Beauty From Pain by Georgia Cates

Read March 4, 2013.

Beauty From Pain by Georgia Cates

Goodreads Synopsis:

They agreed on three months...but their love knew no boundaries.

Jack McLachlan is a winemaking magnate and easily one of Australia’s most eligible bachelors. His success and wealth make him no stranger to the complications of romantic relationships and that’s why he goes to extreme measures to avoid the hassle. He prefers simplicity in the form of a beautiful female companion with no strings attached. He arranges relationships like business deals and they’re always the same. No long term relationships. No real names.

It’s his game and his rules. He’s content to play as usual, but when Laurelyn Prescott enters his life, his strategy must change because this player is like none he's ever encountered. His world is turned on its head after he begins a three month affair with the beautiful American musician. Nothing goes according to plan and as he breaks more and more of his own rules for her, she’s exceptionally close to becoming something he never thought possible. His ultimate game changer.

Not recommended for younger readers due to sexual content and language.

My Review:

My Jack:

Jack Henry McLachlan, a wealthy wine magnate and one of Australia's most notorious bachelors, is a man who doesn't do relationships, and he certainly never falls in love. Jack does anonymous, casual sex, and he's looking for his next fling.

American musician Laurelyn Prescott is spending the next three months in Australia with her best friend, Addison. Jack becomes enchanted with her when he witnesses her singing at a bar on her first night in Australia. She's beautiful, breathtaking, and best of all, she'll be thousands of miles away when he's done with her.

After a quick encounter at the bar, and another at a local wine event, Laurelyn agrees to go to dinner with Jack. Jack uses this date to extend his proposition to Laurelyn: They're together exclusively for the next three months, they use aliases, and at the end, they part ways without another glance. Initially, Laurelyn immediately says no. Hell no.

Jack, not one to give up that easily, tells her to think about it and if she changes her mind, she can meet him the next evening.

If you say yes, you'd spend the next three months having the time of your life.

The more she thinks about it, the more fascinated Laurelyn is with the idea. Addison is quick to push her to accept. Umm, the best three months of your life and fantasties coming true? It's a no brainer.  Laurelyn accepts his proposal, with neither of them realizing that this relationship will end up like neither of them expected.

Over time, they both realize that this physical, no emotions relationship isn't enough, and they both are struggling to fight the rising feelings that have developed over time. As they continue to spend their days and nights together, they inadvertently begin to learn more and more about each other, making it even harder to fight their feelings.

Their time goes by all too quickly, and eventually it's time for Laurelyn to head back to the States.

It's all good, right? This is exactly what Laurelyn signed up for, and exactly what Jack wanted. This is what was meant to be, right? Or have they invaded each other's hearts in such a way that saying goodbye is devastatingly impossible?

To put it plain and simply, I loved this book. I was pleasantly surprised with dual POVs. It was thrilling hearing Jack's side of things as his relationship with Laurelyn progressed. I loved and admired Laurelyn's strength. Even once she realized her feelings were growing, she was strong enough to accept that Jack hadn't signed up for that. I did want to shake her a bit once it was so obvious that he was head over heels for her.

The bedroom/bathroom/gym/pool scenes are some of the steamiest I've read in a while. Both Jack and Laurelyn are extremely passionate, sexual individuals and they simply ignite when they touch. Their sexual chemistry,  their chemistry in general, is explosive.

This book ends in a cliffhanger in the utmost heartbreaking fashion, and days later, I can't stop thinking about Jack Henry and Laurelyn. I need part 2 NOW!