Novella Serial Review: Blurred Lines by Breena Wilde

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

Blurred Lines

Series: Blurred Lines / Wrong John Serials
Author: Breena Wilde
# of Books: 8 (See Goodreads for full Reading Order and Titles)
Complete?: Yes
Genre: New Adult, Erotica, Romance, Contemporary
Heat Rating: Smokin’

Thoughts:

NOTE: As of August 13, 2013, I have not read Crossed Lines, book #3. I will update this review once I have.

I actually picked up Blurred Lines and Distorted Lines when they were FREE on Amazon. Normally I wouldn’t pay a dollar for a 50 page book but when things are free, I grab them! I also wanted to test out my new Surface tablet’s Kindle Reading App and figured these quick books would do the trick!

That is the one main problem with Blurred Lines–it is was too short. I’m not sure why authors are all following the “serialized” format of releasing books–I guess it is a good way to make some more cash as readers have to pay ~$6 to read the whole series when it would otherwise be listed at $3 or $4. And while I understand why some authors, especially those who are self-publishing, do this, as a reader it pisses me off. I feel like I just get into the story then, BAM! Wait for the next volume to come out in a week. I guess it worked for Charles Dickens back in the day so who am I to criticize? But I wish we could move away from this format–it just causes me to lose interest and is one of my least favourite aspects about the popularity of eReading. This story would make a great novel and I wish that was how it was delivered.

However, despite the shortness of the text, I feel like we get some well-developed characters. Perhaps “developing” is a better word as more about them gets revealed in each volume. I liked Candace as a character overall. She is smart and independent and I find that there is something likeable about her but I’m just not sure what it is exactly. I have a feeling in Crossed Lines I am going to become annoyed with her just because of the way the plot is going–but when all is said and done, I liked her character more than I expected and I liked this book more than I expected. There are a few plot twists along the way that put an interesting spin on things and make me want to read the rest of the series despite the serialization aspect.

I feel like I should mention that this book’s subject matter isn’t for everyone. Despite the label of “New Adult” this book isn’t really what is typically seen in the genre, or at least what a majority of the books contain. It boarders almost on adult erotica but with new-adult aged characters. There is a lot of sex in this book, and not just your regular “vanilla” scenes either but some BDSM scenes that may make some readers uncomfortable. Prostitution is another topic mentioned in the book (in case you don’t catch what “hooking” means in the synopsis below) but I think it is handled in good taste.

Distorted Lines, volume 2, was a nice follow up to Blurred Lines. Again, an interesting twist happens that I think makes the story a bit more exciting though it is again, too short of a book. It is hard to say more without giving away spoilers (because if I did give you a suggestion of what happens, there really is no point in reading the 50 pages is there?) but I enjoyed it, just not as much as Blurred Lines as I feel this book was more of a bridge to the next volume.

Conclusion:

I’m glad I got these books for free from Amazon. I’m not sure if they are worth the dollar because I think I enjoyed them that little bit more because they were a free read–so keep an eye out on Amazon for a sale. Overall, they were a good way to pass the time (and test out my Kindle App on my tablet) and it was nice to read a different type of story not always seen in the New Adult genre. Though it definitely isn’t for everyone–especially those who don’t enjoy really sex-focused reads or serialized stories.

Rating: 3/5

Similar Reads: none come to mind that I have personally read

Synopsis for Blurred Lines (from Goodreads):
*** Cadence lives her life without holding back. She’s all in. Her life is raw, real, and unapologetic. If you aren’t afraid to experience all Cadence has to offer, read this series. ***

Hooking has four important rules.

1. Cash only.
2. Use protection.
3. Carry mace.
4. Don’t fall in love.

Twenty-year-old Cadence is a prostitute and she lives by the rules. They keep her alive and they keep her heart protected. But when she agrees to take one last job to get out from under her pimp, she discovers some of the rules might be worth breaking.

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