Slice of Temptation

Sugar and Scotch #1

by D.L. Darby

He broke my heart when I was seventeen. I thought we were in love, that we'd get married and have kids, and the white picket fence. But then he went and slept with someone else...and got her pregnant.

Twenty-five years later, he waltzes back into my life like a hurricane. He claims to be knocking on the door of his estranged son's house. But this is my boyfriend's house. My much...younger...oh, fuck.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Second Chance Romance, Ebooks, Rom Com, He Falls First

205 pages, ebook

Published March 19, 2023

About the author

D.L. Darby lives in Anchorage, Alaska with her husband, dog, and cat. When she’s not working at her salon, she enjoys reading, hiking (when the weather is nice), and watching silly reality t.v. shows. She loves to travel and one day hopes to be able to attend all of the bookish conventions in one year.

You can find her on TikTok @d.l.darby_author

Or join her reader group on FB at D.L. Darby’s Darlings

Reviews

[Capt. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rylee pissed me off so bad near the end. But I love Chance so this is a 4.

I got a good laugh and pretty much enjoyed this one. This book might not be for all because it’s a reverse age-gap.

Rylee at 17 was very much in love with Devon, her then boyfriend. Devon cheated on her at a beach party and was pretty remorseful and trying to woo Rylee again until it was revealed that the OW he cheated on with Rylee is pregnant.
Rylee, heartbroken left their small town with her parents. It was revealed that Devon spiraled where he drank heavily until he was shipped to the military.
Many years passed about 25yrs I think? Rylee still have no trust in men but doesn’t mean she can’t have some fun, she just have no serious relationship. Then she met the much younger, much handsome, much charming man named Chance…which yup you guessed is Devon’s estranged son 😭🤣
But at that time, Rylee doesn’t know it and Chance isn’t aware also. So they continued their relationship because Chance to be fair is an honest, sincere man who was raised by his grandma and described as someone with an “old soul” and he is patient with Rylee and he got her to open up.
One day, Devon decided to visit his estranged son and got the shock of his life as well as Rylee’s and Chance’s. Devon being still very much in love with Rylee caused problems cuz the cheater was jealous.
Honestly it was very amusing to read and it got me seated.
Chaos ensues, drama followed, Chance was jealous of his father because they had a past and Devon was jealous of his son. Devon and Rylee had a closure talk. Chance and Devon had some sort of father-son start of relationship. Chance and Rylee got their happy ending.

[Tay_is_reading_again · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second DL Darby book and I’m quickly becoming a fan. The first 30% of the book went too smoothly… then 💩 hit the fan!! There was quite a twist and I loved how the characters worked through their issues. This was an easy, quick read since it’s under 300 pages, but I really enjoyed this one!

[Trista Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't even count the number of times I said "oh shit!" while reading this fantastic book. I fell in love with the author's work when I first started reading her novel Where the flowers bloom and was not sure how she would top that book. BUT this one is just as incredible. She gave her readers a driven, career-focused woman and a hot younger man who knows what he wants when he sees it. She added a lot of spice and then a whole lot of wow factor. Highly recommend to anyone that loves age gap, spice, and forbidden romance.

[Cassee Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply delicious 🍰. D.L. Darby you have done it again. Another romance novel that leaves me wishing for more. 1 more chapter. 1 more novel. The story cannot end yet. I’m so happy this is a duology and I hope we see bits of our main couples life here play out in Novel #2 💖

Rylee is our beautiful FMC. Heartbroken in her teen years betrayal doesn’t even begin to describe the day that changed her life. Now I’m her early 40’s she has never let another man in or given one the time of day to be in her life. Proud hardworking business woman, she owns her half bar 🍺 half bakery 🧁 and loves what she does with her best friend Sadie. Until her walks into her bar and takes a seat. Now her life is all up in winds out truths prevail, twists unfold, hearts are open and love is in the air. 💖 Will the past come desperately falling in around her? Will she ever let her heart be taken again?

