Unsuitable (Forbidden Cove #1), by Lavinia Kent

Publication: Loveswept; May 28, 2019

About the book:

Cougar . . . MILF . . . Mrs. Robinson.

Jordan Robinson knows firsthand that when a woman marries a rich older man, people are going to talk. But now, with her husband gone, Jordan lives a quiet life of seclusion, managing her charities and staying away from the limelight. Then everything changes after an unexpected kiss leads to the best sex of her life—and a secret affair Jordan never wants to end.

A sexy young mogul who’s used to getting what he wants, Clay has wanted Jordan Robinson ever since he was seventeen and saw her emerge dripping from a swimming pool in a white bikini. But now he’s all grown up . . . and now she’s his. But when their relationship is exposed, the fallout is devastating. Yet Clay’s a man in his prime—and Jordan’s a woman worth fighting for. They may have started as a fling, but Jordan Robinson belongs in his bed, in his life . . . and forever in his heart.

My Review

I recently downloaded this title from NetGalley and was looking forward to an easy, sexy romance to sink into. The story is about Jordan who has been widowed for a few years and her friend trying to get her back in the saddle again, so to speak. She briefly sees a man’s ass, and yes, that’s what I meant to say, at a party and suddenly feels a spark within that she thought had long since died. Then she sees said ass again in an elevator and they basically mount one another then and there. Turns out, ass man is Clay who is tens years younger than her and a former boyfriend of her step-daughter Amelia. Thus begins gossip and drama revolving around their “relationship” ranging from the age difference to her being after his money to her having an affair with him years earlier when he was just a young buck lusting after a MILF in a white bikini.

Here is what I enjoyed about this book. I liked the basic premise of a woman rediscovering her sexuality and desire. I liked that a woman flirting with hitting forty could once again feel so alive, desirable, and insatiable. And I loved her relationship with her step-daughter Amelia. Moreover, there were some very hot and steamy scenes that you practically need a fan to cool yourself off. Lavinia Hunt can write some steam.

My issues with the book are mainly that there was no real substance. Are they in love? Are they in lust? Does he even like Jordan or is Clay just finally fulfilling a seventeen-year-old boy’s fantasy? Clay seemed like such a deliciously complex character at first, but then, there was nothing. We know he’s always wanted her, he got her, she kept pushing him away, and he was o.k. with that. Where were Clay’s emotions? Where were Jordan’s? The first time they have a real conversation it turns into what they referred to as an argument and broke up. If that’s an argument worth walking away from someone then sign me up because life must be extraordinarily carefree and easy for these characters.

This is a book where I was told about their desires, believed their sexual chemistry, but felt nothing beyond that. Which was so frustrating because there was so much potential!

What I took away from the book was that Jordan talks like a prudish nun, but then wants to be a little freaky behind closed doors. I have no issue with that but if anyone discussed anything other than charity work in her presence, she was offended. Nevermind the thoughts going through her head while thinking about Clay and the little shows she put on while with him. By all means, make your heroine a secret sex kitten while acting polite and formal in society, but give her a voice besides complaining, denying, and/or debating.

Praise for Lavinia Hunt tastefully tackling an older woman/younger man storyline, but the characterization was just too flat for me. And the ending…. It was about as solid with about as much closure as the first time we met a Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Loveswept for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!