Edge of Temptation

The Saints of Westmont U #1

by Hayden Hall

He was my first sin. My first love. And he’s about to ruin me all over again.

Easton

Some men ruin you slowly. Others break you all at once.

Jace was never supposed to be in my life again. Not after what he did. Not after they took him away.

But he’s here, standing in my doorway with a smirk that makes my pulse trip and my gut clench.

He needs a place to stay. I should slam the door in his face.

Instead, I let him in.

Enemies. Exiles. Rivals. Lovers?

This isn’t a love story. This is a disaster waiting to happen.

And I can’t wait for the impact.

Jace

He wants me gone. I want him begging. Let’s see who wins.

Easton never knew what to do with me.

He wanted to fight me. He wanted to kiss me.

Now that I’m back, he’s still pretending he can resist.

Cute.

But I know him too well. I know the way his breathing changes when I get close.

I know how his body reacts before his brain can catch up.

I know exactly how to break him.

And I will.

Edge of Temptation is the first novel in The Saints of Westmont U series. This is a college hockey romance with darker themes, exploring a toxic love, forced proximity, and natural enemies becoming lovers. It’s a standalone story in a larger series. Reading in order is recommended for the best experience. Content warnings are located inside the book.

Genres: M M Romance, College, Hockey, Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Dark, Sports

338 pages, Hardcover

Published March 25, 2025

About the author

Gay. Sweet. Steamy.

Hayden Hall writes MM romance novels. He is a boyfriend, a globetrotter, and an avid romance reader.

Hayden's mission is to author a catalog of captivating and steamy MM romance novels which gather a devoted community around the Happily Ever Afters.

His stories are sweet with just the right amount of naughty.

You can get in touch with Hayden on Facebook or through his website at haydenhallwrites.com

Reviews

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

I really liked the concept for this story but I was so confused at multiple points and it was just hard to follow what was happening. It felt like I was missing information and there were too many plot points that were left unresolved for me to confidently rate this higher.

Easton was an interesting character who was really going through it, but I didn't really understand why he was spiralling so much, nor did I understand the conflict around the captaincy of his college hockey team when nothing seemed to have happened to set the event in motion other than them having a hard season previously? To make it more frustrating, after an entire book where his biggest fear is losing that captaincy, we don't even find out what happens! It's going to be revealed in Elio's book, but Elio was a side character who I found uninteresting, unredeemable and just unlikeable so I'm not even sure I want to read his story?! I feel like if it was the main point of drama in this book then it should have been resolved in this book?

Jace was pretty much an enigma. He's very vague about everything in his life, so although I know he wants Easton, I don't know all that much else about him except the placement of his tattoos and that he has face fuzz aka a gross moustache - I'm sorry but it's an instant repellent if a character is described with a moustache 🤮

It was very frustrating because the actual relationship between Jace and Easton had some great animosity and tension, they felt well suited even if they were slightly codependent, and the taboo element of their former familial relationship definitely added drama. Jace's absolute loyalty to Easton their entire lives, no matter what, was also great to read. I just feel like there was too much vagueness and too many questions left unanswered at the end of this book - mostly what the hell was the situation with Kyle? I read the parts concerning him a few times and I'm still none the wiser, and again we don't find out the outcome...??

*****
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review

[Precious · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You see, I don’t think we were natural enemies.” His pupils dilated. I wasn’t imagining it. “The world just pitted us against each other by default, but we’re breaking that curse.”

This was such a heartbreakingly beautiful story.

I don't even know where to start.

Jace and Easton are stepbrothers with a heavy past. They meet again after a few years apart and although they harbour resentment and anger towards each other they cannot deny the attraction they have felt for one another all these years.

Somewhere in my chest, something like a warm pulse of my heart made itself known. I’d long thought that I had no heart. But maybe it was there. Perhaps it was still beating, and beating for more than just pumping the blood into my arteries. Maybe I had a heart for Easton.

Jace is our misunderstood bad boy. Although he has been painted as one who doesn't care about anything or simply is destructive, he has the biggest heart out there. He is protective and I know many thought that he was a jerk but he had the right to be. The baggage he had didn't necessarily define him as a person and I found that amazing.

“Kiss me, Jace.” My ears perked up, and I looked at him. “I want to know…that you’ll want me when I return,”

Easton is the perfect boy that was always preferred over Jace. Although he seems to have life planned out for him he shortly witnesses how swiftly it all comes crashing down and in the midst of that destruction, Jace, his crush and rival, comes crashing in, stirring up the pot even more.


These two are a messy couple with a messed up past with an even messier present. I loved how they were able to overlook their differences and allow themselves to indulge in each other even though they know how it could blow up in their faces.


