Tempted

by Sandra Alex

Two billionaire tycoons. One murder. An arranged relationship gone wrong. And a bribe meant to fix a mistake...but it turns into the most powerful love in the family’s history.



On the outside, it looks like Malcolm takes me for a fool, but I know better. Being an engineer, you learn how things tick, including people. And while he tries to convince himself that he doesn’t like me, there are...things that tell me otherwise. Sure, he’s as sexy as hell, and he doesn’t even know it. And that’s half the problem. The other problem is that I like him, too. But when tragedy strikes and Malcolm is muscled into something, the last thing either of us needs is each other. And then his past life comes back to haunt him. Luckily, I have a few tricks up my sleeve to get him off the hook...



***



One crazy. Steph is nuts. One minute she’s got eyes for me, the next those eyes are daggers. Then she finds out something about me, and try as she might, she can’t stay away. Curiosity killed the cat, as they say, and that’s nearly what happened. If it wasn’t for my Uncle Dougall wanting things for me that I don’t want, the answer would be much easier. But when Steph learns about the cruel arrangement, she finds a way to help me. All this while a killer looms in the family. All this while one of the most powerful storms in history hits our state. All this while Steph makes more sacrifices that risk everything. And then she does something that answers everything...an eye for an eye...

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2025

About the author

Sandra Alex is originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, and immigrated to the United States in 1978, to attend an intensive English course in Iowa City, IA, with additional training in transcription of spoken recordings, book editing, and English-Portuguese-English translations. She then moved to Los Angeles, where she currently lives with her husband. An entrepreneur turned creative writer, Sandra worked for ten years towards the publication of her first book while raising a daughter, starting up and running a successful software business with two partners, and consulting for major television studios. Currently, Sandra runs the small production company, Shoot to Film (www.shoottofilm.com), and has launched Livre Press, Inc. (www.livrepress.net) to support her career as a self-publishing author.

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book five in The Harris Brothers series and it is Steph and Malcom’s story and it is definitely a must read. This book starts where the previous book left us on a cliffhanger when Steph and Moira’s granny is found dead in bed at the nursing home so now they need to find out what happened and who did it. The attraction and chemistry between Steph and Malcolm is so strong and the more time that they spend together and even though they constantly argue and are always at each other’s throats there is no denying how much they want each other so now things have become even more complicated for both of them. When Steph and Malcom are stranded together in a hurricane they eventually give in to the chemistry between them and when they come together it is totally explosive but will it turn into something more especially as Steph is a powerhouse in her own rights and don’t want or need a man to compete her life but when Malcolm’s past arrives back in his life will it destroy everything that had built between Steph and Malcolm and leave them losing everything that they didn’t know that they wanted and deserved. Steph and Malcolm are so perfect together and for each other and because they are both strong minded people will they realise in time that they were always meant to be together and you start to wonder what the outcome will be for them in the end. I absolutely loved this book with all its twist and turns along with great characters, drama, suspense, hot chemistry and situations that will have you turning the pages and unable to put this book down. Just remember that this series are not standalone books and you will have to read them in order but you will not be disappointed.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Malcolm Harris' story. It's full of fierce push and pull with strong emotions from both sides. Stephanie is a self-made success story and lothes the idea of needing, shoot - even really wanting "A" man. The stubborn determination clearly demonstrated by both parties seems to make them a perfect match, if they could co-exist for 5 minutes without arguing. Cue the most perfectly played forced proximity situation of recent history.

Still...

Malcolm's history and family dynamics are intricately woven into these pages and stand to threaten any possibility of addressing the tension between he and Steph. With truths, feelings, and true objectives all being held close to the chest, all the key characters will need to be on their toes if they hope to keep the real storm at bay.

