The tortoiseshell glasses he wears frame brown eyes the exact color of undrained alluvial silt.
That sounded sexier in my mind.

Here’s what I love about Tawna Fenske’s books—the humor that makes me ache from laughter. I’ve now read several of her books, and she hasn’t failed to amuse me yet. But, oh, I think The List might just be the funniest—and the sexiest—I’ve read so far.

You guys, this book... Right from the start, I was smitten with Simon, the sexy geek/millionaire and Cassie, the quirky soil scientist. They were PERFECT for one another—their braininess complemented by their adorableness, complemented by their awkwardness.

Except... they actually weren’t all that awkward. At least, not to each other. Their banter was so natural and their chemistry so damn hot, that I couldn’t help but root for them, as well as appreciate them.

“I love that you mix slang with the clinical terminology.”
“Science geeks can talk dirty, too.”

And melt for them. In more ways than one, TBH. I mean, sure, my heart was all a-flutter for their friendship/frivolous sexy toy relationship, but HOLY HELL, my panties barely survived this book. The dirty talk was scientifically pleasing, the titular list both hilarious (that title though… *chuckles*) and sexy. Admittedly, I’m still a little stuck on number one, but can you blame me?!

If you haven’t picked up on my enthusiasm for this book yet, then let me be clear: THIS BOOK WAS A-MAZ-ING. And from the looks of it, just the first of more in a new series, which makes me a very happy reader. A very happy reader who can’t wait to be amused by Ms. Fenske once again.

I’m an empowered, sexually-liberated woman who can take charge of her desires and visit a strip club and ogle other women and—dear God, what is that dancer doing with that man’s eggroll?

~ TEN Post Hole Digger STARS (one for every item on The List *wink* ~

Seriously, this couldn't have gotten anymore adorable. First of all, I love real characters. Simon and Cassie are so REAL and their interactions are hilarious. Its a rare treat to read about two really cerebral people having a sexlationship. I loved their awkwardness mixed with super hot sex and tender moments. Everything about this was a win.

This was my first Tawna Fenske book, and I'm really excited to see what else comes from her.

As the millionaire owner of a chain of computer shops, Simon Traxel isn’t normally hands-on with mundane repairs. But when a fretful brunette shows up with her fried laptop and killer green eyes, he makes an exception. And as it turns out, she needs more hands-on help than Simon imagined.

Brainy soil scientist Cassie Michaels has spent her whole life feeling like a grungy tree trunk beside her delicate flower sisters. To make herself more interesting, Cassie invented stories about her wild sex life—stories she’s expected to retell in vivid detail at a bachelorette party. Cassie’s attempt to catalog her biggest whoppers goes awry when she spills wine on her laptop and lands in Simon’s shop with her sexy list frozen on the screen.

But Simon’s interest is piqued, and the two strike a deal to make Cassie’s make-believe sexploits a reality. From steamy public romps gone hilariously awry, to sexy antics with kitchen utensils, their quest to conquer The List is equal parts scorching hot and adorably awkward.

As they near the end of The List though, Cassie and Simon second guess their pledge to shake hands and say goodbye when they cross off the last item. But will Simon’s big secret make that the one fantasy that can never come true?

This is so hard for me to do!!! I love this author, I've loved almost all her books and I just did an interview with her but this book for me while funny in some spots had too much sex for me. The sex started at like 8 percent and went from there. Basically, the List is a Bucket List but add a F. I almost couldn't finish this book. I wouldn't recommend it to my mother and I would probably recommend it to my friends who read erotica but really it should be under the tags of erotica. There was a BDSM theme in this book so to me...it read erotica. I wouldn't label it romance. It didn't have a definitive plot other than completing the List and that's it. It was sooo unlike her normal books that I thought I had the wrong book but I didn't. I love this author and the writing was spot-on as far as editing, grammar, and everything else research wise however I just couldn't wrap my brain around so much sex...and have a job!!! Y'all I would be tired!! Do you hear me? I would be on the floor, like a noodle because I had so much sex...TIRED! That is no joke. If it's possible to be that age, do all that sex, and hold down a job being a millionaire and jetsetting on the weekend - let me know because I need something in my life like that. Just saying...

