Publisher: Spice
Genre: Erotic Romance
Available: August 1, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0-373-60546-0No Strings. No Regrets. And, No Going Back…
I didn’t think he wanted me. And I wasn’t about to get involved with him, not after what I’d heard. Alex Kennedy was tall, dark and unbearably hot, but I’ve been burned before. Maybe it was stupid of me to offer but he needed a place to crash and I needed to pay the rent, but now he’s my tenant…with benefits. And now that we’ve crossed that line, I can’t seem to find my way back.
But I can’t give my heart to a man who’s so…unconventional. His last sexual relationship was with a married couple. It’s enough that my ex-fiancé preferred men, I won’t take that chance again no matter how much my body thrives on Alex’s touch. I can’t risk it, but I can’t resist it, either.
Alex can be very convincing when he wants something.
And he wants me.
NAKED
This novel was an emotional read for me. As you will note from the synopsis the narrative is written in the first person, and as a reader I didn’t just ‘see’ Olivia Mackey’s story through her eyes, she felt real. Olivia is a gifted photographer who has recently set up her own studio, working hard to make it a success. She is gradually building a clientele but to make ends meet she also works for a photography studio in a mall and does freelance work. Olivia visualizes much of her life through the lens of a camera, in snapshots. She is beautiful, intelligent but also conflicted with a portfolio full of personal baggage she is working through.
Olivia was in love and engaged to Patrick a gay man who was closeted at the time of their relationship. He betrayed Olivia in the worst way, but after a time, fences were mended and while for her the hurt is still there they established a close friendship. It is at a party Patrick holds to celebrate the festive season where Olivia first sees Alex Kennedy.
“Alex doesn’t like girls.” Patrick said this like a warning. I’d been staring at the man from the corner of my eye, framing him as part of the overall picture here at Patrick’s annual Chrismukkah party. Alex was prettier than the bunches of Martha Stewart–inspired poinsettias and twinkling fairy lights, but so were all the men here. Patrick had the hottest friends I’d ever seen. Seriously, it was like a convention of hot men.”
Naked © Megan Hart
Alex indeed falls into the drop dead gorgeous category, as well as being cultured and world traveled. Oh, and did I mention rich? However there is the small issue of his sexual preferences in that it is evident he likes men. The red flags therefore fall by the dozen for Olivia and while she feels a strong attraction to Alex she writes him off as a potential date. Once burned, twice shy after all, she learned a hard won lesson from her experience with Patrick.
The plot thickens when Alex agrees to rent the spare apartment in the building Olivia owns. She can certainly use the money and discovers they do get along well making her set aside misgivings about having him live downstairs.
I loved the way Megan Hart developed the relationship between Olivia and Alex, they become friends, sharing a meal and a movie together. Their intimate relationship evolves over time into an intense love affair and despite Olivia’s fears after the heartbreak that was Patrick she is unable to resist Alex. I can only describe Ms. Hart’s sensual prose as exotic.
I along with Olivia feared Alex would hurt her in the same way Patrick had, and worried she would one day come home to find him gone. I have to say, he works very hard to earn her trust and to convince her, he is not Patrick. Ms. Hart pens an unexpected twist with respect to what causes trouble between Olivia and Alex.
Naked, isn’t only about Olivia’s blossoming relationship with Alex, themes of interracial relationships, sexuality, adoption, and religion are addressed and woven into the plot with an impressive sophistication and eloquence. Olivia has a somewhat tumultuous relationship with her mother, who is a very interesting character.
Then there is Patrick who I found to be quite immature in his attempts at meddling in Olivia’s life. He cannot be her lover, but doesn’t want her to have anyone else either.
At first I was longing to know more about Alex’s history and then when preparing this review I noted from Ms. Hart’s website that he is introduced in Tempted the book connected to Naked. Tempted is on its way to me.
Naked was a read that caused me to laugh out loud (some of the dialogue is hilarious), but it also very nearly brought me to tears. I admired Olivia’s open mind and how well adjusted she was with respect to some aspects of her life. On the other hand she is still trying to figure out “what she is”. Just when I thought I had her story all figured out Ms. Hart would write a twist into the plot that surprised me.
I found Naked to be a sensual, compelling story and when it is released on August 1, 2010, I will likely purchase my own copy to be added to my keeper shelf. If you have enjoyed Ms. Hart’s novels in the past and have been looking forward to Naked, I don’t think you will be disappointed. I will say, if you are interested in this book and haven’t read Tempted you may like to read it first. I love the cover art for Naked and IMHO the title is perfect. 
My Rating: 5/5 stars
Heat Level: Sexually explicit, very sensual but tastefully written.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Harlequin Enterprises for allowing me to read and review Naked.
Other Reviews: Goodreads
I'll be very curious to hear what you think of Tempted and how it ties into Naked!
Hey Chris;
I didn't want to give away any spoilers in this review but certainly from reading the synopsis of Tempted I know there is a lot I have to learn about Alex.
