Screwdrivered

Alice Clayton

Sept 2014 · The Cocktail Series Book 2 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this eBook

Readers back for a third round of the bestselling Cocktail series will enjoy a madcap romantic comedy about bodice ripping and chest heaving, fiery passion and love everlasting. Plus a dash of paperwork filing and horseshi—wait, what?

By day, Viv Franklin is a tough-as-nails software engineer who designs programs and loves hospital corners. By night, Vivian’s a secret romance-novel junkie who longs for a knight in shining armor, or a cowboy on a wild stallion, or a strapping firefighter to sweep her off her feet. And she gets to wear the bodice—don’t forget the bodice.

When a phone call brings news that she’s inherited a beautiful old home in Mendocino, California from a long-forgotten aunt, she moves her entire life across the country to embark on what she sees as a great, romance-novel-worthy adventure. But romance novels always have a twist, don’t they?

There’s a cowboy, one that ignites her loins. Because Cowboy Hank is totally loin-ignition worthy. But there’s also a librarian, Clark Barrow. And he calls her Vivian. Can tweed jackets and elbow patches compete with chaps and spurs? You bet your sweet cow pie.

In Screwdrivered, Alice Clayton pits Superman against Clark in a hilarious and hot battle that delights a swooning Viv/Vivian. Also within this book, an answer to the question of the ages: Why ride a cowboy when you can ride a librarian?

Ratings and reviews

I’ve heard this series was funny so I had to see for myself. I hadn’t read the first two books in the series so I wasn’t sure what I was getting into but I’m SO glad I took the chance. The lovely Viv has had some good fortune in inheriting a house from a distant relative. She heads to the seaside beach town to start this new adventure in her life. Viv thinks she’s getting a pristine house but finds it in complete disarray and in desperate need of repairs. Putting the word out around town for some repairmen, Viv encounters a huge road block in the form of the librarian, who’s also the town archivist and the director of the historical society, Clark Barrow. The house she inherited is on the historical register in town so any repairs have to be approved by the director of the historical society, aka Clark. As you might be able to tell, this news doesn’t sit well with Viv at all and Clark ends up being the proverbial thorn in her side. Viv is also a romance book junkie (a girl after my own heart!) and has been dreaming about a knight in shining armor/pirate/cowboy to come rushing in to sweep her off of her feet and carry her into the sunset just like in her romance novels. With a new home on the beach and lots of romantic possibilities, she can’t wait to finally meet her Prince Charming. When she encounters the sexy cowboy who takes care of the animals that came with the inheritance, Viv thinks her prayers have been answered! Cowboy Hank is tall, gorgeous and has a body cut from granite. Fate has surely favored Viv, or so she thinks. Clark, the irritating yet endearing librarian is getting under Viv’s skin as well. Now the big question is, who will claim the heart of the fair maid Vivian; a cowboy with a rockin’ bod and not much to say, or a studious librarian with a sexy brain and a heart of gold? You’ll have to read this one on your own to find out who the victor is. Which one would you chose??? I absolutely LOVED Viv, or Vivian as the sexy librarian addresses her. She is vivacious, brilliantly witty and has some of the most colorful vocabulary I’ve ever heard. Viv’s character was easily relatable and so realistic; I could have sworn the author was giving Viv some of my life experiences as well! I laughed out loud every single time Viv started daydreaming about a dashing hero to come in and rip her bodice off, then snap back to reality at some of the most awkward times! I’ve done the exact same thing many a time myself and I just loved her. Viv is one of the most dynamic characters I’ve ever encountered and I am completely in awe of the author. The characters, both primary and secondary, completely made this book. They are so warm and realistic that you want to know people like this in real life. I have to go back and read the first two books so I can find out more about these wonderful beings. And I cannot forget about Clark. *Dreamy sigh* Clark, the librarian and my new book boyfriend, was beautifully created and I am praying hard for my own Clark one day. He was ...no words will ever do him justice so I’ll just leave it at that. I think Viv would be a total fool if she doesn’t get something started with him. But does she? I won’t say. I don’t want to deprive you of the magic in this story :) This book was a complete joy to read. I laughed through the entire thing and just couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a beautiful love story full of laughter and a Prince Charming who will easily capture your heart. ***I was gifted an eBook copy from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own***

It took forever to get the really really good part but I'm really glad it's a short read book. I understand Vivian wanted the romance novel comes life & I was hoping for mine too but good lawdy, woman! it was very funny & omg Clark! nuff said

Loved it just loved it. Love how she ties characters together yet u can read them as standalones. Love the funny yet lusty writing. Forever a alice fan.

About the author

Alice Clayton worked in the cosmetics industry for over a decade before picking up a pen (read: laptop). She enjoys gardening but not weeding, baking but not cleaning up, and finally convinced her long-time boyfriend to marry her. And she finally got her Bernese Mountain Dog.