Review - The Redhead Plays Her Hand (Redhead #3) by Alice Clayton

Title: The Redhead Plays Her Hand

Author: Alice Clayton

Series: 3rd (The Unidentified Redhead, The Redhead Revealed)

Pages: 320

Published: December 17th 2013 by Gallery Books 

ISBN: 9781476741253

Source: Publisher for Honest Review

Description: Grace has landed the lead in a new TV series—but when the director asks her to lose fifteen pounds, she goes public with her weight struggles and suddenly develops a huge fan club who support her right to have curves. But between that and the public’s continuing fascination with her “are they or aren’t they” relationship with Jack, Grace begins to wonder if anyone’s really interested in her because of her upcoming TV series, or if it’s all speculation about the size of her ass and her bedroom partner. Meanwhile, Jack is voted the Sexiest Man Alive and becomes a little too enamored with the party-hard lifestyle. Grace vows to give him the space he needs to find himself, but then he begins to spiral down from lovable Brit to Hollywood brat. People are talking, but are Jack and Grace? Her career is on the rise, and his continues into the stratosphere, but will she be able to catch him if he falls? Will they ever be able to just be a couple who can hold hands when they walk down the street? 

I Give This ...

I've been anxiously waiting for this book for some time.  I've been a fan of Alice Clayton long before she was finally given the recognition she deserved from the big six!  But, I admit I was also hesitant.  Would my beloved characters have changed to please the big guys?  Rest assured, they may go through some turmoils but Grace and Jack are still just as sweet as ever.

I've seen some knocks against Grace in a few reviews.  Maybe it's because they don't identify with the way Grace reacted to her situations.  She's new to Hollywood and I imagine that's incredibly difficult to be faced with the pressure becoming famous entails.  Especially when she's attached to not only the "golden boy" of Hollywood, but also the newest it show of Television.  She's not your typical star and she hasn't grow a backbone yet when it comes to how all those people might play her.  I'm sure we all think that we someone tells us to lose weight in underhanded ways, we would tell them to get bent.  But, the truth is, I'm not sure we would.  Most have the drive to succeed, and if acting was our chosen dream, we would do anything to keep it.

More especially, I understood Grace's reactions to Jack.  I may not have liked him much in this book, but I thought he was true to character.  We've all seen how Hollywood can strip young actors down to nothing.  Now, it's a book and Clayton could have chose to have Jack be better than that.  But, in all reality I think showing the weakness was better.  Now maybe Grace could have walked away and decided Jack wasn't worth it.  But, sometimes it's harder than one thinks.  Even if it's the best thing for us in so many ways.  I identified with it because in all reality I've been in that relationship that all it would have took was one "I'm Sorry." Is it the right decision?   Only time can tell.

The only difference for me was this book seemed a lot lighter on the sex than previous books and more on the actual dynamics of their relationship.  It's not all about what happens in the bedroom!

The Redhead Revealed (Redhead #2) by Alice Clayton

Title: The Redhead Revealed

Author: Alice Clayton

Series: 2nd in Redhead series

Pages: 228

Published: availble now from Omnific Publishing

ISBN: 1936305380

Source: sent for review

Description: As their careers catch fire, Grace and Jack -- everyone’s favorite foul-mouthed, funny, and feisty couple -- find themselves on opposite coasts. Grace has landed in New York City, where she loves being onstage again, particularly because she’s playing a fabulous character in a musical written by her old college flame, Michael. Their rekindled friendship makes exploring the city that much more fun. Wait, it’s just friendship, right? Meanwhile, in L.A., Jack can scarcely keep up with the swirling throngs of women who track him everywhere he goes, the endless press appearances, and the ridiculous rules his manager, Holly, keeps concocting for him -- all part of the buildup to the release of Time, his steamy new film. Thank goodness for phone sex. But even when their schedules allow them to connect, Grace and Jack must keep their relationship off the radar and away from paparazzi cameras. Sure, the sex is sensational, but can this duo survive swirling rumors, the demands of their chosen professions, Grace’s raging internal battles, and a whopping nine-year age difference? Tick-tock, the clock is ticking. Isn’t it?

I Give This ...

 

Were has this series been all my life?  It's just the right touch of everything that makes a book a good read. It had romance (and some steamy sex), funny parts, things that make you cry.  I don't think this book would have every caught me eye if it wasn't for the title.

The book dives right into were the first book left off.  I still think Grace is my favorite.  She acts so confident even if inside she feels anything but.  I love reading about her journey into her new career.  It's the one area I think her confidence lacks and its great to watch her come into her own.  I was surprised at how she managed to twist her relationship with Jack into something that it wasn't.  She doubted herself and Jack's feelings.  It was heartbreaking to watch. 

I also really enjoyed Jack.  His career is skyrocketing and I don't think he knows how to deal with it.  I think he might have made some poor choices which lead to Grace feeling the way she did.  But, his reaction to what Grace does was even more heartbreaking than watching Grace's own turmoil.  I never feel like he's the younger one is this story.  He always acts much older than he actually is.

I was glad the book had a happy ending.  I was afraid it wasn't going to end like that.  In the end, I was pleased with the entire book and happy to learn that the author had a 3rd in the works!

The Unidentified Redhead (Redhead #1) by Alice Clayton

Title: The Unidentified Redhead

Author: Alice Clayton

Series: 1st in Redhead

Pages: 276

Published: February 2010 by Omnific Publishing

ISBN: 9781936305063

Source: ebook provided for review

Description: When Grace Sheridan returns to Los Angeles to become a working actor, it's a second shot at a life-long dream. With some help from her best friend and agent, that dream could become a reality, but at thirty-three, has Grace missed her chance at the big time? Will an unexpected sizzling romance with the entertainment industry's newest 'it' boy shine an uncomfortable spotlight on her life? Alice Clayton spins a playful and erotic May to December romance in this, her debut novel. Clayton's funny, borderline neurotic heroine is perfect in her imperfections, and the off the charts sexual chemistry between her and her charming, yet blissfully unaware leading man are the true heart of The Unidentified Redhead. With laugh out loud dialogue and a super steamy romance that will get your heart racing, sneaking around in L.A. and dodging the Paparazzi has never been so fun.

I Give This ...

 

Ummm...WOW.  I'm not sure were to begin with this book.  First off, one should note the word erotic in the description.  While, I wouldn't consider the sex in this book over the top or even really descriptive, it's definitely there.  And there's a lot of it.  But, it's hot.  Wow, I can't believe I just said that.

I LOVED Grace.  For a thirty-three old who claims to still be trying to be comfortable with her new self, she radiates confidence.  What I wouldn't give to have been able to pull off some of the comments that come out of her mouth.  I love the sexual and flirtatious stuff she says.  It just works for who she is.  She sounds like someone you would love to be friends with.  Plus, I love how hard she's trying to make it in Hollywood.  Her best friends Holly is a riot.  I think I'll move in with them.  Oh wait, I'm married and I have two kids.   I don't think that will work.

I also loved Jack.  Who wouldn't love the new Hollywood golden boy, who's still trying to get use to be the next big thing.  I love that he's younger than Grace, but never makes her feel like it.  I love how well he seems to compliment Grace.  I love that he's from England and has a sexy accent.  I think might be just in love...pretty sure that doesn't work with my husband either. 

I was going to give this 5 stars, but towards the end I thought the sex overtook the story a little bit.  It was great, but I also like the story of Grace and Jack minus the sex.  But, overall, this was just a fun and sexy story.  I loved the characters and the sex only made me blush a few times.  I can't wait to read the next one!