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NOLA Heart #4
Tempt Me With Forever
Never trust a bad boy.
That’s what Beauty Influencer Lizzie Danvers tells her YouTube subscribers after getting dumped on Instagram. Lizzie may have the devil’s luck in choosing men, but she’s determined to prove that the age-old “once a playboy, always a playboy” theory is bulletproof. All she needs is thirty days and one sexy commitment phobe to do it...
By day, Gage Harvey helps his twin at Inked on Bourbon, tattooing butterflies onto every female under the age of thirty. By night, he works for New Orleans’ Special Operations Division, fulfilling a family legacy to protect his city. Relationships aren’t on his radar--until the hot-as-hell woman on his tattoo table glances up at him, a butterfly half-inked on her ass, and propositions him.
Gage should say no--nothing good ever comes from entertaining crazy women. But for the sake of playboys everywhere, he’ll take one for the team, and prove to Miss Lizzie Danvers that bad boys are the only men who will tempt you with forever.
TEMPT ME WITH FOREVER is the fourth book in the NOLA Heart series, but can be read as a standalone. It features laugh-out-loud characters, a bad boy who will sweep you off your feet, and a romance guaranteed to melt your kindles and make you smile. One hot cop and an HEA guaranteed!
That’s what Beauty Influencer Lizzie Danvers tells her YouTube subscribers after getting dumped on Instagram. Lizzie may have the devil’s luck in choosing men, but she’s determined to prove that the age-old “once a playboy, always a playboy” theory is bulletproof. All she needs is thirty days and one sexy commitment phobe to do it...
By day, Gage Harvey helps his twin at Inked on Bourbon, tattooing butterflies onto every female under the age of thirty. By night, he works for New Orleans’ Special Operations Division, fulfilling a family legacy to protect his city. Relationships aren’t on his radar--until the hot-as-hell woman on his tattoo table glances up at him, a butterfly half-inked on her ass, and propositions him.
Gage should say no--nothing good ever comes from entertaining crazy women. But for the sake of playboys everywhere, he’ll take one for the team, and prove to Miss Lizzie Danvers that bad boys are the only men who will tempt you with forever.
TEMPT ME WITH FOREVER is the fourth book in the NOLA Heart series, but can be read as a standalone. It features laugh-out-loud characters, a bad boy who will sweep you off your feet, and a romance guaranteed to melt your kindles and make you smile. One hot cop and an HEA guaranteed!
275 pages, Unknown Binding
First published November 9, 2017
1473 people are currently reading
3658 people want to read
About the author
Maria Luis
58 books3,071 followersMaria Luis is an Amazon Top 25 Bestselling Author.
Historian by day and romance novelist by night, Maria lives in New Orleans, and loves bringing the city's cultural flair into her books. When Maria isn't frantically typing with hot chocolate in hand, she can be found binging on reality TV, going on adventures with her other half and two pups, or plotting her next flirty romance.
★ Looking for something quick, fun and sexy to read? Check out these freebies on Maria's website! (Available: Breathless, Undeniable, and The First Fix): https://www.marialuis.org/free-books
Stalk Maria in the wild at:
★ Facebook: facebook.com/marialuisauthor
★ Book Boyfriends Anonymous: http://bit.ly/MariaLuisBBA
★ Instagram: http://bit.ly/MariaLuisIG
★ TikTok: tiktok.com/@marialuisauthor
★ Website: www.marialuis.org
★ Bookbub: http://bit.ly/MariaLuisBB
Maria loves to hear from readers!
Historian by day and romance novelist by night, Maria lives in New Orleans, and loves bringing the city's cultural flair into her books. When Maria isn't frantically typing with hot chocolate in hand, she can be found binging on reality TV, going on adventures with her other half and two pups, or plotting her next flirty romance.
★ Looking for something quick, fun and sexy to read? Check out these freebies on Maria's website! (Available: Breathless, Undeniable, and The First Fix): https://www.marialuis.org/free-books
Stalk Maria in the wild at:
★ Facebook: facebook.com/marialuisauthor
★ Book Boyfriends Anonymous: http://bit.ly/MariaLuisBBA
★ Instagram: http://bit.ly/MariaLuisIG
★ TikTok: tiktok.com/@marialuisauthor
★ Website: www.marialuis.org
★ Bookbub: http://bit.ly/MariaLuisBB
Maria loves to hear from readers!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 255 reviews
November 3, 2017
This was a cute book. You know the type...easy to read...puts a smile on your face...that was this book to a "T." It was also well written and well paced. I loved the setting. The plot was engaging and kept me turning the pages. I hadn't read any of the other books in this series and had no problem following along. So I can safely say this can be read perfectly fine as a standalone. I didn't find it particularly angsty. There wasn't any OW/OM drama. It was a bit of a slow burn, but the sex scenes were hot. The secondary characters were interesting (mostly consisting of the couples from previous books) and Gage's brother (whose book it would appear is up next). 
I adored Lizzie. She was sweet. She was sassy. She was funny. She was kind-hearted. She wore her heart on her sleeve. It is no secret that I am super picky about my heroines, and I loved Lizzie WAY more than Gage in this one. Gage...what can I say? I DID actually like him for the most part. He was sexy. He could be charming at times. That said, I did find his arrogance and his THIS IS JUST SEX attitude which lasts right up until the end of the book annoying at times. And even though what he did at the end was sweet (and funny) he still didn't do enough groveling.
Lastly, it was all wrapped up in an eight months in the future epilogue which was cute and set the scene for Owen's upcoming book. So all in all this one was a light and enjoyable read and therefore gets a solid two thumbs up from yours truly.
Read
December 14, 2018I truly can't wait for everyone to get their hands on this book. Lizzie & Gage will steal your hearts and melt your kindles!
🔥 TEMPT ME is releasing on November 9th in Kindle Unlimited
🔥 Book 4 in the NOLA Heart series (all books are interconnected standalones and do not have to be read in order)
🔥 Get notified on release day here: http://bit.ly/2ywP3PK
🔥 Read on for an excerpt from TEMPT ME!
“Where she want it?” he asked, scrubbing his hands in the sink. Owen’s office was large and dominated by black furniture. Leather couch, leather chair, mahogany desk. He’d outfitted the room with a sink for easy access, along with a mini fridge and a microwave. Photographs of some of his best work decorated the walls, and it hadn’t escaped Gage’s notice that his twin had added a few photos of Gage’s work, too.
When Owen didn’t answer immediately, Gage slid his eyes over to his brother. “Ankle?” he prompted.
Owen glanced up at the ceiling.
Oh, Jesus.
Gage pinched the bridge of his nose. “Another ass-tattoo?”
“She’s cute,” was all Owen said, which Gage took as confirmation that, yep, he’d have his hands all over some sorority girl’s butt for the next twenty minutes—forty, if she wanted shading done.
It wasn’t the placement of the tattoo that bothered him.
Nope. It was the fact that once he had his hands on her skin, the chick usually took that as invitation to hit on him. Blatantly. Without hesitation.
Gage had enough on his plate already; he didn’t need to add a girlfriend to the mix.
“You owe me,” he muttered, shoving past his brother and opening the door. Since their receptionist was on maternity leave, it fell to Owen and Gage to handle front of the house. Last time they’d let the other tattoo artist, Jordan, man the phones, he’d ended up screwing a client in the closet. The sounds of masculine grunting had horrified the mother and daughter duo sitting on the couch, plastic Mardi Gras beads encircling their necks.
Jordan had effectively been suspended and warned to keep his dick in his pants.
The mother and daughter had gripped their beads, cheeks blooming red, and ran from Inked as fast as their flip-flops could take them.
Another sign of a tourist—no self-respecting N’Orleanian would ever wear sandals on Bourbon. Not if they didn’t want to catch an STD or end up dead from a fatal disease.
Gage headed straight for the vintage marble-topped bar, which functioned as their receptionist’s desk, only to see a woman facing the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked Bourbon.
