Book Review Perfect Ten by Nikki Worrell

Perfect Ten by Nikki Worrell *New Cover and the author switched back to her real name*

Erotic Romance Standalone

Perfect Ten by Nikki Worrell may be the most relatable book I have ever read. The heroine is a size 16 and completely down on herself. She has 2 skinny sisters and a skinny mom who are absolutely horrible people and taunt her about her weight. I sooooo get her! I have 2 skinny sisters and a skinny mom; though they aren’t mean, and claim they want me to be healthy, they bring up my weight non-stop. My obsessive down-on-myself mentality is something I am working on, but not getting very far. My post here on my other blog, startingonmonday.com can illustrate more on that.

I also have an aversion to books classified as BBW (Big Beautiful Women). I don’t want to be a genre. I look around at book signings and notice that book readers tend to be a bit heavier than the population, and I fit right in with other readers. I like characters I can relate to, but I don’t want to be relegated to the BBW section, I know others who feel the same. So when I came across a promo on my Facebook feed with a curvy heroine, I had to get my hands on the book. Here is the promo:

Except for the hair & eye color, Faith Graham is me:

I’m five-foot-six, have slightly wavy strawberry blonde hair that I keep long so I can hide behind it— you know, for that extra layer of security— blue eyes and I’m a size sixteen. I’ve fought my weight my entire life. Sometimes, when I write everything down and count my calories, I can lose ten pounds or so, but honestly, I’m almost afraid to try anymore, because when the pounds come back— and they always do—they bring friends.

Joe Starling is an escort for 6 years. A very top of the line escort that takes beautiful, rail thin, botoxed women to charity events, and then expertly pleases a select few in the bedroom. Joe was all about pleasing women, and he enjoyed it all, and we get to see a bit of the action. (Can you say HOT?)

As I said before, I love pussy. Love it. I love the taste of it. I love the smell of it. I love it surrounding my entire face. If I could, I’d live there just licking my life away.”

YES, please!

Faith had to go to her mean sister’s wedding, and she had no date, a point that would just solidify her “fat loser sister” image with her family. So her friend gets her an escort. While at first she balks, she soon relents and figures why not? But when the original escort had to cancel, and Joe is the only one available to fill in, she decides she wants to meet her escort before she says yes.

“Oh, no way. I’m not hiring some pretty boy to take me to my sister’s wedding . They’ll see through that right away. Those escort guys are hot. No hot guy is going to want this.” I indicated my disgusting body, waving my arms around. “Who would believe that? And besides, he’ll probably think I’m hard up for sex and want him to be my stud for the night!”

But when Joe gets a look at Faith…

…an extraordinarily curvy, cute blonde on his arm. She looked a little frumpy in her plain gray skirt and matching high collared blouse; her curly hair was a bit out of control, but aside from that, she was adorable. To tell you the truth, at my first glimpse of her, I could swear my heart beat double time. It was weird. Something went through me that I can’t explain. It was a shiver. Well, not a shiver exactly—more like a shockwave . All I knew for sure was that I wanted her. I felt like wrapping my arms around her and taking her home with me. Pretty intense, huh? Yeah, tell me about it.”

When she goes with him to the wedding, it’s confusing. What is real, and what is he paid to say? I loved how Joe put her bitch sister in her place:

Hey, we just met, and I don’t mean to be rude, but I like my women— for lack of a better word— womanly. I need softness and curves. I’m sure plenty of men find your type attractive, but I’m not one of them.” I pulled Faith close again lowering my hand to rest on the soft curve of her bottom. “I certainly find your sister womanly though.”

Joe shocked her by wanting more, and his honest love of her body can pull anyone out of  self depreciation. Especially when it comes from someone like Joe.

I loved Joe’s innocence  and excitement upon seeing Faith. To him, she was perfect just the way she was.

And she had those cute yoga pants on women loved now. Do NOT look at her ass. I was going to have to be really careful if I didn’t want to play ball with full wood.”

Sure, this story is a bit of a Pretty Woman fantasy book. The premise is not that original, but I just loved the execution. I laughed a lot, cried a bit, and wanted to hang out with the heroine (or throw her in front of a bus and take her place.)

I want every inch of you. Every. Fucking. Inch.”

 

Likes:

• Relatable, curvy heroine with lots of self esteem issues.
• Totally hot sex. Scorching!
• The way the 3rd wall was broken down and Joe talked to the reader.
• Alternating POV and It was executed flawlessly.
• I laughed, a lot.
• I totally fell for Joe.
• Joe was not shy about letting you know how he felt.
• Sweet epilogue.

Dislikes:

• The end didn’t quite live up to the beginning, it was a bit rushed.
• It wasn’t very unique, but how many books are?

Rating: 5 stars, Heat: 5 Stars

I loved reading about a heavy girl who actually hated herself. I know that might sound crazy, but I think that is more realistic than the curvy girl who loves her curves. Even the ones who are usually body-positive will sometimes cringe when they see their double chin in that selfie. Joe Starling was just amazing. Are there real-life guys like that? Probably not. But I’m happy with Joe as my book boyfriend for now 😉

I think Perfect Ten is great for any woman who loves a happier, upbeat, very sexy book. Do you have to be chubby to read this? NOT AT ALL. Though it’s nice to be able to relate, I think most women have felt that “why would he want me?” feeling, and Perfect Ten nailed it.

Purchase Perfect Ten by Nikki Worrell

Amazon