It was a healing kiss. It was a soft kiss. It was a kiss that gave me life and love and hope. Whatever demons we had to face, we could do so together. That was the only way. That was the way I wanted it.


I found no loose ends in this book and loved how well Hayden brought Jace and Easton's story to life. Heck, I shed a few tears because of them.


//ARC Review//

[yaishin · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked easton a lot. he was very unpredictable which is always my favorite trait when it comes to characters.

[bookdiaryofyana · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh

[⭐Toonasa⭐ •Romance Book Lovers' Haven• · Rating 5 out of 5]

A college-aged Gay romance b/w 2 former "adoptive" brothers with Hate to Love You, Opposites Attract, a bit of hockey, Forced Proximity (aka uninvited guest but he gives rent 😂), temptation & obsession, kinky fun 🥵, truths, belonging, love & a climax that was gooood.
I devoured my #ARC in 7hrs, Loved Jace & Easton! Gorgeous cover. Also the whole time I was reading, I literally hummed "I knew you were trouble when you walked in..." Save me 😂.

Jace is a survivor & trouble-maker, still living with the shitty cards he'd been dealt with. Easton rarely rebels, goes with the flow, can he break free & live? Chaos x order, Freaky x fierce, Street Smart x Hockey Captain, Impulsive x stressed (lol) ... Hate or love? I would've LOVED if we'd gotten flashbacks! J got my heart clenched 🥺.

A flame burning, of beginning? of destruction? J+E in the same house again after 7yrs. Their feelings are soo complicated! Do they want eachother? Anger? Care? Protective? Possessive? Jealousy? The forbidden vibes, TENSION & banters, I live for! Tho it shouldn't be THIS much as estranged BUT I get it (former adoptive bros & all). Not very spicy but ooh the kinky fun 🥵, who knew getting naked can be that hot?!

“Only I get to mess with you.”

It had dark themes of violence, homophobia, Coming out fear, & showed not all parents deserve kids 😤. Aw bad friend sucks 😩. THAT K-hole 😤. Sub plots were intriguing but that climax was wonderful & feel-y! We got a HEA for J+E but the hockey side felt like a cliffhanger, I'm glad we're getting Elio's book tho he's on my shit list right now 🙃.

Story Ratings:

POV: 1st person, Dual POV
1) Enjoyed?—> Yeah! 5/5
2) The Characters: 5/5
3) Top feels: 😅🤭🤨😏😩😍😁😤🥺😋🥰🙁🤔😭😳💞
4) Steamy scenes: 2/5
5) Levels: Cute+Swoon: 4/5
Angst: 3.5/5
Dark: 2.5/5
6) Creativity + world: 4.5/5
7) Plot arc: (Emotional conflict, "Forbidden" Love) 4.5/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.25/5

[Monikat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chapter 3 and I am seething.... 🤬🤬🤬
This book has a dark, almost claustrophobic feel to it. Easton is drowning in misery and Jace a ball of calm rage. A difficult combination.

This is an emotional dark read. I think it has one of the darkest tones Hayden Hall has ever given us, nothing is sugar coated nothing is light everything is heavy dark and painful.

I cannot say that I loved it, I cannot say I enjoyed it because it was grim in general. It has left me in a pensive and brooding mood. That said, Easton and Jace are moving forward towards a good place and that's the greatest outcome we could ask for. Their love finally shines through all the cobwebs.
I understand that more books are coming and we will probably be seeing them again in the series so I'm hoping to enjoy the rest even more.

[Stephanie (NovelBound1813) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Gay Romance Reviews and Hayden Hall for the eARC of this book. This is my honest review.

Edge of Temptation is the first book in The Saints of Westmont U series by Hayden Hall. Set in the same universe as the previous series, Arctic Titans of Northwood U.

Jace and Easton were once adopted by the same parents, though they were treated very differently. Jace left home seven years ago and hasn't been heard from since...until showing up at Easton's door one day needing a place to live. But Easton doesn't have time or energy to deal with his long lost foster brother showing up out of the blue, not when he has a precarious situation with his college hockey career to deal with.

This book is marketed as a standalone, but I do think it would have been helpful to have read some of the Arctic Titans series. I felt like I was starting in the middle of the story for the hockey team and some background might have been helpful. But ultimately, I would not really call this a hockey romance. Some of Easton's struggles are definitely around the hockey team and his position, but the actual hockey plays such a small role, and in fact the issues aren't even wrapped up in this book.

I enjoyed parts of Jace and Easton's story, but there were times when I felt like more information would have been helpful. Even so, I felt the pull of what they were dealing with and was drawn to both of these characters. The pain that they're carrying was profound and the healing they found with one another was beautiful to see. I liked this book well enough to be curious about the second when it comes out.

