Tempting Sebastian

by J. Dylan

Jackson
I had one goal, and that was to gain my independence. I almost had it, until one night when I lost everything in an alley. Had it not been for Sebastian Moore, I think I would’ve died. He saved my life. Sebastian Moore. The guy no one knows anything about. He gives nothing away, not even a smile, but that’s all I wanted to do, was make him smile.

Sebastian
I had never truly known Jackson Hall before. He was a good worker and that’s what my business needed. Then one night, unable to stop my curiosity, I followed him. I wanted to make sure he was okay. He wasn’t, and I arrived just in time. He has suffered and sacrificed, but never known security. I wanted to be the one who made him feel safe.

*This book can be read as a standalone.

Genres: M M Romance

183 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 21, 2025

About the author

J. Dylan is a bestselling author of MM and MF sometimes sweet, but always dirty romances. She loves creating worlds you can feel in your soul. J. lives in her real life fairy tale with her own alpha. She's working on letting her hair go naturally grey, loves mascara, drinks a ton of coffee, watches reruns of shows from the early 2000's, when tv was at its greatest, and loves traveling.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/J-Dylan-Auth...
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jdylanauthor
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.-Dyla...

Reviews

[Marylou Menjivar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn’t love a MM workplace romance??

My heart is full with both of these men. From Jackson being independent and working towards his goal and even when life literally beat him down he saw the positive side of things.

Sebastian or Bash being the grumpy man that he is realizes there’s so much more to life than the way he’s been living it.

This quick read will make you fall head over heels and that HEA! LOVE IT!!!

“𝑌𝑜𝑢’𝑟𝑒 𝑎 𝑠𝑢𝑛𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟. 𝐴𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑜𝑢’𝑣𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ. 𝑀𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑜. 𝑀𝑦 𝑠𝑢𝑛𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟. ”

Thank you J. Dylan for giving me the opportunity to beta read 💕

[Shyandmoodreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute read y'all 😍 If you're looking for something quick and sappy, adding in a tiny bit of hurt/comfort as well as all the tropes listed above then I highly suggest this!

I love me an older grumpy man (daddy issues and I right? 🤣🫣) and Sebastian was utter perfection in that regards 😘 Jackson was also just so amazingly strong. Seriously, I wouldn't last a day in his shoes and to be so upbeat and as sunshiny (or in Sebastian's words a Sunflower) as he was, just astounds me 🥰. The romance was so cute. Sebastian & Jackson are absolutely adorable together, completing one another in the ways I love the most in any romance 💜.

It was such a perfect quick read to get me out of my head, and I'm so glad I got the chance to get an ARC 💯. It really is a cute read and I don't think you'll regret picking it up! It's more of a slow burn (but reads quick since it's a read) but when that spice hits, it hits amazingly 🥵🔥💥.

Definitely don't sleep on this new book, and I believe it's the author's debut full MM Romance and they did superb!! ✨💗

[Siân PJsAndBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, J Dylan & Nisha for my copy of Tempting Sebastian. This is my first book by J Dylan and I definitely going to be reading more.

Tempting Sebastian is a Grumpy Sunshine MM Romance written in Dual POV. Though there is a sneaky chapter from Quinn, Bash's Sister 🔥🫠🥵. I loved both Jackson & Sebastian, both of them made me rub my heart and I was definitely rooting for their HEA.

The epilogue absolute perfection, the decision they made 🥹😢. You'll have to read Tempting Sebastian to find out what got me in my feels.

Things I ❤️
🌻 Boss X Employee
🖤Grumpy/Sunshine
🌻Never Been Kissed
🖤Forced Proximity
🌻Age Gap
🖤Touch Him and 💀
🌻Major Angst 
🖤One Bed
🌻HEA
🖤 Dual POV (sneaky 🔥 Sis POV 1 chapter)
🌻 Epilogue 🥹

[Ana Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tempting Sebastian is a slow burn, grumpy/sunshine sweet story. Sebastian is a grumpy business man who always keeps to himself. Jackson is an always happy despite his adversities young man who after outgrowing the foster system lives in a shelter. Jackson is a happy go lucky kind of person, completely opposite to Sebastian’s surly personality. Their attraction is palpable but neither of them gives in first. After months of miscommunication and denying their feelings, they give themselves the chance to be together. Jackson found a home literally and figuratively in Sebastian and Sebastian found the sunshine to his dark mood. I enjoyed this story. It’s fast paced and low angst.

