Explosive chemistry just can't be denied between Black's newest couple. Sexy and sweet all wrapped up in one great love story. I was left me wanting more.

Once again, Shayla Black tantalizes while engulfing the reader in one doozy of a love story.

I received this ARC copy of Devoted to Pleasure from Berkley Publishing Group. This is my honest and voluntary review. Devoted to Pleasure is set for publication July 3, 2018.

My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Shayla Black
Series: A Devoted Lovers Novel (Book 1)
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: July 3, 2018
ISBN-10: 0399587365
ISBN-13: 978-0399587368
Genre: Contemporary Military Romance

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Devoted to Pleasure is about two small town people in the big city. She is the Hollywood starlet and he is the bodyguard. Both of them are compensating for pasts that weigh them down. Secrets and emotions are dangerous combination in this book. What you don't know could get you hurt!

I enjoyed Devoted to Pleasure. It was a nice easy going read. With the occasional adrenaline spike, Devoted to Pleasure mad it more interesting. I just had a hard time staying in the story. I couldn't connect with the characters on a deeper level so it left me drifting through the book. Was it good? Yeah. Do I recommend it? Yeah, okay, but I won't be shouting from the rooftops on this one.

3.5 Stars

I always love the start of a new series as this brings us a new bunch of characters. This book brings us sweet and sassy with an alpha hot protector, sizzling chemistry between the main characters. Add in a little suspense for good measure and you find yourself glued to the land instead the pages.

Shealyn is an actress who is doing well for herself but finds a little trouble and is being blackmailed. She reaches out to a bodyguard that is recommended by a friend. Before she knows it all of her secrets are being threatened and she feels her life is falling apart. The more things come to light the more she finds herself leaning on Cutter Bryant to provide protection and comfort.

Cutter is an ex-military soldier who has a heart of gold and is loyal to extremes. Willing to help and look after those close to him, even at a cost to himself. Expecting a normal bodyguard situation when he arrived in L.A. He never expected the fast feelings for his employer that came at him from. He fights hard at the feelings and does his best to keep the line between professional and personal, but Shealyn's draw was just too much.

Can he keep her safe while they solve the mystery of the blackmailer? Will this be anymore than a fast fling with heartbreak at the end? Or will Cutter and Shealyn find their HEA?

Advanced read copy provided through Net Galley for an honest review.

Devoted to Pleasure is the perfect kick to the new Devoted Lovers series. Cutter is a sexy alpha security man tasked with protecting Hollywood starlet Shealyn West. It's his last job before his life changes forever. But what he never expected was her. He never expected this woman to tempt him, to be a down-to-earth sweet and sexy soul that makes him want to ditch his misplaced honor and devotion. Yet, the same goes for Shealyn, she wasn't expecting this man, who makes her think about leaving her dream behind, her dream that she's finally achieved. But Cutter makes her realize that she's lost a bit of herself along the way to that dream, and Shealyn make Cutter realize he's about to risk losing himself if he returns to his hometown with the aforementioned misplaced honor and devotion.

These two find something they would much rather be devoted to... each other. In the midst of a suspenseful storyline, these two steam up the sheets and made me fall in love and root for them so hard. Cutter is an amazing character that is sexy personified, while Shealyn is sweet, and sassy. Together, their passion cannot be denied, and once they give in, there's no going back.

This book is a perfect weekend read. It sucked me in, and had me engrossed in not only the two main characters, but the characters that are to come in this series, and I CANNOT WAIT!! I highly recommend Devoted to Pleasure!

Happy Reading!
*ARC provided by the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Shealyn is an actress from Texas who is starting to make a name for herself in Hollywood so the last thing she can afford is a scandal. She is being blackmailed and all she wants to do is pay the person and forget it ever happened, so she hires a bodyguard to go with her to drop off the funds.

Cutter has a background in the military which he is putting to use in the security field. He is kind, considerate and willing to do anything for anyone. He believes that there is more to his assignment than being by her side for one night and when he finds out what the real situation is he is not about to let her handle it on her own.

