Review: The Villain Edit

The Villain Edit by Sarah Brenton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ashley Foley is the girl they love to hate, the girl who coldly schemed to bring down her competitors in a reality TV programme and she has no problem living up to that reputation. Unfortunately, it has meant the work has all but dried up. She's been in love with her former neighbour Nic Fontana since she was a child, but he is about to marry her cousin Jessie later unless Ashley can seduce him now. However, Ashley's PA directs Hollywood heartthrob and all-round golden boy Gabriel Sinclair to her room by mistake.

Gabriel is the adopted son of a notable film director and he struggles to live up to his father's moral code. He seems indifferent to Ashley, but when the paparazzi (primed by Ashley for a different scoop) snap a picture of his leaving her room covered in her lipstick while she watches en dishabille from the door he sees it as a chance to show the public that he isn't just good for fluffy rom-coms, something he desperately needs in order to hang on to his new role as a superhero in an upcoming film.

Gabriel and Ashley's agents and PR people decide the bad girl and the good guy could play for both of them, but only if they spin it as the two of them dating, rather than a sleazy one-night stand. Reluctant companions on a road trip across America, neither of them can deny the physical attraction, but can they see behind the masks to the real people underneath?

I really enjoyed this, it was super steamy as Ash and Gabe gave in to their animal lusts (and Ash liked to try to shock boy scout Gabe), yet there was also a strong plot which didn't tread the same tired old path as other opposites attract romances are wont to do. I also liked that although we see a softer side of Ash she doesn't change beyond all recognition, she's still the exhibitionist, straight-talker at the end.

I haven't read any of the previous books in the series, but this is easy to read as a standalone.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

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