Flayed Temptation: Dark Fantasy, Demigods and Dragons

Temptation Chronicles #3

by Diana Noire

What’s it like to be immortal?
With the power to toy with mortal lives, Isha, the goddess of the underworld, watches from the shadows, yearning for the one thing she can never truly grasp—the fleeting beauty of love. Replacing her eternal boredom with one year of adventure shouldn’t harm anyone.

What’s it like to be the most feared man?
Accused of murdering his siblings for the throne, Auren is a king shrouded in darkness. As the master of the last living dragons, his reign is unmatched in power and terror. Yet, is the crown worth the price of a soul forever damned?

They say love can rise from the ashes. But what if the flames never cease, destroying everything in their path?
Some secrets may be too dark and devastating to ever see the light.

----------------------------------------------
Book #3 of Temptation Chronicles - the series of interconnected standalone
~ High fantasy kissed by dark romance
~ Persephone retelling
~ GoT vibes
~ Hidden Identity
~ Slowburn

377 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2024

About the author

Who am I?
I am an ordinary person who loves escaping the reality and getting lost in a great book!
An avid reader, hiking freak, doggie mom, and a coffee addict.
I have a master degree in finance and economics, but my true passion is writing fantasy.

I am a romance writer, crafting stories that span from sweet tenderness to dark steaminess.
I am a creator of strong heroines who kick butts and refuse to bow to submission.
I am an explorer of diverse tropes, avoiding pitfalls of repetition and cliches.
I am a storyteller, drawn to the allure of morally grey characters, forbidden love, or enemies-to-lovers dynamics.

I am Diana Noire and my mission is simple:
To touch your hearts through my tales and sweep you off your feet with the magical realms I create.

Reviews

[Makenna Moffat · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆☆☆☆ 3.5 but rounding up to support the author

If you throw out that it's supposed to be a Persephone retelling it's a good book. Maybe I missed it but I just didn't get Persephone anywhere in the story. It reads more like a bully romance, like Zodiac Academy.

There were a few parts that I wasn't a fan of. I don't feel like any man, let alone a king, would keep a diary, let alone call it a diary. He'd call it a journal. He's a king for heavensake not a 12 year old girl. There are some monologs that can be pretty cringy, but the story itself is nice. I love the way that the Dragons are connected to the royalty, I haven't read something like that before. The Gods and magic are a great touch. The end felt rushed, which makes me sad. I would've loved the ending to be a little bit longer so that you get some detail. It feels like you get through the whole story just to have it cut off so that it can end. It's a nice read, it just wasn't my favorite.

[Mariaan Belinfante · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I was totally captivated by the multi faceted character of Auren, portrayed as a ruthless, arrogant , bloodthirsty king, but his diary writing revealed a total different side to his personality. The volatile, passionate attraction between him and Isha was riveting and piping hot. The dragons, especially Ura, trying to claim Isha as a possession, stole my heart. The growth of the characters, e.g. Sareh displaying a much stronger backbone, cleverly conniving with the sea king, left me in awe not to forget the rebirth with the help of Kala. I was mesmerised from start to finish with book 3 containing such intriguing twists beside the diversity of the characters. Diana, you outshone yourself once again.
I received an advanced reading copy for free and leave my review voluntary. Thank you BookSirens.

[Emerald Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far I'm leaning towards a 4.25 but that's subject to change. Review will be up later!

Okay

So I am torn between a 4.25 and a 4.5 so we're just going to round up here for ease. Thank you to the author for the ARC, this book was truly an adventure.

The beginning dragged for me, but once the plot started plotting it was quite interesting. I felt no emotional connection to the characters, but I don't think it was necessary to have a good reading experience.

My only real issue with this book is the ending. Yes, wayyyyy better writing than the beginning. However, I'm now left wanting a novella of the couple's happily ever after. I want to know how the dragon and Ren got reunited without bringing on the wrath of the God of Death.

Overall, really good, was just left wanting more.

[Gabby Wentworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

a slow burn fantasy with dragons, goddesses and a past that affects the present and future greatly.

i’m gonna be honest i felt no emotional connection to any of the characters. i thought this story line was really good but it was just alright. i loved the dragons i wish we got more of them but they kind of hung in the background the entire time. and what was with the necromancer? she kind of just popped in and popped out. said maybe 4 lines.

overall, read at your discretion.

