Review: Beautiful Bastard (Beautiful Bastard #1) by Christina Lauren

 Source: Received an egalley from the publisher and Netgalley.

Publisher: Gallery Books

Release Date: February 12, 2013
Number of Pages: 320 (Paperback)

(Goodreads Link.)

Description from Goodreads:

An ambitious intern. A perfectionist executive. And a whole lot of name calling. Discover the story that garnered more than two million reads online.

Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He’s exacting, blunt, inconsiderate—and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.

Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family’s massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who’d been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative—completely infuriating—creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he’s never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe’s so tempting he’s willing to bend the rules—or outright smash them—if it means he can have her. All over the office.

As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they’re willing to lose in order to win each other. Originally only available online as The Office by tby789—and garnering over two million reads on fan fiction sites—Beautiful Bastard has been extensively updated for re-release.

While I do read fanfiction...and the Twilight variety happens to be one of my favourites, I hadn't actually read Beautiful Bastard in its original fanfiction format, so this book was completely new to me! First, I will state that Beautiful Bastard does have mature content in it...so yes, there is sex. It's definitely an adult story, so you've all been warned. Second, Bennett is a class-A douche at times...oh boy is he ever, but he definitely grows on you once he lets down his whole domineering boss facade...although that was kind of hot sometimes, too. ;)

Beautiful Bastard starts out with Chloe having an awful morning where she ends up being late for work, and her boss, Bennett...or rather Mr.Ryan (if you didn't the first time, reread that last bit and say Mr.Ryan in a deep, deep voice---yes, it's totally necessary :P), managed to make her day even worse by assigning her a work project that she is to present to him by the end of the day. Once they get in that board room though, it's much more than presenting going on. And right away a new aspect is introduced to their work relationship.

The thing that I loved about Beautiful Bastard was that while there is a lot of sex, the relationship between Bennett and Chloe is a lot more than that. There is a tonne of tension between the two of them, the sexual variety and just plain ol' stubbornness. Chloe has worked hard to get where she is at in her career, and when Bennett doesn't respect that, she doesn't take it lying down. I loved that Chloe had respect for herself because often too many women don't! Although Bennett did govern quite a bit of their relationship in the workplace, Chloe always held her own. She was pretty much the only one in their office who even stood up to him, and he respected that about her, even though he was rather nonchalant about her abilities. I loved that Chloe was willing to stand up for herself and when it came to their romantic relationship, she didn't always let Bennett have control either. Seeing the power struggle between the two of them was another fascinating aspect in their relationship, and once the power struggle morphed into something else....something else entirely, it was amazing to see the two of them finally let their guards down.

I absolutely LOVED Beautiful Bastard! It was sexy, funny, and just an all-around enjoyable read! As I mentioned earlier though, it does have sex and is most definitely an adult book, so don't say I didn't warn you. :P If you're a fan of steamy stories with wonderful characters and some awesome tension, I think you'll enjoy this one. ;)

So...are you a fan of steamy stories, too?
Any other Twilight fanfic fans out there? Come on...don't be shy. I admitted it, you can too!
Finally, what do you think of Beautiful Bastard? Do you think you'll be reading it?