Adult review for erotic content. 
 I'm about to sing the praises of such a lovely book because for the first time in a while, I managed to find a story about a single mom who figured out how to handle her dating life the right way. I'm not kidding when I say that there are books which have made me want to beat my head on the desk because of their ridiculous ideas of how today's single mom is supposed to act (one example : THIS BOOK). Being a former single mom, I was so thrilled to read a book about a woman who knows how to take care of her own needs, as well as the needs of her children. Balance and common sense. Who would have thought it was possible? 
 Damaged Goods was such a great find. Yes, this one is erotica. There are definitely plenty of hot sex scenes to go around. But - this is not your typical porn without plot fare. I had a silly, happy smile on my face while reading this book because it was a joy to read. Gone were the ridiculous fights and idiotic obstacles which plague so much of contemporary romance. For as dysfunctional as the pairing of a self-proclaimed "man-whore" and a dedicated "single mom" was, the relationship felt surprisingly functional. I know that I probably would have a hard time dating a man who spent so much of his time servicing other women, but there was something about this story and this couple which made it believable. Maybe it was because the pair found a way to believe in each other when no one else could. Whatever the reason was, I found it such a wonderful treat to see two people who were capable of communicating with each other, while managing to avoid most of the incessant drama you often find in romances. 
 Here are a few little quips from the book : 
 I opened my mouth to speak, but Michael beat me to it. "I'll give you some credit," he said with a sneer. "You don't look like a prostitute." 
 Austin shrugged. "I don't usually wear the fishnets and garish makeup on my day off." 
 ..... 
 Austin appeared in the doorway. "You two aren't talking about me, are you?" 
 "Of course we are," Shelby said. "Someone has to warn her about you. She looked at me and deadpanned, "You know he used to be a stripper, right?" 
 "What?" I glared at Austin. "You told me you only danced like that for me." 
 Shelby rolled her eyes and exhaled sharply. "You two are perfect for each other." 
 ..... 
 I didn't speak, instead letting him find the words that eluded him. Finally he took a deep breath. 
 "There's sex, and there's...this." He met my eyes. "Just being with someone. This isn't something that can be bought or sold, and I couldn't manufacture it for someone no matter how much they tried to pay me for it." He ran the backs of his fingers down my cheek. "That's why I'm here tonight. Because I needed this. And here, with you, is the only place I can get it." He swallowed. "Or give it."