If you are looking for a book that will suck you in and never let go, than this is the book for you. It has all the things one looks for in a romance and so much more. Elisabeth Caldwell will have you feeling all of the things right along side the characters in this story of love, loyalty, and self discovery.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for being able to read this as an ARC. These are my honest reviews.
This book was not what I expected. I was thinking it was going to be a sleazy book about strippers and a typical sleeping with client and falling in love trope. I was right about sleeping and falling for a client but there is a lot more depth to what you read.

OUR REVIEW:
I stumbled across Strip on NetGalley and it immediately reminded me of some of the New Adult reads we read way back in the 20-teens...a time I've started thinking of as the golden age of NA Romance when there were many new adult reads to choose from but they all kinda stayed in the same few trope lanes. Anyway. Strip sounded like a throwback to those times and I thought I'd give it a try. I'm glad I did because it was very much like those first new adult novels I read, just updated to a 2023 sensibility. There was the smoldering, intense boss (Ryker) and the independent, yet vulnerable employee who had a secret reason for stripping (Sage). The moment they run into each other the chemistry sparks and despite him coming off as a closed off prick and her calling him on it, they manage to make a deal--he'll do her a favor for the favor of her company at a few upcoming events. As the days go on and they get to know each other better, neither of them can stop thinking of the other, even though that's (of course) against the deal they made. They trade childhood stories and worries and the fake dates become more and more real, just as suspicious and strange acts amp up. And just when he decides to take the plunge and allow himself to care for her and she decides to open up and tell him all of the truths she's been omitting, the shizz hits the fan and things seem to be over. But as this is a true romance, Ryker and Sage do get a happy ending.



It appears that this is the first of a series and I hope that Elisabeth Caldwell is dreaming up her next story because I enjoyed Strip and would love to see which characters she writes about next.

This was a definite wild ride start to finish. It was good but not a deep book which honestly I did not expect. It was pure smut and perfect for when you were in the mood for that.

This wasn't your typical stripper meets hot man kind of book but has a twist or two... Making it a book worth reading.... I just wished it had more an ending to it like an epilogue at the end.

I just could not get into this book. I felt like the characters were just bland and I did not have strong feelings about anything that happened.

I think the plot and idea for the book is strong it just did not work well for me.

age Cashman’s sister suffers from a terrible illness and Sage will do anything to help her, including dancing at a gentleman’s club to support the two of them. Every night, she puts on a show for the customers, and the naughtier and more flirtatious she acts, the better her tips. Sage is just going through the motions until she gets closer to the dark, silent Adonis who lurks in the shadows during her performances. When Ryker Madsen is in her orbit, she doesn’t have to pretend she’s a woman easily seduced.

Ryker Madsen turns out to be more than Sage’s boss—he’s the owner of the club. He’s also involved with the company producing the experimental drug that might be her sister’s only hope. Ryker is as arrogant as he is rich, and it’s no secret that he wants Sage and is determined to have her. He’s intrigued when Sage proposes a deal: companionship for connections. Preferring uncommitted and unemotional relationships, Ryker sees Sage’s proposal as the perfect way to get her out of his system. What Ryker doesn't know is that Sage, jaded from a string of betrayals, has many secrets. Including her identity.

I thought that this was going to be a short, steamy book but it actually had so much more that that. I enjoyed the story and the connection between Sage and Ryker.

Judging by the Goodreads reviews, I'm in the minority with my lackluster rating. It wasn't a bad book, it just didn't stand out in any way for me. I don't even have a ton to write for this review because the book has kind of bled together with other books I've read. I think I went into this hoping to have a little more of the chemistry we see that very first night, but even then I just wanted more!

This passionate, emotional story about Ryker and Sage had me hooked from the first page. The plot is riveting and the characters are engaging and easy to relate to.

I found it easy to like Sage and I admired her courage and determination. She is willing to do anything to help her sister and that is how she ends up working in the strip club that Ryker owns. Sage is playing a game pretending to be a seductress when she is really innocent.

What I liked the most about this story was the strong connection and sizzling chemistry between Sage and Ryker. Ryker is a successful businessman and is completely taken with Sage from the moment he meets her. He is a self made man who is ruthless and honorable, with a soft spot in his heart for Sage.

I loved reading Ryker and Sage's story and thought they were perfect for each other.
They are two good people afraid to open up their hearts. They find it difficult to trust, but they are loyal to those they care about. I enjoyed this intense story, it held me spellbound from start to finish.

