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rebecca80's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
4.75
klindtvedt's review against another edition
4.0
A Surprising and Emotionally Rich Taboo Romance…
I first saw Margot Scott’s character Noelle inside her addition to the "A Filthy Dirty Christmas novella" series installment, “The Christmas Virgin”. And while the story contained within that book was also a sassy, taboo filled tale worthy of the “filthy” moniker, I was far more captivated by the side characters within the story world's Maple Ridge Resort and the brief interactions with the resort’s intrepid hostess Noelle and her men Sawyer and Colton. So intrigued did I become, I went back to find their book after seeing in the author's notes for Christmas Virgin that they did indeed have a tale of their own! And let me say, you will not be disappointed by what you find there, as Noelle’s book, “Sharing Noelle”, is an emotionally intelligent, surprisingly poignant tale of grabbing true love where you find it, no matter what.
Here with the tale of Colton, the forty-something single father who raised a child born when he was only a teenager and has seemingly given up on love (and happiness) to focus on raising his kid, dealing with his wayward ex, and running and growing his family’s vacation lodge. Sawyer, the intrepid son of Colton who long ago ran away from the father he grew-up believing resented him for ruining his life. Emotional damage that now sees him bouncing from woman to woman, job to job, drinking away his inner turmoil as he struggles to find his footing in a world where he doesn’t trust love, relationships or even his own feelings. And of the course the leading lady herself, Noelle, a young woman born to an overly rigid, anger filled father, and a free-spirited, sexually open mother. A daughter forced to live under the oppressive weight of her father’s inner rage toward all women after her mother leaves to join a commune. Emotionally violent oppression that instills deep seated fear within Noelle and has her merely going through the motions in life, being the “good girl” her father demands, going to the college he wants, studying what he demands, and publicly living the way he insists is “proper”, rather than living freely and becoming the individual she internally wants to be. It is a swirling mess of pain and uncertainty that explodes when the universe unexpectedly collides their three worlds together (a collision ironically caused by Noelle’s own uptight father), setting into motion events that will change all their lives irrevocably.
It is also addictively sexy as Scott gives us a taboo rich, reverse harem story unlike others I have read, with chemistry so fierce it will light your libido on fire. All while also being a surprisingly rich and thoughtful story.
Where others focus solely on the smut side of things and quickly gloss over any actual emotional or intellectual connection, Scott takes a different path, showing us how these three come together as a most perfect love match via their individual emotional damage. Yes, it is a story bursting with love/lust connections that may make some folks uncomfortable, especially where Colton and Sawyer are concerned. Some others yet may take offense to Noelle’s desires and determination to have them met by the two men she seems to be unable to live without. However, if you can get past any preconceived notions of propriety and give this book a chance what you will find is a brave and truly captivating story of holding onto love when you find it and overcoming childhood trauma. I could honestly read a dozen more books about this trio, and truly hope there are more Maple Ridge Resort stories in the future!
I first saw Margot Scott’s character Noelle inside her addition to the "A Filthy Dirty Christmas novella" series installment, “The Christmas Virgin”. And while the story contained within that book was also a sassy, taboo filled tale worthy of the “filthy” moniker, I was far more captivated by the side characters within the story world's Maple Ridge Resort and the brief interactions with the resort’s intrepid hostess Noelle and her men Sawyer and Colton. So intrigued did I become, I went back to find their book after seeing in the author's notes for Christmas Virgin that they did indeed have a tale of their own! And let me say, you will not be disappointed by what you find there, as Noelle’s book, “Sharing Noelle”, is an emotionally intelligent, surprisingly poignant tale of grabbing true love where you find it, no matter what.
Here with the tale of Colton, the forty-something single father who raised a child born when he was only a teenager and has seemingly given up on love (and happiness) to focus on raising his kid, dealing with his wayward ex, and running and growing his family’s vacation lodge. Sawyer, the intrepid son of Colton who long ago ran away from the father he grew-up believing resented him for ruining his life. Emotional damage that now sees him bouncing from woman to woman, job to job, drinking away his inner turmoil as he struggles to find his footing in a world where he doesn’t trust love, relationships or even his own feelings. And of the course the leading lady herself, Noelle, a young woman born to an overly rigid, anger filled father, and a free-spirited, sexually open mother. A daughter forced to live under the oppressive weight of her father’s inner rage toward all women after her mother leaves to join a commune. Emotionally violent oppression that instills deep seated fear within Noelle and has her merely going through the motions in life, being the “good girl” her father demands, going to the college he wants, studying what he demands, and publicly living the way he insists is “proper”, rather than living freely and becoming the individual she internally wants to be. It is a swirling mess of pain and uncertainty that explodes when the universe unexpectedly collides their three worlds together (a collision ironically caused by Noelle’s own uptight father), setting into motion events that will change all their lives irrevocably.
It is also addictively sexy as Scott gives us a taboo rich, reverse harem story unlike others I have read, with chemistry so fierce it will light your libido on fire. All while also being a surprisingly rich and thoughtful story.
Where others focus solely on the smut side of things and quickly gloss over any actual emotional or intellectual connection, Scott takes a different path, showing us how these three come together as a most perfect love match via their individual emotional damage. Yes, it is a story bursting with love/lust connections that may make some folks uncomfortable, especially where Colton and Sawyer are concerned. Some others yet may take offense to Noelle’s desires and determination to have them met by the two men she seems to be unable to live without. However, if you can get past any preconceived notions of propriety and give this book a chance what you will find is a brave and truly captivating story of holding onto love when you find it and overcoming childhood trauma. I could honestly read a dozen more books about this trio, and truly hope there are more Maple Ridge Resort stories in the future!
kfriend's review against another edition
3.0
This is a fun, quick, and steamy festive read. It has all of the trappings that I love- especially an age gap, forbidden angle. I loved the beginnings of the story and was excited to see these characters connect and evolve. The steam is great, and I loved all the naughty, I just wish I felt the emotional connection/knew the characters a bit more. We have a bit of angst/drama that was interesting, but overall, it's mostly just sizzling smut- which I enjoyed plenty.
smithrachaelynn's review against another edition
4.0
A very spicy Christmas novella! I actually really enjoyed the dynamic between the three of them. I was hesitant at first but I loved how Noelle brought them together and helped them understand each other. The spice was great too.
erikakristy's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
othersian's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
hardbacklife's review against another edition
4.0
Was a great holiday read. Loved that the dad was the determined one and the step brother was angsty.