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Sweet Torture: A Best Friend's Dad Series

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What happens when you accidentally send a text to your best friend's dad that was not meant to be for his eyes?

Elona, who is eighteen, is on the cusp of a new chapter- her final year of high school. A dream she has her sights on becoming a model. But beneath her confident exterior lies a secret crush on someone unexpected- Mr. Crane, her best friend's father.

Three years ago, after the tragic loss of his wife, Mr. Crane, a painfully handsome man, stands as a hardworking billionaire, a symbol of both success and unspoken pain. His world intersects with Elona's through her best friend, their shared street, and his friendship with her dad.

One fateful day, a slip of a thumb changes everything. Elona accidentally sends Mr. Crane a series of revealing photos intended for her best friend. As he sits at the boardroom table, he receives the unexpected images. His gaze lingers on the screen, he has a choice to make.

Will he confront the accidental message, risking a fragile friendship and potentially igniting emotions neither anticipated?
Or will he grapple with his own desires in silence, seeking a way to navigate this uncharted territory without disrupting the lives around him?

402 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2024

38 people are currently reading
133 people want to read

About the author

P.L. Waites

9 books34 followers
PL Waites is a serialized and indie romance author specializing in forbidden romance. She began writing at the age of 15 and has since expanded her work to include poetry and children's books. Known for putting her characters through emotional turmoil, PL Waites ensures readers experience a whirlwind of emotions in every story. In addition to writing, she is an avid reader by night, always eager to support fellow authors in the literary community.

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5 stars
31 (42%)
4 stars
17 (23%)
3 stars
7 (9%)
2 stars
12 (16%)
1 star
6 (8%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Mandy Valentine.
41 reviews2 followers
June 9, 2024
The Dedication is *chefs kiss* . PL Waites explains that the simplistic writing that you see in her books is based off inclusiveness. She wanted to have the book be one that everyone could get sucked into the story, making it an easer read for people who struggle with dyslexia while at it too.
Elona is a high school senior who knows what she wants, both in men and her career as a model after she graduates high school. Her crush becomes a knowing want after a few glances one day after school, and finds out that her feelings are reciprocated but trying to be kept hidden.
Elona's best friend Cris lives just houses down and also knows what she wants for her career path; a journalist, just like her late mother who passed 3 years prior.
They both make friends with Spooky who is living a tough life growing up. All 3 of them having at least one thing in common, losing their mother's at such a young age.
Elona and Cris's dads, who are like uncles to eachothers daughters, go out together to have some fun; one bringing back a women for a night of fun, the one bringing Maggie back? Elona's crush. Maggie is a whole other story, one that you end up having bad feelings about as the story unravels itself.
Elona eventually gets her crush, and Tristan, Cris' dad finally opens up and shows his longing for her back completely. Secrets though, always the secrets that are hard to keep up with, making sure both sides keep story's straight.
Tristan is an overprotective boyfriend. Pretty much in a stance of touch her and .... and is constantly almost getting them caught, as they wanted to keep them a secret until after graduation. He also shows he cares about her a little too much to others, but finds ways to spin it so it seems like just overprotective Uncle.
Spooky gets the brunt of the overprotective bit while helping Elona with her portfolio; mean while, it is also helping his to becomec a photographer. That is until he shows he's not interested in Elona, but someone else.
Through all of this Tristan's company also gets hacked, and whoever it is, is doing a good job of making sure they can't be found but is teasing them with small breadcrumbs to antagonize them. One can only assume who it is, but there are at least 3 people in play that you may question as the story goes on.
At the end, a big secret comes out, leaving us on a cliffhanger, one that you may feel coming on as you read through the chapters and interactions. So many questions unanswered leave the readers wanting wanting more, and I cannot wait until the next book to the series comes out!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1 review
July 7, 2024
On a random Thursday, I came across this masterpiece. 2 months later, I became the Arc Reader for this gut wrenching, thought provoking and squeal worthy romance.

The dedication of this book, invoked a feeling of going on, discovering who Tristan Crane is, beyond the sentences crafted on pages of ivory. With each page, each plot twist, the feeling to come across the end of the book became certainly more and more active. The entire journey I mapped through the course of reading this book, feels like an unfathomably great experience. Each time Elona and Tristan touched, made out, fought or even looked at each other, you could feel the intensity of their romance radiating in a huge surplus amount.