[Kaija · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good! I was so into the story I wasn’t paying attention to the time and almost was late to pick my kids up from school (don’t come for me I wasn’t late)

Sebastian is so protective of Jackson and I loved seeing how they interacted and even when Jackson needed to get out and get his independence Sebastian was still there for him, and that’s when their relationship really grew!

The ending did seem a bit rushed to me though that’s my only thing but the story itself was so cute and sweet I enjoyed it!

I was given an ARC but all thoughts are my own

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just got done with a dark romance and this was the perfect story for after. It gave me all the warm fuzzy feelings and a tinge of sadness. It was a good story, short and to the point. The plot was good and I didn’t think the books pace was too slow or too fast. It was angsty and had a bit of spice that made the angst worth it. The ending was great and made me so happy for both of the MMC’s. It was a beautiful story.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

fluffy mm read!

Jackson’s had a tough life, but he’s still so full of quiet hope and warmth. He works hard, cares deeply, and really shines in everything he does. Definitely a sunflower just like Sebastian calls him. 🌻

And Sebastian? Grumpy on the outside, soft-hearted on the inside. I’m a sucker for a protective MMC, and he hit all the right notes.

Loved the gentle build and the emotional depth behind the workplace dynamic. A comforting, feel-good read with just the right amount of heart.

[Suzanne McNeill Taviner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a lovely, quick read. Both Sebastian and Jackson were so oblivious to what was happening between them it was almost painful to read! But I loved watching their their feelings for each other grow and develop. And when they finally said their 'I love you'? Oh, it was so lovely!
Loved the epilogue too, just adorable.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super cute and fast paced. Pretty much a slow burn workplace romance for a novella. Also Jacksons past and what he had been through tugged on my heart strings but I love how Sebastian was there for him. There were a couple things that stuck out to me that I wish went a bit farther since this is only a duet but otherwise a good read.

[Anitaloves_her_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

MM
Short and fast read


I. liked the premise of this story between these two characters. I felt it needed to be a little longer. Jackson and Sébastien had good chemistry with each other. I just wish it was longer to give the characters more development and time to grow with each other.

[Kim Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It’s not very long and it is build fast but not too complex, perfect for getting into the story and getting to know all the characters.

[Mrs.bookdarlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

Cute, work place romance!

I just needed more!!!

🌶🌶🌶🌶

[Nedra81 · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a perfect and quick read! Sebastian and Jack were everything!

[Virginia Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

the angst in this book will draw you into the book one page at a time. while recoups he slowly starting too fall for host. you cant help but to cheer them on

[Alexandria Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew Tempting Sebastian was going to get to me the second Jackson called Sebastian “the guy who never smiles” and then proceeded to spend the entire book wanting to be the reason he finally did🥹🌻

This story is not just a romance.
It’s about being so used to surviving that kindness feels unfamiliar.
It’s about carrying loneliness so long it starts to feel normal.
It’s about someone looking at you fully, truly looking at you and deciding you are worth protecting.
Worth loving.
Worth staying for.

Jackson absolutely wrecked me. This man has every reason to be bitter at the world and somehow he still chooses softness. Still chooses hope. Still chooses to see light in people even when life has given him darkness over and over again. Sebastian calling him a sunflower?
“𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳. 𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩.”🌻

I had to physically put the book down for a second because that line healed something in me and broke me at the same time. And Sebastian… god. A grumpy man who has spent his whole life emotionally shut down suddenly realizing there’s one person he would burn the world down to protect.

The way he cared for Jackson. The way he noticed things nobody else did. The way Jackson slowly became home to him without either of them realizing it at first… it felt so tender and real.

This book reminded me that sometimes love isn’t loud.
Sometimes it’s:
🖤 making sure someone got home safe
🖤 noticing when they’re hurting
🖤 offering them space when the world has only ever taken from them
🖤 teaching someone that they deserve comfort too

And as someone who has spent a lot of their life being the “strong one,” Jackson’s story honestly made me emotional because you forget how badly people need softness until you read characters like this.

If you love:
🌻 grumpy/sunshine
🖤 MM romance
🌻 hurt/comfort
🖤 touch him and ☠️ energy
🌻 found safety in each other
🖤 emotionally checked out men learning how to love

Please pick this up immediately.

J. Dylan really created something special with Sebastian and Jackson. This story felt like a warm hand wrapped around a hurting heart.🤍💛

[Tiff (MaliciousReader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute MM read.

