Coming Clean by C.L. Parker

The steamy conclusion of C. L. Parker’s Monkey Business Trio.

They have been rivals who fought until the bitter end and lovers who know every sensual inch of each other’s bodies. Now sports agents Cassidy Whalen and Shaw Matthews are about to become the one thing they never expected to be: parents. But this new dynamic to their relationship threatens to fizzle the sizzling desire that once held them in thrall to each other. If salvation is only a forbidden fantasy away, then Shaw and the woman he loves must embark on the adventure of their lives.

Cassidy is aching to reignite their connection. In steamy assignations in strange places, she and Shaw live out their most intimate desires—and reveal their deepest secrets. But as Shaw works overtime to sign a superstar athlete, a corporate reshuffling could be a game-changer. Can Cassidy and Shaw save their relationship and have it all—a career, family, and passion that never quits?

Coming Clean is intended for mature audiences.

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Ca

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆
Cassidy and Shaw are living the dream, or so you would think. While Shaw is working as the top sports agent in the country, Cassidy is home raising their son. She feels as if he doesn't have time for them, and he doesn't see things that way. He is the provider and working is how he can do that. Cassidy thinks that maybe they need help by talking to an outsider. Shaw doesn't think that they are having any problems, and talking to anyone isn’t the answer.

Shaw is fighting to keep his professional life going and wondering why Cassidy thinks they are having problems. So he will go to the relationship coach, but only for Cassidy. He will learn a few things that he never thought would hear, especially coming from Cassidy's mouth. With the help from the relationship coach and one other person, Shaw and Cassidy will learn a few things to turn the spark back into a roaring fire to save their relationship.

He will learn that love is all you need and it will set you free. Can Cassidy get past her insecurities and let Shew help boost her confidence? Will Cassidy show Shaw that love is the answer and she and Abe are all he needs? And who will be the partner to replace Wade at Striker's and working with Shaw?

This was the perfect ending to a great series. I loved how it showed that not all relationships are sunshine and rainbows. Shaw and Cassidy will go through pain and heartache, and needed the help of an outsider to help with some issues that both were not seeing. I hope there might be more of their friends, but if not, then that will be okay, too.


Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
I recommend reading the Monkey Business Trio in order as the author released them.

Coming Clean is the final book in the series. It is a great way to end the series. Life has moved on for Shaw and Cassidy. She is staying home to raise their son while he is off working as the best sports agent in the country. Coming Clean is about what happens after you get your happily ever after. It's not always sunshine and roses. It's about getting that passion back that originally brought you together.

This was a fantastic conclusion to the series. Ms. Parker takes you on an emotional ride. The blatant raw emotion pulls you in and you can't look away. It's a series worth reading.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is the concluding book to the trilogy – and it is great! You definitely need to read the previous books to get the story – and I would recommend them to you – they are both good reads too. My review assumes that you are up to date.

Whilst book one was all about the race to the partnership, and book two was all about them getting together and finding out they were going to be parents, book three is all about them getting to know each other – i.e., coming clean! It is a really clever way to tell their story, and the use of a couples therapist and the rather wonderful Katya, to get them in the right place is fabulous. I really felt that Ms. Parker did a brilliant job of making the situation real – I would imagine every mother (and possibly many fathers) could read this and absolutely empathise with their lives as new parents and partners. It brought back some of the fun characters from previous books and gave us their news and views on the current state of affairs between Shawn and Cassidy. And the work situation that started it all is also a key player in a story. All in all, there is a lot packed into this book, which will satisfy even the most diehard romantic.

This is a trilogy that has made it to my re-read list, and I plan on reading again, all in one go – because inevitably I had forgotten some of the nuance, and because it is a fun and fulfilling story.

Also Available in the Monkey Business Trio Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca

For reviews & more info, check out our Playing Dirty post.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca

For reviews & more info, check out our Getting Rough post.

C.L. Parker is a romance author who writes stories that sizzle. She’s a small-town girl with big-city dreams and enough tenacity to see them come to fruition. Having been the outgoing sort all her life—which translates to “she just wouldn’t shut the hell up”—it’s no wonder Parker eventually turned to writing as a way to let her voice, and those of the people living inside her head, be heard. She loves hard, laughs until it hurts, and lives like there’s no tomorrow. In her world, everything truly does happen for a reason.

Connect with C.L.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Blog  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Coming Clean (Monkey Business Trio #3) by C.L. Parker to read and review.

Getting Rough by C.L. Parker

The next sizzling novel of C. L. Parker’s Monkey Business Trio—perfect for fans of Bared to You and Beautiful Bastard.

Hotshot San Diego sports agent Shaw Matthews and his sexy professional adversary Cassidy Whalen have gone head-to-head in the boardroom—and the bedroom. Now Shaw has scored a big promotion—but only because Cassidy turned it down and ran off. There are many things he wants when it comes to Cassidy—just not her pity. So Shaw rushes to a small town in Maine to retrieve his dignity—and maybe the woman he’s hungry to claim once more.

