Tempted

by Robyn Carr

Joe Clark, strong, tender, singleminded, and a minister is smitten by Beverly, a 33-year-old widow with 2 small kids

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary

Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 1987

About the author

Robyn Carr is a RITA® Award-winning, eleven-time #1 New York Times bestselling author of over sixty novels, including the critically acclaimed Virgin River series and Sullivan's Crossing series. Robyn's new women's fiction novel, THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB, will be released in January 2024. The new hit Sullivan's Crossing TV series (season 1) inspired by Robyn's book series was released in the USA in the fall of 2023! Plus, season 5 of the worldwide fan-favorite Virgin River TV Series is now streaming on Netflix (July 2023) with two holiday episodes coming November 30, 2023. Both TV series have been renewed for another season!
Robyn is a recipient of the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Robyn currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr's website at https://www.robyncarr.com/.

Reviews

[Laurel · Rating 1 out of 5]

First off let me say that Robyn Carr is a wonderful author and I literally have a copy of everything she's written and I love them all except for this piece of shite. It's the story of a bitter, frightened widow who doesn't believe in god and a preacher who does. Let me point out how this is a ROMANCE novel. One in which the characters call sex a sin or sacred depending upon whether the people have a license or not. There is guilt up to the armpits for anyone even thinking of having sex. Zero chemistry between the lead characters. She acts like a drunken bitch on their first date and he's smitten. He acts all creepy religious guy and she's smitten. She likes it when a man orders a woman to "Come here." and always complies. (That's just creepy.) Another creepy thing is when this mother of two young boys allows the minister she just met to come and pick up her boys for some playtime with vague explanation of what he intends. RED FLAG!!! When he says "I love you" it had all the emotional bang as saying, "I bought some eggs today." When she said it back it was even less emotional. It was a preachy sermon the whole way through with nary a shred of romance in it. The whole thing kinda made my stomach hurt to read it, it literally sickened me to read this drivel. Religion has no place in romance novels unless it's that weird no sex religious book publisher-which they discontinued I'm not at all surprised to say. Readers want passionate, sexual lovers in bed, not preachy creepy religious guy who is terrified of his erections and a woman so wounded and uptight she is unable to achieve orgasms. The characters were shallow and limited and not at all sympathetic. The entire extended family all were in this sin/guilt cult religion and each had their lives dented by it, yet it was portrayed as "virtue". Not a fun read. By the way I gave it 1 star because that was the least I could.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two-haiku review:

She's widow with kids
Dated a bunch of losers
Then meets a pastor

Republished old book
She should have updated it
Still, a good story

[phoebess · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was so boring, exhausting and the writing style was sometimes chaotic, clumsy and unrefined.
I'm not opposed to reading about a hero who is a preacher, not at all. But I don't like too much of—how should I put it—churchy stuff, prayers and conversations with God in the story. I like it when it's more balanced story-telling, you know. And that relationship between Joe and Bev? I thought it was some kind of weird modern threesome because they were mentioning Him so often...

[Stacey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible. No favor to re-release this book. If I had never read Robyn Carr I would never read her again. Main character Beverly is very unlikable, juvenille and unrelatable. The characters are not well developed, the writing is abominable. So sad, especially in light of what she's capable of.

[S McCrary · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love the Virgin River series. This is the first book I've read of Carr's outside of the series. I didn't enjoy it.

[Marsha]

One of my favorite authors, but the only book of hers I was ready to be finished with. I just wanted to slap the heroine.

[Jenni Bearden · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible

If I wanted a really long sermon, I would go to a church. That's essentially what this book is. I've read other books by the same author that I really enjoyed, and this was atrocious. It seems like someone else wrote it.
And then don't get me started on the " wonderful minister". This guy is a grade A jerk. Just because they're dating, he should have a right to spank her child without even having a conversation? Nope. He's having a "performance evaluation " because it's important to her to have sex before marriage to make sure they're compatible in that way? Just when I thought the guy couldn't be any more of an ass than he already was, he decides that she does NOT have a choice over what she does with her body. And her brother isn't much better for trying to take her choices away as well.