Jackson × Sebastian (Grumpy/Sunshine, age gap pairing)

I enjoyed the foundation of the storyline - workplace romance with employee / boss dynamic.

Jackson has definitely had a rough life but sees good in the everyday. Works hard and his dedication shows in both employment and life. A 'sunflower,' as Sebastian would say.

Sebastian, a kind hearted man, stuck in a grumpy complex. Always love a protective MMC.

It did feel rushed, so I wish there were a bit more with encounters to really allow the relationship to blossom between the two, authentically. The whole 'show, don't tell' aspect.

Adored the idea. Still enjoyed the read. Writing style took some getting used to!

**Thank you to Nisha’s Books & Coffee PR and the author for an ARC!**

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about angsty, this takes the cake! Oh it starts off ok but the on and off attraction between these to men could give someone an ulcer! I loved it! A fabulous, un-put-down-able read.

[Alex]

No Rating — DNF’d at 61%

I feel like the fact that I couldn’t get through the whole book (which is only 150 pages) is enough of a point on its own.

But trust me when I say really wanted to like this, and I genuinely think it started off really strong. But somewhere around the 50% mark it just lost me completely.

Jackson kinda goes through an abrupt personality switch around that point and within a few chapters feels like a completely different character. Sebastian also goes from like this broody boss archetype to just emotionally stunted idiot. Also, this really slow burn which I didn’t think was possible for a book thats barely 150 pages but like there was only 50 pages left when I threw in the towel and they hadn’t even admitted their feelings to each other. Which whatever, but then we get a random MF sex scene between Seb’s sister and his best friend. Which felt completely unnecessary.

And okay maybe I could’ve gotten behind it if this was a longer novel, but when you only have 50 pages left and your main couple isn’t even together yet nor have they really even communicated in the last few chapters….why then would you suddenly deviate to a different couple??! Like make it make sense!

This is the first work by Dylan that I’ve read; so I’m not going to write them off completely. Meaning I might give their other books a chance in the future but this one definitely just wasn’t it.

[Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jackson has been fighting for his freedom for years, he works, saves every penny so one day he can be independent and finally live in a place of his own. In the meantime, he lives in a homeless shelter, making it work and staying positive. When Sebastian, his boss, finds out Jackson has been homeless for the entire time he has been working for them he feels like he has failed his employee. And when he witnesses Jackson being beaten and robbed, he decides to take him in and help him back on his feet.

What I loved about this story was their shared heart for the work they do and the stories they preserve. The field trip that turned into an overnighter was so good, especially that part... And the dynamic between grumpy Sebastian and sunshine Jackson is just overall heartwarming.

I would have loved to have a little more in the end but overall the story was short, sweet and complete.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant, cute, and complete story. I love how their shared love for their jobs shown through the pages. The epilogue was so sweet, I wish it was longer. I really enjoyed Sebastian’s sister as a character, together they really gave off the sibling banter! A great quick read, not to miss out on!

[Tara Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY OPINION: This is the very definition of a slow burn, but it’s a sweet love story between an employee and his grumpy boss. You get a decent overview of the main characters, even though I would have liked to know them a little more. It’s a lovely story about a guy who feels a lot but refuses to address it, even with himself. Being grumpy is what he is comfortable with, and change is hard.

Sebastian is a good guy, and I liked getting to know him. Seeing that he broke was sweet, and kind was the best, and in the last few pages, you get to really see it. Since he allows himself to feel. Jackson is sweet, kind, and honest. He seems to have a tough past but not troubled; he avoids the pitfalls of the system and keeps picking himself up when he falls. It's a great story of perseverance; he, however, is just as bad as his boss, Sebastian, not admitting how he feels or going after what he wants.

There are a few side characters, but only the sister is really a part of the story, and it is a lot of fun to see her interact with both men. These guys eventually get there, falling into each other and finding exactly what they want. The whole story you are wanting them to get themselves together and plead for one of them to do something. There isn’t much spice, nothing until the last 25% of the book, the few scenes that there are work great with the story.