Nothing is as simple as they imagined, and their adventure is filled with passion, suspense and twists. They develop feelings for each other, but will it be enough once all the secrets are revealed?

The first book in Shayla Black’s new Devoted Lovers series is just as pleasurable to read as the books in her Wicked Lovers series. Cutter Bryan is a former military man who is now a bodyguard and his newest client turns this man’s personal life upside down. Shealyn West stars in a steamy television drama and she needs a bit of help with a blackmailer but she is not prepared for the attraction that threatens all her secrets. These strong, charismatic characters pull readers into their story with lots of electrifying chemistry, super-heated passion and a powerful relationship that readers find fulfilling and stimulating. The romance between these two is only a little sweet as they fight the attraction due to the track that their lives have taken and responsibilities and loyalties that they have to others but when they give in to that attraction, the pages explode with passion and combustible energy. The relationship another words is quite energetic, full of secrets and suspense that keeps readers involved in the story from beginning to end.

The steady to fast paced plot has lots of thrilling suspense as the Cutter tries to determine where the danger is coming from which is made harder by Shealyn’s secrets and lots of excitement with surprising twists and exhilarating danger as the blackmailer ups the ante and startling truths are revealed. There is certainly no way that the readers can become bored during this story the events and timing of those events build the suspense and romance into stirring climaxes.

Truthfully, I love Shayla Black’s books and the worlds that she creates because she delivers each and every story with a passion that really pulls me in and ensures that I want to know the characters and every last detail of their story, so it was no surprise to me that I was completely taken in by Cutter (who is just too sexy for words) and Shealyn’s story.

Do you love a book that is full of angst, chemistry and that is super intense? If so, then you are going to LOVE this new book by Shayla Black..

The twists and turns will keep you hooked page after page. Who would not want an Alpha bodyguard like Cutter? He would do any and everything to protect the ones closest to him. What happens when you fall in love with the client you are supposed to be protecting with your life? As you can imagine a few complications arise that take everything he has to resolve. Shealyn is being blackmailed and gets WAY more than she ever bargained for.

Shayla is the master at taking you on a great ride. You will find Cutter and Shealyn not only running for their lives, but also finding themselves falling in love.. It was so much fun to see these two grow and change so much.. They are fun, witty, and definitely have some off the chart chemistry... Shealyn really has to dig deep and work through some past demons of insecurity and trust issues. Can she learn to let go and give her trust over for Cutter? As the danger looms they must make a choice.. Trust me you do not want to miss this.. I cannot wait for the next book..

I am a big fan of Shayla Black and everything she writes is sure to enthrall you and this one will not disappoint you! Shealyn and Cutter's story will push all your buttons, it is intense, full of suspense and some drama and also so sexy! Their story is explosive and intense and will they succumb to the temptations in front of them? This new series promises some pretty intense moments and I can't wait for more.

Sometimes fame has its privileges. Other times, the cost of fame threatens to consume you. For Shealyn West – fame has taken her on a road that many envy. It’s lonely at the top…something few realize. Appearances are everything in this cut throat business that envelopes Hollywood. The pressure to appease the public a constant thought for every actor.

Fueling tabloid fodder for the growth of your current project is nothing new for Shealyn. The actress knows all about ‘pretending’ for appearances. Shealyn’s current romance is actually a façade. One created to appeal to the public, when in reality it is nothing but a sham. No harm, no foul…right? That might have been the case before a blackmailer decided to out one of Shealyn’s deepest secrets. One that will expose the fabrications that Shealyn acts out in the public eye. A secret that threatens to unravel not only Shealyn’s career, but will shed light on a weak moment for the actress.

Seeking out a bodyguard to help with her situation, Shealyn turns to Cutter Bryant. This former military soldier is living through his own moral dilemma. One that threatens to reshape Cutter’s entire life. With the line blurring between employer and the assignment Cutter was hired for, everything that Cutter planned is conflicting with the attraction that he feels for Shealyn. With danger lurking around the corner, Cutter must decide if his heart or head is the winner in this dangerous game of cat and mouse.