Chance 🥵, businessman, devoted, hardworking in his landscaping business with his best friend Tyler at 25. He has a complicated family relationship. Child of teen parents, mother tragically passed during childbirth, raised by her parents. He lives with the cutest little cat and his “water puppy” Gary. When he saw her his life changed. No other woman has been worth his heart. Here was this beauty, and age was only a number. Now with their hearts on the line, one knock at the door changes almost everything. Will this new twist make her flee? Will the age difference affect their relationship? Will “water puppy” 🐊 ever get out of the pool?

Sadie and Tyler are terrific supporting characters and I cannot wait for their story coming out next!! Tyler’s absolute devotion to be with Sadie from the moment he saw her is 🥵🥵 I love the nickname she has for him!!

Read more to discover this beautiful, crazy, unexpected love story! 💜


💖 Strangers to Lovers
💖 🔥🔥/5
💖 Reverse Age Gap
💖 He falls first
💖 Family Drama

[Ariana · Rating 1 out of 5]

One star for Sadie, because wtf was this trash???

I don’t even know where to begin. It was a really bad soap opera. Devon is a giant piece of cow dung. Rylee is 40 something but acts 17. Very immature and, I’m sorry, but 25 years and you haven’t moved on??? Chance is the stereotypical 25 year old male. Sadie and Tyler were more interesting than the MCs but the writing wasn’t great so idk if I’ll read theirs 🤔

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 2.75 Stars
POV(s): Dual—First Person
Relationship: M/F
Genre(s): Contemporary Romantic

❥

➸ This book just didn’t work for me; and I found myself skim reading by chapter four.

➸ I cringed when the twenty-five-year-old MMC said, ”Girls my age didn’t care about any of that. They wanted to go out to clubs and out on yachts. They wanted expensive bags, spa days, and dressy dinners at fancy restaurants and didn’t expect to pay for any of it. They expected you to worship the ground they walked on.” I hate this type of stereotyping in books! It’s a lazy plot device meant to explain why the FMC is the best option for the MMC.

➸ There’s a scene where the FMC’s best friend tells the MMC where to find the FMC (who’s out on a date with om) despite the fact that a) they had only met for the first time earlier that day, b) they only had one brief conversation with each other, and therefore c) she didn’t know the MMC enough to tell if he was a potential threat or not.

➸ This book seemed to prioritize the quantity of angst/drama over the quality of plot, characters, writing, etc. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as the angst/drama is the reason I at least skim read this instead of just DNF-ing.

❥

Title: “Slice of Temptation (Sugar and Scotch Duet #1)” by D.L. Darby
Interconnected Series: Yes
Standalone: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
HEA: Yes
Triggers: N/A
Tags/Tropes:
➢ Age-Gap (17 years)
➢ Ex’s-Son-Romance
➢ MMC-Smitten-with-FMC
➢ Older-Woman-Younger-Man
➢ OW/OM-Drama

[Megs: Knee Wall Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rylee is just surviving and trying not to get close to anyone after Devon did a number on her heart as a teenager. I loved the instant chemistry between Chance and her. And the way that Chance interrupted the Rylee’s date.

I’m glad that Chance had some very supportive and loving grandparents. It’s unfortunate that he was blamed for his outcome when it should have been just the actions of his father. I’m glad to see that he was nothing like him and that Chance was not afraid to stand up to him. I’m glad that they were able to have a civil conversation and maybe start mending that relationship.

Rylee and Chance’s story was so hot. The reverse age gap and plot twists were so much fun! I loved ever second of their story.

Sadie and Tyler- they are the best best friends. Always there when you need them and willing to scheme together to help each other out. And I am sooo excited for their story! Man, Tyler just doesnt give up and his him calling her wifey is so ballsy! But good for him.

The water puppy, Gary, and cat, Domino, where the dynamic duo that you didn’t know you needed. I’m so glad that D.L. Darby has some bookmarks and art of this scene.

Also I’m glad that Bill and Birdie found each other.

