Megan's Musings - Seductive Nights by Lauren Blakely Box Set Review • Ana's Attic Book Blog

Seductive Nights Series by Lauren Blakely

Erotic Romance Bundle includes prequel novella and 2 full length books.
Can be purchased separately.

The Seductive Nights Trilogy Bundle is a box set of the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling books First Night, Night After Night and After This Night..”Just remember this. I adore you.”

First Night
When the sinfully handsome Clay Nichols walks into her bar in San Francisco, Julia Bell simply wants a break from the troubles that keep chasing her. They share one scorchingly hot night together, but discover a connection that runs deeper than mere chemistry….

Night After Night
Their world was sex, love, and lies. With a dirty mind and a mouth to match, Clay Nichols is everything Julia never knew she wanted and exactly what she cannot have. He walked into her life one night and unlocked pleasure in her that she never knew was possible. Possessing her body, captivating her every thought. Which makes him way too dangerous for Julia to risk her heart, given that she has a price tag on her head. She ran after one mind-blowing week with him, but now he’s back, and determined to make her his own. She was a sexy drug to him. Fiery, unforgettable, and never enough, Julia is an enigma, and Clay isn’t willing to let her go without a fight. Can two people burned by love trust again when desire and passion are met by danger at every turn?

After This Night
Their world was passion, pleasure and secrets. Far too many secrets. But Clay Nichols can’t get Julia Bell out of his mind. He’s so drawn to her, and to the nights they shared, that he can’t focus on work or business. Only her. And she’s pissing him off with her hot and cold act. She has her reasons though-she’s trying to stay one step ahead of the trouble that’s been chasing her for months now, thanks to the criminal world her ex dragged her into. When he runs into her again at her sister’s wedding, they have a second chance but she’ll have to let him all the way in. And they’ll learn just how much more there is to the intense sexual chemistry they share, and whether love can carry them well past the danger of her past and into a new future, after this night…

First Night (Seductive Nights #0.5)

Julia is the definition of a strong independent woman. She does not need a man. In fact, with zero time for relationships in her life right now, she is content to find someone with:

“Eight inches. Julia longed for eight inches. Or really, eight inches and a brain. Was that so much for a woman to want?”

As a bar owner, she sees many men come and go….but not one seems to catch her eye. For starters, she wants a man that’s a MAN. So, if you are ordering her signature cocktail or some fruity martini, instead of scotch, bourbon, or beer….you might as well keep walking. One night, as if answering her silent wish, Clay walks into her bar and orders “whatever’s on tap”. She’s immediately intrigued.

Clay, a successful lawyer, in town on business, is looking for no strings. He gets a tip to stop in to Cubic Z…word is there is a smokin’ hot bartender who works there. Seeing Julia, she definitely lives up to the promise. Hot…and playful. Clay couldn’t be more pleased.

Playful banter ensues, innuendoes are abundant, and sparks start to fly….and then Julia invites Clay to stay past closing time. With zero expectations for anything further than one hot night together, these two made my kindle steam!

“He spun her around, lifted her up on the bar, then edged himself between her legs as he slid his tongue over hers, explored her lips and her mouth as he kissed her hard and furiously. Like she wanted to be kissed, his stubbled jaw rough against her face. He threaded his hands into her hair and he wasn’t gentle with his touch, and she thanked her lucky stars for that. Softness was for kittens, pillows and pretty cashmere sweaters. Sex needed to be hard, hot and oh-so-rough around the edges.”

First Night is a prequel novella that is the perfect short story to jump start Clay and Julia’s journey. It was a very quick and HOT read. I enjoyed reading this and it left me ready to move right on to Night After Night.

Night After Night (Seductive Nights #1)

During this book, we get the meat of the meal that we were missing and starving for in the prequel. Clay and Julia are ON FIRE together. But both have been burned in the past by someone they loved. Clay needs complete honesty…no secrets…from Julia. But Julia is not willing to drag Clay into the mess that is her life right now. Both out of fear of what would happen to him, but also because she is determined to take care of the disaster her ex left behind on her own.