I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on Netgalley for a honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.

I really loved this book. The characters were very relatable, and really made you feel for their situations. Also, it made me cry, which doesn't happen often when reading romance for me, especially when I'm then smiling shortly after. To quote Steel Magnolias, "laughter through tears is my favorite emotion."

Simon owns a chain of retail computer repair shops. It's made him rich, and since that happened, it's attracted the wrong type of woman. He's over being seen as a money pit, so he's pretty much given up dating. He has another big reason for not getting involved with anyone seriously, and it's a pretty good one too. He's smart, and sexy, and he would be a catch, but he doesn't want to be caught.

Cassie is a soil scientist. She's got a PhD, and she loves her job. But, she doesn't feel like she fits in with her hoity-toity super girly older sisters. So, years ago, on a whim, she invented a crazy sex life to make them think she was more interesting. So, she's been inventing stories for years to keep up the ruse. Now, her sister is getting married, and she's been asked to plan the bachelorette party, since she's so experienced with that type of thing. So, she's making a sexy list of the stories she's told over the years so she can remember them for the party. And of course, while it's up on the screen, she spills wine on her keyboard and her computer freezes. That is what leads her to Simon and his shop. But, of course, she doesn't know he owns the place. And, she's completely mortified of what he is seeing on the screen. Later, of course, the list ends up working in her favor!

Simon and Cassie were so hot together. The sexy times were fun and exciting, as they worked their way through Cassie's now infamous list. They were sweet and really started to care about each other, though neither one of them was willing to admit it. Also, there's the main issue of Simon lying to Cassie by omission every time an opportunity pops up for him to tell her who he really is, and he doesn't take it. It's just sex, right?? Famous last words!

For as sexy, and funny, and sweet as the book was, it had it's emotional moments too. I cried toward the end. Maybe it just hit me on an emotional day, but I really loved the way her sisters came through for her. I don't have a sister, but I imagine that after a lifetime of feeling like I didn't fit in with them, having that happen must have been pretty amazing. I don't want to say any more about that to avoid spoilers.

Overall, I just really enjoyed this book. Usually I have a big issue with the hero or heroine lying, even by omission, in a romance. Lying to themselves about what they're feeling is one thing, but outright lying is typically an issue for me. But here, I really got it. Simon had been hurt by women before only wanting him for one thing, and he couldn't handle it happening again. He was so busy enjoying the fact that Cassie liked him for him, that he never gave her an actual opportunity to only like him for him. He wasn't really sharing himself with her, and it wasn't fair to either of them. My biggest issue was that towards the end, when he would think "oh, here's my chance to tell her", he always flaked out and didn't do it. I wanted to smack him around! But it was all still so believable.

I'm very excited to see that Goodreads notes this as book #1, since I'm very intrigued by many of the side characters! This was my first book by this author, and I'm definitely looking forward to knowing more about this world, especially Cassie's crazy sisters!

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

3.5 "I urgently need more RAM, and I was hoping you could give it to me." Stars

After reading the blurb for this, grabbing it was a no brainer. Because I have a fondness for a computer geek. So much so that I have my very own who, 15 years ago, when I worked for a global computer sales company of which he was a customer, I bonded with over our mutual love of a good quality hard drive. I've also read some highly amusing and sexy books by Tawna Fenske.

"This is about sex and nothing more. We both get to scratch an itch without any attachments being formed."

It does what it says on the tin, there's a list, a very dirty list, and Simon and Cassie do a fine job in crossing the items off. Both smart and completely endearing, their chemistry is off the charts.

"You do have an impressive sexual imagination."

It's fun, it's filthy, has a good dose of heartwarming thrown into the mix and if I'm honest it was actually more than I expected storyline wise, because I haven't had that much luck with the Scorched imprint until now. If a quick, sex-filled romp with great characters is what you're after, then this will indeed scratch the itch.

