Bodyguard Bad Boys… Sexy, hot and oh so protective!
Burned by an ex with a wandering eye, Austin Rhodes has sworn off women. His sole focus is his young daughter - and despite his good intentions, the little girl's live-in nanny. He hired Mia Atwood to care for his child but he finds himself lusting after her instead. Keeping his distance isn’t easy but he’s determined to be a gentleman. Until Mia's past comes back to haunt her and she’s in need of Austin’s brand of protection. Suddenly she’s his in every sense of the word — and he’ll do whatever it takes to shield the woman who tempts him beyond reason.
NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller, Carly Phillips is the queen of Alpha Heroes, at least according to The Harlequin Junkie Reviewer.. Carly married her college sweetheart and lives in Purchase, NY along with her crazy dogs who are featured on her Facebook and Instagram pages. The author of over 75 romance novels, she has raised two incredible daughters and is now an empty nester. Carly’s book, The Bachelor, was chosen by Kelly Ripa as her first romance club pick. Carly loves social media and interacting with her readers. Want to keep up with Carly? Sign up for her newsletter and receive TWO FREE books at www.carlyphillips.com.
I’m a HUGE fan of the single dad/nanny trope and Carly Phillips just did it RIGHT!
Single dad and bodyguard Austin Rhodes has been burned by love before and he has no intention of ever going through that again anytime soon. But that captivating and beautiful live-in nanny, Mia Atwood is BEYOND temptation at this point and he is struggling to keep himself in check. Mia is caring, selfless, and has a good heart. She loves what she does and she’s damn good at it, and of course, she cares for Austin’s little girl, Bailey, so much...her HOT and FORBIDDEN father isn’t bad to look at either, but always the professional, she keeps her distance until THAT distance is erased by the protective and irresistible protector. Both Mia and Austin struggle through their wants and their desires, always keeping that little girl in mind. They know they shouldn’t cross THAT line, but when it becomes almost impossible to stay away, the body almost ALWAYS wins over the mind in these types of situations. The HEAT turns up a few hundred degrees once Austin gets a taste and the fact that Mia needs her own brand of protection, just stirs him up even further. The fact that Austin is ‘technically’ Mia’s boss isn’t the only thing threatening to keep them apart.
“Just so you know...it’s not out of my system. You’re not out of my system.”
Carly Phillips ALWAYS leaves me satisfied with her love stories! Austin, Mia, and Bailey are AMAZING characters and the chemistry between Austin and Mia is RIDICULOUSLY HOT! The story flowed pretty seamlessly and made for a very quick and sexy romance read. It had some angst, some suspense, and TONS of swoon-worthy and romantic moments. Austin is dreamy! Mia is relatable! And Bailey...well, Bailey is too cute for words! Another sweet, sexy, and romantic HIT from one of my all time favorite contemporary romance writers.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
Are you ready to get tempted with a hot new sexy contemporary romance by Carly Phillips? Honestly, I don’t think you will need much persuasion to read Philips latest release that centers on a sexy single father and the hot adorable nanny hired to help raise his sweet daughter. Since this book pretty much is a quick read, I won’t say much since it’s a very much straightforward story that was fast paced, sweet, and sexy. Tempt Me was a well-written story that had little drama thrown into the mix to keep readers entertained as Austin Rhodes will stop at nothing in protecting Mia Atwood and his daughter from harm.
Carly Phillips has done it and done it good with her single dad/nanny trope latest. Austin Rhodes is a bodyguard for Alpha Security. He is divorced and has sole custody of his daughter. He has had a bitter breakup with his daughter’s mother /his ex and all he cares about now is taking care of his daughter. He doesn’t want to date or ever get married again or even have more children, that is how bad his last relationship burned him. Mia Atwood is a sweet woman who is very good at her job. She has a background in child development with a minor in psychology. Her past wasn’t the greatest. She grew up in foster care; Mia made a point to never look back, only look forward for her past hurts her. She is a nanny to Austin and his sweet daughter for just a few months. She finds Austin tantalizing but she doesn’t dare do anything to jeopardizing her job . Mia cares for both Bailey , her charge and Bailey’s dad Austin but she doesn’t want to rock the boat. Plus she has things in her past that she is trying hard to forget. When Mia’s past comes back to haunt her along with Austin’s ex-wife tries to go after custody of their daughter just to get more money out of him, Austin is determined to protect Bailey from a mother she has never known and to save Mia from a past that is determined to bring her down. This story is rife with intrigue, suspense, romance, heartbreak, passion and love. I fell hard for Austin and Mia’s love story because of how good they were together. Ms. Phillips has written a story where the H/h are good together , the characters are well written and some just steal the scenes (hint hint, one is adorable and so sweet) and I was so sad when the book ended. This is one book that the scenes just blended well together and the passion was red hot. I look forward to the next book by Ms. Phillips.
