The Shameless Hour (The Ivy Years Book 4)

So I loved Understatement of the Year and bought this book partly to catch up with Graham and Rikker. Ms. Bowen is an excellent writer, but I don't always like the content/story/characters of her novels. This was one of those books -- it kept me up all night, but in a really bad way. I ended up being angry the entire next day!

First, I loved the character of Bella in Understatement of the Year, but if I hadn't read that book, I don't think I would have liked her as much in this book. I think you have to read that one before for this story to work at all. Because I did not understand a lot of her choices in this book. I found myself frustrated with her rather than empathizing.

Secondly, a lot of her interactions with the hockey players were with the unlikeable ones, and I just wondered why the hell she was even bothering talking to these jerks. Where were her good friends who backed her up? She's set up as this tough, liberal, sexually independent woman but the entire book after the big plot device shows her as a weak, battered, hiding woman who doesn't stand up for herself. So much of the plot machinations revolve around the fact that the two main characters just won't tell each other the truth and that drives me nuts. The story wasn't romantic or sexy for me at all -- it was just tragic.

Third, and the biggest for me, was the big plot device of the book didn't work for me. To be vague for spoilers, a really bad thing happens to her. And her reaction to it was not in line with the character that's been established AT ALL. I feel like she or Rafe would have called 911. The "justification" given for her not reporting the incident made no sense. It *was* a crime. The school and police would punish the offenders. I went to an Ivey League College - I saw the hammer fall for far less than this on bad students. But for her friends also not to report it -- terrible. Bella is written as the kind of character who would stand her ground not only for herself but for future possible victims. The sad thing is, if she had reported it, the novel would have worked probably better. She still would have to recover from the incident, find her way again, and for me, would have been a much more interesting book.

Spoilers

After Bella was drugged, held against her will, and assaulted (although not sexually, but what they did WAS assault,) neither Bella or her friends reported it. And then the book claimed that she didn't report it, because the website was not college-related and their national chapter would protect them is bogus. That's insane. There was photographic proof and witnesses! These are super big crimes. An Ivey League would not tolerate this, and they'd also try to keep it quiet and not make it more public for Bella. After the incident, her life just falls apart. All of this overshadowed the love story for me, and I didn't even want to finish it. This didn't feel like an anti-slut shaming book to me -- it felt like a full on assault of slut-shaming at its worst.

‘The Shameless Hour’ is the fourth book in Sarina Bowen’s contemporary New Adult romance series, ‘The Ivy Years’.

Readers met the protagonist of ‘The Shameless Hour’ a while ago, Bella had a particularly big role in third book ‘The Understatement of the Year’ as the occasional hook-up and best friend of closeted hockey player, Michael Graham. Upon first meeting Bella, some readers probably formed opinions of her. She likes sex, and isn’t ashamed of that – furthermore, she loves hockey and hockey players and she’s shared her bed with a few of the Harkness team.

When we meet Bella in ‘The Shameless Hour’ she’s still her carefree, cheeky and sexy self – if a little bruised over Graham’s rejection of her (regardless of his sexuality, it still hurts) and his blissful coupling with John Rikker. It is in this mind-frame that she stumbles across her handsome neighbour, Rafe, who is drowning his sorrows in a bottle of champagne on their House doorstep.

Turns out Rafe’s girlfriend had been cheating on him, as he found out on the night they were meant to share a special birthday celebration …. Unbeknownst to Bella, Rafe is a virgin and he was planning to lose his virginity to his long-term girlfriend Alison. Sharing tales of their heart-wounded woes, Rafe and Bella fall into an easy camaraderie and eventually into Bella’s bed. And though the seeming casualness of the hook-up bothers Rafe (whose Ma taught him better than that), miscommunication leaves Bella thinking that Rafe wants nothing more to do with her.

Though she feels an intense attraction to Rafe, Bella refuses to mope over their fleeting moment. Instead, she keeps on enjoying herself just fine … until an encounter with a Harkness frat leaves her hurt, humiliated and staring down an all-too common campus assault that shakes her confidence to the core.

There’s an endorsement quote for this book which I just love; “The Shameless hour is a gift to any girl or woman who’s ever been slut-shamed. It’s magnificent.” —Tammara Webber, 'New York Times' bestselling author of 'Easy' and 'Sweet'

That’s it. Right there. Sarina Bowen’s book is brilliant on a lot of romance levels – Rafe and Bella are both complex and intriguing characters in their own right, but when they come together their heat and easy camaraderie makes them truly enjoyable characters to read and root for. The sex scenes are steamy, the build-up even more so … but all the sexy stuff aside, Bowen’s ‘The Shameless Hour’ is a commendable romance because she flips gender roles in her protagonists and confronts slut-shaming head on.