I admit to be a bit skittish when it came to reading books with kinks and such; so picking up a title from Entangled Publishing imprint, Scorched, is quite a challenge for me. The blurb is just too compelling to pass though. Geeky millionaire and brainy soil scientist, awkward meeting and a list of wild sex fantasy. Heck yeah I could endure some steamy kinky graphic scenes on page! But don't worry, they were not THAT kinky anyway, even I would say the scenes here were pretty mild. :)

I like Simon, the geeky owner of chain computer shops, who was not only down to earth but devoted to his sister. The fact that he had sister with Down Syndrome and that he ran his company with equal opportunity policy (there was even convo here of Simon with an employee with DS) were also a huge plus on his person. Although, this doting brother sentiment was mostly told and rarely shown, which was kinda retract the impression of real doting brother to my liking.

Cassie was also an endearing character though the reason behind the lies and the didn't sound plausible for me. Still, the beginning of the book - the witty talk, the chemistry between the main characters - was quite promising. I could even disregard alternate first person POVs (that normally bug me no end) as the author's way with words is just enjoyable.

Having said that, after a while Simon's insecurities just started to annoy me. The lying by omission soon got old and frankly I'm disappointed that Cassie didn't pick up on it soon. I also wasn't impressed by Simon's slow comeback after one blow; that he even needed prodding to grow a backbone and fight back. But the good thing is, this showed that Cassie's sisters were not bad after all!

As a whole, this is a pretty entertaining read. There's plenty hawt scenes to be sure. Eh, you saw the blurb; so if you're in for some warming up time, you should consider picking this story up! ;-)

Advanced copy of this book is kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

How many books have I read that involve a soil scientist? In that case, how many men work on the computers of a soil scientist and find said scientist’s naughty sex list? I can tell you - zero. The synopsis of The List by Tawna Fenske knocked me down with a two-by-four (metaphorically speaking), and I have no intention of getting up.

This story is a fun bomb just waiting to be read and enjoyed!

Right off the bat, Simon broke my heart with his past. He’s gun shy and has no intention of settling down with anyone. And then Cassie comes in with her dirt-stained sweatpants and her erotic list that just won’t quit, and Simon accepts the challenge and flips the alpha card. And ugh, they’re just so cute and nerdy together! Add in Cassie, a delightful mix of shy and bold, and it makes for some hot and hilarious scenes. There’s one that involves a Park Ranger, and the nature puns were diabolically clever.

I highly recommend this fun, quirky romance that steps outside the box and owns its nerdiness.

