Example: You’re chatting with a guy you’re interested in and your friend comes along and lays claim to him.Maggie
That’s my life—except it’s worse. My friend who keeps “jamming” me is my gay roommate and if that isn’t a W.T.F. moment, I’m not sure what is.Fact: He went home with three—yes, three—of the guys I had been so sure were into me.
Fact: He’s really pissing me off. I mean, hello? I’m trying to get back in the saddle, but I’ll never manage to get a boyfriend before the age of fifty if he keeps this up.
Fact: Secretly, I wonder what it would be like if he weren’t gay. Why do all the hot, sweet, tender-hearted guys have to be gay?
Fact: My gay-dar needs a serious tune-up.
Ry
The day I interviewed for the room to rent, everything changed. I knew I had met “the girl”, except there was one small problem: she didn’t want anything to do with men. I recognized a top-notch force field when I saw one. She’d been burned badly and didn’t want to deal with a heterosexual guy as a roommate. I could’ve turned around and found another place to live, but I wanted to live there—with her.So I had to go “undercover”.
Fact: I’m in love with my roommate.
Fact: I’m a likely candidate for carpal tunnel surgery since all the action I’ve had for the past year has been my hand.
Fact: She’s going to hate me if I come clean now.
Fact: I’m not giving up. Which means, I’ll just have to continue to run defense until I figure out a way to get Maggie to see the “real” me.
The me that loves her.
The me that would never do her wrong.
Until then, I’ll keep running off every guy who shows any interest.
Until then, I’ll continue to Clam Jam.
“Ryland James!” I bang on his bathroom door, hollering loudly. “Did you eat the last—”The door swings open, drawing my speech to a sudden halt because … ooooh, sweet, dripping wet abs.
My eyes are riveted.
He’s got a towel wrapped around his waist, and I don’t even realize I’m moving until Ry releases a sharp hiss at my touch. Because my finger is tracing over the slight indentations in his abdominal muscles.
“Um …” He clears his throat, his voice husky and deep. “Mags?”
“Uh-huh,” I murmur absently, my fingertip stopping one of the trickling droplets of water on his skin, tracing it down over his belly button, and—
His fingers grasp my wrist, drawing my hand to a halt, and my eyes dart up to his in alarm because crap. That was like an out-of-body experience.
“Oh, crap. I’m sorry. I just really, um … crap.” That’s all I can utter. Nonsense. No one would believe I have my graduate degree if they heard me right now.
If my tongue had a voice of its own, it would probably say something like, “Just the tip. That’s all I want.” The tip of my tongue tracing over Ry’s abs, that is. You know, just to prove someone Photoshopped him. Or not.
Because I’ll take one for the team. I’m a giver like that. People might even think of canonizing me as a saint after all this. Really.
Oh, and then … Abracadabra! Poof! He’d no longer be gay, profess his undying love for me, and wouldn’t ever leave me for another guy.
Or woman.
Wow. That scenario even sounds crazy in my head.
Shaking off my thoughts, I take one more glance down at his abs—just one more glance—and that’s when I see it.
“Oh, boy,” I breathe out. Ry is hard, tenting the towel, and I really want it to drop. Accidentally, of course. Like an “oops” moment. Totally harmless and innocent.
Oh. My. God. I’m a horrible person. I’m thinking of my roommate’s penis! My roommate who has quickly become one of my best friends.
Oh, the shame!
Where did this inner slut come from? It’s like she’s been lying in wait—for him, apparently.
What do you do when the woman of your dreams wants nothing to do with men after being badly burned by her ex? You pretend to be her gay best friend, of course, her roomie, the guy that she goes to for everything except, well, you know. Sounds great, right? Except that a) you’re NOT gay, b) you want her so much you can’t think of anything else, and c) heck, man, this plan is destined for failure! What’s a guy to do?
There are those books where the synopsis sounds like a great read…until you get into the book, and you’re thinking, ‘What in the world is going on here?! Others totally exceed expectations, and make for one of the most enjoyable reads you’ve had lately. I am happy to say that CLAM JAM, by author R.C. Boldt, falls solidly into the second category.
It’s always a toss-up when I come across an author that’s new to me. Will I like their style? Yeah, the book sounds like a really fun read, but, what if…When I read the synopsis for CLAM JAM, I signed up immediately. It just sounded like something that would be right up my alley, and it TOTALLY was. This book by R.C. Boldt is funny, sassy, irreverent, heartwarming, and all sorts of sexy. There really aren’t enough good things to say about it, and I could not put it down.
Ry and Maggie have an undeniable chemistry from Day 1. They like the same things, they have the same sense of humor, and they want to spend all of their time together. When Maggie decides that she’s ready to step into dating again, Ryland makes it his mission to clam jam the heck out of her, and it is hilarious. He will stop at nothing to make sure that no dude in his right mind will end up taking Maggie home or calling her again. I found myself laughing out loud at the situations they found themselves in. And Ry’s best friend and supposed lover, Jack, was a riot, as well, sending the zingers back to Ry on a regular basis.
CLAM JAM ended up being a wonderful surprise, and I can’t say enough good things about this book. It’s one that I would recommend without hesitation. And, if RC would like to explore the relationship between Maggie’s best friend Sarah and Ry’s best friend Jack, I’d be one of the first in line to read about it, so…if you’re listening, RC, I’m all in. In the meantime, do yourself a favor, and add this feel-good 4.5-star read to your TBR. You will not be sorry.
***ARC generously provided for an honest review.***
Rachel Blaufeld is a social worker/entrepreneur/blogger turned author. Fearless about sharing her opinion, Rachel captured the ear of stay-at-home and working moms on her blog,BacknGrooveMom, chronicling her adventures in parenting tweens and inventing a product, often at the same time. She has also blogged for The Huffington Post, Modern Mom, and StartupNation.
About Lauren Blakely:
“My guardian angel is a drunk.”
Renée Carlino is a screenwriter and bestselling author of contemporary women’s novels and new adult fiction. Her books have been featured in national publications, including USA TODAY, Huffington Post, Latina magazine, and Publisher’s Weekly. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and their sweet dog June. When she’s not at the beach with her boys or working on her next project, she likes to spend her time reading, going to concerts, and eating dark chocolate. Learn more at 
About Kristen Ashley:
The sizzling second novel in a sexy new contemporary romance series featuring the Lawless siblings—from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake.
NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog int eh world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.
Saucy Southern Readers 