My Rating: 4.5 stars ***** “I received an advanced copy of this book from the author at no cost to me."
This is the second book in the Bodyguard Bad Boys series and I loved it! Austin Rhodes has been hurt and wants to just live his life, him andhis daughter. Hiring a nanny to help out this Bodyguard with basic care of his daughter while he works is top priority. No sexy women have to ever be involved in his life again…enter sexy nanny Mia Atwood.
Mia loves her job as Austin’s live in nanny, and having a hot boss to look at? Perks of the job. However, she knows Bailey is her number one priority, so she tries to keep the relationship professional (although, we know this will NEVER happen – and love every minute it doesn’t!).
Mia finds herself actually needing Austin’s service as a bodyguard, putting them in even closer proximity. Watching them struggle to be professional, eventually not being very successful (and man were those scenes HOT!!) kept me on the edge of my seat. Add in the suspense factor and this book absolutely had it all!!
Tempt Me by Carly Phillips is Book Two in the "Bodyguard Bad Boys" series. This is the story of Austin Rhodes and Mia Atwood. Austin is part of the Alpha Security and a divorced single dad who has sworn off serious relationships after is bad experience he had. Austin is planning to stay focused on his daughter Bailey and his work. Mia was raised in foster care and has a background in child development and is working for Austin to help care for Bailey. Austin is finding that Mia is making it hard to stick to his goal of not doing a relationship and when her past comes back he knows he has to protect her. Austin ex wife comes back into the scene looking to get back Baily for the money she can get from him. I so happy to have this book! It is one that you cannot put down for sure!
I’m a total sucker for the whole single parent trope, or just when kids have a key role to play in the storyline because they truly bring so much to the table when learning about the characters. Then add in a little nanny/employer/employee twist to things, and it’s hard not to make grabby hands for a book, and lemme tell you, Carly Phillips came through with Tempt Me. It was all kinds of sweet, swoony, heart melting and smexy with just the right amount of drama and even a dose of suspense that kept me turning the pages until the very end.
Oh, Austin. It’s really hard not to love a man who makes his child his number one priority and has no regrets about it, and Austin does that and more. He’s protective, but not overbearing and treats his daughter as if she is special but not fragile. He’s laid back, but can become all kinds of smexy alphaness at the drop of a hat and is honorable to his core. Mia didn’t have an easy childhood, but she knows she was better off than most and wants to pay it forward to those who find themselves in a similar situation. I loved Mia’s honesty, compassion and how she appreciated all that she had been given and wants to give back, not in a huge world changing way, but in a realistic, hands on way.
When it comes to the whole single parent falling for the nanny trope you know there will be a whole bunch of inner turmoil push/pull going on between the MC’s and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t for me i.e. sometimes it annoys the shit out of me and other times it doesn’t. And in the case of Mia and Austin it worked because they actually acted like the adults there are and were as upfront and honest about their feelings as they could be. Their honesty mixed with the very hawt chemistry going on between them had me rooting for them to push aside their (His) issues and take that leap of faith. It does take them a bit to get there, but it was well worth it in the end.
I thoroughly enjoyed Tempt Me. I was hooked form the very beginning and loved that while there was a bit of drama and suspense going on, it never went to that OTT angsty place. I loved the pacing and how the outside issues never overshadowed Mia and Austin’s journey. I loved catching up with Summer and Ben and absolutely adored Bailey.
So if you’re looking for a single parent/falling for the nanny read that is all kinds of sweet and smexy and doesn’t fall into the angsty arena, then Tempt Me is a #mustread for you!
~ Copy provided by RockStar PR & voluntarily reviewed ~<.i>
Amidst shady exes, dangerous pasts and seductive temptations, love blooms. Tempt Me never walks a straight line. Mia and Austin are a maze searching for a way out. Among the twists is a beautiful little girl, an unwanted attraction and the forces that can rip everything apart. Carly Phillips took a hard road to love, but the bruises to the heart deliver the ultimate payoff in the end. Tempt Me proves that sometimes the sweetest hello can be the hardest goodbye.
Austin Rhodes is a bodyguard for Alpha Security. He is divorced with sole custody of his daughter, Bailey. He was burnt badly by his ex and has focused his attention on his daughter. He doesn’t want a relationship, marriage or more kids.
