I finally got around to reading this book. I guess...the title didn't really appeal to me much but boy was I wrong! Shayne has managed to write another amazing, amazing book that had me laughing, crying and swooning.
Author: Shayne McClendon
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotica, Menage (M F M)
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Some people will go to great lengths to get their research.
Riya O'Connell requests applications from men around the country willing to participate in the research she needs for her dissertation on Male Sexuality. She narrows down her thousands of submissions to eight men. In return, Riya will give them...whatever they want.
As her project progresses, Riya realizes she's chosen the eight men in the country who would love her well and that she could easily love in return. She leaves subject after subject with a small piece of her heart.
Ultimately, Riya discovers where she truly belongs...and gets an education she didn't plan on.
The book might be about male sexuality but it is much much more than that.
This book is definitely one of a kind.
Throughout her study, Riya learns what it means to love, to lose, to give all that she is to someone else while remaining true to herself. I am honoured to be able to go on this journey with Riya. Words can't explain how much I adore this book. Every chapter was another story, another adventure, another passionate love affair, another chance at love or heartbreak.
I was tearing up when the chapter to Riya's first subject closed. She was leaving a small piece of her heart with each and every one of them, and I think I left a little piece of my heart with them as well. Each of her subjects is so amazing, flawed and yet so amazing, so beautiful, so endearing.
The one that cut me up was her time with Lucas. Gosh, dear dear Lucas. I would love to hug him and fill him up with love. He spent his entire life doing the right thing, giving up his dreams, and being hated for it. He deserves so much for all the hurt he has been through, and I'm glad he learnt to love again and to let go his pain. I can't tell you how much I've fallen for Lucas...
Riya seemed so perfect though...So giving, so understanding, so humble, such a pure and beautiful heart. It is hard to imagine being in her shoes, doing what she did. I would've died going through what she did. All the men, given the right circumstances, would have had stolen her heart.
The Barter System shows us a side to men that ...we never bothered to see or know, their softer, emotional side. It shows us that even the most popular jock has his insecurities, that a grown mature man can be lonely and hurting, that a good looking hunk of a guy can feel so uncomfortable in his skin, and that it may be better to take the road less travelled.
I highly highly recommend this book! I'll say it's a classic, one that I WILL re-read in years to come. It's definitely a different read.