{"id":20736,"date":"2017-05-01T08:00:10","date_gmt":"2017-05-01T12:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=20736"},"modified":"2018-08-26T09:02:53","modified_gmt":"2018-08-26T13:02:53","slug":"release-blitz-excerpt-giveaway-arc-review-joy-ride-by-lauren-blakely","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=20736","title":{"rendered":"Release Blitz, Excerpt, Giveaway, & ARC Review: Joy Ride by Lauren Blakely"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

JOY RIDE<\/strong><\/h4>\n

by Lauren Blakely<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Released May 1, 2017<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Get ready for the ride of your life!<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Amazon US<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Amazon UK<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Amazon CA<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Amazon AU
\n<\/a>iBooks<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0B&N<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Kobo<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0GooglePlay<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Paperback<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

\u2726<\/b>The audiobook will be narrated by Sebastian York!<\/b>\u2726<\/b><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

\r\n <\/div><\/div>\n
\n

Blurb<\/strong><\/h4>\n

From the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of Full Package<\/em><\/a>\u00a0and Big Rock<\/em><\/a>, comes a hot & hilarious new standalone romantic comedy\u2026<\/b><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s be honest, ladies. A good man is a lot like the perfect car. You want a hot body, an engine that purrs, and superior performance under the hood…for the best\u00a0joy ride<\/i>\u00a0of your life.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m at your service. Ready to go all night long.<\/b><\/p>\n

But then a wildly sexy brunette appears in my life and throws a wrench in all my plans. She\u2019s fiery, she\u2019s talented, she\u2019s gorgeous, and I\u2019d really like to know what makes her engine hum.<\/p>\n

Henley also happens to be my biggest rival, and now we\u2019re forced to work together every day on the most important custom car build of my career. The trouble is I can\u2019t quite figure out if she wants to kick me in the lug nuts or beg me to give her a good, hard fuel injection. Until one night that question is answered on the hood of a sports car when she calls out my name three times. And we can\u2019t seem to put on the brakes.<\/p>\n

If sleeping with the enemy is a bad idea, how much more dangerous would it be to fall in love with her?<\/b><\/p>\n

Find\u00a0Joy Ride\u00a0<\/em>on\u00a0GOODREADS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Review<\/strong><\/h4>\n

4.5\u00a0stars!!<\/p>\n

Joy Ride<\/i> by Lauren Blakely is another fantastic romantic comedy. This\u00a0enemies-to-lovers story is well written, entertaining, and fast paced, and I could not put it down.<\/p>\n

Max Summers owns Summers Custom Autos. He enjoys life to its fullest while indulging in the pleasures he loves, including women, cars, and alcohol. Everything in his life seems to work out well as long as he follows the rules he set.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be an asshole.
\nAlways be a gentleman.
\nAnd never sleep with the enemy.<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

He’s the self-proclaimed “King of Pleasure” and doesn’t want to change, but he is in for\u00a0an eye opener when Henley Rose Marlowe walks back into his life.<\/p>\n

Henley used to work with Max, “used to” being the key phrase. Max is surprised to see her but he isn’t surprised by her reaction to seeing him after years apart.<\/p>\n

Have I mentioned the last time I saw her she marched out of my shop in a blaze of angry glory?
\nMight be because I fired her sexy ass five years ago.
\nYeah, there’s some bad blood between us.<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

They are huge rivals and now on the cusp of landing his dream job Max learns that the deal also brings Henley\u00a0on as a co-worker.<\/p>\n

That woman gets under my skin. Henley\u2019s not just a thorn. She\u2019s the thorniest thorn in the entire history of thorns. Two hours with her and I feel as if I\u2019ve been cut all over. She\u2019s like a kitten that paws at you and ten seconds later your wrist is bleeding.<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Can Max and Henley put away their claws and get the job done or is the project doomed from the start?<\/p>\n

I loved this book! It is a great take on one of my favorite tropes and adored the interactions between Max and Henley from the start.\u00a0Max is swoony,\u00a0sexy and oh, so sweet in his own alpha badass ways. It is absolutely hilarious how he tries unsuccessfully to fight the intense attraction he feels for her. The ramblings in his mind are somewhat goofy but I loved it all. His filthy mouth heats up the pages and makes the sexy time that much hotter.<\/p>\n

