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Tempting Love #4
Secret Seduction
She’s too young. Too reckless. And now she’s my wife.
Vanessa Baker is a temptation with a body made for seduction and secrets swirling in her violet eyes.
There’s no denying that she’s a stunning woman, but she’s a wild card.
Irresistible, unpredictable, and unexpected.
Exactly the kind of trouble I’ve vowed to stay away from.
So, imagine my shock when I wake up in the Bahamas with a ring on my finger and Vanessa in my bed—with no memory of how either got there.
She swears she had no choice. That marrying me was the only way to save herself from a dangerous deal she’d never agreed to.
And now I’m torn between protecting her and resenting her … doing the right thing and wishing I’d never met her.
I don’t trust easily. Not with my heart. Not with my son. And I definitely don’t trust her.
But I bring her home anyway—because her life is at risk. And even though she doesn’t deserve my protection, she has it.
Every day she’s here, charming my son, slipping past my walls, she reminds me of what love is supposed to feel like.
So, what happens when she doesn’t need me anymore … and I still want her anyway?
Please note: Secret Seduction is not a mafia romance. The book is a dark romance because of its content. Since dark romance can mean different things to different readers, please check the detailed content warnings on my website. Your mental health matters.
Vanessa Baker is a temptation with a body made for seduction and secrets swirling in her violet eyes.
There’s no denying that she’s a stunning woman, but she’s a wild card.
Irresistible, unpredictable, and unexpected.
Exactly the kind of trouble I’ve vowed to stay away from.
So, imagine my shock when I wake up in the Bahamas with a ring on my finger and Vanessa in my bed—with no memory of how either got there.
She swears she had no choice. That marrying me was the only way to save herself from a dangerous deal she’d never agreed to.
And now I’m torn between protecting her and resenting her … doing the right thing and wishing I’d never met her.
I don’t trust easily. Not with my heart. Not with my son. And I definitely don’t trust her.
But I bring her home anyway—because her life is at risk. And even though she doesn’t deserve my protection, she has it.
Every day she’s here, charming my son, slipping past my walls, she reminds me of what love is supposed to feel like.
So, what happens when she doesn’t need me anymore … and I still want her anyway?
Please note: Secret Seduction is not a mafia romance. The book is a dark romance because of its content. Since dark romance can mean different things to different readers, please check the detailed content warnings on my website. Your mental health matters.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2026
About the author
Nikki Ash
80 books4,369 followersNikki Ash resides in South Florida where she is an English teacher and mom by day and a writer by night. When she’s not writing, you can find her with a book in her hand. From the Boxcar Children to Wuthering Heights to the latest Single Parent Romance, she has lived and breathed every type of book.
Reading is like breathing in, writing is like breathing out. - Pam Allyn
While reading and writing are her passions, her two children are her entire world. You can probably find them at a Disney park before you would find them at home on the weekends!
Reading is like breathing in, writing is like breathing out. - Pam Allyn
While reading and writing are her passions, her two children are her entire world. You can probably find them at a Disney park before you would find them at home on the weekends!
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August 12, 2026Secret Seduction is LIVE and available in Kindle Unlimited, ebook, paperback, and audio—performed by Theo Sinclair and Leanne Woodward!
What you can expect:
Single dad
Would kill for his wife (literally)
Grumpy/sunshine
Marriage of convenience
15 year age gap
Small town
Dark romance
Grab your copy now:
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLM5QJRD
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FLM5QJRD
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FLM5QJRD
You can also grabbed a signed copy on my website: www.authornikkiash.com/shop
She’s too young. Too reckless. And now she’s my wife.
Vanessa Baker is a temptation with a body made for seduction and secrets swirling in her violet eyes.
There’s no denying that she’s a stunning woman, but she’s a wild card.
Irresistible, unpredictable, and unexpected.
Exactly the kind of trouble I’ve vowed to stay away from.
So, imagine my shock when I wake up in the Bahamas with a ring on my finger and Vanessa in my bed—with no memory of how either got there.
She swears she had no choice. That marrying me was the only way to save herself from a dangerous deal she’d never agreed to.
And now I’m torn between protecting her and resenting her … doing the right thing and wishing I’d never met her.
I don’t trust easily. Not with my heart. Not with my son. And I definitely don’t trust her.
But I bring her home anyway—because her life is at risk. And even though she doesn’t deserve my protection, she has it.
Every day she’s here, charming my son, slipping past my walls, she reminds me of what love is supposed to feel like.
So, what happens when she doesn’t need me anymore … and I still want her anyway?
What you can expect:
Single dad
Would kill for his wife (literally)
Grumpy/sunshine
Marriage of convenience
15 year age gap
Small town
Dark romance
Grab your copy now:
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLM5QJRD
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FLM5QJRD
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FLM5QJRD
You can also grabbed a signed copy on my website: www.authornikkiash.com/shop
She’s too young. Too reckless. And now she’s my wife.
Vanessa Baker is a temptation with a body made for seduction and secrets swirling in her violet eyes.
There’s no denying that she’s a stunning woman, but she’s a wild card.
Irresistible, unpredictable, and unexpected.
Exactly the kind of trouble I’ve vowed to stay away from.
So, imagine my shock when I wake up in the Bahamas with a ring on my finger and Vanessa in my bed—with no memory of how either got there.
She swears she had no choice. That marrying me was the only way to save herself from a dangerous deal she’d never agreed to.
And now I’m torn between protecting her and resenting her … doing the right thing and wishing I’d never met her.
I don’t trust easily. Not with my heart. Not with my son. And I definitely don’t trust her.
But I bring her home anyway—because her life is at risk. And even though she doesn’t deserve my protection, she has it.
Every day she’s here, charming my son, slipping past my walls, she reminds me of what love is supposed to feel like.
So, what happens when she doesn’t need me anymore … and I still want her anyway?
July 21, 2026
Single dad, a messy start to a marriage connivence, grumpy x sunshine and an age gap all in one book, well I knew I was going to devour this book. Lorenzo and Vanessa’s story is the final book in the tempting love series and our author absolutely pulled out all the stops for this one.
This story does have an overarching villain that does continue from book one right to the final book and while these books are interconnected standalones I would recommend reading the previous books just if you want a clear understanding of characters and relationships👏🏼.
Vanessa is a student who is in her final year of university for fashion and design. She is passionate about her dream but life is about to become slightly complicated as just found out that her step father is in quite a pickle. To pay his dues he offers up Vanessa and get this even her mother was in agreement for the fact. Vanessa’s mother was never the nurturing type but this betrayal was felt deeply.
To escape her step-father’s plans she flies off to her friend Brielle’s wedding and it is here where her step sister Nicole makes a slight comment that this family will protect their own. Which leads to how Vanessa comes up with the wild idea to marry into the family so that she will be protected. And who might the unsuspecting groom be? Well none other than Lorenzo.
Speaking of a complicated life despite the fact that Lorenzo has now woken up with a new wife he has also recently found out he had a son when his ex returned and let’s just say I have no words for that woman, she was so manipulative and used her son against his father oh so many times. Lorenzo was wise to the fact and completely cut her off and is now raising his son on his own, well not completely on his own he does have the support of his sister and friends.
When Vanessa divulges the true reason that she orchestrated the impromptu marriage Lorenzo decides to help and protect her, so logically he moves her into his home until the threat is neutralised. Lorenzo’s walls are quite high throughout this book and understandably so, but little by little we start to see a bond start to form between the two characters. It also helps that his son Leo was quite attached to Vanessa and always wanted to be in her proximity much to Lorenzo’s dismay. Vanessa became quite protective of Leo and even though she believed her years of motherhood were in the distant future it certainly didn’t stop her for caring and protecting Leo like he was her own. My my it was the absolute cutest when he called her mama for the first time😭.
As I mentioned before, Lorenzo moved Vanessa into his home for a short period but as the love grew between the pair and by extension his son it left Vanessa confused about her future. Lorenzo fell in love with his wife but he never wanted her to give up on her dream and he actually pushes her and helps her achieve this dream and that is one of the many reasons I loved him in this book.
This pair is definitely a chaos duo. Where Lorenzo is stern and grumpy, Vanessa is the feisty and sunshine and I couldn’t ask for a better couple to read about. While I’m sad to be saying goodbye to these characters I hope it is not the last I see of them.
Thank you to the author who provided this e-arc for my honest thoughts
This story does have an overarching villain that does continue from book one right to the final book and while these books are interconnected standalones I would recommend reading the previous books just if you want a clear understanding of characters and relationships👏🏼.
Vanessa is a student who is in her final year of university for fashion and design. She is passionate about her dream but life is about to become slightly complicated as just found out that her step father is in quite a pickle. To pay his dues he offers up Vanessa and get this even her mother was in agreement for the fact. Vanessa’s mother was never the nurturing type but this betrayal was felt deeply.
To escape her step-father’s plans she flies off to her friend Brielle’s wedding and it is here where her step sister Nicole makes a slight comment that this family will protect their own. Which leads to how Vanessa comes up with the wild idea to marry into the family so that she will be protected. And who might the unsuspecting groom be? Well none other than Lorenzo.
Speaking of a complicated life despite the fact that Lorenzo has now woken up with a new wife he has also recently found out he had a son when his ex returned and let’s just say I have no words for that woman, she was so manipulative and used her son against his father oh so many times. Lorenzo was wise to the fact and completely cut her off and is now raising his son on his own, well not completely on his own he does have the support of his sister and friends.
When Vanessa divulges the true reason that she orchestrated the impromptu marriage Lorenzo decides to help and protect her, so logically he moves her into his home until the threat is neutralised. Lorenzo’s walls are quite high throughout this book and understandably so, but little by little we start to see a bond start to form between the two characters. It also helps that his son Leo was quite attached to Vanessa and always wanted to be in her proximity much to Lorenzo’s dismay. Vanessa became quite protective of Leo and even though she believed her years of motherhood were in the distant future it certainly didn’t stop her for caring and protecting Leo like he was her own. My my it was the absolute cutest when he called her mama for the first time😭.
As I mentioned before, Lorenzo moved Vanessa into his home for a short period but as the love grew between the pair and by extension his son it left Vanessa confused about her future. Lorenzo fell in love with his wife but he never wanted her to give up on her dream and he actually pushes her and helps her achieve this dream and that is one of the many reasons I loved him in this book.
This pair is definitely a chaos duo. Where Lorenzo is stern and grumpy, Vanessa is the feisty and sunshine and I couldn’t ask for a better couple to read about. While I’m sad to be saying goodbye to these characters I hope it is not the last I see of them.
Thank you to the author who provided this e-arc for my honest thoughts
August 6, 2026
I’m crying, no you’re crying. The temping love series has come to an end in Secret Seduction and what ending it was. This was my favourite book. I loved the fun and games. It had me laughing and loving their connection.
When times are desperate, it calls for desperate measures. Vanessa is about to be sold by her step-father. If he wasn’t so powerful she might be able to go to the police but unfortunately that’s not an option. When away with friends (the other characters from the series) she tricks Lorenzo into marrying her.
This is a marriage like no other. He’s guarded, she’s just trying to save her life. What starts out messy turns into something beautiful and the ride is well worth it!
Great book. I’m so sad this series is over and I didn’t want Secret seduced to end.
When times are desperate, it calls for desperate measures. Vanessa is about to be sold by her step-father. If he wasn’t so powerful she might be able to go to the police but unfortunately that’s not an option. When away with friends (the other characters from the series) she tricks Lorenzo into marrying her.
This is a marriage like no other. He’s guarded, she’s just trying to save her life. What starts out messy turns into something beautiful and the ride is well worth it!
Great book. I’m so sad this series is over and I didn’t want Secret seduced to end.
August 7, 2026
4.5 ✨
“𝐖𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐲.”
Oh man, Nikki really kept me on my toes with this one! Like I really didn’t know what to expect when I turned the page. Secret Seduction was full of surprises, laughs, emotions, fiery heat and everything in between.
Lorenzo just stole my heart easily!! I mean a single dad will already have me starry eyed no question buuut, watching the way his heart melted, his guarded wall came crashing down…him willing to do any and everything for the woman who stole his heart. After everything he had been through, I was rooting for his hea. He was such a romantic lover boy waiting for his chance to spoil his love and I reveled in him finally having that. Oh boy, stick a fork in me because I was done!
Vanessa and Lorenzo’s story had a very atypical beginning. Vanessa’s spunky sunshine and sweet personality wormed itself into Lorenzo’s heart without even trying. She was determined to reach her goals and not be sidelined by any obstacle. But, love was the one thing she didn’t count on. I loved the way Lorenzo wanted to fulfill her every desire but, so supportive of her independence.
Leo of course was a scene stealer every time! Vanessa’s bond with him was so tenderly sweet.
I loved Vanessa and Lorenzo’s banter. From the way their story began, you really got to see their relationship flourish from the ground up. I loved going through every step of their journey.
The subplot that had ran through each book leaving me hungry for more each time was finally resolved! Nikki tied up everything so wonderfully. I love me a finale with no loose ends. What a wild ride this series has been and I’m sad to see it end!
“𝐖𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐲.”
Oh man, Nikki really kept me on my toes with this one! Like I really didn’t know what to expect when I turned the page. Secret Seduction was full of surprises, laughs, emotions, fiery heat and everything in between.
Lorenzo just stole my heart easily!! I mean a single dad will already have me starry eyed no question buuut, watching the way his heart melted, his guarded wall came crashing down…him willing to do any and everything for the woman who stole his heart. After everything he had been through, I was rooting for his hea. He was such a romantic lover boy waiting for his chance to spoil his love and I reveled in him finally having that. Oh boy, stick a fork in me because I was done!
Vanessa and Lorenzo’s story had a very atypical beginning. Vanessa’s spunky sunshine and sweet personality wormed itself into Lorenzo’s heart without even trying. She was determined to reach her goals and not be sidelined by any obstacle. But, love was the one thing she didn’t count on. I loved the way Lorenzo wanted to fulfill her every desire but, so supportive of her independence.
Leo of course was a scene stealer every time! Vanessa’s bond with him was so tenderly sweet.
I loved Vanessa and Lorenzo’s banter. From the way their story began, you really got to see their relationship flourish from the ground up. I loved going through every step of their journey.
The subplot that had ran through each book leaving me hungry for more each time was finally resolved! Nikki tied up everything so wonderfully. I love me a finale with no loose ends. What a wild ride this series has been and I’m sad to see it end!