[sam | sammylou.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounding this up to a 4.

Auren was such an ass at first, but I loved him anyway 🚩👩‍🦯

THE DRAGONSSS 😍 I loved that the dragons were tied to royalty, I thought that was super unique. The world building was also great.

I LOVED the journal entries!! Such a unique way to get a glimpse of Auren’s POV.
When Isha slapped him and he wrote “𝙄 𝙛𝙡𝙞𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙖 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙥 𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣.” LOLLL

This is a fantasy world with somewhat modern dialogue, which is fine - I don’t mind that at all, but it was a little inconsistent at times. The ending also seemed a little rushed? I wished we got more from the epilogue.

I still really enjoyed it though and I think it’s a great palate cleanser. I do plan on reading Caged Temptation soon!

“𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙧𝙪𝙚𝙡𝙩𝙮 𝙬𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙢𝙚.”
“𝙊𝙝, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤, 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙮𝙚𝙙.”

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆:
🔥 Dark(ish) Romantasy
🔥 Dragons
🔥 Demigods
🔥 Hate to Love
🔥 Morally Grey MMC

Thank you so much to Diana Noire for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Christina Yau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another ✨✨✨✨✨🌶️🌶️.5 read from Diana Noire. This is the third book in a set of interconnected standalone books and it was truly spectacular and my favorite this far!

This book focuses on Isha and Auren. A goddess and a king with a ruthless reputation with some darkness. The chemistry between the two is passionate, dangerous and dark. There's rules that must be followed but what will the consequences be if not followed. Other characters two dragons Ura and Theron are equally important as their parts play an impact on the story!

The world building is always beautifully crafted and has me awww struck with how I can picture it!

If you love dragons, goddesses, kings, darkness, enemies to lovers, magic, curses, betrayal, spice, mystery and just having your feelings all over the place this is a must read!

[Sienna Zini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book from cover to cover. I don't want to give too many spoilers so let's just say the world building is amazing without being overwhelming (I'm not a big fan of lengthy descriptions) and the characters are so relatable! The bit of mystery adds another layer to the story and the spice is so so good. Loved everything this author wrote but Flayed is now my favorite. And Auren... I want one. Where can I find him 😁? Ah, and did I mention the dragons? No I didn't!!! I want them too!!!

[Ashinherbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flayed Temptation* by Diana Noire is an exquisite journey into the shadows, where love and darkness entwine in a tale that is as mesmerizing as it is heartbreaking. From the very first page, I was captivated by Noire's masterful storytelling, where every word seems to dance on the edge of a blade, cutting deep into the reader's soul.

The story of Isha, the goddess of the underworld, is one of profound loneliness and desire. Despite her immortality and power, she is haunted by the one thing she can never truly possess—love. Noire’s portrayal of Isha’s yearning is both poignant and raw, making her a character who is impossible not to empathize with. Her decision to trade eternity for a year of adventure is as reckless as it is relatable, driven by a desperation to feel something beyond the cold void of her existence.

Then there’s Auren, a king burdened with unimaginable darkness. His reputation as a ruthless ruler who commands the last living dragons is both awe-inspiring and terrifying. Noire paints Auren as a complex character—an anti-hero who, despite his fearsome power, is deeply scarred by his past. The weight of his crown is heavy, and the accusation that he murdered his siblings only adds to the intrigue surrounding him. The question of whether the throne is worth the price of his soul looms large, and it’s a question that keeps the reader on edge until the very end.

The chemistry between Isha and Auren is electric, igniting a passion that is as dangerous as it is irresistible. Noire doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of their relationship, and it’s this unflinching exploration of love and pain that makes *Flayed Temptation* such a compelling read. Their love is born from the ashes, but the flames that fuel it are anything but gentle. There is a ferocity in their connection that threatens to consume them both, and Noire’s ability to convey this intensity is nothing short of extraordinary.

What truly sets *Flayed Temptation* apart is the way Noire weaves together themes of power, betrayal, and redemption. The world-building is rich and immersive, filled with dark magic, ancient curses, and dragons that feel both mythical and terrifyingly real. The plot twists are as sharp as a dragon’s claw, keeping the reader hooked until the final, devastating reveal.

