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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
What a way to start a series!! This is going down as one of my top favorites from Bella! This is book 1 in a new series, Red Lips and White Lies, but follows the same families we know and love. It continues the second generation with Juliette and Becket’s daughter (Overruled) and Annabelle and Declan’s son (Always Earned, Never Given) The story can be read as a standalone, just know you will see lots of previous characters.
Kenzie is very career driven, she has taken little time throughout the years for dating or relationships. Her only relationships are with her best friends. After years away, she is finally back in her hometown after finishing med school. Nixon is the son of a superstar football player but decided he didn’t want to be in his father’s shadow and fell in love with hockey instead. Nixon is in the same friend/family circle with Kenzie and had a crush on her in high school. He is set on not having a relationship so that he can focus on his hockey career. When Nixon tries to help Kenzie out of an uncomfortable situation, they decide to fake date. Their real chemistry quickly changes their fake relationship to a real relationship. Wow was Nixon super hot. His dirty talking mouth was
Kenzie is very career driven, she has taken little time throughout the years for dating or relationships. Her only relationships are with her best friends. After years away, she is finally back in her hometown after finishing med school. Nixon is the son of a superstar football player but decided he didn’t want to be in his father’s shadow and fell in love with hockey instead. Nixon is in the same friend/family circle with Kenzie and had a crush on her in high school. He is set on not having a relationship so that he can focus on his hockey career. When Nixon tries to help Kenzie out of an uncomfortable situation, they decide to fake date. Their real chemistry quickly changes their fake relationship to a real relationship. Wow was Nixon super hot. His dirty talking mouth was
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
One fake date turns into toe-curling “lessons,” a whole lot of family drama, and a romance that escalates faster than you can say “golden retriever hockey player.” Nixon Sinclair is sweet, possessive, and sexy. Mackenzie is a hard-working doctor who’s back home and maybe ready to open her heart. The vibe? Fake dating + found family + spice overload.
What I Loved:
- Nixon had a crush on Mac since they were 12? Adorable.
- The “spice lessons” plot was fun and flirty.
- Some cozy small-town/found family moments that gave warmth.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
- The pacing: fake dating to marriage in a blink.
- The ending felt rushed, especially the plotline with the creepy doctor.
- Way too many characters from past books—felt lost in the family tree.
- A lot of telling, not enough emotional depth or conflict resolution.
Favorite Moments:
- The gala scene where Nixon swoops in as the fake boyfriend.
- Mac asking Nix to help her become more confident in intimacy.
Why It’s Not 5 Stars:
This had the potential to be swoony and memorable, but it stayed surface level. It felt like a “next episode in the Kroydon Cinematic Universe,” which is great if you're already invested. But as a standalone? It’s chaotic with too many cameos, too little character growth, and a love story that moves at lightning speed.
Final Thoughts:
If you want a quick, spicy read with a cinnamon roll hockey player and don’t mind being thrown into an already crowded universe, Tempting can hit the spot. Just don’t expect too much depth—this one’s all about the vibes.
What I Loved:
- Nixon had a crush on Mac since they were 12? Adorable.
- The “spice lessons” plot was fun and flirty.
- Some cozy small-town/found family moments that gave warmth.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
- The pacing: fake dating to marriage in a blink.
- The ending felt rushed, especially the plotline with the creepy doctor.
- Way too many characters from past books—felt lost in the family tree.
- A lot of telling, not enough emotional depth or conflict resolution.
Favorite Moments:
- The gala scene where Nixon swoops in as the fake boyfriend.
- Mac asking Nix to help her become more confident in intimacy.
Why It’s Not 5 Stars:
This had the potential to be swoony and memorable, but it stayed surface level. It felt like a “next episode in the Kroydon Cinematic Universe,” which is great if you're already invested. But as a standalone? It’s chaotic with too many cameos, too little character growth, and a love story that moves at lightning speed.
Final Thoughts:
If you want a quick, spicy read with a cinnamon roll hockey player and don’t mind being thrown into an already crowded universe, Tempting can hit the spot. Just don’t expect too much depth—this one’s all about the vibes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicide, Sexual harassment
Minor: Cursing, Medical content, Death of parent
fast-paced
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Need to read other books first because there’s so many side characters to keep track of!
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
es war alright
lowkey checke ich warum mackenzie so reagiert wegen dem possible trade weil girly pop hat issues
aber man kann doch normal darüber reden vor allem mit nixon
lowkey checke ich warum mackenzie so reagiert wegen dem possible trade weil girly pop hat issues
aber man kann doch normal darüber reden vor allem mit nixon
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was my first book by Bella Matthews, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
Honestly, I regret not starting her books in order because I feel I would have enjoyed it even more that way. However, I still had an amazing time with this one.
The chemistry between Mackenzie and Nixon was absolutely electric. I was so hooked on them from the very start that I had to force myself to take breaks from reading.
These two characters delivered on every level! Not only was their chemistry off the charts, but their individual personalities were also fantastic, and I found myself wishing for more of them.
The spicy moments were perfectly balanced, but the romance plot was also brilliantly written. It wasn’t just about the heat; the emotional depth and character development were equally compelling.
The book flowed so smoothly and was incredibly addictive – you’ll find yourself saying “just one more chapter” until, sadly, you realize you’ve read them all.
I highly recommend this series and this author to anyone who loves romance, sports romance, and stories about big, tight-knit families. This book is a must-read!
Honestly, I regret not starting her books in order because I feel I would have enjoyed it even more that way. However, I still had an amazing time with this one.
The chemistry between Mackenzie and Nixon was absolutely electric. I was so hooked on them from the very start that I had to force myself to take breaks from reading.
These two characters delivered on every level! Not only was their chemistry off the charts, but their individual personalities were also fantastic, and I found myself wishing for more of them.
The spicy moments were perfectly balanced, but the romance plot was also brilliantly written. It wasn’t just about the heat; the emotional depth and character development were equally compelling.
The book flowed so smoothly and was incredibly addictive – you’ll find yourself saying “just one more chapter” until, sadly, you realize you’ve read them all.
I highly recommend this series and this author to anyone who loves romance, sports romance, and stories about big, tight-knit families. This book is a must-read!
I have been not so patiently waiting for this to drop and I dove right in the second my ARC hit my inbox. Tempting is a second generation story that can be read as a standalone but it’s so fun reading through the backlog for the story and vibes! Kenzie and Nixon were perfect for each other. Both focused heavily on their careers leaving them a bit closed off in the beginning. A few spicy lessons later and we get to see them open up! I seriously love the town and the people Bella has brought to life in these books! And the text threads will forever be my favorite part of any book but especially this world! Now back to the very beginning again for a reread as I wait for the next to drop!