Cassidy has pushed herself to the max to realize her career dreams—until a family crisis brings her home. But Shaw isn’t letting Cassidy go that easily. Neither is gorgeous heartthrob Casey Michaels, the childhood sweetheart she left behind—and who now wants to win her back. As the rivalry between the two alpha males intensifies, and Shaw’s seductive moves reach a whole new level of heat, Cassidy has to make a choice. And this time, it’s for the highest stakes of all.

Getting Rough is intended for mature audiences.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
When Shaw finds out that Cassidy has left San Diego for her Maine hometown, his first thought was to go after her and let her know that he didn't like her "letting" him win, so that's what he did. He couldn't let her get away with feeling sorry for him and giving him the partnership. He wanted to earn it, like he did everything else in his life.

Cassidy didn't let Shaw win. She turned the contract down because her family was more important than being made partner at the sports agency where they worked. Her Dad had called and told her that her mother was in the hospital and they would need help keeping the B&B that her mother owned going while she recuperated.

Shaw was surprised to learn that Cassidy hadn't turned down the offer to represent Denver due to her feelings for him, but rather because of her feelings and obligation to her family. Never having had a typical, or even an atypical family, he doesn't know how to process it. Determined to learn more about this side of Cassidy, he decides to stay for a few more days.

Cassidy is glad that she can be of help to her parents, but she's already tired of the inevitable questions about how long she's staying and when she's coming home for good. Grateful for Casey's friendship, she relies on him to be the buffer she needs, even though their romance ended long ago.

During the time Shaw and Cassidy spends in Maine, each come to some hard and harsh realizations about themselves and each other. When it comes down to it, it’s time to shut up or grow up.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
A very hot 4.5*
I loved the first book in the series – and this one is even better. You definitely need to read Playing Dirty before you read this – or you really won't get all the dynamics, and you really need to get the setting.

This book moves us along a lot, and I cannot tell you how, as it will spoil everything – but I promise you that you will smile, laugh, get hot and bothered, have a small panic, feel warm and cosy, and both widen your eyes and roll them. So a definite exercise gym for emotions here. The story moves along at a good pace, and has a fun superficial story along with a much deeper and delightful one too. The first chapter from Mia's point of view is absolutely brilliant. Totally cute, funny and yet deep.

Obviously the title gives us the hint that there are three books in the series, so I was getting somewhat worried as we moved towards the end of the book – but actually the stop point leaves us thinking rather than full out panicking – thanks for that Ms. Parker...it was honestly a relief!

Cannot wait for the next book, and I need to make sure that I can read all three in a row, as that way I will get all the details in one go.


Mary – ☆☆☆☆
This book picks up where book one ended with Cassidy heading back to Maine to help her parents after her Ma's accident. Now Shaw is headed to Maine to find out why Cassidy has run from him. They are still fighting with each other, but not as much and the sexual tension is drawing them together even more. But with Cassidy being back home, that means that Casey is there too. And she is fighting her mind as to what she should be feeling toward Casey with Shaw around. Then there is Mia, the romance author staying at the Whalen House. Who Casey seems to be attracted to. And that seems to be something that Cassidy is hurt by. With Cassidy, Shaw, Casey and Mia all together and throw in a hurricane and two sets of parents staying in the same house, things can get a little tense. Will Cassidy follow her mind or her heart to find true love? What will it take for Shaw to realize that his life could be more than the material things he owns? Will Casey fight for Cassidy? Will Mia finish her romance novel about a lobster-man based on Casey without falling for him? This is a great continuation of this story and I can't wait for book 3 to find out how it ends for everyone and maybe a look into Cassidy's friends.


Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
Getting Rough in the second installment in the Monkey Business Trio. I really enjoyed book one Playing Dirty, where Shaw and Cassidy fight to sign the top rated athlete in the country. The chemistry between the two was off the charts. When Shaw lands the contract he's a little thrown to find out Cassidy has run back to her hometown.

Shaw follows her to Maine to find out why she ran. The closer he gets to her small town, the more he's questioning why he's even following her. The sarcastic back and forth between them is still present in this book, which I loved. Shaw learns so much more about Cassidy and why she is like she is. Should choosing who you should be with and who you want to be with be so hard?

Loved the pace of this one and the ease of picking up book two, after not reading the first for almost a year, and within a few sentence I was right back into the story. Can't wait to see what the last one brings.

Also Available in the Monkey Business Trio Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca

For reviews & more info, check out our Playing Dirty post.

C.L. Parker is a romance author who writes stories that sizzle. She’s a small-town girl with big-city dreams and enough tenacity to see them come to fruition. Having been the outgoing sort all her life—which translates to “she just wouldn’t shut the hell up”—it’s no wonder Parker eventually turned to writing as a way to let her voice, and those of the people living inside her head, be heard. She loves hard, laughs until it hurts, and lives like there’s no tomorrow. In her world, everything truly does happen for a reason.

