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Me Not #1
Tempt Me Not
INNOCENT PLEASURE
As a young, dashing Max Hastings, the future Duke of Bassett, had little time for Jillian Forbes, the sweet aristocratic little sister of his dearest friend. But the infectious good humor and radiant smile of the young Lady Jillian soon melted Max's resisting heart --- binding them together with the promise of loving friendship.
DIVINE TEMPTATION
The passing years have transformed Jullian into a stunning and sensuous woman, while circumstance has shattered a time-honored alliance, turning lifelong friends to bitter foes. Now Max is duty bound to smash to bits the cherished dreams of his childhood love. But Jillian has already risked much for her beloved --- her brother's wrath, her reputation, her life itself. And she is determined to let nothing extinguish the flames of her all-consuming passion which, once ignited, must burn forever.
As a young, dashing Max Hastings, the future Duke of Bassett, had little time for Jillian Forbes, the sweet aristocratic little sister of his dearest friend. But the infectious good humor and radiant smile of the young Lady Jillian soon melted Max's resisting heart --- binding them together with the promise of loving friendship.
DIVINE TEMPTATION
The passing years have transformed Jullian into a stunning and sensuous woman, while circumstance has shattered a time-honored alliance, turning lifelong friends to bitter foes. Now Max is duty bound to smash to bits the cherished dreams of his childhood love. But Jillian has already risked much for her beloved --- her brother's wrath, her reputation, her life itself. And she is determined to let nothing extinguish the flames of her all-consuming passion which, once ignited, must burn forever.
395 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 23, 2019
4.5 stars
"Tempt me not Jillian," he said on a ragged breath, "you are treading on dangerous ground."
What a great find !
A beautifully written, enchanting, angst filled regency historical romance, with a sexy duke H and an adorable heroine, that reminds me of Judith McNaught's masterpieces. I laughed, I got mad, I felt tearful at times and I lost myself in the romantic wonder of this story.
I've been in the historical romance doldrums for the previous 4 or 5 months, because I'm tired of the feminist fantasy narratives and revisionist perspectives that current authors tend to focus on.
When I read historical romance, I don't want to read about heroines who are written as modern women, conveniently transplanted into a bygone era - but without the benefit of the time travel trope. I'm tired of the "mature" spinster bluestockings with shrewish personalities, "quirky" fashion sense and "interesting" jobs.
I realize I'm in the minority, but I just prefer to read about a heroine who's placed realistically into her historical context. I know that there were exceptions to the historical norm, but these were few and far between.
When I want to read about an ambitious professional heroine, I'd pick a contemporary romance. This novel included some of my all time favourite character sketches, tropes and storylines:
1. Jillian ( the heroine ) was sweet, feminine, lovable, kind, thoughtful, sensitive and smart. She was also endearingly and realistically naive. It's refreshing to read about an 18 year old ingenue who knew nothing about sex. In most current historicals, virgin heroines often know more sexual theory than Dr. Drew !
This is the heroine, Jillian:
2. Max, the H, was an uncommunicative, brooding, tortured, assholish and sexy old school hunk of a man. His love for Jillian was always apparent to the reader, but the author created great conflict and drama by prolonging the verbal confirmation. Max was really cold and horrible at times, but I didn't hate him because I understood why he behaved like that - even if I didn't always agree. I relished Max's abrasive personality, because I've kinda overdosed on politically correct H's who are always in tune with their feelings.
This is the H, Max ( the Duke of Bassett )
3. The romance was crafted around the childhood friends to lovers trope and the storyline was sweetened by the fact that the H was Jillian's brother's best friend.
4. The forbidden love trope ( brother's best friend ) was brought to fruition by the marriage of convenience trope. This happened because the MC's were caught in a compromising situation and marriage was the only solution to salvage Jillian's reputation.
5. Friendship and Family - a trope that I love. Max, Jillian and Damien shared a special and unique bond, that was strengthened by the fact that their respective fathers paid no attention to them. Damien was the best brother to Jillian and I look forward to reading his novel ( the second ) in the series.