It's good to know what you're getting into. It's dark-ish, Jace is definitely involved in some shady dealings, and there's the semi-taboo aspect of their background.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr Hayden Hall, you made me blush! I had to double-check that Hayden actually wrote this book 😂.I love Hayden's books, they are all enjoyable & never disappoint, but Edge of Temptation was something else.This was darker,edgier & the sex scenes...they were definitely steamer & i loved every minute.I devoured this book, it became my whole life for the time it took me to read it.Easton & Jace were adoptive brothers who were pitted against each other from the time they were under the same roof.Against both their better judgements they loved each other.Easton was the golden child who suffered with his own demons & secrets,whereas Jace was the bad boy who had his own demons but lived his truth.They were drawn to each other & life itself wasn't going to keep them apart.Both characters had charisma & drew you in.I absolutely loved this first book of The Saints of Westmont U series.I can't wait for book 2 after the teaser.

[Sofi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh God! I ended up not liking this one as much as I hoped. It had so much potential, and the beginning felt promising—I really liked the tension between the MMCs. But as the story went on, it felt rushed, and I found myself getting bored. To be fair, there were some small moments where the plot drew me back in, but they didn’t last. The spice also didn’t work for me; it felt like the author threw in some kinks, but they didn’t land and ended up being boring. And personally, the whole “I am your god” angle just wasn’t my thing. Sadly, this was a 1.8 star read for me. Still, I’ll continue with the series—I like this author and I’m hoping I’ll enjoy the next book more.

[Catarina Águas · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

The feelings this book gave me. It was so good, I couldn't stop reading it.
Jace was put down again and again but he never let that stop him from being him and living. Be was just wanted Easton happy and safe.
Easton was the role model but when Jace appeared again, cracks started to show and he couldn't hold on to that person anymore.
They were more themselves with each other than alone

[Laura Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edge of Temptation is book one in The Saints of Westmont U series. This MM college hockey romance story is about Easton and Jace.

Easton and Jace were once adopted by the same family, but they were treated very differently. Now Easton and Jace have been estranged for seven years. Easton is in college and the captain of his hockey team. He is hoping to make it to the NHL. Jace is the tattooed bad boy that shows up at Easton’s apartment looking for a place to stay.

Easton and Jace harbor resentment towards each other because of their past, but we see that this doesn’t stop them from being attracted to each other. Things are definitely complicated for them, but I did enjoy when they finally gave into their attraction.

Easton has issues with a former roommate who is also his current teammate. It starts affecting his performance and soon his captaincy is in jeopardy. It also causes tension with Easton’s friends. I did like seeing Jace trying to help Easton deal with these struggles. What I didn’t care for was how things were left unresolved, especially when it was my understanding this was a standalone story in a larger series.

I will say it took me a little bit to get into these characters. What I did love most was how much Jace wanted to protect Easton. His loyalty was everything. I am a big fan of enemies to lovers, and Easton and Jace’s story was definitely an interesting one.

I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review.

[Jess.bookrecs · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is good enough. Tension was high, chemistry needs work but it wasn’t also the worst, the plot also seems very unfinished but it wasn’t the worst too.

I feel like the characters were already in love off page and while that’s fine, it kind of made their on page love development lack and ruined my enjoyment of the story.

Sigh I did like some quotes and the clarity of the writing kept me invested but all together, it still lacked so yeah,
2.75🌟

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty dark book for Hayden Hall. As usual, the writing is beautiful and descriptive. The sex scenes are very well written and he includes a bit of kink/fetish play you don't often see in MM romance books written by women.

I liked Jace a lot, but then who doesn't like tatted up bad boys? Easton, OTOH, was very meh. He's a natural submissive, which is great, but he has a prissy personality that I didn't care for. He's having problems with the team and it sends him into a huge ass funk, but the reason for this never really gelled with me. I get that possibly losing the captaincy is a big deal, but he's really losing it in this book and I'm not sure why.

The reason for the rift between Easton and Jace when they were kids wasn't too surprising, but I thought it made a lot of sense. What didn't make sense was the epilogue, which, again, is beautifully written by Hall, but it gets really cringe quickly. I don't want to spoil it, but it almost seemed as if the epilogue was about two completely different guys, at least to me.

ARGGH, Hall is so frustrating because I love his writing and that he brings a unique male perspective to MM romance. He characters and situations are usually engrossing and I do get lost in his books, wanting to finish them in one sitting. But it seems in every book he just can't knock the ending out of the park.

This book does continue into the next, so some plot points are not resolved in this book. Just be aware. I don't think it hurts the book, but not everything is neatly wrapped up.

