Bought is a steamy long novella by USA Today Bestselling Author, Colleen Charles, about a sexy CEO who will stop at nothing to stop his geeky best friend from auctioning off her virginity. It's the fourth Naughty Little Book and is a standalone with all the steam and feels you're looking for, along with an emotional HEA.
I love a good friends to lovers story, and so as I read the teaser for Bought I had high hopes. I can't lie, the fact that Colleen Charles has this book based in Minnesota was also a major draw for me. I had read one other book by her a couple years ago, and I had been wanting to read more. Anytime a book mentions Caribou over Starbucks, I have to smile, and of course read the book! I'm a sucker for books set in Minnesota, and for when Minnesota based businesses are mentioned within said stories.
Anyway...Bought introduces us to Emmie and Rush. These two have been friends for a couple of decades now. Rush has always had feelings for Emmie, but has kept that information to himself. One day, after Emmie lands a new job, the two are talking, and Emmie explains how this new job will help her to pay off all her student loan debt a lot faster. Rush still isn't sold on her new job, but is supporting his friend no matter what. Flash forward a few days, and Emmie tells Rush of a plan she has. She found a website where she can auction off her virginity, and the price these "investors" are willing to pay would wipe out her debt. She's going for it. But Rush can't let this happen. He has to intervene. Not only for Emmie, but for himself. He knows that he and Emmie are meant to be. So what does he do? Naturally he signs up on the website to join the auction.
I have mixed feelings on this book. On one hand I love the friends to lovers storyline. I love how these two have such history together, and that there is an attraction there. On the other hand there's the whole auctioning off Emmie's virginity. That doesn't sit well with me. At all. I feel like, in my mind, the majority of the story should have been different. It should have focused around Emmie's job, and the trying out of the adult toys that the company produces. It could have been an uncomfortable discussion with her best friend, turned into a night of exploration. Or something along those lines. The entire auction situation just feels gross, and I can't see Emmie doing this. She is this intelligent woman who knows what she wants. She also seems like the type of woman who would research the hell out of this idea, and then quickly forget about it. Again, I could see her talking to Rush about all this, and them working out an "agreement" or something.
My gut says to give Bought 3 stars. Yes, I liked the characters. Yes, I LOVED that this book was set in Minnesota. Yes, friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes. BUT it all comes back to the auctioning off of her virginity. I just can't with that. This book had such potential, I just wish it had gone a different route. (and I know I am in the minority on my thinking, as most reviews I've peeked at are raving about this novella.)
If you're looking for a friends to lovers romance that is a quick/short read filled with steamy moments, and is set in Minnesota, then download the book. Personally, I probably shouldn't have downloaded it since I knew going in that this auction situation was the main premise, but I had hoped that something else would have transpired. Sigh.
This little novella is not going to distract me from reading another Colleen Charles book though. It will remind me though to take the book at face value. If the teaser says _____ is going to happen, believe that, and decide if it is something I truly want to read.
Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on the book Bought. My hopes were high, but they were slightly crushed. It happens. Not every book will be a favorite. Happy Reading my friends.
Laura
A leader is the one who never gives up.
I built my company from the ground up and now I sit on a throne of iron.
But I've sworn off love because I only want one woman.
The one I can't have.
We met back in grade school. Chasing each other around the playground. Spilling our secrets in the dead of night.
I crushed hard and those feelings I caught haven't even begun to fade.
So when my sweet, innocent Emmie wants to erase her six-figure student loan debt by auctioning her perfect body off to the highest bidder?
I see red.
If my naughty little engineer thinks she can gift her purity to another man...
She's about to be bought.
Take a chance and join her... you won't be sorry you did.
Colleen loves to hear from her readers, and she answers all communications personally. You can find her at: www.colleencharles.com
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