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Inked Hearts #1
Tempting
He’s my best friend’s older brother, off limits and incredibly tempting.
I shouldn’t peak into Brendon’s sketchbook, even if the tattoo artist is as brooding and stoic as the day is long. I can’t help myself. I peel it open, run my fingers along the paper, soak up every ounce of him.
His drawings are as beautiful and bold as his dark eyes and his cocky smile. Only, there, on the third page — that’s no tattoo mockup. That’s me.
Naked.
Ready.
Waiting in his bed.
There’s no denying it — those are my blue glasses, my green eyes, my flushed cheeks.
Brendon wants me.
The smoking hot, ten thousand miles out of my league bad boy wants me — a good girl virgin with thick glasses and no game.
It’s perfect.
Only it’s not.
He’s my best friend’s older brother. He’s off limits.
But damn is he tempting.
I shouldn’t peak into Brendon’s sketchbook, even if the tattoo artist is as brooding and stoic as the day is long. I can’t help myself. I peel it open, run my fingers along the paper, soak up every ounce of him.
His drawings are as beautiful and bold as his dark eyes and his cocky smile. Only, there, on the third page — that’s no tattoo mockup. That’s me.
Naked.
Ready.
Waiting in his bed.
There’s no denying it — those are my blue glasses, my green eyes, my flushed cheeks.
Brendon wants me.
The smoking hot, ten thousand miles out of my league bad boy wants me — a good girl virgin with thick glasses and no game.
It’s perfect.
Only it’s not.
He’s my best friend’s older brother. He’s off limits.
But damn is he tempting.
Unknown Binding
First published September 27, 2017
8134 people are currently reading
3515 people want to read
About the author
Crystal Kaswell
114 books2,550 followersCrystal Kaswell is the author of the Sinful Serenade series. She writes steamy new adult romance with flawed characters. She loves police procedurals, tea, and The Hunger Games series. She lives in Portland, OR with her husband.
http://www.crystalkaswell.com/
https://twitter.com/CrystalKaswell
http://www.crystalkaswell.com/
https://twitter.com/CrystalKaswell
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 566 reviews
October 19, 2017
All reviews originally posted on the blog: http://www.romancerehab.com/
*DNF*
This book is the worst kind of DNF. It’s the kind of DNF you go into absolutely SURE the book is going to be good. How can it not be? The cover is good, the blurb is good, the writing as you crack the book open is good. How could it possibly go wrong? And that’s when the suck creeps over you, insidiously, like a bad smell you can’t quite identify or locate, invading your happy little reading space until you’re forced to admit that you’ve picked up a bad read and have wasted hours of your life you’ll never get back. It’s the bad book in a good book’s clothing, if you will.
Here’s what irked the crap out of me (keeping in mind that I only made it to 41% of the story, so anything super cool and interesting that happened after that was totally lost on me):
1. I have no problem with a 26 year-old falling for an 18 year-old. Girls mature way faster than boys, anyway. BUT, in order for that scenario to work in a romance, I need the 18 year-old to be mature, an old soul. In this case, Kaylee was soooooo immature and naive that it felt like Brenden was creeping on a little girl. From her Disney obsession (she has an Ariel-inspired bikini and Little Mermaid sheets, y’all) to her complete lack of sexual experience (pretty sure she’s never made it to second base with any guys her own age before starting up a relationship with the hero), Kaylee is a little girl playing at having an adult, sexual relationship. And when you think of it like that, the sex scenes will ick you out. (Trust me)
2. Kaylee, while WILDLY immature, is technically an adult. So, when her parents move away and stick her at Brenden’s house, she’s angry at them for their high-handed treatment of her. Well, sweetheart, you’re a grown up! You don’t have to stay where your parents put you. If you want to travel and visit your sick grandma, how about you handle it yourself? Beg, borrow, steal, work triple shifts to get the money...I don’t really care how you do it, but don’t pretend you’re this totally helpless little girl with no options.
3. The story moves at a positively glacial pace. I mean, smells travel faster than this story. The whole first 25% of the book is nothing but Brenden and Kaylee wanting each other, but holding back because their relationship is so “wrong”. Ugh. Either decide to go at it, or back off! Enough with the back and forth. Pick a direction and GO, people!
4. The book looks like it’s being marketed as a romantic comedy. I didn’t laugh while reading. Not once. Didn’t even guffaw or chuckle. Absolutely zero funny. Just lots of brooding and sex.
5. The fact that Kaylee wouldn’t tell Emma that she was having sex with Emma’s brother just pissed me off, especially since Emma expressed that such a relationship wouldn’t bother her. But I’m sure that at some point, it really bothered Emma that her best friend LIED to her, over and over again. (But then again, I wouldn’t know because I couldn’t finish the story. So, maybe I’m wrong about that.)
6. Around the 40% mark, all that’s going on in the story is sex. Lots and lots of sex. In one way, I was glad that something in the story was FINALLY happening. But...is this all the story is going to be about? Am I going to get to the end and realize it was all just a waste of my time? I wasn’t willing to take that chance.