[A🦄🌻🌙 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️


A really decent start to a new series! I loved Hayden’s other series following the Arctic Titans and so I was really excited to get into this one following the Steel Saints. Definitely had a bit of a darker overall vibe to the story and setting. I will say that this story overall feels a little unfinished and it seems that was intentional as the next book features Elio and picks up the hockey side of things. Jace and Easton had some firey and all get out chemistry and when they finally surrendered to it they burned them bed sheets right up!! 🔥🔥🔥these boys weren’t afraid to get a lil freaky and I loved that for them. Now ad for the next peeps, Elio done did our boy Easton wrong so he’s not in my good book currently but I look forward to seeing him he’s able to redeem himself and to see what becomes of Kyle cuz that bitch needs to get hit

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hayden Hall’s newest book is something a bit different from him. It’s darker, edgier, heavier. And I’m here for it!

Easton is the good boy. A rule follower who was adopted because he had learned how to be quiet and do what he’s told. But underneath all that is an anger, frustration, and a secret or two he’s been holding onto for years. Jace was Easton’s adopted brother. The difficult one who grew into the bad boy. Brought into the home first, he was easily tossed aside when the good kid arrived.

These two have a complicated history. They were raised in the same home but treated completely different. Easton has already been going through some challenges when Jace shows up on his doorstep. He knows reconnecting will only end badly, but Easton has felt alone too often lately. He’s struggling to connect to his teammates, hiding his sexuality, waiting for one slip up to throw his world into chaos. Jace has a little bit of an obsession with Easton now that he’s found him again. He’s spent the last several years couch hopping and living on the street after being kicked out. He’s learned how to survive and how to protect what’s his. Neither of these characters are particularly likable apart, but together, their chemistry is crazy good. It’s fiery and tense. The animosity between them only helps fuel that. They’ve both got so much trauma they need to deal with, but they haven’t had healthy examples.

I was definitely drawn in to the story because of the two MCs history and connection. The slow reveal of secrets kept me invested. However, I felt like things were missing that might help understand the MCs more. I also would have liked to see more resolution. I know the author has said there is some ongoing plot that will continue in the next book, so I’m assuming things will be addressed there. All that said, I think Hayden’s foray into darker romance is off to a good start. The book still has his signature style of writing, with an edgy twist. I am definitely interested in seeing the direction he takes in book two.

[Tori Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jace and Easton had it rough and I hurt with them each time something bad happened. they were foster brothers with terrible parents who caused so many problems. It took so much strength for them to overcome their obstacles but it ended up being so worth it for them.

[rinia carla · Rating 2 out of 5]

i really liked this but towards the end it felt rushed and almost like it ended in a cliff hanger.

i thought kyle would get his own book but the next book is about elio, so im lost all the way.

the two stars are for jace and easton because they deserved to grow up in a better environment.

[Cynthia M Brow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edge of Temptation is the first book in The Saints of Westmont U series. This is the story of Easton and Jace. I loved the relationship between these two. I liked the story but sometimes it was hard to keep up with what was going on. The characters are great with real life problems. I wish more of the questions I had were answered. I hope some of them will be answered in the next book. I would definitely recommend this book.

[Fernanda Parente · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hayden Hall is one of my favorite writers and this book, although darker than the previous ones and out of my comfort zone, is wonderful.
None of the MCs are perfect, as none of us are, and we are almost the entire book reproaching Jace, the ending that left me in tears show us that Easton is not perfect either and helped the outcome of Jace's presence in his house during childhood/teenage time.
One of the most impactful books I've read this year. I will look forward to the next book in this series that begins with this book

[Seraphina Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was incredibly well written. One of Haydens best so far I'd say. Really great read. Depth of characters. Just well written, like poetry.

[Julia Toth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good start to a new series, and I enjoyed Jace and Easton's story, but sometimes I felt like I was missing pieces of a puzzle. Things got more clear as the story went on, but some questions still remained unanswered, so we shall have to wait for the second book to see what happens to some of the characters and Easton's captaincy of the team.
I loved the electricity, the push and pull, the tension and anger between Jace and Easton. What they had was very flammable and when the sparks caught there could be 2 very different outcomes. I loved how they held each other up and how their differences fit together so perfectly. The past was looming behind both of them, making them struggle with various aspects of their lives. I was happy to see them working through those traumas.
I really enjoyed their inner monologues, and found them beautifully written and emotional at times. It felt like Jace had so much more depth that we didn't really get to see.

All in all I enjoyed this book, and I'm excited to see what happens next in The Saints of Westmont U series.

[San Lemonade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge of Temptation by Hayden Hall
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Forbidden Love Stars!

