Had he wasted years when he’d had the perfect one for him by his side all along?

Not so long ago, I read a book by Sydney Landon that happened to be book nine in a series. I liked it, a lot, but admittedly, I felt slightly overwhelmed by a backstory I wasn't familiar with. So, when I saw Keeping It Hot was book one, I knew I had to get my hands on it…

Y'all, I am SO glad I did. It was what I hoped it would be—what I expected after having enjoyed the way Ms. Landon wrote Wishing For Us—and it left me giddy at the thought of getting in on this series on the ground floor, so to speak.

Dylan and Zoe have been best friends for years, and the way the author moves them effortlessly from that relationship to lovers was delightful. Though I took a little umbrage at the fact it took a makeover to make Zoe beautiful in Dylan’s eyes, I loved their chemistry. His reactions and uncertainty. The way it made him see her consciously, and realize what he'd been missing. But most of all, I loved Zoe, and her friendship with Dana. Their interactions were both heartfelt—friends helping friends, no matter what—and hilarious, and absolutely the highlight of this book.

Having said that, though, there were so many other things to recommend this book. Dylan has brothers, so oof, there's more of that deliciousness to come, and there's so much simplicity, angst-free joy in this book that it is incredibly easy to read. And though I maybe wished for the ending to be a little slower, I closed this book having loved it—and loving that this is just book one of (I hope) many.

All was fair in love and war and this might be a little of both before it was over with.

~ 4.5 Khaki STARS ~

Keeping it Hot was an enjoyable romance, with well-developed characters, realistic dialogue and enough chemistry and tension between the main characters to keep the reader hooked. I am a fan of contemporary romance novels, and this one fit the bill for me!  Thanks for the opportunity to read the e-galley!

Sydney Landon kicks off a new series with Keeping it Hot and it’s a laugh out loud fun contemporary read that will have you glued to the pages and ready for more.

 I’m a huge fan of this author and I was not going to pass up the opportunity to read a new book from her. That said I kind of accidentally read the whole book in one sitting. Whoops, sorry, so not sorry. It was so damn good I have zero regrets doing it. I absolutely loved it.

If you have read the Danvers series (if not, why haven’t you?!?!, it’s awesome), you will be familiar with the Jacksons. The uber hot brothers who own and run a series of hotels. Well this time out we get Dylan’s story and believe me, you will want to read it.

I admit that the friends to lover’s trope is one of my favourites. So imagine my excitement when this pops up. Oh this story was so much fun to read. Watching Dylan literally sweat it out over his best friend was a hoot. Seeing them not only cross the line but obliterate it….priceless.

Dylan and Zoe are so good together it’s ridiculous. Seriously, they are the epitome of perfect for each other. If only it didn’t take them so long to realise it. But I guess when you have been friends for so long, it’s hard to change gears into more. But when a determined Zoe decides it’s time to get her man’s attention, well change is good don’t they say?

I adored Zoe and especially her drive to finally go after the man she’s been in love with forever. Seeing her change into the real Zoe and gain confidence only made me love her more. Plus her eagerness to learn new things sexually had me cheering her on. Okay and maybe cringing on her behalf after a lunch turned into more. (and maybe laughing at her expense too as she deals with the fallout)

It’s a no brainer that I would love Dylan, he’s a Jackson (did I mention they are all UBER HOT?), loyal, hard-working and about to have his well-ordered life turned upside down by his best friend and it’s so unbelievably fun to see it happen. Seeing him realise that his bestie is actually a desirable woman and one he wants desperately, was to use it again, priceless.  

Add in some seriously alpha moves by Dylan, a caustic but hilarious friend (every woman needs a friend like Dana) a playboy brother who actually gives sound relationship advice and helps with the big HEA grovel (so adorable) and the kind of bone deep need every woman wants from her significant other and you have an excellent way to kick off a new series, one that every contemporary romance reader needs to read in my opinion. I can’t wait for the next book.

I was not able to connect with this story.  I emailed Ryanne with the info that I was going to DNF and not review or feature this on the blog.

Thank you,
Laura

Keeping It Hot is the first in a spin-off series from Sydney Landon's Danvers series with some familiar faces getting their own stories. 