I sort of wish I'd read it first. On the other hand, I was able to follow the plot of this book with no difficulty. Alex keeps information about his family and background close for a long time and it isn't until the near the end of the book that all becomes clear.
Ms. Hart got to me with this one..
L
Oh, and Patrick? – A train wreck.
I dont think this woman can put a finger wrong..
I have read all her spice books and they are just beyond words.
Kudos on the review – I look forward to reading this one when I get my hands on it…
E.H>
Hi EH:
Yes, wow, I have Stranger to read in my stacks and if it and Tempted are as good as this one I'll be gobbling up the rest of her books too.
Stellar writer.
Thank you EH..
Hi Lea!
New author for me. It sounds really interesting, I'll have to see if it's still available. I didn't know there was around book involving at least one of the characters. The plot thickens…
Thanks for a great review and enticing me with another great read!
Dottie
What a wonderful review Lea, this is going straight on my wishlist, it sounds awesome. I'm yet to read one of Megan Hart's novels but I have Switch and Deeper on my bookshelf waiting patiently!
Great review Lea! I have the book on my wishlist too!
I hear such wonderful things about Megan Hart and I even have 2 or 3 of her books including Tempted, but I've just never actually started reading one yet. I think it's the first person aspect that has me hesitating a bit. Yet I've enjoyed other books written in the first person. One of these days I will start reading one, be so swept away and so happy that I have a number of her backlist to keep me going *g*
It's not out yet???? Gah! I loved Alex in tempted. Oh, so great to see this review! I'm glad I read tempted first, reading your review. Well, honestly, who cares? To me, Megan Hart is always a home run.
Great review Lea!
I haven't read this author yet, but I will (soon). I see lots of very good reviews for her books on numerous blogs so she is on my list of authors to start reading soon.
MsM
First of all your review really triggered my 'click the buy button finger' LOL But while reading the synopsis of TEMPTED I thought; this sounds so very familiar to me and lo and behold while checking my blog, I already read it. I loved it, save the ending
yet I really want to find out now how Alex will fare!!
Thanks for an incredible review Lea
PS: I wanted to buy TEMPTED as it was connected to NAKED LOL I have NAKED on my BookDepo wishlist now…I've got so many authors releasing in Trade format *sigh* My CC is shuddering every time it notices the prices :S
Laughs and crying, does sound like a very emotional and good book
Hi Dottie!
Thanks and you are welcome. lol I really enjoyed this one.
If you read it I hope you like it too.
Hi Teddyree!
So great to see your comment. I hope you are feeling better.
Thank you – I hope you enjoy this one if you read it, sounds like you have Megan Hart's books lined up – lucky you. 
Stay well!
Thanks Blanche!
I hope if you do decide to read Naked you enjoy it as much as I did.
((hugs))
Oh Kristie:
I hope if you do decide to read her books you will enjoy. This is one of the best first person books I've read. She does remind me a little of Erica Jong. Same ability to write from the perspective of her heroine with such realism.
Thank you for your note!
Hi Carolyn:
I'm so happy to hear you have enjoyed her other books including Tempted. I'm thinking now it maybe it is a good thing that I read Naked first because now I know what does become of Alex.
Thanks Carolyn!
Hi Ms. M.:
Yes, I've noticed that too and that is what lead me to her in the first place. I'm looking forward to reading another of hers (especially Tempted) and it's nice there is a backlist to choose from.
Thank you!
Thank you Leontine!
What a lovely comment.
I so hope you enjoy this one as much as I did. But if you have already read Megan Hart then you know her voice. This one was sure a good read for me. 
Thank you again!
Hi B!
Yep, this one triggered lots of emotion for me. The story is still in my head.
Thanks B!!
Great review – I have this to review soon, now that I've read your review I can't wait to read it! I *think* I have Tempted, maybe I should go read it first…
Hi Lea
I need to stay away from your reviews. You make me want to read books I normally would not go for LOL. I've heard good things about Megan's writing & your review was terrific.
Hey Patti:
I'll look forward to your review, and I really hope you enjoy.
Hi Mary;
LOL Thank you, so much. Maybe you would like to borrow one of Ms. Hart's books to give her a try?
Thanks again
L
I love your review. You say it all completely right. I adored this book as I adore most of Megan Hart's books. She is an awesome writer and knows how to write an erotic but highly emotional story.
You should read Tempted tho. Already re-read that one and I still love it.
Great review hon.
Hope you have a great week.
This is a great review! I saw it earlier but didn't want to read it before I was done with the book
I see it was an emotional roller-coaster for you too!
I loved Alex in Tempted and I wanted a HEA for him. Tempted was an emotional book too. Megan Hart's book are always emotional it's sometimes difficult to bear.
I'm afraid of picking up another book by her because I know i'm be a wreck by the end. As i've been each time i've finished one of her books. (I'm tempted by Dirty and Deeper and Stranger) Such beautiful and moving writing…