The Cartier Cartel 4: Love In Perfect Tempo

by Jessica N. Watkins

I wasn’t supposed to want him.

Big A was always off-limits. He was my brothers’ closest friend, a respected lieutenant in the Cartier cartel, and one of the few men I couldn’t fall for. I was obligated to remain loyal to my brothers, but obligations mean nothing when your heart gets involved.

After years of silently craving him, one explosive moment shatters every boundary we've ever set. Now, I’m trapped caught between the man my family chose for me and the forbidden passion I can't deny with Big A. Our secret could break hearts, unravel family ties, and threaten the very foundation of the empire my brothers built.

But no matter the consequences, what Big A and I have is undeniable. It’s powerful, dangerous, addictive, and impossible to walk away from. In a world ruled by loyalty, money, and alliances, will we find our way to each other, or lose everything in the fallout?

One thing’s for Loving Big A was never going to be simple, but it might just be worth risking it all.

Big

I was never supposed to touch her.

Tempo Cartier had been off-limits from day one. She was the little sister of my closest friends and business partners. Her name should’ve never left my lips, let alone consumed my every thought. But hunger burning between us didn’t give a damn about loyalty.

Now, we’ve crossed the line, and there’s no turning back. She’s mine in ways that no one can break, except that she belongs to another man. Seeing Tempo with Sincere, the successful, powerful man hand-picked by her family, cuts deeper than any betrayal I’ve ever felt. She wears his ring, but I know her soul belongs to me.

Every glance between us is charged, dangerous, and risks exposure that could destroy friendships, loyalties, and even lives. But giving her up feels like losing myself.

As passion ignites into chaos, the choice is I’ll either claim Tempo and risk it all or watch the only woman I’ve ever loved, marry someone else.

364 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 14, 2025

About the author

Author of Urban Chick Lit, Erotica, and Contemporary Urban Fiction... Jessica N. Watkins was born April 1st in Chicago, Illinois. She obtained a Bachelors of Arts with Focus in Psychology from DePaul University and Masters of Applied Professional Studies with focus in Business Administration from the like institution. Working in Hospital Administration for the majority of her career, Watkins has also been an author of fiction literature since the young age of nine. Eventually she used writing as an outlet during her freshmen year of high school as a single parent: “In the third grade I entered a short story contest with a fiction tale of an apple tree that refused to grow despite the efforts of the darling main character. My writing evolved from apple trees to my seventh and eighth grade classmates paying me to read novels I had written about kids our age living the lives our parents wouldn’t dare let us”. At the age of twenty-eight, Watkins’ chronicles have matured into steamy, humorous, and realistic tales of women's literature. She hopes that The Epitome of Femistry series will successfully emulate ideal femininity while tackling stereotypes, familiar heartache, and relatable distress in a humorous, sophisticated, and erotic fashion.

Jessica N. Watkins is available for talks, workshops or book signings. Email her for more information at Jessica@femistrypress.net.

Additional information can be found at www.jessica-n-watkins.com.

Follow Jessica on Twitter - @authorjwatkins.

Follow Jessica on Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/authorjwatkins

Reviews

[Thujuana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooooo Good!

Can’t say enough good things about this series! Jessica N Watkins did it big with this one!!! The drama, the spice, the hilarious moments, and the love was spot on. I’m sad the series has come to an end! I can’t wait for this series to come to audible!

[Shay Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5/5 Series

This series was so good I didn’t want it to end. The Cartier Cartel Inc. follows four siblings, three full siblings and one side baby, and the drama starts immediately. Their parents die tragically early on, and from that point, the siblings are forced to take control of the cartel. Between family secrets and rival gangs trying to take what’s theirs, the story does not let up.

When I first started the series, I was a little confused. There were a lot of POVs, and I kept mixing the characters up. But once I got into the story, it all made sense. The chapters were short but so well written, and you get something out of each one.

There’s romance, betrayal, rival crews, and serious growth (Legend was a certified crash out at first! 😂). The love stories? Some messy, some not-so-messy, but all of them had depth and emotion.

The only thing I didn’t love was how things played out for Tempo in the beginning. All the men got to be with who they really wanted, but she was expected to marry someone she didn’t love just because her brothers approved. That didn’t sit right with me. Thankfully, she did get her happy ending, but it took a lot to get there.

This series gave me everything love, betrayal, revenge, healing, and drama. And the endings? So satisfying. But I still need a spin-off or novella about Sincere. He deserves peace, love, and a soft life. ❤️❤️❤️

Read the series!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Lizzy Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY ARC REVIEW...