I wouldn’t call Rafe a “beta” hero, but he is a virginal hero to Bella’s sexual confidence, which in itself is a refreshing flip. Bella gets whispered about by some hockey girlfriends, and is aware of her “reputation” in the close-knit Harkness sporting community. But she doesn’t care. In a scene with her GP, Bella asserts control over her sexual health and talks freely about her sexual appetite. I loved her. And I loved Rafe for her – especially after a certain reference he made …

“Why? Who was he?”
“Never met him before. But some rich dude in a fancy suit. Your basic nightmare.”
I let out a hoot of laughter. “Rafe? Did you just quote When Harry Met Sally to me?”
His gaze slid into mine, and a slow smile began to overtake his face. “I might have. My mom really likes the chick flicks.”

Then comes Bowen’s portrayal of the fallout of sexual harassment on campus. I finished reading this after Amy Schumer’s brilliant takedown of rape culture through a ‘Friday Night Lights’ parody, and it was kind of great that between reading ‘The Shameless Hour’ and seeing Schumer’s skit go viral, there was just so much material tackling this subject which was once barely on society’s periphery.

Sarina Bowen does tackle Bella’s harassment in a myriad of tender and thoughtful ways. It really made me heart-sick to read the funny and confident Bella shrink into herself because of what happened to her.

In Bowen’s ‘The Understatement of the Year’, two gay hockey players don’t want to be defined by their sexuality, and I think Bowen carries a similar message in ‘The Shameless Hour’. Bella doesn’t want to be seen as a victim after her assault and harassment. It’s a powerful message to be sending, particularly to the romance community for whom these truly gritty explorations rarely form the basis of plot.

I also loved a secondary character in ‘The Shameless Hour’, Bella’s next-door-neighbour Lianne who has an Emma Watson-esque storyline as an actress (from a famous fantasy franchise). The same way Watson went under-the-radar at Brown University, Lianne has similar hopes at Harkness. I really hope we get her book soon.

Sarina Bowen’s ‘The Ivy Years’ is one of my favourite series. They’re sexy and titillating to be sure, but Bowen is tackling big stories in this series too and I love her for it.

I really enjoy how Sarina writes her stories! Her books are some of my favorite kinds of New Adult books. They aren’t cheesy and they are relateable!

With The Shameless Hour she gives us a heroine that is FIERCE but who also shows us her insecurities. A heroine that, if she was a man, would be so much beter accepted for the way she leads her life! Bella is very open about her sexuality and the fact she likes one-night stands and she doesn’t deny it. She is the student manager for the college’s hockey team. She is friends with all the guys, almost like she is one of them. She doesn’t care what the other girls and the players girlfriends think of her, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t get hurt.

And then in the other side, Sarina gives us Rafe…A hero that is so swoon-worthy you just want to get inside your book and steal him for yourself!!! He is so completely nice, but without losing his sexy edge. He is an alpha all right, but without being a arrogant.

A friend of mine said “he is Prince Charming minus the cheesy factors” , and I couldn’t agree more!!! He is hard-working (both in school and in his family’s business), considerate, HAWT, sexy, sweet and so nice!! I’m not used to actually like the nice ones and Rafe doesn’t have a drop of A holeness to him!!

He is there for Bella EVERY step of the way. And Bella frustrated me sometimes for not seeing it sooner. But then, I totally got why she was like that, specially after what happened to her when she was eighteen years old and more recently.

Bella and Rafe have a one-night stand after Rafe and his girlfriend break up (by the way, what was up with THAT girl???) and he doesn’t know how to deal with it, since he has never been to that kind of situation before. But Bella doesn’t know that and she ends up thinking Rafe is just another A hole. And she couldn’t be more wrong about him.

After somehting terrible happens to her and Rafe doens’t leave her side, helping her every time she needed she realizes he is actually a nice guy. They are in a group, alongside with his ex-girlfriend, for a school project and working togheter brings them even more closer.

Bella drifted away from all her other friends, because she is ashemed of what happened to her, even thought it wasn’t her fault at all. And Rafe becomes the person she most needed. He doesn’t let her be a recluse, he doesn’t let her feel sorry about herself. She also finally becomes friends with her neighbour, who is a famous Hollywood actress but is a recluse in fear of being recognized. Bella never really had many girlfriends, but the friendship with Lianne felt so natural for both of them. I loved how they bonded and I can’t wait for Sarina to write Lianne her own book!!!