Mia Atwood has a child development degree with a minor in psychology. Growing up in foster care, she didn’t have the best childhood, but has made a choice to not look back and always see the positive. She has been working for Austin for three months, loves her job and his daughter. Yeah, her boss is hot, but she’s not going to do anything to jeopardize her job.
When Mia’s past catches up to her, Austin goes into alpha bodyguard mode to protect her. “Forced” to spend time together, the inevitable happens, along with the expected angst, predictable twist and resulting HEA. Unlike many of these stories, there is actual time spent with the child and his parents.
This a short, easy flowing story good for a day at the beach or drinking hot chocolate by the fireplace when you don’t want anything heavy or to concentrate too hard.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by the author.
5 star review Tempt Me (Bodyguard Bad Boys #2) by Carly Phillips
Where do I start? This is a single father/nanny story about Austin Rhodes, Mia Atwood and an adorable little girl names Bailey (whom I loved).
I love alpha males who are strong, sexy and protective, throw on a cute little girl who just about melts my heart and I knew I was in for one awesome read.
Both Austin and Mia have fought their attraction for each other, neither wanting cross the line. They share sizzling hot looks and on occasion, some stolen kisses, so can they keep the chemistry between them from exploding particularly since neither of them really want to hold back.?
When Mia’s past comes back to haunt her, Austin knows that he must step in and protect not only her but his little girl Bailey. He is protecting on so many fronts, not just Mia’s past but his own as his ex-wife seeks to get custody when her plan to extract more money from him is met with no success. Not only does he have to protect Mia but he needs to protect Bailey from the mother she doesn't know and who doesn't really want her, unless it is as a pawn in her revenge against Austin.
The characters were easy to relate to and the steaminess when it occurred, off the charts as Austin and Mia sizzled together. This was one of those books I just didn’t want to put down or have end. This book runs the gauntlet of emotions and when you add in the suspense and danger it is truly a great read.
Ms. Phillips has written a story where the characters are strong and well written (Bailey is so cute she almost steals the book) and I will admit I was extremely sad when I finished the book.
Austin and Mia's story is sexy and full of chemistry. This is a book you will not be able to put down. Carly Phillips has a unique talent . She can make you feel you are living the story with the character's. This five star read will not disappoint.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoy the single dad/nanny trope. I think I like the appeal of a man who is willing to be the main caretaker of a child also being the kind of guy who is fully in touch with his feelings, or at least a little more than some men in the "real world" and, heck, this is the reason I read romance.
Austin and Mia were wonderful together and their chemistry was strong and believable. I loved that Austin allowed Mia's relationship with his daughter without feeling threatened that they were close and were building a bond. I also liked that he supported her staying in their lives, even after a couple of things happened that showed there might be someone trying to hurt her (not a spoiler, it's in the blurb).
That said, while I enjoyed this, it felt a little formulaic. I enjoyed the characters, the dialogue, the settings...but at the same time, nothing felt particularly new or different to me. I really felt that I had read this title before. Possibly not as well written, as Carly Phillips is an excellent writer, but this was not the fresh look at the trope that I was hoping for
I do, however, recommend this title. While not perfect, it was enjoyable.
Swooooon!!! Carly Phillips inflamed my heart in TEMPT ME!
I was giddy with excitement to dig into this smolderingly sexy Bodyguard Bad Boys romance because I am a sucker for a heart-tugging single daddy tale! And since I have never read a book from Ms. Phillips involving children, I was curious to see how this author would spin this forbidden romance revolving around a devoted father who is disillusioned by love yet can’t resist the sweet temptation of his precious little girl’s nanny.
Well the verdict is in...Ms. Phillips NAILED IT. Big time!
There was an intoxicating sweetness to this swoon-worthy romance that I found utterly irresistible and that coupled with the high stakes drama and sizzling sexy times made for a totally unputdownable tale!
THE STORY: In the three months since he hired Mia Atwood, there’s no denying the flicker of attraction that Alpha Security bodyguard Austin Rhodes feels for his little girl’s live in caregiver. But the commitment-phobic single dad, who is still smarting from his conniving ex-wife walking out on him and their daughter, keeps Mia at arm’s length, because the LAST THING he wants is to mess up a good thing by coming on to the fetching nanny!
Although the feelings are more than mutual and Mia also harbors forbidden fantasies of Austin that leave her hot and VERY bothered, she has been through the ringer as well and is determined to never to cross the line from professional to personal with her hunky boss!
