Sex and Other Shiny Objects

By: Lauren Blakely

Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Jason Clarke, Julia Whelan, Joe Arden, Erin Mallon

Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Indulge in a brand new stand-alone romance performed by Andi Arndt and Jason Clarke, and special guest star Julia Whelan, with additional voices by Joe Arden and Erin Mallon!

The second the test-the-sexy-scenes offer landed in my lap, I said yes. After all, I've been damn curious about a few things I've read in romance novels. Do buttons truly go flying across the floor when you rip off a guy's shirt? Is staircase nookie hella hot, or does it leave you with a big old bruise mark on your back? And don’t even get me started on all that panty shredding, and whether it even works. Time to find out as I embark on Project Sexy Scenes Research, at the request of my hotshot book editor bestie. All I need is a willing scene partner. Enter Tristan, my best guy friend. The witty, tell-it-like-it-is, bearded hottie volunteers for the experiment. He's also the guy who gave me the most devastating, toe-curling kiss of my life 10 years ago. But nothing has happened since then. And nothing will come between my panties and our friendship now since we have a plan to keep it PG. But once the buttons start flying, all bets are off....

This special production also includes cameos from Maxine Mitchell, Teddy Hamilton, Lili Valente, and Kit Swann.

©2020 Lauren Blakely (P)2020 Lauren Blakely Books

✫✫ 5 Stars ✫✫

Sex and Other Shiny Objects is another fun loving, quirky, sweet & sexy friends to lovers story from Lauren Blakely. Even though this is a friends to lovers, it is also a single parent trope with a man raising his teenage brother and that is my weakness. A man who is trying to do his best to raise a sibling or child on his own is something that grabs my heart strings every time so I loved Tristan from the very beginning. I loved all of the relationships in this book. Tristan and Peyton have chemistry that they both try to ignore, they are comfortable with each other and their flirty banter and concern for each other is a complete winner in my book. Tristan and his brother have a great relationship too, I loved their sarcasm and how close they are, it was super sweet.

I did find the main story line was a little silly but in a fun Rom-Com kind of way and the sex scenes were pretty hot with a little dirty talk add too. It's not a surprise to say I enjoyed it and I always appreciate that in her books, the drama is low and the characters are mature which is something rare in contemporary romance.

The narration was outstanding. Lauren casts the best of the best for all of her audiobooks but even more, she adds fun little parts with cameo narrators which for me is perfection. Nothing better then hearing some of your favorite narrators included in small parts of an already amazingly cast audiobook.

Oh, Tristan! Oh, Jason!

I’m in love with Peyton’s best guy friend. He’s the full package: successful business owner, bearded beauty, great big brother, selfless friend. When Peyton asks him to help her research sexy scenes popular in romance novels, he’s all in. They shared a hot, passionate kiss several years prior, but it wasn’t their time. This research project could be just the push they need.

The experiments were smoking hot. Tristan and Peyton are great friends, their chemistry is off the charts, and they laugh so much together. To me, that’s a very sexy thing between couples. Both of them have their baggage, but it’s not a secret to either of them. I love when friends discover what they’ve been looking for has always been right in front of them.

This story has the feels; a beautiful journey between two childhood friends. Lauren’s friends/best friends to lovers stories are some of my favorite. The supporting cast is wonderful. Jason Clarke and Andi Arndt make a great narrating team. There are a few special guests, but I won’t spoil it.

This Boyfriend Material series is addictive, and I can’t wait for the next book!

Meh

I am usually a fan of Lauren Blakeley however this story just didn’t do it for me. I felt the both main characters were very indecisive. And I am getting very tired of her utopian world. It is a nice place to visit once in a while but sometimes I need something more real. However as always the narration was excellent.

Loved this!!

I am such a fan...not only of Lauren Blakely's incredible writing, but each and ever one of her audiobooks have the most incredible casts!!

Fun! Fun! Fun!