When I discovered that Shayla Black was starting a new series, I was ecstatic. New series always lead to a new set of characters to follow and adore. The beginning of the book sets the stage for Cutter and where his ‘loyalties’ lie. An interesting concept to put into play with Shealyn’s character. While the plot was intriguing, the writing style just didn’t mesh with the intended ending for the two main characters.

Let me explain…..Cutter is portrayed as honest, loyal and a man that leaves no one behind. His fierce protection of friends and family is evident in the very beginning of the story. What I found as the book progressed was a ‘pushed’ love interest with Shealyn. A profession of love that was hardly believable in the short span of time that encompassed this book. For reasons that I cannot explain further without divulging spoilers, I found the dynamic between these two characters a big turn off. Totally the opposite of what one would expect in this story. While the premise of the story was believable, the chemistry just missed the mark. Hot sex…..sure…but the believability on this one went straight out the door. Hopefully – the next book in the series will be a redeemer in my eyes!!

Devoted to Pleasure is the perfect combination of hot, steamy romance, action packed plot and great characters! From the moment they meet Shealyn and Cutter have chemistry that is off the charts. She is used to living a life for the public eye and not showing anyone who she really is until Cutter breaks down her walls. Cutter is holding secrets of his own and if he doesn’t come clean they may come back to hurt his relationship with Shealyn in the end.

I didn’t know I was waiting on the perfect sweet, yet sexy bodyguard romance but then I picked up Devoted to Pleasure and it was everything I needed. I’ve only read a few Shayla Black novels and they were all deeply erotic. Devoted to Pleasure is a turn to the more tradition contemporary but in true Shayla style, this book is seriously sensuous. It’s gripping from page one and sets up exciting characters for a great new series.

Shealyn is a successful actress being blackmailed by an unknown threat. Cutter is brought on to protect her. Their chemistry is immediate but both Shealyn and Cutter have many challenges to work through before they can really be together.

I loved this book. I have no idea how Shayla made her main characters so deeply relateable but she pulled it off. Shealyn was sweet if a little naive but I was rooting for her the whole time. Cutter… where do I start with that hunk of alpha/beta hotness? Cutter was protective, possessive, sweet, consent might have been his middle name. I could feel their connection together both sexually and emotionally.

Cutter’s problems back home kept this read from being five stars. I was distracted way too often by the problems of the supporting characters. This book was trying to do too much at times, a common problem while trying to set up a series.

Overall, I highly recommend this book! Suspense, drama, sexy times, I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**

HOT. FREAKING. DARN. Devoted To Pleasure was pure temptation with so many of the FEELS and SO MUCH OF THE STEAMY, SEDUCTIVE SEX and two of the FINEST characters you could imagine! Everything about this book made me happy and ULTRA pleased. From the plot, to the great characters to the hot sex and the great, heart clenching romance. This new series, I have a feeling, will be TREASURED by many and LOVED by all Shayla Black fans!

Cutter and Shealyn had the greatest chemistry. Things sparked and flared, sizzled and popped. The sex was SMOKING HOT and I felt like I needed a change of panties and a cold shower more than once. There was also the PERFECT amount of suspense, danger and action that had the adrenaline PUMPING and kept me on my toes. This book is a DELIGHT and a MUUUUST READ!

Devoted To Pleasure gets a PLEASURABLE FIVE POPPING STARS!

I loved this first book in Ms. Black's new series! Cutter is such a great hero. A guy who not only puts family first, but loves with his whole heart. I could tell when he let himself feel for Shealyn that he was all in. He not only wanted to protect her from harm, but wanted desperately to make things right at home before he could look for a future with her. He was an awesome guy....such a great book boyfriend.