The story opens up on a cute, heartwarming note with the 10 year old H feeling bitter and resentful that the newborn heroine is stealing the attention of his best friend, Damien. Max and Damien had been best buddies all their lives, because they lived on adjacent ducal estates.
Max ( the H ) is the heir to the Duke of Bassett while Damien ( Jillian's brother ) is the Duke of Westbrook's heir. Max had been jealous of the newborn Jillian because his best friend Damien was determined, as some adoring older brothers are, to include her in all their childhood activities.
It didn't take long for the toddler heroine to worm her way into Max's cold heart. The H was a very cynical little boy. His mother had died and his ducal father preferred to spend time travelling, collecting treasures and artifacts or romancing his married mistress.
Max tried hard to ignore the little girl, but one day the seven year old Jillian burrowed beneath his tough shell by proving that he was an integral part of her tiny world. From that day onwards:
... he had opened Pandora's box and discovered hope cowering at the bottom.
From that time, his special nickname for the heroine was: Pandora.
The novel is divided into 3 sections: the MC's childhood years leading up to the deaths of the MC's ducal dads, the heroine's debut season when she turns 18 and their transition from friends to married lovers. Max and Damien had agreed, when Jillian had her coming out season, that the H was an unsuitable candidate for her hand in marriage.
Damien believed that a cynical rake, like his best friend, would only make the idealistic and romantic heroine unhappy. The H kept saying the same thing to himself, but it didn't stop him from experiencing torturous jealous agony when Jillian became the toast of the Ton.
The heroine was in love with Max and was frustrated when he kept giving her the usual mixed signals. The decision was taken out of Max's hands after he was caught, by the Ton's most notorious gossip, in a compromising situation with Jillian.
The last section is the most intense. All the sex occurs in this portion and the drama becomes amplified after secrets are revealed and the H feels betrayed by everyone in his life. One of my favourite characters in the novel is Bruce ( Viscount Palmerston ).
Bruce played a key role in orchestrating the MC's marriage and I was doubly stunned to discover that he was actually the H's secret half brother. Nobody else knows this secret, because Max's father had paid the impoverished Earl of Blackwood to marry his pregnant mistress and legitimize Bruce.
The cuckolded Earl didn't care about another man's son becoming his heir, as long as it meant he could live in luxury on the continent. I mentioned Bruce because he's the H in the third novel while Damien's book is the second in the trilogy.
Anyway, the H behaved like a supreme jackass after these revelations come to light - especially when he learns that Jillian had played a role in her own public ruination. He'd been on the verge of revealing his love and was angered by the extent she'd gone to, to entrap him into matrimony.
The idiotic dumbass H broke her heart, rejected her apology and sent her back to her brother's estate while he wallowed in self pity in London. This was really heartbreaking and depressing, because Max had reverted to the cold, pitiless little 10 year old boy he'd been in the prologue - the 10 year old who'd resented the intrusion of a little baby girl.
Had it not been for Bruce ( once again ), the MC's reconciliation would have been postponed. The reconciliation was beautiful and Max's grovelling was made more difficult, when Damien refused to allow Jillian to return to live with the H.
Fortunately, Max pulled his head out of his ass and Damien relented when he realized that the MC's truly loved each other. It was also a relief to see that Max, Damien and Bruce were no longer estranged. In the short, adorable epilogue, Max and Jillian are portrayed with their 10 month old son, James. And, the H finally has a place that's a real "home".
I enjoyed this novel so much that it's definitely one that will be on my re-read list. I wish I had time to do justice to this awesome novel, with a comprehensive review, because there's so much more that I could say.
Safety: No cheating, a few wannabe OW and OM. Both MC's are celibate during their short separation.
"Tempt me not Jillian," he said on a ragged breath, "you are treading on dangerous ground."
What a great find !
A beautifully written, enchanting, angst filled regency historical romance, with a sexy duke H and an adorable heroine, that reminds me of Judith McNaught's masterpieces. I laughed, I got mad, I felt tearful at times and I lost myself in the romantic wonder of this story.