August 13, 2026
I cant believe this series has come to an end 🥹 this was my fave book from the series!! I looooved Lorenzo and how he cared for his son. I loveeed how he wanted Vanessa to get everything she dreamed of and didn’t want to get in her way. He was grumpy in the beginning but once he fell he fell HARD. Vanessa was so good with Leo 🥹 even tho she didn’t have much experience with kids she was a natural and cared for him like her own. I love this little familyyyyt, I like how perfectly everything ended and how we get to see all the other couples throughout this book as well 🖤
Can’t wait to see what Nikki Ash does next 🫶🏼✨
Can’t wait to see what Nikki Ash does next 🫶🏼✨
August 6, 2026
I’ve been waiting for Lorenzo’s story. And though Secret Seduction is the last book in the Tempting Love Series, I’m so glad we get to end it with him. Most importantly, I was downright giddy that Lorenzo was with Vanessa because even though I’m all about the redemption arc, I admit I was concerned for a bit.
I’ve said this before about Author Nikki Ash: she knows what readers want, and it seems like she writes with that in mind. The way Secret Seduction begins reflects that. It was exactly what I wanted for Lorenzo. I love the 15-year age gap between him and Vanessa. I’ve read a fair amount of the ‘wake up in the morning and how did we get here, we’re married’ stories. Nikki took that and owned it—made it unique and exciting, and weaved it into the Tempting Love storyline, all the while building a romance between Lorenzo and Vanessa. There are plenty of spicy scenes, humor, and characters from the other books in the series. Secret Seduction was a wonderful conclusion, well worth the wait.
Thank you to Author Nikki Ash for the gifted copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I’ve said this before about Author Nikki Ash: she knows what readers want, and it seems like she writes with that in mind. The way Secret Seduction begins reflects that. It was exactly what I wanted for Lorenzo. I love the 15-year age gap between him and Vanessa. I’ve read a fair amount of the ‘wake up in the morning and how did we get here, we’re married’ stories. Nikki took that and owned it—made it unique and exciting, and weaved it into the Tempting Love storyline, all the while building a romance between Lorenzo and Vanessa. There are plenty of spicy scenes, humor, and characters from the other books in the series. Secret Seduction was a wonderful conclusion, well worth the wait.
Thank you to Author Nikki Ash for the gifted copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 1, 2026
3.5 stars - Secret Seduction is the conclusion to a series involving an organized crime family finding romance, while also uncovering a threat against the family that’s been following them since the first book of the series.
Lorenzo and Vanessa started off….very interesting, I will say (the title is perfect for how these two hit it off lol). Lorenzo’s a single dad trying to raise his son, and Vanessa is trying to survive after accidentally hearing her stepfather’s plans to sell her off to the highest bidder. To avoid this, she ends up married to Lorenzo so she can be under the protection of his family. Neither of them expected love to happen, but of course a few weeks together, coupled with Vanessa’s growing bond with his son, leads to an inevitable connection between the two.
That being said, I did feel their connection was forced. Lorenzo went from not wanting her at all, to deciding he couldn’t fight his attraction and suddenly claimed she was the one. Vanessa’s interest felt more organic, but I just didn’t click with her character.
Baby Leo and finding out the conclusion to the mystery plot were the best parts for me. Even then, the conclusion to the mystery was a bit anticlimactic, given how it had been building throughout the series. Either way, this was overall a great series and I would recommend! This is a standalone so you do not have to read the other books first.
Lorenzo and Vanessa started off….very interesting, I will say (the title is perfect for how these two hit it off lol). Lorenzo’s a single dad trying to raise his son, and Vanessa is trying to survive after accidentally hearing her stepfather’s plans to sell her off to the highest bidder. To avoid this, she ends up married to Lorenzo so she can be under the protection of his family. Neither of them expected love to happen, but of course a few weeks together, coupled with Vanessa’s growing bond with his son, leads to an inevitable connection between the two.
That being said, I did feel their connection was forced. Lorenzo went from not wanting her at all, to deciding he couldn’t fight his attraction and suddenly claimed she was the one. Vanessa’s interest felt more organic, but I just didn’t click with her character.
Baby Leo and finding out the conclusion to the mystery plot were the best parts for me. Even then, the conclusion to the mystery was a bit anticlimactic, given how it had been building throughout the series. Either way, this was overall a great series and I would recommend! This is a standalone so you do not have to read the other books first.
September 19, 2026
Wildcard
Early reactions: Vanessa "wildcard" Baker is being thrown to the wolves. Yes, that's some messed up 💩 that she walks into. Still, I don't like how she handles it, but I'm trusting Nikki to make me love her and Lorenzo Russo.
She saunters away, and I can’t help but watch her as she goes. I might not be the type to have one-night stands, but I can still appreciate her from a distance.
And fuck is there a lot to appreciate.
-- Lorenzo Russo
As much as I don't like the deception that starts their relationship, it isn't long before I'm forgetting about it and become invested in this family. The way baby Leo takes to her and vice versa makes my heart melt. And I absolutely love how she and Lorenzo build a relationship - one game of blackjack or soak in the hot tub at a time.
I like that karma comes to collect from a few folks. It really couldn't have happened to more deserving people.
I listened to the audio book. The narrators, Leanne Woodward and Theo Sinclair, are really good and easy to listen to. I enjoyed their performances. 🎧💛🎧
Story: 4 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Listening Speed: 1.8x
H = 36; h = 21
TROPES & TRIGGERS:
❤️ Found family
👶 Adorable baby
🔥 Open-door steamy scenes 🌶
🧔♂️ Single dad
🕐 First person, dual POV
🖤 Dark romance
☠️ Touch her and die
⏰️ Age gap romance
🍒 All V-cards retired 🍑
⚖️ Vengeance / Vigilante justice
💦 Unprotected couplings
🫣 Semi-private encounters
Read
August 6, 2026A grumpy single dad who LIVES for his baby boy who also stays in a surprise “whoopsie” (also sorta forced) marriage to protect his MUCH younger virgin bride from danger?!?!!? YEH,I I knew I would EAT THIS ONE UP.
What an absolutely WILD ride the Tempting Love series has been! Nikki Ash has had me hooked from book one with the perfect mix of danger, suspense, swoony romance, found family, and seriously addictive chemistry. And Lorenzo and Vanessa? They were the PERFECT couple to close out this series.
Lorenzo is the definition of a grumpy, guarded hero. After being betrayed by the mother of his son, he's built his entire life around protecting little Leo and keeping everyone else at arm's length. Then Vanessa crashes into his world in the most unexpected way. Desperate to escape an impossible situation after being betrayed by the people who should have protected her, she proposes a marriage of convenience. It is unique, messy, and chaotic set up that gave us all that forced proximity tension.
The slow burn between these two was SO satisfying. Lorenzo spends most of the book trying to convince himself that keeping Vanessa at a distance is the safest option, but watching those walls slowly crumble was everything. He does kind of flip on liking her all of a sudden/pretty quickly, but overall they still have time to grow together. He may be a complete grump to everyone else, but underneath all that brooding is the biggest softie, especially when it comes to his baby Leo. Seeing Vanessa work her way into both of their hearts was so cute. She’s young, inexperience, naive, and has been through SO MUCH, but I love how her contrast wakes Lorenzo up. Despite it all she’s light and fun and optimistic.
Leo absolutely steals every scene he's in. Nikki babies are always my favs. Their little family begins to take shape so naturally, and it made every sacrifice Lorenzo and Vanessa made for one another feel that much more meaningful. What I loved most was that neither of them ever asked the other to give up who they were. Vanessa never stops chasing her dreams, and Lorenzo becomes the biggest supporter of the future she wants for herself. Their relationship feels like a true partnership built on trust, sacrifice, and choosing each other again and again. THey are what Nikki does so well- couples who GROW together within the conflict vs. having it tear them apart.
The suspense running through the series continues here and keeps the stakes high without ever overshadowing the romance. The series overarching action does wrap up a smidge quickly, but there's still plenty of twists and enough danger to keep those pages flying. But more than anything, this was such a bittersweet goodbye to a series I've loved from the very beginning. Between the protective heroes, the unforgettable friendships, the family bonds, the tension, the spice, and all the twists along the way, Tempting Love has been such a fun world to get lost in.
What to Expect:
❤️🔥 Single Dad
❤️🔥 Grumpy x Sunshine
❤️🔥 Marriage of Convenience
❤️🔥 15-Year Age Gap
❤️🔥 Slow Burn Romance
❤️🔥 Protective Hero
❤️🔥 Found Family
❤️🔥 Dangerous Hero
❤️🔥 Romantic Suspense
❤️🔥 Forced Proximity
❤️🔥 Strong, Resilient Heroine
❤️🔥 Plenty of Spice
What an absolutely WILD ride the Tempting Love series has been! Nikki Ash has had me hooked from book one with the perfect mix of danger, suspense, swoony romance, found family, and seriously addictive chemistry. And Lorenzo and Vanessa? They were the PERFECT couple to close out this series.
Lorenzo is the definition of a grumpy, guarded hero. After being betrayed by the mother of his son, he's built his entire life around protecting little Leo and keeping everyone else at arm's length. Then Vanessa crashes into his world in the most unexpected way. Desperate to escape an impossible situation after being betrayed by the people who should have protected her, she proposes a marriage of convenience. It is unique, messy, and chaotic set up that gave us all that forced proximity tension.
The slow burn between these two was SO satisfying. Lorenzo spends most of the book trying to convince himself that keeping Vanessa at a distance is the safest option, but watching those walls slowly crumble was everything. He does kind of flip on liking her all of a sudden/pretty quickly, but overall they still have time to grow together. He may be a complete grump to everyone else, but underneath all that brooding is the biggest softie, especially when it comes to his baby Leo. Seeing Vanessa work her way into both of their hearts was so cute. She’s young, inexperience, naive, and has been through SO MUCH, but I love how her contrast wakes Lorenzo up. Despite it all she’s light and fun and optimistic.
Leo absolutely steals every scene he's in. Nikki babies are always my favs. Their little family begins to take shape so naturally, and it made every sacrifice Lorenzo and Vanessa made for one another feel that much more meaningful. What I loved most was that neither of them ever asked the other to give up who they were. Vanessa never stops chasing her dreams, and Lorenzo becomes the biggest supporter of the future she wants for herself. Their relationship feels like a true partnership built on trust, sacrifice, and choosing each other again and again. THey are what Nikki does so well- couples who GROW together within the conflict vs. having it tear them apart.
The suspense running through the series continues here and keeps the stakes high without ever overshadowing the romance. The series overarching action does wrap up a smidge quickly, but there's still plenty of twists and enough danger to keep those pages flying. But more than anything, this was such a bittersweet goodbye to a series I've loved from the very beginning. Between the protective heroes, the unforgettable friendships, the family bonds, the tension, the spice, and all the twists along the way, Tempting Love has been such a fun world to get lost in.
What to Expect:
❤️🔥 Single Dad
❤️🔥 Grumpy x Sunshine
❤️🔥 Marriage of Convenience
❤️🔥 15-Year Age Gap
❤️🔥 Slow Burn Romance
❤️🔥 Protective Hero
❤️🔥 Found Family
❤️🔥 Dangerous Hero
❤️🔥 Romantic Suspense
❤️🔥 Forced Proximity
❤️🔥 Strong, Resilient Heroine
❤️🔥 Plenty of Spice
August 8, 2026
Another addictive book from this series that I simply could not put down.
This is the fourth book in the series, and I definitely recommend reading the first three to fully appreciate these morally gray men, their history, and the enemies they’ve made along the way. It is a standalone romance, but the subplot that has carried throughout the series is concluded in this book.
The forced marriage of convenience twist had me hooked from the start, and the touch her and die vibes were everything. Add in a suspenseful plot, moments that left my eyes a little watery, and characters I couldn’t stop thinking about, and I was completely invested from beginning to end. This is going to be one of my favorite single-dad romances, and all the adorable baby moments made it even better.
This is a dark romance with a few content warnings, but I wouldn’t consider it overly dark. For me, the darker elements added to the suspense and tension without taking away from the romance.
Deep down, I found myself completely attached to these characters. There were plenty of moments that had me emotional, my stomach clinching, and others completely melting over their relationships, the banter, and the support this found-family gave each other.
This is the fourth book in the series, and I definitely recommend reading the first three to fully appreciate these morally gray men, their history, and the enemies they’ve made along the way. It is a standalone romance, but the subplot that has carried throughout the series is concluded in this book.
The forced marriage of convenience twist had me hooked from the start, and the touch her and die vibes were everything. Add in a suspenseful plot, moments that left my eyes a little watery, and characters I couldn’t stop thinking about, and I was completely invested from beginning to end. This is going to be one of my favorite single-dad romances, and all the adorable baby moments made it even better.
This is a dark romance with a few content warnings, but I wouldn’t consider it overly dark. For me, the darker elements added to the suspense and tension without taking away from the romance.
Deep down, I found myself completely attached to these characters. There were plenty of moments that had me emotional, my stomach clinching, and others completely melting over their relationships, the banter, and the support this found-family gave each other.
July 30, 2026
“You never have to beg for me to be with you,” I say, having a seat on the bench. “I’m yours … whenever, wherever, always.”
Ummm, this one was an INSTANT new favorite in the series! Lorenzo is a teddy bear at heart that was burned by a woman one too many times. He had his walls up around Vanessa, for a realllllly good reason, but he still kept her safe.
“Because every king belongs with his queen,” he says, kissing me softly.
Vanessa was put in an impossible situation and did what she had to, to survive. I did NOT see that coming! 😅
“You’d better get ready, wife, because now that I know how good it feels to be inside you, I’m never going to want to leave.”
I loved to see how Vanessa and Lorenzo grew together with their love centered around little Leo. There were so many adorable moments and getting to see Lorenzo as a dad was everything!
I can’t believe this series is now over! I loved these couples and all the twists and turns we got along the way! The climax of this story had me bracing for impact but I loved how everything played out.
If you love dangerous men that love hard and will burn the world down to protect their loved ones, you have to read this series asap!
Tropes:
💙 Single Dad
🌤️ Grumpy x Sunshine
💍 Marriage of Necessity
🫶🏼 Band of Brothers
🤭 Dangerous Men
🍷 Age Gap (15 yrs)
❤️🔥 Slow Burn + Spice
Ummm, this one was an INSTANT new favorite in the series! Lorenzo is a teddy bear at heart that was burned by a woman one too many times. He had his walls up around Vanessa, for a realllllly good reason, but he still kept her safe.
“Because every king belongs with his queen,” he says, kissing me softly.
Vanessa was put in an impossible situation and did what she had to, to survive. I did NOT see that coming! 😅
“You’d better get ready, wife, because now that I know how good it feels to be inside you, I’m never going to want to leave.”
I loved to see how Vanessa and Lorenzo grew together with their love centered around little Leo. There were so many adorable moments and getting to see Lorenzo as a dad was everything!
