REVIEW: "Some Girls Do" by Clodagh Murphy (Contemporary Romance)

SOME GIRLS DO by Clodagh Murphy
	Publisher: Hatchette Books Ireland Genre: Contemporary Romance Publication Date: January 6th 2014 Standalone: Yes
Categories:
Nice Guy, Introverted Female, Creative (Blogger), Sex Lessons, All the Feels, Finding Yourself, Ireland, Friends to Lovers
Other Books by Clodagh Murphy
Description from Publisher:
Claire Kennedy is NiceGirl, the anonymous author of steamy online blog 'Scenes of a Sexual Nature'. An internet sensation, she attracts the attention of Mark Bell, a hot London publisher. But when it becomes clear that Mark is interested in more than just a book deal, Claire has to act fast. Because little does Mark know that NiceGirl is a lot more experienced in the bedroom than real-life Claire Kennedy. Mark is offering Claire the life she's always dreamed of - a steady relationship, the literary world of London and a posh Highgate apartment. But when Claire hires the services of struggling artist and commitment-phobe Luca to brush up on her sex skills, things get more complicated... Great sex, friendship AND love ... can't a girl have it all?
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
This was a second read for me and five years between. I have fond memories of this as it was one of the first romances I read after a long reading hiatus. I absolutely loved this then and may actually love it more now. The characters are amazing, with this wonderful depth that grabs you the minute you meet them. Claire is easily someome most women can feel a kinship with. She lives a bit of a dual life, but it is really more two halves of her. She doesn't just learn to be more comfortable with her sexuality but with herself. Her blog persona is who she imagines she should be, but more because she lacks a real understanding of herself and how important HER opinion is. NiceGirl would never say No. Claie learns that she can. Then, Luca. Initially, the yang to Clire's ying without realizing it. He also lacks confidence but in a very different way. It doesn't actually take long at all to see the layers he barely hides, and how quickly he tosses them aside is endearing. The supporting characters were also richly developed without ever taking the spotlight. I wanted to laugh with Espie, smack Michelle, gossip with Yvonne and Ali, and I almost cried over Mary's final violin performance. The rest of the world was tactile and immersive. I felt the rain and Luca's soggy boots, the sunshine, the discomfort of a sexy red dress... Wonderful world building. The emotion without melodrama was perfect. It all was easily believable, which made it all the more enjoyable. Amusingly, I feel as though I said the same thing after my first reading. I also appreciated that it was steamy, but not superficially where you feel like you are reading sex scenes with some plot around it. It all felt seamless.
My Source: I borrowed this from the library, then bought it, for a voluntarily review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is unbiased and 100% my own.

About the Author: Clodagh Murphy
Clodagh (rhymes with Yoda) is an Irish writer of romantic comedies. She lives in Dublin with a large circle of imaginary friends.