[Alexa Arvayo · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really tried to like this book but for some grown ass adults, they suck at communication and acted like children. Rylee kept pissing me off with her mixed signals and Chance lord

[Sienasummerrreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This follows Rylee and she dealt with heartbreak in her teen years from when her ex boyfriend from high school cheated on her and got her pregnant. This hurt her as she dreamed a future with Devon. It’s now twenty five years later and I open the door to find Devon standing before me looking for his son. But this is my boyfriends house?

This was a great read some of the spice scenes in here are rememberable. I found it fast paced and a quick read. I loved the characters and Chance is like an old soul with a mouth in the sheets.
Personally I like build up and tension which in this case as it’s fast paced it went really quick through character and plot. The family drama in this felt a bit childish when it happened. This also might sound crazy but a cat and a crocodile are best friends in this and I just thought it was strange dynamic.

If you love:

🔹Reverse Age Gap 17 Years
🔹High School Ex’s Son
🔹Family Drama
🔹Past Heartbreak
🔹He Falls First
🔹Great Spice

Genre/Type: Contemporary Romance 18+
APK: Physical / Audiobook
Pages: 205
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️.5
Series or Stand Alone: Duet book 1 in the Sugar & Scotch Series
Tropes or Themes: Reverse Age Gap & Family Drama
Check Triggers ⚠️

Romance Reader 
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Amazon Reviews 💫

[Cadyreaderofbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slice of Temptation by D.L. Darby

“It’s like you were fucking made for me.”

Rylee & Chance

I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I was when D.L. announced her second book. I fell so in love with her writing style when I read her debut novel Where the Flowers Bloom last year. While the two stories are different from each other one consistency is the character development and amazing plot. What I love so much about D.L.’s writing is how honest it is. It’s real, the characters are so genuine that you feel everything with them. I didn’t think Henry could be topped and while he’s still sitting high on the pedestal I put him on Chance climb up so quickly with his charming nature and his dirty mouth. There is a scene in this story that I haven’t read in any other book and it was so incredibly hot! I won’t divulge because I want you to read it for your self and thank me later. 😉
This is a reverse age gap, insta lust/love and to top it all off he’s her high school ex boyfriend’s son! 🔥 This was an easy 5 star read for me and I cannot wait for more to come!

5/5⭐️
3.75🌶️

Always Check your triggers.

[Crystal Meginness · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book! Age Gap Romances are one of my top fav tropes but this was the first reversed and I loved it a bit more. Probably because it’s more relatable as I approaching my 40s. So thanks D.L. Darby reverse age gap romances are my new favorite thing now. 🤪 I was very smitten with Chance and Tyler right off the bat. Adored Rylee & Chances story and holy hell that date had my jaw on the floor. I won’t spill the beans because you just have to read that for yourself. Sadie was just the best friend and exactly the kind of friend every girl needs! I can’t wait for book 2. This book gives you an excellent amount of Spice, laughter and is just downright a really fun read!

I also want to add that I love how D.L. Darby has taken events/inspirations from her actual life and shared them with us in her stories. There is just something in that that makes me fall even more in love with a story.

[Manda Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

When your heart is broken by the love of your life, what do you do? You harden your heart, ask your parents to move, and get a fresh start.
At least that’s what Rylee does, and 25 years later she’s content with her life. A best friend, a business she loves, and no relationships.
That is until the smug younger man starts to pursue her. Chance maybe younger, but that old soul makes Rylee feel things she never thought she would.
And what’s a woman to do when the ex-love of your life knocks on your boyfriend’s door looking for his estranged son? Well, read this to find out!

DL did a phenomenal job with this reverse age gap! I love Chance, love his pets, and I love the chemistry and story between Chance and Rylee.

This is book one and once you read this one, you’ll have a big guess as to who is next.

[Jessica Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just start by saying that I read this book in one sitting. From the start I was sucked in and didn't want to do anything else until I finished (I needed to know all the things). The amount of times I said "holy crap" throughout this book :P Rylee is just trying to get through life and not have her heart broken again. Of course Chance comes in and has to knock her off her axis and show her what a relationship can be. Come to find out there are multiple twists and turns that just keep you on your toes. There is plenty of spice throughout the book also. My favorite part is that it's a reverse age gap. I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to anyone. I can't wait for her next book to come out.