In *Flayed Temptation*, Diana Noire has created a dark fantasy romance that is both epic in scope and intimate in its emotional depth. It’s a story of gods and kings, of love and loss, and of the eternal struggle between light and darkness. If you’re a fan of dark romance and fantasy that doesn’t shy away from exploring the shadows, this is a book you won’t want to miss. *Flayed Temptation* is a hauntingly beautiful tale that will linger in your mind long after the final page is turned.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book three in the series and the stories just get better and better.

The storyline is so beautifully crafted and the worlds we visit very believable. It really all rings so true. In this book it is Isha's turn to be the FMC from the original book one cast. It is a wonderful love story with interplay between Isha in Flammara, with her sister, Dinaz and the underworld.

The supporting MCs for this outing are the King of Flammara, Blood King Auren, his would-be queen in waiting Sareh and another. If only there had been a real connection between Sareh and Auren this could have been an interesting love triangle, but instead we have an enemy to lover story which works so very well.

Under the rules that allowed Isha to be in Flammara it was so difficult for her to truly allow her to be herself and interact as she wanted, add into this the fact that her time was limited and she did not want to hurt any of the MC's when it was time for her to return to her true home. But as you read on, you know that this is not going to work out, and the rules will be broken - and that there will be consequences.

Also playing starring roles are two dragons, Ura and Theron. As you learn about them, there positions in the society of Flammara and beyond and their links with their human counterparts the balance of the storyline shifts and changes. They have a pivotal part in how everything develops, and also how things end. They have their own true love story within the pages.

As for the spicy element of Flayed Temptation. Diana Noire does not hold back, and the scenes that play out are full on and beautifully balanced to everything going on in the story surrounding them at the time.

I for one could not help myself from falling for the emotions of the lovers, their stories of their own lives and their reasons for being how they are. But it is not all plain sailing for them and there are the consequences that they must both face for the breaking of rules, and their actions as the story progresses.

The end comes all too quickly as I felt like contacting Diana and begging for more chapters. But the end that we are presented with is very unexpected and powerful. I was in tears for a lot of the winding up of this tale, but fully satisfied. There is a wonderful cliffhanger, and a hope that The End is not to be The End and that we will meet all the characters again going forward in this series.

So, I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of this book and allow time to be captured and sit down to read in one session, because it will not let you go.

My final comment is roll on book four and I hope we will get a Five and six?

[Celine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read the ARC of this book!

I did enjoy this book and the ending was way better than the start.

I did know what I was getting myself into and I've read dark romance many times so I'm not new to morally gray characters. However, with how the MMC acted during the first third of the book, I did not like him at all and he did not feel justified. He felt hateful, not cold or distant like many morally gray MMCs are, but just bad and he felt justified in whoever he hated any why.

After having read the full story and getting the full picture, I do understand why, but I also wish he had been more redeemed than he was. I didn't fall in love with him the way I'd hoped, the way I usually do.

The content wasn't super dark which made this book easy to take. I did love the two female characters though. The FMC is very clearly a woman of power, while she does have to give in in certain situations, as many of us do, she refuses to take anything silently. If she disagrees, you'll know, if she loathes you, you'll know. She's very outspoken.

I do also love the second romance in the story, I fell for those two and maybe there story is part of the series, I'm not sure. But this story fell a bit flat for me and I so wanted to love it and the main couple. I did like the ending though, it helped redeem the book for me. I also did really enjoy seeing into the MMCs mind through the diary pages and you could glimpse a bit more feeling from those pages.

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

"She sees through me like one sees through a paper scroll against the bright sunlight, unearthing the flaws that lie buried beneath the surface. And in her gaze, I am laid bare, stripped of the armor that shields me from the world."

I am in awe of this masterpiece. This romantasy had me obsessed, and I couldn't get enough of it. The romance, the raw emotion, and the magic were laid out in such precise detail. A goddess of the underworld takes her sister's vision as an opportunity to live one year of adventure in the mortal realm. Isha did not expect to experience everything she did. Auren is a king nicknamed The Blood King from his reputation of his past. Accused of murdering his siblings for the throne, he is ruling with so much anger alongside his dragon, Theron.

I had never read an interconnected standalone series before, but I am definitely need to read Book 1 & 2 after reading this one. Anything I say won't do justice to the beautiful writing in this fantasy story. Magic system, character development, fairytale creatures, and the slow burn, enemies to lovers romance all intertwine beautifully to create this poetic story. I felt the pace of the story was great, and the ending was just perfect.