It’s a nice book that would be something you’d read in an afternoon at the pool or beach. Add it to your TBR list as a sweet, low-angst love story.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

I really enjoyed this book. At the beginning, it was a little jarring at how fast paced it was but I think I only felt that because I was coming off of a book that had a much slower, more drawn out pace.
The story starts out with Jackson Hall on the cusp of getting what he’s dreamed of his whole adult life - independence. Sebastian Moore is Jackson’s boss, and has let his business become his whole life. While the two of them work together, and have for years, they don’t know anything about the other.
When a tragic event occurs that suddenly has Sebastian caring for Jackson, the two don’t know how to interact in this new dynamic. They slowly find their groove until one night changes everything. The two are in denial of both their own feelings and how the other feels.
This book was very fun. It’s a very easy and quick read. I have been reading some books that are a bit heavier, but while this does have some heavier topics, it never felt heavy to read. It’s definitely high angst with slow burn but without feeling repetitive, too drawn out, or overly angst-y.
If you’re in a reading slump or need a palette cleanser, I recommend reading this book! There’s also some grumpy/sunshine, an age gap and a one bed situation if you want to read it for that too.

[Daryn Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tempting Sebastian ARC Review:

Sebastian and Jackson 💛

After Jackson’s boss Sebastian saves him from an attack that would have gone from bad to worse without intervention, Sebastian extends an offer to stay at his house while he recovers. They become closer as the weeks go on, with their mutual attraction becoming harder to ignore. How long until they break?

This was a short and sweet story with a grumpy boss and a sunshine employee filled with tension as well as heartfelt moments. Jackson was as Sebastian called him, a sunflower, just filled with a positive outlook regardless of how his life has been. Sebastian was his perfect grumpy counterpart who fights what he feels. I loved the storylines this book weaved in with their romance, which made me audibly say ‘AWW’ very often. This book was serious when needed while still being charming as it progressed. I had a great time reading this!

4/5 🌟

[Louisa Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story had everything for me, I couldn't stop reading it. Jackson has never really had anything for himself he found a job he loves and is passionate about, working hard and saving as much as he can to make a better life for himself.
Sebastian is Jackson's boss, he's grumpy and set in his ways until Jackson calls him out on it and he realises he doesn't really engage with the world he's built. When he works late one night and sees Jackson getting on a bus he decides to follow him and see where he's going, when he realises that he's going into a homeless shelter and he knows nothing about his employees Sebastian decides to do better.

These characters just need each other but it's not an easy journey for them, they both avoid conversation and definitely take the long way round but it's a beautiful journey and I loved every moment of it.

[VicReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

🖤🌻 𝚃𝚎𝚖𝚙𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚂𝚎𝚋𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚊𝚗 🌻🖤
𝚋𝚢 @jdylanauthor

🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆

4/5 ⭐️

↓↓
I loved Jackson, he has had a tough life but that doesn't bring him down. He motivated and dedicated to improving his life and being independent.

Sebastian was definitely a grump until Jackson came in to his life. He really made some great changes that will have a good impact in his business and his employees.

This was such a quick cute read.

𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 / 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥
🖤Grumpy/Sunshine
🌻Never Been Kissed
🖤Forced Proximity
🌻Age Gap
🖤Touch Him and 💀
🌻Major Angst
🖤HEA

[Ella Aileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read, which I think made it hard for me to connect to Sebastian and Jackson. It felt like I maybe read more than saw their relationship develop? Things happened in the background and the reader had to trust that the relationship was developing, which I think for me is just not my favorite way for a plot to develop. But I did like Jackson's resiliency and Sebastian's intense care. I wish maybe the book has another hundred pages to build the relationship more. I would have loved to read more about the antique store!

[Cath · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow-burn romance between an emotionally guarded employee, Jackson, and his grouchy boss, Sebastian. While Jackson is sweet and resilient, both struggle to express their feelings. A small supporting cast, including a fun sister, adds to the dynamic. The story builds anticipation as you root for their romance.
It's a heartwarming, low-stress love story.

[CCReadsBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a grumpy/sunshine trope and this was THE DEFINITION.
This was my first book by J Dylan and I am a major sucker for the name Sebastian so i was ALL IN. I really enjoyed both the character dynamics and the storyline which was SLOW BURN but also felt fast paced. I liked how the author showcased show quiet tender moments and I will be ready for the next from this author!

[Annelise Lugo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

This is a cute & quick MM read! It was a little rushed & too fast paced for my liking but it was good!

🌻 boss x employee
💼 grumpy x sunshine
🌻 age gap
💼 forced proximity
🌻 never been kissed
💼 dual POV

[Srish · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good but a lot of it felt rushed and unfinished. The characters were awesome, the storyline too was great