Bella learns a lot from Rafe, as a Dominican boy in a college full of rich kids and not having had the most stellar of educations in highschool he has his own struggles to overcome. But he never complains and just work harder to accomplish whatever he has to accomplish. I LOVED Rafe’s family! Bella’s family not so much, but they redeem themselves…although I would have liked to see her bitchy sister apologize to her!

The story is so good, even though Bella frustrated me at times with how she handled what happened to her. But as I said before, I understand her and why she acted like that. The pace of the story was a bit sloww at times, but I really enjoyed it!

As all the previous books in the series, it deals with subjects that are very real, they could be happening to us if thy were not in the book. What happened to Bella (and worst) happens to a lot of girls in campuses all over the world and Sarina deals with it a realness that is refreshing. She doesn’t exaggerates it or make it lighter, but it isn’t something dense either. There is a real lightness to the way she does it. You can’t help being transported inside the book while reading them!!

Now, I can’t wait for the next book in the series!! I already miss them! I might re-read the first book in the series again (I’ve read it twice yet) and I love it!!

While the previous book in the series was my least favorite, this one just might be my favorite. (It's pretty close with Bridger's book, The Year We Hid Away) I adored Bella with Rafe and I loved how they became friends first, which seems to be the common theme in this series. This book tackles a pretty important topic that I fear is more common in college settings than most realize.

We met Bella in the previous book, as the spunky, feisty, hockey manager who doesn't hide the fact that she likes hooking up with the players on the team. She got a little razzed about it by one of the other players (Big-D, who is a total big D....) but no one really did any slut-shaming with her. She doesn't do relationships, as both times she's allowed herself to fall, she's gotten her heart broken. She's confident in herself and I love that she goes through life so brazenly and without shame. Which is why my heart absolutely broke for what happened to her in this book. I hated seeing the light snuffed out of such a vibrant girl because there are so many cruel people in this world. No, it's not what you're probably thinking thank goodness, because I think I would have been destroyed had things gotten worse. However, seeing Bella transform into a girl who hides herself away and shut out the world, was not cool. I am so thankful she had so many amazing people in her corner.

Rafe is absolutely one of the best people she could have the privilege of knowing. Sure, things were a little awkward after they slept together one night, but he ended up being such a good friend to her. I loved that he was so dedicated to her and trying to help her through everything, but he still wanted her desperately. However, Bella doesn't do relationships and he refuses to sleep around. (Love the role reversal!) Don't worry though. These two have plenty of sexy times together and I just adored them together.

I also really liked Bella's roommate Lianne. In the beginning she isn't a very likeable character because of how she pretends Bella doesn't exist, but she does come around and I ended up loving her. She's a total geek and she's really shy. Oh and she's famous too, so there's that. I'm so glad Sarina decided to write a book for her. She needs to come out of her shell and feel the love too!

We do get to see Rikker and Michael like I hoped and they are happier than ever, so I'm glad they were able to get past everything and really work as a couple. While this book isn't centered around hockey as much as some of the others, I did love seeing them rally behind Bella, especially after she completely isolated herself from everyone. It was heartwarming to see how much they cared for her and missed her.

You can read all of these books as stand-alones, so I would definitely make sure you get this one, especially if you love a realistic, poignant storyline that has great friendships and romance to round it out.

If you have read Sarina Bowen’s Ivy Years Series than you know what to expect from this talented author: stellar writing, relatable characters, and a storyline that speaks volumes to the human spirit and overcoming life’s obstacles. The Shameless Hour is no different. In this book we finally get our Bella fix and what a high it is to be inside of Bella’s head. She is fierce, loyal, smart, witty, and too sexy for words. And if that isn't enough Ms. Sarina has given us Rafe, the sweetest and most charming hero I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The love story between these two characters is one you are going to work for as they go from lovers to friends and back to lovers again all while dealing with the ups and downs of college life. Bella is the star of this book and being able to see her vulnerable adds a rewarding element to her character making her not only beautiful but beautifully human. This makes her shine and I can’t think of anyone that could be more worthy of having Bella than Rafe who appreciates her for who she is and who she doesn't allow people to see that she is. The writing is smooth, funny, heartwarming, and paced really well and the story catches you from the first word to very last immediately. This is another winner for Sarina Bowen and an excellent addition to the Ivy Years Series. I could not recommend it more.