I've always loved the characters this other creates, But this book was a huge flop. The characters that are supposed to be lovable have very few redeeming qualities. I'm now reluctant to read anything else of hers again.

[Rochelle Cook · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beverly is bitter, unhappy and ready to blame God and the world for being widowed at 33 years old with 2 young boys.

Joe the assistant minister is instantly smitten with Beverly but he has to work for her to even think of getting into some resemblance of a relationship with him. Beverly keeps on trying to push him away but he will not stand for it.

I love Robyn Carr's books unfortunately this was not one I enjoy of hers, this was originally published in 1986 so this could be why I did not enjoy this the same

[Vanessa-Ann Dowsett · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am sorry Robyn but this book I really didn't like at all. I couldn't relate to any of the characters and I apologise to the narrator but she did not present it in a way that was as though she meant it. I am really glad that I read this book well into reading your catalogue of titles as had it been my first I doubt I would have read another thus depriving me of some of the best stories I have ever read and narrated by your usual lady Therese Plummer. My personal opinion only.

[Wynona Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good clean inspiraring romance

I really was intrigued by how Bev and Joes relationship developed.
Robyn really hit it. We have all at one time or another have said " God where are you "
She very clearly takes us through Bevs struggles.
Joe is such a sweetheart and tender. We all think preachers supposed to be perfect and he helps us understand how human they are.
It was binge worthy.
I've read all the Virgin River and loved them also.

[Nancy Harp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story

I absolutely love this story. It was definitely different from any story I’ve ever read. I love Christian stories, but this was that and more. This woman lost her husband and met another wonderful man and questioned her faith. The fact that God stood by her and she understood that pulled the story all together in the end. Thank you for another wonderful story RC.

[Glennis Dodson]

Temptations test strength

Can temptation and love move a preacher and a widow who does not believe together? The result takes strength determination and time. Add a surprise and you have a fun story.

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't even finish this book. Got to chapter 12 before I threw it down. Idk. The whole feel and vibe from it is really off. I really am not liking Joe and I'm not even sure I like beverly very much. I kept going with it just to finish it but then it got to the point that I had had enough.

[BILL A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming!

I never thought I would love this book that much. The author mix very well fun, love, sex, laughter and divine wisdom. I enjoyed reading it and will try other books from this author.

[Mike Parrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Journey

Outstanding novel about a journey back from grief and loss. Despite her stating her anger towards and her unbelief in God, He showed that once your His that bond will never be broken. Really enjoyed it.

[Sondra Rossi · Rating 1 out of 5]

didn’t even finish

I love Robyn Carr’s books, but this one was dreadful. I made it about halfway before giving up: I hated the characters and didn’t have any interest in their resolution.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read it because there was nothing else in my house to read. Terribly written.

[Betty Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE VERY BEST and I have nearly all of Robyn Carr's works. I spent many hours just laughing but in the end there is a very valuable lesson to be learned.

[Debbie Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book.

To read this book reminds us God's miracles do happen. All we have to do is believe. Uplifting to read.

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to an audio version of the book. It was fine for listening to in the car while traveling, but I don’t think reading it would have held my interest.

It was a silly, very dated story.

[Elizabeth Kilcullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this story. It is written with humor laced throughout while telling of the struggle of a widow finding and accepting a second chance at love.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough to rate...maybe a really high 3 and at times a 4.
Robyn Carr always can be counted on for deep, rich characters and fun dialogue- this book is no exception.

[Cindy Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny. Not Robyn's usual style, but I liked it

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious and sweet.

[Holly Doyal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I t was a story of second chances at life. It was a little to religious for me and really didn’t explore adult relationships in a realistic way

[Kathy Spann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet read about two star crossed lovers . A preacher and a widow that is mad at God.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

For sure not up to the normal "Robyn Carr" standard...

[Cathie McManus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beverly had belief issues. She isn't ready to move forward. She wants her old life back.

She meets Preacher Joe. She doesn't want anything from him It was funny, sad, frustrating and happy.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found the heroine widow a bit irritating at times I'm afraid!