Zoe own the coffee shop located in the Danvers building so we get to see the familiar characters we know and love in fleeting cameo appearances adding connection to the new series. Zoe is a wonderful character, career-driven, a loyal friend and eternally optimistic but the one thing that evades her positivity is her romantic aspirations. The thing, or rather the person holding Zoe back from having an intimate relationship is her best friend, Dylan; and the fact taht Zoe has been in love with him for as long as she can remember. Unfortunately, her tomboy persona and style have entrenched firmly within the friend zone. With 30 fast approaching Zoe decides it's time to take action once and for all, either she will alter her relationship with Dylan or she will be able to move forward with her life without regret of what could have been. Enlisting the help of her friend and employee, Dana, Zoe alters her image to something a little more feminine.

Dylan is a workaholic, and has always insisted he doesn't have time for relationships because he can't make the time to give them the attention they require. While Dylan loves Zoe in his own way, her androgynous appearance has allowed him to place her safely within a box so he doesn't think about her sexuality. Zoe's makeover throws Dylan for a loop as he can't help but notice just how amazing Zoe really is. Revelations add to Dylan's desire and caveman possessiveness of Zoe. 

It is obvious Dylan and Zoe belong together, they have a deep understanding that comes from their years of friendship, however, the road to happiness is never without it's hurdles. the biggest challenge for Dylan and Zoe is Dylan's inability to delegate, business always come first. 

I loved watching Zoe's confidence grow with her image transformation, embracing her femininity as opposed to suppressing it. Her boast in self-esteem also makes Zoe realise that she deserves to be a priority in someone's life rather than coming in second best. 

Ultimately, Dylan has to be able to compromise in order to hold onto the once in a lifetime relationship with Zoe or risk losing her altogether. 

I really liked how the peripheral character provided a brilliant support system for Zoe and Dylan including taking control when required. The path has been set for the next book in the series and I am keeping my fingers crossed to see if I am right in my assumptions as to who will be in the spotlight.

Keeping It Hot was a quick, easy romance. I breezed through it all in one sitting, and while I enjoyed it while I was reading, neither main character stood out as memorable to me. Girl gets a makeover. Guy suddenly realizes she's hot. And then they're together. Not much else going on. 

However I did find Dana to be quite interesting and would definitely continue with this series if she had her own book.

Thank you for the opportunity to review Keeping It Hot.

Zoe Hart and Dylan Jackson have been best friends since forever and even though they’re pretty close, they still can keep secrets from each other, like the fact that Zoe has been in love with Dylan for a really long time. But he won’t take a hint. He actually sees her as a little sister. Add that to the fact that Zoe, in all her twenty-nine years of existence is still carrying around her v-card, and you have a woman in a mission to find a man who will want her.

Will her all-time-crush be the one?


Sweet sweet romance. So so good.

Regarding the main characters, Zoe and Dylan are great.  Zoe: a little self-doubting when it comes to men, she’s gorgeous even though she’s not aware of it and she own’s a coffee shop at Dylan’s hotel. Dylan: workaholic and owner of the hotel Oceanix in Florida, likes to spend a great time with his friends and is not used to relationships. 

I think that what I most loved about them was the fact that they’re simple and relatable characters. There’re no secrets or dark pasts or a relationship that didn’t end so well. There’s no drama and honestly there’s no need for that seeing as they’re funny and easygoing. 

When it comes to secondary characters I really loved Zoe’s mother and Dana (Zoe’s best friend). They are really funny and have no filter. 

Shortly, this is a sweet story with a happy ever after. This is not an erotic book but there’s obviously hot and tender sex scenes as you can expect from a virgin.

This story is not filled with suspense. I think that the potential of the book comes from the characters and from the writing style of the author. The storyline is not particularly outstanding although there’s a significant plot twist. 

 That being said, I loved it. It’s an easy read with lots of love and no drama.

Keeping It Hot was a sweet, sexy, and charming friends to lovers romance! I was desperately in need of a light and fun story, and Sydney Landon delivered with this book. 

Zoe Hart has been best friends with Dylan Jackson since they were kids. And Zoe has has a crush on him for as long as she can remember. But she’s been placed firmly in the friend-zone. Dylan just doesn’t see her that way… But she has a plan to change all that. With her other best friend Dana’s help, Zoe gets a bit of make-over to catch Dylan’s attention. 

Dylan Jackson is the owner of a resort and a busy guy. No matter how busy he is though, he always makes time for Zoe. Zoe is one of those friends that is always there for him no matter what. She’s pretty much one of the guys and the most dependable friend he has. One night when meeting Zoe for dinner, Dylan can’t believe his eyes. What is this Zoe is wearing? Is this his best friend? When did she become so attractive? It’s safe to say that his attention has been caught.

