Seduction and Snacks: Chocolate Lovers Paperback – June 22, 2012

Sputters... I swear I had a review here at some point! Well, here it is AGAIN.OK, I admit it... I fought against this book at first. I heard mixed reviews, but a 'book enabler' I have found to trust promised me that it would be hot, funny, and a good read. Maybe I was being vindictive... but I almost wanted to be one of the readers that wasn't so jazzed. Especially with that beginning... oh, my, Claire is one abrasive personality. Like using sandpaper to wipe a baby's bottom. Despite all this, the book won me over.Like I said, Claire is one challenging dame to love and root for. Potty mouth, potty brain, just the way everything is laid out with the, 'I hate kids' bit at the beginning. I was truly worried at first. I was like, "Oh, no. What did I get talked into buying and reading? And I was promised funny... wieners, vagina, and nuts spewed all over pages is NO funny." All my doubts, my fears, my reservations, my aloof not-going-to-laugh attitude was actually broken down by the book fairly quickly. Why? I think it was when I realized that somehow Tara Sivec had performed a Vulcan mind-meld with me and based Clare on a prettier and wittier version of me (well, not literally, as I've never met or spoke with Tara Sivec.) All that abrasiveness that I fought against (yeah, pot calling the kettle black) it was so like me and I didn't even see it at first. Hating kids 'in general' and never wanting to have them, that's me. Being one of the first of my friends to get pregnant, that's me. Hell, I can even quote nearly the entire movie Heathers. ("Corn Nuts") Once I accepted the fact that, hey, I'm just like Claire (except I don't smell like chocolate, and I can't bake, and I'm not thin like she) then everything 'clicked.' The book was funny instead of flat, I bust out laughing so many times my oldest son was looking at me like I'd just turned blue or something.Now on to the story line. You do have to keep in mind, like with movies, to suspend your 'disbelief'. There are unlikely events, almost a romantic slapstick comedy of errs that make up this book. Again, the beginning, I resisted tooth and nail. It does use some slightly overdone literary archetypes.... the college virgin, the 'sappy' male, the crazy foul mouthed best friend... there are aspects of different characters and the plot that seem very familiar. However, there's just the right amount of absurdity mixed with sarcasm... basically once I realized how 'true-to-life' some of the characters and events could be, I was able to accept the more outlandish elements of the story better.Now, I've mentioned this before, but I think in this particular case it bears going over again. Many people have issues with the 'potty mouth' of the book. There are words thrown around... enema, wieners, nipples, penis, vagina, vomit, dildo, poop... you get the idea, right? The dialogue and the inner monologues and such are crass in language. And it may seem, especially to those that are NOT parents that the 4 year old has a horrid, filthy mouth; and what kind of parents talk like that and let their kid talk like that... to unseasoned eyes, this book may just seem immature and stupid with verbal diarrhea. But from this parent (and yet another reason why I think Tara Sivec channeled me when writing for Claire) it was like reading about the more comedic moments in my life. Yes, my 4 year old has a potty mouth, we're working on it. And if you think there is no way a 4 year old and/or parents could possibly deal with or say some of the things this book does... I'll invite you over to my house to tell you stories about my 4 year old and his fascination with 'boobs', his discussion with his preschool about "Boys having a penis, and girls having a vagina, and does your Mom have a vagina, too?" I kid you not. My son is fascinated with his penis and nuts, about what it does and how it changes, and about why mine "broke off." It's uncanny how this book ended up being SO true to life (for me) and once it did I could not stop myself from giggling and being charmed despite my initial stubbornness.So ultimately, I loved it. I think it was funny as all get out, and I still wonder if the author has some sort of weird telepathy into my brain. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series, and would highly recommend it to anyone that loves romantic comedy that includes both 'high' and 'low' comedy. It's like mixing those bad-mouthed cartoons that I never want my kids to watch (but half the time they end up seeing anyway) with a Meg Ryan romantic comedy. If you loved the movie Heathers, you should fit right in and be happy as a clam. On the other side of the coin, if sarcastic, base humor leaves you cold and you prefer a more cut-and-dry romance, then just don't bother with this book. You will hate it. I sucked it down in one day, practically one sitting. So... go forth and laugh your booty off if you are game to try it.

