Tempting Taste: an opposite attracts romance

Tempting Taste by Sara Whitney is the first book in the Cinnamon Roll Alphas series. All Erik Andersson wanted was a life of peace and stability. But when Josie Ryan comes into the bakery where he worked, exposing the toxicity of his boss, Erik finds himself quitting on the spot. Now, he resumes the search for work while entering into a business arrangement with a woman he calls a redhead tornado. Josie wows clients with her PR events and when she learns Erik is now jobless, she makes it her mission to turn his amazing talents into a successful business empire. Rule no. 1: keep it professional. However, Josie and Erik begin to find it harder and harder to follow this simple rule. Can they find a way to blend business with pleasure or will it fizzle like a deflated souffle? 

After reading Tempting Heat, the prequel novella, I was looking forward to the rest of the series, starting with Tempting Taste. Unfortunately, I did not love Josie and Erik like I did Finn and Tom. Their initial meeting was funny and when they ran into each other again was great. However, the story quickly fell from there. It is an opposite attracts romance but Josie has a strong personality and Erik is so shy that she overpowers him with decisions and directions. Josie was easily the most annoying character especially how she constantly harps on how she saw Tom first but he fell for Finn. Not true (read Tempting Heat to see why). While Erik was enjoyable but geez, speak up! Overall, I found Tempting Taste disappointing and I haven’t decided if I will continue the series. I do not recommend Tempting Taste. 

Tempting Taste is available in paperback and eBook

Tempting Heat: two former friends, one blizzard and forced proximity

Tempting Heat by Sara Whitney is the prequel novella to the Cinnamon Roll Alphas series. Tom Castle and Fiona “Finn” Casey were friends in high school. Until one incident tore their friendship apart. Finn now thinks Tom is her enemy. Little does she know that he has loved her for years. A series of events has led to them being trapped together in her apartment. Now he has the opportunity to tell her the truth, but will she listen? Finn is horrified and furious. The memories are still very painful and she does her best to ignore him. But there is very little room for that and when the power goes out, she realizes they need each other to survive the frigid night. 

Tempting Heat is so much fun! It is a sweet, sexy story with great banter. All the great features readers want in a romance. I loved Finn and Tom together. Their chemistry is so good and it was a hard story to put down. There is a little spice but nothing too outrageous. There are more tender, sigh-inducing moments that will melt any heart and bring a smile to readers’ faces. Add a sassy roommate and an overprotective brother and there are great humorous moments. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. If you love second chance romances with a little spice, I highly recommend Tempting Heat. 

Tempting Heat is available in paperback and eBook

My Bad Fake Boyfriend: bringing the worst possible boyfriend home for the holiday, what could go wrong?

My Fake Bad Boyfriend by Sara Whitney is the first book in the Hot Under the Mistletoe series. Darby St Claire needs a fake boyfriend. No, the worst fake boyfriend in the world. She needs a man to be so bad that her parents never bother her about her love life again. Gabe Dickinson says he’ll pretend to be that boyfriend. To be so bad that she is never asked to bring anyone home again. He promises he is up to the task. As they arrive at her parents’ home for Thanksgiving weekend, he’s a little too good at being bad. Darby and Gabe get so good at their little game, they forget it’s supposed to be an act. By the time Christmas Eve rolls around, Darby realizes that their flirty game has gone too far and she wants Gabe to be the gift she unwraps. But if she does, will she be able to walk away? 

I bought this book as the synopsis sounded fun. Fake dating is usually a hilarious trope to read. However, I quickly learned it was not the book I thought it was. First, it is a reverse age gap, which I have learned is not the trope for me. Strike one. Second, when Darby learns about their age difference, she quips “You were in kindergarten when I was getting boobs!” Ugh, I rolled my eyes so hard, I thought they would fly out of my head. Strike two. Third, this story was a fast burn. So fast, that they went from flirting to wanting to get into bed. Strike three. I don’t mind spiciness in a romance but it happens so fast that it was hard to enjoy this story. If you enjoy fast paced, fake dating, reverse age gap romances, My Fake Bad Boyfriend may be the story for you. 

My Fake Bad Boyfriend is available in paperback and eBook