Book: In The Mix
Author: Jacquelyn Ayres
Genre: Erotic/Romance/Humor
Synopsis
*** This book contains the GEGs! For those of you who don't understand that warning: GEGs= strong language. gut-busting LOL moments caused by best friends who check their maturity at the door when they're together, and impromptu Kegel exercises. This book does not come with batteries.
Though it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the series in order since all books will have a continuation of EVERYONE'S story. Enjoy! ***
CiCi O’Brien has a weapon of mass destruction—her mouth. It’s always loaded and ready to strike, whether the situation calls for laughter or a professional smartass. It’s been her strongest defense against unwanted feelings over the past fifteen years. If she acts like she doesn’t care, then she won’t, right? Yeah . . . keep telling yourself that, Ceese! Luckily for CiCi, she’s surrounded by friends and family who can easily see through her façade. They (and the furballs she takes care of at work) are who enrich her life, have been the ones she’s needed. That is, until the day her life changed—when she grabbed it by the balls. No, seriously . . . she grabbed him by the balls. Not kidding. Kyle Cooper has it all. He’s smart, handsome, and a ninja (not really, but that’s what Mitch likes to call him). As vice president of Colton Technologies, he travels around the world with Mitch, bringing companies the latest innovations in automobile technology. At home, he’s a force to be reckoned with, always hanging out with his parents and sister or . . . working. Oh. Kyle Cooper does not have it all, and he’s ready for a change. He just isn’t sure where to begin. That is, until CiCi O’Brien walks into his office and grabs this bull by the . . . horns (wink), which causes a spark to ignite in both of them. Kyle embraces it. CiCi does everything, short of calling the fire department, to put it out. Who will prevail? And what will that win truly mean?
5 Stars
I'm not exactly sure where to start. The story was very slow going for me in the first third of the book. I also feel as though we missed out on an important scene that was needed in the beginning. We go from hearing talk about a possible date straight to the date having already occurred. We don't actually know what happened.
Kyle Cooper believes he has met the perfect woman. She's smart-mouthed, bossy as hell, and had a hand on his jewels at their first meeting. He can't get her out of his head. He bugs his best friend Mitch until he sets up a double date with her, after all, it is his girlfriend, Charlotte's sister.
Cici is...WOW. Between her inner monologue and what actually leaves her mouth, she is blunt. There is no brain to mouth filter, especially at times when there should be. But she also has some doubts about herself, ones that stem from a painful event that happened 15 years ago.
Kyle is up for the chase. He's nothing if not persistent. He's trying everything he can think of. But Cici is a different brand of girl, and she's not making it easy.
If we had that (I feel) crucial scene in the beginning, I probably would have rated a little higher. I think that if we had it, we would have maybe understood a little of why Kyle was chasing Cici so hard, why he was putting in so much effort towards something so difficult. The thing that redeemed this story for me was the banter and the relationships between the main and supporting characters. The banter was witty sarcastic. There were so many times where I couldn't believe something was said. I laughed because it was so outrageous, but funny at the same time. Whatever Cici dished out, there was usually someone right there to dish it right back. Back to the relationships, they were strong. They both have family and friends who would do anything for them. There is always an ear to listen and advice to be given. All in all, it was an OK book. Not knowing that this was part of a series, I can safely say that this can be read as a standalone.
CiCi O’Brien has a weapon of mass destruction—her mouth. It’s always loaded and ready to strike, whether the situation calls for laughter or a professional smartass. It’s been her strongest defense against unwanted feelings over the past fifteen years. If she acts like she doesn’t care, then she won’t, right? Yeah . . . keep telling yourself that, Ceese! Luckily for CiCi, she’s surrounded by friends and family who can easily see through her façade. They (and the furballs she takes care of at work) are who enrich her life, have been the ones she’s needed. That is, until the day her life changed—when she grabbed it by the balls. No, seriously . . . she grabbed him by the balls. Not kidding. Kyle Cooper has it all. He’s smart, handsome, and a ninja (not really, but that’s what Mitch likes to call him). As vice president of Colton Technologies, he travels around the world with Mitch, bringing companies the latest innovations in automobile technology. At home, he’s a force to be reckoned with, always hanging out with his parents and sister or . . . working. Oh. Kyle Cooper does not have it all, and he’s ready for a change. He just isn’t sure where to begin. That is, until CiCi O’Brien walks into his office and grabs this bull by the . . . horns (wink), which causes a spark to ignite in both of them. Kyle embraces it. CiCi does everything, short of calling the fire department, to put it out. Who will prevail? And what will that win truly mean?
Review by Leeann
Cici & Kyle… A match made in heaven.. or not!!
Kyle is a gorgeous man who is smart, funny and a successful business man. He has the world at his feet. All he wants is Cici. He has wanted her (not just in his bed) to be in his life from the moment he laid eyes on her and grabbed him by the balls.. No really, she literally did!
Cici is complicated. She has allowed a traumatic event from her past dictate her life for 15 years. No one knows what happened and if she has her way no one ever will. Cici feels she is not worthy of a man’s love and devotion and has made it her life’s mission to push them all away. She believes they deserve better than her.