[Nicole (all_bookedup) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars
3 Chili Peppers

Tropes:

Reverse Age Gap
He Falls First
Insta Love

Reverse age gap dating ex's son...Yes Please!!! This book was so good.

I really liked Chance. I like that he knew what he wanted, and did whatever he could to get it. The banter and angst in this book are top-notch. This will make you laugh, wait until you get to "Birdman", get angry, swoon, and find your next book boyfriend.

I also have to add, I absolutely loved Gary and Domino. Whenever there are animals in a book, I just love it that much more!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book so much! Reverse age gap ✅ forbidden romance ✅ spicy 🌶️
This book checked the boxes for me! The author did such a good job writing a unique plot, that I never heard or expected and I was there for it!

Rylee was living through heart break and not wanting to be in a serious relationship after ex broke her heart.

Chance was a hot younger guy then fell into Rylees bakery.

Loved the plot twist, the spice and the dynamic between Rylee and Chance! Such a good book, can't wait to read more in this series!

[Sarah Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️!

I was blown away by this book. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I started it, but I was absolutely captivated by the characters from the very beginning. I finished the whole book in one sitting.

If you are a fan of a taboo romance, reverse age gaps and dirty talking men, this book is your next read!

I love that the younger MMC knew exactly what he wanted when he met Rylee and he was open, honest, and confident in that. While Rylee was more hesitant at first, she still communicated. I appreciate that while there were twists and turns throughout the book, they weren’t caused by simple miscommunication between the main characters.

The ONLY reason that it was not a 5⭐️ for me was because I wanted more of Chance and Rylee’s story. Their story could have held me captive for a lot longer!! With that said, however, this book is a must read!!! I am so excited to see what else DL Darby has up her sleeve for this series!

Highly recommend!

[xia · Rating 3 out of 5]

he cheated so she fucked and fell in love w his son 25 yrs later u go sister!!

[OneMoreBite]

3.5⭐️
父子修罗场部分很爽很好看，本来想打4星，但是后面的误会看得我很不爽😕感觉男主还是不够成熟，有点配不上女主。多出的0.5给女主

[Lesliesbooktok · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this story!!! Age Gap is becoming one of my favorite tropes! But a reverse age gap 🔥

🩷Reverse Age Gap
🤍He Falls First
🩷Insta Love/Insta Lust
🤍Golden Retrieve
🩷High School Ex's Son

"I gave you your space, and you had your time. Now you're f*cking mine, do you understand!

[Marlina is reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

当你发现年下小男友竟是前男友的儿子。
前面把我直接香迷糊了，后面有个情节不喜欢让我有点膈应。本来应该是一个完美的五星的。

[Cyrena · Rating 5 out of 5]

DL Darby has done it again! Once I started this book, I could not put it down. This story is spicy, dramatic, and enticing in all of the best ways. Her style of writing is easy to read, dramatic enough to keep you hooked, and my favorite part— is how realistic the story seems. None of the small details are lacking which makes you feel like you’re hearing the story from a friend.

The character development is strong and I found myself feeling like a part of Rylee and Chance’s inner circle. I loved the switch up of POVs making it easy to get the in on all of the juicy drama and heartbreak. Chance is desirable, loyal, and tenaciously driven to get what he wants and Rylee is realistic, but hopeful, sweet, but spicy, strong, but timid due to her past, and so. so. relatable. Neither of these characters are perfect, which makes them so easy to empathize and fall in love with.

I didn’t know how I’d feel about the reverse age gap, but now I am hooked. 😜🔥 I highly recommend this book to all romance lovers, suckers for age gap reads, and anyone who just wants a good book full of delicious spicy scenes, playful banter, and plot twists that will activate every emotion. I cannot wait to read more about Tyler and Sadie’s forbidden relationship! 😆🙈🔥

[KayeL · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly, Slice Of Temptation is again one of those books that had everything I like in a reverse age gap (drama, a confident successful heroine, a successful hero with an old soul and a story with potential, it even made me laugh several times!), BUT, I couldn't enjoy it ... something to do with the development of the story and its pace.
Got interested in Sady and Tyler' s story more, so I'll be checking out there story soon.

