Hot Pink

Rating:
Summary: So, she can write explicit sex scenes...
Review: ...but without proper editing and characterization, Hot Pink quickly deflates into an insubstantial tale of two oversexed people completely lacking distinctive personalities.

Pink-haired Chloe Chisolm flees from a blind date gone bad into an elevator just as Rocco Vinelli escapes the clutches of a possessive, clingy female friend. So far, so good (meeting in elevators is a good start - sort of a confined, forced acquaintance with someone.)

But, within the hour, Chloe and Rocco are tumbling into her bed where they spend the next 24 hours copulating, having fantastic mind-blowing sex. They part, both agreeing it was a fun one-time thing. Ho-hum.

However, neither can get the other out of his/her head, and so begins their obsessions with one another. The story quickly deteriorates from there and here are just a few reasons why:

There is no proper characterization of either Chloe or Rocco. They lack personality, quirkiness, uniqueness. I failed to understand why each was attracted to the other. For instance, WHY does Chloe choose to have pink hair? Other than his initial comment "Nice hair", Rocco never bothers to ask her. But had he asked, we might have gained a little insight to Chloe's personna. Why pink instead of green, blue, purple, etc.? How long has she had it pink? Has she experienced prejudice and disdain from others because of her hair color? What other quirks does she possess to go along with her unusual hair color? Unfortunately, I found nothing edgy or unique about Chloe beyond her hair color. And Rocco's merely a sculpted poster child for expensive clothing.

Secondary players get even less characterization. Chloe's friends are interchangeable, plastic, self-absorbed and are remiss in their assigned roles as confidantes. Rather than allowing Chloe a 'confidante friend' to pour her heart out to or seek advice from, the author chose to have Chloe hash out her problems with herself. Frankly, this doesn't work.

Rocco's self-proclaimed 'fiancee' is the overused stereotypical perfect blond pouty spoiled rich girl. Yawn.

Chloe has unprotected sex with Rocco with little concern, then later, has a sexual encounter with someone else and DEMANDS he wear a condom...but only one time, never during any later sex scenes. I call this the 'obligatory protected sex scene' that writers toss into stories to remain current and politically correct.

Poor word choice: moue, copacetic, outre, degage...etc. This isn't a literary novel, but perhaps the author needed to prove something?

Numerous editing errors. I get the impression the editor was out to lunch when this manuscript came in. When she came back, one of her underlings had already submitted it to the 'To Press' box.

And this was the most annoying flaw - the constant Point of View (POV) switching (or 'head-hopping') where the story is told from hero/heroine (and sometimes other characters, depending on who is in the scene), with no distinct section changes to indicate WHOSE head we are in. I'm grateful, at least, that the head-hopping was at least confined to separate paragraphs. Though, even this wasn't much help, since on any given page, the point of view switched back and forth half a dozen times. This is just lazy writing.

And finally, the ending... Well, considering Chloe and Rocco had known each other a FULL THREE WEEKS...let's just say the ending was just as insubstantial as their entire "relationship."

Rating:
Summary: Stupid, Stupid, Stupid
Review: After reading several of Susan Johnson's previous books, I find it hard to believe she wrote this one. The writing is TERRIBLE. The sex scenes are flat but she uses all the course words and the dialog is just painful. At one point, the guy (named Rocco of all things) wonders what his girl is doing. Susan Johnson actually writes "Here's what happened..." I have read college papers that were better than this book!!! Please save your money and by something else.

Rating:
Summary: Stupid, Stupid, Stupid
Review: After reading several of Susan Johnson's previous books, I find it hard to believe she wrote this one. The writing is TERRIBLE. The sex scenes are flat but she uses all the course words and the dialog is just painful. At one point, the guy (named Rocco of all things) wonders what his girl is doing. Susan Johnson actually writes "Here's what happened..." I have read college papers that were better than this book!!! Please save your money and by something else.

Rating:
Summary: I am a huge fan of Susan's...
Review: but this book really did not keep me interested as last years Blonde Heat did. Chloe is a "pink" headed graphic artist and Rocco works in the marketing field. Both meet in an elevator and it is instant lust, which I felt mostly on Chloe's part. Both are parked in the same garage and when Chloe's car doesn't start, Rocco offers to drive her home and Chloe offers him a "night cap" which Rocco unquestiongly takes her up on. From there on it is mindless sex without much romance at all. Rocco is trying to get rid of the scheming Amy who wants to marry him and Chloe is bitter that she cannot have Rocco again after one weekend of sex. I just did not feel the love "vibes" or chemistry between Chloe and Rocco as a couple. I hope Susan's next novel will be better because I really look forward to her books. Lately it seems she is becoming hit and miss, with this book falling under the miss category.

