice and it was like nails on a chalkboard. Deke seemed kicked back and smooth in the first book of the series, then was a borderline neurotic ass in this one. Overall, it was an eh/eye rolling experience.

To Menage or Not

This is Book 2 in Shayla Black's Wicked Series and as with all Shayla Black books it's erotica all the way. The story is a bit far fetched "virgin wants to lean how to have a menage to please her pop-star friend"...meanwhile staying a virgin (not a spoiler since that happens in the first chapter).

There are a few twists and I must admit I wondered who she would end up with one or both of them...not so obvious there.

The usual...someone is after the girl part of the story ...was not really well developed and the secrets they held were built up so much that I couldn't help being disappointed when I was told what they were.

All that said...the story was good, the sex was great and would listen to it again (not something I say about all the books I hear).

I would recommend starting with Book 1 and listening your way through the series in order.

"The road to Ho is paved with good intentions"

Along the 50 shades line, a good read, enjoyable and certainly hot. I enjoyed book one of the series much more, but this was a good follow up with characters introduced in the first novel.

Deek or Luc... How about Deek AND Luc!!! Yes!

Where does Decadent rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It was hot and entertaining! I prefer to bounce around between genres, this being one I like, not my favorite. So I cannot rank this book among my top favorite. However, it does not disappoint!!

NAUGHTY!!!!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, IF she/he was into adult themes and graphic descriptions

What did you like best about this story?

Usually the background story (ie the non sex scenes) is strong - the premise was a bit weak -pining for a pop star- however the suspense & action kept me guessing to the end.

What about Lexi Maynard’s performance did you like?

She is perfect...I cannot think of a single thing to critique!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Sure, several...Deek was intriguing.

There will be spoilers...

I’m listening to the series for the first time but I read the ebooks years ago. I haven’t finished listening to Decadent but I HAD to give a review of what I’ve been listening to so far.

*** SPOILER ALERT ***

Shayla Black has a special place on my smut bookshelf. I first read Belong to Me years ago. I loved that story so much I decided to read the whole series.
I had a vague memory of Decadent not being that great. My memory was correct.

Audiobook versus ebook — Listening to Kimber’s voice is dramatically decreasing my enjoyment. I have the ebook. I’d be better served if I went back to it. She sounds like a pubescent child not a grown adult.

So here’s the scene that made me stop listening in order to rant. She just found out that her dad is in a coma. Her brother hasn’t offered to come for her because there’s some stalker somewhere that all the men think is after Kimber. So she’s out in the middle of a swamp having a ménage so she won’t think about her dad.
I understand using sex as a distraction when you’re stressed. This, however, is next level ridiculous.

... I’m off to finish this EXTREMELY long story. I can’t wait for it to end.