Hard to Resist: Age Gap Romance

by Madison Fox

Verity didn’t mean to fall for her boss’s ex…

Some women have bad luck dating. Then, there’s Verity Moore.

After being ghosted by her date for the third time, she’s ready to swear off men altogether. Until she spills her guts to the mysterious, hot guy at the bar over a few drinks, and he asks her out.

Cullen is rugged, rich, and definitely a few years older than her.

Verity should say no.

Instead, she makes a deal.

He has four dates to prove himself.

Cullen is more than ready to meet the challenge and win over the sweet girl-next-door he can’t stop thinking about. As the top broker in the City, he knows how to get what he wants by any means necessary.

There’s just one small issue.

Cullen is her boss’s ex-husband.

If anyone finds out, her career is over.

If only he wasn’t so damn hard to resist.


Hard to Resist is an age gap, forbidden, workplace, billionaire, boss's ex-husband standalone romance perfect for readers who love to see an alpha hero chase and grovel for the woman he is obsessed with. HEA guaranteed.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

492 pages, Paperback

Published June 12, 2025

About the author

Madison Fox was born and raised in Australia but has been living in the United States for the past decade. While she still watches Australian football every Sunday, she currently lives in Nevada as a cat mum to Zelda (yes, based on the video game).

When Madison isn’t reading or writing a new book, she can be found drowning in one of her other obsessions, such as k-dramas, manga, anime, video games, and espresso martinis.

GOOD GAME is her debut romance novel.

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up***

My favorite book by Madison so far!!!!

Cullen was the greenest of green flags I loved him

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Just Love Hannah... so cool..
and cullen and verity are so cute together 🤭 some stuff was obvious but it made me want to ready it even more!

[Nikky · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - utterly addictive and swoon-worthy

This book stole my heart from the very first chapter. Madison Fox has a gift for creating characters that feel so real you can’t help but root for them. The chemistry between the leads is electric. It has the kind of slow-burn tension that keeps you turning the pages late into the night.

The writing is witty, emotional, and perfectly paced. I laughed, blushed, and even teared up at moments I didn’t see coming. It’s the perfect balance of heart, heat, and heartfelt connection.

If you love a romance that makes you feel everything and leaves you smiling long after the last page, this book is a must-read. Madison Fox earned earned a spot on my auto-buy list after I read two of the books from the system series and this book was everything I expected from Madison 🥰

[Estrella · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐
Bastante entretenido, entiendo algunas reseñas que decían que era bastante largo, a veces la autora creo que describe o cuenta ciertas cosas en exceso, puede ser, pero por una vez el 3rd act break-up tenía bastante sentido, y el protagonista masculino tenía sus defectos obviamente pero me ha parecido bastante green flag.
Me han gustado ambos personajes tanto Verity como Cullen, también Hannah y Bridget. Me ha gustado mucho el angst creado por parte de la ex esposa, el ambiente de trabajo tóxico, y me encantó ver a Cullen arrastrarse, más hombres dispuestos a todo por recuperar a su amor. No hace falta ser un celoso tóxico, se puede ser un hombre bueno y ser el MMC.

[Danielle McGrath · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Kass · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at page 26, they already in love ???? Don't ask me what will happen in the next 400 pages I won't know and I DONT wanna know.

[⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5*

[Alessandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book didn’t do it for me and I was even ovulating.

[Sarah | asunshinebookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars (rounded up!) ⭐️

After loving Madison Fox's The System series I was really excited to dive into anything else that she decided to write. So naturally when Hard to Resist released, with the premise of boss's ex, I HAD to give it a go.

I enjoyed the little commentary on dating in this day and age, and I loved the setting of this story. It's been a while since I've read a contemporary set in New York. I really enjoyed both of the characters. I loved my little sweetheart Verity, and all her hopeless romantic tendencies. I think we all need to be a little more delusional. I also LOVED Cullen and all his flaws. This is a man who knows how to GROVEL. And man did he.

