Blog Tour - Excerpt, Review & Giveaway: The Hazards of Sleeping with a Friend (Hazards #5) by Alyssa Rose Ivy

The Hazards of Sleeping with a Friend
(Hazards #5)

by Alyssa Rose Ivy

March 26, 2015
204 pages

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Goodreads Summary:

Warning: Sleeping with a friend might change your life forever.

Sleeping with Kyle was never in the plans. Pretending to be his girlfriend was one thing, but letting our relationship become anything but platonic was another. The problem with mixing friendship with sex is that inevitably feelings get involved, and when that happens there's no turning back.

When Kyle's life fell apart around him, I needed to help, but doing that meant opening myself up to the most terrifying thing in the world—falling in love.

Excerpt

I didn’t rush to turn the light off. I wasn’t sure if either of us were ready to go back to darkness again. If she was feeling even remotely like me, then sleep was the last thing on her mind.

If a kiss could make me feel that way, the sex was going to be incredible. That thought ran through my head on repeat as I tried to keep my eyes anywhere but on her. Eventually my willpower gave out, and I turned to look at her lying under the sheets next to me with a soft smile on her lips. I wanted to taste those lips again so bad I could barely take it.

She read my mind. “You officially have permission to kiss me anytime.”

“That’s great permission to have.” I rolled over on to my side next to her. I wasn’t giving up any opening she was willing to give.

“Do I have it too?”

“On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.” I ran my hand down her bare arm.

“But today is Sunday.”

“I guess I can make an exception.” I grinned, loving how she’d moved us back to the teasing that came so naturally.

“Can you?” She sat up and looked down at me.

Something snapped. I needed her, and it wasn’t going to wait. I pulled her on top of me.

She giggled. “Wow, and I didn’t even say please.”

“I guess you didn’t.” I rolled her off me, and instead hovered above her.

She looked up at me through her unbelievably long eyelashes. “Would you please make an exception?”

“You have full permission to kiss me.”

She reached up and pulled my head down to hers. Her lips crashed into mine aggressively, and that only made me want her more. I didn’t wait for her to open up this time, I pushed my way into her mouth, determined to get every taste of her I could.

She slipped her hand underneath my t-shirt, and I needed more of her touch. I broke the kiss long enough to pull off my t-shirt.

“If we’re playing fair tonight, you can take mine off too.” Her words sent a thrill through me, but also an alarm. Taking off her shirt was entering new territory. Much more dangerous territory.

“You sure you want me to?” I ran my fingers over the strip of skin exposed by her tank top riding up.

“Yes. Positive.” She sat up and pulled off the tank top herself.

Review

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Alyssa Rose Ivy's Hazards series. I've been eagerly anticipating the release of this newest book since the title was revealed. Every story has been filled with love and friendship and this one was no less.

We know Kyle and Jade from the previous books. They get along really well, being easy and relaxed around each other. Since both are single, I believe their attraction was more than warranted. Neither has made any definite move though. Then Kyle gets roped into going on his family trip and needed to bring his girlfriend along. His very non-existent girlfriend. Starting here, I pretty much knew how the story would go on. I knew Kyle would ask Jade to pretend to be his girlfriend and against her better judgement (even she acknowledged it herself), she'd say yes. Steamy things happen and inevitably their feelings surface and they fall in love. I enjoyed watching them take the leap into something more. A lot of the moments were obvious but so appealing.

Most of the book focused on Jade and Kyle's relationship. Jade was very reluctant to label herself and Kyle. "Fear can change you and mess you up so much that you barely resemble the person you once were." (Loc 3482). She does open up to Kyle eventually about her painful past but we don't get much more elaborations. Then she panics because he doesn't return any of her calls. She was especially paranoid because he disappears right after she lets him in. Ironically that was my favourite part of the book because her anxiety was so relatable. I'm sure everyone's been there. You let your insecurities take over and your mind roams through all sorts of possibilities, none of which are positive. Her reactions made perfect sense because if I hadn't known about it beforehand, I'd be antsy to find out too. Kyle's problem didn't bring much conflict to the story either. We don't learn about it until after he hears the devastating news about Dylan. His actions were from the regret and guilt he felt and I loved how Jade understood and stayed by his side even as he tried to push her away. "I refused to walk away from him when he needed me most even if he didn't want me at all." (Loc 3345).

Compared to the previous books in the series, we barely see any of the Delta Mu girls and their other halves. Savy and Glen (from the novella) are around but Cara is the only one to pop up in telephone conversations. They still gave Jade lots of support and plenty of blunt girl talks which I adored. I was surprised by how much Dylan, Kyle's older brother, came into play in the story. He was definitely the same old douchebag who mistreated Juliet in the first book. All this leads me to want to ask Alyssa Rose Ivy some spoilery questions. Why kill off Dylan? He could've ran away like Kyle originally thought so why kill him off completely? Also, are we ever going to find out why he needed to talk to Kyle? My best guess is like all those other times, he needed money again. My questions are somewhat self-explanatory but I wold really love to hear what Alyssa has to say about them.

I'm really happy Jade finally got her turn. Ever since she was introduced she's been a quiet background character. She got more 'page time' in The Hazards of Sex on the Beach and I just loved how super supportive she was for Cara. So thank you Alyssa for writing Jade's story! The cover model of Jade is a little different than what I imagined her to be but I think Kyle,  from what I can see, is spot on. The Hazards of Sleeping with a Friend is a sexy addition to this fun and delightful series. I just can't get enough of them!

*I received an eARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinion are my own and not affected in any way. All quotes were taken from the Advanced Review Copy I received.

Alyssa Rose Ivy Bio:
Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.

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