**I was given an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Ever heard of a “Fucket-List”? No, you read right, not a bucket list but a fucket-list. Well Cassie Michaels has one and much to her dismay the geeky tech guy at the local Hot-Swap computer repair store also knows she has one.
So what is a Fucket-List you ask? Well in theory it’s the same a bucket-list, things you like to try before you die….only these are sexual fantasy…exploits if you will, to live out before you die or in Cassie’s case before she turns thirty. See Cassie felt the need to make her sister see her as something other than a dirt investigator…that’s not really what she is…well she is but it goes a bit deeper than that…but I digress. Anywho, in order to make herself seem a little more interesting she’s provided her sister with all of these wild sexual experiences that she never had, now her lies are catching up with her and she sorta-kinda needs to actually experience them.
Enter geek, Simon Traxel. Geek with amazing eyes, geek with a nice smile, geek with an amazing body, geek with a sense of humor and geek with a bad ass six-pack….not your typical geek at all. Naturally while attempting to fix Cassie’s computer, Simon does in fact get a glimpse of “the list” and totally intrigued by this fellow geek, Simon offers to be her partner in accomplishing said list. Neither is looking for love or a long term relationship but some wild, unattached sex is okay with them.
So the two embark on completing the list but as you suspect, they gradually becoming more and more comfortable with each other and like one another more and more than they ever imagined, which for Simon, is a major problem. See, he hasn’t confessed to Cassie that he has family issue that keep him from committing to her (or so he thinks) and he also hasn’t told her that he’s not just a computer geek. He’s a pretty damned rich geek who happens to not just own the local Hot-Swap but a nationwide chain.
These two were so smart they were hilariously stupid. Case in point; one of the things on Cassie’s list was to be spanked with a spatula. Well neither of these ding-dongs knew what a spatula was. Okay wait, each knew of a spatula but they had different descriptions…the rest of us mildly intelligent people are aware that there are different types of spatulas….not these two.
“I’m not even sure I know what a spatula is.” “A spatula?” I frown and try to conjure an image of my own collection of kitchen gadgets. “What do you mean? It’s that tool you use to flip pancakes, isn’t it?” “That’s the thing. When I told them the story, I was picturing one of those wand-looking gadgets with the rubber-smacky part on the end.” I frown, completely clueless what the hell she’s talking about. “Like a turkey baster?” “No, that’s not it at all.” “This. Isn’t this a spatula?” The tool she’s holding is what my mom used to scrape brownie batter off the sides of a mixing bowl. I feel a pang of sadness at the memory of my mother, who died in a car wreck with my dad ten years ago. It’s a weird contrast to how turned-on I feel with Cassie standing in front of me holding the kitchen implement like a flogger. “That’s a rubber scraper,” I tell her. “At least that’s what my mother and grandmother always called it.” “A rubber scraper?” She frowns like I might be making this up.
Insert eye-roll, at any point did either of these brainiacs think to maybe google spatula? But it’s conversations like this that had me in stitches at times. I loved these guys and I have to say, I was a little sad when their story ended. So for the humor factor alone I had to give this book four stars.

I LOVE a good list book. I also have a penchant for sexy books, so a sexy list book is a dream for me. Apparently, I'm not the only one, as it's not the most original of ideas, but Fenske's take on it is a great one. It's got all the technical stuff down - interesting characters, enchanting plot, perfect pacing, entertaining dialogue. It's also got enough side-story to keep things truly interesting. I loved Cassie and Simon's story, and I'll definitely be looking up Fenske's other work.

Simon owns a computer repair empire. Yes, empire. He's filthy rich (and handsome, of course). While in one of his stores, a woman comes in, clearly upset about her computer problems. He offers to help, only to quickly realize that she doesn't know who he is -- she thinks he's just a worker there at the store. He, of course, keeps quiet because he's tired of women always seeing his name and money and only wanting to use him. Cass is a welcome change from that.


Cass's laptop froze . . . right in the middle of a sensitive document: The List. The List includes all the crazy sex stories she's told her sisters and their friends over the years. The stories are completely false. Not wanting to be just the boring soil scientist sister, she started telling the wild stories to gain her sisters' respect. Now her embarrassing list of (fake) sex tales are frozen on her laptop's screen and of course the repairman is sexy -- and giving her ideas. Once the laptop problem is fixed, Cass decides that maybe it's time to finally cross these items off her list -- for real. And who better than Simon?


The premise for this story is so fun. A heroine who needs to check items off her sex bucket list and a hero who is more than happy to help? Yes, please, you've got my attention! Which is why I picked this one up. But I have to say, the execution of it wasn't the best and left me wanting more. Basically, this was hit-or-miss for me. Some parts I really liked, other parts had me rolling my eyes, and the ending was very rushed. So let's break down the good and the bad for you.


The comparisons/similes were more than a bit exaggerated, and showed up quite a bit. For example:



My dick responds like she's calling it by name and offered a Scooby Snack, and I realize I want her more than I've wanted anyone in ages.



Now, I don't usually mind some silly/crazy/over-the-top descriptions and lines in my romances. So maybe it was Fenske's voice that made me roll my eyes at these statements rather than taking them as funny.


I didn't actually find the sex scenes that hot; I think this ties back into voice and the fact that I didn't feel a true connection to either Simon or Cass. For me, those two things (and more) determine whether I find a scene sexy. Simply using explicit words is not enough on its own to make the act steamy. The sex wasn't horrible, by any means, but it was just "meh" for me -- nothing special, but nothing snooze-inducing, either. Of course, my "Is it sexy?" level would vary from yours, so take that as you will.