7. I’m calling bullshit on virginal Kaylee—little Kaylee with her cardigans and blue-framed glasses and Little Mermaid sheets–being into rough, adventurous sex. Nope. Not buying it.
So, at the end of the day, I feel betrayed by this book with its good cover, good blurb, and good writing. And betrayed bloggers are NOT happy bloggers.
*DNF*
This book is the worst kind of DNF. It’s the kind of DNF you go into absolutely SURE the book is going to be good. How can it not be? The cover is good, the blurb is good, the writing as you crack the book open is good. How could it possibly go wrong? And that’s when the suck creeps over you, insidiously, like a bad smell you can’t quite identify or locate, invading your happy little reading space until you’re forced to admit that you’ve picked up a bad read and have wasted hours of your life you’ll never get back. It’s the bad book in a good book’s clothing, if you will.
Here’s what irked the crap out of me (keeping in mind that I only made it to 41% of the story, so anything super cool and interesting that happened after that was totally lost on me):
1. I have no problem with a 26 year-old falling for an 18 year-old. Girls mature way faster than boys, anyway. BUT, in order for that scenario to work in a romance, I need the 18 year-old to be mature, an old soul. In this case, Kaylee was soooooo immature and naive that it felt like Brenden was creeping on a little girl. From her Disney obsession (she has an Ariel-inspired bikini and Little Mermaid sheets, y’all) to her complete lack of sexual experience (pretty sure she’s never made it to second base with any guys her own age before starting up a relationship with the hero), Kaylee is a little girl playing at having an adult, sexual relationship. And when you think of it like that, the sex scenes will ick you out. (Trust me)
2. Kaylee, while WILDLY immature, is technically an adult. So, when her parents move away and stick her at Brenden’s house, she’s angry at them for their high-handed treatment of her. Well, sweetheart, you’re a grown up! You don’t have to stay where your parents put you. If you want to travel and visit your sick grandma, how about you handle it yourself? Beg, borrow, steal, work triple shifts to get the money...I don’t really care how you do it, but don’t pretend you’re this totally helpless little girl with no options.
3. The story moves at a positively glacial pace. I mean, smells travel faster than this story. The whole first 25% of the book is nothing but Brenden and Kaylee wanting each other, but holding back because their relationship is so “wrong”. Ugh. Either decide to go at it, or back off! Enough with the back and forth. Pick a direction and GO, people!
4. The book looks like it’s being marketed as a romantic comedy. I didn’t laugh while reading. Not once. Didn’t even guffaw or chuckle. Absolutely zero funny. Just lots of brooding and sex.
5. The fact that Kaylee wouldn’t tell Emma that she was having sex with Emma’s brother just pissed me off, especially since Emma expressed that such a relationship wouldn’t bother her. But I’m sure that at some point, it really bothered Emma that her best friend LIED to her, over and over again. (But then again, I wouldn’t know because I couldn’t finish the story. So, maybe I’m wrong about that.)
6. Around the 40% mark, all that’s going on in the story is sex. Lots and lots of sex. In one way, I was glad that something in the story was FINALLY happening. But...is this all the story is going to be about? Am I going to get to the end and realize it was all just a waste of my time? I wasn’t willing to take that chance.
7. I’m calling bullshit on virginal Kaylee—little Kaylee with her cardigans and blue-framed glasses and Little Mermaid sheets–being into rough, adventurous sex. Nope. Not buying it.
So, at the end of the day, I feel betrayed by this book with its good cover, good blurb, and good writing. And betrayed bloggers are NOT happy bloggers.
August 22, 2018
Kaylee has crushed on her best friend’s older brother, Brendon, for years. When she turns 18, she finally gets the nerve to express her attraction to him. Brendon refuses to admit his feelings because not only is he 8 years her senior, he also suddenly becomes her “guardian” when her parents move across the country to be with her sick grandmother. But when Kaylee invades Brendon’s privacy and peeks at his sketch pad she finally realizes that Brenden’s feelings aren’t as innocent as he’d like her to believe.
The plot had potential, but it fell under too many clichés to really stick out. There’s the reformed manwhore gets seduced by innocent virgin trope. Then the best friend’s older brother denies his feelings for heroine while sleeping with countless other women angle. How about the surface-perfect heroine has deep dark secrets that make her damaged goods plot point? This book has it all, and I could appreciate it if the story was convincing, but overall it was contrived.
All of the obstacles that kept the MCs from being in a relationship were weak and forced. 1) Kaylee is an 18 year old adult. Brendon offered her a place to stay while she started college and supported her financially a bit, but he treated the situation like someone would castrate him if they found out. 2) Both Kaylee and Brendon hid their relationship from his sister, Emma, despite her claim that it wouldn’t bother her. Kaylee was simply too immature to admit it, and instead she kept piling lies on top of lies. She’s supposed to be this uber intelligent bombshell, but her behavior reeked of a prepubescent boy getting caught with his dad’s porn stash. 3) Kaylee shamefully throws herself at the H several times, but she has a “dark secret” that has her convinced Brenden would leave her if he ever found out, leaving her to push him away then desperately cling to him all in the same minute.
