Good quick smoking hot read and a fantastic addition to the Dirty Bits series. I really liked this little read and it might just be my favorite so far. For me, this is the steamiest book yet I just loved Faye and Ben and really enjoyed the glimpses into their time together before the blackout. I cannot wait to read more from Ceri

First and foremost..

It hot hot HOT and it's insta so you just grab this and dig in and have a good time.

Quick short read of how a heat wave gives two neighbors the chance to unleash their hidden desires. Faye and Ben finally realize what they have long denied one another.

Another solid entry in the "Dirty Bits" series. Sizzling chemistry between Faye and Ben, even if the "plot" is a bit too unrealistic.

A short but sweet and steamy romance between neighbours who are both looking for something more. I enjoyed this 'The Dirty Bits' read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Carina Press for a copy in return for an honest review.

This is a quick and steamy read. Faye recently moved to California and hears her neighbor having sex. Now she can’t stop fantasizing about him, what will happen during a heat wave when the power goes and he is at her door. Fun, entertaining and hot. A good read.

Quick and deliciously hot read. An insta-love, friends to lovers romance. Faye and Ben are neighbors. They are attracted to one another and fantasize about each other, but neither has ever made a move. When a heatwave causes a power outage, darkness closes in and temptation comes out to play and things really heat up. Lots of dirty talk and sizzling scenes. A very pleasurable read.

A woman who is insecure for unknown reasons, takes advantage of an unexpected heat wave/blackout to take it to another level with her neighbor and friend. The prose sort of mimics the disorientation one would be expected to feel while overheated and stumbling around the dark. Both cover and character descriptions suggest the narrator is in an interracial relationship with a Black man, but that's as far/deep as that goes...race doesn't factor into the plot at all.

Talk about a heat wave! This novella, part of Carina Press’s Dirty Bits line, is short, super steamy, and cute! It’s also the first book I’ve read that could make a BART ride sound romantic!

“Hi, Faye, how’s the new apartment?”
I laugh but play along.
“Oh, it’s pretty good.”
“Cats are settling in?”
“Yup, they’re exploring all the new scents.”
“Haven’t bought any hamsters since we spoke last?”
“If I had, the cats would have eaten them.”
“Want to come over so I can make you waffles and make love to you till you scream my name?”


Faye moved in to the apartment next to Ben’s a few months ago, and since their first meeting, they’ve become everyday BART commute buddies. Though ever since overhearing Ben going at it with with a date one night soon after they met, Faye’s been lusting after him – and wearing out her vibrator! A power outage during a particularly bad heat wave finally lowers Faye’s inhibitions enough to give in to her lust for him, but when the lights come back on, will this just be a one-night-stand or the start of something more?

“When we first met I never thought you’d be this way.”
“What way?” He nuzzles my neck, licks where the dress strap sits on my shoulder.
“So dirty and unashamed by it.”


Wow, I think this is the steamiest Dirty Bits I’ve read yet! Not only that, but the story worked really well for me. While the novella takes place the night of the power outage, there’s short flashbacks to various events during the months since they’ve met and plenty of friendly banter to reinforce that they already have an existing relationship. Ben was both a ridiculously hot dirty talker and a delightfully sweet guy who handled Faye’s insecurities well. For such a short novella, it felt packed full of relationship silliness, character development, and, oh yeah, seriously hot sex.

Overall, this is my favorite novella from the Dirty Bits line! I’ll definitely be looking up the rest of this author’s work!

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Heat Wave was a sexy and fun read. I thought that neighbors both Fayre and Ben starting off as friends first was great. I enjoyed reading the story of how the main characters finally submitted to their attraction when a heat wave hit San Francisco. I really enjoyed reading this story.

Heat Wave by Ceri Grenelle is the story of Ben and Faye.
Ben and Faye are neighbors for the last few months and there was a instant attraction but nothing really happened until the weather changed to a heat wave...that brought this hot couple together.
Short hot story!

