Sweet & steamy trio of books.

*The Engagement Gift*
This was a cute and steamy short story about a woman owning her fantasies and what one will do for true love. While all of Lauren Blakely's book include steamy scenes, this one, featuring Lily Whiting and Finn Nichols, was more erotic than most. The story is centered around Lily's fantasy of being taken by two men and Finn's determination to make this happen for her (with the help of his best friend, Jake).

*The Virgin Gift*
Similar to the first book in The Gift series, The Engagement Gift, this book was more erotic than Lauren Blakely's typical books. Still, it was a sweet, steamy story I loved reading. I would really love to hear Brandon's story, but it seems like that probably won't happen considering his meeting Serena in this book, a brief glimpse at their romance, and her statement that they were going to elope. I would still love to hear it though.

*The Decadent Gift*
A great ending to what is currently The Gift Trilogy (two more books, The Extravagant Gift and The Exquisite Gift are forthcoming which may or may not feature Ivy and Sage Carmichael). I really loved how it was a group of three guy friends and three girl friends (who were also friends with each other) that ended up together. Overall, I loved Kate and Jake's story. They've been strong characters in The Engagement Gift and The Virgin Gift and I was excited to hear their story. Lauren Blakely didn't disappoint! (She never does.) I can't wait to read the next books in this series!

6 people found this helpful

Good narrations, Unbelievable Plots, Pure Sexy Fun

Gotta love Lauren Blakely's formula. Strong no-nonsense woman, cocky alpha man, and tons of kinky sexy, and eventually the HEA. This series won't disappoint.

I got this because it's a good deal (3 novellas, plus a couple shorter side stories). I like the world building in Blakely's books, and they were easy to consume. You know exactly what to expect here: she wants him! he wants her! but they can't because, REASONS. But they do anyway to "get it out of their systems" or for "just one weekend!" Lots of hot sex ensues until they catch feelings and eventually admit it and then they ride off into the sunset having kinky sex on a horse or whatever.

Totally ridiculously unbelievable, serious sexy fun.

2 people found this helpful

Three fantastic stories in one collection

So many fantastic narrators here. You get all three of the books in the After Dark Collection, for one price. It is totally worth it!
Lauren Blakely is well known for her light hearted Rom-Coms. But she can give you an after dark story that goes a bit darker and a bit naughtier. Buy this set today!

2 people found this helpful

Smokin hot!

Loved this collection! Give us more like this Lauren!! The stories were great and the sex was fabulous!

1 person found this helpful

Dirty, mouthy, kinky

With Blakely’s After Dark books, you know the smex to story ratio is heavily weighted on the smex side. These three novellas each showcase a different couple and a different kink, with mouthy alpha males who deliver devlishly dirty dialogue while still worshiping their gals.

1) The Engagement Gift: MFM action, where all three are dirty talkers.
2) The Virgin Gift: the nooky bucket list to end all bucket lists, as he shares his experience and she grabs the bull by, well, not his horns.
3) The Decadent Gift: role play in Vegas with two cocky peas in a pod.

I may have liked 3 least simply because, by then, I was desensitized by all the dirty, mouthy, kinky smex. While the dirty dialogue was delicious, the dialogue and plot in between was rather blah. Yes, there’s some attempt at deeper backstories for the three couples, but I never really invested in their characters. This played more like straight erotica than steamy romance. Still a good listen, but only as a sale purchase and only when I’m in the mood to get right to it.

1 person found this helpful

Superb collection!

Wow! What a great collection of super hot, super fun interrelated stories! Lauren Blakely is the queen of interrelated stories so that the more you read or listen you just become so invested in the characters and their journeys.
All the books were great, but my goodness, “The Virgin Gift” was smoking hot!! And I loved the snippets of other storylines in “The Decadent Gift”.
And what a great cast of narrators!! You just can’t beat Elena and Teddy...but then you and in Joe and Grace and Nadine and Jacob and Vanessa!!! It was like an auditory pleasure overload! Exactly the fantabulous casting I would expect from LB! This collection will definitely be a repeat listen...over and over! Loved it!

1 person found this helpful

The first two stories were delightful, You can skip the last story.

The Engagement Gift and Virgin Gift were delightfully sinful but the Decadent Gift fell short. The chemistry of Jake and Kate had little spark and I didn’t even realize their story ended, it just kinda faded at the end. There was a proposal but if you were distracted for a second you would have missed it. The two ending side stories (Sydney and Anthony and Daniel and Jake’s sister) added zero value not even a teaser.

Obsessed with this series

After dark is all your forbidden fantasy come to life with an HEA! 100% recommended

The Hottest Sexiest Collection!

Lauren never disappoints when it comes to pushing The envelope of sensuality And sexy dialog. Each of these books are sexy a little bit kinky but I didn't find it offensive I found it seductive. I'm so glad I invested in this series because I will be listening to it Again and again.

Overall Good

The Engagement Gift - overall okay, though I felt the story was rushed. Love Teddy Hamilton's narration.
The Virgin Gift - this story was indeed erotic, especially when Teddy was narrating chapter 8. Oh and then chapter 17, Teddy was hot as hell! enjoyed both characters. The Decadent Gift - this book was quite enjoyable, overall funny, particularly Christine and Jake characters. Love chapter 18, and love Christine! It was refreshing to hear Vanessa Edwin playing the role of Christine. All narrators were great!