I've been in the historical romance doldrums for the previous 4 or 5 months, because I'm tired of the feminist fantasy narratives and revisionist perspectives that current authors tend to focus on.
When I read historical romance, I don't want to read about heroines who are written as modern women, conveniently transplanted into a bygone era - but without the benefit of the time travel trope. I'm tired of the "mature" spinster bluestockings with shrewish personalities, "quirky" fashion sense and "interesting" jobs.
I realize I'm in the minority, but I just prefer to read about a heroine who's placed realistically into her historical context. I know that there were exceptions to the historical norm, but these were few and far between.
When I want to read about an ambitious professional heroine, I'd pick a contemporary romance. This novel included some of my all time favourite character sketches, tropes and storylines:
1. Jillian ( the heroine ) was sweet, feminine, lovable, kind, thoughtful, sensitive and smart. She was also endearingly and realistically naive. It's refreshing to read about an 18 year old ingenue who knew nothing about sex. In most current historicals, virgin heroines often know more sexual theory than Dr. Drew !
This is the heroine, Jillian:
2. Max, the H, was an uncommunicative, brooding, tortured, assholish and sexy old school hunk of a man. His love for Jillian was always apparent to the reader, but the author created great conflict and drama by prolonging the verbal confirmation. Max was really cold and horrible at times, but I didn't hate him because I understood why he behaved like that - even if I didn't always agree. I relished Max's abrasive personality, because I've kinda overdosed on politically correct H's who are always in tune with their feelings.
This is the H, Max ( the Duke of Bassett )
3. The romance was crafted around the childhood friends to lovers trope and the storyline was sweetened by the fact that the H was Jillian's brother's best friend.
4. The forbidden love trope ( brother's best friend ) was brought to fruition by the marriage of convenience trope. This happened because the MC's were caught in a compromising situation and marriage was the only solution to salvage Jillian's reputation.
5. Friendship and Family - a trope that I love. Max, Jillian and Damien shared a special and unique bond, that was strengthened by the fact that their respective fathers paid no attention to them. Damien was the best brother to Jillian and I look forward to reading his novel ( the second ) in the series.
The story opens up on a cute, heartwarming note with the 10 year old H feeling bitter and resentful that the newborn heroine is stealing the attention of his best friend, Damien. Max and Damien had been best buddies all their lives, because they lived on adjacent ducal estates.
Max ( the H ) is the heir to the Duke of Bassett while Damien ( Jillian's brother ) is the Duke of Westbrook's heir. Max had been jealous of the newborn Jillian because his best friend Damien was determined, as some adoring older brothers are, to include her in all their childhood activities.
It didn't take long for the toddler heroine to worm her way into Max's cold heart. The H was a very cynical little boy. His mother had died and his ducal father preferred to spend time travelling, collecting treasures and artifacts or romancing his married mistress.
Max tried hard to ignore the little girl, but one day the seven year old Jillian burrowed beneath his tough shell by proving that he was an integral part of her tiny world. From that day onwards:
... he had opened Pandora's box and discovered hope cowering at the bottom.
From that time, his special nickname for the heroine was: Pandora.
The novel is divided into 3 sections: the MC's childhood years leading up to the deaths of the MC's ducal dads, the heroine's debut season when she turns 18 and their transition from friends to married lovers. Max and Damien had agreed, when Jillian had her coming out season, that the H was an unsuitable candidate for her hand in marriage.
Damien believed that a cynical rake, like his best friend, would only make the idealistic and romantic heroine unhappy. The H kept saying the same thing to himself, but it didn't stop him from experiencing torturous jealous agony when Jillian became the toast of the Ton.
The heroine was in love with Max and was frustrated when he kept giving her the usual mixed signals. The decision was taken out of Max's hands after he was caught, by the Ton's most notorious gossip, in a compromising situation with Jillian.
The last section is the most intense. All the sex occurs in this portion and the drama becomes amplified after secrets are revealed and the H feels betrayed by everyone in his life. One of my favourite characters in the novel is Bruce ( Viscount Palmerston ).