FLIPPING HILARIOUS, PUT ME IN A GOOD MOOD BOOK! I am not exaggerating at all when I say that this is laugh out loud funny. I laughed so hard that my face literally hurt. It is by no means an angsty romance but every once in a while it is good to have a break from the usual.Claire is the type of woman who I could easily see myself being best friends with. She had a sick sense of humor and wasn't afraid to call things like they really were. She didn't sugar coat parenting and relationships and I appreciated that she did not have multiple O's when she lost her V Card. So many books make the first time sound like some flowery experience and most of us know that is not how it is. And her view on childbirth and how the lady bits are afterwards...I will never touch another Arby's roast beef again.Carter was just an all around normal guy. He doesn't wear Gucci and he works in a factory. He is cute but not arrogant and had just the right dose of masculinity. Like Claire, he was funny and sometimes the things that come out of his mouth are utterly ridiculous. His adventure in becoming an instant father to a 4 year-old was the source of quite a few giggles.Their relationship, while being very entertaining, felt very real. It was cute that they thought of each other for five years after their one encounter. Of course, Grace can never forget because she carries around a daily memory and Carter will forever remember how she smells like chocolate. They were perfect for each other.The supporting characters in this one were great too. The four-year old, Gavin, had a little bit of a mouth on him that got to me but then I decided that if I put my child in an environment with these crazies, he or she would pick up quite a bit of naughty language. I loved Liz and her little business venture; hearing Claire struggle when she worked with Liz were some of my favorites moments in the book. On the bright side, she did get to try out the merchandise. Drew's t-shirts gave me a good giggle too. He gave a 4-year-old a t-shirt that said "Hung like a 5 year-old" for gosh sakes! Jenny made me laugh with her made up vocabulary words; she would drive me crazy but she was perfect for Drew. And to Claire's dad, I would never let you babysit my children if there was a TV anywhere in the house! All these characters together created one CRAZY funny book!So let me just say that this was the funniest book I have ever read. The only reason I can anticipate anyone not liking this book is if they do not like funny or a little bit of dirty humor or do not like the words vagina and vibrator!

I was recommended this book as ‘laugh out loud funny’ and that it definitely is! I wouldn’t recommend reading it in public, the random outbursts of laughter could get you locked up fairly quickly or at least some very strange looks!Claire is a lovely character, having decided that she never wanted children as a young child she proceeded to tell the world, a university student with her life all planned out in front of her that definitely does not include children. Tired of being a virgin she decides to ‘get it over with’ at a frat party one night… a few weeks later she realises that she’s pregnant, but she doesn’t even know the name of the guy she’s slept with and nobody else seems to know either! Claire becomes a loving single mother to her son, Gavin but she can’t get her mystery man out of her mind. Four years later and Carter turns up out of the blue, turns out he has been seeking the mystery girl who smells of chocolate since their first night together as well.Obviously, a love story blossoms but, along with the other characters, their friends, it’s no soppy love story, it’s one of the funniest books I’ve ever read!Very rude in places and sometimes inappropriate, the story isn’t necessarily believable but it’s a light-hearted romance that will cheer you up and keep you laughing throughout… true to the authors' own comments; “Do not read this if you don’t have the sense of humour of a 15-year-old boy. Do not read this if you ARE a fifteen-year-old boy.”

Hands down the funniest book I have ever read! I'll review more in the morning...Oh God I have never laughed so hard in my life. It hurt I laughed so much! Of course it helped that I actually have a 4 year old son so little Gavin I could completely relate to, along with all the frustrations of motherhood.The plot of this book was completely ridiculous and unbelievable but it was just so much fun. The situations Claire got into, listening to both Claire and Carter's inner dialogue and Gavins comments were just hilarious. I loved the way the author could move so swiftly and effortlessly from drama to humour to tenderness to passion. It keeps you on your toes but constantly surprising. I loved that about it. I needed a fun light-hearted romance after reading too much angst and this was the perfect antidote to the melancholy. Honestly, you won't believe me until you try it, it is so so funny.All the characters had their own quirks and had their fair share of the humour but of course the main joke was always on Claire. I can't say they were characters I could relate to as I know nobody like them but it didn't matter because the whole book is just like a sitcom. I think it could have been a bit quicker in pace, that's all really.Not much else to say, just one laugh after another, read this book when you need this, it's a great tonic.

