Laura J’s review of Primal Instincts by Jill Monroe
Contemporary romance released by Blush (Harlequin Blaze) 1 Feb 08

Since I’m a huge fan of romantic comedies, I was very excited about this new line of books from Harlequin books .  This first book didn’t disappoint me at all.

Ian is not happy that his sister Miriam has asked him to ghost-write a book for some stuffy anthropologist, that is until he meets the nearly naked, and definitely not stuffy, anthropologist.  Ian quickly learns that though Ava is knowledgeable about other society’s mating and courting techniques, she is naïve about how things are done in the States, and even this century.  Hediscovers Ava has missed so much that he wants her to experience everything including a “real” first date.  Ava is willing to learn but only if Ian let’s her teach him a thing or two.

I loved watching the dance between two wonderful characters.   Ian is skeptical of Ava’s research and Ava is determined to prove that her book will help couples.   Ava’s writing needs a lot of help, but Ian is finding that there may be something to her seduction techniques.  The sexual tension builds slowly as Ava and Ian try to out seduce each other. 

The sizzling chemistry between Ava and Ian kept me from putting this book down.  I enjoyed hard-nosed photojournalist Ian’s tender side (the high school first date was one of my favorite scenes in the book).  I liked Ava’s determination to succeed despite the possibility that her research and book may not be taken seriously in the academic world. 

My only problem with the book was the secondary romance between Ian’s sister Miriam and Jeremy.  I believe if there is a secondary romance then in someway it should at least add to the main story and this one was more of a distraction.  Nevertheless,  I really enjoyed Miriam’s story.  I think this would have been a great story on its own. 

Grade: B-

From the back cover:

     Who are they to argue with biology?

     Subject A, photojournalist Ian Cole, is sent to ghostwrite a book on sex in various cultures. Instead of finding a white-haired professor, he is greeted by Subject B, anthropologist Ava Simms, wearing only a teeny loincloth and body paint….

     Observations…

     Sexual energy between subjects increases exponentially. Note the male’s quickened breathing and barely restrained urge to do lusty and inappropriate things.  The female, in turn, decides to demonstrate her extensive knowledge of seduction, play and ritual…claiming it’s “research.” The results? Neither Subject A nor B want the study to end….

     Read an excerpt.