Well, of course the best laid plans to keep their taboo feelings under wraps goes up in flames when a dangerous threat from Mia’s past resurfaces, bringing out the ALPHA PROTECTOR in Austin and FINALLY setting a match to their simmering desire! Before long, red hot lust morphs into soul burning obsession, and Austin vows to do whatever it takes to shield his child’s nanny from harm even as he has a headache of his own to contend with in the form of his gold digging ex!
But as passion and peril reach a fever pitch can Austin keep Mia safe without putting both their hearts in jeopardy?
MY THOUGHTS: TEMPT ME is the second scintillating book in Ms. Phillips Bodyguard Bad Boys series, but can definitely be read as a standalone, and it hooked me from page one!
I enjoyed EVERYTHING about this sexy, fast paced romance —the irresistible, forbidden attraction between the MCs, the palpable push-pull, the high stakes drama, and of course darling little Bailey! Sighhh…there is just something about a big, manly guy who turns into a pile of mush around his beloved little girl that makes my ovaries ache!!! “Bailey Button” just MELTED MY HEART and I savored the little chatterbox’s interaction with her doting daddy and her nurturing nanny!
I think Ms. Phillips did a fantastic job of balancing the romance and danger with the family elements, and I truly appreciated how this enamored duo were always mindful of how a relationship between them could affect little Bailey if their feverish lust ended up burning itself out one day. Of course the chances of that happening were pretty much nil!
As far as heroes go, Austin was PURE ALPHA MALE HOTNESS! Tall, dark and handsome, with big broad shoulders and lickable tats, he is the ULTIMATE PROTECTOR, an amazing father and ohhhhhh my does he know how to satisfy his woman in the sack! I loved his sweet and chivalrous side as well as his deliciously dominant side, and holy smokes…he was just the total package!!
I also really dug Mia! As with all of this author's heroines, she is EXTREMELY relatable. This blond-haired, green-eyed beauty has plenty of upheaval in her life, including a difficult upbringing in foster care and a menacing stalker lurking in the shadows. But despite everything she has endured, she has not let it define her. She is kind, compassionate, warm and caring, the kind of woman/mother figure that a fiercely protective single dad like Austin would do anything for!
This couple has a ton of rooting value. I relished their tender, soul-deep, connection, their tantalizing romantic sparks, and the sex was scorching hot! And despite their many obstacles, there was a natural ease and honesty that shone through in all their scenes together that made me love them all the more!
Bottom Line: Carly Phillips delivered the goods big-time with TEMPT ME. New and longtime fans alike are in for quite a scrumptious treat with this sweet, sexy, utterly irresistible single dad romance that’s left me deliciously satisfied, blinking back tears of joy, and beaming in delight!
Emotionally thrilling, sexy sweet, action packed single dad burned by love falls for the nanny romantic adventure filled with passion and danger. How could I possibly resist.
Austin Rhodes is a gruff, sexy, strong alpha male protective type bodyguard that has been burned by love and is not looking to repeat the process. He just wants to live his life and raise his daughter as best he can until.... Enter the live in nanny Mia Atwood sexy, sweet and so caring she is excellent at her job and tempts Austin like no other. Through in some danger she needs protecting from and he is just a goner... Loved every heart pounding turn in this highly entertaining read.
* A review copy was provided by the author for the Blog Tour *
~ 4 Nanny Stars ~
Tempt Me is the second book in Carly Phillips Bodyguard Series.
I thought this was an enjoyable read. I always look forward to reading the single dad/nanny stories that are out there. This one was no different. I have truly come to love Carly’s writing and the stories and characters she gives us readers.
This was a quick read and what I love the most about Carly’s books is that we get into the heart of the story right away. She doesn’t add a lot of filler to her stories to slow things down. Tempt Me is written in Dual POV from the third person. She gave us alittle bit of everything in this story, we laughed some, cried some, and there is even some suspenseful elements added to the story. And we can’t forget the off the charts steamy times ;)
Tempt Me is a standalone novel in this series, and it is completely standalone. We do see the past couple from book 1 (Rock Me) but they were just small glimpses and really didn’t spoil anything if the books are read out of order.
In this book we focus on Austin Rhodes and Mia Atwood. Austin is a bodyguard who works for a private security company and is a single dad to Bailey…an adorable 6 year old. Mia is Bailey’s nanny. Both love Bailey so much, but there growing attraction to each other is growing harder to fight. Austin has been burned in the past by Bailey’s mom so he has worn off any future commitments. Mia is a girl who grew up in the foster care system and has always dreamed of having a family of her own. Can Mia and Austin get past their differences?? Will they get their HEA?? Read this book to find out.