He catalogued the back of her in a heartbeat.
Perfectly tousled brown hair.
Off-the-shoulder white blouse.
Form-fitting black skirt.
Slim calves, trim ankles, and a pair of fuck-me black heels that could do double-duty as a weapon if she was so inclined.
“You here for the butterfly?”
At the sound of his gruff question, she turned around, and Gage felt his gut clench with unexpected lust. Owen hadn’t had the right of it; this woman wasn’t cute, she was gorgeous. The sort of breathtaking that had you questioning your sanity. The sort of breathtaking that made you wonder what the hell you could say to get her into your bed, her slim legs wrapped around your waist, and her breath hot and fast against your neck.
Damn.
Blue eyes lit with nervous anticipation as she rubbed her hands together. The motion jostled her bracelets. And, if her shirt weren’t so loose, he’d have had the opportunity to see if all that rubbing and jiggling affected her breasts too.
“I am,” she said with a bright smile—straight white teeth, lips painted the color of a ripe plum. He wanted to see the color mussed, kissed into nonexistence, and discover the true shade of her lips.
Get a grip, man.
Right. Right.
He ran a hand through his dark hair. This is what he got for spending the last few months with only his right hand. Between work with S.O.D., and then spending every free moment helping Owen here at the parlor, Gage hadn’t had a night to himself in what felt like forever.
Or a day, either.
He lived two lives, and neither of them left room for casual sex, which was the only sort of sex he engaged in.
Swallowing his lust, Gage motioned for her to step up to the vintage bar. “Let’s get your paperwork settled.” He pulled one of the already prepared clipboards from the pile, and then slid it over to the woman, a pen on the side. “This your first tattoo?”
She slipped her purse from her shoulder, dropping her head to sift through the contents. “It is,” she said, placing a gold wallet on the bar. “I’m turning over a new leaf. Doing something new with my life, and I figured that a butterfly is—”
“Metaphorical?”
Her stunning blue eyes leapt to his face. “Yes!” she exclaimed, either ignoring his dry tone or oblivious to it. “That’s it exactly. I mean, I know I could have gone with something a little more original, but—” She crooked her finger at him, and he fell for it, leaning in close as she mock-whispered, “I’m deathly afraid of needles. Silly, isn’t it?”
The cop side of his brain wanted to say that her aversion to needles was a good thing. In the fourteen years that he’d been on the force, he’d witnessed way too many drug overdoses to count.
But this woman . . . Gage inched his gaze down to those plum-colored lips of hers. Yeah, women like her weren’t in that world; they didn’t exist in the underbelly of his beloved hometown. And so he only smirked and said, “You’ve still got time to rethink this. Once we start, trust me when I say you’ll only look ridiculous if we stop midway through.”
She cocked her head to the side, surveying him with a single look. “Good thing I’m getting it done on my butt, then, right? No one will know if I cry mercy. No one but me and . . . you.”
Gage laughed, loudly. “Want me to offer you a strip of leather to bite down on?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Does that cost extra?”
“I’ll make it free just for you.” He tapped his hip, drawing her gaze down to his worn Levi’s. “Leather belt meet to your satisfaction, princess?”
🔥 Read the full excerpt here: http://bit.ly/2ztOAyR
Much love,
Maria
🔥 TEMPT ME is releasing on November 9th in Kindle Unlimited
🔥 Book 4 in the NOLA Heart series (all books are interconnected standalones and do not have to be read in order)
🔥 Get notified on release day here: http://bit.ly/2ywP3PK
🔥 Read on for an excerpt from TEMPT ME!
“Where she want it?” he asked, scrubbing his hands in the sink. Owen’s office was large and dominated by black furniture. Leather couch, leather chair, mahogany desk. He’d outfitted the room with a sink for easy access, along with a mini fridge and a microwave. Photographs of some of his best work decorated the walls, and it hadn’t escaped Gage’s notice that his twin had added a few photos of Gage’s work, too.
When Owen didn’t answer immediately, Gage slid his eyes over to his brother. “Ankle?” he prompted.
Owen glanced up at the ceiling.
Oh, Jesus.
Gage pinched the bridge of his nose. “Another ass-tattoo?”
“She’s cute,” was all Owen said, which Gage took as confirmation that, yep, he’d have his hands all over some sorority girl’s butt for the next twenty minutes—forty, if she wanted shading done.
It wasn’t the placement of the tattoo that bothered him.
Nope. It was the fact that once he had his hands on her skin, the chick usually took that as invitation to hit on him. Blatantly. Without hesitation.
Gage had enough on his plate already; he didn’t need to add a girlfriend to the mix.
“You owe me,” he muttered, shoving past his brother and opening the door. Since their receptionist was on maternity leave, it fell to Owen and Gage to handle front of the house. Last time they’d let the other tattoo artist, Jordan, man the phones, he’d ended up screwing a client in the closet. The sounds of masculine grunting had horrified the mother and daughter duo sitting on the couch, plastic Mardi Gras beads encircling their necks.
Jordan had effectively been suspended and warned to keep his dick in his pants.
The mother and daughter had gripped their beads, cheeks blooming red, and ran from Inked as fast as their flip-flops could take them.
Another sign of a tourist—no self-respecting N’Orleanian would ever wear sandals on Bourbon. Not if they didn’t want to catch an STD or end up dead from a fatal disease.
Gage headed straight for the vintage marble-topped bar, which functioned as their receptionist’s desk, only to see a woman facing the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked Bourbon.
He catalogued the back of her in a heartbeat.
Perfectly tousled brown hair.
Off-the-shoulder white blouse.
Form-fitting black skirt.
Slim calves, trim ankles, and a pair of fuck-me black heels that could do double-duty as a weapon if she was so inclined.
“You here for the butterfly?”
At the sound of his gruff question, she turned around, and Gage felt his gut clench with unexpected lust. Owen hadn’t had the right of it; this woman wasn’t cute, she was gorgeous. The sort of breathtaking that had you questioning your sanity. The sort of breathtaking that made you wonder what the hell you could say to get her into your bed, her slim legs wrapped around your waist, and her breath hot and fast against your neck.
Damn.
Blue eyes lit with nervous anticipation as she rubbed her hands together. The motion jostled her bracelets. And, if her shirt weren’t so loose, he’d have had the opportunity to see if all that rubbing and jiggling affected her breasts too.
“I am,” she said with a bright smile—straight white teeth, lips painted the color of a ripe plum. He wanted to see the color mussed, kissed into nonexistence, and discover the true shade of her lips.
Get a grip, man.
Right. Right.
He ran a hand through his dark hair. This is what he got for spending the last few months with only his right hand. Between work with S.O.D., and then spending every free moment helping Owen here at the parlor, Gage hadn’t had a night to himself in what felt like forever.
Or a day, either.
He lived two lives, and neither of them left room for casual sex, which was the only sort of sex he engaged in.
Swallowing his lust, Gage motioned for her to step up to the vintage bar. “Let’s get your paperwork settled.” He pulled one of the already prepared clipboards from the pile, and then slid it over to the woman, a pen on the side. “This your first tattoo?”
She slipped her purse from her shoulder, dropping her head to sift through the contents. “It is,” she said, placing a gold wallet on the bar. “I’m turning over a new leaf. Doing something new with my life, and I figured that a butterfly is—”
“Metaphorical?”
Her stunning blue eyes leapt to his face. “Yes!” she exclaimed, either ignoring his dry tone or oblivious to it. “That’s it exactly. I mean, I know I could have gone with something a little more original, but—” She crooked her finger at him, and he fell for it, leaning in close as she mock-whispered, “I’m deathly afraid of needles. Silly, isn’t it?”
The cop side of his brain wanted to say that her aversion to needles was a good thing. In the fourteen years that he’d been on the force, he’d witnessed way too many drug overdoses to count.