Full review and more available at: http://oneguysguidetogoodreads.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-shameless-hour-ivy-years-4-by.html

*****
My Thoughts:

And here we are a fifth time to celebrate Mrs. Sarina Bowen. For five amazing reads, I have raved about the work of Bowen. Each novel in her Ivy Years series touched me in ways I cannot begin to fully explain. Through my reviews of this series, I have made many new bookish friends and have recruited several into the world of NA literature. This has been one of my most fun reading experiences I have had and I cannot wait to see more. Sadly, with this review, I'm caught up with Sarina Bowen's series! Ahh! Before we worry about that, we need to tackle my thoughts on The Shameless Hour.

I've said this many times and I'll say it once more, Bowen gets better with every novel she publishes. I know this is how things are 'supposed' to be, but we all know it oftentimes doesn't work out like that. Sarina Bowen is a literary goddess and it's gotten to the point where she would rewrite the Yellow Pages and I'd still give it 5-stars. Seriously, if you haven't started this series, you are greatly missing out.

This fourth full installment of the series follows the stories of Bella and Rafe. I apologize in advance if this review seems a little 'Bella-centric', but her story was the one that hit me the hardest.

The plot of The Shameless Hour was among the most unique I have read in a NA novel. We oftentimes see the promiscuous female character in NA series, but we never see her side of the story. This was a phenomenal twist on that dynamic. Unfortunately it didn't come without heartbreak. The plot follows Bella's descent into madness and depression after a horrible event changes her life forever. Forced to reinvent her life, Bella must first discover herself to make herself truly happy. Rafe is a bit of a wild card in this one, he also has a very touching story in the plot in the form of an unexpected heartbreak that really had me going for a loop.

This is probably the most jarring of the novels in the series thus far. There were three different parts of this novel where I had to stop what I was reading and give myself a moment to let my mind comprehend what was happening. It was a lot to wrap your mind around. Especially for someone like me who is generally not an emotional reader, in any capacity. This novel does, thankfully, have a happy ending for Bella and Rafe, but it comes a great cost. It's was another of Bowen's novels that ripped me to shreds, but I am such a better person now for having devoured it.

Bella is probably one of the strongest literary females I have ever read about. What she goes through is absolutely terrifying and made my blood absolutely boil. I talked, briefly, on my thoughts of Greek Life in my review for Blonde Date, as it dealt with a similar situation, but the event that occurs in this novel was nearly enough to make me stop reading. Not in a bad way, at all, it was just so heartbreaking and emotionally shattering that I didn't know how anyone would be able to pick themselves back up from that. Now I know you may be thinking sexual assault, but thankfully it wasn't quite that. However, in my eyes, it was nearly just as bad. The simple fact is that acts such as what happens to Bella (and far worse) are occurring on college campuses across the country to both women and men. It's not comical, it's life ruining. I know that the actions of a few can really impact the public views of the organization as a whole, but actions anything similar to what happened to Bella are the reason I absolutely detest Greek Life. In my eyes the entire system should be abolished. One of the saddest things about Bella's situation is that had it happened to someone who wasn't quite so... Bella, nothing would have been done. Bella is an extremely brave and strong woman to overcome this dilemma and to do her part to 'get even' and make sure other girls don't suffer the same fate as she. Bella deals with a lot of inner-demons in this story, not all of them pertaining to this even, that only help to solidify her position on the list of my favorite book heroines. I cannot say enough great things about Bella. I'm only sorry that women tend to think that all college-aged males are like the ones that performed the heinous acts in Bella's life. I truly hope that one day our society will advance to the point where issues such as these are nonexistent and a thing of the past. Only then can we call ourselves the superior species on this planet. Abuse of any form (physical, mental, verbal, sexual, psychological) should never be tolerated.