📚 First Book in The Saints of Westmont U Series, But Can Be Read As A Standalone

⬆️ Ebook ARC

😏 Adult MM Contemporary College-Hockley Romance 🏒
📖 Captivating & Angsty
💔 Gritty, Emotional & Unputdownable
🔀 Dual First-Person POV
💣 Enemies to Lovers (With a Dark Twist)
🧲 Forced Proximity & Too Many Unresolved Feelings
🔥 Toxic Love & Irresistible Chemistry
❌ Forbidden Love (They Shouldn’t, But They Can’t Resist)
🌈 Coming Out 🗯
👊 Tension, Resentment & A Past That Still Hurts
👌 Obsessing Over Each Other
⚡️Sexual Tension & Deep-Rooted Desire 🧨
🥵 BDSM 🪢 Introduction to Kink 👈 Intro to D/s
❤️‍🔥 Slow Burn-ish w/ Plenty of spice
🥵 Spicy Level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶

MC's:

👉🐶🏒 Easton:
He has blond hair, green eyes, and a muscular build. He loves playing the piano and is the captain of his college hockey team, he looked like he had it all together, but inside, he was terrified. If the truth came out, he could lose everything... his team, his future, his parents’ support.

Then Jace showed up at his door. The first person Ethan had a crush on, or loved... his adopted brother. The love he felt was something only he knew... only he knew he loved Jace.

Ethan had convinced himself he was over it. He had moved on. He had to. But Jace made that impossible.


👉🔥🐈‍⬛ Jace:
He had dark brown eyes with long lashes, a mess of curls on top with a short undercut, and a thin mustache that framed his upper lip. He was lean, his body covered in tattoos like artwork, and he always wore dark clothes.

He felt rejected his whole life��� Even after being adopted, nothing really changed. Misunderstood, unloved, and abused by his adoptive parents, he was eventually left homeless at fifteen.

He survived the hard way and learned to trust no one.

He gets by with his winnings from bets and money from other hustles. Over the years, he had stayed with friends and even strangers... anything was better than a cold bench. He had spent enough nights like that to last a lifetime.

Now Jace is out of options and needs a place to stay.
Easton should slam the door in his face... but he doesn’t. Because no matter how much he wants to hate Jace, the past still lingers between them.

He’s a Dom. And he knows exactly how to break Easton… and maybe fix him, too...
He is the chaos to Easton’s order.


⚠️ Content Warnings:

⚠️ Heavy Angst & Dark Themes
⚠️ A Love That Borders on Obsession
⚠️ Dark Themes & Emotional Baggage
⚠️ Toxic Dynamics & Power Struggles
⚠️ Family Trauma & Emotional Scars
⚠️ Bullying
⚠️ Violence
⚠️ Contains Descriptions of Homophobia
⚠️ Internalized Homophobia
⚠️ Abusive Parenting Violence
⚠️ Explicit Language
⚠️ Mentions of Drug Use
👉 Mutual Yearning For A Family Of Their Own
👏 Solid Character Development
💯 Best Side Characters
😍 Love The Ending
😍 HEA

Cover: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars

⚡ The Story:

📖 This book is raw, gritty, and intense in a way that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

🖤A love story that feels effortlessly real, with profound character depth and raw emotional intensity.

🥹 Easton and Jace’s relationship is messy, painful, and electric... they clash, they burn, and they leave destruction in their wake, a desire they can’t hide, no matter how much they fight it.
But underneath all the chaos, there’s a deep-rooted longing neither of them can ignore!!

👌The side characters (I NEED more of them!) contributed so much to the story, adding layers of meaning and impact.

😭🥰 A brutal, beautiful, and unforgettable journey.

FAV QUOTES:

■ "Jace even resembled a wolf. He was lean, made of angles and sharp lines and a deadly swagger. His pants hung low on his hips, and his hoodie was oversized. A little backpack hanging from one shoulder scared me more than the fact I was facing someone who had been exiled from my life seven years ago. I had been fourteen and well aware of my sexuality. But so was the wolf. A year older, he had smelled it on me."

■ '“It’s only torment if you resist it,” he said, stepping closer and making my entire body want to combust.
“Bullshit,” I spat, tearing my feet off the floor and taking a step back.
As I turned around, his hand landed on my bare shoulder. “You never fantasized about me, Easton?” The heat of the contact, such a rare occasion, spread all over my shoulder. Bare skin touching bare skin, I almost folded under its weight. His hand moved to my arm, fingers sinking into my bicep as he tugged me to turn back. “Because I know you did.”'

💭 Jace is such a tease, always provoking Easton, who tries to pretend he hates him... and fails miserably.

■🌶 "He kissed me hungrily as if we hadn’t just had mind-shattering orgasms, his hands exploring my body as if I were something completely new and interesting."

💯 I'm looking forward to reading the following books in this Series

😉 Thanks for reading hope this helps you out!

