ARC Review: Unblocked: Episode One by Marni Mann

Book Title: Unblocked: Episode One
Author: Marni Mann
Series: Timber Towers #1
Release Date: March 10th, 2015
Genres: Erotica Romance

Derek Block seeks revenge. Frankie Jordan seeks professional dominance. He wants her, she wants him. Lines that can't cross begin to blur. Things start heating up as real estate gets real…

This is the first episode of a five-episode novella series.

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{READ MORE FOR ALLISON'S REVIEW!}

 

 Unblocked, book one in the Timber Towers Series, introduces us to renowned Boston realtor Frankie Jordan. She's built her career from the ground up within her family's company, Jordan International. She's earned her success and she wants it all! When a new high-end high rise is constructed in the city, she's one of a very few realtors interviewing for chance to be the sales agent for the entire building. This is her big chance to prove to her father she can play with the big boys! Enter big boy... 

  Derek Block is the developer of Timber Towers- Block Development. A bit rough around the edges compared to most refined architects, yet he has a pull like no other with Frankie. From the minute she steps into his office, she's a bit off-kilter but nothing shall divert her attention on the big prize... her success... this job. She must stay focused in order to prove to her father she can handle running the family company when he retires. And even if Derek Block calls to something within her core...she must stay the course- the professional course. 

  “I had a rule that I’d never broken: I didn’t sleep with anyone I worked with.” 

 Frankie doesn't realize how hard this rule will be to follow if she gets the contract. Everything about Derek effects Frankie...his scent, his cool demeanor, even his god-awful distaste in clothing. He belongs in an LL Beam ad versus GQ. Yet, still everything becomes a blur for her. Is the contract her prize, or is Derek?

 

Unblocked starts out as many serial novellas do for me. I felt a bit detached from the story. Serial novellas seem to plop in the middle of a storyline and try to piece together the characters as quickly as possible, just in time for a cliffy ending, making me beg for more. With Unblocked, it wasn't as much being plopped in the middle of the storyline but I felt it was still rushed and a bit confusing in the beginning. The first 30% I was worried I wouldn't attach to this story at all. I needed more character development- and a lot less erotic dreams Frankie keeps having. I'd rather know a bit more about her background than getting her steamy dreams over and over. But I digress... 

  Unblocked packs a steamy punch towards the end of the novella. Frankie and Derek agree to this partnership but can the two of them hold true to their hard fast rule of no sex with clients? Can they hold off until the last unit is sold?

   

 Needless to say, I'm hooked now. Derek is enough of an enigma that I have to venture forth to find out his story. And I have a strong suspicion Frankie's ex, Reed, isn't gone for long. What's a good angsty-hot love story without the ex to throw in some conflict? It doesn't help when he's also a colleague. Frankie's reputation- her career lies on this gig. Derek will just have to wait. Or can he?

 Moving on to book two!

   

  ARC copy kindly received by author in exchange for my honest review. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Best-selling Author Marni Mann knew she was going to be a writer since middle school. While other girls her age were daydreaming about teenage pop stars, Mann was fantasizing about penning her first novel. She crafts sexy, titillating stories that weave together her love of darkness, mystery, passion, and human emotion. A New Englander at heart, she now lives in Sarasota, Florida with her husband and their two dogs who subsequently have been characters in her books. When she's not nose deep in her laptop working on her next novel, she's scouring for chocolate, sipping wine, traveling to new locations, and devouring fabulous books.

Visit her at:
WEBSITE: www.MarniSMann.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MarniMannAuthor
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/marnimann
INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/marnimann/