Rafe, on the other hand, has a mountain of issues of his own. That being said, it's kind of hard to even being to compare them to Bella's problems, because Rafe is probably the 'safest' character that Bowen has ever written. And with good reason. It's what makes he and Bella's relationship absolutely perfect. Only by being steadfast and a grade-A guy all the way around could Rafe help Bella overcome her issues and help guide her back to a safe place in her life. Everyone needs a friend like Rafe in their life. I really loved Rafe's background, it was so unique. His ethnic heritage and family really added depth to the storyline (not that it was lacking in any). Rafe is a very 'grounded' character. He holds down a job (a job that most all college males I know would turn their noses up at), he dedicated himself to both his education and his sport, and he is supportive of his family and is constantly thinking of ways in which to better them. I can really appreciate Rafe's ethics in every way, shape, and form. He was seriously an amazingly written character. Bowen really outdid herself with this one! Many, many reviews have made it a point to mention that Rafe is a virgin when Bella clearly isn't. Why? I'm not sure what all these reviews are mentioning that like it's some unheard of thing. Sometimes I wonder if most readers of NA novels have ever actually met a 'new adult' in real life. Anyone who has spent any time in college or on a college campus will tell you that it's very little like how it's portrayed in the media and in literature. Not everyone is a social butterfly, celebrating their achievements in bacchanal-style festivities. Just saying.

This novel features most every other character from The Ivy Years as well as introduces us to a few new ones including Lianne, Bella's movie star neighbor with a story of her own. In fact, her story will be the focus of the next installment of the Ivy Years series! I will be anxiously awaiting that one.

Can I just say that I wish I had gone to Harkness College? What a fun place to be? The classical architecture, the house divisions, the amount of school spirit and campus pride? Yeah. I can definitely get behind that. I said this earlier, but I believe that Sarina Bowen has written the perfect college setting within Harkness. It's so awesome! I really got the feel that I, too, was attending classes next to these characters! Talk about reader immersion! This novel takes us back primarily to the Harkness setting, but we do see numerous new sides to the University which were really awesome to see. With each installment we see a bit more of the beautiful fictional campus and its' history. Bowen paints such a beautiful picture with her literary voice that I can feel myself hanging out on the Harkness Quad. I'm definitely Harkness fan all the way!

As with many of the stories in this series, this novel touches on at least one topic that I have no experience/knowledge of that Bowen not only helped to educate me on, but also change my outlook. In this case, this topic was asexuality. To be honest, I've only ever really heard of asexuality as an orientation, I've never met someone who claims to be one. The Shameless Hour features one such character in a very large light. I won't spoil it for anyone, but it was so interested to learn more about the psyche of an individual who identifies as such. Major props to Bowen for bringing awareness to a much misunderstood topic that is happening in our society. By the end of the novel, I had an entirely new view on asexuality. I am anxious to see if that character makes another appearance in a Bowen novel. I wouldn't be opposed to seeing them get their own novel, in however way that could happen.

This novel really hits on some pressing issues in the modern New Adult society. Acceptance is a big one, but I think this novel really hits on a bigger social issue that we are facing in today's world: slut shaming. This is a big deal right now. I will admit that as a male, I have been guilty of this in the past, but novels like this really open my eyes to the issue and show me the error of my ways. Every person has a story. Every human, male or female has problems, issues they have to handle on a personal basis. We all handle our issues in a different manner, so who are we to judge how Bella handles hers? This all really ties into the acceptance theme and also really adds to a theme of self-confidence/self-esteem. You have to own who you are, and Bella definitely does that. Bella is true to herself and that's a really beautiful trait for any person to have in my opinion. Rafe's character really displays some incredible themes as well, primarily forgiveness and understanding. It isn't easy for someone to forgive the way Rafe was eventually able to. It take a big person to forgive such an awful event, Rafe was that big person. In true Bowen fashion, if you don't sit down this novel and find yourself a better person, you need to pick it up and start again.

Clearly, I had many positive thoughts on this novel. This has proved to be a running theme with this series and I am so honored to have been able to review it for you guys. There are more books in the works, and I cannot wait for their releases! That being said, it should come as no surprise to anyone that I am granting The Shameless Hour by Sarina Bowen a near-perfect 5-star review. It is not often that I can say that I've given every novel in a series a 5-star review, in fact, it's only happened one other time, so I'm anxious to continue the trend. As of tonight Sarina Bowen is tied only with 3 other authors to have received the most 5-star reviews from me, making her a top author here at One Guy's Guide to Good Reads. Congrats to that Mrs. Bowen! You guys know how picky I can be about reads so I hope that gives you an idea of how serious I am about these being amazing novels! Check them out! You won't regret it!
*****

The Shameless Hour was an awesome addition the the Ivy Years series. I loved both Bella and Rafe and enjoyed their journey together.

Bella was definitely NOT your typical heroine and I loved her all the more for it. She was balls to the wall herself and if you didn't like it, tough luck. Bella is a-ok with her sexuality and doesn't mind (to much) what other people think about it. But she, herself, starts questioning things when Rafe shys away from her after their hookup.

