ARC REVIEW: The Theory of Attraction by Delphine Dryden

Series: Science of Temptation #1
Format: Digital ARC
Release Date: July 9, 2012
Publisher: Carina Press
Source: NetGalley
Purchase Link: Amazon | B&N

Camilla can set her watch by her hunky rocket-scientist neighbor who jogs past her window each day. She relishes each glimpse of his shirtless abs, and is dying to see more. But it’s hard to connect with a man who doesn’t seem to know she exists…

Ivan feels at home in the lab, not in social situations. When he finally approaches his attractive neighbor, it’s not for a date—he wants tutoring in how to behave at an important fundraiser. Ivan doesn’t expect the chemistry between them to be quite so explosive, and is surprised when Cami actually accepts his proposal to embark on a series of “lessons”.

Cami soon discovers Ivan’s schedule isn’t the only thing he likes to be strict about—he needs to be charge in the bedroom as well. She’s shocked at how much she comes to enjoy her submissive side, but wonders if a real relationship is in the equation…

WARNING: 

Due to the nature of the story, this book is 

intended for mature audiences only (18 and up).

 

BAZINGA! That was my initial reaction to after reading Delphine Dryden's 47,000 word erotica romance. This short read was a splendid, toe curling book that leaves you swooning over the most unlikely male protagonists. What sets The Theory of Attraction from other books is that the male lead is so different from the norm in the erotica romance world. That difference is what made this such a fun read and I was so glad I picked it up from NetGalley.

"The problem with Ivan was that he didn't seem aware I was female. Much less an available, interested female. He treated me pretty much like he treated everybody else - with exacting, rigid standards, a demand for clinical precision, and hardly any manners at all."

Camilla has been secretly attracted to her rocket scientist neighbor, Dr. Ivan Reynolds for sometime.  She's even got his daily schedule down to a science knowing exactly what time he passes by her window during his morning runs and what routes he takes during the different days of the week. When I first started reading this book I initially pictured Ivan to be like Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory. He's a young and brilliant scientist who is socially awkward and lives by a strict routine. His close friends are as equally smart and major geeks. As Camilla says, "Ivan's ideas of a good party involved bringing your own computer gaming equipment and Cheetos, then staying up all night virtually shooting your friends." If you've watched The Big Bang Theory then you know exactly what I'm talking about. Although Ivan and Sheldon aren't the ideal type for most women, there is just something I find so cute and adorable about them. 

"I know how to fuck. I like to fuck. I just don't do well with people, and I have very particular tastes."

So when Ivan asks Camilla to help "socialize" him for work function, Camilla uses it as an opportunity to gain his attention. Once would think three weeks would be enough to teach someone to be socially passable but that's not the case with Ivan. He's literally is just too smart and doesn't like to waste his time acting fake and sees things just for what they are. It's not until Ivan views Camilla's lessons in a different role that things start to click for him. Once Ivan reveals his Dominant role you see him in a different light and he literally had goose bumps running up and down my arms. With this role reversal Camilla learns that Ivan has a few secrets she hasn't be able to uncover and that the roles he likes to take in the bedroom is something that she was willing to partake in. This aspect of Ivan makes perfect sense and works well with the story knowing how he lives his day to day life in such a strict and routine matter. The way the Professor was so commanding and confident in the bedroom was hot!

"What I do is a fondness for experiments. To me, all this is just a way to experiment with our own bodies and minds. To test the boundaries of what we can do with ourselves, what we're willing to do."

Even with the BDSM aspects THE THEORY OF ATTRACTION was pretty tame compared to other BDSM erotica romances but the sex scenes were still sizzling. Even though the story was told in Camilla's point of view, Ivan was no doubt the star of this book. The ending had a little twist and I wasn't totally convinced that Ivan and Camilla had a happily ever after but in Ivan's mind this is what he'd envision what a happily ever after would be. Dryden's Theory of Attraction is a very well written erotic romance that brings something different to a genre that can be a little to predictable and redundant. With a different type of hero thrown into the equation the out come was fun, exciting, sexy and recommended to anyone looking for a quick naughty read. 

"The thing is," Ivan went on, his voice soft and soothing…"I think this is love. But I've never been in love before, either, so I don't know. Nevertheless it's my working hypothesis."