Tempting Tess

Serenity Mountain #8

by Cassie Colton

Devastated, destitute, and depressed Tess Ramerez is struggling to keep her taco truck, her only livelihood, afloat after the death of her beloved grandmother. Despite her financial and emotional situation, Tess does all she can to help others--even a young man who's embroiled in danger with a perilous gang. When Tess is injured in an attempt to save him, she has no trust in the medical field or the money to recover.

Retired Navy SEAL Noah "Taco" Whitaker puts his life on the line for others, facing off against sinister criminals for Serenity Securities. He finds solace in the spicier things in life, sexy women and scrumptious foods. And tacos top his list. The fiery, spitfire who owns his favorite food truck and keeps him on his toes with her spicy personality is an added bonus to his palate. But when a dangerous gang infiltrates their area and Tess is hurt, he'll do anything to help her. Getting her to agree to heal on Serenity Mountain is one of the toughest challenges of his life. Can he find a way to convince Tess to trust him or will tempting Tess be harder than taking down the gang who threatens them all?

408 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2024

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come meet the amazing people of Serenity Mountain, this story had me mesmerized. I love this story and the series, I couldn't put it down.

[Mrs Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 8 of the Serenity Mountain Series. While you can read all of books 4-8 as an interconnect series, I highly recommend reading them in order. It helps to build the characters and set the stage.

In book 8 we follow Taco and Tess. We have met Taco in previous books and I loved him from the start (I mean, his call signal is TACO). Tess is a little kiddish and doesn't trust easily. She has had a lot of loss in her young life and doesn't want to be hurt or experience loss again. Can they find a way to be together?

We know that Taco has been looking for Tess for at least the last book. He is looking all over the surrounding cities and towns. Finally, he finds her and coincidentally, so goes the gang she is running from. I love that Taco gets to be her hero right away and while she is grateful, she barely cares. She is independent and wants to be on her own, not rely on ANYONE. The book world needs more strong women who know what they want but can also be persuaded to love a cinnamon roll man.

I received a free copy of this book via Cassie Colton and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cassie Colton has created a beautiful world on Serenity Mountain, and I wish that it was an actual physical place that I could move to. Tess is a woman who doesn't trust easily, and yet, she is willing to help anyone in need even if it puts her in the middle of something dangerous. She owns her own food truck that she's struggling to keep going, and an assistant who she's protecting after he finds himself in the crosshairs of a dangerous gang. Taco is a retired Navy SEAL who lives on Serenity Mountain, and he loves this food truck & is even crushing on Tess. He finally gets his chance to be in her life when she's caught up in the gang stuff, but she definitely doesn't trust anything medical LOL! He's doing his best to keep her on Serenity Mountain, as there's something there between them, however, he's in the fight of his life because she's got a different plan. I LOVED every minute of this suspenseful story with twists coming in hot. There's action obviously, but there's also a ton of intense feels & even a ton of humor that had me laughing. I'm so addicted to this series so I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've stuck with this series because I've loved the concept that Cassie Colton has been trying to create with the Serenity Mountain family and this book, number 8 in the series, has absolutely given me everything I've waited for.

Tempting Tess is well written, beautifully thought out, and so overwhelmingly emotional that you're not sure whether to laugh or cry. You have the story of Tess and Taco, which is a fiery concoction of highs and lows with suspense and drama aplenty. Then there's the continuation of Kassie and Chase's story with our evergrowing and amazingly loving Serenity Mountain family that gives you the 'feels' as well as the comic break throughout as true family always does.

This world is imaginative, but I SO want to live in it with this chosen family because Cassie Colton has created a place where love really does protect and conquer all. I'm fearful of what is teased for the next release, Christmas on Serenity Mountain
and have a few ideas about what's in store for the future releases after, but if they're as good as this one, I know I'll be there for the ride.

[Tesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tempting Tess by Cassie Colton

I just loved this book. Action, drama, emergencies and a delightful romance.

Tess is a Taco food truck owner and when she and her assistant Jose were being held up, operator Taco stepped up to help.

Tess and Taco were an amazingly romantic couple. Stubborn as ever Tess fought against a great deal in offer to her from the Serenity Mountain family, but soon learnt they loved her just as much as Taco. But it was their chemistry that I enjoyed, fights, making up, fears, and misunderstandings that made up their relationship.

So well done, I really loved the way this was written and how easy read it was.