[Savannah Cherniwchan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this eARC in exchange for an honest review all thoughts and opinions are my own.

✅age gap romance
✅Business owners

I would gladly let D.L. Darby run me over with her vehicle and I would probably thank her for it! The book had me in a chokehold the entire time, I ate this book up!

If you haven’t read it yet, what are you waiting for?!

Also the plane scene 🥵🥵 could you imagine!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

"And if you want more, I will give you… everything."

Holy hotness, this was my first reverse age gap romance and I absolutely loved it! Rylee, 42, owned Sugar and Scotch, a bakery/café by day and bar at night, along with her best friend, Sadie. That's where she met Chance, 25, a landscaper hired to work on the outside of Sugar and Scotch. Attracted to each other at first sight, insta-lust and shameless flirting turned into so much more. Rylee and Chance shared such an intense connection but it felt as natural as breathing with a level of intimacy that was just so beautiful to watch. The 17-year age gap didn't seem to be a real issue until Rylee realized Chance's father was Devon, the boy who broke her heart 25 years earlier when they were 17 and he got another girl pregnant.... with Chance.

"Rylee was still my future, even if she was my dad’s past."

Sound complicated? Yes, but that's what made this such an emotional whirlwind in the best possible way. Chance broke through Rylee's walls, opening her heart to love again. Their love was all-consuming, sweet and thoughtful moments mixed throughout the steamy sinfulness. But other parts were truly heartbreaking and I wanted nothing more than for Rylee and Chance to find their HEA. I found Rylee to be so relatable, strong and independent but avoiding relationships in fear of getting hurt. Chance was deliciously perfect, relentless in his pursuit with a sexy possessiveness that kept me wanting more. He would have given the world to Rylee and I swooned over everything about him. I couldn't get enough of the spicy scenes and the skydiving date took them to a whole new level!

"It’s like you were fucking made for me."

Was there a future for Rylee and Chance? Chance wanted a better relationship with his dad but how could that happen with Rylee in the picture? The third act break was filled with so much pain and anger, vulnerabilities rising to the surface along with mistakes and regrets. My heart tore into a million little pieces as Rylee and Chance tried to work through their issues and I held my breath waiting to see how it would all play out. How much would they be willing to fight for what they really wanted? What would they risk for love?

"That’s what love is, Rylee. You put your heart out there, and if you’re lucky, someone gives theirs back."

Ultimately, this was a story about not letting the past control the present, embracing your feelings and opening your heart to the possibilities of love. I loved the flirty and amusing sneak peek at Sadie and Tyler's story, next in the Sugar and Scotch duet, and I know it's going to be epic! Sadie was an incredible best friend to Rylee just as Tyler was to Chance and I can't wait for them to give into their attraction to each other. And I don't want to forget about Domino, Chance's cat, and Gary, his water puppy, who both made this story so much more fun to read. D.L. Darby captured my heart with this book and I'm left with a smile on my face and a craving for caketails.

** Special thanks to author D.L. Darby for sending me this ARC to read and review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Quotes subject to change at time of publication. Available March 19, 2023. **

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a story of a heartbroken girl, Rylee Remmerson a senior in high school. She had decided not to allow the boy, Devon Eddison, a senior in high school, whom she felt had broken her heart, to continue to be a part of her life. He had betrayed her. At the very least she thought they were friends. Yet, he didn't even have the guts to tell her, to her face that he had cheated on her. Not him he let her find out at school on Monday by then the whole school had already found out over the weekend. This is from the guy who asked her to be his girlfriend when he was ten.

Plus, his family lived right next door. No, she achieved everything minus the love, marriage, dog, children, and white picket fence of her life goals list. However, she achieved going to Paris and wandering the streets, and eating at every boulangerie and pâtisserie she could find. And she did now own a successful bakery. But it's when she found out Cherie Johnston was pregnant that her world truly spun out of control. She was only seventeen when she found out. Rylee didn’t know what she had done in her short life to deserve the amazing parents that she had.