Diana Noire has a mesmerizing way of telling a story with her poetic writing and attention to detail. I went through a rollercoaster of emotions reading this as there was always something happening. This is definitely a book I recommend reading!

[Sarah Konieczny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Spice: 2/5 🌶️

Overall Flayed Temptations was a wonderful read. Twists and turns galore, enemies to lovers, dragons, magic, and a strong FMC who doesn’t take anyone’s BS and calls it like it is — what’s not to love?

So, why not 5 stars? Because this book was marketed as dark romance and, to a dark romance connoisseur, it didn’t really hit that vibe for me. Someone new to this sub-genre might find this book a wonderfully safe level of dark, but I wanted to crank up the volume on that. There are a couple of heavy topics discussed during flashbacks, but the current time of the book doesn’t contain anything I would feel the need to flag as a trigger warning.

The tension leading up to the spice was fabulously delicious, A++ there. The spice itself was fairly sparse and unfortunately many of those scenes started strong and then faded out leaving the reader to fill in the blanks. I wanted more when it came to the sensations the characters were feeling rather than a more play-by-play approach.

At the end of the day, none of my gripes would stop me from recommending this book to my friends. I greatly look forward to more books from Diana in the future.

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Eve W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a slow burn, but I enjoyed the journey. Great world-building, dragons, magic, and enemies to lovers. There are spicy scenes, so here is your heads up if it’s something you enjoy or prefer to avoid.
There were some things about the main male character (initially) that I did not entirely love, even as a morally gray character, but that is a matter of personal preference and not a knock on how great this story was. There were also some aspects of the storyline that you are left with questions to, nothing that ruins the story or takes away from the book overall however, I would have liked some more answers. I will mention that this is the third book in a series, with each book a stand-alone story, so perhaps the answers - not specific to the main storyline – are answered there or in a future book.
I loved the strength and character of the main female character. There was great character development and I found myself drawn in by the story. I plan to read the other books in this series and am mostly left with a desire to spend more time with these characters. I recommend picking up a copy and checking it out for yourself.

[Lexi Havener · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not one to rate a book 4-5 unless it's a darn good read and all I can say is oh my gosh, I loved it!
It is a slow burn with a wonderful storyline. I was honestly a little afraid it wouldn't completely satisfy my book heart as it's not a super long read and it's a stand-alone series but the author did so wonderful with putting detail into every page drawing me in more and more and finishing beautifully.

It doesn't have a ton of Dragons intertwined into the story but the dragons definitely play a huge role to the storyline!

I cried in two parts of this book so I definitely felt connected to these characters. Auren is misunderstood & incomplete, swirling in his own darkness from his past and Isha is his complete, swishing him from the darkness of himself. At first I didnt like Sareh as she seemed childish until I realized she just has a pure heart.(cannot say much more to them without spoilers)

I would rate it 🌶 spice. There is world building, which I love!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Andrea Troester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frist of all, I'd like to say that I enjoyed reading this book. There were a few roller coasters and a hand full of parts that drug a bit, but were worth it for the plot.

The beginning seemed kind of distant and disjointed while giving some background for the story and world building. It was unique how the author did this, but I prefer learning about these things as I get into the plot so that I can connect better. With everything handed to me on a plate at the beginning, it was very overwhelming and hard for me to remember. I also felt like I was introduced to the main character, Isha, in the same manner. So it was hard for me to connect with her until the latter half of the story. I also wish there was more description of what Isha looked like in her human form... maybe this was for the reader's creative control? Preferences.

I thoroughly enjoyed Auren. Not just how delicious he was, but also glimpsing into his mind through his diary. That seemed raw and exposed him further in way of depth of character. It was a unique way to include his POV.

The one thing that kind of threw me, and I'm still undecided about, is the use of modern terms and sayings. Especially when describing the spicy scenes (which were pretty good, regardless, I might add.) Sometimes the slang or spice didn't match the vibes, though.

Over-all, the story was solid and included a lot of twists that I absolutely did not see coming! I will definitely keep this one in the read-every-once-in-a-while pile as I enjoyed it - and think if a dark(ish) romantasy with dragons and demi-gods is your thing, you should read it, too!