But this woman . . . Gage inched his gaze down to those plum-colored lips of hers. Yeah, women like her weren’t in that world; they didn’t exist in the underbelly of his beloved hometown. And so he only smirked and said, “You’ve still got time to rethink this. Once we start, trust me when I say you’ll only look ridiculous if we stop midway through.”
She cocked her head to the side, surveying him with a single look. “Good thing I’m getting it done on my butt, then, right? No one will know if I cry mercy. No one but me and . . . you.”
Gage laughed, loudly. “Want me to offer you a strip of leather to bite down on?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Does that cost extra?”
“I’ll make it free just for you.” He tapped his hip, drawing her gaze down to his worn Levi’s. “Leather belt meet to your satisfaction, princess?”
🔥 Read the full excerpt here: http://bit.ly/2ztOAyR
Much love,
Maria
November 28, 2017
"I choose to be happy. So simple. So easy."
Ridiculed and cyber shamed by her ex-boyfriend, Lizzie Danvers takes it upon herself to prove to her followers that ALL bad boys are NOT redeemable... they are merely wolves in sheep's clothing preying on sensitive and vulnerable women. She chooses officer and tattoo artist Gage Harvey to prove her point... but this bad boy is showing signs of compassion and kindness... something which totally runs her off course. Only problem now was teaching this guy about permanency when it comes to relationships he doesn't believe in. An adorable Romantic Comedy which has you smiling forever throughout this entire hilarious affair... even when things get "sticky" they handle them with good ol'fashioned humor... leaving the reader laughing ridiculously. 5 Spunky Stars for "Tempt Me With Forever"... and learning to throw caution to the wind by fully committing your heart to that ONE person.
Ridiculed and cyber shamed by her ex-boyfriend, Lizzie Danvers takes it upon herself to prove to her followers that ALL bad boys are NOT redeemable... they are merely wolves in sheep's clothing preying on sensitive and vulnerable women. She chooses officer and tattoo artist Gage Harvey to prove her point... but this bad boy is showing signs of compassion and kindness... something which totally runs her off course. Only problem now was teaching this guy about permanency when it comes to relationships he doesn't believe in. An adorable Romantic Comedy which has you smiling forever throughout this entire hilarious affair... even when things get "sticky" they handle them with good ol'fashioned humor... leaving the reader laughing ridiculously. 5 Spunky Stars for "Tempt Me With Forever"... and learning to throw caution to the wind by fully committing your heart to that ONE person.
December 8, 2017
This was a fun, witty, sexy and just the right amount of angst read.
October 15, 2017
Oh, Gage, honey, come here and let me give you a big ol' momma hug!
I loved this book so, so, much! I honestly have never laughed so much in one book. This book is longer than most, but that's because it's so packed with hilarity and smexy times and so much heart! Lizzie really finds her groove over the course of this book, figuring out just what she wants to do with her career - both online and off - and just what she needs to be happy. Gage finally comes around to dealing with all the pain and sacrifices he and his family have endured over the years, and I don't think I've ever read a book boyfriend that needed a family (or a hug) more than our Gage. Gage is a cop from a family of cops so a main theme throughout the book is the emotional toll that a life of service takes on not only the officer but his/her family as well.
The author really brings all the emotions to this book. Gage's heart finds all sorts of new uses as he deals with the tornado named Lizzie that rips through his life, and Lizzie discovers what her heart was designed for as she falls for the unattainable Gage. These two also have so much snarky fun together - their banter was absolutely inspired and there were so many "Oh.My.God! I can't believe he/she SAID that!" moments that I lost count (but my family was calling mental institutions to inquire about vacancies because I simply couldn't catch my breath long enough to explain what was so funny). I've read everything published by this author, and I can say with certainty that this is her best work yet. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
I loved this book so, so, much! I honestly have never laughed so much in one book. This book is longer than most, but that's because it's so packed with hilarity and smexy times and so much heart! Lizzie really finds her groove over the course of this book, figuring out just what she wants to do with her career - both online and off - and just what she needs to be happy. Gage finally comes around to dealing with all the pain and sacrifices he and his family have endured over the years, and I don't think I've ever read a book boyfriend that needed a family (or a hug) more than our Gage. Gage is a cop from a family of cops so a main theme throughout the book is the emotional toll that a life of service takes on not only the officer but his/her family as well.
The author really brings all the emotions to this book. Gage's heart finds all sorts of new uses as he deals with the tornado named Lizzie that rips through his life, and Lizzie discovers what her heart was designed for as she falls for the unattainable Gage. These two also have so much snarky fun together - their banter was absolutely inspired and there were so many "Oh.My.God! I can't believe he/she SAID that!" moments that I lost count (but my family was calling mental institutions to inquire about vacancies because I simply couldn't catch my breath long enough to explain what was so funny). I've read everything published by this author, and I can say with certainty that this is her best work yet. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
July 19, 2018
Hands down this is the best book Maria has written. I have never laughed so hard from a book one minute and crying the next. Gage and Lizzie's story is absolutely brilliant.
Of course the others make appearances in this story but it is firmly Lizzie and Gage's.
Lizzie is such a firecracker the banter between Gage and her are just hilarious. Gage is a man of many talents and hiding his heart is one of them, then struts in Lizzie with her beauty and wit to drag him into happiness, he is hard headed total "self-sabatoger"
One of my favorite lines in this book that really resonated with me "I choose to be happy" I just loved this. ❤❤
Of course we have the HEA but the journey there is just as beautiful. *spoiler this ends on a cliffhanger...but what a excellent unexpected one.*
Tempt Me with Forever has knocked every single book that was my number 1 off and it proudly stands right at the top.
Maria you absolutely smashed this book!
You have this knack of bring words to life and insert joy into mine and many others lives. I am grateful for all the blood, sweat and tears you put into your craft. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read your stories. Love you x
I voluntarily chose to review an ARC of this book.
Of course the others make appearances in this story but it is firmly Lizzie and Gage's.
Lizzie is such a firecracker the banter between Gage and her are just hilarious. Gage is a man of many talents and hiding his heart is one of them, then struts in Lizzie with her beauty and wit to drag him into happiness, he is hard headed total "self-sabatoger"
One of my favorite lines in this book that really resonated with me "I choose to be happy" I just loved this. ❤❤
Of course we have the HEA but the journey there is just as beautiful. *spoiler this ends on a cliffhanger...but what a excellent unexpected one.*
Tempt Me with Forever has knocked every single book that was my number 1 off and it proudly stands right at the top.
Maria you absolutely smashed this book!
You have this knack of bring words to life and insert joy into mine and many others lives. I am grateful for all the blood, sweat and tears you put into your craft. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read your stories. Love you x
I voluntarily chose to review an ARC of this book.
August 7, 2018
Crying before my class. Just in case anyone was wondering if this book was any good! Happy tears.
Edit:
Now that I've collected myself! I know I said book 3 was my favorite, and I honestly expected to be annoyed by the two main characters (a YouTuber and a tattoo artist, I don't think I could imagine anything more obnoxious and trite), but they are so much more multi-dimensional than that. Lizzie was such an original character and so funny, and Gage shattered my heart. They were SO WELL WRITTEN. This series just got better with every book and I'm going to have to change my vote to this as my favorite. But honestly, I just want more. A girl can dream. Thank you Maria Luis for whisking me back to a place I left a big part of my heart.
Edit:
Now that I've collected myself! I know I said book 3 was my favorite, and I honestly expected to be annoyed by the two main characters (a YouTuber and a tattoo artist, I don't think I could imagine anything more obnoxious and trite), but they are so much more multi-dimensional than that. Lizzie was such an original character and so funny, and Gage shattered my heart. They were SO WELL WRITTEN. This series just got better with every book and I'm going to have to change my vote to this as my favorite. But honestly, I just want more. A girl can dream. Thank you Maria Luis for whisking me back to a place I left a big part of my heart.