Rafe was raised in a strict Catholic home and its affected his feelings about sex. It hasn't stifled him in the aspect that he think Sex is bad or wrong, but he has his notions about how/when it should happen. That all goes to the wayside when he unexpectedly ends up alone with Bella, a bottle of wine and a box of condoms. He's not exactly embarassed by what happened, but it does bother him.

As Rafe struggles to deal with his own feelings on the "incident" and Bella attempts to understand what the big deal is, the two sort of avoid each other. That is until something else happens to Bella and Rafe stumbles upon her and offers his help.

I loved that this book brought SO many things to the plate. There was your unusual virgin hero hooking up with the girl who makes no secret she loves sex. There was a serious friendship turned more vibe, even though it was underscored a little. There was a bit of scandal, what college campus doesn't have a little scandal, right?! And above all else, there was a bottom line moral to the story.

Rafe and his 100% standing up for Bella and doing what he could for her, while dealign with his own uncomfortableness and trying to make her understand she wasn't alone or in the wrong was wonderful. I really loved the way Bowen handled everything that happened to Bella and how she brought pretty much the whole team together in support of her.

I loved getting to know some newer characters and following up with those from the previous books. It's always a wonderful thing in a series like this when you can catch glimpses of those past couples and see they still have it and they enjoy their friends finding their HEA.

The Ivy Years is hands down my favourite NA series at the moment. I loved all the books so far but the first one, The Year We Fell Down stands on its own for me.

Book 4, the Shameless Hour, tells the story of Bella who is the student manager of the hockey team whose players have been the main characters in the previous books. She had a very central role in The Understatement of the Year, which I'd recommend to be read before you start with The Shameless Hour.

Bella is an intriguing heroine - open and easy going, loves sex and is not ashamed of it. I have to admit that sometimes I can't quite connect with characters who go for no-string sex and avoid relationships at all cost. My own very romantic and monogamous heart earns for true-love relationships but I also like to read about the journey from just hook-ups to real intimacy and Bella's journey along that road was not an easy one.

While Bella was strong, independent and very much liberated, Raffe was her opposite in many respects. He was confident and certain in his beliefs but he was also quiet, a bit introverted, and most importantly a 20-year old virgin in college. I loved everything about him, really.

After the initial hook-up between him and Bella, they for most the story they are just friends. He came into her life at a terrible time for her and acted as the pillar of strength she had never thought she'd need. We see Bella as any other college girl, somewhat vulnerable, despite her bravado, she had her own insecurities and old-time hurts. The abuse she suffers throws her completely off her game and it takes Raffe's strong and loyal support and ultimately his love for her to help Bella get back to her old self.

The story explores the intricacies of shame, the lack of inhibitions and restraints and the consequences of it. I really liked the intense dynamics family/friends/lovers dynamics Ms Bowen so successfully examines in this book. Both Raffe and Bella have complicated relationship with their families, for different reasons.

This college romance digs deep into some very serious issues affecting young people - harassment, physical and verbal abuse, slut shaming and how they affect everyone involved. Bella lost her confidence, came to question herself and her choices. slut shaming but ultimately, she got her revenge. Raffe had no major conflict to deal with but he won me over with his acceptance of Bella for who she is and with his loyal support and care for her when she was at her lowest.

The story also deals with the issue of STD which is not very often covered in NA romance. This sensitive subject was treated with respect and no judgement which I very much appreciate.

I only had two minor issues - Bella's family sudden change of heart and acceptance didn't fit well in the story for me, and also I was annoyed by the fact that Bella never got the discuss her STD with Raffe. I feel it was an important issue initially, well-developed and examined, but then kind of got forgotten.

I also like to congratulate Ms Bowen for writing a truly diverse story - there were characters with different ethnic and social background, queer characters and the story created a sense of inclusion. i loved the fact that this diversity was not presented as an/the issues in this book, it was treated as a fact of of life and people were ok with each other.

Just like the previous books in this series The Shameless Hour brings together some sweet and sexy times with some serious issues which college students often face. A recommended read for fans of NA romance!

You can read more of my reviews on Ellie Reads Fiction

ARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I was apprehensive to start The Shameless Hour at first. I have read and loved all of Sarina's books, both in the Ivy Years series and her 18+ Gravity series. Everything I knew about this book from the cover, to the title, to the blurb told me that while this was still an Ivy Years book it was different.