But I will give Fenske credit for some of the interesting -- and sometimes funny -- sex scenes related to Cass's list.


First, Cass's exploration of #8 (kiss a girl) was done well. No, Cass isn't bi -- not even after the kiss, though she was happy with it (and slightly turned on by it). What I liked was the fact that Cass wanted to try this for herself -- not just for the list and not because she thought Simon would find it hot, but because she wanted to. I'm all for heroines that love to explore their desires like that, period.


To clarify, her exploration is limited to a kiss and a little first base action.


Of course after said kiss, Simon and Cass barely make it to an empty room at the club (closet or something, I can't recall) and go at it. Again, it wasn't bad, but wasn't really anything special for me.


The next crazy sex scene though . . . It didn't work for me at all. On a person level, that is: sex in the snow. They head up to the mountains, find a clearing, and get busy. Luckily it's not IN the snow bank, but they are standing in the snow. Instead he pushes her against a tree. STILL. That would be so fucking cold! I don't know about you all, but the thought of cold winter air on my sensitive bits is NOT a turn on. And yet, magically Cass was aroused the whole time and Simon had no problem keeping his erection in the chilly temps. As for me, I cringed through the scene, especially when his cold hand wanders down to play with her clit. NOOOOOoooope, that would be an instant clit-killer.


Obviously, if cold sexy-times are your thing, that's great. But it's a hard pass for me.


To be fair, that scene, while not at all realistically sexy for me, was fun and made me smile, so there's that.


And the other sex scene that stood out was in a changing room at a fancy spa they went to. While they're in the locked room, doing their thing, Cass's masseuse knocks and tries asking her about her preferences for her appointment. That scene was quite funny, as Simon doesn't stop and there they are, quietly having sex while the woman is outside the door asking about pressure and preferred touches and tightness. It was enough to make me giggle and I shared quite a few quotes from this part. Here's a tease:



I take a few deep breaths, hoping that’s the end of my conversation with Henrietta. Hoping we can get back to the business at hand.

But Henrietta has other ideas. “Are there particular areas where you’re feeling tight right now?”

Simon grins at me. Those brown eyes flash with mischief. Slowly, oh-so-deliciously, he eases back. Then he slides in again, never once breaking eye contact. It feels exquisite. It feels—

“Oh my God,” I whisper.

He draws back again, then slides in deeper. My body clenches around him as he leans close to whisper against the side of my neck. “I can tell her where you’re feeling tight,” he murmurs. “So tight. So hot. So wet. So—”

“My shoulders!” I shout a little too loudly. Simon shakes with laughter as he turns to plant a kiss on one of the shoulders in question, shoving aside the fabric of my fancy Turkish spa robe.



I think that scene might have been my favorite part of the entire book.


On the opposite end, the thing that bothered me the most? Simon keeps his identity a secret until 85%. And then -- OF COURSE -- Cass only finds out because she runs into him while she's out with her sisters.


Simon has a sister who has a disability (Down Syndrome) and he loves her dearly, doing so much for her. It also means that he doesn't do relationships because he doesn't want his sister to get attached to a woman that's not going to stay in his life. So here Cass thought they were building something together beyond the sex list, and then she bumps into Simon (and his sister, whom she didn't know about) and finds out she's not been hooking up with a mere computer repairman -- she's been hooking up with the millionaire owner of the whole damn company! This, of course, leads to their break up and Simon must find a way to grovel and get her back.


First of all, I always have a hard time believing that a person wouldn't recognize someone rich and famous, especially after so many weeks together. They were out in public together a few times so how could such a scene never happen before that? Second, their biggest conflict -- that he's actually filthy rich and doesn't do relationships because women always use him for that reason, not to mention his worry that his sister will get attached to any girlfriend he has -- is completely wiped away after the Oops-Busted scene. Completely. Yes, he grovels and gets her back, but they never discuss any of those things and suddenly it's the epilogue for the HEA. I wanted more. I needed things to be discussed and actually worked out, and that just wasn't there. The entire thing was wrapped up far too quickly.