Dylan and Zoe were both lovable characters, and Zoe’s friend Dana was a hoot! She had me laughing out loud in almost every scene she was in! I liked Dylan’s brother as well. I felt a little spark between him and Dana and hoping maybe they’ll get a book down the line. 

Zoe and Dylan’s story was low on angst and drama, and had loads of laughs. It was an all around light and sweet story. A nice summer read!

Zoe and Dylan have been friends since childhood. However, Zoe has been in love with Dylan for as long as she remembers while he thinks of her as just one of the guys. With the help of her friend Dana, she undergoes a major makeover and makes him see the woman she has become. 

The friends to lovers storyline always makes for a fun read. I will admit, I am not usually thrilled when authors use the makeover hook- the superficiality of the hero only noticing the heroine after some cosmetic changes bugs me. But, Landon makes it work and gives some depth to Dylan's interest beyond lusting after her revealed outer beauty. Dylan, although being the typical alpha character, also had some sensitivity which softened some of his missteps while navigating his changed relationship with Zoe. I also really liked Zoe's character. Even while pining for Dylan, she did not let him walk all over her and let him know when she was unhappy. As always, Landon did a masterful job in shaping a sizzling chemistry between her characters. Great read!

KEEPING IT HOT by Sydney Landon is the first in the contemporary romance series Breakfast in Bed.  Zoe Hart has been in love with her best friend Dylan Jackson forever and he's about to see his best friend in a whole new light. Filled with humor, first times and delicious heat, KEEPING IT HOT is the perfect fun, sexy read to take to the beach this summer.

This was my first read by Landon who reminds me a bit of Jill Shalvis and Lauren Blakely. Told in dual perspectives, Landon immediately pulled me in their story. Zoe owns a coffee shop, so of course, I immediately loved her. Zoe is that best friend who is gorgeous but wears unflattering clothes. She goes to work in khakis and a golf shirt matching what other hotel employees wear. When she spends time with her BFF Dylan she wears sweat pants and t-shirts. Zoe isn't real confident about herself, despite her business success. So as she approaches her thirty birthday she decides things need to change. With encouragement from her friend and employee Dana, she has a complete makeover. Bye-bye pony-tail and seven-day packs of cotton underwear.

The set-up was perfect and I enjoyed being inside Dylan's head as he takes in Zoe for the first time. Landon did a fantastic job of allowing the reader to experience all the reactions and thoughts. I love how cool Zoe played it, even if she was only following advice. I laughed and smiled as the storyline moved towards the inevitable.

The romance delivered the perfect blend of sweet and heat. From conversations, foreplay and tangled sheets, Landon scorched my kindle and had me swooning for Dylan. Both characters felt genuine and it was clear these two know and care for each other. The drama was kept to a minimum due to level headed Zoe and a suspense thread.

Secondary characters really rounded out this tale and added humor, snark, and meddling. Asher, one of Dylan's siblings has me quite curious and Dana is off the charts hilarious from her love life to snark. Just wait until you meet Zoe's mom. I laughed so hard I had tears.  I loved all the one-liner zings, teasing, and banter that developed between all of the characters. It flowed wonderfully and endeared me to them.

As for the Breakfast in Bed series, Landon has me excited.  We get a little hint of another possible romance and I can hardly wait. KEEPING IT HOT left me smiling with its unrushed and satisfying ending.

If you are looking for a fun, sexy contemporary romance then add KEEPING IT HOT to your list.

Zoe has been firmly friend zoned by her bff Dylan until she decides to take things (like Dylan) into her own hands before she turns 30. This friends to lovers book is a fun summer beach read. Especially is the beach you're reading at is adjacent to a hotel owned by a crazy hot commercial real estate magnate.

Zoe and Dylan's story is so amazingly hot!  I am going to enjoy this series so much! 
You pretty much have the girl next door in love with her childhood best friend. She has been in love with this amazing specimen of a man her entire life. Dylan treats Zoe as his safety net bestie.  When the sexy girl within comes out to play, Dylan cannot keep away and he doesn't want to either. Dylan's only problem is that he works way too much, so he must decide to prioritize and figure out how to keep her first! With the new characters, I am looking forward to this series very much!

I have a major book hangover. Kandi Steiner sure has a way with words. She has become one of my go to authors after reading Weightless and Love Letter to Whiskey. Revelry is no different; you get your angst but in a sweet kind of way and learn how to forgive. 