Want to read
August 22, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/22/2019)! 🎁
November 14, 2017
Tempt Me With Forever is rom-com at its finest! Once again Ms. Luis delivers side-splitting comedy (you’re gonna want to put your drink down so you don’t snort it out your nose), sweet, tender emotion (you’ll find yourself verklempt), some steamy sexy times (are those heart palpitations?), and an entertaining (and just a liiiittle zany) journey to a happily ever after.
Gage’s “book cover” is a tattooed, tough, alpha, bad boy SWAT officer, and Lizzie’s is an airhead, shallow, bimbo, Internet makeup expert and beauty influencer. But Gage has a deep, damaged side that resides next to his kindness and goodness, as well as being a no secrets, no BS, straight shooter kind of guy. Lizzie has a similarly damaged side, and there’s so much more to her that she only allows her family to see. The artificial persona is wearing thin for Lizzie, and her smooth talking, gamer boyfriend’s public breakup with her on Instagram may just be the end of her Internet personality. That is, until she has a little too much wine (a lot – waay too much) and tells her millions of viewers that she plans to prove in just thirty days that bad boys can’t be redeemed. It’s a surprise when Gage agrees to her thirty-day project, but he sees beyond the YouTube smile and artful makeup to the fear and pain her eyes can’t hide. And just like that, he’s hooked. Yet still, both have been dissuaded of the “forever love” notion, so thirty days together should be no big deal.
True confessions time. I’m a Maria Luis book hoarder. I read the advance copy, buy the Kindle copy and get the paperback. The thing is, her books are just that great! When you read fifty books a month like I do, a book has to be really spectacular (or epically awful) for it to stick with me. Ms. Luis’ books snuggle down deep in my heart and leave their permanent mark on my soul. Yes, they’re laugh-out-loud hilarious, but there’s also a nice dose of heat and a metric ton of heart. I fall in love with each hero, and right now, Gage owns my heart. I may have misstated that a previous book was Ms. Luis’ best work, because this one tops them all! One of the greatest delights for me as a reader is to watch a writer grow in her craft and come into her own, and Miss Maria makes my heart do cartwheels!
Gage sees beyond the façade Lizzie dons when no one else does, and it made me wonder. Is he just amazingly perceptive or does he recognize her fear because it’s so familiar to him? But then it’s ironic that Gage is the one encouraging Lizzie to “own her s**t” when he’s the one who let’s fear rule him. Prepare for some brilliant groveling, dear reader, and then get comfy while you read the most heartfelt but most hilarious scene of the book. Lizzie is a hero in her own right, and she’s such a great reminder that we may not be able to control our circumstances, but we can control how we respond and how we feel about them. In spite of the adversity in her life, Lizzie makes her own choices, and she chooses happiness.
On a less lighthearted note, thank you Ms. Luis. Thank you for reminding us of the difficult job first responders do every day to keep us safe. Thanks for pointing out the toll the job takes on them personally, as well as on their families, and for reminding us to appreciate their bravery, their sacrifices, and their putting their lives on the line to make our lives better.
Yes, there’s some serious stuff in this book, but Ms. Luis expertly balances it with humor and comedy without detracting from the important issues and concepts. Timing is everything when it comes to life, love and comedy, and this author’s timing is impeccable throughout. If you’ve never read Ms. Luis’ work, this is a great book to acquaint yourself with her talent, so don’t hesitate to hit the 1-click. If you’re familiar with this series, never fear. Although this is the last book of the series, it’s not the last we’ll see of these characters. So be sure to grab this one, not only to fall in love with Gage and Lizzie, but to also get a hint of what’s to come.
**Now, about this alleged cliffy, if you’ve read my reviews you know I HATE cliffhangers and knock off stars when I’ve not been warned in the blurb. This is a foreshadowing, not a cliffy. A relationship is referenced but we haven’t been introduced to both characters or given any details of said relationship. We’re no more left hanging out to dry than with, say, a pregnancy or wedding that are talked about without the big event taking place in the book. So rest assured, my reader friend, the angst and frustration you normally feel with cliffhangers does not exist here. Only the warm, fuzzy, happy feelings from a story well told and a forever love attained. And maybe sore abdominals from laughing. 😉
Gage’s “book cover” is a tattooed, tough, alpha, bad boy SWAT officer, and Lizzie’s is an airhead, shallow, bimbo, Internet makeup expert and beauty influencer. But Gage has a deep, damaged side that resides next to his kindness and goodness, as well as being a no secrets, no BS, straight shooter kind of guy. Lizzie has a similarly damaged side, and there’s so much more to her that she only allows her family to see. The artificial persona is wearing thin for Lizzie, and her smooth talking, gamer boyfriend’s public breakup with her on Instagram may just be the end of her Internet personality. That is, until she has a little too much wine (a lot – waay too much) and tells her millions of viewers that she plans to prove in just thirty days that bad boys can’t be redeemed. It’s a surprise when Gage agrees to her thirty-day project, but he sees beyond the YouTube smile and artful makeup to the fear and pain her eyes can’t hide. And just like that, he’s hooked. Yet still, both have been dissuaded of the “forever love” notion, so thirty days together should be no big deal.
True confessions time. I’m a Maria Luis book hoarder. I read the advance copy, buy the Kindle copy and get the paperback. The thing is, her books are just that great! When you read fifty books a month like I do, a book has to be really spectacular (or epically awful) for it to stick with me. Ms. Luis’ books snuggle down deep in my heart and leave their permanent mark on my soul. Yes, they’re laugh-out-loud hilarious, but there’s also a nice dose of heat and a metric ton of heart. I fall in love with each hero, and right now, Gage owns my heart. I may have misstated that a previous book was Ms. Luis’ best work, because this one tops them all! One of the greatest delights for me as a reader is to watch a writer grow in her craft and come into her own, and Miss Maria makes my heart do cartwheels!
Gage sees beyond the façade Lizzie dons when no one else does, and it made me wonder. Is he just amazingly perceptive or does he recognize her fear because it’s so familiar to him? But then it’s ironic that Gage is the one encouraging Lizzie to “own her s**t” when he’s the one who let’s fear rule him. Prepare for some brilliant groveling, dear reader, and then get comfy while you read the most heartfelt but most hilarious scene of the book. Lizzie is a hero in her own right, and she’s such a great reminder that we may not be able to control our circumstances, but we can control how we respond and how we feel about them. In spite of the adversity in her life, Lizzie makes her own choices, and she chooses happiness.
On a less lighthearted note, thank you Ms. Luis. Thank you for reminding us of the difficult job first responders do every day to keep us safe. Thanks for pointing out the toll the job takes on them personally, as well as on their families, and for reminding us to appreciate their bravery, their sacrifices, and their putting their lives on the line to make our lives better.
Yes, there’s some serious stuff in this book, but Ms. Luis expertly balances it with humor and comedy without detracting from the important issues and concepts. Timing is everything when it comes to life, love and comedy, and this author’s timing is impeccable throughout. If you’ve never read Ms. Luis’ work, this is a great book to acquaint yourself with her talent, so don’t hesitate to hit the 1-click. If you’re familiar with this series, never fear. Although this is the last book of the series, it’s not the last we’ll see of these characters. So be sure to grab this one, not only to fall in love with Gage and Lizzie, but to also get a hint of what’s to come.
**Now, about this alleged cliffy, if you’ve read my reviews you know I HATE cliffhangers and knock off stars when I’ve not been warned in the blurb. This is a foreshadowing, not a cliffy. A relationship is referenced but we haven’t been introduced to both characters or given any details of said relationship. We’re no more left hanging out to dry than with, say, a pregnancy or wedding that are talked about without the big event taking place in the book. So rest assured, my reader friend, the angst and frustration you normally feel with cliffhangers does not exist here. Only the warm, fuzzy, happy feelings from a story well told and a forever love attained. And maybe sore abdominals from laughing. 😉
February 26, 2018
Really loved these two. Lizzie is a sarcastic ray of sunshine, that is in the spot light because of her very successful YouTube makeup show. And she just so happens to wear her heart on her sleeve. Gage is a smoking hot, sarcastic, but guarded cop that tattoos for his brother on the side. Lizzie is getting out of a bad public breakup, decides to find the next bad boy/commitment-phobe for 30 days to prove a point to her viewers. She goes in for a tattoo....and that’s how she meets the sexy tattooed Gage. She ask him if he wants to be her pretend boyfriend for 30 days. I loved that there was no drama with that, straight forward and to the point.