Shealyn is an actress with not a lot of people around her to trust. Her relationships are all pretend and she has no one she can truly trust, until Cutter shows up. He fills a hole she has always had, but never wanted anyone enough to fill it. She is lonely, but yet she protects herself the best she can. I ached for her. For someone with so much success, she was so alone.

I loved this story and watching how their relationship unfolded. There were times of course I wanted to scream at Shealyn, but I had faith that everything would be OK. I can't wait to see where this series go. I enjoyed seeing some old names pop up in here as well.

I was so excited to start reading Devoted Pleasure, so far I have loved all the books I read by Shayla Black.This is not an exception.I was hooked from the first pages.I find the story interesting and captivating.

Shayla Black delivers a great story full of suspense,mystery,drama and a passionate romance.The romance between Cutter and Shealyn was fantastic.Both characters were well developed and the chemistry between them was something else. I loved that the France developed slowly with angst and passion.Both have to face their problems to manage to be together.

Overall, it was a great story.I'm looking forward for the next book in the series!

Devoted to Pleasure by Shayla Black is is the First book in the Devoted Lovers Series. This is the story of Cutter Bryant and Shealyn West.
Shealyn is being black mailed with a video that she didn't know was made. Shealyn just wants to pay the blackmailer and be done with it. When she hires Cutter to be protection as she delivers the money he quickly tells her that is not the right move to make.
There was a instant attraction between the two that made Cutter want to help protect her fully. They both had outstanding issue that should keep them apart but in the end it drew them in.
Great Hot Read!

Y'all know how much I love Shayla Black's Wicked Lovers series, and I was so happy to see the spinoff series, Devoted Lovers come to fruition! And what a start!

I loved the dynamic between Cutter and Shealyn. Their snarky, witty banter and their very sexy times together was a fun romance to read even through the danger that they were working toward figuring out! It was a quick and dirty romantic suspense!!

And of course I got snippets of some of my favorite Wicked Lovers characters including Logan and Heath. Swoon. But Cutter certainly ratcheted up the swoon factor where Shealyn was concerned!

Grab a drink and a snack and a napkin to wipe off the drool and enjoy the ride!

Shealyn West is being blackmailed with a video that was taken without her knowledge. For reasons of her own, she doesn't want to investigate who is doing this to her. She just wants to pay them off in hopes that they will leave her alone once paid.

Cutter Bryant is hired to be a bodyguard for actress Shelly West. When he arrives, he is surprised the actress only hired him to protect her while dropping off blackmail money. Cutter tries to convince Shealyn that she needs to let him investigate or the blackmailers will keep coming back, if it truly is money they are after.

Cutter knows he shouldn't get close to Shealyn but he can't help the attraction he feels for her. He has obligations at home and can't offer her anything long term. Shealyn has a fake relationship with her co-star of her hit tv series. She knows she shouldn't get close to Cutter in fear of the paparazzi finding out and smearing her name.

Cutter and Shealyn's story was ok. I wish I can say that I loved it but it was just ok. Cutter's obligation back home and Shealyn's fake relationship interfered too much into their own story and I think it kept me from connecting with them.

OMG, Yes!! 4.5 stars for this steamy and emotional love story! I was addicted to the storyline from the beginning, instantly falling in love with this couple. This book has some interesting twists, tense, and breath holding moments. I had suspected who it was at the beginning but, then changed my mind. That revealing moment was so sad for me; it broke my heart for so many reasons.

Cutter is a former military man now a totally hot bodyguard who takes a job protecting an actress who is being blackmailed. He’s a sweet guy with a big heart, naturally meant to protect, not just her, but others in his life. I love what he was going to do for Brea, it was selfless, honorable and would give her a better start to a new life. I love how his family and friends, even Brea tried to tell him that he deserved to be loved and happy. When that realization hit, that it was ok for him to make that decision for himself, put his heart first, was a teary smile moment for me.