I can’t believe this series is now over! I loved these couples and all the twists and turns we got along the way! The climax of this story had me bracing for impact but I loved how everything played out.
If you love dangerous men that love hard and will burn the world down to protect their loved ones, you have to read this series asap!
Tropes:
💙 Single Dad
🌤️ Grumpy x Sunshine
💍 Marriage of Necessity
🫶🏼 Band of Brothers
🤭 Dangerous Men
🍷 Age Gap (15 yrs)
❤️🔥 Slow Burn + Spice
September 19, 2026
If you’ve been reading this series, you probably need this book. If you haven’t, it’s still great—maybe just a little juicier? So read this series in any more.
Written in first-person POV, alternating.
Present tense.
She’s being offered up for sale … by her own parents! I love how Ash’s ‘dark’ reads are creeping closer into being actually dark—I love everything she does. This series has been delicious from book 1, and somehow the stakes just get higher…
And a smart, bold heroine? Even more fun…
Secret baby.
Crime families.
Betrayal.
Danger.
Tr4ffick|ng.
Arranged / convenient marriage.
She’s a V.
Single dad.
Anxiety disorder / representation.
Overall:
Yet another delicious read/listen from Nikki Ash—enjoyed every second.
4 stars.
🎙️ Audiobook:
Flawless–so beautiful, all-around. 5 stars. 🦩
Written in first-person POV, alternating.
Present tense.
She’s being offered up for sale … by her own parents! I love how Ash’s ‘dark’ reads are creeping closer into being actually dark—I love everything she does. This series has been delicious from book 1, and somehow the stakes just get higher…
And a smart, bold heroine? Even more fun…
Secret baby.
Crime families.
Betrayal.
Danger.
Tr4ffick|ng.
Arranged / convenient marriage.
She’s a V.
Single dad.
Anxiety disorder / representation.
Overall:
Yet another delicious read/listen from Nikki Ash—enjoyed every second.
4 stars.
🎙️ Audiobook:
Flawless–so beautiful, all-around. 5 stars. 🦩
August 2, 2026
4.5 stars! I binged this in one day 🔥🔥 fav of the series!!
-Single dad
-Age gap
-Marriage of convenience
-Darker romance
-Dual POV
-Spice
Ooph- from start to finish, I could NOT put this down! I’ve loved every book in this series, but I think this was my favorite!
The secrets, the tension, the spice, the emotions- loved it all!
As always, loved the binge-able writing and fast paced plot and Ash knows how to write amazing spice 🤌
Highly recommend for any darker romance, mafia romance, or romance lovers!
-Single dad
-Age gap
-Marriage of convenience
-Darker romance
-Dual POV
-Spice
Ooph- from start to finish, I could NOT put this down! I’ve loved every book in this series, but I think this was my favorite!
The secrets, the tension, the spice, the emotions- loved it all!
As always, loved the binge-able writing and fast paced plot and Ash knows how to write amazing spice 🤌
Highly recommend for any darker romance, mafia romance, or romance lovers!
September 2, 2026
Secret Seduction, pulled me in with that classic setup of waking up married to a stranger and never quite let me go.
Lorenzo is every bit the guarded single dad the blurb promises, protective of his son to a fault, distrustful after being burned before, and determined to keep his walls high.
Vanessa arrives as pure chaos in the form of a younger woman with secrets in her eyes and a body that tempts him even while he resents the ring suddenly sitting on his finger. Watching him wrestle between resentment and the instinct to protect her felt raw and believable, especially once he brings her into his home and she starts slipping past those carefully built defenses one quiet moment at a time.
What surprised me most was how the forced marriage never felt like a pure convenience trope for long. Vanessa’s reasons for needing the protection are dark enough to justify the label, and Lorenzo’s conflicted sense of duty creates real tension that keeps the pages turning.
Yet the heart of the story lives in the softer moments, the way she charms his son without trying, the gradual thawing of Lorenzo’s suspicion, and the slow realization that the woman he never meant to keep is the one making him remember what it feels like to want more than safety.
Their chemistry builds with a delicious reluctance that makes every charged interaction land harder when the heat finally arrives.
The author balances the darker undercurrents with genuine sweetness, especially in the scenes involving the little boy who steals more than a few of the best moments. By the time the question of what happens when Vanessa no longer needs Lorenzo’s protection becomes urgent, I was fully invested in whether this grumpy, fiercely loyal man would let himself keep the unexpected wife who had already claimed a place in his carefully ordered life.
It’s messy, protective, and ultimately satisfying in the way the best age gap single dad stories can be when the emotional walls come down.
I closed the book feeling that familiar ache of wanting just a little more time with these two and the family they somehow built in the middle of all the secrets.
Highly recommended 💜
🦋
Lorenzo is every bit the guarded single dad the blurb promises, protective of his son to a fault, distrustful after being burned before, and determined to keep his walls high.
Vanessa arrives as pure chaos in the form of a younger woman with secrets in her eyes and a body that tempts him even while he resents the ring suddenly sitting on his finger. Watching him wrestle between resentment and the instinct to protect her felt raw and believable, especially once he brings her into his home and she starts slipping past those carefully built defenses one quiet moment at a time.
What surprised me most was how the forced marriage never felt like a pure convenience trope for long. Vanessa’s reasons for needing the protection are dark enough to justify the label, and Lorenzo’s conflicted sense of duty creates real tension that keeps the pages turning.
Yet the heart of the story lives in the softer moments, the way she charms his son without trying, the gradual thawing of Lorenzo’s suspicion, and the slow realization that the woman he never meant to keep is the one making him remember what it feels like to want more than safety.
Their chemistry builds with a delicious reluctance that makes every charged interaction land harder when the heat finally arrives.
The author balances the darker undercurrents with genuine sweetness, especially in the scenes involving the little boy who steals more than a few of the best moments. By the time the question of what happens when Vanessa no longer needs Lorenzo’s protection becomes urgent, I was fully invested in whether this grumpy, fiercely loyal man would let himself keep the unexpected wife who had already claimed a place in his carefully ordered life.
It’s messy, protective, and ultimately satisfying in the way the best age gap single dad stories can be when the emotional walls come down.
I closed the book feeling that familiar ache of wanting just a little more time with these two and the family they somehow built in the middle of all the secrets.
Highly recommended 💜
🦋
September 14, 2026
im sorry maybe I'm too young but being a step mom to a 40 year old mans kid at like 21 literally sounds like actual hell idc how in love you are. this has gotta be propaganda 😭 please city girls stay up 🙏
oh my gosh I don't know what's funnier the fact that this book was so awful to read or the fact that it just had to be the one to push me over to finish my goal. Nonetheless I'm incredibly proud of myself for reading 50 books especially in a year where it felt like literacy was dying and where it really took me trial and error to learn how to manage my time and prioritize the things that bring me joy.
oh my gosh I don't know what's funnier the fact that this book was so awful to read or the fact that it just had to be the one to push me over to finish my goal. Nonetheless I'm incredibly proud of myself for reading 50 books especially in a year where it felt like literacy was dying and where it really took me trial and error to learn how to manage my time and prioritize the things that bring me joy.
August 23, 2026
A wild ride! Omg this book took things to a place I didn’t imagine and I loved every nerve wracking word!
Lorenzo and Vanessa when they finally start to see eye to eye are an amazing couple and the heat is…seriously enjoyable.
An amazing book and I am now sad I have to wait for my next Nikki Ash read!
Lorenzo and Vanessa when they finally start to see eye to eye are an amazing couple and the heat is…seriously enjoyable.
An amazing book and I am now sad I have to wait for my next Nikki Ash read!
August 12, 2026
Loved
This series is such great read. I wasn't sure how Lorenzo story would go but this was great. Vanessa and Lorenzo got everything they thought they would never have
This series is such great read. I wasn't sure how Lorenzo story would go but this was great. Vanessa and Lorenzo got everything they thought they would never have
September 9, 2026
OK, y’all.
We are back in **Harbor Point** for the fourth and final book in Nikki Ash’s **Tempting Love** series.
Now let me say this upfront.
I actually like Nikki Ash.
I enjoyed her book **Waiting on You**. I even told her so on TikTok.
So I am not new here.
I’m true here.
I am not coming into this review with pitchforks and sharpened pencils just because I can.
That is not me anyway.
But let’s get this straight.
Yes, the **Tempting Love** series has tested me in ways I did not expect.
Please understand this is not slander.
This is reader disappointment with receipts.
Because baby, listen.
I wanted this series to work.
I wanted the **Antonov / Rothschild / Russo** chaos to work.
I wanted drama.
I wanted emotion.
I wanted payoff.
I wanted consequences.
And honey, **Andrey Antonov** needed consequences, a court date, a padded cell, and several people standing around saying, “How did we let him get this far?”
But instead, I have been over here side-eyeing arranged marriages, family trauma, dead boyfriends, abusive fathers, shady parents, and men who needed consequences two books ago.
And now here we are.
Book 4.
The final finale.
Lorenzo is the MMC.
Yes.
That Lorenzo.
The one connected to Books 1 through 3 and all the trauma, circus arrangements, family chaos, and rich-people foolishness that had me side-eyeing everybody with a last name and money.
So naturally, I had questions.
Redemption arc?
Emotional damage?
Secret cinnamon roll?
Mafia cleanup crew?
Lorenzo, get your behind in here.
We need to talk.
And somebody call Daphne.
Because the Mystery Machine may be needed, but this time I also want Madea nearby with a hot cast iron skillet.
## 📚 Plot + Vibe Dump
Before we even get into Lorenzo and Vanessa, let’s revisit **Hillary Sparks**.
Yes.
That Hillary.
The woman who helped send Lorenzo to jail in Book 2.
And first of all, let’s talk about the name **Hillary Sparks**.
Because if that does not sound like a low-rent Barbie who comes with fraud accessories, I do not know what does.
If you remember correctly, **Matteo**, Lorenzo’s best friend and brother-in-law, had been telling Lorenzo to get rid of Hillary since Book 1.
Matteo said don’t marry her.
Matteo put Hillary out of Lorenzo’s condo.
Matteo saw the clown car coming and tried to wave Lorenzo off the road.
Did Lorenzo listen?
No.
Not one doggone bit.
So now here we are in Book 4.
Lorenzo is a rich baby daddy with trust issues and a past that looks like a financial crime documentary.
Hillary was in cahoots with **Enrique Rothschild**.
Long story short, Joseph Rothschild slept with Big Daddy Russo’s woman, Maria, got her pregnant, married her, and caused a rift in the friendship.
Fast forward, Lorenzo’s father shoots and kills Joseph.
Enrique gets mad and starts seeking revenge against Lorenzo and his sister.
That is where Hillary comes in.
Hillary paid off Lorenzo’s assistant so she could slide into the position.
Enrique paid Hillary to find information on the Russo family and their businesses.
And she gave up the goods.
For more information, go back and read the Book 2 review because I am not adjudicating that mess again.
Court is tired.
Now onto Book 4.
Lorenzo is thirty-five, head of the **Russo Group** real estate company, a billionaire, big brother to Dani, best friend to Matteo, and single dad to little Leonardo, also known as Leo.
Lorenzo is also a hopeless romantic.
Or at least he was.
Now?
He is a grumpy, wounded, trust-issues-having billionaire who has been burned so badly that even the smoke detector stopped checking on him.
And honestly?
I cannot blame him.
Because right out the gate, Lorenzo calls himself a chump.
Well, tell the truth and shame the devil.
Because if that ain’t the truth, I do not know what is.
Low-Rent Barbie showed up on his doorstep with a baby, and this man handed her an unlimited credit card, a luxury vehicle, and a roof over her head because she said she wanted to be a family.
Sir.
You are not a hopeless romantic.
You are a Wells Fargo branch with abandonment issues.
And then Hillary stole **$1.2 million** from him while sleeping with Jimmy the lowlife at a roach motel in the next town over.
Child, please.
We do not need the Mystery Machine for this one.
We need Madea, a skillet, and a forensic accountant.
## 💀 Character Crimes Section
### Lorenzo Russo
Lorenzo is not a bad man.
Actually, Lorenzo is probably the best man in this entire chaos parade.
He is loving.
He is kind.
He is supportive.
He is protective.
He is a good father.
He respects Vanessa’s dreams.
He cares about her goals.
He makes room for her.
He is green flag energy all day long.
Now, did he shoot somebody?
Yes.
But he shot an evil stepfather while that man was trying to help get Vanessa raped and trafficked, so honestly, the green flags were still waving.
I almost fainted when Lorenzo finally did something gangsta.
Because for a large portion of this book, I thought Lorenzo was just a lovesick puppy with billionaire money and emotional bruising.
Then he finally stepped into the room like, “Oh, I do have morally gray capabilities.”
Well, well, well.
I like it when I’m wrong.
But here is my issue.
For Lorenzo to come from this big alliance between the Antonovs, Rothschilds, and Russos, why does he not have his own guards?
Why is he using Matteo’s men for everything?
Matteo’s men guard his apartment building.
Matteo’s men handle security.
Matteo’s men seem to be doing the actual mafia-adjacent labor.
Lorenzo does not even carry a gun.
Sir.
Are you mafia, or are you a wealthy man with access to group chat violence?
Because there is a difference.
I needed more from Lorenzo on the morally gray side.
I did not need him to become Andrey Antonov with better grooming.
Absolutely not.
But I did need the book to stop telling me this was mafia energy and then giving me a real estate billionaire who needed to borrow another man’s security plan.
That is not mafia romance.
That is rich people with occasional felony seasoning.
### Vanessa Baker
Vanessa is twenty-one.
She is smart.
She is talented.
She loves fashion.
She can sew her ass off.
She is in college studying business and fashion because she dreams of opening her own label.
She has severe anxiety.
She is independent.
She is close to Nicole.
She is also in serious danger because her stepfather, **Eric Vanderbilt**, is a garbage can in a suit with mayoral access.
Vanessa should have been written as desperate.
A young woman trapped, terrified, and trying to survive a horrifying situation.
Because the bones were there.
Her stepfather was planning to trade her to clear his debts.
Her mother cared more about appearances than the fact that her daughter was being sold.
Vanessa was isolated, afraid, and trying to find a way out.
That should have carried emotional weight.
But instead?
Vanessa came across as self-righteous in places.
And that is where the writing lost me.
Because Vanessa drugs Lorenzo’s drink and marries him without his knowledge or consent.
Now let’s be very clear.
No.
She did not rape him.
But she did drug him.
She did marry him without his consent.
She did use him in a life-or-death plan that he did not agree to.
Then she had the nerve to act like Lorenzo was being immature about it.
Ma’am.
You drugged that man.
You married him without his knowledge.