My only complaint about this story, was that it took almost the whole story for this couple to really face their feelings. There was quite a bit of push and pull between them, which helped with the steamy scenes and the sexual tension, but I would’ve liked to see that end sooner than it did. I also felt that it made the ending rushed and slightly unbelievable. You see what I mean once you read the story.
Even with saying that I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a single dad story with a forbidden aspect. Also if you are a fan of Carly Phillips you will want to read this series.
I just loved this book. Austin, Mia, and Bailey were so well written, it was hard not to fall in love with them. The plot had a good amount of suspense when it came to the things that were troubling Mia and Austin. And little Bailey Button was just the cutest little thing. I really enjoyed the connection between the characters. Austin and Mia’s connection to each other grew at a good rate that had me quickly turning the pages to see what happened next. The way both Austin and Mia reacted to Bailey warmed my heart, and the little girl really stole the show.
This was a fantastic read, with everything I love about Carly Phillips books.
This was a good, sexy read. It drew me in from the start, and had the perfect amount of angst and drama to keep me drawn in. Mia and Austin heated up the pages in this fantastic read that I would definitely recommend!!
I really enjoyed this book. I love the single dad/nanny trope, so I was looking forward to this book in the series, and it did not disappoint.
Austin Rhodes is a bodyguard for a private security company. He's great at his job, but he's debating a change in his responsibilities. He doesn't want to be in the line of fire anymore, since he's a single dad to his 6-year-old daughter, Bailey. His ex-wife left them both, and he has no interest in any new romantic commitments. He's hired a great nanny for his daughter, and Bailey adores her, but he's so attracted to her it's starting to get distracting. He knows he shouldn't go there, since he doesn't want to mess up what is such a great situation for his daughter. He loves Bailey, and he'd do anything to make her happy, but he's not sure he can resist Mia much longer.
Mia Atwood is a fantastic nanny. She really loves and cares about Bailey, and she always thinks of her first. She's been attracted to Austin from the beginning, but she knows that going there is not smart for her. Firstly, because one day she wants a family of her own, and she knows Austin has no interest in ever committing again. She grew up in foster care, and she wants her kids to be safe and secure in their mother's love. Secondly, Austin is her boss, and she loves her job, and Bailey, and doesn't want anything turning awkward. But, her ex-boss, whom she testified against in court, about crimes she overheard him plotting, gets out of jail and is going back on trial. She has to testify again, and she's been receiving scary warnings to keep her mouth shut. Austin is determined to keep Mia, and his daughter, safe.
Austin and Mia's chemistry was great, and I really enjoyed their interactions. They both also cared so much for Bailey, and it bonded them in a way I don't think anything else could. This is especially important when Bailey's mom shows back up out of the blue, wanting money, and threatening to sue for custody. She was a piece of work, and I enjoyed the way both Austin and Mia dealt with her. They really presented a united front to protect Bailey.
My only issue here was with the amount of push and pull between the 2 main characters. I get why it was happening, as they were technically employee and boss, and both of them were afraid of the repercussions to Bailey, but it still started to irk me a bit after a while.
I'm intrigued by the side characters, who are mostly Austin's co-workers, and I'm excited to get more backstory on them as the series goes on. I like the whole bodyguard angle, and I'm looking forward to more on that end as well. I definitely recommend this book!
ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Megan from Alpha Book Club
I expected a well-written bad boy single dad/nanny romance story, and Carly Phillips did not disappoint. Tempt Me is a hot and sexy read full of angst, suspense, danger, drama, twists, and a sizzling chemistry between the main characters that leap off the page. You can feel the sexual tension between them and you can't wait to see if anything will come of it.
I volunteered to review an advance reader copy of this book.
Austin is such a good man, he can admit when he needs his woman, “Mia, stay. Please. Bailey needs you.” He paused. “I need you,” he said, the words obviously not easy for him to admit out loud." Austin loves to plan special dates for him and his girl, “I thought we’d take a walk. It’s beautiful this time of year. And then I figured we’d come back here and eff like bunnies until the real world intrudes.” I loved this book, I fell in love with Austin.
I’ve read a ton of single dad/nanny books in my time for a few reasons, kids in romance are my jam and they always make for excellent feel good stories. Tempt Me was no exception :) This story had a little bit of a lot but the romance was never overshadowed by any of it. You have mystery and intrigue with a dash of angst but most of all you get a swoon-worthy journey full of heart!