This sets the book. These two have so much fun together and I really enjoyed it, Maria Luis books are always so much fun, with quirky and realistic humor. These two have a few minor bumps, but thankfully no om or ow drama. Gage does have his walls up and honestly, I can totally relate to him, but Lizzie and her sunshine gets to him. We get to see all of our favorite characters from previous books and I wanna say that I completely adore Julian, that kid is freaking adorable...hopefully one day he will get his own book (hint, hint). This was a safe read with a lot of humor and whole lotta heat. A really funny groveling scene. We get an epilogue and an hea. Psst....the cover is just a bonus 😉. Absolutely adored this book and series....one of my favorites.
This sets the book. These two have so much fun together and I really enjoyed it, Maria Luis books are always so much fun, with quirky and realistic humor. These two have a few minor bumps, but thankfully no om or ow drama. Gage does have his walls up and honestly, I can totally relate to him, but Lizzie and her sunshine gets to him. We get to see all of our favorite characters from previous books and I wanna say that I completely adore Julian, that kid is freaking adorable...hopefully one day he will get his own book (hint, hint). This was a safe read with a lot of humor and whole lotta heat. A really funny groveling scene. We get an epilogue and an hea. Psst....the cover is just a bonus 😉. Absolutely adored this book and series....one of my favorites.
May 19, 2025
I thought I'd hate this and it would be terrible because the ebook cover just screamed 'TERRIBLY WRITTEN BOOK!'. And fine, I know we shouldn't judge a book by the cover but, let's be honest, we all do. But I actually really enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun and I loved the banter between the couple. It could have done with being a little longer so it felt less insta-lovey, but I'll forgive it. And now I plan to read the rest.
Read
September 15, 2019I just couldn’t get into this for some reason. When I started skimming pages I knew I had to just stop and maybe return at another time.
November 4, 2017
Every time I think Maria Luis has outdone herself and there is no way the next book can be better, I find myself in awe the next time I get one of her books. Tempt Me With Forever is no different. When Dare You To Love Me released a month or so ago, I thought, 'This is the best one, no way can she top it!' Boy, was I wrong. Tempt Me Forever blows the first three books out of the water.
The raw emotions that Maria poured into Tempt Me had me feeling like I was on a roller coaster. I can't remember the last time I have laughed while reading a book, then turned around and felt anger and frustration, and then felt like I wanted to curl up and weep for what our hero and heroine had to deal with.
There are some extremely hilarious moments within the pages, but the meat of the story is so much more than just a rom-com. It's about life, the choices we make, and how we deal with the things that try to tear us down. it's about facing the darkness and coming out whole. With each book, her hero and heroine overcome insecurities that keep pushing them apart, but the three previous books didn't come close to the issues that Gage and Lizzie had to overcome.
As an officer in the Special Operations Division, Gage puts his life on the line every single day he goes to work, more so than what many officers in other divisions do. But that isn't the totality of where the strife between Gage and Lizzie comes from. No, it's a small part of it, but the past has a strangle hold on our hero.
There are two lines within this book that really spoke to me. The first, comes from our hero, Gage Harvey. 'Own your shit'. It's a philosophy I firmly believe in. Don't hem and haw over something. If you have an urge, do it. It took me a long time to get to the point where I adopted this philosophy, but it has done wonders. The second comes from our heroine, Lizzie Danvers. 'I choose to be happy.' We can choose to let life drag us down, or we can choose to face each day with a smile on our face. I know which one I choose!
Of course there is a plethora of heat and steamy moments, between Gage and Lizzie. Their chemistry is off the charts. On a scale of one to ten, I'd say it was a twelve!
I love that Ms. Luis pulled from personal experiences, both her own and those of others with family who are first responders, when she highlighted the struggle, the risks, both mental and emotional, that our men and women in blue face every day. So often, we, the public, are blind to the stress that our first responders and their families face every day, never knowing if their loved one is going to be killed in the line of duty.
And the ending! Now, I usually get very huffy when I read a book and it ends on a cliff hanger. Usually. There are a few, rare, exceptions to that and Tempt Me With Forever sits firmly in that category. I cannot wait to see what wonderful, steamy, laugh out loud, tugging on the heart strings, moments Maria Luis comes up with in her next series! I, for one, will wait, with baited breath, to get a copy of it in my hot little hands!
The raw emotions that Maria poured into Tempt Me had me feeling like I was on a roller coaster. I can't remember the last time I have laughed while reading a book, then turned around and felt anger and frustration, and then felt like I wanted to curl up and weep for what our hero and heroine had to deal with.
There are some extremely hilarious moments within the pages, but the meat of the story is so much more than just a rom-com. It's about life, the choices we make, and how we deal with the things that try to tear us down. it's about facing the darkness and coming out whole. With each book, her hero and heroine overcome insecurities that keep pushing them apart, but the three previous books didn't come close to the issues that Gage and Lizzie had to overcome.
As an officer in the Special Operations Division, Gage puts his life on the line every single day he goes to work, more so than what many officers in other divisions do. But that isn't the totality of where the strife between Gage and Lizzie comes from. No, it's a small part of it, but the past has a strangle hold on our hero.
There are two lines within this book that really spoke to me. The first, comes from our hero, Gage Harvey. 'Own your shit'. It's a philosophy I firmly believe in. Don't hem and haw over something. If you have an urge, do it. It took me a long time to get to the point where I adopted this philosophy, but it has done wonders. The second comes from our heroine, Lizzie Danvers. 'I choose to be happy.' We can choose to let life drag us down, or we can choose to face each day with a smile on our face. I know which one I choose!
Of course there is a plethora of heat and steamy moments, between Gage and Lizzie. Their chemistry is off the charts. On a scale of one to ten, I'd say it was a twelve!
I love that Ms. Luis pulled from personal experiences, both her own and those of others with family who are first responders, when she highlighted the struggle, the risks, both mental and emotional, that our men and women in blue face every day. So often, we, the public, are blind to the stress that our first responders and their families face every day, never knowing if their loved one is going to be killed in the line of duty.
And the ending! Now, I usually get very huffy when I read a book and it ends on a cliff hanger. Usually. There are a few, rare, exceptions to that and Tempt Me With Forever sits firmly in that category. I cannot wait to see what wonderful, steamy, laugh out loud, tugging on the heart strings, moments Maria Luis comes up with in her next series! I, for one, will wait, with baited breath, to get a copy of it in my hot little hands!
November 21, 2017
Oh, the perils of living your life in front of millions of YouTube viewers! When the sh*t hits the fan for online Beauty Influencer Lizzie Danvers, in the form of a very public Instagram break-up with her boyfriend, she scrambles to devise a plan to save face and prove a point.
Gage Harvey may just be out of his mind when he agrees to help out Lizzie, but she’s just so damn adorable, sweet, funny, and hot! Best of all … she’s not looking for forever. Just his kind of woman.
Maria Luis has woven a story that is so delicious it melts in your mouth! LIzzie and Gage are beautifully written characters, and their journey will not only pull you in, it will hold you hostage. It’s hilarious, playful, heart wrenching, and contains some Wow! surprises that will keep you on your toes. Best of all, the chemistry between Lizzie and Gage is perfection––passionate, hot, and steaaammy! I couldn’t put down this book!
Five yummy, tattooed & muscled, loads of fun, may I have more, please stars for Tempt Me With Forever.
Gage Harvey may just be out of his mind when he agrees to help out Lizzie, but she’s just so damn adorable, sweet, funny, and hot! Best of all … she’s not looking for forever. Just his kind of woman.
