This was surprisingly good and very surprisingly sort of sweet. Moody artists,.. a frustrated and dark and growly guy, meets the frustrated, determined, and very independent girl. One established and famous, the other still in art school trying to make tuition. Both lonely and they fall in love, fast.

This is one of Carina Press' Dirty Bits. They are almost always a fun and short read, perfect for getting me out of my head, or in today's case, keep me occupied when I want nothing more than to go outside and play and have fun, but I'm stuck on the couch taking care of a rolled ankle. What better way to recuperate than to read a dirty book and live vicariously through a couple of artists getting it on?

It was fun, really hot, super sweet, and tender all at the same time.

"If you expect me to show you a piece of your soul, I damn well want to see a piece of yours."

This was an ok read, fast paced and intense.I liked how the story goes.It was hot and exaclty what I needed! Deacon and Hope were sexy and intense and I loved their connection.

The Novella format being used to kick off Tracy Wolff's Art of Pleasure series doesnt do her writing skills justice. Comparing Take Me to her full length novels reminds me of what is missing - the extra depth in character development. If I take this for what it is; erotica in novella format, then it is quick and sexy. The action starts right away, kind of insta lust, rather than a slow build where we get to know the characters. The setting is the artist's studio, which also limits the story. So... as a novella, its a little light on character development, but as erotica - it brings the heat.
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.

Take Me is a fast-paced short story by Ms. Wolff. the characters are developed rather well. Good plot elements and follow thru.

Take Me is the first book in a steamy shorts series centered around artists. In this one the jackhole "hero" hires the heroine to pose for him. He's some hot-shot iron sculptor, and she just lost her art school scholarship and needs the money.

I had to DNF this one at 28% (yes, I'm aware it's a 100 page novella...) because the hero made me feel murderous. In the first frickin' chapter, after the heroine walks into his studio, our "hero" muses to himself:
I don't have to have anything in common with the women I stick my dick in...but it doesn't hurt.
The fact that I didn't hurl my Kindle across the room just goes to show you my incredible act of restraint. Not only that, I somehow I kept reading. Why? I don't know. I'm blaming it on the cold medicine I'm currently dosing myself with because I have a gnarly head cold.

Then we get the heroine's point of view in a following chapter and that's when a power differential comes into play that I really cannot get past:
In the end, I don't say anything - partly because I need this job and partly because there's nothing to say. Not really. Not yet, when all I know about him is what I've read.
Yeah, no. This sets all sorts of warning bells for me. But it's not the final nail in the coffin. No, that comes when we're back the hero's cesspool point-of-view:
It makes me want to punch that wall and keep punching it until the pain knocks out everything else - including the fact that I'm sitting here mooning after her like a little bitch right now. Or a gigantic fucking wuss.
Conclusion: I don't think she's safe with him and he's a douchecanoe. Excuse me while I go burn everything down.

Final Grade = DNF

Oh gosh, how I wished this was a longer novella. Of course I wanted to keep reading because I was really enjoying the story, but it was more than that. It felt like these characters had so much more to tell. Their past, what brought them to this point... There was so much more than could I have been explored and I was disappointed that I didn't get the chance to really get to know Hope and Deacon. I did still really enjoy the novella. The sexy time was hot. The characters were lovable yet still a bit wounded. I just really wanted more of their backstory.

This read... I'm not sure what to think about it...
I know it has to be insta lust/insta love, but there was nothing that would make this "relationship" more than just sex.
It felt completely like that - steamy sex but the relationship was growing like it was so artificial. I didn't like characters as developing had not met what I had hoped for -some kind of developing in the meantime yet it never happened.
Hopefully, the next book will have it in itself.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆
This is the story of Hope and Deacon, both are artists but Deacon is the famous, intimidating artist and Hope is the wannabe artist who is going to school and is going to model for Deacon to help pay for school.

On the first day she goes to model for him, they both know that something is different. Deacon knows that she might be the answer to all his unanswered questions. And Hope knows he is the answer to every question she can think of. She wants to learn more about him, but he doesn't seem to like sharing about himself, other than what she has already read in articles. She wants more, so much more.

Deacon knew when he first saw her that she was different and he knows now that if he touches her, he will be lost in the pleasure. When she is around, he almost feels his life is complete and when she is gone, he can't wait for her to come back.