Unfortunately, the secret isn’t actually that dark and once it’s revealed, Brendon has the response I expected – it’s really not that bad. Kaylee harps on her “brokenness” internally and I have a problem with that because other than her talking about her thoughts and her past, you don’t actually see her as broken. Without that, I wasn’t really able to sympathize and I actually found her to be overly dramatic.
Brendon was sweet and treated Kay well, but he’s actually quite dumb for a 26 year old. I guess he has to be in order to have a thing for a barely legal girl that models herself after a Disney character that wears seashells on her boobs. (She even sings “A Part of Your World” at karaoke in order to woo/apologize to him. Then he takes her to an alley and fingers her. She sang a song from The Little Mermaid in public and he goes and fingers her in a dark alley what the hell how deranged must you be for that to turn you on?)
He does most of the pushing away since he doesn’t think he’s good enough for her because his mom said some mean stuff to him as a kid. His hot/cold behavior got old fast, and he pulled the whole “go out with OW to convince the heroine and myself that I’m not stuck on her” BS. His flakiness made him a less than desirable hero.
Safety:
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The plot had potential, but it fell under too many clichés to really stick out. There’s the reformed manwhore gets seduced by innocent virgin trope. Then the best friend’s older brother denies his feelings for heroine while sleeping with countless other women angle. How about the surface-perfect heroine has deep dark secrets that make her damaged goods plot point? This book has it all, and I could appreciate it if the story was convincing, but overall it was contrived.
All of the obstacles that kept the MCs from being in a relationship were weak and forced. 1) Kaylee is an 18 year old adult. Brendon offered her a place to stay while she started college and supported her financially a bit, but he treated the situation like someone would castrate him if they found out. 2) Both Kaylee and Brendon hid their relationship from his sister, Emma, despite her claim that it wouldn’t bother her. Kaylee was simply too immature to admit it, and instead she kept piling lies on top of lies. She’s supposed to be this uber intelligent bombshell, but her behavior reeked of a prepubescent boy getting caught with his dad’s porn stash. 3) Kaylee shamefully throws herself at the H several times, but she has a “dark secret” that has her convinced Brenden would leave her if he ever found out, leaving her to push him away then desperately cling to him all in the same minute.
Unfortunately, the secret isn’t actually that dark and once it’s revealed, Brendon has the response I expected – it’s really not that bad. Kaylee harps on her “brokenness” internally and I have a problem with that because other than her talking about her thoughts and her past, you don’t actually see her as broken. Without that, I wasn’t really able to sympathize and I actually found her to be overly dramatic.
Brendon was sweet and treated Kay well, but he’s actually quite dumb for a 26 year old. I guess he has to be in order to have a thing for a barely legal girl that models herself after a Disney character that wears seashells on her boobs. (She even sings “A Part of Your World” at karaoke in order to woo/apologize to him. Then he takes her to an alley and fingers her. She sang a song from The Little Mermaid in public and he goes and fingers her in a dark alley what the hell how deranged must you be for that to turn you on?)
He does most of the pushing away since he doesn’t think he’s good enough for her because his mom said some mean stuff to him as a kid. His hot/cold behavior got old fast, and he pulled the whole “go out with OW to convince the heroine and myself that I’m not stuck on her” BS. His flakiness made him a less than desirable hero.
Safety:
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 27, 2018
Nope, not interested enough to finish the series. Very predictable. The reasons for their not being together were insipid.
July 30, 2018
Loads of hot sweaty sex and tattoo men
This is the first time I have read a book by this author and it won't be my last. This book was fantastic. It held me and I couldn't put it down. I loved Kay and brandon. I just bought book two and I can't wait to read about walker
This is the first time I have read a book by this author and it won't be my last. This book was fantastic. It held me and I couldn't put it down. I loved Kay and brandon. I just bought book two and I can't wait to read about walker
September 24, 2017
So I am struggling a little with this review, because I feel like there are a couple of things I want to say, but worried about spoilers.
So first, the easy stuff:
Well written.
Engaging characters. (Of utmost importance to me.)
Swoon worthy, supportive hero. (Practically a trademark for Crystal now.)
Engrossing storyline (I read it in one day.)
Now on to the questionable stuff. If you worry about triggers in books, read on, otherwise you may want to stop now.
This book deals with a clinically depressed character(not really a spoiler, because the reader knows early on) and while I do not suffer, the author's writing skills make the character's struggles feel authentic to me. So for someone who is clinically depressed, depending on how they internalize the story, they may take something either positive or negative away. (I think that is as good as I can get. Apologies if I have not explained myself well.)
Oh, and one final note: there was a weird vocabulary tick in this book, the characters were constantly "planting" (themselves on furniture, hands on objects, etc.) I don't mind the phrase, it was just a touch overused.
