Georgia Cates

Let me begin by saying this is one of the best books that I have read this year and will definitely be in my top 10 of 2013. I absolutely loved it. In fact, I love all of Georgia Cate's books, but Beauty From Pain was a unique experience, one I won't soon forget. Laurelyn Prescott finds herself in Australia with her friend Addison for 3 months, after experiencing a really difficulty breakup from a relationship, one in which she was completely and totally deceived and hurt. She's a musician, show more but has walked away from it all, at least temporarily, to get away from the guy and the situation that has caused this. She and Addison are staying with Addison's brother Ben, who has an apartment there. When she meets Ben, he's obviously attracted to her, but that is the last thing Laurelyn wants, especially since it is her best friend's brother.

Jack Henry McLachlan is a multimillionaire, works in the wine business, and is one of Australia's most eligible bachelors. He likes women, but he likes them with no strings attached, having found things just work better all the way around that way. He "arranges" relationships with women, laying out the rules up front, rules which include fake names and a set time limit for the affair, but also promising them the time of their lives. He has been as successful in doing this as has he has been in business, and he likes it that way. It just so happens that his business has landed him in the same city that Laurelyn is in, and as fate would have it, they wind up in the same club one night in the town of Wagga Wagga, Laurelyn catches his eye, and Jack decides he must have her.

Laurelyn isn't like the other women that Jack has met and had arrangements with. In fact, she isn't like any other woman he has ever known. First of all she's younger, she has quite a sense of humor, and she has no intention of being coerced into anything, making it clear to him that she is not some sort of escort or whore. Jack McLachlan is handsome, hot, charming, oozing sex appeal, and very, very convincing. Laurelyn soon finds herself giving into his request, despite her reservations, because there is just something about this man she can't resist.

What begins as an "arrangement" begins to grow into so much more. Jack AKA Lachlan Henry, soon finds himself breaking many of his own rules with Laurelyn AKA Paige Beckett. He has feelings for her he hasn't had for anyone before, feelings he doesn't understand and tries to ignore. It becomes clear that she cares about him for him, and not what he can do for her. He treats her like a princess, and they grow to become really good friends, and the sex, well let's just say it is off the charts amazing.....more amazing than either of them has ever experienced before. Despite Laurelyn's deepening feelings for Jack, she realizes that their relationship is nothing more than an "agreement", a verbal contract, and even though it many times seems like more, this truth is always foremost in her mind. During their 3 months together they incur many different situations that completely change their original "arrangement," but when push comes to shove and it comes time to leave, will Jack decide to confess his true feelings, or will he be too late and lose Laurelyn forever?

I loved Laurelyn's character. She had been through hell, but still managed to have a sense of humor, despite all the heartache she had been through. She has never had much, and doesn't expect much, which soon becomes obvious to Jack. She's been dealt an unfair hand in life, one which has has caused her to have many issues, but she is real, and I found myself very connected to her, experiencing her joy and heartache right along with her. Jack Henry McLachlan is sex on a stick and I could just devour him. I mean the man is the epitome of hotness. I loved him, then got aggravated with him, swooned after him, then wanted to shake him into realizing what was in front of him. He is mysterious, sometimes hot tempered, and can be kind, loving, and charming. He is very dominant and used to getting what he wants, while giving just as much. I mean the man is irresistible

I loved Jack and Laurelyn's relationship and watching what it developed into, experiencing every emotion from one end of the scale to the other right along with them. The chemistry between these two is so hot you can almost feel the flames as you read. I stayed up to the wee hours of the morning because I could not put this book down, and the ending, well the ending killed me, and I mean that in a good way. Rest assured that Georgia Cates gives you a little insight into what is coming next so you aren't crushed. Beauty From Surrender is just going to be epic and I can't wait. If you love hot, steamy, contemporary romance, then Beauty From Pain is a must read.

Favorite Quotes:

"So you've never danced on stage in f**k-me pumps for a bunch of horny bastards?"
I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. "You say that like your're pretty familiar with the scene."
..."Yes and no."
"Yes to what and no too what?"
"No, I've never danced on stage for horny bastards, but yes, I wear f**k-me pumps when I dance on the pole."

I'm naked with this man. The thought makes me want to do my happy dance, but I decide to save it for later when I'm alone.