The dynamics between Bailey, Mia and Austin were truly relatable. The story put a smile on my face from the very beginning and I really didn’t want it to end!
I can start this by saying I absolutely loved this book. It was such a great read. I fell hard and fast for all of them. I am a huge fan of single dads. Then throw in the fact that he is a bodyguard. Holy hotness. Ms. Phillips did not disappoint with this book. There is Mia running away and Austin’s ex. There is drama, laughs, angst and sexual tension you can cut with a knife. It kept me enthralled and glued to my seat. I had been in a reading slump and this one just sucked me back in and I loved every single second of it from the first word to the last.
Mia is the nanny to Austin’s six-year-old daughter Bailey. She left her past and ex-employer behind got in the car and here she is. I just simply loved her as a human being. She was an amazing person and loves this little girl like her own. She is making a new life for her after she witnessed something she shouldn’t have and had to go to court.
Austin has sole custody of his daughter after his ex up and leaves. He a sexy, tattooed bodyguard. He was also burned by her. She trapped him and got pregnant on purpose and used that as leverage. She never wanted the child. So he is not into the relationship thing. He wants no strings.
Together these two are going to set your reading device on fire. I loved them separately and together. What I loved more was the bond that Bailey and Mia had. No matter what was happening Mia alway and foremost puts the child first even though she wasn’t hers. Her health and safety is a priority over her own. These two try to fight their attraction but we all know what happens when you do that. Mia feels it is not appropriate and Austin just wants to quell his desires for the hot nanny. One word….combustible.
When Mia’s past, as well as Austin’s meet and start drama, is where some of the fun begins. She is being stalked and keeps getting threats sent to her.
Bailey oh my goodness that little girl. She brought a lot to this story as well. My heart broke for her as she recalls some of the past.
This book is well written and as I said I loved it. The pace everything was great. It met all my must-haves. The only thing I have to say is I wish it was longer. I missed them all when it was over. I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to fall in love with a single dad his daughter and the nanny.
*ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by JoAnna from Alpha Book Club
Tempt Me by Carly Phillips has so many elements that make me one-click a book as soon as I read the blurb. Single dad. Click. Hot member of a security team. Click. The heroine is a strong, character who needs protection. Click. A previous paramour burns the hero and turns him off relationships. Click. Employer-employee attraction. Click. A little suspense. Click. Tempt Me has all of these one-click triggers, and I can’t resist.
Tempt Me is the second book in the Bad Boy Bodyguard series about Austin Rhodes and Mia Atwood. Austin has sole custody of his young daughter, Bailey. Bailey is one of those cute, perky, six-year-old, daddy’s girl who steals your heart from the get-go. Austin’s job has strange hours depending on the requirements of the protection needed, so he hires a live-in nanny to be there with Bailey when Austin is away.
Mia is a mature, twenty-something who came into the Rhodes’ employee after testifying against her previous employer after she found out he was involved in some shady dealings. Her courage is a major plus for Austin. Mia’s background is revealed as the story progresses it is impossible not to love her. She learns at a young age how lonely life is. She wants nothing more than a family of her own. In the meantime, having Bailey in her life and watching how much Austin loves his daughter, shows her that a loving family is a possibility.
Austin puts his daughter first. He loves her more than anything and works hard to be both father and mother to her. He doesn’t have any desire to have a relationship with another woman after Bailey’s mother. She soured him on marriage. That doesn’t keep him from the occasional one-night stand. It doesn’t keep him from lusting after the nanny either. Fortunately, he lusts from afar because he knows appropriate behavior for an employer until…
Tempt Me is what I call a “quick read” meaning that the story pulls me in and makes me turn the page until the end. There is a little angst, but it isn’t so emotional that I have to put the book down for awhile to catch my breath. The characters hit all the right buttons for me. There is the right amount of push-pull for an employer-employee and two people with different goals and dreams in the relationship arena.
Tempt Me is a standalone book in the series. There are other characters from the previous book who make an appearance, but I never felt out of the loop. If I didn’t know this book is part of a series, I wouldn’t think twice about it except that I want to know more about the intriguing ancillary characters. The only criticism that I have is the book ended a little abruptly. It is possible that there is more to come in future books in the series. I hope! I Hope! The ending is a satisfying. However, I want more. For me, Tempt Me screams for an epilogue. Regardless, I enjoyed the story. It goes on my "look for an audio release" list and my "good to re-read" list. Also, I will read the rest of the series ASAP. You will enjoy it too; I’m positive.