Overall, I enjoyed Malcolm and Steph's journey (though the constant jabbing got to be a bit much). It grows the arc that carried on from Desired, minimal as it was. More to come there? 🤷‍♀️ Admittedly it wasn't my favorite of the series, but certainly worth reading (if even for continuity purposes). I did receive a gift copy of this book and my review is voluntary. Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[Heather Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tempted is the fifth story in the Harris Brothers series. The story is beautifully written, well balanced and perfectly executed by Sandra Alex. She continues to prove to me what a brilliant author she is with each book I’ve read by her thus far. Tempted is quite suspenseful and a page turning billionaire romance. Tempted follows the adventures of Steph and Malcolm. I absolutely enjoyed getting to know these two characters as well as seeing the feelings they have for each other grows stronger as their story progressed. The chemistry between Malcolm and Steph is undeniably irresistible and absolutely breathtaking. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who loves reading billionaire romances. I’m looking forward to reading more phenomenal romances from this author in the future.

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

[Alex Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sandra really pulled out all the stops with this one. Sometimes when I'm reading a book, I feel like jumping into my kindle and slapping the main character. This book was one of those, but only because I could tell from word one that there was something there, but the characters kept denying it.

Stephanie isn't afraid to speak her mind and her "friend" Malcolm thinks she's crazy. They are at each other's throats non-stop even as friends (we could all use a friend like Stephanie) until one-night forces them to confront each other with no way out.

Loved the confrontation and even more loved Steph's gumption when it came to someone trying to screw over someone she cared about.

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

[Jen B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Malcolm and Stephanie's story. These two characters are more alike than different and it causes the oil and water effect when they are in the same room. A series of events begins to change how Malcolm and Stephanie see one another and their chemistry is working in overdrive. Malcolm comes to Stephanie's rescue and Stephanie finds a way to come to Malcolm's. All ends well on this front but something is still brewing when it comes to the video. Enjoy!.

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

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Granny is found dead in the nursing home. Was it murder? That is how this awesome story begins. It captures you and holds you until the end. Steph and Malcolm work together to find the answer, even though they are at odds constantly. Steph is a self made woman, independent and fierce. Malcom has secretly crushed on her but she resists the pull. There are so many twists in this story that it will have you wondering how they can ever reach their HEA. This is another awesome Harris Brothers book.

[Crystal Junebug · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was a fun one. It is a fifth book in the Harris Brother series and just like the first four books, this one had a great storyline. I don't know why, but I love it when the FMC and MMC find themselves bickering almost constantly in the beginning of the story and Malcolm and Steph definitely do a quite a bit of that. There's plenty of twists and turns in the story and it is a short enough read to get through it in a day. I love this entire series.

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

[Charmaine Nouwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tempted :Harris Brothers Book 5..Enemies to lovers romance story of Stephanie and Malcolm..She is a hard worker, engineer who owns a business andf the man whom she love and at the same time love their up and downs emotions towards each other is interesting,he become her protector and vice versa when his past came back to make chaos but steph is smarter than her and thwarts her..An interesting,entertaining,with ups and down with family drama and romance..

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

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tempted is Book 5 of the Harris Brothers series. It's a steamy, frenemies-to-lovers, forced-proximity, romantic suspense. This is Malcolm and Steph's story. We pick up after book 4 when Steph's grandma is found dead on the nursing home. These two work together but fight each other every step of the way. The snarky banter was funny, the chemistry was hot, and the ending was happy in this roller-coaster ride.

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

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful love story that drew me in and had me all caught up in Steph and Malcolm as they fight the battle that keep coming before them. It picks up from the previous book and segue ways to Tempted. It is filled with thrilling twists and turns that had me connecting with these two. It is descriptive, well written along with dynamic characters.

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

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steph and Malcom's story was great, I could hardly put the book down and finished it in one go.Great story with alot of steam .







I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Narelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malcolm and Steph are both such strong characters, perfect for each other. With plenty of chemistry, suspense and drama this book will keep you reading as part of the ongoing family series.

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

[Noreen Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of her best. Most of the time it was one person having a go at another person.
Not really my style of book.

[Jacquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!

[Bookaddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m torn about this book.
I like the story (and all the series), but zi really dislike Steph - it’s like a bipolar person, not knowing what she want or why she want it. Or don’t want it.
She can’t decide if she want Malcolm or not, and when he want her, she ask herself why, and what to do.
She redeem herself in the end, with Clare.
And now I have questions: about Clare and her motives, about Rush…
And I wonder if I get these answers.

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