Although, certain pages do feel extremely low and boring, but yet another plot twist comes along and picks up the enthusiasm again. Certain plots, are definitely not clearly my forte or my type, yet the book clearly succeeds in keeping me heavily invested!

Elona is portrayed as a head strong woman, raised by a single father is a great concept. And the way, her knees fall weak, and her inner fire exhausts whenever she's with Tristan, proves that everyone needs someone who can protect them.
Tristan on the other hand, is portrayed as an excessively emotional man, which in today's masculine society, is something less appreciated. A gentleman who knows how to treat any woman, be it his girlfriend or Maggie, the person he nearly hates, compliments his kind personality.

And when fire unites with water, a fierce romance of forbidden desires is born. This romance, is going to be one of my favourite for a very long time.

The carefully curated settings, characters and of course the events all left me in a flabbergasted state. I myself, am a huge admirer of forbidden romances, but 'Sweet Torture' set the bar so high up, I'm afraid very few authors will be able to cross it. The ending leaves me craving for more, I am stupefied by the manner this book has made me a desperate being for the very series.
All the very best to PL Waites for all future endeavours as she has gained a reader, that will always stick along.
A must read for it's an amazing roller coaster of love, betrayal and definitely forbidden romance.

Lots of love,
Shi
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Samantha.
125 reviews
December 28, 2025
Please note that this is my opinion on how the book made me feel and it is not about the age gap, everyone was of legal age and there were no hidden agendas that would send up warning flags.

In Sweet Torture, you are introduced to Elona, and 18 year old girl finishing her final year before heading off to pursue her dreams of becoming a model. Cris is her best friend who happens to have a very attractive father. Tristan our MMC, is Cris's father.

This was an easy read, overall I read it in a solid sitting of estimated 6 hours total. There was a lot of info dumping, repetition and being told how the characters were feeling rather than being showed. There were also a few inconsistencies that made me go back to double check what I read.

Profile Image for M.W. Nel.
176 reviews1 follower
September 17, 2025
Please note I’m only one reader and this is just my opinion.
This was an easy read though I do feel the novel could’ve been shorter as a lot of times different characters were just repeating the same thoughts, conversations and ideas.
Overall, I felt there was too much info dumping and telling me how the characters were feeling rather than showing me, which made it hard for to me connect with any of the characters or have sympathy for them.
I’m not a fan of instant love and it was proven once again with the sudden attraction Elona had to Cris’ dad when mere second ago she said she just had a crush on him.
The characters kept on contradicting themselves where in one breath they’d say something like where Cris said she wouldn’t push her father to date but then in the next breath she told him to date again.
I also had a hard time believing Elona wanted to be a model since her actions when she was taking photos with her friends contradicted the confidence she was supposed to have as a model.
The hopping between tenses pulled me out of the story a lot.
I love myself a good age gap but this just read ick because we as the reader were still reminded that Elona was 18. Tristan was supposed to be like in his late 30’s/early 40’s yet he acted like an insecure 16 year old.
This read more like the two main characters were just there for the sex rather than the emotional connection one would like to see in a relationship between two main characters.
Overall would’ve liked more depth from the characters.
Profile Image for Summer Waters.
273 reviews24 followers
July 11, 2024
*BOOK REVIEW*
BOOK: Sweet Torture
AUTHOR: PL Waites
REVIEW: Let me start off by saying that I'm glad my book/author bestie let me take part in this! I started it on Wattpad and was extremely disappointed when it was removed because I was close to finishing it, and now I was finally able to do that! You're the absolute best, sweets! ❤ Now, for the short plot explanation. We follow Elona as she's ready to take on the world and move on to the next chapter in her life. She has a HUGE crush on her best friend's dad, and he reveals he feels the same after she sends him a sexy photo that she meant to send to her bestie. The thing is, there's a significant age gap and Tristan is her best friend's dad. They know they can't and shouldn't be together, but their attraction keeps drawing them towards each other, it's almost like they're magnetically bound! Will their forbidden love ruin Elona's friendship and cost Tristan a relationship with his daughter? Will they be willing to risk it all in order to be together or will they keep from giving in to the inevitable? This book is an immediate 5 star. I finished it and shouted "5 fucking stars!" I love a good age gap story, I love a best friend's dad romance, I love forbidden/taboo romances, and this book checked all of the boxes! I can't wait to read the next book that P releases! ❤
RATING: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Profile Image for Lucinda Vermeulen.
12 reviews2 followers
September 10, 2025
Sweet Torture is a dramatic romance with heavy emphasis on forbidden desire, emotional turmoil, and interpersonal tension. It blends teen/young adult coming-of-age elements (school, friendships, modeling, family drama) with a darker, taboo-infused romantic undertone. The story moves between moments of teenage relatability and heightened emotional stakes, keeping readers curious about where loyalties, friendships, and desires will ultimately collide.