But they also can’t get enough of each other. Clay and Julia’s passion LIT MY KINDLE ON FIRE. Holy hell. Clay has a beautifully dirty mouth, and Julia knows just how to rile him up. Between the two of them, the sex and intimacy is intense. Lauren Blakely makes you FEEL their connection. So raw…so HOT. This is one hot bitch of a read. Lauren’s warning in the intro tells you “spare panties are required”, she WAS NOT KIDDING.

“I’m crazy about you, but right now I’m going to fuck you like I hate you. I need to fuck you angrily but don’t forget this: I’m crazy for you.”

In addition to the bedroom action, we get to see the relationship…that they both didn’t see coming…start to evolve. While Julia continues to hold him at an arm’s length (for her own reasons), Clay is quicker to act on what he is feeling. Oh, Clay Nichols….SWOON! This dirty talking piece of delicious man candy also knows how to be oh so sweet and charming.

“You know I like the sex. I think the part that’s not getting through to you is how very much I like all the other parts. I like what’s in here,” he said, stretching across her to tap her forehead with his index finger, “And I like doing the things here,” he said, sweeping his thumb across her lips, “that involve talking.” He traveled down her chest, tracing a line between her breasts, and landing on her heart. “I also like the things I’m seeing in here.”

Unfortunately, the reality of Julia’s situation smacks her in the face, and the omission of the truth may just be too much for their bond to withstand….

Overall, I truly enjoyed this novel. Things do end on a cliffy, but luckily the next book was waiting for me on my kindle. I dove right in without taking a breath between books.

After This Night (Seductive Nights #2)

Book 1 left us in a bit of a tough spot. Both Clay and Julia are hurting, but neither makes a move to set things right. Julia is struggling because her past is so in her face right now she can hardly breathe. And Clay’s previous relationship is making him extremely wary to the secrets Julia is keeping. But slowly, oh so slowly, we watch them work through the past to get to their future.

“Just remember this, for what it’s worth. I adore you. Absolutely, completely, with everything I have. I will give you everything, all my heart, all my love, anything you want. You mean more to me than I ever imagined. Being without you is hell.”

And when things finally click for these two?? OH.MAH.GAH. I commend Ms. Blakley on effectively leaving me with my jaw hanging open at the awesomeness of one scene in particular. The balcony. The EFFING BALCONY SCENE. Jeeezus Lawd, have mercy.

“I know you can’t see anything right now, but you can feel everything. That’s why I want this. I want to watch you feel every single thing,” he said huskily, licking the shell of her ear.
“I promise I will have my eyes on you the entire time,” he said, as he inched down her body.
“You’ll feel me.”
“How?”
“Trust me, Julia,” he said…

Clay has a typical alpha mindset in the sense that he wants to protect Julia from danger, but he also knows and respects her fierce desire to be independent. This is what set the story apart from many others I have read lately. Clay didn’t jump in and demand to take over because he knew Julia wouldn’t stand for it. He’d lose her immediately if he stepped in front of her to handle her problems for her. Do get me wrong, he doesn’t just stand by and watch either.

I really enjoyed this book in the series because you get to see everything come full circle…especially the suspense element that is added with Julia’s troubles.

I gave my kindle a little hug when the story ended. It was a great feel-good read for me.

Series Likes:

Clay…his dirty talking mouth was To. Die. For.
Julia’s strong sense of independence
Mother of god…the heat in these books! Yow!
Enjoyed the suspense element of the storyline
The emails between Clay and Julia
The side characters in this series are great. And I am told that a few are featured in other series of Lauren’s
Low angst
Complete series…and I felt satisfied after finishing the book

Series Dislikes:

I don’t really have any…this was a solid read for me

Series Rating: 4.25 stars for storyline 5 flames for heat

Side note: Lauren Blakely just announced on 6/29 the release of One More Night…a continuation of Clay and Julia’s story! It is available now. Also…the recipe for the infamous purple snow globe drink is included!