So first, the easy stuff:
Well written.
Engaging characters. (Of utmost importance to me.)
Swoon worthy, supportive hero. (Practically a trademark for Crystal now.)
Engrossing storyline (I read it in one day.)
Now on to the questionable stuff. If you worry about triggers in books, read on, otherwise you may want to stop now.
This book deals with a clinically depressed character(not really a spoiler, because the reader knows early on) and while I do not suffer, the author's writing skills make the character's struggles feel authentic to me. So for someone who is clinically depressed, depending on how they internalize the story, they may take something either positive or negative away. (I think that is as good as I can get. Apologies if I have not explained myself well.)
Oh, and one final note: there was a weird vocabulary tick in this book, the characters were constantly "planting" (themselves on furniture, hands on objects, etc.) I don't mind the phrase, it was just a touch overused.
September 26, 2017
Tempting reads like a heartache. Like a scent that lingers on the wind or that haunting melody that ends before it had the chance to begin. Brendon and Kay are that memory that haunts every waking second. The what if of the rest of your life. Crystal Kaswell tied my heart in knots with this story of soulmates, past mistakes and unlucky breaks. Kaylee is a girl becoming a woman. She struggles with everything from unrequited love, feelings of abandonment and self esteem issues as she fights to be the perfect daughter, student and friend. Her heart belongs to the man she can never have and her demons are threatening to swallow her. Can the man of her dreams, help her become the woman of his heart? Ms. Kaswell tackles a ton of baggage as she mesmerizes readers with this soulful, turbulent and courageous journey to love.
Read
February 4, 2023rtc
November 7, 2017
Brendon was not suppose to desire his younger sister's best friend. Kaylee 'Kay' was not suppose to lust after her best friends older brother. One Kay's eighteenth birthday, Brendon does everything he can to distance himself from the now legal Kay while Kay makes an attempt to let Brendon know how she feels. Kay's parents find it necessary to move back East to New Jersey to care for an ailing family member. They don't want Kay worrying about her grandmother so they suggest she stays in California with Brendon & his sister. When Kay gets a look at Brendon's very private tattoo sketch book she comes to find out that he has wants & desires of her. Kay works hard to let Brendon know she feels the same way without telling him she looked at his private sketches. When she finally tells him, he struggles with her wanting what he wants. She is suppose to be innocent & he has specific sexual taste that don't exactly fit in with his image of her. While he struggles with trying to get himself over her wanting what he wants, she heads to New Jersey to visit her ailing grandmother. Having felt like she ruined things between them for admitting to snooping, she has to confront the seriousness of her grandmother's illness. Will Brendon be able to forgive Kay? Will he go after her or just walk away? How will Kay's parents deal with the fact that she wants to be with the person they trusted he to?
This is fun & emotional coming of age story about a young girl who struggles with her own demons but ultimately learns to trust another & a man who has been forced to grow up fast & takes responsibility for those around him. Brendon & Kay have to work to over come the personality obstacles that stand in their way but they both fight to have each other. This is another great book from Crystal Kaswell & we get to meet a few of the rock stars from her previous stories here too.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
This is fun & emotional coming of age story about a young girl who struggles with her own demons but ultimately learns to trust another & a man who has been forced to grow up fast & takes responsibility for those around him. Brendon & Kay have to work to over come the personality obstacles that stand in their way but they both fight to have each other. This is another great book from Crystal Kaswell & we get to meet a few of the rock stars from her previous stories here too.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
August 1, 2020
2 stars.
This is just too monotonous. And the extra graphic description are rather a put off than a turn on. Sometimes less is more.
This is just too monotonous. And the extra graphic description are rather a put off than a turn on. Sometimes less is more.
September 28, 2017
This book was set up perfectly!
I'm a real sucker for these "admire from afar"/"I want who I can't have" books. Like this one!
Crystal did an excellent job of building up the tension between Kay and Brendon, as well as throwing them into a living situation that made it impossible or them to resist each other. (I couldn't wait to see how that finally happened!)
Some emotional / mental health issues are addressed in this story, which adds sort of a shadow to the book, but that works in this case, as it makes the lighter times that much brighter.
Loved it!!!
(I received a copy of this book in consideration of an honest review)
I'm a real sucker for these "admire from afar"/"I want who I can't have" books. Like this one!
Crystal did an excellent job of building up the tension between Kay and Brendon, as well as throwing them into a living situation that made it impossible or them to resist each other. (I couldn't wait to see how that finally happened!)
Some emotional / mental health issues are addressed in this story, which adds sort of a shadow to the book, but that works in this case, as it makes the lighter times that much brighter.
Loved it!!!