It falls into the niche sub-genre of dark/forbidden romance with YA crossover appeal, which can be polarizing: readers drawn to high-drama, angsty love stories will find it addictive, while those seeking realism, subtlety, or moral boundaries may feel uncomfortable.

It is a bold, dramatic, and emotionally charged romance that thrives in its niche of taboo attraction and teenage turmoil. It’s not for everyone, but for readers who enjoy that genre, it delivers exactly what the title promises, a blend of desire, pain, and irresistible tension.
Profile Image for Melissa V.
15 reviews2 followers
July 7, 2025
DNF at 30%

I went into Sweet Torture fully aware that it would explore taboo themes, and I’m no stranger to dominance/control dynamics in dark romance — when it’s written with depth and intention, it can be powerful. Unfortunately, this one missed the mark for me.

The level of control the male lead exercises goes beyond possessiveness into something much more toxic. Forbidding someone from pursuing their dream job, dictating what they wear, and isolating them from friends isn’t dominance — it’s grossly controlling and unhealthy. It didn’t feel romantic or redemptive, just uncomfortable.

Additionally, the writing itself was difficult to get through. Many sentences felt awkward or disjointed, as if the book had been translated poorly from another language. The dialogue lacked natural flow, and the overall tone didn’t land for me.

This one just wasn’t for me — I’m all for taboo and dark, but this felt more like a walking red flag than a compelling romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Carissa.
52 reviews2 followers
September 13, 2024
I was really hoping to like this book since I love supporting indie authors. However, I was disappointed. I struggled to finish it. I thought the characters needed to be developed better. Tristan was my least favorite. Elona got a little better towards the end. I was finally feeling some empathy for her and the writing in the last chapter seemed to get better too. Also, a lot of the dialogue seemed forced and not believable. I wish the book hadn’t ended on a cliffhanger. I enjoy cliffhangers at the end of chapters, but I like the storyline to have some kind of conclusion at the end of the book. Overall, will I read another book by this author? Maybe. It does seem like the writing is improving so book 2 might be better.
Profile Image for Bernie.
70 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2024
This book ....

It really had me al over the show, first of all Tristan suggested they keep their little unconventional relationship a secret and lie to their families about it...

Then he uses her little white lie she told him (about still being a Virginia) against her when he broke it of with her... I mean come on dude ... don't point a finger when u are standing behind the door!

But in all honesty PL Waites has done an amazing job with this book, it has a great story line and it keeps you reading as you want to find out what will happen next...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Crestina Besario.
16 reviews
July 3, 2024
As a enthusiast of a much more older guy I am really loving this story. I mean I love the age gap romance.. it's like the universe conspire for Elona and Tristan being in a relationship.. I like the idea of Tristan giving Elona the time and the opportunity to reach her dream. There might be an obstacles but love wins. As for Elona,I love the fact that even if Tristan is successful and a stable partner she didn't see it as a privilege to have a princess like status instead she made her way up to be a successful model and create a name on her own. 👏👍😍
Profile Image for Robyn's Library .
74 reviews2 followers
February 26, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! I love how simple and easy to read it was, sometimes all you need a book that you can enjoy without thinking to much. I am looking forward to book 2! The ending of this book makes me want more!
Definitely worth the read💕

Book: Sweet Torture
Series: Yes, book 1
Author: P.L Waites
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Rating:🌶🌶

💜Tropes: Single dad
Best friend's dad
Age gap
Forbidden
Possessive MMC
Slow burn
Secrets
Angst
Billionaire

⚠Trigger warnings: Car crash mentions
Endometriosis mentions
Profile Image for Ashisha Sewpal.
113 reviews2 followers
July 10, 2025
This is an age gap romance between an 18 year old Elona and her best friends dad, Tristan.