Henley was fantastic. She is a fiesty, kickass heroine who is hardworking and awesome at what she does. She is sassy, bold, and can totally hold her own\u00a0but\u00a0also has a girlie side that I loved.<\/p>\n

Henley Rose and a hot car go together like peaches and cream, like fine Scotch and a long, dirty night. Which means working with her was like walking into the Garden of Eden every single day. It was a test of willpower because the woman could craft a car as if it were an erotic dance.<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I could feel the attraction between Henley\u00a0and Max and this story cranks up the heat. There is a lot of unresolved sexual tension surrounding them when they see each other for the first time in years and it only gets stronger the longer they fight the powerful attraction they feel. Their chemistry is sizzling and their connection is palpable. The banter is epic and the way they can go from full on fighting to flirty teasing and dirty joking is fantastic.<\/p>\n

The progression from enemies to lovers felt natural and real. I loved that they grew individually as well as together. The romance was passionate and intense and I believed it from the beginning.<\/p>\n

I used to think aged Scotch, expensive pool tables, and one-night stands were the height of pleasure. Then, my greatest guilty pleasure ever…turned into the greatest bliss of my entire life.<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I have said it before and I will say it again, Lauren Blakely writes amazing books from the hero’s POV. She has a knack for getting into their heads and giving us a comedy while also showing us how wonderful they are deep down. I enjoyed Max’s POV immensely but I was also\u00a0glad that we got parts of Henley’s POV through her To-Do Lists.\u00a0 So funny!<\/p>\n

The secondary characters were wonderful and I loved that we got to see individuals from the previous books. Though they are all standalone novels, the heroes and heroines are connected in one way or another and they frequently reappear in each book which always makes me happy. Not only does it reiterate the friendships, love, and support they have\u00a0for each other, but also gives us updates for the other characters we love.\u00a0And now that I have met Max’s sister, Mia, and his neighbor, Patrick,\u00a0I can’t wait for their book,\u00a0Hard Wood!<\/i><\/p>\n

Overall, Joy Ride<\/i> is a fun, easy, and fast read that will instantly put a smile on your face\u00a0and\u00a0I highly recommend it!<\/p>\n

*ARC generously provided by the author and InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Excerpt<\/strong><\/h4>\n

I point to the guy behind the glass. \u201cYou want Peter\u2019s number?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. Do you think he likes pi\u0148a coladas and making love in the rain?\u201d<\/p>\n

For a flash second, a burst of wildfire curls through my veins. It feels like white-hot jealousy. Which is ridiculous since she\u2019s not\u00a0making love<\/em>\u00a0to Peter.<\/p>\n

Or me, for that matter, obviously.<\/p>\n

I fight off the envy with a full dose of sarcasm. \u201cHave you ever noticed you never have a good pair of headphones when you need them?\u201d<\/p>\n

She huffs. \u201cMessage received. I\u2019ll just shut up and read a book.\u201d She reaches for her phone on the seat, but accidentally knocks it to the floor of the car. I lean down to pick it up, and when I hand it to her I see her playlist.<\/p>\n

Nena\u2019s \u201c99 Luftballoons.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Go-Go\u2019s \u201cVacation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Madonna\u2019s \u201cLike a Virgin.\u201d<\/p>\n

I smirk. That\u2019s too fucking adorable. \u201cYou like bubblegum pop?\u201d<\/p>\n

Her cheeks go red. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing wrong with bubblegum pop,\u201d she says as she tries to grab her phone from my hand.<\/p>\n

I. Can\u2019t. Resist.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know what comes over me, but I\u2019m pretty damn sure it\u2019s the way this girl needles me. It\u2019s her French maid routine. It\u2019s her pushing all my buttons. It\u2019s the way she detests me.<\/p>\n

I hold her phone behind my head.<\/p>\n

\u201cMax,\u201d she says, in a perfect plea. God, it\u2019s hot. I can hear her saying it in bed.<\/p>\n