[MsV · Rating 4 out of 5]

I made 206 bookmarks & highlights reading this. Two hundred and six….for a 377 page book. I have no regrets. LOL This story is technically book 3 of the Temptation Chronicles but they are a series of standalone stories. No cliffhangers! Although I am excited to read book 4. So there was a lot of fantasy aspects. I was hooked pretty early on. Reading Auren’s diary had me ROFL. Auren was a morally gray but maybe not dark gray type of person, if that makes any sense. Isha was my girl though. She had experience and it showed. She didn’t turn into a damsel in distress that needed to be saved by the morally gray love interest. The plot was very interesting with all kinds of surprises, some more disturbing than others. I definitely recommend reading the trigger warnings although the triggers were mostly reflections. This was an original story that didn’t jump of the band wagon of other fantasy stories. I highly recommend!

[Allyse Reinauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lord help me I could not put this book down.
True to the rest of the series we are taken on a wild ride in a completely different direction than where we were last, with some familiar characters along the way. Each story in this series is so unique in style, setting, themes, but still manages to carry the same thread of magic that she weaves through each tale.
This was a true fairytale with dragons, knights, kings and castles, but it wouldn’t be complete without the glimpses into the paranormal. I love how she pushes the envelope making for an exciting and unique read.
This one was a little less spicy imo but still had some heat. Auren had quite the mouth on him for a king!
And an honourable mention to the telepathic sister banter - on point.


I received a complimentary advanced reader copy of this book and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[bookishescape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!!

This story is so painfully but in the same time beautifully written. It's really heavy on emotions. And I can promise you it will make you cry.

If you liked first book, Masked Temptation, then you will love this one also. But don't be scared this one actually has hea but you will need to work for it!!

Also when I already mentioned first book can we just stop for a second and appreciate the way authors writing changed. Now I'm not saying that first book was badly written, but this one is sooo much better. It has so more details, tensions are suffocating. It's more vivid. Once this writing grabs you it won't let go that easily. And at the end you will end up begging for more (just like Auren did🤭).

All in all, love it and can't wait for next book in series. And that teaser!!!

⭐️5/5
🌶3/5

[bookish.thingz_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! I literally couldn't put it down! The author has a remarkable ability to engage her readers and I'm eager to read her other books.

The storyline was straightforward yet featured a unique plot that kept me guessing. I adore when I can't foresee the twists and this book delivered in that regard, keeping me engaged the entire time. It definitely brought tears to my eyes a couple of times🥲

Kudos to the author for crafting such unexpected twists and turns that had my heart racing! I was also fascinated by the dragons and found myself wishing there was more of them. I really appreciated experiencing Auren's perspective through the diary he kept, it deepened my connection to his character and added a special touch to the narrative.

Overall it was an incredible read! This was my first book by Diana Noire, and it won't be my last!

[Britni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great book that had me enthralled. I loved the slow unraveling of Auren's true nature in his journal entries, showing that he isn't truly a horrible being. My only complaint is that some transitions from scene to scene were rough and a bit jarring. An example of this is when Isha was found where the young prince was imprissioned in the forest. It took all day to find that location but the forest folk cleared the way back to the castle to where it took no time at all.

Another part is how the world's magic works with the dragons laying eggs when a new member of the royal family is born. I'm very curious to know how it all fits together, but explanations in the book were vague or not present.

Also, the spicy scenes were very spicy and enjoyable to read.

[TiaJade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flayed Temptation follows Isha, an immortal demi-god of the underworld, as she goes on an adventure to the mortal realm. She finds herself the chaperone to the Blood King's wife-to-be, but finds herself wanting him.

I enjoyed the plot, I thought it was fun and unique. I enjoyed the writing style and the spice was absolutely amazing. I found myself not wanting to stop reading.

Unfortunately, the ending wasn't what I expected, and I felt it didn't fit with the rest of the story. I think if the ending had been longer, with less time jumps, and more explanations of what was going on and why, it would have been more suited to the end.