He let you live in his condo.
He stood up to your stepfather.
He helped protect you.
And you are calling him immature?
Girl, bye.
I was Tyra Banks in my spirit.
**We were rooting for you. We were all rooting for you.**
And listen.
I understand she was trying to save her life.
I understand she was panicking.
I understand Eric texted her and made her feel like time had run out.
But desperation does not make consent optional.
That is where I needed the book to handle Vanessa differently.
Make her scared.
Make her frantic.
Make her ashamed.
Make her apologetic.
Make her understand the weight of what she did.
But do not have her standing there like Lorenzo is the problem because he is upset about being drugged and legally married against his will.
No ma’am.
That is not sassy.
That is not strong.
That is not cute.
That is Dynasty-slap territory.
### Leo
Leo was adorable.
Let me say that.
The relationship between Vanessa and Leo was one of the best parts of the book.
Watching Vanessa come into herself and step into this nurturing role worked.
That connection softened her.
It showed a better side of her.
It gave her growth.
But I do need to talk about this baby’s timeline.
Leo is somewhere around eight or nine months old.
Not walking.
Still very much a baby.
And yet this little child is in a high chair saying, “Up, up, up.”
Now I am not saying babies cannot surprise you.
But baby, this timeline was wobbling.
If he is eight months old, I need less toddler dialogue and more baby realism.
Because the math was not mathing.
And I do not like when babies are written like tiny motivational speakers in diapers.
## 🦹 Villain Crimes Section
### Eric Vanderbilt
The horrible father Olympics continue.
And yes, Andrey Antonov already took the gold in this series.
That man has a permanent podium.
But now here comes **Eric Vanderbilt**, mayor of Harbor Point and shady as hell, trying to snatch a medal.
This man takes naked pictures of Vanessa and sends them to **Santiago** so he can trade Vanessa to clear his debts.
Let me repeat that.
He takes pictures of his twenty-one-year-old stepdaughter.
Without her knowledge.
Without her consent.
Then uses those pictures as part of a deal to sell her into trafficking.
Sir.
You are not a villain.
You are a biohazard with a campaign slogan.
Drop him in the ocean with concrete boots and a discontinued voter registration card.
### Vanessa’s Mother
Now Vanessa’s mother?
She may not be gold medal level, but she is absolutely on the podium.
Because Eric is telling her what he did.
He is explaining that he took naked pictures of her daughter.
He is explaining that he made a deal to trade Vanessa to clear his debts.
And this woman’s first concern is:
What will people think?
Ma’am.
Your daughter is in danger.
Your husband is a predator.
Your household is a crime scene.
And you are worried about public relations?
Maybe I should stop calling this the Horrible Father Olympics and rename it the Terrible Parent Olympics.
Because Vanessa’s mother is standing there in a soft cardigan, tap dancing toward bronze.
Weak is not always innocent.
Sometimes weak is just evil with better lighting.
### Hillary Sparks
Hillary Sparks remains one of the most unserious names attached to a very serious betrayal.
She helped Lorenzo get played.
She stole from him.
She worked with Enrique.
She got close enough to gather information.
She was sleeping with Jimmy at a motel that probably charged by the hour and smelled like old fries and regret.
And yet somehow, the ending around Hillary still felt unclear.
Matteo “took care of her.”
Okay.
What does that mean?
Did he kill her?
Did he scare her?
Did he send her to witness protection for bargain-bin villains?
Did she move to Tampa and start selling waist trainers on Facebook Marketplace?
I need closure.
Do not give me “Matteo handled it” and then walk away like that is a full sentence.
This is a final book.
Tie the bow.
Even if the bow is made of crime.
## 👀 Side-Eye Section
### This Is Not Mafia Romance
I think we have established from the beginning that this series is not really mafia romance.
There is no real mafia structure.
No clear organization.
No chain of command that feels lived in.
No operations.
No hierarchy beyond rich men knowing other rich men who occasionally commit crimes.
This is morally gray men with money.
Lots and lots of money.
And listen, that can work.
I can enjoy morally gray romance.
I can enjoy rich men behaving badly.
I can enjoy romantic suspense with a few bodies in the trunk.
But do not sell me mafia romance and then hand me a billionaire who cannot even sweep a phone for trackers before the halfway mark.
Which brings me to my next point.
What do you mean nobody swept Vanessa’s devices?
Your tech guy should have been the first person to say, “We do not know this woman, and she came with a trafficking threat and family chaos. Sweep everything.”
Phone.
Laptop.
Tablet.
Smartwatch.
Mascara tube.
Glass straw.
All of it.
Instead, we are over halfway through the book before they realize all her devices have trackers in them.
Palm to forehead.
This is why I cannot call this mafia romance.
This is morally gray romance with security gaps and expensive furniture.
### The Repetition
The story got repetitive.
We already knew Vanessa had to go back to school in Seattle.
We already knew Lorenzo did not do hookups.
We already knew they liked each other but did not know what to call whatever they had going on.
We knew.
We saw it.
Chapter after chapter after chapter.
At some point, it stopped being romantic tension and started feeling like the book was pacing back and forth in front of the refrigerator.
Move the story forward.
Land the plane.
Circle the airport one more time and I am calling air traffic control.
### The Glass Straw
Now let’s talk about these unnecessary details.
Because why do I need to know about Vanessa’s glass straw?
How is that integral to the story?
Is this a Chekhov’s straw situation?
Is she going to stab somebody in the eyeball with it later?
Is the glass straw going to save the day?
Is it secretly a tracker?
A weapon?
A metaphor?
A cry for editing?
Because if the plot has loose ends, the emotional payoff is missing, and we still do not know what happened to half the villains, I do not need a beverage accessory getting page time.
We need an editor.
Not a straw inventory.
### The Timeline and Writing
This is where Nikki Ash’s writing frustrated me.
There were too many run-on sentences.
The pacing was uneven.
The timeline felt off.
The book would slow down, then pick up, then slow down again, then pick up again.
It was like riding in a car with someone learning how to use the brakes.
And the repetition made parts feel like filler.
Not emotional buildup.
Filler.
Like the story got itself into a corner and started rearranging the furniture instead of opening a door.
## 🏆 MVP Section
### The Quiet Moments
This is where the book actually shined.
The quiet moments between Lorenzo and Vanessa worked.
When they were not arguing about consent issues or stuck in repetitive “what are we?” conversations, their connection had softness.
Their relationship took time.
I liked that they did not immediately jump into bed.
The slow build was a good choice.
Lorenzo supporting Vanessa’s fashion dreams worked.
Vanessa growing into a loving relationship with Leo worked.
Lorenzo creating space for her worked.
This book was strongest when it stopped trying to be mafia and just let itself be romance.
Because as a romance?
It had moments.
As a mafia romance?
The mafia was on lunch break.
### Lorenzo Finally Pulling the Trigger
I also have to give credit where credit is due.
Lorenzo finally did something.
Matteo comes up with the plan to draw out Leysa Santiago’s people by having Lorenzo take Vanessa on a date.
The bad guys try to take her.
Lorenzo stops it.
He beats the crap out of the man.
Then shoots him in the chest.
And I said:
Well, look at Lorenzo.
I thought you were just a lovesick puppy with trauma and a baby.
Turns out you do have a little gangsta in the glove compartment.
I liked being wrong there.
That scene gave me a glimpse of the man I wanted more of throughout the book.
### Vanessa and Leo
Vanessa and Leo were the emotional heart.
That relationship helped redeem Vanessa for me.
Because yes, she annoyed me.
Yes, she was rude and mean at times.
Yes, the drugging and surprise marriage situation had me ready to take Lorenzo’s side with both hands.
But her bond with Leo gave her warmth.
It showed maturity.
It showed softness.
It showed the woman underneath the panic, fear, and sharp edges.
And that helped.
## 🔥 Spice Rating
🌶️🌶️🌶️
**Okay… I See What You Were Doing**
It was spicy.
They had sex.
A lot of it.
And I actually liked that the book took its time getting them there.
There was no immediate rush to jump into bed, and the slow build made sense for Lorenzo’s trust issues and Vanessa’s situation.
Optional tag:
**“The relationship took its time, but the plot was looking for its keys.”**
## 📊 Book Rating
⭐⭐⭐
**I survived this experience, and I am being generous.**
## 🧨 Final Verdict
I went a little lighter on this book because I finally accepted what this series is.
It is not mafia romance.
Calling it mafia romance is where the mistake starts.
This is morally gray billionaire romance with family trauma, crime sprinkles, and occasional men doing illegal things in expensive clothes.
And once I accepted that, the book worked better.
Not perfectly.
But better.
The romance was the strongest part.
Lorenzo is a good man.
A very good man.
Almost too good for the setup, honestly.
He is loving, patient, supportive, respectful, and kind. He is green flag energy waving in every direction, even when he finally shoots somebody.
Vanessa was harder for me.
She is smart, talented, mature, anxious, loving, and ambitious.
She wants to build something for herself, and I respected that.
But she also came across as rude, self-righteous, and mean in parts where she should have felt desperate and terrified.
The drugging Lorenzo and marrying him without his consent was a major issue.
And the fact that he forgave her so easily?
Sir.
Stand up.
Stretch.
Drink water.
Reconsider.
I understood her fear.
I understood her survival mode.
But the emotional accountability was not strong enough for me.
And that was the problem with a lot of this book.
There were too many loose ends.
What happened to Hillary?
What exactly did Matteo do?
What happened to Vanessa’s mother?
Did she go on trial for killing Eric even though Lorenzo killed him?
Was she convicted?
Did she feel anything?
Did she regret betraying her daughter?
Did anybody process the fact that Vanessa was almost sold into trafficking by her stepfather while her mother worried about appearances?
We do not know.
That is too many loose ends.
At some point, the loose ends started looking like a fringe skirt on a country singer.
And that is frustrating because the book had time to tell me about Vanessa’s glass straw.
If we have time for straw logistics, we have time for
We are back in **Harbor Point** for the fourth and final book in Nikki Ash’s **Tempting Love** series.
Now let me say this upfront.
I actually like Nikki Ash.
I enjoyed her book **Waiting on You**. I even told her so on TikTok.
So I am not new here.
I’m true here.
I am not coming into this review with pitchforks and sharpened pencils just because I can.
That is not me anyway.
But let’s get this straight.
Yes, the **Tempting Love** series has tested me in ways I did not expect.
Please understand this is not slander.
This is reader disappointment with receipts.
Because baby, listen.
I wanted this series to work.
I wanted the **Antonov / Rothschild / Russo** chaos to work.
I wanted drama.
I wanted emotion.
I wanted payoff.
I wanted consequences.
And honey, **Andrey Antonov** needed consequences, a court date, a padded cell, and several people standing around saying, “How did we let him get this far?”
But instead, I have been over here side-eyeing arranged marriages, family trauma, dead boyfriends, abusive fathers, shady parents, and men who needed consequences two books ago.
And now here we are.
Book 4.
The final finale.
Lorenzo is the MMC.
Yes.
That Lorenzo.
The one connected to Books 1 through 3 and all the trauma, circus arrangements, family chaos, and rich-people foolishness that had me side-eyeing everybody with a last name and money.
So naturally, I had questions.
Redemption arc?
Emotional damage?
Secret cinnamon roll?
Mafia cleanup crew?
Lorenzo, get your behind in here.
We need to talk.
And somebody call Daphne.
Because the Mystery Machine may be needed, but this time I also want Madea nearby with a hot cast iron skillet.
## 📚 Plot + Vibe Dump
Before we even get into Lorenzo and Vanessa, let’s revisit **Hillary Sparks**.
Yes.
That Hillary.
The woman who helped send Lorenzo to jail in Book 2.
And first of all, let’s talk about the name **Hillary Sparks**.
Because if that does not sound like a low-rent Barbie who comes with fraud accessories, I do not know what does.
If you remember correctly, **Matteo**, Lorenzo’s best friend and brother-in-law, had been telling Lorenzo to get rid of Hillary since Book 1.
Matteo said don’t marry her.
Matteo put Hillary out of Lorenzo’s condo.
Matteo saw the clown car coming and tried to wave Lorenzo off the road.
Did Lorenzo listen?
No.
Not one doggone bit.
So now here we are in Book 4.
Lorenzo is a rich baby daddy with trust issues and a past that looks like a financial crime documentary.
Hillary was in cahoots with **Enrique Rothschild**.
Long story short, Joseph Rothschild slept with Big Daddy Russo’s woman, Maria, got her pregnant, married her, and caused a rift in the friendship.
Fast forward, Lorenzo’s father shoots and kills Joseph.
Enrique gets mad and starts seeking revenge against Lorenzo and his sister.
That is where Hillary comes in.
Hillary paid off Lorenzo’s assistant so she could slide into the position.
Enrique paid Hillary to find information on the Russo family and their businesses.
And she gave up the goods.
For more information, go back and read the Book 2 review because I am not adjudicating that mess again.
Court is tired.
Now onto Book 4.
Lorenzo is thirty-five, head of the **Russo Group** real estate company, a billionaire, big brother to Dani, best friend to Matteo, and single dad to little Leonardo, also known as Leo.
Lorenzo is also a hopeless romantic.
Or at least he was.
Now?
He is a grumpy, wounded, trust-issues-having billionaire who has been burned so badly that even the smoke detector stopped checking on him.
And honestly?
I cannot blame him.
Because right out the gate, Lorenzo calls himself a chump.
Well, tell the truth and shame the devil.
Because if that ain’t the truth, I do not know what is.
Low-Rent Barbie showed up on his doorstep with a baby, and this man handed her an unlimited credit card, a luxury vehicle, and a roof over her head because she said she wanted to be a family.
Sir.
You are not a hopeless romantic.
You are a Wells Fargo branch with abandonment issues.
And then Hillary stole **$1.2 million** from him while sleeping with Jimmy the lowlife at a roach motel in the next town over.
Child, please.
We do not need the Mystery Machine for this one.
We need Madea, a skillet, and a forensic accountant.
## 💀 Character Crimes Section
### Lorenzo Russo
Lorenzo is not a bad man.
Actually, Lorenzo is probably the best man in this entire chaos parade.
He is loving.
He is kind.
He is supportive.
He is protective.
He is a good father.
He respects Vanessa’s dreams.
He cares about her goals.
He makes room for her.
He is green flag energy all day long.
Now, did he shoot somebody?
Yes.
But he shot an evil stepfather while that man was trying to help get Vanessa raped and trafficked, so honestly, the green flags were still waving.
I almost fainted when Lorenzo finally did something gangsta.
Because for a large portion of this book, I thought Lorenzo was just a lovesick puppy with billionaire money and emotional bruising.