Bodyguard Bad Boys… Sexy, hot and oh so protective!
Burned by an ex with a wandering eye, Austin Rhodes has sworn off women. His sole focus is his young daughter - and despite his good intentions, the little girl's live-in nanny. He hired Mia Atwood to care for his child but he finds himself lusting after her instead. Keeping his distance isn’t easy but he’s determined to be a gentleman. Until Mia's past comes back to haunt her and she’s in need of Austin’s brand of protection. Suddenly she’s his in every sense of the word — and he’ll do whatever it takes to shield the woman who tempts him beyond reason.
••••••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars--TEMPT ME is the second instalment in Carly Phillips’ contemporary, adult BODYGUARD BAD BOYS romantic, suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for Alpha Security-a spin off from her Billionaire Bad Boys series. This is bodyguard and single father Austin Rhodes, and nanny Mia Atwood’s story line. TEMPT ME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Mia and Austin) TEMPT ME follows the forbidden relationship between single father and bodyguard Austin Rhodes, and his daughter’s nanny Mia Atwood. For months Austin and Mia have been dancing around one another; their attraction to one another palpable but the fact that Austin was Mia’s employer, and he didn’t want anything to do with a permanent relationship pushed all thoughts to the side until threats of a personal nature found Austin both lover and protector to Mia Atwood. With his ex-wife demanding custody of their five year old daughter, and the upcoming retrial of an embezzler where Mia is the primary witness, Austin finds himself calling in favors to protect the woman and daughter that he loves. What ensues is the building relationship between Mia and Austin, and the potential fall out when Mia believes everyone will be better off is she leaves the area and runs.
The relationship between Mia and Austin begins as a business arrangement that turns into something more. Months of family-like togetherness find our couple taking the next step in a relationship that was fated from the start. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to Austin’s parents John and Sarah Rhodes, as well as his ex-wife Kayla, and Austin’s daughter Bailey.
TEMPT ME is a quick read; a fast building romance between two people who struggle with the past but are willing to take a chance on a future together. The premise is enjoyable and character driven; the romance is sensual; the characters are dynamic, engaging and impassioned.
Mia Atwood knows how to take good care of people. Austin Rhodes also takes care of people. Our author knows just the right combination in writing likeable/lovable characters. But she goes the extra mile when creating a character that has no redeeming qualities. If the person weren’t fictional I think my fist – no I mean (cough) foot – would have made a connection.
It’s all about building suspense and tension. The pace of the story was perfect – not too fast and not too slow, it was just right. Ms. Phillips creates a character that will steal a scene as well as your heart. She’s good at helping to change the tone so a scene can continue to flow and not get too heavy. When you think about the characters that a female author writes, you have to wonder how tough it must be when creating a male. But having grown up around four of them, I think she does a good job. But maybe my brothers should meet Austin.
I’m one of those people that loves to see certain “humans (and I use the term loosely)” get their just desserts – silently clapping hands. This just shows how creative the author is and how she knows just what her readers will need in order to keep turning the page. And you should be able to tell that I certainly had no trouble with that. I wasn’t going to stop reading until I got to the very end especially when the suspense just never seemed to end – had to know how things were going to turn out after all.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Tempt Me is book 2 in the Bodyguard Bad Boys series. I loved this book!! This is Austin Rhodes and Mia Atwood's story. Austin works for Alpha Security and Mia is the live in nanny for his daughter Bailey. Austin was severely burned by his ex-wife and isn't looking for anything. Mia lost both her parents at a young age, lived in foster care until she was went to college and is looking for her HEA. When the past comes up to bite them both, they turn to each other for comfort. As I said I loved this book. The characters were very enjoyable, there was great chemistry between them, and I really enjoyed the storyline. Austin is an alpha male, with a high risk job and loves and dotes on his daughter-- he also has sole custody of his daughter. Mia is a strong intelligent woman, that is always positive and thinks of and takes care of others before herself. I really liked them together as a couple. There were some nice twists in the storyline that I enjoyed. Don't continue reading unless you want some of the story given away. **SPOILER** **SPOILER** **SPOILER** **SPOILER** **SPOILER** **SPOILER** One thing that I really was hoping to read at the end which the author didn't do was talk about when Austin and Mia told Bailey and his parents that they were pregnant. I don't know why I felt like this was something important, but to me it was. Just my opinion. Can't wait for the next book in the series!! Hope this helps! Happy Reading!!!
Can I just say I feel like one lucky woman :) I had the pleasure of getting an ARC "Tempt Me".
