Review: Pure Wicked (Wicked Lovers, #9.5) by Shayla Black

During his decade as an international pop star, Jesse McCall has lived every day in the fast lane. A committed hedonist reveling in amazing highs, globetrotting, and nameless encounters, he refuses to think about his loneliness or empty future. Then tragedy strikes.

Shocked and grieving, he sheds his identity and walks away, searching for peace. Instead, he finds Bristol Reese, a no-nonsense beauty scraping to keep her family’s business afloat while struggling with her own demons. He’s intent on seducing her, but other than a pleasure-filled night, she’s not interested in a player, especially after her boyfriend recently proposed to her sister. In order to claim Bristol, Jesse has to prove he’s not the kind of man he’s always been. But when she learns his identity and his past comes back to haunt him, how will he convince her that he’s a changed man who wants nothing more than to make her his forever?

"Find your someone while you're young enough to build a whole lot of years together and share the love. Houses and jobs come and go. But there's nothing better than having someone who's your home."

After a tragic turn of events, rock star, Jesse McCall finds himself in the middle of a media frenzy. His publicist advises him to lay low. Jesse takes her advice and the next thing he knows is he's knight in shining armor saving a damsel in distress.

I enjoyed this blindsided love short story. It couldn't have been a better time for Jesse, now that he is sober and ready for a change. It's his' ex's wisdom that propels Jesse to grow up.

"If you want your life to have meaning, you have to treat all the parts of your life as if they're meaningful."

Who better than Bristol Reese to bring Jesse's life meaning. Bristol is down to earth, she owns her own business and doesn't find the need to be someone other than herself. She's been hurt badly, she has vowed to only short flings and one night stands. Can Jesse convince her otherwise, once Bristol discovers his true identity?

For a short story there is a lot of wisdom, a steamy love connection and a surprising ending.