But it is the team spirit and the support network amongst them all that I truly enjoy. Fantastic book I highly recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Cassie Colton and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lana Humphress · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tess and Taco and lovestruck with a kick of spice. (LOL)

This IS a delightful tale of Taco and Tess? This story has totally captured my heart. With Taco’s obsession with Tess’s amazing tacos, it is just too adorable. When she suddenly disappears, Taco is left in a panic, and honestly, who wouldn’t be worried? The team can't help but tease him, knowing full well how smitten he is with her and how often he frequents that taco truck! This book is a fantastic mix of humor and suspense that keeps you on your toes. I literally couldn’t put it down—I devoured every single page because it’s just that good! I found chapter 30 to be extremely full of humor and laughed so hard I couldn't breathe. You need to grab this book and the rest of the series; trust me, you won’t regret it! Hats off to you, Cassie Colton!

[Becky Hensley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was expecting Tess and Taco's story but with this book we got so much more! We got more of Cassie and Chase's story but of course it all interconnects together because they are one big family! I love the whole family aspect of these books! I love Tess and Taco's relationship and getting to see them grow together. She is stubborn and doesn't want to accept help from anyone. She has a hard time trusting but soon realizes that the whole Serenity Family wants to help her and support her because they consider her family just as much as Taco. Love this whole series and I can't wait to read what's next! 100% recommend this series!

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 8th book in this phenomenal series, and this is Tess and Noah / Taco’s story.
Tess is devastated, destitute, and depressed after her grandma’s passing, and she is struggling to keep her taco truck, and her livelihood. Taco is protective off Tess, after dangerous gangs infiltrate their town and she is injured.
This is a well written action packed, emotional roller coaster, with found family, friendships, danger, suspense, intrigue, engaging and realistic characters, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, tragic, unpredictable, and captivating page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay where do I even begin with Taco and Tess story…. This story has got to be one of my favorites. Taco has always been obsessed with Tess’s tacos and when she up and vanished Taco was worried cause he didn’t know what happened. The team thought Taco was crazy cause they knew he liked her and gave him crap cause how much he would not only talk about her but was a frequent flyer at the taco truck. This book has humor and suspense. I devoured this book cause it will have you turning the page cause it is so dang good. If I could give this book 10 stars I definitely would. Get your hands on this book and all the others in this series you won’t be disappointed. Way to go Cassie Colton.

[BecReadReview · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this family not of blood but of choice. So many brilliant characters you immediately adore & the underlying pair that work as the back bone for this crew. I enjoyed Kassie & Chase steps forward in life while holding people they love dear. Taco & Tess definitely bring sass, banter & laughter as they battle their feelings & danger. Cassie absolutely wraps you up in warmth as you read. Loved it! Honest review.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a lot of different scenarios going on in this book. Read and Taco of course, Kassie and Chase on their trip to Ireland, and the gang still after Jose. Danger, illness and near death situations. You'll need tissues and plenty of prayers. I received a free copy of this book via Cassie Colton and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vievie2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taco had been looking for Tess for a while and when he found her, he didn’t expect danger. Tess didn’t trust easily and didn’t open her heart despite wanting to belong to a family. Loved how persistent Taco was and seeing him vulnerable and ty e guys helping him was just great. All in all, a good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Cassie Colton and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this story, loved the chemistry between Taco and Tess. loved Taco and Tess's story, it was nice to see their relationship grow. It was also nice to catch up with the others from Serenity Mountain. Looking forward to what is coming from this series

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a part of the "Serenity Mountain" series but can be read as a stand alone read. There are connected characters. The story is about Taco and Tess. Their heartfelt and emotional journey includes suspense, insecurities, vulnerability, drama, love and much more. It is really a great story!

[Liz Craft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tempting Tess is incredible..

Tempting Tess has all the feels. Joy, sorrow, laughter, anger, pain, and also it shows just how family...whether it be blood or by choice...that when one is hurting everyone rallies around them to help and keep them safe and secure. It's a must read.

[Kristi Malloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Taco would go to Tess taco truck every Tuesday. The gang was after Tests and her helper. This was a really goo story.

[Tracy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the way the story unfolded. The story and characters were well written. Great from beginning to end.

[Laurie Gyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

so good

Tess struggled against the zip ties and searched for anything sharp to cut through them. It didn’t help she lost feeling in her feet and hands.

[shirley beavers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serenity

I Love these Serenity Mountain books!!
I love all the characters and their stories. Along with the awesome puppy dogs.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spicy

Cassie Colton provided us with suspense and even laughter. Loved the antics between the guys and between Taco and Tess. What a great story!