The cover picture of this book and the story were enticing. A Woman working in a strip club to help her sister with a medical bills. She had to "Sell" herself to the Man the owner of the strip club and CEO of the pharmaceutical company that has the medicines that will help her sister. Thrown in there as well a bit of suspence and mystery with the step father.
There was way too many teases between the two leads before they even have sex and I wished it had happened a bit earlier in the story.
Book provided by the publisher. This is my honest opinion.

“ I was so wrapped up in protecting my heart, I didn’t realize I was hurting yours. I’m an idiot, but I’m an idiot who’s desperately in love with you.”
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trope: fake dating (kind of),
pov: 3rd person pov
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rating: 4,75/5
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Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I adored this book, I loved Sage and Ryker so much. They are everything, their relationship was amazing. I loved the slow development from no trust and kind of dislike towards them slowly starting to unconsciously liking each other. Both characters are the definition to 'don't judge a book by its cover', in appearance they look a certain way but in reality they're so much more complex. I loved Rosemary and Christian, and how they were ready to kick their siblings ass to make them admit their true feelings. I also really loved Ryker's protectiveness of Sage even just a few days after meeting her.
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tw: abuse, murder, cancer
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genre: Adult Romance

This title was removed from my library, and placed in the archive, before I finished the book. All within a week. Because of this, I don't feel comfortable leaving a review.

I really wanted to like this one because it was a transactional sex story that developed into something more, but it just felt too unrealistic (which is saying a lot because I'm currently deep down the fantasy romance wormhole). Ryker is the owner of a pharmaceutical company and happens to buy a strip club where Sage works. Sage and Ryker have an immediate attraction to one another and agree to a sexual relationship where she gets connections and access to an experimental drug to possibly save her sick sister. It just all seems a little too implausible. The sex is hot though and there are some crazy additional storylines associated with Sage's past (stalking, mystery identities, murder, etc.) It was just a 3 star read for me.

This is one of my favorite books this year! I wasn’t exactly sure what I would find beneath the cover but I was pleasantly surprised by the character depth, backstory and chemistry that sizzled off the pages. Loved it all! Will definitely be following up it there is a sequel.

I’d rate this a five out of five! I don’t want to put in any spoilers besides telling you that you won’t be disappointed if you just put this on your to read list. This ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Strip: A Bargain with the Boss Romance is book #1 in the Spice Up the Night Series by Elisabeth Caldwell.

Strip to me was interesting. I enjoy romance novels with a darker side to it.
And Caldwell delivered an electrifying, engaging story.
Sage and Ryker are great together. The chemistry is undeniable.
The characters are well developed and I truly enjoyed following their journey.
This story has some pretty great twists and Elisabeth has written a remarkable story here.
Filled with action, drama, lots of betrayal, suspense and a romance I loved.
This is definitely a must read!. And I will definitely be looking forward to book two.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

City Owl Press.
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Sage is working at a strip club to pay for her sister’s healthcare. She meets Ryker, the club owner, who is also involved with the pharmaceutical company with the experimental drug her sister needs. They strike a bargain, companionship for his connection to the company.

This one just wasn’t for me. I thought the premise was intriguing, but I didn’t connect with the characters. There was a lot going on from the beginning and I just didn’t feel I cared enough about anyone in the story. Characters felt very 2 dimensional, the plot didn’t feel that exciting once it started, not even with the suspense subplot. I could kind of see where things were headed.

I would definitely try something else from this author, but probably not on the top of my TBR.
Read and reviewed this Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley.

Complimentary copy provided from the publisher and NetGalley for my honest opinion. When things are not as they seem, you can become entrapped by falsehoods. This romance brings secrets to light that you never saw coming. Great mystery and romance. You don't even realize it is a mystery until you are in the thrones of the unthinkable.

Well, I really wanted to love this book. My issue is NOT with the story, which is intriguing and kept me reading. My problem is that it is written in third person and it makes it so hard to follow, that is on me, not the author.
Sage/Olivia and Ryker, instant attraction turns into a business arrangement. With side plots of possible murder and stalking, this story is intriguing and filled with questions of "who done it, who's telling the truth, and who is going to make it out without getting a broken heart?"

Thank you City Owl Press and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It started off a bit slow, but then it picked up real nice. While I didn't agree with Ryker's hot-and-cold behaviour, he was actually quite sweet.

The ending was superb! I super duper loved it. The plot twist came out of nowhere, but it IS a plot twist.

I loved the story, but the characters, not so much. The angst, the conflict, the argument, ALL MADE THIS BOOK BETTER. Bravo! (Just say you cried and go)

Unfortunately, I did not like this book. I could not relate to the characters, and I felt they were too cliché. The plot twist did not make sense for me as well, it felt completely unreal.