Member Reviews
Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this book and to be an early reader via NetGalley! However, I will not be writing a review for this title at this time, as my reading preferences have since changed somewhat. In the event that I decide to review the book in the future, I will make sure to purchase a copy for myself or borrow it from a library. Once again, thank you so much for providing me with early access to this title. I truly appreciate it. Please feel free to contact me with any follow-up questions or concerns.
I knkw that this book got a lot of great reviews but it took me months to finish. It was just to boring and predictable for me to truly enjoy. I think with more thought and ingenuity this book could have been great.
Cute romance, but the characters annoyed me some. I remember really liking the first book, but it has been awhile. Each book features a different main couple, so I think it can be read as a standalone just fine. The story is good, but there is also too much filler that takes away from the heart of the story. Knox and his friends survived a major bus crash when they were teenagers, and have had a deep connection of friendship. Knox was a virgin when they were trapped after the bus crash, so he vows to have tons of sex when they are rescued. Which is why now years later, he sleeps with tons of women. One-night stands, no commitments type of thing. He supposedly treats them nicely, but I still was thinking eww. So, he had a long way to go with me, which I never fully reached loving him. He meets Madison, who is looking for husband material, and Knox is very clear that that isn't him. She thinks she can wear him down, which is an aspect of her character I didn't like. I initially liked her outspoken nature, but it started to grate on me after awhile. They do have hot times together though. I wish the story progressed faster than it did, and I also hoped that there was a bit more emotional connection between Knox and Madison. Overall, it's a sweet story.
Received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
Whoo boy did I like this read. Although Madison came off a little pushy for my liking, I appreciated that she knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to go after it. Knox thinks that she'll be another in his long line of conquests, until they actually meet and he realizes that she's so much more than he had her pegged for. Madison came to DC for three things - get a job, find her brother, and get a husband and she is definitely putting Knox at the top of her list for that last one.
Watching these guys fall is nothing but fun. For once, Knox's money isn't going to impress a girl and he finds himself wanting to impress her in the worst way, so none of his old tricks work.
I loved how quickly Madison became a part of something. She bonded with Annabeth and with Summer and she had the confidence to even get close with the other ACS guys. The only time she's not confident is when it comes to the brother she's never met...who just so happens to be one of Knox's best friends.
I'm loving this series. Barth has written real characters who you find yourself rooting for. The best part is that they're all real. Even the supporting characters are interesting.
Knox and Madison met by chance and immediately exploded into much more. Madison, the sexy librarian, knows what she wants and goes for it. When she decides that she wants Knox, he really doesn’t stand a chance. Oh sure, he tells her in no uncertain terms that he enjoys a revolving cast of women in his life, once he gets to know her a little bit, he can’t get enough.
I adore the premise of this series and adored this installment in the continuing story of the "Naked Men" podcast guys. Knox...a survivor of a horrific bus crash, science geek and wealthy man, has found success in business and many, many ladies. However, when he meets blond bombshell Maddison, he's ready to change his ways and settle down. She's a little off limits, but the two are meant to be, despite any bro code. This was a wonderful installment in the series and overall, the writing and story were excellent. A definite must read for fans of the series.
What I liked so much about tis story is that Knox is a geek who becomes a notorious ladies' man. I like that he meets Madison and realizes he needs to change his lifestyle after sees things in life the way she does. I like that even though I didn't read the prior stories in this series, it was still easy to read and I didn't feel like I was missing anything. I like the closeness that Knox and Madison come to share and the heat they produce. The writing is very good and the characters are well developed.
I have not had a chance to read this book yet. I am still working on catching up and also trying not to get too far behind on other books. I will update this review once I have read the book.
Knox is a genius, card carrying as he likes to boast. He creates and sells businesses more often than Starbucks creates new coffees. With a net worth equal to a small country he wants for nothing, except more money and his next conquest. He's had more women than a Vogue cover. That is until he runs into Madison... literally.
Madison is a woman who knows what she wants and will stop at nothing to get it. What she wants is her dream career, to meet her step-brother, and to find a husband. She got the job, she engaged in contact with her brother, all she needs is the ring on her finger. Growing up in the Alaskan Bush she's had a rough go of it and she knows that she wants her adult life to be perfect. Lucky for her she was just saved by her own little slice of perfection.
This started out so well, the prologue had enough information to introduce me to the group of men these books are about. It even sets you up to understand Knox right from the beginning. By 12% I realized that I was missing parts of the relationships between the men because I hadn't read the first book, however, it wasn't enough to detract from the story. I never felt lost. 19% in and I didn't really like the men. By this point I didn't see Knox as a genius, self-made millionaire, but more like an adolescent with daddy's credit card. He was petulant and self-centered. I quickly tired of his "women buffets" and "it's all about the money" attitude.