Before the end of the first chapter I knew all my apprehension was unnecessary. Right from page one the impossible-not-to-love to characters I've come to expect from Sarina were present. I thought, having read all the Ivy Years books, that I had my favourite Harkness University characters, then enters Rafe.

Rafe has worked in the kitchen of his families restaurant for as long as he can remember. Bella comes from a wealthy family. They both clearly had different upbringings but both find themselves living in the same building. Other than Rafe helping Bella move in and the odd shared lecture they didn't spend a whole lot of time together. Until one drunken night...

The Shameless Hour is told from the POV of both Bella and Rafe. Books with different POV are my absolute favourite. Bella is honest about the fact she likes sex and is good at it. Rafe has always respected women and never dreamt of losing his virginity in a drunken hook-up.

"If you wanted to be really philosophical about it, life was a temporary arrangement. So why get hung-up on relationships at all?"

The encounter leaves Rafe feeling awkward, ashamed and wanting to avoid Bella. He's managing this until a humiliating experience shakes Bella's core and has her seeking refuge in her room and avoiding everyone other than Rafe!

I loved this book so much. It was shocking and unflinching in parts which only strengthened how honest and real the characters Sarina writes, feel. This book wrung out my emotions. It made laugh, it made me cry and it made me put my iPad down and wonder how more can happen to them?

I was torn between reading it slowly so it never had to end and ploughing through because I needed to know what happened. As it was I did both. I read the second half of the book in a day finishing after three in the morning. Sarina made me nervous at 70% that Bella and Rafe who's attraction was palpable and undeniable, were going to be the first of her characters not to get a happy ending. I needn't have worried.

"There was just no way I could have sex with Bella, and then walk away like it didn’t matter."

Rafe is the book boyfriend dreams are made of. He has life experience, he loves his family, he cooks, he dances, he's great with kids and he quotes chick-flicks. Where can I get one?

“You,” he whispered, pausing to touch his tongue to my earlobe, “will always be the sexiest girl I have ever known.”

After 4 full length standalone books and a novella in this series I know exactly why Sarina is an automatic 1-click author for me. I know I can trust her to write women who haven't always had it easy and are so much stronger for it and guys who know what an incredible women they have in their life!

5 delicious stars for Rafe and Bella's story.

Sarina Bowen is my favorite and her Ivy League Series keeps getting better and better!!! The Shameless Hour features Bella, who we met in The Understatement of the Year, and Rafe. Although it can be read as a standalone I would highly recommend reading the rest of the series because she is amazing!! Bella is left to pick up the pieces when she becomes the victim of a mean spirited fraternity prank because she was trying to do the right thing. I need a Rafe in my life- he is hardworking, honest, and is an amazing friend when Bella needs it most.

Sarina has a way of writing a book that makes you want to read it over again, and she did an amazing job with Bella and Rafe’s story. Bella demonstrated a strength and fortitude in the face of potentially crushing embarrassment, and Rafe seems to know exactly what to do to protect his new friend and bring her back around after suffering something horrible. This book has a ton of loveable characters, both old and new, and I can’t wait to read the next one!

I really enjoyed "The Shameless Hour" by Sarina Bowen. Another great book in the Ivy Years series, I can see why everyone has been raving about this series on various book blogs and fan pages. The storylines are cutting edge and deal with important topics, the writing is outstanding and the characters are so real they practically jump off the pages. I completely devoured this book and can't wait to jump into the next one. Do yourself a favor and read this book / series.
Happy Reading...enjoy!

I seriously think this is the greatest Hockey-Sports Romance Series I have ever read. I don't know what took me so long to read it, but here I am.

The themes in this book my be a trigger for some.
Great read with high level of emotions, superb writing from Bowen.

Cover Rating: 4.5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars

This sexy and emotional new adult romance, 4th in the Ivy Years series is the story of Bella and Rafe. Bella is comfortable with her sexuality and has many male friends, though none that are really close after losing her heart to Graham who turned out to be gay. She's learned her lesson - one night hook ups are all that she's cut out for. Enter Rafe, the friendly, conservative young man who lives 2 floors down. When she finds him discouraged and alone after a relationship breakup, she thinks nothing about inviting him up for some fun. But after their one night together, it turns out that nothing about it is going to be simple. For Bella can't forget about Rafe and vice versa. Will he be able to show Bella that relationships can work and that he's the one she's been unknowingly waiting for all along?