Overall:


Did I like The List? Yes; there were some misses for me but nothing too terrible.
Would I recommend it? Yes, I think many readers would enjoy it.
Would I try another from Tawna Fenske? Sure; I'd like to see if it is her writing/voice in general or this book specifically that left me a bit underwhelmed.
Other notes: Dual 1st POV
Quickie sell: Soil scientist and tech millionaire team up to cross items off her "Fucket List".


3 1/2 STARS!

I loved this story! Funny, sizzling hot, and an overall feel good story. The humor starts from the very beginning in the way Simon and Cassie meet and continues throughout the story as they scorchingly check each item off the "list"! The closer they come to completing the list the more neither of them wants to walk away as they originally agreed but Simon may not have been as truthful with Cassie as he should have been!!

Put this one on the must read list. It's a great read and I highly recommend it.

Quick Summary: Playful and cute with a touch of sexy.
Rating: 3/5
Recommend: Yes
Status: M, R, A
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Humor/Wit: Yes
Family Dysfunction: +/-
Male Protagonist: Likable, Charming, Attractive, Family-oriented
Female Protagonist: Misunderstood, Quirky, Intelligent, Playful

I am a bit torn about this one. I liked the premise at first but it worked out too formulaic for me. There was a lot of hot sex while the couple works the list the heroine created, but nothing really stood out for me in the relationship itself. No surprises at all.

But as always written very well and with steamy sex scenes. So I give it 4 stars as I am sure this is a great book in its genre and maybe I am just getting a bit jaded.

Requested and received an ARC from Netgalley for which I am - as always - very grateful.

I loved this book! Absolutely!

I'm not going to rewrite the blurb, I'll give you my take on this well written gem. Cassie, who loves what she does and who she is in that role, yet uncomfortable with her two over the top sisters who are all about looks, money and a one up. Compensating and getting out a yet another "event" that her sisters want her to go to, she starts making up these relatively wild sexcapcades. When her sisters bachelorette party draws near, she's making a list on her computer when she spills wine on the keyboard and takes it to the local shop where she meets Simon. Cassie is over the top embarrassed. When Simon returns her repaired computer personally the next evening, (which surprised me) he offers to help her with the list. (Surprise me again) So she agrees. She has no idea who Simon really is. That he has a sister with Downs Syndrome, who he loves dearly. That he owns a large chain of computer stores, millionaire and just featured in Forbes. These two really hit it off and they steamy scenes were so well done. Even when Cassie finds out by accident who Simon really is, there's a smoothness about it. No drama.

This trope may have been done before, but not the way Tawna has written these two characters. I loved them both. No contention, they were perfect and molded to each other in the best way. I really loved them both. The book is light, refreshing, steamy and there's abundant love in here.

5 Blazing Stars from me on this one. Great story Tawna!!!


**arc from NetGalley and Entangled in exchange for a fair review**

Loved! This is a wonderful book that I couldn't put down. I loved the two characters - Cassie, a soil scientist and Simon, a wealthy business owner. I've never even met a soil scientist and totally loved the author's take on it and the challenges faced by a woman in man's field. Simon, as the wealthy business owner is more common, but loved the charm of his love and devotion to his special needs sister.

Simon met Cassie when she brought in her frozen laptop for repair. Because of the personal info frozen on the screen, he offers to help her with her goals. This leads to a delightful story with lots of humor and sexy exploits.

Fans of the genre will love this book. The author is on my must read authors' list. This is a must read novel.

A fun, flirty read full of great lines and likeable characters. Cassie and Simon were adorable together and effortlessly held this reader's attention. Author Tawna Fenske never fails to bring out the laughs for this reader, even in the awkward omg moments :) with characters that pull at the heartstrings.
Review copy received from Entangled Publishing via Netgalley