Did you ever wonder if all those steamy scenes would possibly work in the real world? Peyton is trying to make a go of her lingerie shop, and with a discount store moving in and stealing sales, she has to do something quick. She is approached to help with a book, and by writing in her blog helps to publicize the uniqueness of her specialty store. But what she has to write about requires hands on knowledge. In comes Tristan, her best friend. Peyton has to tryout different sex scenes of romance novels and see if they can be done and who better than her trusted best friend to help her out? I have to admit, I was smitten with Tristan. He is a warm, handsome, successful, sweet, romantic, you name it book boyfriend and I totally fell for him. I loved how this relationship played out. This friends to lovers story had me laughing and rooting for this couple to see the light. With great friends coming to their aid, and Gage making an appearance, the story was a blast to listen to.

As in all of Lauren Blakely's books, she finds the best people to play her characters. Jason Clarke has the best voice and he understands Tristan, You can just tell by his narration, the way you can hear the longing in his voice. It's amazing. And Andi Arndt too just gets Peyton and using her emotional voices, gives it all to us. With cameos by our favorite narrators coming back to do characters we know, it's all music to our ears.

NOTHING SHINY HERE!!!

I love Lauren Blakely, I just needed to say that before I gave this review. I wish she would think about quality over quantity.It seems she is always putting out multiple books at one time so they seem rushed .
This book in my opinion really missed the mark.I felt the plot was very weak and rushed.The same thing was said over and over and the reason for our H&h staying apart was STUPID! They couldn't be together was because they kissed 10 years ago and never did again!! So they wanted to stay friends? Really !! How old are they 15 ? It seems like so many book plots are all based on immaturity and no communication skills

This book was over 6 hours long but it just seem to rush through everything.The narrator's weren't as good as they usually are because they just seem to be speeding through the dialog.Jason Clark did his part at a slower pace and then the women's narrations sounded like they were chipmunks on speed.They said their parts With Forced Unrealistic enthusiasm.

So my last criticism With the narration would be that If they're going to have so many multiple narrators they should have the men do the men's voices and the women the women's. It was very frustrating To hear Jason Clark smooth voice Playing tristen And then Andy art also did his voice. I really wish the authors or the producers or whoever is responsible for narration with learn To start having Mandy the men's voice and women do you the women's voices.So many books have been real 1 because a man can't do a good female voice or vice versa.

I will be returning this book and I would not recommend anybody use a credit on it but that's my opinion and after all I'm not an author so I do give kudos to Lauren blakely for all her hard work and her wonderful books before.

P.S. The sex scenes were boring they had no passion or romance. The lack of a good backstory and chemistry made it hard to believe that the 2 main characters could Rreally be in love.

Fred and Gingersnap

Sometimes my heart just needs a sweet, low angst romcom. Sex and Other Shiny Objects was a great blend of friends to lovers, second chance romance, and even a little fake-ish relationship/forced proximity. I'm a sucker for the pining and longing of what could have been and when circumstances change to allow our hero and heroine to FINALLY have their chance. We met Tristan and Peyton in book 1 of this series, Asking for A Friend, but this can definitely be enjoyed as a standalone.

I love a hero who is all in from the start, and Tristan was so incredibly swoony. He was considerate, kind hearted, and I loved the relationship he had with his brother. The cherry on top was the dirty side of him that came out to play when things started to heat up between him and Peyton. There is a little drama and back and forth as these two navigate these new waters, but I appreciated that they both resolve their conflicts and put themselves out there. There were some wonderful cameos from past characters and easter eggs sprinkled throughout and I always enjoy finding these in Lauren Blakely's books.

I don't think I will ever tire of Jason Clarke's voice. He pairs perfectly with Andi Arndt (and everyone else he's cast with). Every Lauren Blakely audiobook is a feast for the ears and it's always such a fun treat to hear other beloved narrators making small cameos. It makes the audiobook feel like a duet style narration and only adds to the listening experience. Teddy Hamilton, Joe Arden, Erin Mallon, and others all make appearances, but I was especially delighted to hear one of my favorite narrators, Julia Whelan, also contribute to this adorable friends to lovers, second chance romance. This is such a fun series of interconnected standalones, and I'm looking forward to Lola's story next!

*I voluntarily listened to a review copy of this book*

Sex and Other Shiny Objects

I am a fan of friends to lovers, but I am not going to lie it took me a little bit to get into this book. But once I did I was hooked. These two characters are so very relatable. They are such great friends that fear of putting yourself out there to be rejected or even losing your friend well who doesn’t relate to that on some level.