I loved this story for its uniqueness in the new adult genre. Sure, they both attend college together and there is the usual angst related to projects and deadlines and what the future will hold for them after school is out. But what really makes the story is the characters and their non-stereotypical actions. In this story Bella is the playgirl, the one who loves sex, isn't ashamed of it and is known for her wild reputation. She's a hook-up queen and everyone knows the score they can expect from her. In contrast, Rafe is the virgin, the good guy who for several reasons has decided that he's interested in sex so long as it's part of a committed relationship. When his plans blow up in his face with his suddenly ex-girlfriend, he's feeling pretty low and Bella doesn't have a hard time convincing him to spend the night with her. It's the after effect that is the problem. Because he doesn't see Bella the way everyone else does. He sees in her a fun, friendly, warmhearted, sexy woman, one that he's interested in pursuing a relationship with, not just a casual occasional hook-up. Both characters have a lot going for them, but Rafe really is the epitome of the nice guy hero, there for Bella when the going is easy or the going is tough. And the going does get tough, with some scenes that will bring the reader to tears as things happen to Bella that change her view of herself and her heretofore open personality. Rafe stands by her, encourages her and never judges her, something that Bella takes a while to appreciate before realizing the gift that he is giving her. The evolution of their relationship follows several twists and turns as the college year plays out, and though there are low points, there are high points too, leading to an eventual well deserved happy ending. I loved every minute of the ride. 5 stars for this touching and sexy story.

In this fourth full length novel in the Ivy Years series, Sarina Bowen serves up a sexy and sassy role reversal. Bella, student manager of the Harkness men's ice hockey team, is a beautiful, carefree senior kind of majoring in hot boys and hook-ups. While Rafe is a younger hottie trying so hard to be a good boy.

A very mean frat prank serves to wreck Bella's confidence in herself. But Rafe's honorable and steadfast qualities that initially frustrated Bella end up helping her get her sass back.

Add in some supportive old friends with Graham and Rikker, a quirky new neighbor and Pepe with zee bonnaire and you get a book that warms your heart (and maybe a few others spots) and makes you laugh out loud.

I received an advanced reader copy in return for an honest review.

4 1/2 Stars
I loved this book these characters were awesome Bella was sassy beautiful confident woman and Rafe was innocent wonderful hot man when these two got together fireworks baby!!! This is the first book in the series that I have read and I didn't get lost so you can definitely read it as a stand alone the only thing lacking was an epilogue which I love but this series is continuing with Lianne so I'll definitely be reading that one!!!!

Yet another home run (wrong sport, I know) for Sarina Bowen and the IVY YEARS. I've loved the first three books in the series but there's nothing like a powerful woman in a man's world. Bella, as I knew she would, rocked. I love how she owns her sexuality, and how even when things get rough (and they get super rough), she's able to pull out her own power and set things right. Even strong girls have their weak moments, but Bella comes out swinging which makes me super happy.

And Rafe. Sigh. He's as good as Bella is strong.

The fourth in the series proves that Sarina is an excellent writer that knows her stuff. This book takes the reader from the lowest low to a great high. The story is so realistic I found myself crying and laughing and having to stop to catch my breath. I learned something from this book and I recommend that everyone read this. I can't say enough great things about this book.

I started my love affair with Sarina Bowen with The Understatement of the Year. She won me over with Graham and Rikker. I found my love for MM romance with this series and I love her for it. And I loved her writing so much that I started this series from the beginning.

I found myself wanting Bella's story. I wanted to know this fierce girl who didn't care what others thought of her. I wanted to know this hockey-loving girl who fell for a man who hid his sexuality from her. I wanted to know Bella.

Sarina Bowen did not disappoint me with Bella's story. I hurt for the girl, I loved the girl, and I loved watching her love Rafe. And what a pleasant surprise Rafe is. OMG. If there has ever been a sweeter, better guy I haven't met him yet. I don't even know how to describe him without giving his entire personality away--and I don't want to be spoiler-y. Just know Rafe is AMAZING. And you're gonna love him.

You'll get to see some of your hockey favorites--including Graham and Rikker--and you'll meet some new characters too. New characters that you'll want to get to know a bit better. Here's to hoping this series continues beyond book 5!

The Shameless Hour by Sarina Bowen ROCKS!! Again,she writes a spectacular totally relatable book. This could be a true to life college setting with things that are really happening. While Bella is sowing her wild oats in college she meets sweet down to earth Rafe. Rafe loves her in a way no one else ever has. This is a sweet and touching love story that is definitely worth reading!!