Then he finally stepped into the room like, “Oh, I do have morally gray capabilities.”
Well, well, well.
I like it when I’m wrong.
But here is my issue.
For Lorenzo to come from this big alliance between the Antonovs, Rothschilds, and Russos, why does he not have his own guards?
Why is he using Matteo’s men for everything?
Matteo’s men guard his apartment building.
Matteo’s men handle security.
Matteo’s men seem to be doing the actual mafia-adjacent labor.
Lorenzo does not even carry a gun.
Sir.
Are you mafia, or are you a wealthy man with access to group chat violence?
Because there is a difference.
I needed more from Lorenzo on the morally gray side.
I did not need him to become Andrey Antonov with better grooming.
Absolutely not.
But I did need the book to stop telling me this was mafia energy and then giving me a real estate billionaire who needed to borrow another man’s security plan.
That is not mafia romance.
That is rich people with occasional felony seasoning.
### Vanessa Baker
Vanessa is twenty-one.
She is smart.
She is talented.
She loves fashion.
She can sew her ass off.
She is in college studying business and fashion because she dreams of opening her own label.
She has severe anxiety.
She is independent.
She is close to Nicole.
She is also in serious danger because her stepfather, **Eric Vanderbilt**, is a garbage can in a suit with mayoral access.
Vanessa should have been written as desperate.
A young woman trapped, terrified, and trying to survive a horrifying situation.
Because the bones were there.
Her stepfather was planning to trade her to clear his debts.
Her mother cared more about appearances than the fact that her daughter was being sold.
Vanessa was isolated, afraid, and trying to find a way out.
That should have carried emotional weight.
But instead?
Vanessa came across as self-righteous in places.
And that is where the writing lost me.
Because Vanessa drugs Lorenzo’s drink and marries him without his knowledge or consent.
Now let’s be very clear.
No.
She did not rape him.
But she did drug him.
She did marry him without his consent.
She did use him in a life-or-death plan that he did not agree to.
Then she had the nerve to act like Lorenzo was being immature about it.
Ma’am.
You drugged that man.
You married him without his knowledge.
He let you live in his condo.
He stood up to your stepfather.
He helped protect you.
And you are calling him immature?
Girl, bye.
I was Tyra Banks in my spirit.
**We were rooting for you. We were all rooting for you.**
And listen.
I understand she was trying to save her life.
I understand she was panicking.
I understand Eric texted her and made her feel like time had run out.
But desperation does not make consent optional.
That is where I needed the book to handle Vanessa differently.
Make her scared.
Make her frantic.
Make her ashamed.
Make her apologetic.
Make her understand the weight of what she did.
But do not have her standing there like Lorenzo is the problem because he is upset about being drugged and legally married against his will.
No ma’am.
That is not sassy.
That is not strong.
That is not cute.
That is Dynasty-slap territory.
### Leo
Leo was adorable.
Let me say that.
The relationship between Vanessa and Leo was one of the best parts of the book.
Watching Vanessa come into herself and step into this nurturing role worked.
That connection softened her.
It showed a better side of her.
It gave her growth.
But I do need to talk about this baby’s timeline.
Leo is somewhere around eight or nine months old.
Not walking.
Still very much a baby.
And yet this little child is in a high chair saying, “Up, up, up.”
Now I am not saying babies cannot surprise you.
But baby, this timeline was wobbling.
If he is eight months old, I need less toddler dialogue and more baby realism.
Because the math was not mathing.
And I do not like when babies are written like tiny motivational speakers in diapers.
## 🦹 Villain Crimes Section
### Eric Vanderbilt
The horrible father Olympics continue.
And yes, Andrey Antonov already took the gold in this series.
That man has a permanent podium.
But now here comes **Eric Vanderbilt**, mayor of Harbor Point and shady as hell, trying to snatch a medal.
This man takes naked pictures of Vanessa and sends them to **Santiago** so he can trade Vanessa to clear his debts.
Let me repeat that.
He takes pictures of his twenty-one-year-old stepdaughter.
Without her knowledge.
Without her consent.
Then uses those pictures as part of a deal to sell her into trafficking.
Sir.
You are not a villain.
You are a biohazard with a campaign slogan.
Drop him in the ocean with concrete boots and a discontinued voter registration card.
### Vanessa’s Mother
Now Vanessa’s mother?
She may not be gold medal level, but she is absolutely on the podium.
Because Eric is telling her what he did.
He is explaining that he took naked pictures of her daughter.
He is explaining that he made a deal to trade Vanessa to clear his debts.
And this woman’s first concern is:
What will people think?
Ma’am.
Your daughter is in danger.
Your husband is a predator.
Your household is a crime scene.
And you are worried about public relations?
Maybe I should stop calling this the Horrible Father Olympics and rename it the Terrible Parent Olympics.
Because Vanessa’s mother is standing there in a soft cardigan, tap dancing toward bronze.
Weak is not always innocent.
Sometimes weak is just evil with better lighting.
### Hillary Sparks
Hillary Sparks remains one of the most unserious names attached to a very serious betrayal.
She helped Lorenzo get played.
She stole from him.
She worked with Enrique.
She got close enough to gather information.
She was sleeping with Jimmy at a motel that probably charged by the hour and smelled like old fries and regret.
And yet somehow, the ending around Hillary still felt unclear.
Matteo “took care of her.”
Okay.
What does that mean?
Did he kill her?
Did he scare her?
Did he send her to witness protection for bargain-bin villains?
Did she move to Tampa and start selling waist trainers on Facebook Marketplace?
I need closure.
Do not give me “Matteo handled it” and then walk away like that is a full sentence.
This is a final book.
Tie the bow.
Even if the bow is made of crime.
## 👀 Side-Eye Section
### This Is Not Mafia Romance
I think we have established from the beginning that this series is not really mafia romance.
There is no real mafia structure.
No clear organization.
No chain of command that feels lived in.
No operations.
No hierarchy beyond rich men knowing other rich men who occasionally commit crimes.
This is morally gray men with money.
Lots and lots of money.
And listen, that can work.
I can enjoy morally gray romance.
I can enjoy rich men behaving badly.
I can enjoy romantic suspense with a few bodies in the trunk.
But do not sell me mafia romance and then hand me a billionaire who cannot even sweep a phone for trackers before the halfway mark.
Which brings me to my next point.
What do you mean nobody swept Vanessa’s devices?
Your tech guy should have been the first person to say, “We do not know this woman, and she came with a trafficking threat and family chaos. Sweep everything.”
Phone.
Laptop.
Tablet.
Smartwatch.
Mascara tube.
Glass straw.
All of it.
Instead, we are over halfway through the book before they realize all her devices have trackers in them.
Palm to forehead.
This is why I cannot call this mafia romance.
This is morally gray romance with security gaps and expensive furniture.
### The Repetition
The story got repetitive.
We already knew Vanessa had to go back to school in Seattle.
We already knew Lorenzo did not do hookups.
We already knew they liked each other but did not know what to call whatever they had going on.
We knew.
We saw it.
Chapter after chapter after chapter.
At some point, it stopped being romantic tension and started feeling like the book was pacing back and forth in front of the refrigerator.
Move the story forward.
Land the plane.
Circle the airport one more time and I am calling air traffic control.
### The Glass Straw
Now let’s talk about these unnecessary details.
Because why do I need to know about Vanessa’s glass straw?
How is that integral to the story?
Is this a Chekhov’s straw situation?
Is she going to stab somebody in the eyeball with it later?
Is the glass straw going to save the day?
Is it secretly a tracker?
A weapon?
A metaphor?
A cry for editing?
Because if the plot has loose ends, the emotional payoff is missing, and we still do not know what happened to half the villains, I do not need a beverage accessory getting page time.
We need an editor.
Not a straw inventory.
### The Timeline and Writing
This is where Nikki Ash’s writing frustrated me.
There were too many run-on sentences.
The pacing was uneven.
The timeline felt off.
The book would slow down, then pick up, then slow down again, then pick up again.
It was like riding in a car with someone learning how to use the brakes.
And the repetition made parts feel like filler.
Not emotional buildup.
Filler.
Like the story got itself into a corner and started rearranging the furniture instead of opening a door.
## 🏆 MVP Section
### The Quiet Moments
This is where the book actually shined.
The quiet moments between Lorenzo and Vanessa worked.
When they were not arguing about consent issues or stuck in repetitive “what are we?” conversations, their connection had softness.
Their relationship took time.
I liked that they did not immediately jump into bed.
The slow build was a good choice.
Lorenzo supporting Vanessa’s fashion dreams worked.
Vanessa growing into a loving relationship with Leo worked.
Lorenzo creating space for her worked.
This book was strongest when it stopped trying to be mafia and just let itself be romance.
Because as a romance?
It had moments.
As a mafia romance?
The mafia was on lunch break.
### Lorenzo Finally Pulling the Trigger
I also have to give credit where credit is due.
Lorenzo finally did something.
Matteo comes up with the plan to draw out Leysa Santiago’s people by having Lorenzo take Vanessa on a date.
The bad guys try to take her.
Lorenzo stops it.
He beats the crap out of the man.
Then shoots him in the chest.
And I said:
Well, look at Lorenzo.
I thought you were just a lovesick puppy with trauma and a baby.
Turns out you do have a little gangsta in the glove compartment.
I liked being wrong there.
That scene gave me a glimpse of the man I wanted more of throughout the book.
### Vanessa and Leo
Vanessa and Leo were the emotional heart.
That relationship helped redeem Vanessa for me.
Because yes, she annoyed me.
Yes, she was rude and mean at times.
Yes, the drugging and surprise marriage situation had me ready to take Lorenzo’s side with both hands.
But her bond with Leo gave her warmth.
It showed maturity.
It showed softness.
It showed the woman underneath the panic, fear, and sharp edges.
And that helped.
## 🔥 Spice Rating
🌶️🌶️🌶️
**Okay… I See What You Were Doing**
It was spicy.
They had sex.
A lot of it.
And I actually liked that the book took its time getting them there.
There was no immediate rush to jump into bed, and the slow build made sense for Lorenzo’s trust issues and Vanessa’s situation.
Optional tag:
**“The relationship took its time, but the plot was looking for its keys.”**
## 📊 Book Rating
⭐⭐⭐
**I survived this experience, and I am being generous.**
## 🧨 Final Verdict
I went a little lighter on this book because I finally accepted what this series is.
It is not mafia romance.
Calling it mafia romance is where the mistake starts.
This is morally gray billionaire romance with family trauma, crime sprinkles, and occasional men doing illegal things in expensive clothes.
And once I accepted that, the book worked better.
Not perfectly.
But better.
The romance was the strongest part.
Lorenzo is a good man.
A very good man.
Almost too good for the setup, honestly.
He is loving, patient, supportive, respectful, and kind. He is green flag energy waving in every direction, even when he finally shoots somebody.
Vanessa was harder for me.
She is smart, talented, mature, anxious, loving, and ambitious.
She wants to build something for herself, and I respected that.
But she also came across as rude, self-righteous, and mean in parts where she should have felt desperate and terrified.
The drugging Lorenzo and marrying him without his consent was a major issue.
And the fact that he forgave her so easily?
Sir.
Stand up.
Stretch.
Drink water.
Reconsider.
I understood her fear.
I understood her survival mode.
But the emotional accountability was not strong enough for me.
And that was the problem with a lot of this book.
There were too many loose ends.
What happened to Hillary?
What exactly did Matteo do?
What happened to Vanessa’s mother?
Did she go on trial for killing Eric even though Lorenzo killed him?
Was she convicted?
Did she feel anything?
Did she regret betraying her daughter?
Did anybody process the fact that Vanessa was almost sold into trafficking by her stepfather while her mother worried about appearances?
We do not know.
That is too many loose ends.
At some point, the loose ends started looking like a fringe skirt on a country singer.
And that is frustrating because the book had time to tell me about Vanessa’s glass straw.
If we have time for straw logistics, we have time for
July 23, 2026
Wild Card.”
I don’t even know where to start this book was one of the best books I’ve read this year.
A fake marriage with a big age gap and danger around every corner. These men are alpha to the core and protect there women no matter what.
Lorenzo has not had good luck with women that’s for sure. A single Dad with adorable son. But the woman not so much.
Not for the first time since Vanessa came into our lives, my heart clenches in my chest at the way she loves and cares so selflessly.
Vanessa is not is in trouble and solves it the only way she knows how.
“I looked up queen of hearts, and it said that it represents a woman who has stolen hearts with kindness and beauty.”
I’m pretty sure this is the last book in this series but let me tell you it went out with a big bang!!
I don’t even know where to start this book was one of the best books I’ve read this year.
A fake marriage with a big age gap and danger around every corner. These men are alpha to the core and protect there women no matter what.
Lorenzo has not had good luck with women that’s for sure. A single Dad with adorable son. But the woman not so much.
Not for the first time since Vanessa came into our lives, my heart clenches in my chest at the way she loves and cares so selflessly.
Vanessa is not is in trouble and solves it the only way she knows how.
“I looked up queen of hearts, and it said that it represents a woman who has stolen hearts with kindness and beauty.”
I’m pretty sure this is the last book in this series but let me tell you it went out with a big bang!!
July 20, 2026
What was the last book you finished in under 24 hours? For me, it was Secret Seduction!!💛
OKAY - I loved loved loved this one. Definitely my favourite of the series!! I mean, between the forced marriage, single Dad, and the delicious age gap… it was truly a ride! I also think that I really enjoyed the suspense in this one because it just felt so right for the plot and just everything that occurred from page one to the very end.
One thing I loved about this one was how Vanessa never stopped being a strong, independent woman who would do whatever it takes to survive. She doesn’t allow her past to dictate her future… But love throws a wrench in her plans…🫣
Also, I am absolutely loving books where they have nicknames for each each other… And let me tell you the nickname in this book made me spoon and kick my feet🥹
OKAY - I loved loved loved this one. Definitely my favourite of the series!! I mean, between the forced marriage, single Dad, and the delicious age gap… it was truly a ride! I also think that I really enjoyed the suspense in this one because it just felt so right for the plot and just everything that occurred from page one to the very end.
One thing I loved about this one was how Vanessa never stopped being a strong, independent woman who would do whatever it takes to survive. She doesn’t allow her past to dictate her future… But love throws a wrench in her plans…🫣
Also, I am absolutely loving books where they have nicknames for each each other… And let me tell you the nickname in this book made me spoon and kick my feet🥹
August 30, 2026
♥︎ Maya's Reads ♥︎
★★★★★ overall rating
For starters, I got introduced to this series through a TikTok edit I have had in my saves for probably over a year now & finally got around to reading it now. The TikTok briefly mentioned the synopsis of the first book, and once I heard the secret baby trope... I was hooked. From this moment, I have not had the great privilege to have read a Nikki Ash book, but what a great book to have started off with. I will be reviewing this entire series, so here goes my review...