BAY-BE YOU DID YOUR MOTHERFUDGESICKLESTIX THANG WITH THE 4TH INSTALLMENT TO THE CARTIER SERIES🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥!!!

BIG A & TEMPO! I LAUGHED, CRIED, SCREAMED, WAS READY TO FIGHT AND KILL A FEW FOLKS, LBVS. I MEAN IT GAVE ALL THE FEELS, AND THE LOVE WAS SO STRONG I COULDN'T STOP SMILING AND PRAYING THAT I FIND MY FOREVER LOVE🥰. IT JUST FLOWED IN A WAY THAT ALTHOUGH IT'S HOOD LOVE, IT GAVE YOU THAT 90'S GOTTA HOLD ON TO MY BABY AND FIGHT TO KEEP US TOGETHER, IT'S US AGAINST THE WORLD KIND OF LOVE. THAT WHEN FOLKS SEE YOU THEY KNOW YOU'RE BEING LOVED PROPERLY CAUSE IT SEEPS FROM YOUR PORES KIND OF LOVE🤎. WHAT HE DID FOR HER WAS PRICELESS🥰.

SASHA GOT WTF SHE DESERVED WITH HER CONNIVING AZZ🤷🏾‍♀️.

AT THIS POINT ARIA NEEDS TO GET HER TUBES TIED CAUSE BIRTH CONTROL BE DAMNED🤣🤣🤣

LET ME FIRST SAY THAT I'M BEYOND HAPPY FOR ICON & LIVIA❤️. ROYAL MOST DEFINITELY DEFIED THE ODDS. NOW, ICON IRKED MY MOTHERFUDGESICKLESTIX NERVES WITH HIS OVERBEARING AZZ. I WAS GLAD WHEN LIVIA WITHHELD THE😼 UNTIL HE GOT HIS ISH TOGETHER.

SINCERE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN THE ONE FOR TEMPO, BUT HE PROVED HIMSELF WORTHY OF BEING THAT NINJA. THAT MAN WAS THE EPITOME OF A MAN WHO LOVED A WOMAN ENOUGH TO LET HER GO. HE GREW ON ME AND I LOW KEY LOVE HIM❤️

BIG A & TEMPO😁! KUDOS QUEEN👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽

[T K Vaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tempo and Asim, Fairytales Do Come True

I was soooo happy for Tempo and Asim!!!…They got the person and the love all those around them talked about and ppl seen when they looked at each of the couples!!!…
I was soooo happy irritated with the brothers every single time they pushed Sincere on Tempo to make sure their business’s transactions were sealed!!!…They never acknowledged that she didn’t want to be with him or how it would hurt Sincere in the long run, being in a loveless marriage, because he truly loved Tempo!!!…
Baby Royal’s story is one of strength and love because Icon was silently breaking while keep his family together and Baby Royal was drawing from that look at Royal growing and showing them that love and encouragement from your family will help you thrive!!!…
Aria has me laughing and crying, because I had that same moment of thinking I was getting something done, only to leave with a script for prenatal vitamins!!!…I hope there is story for her because she deserves that mommie make over!!!…
I enjoyed everything about this book and I was not shocked at all that Sasha was a whole snake out here in these streets and she got exactly what she had coming too!!!…

[Tenika Glover · Rating 5 out of 5]

True Love Isn't A Business Deal!!

I was so mad at Icon, I could choke him. He used Tempo as a pawn, I feel. She just wanted to find her forever love just like her brothers. Livia spoke for Tempo. She nor Asim didn't want to disappoint her brothers. That's why they lied to everyone. Sincere is a real one, he could have been petty, jealous and bitter. He put his pride a side that's just how much he loves Tempo. He is going to get his dream girl one day. Sasha got on my last good nerve with all that crying. She had everybody fooled. Zayd did too. They tried to get over on Big A. The way Aria's is feeling, I'm surprised that she didn't didn't try to give Legend a vascetomy her d@mn self. He wouldn't be allowed to look my ever again. Until he got snip. I'm so happy for Icon, Livia and Royal. Tempo and Asim can love each other out loud instead of sneaking because they were getting it in every chance they got. I love that for them. She took a step back from the business. She let Asim ( Big A) resume his role.

[Ms. Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect Tempo?

