I liked the premise of the book, but didn’t love the execution as much. I especially liked that the weekend together changed them both enough to alter their life’s path. The book takes place over six years, which I typically don’t mind but the book felt disjointed. I also didn’t connect with either MC’s. Carson was so cheesy and cliche, and Grace was completely unrelatable. I know this is a re-release of a book written 10 years ago, and it felt that way— Mia’s writing has come a long way.

Wow, let me tell you about the Mia Sheridan masterpiece that is Stinger! From the moment I started reading, I was completely hooked. The writing was impeccable, and the story had me captivated from start to finish.

The dual points of view and occasional time jumps added a unique flavor to the narrative, making it even more intriguing. But it was the characters that stole my heart. Grace and Carson, despite their initial dislike for each other, shared an intense connection that unfolded in the most unexpected way. After a chance encounter due to an elevator mishap, they found themselves entangled in a steamy weekend together. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, both inside and outside the bedroom!

Carson, a straight male performer in the adult entertainment industry, turned out to have so much more depth than I initially thought. The way his character evolved throughout the story was beautiful to witness. The love story that unfolded between him and Grace was filled with just the right amount of angst, drama, and passion. Sheridan crafted their connection in a way that felt both spicy and intimate, leaving a lasting impact on their lives.

Stinger was an absolute delight to read, and it has definitely made me eager to explore more of Mia Sheridan's works. The book was a perfect blend of romance, character development, and sizzling chemistry. If you're looking for a captivating and unforgettable love story, I highly recommend diving into the pages of Stinger..

This was a reread for me and I still enjoyed it just as much the second time! A perfect second chance romance.

Grace Hamilton is a planner, as in, she has her life mapped out and that is that. She's at a law conference in Vegas when she meets Carson Stinger, of the adult entertainment industry. They get stuck with each other and their lives are changed. It's only a weekend, right? And with a porn star, you've got to expect some steam and there is plenty of that, so much so that an impact is made that carries forward through the years.

Grace and Carson are separated for a few years, but they've never forgotten each other. There are some hurdles when they are reunited, but that is to be expected. As a matter of fact, there weren't any big surprises along the way.

Overall, I enjoyed this. It's what I expect from this author and I wasn't disappointed.

I was excited to read this book because of the setting (I'd just visited Las Vegas!) and the characters (currently very interested in reading about sex workers), but I struggled too much with not liking both MCs to continue. I know Mia Sheridan is a staple, and I look forward to reading another book that might pique my interest more than this one.

Stinger by Mia Sheridan

My rating:
4/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely love Mia Sheridan’s books. She always is such an emotional, spicy and smart author. I REALLLY was invested in this one until around 75% of the book. I had to knock of a star because of where the book went. I obviously understand why it went the way it did and should mention this book brings up awareness to a specific problem in the world (trigger warning)

The first part of this book takes place in a Vegas hotel where two people are attending difference conferences and get stuck in the hotel elevator. What starts out as two strangers who are annoyed with eachother turns into a steamy weekend.
The book then flashforwards to 5 years later and you see where life takes the two characters.

The initial spicy parts of this book between the two main characters just absolutely hooked me. I loved Grace and Carson so much. Overall I would give this one a read for sure but it did feel like a completely separate story after around halfway through the book.

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC! You can read this one now!

I am a big fan of Mia Sheridan, and I’m grateful for the arc from NetGalley.

This wasn’t my favorite book by Mia, but I’ll still look forward to anything she comes out with! I felt it was a little disjointed at times with the storyline, and the plot had a lot going on that could’ve been edited down. I appreciate her writing on heavier topics, though!

I really enjoyed this book. I loved Mia Sheridan’s Archer’s Voice, so I was excited to read something else by her. I wouldn’t say this is instalove, however, it’s almost like instalove. They MMC and FMC feel a connection right away that they have never felt before. They literally crash into each other and stare into each others eyes. This made their connection less believable to me in the beginning; however, as their story evolved, they started to make more sense as a couple.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This story follows a girl who has a strict plan and a p”rn star who has no plans that meet up at Las Vegas and a connection is formed but then destroyed. I love Sheridan’s books and would read anything she writes. This was a very well-written book but a bit too long for me. I enjoyed that the story was written in two different parts, with dual perspectives, and jumped in different years. There was a lot of development and self development which I enjoyed along with reading cute, heartfelt moments. I enjoyed the multiple different settings we got in this book as you visit Las Vegas, the snowy mountains, and DC if I remember correctly. The storyline concept was great but I have to say that some parts of the story were too much. I felt at some parts of the book, there was too much going on or the scenes were too long and could have been shortened. Overall the writing was pretty good and I enjoyed the story.