**SPOLIERS AHEAD**
**Bonus Chapter Review Included**
For this book, Lorenzo and Vanessa were such a surprise in the making, but after reading it was such a great couple to end the book series with. I think the best thing was seeing the plot point begin right away; we weren't introduced to the couple right off the bat. No, we got the plot straight off the bat. We saw Vanessa's stepdad, Eric, selling her to pay off his debt for becoming mayor to Lysa Santiago, who has been the enemy throughout the entire series. I think Vanessa finding this out right off the bat was absolutely perfect because we got to see how strong-headed she was in making the decision for herself in protecting herself, and that is what influenced her to go to the wedding trip and make the decision to drug Lorenzo and marry him. Wanna come to the beanie, but I think it's perfect because we got to see him close a chapter of his time with his baby mama and just seeing him finally break out of the depressed state he was in to finally take the initiative to fully kick her out of not only his life, but also Leo's life.
I think my favorite part of everything was seeing how, after the ones of find out about what Vanessa did and saving her directly after, and seeing the reason why she didn't, he didn't hold it against her, which to me speaks to his character. But I think this was the starting point for him and her where they started developing into a routine where they both invaded their spaces and to point where they needed each other so bad that they couldn't help to fall in love with each other. And honestly, I think what made it possible for them to quickly fall in love in the manner of time they did was the fact that Leo was so taken with Vanessa. I think that was such a telltale sign to Lorenzo about the energy. She gave off and solidified his feelings and visual of that energy because babies just have way of confirming and feeling energy so Leo for sure confirmed that to him. I think my favorite part as well would have to be the fact that even after all of this, and then having this sort of timeline of one Leysa it finally dead that their marriage would end, but once they started falling in love with each other, I think for Lorenzo don't think he was willing to do for her in the best way he's able to do is through active service and for him that is letting her go and not limiting her to a domestic l here in Harbour's point when she can be out in Seattle and LA, the filling her dreams being a fashion designer.
For me, this book was such a good book because it just in a way and everything but in such a beautiful and intricate way. Anyway, this very slowly matches the first book, but it's such a different kind of way where they just started building their connection from so long as the first book. It was just an instant attraction and then where they continued on falling in love, but here it's just like a slow, intense protective burn between them. And also, I know she thought for the plot it was too good to be true that Leysa was dead but then when Matteo and Lorenzo went on to protect and save Vanessa from being trafficked, I think that whole part was such a beautiful ending in true fashion mafia form.
**Bonus Chapter Review**
When it comes to books and them having bonus chapters, I immediately run to go get them because I truly only read bonus chapters when I'm so deeply connected and interested in my books, so having me download this bonus chapter, you already know I'm locked in. I think the fact that the entire book we got to see the beautiful relationship between all three characters and them developed into a small family without them, really knowing throughout the time, but then seeing Lorenzo propose to Vanessa at the end of the book and also proposing to her ability for her to officially become Leo's mom I think that was such a beautiful way to end the book because that was the way they fell in love they fell in love, trying to protect each other, but also develop your routine in loving and raising a child together. So when it came to reading the bonus chapter, it was nothing different from what I would have expected them to have gone through. I think the time jump of having it four years and them having a beautiful daughter named Luna and seeing Leo, so enamored with his younger sister, and having seen the worry that Lorenzo and Vanessa had gone through and having another child, worrying that he would get jealous so sad because of the position, but it just showed that that didn't matter. It just showed that the family that they're trying to build is their family that they built and they've nurtured, and it's not one that limits them by blood. Think another beautiful thing is seeing how everybody else within the family have moved on with their children and seeing all the little kids go to school and have them beat this new generation of children who are just as wild as their parents which is so funny to see and also it's a beautiful thing to see Lorenzo fulfilling his promise in making that daycare at his job, which is such a beautiful thing to have done, but here it's nice to see that he followed through and I think the best part was him finally having the courage to tell Vanessa that he wants another child with her and I'm worried about it but and I said we're willing to him that she is pregnant and I just thought they were so beautiful because the entire book they more so Lorenzo was so much like stuck up on him being older and her younger and and to a point where he's really point that that does not matter anymore to him, he just has full confidence and so in love with her that he just tells her is once, but it's such a beautiful way to have I concluded this series..
★★★★★ overall rating
For starters, I got introduced to this series through a TikTok edit I have had in my saves for probably over a year now & finally got around to reading it now. The TikTok briefly mentioned the synopsis of the first book, and once I heard the secret baby trope... I was hooked. From this moment, I have not had the great privilege to have read a Nikki Ash book, but what a great book to have started off with. I will be reviewing this entire series, so here goes my review...
**SPOLIERS AHEAD**
**Bonus Chapter Review Included**
For this book, Lorenzo and Vanessa were such a surprise in the making, but after reading it was such a great couple to end the book series with. I think the best thing was seeing the plot point begin right away; we weren't introduced to the couple right off the bat. No, we got the plot straight off the bat. We saw Vanessa's stepdad, Eric, selling her to pay off his debt for becoming mayor to Lysa Santiago, who has been the enemy throughout the entire series. I think Vanessa finding this out right off the bat was absolutely perfect because we got to see how strong-headed she was in making the decision for herself in protecting herself, and that is what influenced her to go to the wedding trip and make the decision to drug Lorenzo and marry him. Wanna come to the beanie, but I think it's perfect because we got to see him close a chapter of his time with his baby mama and just seeing him finally break out of the depressed state he was in to finally take the initiative to fully kick her out of not only his life, but also Leo's life.
I think my favorite part of everything was seeing how, after the ones of find out about what Vanessa did and saving her directly after, and seeing the reason why she didn't, he didn't hold it against her, which to me speaks to his character. But I think this was the starting point for him and her where they started developing into a routine where they both invaded their spaces and to point where they needed each other so bad that they couldn't help to fall in love with each other. And honestly, I think what made it possible for them to quickly fall in love in the manner of time they did was the fact that Leo was so taken with Vanessa. I think that was such a telltale sign to Lorenzo about the energy. She gave off and solidified his feelings and visual of that energy because babies just have way of confirming and feeling energy so Leo for sure confirmed that to him. I think my favorite part as well would have to be the fact that even after all of this, and then having this sort of timeline of one Leysa it finally dead that their marriage would end, but once they started falling in love with each other, I think for Lorenzo don't think he was willing to do for her in the best way he's able to do is through active service and for him that is letting her go and not limiting her to a domestic l here in Harbour's point when she can be out in Seattle and LA, the filling her dreams being a fashion designer.
For me, this book was such a good book because it just in a way and everything but in such a beautiful and intricate way. Anyway, this very slowly matches the first book, but it's such a different kind of way where they just started building their connection from so long as the first book. It was just an instant attraction and then where they continued on falling in love, but here it's just like a slow, intense protective burn between them. And also, I know she thought for the plot it was too good to be true that Leysa was dead but then when Matteo and Lorenzo went on to protect and save Vanessa from being trafficked, I think that whole part was such a beautiful ending in true fashion mafia form.
**Bonus Chapter Review**
When it comes to books and them having bonus chapters, I immediately run to go get them because I truly only read bonus chapters when I'm so deeply connected and interested in my books, so having me download this bonus chapter, you already know I'm locked in. I think the fact that the entire book we got to see the beautiful relationship between all three characters and them developed into a small family without them, really knowing throughout the time, but then seeing Lorenzo propose to Vanessa at the end of the book and also proposing to her ability for her to officially become Leo's mom I think that was such a beautiful way to end the book because that was the way they fell in love they fell in love, trying to protect each other, but also develop your routine in loving and raising a child together. So when it came to reading the bonus chapter, it was nothing different from what I would have expected them to have gone through. I think the time jump of having it four years and them having a beautiful daughter named Luna and seeing Leo, so enamored with his younger sister, and having seen the worry that Lorenzo and Vanessa had gone through and having another child, worrying that he would get jealous so sad because of the position, but it just showed that that didn't matter. It just showed that the family that they're trying to build is their family that they built and they've nurtured, and it's not one that limits them by blood. Think another beautiful thing is seeing how everybody else within the family have moved on with their children and seeing all the little kids go to school and have them beat this new generation of children who are just as wild as their parents which is so funny to see and also it's a beautiful thing to see Lorenzo fulfilling his promise in making that daycare at his job, which is such a beautiful thing to have done, but here it's nice to see that he followed through and I think the best part was him finally having the courage to tell Vanessa that he wants another child with her and I'm worried about it but and I said we're willing to him that she is pregnant and I just thought they were so beautiful because the entire book they more so Lorenzo was so much like stuck up on him being older and her younger and and to a point where he's really point that that does not matter anymore to him, he just has full confidence and so in love with her that he just tells her is once, but it's such a beautiful way to have I concluded this series..
Review of advance copy
The Kind of Dark Romance That Steals Your Sleep and Your Heart
Some books you read…
And some books completely consume you.
Secret Seduction was that book for me.
Nikki Ash has a way of creating stories that pull you in, make you feel everything and leave you thinking about the characters long after you turn the final page.
She takes danger, emotion, passion and unforgettable characters and weaves them together into a story that settles deep in your heart.
I have been waiting for Lorenzo’s story and Nikki didn’t just deliver…
She gave me everything.
This is a dark romance filled with suspense, danger, emotional moments and a love story between two people who never expected to become exactly what the other needed.
Lorenzo was everything I hoped he would be.
A powerful, guarded man whose entire world revolves around his son, Leo.
Beneath the strength and control is a father who loves fiercely and will do whatever it takes to protect the little boy who means everything to him.
Hillary’s return opens the door for Lorenzo to finally deal with the past and remove the chaos from his and Leo’s lives permanently.
And let me just say…
I absolutely loathed Hilary and she got exactly what she deserved!
Then Vanessa enters his world and changes everything!
Vanessa’s journey was one of the parts of this story that broke my heart the most.
Being betrayed by the very people who were supposed to protect her was heartbreaking.
Seeing the people closest to her willing to sacrifice her for their own gain added such a powerful emotional layer to her story.
But Vanessa never let that betrayal define her.
She fought.
She survived.
And she found a way to take back control of a life that others were trying to decide for her.
Vanessa is an incredible heroine. She is strong, determined and resilient, but what I loved most was that even when faced with unimaginable circumstances, she refused to break.
Her desperate situation leads her straight into Lorenzo’s life in the most unexpected way…
And honestly?
Vanessa’s quick thinking had me both shocked and impressed.
Was her plan a little wicked?
Absolutely.
Was it completely unexpected?
Without a doubt.
But the way she manages to turn an impossible situation around with a bold, impulsive move was brilliant in its own way.
She makes a choice that changes everything…
A choice that makes her Lorenzo’s wife.
The only problem?
Lorenzo has absolutely no idea how his life was about to change.
For a man who values control and honesty, discovering the truth leaves him completely blindsided.
And watching him process the anger and frustration while fighting a connection he never expected was absolutely addictive.
Because in Lorenzo’s mind…
She’s too young. She’s Leo’s nanny. I can’t touch her.
But the heart doesn’t always follow the rules.
And when “I can’t touch her” becomes “I need her”…
Oh my lord.
The chemistry between Lorenzo and Vanessa was incredible!!
The tension, the restraint, the longing, and the way they slowly break down each other’s walls made their romance impossible to put down.
The danger element surrounding Vanessa brought such an intense layer of suspense to this story.
Someone dangerous is determined to get to her and will stop at nothing to claim what they believe belongs to them.
The threat felt real.
The stakes kept rising.
And I was constantly waiting to see what would happen next.
When their world is shattered, Lorenzo doesn’t face the danger alone.
Dominick and Matteo stand beside him, their loyalty and brotherhood on full display as they fight to get Vanessa back.
For me what truly made Lorenzo unforgettable was the way he loved Vanessa🫠
He didn’t want to be the person who held her back.
He wanted her to chase her dreams and become everything she was meant to be, even when letting her go broke both of their hearts.
That kind of love…the kind that puts someone else’s happiness before your own, is what made Lorenzo so special.
And then there is Vanessa and Leo.
Their bond was beautiful.
Watching Vanessa become someone Leo needed and seeing the love between them grow added so much heart to this story.
It reminded me that family isn’t always about blood…
Sometimes it is about the people who choose you.
I also loved Vanessa’s relationship with Nicole and the friendships she built with Dani, Brielle and Peyton.
They gave her the support, loyalty and family she deserved.
Nikki Ash truly knows how to create characters you care about, chemistry that burns through the pages and emotional moments that stay with you long after you finish reading.
Some books you read…
And some books completely consume you.
Secret Seduction was that book for me.
Nikki Ash has a way of creating stories that pull you in, make you feel everything and leave you thinking about the characters long after you turn the final page.
She takes danger, emotion, passion and unforgettable characters and weaves them together into a story that settles deep in your heart.
I have been waiting for Lorenzo’s story and Nikki didn’t just deliver…
She gave me everything.
This is a dark romance filled with suspense, danger, emotional moments and a love story between two people who never expected to become exactly what the other needed.
Lorenzo was everything I hoped he would be.
A powerful, guarded man whose entire world revolves around his son, Leo.
Beneath the strength and control is a father who loves fiercely and will do whatever it takes to protect the little boy who means everything to him.
Hillary’s return opens the door for Lorenzo to finally deal with the past and remove the chaos from his and Leo’s lives permanently.
And let me just say…
I absolutely loathed Hilary and she got exactly what she deserved!
Then Vanessa enters his world and changes everything!
Vanessa’s journey was one of the parts of this story that broke my heart the most.
Being betrayed by the very people who were supposed to protect her was heartbreaking.
Seeing the people closest to her willing to sacrifice her for their own gain added such a powerful emotional layer to her story.
But Vanessa never let that betrayal define her.
She fought.
She survived.
And she found a way to take back control of a life that others were trying to decide for her.
Vanessa is an incredible heroine. She is strong, determined and resilient, but what I loved most was that even when faced with unimaginable circumstances, she refused to break.
Her desperate situation leads her straight into Lorenzo’s life in the most unexpected way…
And honestly?
Vanessa’s quick thinking had me both shocked and impressed.
Was her plan a little wicked?
Absolutely.
Was it completely unexpected?
Without a doubt.
But the way she manages to turn an impossible situation around with a bold, impulsive move was brilliant in its own way.
She makes a choice that changes everything…
A choice that makes her Lorenzo’s wife.
The only problem?
Lorenzo has absolutely no idea how his life was about to change.
For a man who values control and honesty, discovering the truth leaves him completely blindsided.