The fact that they both fear the same thing is what hooked me. I like that Tristan is just as vulnerable. He feared the same things Payton does.

Oh, but you can’t deny sparks or chemistry and sometimes it is everything to just put yourself out there and let the chips fall as they may.

Perfect name for this book, you will see when you listen but the narration was top notch. The mulit-cast was perfection, it added just that extra boost to keep you engaged and wanting more.

Loved this Fun and Sexy Friends to Lovers Romance!

What a fun, engaging, and super steamy friends to lovers romance! Peyton and Tristan have been friends since college and have seen each other thru all their ups and downs. They came from totally different worlds but connected from the start. They had a very passionate moment back then, but it was over way too soon. They remained good friends, but never forgot the sparks that simmered below the surface. Now years later, Peyton is helping a friend and herself by blogging about the reality of those sexy scenes we all love to read about in romance novels. Peyton needs someone she can trust to rip each others clothes off and Tristan is more than willing to be that man. The different sexy scenes they work through can be awkward and tricky, but they work through them together, having fun, laughing, and fighting the passion they both are afraid to give in to. I loved the progression of the scenes, the clever blog posts, and especially their self discovery from the fears that hold them back. Peyton and Tristan are so perfect together, supporting each other and their chemistry and passion is off the charts, when they finally give in to their desires. Their friends and family add so much wisdom, support and hilarity, making this story even more fun and heartfelt. The special bond, and scenes between Tristan and his brother, Barrett, were especially touching. Andi Arndt, and Jason Clarke give amazing performances, along with special guest appearances by Julia Whelan, Joe Arden, and Erin Mallon. Arndt really embodies the upbeat, friendly and caring Peyton, while Clarke is simply magic as the serious, sweet, and supportive Tristan, making me totally swoon over him! Lauren continues to create hilarious, heartwarming, and hot and sexy romances that capture my heart!

OH WHAT A SWEET TREAT

This heartwarming audiobook is a big fat oozing with goodness treat for your heart.. because this dual POV friends-to-lovers romance delivers on so many levels. Tristran and Peyton’s very entertaining journey of blurring the ‘friendship line’ was an innocent byproduct of re-enacting fictional sex scenes for the romance book’s Publishers. And, while they were finding out just what worked and what didn’t with their very own sexcapades, their intimate touches ignited their deep chemistry.. and their intimate passions reawakened what had laid dormant all along - love.

This f-t-l romance, with its witty banter, was so damn engaging, addictive, light, fun, sexy, sweet, beautiful and full of feels.. and the friendships and brotherly bonds with the secondary characters was endearing too. And, as your senses are being tantalized and teased by a true storytelling genius, you are also being wooed and wowed by a cast of A list performers who bring the magic to the story. So the characters come alive, the scenes flow, the emotions surge and the love that all these characters have for each other seep from every well-written chapter.

Worth a credit? Yes.. it’s Lauren Blakely, it’s Andi Arndt, it’s Jason Clarke (.. sigh love you Jason) and it’s a great story.

A wonderful listen

I loved this friends to lovers story. The concept was fantastic. Trying out key events that show up in the majority of romance novels - hilarity ensues and it was a great listen. The chemistry and attraction between this couple is off the charts and it was showcased so well in this study. I was cheering them on the whole time.

Andi Arndt and Jason Clarke were fantastic. Although the other voices were great, I didn’t find them necessary to the story or the production. It’s just a personal thing, but I feel like if you’re going to have different voices for the characters that the main characters should be voiced as well, it just seems odd to have Andi doing both characters but not other characters. Again, that’s just a personal feeling and I’m sure many loved it.

Another cracking read

Well Ms Blakely never ceases to amaze me with how quickly she manages to get her stories out, does this woman never sleep?

The great thing about this is that there is always room for another LB story, the really great news is that they ar ealways fab, jam packed with brilliant content, and always a fantastic audio experience.

Fantastic

Loved this book, loved the story, would definitely recommend, just to listen to Jason Clarke!