But all it took was a brief conversation with them, and it had been decided that they would leave Sandridge and move a few hours North. Rylee couldn’t bear to show her face back at school. She couldn’t stay and watch as Cherie’s stomach grew big with Devon’s child. The child that was supposed to be hers when she turned twenty-five, according to the life goals plan they’d made. (Rylee had big dreams, and he was afraid he wouldn’t live up to them. She wanted to leave after high school and travel to France.

She wanted to open her bakery in Sandridge and planned to make it so popular that she could open a few more in neighboring towns. She had a busy life planned. Every ‘T’ was crossed, and every ‘I’ dotted. She even planned their hypothetical kids. Their names, the years she wanted to be pregnant, and what months she wanted the birthdays.) Devon grew scared that he would screw it up somehow. Then he did, the night he spent with Cherie. Then one day, Devon came home from football practice and a moving truck was in Rylee’s front yard.

They were moving. Devon ran over and asked to speak with her, and her parents said, “No.” Now twenty-five years have passed, and we just see how small this world can be. Rylee meets the landscaper for the bakery, and there’s an instant connection and loads of chemistry. Chance Birchem, 25 was an old soul, and unbelievably handsome. All he asks for is a shot, and she says she can't because she has a date. Chance and Tyler Michaelson his best friend and business partner show up at Sugar and Scotch in hopes of making connections.

Sadie Tailor's best friend and business partner with Rylee knows her bestie has the hots for Chance. However, she has a date at Pascal’s with Birdman Bill, and she didn't have the heart to cancel at the last minute. Sadie told him the time and guess who tried to blend in, and it didn't work. Finally, after an hour of watching her torture herself, he rescued her. That was supposed to be their one-off, but that didn't happen their chemistry was just off the charts. Just when it was getting good to both got a shot from their past not pleasant to either of them. Devon. Such a good book. A must-read.

[Rachel Bohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating: 5 Stars
Spice Rating: 4.5 Chili Peppers

I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a spicy, fun and relatively quick read. This book has captivated me not once, not twice but three times!! I was never huge into age gaps, but D.L. Darby completely changed my view on them! I am eagerly awaiting the release of the second book in this duet!

Reverse Age Gap. InstaLove. Water Puppy. Skydiving. Forbidden love.

D.L. Darby delivers once again in the spellbinding story of Rylee and Chance. Rylee lives in a world where she heavily protects her heart and avoids serious relationships due to a devastating heartbreak at 18; one that was so bad it prompted moving out of town. As she gets older, she opens a Bakery by Day and Bar by Night with her best friend.

Enter Chance. He is young, sexy, and intriguing. He instantly falls for Rylee. After one night together, Rylee goes to go out on the patio by the pool, only to discover an alligator! Enter Gary, the water puppy! He is the perfect comic relief!

After some time together, Rylee lets her guard down, and begins to fall in love with Chance despite their differences.

Twenty-five years after Rylee flees town after her boyfriend's affair, he waltzes back into her life like a hurricane. He claims to be knocking on the door of his estranged son's house. But this was her boyfriend's house. Her much...younger...oh my GOD!

Rylee and Chance overcome some crazy adversity, some incredible sex (my jaw dropped so many times!) and deliver an incredible dynamic that will leave you rooting for them to the very end.

[Alina · Rating 2 out of 5]

i was so ready to like this book, thz premise was there : Rylee got cheated on by deavon when they were 17, then 25 years later she ends up with his affaire son?? HELL YEAH.

BUT unfortunately they were just a bunch of immature children, both the 42 year fmc Rylee, the 25 year old mmc Chace , her 43 year old ex / mmc's dad Deavon , their friends Tyler and Sadie ( also cheating on her husband with Rylee's encouragement with Tyler ).
everyone was so selfish acting like their actions don't affect other people, Rylee especially pissed the living fuck out of me most of the book, calling Chace young and childish and she's the most immature woman ever, spent 25 years wallowing in pitty after she got cheated on at 17, LADY GET THERAPY AND STOP ACTING LIKE A VICTIME FOR 25 YEARS FFS.
Chace wasn't any better, he wasn't an " old soul" like everyone kept saying he was just an immature dude who was into older women and haven't learned how relationships and communication work yet. his coping mechanism is avoiding his issues, getting drunk, trauma dumping on his younger ex and getting kissed by her.