Love in a Perfect Tempo was a good read. I enjoyed the journey that Tempo had to go through to get to the love that she desired. At points throughout this book, I was screaming profess your love to one another, f your brothers, don't go through with the wedding. When Tempo walked down, that aisle to Sincere balling her eyes out I felt that! She should have ended this long before, but at that moment, she should not have proceeded. It took Big A getting kidnapped for her to put things into perspective. I'm glad they got it right. Big A planning that wedding was top tier 👌🏾. Sasha needed a long slow death by the hands of Temp, similar to what Saint did in that last book. There is no way she should have gotten off that easily. All in all, the book was a good read.

[Brandy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was tea

This was a beautifully written book so positive I'm so happy that they didn't have to villainize sincere in order for her to love someone else often books do that where if they don't if they're not in love with someone that they have to villainize them and I'm glad they didn't have to do that with this. I don't know how I feel about Ava being in love with Sincere because before she knew that Tempo loved Big A she felt like that towards Sincere but she in the friend circle so that rubbed me wrong a little bit. I also felt like I got everybody else's story inside of a book that was supposed to be about Tempo and Big A that actually lost me for a minute but again the book was still beautifully written and I did like all the characters and I'm happy with the way everything ended so this was 10 out of 10 for me.

[T G · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect series 😍

I must express my sadness at the conclusion of this series. The author's talent is truly remarkable. I found myself thoroughly enjoying all the characters. The way they interacted and evolved together was simply wonderful. The Cartier family, a strong unit, along with their cherished friends, who felt like family, was a pleasure to read about. It wasn't always easy for Tempo, the current matriarch of her family. Witnessing her happiness with Asim brought me immense joy. Asim's love for Tempo embodies the kind of affection and protection her brothers always desired for her. I am hoping to learn more about Sincere and Ava in the future. It was a true pleasure to read this book and the entire series. 🥰

[Dreayke Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kimmi’s Reads

I love absolutely every line.. I’m so happy Tempo got her happily ever after she deserved it. I would like to know if her and Asim would start a family tho.. lol 😆 I’m curious to know about Aria and Legend and them thousand kids. Yes we need to know about Zahra and Saint a little more and Royal’s development and would Icon and Livia have more kids. Ms Jessica girl come back and give us more please and thank you and Ms Gworllll what was up with Ava and Sincere we need to get into all of their business 🤣🤣🤣👌🏽

[Robin Perryman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Explosive Ending

Wow! I enjoyed the whole series but Tempo's story was like the icing on the cake. This story had me crying througout. I loved Tempo and Asim but I felt bad for Sincere. He’s the perfect man for someone else (Ava). I was fasting on Icon for making Tempo go through everything for family while he had who he wanted. All the characters were going through some things but they got through it in the end., Maybe there’ll be another story abou Sincere coming. He would be interesting.

[Tara Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

🥴 So the book was good, but there were some things that I hated. Livia, I hated that she went through so much like she couldn’t catch a break in this book which I disliked. Aria was clearly over being pregnant and she told her husband that and it was like in my opinion he did not give a fuck about that, she wanted her body back and couldn’t even get her mommy make over because she was pregnant again. I loved Tempo and Big A story it was just when it came to some of the others in the book I don’t fully like how their story was written.

[A Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Heart Wants What it Wants

Tempo and Big A were trying to fight their attraction to one another and as the universe would have it, it’s a forbidden love. Meanwhile, as the Cartier Cartel continues to grow and expand, we are introduced to some new characters like Zayd and Dylon. The Cartier Cartel 4 continues to build on the story of Tempo while shining some light on Legend, Icon and Saint.

[Charlotte Bembry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew chile!

What a series. I absolutely loved this book. It was well written, flowed well and definitely kept my attention. I was worried that Tempo would find herself tied/trapped into a loveless marriage, but everything worked out in her favor. The love that Sincere had to see her happy was quite admirable. But I’m sure he and Ava will end up together. Sasha was a snake and got just what she deserved.

[Shan-Queda Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

wonderful series

I loved Tempo’s story I’m glad she chose love in the end. I hated Sasha so bad. Sincere is a man. Maybe he and Ava could explore her feelings. Or maybe friendship. Legend and Aria .. whewwwww. That’s soo many damn kids. I still love Saint the most. Icon and Livia for win every single time. He did oiss me off when he blocked Tempo and Big A’s happily ever after.

[Tedra Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A love story without a black woman enduring trauma for it

Simply put, this was an easy read.A lot less stressful than Icon, Saint and Legends love story. I love how Sincere’s character matches his name. I hope he can get a love story too despite knowing he wouldn’t experience any drama since he isn’t fully emerged into the streets. Ava and him can have a beautiful story just like Asim & Tempo

[Troynika Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big A!

