Limecello’s review of Sex Drive by Susan Lyons
Contemporary erotic romance released by Aphrodisia 1 Dec 09

I like that Susan Lyon’s stories are unique. Ms. Lyons is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. First of all, she wrote the Awesome Foursome books. Next, that she writes warm, smart, sexy stories, that have substance. Sex Drive never got too heavy or dull, but it wasn’t a brainless piece of fluff. I liked that. Yes, it was a purely entertaining read, but thought provoking if I wanted it to be. I’m really glad I read this book.

I have to admit, that I put off reading this book for a while. I was super excited about it, because, well, hello. New book by Susan Lyons! Then I read everything from the beginning (as I generally do) – and for some unknown reason I convinced myself it was going to be a rehash of Susan Mallery’s Marcelli sisters books. (The first three. Which I enjoyed a lot… But.) Anyway, I was mistaken. Thank goodness – so, anyway. If the book starts out a bit slowly for you… read on. You’ll be happy you did.

Professor Theresa Fallon is your average woman. Aside from being a genius, she’s been burnt by love, has average looks, an rather average family… she’s pretty normal. However, Theresa is also incredibly loyal, willing to drop everything to go help out her baby sister. She also allows herself to let go a little while on “vacation” – and in her short time with Damien, grows a lot. After she loosens up, and allows herself to become more than an academic, Theresa is a lot of fun, and would be a great friend.

Damien Black is a fantastic hero. I can’t think of many books I’ve read where the hero is an author. He’s pretty happy go lucky, but Theresa helps me see how he could essentially change the world. (Or at least some of it.) And more importantly, Damien steps up to the challenge. You have to respect that. He’s also got a very interesting ethnic and cultural background. I really liked that. He’s also comfortable with himself. Damien likes to play a little too hard, and gets himself in a sticky situation, but owns up to it.

There are certain themes and issues she seems to address in most of her stories that make my social justice loving heart happy. Even happier is the fact that Ms. Lyons is subtle about it. She doesn’t beat the reader over the head, preach, or become pedantic. Ms. Lyons wraps it up nicely in the characters, and makes it part of the story.

Yes, there was a time or two it would have gone over the edge – but Theresa is a professor. She’s also super geeky and way involved in academia. It’d be natural for her to spout off and begin lecturing, rather than discuss a topic conversationally. I also thought it was fun to get a “behind the scenes” peek of Damien’s book signing. Having never been to one, or really thought about it from an author’s perspective, it was nice to get it from Damien’s. Also, that scene gave Damien added depth, and allowed Theresa to see him in a different way.

My problem is that I fear Ms. Lyons has set me up for disappointment. What do I mean by that? Well, I might now expect all stories to have rational discussions, where the characters act reasonably and resolve issues rather than throwing tantrums and causing havoc. (Yes, some gentle sarcasm there.)

Sex Drive takes place over the course of a weekend, essentially. But the characters change a lot. Theresa becomes Tezzie with Damien, and it fits. They fall in love hard, and fast, and it’s believable that Theresa is almost an entirely different person with Damien, and that he thinks she’s absolutely stunning and the most beautiful person. I loved reading their relationship develop – so quickly, but also naturally. There are of course uncertainties and some fraught moments, but they work through them.

I cannot wait for the next book(s) in this series, and definitely won’t be making any more assumptions.

Grade: B+

Summary:

When Dr. Theresa Fallon meets a long, lean stranger in business class, she’s suddenly ready for anything. There’s something about Damien Black that makes her want to surrender immediately…Which is why she accepts Damien’s spontaneous offer of a sizzling getaway. All in the name of research, of course. And once the pretty professor slips between the sheets with this hard-bodied man of mystery, she discovers the meaning of the term erotic pleasure…

Read an excerpt here.