Maria Luis has woven a story that is so delicious it melts in your mouth! LIzzie and Gage are beautifully written characters, and their journey will not only pull you in, it will hold you hostage. It’s hilarious, playful, heart wrenching, and contains some Wow! surprises that will keep you on your toes. Best of all, the chemistry between Lizzie and Gage is perfection––passionate, hot, and steaaammy! I couldn’t put down this book!
Five yummy, tattooed & muscled, loads of fun, may I have more, please stars for Tempt Me With Forever.
November 8, 2017
After being dumped, Lizzie is on a mission. She’s going to prove bad boys can’t be tamed.
She chooses Gage, hot cop and tattoo artist. Gage. The two embark on a journey that is cute, fulfilling and impossible to tear your eyes away from. It’s slow burning and these two light it up when they do hit the sheets.
Lizzie is a tough, confident woman. She sets her eyes on this project and heads in full force. Gage is just dreamy. I loved him and how he handled everything. I loved how Lizzie pulled him out of his shell a bit. Overall, Tempt Me With Forever is a tempting read for someone looking for a light story with a fun couple.
*Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads*
![“ARC]()
She chooses Gage, hot cop and tattoo artist. Gage. The two embark on a journey that is cute, fulfilling and impossible to tear your eyes away from. It’s slow burning and these two light it up when they do hit the sheets.
Lizzie is a tough, confident woman. She sets her eyes on this project and heads in full force. Gage is just dreamy. I loved him and how he handled everything. I loved how Lizzie pulled him out of his shell a bit. Overall, Tempt Me With Forever is a tempting read for someone looking for a light story with a fun couple.
*Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads*
November 9, 2017
I really enjoyed Tempt me forever by Maria Luis I'm a first time reader of this author and even though this is a series you can read as a standalone you wont be lost at all . This is a opposite attract romance that I couldn't put down with characters and story line that will have you wanting more .
copy provided for honest review
****************************************
hero=9 heroine=9 secondary characters= 9 Chemistry= 10
romance=8 humor= 6 darkness level=3 action=2 mystery= 2
enjoyment= 8 angst= 4 story line= 9 Story ending=10
character development=10 pacing=10
cover= 10 stars= 4 author= 8
would I recommend this book=yes
would I re read this book= yes
would I read future books by this author= yes
copy provided for honest review
****************************************
hero=9 heroine=9 secondary characters= 9 Chemistry= 10
romance=8 humor= 6 darkness level=3 action=2 mystery= 2
enjoyment= 8 angst= 4 story line= 9 Story ending=10
character development=10 pacing=10
cover= 10 stars= 4 author= 8
would I recommend this book=yes
would I re read this book= yes
would I read future books by this author= yes
November 9, 2017
This is my first book by Maria Luis and I will definitely be back for more. I loved everything about this story which had me giggling throughout. Even with both the main characters having dark pasts which played a part in this book I don't feel like it took it over really, Lizzie was all about living life to the fullest. Gage just needed the right woman to help him live his life. I felt for Gage truly and just wanted to hug him, and what his ex done! no way that anyone who has a heart would have done it like that I mean seriously!!!!!
The secondary characters were great and I can not wait for more from Ms Luis
I was gifted this arc for an honest review
The secondary characters were great and I can not wait for more from Ms Luis
I was gifted this arc for an honest review
January 11, 2019
Tempt Me
I had to go back and read this book before I started the Put A Ring On It series which comes out later this month! How I managed to not review this book is beyond me because it is by far my favorite NOLA heart book. Lizzie is my favorite heroine and you’ll fall head over heels for Gage. The story is funny and sweet and will keep you totally hooked!
I had to go back and read this book before I started the Put A Ring On It series which comes out later this month! How I managed to not review this book is beyond me because it is by far my favorite NOLA heart book. Lizzie is my favorite heroine and you’ll fall head over heels for Gage. The story is funny and sweet and will keep you totally hooked!
February 20, 2020
I’m sad that the series is over. I’m glad that Lizzie got her own book. It had an interesting twist to it in both the H and h’s backstory. Poor Gage, the non-bad boy didn’t stand a chance when Lizzie walked in. It was good to get an almost bonus epilogue on the previous couples. A shout out to Holly Carter from the Blades series was a nice surprise. The Easter egg at the end to carryover to the next series. (Put A Ring On It).
November 5, 2017
Loved it!
Maria Luis is one of my go-to authors.
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
The chemistry
Part of a series: NOLA Heart
The snarky dialogue
Still love Danvers
Epilogue
HEA
I'm looking forward to Owen's story.
I voluntarily received an ARC from the author.
Maria Luis is one of my go-to authors.
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
The chemistry
Part of a series: NOLA Heart
The snarky dialogue
Still love Danvers
Epilogue
HEA
I'm looking forward to Owen's story.
I voluntarily received an ARC from the author.
February 9, 2019
Loved this book so much
November 4, 2017
Maria, I loved the book! It sounded like you and had your humor, sweetness & love of life! It was a story about Lizzy, a Make Up artist on you tube and the fellow she meets, Gage the big, dark and handsome Police Officer! The
story of their relationship and hazards of marrying a Police Officer. Their pasts and how it impacts them. The Beauty of New Orleans is very evident in her books. I always feel that I am visiting that Grand Old Town where the Police are members of NOPD. I always laugh thru your books but, you had me crying, also! It was a terrific book that everyone should put on their TBR
shelf! I couldn’t wait that long so, I got into it immediately! It was a good idea!
I voluntarily read and reviewed honestly an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
story of their relationship and hazards of marrying a Police Officer. Their pasts and how it impacts them. The Beauty of New Orleans is very evident in her books. I always feel that I am visiting that Grand Old Town where the Police are members of NOPD. I always laugh thru your books but, you had me crying, also! It was a terrific book that everyone should put on their TBR
shelf! I couldn’t wait that long so, I got into it immediately! It was a good idea!
I voluntarily read and reviewed honestly an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
February 9, 2021
Lizzie Danvers is a YouTuber who has succeeded with her makeup channel and just has been dumped by her boyfriend via Instagram. So she comes with the brilliant idea of a challenge: she will date a bad boy for a month to prove that they never change despite all the promises they make.
And that’s how she enters Inked on Bourbon, the most famous tattoo parlor in the city and meets Gage Harvey, who ends tattooing her a butterfly on her ass and agreeing to her crazy idea.
Gage works with Lizzie’s brother in the NOPD but also helps his brother Owen by doing tattoos. He is against commitments so is perfect for Lizzie.
During the month they spend together, they both share😂😭🔥moments but when they open their hearts more and more Gage ends up breaking up with her thinking that he is doing her a favor.
But his idea of asking for forgiveness and winning her back is😍😍😍.
Another great story in these series.
“You tempt me into thinking that forever is a possibility when I know it’s a lie we tell ourselves to feel better. You tempt me to throw caution to the wind and make you mine, Lizzie. Mine to kiss, mine to hold at night, mine to have ridiculous adventures with that only we find fun. You tempt me to do wild things, Lizzie Danvers, to take chances I know we’ll both regret.”
And that’s how she enters Inked on Bourbon, the most famous tattoo parlor in the city and meets Gage Harvey, who ends tattooing her a butterfly on her ass and agreeing to her crazy idea.
Gage works with Lizzie’s brother in the NOPD but also helps his brother Owen by doing tattoos. He is against commitments so is perfect for Lizzie.
During the month they spend together, they both share😂😭🔥moments but when they open their hearts more and more Gage ends up breaking up with her thinking that he is doing her a favor.
But his idea of asking for forgiveness and winning her back is😍😍😍.
Another great story in these series.