[Jesslynxreay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic. This is my first book I’ve read from this author and I’m so happy I did, I loved it. I like the style of writing, the conversations between characters, the powerful banter between the two main characters, the tension and romance. Most of all I loved the story, I found it so fascinating. Isha leaves the underworld and finds herself involved with the king who seems like a bad guy, there’s a decade of family problems/bad history, issues with the inhabitants of the world, problems with the land… there’s dragons, magic and a necromancer. Anyway, I think the story was fantastic! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶

“𝒴ℴ𝓊𝓇 𝓃ℴ𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽ℴ𝓊𝓉 𝓎ℴ𝓊𝓇 𝒹𝓇𝒶𝑔ℴ𝓃𝓈．𝒴ℴ𝓊’𝓁𝓁 𝒷ℯ 𝓇ℯ𝓂ℯ𝓂𝒷ℯ𝓇ℯ𝒹 𝒶𝓈 𝓉𝒽ℯ ℬ𝓁ℴℴ𝒹 𝒦𝒾𝓃𝑔，𝒻ℴ𝓇ℯ𝓋ℯ𝓇 𝒶𝓁ℴ𝓃ℯ“

𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤(𝐢𝐬𝐡) 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐲
𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧
𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐬
𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐨𝐝𝐬
𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞

I received this book early in exchange for an honest review.



👑This was my first time reading this author and I was not disappointed. This is book 3 in an interconnected standalone series. Rest assured, I will be picking up books 1 and 2 as well.
I am always a sucker for the hate to love troupe! I loved that Isha was intelligent, strong willed, and mature. I really liked how Aurens POV was expressed through diary entries..definitely a nice change. The world building was done well, and the side characters were likable. And of course, dragons!! There were tears at certain moments, and that ending gave me goosebumps.👑

[Sandra Sanches · Rating 5 out of 5]

"From dragon’s roar, wrath takes flight.

On dragon’s fire, death dances bright.

In dragon’s eyes, greed finds its night.

Yet in dragon’s heart, envy and pain burn with might."

This book is a fantasy lover delight,Diana Noire outdone herself!

I liked the two first books but this one I loved,kept me so enthralled in the story that I couldn't stop reading until the perfect end!

Well written with rich settings, a captivating and complex plot and characters well developed that catch your heart from the beginning!

[ChapterChaser1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 stars is what I wish I could give this book!.
Beautifully written, the author does her magic and pulls you in from chapter one, the start of this book reminded me of how fairy stories in our childhood start .
If you like being transported to a new world this is what this book will do to you, enjoy the banter, the sass of the female character( ilaria I must admit is probably my favourite character from this series).Auren is a very complex character, I disliked him at the start but read on to see what you think of him and find out if I changed my mind about him.

[Notyourmomsshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 3 in the Temptation Chronicles takes us on a reverse Persephone retelling, with Isha, the goddess of the underworld, traveling up to the mortal world as she yearns for more.
This book was exciting from the get go and gave so many interesting but well done side characters. It had hidden identities, dragons, GoT vibes and more. I started it in between some of my other reads thinking that l'd just get it started to stay on schedule and couldn't put it down.
The ending was such a cool twist and I enjoyed every minute!

[Nyghtengale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flayed Temptation is a very emotional ride. My heart was with Isha in her travel through Flamerra but there were moments I wanted to punch her. Auren was a true villain and any feelings softening toward him from Isha you felt right along with her. A critic I will make is I would have love to seen more of the dragons and their interactions with each other, but as a dragon girly that is always a critic. Please if you have not tried the Temptation Chronicles I highly recommend it. Pour yourself a glass of wine, a charcuterie of you choice and enjoy the ride.

[Ragnhild Hynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read the first two books of this series as they are standalone novels, but I think I might do so after reading this one.

It was a great read! Period. Perhaps not as dark as it was marketed, and maybe not as spicy as I would have preferred, but still particularly good.

The right number of descriptions to build an interesting world, but not too much making it an overkill. My favourite trope is enemies to lovers, and Isha and Auren did not disappoint.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
Another amazing dragon story! Oh man, they were just so hot and they had that temptation! Auren, oh my. He was just perfect in my books.

You have these two Auren and Isha, their chemistry was off the charts. Both so different l, yet so perfect for one another.

I loved the story line and how Flayed Temptation portrayed. You got the dark romance, the spice, the dragons, the drama, betrayal from a few, and that undeniable spark. There were some of the characters I enjoyed reading about. I did wish it had more dragon scenes aside from Auren.

[Ashley Boggess]

This was my first read by this author, and let me just say, she has a reader for life outta me. I loved the twists and turns and that slow burn!! The FMC, Isha, is a twin amd a Demi Goddess who wants to go the mortal realm where she meets and saves Sareh who is to be married to the grumpy, mean hateful Auren. But fate has her own idea and keeps Isha and Auren crossing paths. The secretly love/hate relationship they have going on. The ending was perfect, I thought it was going in a different direction, but i am so glad it ended the way it it.