(I received a copy of this book in consideration of an honest review)
December 29, 2019
Pages: 492
My rating (stars): 3
Read other books from this author in the future: yes
Kaylee has a best friend Emma. Emma's brother Brandon took over responsibility for Emma after their parents' death. At the beginning of Tempting, Kaylee turns 18 and when she comes home from her birthday party at Emma's, the parents tell her that they will move her back to her grandmother and that Kaylee will stay with Brandon and Emma so that she can study in LA. Kaylee has been in love with Brandon for some time and he is in love with her. The book tells their love story with some ups and downs.
The book is well written and doesn't get boring.
Deutsche Rezension:
Kaylee hat eine beste Freundin Emma. Emmas Bruder Brandon hat nach dem Tod der Eltern die Verantwortung für Emma übernommen. Zu Beginn von Tempting wird Kaylee 18 und als sie nach ihrer Geburtstagsfeier bei Emma nach Hause kommt, sagen die Eltern ihr, dass sie zu der Großmutter zurückziehen und Kaylee bei Brandon und Emma unterkommen wird, damit sie in LA studieren kann.
Kaylee ist schon einige Zeit in Brandon verliebt und er in sie. Das Buch erzählt ihre Liebesgeschichte mit einigen aufs und abs.
Das Buch ist gut geschrieben und wird nicht langweilig.
My rating (stars): 3
Read other books from this author in the future: yes
Kaylee has a best friend Emma. Emma's brother Brandon took over responsibility for Emma after their parents' death. At the beginning of Tempting, Kaylee turns 18 and when she comes home from her birthday party at Emma's, the parents tell her that they will move her back to her grandmother and that Kaylee will stay with Brandon and Emma so that she can study in LA. Kaylee has been in love with Brandon for some time and he is in love with her. The book tells their love story with some ups and downs.
The book is well written and doesn't get boring.
Deutsche Rezension:
Kaylee hat eine beste Freundin Emma. Emmas Bruder Brandon hat nach dem Tod der Eltern die Verantwortung für Emma übernommen. Zu Beginn von Tempting wird Kaylee 18 und als sie nach ihrer Geburtstagsfeier bei Emma nach Hause kommt, sagen die Eltern ihr, dass sie zu der Großmutter zurückziehen und Kaylee bei Brandon und Emma unterkommen wird, damit sie in LA studieren kann.
Kaylee ist schon einige Zeit in Brandon verliebt und er in sie. Das Buch erzählt ihre Liebesgeschichte mit einigen aufs und abs.
Das Buch ist gut geschrieben und wird nicht langweilig.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2018
So I wanted to love this book, but it was like reading a soap opera. There is just too much drama.
Kaylee- is under age and in love with Brendon her best friends brother. It is also mentioned that she is on meds and suffers from depression.
Brendon- is older, a tattoo business owner and highly attracted to Kaylee.
When Kaylee has to move into Brendon's house their relationship gets strained due to their sexual wants. But Brendan and Kaylee have many issues they need to get over including her age.
I just couldn't get over the constant reminder of how much they want each other but can't due to whatever reason. There was always a reason. Even in the end, there was a reason Kaylee couldn't live with him. I mean come on. It was too much like real life for me.
Kaylee- is under age and in love with Brendon her best friends brother. It is also mentioned that she is on meds and suffers from depression.
Brendon- is older, a tattoo business owner and highly attracted to Kaylee.
When Kaylee has to move into Brendon's house their relationship gets strained due to their sexual wants. But Brendan and Kaylee have many issues they need to get over including her age.
I just couldn't get over the constant reminder of how much they want each other but can't due to whatever reason. There was always a reason. Even in the end, there was a reason Kaylee couldn't live with him. I mean come on. It was too much like real life for me.
August 20, 2018
Tempting is sweet and steamy. Brendon has known Kaylee, his little sister’s best friend for years even though he is attracted to her, she is off limits. He’s 8 years older, he’s his sister’s guardian. With a family emergency to deal with, her parents leave her with Brendon and Emma. Once she turns 18 she lets her feelings be know to him. Brendon and Kaylee are both dealing with different emotional issues - can these two broken souls find happiness? I loved all the characters and can’t wait for the next book in this series.
February 21, 2021
This book is just not interesting.
The dialogue is incredibly repetitive and it reads like an insecure 14 year olds idea of love and life. It's 400 pages of insecurities and cringy dialogue. At around the 40% mark, I just started skimming because I couldn't stand to read yet another page of the hero's pathetic internal dialogue about how he was worthless and the heroine deserved better than him, while the heroines internal dialogue was much of the same. This book was simply uninteresting and there just doesn't seem to be a point to it.
The dialogue is incredibly repetitive and it reads like an insecure 14 year olds idea of love and life. It's 400 pages of insecurities and cringy dialogue. At around the 40% mark, I just started skimming because I couldn't stand to read yet another page of the hero's pathetic internal dialogue about how he was worthless and the heroine deserved better than him, while the heroines internal dialogue was much of the same. This book was simply uninteresting and there just doesn't seem to be a point to it.
March 15, 2019
This wasn't a bad book. It was a little long but then I felt the same about the other book in this series that I read. Brendon and Kaylee were an alright couple. I've definitely read worse. I was just thankful that in the end her best friend who was his sister came around and they could have their HEA.