“You tempt me into thinking that forever is a possibility when I know it’s a lie we tell ourselves to feel better. You tempt me to throw caution to the wind and make you mine, Lizzie. Mine to kiss, mine to hold at night, mine to have ridiculous adventures with that only we find fun. You tempt me to do wild things, Lizzie Danvers, to take chances I know we’ll both regret.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2020
This was my favorite of the NOLA Heart series. Don't get me wrong I Love all of them, but there is just something about Gage and Lizzie. I've been waiting for this series, since I first met Lizzie in her brother's book. You could just tell that there was so much more to discover than what the world was seeing, and boy were we not disappointed! One thing Maria does extremely well is gives us real, well rounded characters that you just can't help to root for. Tempt me with Forever is the perfect blend, of steamy, witty, hilariousness, and love. Maria also connects the series amazingly well. This was a cliffhanger that I was NOT expecting, and wouldn't really call it a cliffhanger necessarily, but the wait for the new series was painful in the best ways!
November 4, 2017
Tempt Me With Forever is rom-com at its finest! Once again Ms. Luis delivers side-splitting comedy (you’re gonna want to put your drink down so you don’t snort it out your nose), sweet, tender emotion (you’ll find yourself verklempt), some steamy sexy times (are those heart palpitations?), and an entertaining (and just a liiiittle zany) journey to a happily ever after.
Gage’s “book cover” is a tattooed, tough, alpha, bad boy SWAT officer, and Lizzie’s is an airhead, shallow, bimbo, Internet makeup expert and beauty influencer. But Gage has a deep, damaged side that resides next to his kindness and goodness, as well as being a no secrets, no BS, straight shooter kind of guy. Lizzie has a similarly damaged side, and there’s so much more to her that she only allows her family to see. The artificial persona is wearing thin for Lizzie, and her smooth talking, gamer boyfriend’s public breakup with her on Instagram may just be the end of her Internet personality. That is, until she has a little too much wine (a lot – waay too much) and tells her millions of viewers that she plans to prove in just thirty days that bad boys can’t be redeemed. It’s a surprise when Gage agrees to her thirty-day project, but he sees beyond the YouTube smile and artful makeup to the fear and pain her eyes can’t hide. And just like that, he’s hooked. Yet still, both have been dissuaded of the “forever love” notion, so thirty days together should be no big deal.
True confessions time. I’m a Maria Luis book hoarder. I read the advance copy, buy the Kindle copy and get the paperback. The thing is, her books are just that great! When you read fifty books a month like I do, a book has to be really spectacular (or epically awful) for it to stick with me. Ms. Luis’ books snuggle down deep in my heart and leave their permanent mark on my soul. Yes, they’re laugh-out-loud hilarious, but there’s also a nice dose of heat and a metric ton of heart. I fall in love with each hero, and right now, Gage owns my heart. I may have misstated that a previous book was Ms. Luis’ best work, because this one tops them all! One of the greatest delights for me as a reader is to watch a writer grow in her craft and come into her own, and Miss Maria makes my heart do kart wheels!
Gage sees beyond the façade Lizzie dons when no one else does, and it made me wonder. Is he just amazingly perceptive or does he recognize her fear because it’s so familiar to him? But then it’s ironic that Gage is the one encouraging Lizzie to “own her s**t” when he’s the one who let’s fear rule him. Prepare for some brilliant groveling, dear reader, and then get comfy while you read the most heartfelt but most hilarious scene of the book. Lizzie is a hero in her own right, and she’s such a great reminder that we may not be able to control our circumstances, but we can control how we respond and how we feel about them. In spite of the adversity in her life, Lizzie makes her own choices, and she chooses happiness.
On a less lighthearted note, thank you Ms. Luis. Thank you for reminding us of the difficult job first responders do every day to keep us safe. Thanks for pointing out the toll the job takes on them personally, as well as on their families, and for reminding us to appreciate their bravery, their sacrifices, and their putting their lives on the line to make our lives better.
Yes, there’s some serious stuff in this book, but Ms. Luis expertly balances it with humor and comedy without detracting from the important issues and concepts. Timing is everything when it comes to life, love and comedy, and this author’s timing is impeccable throughout. If you’ve never read Ms. Luis’ work, this is a great book to acquaint yourself with her talent, so don’t hesitate to hit the 1-click. If you’re familiar with this series, never fear. Although this is the last book of the series, it’s not the last we’ll see of these characters. So be sure to grab this one, not only to fall in love with Gage and Lizzie, but to also get a hint of what’s to come.
**Now, about this alleged cliffy, if you’ve read my reviews you know I HATE cliffhangers and knock off stars when I’ve not been warned in the blurb. This is a foreshadowing, not a cliffy. A relationship is referenced but we haven’t been introduced to both characters or given any details of said relationship. We’re no more left hanging out to dry than with, say, a pregnancy or wedding that are talked about without the big event taking place in the book. So rest assured, my reader friend, the angst and frustration you normally feel with cliffhangers does not exist here. Only the warm, fuzzy, happy feelings from a story well told and a forever love attained. And maybe sore abdominals from laughing. 😉
Gage’s “book cover” is a tattooed, tough, alpha, bad boy SWAT officer, and Lizzie’s is an airhead, shallow, bimbo, Internet makeup expert and beauty influencer. But Gage has a deep, damaged side that resides next to his kindness and goodness, as well as being a no secrets, no BS, straight shooter kind of guy. Lizzie has a similarly damaged side, and there’s so much more to her that she only allows her family to see. The artificial persona is wearing thin for Lizzie, and her smooth talking, gamer boyfriend’s public breakup with her on Instagram may just be the end of her Internet personality. That is, until she has a little too much wine (a lot – waay too much) and tells her millions of viewers that she plans to prove in just thirty days that bad boys can’t be redeemed. It’s a surprise when Gage agrees to her thirty-day project, but he sees beyond the YouTube smile and artful makeup to the fear and pain her eyes can’t hide. And just like that, he’s hooked. Yet still, both have been dissuaded of the “forever love” notion, so thirty days together should be no big deal.
True confessions time. I’m a Maria Luis book hoarder. I read the advance copy, buy the Kindle copy and get the paperback. The thing is, her books are just that great! When you read fifty books a month like I do, a book has to be really spectacular (or epically awful) for it to stick with me. Ms. Luis’ books snuggle down deep in my heart and leave their permanent mark on my soul. Yes, they’re laugh-out-loud hilarious, but there’s also a nice dose of heat and a metric ton of heart. I fall in love with each hero, and right now, Gage owns my heart. I may have misstated that a previous book was Ms. Luis’ best work, because this one tops them all! One of the greatest delights for me as a reader is to watch a writer grow in her craft and come into her own, and Miss Maria makes my heart do kart wheels!
Gage sees beyond the façade Lizzie dons when no one else does, and it made me wonder. Is he just amazingly perceptive or does he recognize her fear because it’s so familiar to him? But then it’s ironic that Gage is the one encouraging Lizzie to “own her s**t” when he’s the one who let’s fear rule him. Prepare for some brilliant groveling, dear reader, and then get comfy while you read the most heartfelt but most hilarious scene of the book. Lizzie is a hero in her own right, and she’s such a great reminder that we may not be able to control our circumstances, but we can control how we respond and how we feel about them. In spite of the adversity in her life, Lizzie makes her own choices, and she chooses happiness.
On a less lighthearted note, thank you Ms. Luis. Thank you for reminding us of the difficult job first responders do every day to keep us safe. Thanks for pointing out the toll the job takes on them personally, as well as on their families, and for reminding us to appreciate their bravery, their sacrifices, and their putting their lives on the line to make our lives better.
Yes, there’s some serious stuff in this book, but Ms. Luis expertly balances it with humor and comedy without detracting from the important issues and concepts. Timing is everything when it comes to life, love and comedy, and this author’s timing is impeccable throughout. If you’ve never read Ms. Luis’ work, this is a great book to acquaint yourself with her talent, so don’t hesitate to hit the 1-click. If you’re familiar with this series, never fear. Although this is the last book of the series, it’s not the last we’ll see of these characters. So be sure to grab this one, not only to fall in love with Gage and Lizzie, but to also get a hint of what’s to come.