Connect with C.L.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Blog  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Getting Rough (Monkey Business Trio #2) by C.L. Parker to read and review.

Playing Dirty by C.L. Parker

For fans of Bared to You and Beautiful Bastard comes the start of an irresistible new erotic romance series in which competition is the ultimate seduction.

Shaw Matthews plays to win, and he intends to snag a coveted partnership at San Diego's hottest sports agency by signing America's top athlete. Only one woman stands in his way: rival agent Cassidy Whalen. But eliminating the competition will be Shaw's pleasure when he concocts an ingenious plan to seduce Cassidy and show the beautiful ballbreaker who's the better man for the job. That is, until Cassidy turns the tables—and their steamy encounters start breaking all the rules.

Cassidy has worked hard to make it in a man's cutthroat arena, and she isn't going down without a fight, not even against the six-two alpha hunk whose rock-hard body awakens desires she's never known before. As Cassidy shares night after night of unending passion with Shaw, the game begins to change. Now Cassidy stands to lose everything—unless a fiery contest of wills can become a winning proposition for two people who keep raising the stakes.

Playing Dirty is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Rachael – ☆☆☆☆☆
I have to say I was interested in seeing how the author would turn rivalry into something more. And at first I was quite skeptical, but in the end it really worked. Although I will say Cassidy's dream out of the blue was a bit unbelievable as she'd already known him for quite a while and never thought about him in that light, but other than that I actually really loved how things evolved between the characters.

The love/hate relationship, the banter, the angry/hard sex was just... great. I loved that while the sex was hot, the background story kept going as well so it was never dull.

I didn't really understand why Cassidy would think one thing about what she was doing with her client, but then do another and then go back to chastising herself about and think that could've been played off a bit better.

Overall, I really, really enjoyed the book and hope there is more to their story as I felt like we were left with no closure!! I need to know what happens!!!


Mary – ☆☆☆☆
Playing Dirty is just what it says, Cassidy Whalen and Shaw Matthews work at one of the top agencies for sports players and they will do anything to win the biggest player in the world of football. Denver "Rocketman" Rockford is the guy that every team wants and he wants an agent that will get it for him. Cassidy and Shaw will try to outdo the other to win Denver over. And the way they hate each other you would think that they would not be seen in the same room. When they are alone the sparks fly and they can't stay away from each other. Their love/hate relationship, or lack thereof, is what keeps the other fighting. What will they do to try and win Denver over and get the partner position at work? Both Cassidy and Shaw can't stop thinking about the other. Will they let the lust between them ruin their chances of winning over Denver? They are drawn to each other as they learn more about each other’s past. They will both learn of lies told, guilty feelings and running away. This is a first for me from C.L. Parker and I can't wait for more of this series.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
Down and dirty in all aspects is what set this book apart. Cassidy is up for a partnership at the SSE PR firm and she isn't going to let the upstart Shaw derail her plans. When their boss, Wade, comes to her and lets her know that the partnership is riding on her ability to sign the hottest NFL star, she's all over it. The only problem is that Shaw is after the same client.

From the get go, the animosity between Cassidy and Shaw is palpable. There is no give and take, no working together and barely any civility. What does linger under the trash talk is their desire to one up the other and if seduction of the other can gain them an edge...

The sex between the parties is off the charts hot. The chaos that follows is intense.

The ending left me with more questions than answers and I hope there is a book two out soon.


Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
When I read the synopsis the pull for me was the sports aspect, but other than both main characters being sports agents there really isn't much mention to the actual sports. I did find myself enjoying it regardless. Shaw Matthews and Cassidy Whalen work for the same sports agency, Striker Sports Entertainment. They have been put against each other to gain the hottest quarter back out there, Denver Rockford. The story follows the extremes they will go to get signed by Rockford.

I loved the back and forth between the two main characters. The love/hate they had going on was entertaining. The chemistry was off the charts. I am so interested in seeing where this next book goes with them. I am loving the other characters in this one as well. I hope the series follows along with them, hoping to see more into certain couples too.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a really crazy book, fueled mostly by off the charts hot sex. Told by both the lead characters, Shaw and Cassidy, it reels us in, raises the temperature and then ... book two better be out soon!

The language is chatty, the characters are larger than life, the scenarios amplified by the love/hate relationship that these two had been cultivating at work, and it is spilling over in the most delicious but hilarious way. Madness on the page, yet so engaging and entertaining.

Please get book two published soon – very soon!

C.L. Parker is a romance author who writes stories that sizzle. She’s a small-town girl with big-city dreams and enough tenacity to see them come to fruition. Having been the outgoing sort all her life—which translates to “she just wouldn’t shut the hell up”—it’s no wonder Parker eventually turned to writing as a way to let her voice, and those of the people living inside her head, be heard. She loves hard, laughs until it hurts, and lives like there’s no tomorrow. In her world, everything truly does happen for a reason.

Connect with C.L.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Blog  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Playing Dirty (Monkey Business Trio #1) by C.L. Parker to read and review.