Limecello’s review of Dirty by Megan Hart
Erotic romance released by Harlequin Spice on 1 Jan 07

I discovered Megan Hart around the time Tempted came out. I’m still not quite sure what happened, but I got caught up in the craze, and I’m glad I did. I’ve read all of Ms. Hart’s Spice books, and I think Dirty may be my favorite. I read it because Ms. Hart has a new Spice Brief out, Reason Enough, which acts as an epilogue to Dirty.

Ms. Hart has a great writing voice. While the characters and situations are stark – almost bleak – the words hold an almost sort of warmth. It’s hard to describe. Dirty is both normal, and outrageous. You would think that the contrasts in the book are too clashing, but it works. Incredibly well.

Elle is a very average person, with a troubled past. Her family is dysfunctional, like so many other people’s, but her situation is unique because of the combination of things that happened to her. Tragic events led her to closing off her emotions. She’s haunted by what happened to her, and copes through sex and drinking. And counting. Elle eschews all emotional ties, and is living life as a dead person. Still, she has quirks, and her reaction to people give her depth and complexity. There’s a vulnerability about her as well, which saves her from being a static character.

Dan is a perfect foil for Elle, and a great character. He’s incredibly sweet, but stands up for himself. Dan is also a very human character. Sometimes, he loses his temper, or even acts like a jerk. However, I felt that when he acted cold, it was because he knew it was the only way he could get closer to Elle. I love that Dan liked and wanted Elle from the start, and he’s willing indulge her eccentricities. He’s incredibly considerate, and pushes Elle, willing to force her into difficult situations in order for her to grow.

While I generally don’t like books written in the first person point of view (ok, I actively dislike it) – this type of narration is perfect for Ms. Hart’s writing. Rather than alienating or isolating the reader, the writing draws you in, and gives you perspective on the heroine, and you begin to empathize with her. The story line is relatively normal – the occurrences and situations are all every day, but there’s something special about Dirty. While most of us don’t do what the characters did, and generally don’t have to deal with all the traumatic events in Elle’s past, we do have dysfunctional families or friends. The secondary characters were fun, and became a way to provide additional perspective to the story.

Dirty has things each and every one of us has can relate to, either personally or through a friend or acquaintance. Still, the additional issues and problems the characters have prevent them from being mundane. I also love how the title of the book is integrated throughout the novel. Not only that, but I felt the title was clever, because really it’s an oxymoron.

I generally like happy books – actually, I strongly prefer happy books. Life and circumstances are sad enough. This makes it just that much more impressive how much I enjoy Ms. Hart’s novels. The nuances in the book as well as the characters make for a very enjoyable read, and I definitely recommend looking into Ms. Hart’s books. I’m anticipating reading her next novel.

Grade: A-

This is what happened…
I met him at the candy store.

He turned and smiled at me and I was surprised enough to smile back. This was not a children’s candy store, mind you–this was the kind of place you went to buy expensive imported chocolate truffles for your boss’s wife because you felt guilty for having sex with him when you were both at a conference in Milwaukee.

Hypothetically speaking, of course.

I’ve been hit on plenty of times, mostly by men with little finesse who thought what was between their legs made up for what they lacked between their ears.

Sometimes I went home with them anyway, just because it felt good to want and be wanted, even if it was mostly fake.

The problem with wanting is that it’s like pouring water into a vase full of stones. It fills you up before you know it, leaving no room for anything else. I don’t apologize for who I am or what I’ve done in–or out–of bed.

I have my job, my house and my life, and for a long time I haven’t wanted anything else.

Until Dan. Until now.

Read an excerpt here.