Grace is the main character in the story who wants to become a lawyer. I enjoyed her storyline a lot and how much she grew in the book. She had a path but then realized she can alternate that for herself. Then there is Carson who is the p*rn star which he doesn’t want to do but became a part of him. After meeting Grace, his life changed. He too had a strong development and I loved the person he became. He was such a sweetheart towards Grace and cared for her so much. There were many side characters in the book but not too involved with the story. The book mainly focused on the MCs of the book. The relationship was cute and there was so much connection between the two. The tropes are forced proximity, instant love, enemies to friends to lovers, second chance, friends with benefits, and more. Honestly, this book was with every trope and spicy compared to other Sheridan’s books.

The ending was well done and so cute. I love where the characters ended up and the story they had. For me, I think this book could have been shortened but it was still greatly written. There are so many moments I would never forget about and I recommend that you check out this book.

*this e-arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*

The human trafficking aspect of this book was not for me. Maybe I should have read the synopsis before requesting, so that's on me. But instead of a steamy romance, it was a dark story I wasn't expecting from Mia. I feel bad rating it. This book wasn't for me, and that's okay!

Thank you to Netgalley, Mia Sheridan, and the publisher for giving me an eARC of Stinger in exchange for an honest review.

This book surprised me. When I saw that is was structured into three different parts I had a good idea of where I thought the book would be going. In some ways I was right, however in so many others I was so very wrong. I really appreciated the journey that Grace and Carson took during this book. I have always said that you need to love yourself before you can love another, and this book truly felt like the epitome of that. There were aspects of this book that felt rushed, or that I wish was flushed out more, but it did not take away from my overall enjoyment. I was so invested in the journey that Grace and Carson were taking that those other details did not bother me in the slightest. Honestly, I would love to get stories regarding other characters in this book as I feel like there is so much more that could be explored in regards to the overarching story that is being told.

4.5 stars.

Grace is in law school and Carson is in adult entertainment — they couldn’t be more of an unlikelier love match. But when the two run right into each other in Vegas (both attending conferences in their respective fields) sparks fly. Their attraction is instant, but there’s tons of hostility between them— that is until they get stuck in an elevator together and strike a deal: spend the weekend together, exploring their physical attraction, then part ways and move on with their lives. Sounds great on paper, but things get complicated for them when feelings develop and they’re forced to say goodbye.

Years later, Grace and Carson are taken by surprise when work brings them together again unexpectedly. Will they pick up where they left off all those years ago? Or has too much happened in all the time that’s passed?

This could have been a cute strangers to lovers / opposites attract story that begins with a wild weekend in Vegas and an expiration date, and ends with the pair developing feelings for each other and starting up a relationship where their careers create hurdles for them to overcome. It could have been that and I would have definitely enjoyed it—it would have made such a cute rom-com. BUT it wasn’t that. Mia Sheridan went and made this SO MUCH MORE and did she ever do it well. Wow. This was such a beautiful story. It starts as a cute rom-com then gets much deeper with each twist and turn in Grace and Carson’s bumpy journey back to each other. It’s giving “What Happens in Vegas” meets “Taken” — it seems like an unlikely combo, but trust me it was so good. Definitely recommend!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

While Stinger started out fast paced and wonderful, the second half seemed as if it was a completely different story. I enjoyed a chance encounter changing the lives of two individuals and sending them on a very different trajectory than the one set before them. But while the initial start had a lot of promise, the second half gave me whiplash with its multiple time jumps. Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Bloom Books and Netgalley for a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

MIA SHERIDAN CAN DO NO WRONG. I loved the plot and premise of this book. It hit on some tough topics between the two characters. Both Grace and Carson are great. I felt their instant connection, which didn't feel unrealistic. They shared an emotional weekend, and when it was time for it to end, I felt their heart breaks. I enjoyed how the book was over a span of time. It really gave the characters room to develop and mature before they met again.

I would read anything Mia Sheridan writes and HIGHLY recommend this book to readers.

4.5/5 | 🌶️ 3.5/5

If you’d seen the texts I sent during the first half of this book, you would probably assume that I’d DNF’ed. But at about 50% my commentary went from eek to EEK.