Sweet and sexy. This is a cute neighborhoods to friends to lovers story. I lived it so much sexy hot story perfect for the afternoon.

Love these Little Bits stories! Hot as Hell!!
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Need a quick break from a long book or a change of genre once in a while? A novella is a great way to great some heat without a long drawn out affair.

This story is as hot as the temperature in Oakland on this particular day. A Viking and a new resident in town become fast friends, but friends with benefits is where they want to be.

A heatwave is pouring out on the pages in this steamy story, in more ways than one. Lust and love are a perfect accompaniment!

Sign me up for more!

I don't know why there's no blurb on Goodreads but it's about two neighbours, who've been having feels for each other for a while, finally getting it on during a blackout. Heat Wave is a fast-paced, sexy read, and it's just what I need right now.

Nice novella. I got enticed by the promise of desire when the power goes off and two neighbours engage in improper behaviour. The story is good and well written, short of course, but well rounded.

Ben is adorable, tender, and is genuinely interested in his shy neighbour who doesn't hesitate to give in to her fantasies when she's alone, yet he can hear her behind the walls. I really liked how the author explains the friendly relationship that's been building up until the fateful night when they act on their desire. Some things are seen in retrospective which added a less linear pace and I liked that.

The steamy times are oh so good, and better because Ben is so sweet and eager to make them an official couple. He works through her insecurities and they find their adorable happy ending.
Lovely quick bite.

I absolutely love the Harlequin Dirty Bits series as the stories are hot, fast palette cleansers. I thought this story was great. Faye and Ben were romantic, sexy and an overall great match. I loved that their story was based on friendship first.

Overall a fun read. I would like to thank Netgalley and Harlequin for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review. Bravo! 3.5 Stars! ~Ratula

HEAT WAVE is a super-sexy novella in Carina's Dirty Bits series... and it's about apartment neighbors! The two MCs have been friends for months, walking to the BART (public transpo) together every morning, getting coffee, etc. They seem to be good friends with a lot in common, which is helpful since the plot of this story is pretty heavy on the sex. (That's why you're reading this book, this isn't a criticism.)
As you might expect, there's a pretty epic heat wave in SF, and Faye doesn't have AC. Then the power goes out and she gathers her courage and goes to talk to Ben. She's been fantasizing about him for months and then there as a scene where she's in her shower and he's in his and they can hear everything through the wall... Anyway, they haven't spoken for a week, but that's all about to change.
This is the hottest of the DBs that I've read so far. Ben is a dirty talker, and it's really well done. There are a couple of awkward word choices at times that didn't make sense as dialogue (I have never heard a person use the word "wrought" in conversation), but overall it really came together well.
I was initially worried when I saw that the male MC is black and the female MC is white, but the story (to this white woman's mind) stayed away from the stereotypes and fetishization.
All in all, a short hot read with a believable HEA.

Four months ago I moved from New York to California, and my life changed for the better, Beautiful weather-most of the time-and a jove I love. Life is perfect.There's just one little thing. Well, a big thing, actually. I can't stop fantasizing about my neighbor.Bed is tall-like, really tall. His beautiful eyes and lickable skin have me hypnotized. And don't even get me started on his dimple. It's as if he was made to drive me crazy.When I started reading I couldn't put it down I read the book in one day.Ceri is magnifysent writer.I cannot wait to read more of her books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.

Sexy, Feisty, and a whole lot of naughty. As my first read from Ceri Grenelle I was surprised how exciting and expressive her writing is. Heat Wave is the ultimate Neighbor Next Door romance story. Surly a fast read but it defiantly does not leave you anything other then satisfied!

Heat Wave is an insta-lust leads to insta-love steamy novella featuring two neighbours who have become friends but harbor secret fantasies about each other. A city heat wave and loss of power leads them to explore something more in the dark where inhibitions pale in comparison to desire. It's a sexy and entertaining treat with a happy ending, a nice addition to the Dirty Bits line.

This review will be posted at sale sites during release week.