November 15, 2017
This story was so slow to get into unfortunately it did not get better, too slow, too drawn out and just dull. You want to keep reading to see if it picks up because I was interested in Kay and Brendan but even their chemistry couldn’t save this story
September 30, 2017
A best friends older brother story
I was initially drawn to reading this book as the synopsis really attracted my interest, and plus that cover! I loved the cover, and as I hadn't read anything from this author before I decided to one-click and give this a go.
I love a "best friends older brother" story, but I just didn't click with the story of Kaylee and Brendon. I kept reading as I wanted to finish to see what happened between them ( I don't like to DNF- sometimes a book that's slow to start picks up speed and I find myself enjoying the story more than what I did initially ), but for me this story stayed on the slow side.
I was initially drawn to reading this book as the synopsis really attracted my interest, and plus that cover! I loved the cover, and as I hadn't read anything from this author before I decided to one-click and give this a go.
I love a "best friends older brother" story, but I just didn't click with the story of Kaylee and Brendon. I kept reading as I wanted to finish to see what happened between them ( I don't like to DNF- sometimes a book that's slow to start picks up speed and I find myself enjoying the story more than what I did initially ), but for me this story stayed on the slow side.
January 4, 2020
Issues
I have issues with this book. The format is awful, sentences down the page...ever hear of a paragraph?
Plot started good and then turned into a bunch of emo crap. Then our hero gets in his self hate mode and decides to blow it all up. Then the emo heroine forgives in a second.
Not my thing
I have issues with this book. The format is awful, sentences down the page...ever hear of a paragraph?
Plot started good and then turned into a bunch of emo crap. Then our hero gets in his self hate mode and decides to blow it all up. Then the emo heroine forgives in a second.
Not my thing
September 28, 2017
When Kaylee is eighteen and just graduated from high school her parents make a major decision without her. Her grandmother is sick so her parents are going to move to New Jersey to take care of her and have asked her best friend's older brother if Kaylee can live with them while she goes to college. Kaylee is upset not to have been involved in the decision but she accepts what they did. She has always had feelings for Brendan and had almost moved passed them when she moves in with him and they all come rushing back. She comes across a sketch book of his and discovers that he may feel the same about her. Brendan likes Kaylee more than he should but he refuses to do anything about it especially when her family trust him enough to leave her stay with him while they move away. Kaylee isn't going to let Brendan deny them anymore and tempts him until he gives in. They kept everything a secret until they were ready to tell anyone and then Brendan's sister guesses about them. Everything explodes around Kaylee after that she is already dealing with depression and then she loses not only her best friend but her guy on the same day. This is a very emotional book but its also an amazing story. I loved that the writer wrote about the female character having depression and how she felt and dealt with it. You don't get that in very many books most people just want the happy uplifting side of a story. I loved this book and plan I buying it because I want to read it again. I highly recommend anyone buying this book they won't regret the purchase.
I received an advanced copy of this manuscript and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received an advanced copy of this manuscript and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
October 6, 2017
The ick factor is off the charts in this book. Oh god...all of the nopes. DNF. I skimmed the majority of this book.
For a book to pull off the age difference (18/26), the 18 year old has to have maturity off the charts. Kaylee is SO IMMATURE. There are constant references to how young and inexperienced Kaylee is. Seriously, like every other sentence out of Brendon's mouth is how young and naive she is about all things sex. Also, a 26 year old going after an 18 year old IS gross. And add in the fact that he is basically her legal guardian after her parents conveniently leave town to care for her ailing grandmother....just, ugh.
Kaylee is a typical teenage girl into Harry Potter and The Hunger Games, Disney and fanfiction. But the fact that she gets up to sing Part of Your World as a Karaoke song, can barely get the word 'sex' out of her mouth and she wears a freaking Ariel inspired bikini that sets Brendon off is...just wrong on so many levels. It's gross. And I can't help but judge those who think this is in any way 'hot' TBH.
For a book to pull off the age difference (18/26), the 18 year old has to have maturity off the charts. Kaylee is SO IMMATURE. There are constant references to how young and inexperienced Kaylee is. Seriously, like every other sentence out of Brendon's mouth is how young and naive she is about all things sex. Also, a 26 year old going after an 18 year old IS gross. And add in the fact that he is basically her legal guardian after her parents conveniently leave town to care for her ailing grandmother....just, ugh.
Kaylee is a typical teenage girl into Harry Potter and The Hunger Games, Disney and fanfiction. But the fact that she gets up to sing Part of Your World as a Karaoke song, can barely get the word 'sex' out of her mouth and she wears a freaking Ariel inspired bikini that sets Brendon off is...just wrong on so many levels. It's gross. And I can't help but judge those who think this is in any way 'hot' TBH.