And watching him process the anger and frustration while fighting a connection he never expected was absolutely addictive.
Because in Lorenzo’s mind…
She’s too young. She’s Leo’s nanny. I can’t touch her.
But the heart doesn’t always follow the rules.
And when “I can’t touch her” becomes “I need her”…
Oh my lord.
The chemistry between Lorenzo and Vanessa was incredible!!
The tension, the restraint, the longing, and the way they slowly break down each other’s walls made their romance impossible to put down.
The danger element surrounding Vanessa brought such an intense layer of suspense to this story.
Someone dangerous is determined to get to her and will stop at nothing to claim what they believe belongs to them.
The threat felt real.
The stakes kept rising.
And I was constantly waiting to see what would happen next.
When their world is shattered, Lorenzo doesn’t face the danger alone.
Dominick and Matteo stand beside him, their loyalty and brotherhood on full display as they fight to get Vanessa back.
For me what truly made Lorenzo unforgettable was the way he loved Vanessa🫠
He didn’t want to be the person who held her back.
He wanted her to chase her dreams and become everything she was meant to be, even when letting her go broke both of their hearts.
That kind of love…the kind that puts someone else’s happiness before your own, is what made Lorenzo so special.
And then there is Vanessa and Leo.
Their bond was beautiful.
Watching Vanessa become someone Leo needed and seeing the love between them grow added so much heart to this story.
It reminded me that family isn’t always about blood…
Sometimes it is about the people who choose you.
I also loved Vanessa’s relationship with Nicole and the friendships she built with Dani, Brielle and Peyton.
They gave her the support, loyalty and family she deserved.
Nikki Ash truly knows how to create characters you care about, chemistry that burns through the pages and emotional moments that stay with you long after you finish reading.
August 10, 2026
Fantastic Story & Narration🎧Exciting & Addictive!
Secret Seduction
Tempting Love, Book 4
By: Nikki Ash
Narrated by: Leanne Woodward, Theo Sinclair
It is great to be back in Nikki Ash’s fabulous “Tempting Love” series for another amazing novel, an exciting single dad dark romance that captivates your attention and tugs at your heartstrings throughout. This fourth book in the series is Lorenzo and Vanessa’s story, with Nikki Ash putting her own unique spin on the marriage-of-convenience trope, while tying up some loose threads, well one, maybe two, big ones, the villain who has been creating havoc for them in this series, and the corrupt mayor, Vanessa’s step father. Starting off, we see Lorenzo take action, removing the toxic woman out of his life, the mother of his son, who only wanted a paycheck. Having a prior commitment, his friend’s wedding in the Bahamas, but constantly checking on him. Vanessa Baker, a college student about to start her senior year, studying fashion and design, all while starting an online business with her own design creations and working side jobs to make ends meet. While at her parent’s home, she overheard her stepfather talking about paying off a debt, learning she was the intended payment. Brielle had invited her to her wedding, more out of courtesy than friendship because they weren’t that close, but she jumps on the invite because it will give her time to think of what to do and it would keep her out of the danger her stepfather and mother put her in. Thinking Lorenzo, the only other single person there, could help with one thing for her, but he did not show her any interest. So she took matters into her own hands, and Brielle and Kane were not the only ones married that weekend. Lorenzo was not happy when he woke up to find her in his bed, and it did not go well when he saw their marriage certificate. Vanessa’s plan backfired, but when someone comes after her, she runs into his car and comes clean with what his going on. Lorenzo may be ruthless, but he was not heartless, and he and his friends knew who she was speaking of and her evil stepfather, and were going to help her. It did not thrill Lorenzo to have her in his living space, but she was great with Leo, who took an instant liking to her, and Lorenzo’s untrusting and icy heart thawed as he saw her in a new light. Ash pens another well-written, cleverly plotted, multi-layered story, a story that has the perfect balance of drama, angst, twists and turns, thrilling and suspenseful moments, heartfelt emotions, and steamy romance. Thank you for the amazing story and emotional rollercoaster ride, a wild ride!
🎧📚🎧 Leanne Woodward and Theo Sinclair did a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life, giving each a voice that was fitting and their performance believable. Woodward’s Vanessa was spot-on, embodying her character completely, grasping every facet of her personality, from her vulnerabilities to her strength and determination, and all in between. Sinclair did the same as Lorenzo and was just as fabulous at showcasing his personality, from his angsty demeanor to his protectiveness. Both were great at performing the roles of the side/secondary characters too. They set the ideal tone for the story, and their expressive delivery conveys all the characters’ emotions, making you feel each one. A perfect casting and a perfect pairing, their voices complement each other, and their captivating performance keeps you entertained and glued to the story.
Secret Seduction
Tempting Love, Book 4
By: Nikki Ash
Narrated by: Leanne Woodward, Theo Sinclair
It is great to be back in Nikki Ash’s fabulous “Tempting Love” series for another amazing novel, an exciting single dad dark romance that captivates your attention and tugs at your heartstrings throughout. This fourth book in the series is Lorenzo and Vanessa’s story, with Nikki Ash putting her own unique spin on the marriage-of-convenience trope, while tying up some loose threads, well one, maybe two, big ones, the villain who has been creating havoc for them in this series, and the corrupt mayor, Vanessa’s step father. Starting off, we see Lorenzo take action, removing the toxic woman out of his life, the mother of his son, who only wanted a paycheck. Having a prior commitment, his friend’s wedding in the Bahamas, but constantly checking on him. Vanessa Baker, a college student about to start her senior year, studying fashion and design, all while starting an online business with her own design creations and working side jobs to make ends meet. While at her parent’s home, she overheard her stepfather talking about paying off a debt, learning she was the intended payment. Brielle had invited her to her wedding, more out of courtesy than friendship because they weren’t that close, but she jumps on the invite because it will give her time to think of what to do and it would keep her out of the danger her stepfather and mother put her in. Thinking Lorenzo, the only other single person there, could help with one thing for her, but he did not show her any interest. So she took matters into her own hands, and Brielle and Kane were not the only ones married that weekend. Lorenzo was not happy when he woke up to find her in his bed, and it did not go well when he saw their marriage certificate. Vanessa’s plan backfired, but when someone comes after her, she runs into his car and comes clean with what his going on. Lorenzo may be ruthless, but he was not heartless, and he and his friends knew who she was speaking of and her evil stepfather, and were going to help her. It did not thrill Lorenzo to have her in his living space, but she was great with Leo, who took an instant liking to her, and Lorenzo’s untrusting and icy heart thawed as he saw her in a new light. Ash pens another well-written, cleverly plotted, multi-layered story, a story that has the perfect balance of drama, angst, twists and turns, thrilling and suspenseful moments, heartfelt emotions, and steamy romance. Thank you for the amazing story and emotional rollercoaster ride, a wild ride!
🎧📚🎧 Leanne Woodward and Theo Sinclair did a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life, giving each a voice that was fitting and their performance believable. Woodward’s Vanessa was spot-on, embodying her character completely, grasping every facet of her personality, from her vulnerabilities to her strength and determination, and all in between. Sinclair did the same as Lorenzo and was just as fabulous at showcasing his personality, from his angsty demeanor to his protectiveness. Both were great at performing the roles of the side/secondary characters too. They set the ideal tone for the story, and their expressive delivery conveys all the characters’ emotions, making you feel each one. A perfect casting and a perfect pairing, their voices complement each other, and their captivating performance keeps you entertained and glued to the story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Secret Seduction is the final book in the Tempting Love series. It's heartfelt, and just a bit lighter than the preceding books, but still has a thread of darkness running through the overall plot.
Vanessa Baker needed help and call it right time, right place, right man, etc...Lorenzo happened to be someone convenient and at the right time, right place and is a good man, who just happens to do bad things from time to time. 😏 That doesn't mean that Vanessa is bad because she's actually a good person and very sweet who just wants to finish school and live her life. It was the deep seeded goodness in both Vanessa and Lorenzo's hearts, that they cared so deeply about others and mostly about little Leo, that really made me fall in love with this book.
Vanessa is a young woman who is out of options with her back up against the wall. There were moments I wondered if she could have done things differently, but then it wasn't much later that those doubts would be addressed. It was like Nikki was reading my mind and setting it at ease, each and every time. Every base was covered, no stone unturned, as this story grew and blossomed into the love story it was meant to be between Lorenzo and Vanessa. This is why I love reading.
Much like myself, Lorenzo wasn't convinced about Vanessa when she appeared in his life, but then again, Lorenzo was a grouch about everything except his adorable son, Leo. I'll admit, Leo steals the show and he is worth reading the book just for his sweetness alone, but I'm also a total sucker for cute kids so take that advice for what it is.😉❤️ As for Lorenzo, once he let his grouchy walls down, he too understood Vanessa's struggles and came to care for her. Was he going to jump right back into the love pool again? I'll let you find out the answer to that.😉
What I loved and appreciated; the slow burn between this couple. 😍 Their chemistry wasn't instant, but it wasn't meant to be. Neither of them were looking for love and their circumstances aren't like anyone else's. So again, I really appreciated the slow burn and loved how their relationship progressed.
Secret Seduction is a great mix of sweet, slow burn, and steam intermixed with plot tension to really keep those pages turning.
Vanessa Baker needed help and call it right time, right place, right man, etc...Lorenzo happened to be someone convenient and at the right time, right place and is a good man, who just happens to do bad things from time to time. 😏 That doesn't mean that Vanessa is bad because she's actually a good person and very sweet who just wants to finish school and live her life. It was the deep seeded goodness in both Vanessa and Lorenzo's hearts, that they cared so deeply about others and mostly about little Leo, that really made me fall in love with this book.
Vanessa is a young woman who is out of options with her back up against the wall. There were moments I wondered if she could have done things differently, but then it wasn't much later that those doubts would be addressed. It was like Nikki was reading my mind and setting it at ease, each and every time. Every base was covered, no stone unturned, as this story grew and blossomed into the love story it was meant to be between Lorenzo and Vanessa. This is why I love reading.
Much like myself, Lorenzo wasn't convinced about Vanessa when she appeared in his life, but then again, Lorenzo was a grouch about everything except his adorable son, Leo. I'll admit, Leo steals the show and he is worth reading the book just for his sweetness alone, but I'm also a total sucker for cute kids so take that advice for what it is.😉❤️ As for Lorenzo, once he let his grouchy walls down, he too understood Vanessa's struggles and came to care for her. Was he going to jump right back into the love pool again? I'll let you find out the answer to that.😉
What I loved and appreciated; the slow burn between this couple. 😍 Their chemistry wasn't instant, but it wasn't meant to be. Neither of them were looking for love and their circumstances aren't like anyone else's. So again, I really appreciated the slow burn and loved how their relationship progressed.
Secret Seduction is a great mix of sweet, slow burn, and steam intermixed with plot tension to really keep those pages turning.
August 6, 2026
I can't believe this series has come to an end, but Nikki gave it the perfect finale. Every book in this series has pulled me in from the very first page, and this one was no exception. Filled with tension, danger, heartfelt moments, and romance, it was everything I hoped for and more.
Lorenzo is a grumpy single father who has sworn off relationships after being burned by his ex. His only focus is protecting his son and providing the best life he can. Vanessa couldn't be more different. She's a bright ray of sunshine with a passion and talent for designing beautiful clothing. On paper, they seem like complete opposites, but when Vanessa overhears a conversation between her mother and stepfather that changes everything, she finds herself desperate, and suddenly married to Lorenzo.
The banter between these two was one of my favorite parts of the book. Vanessa's sass and confidence constantly challenged Lorenzo's grumpy attitude, and she refused to let him intimidate her. For her own safety, she's forced to move in with him, much to Lorenzo's frustration. But despite his best efforts to keep his distance, the attraction between them is impossible to ignore. Watching his walls slowly crumble, especially as his young son quickly grows attached to Vanessa, was both heartwarming and rewarding.
The chemistry between Lorenzo and Vanessa practically leaps off the pages. Once they finally give in to their feelings, the passion is undeniable, but their relationship isn't without obstacles. Vanessa is determined to return to college and build a future on her own terms. She refuses to depend on anyone else, and I admired her independence, ambition, and determination. Lorenzo never tries to stand in the way of her dreams. Instead, he supports her wholeheartedly and encourages her to achieve every goal she's set for herself, making their relationship feel like a true partnership.
This was a beautiful ending to a series I've loved from the beginning. Between the emotional moments, sizzling chemistry, laugh out loud banter, and the strong sense of family, Nikki delivered a finale that left me completely satisfied while making it incredibly hard to say goodbye to these characters.
Lorenzo is a grumpy single father who has sworn off relationships after being burned by his ex. His only focus is protecting his son and providing the best life he can. Vanessa couldn't be more different. She's a bright ray of sunshine with a passion and talent for designing beautiful clothing. On paper, they seem like complete opposites, but when Vanessa overhears a conversation between her mother and stepfather that changes everything, she finds herself desperate, and suddenly married to Lorenzo.
The banter between these two was one of my favorite parts of the book. Vanessa's sass and confidence constantly challenged Lorenzo's grumpy attitude, and she refused to let him intimidate her. For her own safety, she's forced to move in with him, much to Lorenzo's frustration. But despite his best efforts to keep his distance, the attraction between them is impossible to ignore. Watching his walls slowly crumble, especially as his young son quickly grows attached to Vanessa, was both heartwarming and rewarding.
The chemistry between Lorenzo and Vanessa practically leaps off the pages. Once they finally give in to their feelings, the passion is undeniable, but their relationship isn't without obstacles. Vanessa is determined to return to college and build a future on her own terms. She refuses to depend on anyone else, and I admired her independence, ambition, and determination. Lorenzo never tries to stand in the way of her dreams. Instead, he supports her wholeheartedly and encourages her to achieve every goal she's set for herself, making their relationship feel like a true partnership.
This was a beautiful ending to a series I've loved from the beginning. Between the emotional moments, sizzling chemistry, laugh out loud banter, and the strong sense of family, Nikki delivered a finale that left me completely satisfied while making it incredibly hard to say goodbye to these characters.
August 6, 2026
Secret Seduction is book four In the Tempting Love Series. It is an age gap, single dad, small town, dark romance with found family, grumpy/sunshine, marriage of convenience, and found family themes. The story is told in first person with multiple pov.
Vanessa is a very independent, and career oriented, college student. She is very close to graduating with dual degrees in business and fashion design, and she will let nothing stand in her way of accomplishing her goals. While visiting her mom in Harbor Point during summer break, she finds herself in a desperate and dangerous situation and views Lorenzo as her only way to safety.
Lorenzo owns his own billion dollar company and is a single dad to a little boy. He has major trust issues because of his son's worthless mom and he's a real grump. He has a sister and a large found family. Can Lorenzo forgive Vanessa's deceit and see his way to protect her?