I'm afraid I've screwed up big time. I feel the pooling in my eyes and I look toward the ceiling, pleading with my sockets to drink the tears. I hold my breath and cup my hands over my mouth to hold back the sob in my chest. In my confusion over what has just happened, I go for the wrong door in an attempt to get away from him. "That's the closet." Shit if I care. I walk into the small pitch-black room.......Several minutes pass and I hear a few light taps on the door, but I don't say anything......I'm hurt and belittled because he yelled at me, and maybe even a little frightened by the fury in his voice. "I sort of know you're in there unless there's a hidden dungeon I don't know about." He opens the door and comes inside to stand with me........"Can we agree this was a misunderstanding and talk about something else?" I ask. He hugs me in the darkness and kisses my head. "I think that's a great idea, but can we leave the closet?" show less

Book To Film Adaptation Review:

When news of this was released that this would be adapted into film, I had immediately added this series into my TBR. Now I wasn't able to get this read before the movie was released but that is more than alright. I was more than alright with starting it off with the new year.

Brief Summary: Jack is a rich businessman of vineyards in Australia.....our heroine has come to Australia for three months for a summer trip with her best friend and while singing to a show more crowd with her voice and guitar, she meets Jack and they strike a bargain. To spend the next three months together and then will never see each other again. While they have powerful chemistry, they both try to keep their hearts from falling for the other....but fate had other plans and their relationship has become more than complex.

I really loved this as a book and as a adaptation. I had watched the film first and then read the book right after. I really found about 90% of the book into the film which was vastly impressive and all the dialogue was the same. I do wish I had read the book first though. I think it might have been better in that way. However it was really good to see more of the hero's POV. Those scenes weren't as focused in the film and we really got to see how his mind and emotions were working in the relationship.

I definitely see why this book was so well loved when it was released and why it was so easily able to be an adaptation. I really felt the chemistry and loved how close to the book it was. Very eager to see them continue them and I hope they do it soon. show less

4.5 stars

Mafia is my favorite sub-genre. It is for that reason that I am VERY picky. It has to be done right and feel authentic. This book definitely did that for me. It had all the qualities that I look for; a plausible story, great characters, authentic portrayal, steam, and an alpha strong man that knows how to show his softer side.

I was worried when this book started how the author would manage to make Luca, the Hero, redeemable. Especially, with HOW this relationship came to be. I am show more not sure that I could have forgiven him if I had been Emilia. Somehow, the author not only made it happen but she did it epically. I LOVED Luca. I also loved that this story was set during the late '70s and early '80s. So much of it still felt like it was written in a current time period, but the special remembers of life before cellphones or computers were nicely done. It made me appreciate it even more because it is not something that is seen very often and made me enjoy reliving my 70's and 80's with these characters (granted I was a decade younger than the characters in this book it still made me melancholy.)

I did struggle with how the story was resolved with Emilia and her mother as that was the only thing that didn't feel authentic in regards to the Mafia. I did, however, appreciate how the author tied in Luca to this as another way to show a softer side to him. show less

I know that I am in the minority here, but….
I’m, a bit disappointed by this 2nd book in the beauty series. We have no new characters, we learn nothing more about any of the existing cast and crew (even Laurelyn’s father – such an opportunity for a storyline, and it was overlooked). The story is slow and drawn out, not much of a plot, but lots of sex. The first book was much better - mainly because of the mystery surrounding the winery, and the courtship happening during Jack & show more Laurelyn’s arrangement.
I found this book has lots of missed opportunities, poor timing by the characters as part of the storyline (creating issues between the couple so they can have makeup sex) and most of the communication between Jack and Laurelyn involves sex. I would have loved to have more about the touring, more about the winery, Singing for fun in Australia, Laurelyn’s Dad, trips into the Australian countryside, even an extended wedding scene. In other words a PLOT, other than missing Laurelyn, finding Laurelyn, having sex, having more sex, planning a wedding, having sex, getting married, and you’ll never guess how the book ends– the book ends with them having sex
Granted there were a few great one liners and a few times I had a big smile on my face, some of Laurelyn’s song lyrics were touching, and with all of the sex and the change in birth control methods I was very happy we did not end up pregnant - but overall I expected more, show less