This book was...fine? It was fast paced, and I read it VERY quickly -- but I thought the plot, sans the Vegas one weekend stand, was weird. Like, I was not expecting the heavy content warnings around human trafficking, the military character arc, and the way that Grace went about going back to Carson after being in a relationship with someone (yes, basically she cheated.) It was a fun whirlwind for the first 50% of the book but then I was kind of just wanting it to be over once all the weird things starting coming to life.

Ih I loved this!! I loved Carson. Throughout the book, I went from swooning, to fanning myself, to almost crying, to flat-out squeeing, and sometimes to sitting there in utter shock with my jaw dropped at the reveals. Plus, the tropes in this were quite unique with an adult performer as a hero and the grumpy heroine.
Their romance turned this book into such a gorgeous heart-felt journey and that took me by surprise. Mia sheridan, never misses. I truly loved it!

While I do read a fair amount of romance, it tends to be a bit different than this book, which impacted my thoughts on this title. To be quite honest, the beginning of the book was a little ridiculous. A sex work convention and a lawyer convention? It just seemed poorly researched. And then there was a lot of shame around sex work which was problematic. People don't need to have traumatic pasts in order to get into sex work, they can just choose it as a career path because they want to. I guess this book was written a decade ago and is being republished or something, so I'm trying to cut the author some slack, but I would imagine this is a pretty insulting book for anyone in the sex work industry. Was this an entertaining book? At times, yes, but I would hesitate before recommending to anyone. There's better romance books out there, and definitely better sex work positive books out there. Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for this ARC.

Stinger by Mia Sheridan surprised me. It's a truly satisfying second-chance romance between two unlikely lovers. Grace meets Carson Stinger in Las Vegas. She's there attending a law conference; he's there for an adult film convention. Their instant attraction is undeniable, and they spend a life-changing few days together. But real life intrudes, and time and circumstances conspire against them. Fast forward a number of years and fate throws them in each other's path once again, and they get another chance.

This is a rerelease, originally published in 2013, but it's aged surprisingly well. It isn't perfect, but I really enjoyed it. It's rare for contemporary romances to deal candidly with the adult film industry--there are of course exceptions like Rosie Danan's The Roommate--so I appreciate that Sheridan didn't demonize OR sugarcoat it. I loved how both characters positively influenced each other, even though their initial love affair was brief--shifting the trajectory of both their lives. The third act was a little dramatic and felt a bit out of the blue, but it worked with the overall plot, allowing Grace and Carson to reconnect.

Thank you, Bloom Books, and Netgalley for my advance reader copy.

Mia Sheridan is a staple when it comes to amazing reads and Stinger lives up to the hype! This is a book that had me glued to its pages until I finished and the spicy level on it is so exquisite that it’ll have you blushing for a few chapters! Even though the story itself is heartbreaking, it leaves an imprint in you for a while. I thoroughly enjoyed Stinger and recommend it immensely, specially for fans of Sheridan’s previous books!

This book wasn't what I was expecting. But it was a good story. Nothing spectacular but an overall decent read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for the E-ARC.

All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

In comparison to Archer’s Voice, I’m stuck where to rate this. It probably falls between 3.5/3.75 stars but I’ll round up to 4 stars. I thought Grace and Carson’s connection/love was almost too instant but still I loved them so much. Let me just say, I HATE ELEVATORS! Carson I love you!!!!! Their trauma bonding got me. The first half was awesome but then the time jumps and the whole military plot (which I understand was necessary) threw me a bit. Honestly, no one should be telling a rape victim that they have to keep their baby, seriously I screamed at that!!!! and the cheating yikes Grace. But the second half and the plot twist with carson’s job- I enjoyed!

“Why do you call me buttercup?” I cried each time.

I liked Stinger. While not my favorite Mia Sheridan book I thought it was decent and it has other great reviews. While the book never hooked me it was interesting enough for me to finish. Overall this was decent.

Spicy second chance romance with plenty of heat, banter, chemistry, and tension. An unconventional hero. Overall this book was a quick read and a page turner with a solid plot, romance, and well developed characters

I love a good romance where the characters can only think of reasons why things won't work out, refusing to give in to the pull that they have, to the possibility that it just might work. Full of banter and heat, Stinger is a hot little book with a lot of heart. You might first think, oh porn industry, *chili emoji*, and it is that, but it's also SO much more. Grace and Carson have so many reason they won't work, so many reason to avoid one another, so many reason they're just a bad idea. Neither has room to pay attention to how they would work and so as they're constantly pulled together, fighting their lust and attraction, the reason they work together so well continues to evade them. They have to find themselves and respect themselves enough, to respect their own journey, to finally see that what they need is right in front of them.

“𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚”

Wowowowowoow.

This book had nothing of what I expected was going to happen but I’m so obsessed with ur in every way. I’m still even shocked that this is written by Mia Sheridan because it’s SO different compared to her other works but it was SO beautiful. And as usual it was such an emotional read.

So in this story we meet Grace and Carson. Grace is on a trip to Vegas for a law student expedition. While grace is going to head to her hotel room she runs into a handsome guy named Carson who at first she mistakes for another student…but actually he’s a p0rn star. They did not start out on the right foot, and in fact they are nothing alike in any way which is what begins their frustration. Their attracted to each other despite hating what each other does. So they decide to explore and have a little fun with their relationship just for the rest of the weekend at Vegas until they have to go their separate ways.

But they both catch feelings. However, Carson doesn’t feel like he deserves her because he’s ashamed of what he does. The only thing he grew up to know how to do. Unfortunately all good things come to an end…which leads to two years later. When they meet each other again.