I received this book as a gift from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review.

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[Elle · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.25⭐️

The writing is honestly pretty bad some of the sentences make no sense at all, the plot was interesting and that made me want to continue reading but honestly some plot points were left completely unfinished and the ones that were finished were wrapped up in like a sentence.

[Ashley | adhdandread · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge of Temptation by Hayden Hall
The Saints of Westmont U Book 1
Length: 340 pages
Source: Gay Romance Reviews eARC
Publication date: March 27, 2025

4.5 ⭐️
5 🌶️

What to Expect
🖤 College hockey romance
🖤 Enemies to lovers
🖤 Opposites attract
🖤 Forced proximity
🖤 ‘I don’t deserve him’ x2
🖤 ‘Good boy’

“He never would have wanted me in the first place if we weren’t the two sides of the same faulty penny.”

My Summary
Easton never expected to see his former foster brother, Jace, again after he was removed from the house when they were teenagers. So, he’s not happy when Jace shows up at his door in college asking for someplace to stay. Never mind that Easton has been attracted to Jace for years, not knowing that Jace is attracted to him as well; he absolutely does not want the man back in his life.

Jace, unknown to Easton, has been keeping an eye on his former foster brother for a while, off and on, and his life since being kicked out hasn’t been easy. He and Easton are not the same. Jace finally decides to make his presence known after Easton gets into a bit of trouble on the street. Easton eventually relents, and the two soon find their forced proximity too strong to resist. But their worries and secrets are ripe for causing them trouble along the way, and they have to figure out if they’re willing to take the pain with the pleasure.

My Thoughts
We’re supposed to see Easton as the good son, Jace as the bad son, Easton as the golden boy, Jace as the bad boy, etc. And they are those things, but Hall shows us that each man is so much more, too. Both MCs are good examples of how easily we can get stuck in our own negative thoughts and also how invasive they can be and difficult to banish.

I loved both of these characters, not because they are broken but in spite of their being broken—especially Jace. It would be so easy to write off a man like Jace; it happens in real life every day. The troublemaker, the shit-stirrer … these are roles that Jace really leans into throughout the book, knowing they are two of the many things people assume about him when they see him on the street. Easton carries this vibe, too, as the golden boy, the hockey captain, the perfect, do-no-wrong son. While they are so opposite in personality, their broken pieces are similar and complementary. I often found myself just wanting to give them a giant hug and tell them that everything would work out eventually!

As with any Hayden Hall book, the sex is crazy hot and still meaningful. Easton and Jace exploring their long-held attraction is a slow burn worth the wait, especially because they are honestly SO obsessed with each other and because they can be who they each want to be in bed without judgment.

Books with similar angsty sibling vibes
📗 The Step Bro Situation by Jesse H. Reign (Situationship Series #1)
📘 Stepbrother Dearest by Willow Dixon (Crimson Club #1)
📙 Antidote by Shae Ruby

Bottom Line
Hayden Hall is a must-read author for me, so I was super excited to get this ARC, and it 100% did not disappoint. Edge of Temptation is angsty but not unbearably so, and I look forward to Book #2. If you like your romance a little toxic, a lot obsessive, and sometimes a bit morally gray, give this a read. My content warnings would be homophobia, on-page violence, dom/sub vibes, some light kink (like spit play), and parental neglect and abuse. Check the CWs in the book for a more complete list.
— A

Thanks to GRR and Hayden Hall for an eARC of this book. All opinions are mine.

[Gavy Vera · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A ver, es tubo bueno el libro. Me gusto como escribe Hayden las emociones y pensamientos de los personajes usando metáforas. Este es el primer libro que leo de este autor y me dieron ganas de leer Arctic Titans of Northwood U, ya que se establecieron conexiones entre ambas series y yo quiero el chisme.

Dejando eso de lado yo tuve algunos "problemas" con la historia. Para empezar hubieron muchas veces en las que me perdía en la narración de las emociones de los personajes. Me gustaron las metáforas, pero se mezclaban un poco con información importante de sus pasados y eso hizo que tenga que releer un par de veces para entender y diferenciar el mensaje e información importante. Easton me gusto más que Jace, pero me quedo incompleta su historia. ¿Para él es muy importante mantener su posición de capitán en el equipo, pero el estrés que le causa Kyle lo lleva a perder el puesto y atrasarse en sus clases y mi pregunta es: como la uni no le quito la beca sino está cumpliendo con sus notas? ¿Y además como va a pagar sus estudios si ya no tiene el sustento de padres? ¿Paga el alquiler si, pero y todo lo de mas? ¿Su relación con sus amigos? ¿Con el equipo? Su final fue muy abrupto y muchas partes quedaron sin responder y entiendo que es una serie y que van a haber respuestas en los otros libros, pero debierón de responderse en este.
Jace era raro porque no se nada de él. Nos cuentan un poco de como era su infancia, pero faltaron cosas. ¿A donde se fue cuando lo echaron? ¿Como se hizo amigo de Ivan? ¿Que hacía en la ciudad? Jace fue reducido al novio de Easton y no hace nada por gran parte del libro hasta el final donde provoca caos y cuando hizo algo fue detras de escenas y no vemos nada solo lo narran... ¿Porque no en vez de narrarlo lo muestran? A si lo usas para algo más que escenas de sexo porque la trama principal y conflicto lo trajo todo Easton y aunque los involucraba a los dos.