I feign surprise. \u201cOh, did you want your phone back, tiger?\u201d<\/p>\n

Her eyes widen when I use that word. Frankly, I\u2019m surprised I said it. But she is a tiger, especially right now as she leans across the seat, reaching for it.<\/p>\n

Damn, I\u2019m an asshole. And yet, I can\u2019t seem to stop playing keep-away with her phone, jamming it far behind me so that it hits the side of the car. She lunges for it, thrusting her arm out, but only hitting my forearm.<\/p>\n

She swats me. \u201cGive it to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

My brain short-circuits. She would sound hot saying that bent over the bed.<\/p>\n

Then in a flurry, she unbuckles her seat belt and lunges at me.<\/p>\n

Foul play indeed.<\/p>\n

She\u2019s on me. She\u2019s fucking on me. She climbs, stretching high, her tits near my motherfucking face, so help me God. They are saggy, drooping, ugly breasts.<\/p>\n

Except they\u2019re not.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re perfect. Lush, ripe.<\/p>\n

Like her sweet perfume scent. Like her cinnamon breath that flutters across my cheek as she rises higher. As she reaches, her T-shirt rides up, revealing a sliver of her stomach.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve never seen anything so sexy in my life.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t move. I don\u2019t breathe.<\/p>\n

I simply try not to grow more aroused. But then she wraps one hand around my wrist and pries the phone with the other as her breasts smash against my eyes.<\/p>\n

Man down.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Giveaway<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The JOY RIDE giveaway is filled with:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\u272e<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Kate Spade Patton Leather Tote and Kate Spade Desktop Planner ($325 value)\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\u272e<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0$50 Gift Card to Bath and Body Works<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\u272e<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0$50 Gift Card to Amazon<\/strong><\/h4>\n

ENTER GIVEAWAY<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n

The Escapist Book Blog is not responsible for this giveaway.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

About the Author<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"\"A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than seventy-five times, and she’s sold more than 1.5 million books. In May she’ll release JOY RIDE, a standalone romantic comedy. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her NEWSLETTER<\/a>!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WEBSITE<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<\/strong>FACEBOOK<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<\/strong>TWITTER<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<\/strong>GOODREADS<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

And don\u2019t miss Lauren Blakely\u2019s other standalone Romantic Comedies!<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Big Rock\u00a0<\/strong>(Spencer & Charlotte)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0\u00a0Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0iBooks<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0B&N\u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0Kobo<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0GooglePlay<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Paperback<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Mister O\u00a0<\/strong>(Nick & Harper)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0iBooks<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0B&N<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Kobo<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0GooglePlay<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Paperback<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Well Hung\u00a0<\/strong>(Wyatt & Natalie)
\n<\/strong>Review<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0iBooks<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0B&N<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Kobo<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0GooglePlay<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Paperback<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Full Package\u00a0<\/strong>(Chase & Josie)
\nReview<\/a>
\n<\/strong>Buy:\u00a0Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0iBooks<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0B&N<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Kobo<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0GooglePlay<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Paperback<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Joy Ride<\/strong>\u00a0(Max & Henley)
\n<\/strong>Review<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0iBooks<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Nook<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Kobo<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0GooglePlay<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>|\u00a0<\/strong>Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  JOY RIDE by Lauren Blakely Released May 1, 2017 Get ready for the ride of your life! Amazon US\u00a0|\u00a0Amazon UK\u00a0|\u00a0Amazon CA\u00a0|\u00a0Amazon AU iBooks\u00a0|\u00a0B&N\u00a0|\u00a0Kobo\u00a0|\u00a0GooglePlay\u00a0|\u00a0Paperback \u2726The audiobook will be narrated by Sebastian York!\u2726   Blurb From […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20737,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","yasr_overall_rating":4.5,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"Product","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[454,65,9,29],"tags":[59,56,424,48],"class_list":["post-20736","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-audio-recommendation","category-lol-funny","category-romance","category-steamy","tag-arc","tag-lauren-blakely","tag-release-blitz","tag-review"],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":0,"sum_votes":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Joy-Ride.jpg?fit=150%2C234&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7gaNL-5os","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20736","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20736"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20736\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20737"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20736"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20736"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20736"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}