Her heart is off limits. She's only looking for fun and sex. Emily Stone is sick of men and their lying, cheating, self-centered ways. A stranger stealing a kiss on New Year's Eve is the last drop. She makes the resolution to turn the tables on the opposite sex and beat them in their own game. But when the stranger turns out to be Blake Edwards, the brother of one of her students, Emily's plans start to go awry. Blake pursues her with a vengeance. He's sexy, has all the right answers and makes her heart flip in her chest with just a smile. But he's also too confident, annoying, not to mention he can end her career with just a word at a time when money is scarcer than shooting stars. Should Emily fight her strong attraction to him or add another name to her date card and pretend Blake's no different than the rest of them?

“You’d be having more fun if you were out with me, kitten.” I jumped at the sound of that deep, bone-melting tone. I glanced over my shoulder, even though I already knew whom I’d see. Sure enough, Blake stood behind me in all his lick-worthy glory. His dark brown hair was mussed as if he’d spent half the night sifting his fingers through the thick strands. Dark jeans hugged his long legs, showcasing them to perfection. He had even rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt to reveal muscled forearms. God, men with dark-looks do look great in white.... What sin had I committed to deserve this? “Mr. Edwards.” I smiled and took delight in the way his lips flattened into a thin line. “How nice to see you again,” I lied through my teeth, my tone indicating that. His eyes narrowed. “This game you insist on playing is getting old.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I looked forward again and took a sip from my drink. Blake didn’t give up. He moved until he was in my line of sight. “I’m talking about you and me on New Year’s. You can’t deny we shared a connection.” The denial dangled from the tip of my tongue, but I could very well imagine how he would call me on my lie. Too vividly. And the troubling thing was I didn’t think I’d resist his kiss. “Whatever connection we might have shared is beside the point. I don’t date my students’ parents.” I hoped the frost in my voice balanced out the increased temperature of my body. His smile brightened the dimly lit jazz club despite his irritating “I know something you don’t know” expression. “I’m not Amanda’s dad, so that’s not an issue.” I folded my arms over my chest. “Still, you’re her guardian.” “Her very single guardian.” Oh, the eye-candy was so busted. I arched an eyebrow. “Really? And whom were you talking to on the phone on New Year’s saying I love you?” He flicked my nose, an intimate gesture I was too slow to evade. “Amanda. I couldn’t take her to the club with me, so we had dinner together, and I left her with a baby-sitter.” “You let her stay up so late?” I asked in an effort to divert his attention to a less dangerous subject. “No, she insisted on setting the alarm clock and getting up to call me.” “Ah.” A clever comeback indeed. Okay, I now stood a reason short, but I refused to be deterred. I had a New Year’s Resolution to keep and a new life to live. “You’re too nice,” I blurted out. “Excuse me?”

Rating:

Reviewer: Cheryl

Emily Stone has been burned by one too many males. Her latest episode with the other gender pushes her over the edge. She decides she has had enough and is going to teach men a lesson. Her last straw is when an arrogant, sexy stranger kisses her at a New Year’s Eve party.
Emily is a first grade teacher. One of Emily’s student’s is a young girl named Amanda. She lost her parents and is now being taken care of by her big brother, Blake Edwards. When Blake comes to pick up Amanda from school, Emily realizes that Blake is none other than the stranger who kissed her.

Blake can’t get Emily off his mind. He plans to show her that not all men are pigs. Emily better watch herself as she is playing with fire.

I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Emily tried to come off as the seductress but she didn’t really succeed. It was fun though reading about her trying. Blake, on the other hand, is the type of guy your mother warned you about. He is charming, handsome, and will have you wrapped around his little finger before you know what hits you. Blake was more sarcastic than arrogant. I was fine with this as I too speak the language of sarcasm. Anyone who has some free time on their hands and wants to get away from the real world awhile should check out The Art of Losing.

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