REVIEW - Selling Scarlett - Ella James

 TITLE : Selling Scarlett

AUTHOR : Ella James

 

Synopsis:

Elizabeth DeVille doesn't belong at a party like this - one where the gowns cost more than her Camry and cigars run higher than her grad school utility bills. Dragged out of seclusion by her best friend Suri, Elizabeth is merely playing dress-up, rubbing elbows with a crowd that banished her troubled family years ago.

Hunter West is tired. Tired of parties, tired of pretending, and tired of trying to right a wrong that haunts him every day. Bourbon heir and professional poker player by day, by night Hunter is gambling with his life in a high-stakes game of crime and blackmail.

When Elizabeth stumbles into Hunter's den of vices, she's a light in the darkness, a flame in the void. And, just like everything he touches, Hunter mars her in a record time. To rectify the damage done, Elizabeth needs money she doesn't have, and she's come up with a foolproof way to get it.

Follow Elizabeth - code-named Scarlett - to the lush Nevada brothel where she'll auction her virginity and risk the only thing that's not for sale: her heart. The highest bidder is a familiar face, with wicked hands and the devil's mouth. And a secret so dark that it could cost her life.

My Thoughts: 

I found myself struggling with this book a little, which is unusual for me. I'll give a little background and explain more.

Elizabeth DeVille, a 23 year old virgin. Beautiful, quiet, and keeps to herself. She has 2 close friends, and needs nothing or nobody else.
Although her family is a well known name, for a very popular and lucrative water brand. They took a knock, and money is no longer something they take for granted.
So when her best friend is involved in a near fatal accident, and his utterly useless parents pull the plug on his hospital care costs. Elizabeth needs a way to get him back that private care.
With no money to her famous name, she does the best thing she can think of.
She auctions off her virginity. For crazy numbers money.

That brings me to Hunter West. Another child of famous names. His is from West Bourbon, and his family still have their money. Not only that, but Hunter has made enough of his own, playing big stakes poker.
Hunter and Elizabeth met back when they were younger, and Elizabeth's car broke down outside of Hunter's land. He fixed her car, and she has had a crush on him ever since.

Being that they both come from similar circles, through connections they both have, they pass each other from time to time, and they always seem drawn to each other. A couple of fumbles in the last few weeks, and it's not surprising that they are on each others minds.

Anyway, that side of the story is actually quite sweet, and I really enjoyed Elizabeth's innocent and cute attitude, she was sweet and funny, and would do absolutely anything for those she holds close.

On the reverse of that, and perhaps where I got a little confused, is a whole different story. A murder mystery, with dark undertones.
Now don't get me wrong that part of the story is pretty epic too, and if the story was based on this mystery, with it's twists and turns, it would hold it's own as quite an epic and entertaining story. BUT it was running alongside the other story, of Elizabeth and her mission to not only help her best friend, but get rid of her virginity at the same time. And yes these 2 main story lines, cross over each other, and make for one big and confusing story, but I felt confused.

It was almost like there was just too much to follow.
To start with, I found myself getting lost really easily, and missing vital parts. I didn't like Hunter much to start with, and felt he was lacking something, that I couldn't put my finger on.
There was so many issues, and twists that my head was going to explain.
BUT, I did find it improved dramatically towards the end. When Elizabeth went to Love Inc, to be trained, and prepared. I started to enjoy it more then, it picked up pace, and the mystery was starting to unravel. Hunter became more of a likable character, and I was actually becoming addicted to the story. It was just a shame, it took a while to get there.

The ending was great, and I was pleased with the outcome.
The writing style was also good, no complaints there. I'd like to read more from this author, but something that is more in her darker genre.

All in all, not a bad story. I would of liked to cut some of the early parts out, but it picked up after a while, and by the end it had redeemed itself.

Star Rating:
Plot = 3.5/5
Characters = 3/5
Heat = 4/5
Writing Style = 4/5
Overall Rating = 3.5/5

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