Wren is fresh off a divorce and feels lost. She was married to a man she thought she’d spend the rest of her life with. She feels so much guilt for ending her marriage. How do you stay in a marriage when your husband doesn’t support your dreams and you feel lonely all the time? Wren is a fashion designer and owns her own business she decides a summer in a cabin away from everything is what she needs to get her back on track. Her clothing line and her friends are what keep her going. Now she just has to find her inspiration again and learn to let go of the guilt she feels.

Anderson has so much pain he carries with him daily he’s not living at all he just exists. He has a routine he does daily to keep him busy so he doesn’t think about his past. He is thrown for a loop when he first sees Wren. 

Both of these characters have baggage that is keeping them from really living life. Neither of them is in a place for any kind of emotional relationship. The more time Anderson and Wren spend together they slowly start to heal each other piece by piece. I loved the slow build up between these two characters.  This is a heartbreaking story that will slowly put you back together. Life is messy and learning how to forgive is so hard. I love second chance romances and that is exactly what this is. I LOVED it! This is one you don’t want to miss.

I haven't come across a Syndey Landon book I didn't like, and this one did not disappoint either.  While it is a spin off of characters from another series, one doesn't have to read the other books (although I highly recommend them!) to enjoy this one.  The original Lucian and Lia series is a bit steamier than this one, and I liked that it was spread across several books.  I think this story had potential to do the same, but I understand the target market for the book is probably a little different.  Mass paperback buyers will like the writing style, story line, and development. Right up there with her Danver's series!

I would totally recommend this one for beach reading - a perfect easy afternoon. Who doesn't love the guy who always seen you as a friend suddenly noticing you're a girl - and a hot girl at that! Reliable formula written is a solid satisfying way. Had never read a book by this author but totally will now - this is fun relaxing reading.

I enjoyed the quirky characters and cute plot idea, but the story was a little light for me.  I wasn't connected to the characters much, and the story didn't hold my attention well enough.

I absolutely love a Syndney Landon book.

I know when I pick up a book by her that I will get swept away in the story and fall in love with characters.  She has never disappointed me.  I always know that I will end up with a huge smile on my face after reading one of her stories.

Keeping It Hot was no different.  This is a Friends to lovers story told in Dual POV in the third person.  It was a fun and entertaining read without a lot of excess drama.  There was just enough to keep the reader interested and turning the pages.  Her books always flow perfectly and the pace is always spot on.  She always gives the story and characters enough depth that you don't feel like you are missing something but also doesn't way it down with too much information.

In this book we follow Dylan and Zoe.  (We met Dylan and his family briefly in Betting On You.)  This is completely a standalone so you don't have to read that book first.  I was just mentioning it so if Dylan Jackson and his Resort, The Oceanix, sounded familiar you'd know why.  Zoe and Dylan have been Best Friends since they were kids, but Zoe has been secretly in love with Dylan for years and wants more.  As she is approaching 30 years old, she realizes she needs to do something about it.  She enlists her friend Dana to help and they work to make Dylan finally see Zoe as more than a friend.  Will Dylan finally look at Zoe as the woman she is and not just as a friend??  Can these two cross that line and still get their HEA??  Read this book to find out.

I enjoyed meeting Dana (Zoe’s friend) and Ash (Dylan’s brother) in this book.  I have a feeling there might be something there between these two….or at least I am hoping.  I look forward to reading more books in this series.  I also loved the banter between Dana and Dylan…..they had me laughing on more than one occasion.  I loved how Dana had Zoe’s back and was also able to talk her friend off the ledge when needed.

This is definitely a book for anyone who is a fan of  the friends to lovers stories.  If you haven’t read anything by Sydney Landon yet, then this book is the perfect introduction to her writing.  And if you are already a fan of her work, you don’t want to miss this first book in her newest series.

I guess you could say when it came to Zoe, Dylan was protective of her...“Who was looking at her?” He snapped, then winced when she gave him a triumphant look. Dang, I walked right into that one. Time for some damage control. “Meaning I hope no one was bothering her. Some of the guests can be overly friendly, but she can handle herself.” There are times I don't think Dylan hides his excitement well, “vabe, if you don’t stop talking about it, I’m going to come in my pants. I’d be thrilled to receive your first blow job, so by all means, lead the way. You’re running the show.” I loved this book, zoe had so much patience when it came to Dylan, the man was just clueless at times.