I love Tracy Wolff and I really liked this story. I wish it would have been longer with more backstory and a little more at the end. I went in knowing it was a short read, but I want more. I can't wait to read more in this series.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F Erotica

Hope is supposed to model for the great Deacon. She can't believe that she's in his presence. She's attracted to him but wonders if they could really have something real.

Deacon knows immediately when Hope arrives that he has found his muse. He is instantly attracted to her and despite knowing he shouldn't get involved with his model, he can't help himself. He just has to touch.

These two have a hot and heavy few days and realize that underneath their artist side, they have a much deeper connection. While the book is short, it's full of steamy scenes and great chemistry. Wolff leaves the reader wanting so much more and I can't wait to read more in this series.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
I have really enjoyed all of the Carina Dirty Bits books, and this one is no exception... in fact, it is maybe one of the hottest!

Hope is a student artist who is keen to learn from the famous Deacon, so jumps at the chance to model for him, and pay off her tuition fees too. From the very beginning it is clear that they are two very sexual beings and no time is wasted in combining art with more.

Whilst this is a short story, the intensity builds dramatically, so that we are well aware that this is not going to fade anytime soon! It is sensual, fun, and gives a peek into the world of a sculptor.


Kris – ☆☆☆☆☆
Steamy fun novella hit hard in a short amount of pages. I fell for both Hope and Deacon from the very first page. These two had chemistry off the charts and Deacon had all the right intensity, jerkiness, and longing of a dominant male character I enjoy reading. Hope had the walls up around her heart and somehow this intense amazing artist/sculptor she's looked up to forever found a way in.

I definitely will be looking for the next Art of Pleasure installment!

Hope needs inspiration, money and a mentor. She answers an add to model for an artist and meets Deacon. Sparks fly between these two and it is only supposed to be for a week, but will that be enough? Fast-paced read with great chemistry and lots of steam my only issue was I wish it was longer. I really liked it.

Deacon is a sculptor and he has hired Hope for two weeks to pose nude for him. From the moment Hope sets foot in his atelier, Deacon is quite the smitten kitten. Sparks fly, clothes fly, tension rises and well... you get the picture.

'Take Me' is a 30.000 word novella-- a tad bit longer than the usual Carina DB--and though I had a little difficulty getting through the first chapter (the insta-lust was laid on a little too thick to my liking), it ended up being a surprisingly satisfying read that I gobbled up in one sitting.

What I didn't like:
- Though I'm aware that Carina DB's limited word count doesn't leave a lot of room to build up to the sexual encounter, the insta-lust was a bit too much in the first chapter. Hope grabbing Deacon's hand and using his fingers to get her off in order to make her feel more relaxed when she poses? Yeah, not buying that.
- It isn't until the end that we as the reader find out more about Hope's backstory. I think it would've worked better if it was sprinkled a bit more evenly throughout the story. Though we learn early on that she is struggling financially, the rest of her backstory is a mystery until the end
- The structure didn't always work well. The story takes place over the course of seven days and each day is alternately narrated by Deacon's or Hope. At certain points this didn't work--for instance, the first time they have full-on sex is narrated from Deacon's POV, then that chapter ends somewhat abruptly. The following day we're in Hope's POV and she narrates that Deacon more or less handed her her clothes and told her to go home after the deal was sealed, so to speak. Again, limited word count of Carina DB leads to certain choices, but I think this scene would've worked better if it was actually told on the page rather than in a narrative summary afterwards.

What I did like:
- I like the fact that Deacon ends up doing the running, rather than Hope
- The artistic descriptions of the sculpting process felt very realistic (I know bugger all about sculpting, but it felt realistic to me, lol)
- The romance and HEA were believable
- The sex scenes were really steamy and creative
- Aside from the fact that Hope's backstory could've been incorporated better, the author managed to give both characters a satisfying arc--no small feat in such a small word count

Tracy Wolff is a new-to-me author, but I will definitely pick up more stories by this author.

Recommend for readers who like a steamy & romantic, short read!

ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated in this review are my own.

Tracy Wolff never disappoints this was erotica at its best. One week in heaven is not enough. I will be looking forward to her next boo.

Carina Press has done a great job with these Novellas. The ones I have read are wonderfully written and get to the meat of the story quickly.

I’ve read several of these stories by Tracy Wolff and each one of them is fantastic story. Take Me is just another one to add to the top.

