Ummm okay, wow. Just wow. This fantastic book hit me square in the feels. I loved every word, from beginning to end, and how beautiful the sentences were. The cover is what first drew me in, as I don’t read a lot of MF (but I was thrilled to see this book included some minor/side LGBTQIA characters!), but I had to pick this one up, especially after finding out who the author is. I’m so glad I did: it’s now my all-time favorite MF book, and a top 5 favorite book overall. I had a hard time putting it down.

I loved Alec and Georgia, and all the other characters, especially what a good friend Eden was. The magic between Alec and Gigi was palpable throughout the entire book, and I felt what they felt. I loved Georgia’s ethical dilemma, though she did seem a bit naive about the fallout of her decision (ie the consequences, even though it wasn’t done on purpose). I loved living with Alec and Gigi during their time together, and I loved her dedication to the Jupiter story and his dedication to not only Gigi, but his family and friends.

I loved with them, cried with them, hurt with them. And as an asexual person, I usually skim over sex scenes, but the ones in this book were so well written and more about the emotion than the sex that I found myself actually reading them, from the first one on. I loved the physical, emotional, and spiritual connections between Alec and Gigi, and I loved how he treated Eden.

I loved Gigi’s determination to continue to pick herself back up, even given what happened with her ex, and her understanding of Alec’s situation when she found out who he was. At first I was a little worried Alec was involved with the content of the TW at the beginning of the book, but I can assure you he’s not and would never.

This review doesn’t do this amazing book justice, but I will absolutely continue to read this author, as well as the works under her other name! ( )

Mmmmmm. I'm not sure why I didn't take to this novel. It languished in my Overdrive account and expired before I got past halfway.

It was the first person narration I think, and the character didn't appeal to me. Crime investigative reporter, Georgia (Gigi).

It was an unusual story - meeting someone - Alec Kim - at an airport, who you'd known at school, and falling into a wild night of passion with them!??? It was very romantic. But strange also, when they did not plan to see each other again, and the reason for that wasn't clear, except for geography.

I forgot this was written by Lauren Billings of Christina Lauren, which explains why the bedroom parts were well done!

The blurb says it is romcom, but I found it tense - I had a sense of foreboding. Yes, rom, but no com. ( )

I started out reading this thinking Ivy Owens was a new writer, and was awed by her assurance. That will teach me not to read publisher blurbs. In fact Ivy Owens is the pen name of Lauren Billings, one half of the established bestselling duo that writes under the name Christina Lauren. Once I knew that some of what was here seemed a bit familiar, but some did not.

Owen's voice is a bit different here than in the Christina Lauren books. This is still a grand romantic fantasy, but Scandalized seems less contrived than some of the CL books (many of which I like, though I know that sounds like a slam) and both MCs, Alec and Gigi, are more mature and cautiously open to being vulnerable in a more grownup way than the characters in CL books I have read. Again, this is fantasy, so we have a hot Korean movie star and a super successful and gorgeous investigative reporter thrown together and instantly drawn to one another, but they both have other obligations, full lives, that they are balancing with the budding romance (as opposed ot deciding that they can't have love because of other goals or commitments, which is a common CL theme.)

The book starts out with a literal and figurative bang and it remains fun, interesting, and steamy, though lower drama than many other romance, because as mentioned everyone is a grownup. If you are looking for NA levels of angst and drama this is not for you. The book is also a bit of a love letter to SoCal. I always think it is funny when writers try to write about LA the way others write about New York, San Francisco, and London. It does not work. No shade to LA, but it does not lend itself to literary love. Lots of movies I love managed to portray the equal parts glamour and seediness that give LA its special tang -- movies like Mulholland Drive, Lala Land, LA Story, even Pretty Woman, but other than noir no one seems to capture it well in prose, and this is no exception. The whole feels more Sepulveda Blvd and Santa Monica Freeway (which is to say ranging from ugly to generic) than Robertson Blvd or the State Street underpass (which is to say ranging from glitzy and exclusive to generic.) I did, however, appreciate the effort as did. I am sure, the Waldorf, which was I think the only real place identified and was certainly the only place where the reader has any sense of what it looks like.

A solid 3.5. I liked it, I did not feel like I could not stop reading, but also did not ever feel like I wanted it stop reading. I am definitely up for Billings/Owens' next solo effort. ( )

Great, steamy, romance by the Lo half of the amazing CLo duo! This romance is definitely more “open door” romance than a typical CLo book but doesn’t leap into the smutty category either. The chemistry of Alec and Gigi is believable and I loved the honesty, maturity, and open communication between them. The book also does a really good job with touching on a few sensitive topics of sexual abuse and sexual predators while still keeping it a sweet light read showcasing that there are people who will stand up and fight for justice of the victims while trying to destroy these evil men. ( )

If the hot summer days haven't got you steamed up enough, Ivy Owens debut romance Scandalized will.

Gigi is an investigative journalist with the foreign desk for the Los Angeles Times. She's about to break a big story about powerful and wealthy men who are using a London nightclub to sexually abuse women.

When her flight back to LA gets cancelled, she runs into the brother of her childhood friend at the airport, someone she hasn't seen in fourteen years. Alec offers for her to stay in his hotel suite and promises to be a perfect gentleman.

Gigi is reluctant at first, but the thought of spending the night on the airport floor holds no appeal. Gigi and Alec talk over old times and they find themselves undeniably physically attracted to each other. What's a hot one-night stand between old friends?

The one night stand turns into more when they return to Los Angeles. Gigi figures out that Alec is famous which complicates and adds a thrill to their burgeoning relationship. As Gigi's big story is about to go live, Alex tells her that he has information that will break her story wide open.

This is where things get complicated. Gigi's integrity will be challenged if it comes to light that she is sleeping with a source (as it should be). Her dream of being a serious journalist doing the big stories will be gone, yet she finds herself falling in love with Alec.

Gigi's decision has consequences for not only her, but also for Alec and her own newspaper. Does she make the right decision?

That storyline doesn't really come into play until the last third of the book. The first two thirds of the story is all about Gigi and Alec's relationship, and the many sex scenes are explicit. If that is not something you enjoy, you may not want to read this one. However, if you enjoy reading that, you will be pleased (and hot and bothered!).

One thing that rang true for me was the scene at the airport when the flight was delayed. As someone who travels frequently, I related to this:
"Near the gate, the flight attendants have carefully avoided stepping behind the podium. If they so much as hover nearby, an irritated line forms."
I can't tell you how many times I have seen that happen.

Thanks to Gallery Books for putting me on Ivy Owens' tour. ( )