Madison is likable enough but came across as more naive than the no nonsense confident woman she was trying to portray. I expected perhaps a bit more cynicism from a girl that was raised in the wilds of Alaska and a bit less drama queen. Her constant references to her husband list got tiring by 23%. I get wanting a husband to love her and the family and friends that she's always craved. But I wish she had toned down the husband hunt just a bit.
Some scenes felt forced, the only explanation for them being they set up a certain scenario. You saw it coming from a mile away, it took away a bit of the surprise. At times the story lingered in places longer than it needed to and in others it sped right through it without enough being shown instead of just told.
All that said, I actually did like it. It's like those movies they play on syfy with sharks being mixed with other oceanic creatures. You don't care that they are cheesy or silly, you enjoy the spectacle of it all. This book is one of those guilty pleasures. Will it ever be in my top 10 favorites? No. But did I enjoy myself? Absolutely. I liked that the characters were both weird and kind of terrible at times, they were made perfectly for each other. Will I read the next in the series? Probably.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and decided to share my opinion.
OMG this was such a fantastic book. The characters were captivating, the story line kept going back and forth between time, however, it was easy to follow. Can't wait to read more from this author.
Love this series!! Wanting it All is book two in The Naked Men Series & just as good as the first book. It can be read as a stand alone (but read the first book- its GREAT)
Christi Barth writes with both heat & compassion- her characters are complex & interesting. Can't wait for the 3rd book in this series!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I really liked this book was good an well written with good characters cant wait for more from this series. would recommend
WANTING IT ALL - Christi Barth
NERDY, RICH AND HUNKY - 4 stars
#2 in the Naked Men romance series
Plot - 4 stars - Knox is the teammate who grew up dirt-poor and nerdy, making him the perfect candidate to be bullied. His soccer friends, however, become like brothers, teaching him and helping him grow into a successful man. Now he's super rich, ultra sexy, and refuses to settle down with any one woman. He "doesn't do repeats," according to his friends. Until he meets Madison, a transplant from Alaska who is looking for a husband. Now he's developing a relationship despite himself, and it's all new territory for him.
Writing - 4 stars - Smooth, steady, fun, great sexy scenes, lots of witty banter--this book has all the best attributes of today's contemporary romance genre.
Characters - 4 stars - Knox started out nerdy, but has turned that into an asset, building a hugely successful empire. He's close to his friends, loving to his mother, but he just doesn't want to settle down at all, preferring to find a new woman every night. Now that he's gorgeous and rich, he doesn't have any problems finding women willing to play along.
I love Madison as a heroine. She's a very appealing mix of intelligent and naive. Having moved from Alaska to Washington DC, she's unashamed about being interested and excited about everything she sees. She loves to try new things every day, expanding her horizons. But, she's no dummy. She has strong opinions and cares deeply about the people around her, leading with her heart. She would be a great friend, loyal and fun. Their chemistry is immediate and strong. Since Madison's on the look-out for a husband, she's not shy about accepting Knox's advances. He, on the other hand, is starting to feel things he's never felt before, and he doesn't know how to deal with them. And his friends don't help--they're used to knowing him as a player.
Title - 4 stars - It fits the format for this series, only this time it refers to the motives behind both characters' actions. Knox wants to gain all the money he can to counteract his poor upbringing, while sampling all the women he can find to make up for his unhappy school years. Madison, on the other hand, wants to live life to the fullest--having "it all." She won't settle for less.
Cover - 4 stars - Gorgeous. Barth chooses extremely sexy men, but leaves their faces off the cover, tantalizing the reader but leaving room for their imagination to create the face that will turn them on.
Overview - 4 stars - So much better than the first in this series. It could be that Knox is a more enjoyable hero, or it could be that Barth has settled in to this series and has a better idea of where she wants it to go. The dynamic between Knox and Madison is great--strong and challenging without being hurtful. Their meeting, although accidental, made sense to me. And their immediate attraction was believable. You can't help but love Madison's excitement and optimism, and she's the perfect foil for Knox and his won't-ever-settle-down attitude. He's drawn to her despite himself. What a fun and hopeful book--I loved it and look forward to the next in the series.
This series has gotten better with book two. We have a playboy Knox and a very determined Madison along with the rest of the guys (who I adore more with each book) along with Summer and AnnaBeth. I loved Madison's fierce determination to achieve her goals and lure Knox to her side. She didn't give up on him and made him question all he thought he wanted in life. She was full of life, kept Knox on his toes, truly a refreshing character. Knox was a playboy with complete loyalty to his friends and his momma. Gotta love a momma's boy! But he really did have a heart of gold, was very generous and very funny watching him fall hard for Madison and be determined not to. They made a great couple and complemented one another perfectly. Madison making new friends with Summer, Chloe and AnnaBeth was very heartwarming. I still loved the banter between the guys and the defensiveness of their women.
I am definitely looking forward to Logan's book. It will be wonderful to get to know more about him. I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.
Wanting It All is the second delightful romance in the Naked Men series written by author Christi Barth. Love these stories. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House-Loveswept for the advance copy.