Extremely hot, intense, and just a great pleasure to read. The best thing is there’s not a lot of extraneous development but yet you get a snap shot of a warm, crazy sexy, and intimate relationship. What else do we really want?

If you’re looking for the heat you have to pick up this book. It’s Sizzling Hot!!!!!

This book entices, tantalizes, steams you up in such a short period! Oh so satisfied! Hope needs money, a mentor. When she answers an ad to be a model for an artist recluse, she'll get even more than that! Deacon is entranced. He has a new muse that he'll do more than use her as a model. He'll give her the most sensuous week of her life! Ms. Wolff gave me an hour or two of steamy escape! A great right before bed read!

I am going with 3 stars for this book because I feel like it's the most appropriate. I would have liked to have read scenes were the two main characters are not working. Deacon hired Hope to pose nude for him, so he could create his next masterpiece and that's pretty much what happens in the book. They spend most of their time posing (for Hope) and sketching (for Deacon). I wanted to see them outside of that room, maybe on a date. I didn't mind that they met and fell in love in a span of a week. The book is too short for anything else or any character development. I also got the impression that Deacon was sleeping or doing something sexual with each model that posed for him and I think that's what bothered me the most when it came to this book. If you want to read this book I would say go for it. It was a nice story, but I was a little disappointed by the way things unraveled since I was expecting more from the author. Still, take me is a short story and a naughty way to spend your day.

TAKE ME is the first instalment in Tracy Wolff’s contemporary, adult THE ART OF PLEASURE erotic romance trilogy. This is thirty-five year artist and art professor Deacon Vick, and third year art student Hope Stiles’ story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Deacon and Hope) TAKE ME follows the highly sexual relationship between thirty-five year artist and art professor Deacon Vick, and third year art student Hope Stiles. Having lost her scholarship, Hope Stiles applies for the position as Deacon Vick’s model, a position that places hope in the direct line of fire as it pertains to Deacon’s needs and wants. What ensues is the quick building erotic relationship between Deacon and Hope, and the potential fall-out as unexpected emotions and feelings get caught up in the mix.

TAKE ME is a quick read; a story of erotica; a steamy, sex-filled , carnal look at an artist who finds his muse in a kindred spirit. The character building and back stories are limited; the world building focuses on the sexual relationship.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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This art I can totally get behind! Sexy and downright naughty, Take Me is a fantasy.
Take Me is heart racing need, leg squirming heat, and pent up desires ready to explode.
Tension swirls so thickly it's a fog around these two. Desire rampant. Need. It's an erotic explosion.

Erotic romance

Tracy Wolff’s Take Me, the first book in The Art of Pleasure Trilogy had an interesting plot premise but I just never felt the connect between the two main characters.
I received an advance reader copy via Netgalley.

Hope Stiles is an art student and is struggling for money for tuition. When the chance comes to model for Deacon Vick, a world-famous metal sculptor and her idol, she jumps at it. Hope also does metal sculpting and is hoping she can learn a thing or two from Deacon. What she did not expect was that she would fall for Deacon....hard!

As soon as Deacon met Hope, he knew he was in trouble....she just stirred something in him that had laid dormant for so long. Throughout their week together things quickly turn from artist and model to something much more.

I enjoyed this fun, sexy novella. The characters were interesting and they did have great sexual chemistry. Overall this was a fun quick read.

In need of funds, Hope arrives at the great Deacon Vick’s studio to apply for a job as a model. With a world renowned talent in iron sculpting, Deacon usually uses a model for a day or two and then moves on. But when Hope walks through his doors he knows that’s not going to be the case. This starts off with a pretty hot scene and each one afterwards is just as steamy and more so. Layered throughout their sexual escapades each character’s introspection gives insight into their own struggles and fears.

This is a short, sexy novella that included some great artistic scenes in it. While it is definitely an inst-lust story, it had the emotional impact of being more. Hope is definitely the one that grows the most in this story and I was a bit disappointed that we weren’t given more regarding Deacon. Some of the questions Hope had for him and that he answered cavalierly were just a few things I too wanted to know more about. Nevertheless, this was a very well written story perfect for a little something to read between lengthier reads.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Carina Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

I really enjoyed reading about Deacon and Hope. These two have a great connection and steamy romance that will have you wanting more.

Must read this new hot steamy book by Tracy Wolff.