Bruce played a key role in orchestrating the MC's marriage and I was doubly stunned to discover that he was actually the H's secret half brother. Nobody else knows this secret, because Max's father had paid the impoverished Earl of Blackwood to marry his pregnant mistress and legitimize Bruce.
The cuckolded Earl didn't care about another man's son becoming his heir, as long as it meant he could live in luxury on the continent. I mentioned Bruce because he's the H in the third novel while Damien's book is the second in the trilogy.
Anyway, the H behaved like a supreme jackass after these revelations come to light - especially when he learns that Jillian had played a role in her own public ruination. He'd been on the verge of revealing his love and was angered by the extent she'd gone to, to entrap him into matrimony.
The idiotic dumbass H broke her heart, rejected her apology and sent her back to her brother's estate while he wallowed in self pity in London. This was really heartbreaking and depressing, because Max had reverted to the cold, pitiless little 10 year old boy he'd been in the prologue - the 10 year old who'd resented the intrusion of a little baby girl.
Had it not been for Bruce ( once again ), the MC's reconciliation would have been postponed. The reconciliation was beautiful and Max's grovelling was made more difficult, when Damien refused to allow Jillian to return to live with the H.
Fortunately, Max pulled his head out of his ass and Damien relented when he realized that the MC's truly loved each other. It was also a relief to see that Max, Damien and Bruce were no longer estranged. In the short, adorable epilogue, Max and Jillian are portrayed with their 10 month old son, James. And, the H finally has a place that's a real "home".
I enjoyed this novel so much that it's definitely one that will be on my re-read list. I wish I had time to do justice to this awesome novel, with a comprehensive review, because there's so much more that I could say.
Safety: No cheating, a few wannabe OW and OM. Both MC's are celibate during their short separation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2026
Read: 1/3/26
Setting: Regency England
Trope: friends to lovers, forced marriage
4.5 stars
This is my first book by this author and I loved it!
plot: From the beginning, Max resented his best friend's little sister. Damian was the only person who loved him and here is this little girl stealing his attention away from Max. All that changed the day he saved Jillian from a fall. From that day foward, Jillian declared Max to be her family and adopted him. The three of them became best friends and Max finally had a real family.
Skip 10 years and now it's time for Jillian's debut. Something that scares her family. Hilariously, Max and Damain seem to be good at detering potential suitors away ftom her. For Jillian, it doesn't matter. She's been in love with Max for over a year now. She is thrilled when he starts to see her more than just an apoted little sister.
Later at a ball, an annoying suitor tries to compromise Jillian in the gardens and Max steps in only to accidentally tear her dress from the back. He manages to get Jillian home, but the incident is witnessed by two people. Luckily, their best friend, Bruce manages to handle the situation. This is something that doesn't please Jillian. That same night Max kisses her. He loves her, but he'll never do anything about it. Jillian feels like she has no other option. She must be compromised! Bruce agrees to help because he knows Max's in love with Jillian and the idiot won't accept defeat without some help.
Max never wanted to marry, especially to anyone he has feelings for. His father was horrible! When he was a teenager he finally learned why his father was never home. He had a second family. The mistress's son's name is Bruce. The pair meet at Eton and become best friends. Their parents illicit affair has nothing to do with them. Still, because of his father, Max doesn't want love in his marriage. Now, he is forced to wed Jillian, but soon finds out that married life isn't that bad.
Unfortunately, paradise can't last forever. Max soon learns the truth about Jillian's "ruin". To say he was upset would be an understatement. Then as he's beating up Bruce, he learns some more devastating news about his father. Max is heartbroken and takes his pain out on Jillian.
So can Max ever forgive Jillian or is this the end of a beautiful friendship?
liked:
1.This book had one of the best prologues I've read in awhile. I loved watching these two become best friends. It reminded me of opening of The Wedding by Julie Garwood. It had a sweetness about it. 🥰
2. My poor Max! He had such a hard time. His father neglected him and was cruel when present. That's why he practically lived with Damian and Jillian. Max adores Jillian. She brings out the playful side of him.