August 4, 2018
https://duffette.com/pagereaperbookblog/
An interesting choice of topics for a love story
High functioning depression, death and a forbidden love are the themes in an otherwise a simple romance. The good girl and the bad boy romance is complicated because the bad boy happens to be her temporary guardian and her best friends brother. He’s got self esteem issues and is into the kinky stuff and she’s got depression and is a virgin.
I really didn’t like the writing style. The way the author described the MC closing her eyes REALLY bothered me. I even stopped reading and read something else for a couple of days. Some of the body movements seemed just strangely described but as I got past the first few chapters it was easier to ignore it and I could enjoy the story. I did like the characters and though and wanted them to have a HEA but I’m still on the fence about reading the next in the series. I’m a book a day kind of girl and this took me a loooong time to get through.
An interesting choice of topics for a love story
High functioning depression, death and a forbidden love are the themes in an otherwise a simple romance. The good girl and the bad boy romance is complicated because the bad boy happens to be her temporary guardian and her best friends brother. He’s got self esteem issues and is into the kinky stuff and she’s got depression and is a virgin.
I really didn’t like the writing style. The way the author described the MC closing her eyes REALLY bothered me. I even stopped reading and read something else for a couple of days. Some of the body movements seemed just strangely described but as I got past the first few chapters it was easier to ignore it and I could enjoy the story. I did like the characters and though and wanted them to have a HEA but I’m still on the fence about reading the next in the series. I’m a book a day kind of girl and this took me a loooong time to get through.
March 10, 2018
Now, I enjoy some steamy modern romance like the next person, so I thought I would indulge in some quick book boyfriend action in between some heavier books I am trying to read at the moment. I enjoyed the premise of this story, the older brother of the best friend - brooding and unattainable. The chemistry and anticipation should have been electric....
So, I was disappointed when I was left feeling a bit, meh. Its not bad, it's just not particularly attention grabbing for me. Its all a bit samey and dull.
But Hannah (I hear some imaginary internet critics say), what do you expect from this genre? Its not about plot, characterisation or anything meaningful. Its the same formula in various strains to give that instant hit for female readers everywhere. Well, that may be true for some, but there is plenty of decent romance fiction out there which pulls itself above this.
Perhaps its as simple as I just didn't connect with Kaswell's world, I just got caught up in the lives of the characters in works from April Wilson, J.S Scott and Jess Michaels more.
So, I was disappointed when I was left feeling a bit, meh. Its not bad, it's just not particularly attention grabbing for me. Its all a bit samey and dull.
But Hannah (I hear some imaginary internet critics say), what do you expect from this genre? Its not about plot, characterisation or anything meaningful. Its the same formula in various strains to give that instant hit for female readers everywhere. Well, that may be true for some, but there is plenty of decent romance fiction out there which pulls itself above this.
Perhaps its as simple as I just didn't connect with Kaswell's world, I just got caught up in the lives of the characters in works from April Wilson, J.S Scott and Jess Michaels more.
September 28, 2017
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily wrote an honest review.
As always with Crystal's books, I was captivated and sucked in immediately. As always the entire story was captivating and engaging from start to finish. The story flows beautifully and you can't help but be caught up in it and before I knew it I was being swept away in it! I have ALWAYS loved the way Crystal builds up the characters. Once we are into the second or third chapter we feel like they are our friends and by the end they are family!. I love the "shout out" in there to Dangerous Noise! Looking forward to more!
As always with Crystal's books, I was captivated and sucked in immediately. As always the entire story was captivating and engaging from start to finish. The story flows beautifully and you can't help but be caught up in it and before I knew it I was being swept away in it! I have ALWAYS loved the way Crystal builds up the characters. Once we are into the second or third chapter we feel like they are our friends and by the end they are family!. I love the "shout out" in there to Dangerous Noise! Looking forward to more!
October 1, 2017
I received an advanced copy of this manuscript and I am volunarily leaving an honest review. Just so you know!
This is my first time reviewing a book from an ARC on Goodreads, so forgive any shortcomings in my review writing!
I have read a lot of Crystal Kaswell's previous work, and have enjoyed most of them thoroughly! Honestly, who does not enjoy a raunchy rock star romance, full of lusty men and their feisty girls?
I kind of did a mental groan when I first opened the book on my Kindle, you know the one - been there, done that, didn't buy the t-shirt! Little sister's best friend, crushes on older, tatted badass best friend's brother. Hoo boy! Sooooo overdone. I was a bit disappointed, so I left it for a couple of days, wading through my Kindle Unlimited stuff, and then came back to it. I am so glad that I persevered.
Yes, it is the old trope of the younger sibling's brother/sister/best friend type stuff, but Crystal did her usual sleight of hand and turned it into a much harder hitting, socially relevant story, but still managed to keep the raunchy lure of some light BDSM and slightly taboo elements. I enjoyed the byplay between hero and heroine, and it had a interesting set of secondary characters, especially the crew in the tattoo shop and the hero's little sister. It was nice to see a cameo of Ethan from Dangerous Noise.
