The Theory of Attraction by Delphine Dryden

Book Trailer:

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...

Camilla is the girl next door and she has been harboring a crush on her super smart neighbor, although he is blind to that, and she thinks he's uninterested. Ivan, the genius scientist neighbor needs help in dealing with people and at social functions. Because of her secretly being in love with him, she agrees to help him out.

But what begins as her tutoring him becomes him tutoring her in other ways. Camilla thinks Ivan is uptight but she realizes while he can be taught everywhere else, in the bedroom he must have all the control. His control and need for dominance are real. She gives it up and submits not because she's into that scene but she just likes the guys - and they both realize what they have is much more than simply a two-way tutoring session.

This could have been a heavy story, but Dryden livens up the pages with fun dialogue and actual humor. I think Camilla was a little too eager to please Ivan in the beginning but I ended up rooting for them in the end. For those squeamish with graphic sex scenes this isn't for you; it has strong BDSM language. For me, it didn't taint the story, though. But the whole complete nerd who is the world's greatest Dom was an interesting character twist that I've never come across before, and Ivan's odd little idiosyncrasies made him real in the end.

Book Information:

• The Theory of Attraction by Delphine Dryden
• Carina Press; 2012
• ISBN13: 9781426894046
• Kindle version available

Disclosure: This e-ARC was provided by the publisher and any opinions are my own.