Review and Giveaway: The Last Man on Earth

The Last Man on Earth (The Graysons - Book 1) by Tracy Anne Warren

Publication Date: 01/07/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Signet Select
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 352
ISBN-10: 0451466004
ISBN-13: 978-0451466006

(Received for an honest review from Signet Select)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound

Tracy Anne Warren on the WEB: website, facebook, goodreads

Excerpt from, The Last Man on Earth, courtesy of the author's website.

Synopsis:

From New York Times bestselling author Tracy Anne Warren comes a sexy and romantic new contemporary series about corporate combat in the boardroom and under-the-covers passion in the bedroom…

Idealistic good girl Madelyn Grayson believes in doing what’s right. Even as a high-powered executive in the mad world of advertising, she doesn’t cut corners, making her ad campaigns sizzle without having to burn anyone along the way.

Rival exec Zack Douglas never wastes an opportunity to land the next big deal—especially when it benefits him. A bad boy with a reputation to match, he has no qualms about doing whatever it takes to get ahead, no matter who gets in the way.

When a hot promotion pops up at their company, both Zack and Madelyn wind up on the short list for the position. But as the two square off, they discover that being heated rivals in the office makes for scorching bed play behind closed doors. Will Madelyn’s steamy, secret affair with Mr. Vice make her compromise her ideals—or worse, lose her heart?

Thoughts:

Author Tracy Anne Warren brings readers the first book in her new Graysons series. The Last Man on Earth takes readers on a work related romantic adventure from the boardroom to the bedroom. With two very successful advertising agents, a promotion up for grabs, and romance in the air, this is a contemporary romance readers will not want to miss. Warren's knack for writing realistic characters who act and feel like real people, serves her well in this novel about finding love in the most unexpected of places.

What I liked:

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not always very fond of contemporary romances. I love the grandeur and romanticism of historicals. But lately I have been finding a few contemporary authors that I really enjoy. Finding this new series by Tracy Anne Warren was really a surprise to me. I honestly didn't think I would like it. But after getting into to it a little bit and realizing that I liked the idea of romance in the real world, I started to really enjoy it. Warren does a fantastic job of creating characters that are witty and full of surprises.

I liked Madelyn a lot even though she didn't exactly handle things the way I think I would have at times. She was a successful woman who knew how to get what she wanted and was able to do it the right way. She didn't step on those in her way or cause a lot of chaos in the process. I liked her work ethic and her ability to laugh at herself. She and Zack had a lot of good dialogue throughout the book that created moments for comic relief and humor. I thought Warren did such a great job with this character. 

Zack was pretty amazing for a lot of reasons. Even though he obviously has some demons in his past as far as relationships go, he is a real go-getter in the business world. He isn't afraid to be the bad boy in the work place or out of it and for some reason that was really appealing. He gives off this attitude of nonchalance but underneath he is a real sweetheart and very sexy to be sure.

When Zack and Madelyn begin to realize that things are changing from their friends with benefits relationship to real love, things start to get complicated. Madelyn is ready, but Zack is not, or at least he thinks he isn't. Madelyn ends up about to marry someone else before they both come to their senses. The romantic scenes are very hot in this novel and sizzling is probably not a strong enough word to describe them. But the tender moments, like the scene where Zack just can't let Madelyn marry someone else, are poignant and sweet. It was a great combination and rivalry to some extent.

Zack and Madelyn's work life is interesting and adds a lot of flavor to the book. Zack is like that little boy in class who pulls your hair because he doesn't know how to tell you he likes you. These two are at each others throats. They are up for the same promotion and ready to battle. That same passion carries over to their experiences in the bedroom and that makes all the difference. They are perfect for each other.

What I didn't like:

My one complaint about this one, would have to be how Madelyn handled her relationship with James. She dealt him a hard blow deciding on her wedding day that wanted to be with another man. The nice guy finished last and I wasn't too sure I liked that idea. Since this is going to be a series, I really hope that Warren redeems the situation by giving James his own happy ending. It wasn't a deal breaker on the book, but a little disheartening.

The Last Man on Earth is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Tracy Anne Warren is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen romance novels including the Princess Bride romances. After working in the corporate world for a number of years, she quit her day job to pursue her first love: writing. She has won numerous industry awards, including Romance Writers of America’s RITA, the National Readers’ Choice Award and the HOLT Medallion. She currently lives in Maryland with a small clowder of rescue cats.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of The Last Man on Earth by Tracy Anne Warren.

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~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, February 4th.

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