The epitome of 'if he wanted to, he would'. I love all their sweet reconciliations and all the times that we watched Cullen try to win her back. I very much enjoyed this story and can see myself picking up future books in this series and by this author.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starring Verity & Cullen in a forbidden, age gap romance. When one ghosted dates leaves her in a bar spilling everything to a guy over drinks. But failed date leads to a successful one or four. The challenge is set for Cullen, and he is more than in to wait for his girl. However, there is one small issue, Cullen is her boss EX - HUSBAND. If anyone finds out her career will be over. She stuck between a rock and a hard place because he is so hard to resist.

Hypothesis - Any book Madison Fox writes I'm probably going to fall in love with.

Conclusion - Hypothesis is 100% true.

This book was SOOOOOOOO GOOOOOD. I consumed it in a day (which never happens). Cullen is such a good main character. The little things that you think don't really matter when Verity is speaking, he remembers and acts upon them. He makes it all matter. He does everything for her even when she isn't asking for it. Making sure she gets home safe even when they aren't even in the same state.

I loved every aspect of this whole story and even as a girl who typically doesn't love a third act breakup. I didn't mind this one, it fit with the plot of the story and was well integrated and executed. I also love a jealousy man. When he can't have what he wants but he isn't letting anyone else have it either (so good).

[✧ Lala ✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

i recently came across her other book series, and i absolutely fell in love with her writing style. the way she weaves together characters, emotions, and plot is unlike anything i've ever read. the premise of this book was what initially intrigued me, but once i started, i couldn’t put it down.

it’s truly an amazing book, and the concept is so unique. the creativity and depth of the story made for such an immersive reading experience. Hopefully she releases new books in the future!

Would i recommend this book? yes, maybe, no.
- I highly recommend! yes. :)

[Devika · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars!
A pretty cute book with fun characters. Cullen is such a green flag—the way he is so fricking thoughtful, like—🤌🏻. The book felt a lil slow, but the story was good. Simple and sweet. I really dislike Celine, though, like, "Girl, what are you even holding onto after 10 years?" But all in all, a good and quick read. Nothing mind-blowing, but not a bad book. Still loved the System series over this, though.

[Raquel Nascimento · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this. How can a man be this good and still have such a terrible ex like Celine? For fuck’s sake, that woman was awful.

Cullen deserves all the good things. I’m completely in love with him, and I truly hope we get more from this book because I adored the side characters, especially Briget. Maybe she’ll get her own book? I don’t know, but let’s hope so.

[S P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming from the world of Booktube, transitioning into a full-fledged author is no small feat, and she makes it look effortless. Her passion for romance shines through every scene. I love her worlds! The dialogue had me grinning like an idiot more than once.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read

My first time reading this author and she didn’t disappoint.
Such a quick and fun read. You can’t help but feel for Verity swoon over Cullen. The plot twist got me and of course, the well deserved happy ending!

[Kaitlyn H · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 27%. Too much description of every. Little. Thing. It got tiresome to the point I was skipping over entire paragraphs. Also, I don’t mind insta-lust, but this was insta-love and totally unbelievable.

I just didn’t care about the characters at all and life’s too short.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love men who YEARN and know what they want 🥰


Loved all of Madison’s books so far and this was no different, I’m hoping this becomes a series (I need a Rafe book)!!

[Elizabeth Thiels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so amazing, just like the first three written by Madison Fox 😭 more books from her need to exist in this world 🥰

[Nu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love love loved this book.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. did not like the first few chapters but i got suckered into it pretty soon after that.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this author’s gaming trilogy but I think this one wasn’t fully for me! It was still decent so if you like a lot of drama and conflict (that enrages you lol) you’d like this one.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, quick read. The plot was pretty predictable but that's what made it a perfect summer holiday kind of read.

4/5 stars

[Life on Readpeat · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐨𝐧-𝐢𝐬𝐡...

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

nothing to see here folks, just some green flag stalking, it's all good, nothing to be concerned about.

[stella]

dnf

[Helia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[G B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and sweet but could have been a 100 pages shorter.

[Shauna D · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up- genuinely entertaining and realistic, even with the billionaire trope. Love the two of them together!

[isa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Booooooring

[Jaimie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Verity sucks