Ahora el segundo libro va a ser del ex-amigo de Easton Elio y en el prólogo me dejo una terrible primera impresión. Él apareció en el libro, pero no me intereso y las interacción entre él y Easton fueron muy pocas y en ninguna se mostraba su amistad a sique no me importa mucho Elio. Me gusta el drama y también me gusta cuando en un libro un personaje hace algo terrible o imperdonable al otro y tiene que rogar su perdón y por el prólogo creo que tal vez las cosas van a ir por ese lado.

Conclusión el libro me gusto. Tiene sus cosas, pero lo disfruté bastante y los problemas que tiene no me arruinaron la historia a sique lo recomiendo.

[Anne Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two are hot hot hot
Honestly, let me say I got this book from gay romance reviews and this is me leaving my honest review
I’ve got to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in a new series called the Saints of Westmount U.
Easton was really struggling over the summer break. He thought that his ex roommate was flirting with him but when Easton went went to kiss Kyle he freaked out and left to live elsewhere. The issue being is they are on the same hockey team Easton is on a scholarship with hopes of playing for the NFL and if his team found out he’s gay, he doesn’t know where he’ll stand.
Jace always knew he wanted Easton, many years after losing contact he found himself watching out for him. You see Jace and Easton used to be Foster Brothers. But their life together was not easy and the first chance their foster father had he got rid of Jace.
But both Jace and Easton never forgot each other never forgot the attraction. And is it Taboo?? I don’t think so these two are in no way blood related. And they never got a chance to be real brothers so what’s gonna happen now? These two back together??
I really enjoyed this book. Jace is a surprise. When you look at him covered in tattoos and the way he’s had to live, you expect him to be this dangerous dark person and don’t get me wrong he has aspects of that but when it comes to Easton he is patient. He understands him and gives him the time that he needs to come to the decision that Jace wants him to make.
Easton comes across in the first half of this book as unsure and insecure about everything except hockey. He is scared that it’s going to come out that he is gay and what that will have for his future. He was scared when Jace came back because he knew he still had those feelings that attraction towards him. And Easton still relied on his foster father for help with the rent whilst he was at uni and he knew that if his foster dad found Jace there it wouldn’t end well, but the attraction was too much for Easton and Jace ignore. I think these two are really good match and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Their attraction and their passion is off the chart but what really got me was the connection that they felt for one another.

[Abigail Beckwith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's Hayden Hall's "Flirting With Fire." It's the first novel in his new Saints of Westmont U series.

["He was my first sin. My first love. And he’s about to ruin me all over again.

Easton
Some men ruin you slowly. Others break you all at once.
Jace was never supposed to be in my life again. Not after what he did. Not after they took him away.
But he’s here, standing in my doorway with a smirk that makes my pulse trip and my gut clench.
He needs a place to stay. I should slam the door in his face.
Instead, I let him in.
Enemies. Exiles. Rivals. Lovers?
This isn’t a love story. This is a disaster waiting to happen.
And I can’t wait for the impact.

Jace
He wants me gone. I want him begging. Let’s see who wins.
Easton never knew what to do with me.
He wanted to fight me. He wanted to kiss me.
Now that I’m back, he’s still pretending he can resist.
Cute.
But I know him too well. I know the way his breathing changes when I get close.
I know how his body reacts before his brain can catch up.
I know exactly how to break him.
And I will."]

Wow. Just wow.

There was so much love and sooo much hate in this book. It was a precarious line that these two danced along. And that was before the finally succumbed to the inevitable chemistry between them. Their history, their traumas, tries to define them even after they thought they had moved in from them. But the past can’t be locked in a closet and forgotten about. Their past forced them to look at it, talk about it, and think about a future with their past as part of them. It was dark and emotional and beautiful.

Not sure how I feel about Kyle being in more of the series though. He seems pretty fucking irredeemable to me. Spoiler alert? :/

Trigger Warnings: estranged foster brothers, homophobia, internalized homophobia, on-page violence, mentions of parental abuse, violence, mentions of drug use, and more.