* safety :
- cheating / owd : chace's ex kisses him after he spent the night getting drunk with her and telling her his relationship issues while ghosting Rylee. we don’t see him do it but hz said he pushed her away.
- owd2 : a week after he and Rylee broke up, Chace went on a date with ow who asked him out
- omd : Rylee's ex who cheated on her 25 years ago is Chace's dad with the woman he cheated with. he causes problems and jealousy, he also kisses her and she pushes him away and tells him to leave

[Shamaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sugar and spice and everything...naughty 😈

Talk about spice!

This reverse age gap romance was what insta-lust was made for.

Chance is the hot 25-year-old with an old soul who falls instantly for Rylie. Rylie, however, is the 42 year old still suffering from the effects of a heartbreak she suffered at the hands of her high-school boyfriend. She's built walls upon walls around her heart and doesn't intend to bring them down. She doesn't do relationships. At all. But that's all Chance is asking for. Her to take a "chance" on him. Their relationship is good and banter even better. And their "spicy time" is extra spicy. But Chance allows Rylie the time she needs to accept him into her heart. He's so patient and kind to her and makes her test her boundaries, and Rylie settles his old soul feeling, giving him what he needs from a relationship with someone. A partner and a friend and someone to match his vibe. And I love that about the two of them. I did think the fight at the end and the back and forth thing was really petty, childish, and annoying, but still, I love these two together. The Epilogue was disappointing, tho. I expected a more in-depth look into their future instead of just a couple of weeks later.

Overall, this book was quick read with all the plot slots hitting just right. Would definitely recommend it.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

🅢🅛🅘🅒🅔 🅞🅕 🅣🅔🅜🅟🅣🅐🅣🅘🅞🅝
By D. L. Darby

𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔~

Rylee and her childhood sweetheart breakup after he cheated in high school and got another girl pregnant. Fast forward 20 plus years and all these years later she has kept her love life surface level until she meets Chance who is younger but an undeniable connection they both feel. Everything is good until the ex and estranged father shows up.

This was an easy well paced read. I enjoyed both Chance and Rylee along with the best friends. Call me crazy but I liked the family drama that came from the dating the exs son along with the son and father drama that already existed. I also love the fact that we represent that it is OK to not want to have children as a choice. Chance with his old soul and dirty mouth and the spice. Skydiving 🙈fun!! He knew what he wanted and went after it. Rylee was a little undecided but being her age and her past pain I am positive I would have waffled as well.

Taylor, Chances best friend, was something else he made me laugh and I’m looking forward to his book next in this two book series. Overall a good easy read and if these tropes sound good I would recommend.

💄Cat Daddy
🤍Reverse Age Gap (25/42)
💄OW/OM drama (no cheating)
🤍Insta Lust
💄He Falls First
🤍Exs Son

[pageturners · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was honestly a little scared to read this book because of the TW; but I messaged DL and she explained to me exactly what happens so that I could go into the book without worrying about being triggered. Honestly one of the coolest things an author can do is make sure her readers mental health is in the right space to read the book & she 100% did that.

This books follows Rylee who is a 42 year old lady who owns a bakery & bar with her friend Sadie. She gets introduced to a 25 year old named Chance who will do anything to be her boyfriend. Her happiness with Chance is tested when she finds out that his father is her high school ex that had cheated on her and got his one night stand pregnant.

I honestly loved this book, Chance was swoon worthy, Rylee was reliable especially on the love aspect, the spice was absolutely perfect. DL has a beautiful way of writing and I personally really enjoy it and really get sucked into the book. The side characters were hilarious & I loved Domino and Gary.

This book gets 5 stars for me, not only was the book good but DL went out of her way to make sure that I personally felt comfortable reading her book and answered every question I had.