All in all I have given it four out of five stars because although the story was not particularly original to begin with, Crystal managed to freshen it up, give it a shake and add some substance to it!
This is my first time reviewing a book from an ARC on Goodreads, so forgive any shortcomings in my review writing!
I have read a lot of Crystal Kaswell's previous work, and have enjoyed most of them thoroughly! Honestly, who does not enjoy a raunchy rock star romance, full of lusty men and their feisty girls?
I kind of did a mental groan when I first opened the book on my Kindle, you know the one - been there, done that, didn't buy the t-shirt! Little sister's best friend, crushes on older, tatted badass best friend's brother. Hoo boy! Sooooo overdone. I was a bit disappointed, so I left it for a couple of days, wading through my Kindle Unlimited stuff, and then came back to it. I am so glad that I persevered.
Yes, it is the old trope of the younger sibling's brother/sister/best friend type stuff, but Crystal did her usual sleight of hand and turned it into a much harder hitting, socially relevant story, but still managed to keep the raunchy lure of some light BDSM and slightly taboo elements. I enjoyed the byplay between hero and heroine, and it had a interesting set of secondary characters, especially the crew in the tattoo shop and the hero's little sister. It was nice to see a cameo of Ethan from Dangerous Noise.
All in all I have given it four out of five stars because although the story was not particularly original to begin with, Crystal managed to freshen it up, give it a shake and add some substance to it!
January 5, 2019
3.5 Stars
This series has been popping up on my recommended reads list for awhile. I finally decided to give the series a go. While I enjoyed the story, at times it felt a bit drawn out. Nothing to hateful just a bit. The older guy/younger girl didn't both me (there was only an eight year age gap). I did feel that the author handled the topic of despression very well. I'm very interested to read the other guys at the Inked Hearts stories.
This series has been popping up on my recommended reads list for awhile. I finally decided to give the series a go. While I enjoyed the story, at times it felt a bit drawn out. Nothing to hateful just a bit. The older guy/younger girl didn't both me (there was only an eight year age gap). I did feel that the author handled the topic of despression very well. I'm very interested to read the other guys at the Inked Hearts stories.
September 12, 2019
This is the story of an older brother who is in "lust" with his younger sister's best friend. Brendon is a caring, protective older brother who has guardianship over his sister since their parents died. He struggles with his desire for Kaylee and his feelings that he is not "good enough" for her. The two are forced into close quarters and their relationship and feelings can no longer be denied. This was a wonderfully developed story with in depth/slightly damanaged characters and a HEA.
August 10, 2021
I don´t like stories that picture the usual Dom and submissive female thing, especially when she is totally inexperienced but is of course absolutley into the whole commanding, binding etc. Apart from all that the story is ok and all the characters that are introduced into the series are likable. Since i already read the second book in the series i kind of knew them already. Not my favorite book in the series, i liked the second one definitly more. Let´s see if there are even better ones.
September 30, 2017
"I received an advanced copy of this manuscript and am voluntarily leaving an honest review."
I just finished reading Temping. I liked it a lot, the romance was amazing. It was great to read more on Kay and Brendon, after Bound To The Bad Boy.
The only thing I did not like was th S&M things, that just isn't my cup of tea.
Would love to read another book in the future about Kay and Brendon.
I just finished reading Temping. I liked it a lot, the romance was amazing. It was great to read more on Kay and Brendon, after Bound To The Bad Boy.
The only thing I did not like was th S&M things, that just isn't my cup of tea.
Would love to read another book in the future about Kay and Brendon.
April 12, 2019
3 Tempting stars
It's a slow-burn, forbidden romance that is a bit too slow and drawn out. Brendon is Kaylee's best friend's older brother and her now pseudo guardian. He's a hot, tattooed alpha male and she's a virgin who just graduated high school. The potential is there... Do they fight the attraction or do they throw caution to the wind and give in to all the dirty thoughts?
It's a slow-burn, forbidden romance that is a bit too slow and drawn out. Brendon is Kaylee's best friend's older brother and her now pseudo guardian. He's a hot, tattooed alpha male and she's a virgin who just graduated high school. The potential is there... Do they fight the attraction or do they throw caution to the wind and give in to all the dirty thoughts?
November 25, 2017
Tempting by Crystal Kaswell is the story of Kaylee 'Kay' and Brendon.
Brendon is Kay's best friend older brother but that hasn't stopped her from caring for him. But when she turns 18 is appears Brendon is doing everything to avoid her. But when her family has to leave to take care of another sick family member, Kay stays behind. Kay is to stay with her best friend and Brendon. Kay's plans are to show Brendon that she wants...will he be tempted.
Really Hot Read!!!
Brendon is Kay's best friend older brother but that hasn't stopped her from caring for him. But when she turns 18 is appears Brendon is doing everything to avoid her. But when her family has to leave to take care of another sick family member, Kay stays behind. Kay is to stay with her best friend and Brendon. Kay's plans are to show Brendon that she wants...will he be tempted.
Really Hot Read!!!
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