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[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book one in the author’s Saints of Westmont U series and features the romance between hockey team captain, Easton, and his adopted brother, Jace.

This was a much darker book than I was expecting or was used to reading from this author and I have to say, I spent a good portion of the book not being a fan of Jace’s but, though he didn’t change much, by the end and through us being privy to his thoughts and fears and his protectiveness of Easton, it made me love him anyway.

It’s been said that we’re all, at least in part, products of our raising and, with parents like our MCs, it’s no wonder they were unable to escape the callousness and cruelty they were subjected to unscathed. As a result, Jace became a survivor in all aspects of his life…cold, calculating and controlling while Easton became a people pleaser in order to avoid conflict. It took them a long time and a lot of effort but they were finally able to find peace together by overcoming their fears and drawing comfort from each other.

I thought the book was pretty good, it didn’t end all wrapped up perfectly with a pretty bow like I might’ve preferred but, then again, I guess life never does. I don’t mind saying though that I much preferred the few times when Jace was being tender and caring over his dominance though it was rare that he let his softer side show. Dominance, when it comprises the majority of a relationship, isn’t one of my favorite tropes so it isn’t something I usually read. The other thing that bothered me was all the blasphemous talk; I can maybe understand why they might have felt the way they did after everything they’d been through but personally, I could’ve done without that.

Overall, I enjoyed the book for the most part, and based on the teaser at the end of the book, I’m looking forward to Elio’s book and I CAN NOT WAIT to see Kyle get his just desserts but this wasn’t my favorite of the author’s books. I much prefer his less dark works but I have no intention of stopping reading his books. 4 stars!

I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Woodatsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edge of Temptation is the first book in a new series and it's quite a bit darker themed than most of the books I've read by this author. It even left me confused at times as it seemed that not everything was explained as much or deeply as I would've liked.

Easton and Jace met as little boys when both were fostered by the same family. Even though Jace was the first one adopted, Easton was always the favorite, the quiet boy who followed all the rules and who did his best so he wouldn't get sent away. There was a lot of animosity between them, even going so far as Jace bullying Easton, but they were also inexplicably drawn to each other. Both boys have a secret: they're not only enemies, they also love each other even though neither wants to admit it.

Both Easton and Jace grow up to have totally different lives. Easton goes off to college, is team caption of the hockey team but is totally insecure. He hides the fact that he's gay and is afraid to lose everything when things come out. Jace has been living on the streets, he's learned to take of himself the hard way but when he ends up having nowhere to stay anymore, he goes to knock on Easton's door. To say he's not happy to see Jace is putting it mildly, all the feelings he thought were gone come rushing back and he's doing everything he can to hide them but he's slowly falling apart. Jace has always known he loves Easton, but had a shitty way of showing it. When he finds out however Easton is in trouble, he vows to himself to protect him.

This was a dark themed book, both characters had some deep secrets. I sometimes had problems liking either of them, but still I was drawn to the story and anxiously wanted to know what happened next. We are left with more questions than answers but it seems things will get more clear with the next upcoming books in the series. I believe Kyle's book is next and even though I most certainly didn't like him in this one, I'm curious to know how his story will unfold.

*ARC kindly received from the author via Bookfunnel. This is my honest opinion.*

[April Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

This is the first book of The Saints of Westmont U series. It also mentions the last series Arctic Titans of Northwood U. But this book was somewhat different the other series focused more on hockey while this one didn’t as much. It will leave you somewhat confused on some questions which I’m hoping will be answered in book 2.
This book focuses on Easton and Jace 2 adoptive brothers who fell in love. But their story is more complicated than that.
Easton is in college and a hockey player he’s the captain of his team going through a rough patch because he’s gay and he is afraid his secret will come out because of a situation that happened with his former roommate/teammate. He feels like his team is not as accepting as a rival team The Titans. Out of nowhere comes Jace his former foster brother who he hasn’t seen in 7 years. They have history not all good which makes it hard for Easton to trust him completely.
Jace was kicked out 7 years ago from his adoptive parents. He wasn’t the favorite he was always pushed aside and one situation with a fire incident got him kicked out for good. He survived in the streets living on friends couches and making money on an illegal way. But always keeping an eye on Easton. When he finally knocks on Eastons door he realizes how down he seems. Easton is loosing friends, he keeps to himself, he’s about to loose his captaincy he’s just struggling. Jace offers to take all his worries away. He wants Easton to give him control and for him to completely let go.
Easton and Jace have intense chemistry. They are both kinky and Easton loves to give Jace complete control in the bedroom.
There’s drama, it’s much darker and you kind of feel for both but there were a few questions that weren’t answered. Either than that I really did enjoy it and I can’t wait for book 2 even though I don’t like Elio much.