Kyle doesn’t buy it. He pushes and pushes. They have good days and bad days. Eventually Kyle works out that Cici does things her way and in her own time.
You will laugh… A lot when you read In The Mix, you may shed a few tears, or at the very least feel empathy for both Kyle and Cici, but then you will laugh some more!! Jacquelyn Ayres has brought Cici to life in a way that is both hilariously funny, but also heart warming. You see despite Cici’s tough front that she puts on, underneath she has a heart of gold. Cici is a true treasure and no one knows this more than Kyle. He gets her, and, she gets him.
Kyle has a sister Lindsay who has Down Syndrome when Cici meets Lindsay she takes to her like a duck to water. This just confirms to Kyle what he knew all along. Cici is a beautiful woman and he will stop at nothing to make her his.
Their relationship is rocky at best sometimes and Cici has the fight or flight instincts down pat. It is funny I often get frustrated with female characters that want it then change their minds, but I didn’t feel that way at all about Cici, more than anything, I just wanted to hug her. She really is a good person who can’t see the good in herself that everyone else can see and that really does come across in this story.
What I loved about Kyle is that not once did he waver in his determination to pursue Cici. I also loved that he loved his parents and didn’t shy away from seeking their advice when it came to his love life, nor did he hesitate to take the advice they dished out to him.
Kyle and Cici really are perfectly matched, Kyle knows it and now he just needs Cici to realise it.
As their relationship progresses it is interesting to see how they both evolve from to single people to an actual couple. They both have lessons to learn on their journey but the way they learn about each other and also themselves is not just beautiful but oh so funny too!! I wouldn’t recommend reading in a public place though, you may find yourself with tears running down your face from laughing so much or blushing till your bright red from the super hot sex scenes!! ( I don’t know, maybe keep some tissues and a fan on standby? LOL ;) )
Jacquelyn Ayres is one of those rare authors who have the ability to make you feel the emotions of the character. She writes about serious life changing issues like MS and Down Syndrome in a way that raises your awareness of them, but she also brings a lighter shade to the context of the story while doing this. Not many people can pull off adding the element of comedy into a sexy, hot as sin romance, but Jacquelyn has done it again.
This is book 2 in the GEG series and while it could be read as a standalone, I would highly recommend reading book 1 (Under Contract) too as it gives you a bit of background about Cici’s relationships with the rest of her family and also the other GEG girls too.
If you want a full length novel that will keep you hooked from start to finish & have you laughing your butt off all the way through then you seriously need to go & get yourself a copy of In The Mix.. It is one of my top 5 must reads for this year!!
5 Stars
Review by Tatia
I'm not exactly sure where to start. The story was very slow going for me in the first third of the book. I also feel as though we missed out on an important scene that was needed in the beginning. We go from hearing talk about a possible date straight to the date having already occurred. We don't actually know what happened.
Kyle Cooper believes he has met the perfect woman. She's smart-mouthed, bossy as hell, and had a hand on his jewels at their first meeting. He can't get her out of his head. He bugs his best friend Mitch until he sets up a double date with her, after all, it is his girlfriend, Charlotte's sister.
Cici is...WOW. Between her inner monologue and what actually leaves her mouth, she is blunt. There is no brain to mouth filter, especially at times when there should be. But she also has some doubts about herself, ones that stem from a painful event that happened 15 years ago.
Kyle is up for the chase. He's nothing if not persistent. He's trying everything he can think of. But Cici is a different brand of girl, and she's not making it easy.
If we had that (I feel) crucial scene in the beginning, I probably would have rated a little higher. I think that if we had it, we would have maybe understood a little of why Kyle was chasing Cici so hard, why he was putting in so much effort towards something so difficult. The thing that redeemed this story for me was the banter and the relationships between the main and supporting characters. The banter was witty sarcastic. There were so many times where I couldn't believe something was said. I laughed because it was so outrageous, but funny at the same time. Whatever Cici dished out, there was usually someone right there to dish it right back. Back to the relationships, they were strong. They both have family and friends who would do anything for them. There is always an ear to listen and advice to be given. All in all, it was an OK book. Not knowing that this was part of a series, I can safely say that this can be read as a standalone.
3.75 Stars
Author Bio
I am a domestic engineer (born and raised in NJ) whose sole responsibility is to guide three young, impressionable kids into becoming phenomenal adults. This challenging yet rewarding work requires a lot of love (coffee), patience (wine), and determination (periodic exorcisms). I work this magic from the beautiful state of New Hampshire.
Before becoming a domestic goddess (not really), I spent over a decade in the medical field, where I wore more hats than the Queen.
I have loved the written word and the great escape it provides since I was a little girl. When I wasn't reading about people and the places they lived, I was creating my own characters and adventures.
Finding myself again through my writing in The Lost & Found Series, The One, and The GEG Series has been nothing short of a dream come true. Also, it makes people feel better when I laugh randomly or talk to myself, knowing it's my characters and not "the voices" . . . that would be creepy.
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Under Contract
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