Rating:
Summary: ODE TO A REAL WOMAN-- I SYMPATHIZED AND IDENTIFIED
Review: I actually read all of the customer reviews on here before I read the book, and if I had listened, I would have missed a really good book!! The plot is not stale or flat, its real and simple. Girl meets guy. Girl and guy have great sex. Guy reveals he has issues. Girl lets guy go. Girl attempts to move on. Guy resolves issues and subverts his substitute. Guy begs for another chance. Girl realizes that being happy is what's important. Obviously, the reviewers have never met a guy with a crazy ex that doesn't know the meaning of the words "restraining order" yet. KEEP LIVING! It is my opinion that the book is fresh and exciting. The reason the main characters are single is not because they are defective and neurotic, they just haven't found the person they want to share their lives with. There was plenty of romance. The reason her hair is hot pink is simple: She is a natural white haired blonde who tinted it red. (Did the other reviewer actually read the book?!!!) What there was not, was a lot of ridiculous psycho-babble about abandoned children, divorcees, and inferiority complexes that require medical help not a love-hate relationship with some equally neurotic person who analyzes everything to death. The sex is just plain good. What there was not, was a repressed virgin secretly into kink (ie Lori Foster), on going orgies (ie Thea Devine), or mixed threesomes (ie Emma Holly). Those looking for more depth should consult a sex manual or get an actual sex life. What it does have is an independent heroine who lives out every girl's fantasy of mr. right being the sexy guy you had the nerve to talk to in the elevator! Throw in the fling with the equally sexy Colin look-a-like and Famous Amos cookies, and we are ready to go. REAL WOMEN OF THE WORLD UNITE!

Rating:
Summary: Hot Pink--Ok Sure---NOT!!!!
Review: I have been a huge fan of Ms. Johnson and her historical romances. They have always been page turners for me with just the right amount of sensuality and storyline. I was thrilled to find out that she was going to pen a modern day romance so I quickly preordered it from Amazon and patiently waited for it to be delivered to my box. I was so sorry to find out that this book had no redeeming qualities! NONE!

First off as other reviewers have stated the main characters Chloe and Rocco were pathetic. Where was the attraction, the honesty, the relationship? And if Chloe was sooooo attracted to Rocco why does she run off and start a fling with Colin the bartender? And don't get me started on Rocco or Amy the witch!

Personally I was totally confused as to how Rocco and Chloe ended up together and a lot was left unsaid or unasked as far as getting to know each other. Why did Chloe have pink hair? What besides having and enjoying sex did these two people have in common? NOTHING! I'm sorry I like my characters to be real, but at the same time when I read romance I want it to be reasonable as to why the characters are together. Sex does not keep a relationship together and outside of bed neither of these two people seemed to even like each other.

Do yourself a favor and borrow this book from a friend or the library or buy it second hand.

Rating:
Summary: It's not that bad...
Review: I have read through the reviews here and I am a bit surprised at some of the vehemence on display.

Hot Pink is not that bad, albeit it is a bit unbelievable.

Chloe and Rocco meet, hook up for a one night stand, and a couple of weeks later fall in love. But, during their two week escapade they have quite a few snags to get over. The first being Rocco's girlfriend...whose not quite a girlfriend, some arm wrestling, and the trials of trying to start a business. Yet, in the end, love does conqueror all...of course.

I, personally, found the book to be witty and well written. I laughed out loud at some of Chloe's comments, and overal SJ did a good job of making her somewhat believable. Rocco, who is described as drop dead gorgeous, was a little harder to buy, but it's not so bad that he is way out there in left field. It's definitely Sex in the City-ish, complete with the duo of companionable friends and liberated sexual views. Overall, it was a good book to take to the beach and read. Plus, the cover is cool. I don't know if that counts for anything, but it helped.

I did have one major problem with the book though. When Chloe and Rocco first hook up they don't use a condom. Now, IMHO, that is absolutely nutty especially since at the time they hadn't known each other but five minutes. But, I am not such a prude to let it sway me from the book, or let it raise my moral hackles to the point of outrage. It's a book of fiction...not a guide to life. Yet, they continue having sex without a condom, and except for one very small thought from Rocco nothing else about birth control is mentioned. I just found that way wierd. And, I feel like something should have been mentioned. Not doing so was a huge oversight.

But, aside from that...the read was pleasant. Try it out for yourself...you might like it.

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: I loved this book b/c it's not like any other romance I've read. The heroine is as casual about sex as the typical romance hero. Not a virgin in site...how nice:)

Rating:
Summary: HOT AND STEAMY!!!!
Review: I loved this book! I couldn't put it down at all. The scenes were very steamy and constantly kept my interest! Rocco and Chloe were great characters that I could completely relate to. If people think this book is a little too over the top, then they?ve never experienced lust before. GREAT READING!!! I wish she had more like this one.

Rating:
Summary: Frigid Pink...
Review: I so did not feel this novel. Hot Pink fizzles out before the heat even begins. Character and story development are wooden, the dialogue is corny, the romance is absent and the so-called erotic scenes lack realism and depth. Chloe and Rocco are two of the most annoying protagonists ever written. It would've been interesting and steamy to read about the relationship between an eccentric, pink-haired graphic designer and her engaged lover, but the story falls short in so many levels. Rocco's relationship with his fiancee is ridiculous. I marveled at the aforementioned subplot's banality. This novel should've been titled Frigid Pink. Susan Johnson should stick to writing historical romance novels. I strongly suggest you skip this book.