★Review★I read this first a couple of years ago, and think it was the first book ever to make me properly laugh out loud.I decided on a re read, as I had picked up the first 2 in the series about the children from this one.This time around, did I find it a bit more over the top, silly, and a bit too...erm, try hard in places? I think so.However, it is still funny, and there was not one character I did not enjoy reading about or love.It is a great, pure fun read, no huge drama, just a funny cute story about a couple finding each other again, surrounded by their quite possibly insane friends.As long as you do not think to hard about it, try not to get offended at some of the "opinions" about what happens to a woman's body after child birth (I have had 2 children, it was a bit much!!!) and just ignore the over the top daft bits, or take them as they were meant to be taken - ie, not at all seriously, then it is really enjoyable.But, if you are easily offended by foul language and lots of alcohol consumption, do not read this book.Would I have rated it as high if I was reading it as a new to me book now? Not sure. I still enjoyed it, it made me laugh still, although not the laugh out loud moments of the first read, but then I knew what was coming. So rating still stands for as I said, being the first book to ever make me cry laughing, and nearly break my nose at the time, as I dropped my kindle on my face a few times.★Book Basics★Genre : - Cont Romantic ComedySeries : - 1st in the seriesLove triangle? - NoCheating? - NoHEA? - YesWould I read more by this author/or in this series? - YesRating - 5+++

Seduction and SnacksBy Tara Sivec5/5This book was a delight to read, for so many reasons, first there is mega rich guy sweeping a girl off her feet, they have everyday jobs, the humour is first class, I had tears rolling down my face laughing, the situations are ones we have all said, done or know someone who has, Gavin is a 4.5 year old picks up on every word you say and repeats it, just like my grandson.Claire family life was not your typical family life but then again if everyone was the same it would be boring as hell, she is a daddy's girl and when her parents divorce she stays with him , she's not into boy's or kids and her dad would put boy's off anyway he's 6ft plus build and has tattoos and looks scary, she is at college to learn as she would like to her own business with her best friend Liz , who also wants her to pop her cherry.The girls attend a frat party where Claire hits it off with a guy and decides tonight's the night, they are both more than merry, however lust takes over in the morning she sneaks out no sure wither she should stay or not, neither know the others name , a few weeks later she finds out she is pregnant.Jump 5 years, to Claire working in the bar as usual, and go's to serve a very drunk guy, and guess who it is.There is a lot more going on than just the above, its one of the funniest books I've every read, its also heart-warming, with just a drop of chocolate covered passion(You'll need to read it to get that last bit)

Now where do I start with this? Well firstly, I need to catch my breath, massage my face and stomach muscles, and wish that I had listened to my Doctor's after childbirth and practiced those pelvic floor exercises. This book, in all of his entirety is one of the funniest and honest stories I have ever read. PLEASE DO NOT READ IT IN PUBLIC, unless you want to get carted away by the sunshine bus.Claire never wanted kids. Ever! A dedicated University student, who had her life mapped out. A successful career and her best friend, Liz, to share it with. Sex with boys in campus was never an option, much to Liz's disgrace. That is, until one night, everything changed.Sick to death of her virginity being a mock discussion topic among her nearest and dearest, Claire makes the decision to just, 'get it over with.'Attending a frat party with Liz was never something on the agenda, but when she spots a hot guy who is easy going and shares the same taste in a certain 80's movie, the stage is set."You want to go refill your drink, maybe play a game of beer pong or something?"I want to reach in my pants, pull out my virginity, wrap it up and put a bow on it. Or maybe stick it in a gift bag from Target and give it to him like a present with a nice card that says, "Thank you for being you! Just a little virginity to show you my gratitude!"As the night progresses, Claire gets her wish. However, as morning approaches, and as much as she would love to wake up in his arms, she knows she can't keep him. Afterall, her plans are set, and nothing will change them. A boyfriend would make her lose sight of her goals, and its a distraction she didn't need or want.But... Her future was going to get a slam dunk into s-ville. Yes.... A few weeks later, she gets the shock of her life. She is pregnant! And OMG, she didn't even know his name.As desperation in finding her mystery hottie grows, and time lapses, Claire realises that she is about to embark on single Motherhood. Putting her hopes and dreams on the backburner to raise her son, Gavin, she thinks all hope is lost, until 4 years later, when HE walks into her bar.Carter could never get her out of his mind, even after nearly five years, he still thought of the girl who smelt like chocolate. The girl whose virginity he took, and never had a chance to make it right... Until he meets a girl in the bar, the girl who has beauty and a unique familiarity that he just has to get to know her a little bit more...Claire is a little devistated that he didn't recognise her, so how in hell was she going to tell him that he is the Father to her four year old son? By doing the only thing she can, use her unfiltered charm and hope he gets to see the girl he swooned, all those years ago.This is the ultimate fun, thrill ride. A romance story delivered with hilarity and honesty that had me rolling in my seat. It's witty, sharp and praises the miracle that is vagina's. Some hot bedroom scenes thrown into the mix, and this is a true 21st century romance novel you will never forget. Just remember if you have a weak bladder, invest in some padded protection. :D