A second chance, hate to love, raw, emotional, and angst story of two people trying to find their ways in life very differently. One proud of what they do, the other ashamed of what the industry has done to him. The beauty of it all is now much a person can you when you click with them. And realize they actually saved your life in many ways you didn’t expect. (This is also the spiciest of her books I read so far lol like damn). But LOVED it and highly rec you all read🤌🤭🫶😭

I love Mia! Her books are just so good and romantic and angsty and yes, so good....

I can't wait for more.

This book has some heat to it, but it is so much more than that. This is a love story between Grace and Carson. Two people that might never have found each other had it not been conferences at their hotel. Granted, she never expected to fall for a porn star, and he never expected to change his life based on this one weekend.

This story covers about five years, starting with the fated weekend, to a few years down the road, and then ending five years later when they reconnect.

These two are made for each other. Grace is a planner and too analytical for her own good. Carson has a bit of a wild streak that just needs to be tamed. I loved their interactions with one another, especially in the present when they realize what they have been missing and where they want their lives to go. There is a bit of a mystery surrounding Carson's job at a casino that ties into Grace's job as a Prosecutor. 

I enjoyed the interactions between the two from the beginning. We all need someone in our lives that will help us loosen up. And in Carson's case, someone that will help us realize our potential. 

The book is filled with steamy scenes, laughter, and family. We give it 4 paws up.

So, I went in pretty blind with this one.
I'd seen the name of the author on Instagram, but never read any of her book before.
Honestly, the first couple of chapters I wasn't sure the book was for me.
It seemed like a pretty straight forward boy meets girl, enemies to lovers kind of story. On top of that Carson came on to pretty strong to Grace. I thought he was cocky and presumptuous.
Still, I kept on reading and boy I'm glad I did because both Carson and Grace grew on me and I loved how the story and their relationship developed.
It was heartfelt, romantic and yes there was lots of spice too.
A solid 5 star read!
Thank you @netgalley and @bloombooks for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This a simply an easy, smutty novel. The set up is pretty simple and like many other novellas of the same genre. There’s forced proximity which we all love. I took off two stars because the handling of the conversation around sex workers was appalling. If you can’t write about sex workers in a realistic and appropriate manner, don’t make your main character a sex worker.

I wanted to love this book after reading my first book by the author before this one, but I found that it lacked depth overall. I liked the premise and really enjoyed the first connection with Grace and Carson - their banter was snarky and full of fire. The tension and chemistry pulled me in and their actual relationship made me stay. I was a bit disappointed by the time jump, even though the author made it make sense. They both had a lot of growing to do before they were ready for each other. While I was okay with the difficult talk (TW) of sex trafficking and PTSD, I wanted more from it. It overall felt a bit surface level and left me wanting.

The book is super spicy when they are together and it's almost but not quite instalove both times they meet one another. I felt the ending was rushed and didn't do Grace and Carson justice! I also was hoping for a more sex positive view, but I understand this is a rerelease from a 2013 book. So just adjust your expectations around that and you'll be okay!

It was an entertaining read and I do recommend even if it wasn't my favorite!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

This is the first book i have read by Mia Sheridan and i really loved it! It kicks off right from the start and has the perfect balance off romance, plot, and thrill. The author did an outstanding job of giving Carson and Grace their own storylines that contains amazing arcs and character growth, alongside a “meant-to-be” type love story. I really enjoyed the timeframes and the time jumps that were made throughout the chapters. It made the story and plot progress well and it was so fun to see the changes in Grace and Carson’s lives.

This book was soo good. Like seriously I did not anticipate it to be as good as it was. Like male performer turned military man?? Plus I want more books of his friends. Def one to add to the TBR!

The book felt really disjointed to me. It had such heaviness at times and then nitty gritty intimacy. It didn’t connect or move smoothly into a story. I didn’t enjoy it, and stopped 3-4 times and had to force myself to finish.

Oof, this book just did not work for me at all. I'm sorry. I just don't think the romance was developed at all. It was incredibly insta-love, and I can be okay with that if you show me a big emotional connection, but this book didn't do that. Most of their relationship was purely sexual, and their intense emotions came completely out of nowhere. I also just thought the first half it was a bit boring. It was just them having sex, and them internal monologuing about how they shouldn't be having feelings for the other person. It got a bit exhausting. Also, for a book that has a porn star as a main character, this book really shit on sex work, and makes it seem like the only people in the industry would rather be anywhere else. I know, bad stuff does go on in the porn industry in particular, but this book made it seem like no person with self respect would actually be in the industry. It left a bad taste in my mouth, especially because it went very much into the misogyny zone sometimes. Anyway, then their weekend together ends, and we have a time jump for the second half. The second half feels like a completely different book. All of the sudden we get a suspense second storyline, and absolutely no connection between the main characters at all even though they get back together within like an hour of them meeting each other again. No offense, but when you haven't seen each other in 5 years, and your entire thing is how much both of you have changed since you last saw each other, you can't just say "I've been in love with you this entire time" without any new developement, and expect me to be okay with it (especially since there was barely any developement in the first place). So yeah, was not invested in the romance AT ALL. Also, this book has cheating, and the absolute ease they cheat with, is not fun to read. There's like no internal conflict around it AT ALL. The suspense in this second half is also shit. It felt like a complete afterthought. I do think it deals with an important topic, and if it was executed a bit better I think I would like it. Now I just felt like whenever we brought it up it felt like a complete tonal shift, and like I said before it also felt like an afterthought and a bit forced in rather than a natural part of the story. So yeah, this did not work for me. I didn't absolutely hate it though (despite all my ranting). I am open to read more by Mia Sheridan as well though, because I just need to understand why other people love her books so much, as this did not show me that at all.