3. Jillian was fantastic! She fell in love with Max, but she's realistic and willing to wait. I kind of admired her ingenuity on making her dreams happen. She knew she could banish Max's loneliness if given a shot.
4. These two had a great foundation of friendship. They were hilarious together and I enjoyed their easy banter with one another. The only problem was Max's fear of intimacy. Besides that, they were perfect for each other.
5. Damian and Bruce were great additions to the story! Both are in a way brothers to Max and would do anything for him. I can't wait to read their stories.
dislike:
1. This could have been a perfect book, if not for Max's anger. His personality does 180° switch once he learns the truth of Jillian's ruin. This resentment and indignation last too long for me. I thought he acted childish.
Conclusion: I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. This is one of the best friendship to lover romances that I've read in a long time. I've already ordered Damian's book
4 star for plot/romance
1/2 star for surprising me
sidenote: sorry for the long winded review, but I'm too lazy to edit 😉
Setting: Regency England
Trope: friends to lovers, forced marriage
4.5 stars
This is my first book by this author and I loved it!
plot: From the beginning, Max resented his best friend's little sister. Damian was the only person who loved him and here is this little girl stealing his attention away from Max. All that changed the day he saved Jillian from a fall. From that day foward, Jillian declared Max to be her family and adopted him. The three of them became best friends and Max finally had a real family.
Skip 10 years and now it's time for Jillian's debut. Something that scares her family. Hilariously, Max and Damain seem to be good at detering potential suitors away ftom her. For Jillian, it doesn't matter. She's been in love with Max for over a year now. She is thrilled when he starts to see her more than just an apoted little sister.
Later at a ball, an annoying suitor tries to compromise Jillian in the gardens and Max steps in only to accidentally tear her dress from the back. He manages to get Jillian home, but the incident is witnessed by two people. Luckily, their best friend, Bruce manages to handle the situation. This is something that doesn't please Jillian. That same night Max kisses her. He loves her, but he'll never do anything about it. Jillian feels like she has no other option. She must be compromised! Bruce agrees to help because he knows Max's in love with Jillian and the idiot won't accept defeat without some help.
Max never wanted to marry, especially to anyone he has feelings for. His father was horrible! When he was a teenager he finally learned why his father was never home. He had a second family. The mistress's son's name is Bruce. The pair meet at Eton and become best friends. Their parents illicit affair has nothing to do with them. Still, because of his father, Max doesn't want love in his marriage. Now, he is forced to wed Jillian, but soon finds out that married life isn't that bad.
Unfortunately, paradise can't last forever. Max soon learns the truth about Jillian's "ruin". To say he was upset would be an understatement. Then as he's beating up Bruce, he learns some more devastating news about his father. Max is heartbroken and takes his pain out on Jillian.
So can Max ever forgive Jillian or is this the end of a beautiful friendship?
liked:
1.This book had one of the best prologues I've read in awhile. I loved watching these two become best friends. It reminded me of opening of The Wedding by Julie Garwood. It had a sweetness about it. 🥰
2. My poor Max! He had such a hard time. His father neglected him and was cruel when present. That's why he practically lived with Damian and Jillian. Max adores Jillian. She brings out the playful side of him.
3. Jillian was fantastic! She fell in love with Max, but she's realistic and willing to wait. I kind of admired her ingenuity on making her dreams happen. She knew she could banish Max's loneliness if given a shot.
4. These two had a great foundation of friendship. They were hilarious together and I enjoyed their easy banter with one another. The only problem was Max's fear of intimacy. Besides that, they were perfect for each other.
5. Damian and Bruce were great additions to the story! Both are in a way brothers to Max and would do anything for him. I can't wait to read their stories.
dislike:
1. This could have been a perfect book, if not for Max's anger. His personality does 180° switch once he learns the truth of Jillian's ruin. This resentment and indignation last too long for me. I thought he acted childish.
