Turning It On

Books, Coffee & Passion

Turning It On is the second book in the Red Hot Russians series but it can be read as a standalone. I haven't read the first book in this series, but the blurb seemed original and the idea of reading a book set in a reality show world got me curious.The fact that I like hot, broody Russian male characters was just a plus.

Hannah is a book editor and she's going to marry the man she's wanted all her life. Jack, her fiancé, works as a lawyer but he always wanted to work as an actor so he convinces Hannah to join a reality show, called Last Fling, after they were invited to it by Eric, a common friend and now screenwriter. Hannah doesn't really see the point in it but Jack is successful in convincing her that she would be making one of his dreams come true.

Vlad is a male stripper that wants to be a writer and gets invited to the show to be a fling, he hesitates, worried about what kind of man he would have to become to perform the task required, but eventually agrees to do it for the money he can make by participating.

I hated Jack from the very beginning, actually, I can share that I hated pretty much all the characters apart from Vlad and Alison. Even Hannah got on my nerves until she started to have a connection with Vlad, then I slowly warmed up to her.

When I started reading the book, I literally could't put it down, it was obvious that Jack manipulated Hannah in every aspect and she let him get away with it, always afraid that he would dump her. I felt like I was watching a train wreck and I couldn't stop looking at it! That's when I realized that Elizabeth got me totally hooked in the story. I really don't want to spoil much, but I can say that I loved Hannah and Vlad's dialogues and Vlad was definitely my favorite character in the book. There were moments when I really didn't want to know what Jack was doing, or Eric by the way, and just wanted more and more of Vlad!

The reality show guidelines and mind games felt very realistic, the way Vlad helps Hannah to get her self esteem up is sweet and their moments together, even though it's a slow build relationship, are really good and Vlad's respect for Hannah is perfect for the all situation. I just wished we got more of Hannah and Vlad's story and less details on other secondary characters.

If you like reading books about hot Russians and set in a reality show world, you have to read this book.