I was 100% down for this plot line - male adult film performer finds love with an uptight(ish) woman while in Vegas for a weekend? Sold. But the thing that kept this from being a 5 star read for me, even after it all, was the writing.

It’s been ten years since this was written, and somehow there are moments of the writing that still made me cringe. Maybe I’m just being particular. But truly, it was a little distracting.

This book was filled with plot twist after plot twist that had me screaming, snorting, lots of other feels that had my dogs concerned. And the steamy scenes were just as dazzling as the rest of the storyline. I was reminded of the actual plot parts of Haunting Adeline that were, IMHO, the only redeeming moments in that book. This one had them in spades, with a character I didn’t want to see behind bars.

I’m thankful I stuck it out to see Carson and Grace’s story through, because they are adorable.

Thank you, Netgalley, Mia Sheridan, and Bloom Books for the ARC

*SPOILER REVIEW AHEAD*

I’ve read a couple other of this author’s books and enjoyed them, but I was a bit disappointed with this one. I think the premise is great, and could have been fodder for a lot of humor as well as awesome sexy times. Instead we get shaming of sex work. Which, don’t get me wrong, realistically I can understand it from the heroine’s point of view. She’s says things like “ewww”, “it’s indecent”, “you’re ashamed of yourself”. And if the average American met a sex worker then yes they might have these thoughts. But I just hoped for higher ground, you know?

About 40% in the book takes a hard left turn. Carson leaves the industry, joins the military, then after being discharged goes into security with a side plot of rescuing trafficked women and children. At this point is when he reconnects with Grace. And, I’m sorry, but I think this really sends a message that he wasn’t worthy of her when he was a sex worker. But now that he is a “hero“ then he can have the girl. This message just seems so judgmental to me and I was not a fan.

Thank you to NetGalley & Sourcebooks Bloom Books for this advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

I like that this story is about two people who aren't initially on the paths that they really want for themselves in the long run, but when they reconnect five years later they are. Carson could have stayed in his initial industry and I would have been 100% on board with that, because it's what drew me into the book in the first place, but it's interesting to see the new path he takes and how much it's in line with his former life. It's also interesting to see that Grace has changed, but it still the same. Being with someone who she clearly doesn't love in a romantic way and vice versa instead of going after what she really wants. Or I suppose I should say the kind of love she really wants and just like before we get to see how Carson helps to see her pull herself out of that.

For me I just think this book felt like a lot. I enjoy books of this length often, but for me it feels like things could have been a little more condensed. And the chapter lengths were overwhelming as well. As I read it I was confused as to why the author didn't just alternate POVs instead of giving up pages of Grace and then pages of Carson before ending the chapter.

I’m pretty sure at this point that I will love anything Mia Sheridan writes - just always a gripping drama with the most swoony romance stories. I adored the instant connection with these two MCs and the whole idea of fate. Also, 10/10 epilogue. It has a bit of everything:

-enemies to lovers
-opposites attract
-insta love
-second chance romance

Grace and Carson meet in Las Vegas one weekend when they both happened to be at the same hotel for conventions in their respective industries. Grace is a law student, while Carson is a adult film star. While Grace can admit that she finds Carson very sexy, she finds him obnoxious and cocky and definitely pre-judges him because of his profession. When they get stuck in an elevator together and Grace has a panic attack, she learns that she was wrong to judge Carson by first impressions. He's actually quite sweet, as well as very determined to take care of her until help arrives. It becomes clear there's mutual attraction there and they both decide to blow off their conventions and spend an unforgettable weekend together before going their separate ways.

I really enjoyed the chemistry between Grace and Carson and quickly became invested in them as a couple. I especially liked that even though both characters had less than stellar pasts, their encounter with one another, even though it was only one weekend with no guarantee they would ever see each other again, inspired them both make major changes in their lives. What happens in Vegas did not stay in Vegas in this case.

Sheridan got me in the feels during their time apart, and then she got me all over again when they eventually do find their way back to one another.

Stinger is both moving and sexy. It’s angsty yet also has a healthy dose of humor, and was just an overall very satisfying read that has me wanting to read more of Sheridan's novels.

The book was slow at times but overall I loved the romance between the two characters. Falling in love with a porn star may just be a new favorite trope of mine. Loved the steamy sex scenes. I preferred the chapters that were from Carson's point of view. I did find several typos throughout the book though that could have easily been fixed. These things happen though. Overall, I enjoyed this romance.