Conclusion: I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. This is one of the best friendship to lover romances that I've read in a long time. I've already ordered Damian's book
4 star for plot/romance
1/2 star for surprising me
sidenote: sorry for the long winded review, but I'm too lazy to edit 😉
May 14, 2023
4.5stars.
one of the best brother’s BFF + h love story I’ve ever read. Absolutely recommend it.
I’m not at all fond of heroine in pursuit stories, but it worked here, because H loved her too, he just didn’t know it.
Safe
No cheating or Ow drama.
10yr age gap
Free to read on the open library. If it’s not available someone’s currently reading it.
https://openlibrary.org/works/OL59427...
Max’s first impression of Jillian, the love of his life.😂
“
Her name was Jillian Nicole Forbes and Max hated her on first sight.
Her bald head was shaped like an egg and her eyes were the color of pond scum.
"Isn't she beautiful?" a hushed voice asked.
Keeping his true opinion of the infant to himself, Maxwell Hastings glanced at his best friend, Damien Forbes, and nodded in agreement.
Through narrowed eyes, he watched Damien lift his two-month-old sister from her cradle and coo softly to her. The reverence in his friend's manner embarrassed Max. How this infant had garnered such devotion from Damien was beyond him. “
one of the best brother’s BFF + h love story I’ve ever read. Absolutely recommend it.
I’m not at all fond of heroine in pursuit stories, but it worked here, because H loved her too, he just didn’t know it.
Safe
No cheating or Ow drama.
10yr age gap
Free to read on the open library. If it’s not available someone’s currently reading it.
https://openlibrary.org/works/OL59427...
Max’s first impression of Jillian, the love of his life.😂
“
Her name was Jillian Nicole Forbes and Max hated her on first sight.
Her bald head was shaped like an egg and her eyes were the color of pond scum.
"Isn't she beautiful?" a hushed voice asked.
Keeping his true opinion of the infant to himself, Maxwell Hastings glanced at his best friend, Damien Forbes, and nodded in agreement.
Through narrowed eyes, he watched Damien lift his two-month-old sister from her cradle and coo softly to her. The reverence in his friend's manner embarrassed Max. How this infant had garnered such devotion from Damien was beyond him. “
December 22, 2008
This book packed a wallop. It's full of angst in some ways. Not a major character dying or adultery of the main characters angst. But the angst of being the child of someone who doesn't know how to love, and having to learn what love is and how to open one's heart. And there are very complicated relationships between the major characters. People who think they are friends, turn out to have deeper relationships. Secrets are kept, and lives are destroyed. To say more would be giving away major plot points, so I won't do that. But I can say that this book shows the power of a loving heart, and the determination of a person who will not give up on the one the person loves. Jillian loves Max. She's loved him since she was a child. When her chance comes to have him, she takes it. And there are some consequences. But like most things that seem bad at the time, much good comes of it. Max is scarred by his indifferent father. And his father turns out to be the man who kept his good friend Bruce's married mother as his mistress for many years, but ignored his own wife and son. Max has been friends with Damien and Bruce for many years. Jillian is Damien's younger sister. As complicated as these relationships sound, they turn out to be even more complicated. To best enjoy this story, you should read Tempt Me Not first, then Love Me Not, and finally Decieve Me Not. This trio is very intertwined. I read Love Me Not first, and I had question marks about Max and Jillian. Reading this book last, I had some blanks filled in. This book is evidence that disproves the fallacy that romance is fluff. The emotions and situations in this book are deep and real life, and they hit home, but have the comfort of a loving relationship between the hero and heroine to soften the blow. I am glad I got the opportunity to read this book.
June 30, 2019
Another book that I waited a long time for on Open Library and a recommendation from IvyH (Carmen) ...
An old school historical romance but not a bodice ripper ... There is something to be said when reading a historical romance that actually seems to tie in with the era in question ... Instead of being sprinkled with modernism's ... Modern type H and h's with modern behavior but set into historicals ...
It made for some great reading ... Loved the H, h and her brother's bonding ...
h was a great character ... Brave and so loving ... H was a great too but at times I got tired of his ongoing pity party for one ...