This was such a terrific story. Lorenzo and his grumpiness gave me a good chuckle. I adored Leo, Lorenzo's son, and the relationship that develops between him and Vanessa, it was absolutely heartwarming, and heartbreaking at times. There were definitely a lot of emotion provoking moments in this book, that's for sure. The way that Lorenzo and Vanessa's relationship evolved was awesome. The tension, chemistry, and spice between them was scorching. I especially loved all the firsts that Vanessa gets to experience with Lorenzo!
I do not think I could have loved this book more. I was seriously addicted to this story from the start. I loved the danger, the emotion, the push and pull of the relationship, Vanessa's stubbornness, Lorenzo's willingness to do anything to protect Vanessa, the friendships that Vanessa makes, I loved it all!
The writing, pace, flow, characters, and storytelling were all incredibly done, as were the character development, relationship development, storyline, plot, and world building. I can't wait for more from this fantastic author!
Thank you so very much to Nikki Ash for the ARC; all thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
Vanessa is a very independent, and career oriented, college student. She is very close to graduating with dual degrees in business and fashion design, and she will let nothing stand in her way of accomplishing her goals. While visiting her mom in Harbor Point during summer break, she finds herself in a desperate and dangerous situation and views Lorenzo as her only way to safety.
Lorenzo owns his own billion dollar company and is a single dad to a little boy. He has major trust issues because of his son's worthless mom and he's a real grump. He has a sister and a large found family. Can Lorenzo forgive Vanessa's deceit and see his way to protect her?
This was such a terrific story. Lorenzo and his grumpiness gave me a good chuckle. I adored Leo, Lorenzo's son, and the relationship that develops between him and Vanessa, it was absolutely heartwarming, and heartbreaking at times. There were definitely a lot of emotion provoking moments in this book, that's for sure. The way that Lorenzo and Vanessa's relationship evolved was awesome. The tension, chemistry, and spice between them was scorching. I especially loved all the firsts that Vanessa gets to experience with Lorenzo!
I do not think I could have loved this book more. I was seriously addicted to this story from the start. I loved the danger, the emotion, the push and pull of the relationship, Vanessa's stubbornness, Lorenzo's willingness to do anything to protect Vanessa, the friendships that Vanessa makes, I loved it all!
The writing, pace, flow, characters, and storytelling were all incredibly done, as were the character development, relationship development, storyline, plot, and world building. I can't wait for more from this fantastic author!
Thank you so very much to Nikki Ash for the ARC; all thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
⭐4.5/5
🌶️2.5/5
📌Check TW
I loved this conclusion to the Tempting Love series! It has everything I enjoy in a romance: a single dad, the sweetest baby boy ever, a messy marriage of convenience, an age gap, and a hero who falls first and falls hard.
This story follows Vanessa and Lorenzo. Lorenzo is a newly single dad who has been betrayed by the mother of his child, while Vanessa has been betrayed by the one person who should have loved and protected her most: her own mother. Their betrayals bring them together, but when Vanessa finds herself with no other way out, she tricks Lorenzo into a marriage of convenience. For Vanessa, the marriage is her only chance at freedom. For Lorenzo, it's just another reminder that love was never meant for him.
Lorenzo completely stole my heart. Beneath his tough exterior, he's a hopeless romantic with a heart of gold. Even though their relationship begins under less-than-ideal circumstances, he never stops showing Vanessa kindness and support. He not only saves her from her mother's plans, but also encourages her to chase the dreams. And despite being deeply in love with her, he's willing to let her go if it means she'll have the future she's always wanted. He was selfless, caring, an incredible father, ridiculously sexy, and basically everything I want in a book boyfriend. And yes... he's definitely a giver in the bedroom.
One of my favorite parts of this series has always been the found family dynamic. Seeing all the couples from the previous books together again made me so happy. Their unwavering support for one another is one of the strongest aspects of the series, and I loved watching them finally take down the person who had been threatening them since book one.
Overall, this was such a satisfying conclusion to the Tempting Love series. I genuinely enjoyed every book, and I highly recommend the entire series, especially if you love morally gray men, found family, and heroes who would burn the world down to protect the people they love.
Thank you so much to Nikki for this great eARC!
⭐4.5/5
🌶️2.5/5
📌Check TW
I loved this conclusion to the Tempting Love series! It has everything I enjoy in a romance: a single dad, the sweetest baby boy ever, a messy marriage of convenience, an age gap, and a hero who falls first and falls hard.
This story follows Vanessa and Lorenzo. Lorenzo is a newly single dad who has been betrayed by the mother of his child, while Vanessa has been betrayed by the one person who should have loved and protected her most: her own mother. Their betrayals bring them together, but when Vanessa finds herself with no other way out, she tricks Lorenzo into a marriage of convenience. For Vanessa, the marriage is her only chance at freedom. For Lorenzo, it's just another reminder that love was never meant for him.
Lorenzo completely stole my heart. Beneath his tough exterior, he's a hopeless romantic with a heart of gold. Even though their relationship begins under less-than-ideal circumstances, he never stops showing Vanessa kindness and support. He not only saves her from her mother's plans, but also encourages her to chase the dreams. And despite being deeply in love with her, he's willing to let her go if it means she'll have the future she's always wanted. He was selfless, caring, an incredible father, ridiculously sexy, and basically everything I want in a book boyfriend. And yes... he's definitely a giver in the bedroom.
One of my favorite parts of this series has always been the found family dynamic. Seeing all the couples from the previous books together again made me so happy. Their unwavering support for one another is one of the strongest aspects of the series, and I loved watching them finally take down the person who had been threatening them since book one.
Overall, this was such a satisfying conclusion to the Tempting Love series. I genuinely enjoyed every book, and I highly recommend the entire series, especially if you love morally gray men, found family, and heroes who would burn the world down to protect the people they love.
Thank you so much to Nikki for this great eARC!
August 6, 2026
Secret Seduction was such an awesome addition this series. We have read about Lorenzo who hasn’t had it easy the past year or so with what he’s been thru. Now he’s living with his ex Hillary….his baby mama! She’s a complete idiot and deserves everything she gets. Lorenzo finally has everything lined up to get rid of her for good.
He decides to go to Bimini against his better judgement where he meets Vanessa. She also was invited to Kane and Bri’s wedding and since Her and Lorenzo are the only single ones there, she tries to talk to him but he shuts her down quickly. He’s missing his son. Vanessa needs to find someone to take her virginity because someone is after her for it. Lorenzo declined her offer for a one night stand so she did what needed to be….when Lorenzo and Vanessa wake up, he freaks out when he can’t remember a thing that happened and he finds out.
Unfortunately, that night didn’t go as planned. 2 men are waiting at the dock to grab her but she basically begs Lorenzo to help her and explains what is happening so he reluctantly, he drives off with Vanessa and calls Matteo to
Explain the situation.
Lorenzo and Vanessa live together to keep her safe but, whoever is after her is very persistent. Lorenzo tries to keep his space from her and keep her away from Leo but, Leo immediately bonds with her and always wants to be with her.
Over the months Lorenzo and Vanessa get close but they both know she’s only there to keep her safe. Once it’s safe for her to leave, she’s going back to Seattle to school.
Can I just say….seeing Lorenzo get all big and protective and take matters into his own hands was unexpected and hot. I didn’t know he had it in him.
This book was great from start to finish.
What will happen once Vanessa goes back to Seattle? Will Lorenzo, Vanessa and Leo all be able to move on or will all 3 be left with a broken heart?
Soo soooo good. And the bonus content was definitely the icing on the cake.
He decides to go to Bimini against his better judgement where he meets Vanessa. She also was invited to Kane and Bri’s wedding and since Her and Lorenzo are the only single ones there, she tries to talk to him but he shuts her down quickly. He’s missing his son. Vanessa needs to find someone to take her virginity because someone is after her for it. Lorenzo declined her offer for a one night stand so she did what needed to be….when Lorenzo and Vanessa wake up, he freaks out when he can’t remember a thing that happened and he finds out.
Unfortunately, that night didn’t go as planned. 2 men are waiting at the dock to grab her but she basically begs Lorenzo to help her and explains what is happening so he reluctantly, he drives off with Vanessa and calls Matteo to
Explain the situation.
Lorenzo and Vanessa live together to keep her safe but, whoever is after her is very persistent. Lorenzo tries to keep his space from her and keep her away from Leo but, Leo immediately bonds with her and always wants to be with her.
Over the months Lorenzo and Vanessa get close but they both know she’s only there to keep her safe. Once it’s safe for her to leave, she’s going back to Seattle to school.
Can I just say….seeing Lorenzo get all big and protective and take matters into his own hands was unexpected and hot. I didn’t know he had it in him.
This book was great from start to finish.
What will happen once Vanessa goes back to Seattle? Will Lorenzo, Vanessa and Leo all be able to move on or will all 3 be left with a broken heart?
Soo soooo good. And the bonus content was definitely the icing on the cake.
August 6, 2026
My favorite single dad and monkey
Lorenzo absolutely ruined me. Book four in the Tempting Love series (reads perfectly as a standalone, don't let that stop you), and it might be my favorite yet.
Lorenzo is the definition of a guarded heart — a single dad raising his son Leo alone after life handed him the worst deal with Hillary. He's not looking for love, he's just trying to survive fatherhood and keep his walls up. Then he wakes up married to Vanessa, a woman years younger than him, with zero memory of how it happened — turns out she drugged him and married him to escape a dangerous situation she couldn't get out of any other way. He has every reason to walk away. Instead he protects her.
That's what makes this one hit so different — it's not just an age-gap marriage of convenience, it's two people who were forced together under duress and have to decide if what's growing between them is real. The jealousy when he sees her in that bartender outfit at work. Leo naturally gravitating to her, calling her mama before either adult is ready for that. Watching Lorenzo's guarded heart crack open a little more with every chapter.
What I loved most is that Lorenzo never tries to cage Vanessa's independence — even as their bond deepens, he supports her right to build her own future instead of needing her to depend on him. And her mama-bear instincts with Leo feel completely earned, not rushed.
The tension is next level. Both of them wanting each other, both refusing to force anything. The banter, the flirting, the slow burn — chef's kiss.
And that bonus chapter at the end? Exactly what I needed after that ending.
Nikki Ash does not miss. Single dad romance, grumpy x sunshine, age gap, marriage of convenience — if you love any of these tropes, this is a must-read.
Lorenzo absolutely ruined me. Book four in the Tempting Love series (reads perfectly as a standalone, don't let that stop you), and it might be my favorite yet.
Lorenzo is the definition of a guarded heart — a single dad raising his son Leo alone after life handed him the worst deal with Hillary. He's not looking for love, he's just trying to survive fatherhood and keep his walls up. Then he wakes up married to Vanessa, a woman years younger than him, with zero memory of how it happened — turns out she drugged him and married him to escape a dangerous situation she couldn't get out of any other way. He has every reason to walk away. Instead he protects her.
That's what makes this one hit so different — it's not just an age-gap marriage of convenience, it's two people who were forced together under duress and have to decide if what's growing between them is real. The jealousy when he sees her in that bartender outfit at work. Leo naturally gravitating to her, calling her mama before either adult is ready for that. Watching Lorenzo's guarded heart crack open a little more with every chapter.
What I loved most is that Lorenzo never tries to cage Vanessa's independence — even as their bond deepens, he supports her right to build her own future instead of needing her to depend on him. And her mama-bear instincts with Leo feel completely earned, not rushed.
The tension is next level. Both of them wanting each other, both refusing to force anything. The banter, the flirting, the slow burn — chef's kiss.
And that bonus chapter at the end? Exactly what I needed after that ending.
Nikki Ash does not miss. Single dad romance, grumpy x sunshine, age gap, marriage of convenience — if you love any of these tropes, this is a must-read.
August 11, 2026
"The chemistry between is might burn is alive. But what a way to go. "
This is book 4 in this series Tempting Love #4 and I definitely recommend this whole series.
This is Vanessa and Lorenzo 's story.
What to expect
💛Single Dad
💛Marriage of convenience
💛Age Gap
💛Dark Romance
💛Grumpy x Sunshine
💛Small Town
Vanessa is going through something tough because of her family and can't see a way forward so she decides on a plan after going to her friends wedding and a plan seems to form from here.
Lorenzo is a tough guy and he keeps getting not with curve balls, pretty but ones too. After finding out about his son he just wants to be a good dad but life is about to throw someone else in the mix.
I've really enjoyed reading this series and when Nikki writes she always captivates you, makes you feel every emotion possible and grips your heart and this story was no different I was hooked and I loved these characters. I absolutely love love love how protective Lorenzo is with his child it totally has my heart. I loved how these characters were with each other and how as the reader we feel.all the emotions these two go through. I loved how they were, the slow burn connection, the passion, and all the spice and the way they were together was so naturally it like fate brought them together where they've always meant to be.
This storyline flows throughout beautifully and I loved all the curve ball this author threw in. Once I started reading this book I must admit I just couldn't put it down I had to see what happens next and I think its absolutely incredible when an author can keep all her readers completely obsessed with the story, the characters the whole plot .
I've loved the couple's from This series and even though they are all interconnected standalone I definitely recommend reading the whole series. I definitely recommend this author worlds.
This is book 4 in this series Tempting Love #4 and I definitely recommend this whole series.
This is Vanessa and Lorenzo 's story.
What to expect
💛Single Dad
💛Marriage of convenience
💛Age Gap
💛Dark Romance
💛Grumpy x Sunshine
💛Small Town
Vanessa is going through something tough because of her family and can't see a way forward so she decides on a plan after going to her friends wedding and a plan seems to form from here.
Lorenzo is a tough guy and he keeps getting not with curve balls, pretty but ones too. After finding out about his son he just wants to be a good dad but life is about to throw someone else in the mix.
I've really enjoyed reading this series and when Nikki writes she always captivates you, makes you feel every emotion possible and grips your heart and this story was no different I was hooked and I loved these characters. I absolutely love love love how protective Lorenzo is with his child it totally has my heart. I loved how these characters were with each other and how as the reader we feel.all the emotions these two go through. I loved how they were, the slow burn connection, the passion, and all the spice and the way they were together was so naturally it like fate brought them together where they've always meant to be.
This storyline flows throughout beautifully and I loved all the curve ball this author threw in. Once I started reading this book I must admit I just couldn't put it down I had to see what happens next and I think its absolutely incredible when an author can keep all her readers completely obsessed with the story, the characters the whole plot .
I've loved the couple's from This series and even though they are all interconnected standalone I definitely recommend reading the whole series. I definitely recommend this author worlds.
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