Hopefully I articulate the awe-inspiring feeling this book portrays. The author depicts two very different characters who are drawn to each other with such style that it was very hard not to fall in love with them.
Austin is fighting an attraction to his nanny who has a past that most employers would have veered away from but there is just something to be said about honesty. Mia loves Austin's daughter and is fighting her attraction also. Her job means everything to her and she shy's away from the risk of losing it. But sometimes you just can't fight the nature of the beast and lust and or love win.
The author wrote this book in a very tasteful manner to which the characters who have a decent age difference can act on their inner attraction and not seem disgusting. If anything their attraction and reactions to each other make it hard not to be pulled into the fantasy they provide.
I thrive off a story that pulls me into the action with details and descriptions and this author knows the perfect combination to do just that.
The series is awesome but the author is the main reason I open a book with hopes that she can excel and offer more than her previous books. I have not been never been disappointed with Carly Phillips and I look forward to what comes next. Thank you very much for giving me the chance to be an ARC reader.
This was a sweet, sexy, fast-paced romance with a little suspense thrown in to keep me interested. I loved Austin and Mia as individuals and a pair. They had a level of trust and comfortableness with each other that you usually don't see among single dad/nanny combos. It was refreshing. I also adored how they both interacted with Bailey, Austin's daughter. Their relationships were so natural. And I appreciated how Austin allowed Mia and Bailey to love each other without trying to force a certain amount of distance between them. They truly acted as a family from the start but without the affection between Austin and Mia.
All that being said, there were some things that just didn't work for me. I've been a fan of Carly Phillips for many years. Her Hot Zone series was among my first reads in the contemporary romance genre, and her longer novels are great. However, this book just seemed too simple. I've been feeling that way about the last few shorter books that she's written. The dialogue between the characters was fantastic, but the internal monologues felt a little redundant. I wanted more complex characters and depth to their storyline. And I know this is odd to hear from me, but I needed more angst, maybe more drama in regard to the threats to their lives or push-pull to their love story. And the ending and revelations of love happened too quickly. I wanted and expected so much more.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Readers Copy of this book.
Carly Phillips is back with what might be a top contender of one of my very favorites by her. Sexy. Sweet. Intense. Passionate. Suspenseful. Packed with some punches to the heart and some serious heat. Tempt Me, the second standalone book in the Bodyguard Bad Boys series, was brilliantly written y'all and had me addicted just after beginning introductions.
Tempt Me is a story of the ultimate temptation and what happens when you can no longer resist it. They are going to cross lines and slay boundaries, but it was so worth every moment. Their chemistry was sizzling hot and their time together was completely unforgettable. Mia and Austin's journey was perfect in every single way.
I blushed. I swooned. I smiled. I laughed. I got all in my feelings. I fell head over heels in love with this trio right from the very start. This is a Carly book you don't wanna miss.
If you haven't stumbled across this author and/or this series, then I dare you to get a taste if the ultimate temptation.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I am a huge fan of anything romance and this newest book by Carly Philips is definitely a winner that I could not put down.
Austin, a single dad and bodyguard, and Mia, his live in nanny, have a chemistry that they can not deny. But Mia is committed to her job and doesn't want to mess that up. Austin, having been burned in the past by his ex-wife, is set on being single and focusing only on his young daughter. But when he changes his work schedule to be able to spend more time at home, can both Austin and Mia resist the temptations? Mia wants a family of her own someday, while Austin is happy with just him and his daughter. When it turns out Mia might need a some extra protection, Austin feels like he needs to step up and keep her safe, and not fall in love at the same time?
This book is very sweet and romantic, everything I look for in a new book to get lost in. I could not put this down, and I would recommend this to anyone who loves a happy ending with a few surprises mixed in.
I have loved Carly Phillips for years, and this book reminded me of all the reasons why. I fell in love with these characters as I read the beautiful story of how they fell in love. Mia is a woman looking to find happiness after a hard past. She's got a big heart and she loves being a nanny to Bailey. But Bailey's father Austin, on top of being a wonderful father, is also kind and sexy and way too much temptation for Mia. He's been burned by a previous relationship and he doesn't seem like a safe bet for her heart. When both his past and hers start causing trouble in their present, Mia will have to rely on her bodyguard boss for protection and hope her heart doesn't end up broken once the dust settles.
This story was engrossing and entertaining. It had romance and mystery and some thrills. It had drama, resolution and some surprises too. It was a really good, quick and easy read that I highly recommend to contemporary romance fans.