But he did wise up nicely so I can forgive him ...
Now I would like to read the other 2 books in this series but good luck to me with finding a copy ...
An old school historical romance but not a bodice ripper ... There is something to be said when reading a historical romance that actually seems to tie in with the era in question ... Instead of being sprinkled with modernism's ... Modern type H and h's with modern behavior but set into historicals ...
It made for some great reading ... Loved the H, h and her brother's bonding ...
h was a great character ... Brave and so loving ... H was a great too but at times I got tired of his ongoing pity party for one ...
But he did wise up nicely so I can forgive him ...
Now I would like to read the other 2 books in this series but good luck to me with finding a copy ...
May 18, 2023
3.5 stars 🌟
Childhood friends to forced marriage.
This was enjoyable to read and the h's devotion was admiral however at the same time extremely frustrating 😠.
I feel the H never realised how poor he treat the h and wished he had grovelled somewhat.
Childhood friends to forced marriage.
This was enjoyable to read and the h's devotion was admiral however at the same time extremely frustrating 😠.
I feel the H never realised how poor he treat the h and wished he had grovelled somewhat.
July 6, 2019
H was awfully cold and mean and terribly stupid as should have been. But I normally prefer heroines less saint (masochist), that's why I reduced a star.
October 11, 2024
The way I just stumbled upon this author in an op shop and decided what the heck I’m going to give it a go and it ended up being not only 5 stars but one of my top reads this year. It’s actually scary cause it shows how many amazing books are out there that we may not ever discover.
This is by far the best brothers best friend trope I’ve ever read since they all grew up together from children and there was a betrayal surrounding the reasons they had to have a marriage of convenience. The tension in this book had my stomach in knots even when I had to put it down. Also, the tension right before the spice hits was so incredibly done I was holding my breath in anticipation.
Tropes - Childhood friends to marriage of convenience in the angstiest way possible.
This is by far the best brothers best friend trope I’ve ever read since they all grew up together from children and there was a betrayal surrounding the reasons they had to have a marriage of convenience. The tension in this book had my stomach in knots even when I had to put it down. Also, the tension right before the spice hits was so incredibly done I was holding my breath in anticipation.
Tropes - Childhood friends to marriage of convenience in the angstiest way possible.
October 17, 2010
Really enjoyed this one, although the next few sentences may sound like I didn't. The hero was, for the most part, not very nice, and his way of pushing people away from him was rather sad. I was like "she loves you, you jackass, stop being a dope." At another point I thought EVERYONE was acting like total asses and it was, well, stressful. However, I liked the writing style and I was quite absorbed and, of course, there was a happy ending that made me smile.
June 2, 2021
So for me this was odd, I liked it I really did but somewhere inside I was completely irritated the whole time, she literally had to do everything to move their relationship forward, she had no pride at all and even though she bared everything he stilled acted like a douche bag the entire novel! I would never tolerate being treated that way and I wouldn't stand by and allow any of my friends to be so shamelessly used and discarded time after time. Also, she has no friends at all, only the H and her brother are her 'friends', not even a maid/friend. This made me so very sad for her, she treated herself as unimportant because the H had so much pain in his life ( can you hear my sarcasm) as if she had not experienced the same pain he had. I felt he had no true reason to treat her that way and she had no self worth making it so, though I liked them as friends, I did not like them when they married, and that's almost the whole book. I may have just been in a mood, maybe if I read it later I wont feel this way. We shall see but for now....2.5 I say read for yourself, these are just my opinions.
February 24, 2011
This book was so intense, I'm having a hard time deciding what I liked about it.
A lot of angst and some cruelty that sometimes felt unsurmountable. For nearly half the book, the Hero was an ass without a lot of insight to his feelings. The character of the heroine was contradictory. While being no meek miss, she wouldn't speak her mind. It drove me crazy!
Still, the hero was deserving and the heroine was really likable.
What the book does accomplish is a lot of emotion.
This was an engaging read that shows how the power of patience and love can heal.