After accidently sending a message to Tristan meant for her best friend, the two realise their feelings for each other. They both have to navigate this new relationship while keeping it under wraps from their respective best friends.

This was a good read. I enjoy the age-gap, best friends dad trope. The book was well written and the characters are well developed. There is also character growth in the book.

Looking forward to book 2.
Profile Image for Chloereads.
64 reviews
August 19, 2024
Something about a grown man having a crush on he’s daughter’s best friend rubs me the wrong way .
It was truly hard to read Tristan’s pov and read about Elona through his eyes, *scoff* 😭😭😭that’s literally a 18 here old 😭
Not to mention your daughter’s friends.
But anyway… that aside I actually enjoyed this book tho it made me cringe, I get it. Who doesn’t have fantasies above being with an other guys that wears an Armani suit!!!
236 reviews4 followers
August 28, 2024
Elona is finishing up her high school career and has a massive crush on Tristian, her best friend's dad, who is also her dad's best friend. Tristian falls hard for Elona after trying not to, but it's not all sunshine and rainbows. P.L. Waites takes you on an adventure filled with happiness, laughs, and heartbreak. This book captured my heart it will be one of the books I read over and over again.
Profile Image for Taylar Norton.
13 reviews2 followers
July 16, 2025
I DNF’d it. I wanted to like it so bad because she was a fellow kindle group girly. I like more taboo themed books, BUT it wasnt written with enough depth for me to like Tristan. He was just creepy. I know that he is a best friends dad, but the story line HAD SO MUCH potential. I think she misted the mark.
1 review
September 23, 2024
This book is an excellent book I’ve read it 4 times now !!
I have to say it’s my favorite book. The more I read the more I want more of it! Definitely worth the read and the author is so sweet and cares about her fans !
Profile Image for Odette.
27 reviews1 follower
May 16, 2025
I didn't think I'd enjoy an age gap romance as much I did this one. This was beautifully written. You have Tropes such as best friends dad, age gap, and billionaire romance.
I can't wait for the 2nd book to be released, because there are so many questions I need answers too hahaha
Profile Image for Rheanna.
2 reviews
July 14, 2025
While I was not a fan of the way it was written or the way the author didn't give much description of the characters, I'm still giving it five stars. The story was amazing and the ending made me cry. I hope the next book comes out in paperback soon because I want to see how this ends.
37 reviews
June 18, 2024
Wow! Couldn’t put this one down! P.L. Waites does a great job painting every scene vividly for the reader. The age gap was definitely exciting. Can’t wait for book 2 to come out.
Profile Image for Honey.
21 reviews
July 12, 2024
I'm really speechless 😶 the all I can say is that, I'm in love with this book. 💓
From writing to the story plot, everything is just perfect. 💝
5 reviews
March 30, 2025
jUST....NO. I try hard not to judge a book by it's cover but I should have in this case...
16 reviews
April 1, 2025
I would be shocked to find out this WASN’T written by AI
Profile Image for Maria.
24 reviews
May 1, 2025
so good!

This book Definitely held my interest the entire time! I absolutely Loved it and recommend it. 10/10, can’t wait to read the next
Profile Image for S.D Lilith.
9 reviews18 followers
August 23, 2024
Okay, can we all just take a moment to appreciate this rising author and her amazing skills?
One of the things I love about this author's books is that she writes in such a way that everyone can read and understand her work.
The characters feel real, more like people you know than characters out of a book, and I love the sense of realism.
This is another book that I will highly recommend
Profile Image for Katie Antkowiak.
258 reviews6 followers
July 2, 2024
Honestly couldn’t stop reading. Girl into her bestfriends dad? Kinda cringe but also kinda hot. Will timing or some of the challenges they face keep them apart?!? I cannot wait for the next one to come out, I will DEVOUR it to find out what happens next.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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