I didn’t know what to expect when I picked up Camera Shy by Kay Cove, the blurb got me interested, but as we all know sometimes a book is so much more than just the blurb. Kay Cove took a story of low self-esteem that so many women share and gave us a story about finding your strength, learning to love yourself, and learning to let others love you.
Camera Shy by Kay Cove
Camera Shy by Kay Cove is a contemporary romance and the first book in the Lessons In Love series. It was published on May 1, 2024 and is 446 pages long. You can find the book on Amazon, Kindle Unlimited, and the author’s website here.
Premise
This was it, Avery knew her boyfriend of four years was about to pop the question on her 30th birthday, her golden birthday. She was excited, in her favorite little black dress, and with the ring finally on her finger, he immediately breaks up with her. What the fuck? Suddenly everything she thought she knew was one big lie and her confidence takes the biggest hit of all.
With an offer to pet sit, Avery jumps at the chance to get out of LA for the summer and escape to Las Vegas. Little did she know her new, incredibly hot, even god-like, neighbor was about to change everything for her. For one summer he’s going to give her the lessons she needs to take her sex life from non-existent, to hot as the Vegas summer sun.
Triggers
List the Triggers found in Camera Shy by Kay Cove include:
- Sexually explicit scenes
- Cheating (Not MMC)
- Fatphobia
- Narcissism
My Thoughts
Avery is smart, a fantastic friend, and a supportive woman, but she’s also a workaholic, one who was building a business with the man she thought she’d spend the rest of her life with. After a brutal break up and her confidence destroyed, she takes the time she needs to find herself again.
“But confidence starts with you. A man is going to treat you how you treat yourself. So please, for the love of God, act like a fucking queen.” – Camera Shy by Kay Cove
Finn escaped a toxic relationship months ago, and after a brief stage of being a man-whore, he decided to abstain from sex till he could fix his own view of women and intimacy. That is until curvy, beautiful, smart, funny, and the broken-hearted Avery moves in next door for the summer.
Avery makes him a deal, he teaches her how to be a knock out in between the sheets and she’ll help him fix his struggling boudoir photography business. It’s just for the summer, and a win win, right?
“Your jealousy is warranted,” I say before I take a small sip of my drink. “His dick is huge, he fucks like a god, and he’s also the kindest man I’ve ever met.” I flash her a cocky smile. “Enjoy your evening.” – Camera Shy by Kay Cove
I’m going to be flat out honest here, the entire main plot of this book is Finn teaching Avery how to have amazing sex, how to listen to her body, and how to demand pleasure from her partner. The spice scenes are plentiful, and extremely well done.
He fishes out his wallet and hands the driver a hundred-dollar bill. “This is to keep the partition up for the entire ride.” To my surprise, he hands the driver another bill. “This is to take the long way home.” Finn hands him a final bill. “This is to never, ever put your lips on my date again. Clear?” – Camera Shy by Kay Cove
Seriously, you want spice with a heart pulling story line, this is the book you want to read. It’s hot, but because it’s all about Avery learning to enjoy sex and be good at it. I loved the way Finn switched the narrative and the lessons to her learning to enjoy what she should have been getting all along.
Even as the book was filled with spice scenes, that you never want to skip and gobble each of them up, the character growth in this book is amazing. Not only do we get to see Finn learn to trust and learn how to fight for a woman, but Avery learns to accept herself and love herself in all the ways she deserves to be loved.
“Since when are my emotions someone else’s responsibility? My issues are my burden to bear.” Finn waits until I meet his eyes. He’s so demanding when it comes to eye contact. Maybe because he knows his icy blue eyes seem to tear down my walls. “Burden me, Avery. I want you to.” – Camera Shy by Kay Cove
Lennox, hands down was my favorite side character. She’s quirky, fun, confident, and supportive in the way a friend should be.
The overall vibes of the book are self-discovery mixed with found family. It’s about finding the support you need in life but also learning to support yourself.
Who Would Like Camera Shy by Kay Cove?
Tropes found in Camera Shy by Kay Cove include:
- Found Family
- Bedroom Lessons
- Boudoir Photographer
- One Summer
If you liked Wild Eyes by Elsie Silver, Latte Darling by SJ Tilly, or Doc by KD Robichaux you will likely love this book.
Have you read Camera Shy by Kay Cove, or are you adding it to your TBR? Let me know in the comments below. I love interacting with other readers over books I enjoyed.