ARC Review: The Virgin's Guide to Misbehaving by Jessica Clare

Elise Markham has decided life is unfair. Born with a port wine colored birthmark on her cheek, she had to endure people’s stares. Then diagnosed with scoliosis meant a back brace coincided with puberty. She had laser surgery on her cheek to lighten the mark and extensive back surgery to try to realign her shoulders and hips. She’s visiting her brother Grant and his fiancée Brenna in Bluebonnet, TX. They run a survival expedition business. She’s staying at a bed and breakfast and trying to find work as a photographer. Her friend works at a magazine. She offers Elise constructive criticism. The pictures are good, but lack spark. Elise thinks the same can be said about her life. Her friends decide she needs a boyfriend. They banter around names, but only one man has caught Elise’s attention. Rome Lozada is tattooed, pierced, muscular, a motorcycle rider, and her brother’s employee. She blushes and hides her face behind her hair at the sight of him. He calls her Bo Peep because he thinks she’s afraid of him. He’s attracted to her, but sees himself as unworthy. He shows up at her home during a hail storm. The lights have gone out and they share a few beers by candlelight. They also answer some personal questions. Elise makes up her mind Rome’s the man for her. She decides to ask him to have sex with her. He’s happy to oblige, but thinks a little dating first would be a good idea. They fall in bed and in love. Rome’s brother, Jericho, shows up and warns him their parents are around. They bring nothing but bad news, always looking for a drug score or money. Rome leaves before Elise finds out the worst about his past. She’s heartbroken and won’t take no for an answer. Love heals all wounds, inside and out.

Elise needs to grow up. She complains about her parents’ and brother’s over protectiveness, but she is naïve. They’re right to be concerned. Her scars have healed, but have left her unsure of herself and her appeal. When Rome shows interest, she’s all in. This is her first time for a lot of things. Making Rome almost too good to be true undercuts Elise moving on with her life. To get him back, she lies to him and he accepts it. He could do better than Elise.

Rome is a strong alpha male with a tender heart. Life has dealt him a losing hand, but he pushes through to make a better life for himself. He has no time for self-pity or doubt. He works hard, is honest, and is due a break.

This book is the fourth in the series.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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