Review: Turn It Up by Inez Kelley

Turn It Up
Author: Inez Kelley
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 9781426891960
Release date:  August 1, 2011
Author's website:  Inez Kelley

Dr. Bastian Talbot and self-proclaimed sex goddess Charlie Pierce heat up the air waves with their flirty banter as radio hosts Dr. Hot and the Honeypot. Off the air, they're best friends...but Bastian wants to be so much more. He wants Charlie—in bed, and forever.

Problem is, Charlie doesn't do commitment. Sure, she's had X-rated fantasies of Bastian, but he was always just a friend—until he impulsively proposes and unleashes the lust they've been denying for years. Charlie's willing to explore where their wild chemistry leads, but she won't marry him. And he won't have sex with her until she accepts his proposal, despite her seductive schemes.

What are Dr. Hot and the Honeypot to do? Ask their listeners for advice on how to tame a sex kitten and turn a perfect gentleman into a shameless lover. The Race to Wed or Bed is on...who will turn up on top?

Turn It Up deals with that age old question:  Can friends remain friends after they've become lovers?
It's a story of best friends that have feelings for each other, but don't want them to get in the way of their friendship.  Bastian and Charlie are not only good friends but co-workers as well.  Bastian has feelings for Charlie and let's her know one night just how he feels for her.  Charlie on the other hand is afraid to take a chance on love because if that goes bad, their friendship will as well.  They work together on a radio show that focuses on sex and I have to say these moments were some of my favorites to read in the story.  They have a very flirtatious banter with one another and I found myself laughing out loud during these scenes.  Bastian is a doctor so he handles all the medical questions and Charlie enjoys sex and knows a lot about it.  Together their show is called Dr. Hot and the Honeypot and they answer all kinds of sex questions as well as give relationship advice.   Charlie wants Bastian as well, but is not good at dealing with commitment.  She just wants sex and he wants more.  So Bastian decides to let the listeners of their show know what's going on and before you know it, it becomes a challenge to see who will give in first.  Will it be just sex, or something much more in the form of "I do." 

I thought the main character of this story was the awesome relationship between Bastian and Charlie.  They have had each others backs for years and while I can see how Bastian could want more, I could understand how Charlie felt as well.  She didn't want to take a chance and lose that awesome friendship.  But sometimes you've got to take a chance with love and see what happens.  Bastian thought it was worth the risk.  Who better than your best friend to be your lover?  He believes that because they are best friends their relationship would work.  I thought he was such a nice guy and always has Charlie's best interests at heart.  He does something in the book for her that totally blew me away and had me tearing up as I read the scene. I also liked Charlie's character because she was not ashamed to admit that she enjoyed sex.  I felt that she was open and honest and because of this she was able to help the listeners deal with a sometimes embarrassing subject.   She made the conversations fun while getting her point across to them. 

I'm giving Turn It Up a rating of:

Turn It Up was a fun read that had sexy moments as well as serious moments.  Combined together the story flowed easily thanks to the great writing of Inez Kelley.  I really enjoy her books and am looking forward to reading more of her work in the future!