Shealyn is an actress, so she’s used to pretending, playing a part; it’s her life. She can’t pretend with Cutter, he sees through her lies and secrets. I love the parts when they first meet, even though she hired him, she refuses to be honest and let him protect her. His determination to do his job and their draw to each other is just too strong. She’s stubborn and her past makes trusting difficult. She also had her own aha moment that left me emotional, with an audible “finally”. I love that she got to have that time to talk with Brea, it helped bring everything full circle for me. The chemistry was so strong from the beginning between these two, but wow what a journey, their pasts played a big part in their hesitations and insecurities.

Oh, yes I will definitely be reading more from Shayla Black. This isn’t my first book by this author but it has been awhile. Which has left me wondering why? Her books are sexy, loving and always leave me needing more. I’m looking forward to the next in the Devoted Lovers series.

FINAL DECISION: I loved this bodyguard and star book. Hot and sexy, I loved how these can be combined with a sweetness between the main characters.

THE STORY: Bodyguard Cutter Bryant has agreed to protect his dearest friend by committing to a marriage of convenience between them. But before things are finalized, Cutter is off to Los Angeles to serve as a bodyguard for Shealyn West, one of the hottest new television stars. Cutter is thrown off balance by Shealyn from the moment they meet. Shealyn is being threatened by a blackmailer. Wary of revealing her secrets to Cutter, Shealyn is strongly attracted to the man she has hired to protect her. Deciding that there can be nothing long term between them, the two struggle against their feelings and their attraction while trying to find out who is threatening Shealyn.

OPINION: For some reason, I really like a good bodyguard/star story. It might be watching The Bodyguard or perhaps reading Silhouettes with similar stories in the 1980s. For whatever reason, I really was inclined to like this book from the start -- and thankfully, this book exceeded my expectations.

I could have done without the "like a sister" best friend who Cutter has to protect, but that is one of the dramas keeping the couple apart so I think it works as a plot device. What worked much better for me was the blackmailer story. I liked just about everything about it. It was suspenseful, the resolution was dramatic and good. Just good stuff.

I also really, really liked these characters. Both Cutter and Shealyn are wary but oh so willing to fall for one another. Shaelyn is a great combination of strong and independent and sweetness. At times she seems naive, but she is also savvy and determined.

Cutter is a genuinely good guy which is what causes him so many problems. He wants to solve the problems of his friend and doesn't know how to deal with having to take his own happiness.

I liked the relationship between Cutter and Shaelyn. They manage to pack a lot into what turns out to be only a few days. Of course, the danger and drama forces them into confessions that might have taken other longer, but I felt the connection between these two from the moment they met.

This is a good start to a new series. I haven't read the stories of some of the characters who appear here, but I didn't feel that I missed anything (although now I'm tempted to go back and read their stories).

WORTH MENTIONING: There are a whole bunch of characters introduced who I hope get their own stories in this series.

CONNECTED BOOKS: DEVOTED TO PLEASURE is the first book in the Devoted Lovers series. (There is a prequel DEVOTED TO WICKED that is a crossover with the Wicked Lovers series.)  Prior books are not necessary. I haven't read any other than DEVOTED TO WICKED and I didn't feel I missed anything.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

NOTE:  I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to prepare this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

Wow I have had Devoted to Pleasure on my Kindle for a little while now and I have had to work my way through all my ARC’s. So, happy to have made my way to this book!

Devoted to Pleasure is the first book in Shayla Black’s new series Devoted to Lovers. This is Cutter Bryant (bodyguard) and Shealyn West’s (star for a steamy television drama) story.

Shealyn needed a bodyguard because she has a blackmailer about something in her past. Shealyn has a high profile fake romance with Tower Trent. Cutter figures it out, fast.

Cutter is taking his last “high-octane, high dollar assignment before he settles down to a new role. Getting married and settling down with his best friend.

But, what happens when Shealyn after she hires Cutter for her body guard? You will have to read this book to know.

Devoted to Pleasure is a steamy, suspenseful and enjoyable book to read. I can’t wait to read book 2 in this new series.