I'm going to have to change my favorite! Big A! A round of applause for that man! The stunt he pulled on Saint's doorstep was absolutely epic. My girl finally got her happy! This book took me through so many emotions. Bravo Ms. Watkins!

Tell Legend to unhand that lady! She is TIED LOL

[sunkiss Peace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book every woman that’s hyper independent needs a man like Big A. Women not letting a man lead is due to trust issues and constantly be let down. I’m glad tempo was able to let her guard down and let love in and fully trust Big A. Dominance shouldn’t be forced. This book is definitely on my REread list.

[Desmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

🥶🥶🥶

Mannn that’s the ending I was hoping for. U got me wondering if u coming out with a book for Ava. I need to know if her n ol dude get together they will be a cute couple. Overall i loved the book. Didn’t want it to end. How u do Aria like that. Had me weak to find out she is preggo again..

[Monica Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

great

I’m so glad tempo and big a got there happy ending. They deserved it despite how her brothers felt. They were being selfish at first. Poor aria she needs t make legend get a vasectomy. Love the family overall and the stories were great.maybe another book about the kids growing up and tempo and big a having some. Recommend the series to everyone.

[Natay 99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

👏 👏

I really enjoyed Temp's and Big A's story. Im glad they got their HEA....However I hope Sincere gets a book and I dont want him with Ava.....friends or not.....she can't get with Sincere if she's still gone be friends with Temp. I know he's super mature but please give him someone worthy of him and Ole girl ain't it

[Bo'Tina Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Yes ma’am I love this family they stand ten toes down for each other and why you do aria like that thinking she was getting her mommy makeover lol I wish you could’ve just let tempo ang big A just be together without dragging sincere through that but he was a solid man to walk away with his head held high

[Deborah Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was beyond thrilled for Tempo,she deserved to be just as happy as her brothers. Asim was truly Tempo soulmate.
The brothers were beyond overprotective, however there wives were not playing when it came to Tempo and her happiness!
Sincere was a man of honor, and he deserved to be loved wholeheartedly, and I believe Ava is just the woman to give him what he so desires!

[Trini B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed!!!!

I have been waiting on this book since the third installment came out and I must say this book did not do Tempo or Big A any justice. The story felt too rushed with way too many missing parts. I also felt like the tone of the characters changed drastically since the first book. Overall I’m just disappointed with this book.

[La Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best series this year!

Baby between Saint and Big A I didn't know whether I was cumming😂or going. These YN's had me hot and bothered. I love the way the Cartier's loved their
women. I was hoping that Ava and Sincere would hook up and have their own book. Just a dope series over.

[TammiMonique Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

happiness

I am super happy for Tempo.. She finally found her love happily ever after with big A ..Ariel She is funny. Legend, keep on getting her pregnant now she’s gonna have a baby. They are both very fertile. Saint is happy with his wife Zahiar Icon He’s happy with his wife and their son. God create miracles for the Cartier family..

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

a page turner

The final book in the series did not disappoint! I absolutely loved Tempo and Big A—Tempo’s strength really stood out, and I was so glad she finally got the love she deserved. This installment blended perfectly with the rest of the series. The balance of friendships, romance, and crime kept me hooked from start to finish. A perfect conclusion

[Dannelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Perfect!

Tempo & Big As story was perfect. However, Icon worked my nerves & I wasn’t prepared to like Sincere. Kudos for making loveable characters, not murdering a character I love, and making us want another book. I need Ava’s & Sincere’s book, even if it’s a novella.

[TRACY W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

👏🏿 👏🏿 👏🏿 👏🏿

I enjoyed this book. I thought Sincere was going to get his happily ever after with Ava. I love how Chicago was displayed throughout the book. Icon was and Saint were getting on my nerves! Tempo deserved love and I get it, but Big A had proved himself. Well written.

[Naukia Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happily Ever After!!!

Yay for Big A and Tempo!! I’m glad Big A killed Sasha grimy butt. Zayd got what he deserved. I like Sincere and I think him and Ava will become a couple. Jessica Watkins you did that…🔥🔥🔥

[Kristin Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

worth the wait

Readers listen here… pick up this 4th part of this series… it will pull you in and not let you go. Looking for emotional twists, snakes in the grass , messy entanglements and a little humor then this book is for you. Pick it up and dive into this cartel.