Never Enough Shelf Space: Book Review: Wallbanger by Alice Clayton

Title: Wallbanger

Series: Cocktail, Book #1

Author: Alice Clayton (Twitter)

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Humor, New Adult

Format: Audiobook (Audible)

Narrator: Heather Smith

Length: 13 hrs and 53 mins

Release Date: May 13, 2013

USA TODAY bestselling indie author Alice Clayton delights readers with the sexy, laugh-out-loud romance of Caroline and Simon in Wallbanger, the first book in the Cocktail series!

The first night after Caroline moves into her fantastic new San Francisco apartment, she realizes she’s gaining an—um—intimate knowledge of her new neighbor’s nocturnal adventures. Thanks to paper-thin walls and the guy’s athletic prowess, she can hear not just his bed banging against the wall but the ecstatic response of what seems (as loud night after loud night goes by) like an endless parade of women. And since Caroline is currently on a self-imposed “dating hiatus,” and her neighbor is clearly lethally attractive to women, she finds her fantasies keep her awake even longer than the noise. So when the wallbanging threatens to literally bounce her out of bed, Caroline, clad in sexual frustration and a pink baby-doll nightie, confronts Simon Parker, her heard-but-never-seen neighbor. The tension between them is as thick as the walls are thin, and the results just as mixed. Suddenly, Caroline is finding she may have discovered a whole new definition of neighborly…

In a delicious mix of silly and steamy, Alice Clayton dishes out a hot and hilarious tale of exasperation at first sight.

FIRST IMPRESSION:: I will have to admit this was a pleasant surprise. it was funny and sweet and sexy and believable. That doesn't always happen. I usually end up liking the main character or the love interest more, but, i actually liked Caroline and Simon pretty equally. Both funny, lovable characters. Can't forget about Clive.

THE STORY:: Caroline was a pretty well rounded character. A tough girl who often lets her mouth get her into trouble. But, it was nice that she was so self aware. She said stupid things, yes, but was often aware immediately before/directly after she said them that she made a mistake. I've felt like that on a many occasion. I guess I really enjoyed how relatable and funny she was. Her and Mimi and Sophia were a good girl group. They all felt really real.

I am really happy about the guy Simon turned out to be. Respectful, charming, decent. Not the "bad boy stud" ready to bone you into submission. Just a guy with a busy life who had some amazing chemistry with a few women in his life who he had sexual relationships with. I like how he kept it too himself. How he was embarrassed to have his business known.

I really enjoyed the trip to Tahoe. The boyfriend/girlfriend swap seemed a bit pushed until I considered the "vacation" factor. With the "yay, vacation" mindset, tons of people loose their inhibitions. Add in being away from your environment and copious amount of alcohol consumption - I'm there.

The inner monologue car ride home was freaking hilarious: "Why is she sniffing so much... should i get her a tissue" "He has to pee again" ".... and I'm hard". I was cracking up.

Most of all, what I enjoyed was the relationship development between Caroline and Simon. I have to admit, I got a little weepy-eyed when she kept saying how she liked how he said her name, Caroline (memories of Untamed Heart... ah, how I loved Christian Slater in that one. Actually, come to think of it, he too played her music on a record. "Would you like me to play a record for you Caroline...Caroline").