I guess like life, it just doesn't feel very good getting there.
A lot of angst and some cruelty that sometimes felt unsurmountable. For nearly half the book, the Hero was an ass without a lot of insight to his feelings. The character of the heroine was contradictory. While being no meek miss, she wouldn't speak her mind. It drove me crazy!
Still, the hero was deserving and the heroine was really likable.
What the book does accomplish is a lot of emotion.
This was an engaging read that shows how the power of patience and love can heal.
I guess like life, it just doesn't feel very good getting there.
March 16, 2019
Tempt me not is well-written. What kept it from being a four star read for me was, 3.5/5 stars
April 26, 2021
It was one of the best bother’s best friends & childhood sweethearts book I have ever read.
July 11, 2019
I was recommended Eve Byron by an algorithm that determines book tastes, and I'm a bit divided about it. The first half was a wonderful tale of children who forge a friendship amid the rubble of parental neglect and lofty ducal expectations. The second half was a melodrama about The Big Misunderstanding, perpetual damsel in distress that interferes 24/7 because she knows best, and surprise siblings. 3.5 is the final product. Also, the editor needs to learn how to fix comma splices. There were so many, it sometimes took me out of the story.
January 31, 2018
A romance book I really enjoyed. I like the storyline, hero, heroine and side characters. I was glad there was an epilogue. The heroine was feisty in all the nice/thoughtful ways, not a bitchy or a spoiled brat. I would have like the hero more charming but still he was an enjoyable hero.
Currently reading
March 4, 2020Good
April 26, 2023
Absolutely not! She let him get away with way too much! And there was absolutely no groveling like wtf! Max was so annoying and unnecessarily mean. Jillian needed to grow a backbone and Max needed to shut up and go to therapy.
h 18 H 28 (I think)
h 18 H 28 (I think)
December 29, 2014
synopsis:
max and his best friend were the only family max ever needed. when his best friend got a baby sister, max was jealous, because it took time away from the friendship. eventually, though, jillian convinced max that the three of them could be family, and they were. as jillian grew up, though, she wanted more than friendship from max, she wanted love. max was shaped by his father, and everything that his father did, and didn't believe that he deserved love. when jillian finally wears max down, she alienates her own brother, and max's best friend.
what i liked: jillian was a dertermined little tyke, insistent that max be one of the family. that didn't change as she grew older, just her goals did. max was closed off to the point that the only ones he let in were jillian and his best friend. as jillian slowly started to get him to let him in more, he lost his moorings.
what i didn't like: i kind of felt a disconnect with the characters. they just didn't draw me in to the story.
max and his best friend were the only family max ever needed. when his best friend got a baby sister, max was jealous, because it took time away from the friendship. eventually, though, jillian convinced max that the three of them could be family, and they were. as jillian grew up, though, she wanted more than friendship from max, she wanted love. max was shaped by his father, and everything that his father did, and didn't believe that he deserved love. when jillian finally wears max down, she alienates her own brother, and max's best friend.
what i liked: jillian was a dertermined little tyke, insistent that max be one of the family. that didn't change as she grew older, just her goals did. max was closed off to the point that the only ones he let in were jillian and his best friend. as jillian slowly started to get him to let him in more, he lost his moorings.
what i didn't like: i kind of felt a disconnect with the characters. they just didn't draw me in to the story.
September 12, 2024
This was my first ever "romance book." I purchased it back in 1997, got teased because of the cover, and then did not touch romance again until my 30's lol. And I still, somehow, have this book. It is cute and not as spicy as most romances these days but ofc suffers from all of the problems of historical romances. But I still give it a read every now and then out of nostalgia.
April 16, 2010
I loved this book. In fact I have read it more than twice and some. It's a fun read that will be hard to put down. So if your going on a divine vacation do not bring this book, but if is a dreary day by all means start reading.
June 16, 2016
I was absolutely in love with this book. It had everything a romance novel should have. It's one of my very favorites and it opened me up to Eve Byron and now I love her! I would reccomend her to everyone who enjoys romances.
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