**Now, about this alleged cliffy, if you’ve read my reviews you know I HATE cliffhangers and knock off stars when I’ve not been warned in the blurb. This is a foreshadowing, not a cliffy. A relationship is referenced but we haven’t been introduced to both characters or given any details of said relationship. We’re no more left hanging out to dry than with, say, a pregnancy or wedding that are talked about without the big event taking place in the book. So rest assured, my reader friend, the angst and frustration you normally feel with cliffhangers does not exist here. Only the warm, fuzzy, happy feelings from a story well told and a forever love attained. And maybe sore abdominals from laughing. 😉
April 14, 2020
I ❤️ Gage Harvey
I need that on a tee shirt.
Tempt Me With Forever was the first book of Maria Luis’ that I ever read. I just finished rereading it for the third time? Maybe fourth? Every time I read it it still makes me feel the same way...even when I know what is coming.
I was originally drawn to Tempt Me because, well, bad boy special unit cop moonlighting at his twin brother’s tattoo shop? Ummmm, YES PLEASE!
Maria doesn’t just write a great male lead though, Lizzie is a pretty kick butt girl herself. Fun, flirty, creative, self aware. She pulls you in immediately and refuses to let you go. Like that friend you have, who gives big huge hugs and doesn’t let go until you feel better. That’s Lizzie.
We first meet Lizzie as she’s being epically dumped on social media. OUCH. Lizzie has grown up in front of her camera and on her social media accounts. That’s brave and scary all at the same time. Lizzie takes stock of the situation and decides to make a few life changes. One that she announces publicly and others that she does just for her.
The first order of business, is to find a bad boy, date him for 30 days and prove to the social media world that once a bad boy, always a bad boy.
The second order of business is to tackle her behind the camera life and work on what makes her happy. Lizzie kicks off this new phase in her life with a tattoo. Enter Gage Harvey, special ordered bad boy.
By the time Lizzie has a new tattoo, Gage has agreed to be her bad boy in name only.
The platform of the plot is that all that glitters isn’t gold. While Gage and Lizzy seem to fit comfortably in the slots they’re given in the first few chapters, the reader quickly comes to realize that all is not what it seems. There are layers to both Gage and Lizzie.
Gage struggles with what he believes he can have in life and what he sees as off limits. Very much a “self preservation” tactic (thank you Andrew Lincoln). Lizzie also has darker depths, but as she tells Gage (several times) she “chooses to be happy”. The book is a heart twisting path of how these two allow the other further and further into their inner selves.
The reason that I fell in love with this book, and specifically Gage, is that he so very badly wants to be the hard tough uncaring shell that he presents to the world at large. Is he a bad boy southern charmer? Heck yes. Does he have a bruised heart that comes to light a little at a time? Also yes. I adored reading as Gage pulls things from Lizzie that he so desperately needs but doesn’t realize he needs them. She makes him smile, her humor is quirky and can be dark like his. She strives to see people as their best selves while Gage works on cleaning up the nastier bits of the city. Gage holds family close. He’s not overtly affectionate or playful with his twin, but he loves him dearly. There’s a deep well of worry in Gage for his twin.
I loved seeing the little chinks in Gage’s armor come out through the story.
As with all of Maria’s books, old friends stop in to play in the plot. As this book is the last of the NOLA and Inked on Bourbon series, Luke and Danny are featured in Gage’s story. Lizzie IS Danny’s little sister after all. Maria also managed to weave in one of her Blades wives in Lizzie’s side of the book. One thing I love about Maria’s writing is that she allows her worlds to intermingle and you see people pop in for a quick “Hi”.
Maria focuses this book in the heart of New Orleans, but also heavily features towns outside of the city center and deeper into Louisiana. It’s a refreshing break and helps set the tone for Lizzie and Gage’s struggles. The city seems to bind them to the idea of themselves where as out in the country they are themselves.
Fair warning - Maria ends this one with....we’ll call it a teaser. A really really really BIG teaser. Oh, don’t worry about Gage and Lizzie. They find their story end. But Owen Harvey.....that’s a WHOLE other thing. Luckily for us, the series that Owen wraps himself into is already out and available on KU. It’s the Put a Ring On It series. You’ll WANT to read them. At the end of the day, I just ❤️ the Harvey twins. Hard.
Seriously, that needs to be on a tee shirt.
I need that on a tee shirt.
Tempt Me With Forever was the first book of Maria Luis’ that I ever read. I just finished rereading it for the third time? Maybe fourth? Every time I read it it still makes me feel the same way...even when I know what is coming.
I was originally drawn to Tempt Me because, well, bad boy special unit cop moonlighting at his twin brother’s tattoo shop? Ummmm, YES PLEASE!
Maria doesn’t just write a great male lead though, Lizzie is a pretty kick butt girl herself. Fun, flirty, creative, self aware. She pulls you in immediately and refuses to let you go. Like that friend you have, who gives big huge hugs and doesn’t let go until you feel better. That’s Lizzie.
We first meet Lizzie as she’s being epically dumped on social media. OUCH. Lizzie has grown up in front of her camera and on her social media accounts. That’s brave and scary all at the same time. Lizzie takes stock of the situation and decides to make a few life changes. One that she announces publicly and others that she does just for her.
The first order of business, is to find a bad boy, date him for 30 days and prove to the social media world that once a bad boy, always a bad boy.
The second order of business is to tackle her behind the camera life and work on what makes her happy. Lizzie kicks off this new phase in her life with a tattoo. Enter Gage Harvey, special ordered bad boy.
By the time Lizzie has a new tattoo, Gage has agreed to be her bad boy in name only.
The platform of the plot is that all that glitters isn’t gold. While Gage and Lizzy seem to fit comfortably in the slots they’re given in the first few chapters, the reader quickly comes to realize that all is not what it seems. There are layers to both Gage and Lizzie.
Gage struggles with what he believes he can have in life and what he sees as off limits. Very much a “self preservation” tactic (thank you Andrew Lincoln). Lizzie also has darker depths, but as she tells Gage (several times) she “chooses to be happy”. The book is a heart twisting path of how these two allow the other further and further into their inner selves.
The reason that I fell in love with this book, and specifically Gage, is that he so very badly wants to be the hard tough uncaring shell that he presents to the world at large. Is he a bad boy southern charmer? Heck yes. Does he have a bruised heart that comes to light a little at a time? Also yes. I adored reading as Gage pulls things from Lizzie that he so desperately needs but doesn’t realize he needs them. She makes him smile, her humor is quirky and can be dark like his. She strives to see people as their best selves while Gage works on cleaning up the nastier bits of the city. Gage holds family close. He’s not overtly affectionate or playful with his twin, but he loves him dearly. There’s a deep well of worry in Gage for his twin.
I loved seeing the little chinks in Gage’s armor come out through the story.
As with all of Maria’s books, old friends stop in to play in the plot. As this book is the last of the NOLA and Inked on Bourbon series, Luke and Danny are featured in Gage’s story. Lizzie IS Danny’s little sister after all. Maria also managed to weave in one of her Blades wives in Lizzie’s side of the book. One thing I love about Maria’s writing is that she allows her worlds to intermingle and you see people pop in for a quick “Hi”.
Maria focuses this book in the heart of New Orleans, but also heavily features towns outside of the city center and deeper into Louisiana. It’s a refreshing break and helps set the tone for Lizzie and Gage’s struggles. The city seems to bind them to the idea of themselves where as out in the country they are themselves.
Fair warning - Maria ends this one with....we’ll call it a teaser. A really really really BIG teaser. Oh, don’t worry about Gage and Lizzie. They find their story end. But Owen Harvey.....that’s a WHOLE other thing. Luckily for us, the series that Owen wraps himself into is already out and available on KU. It’s the Put a Ring On It series. You’ll WANT to read them. At the end of the day, I just ❤️ the Harvey twins. Hard.
Seriously, that needs to be on a tee shirt.
August 28, 2019
Love this author!
I downloaded this book when it popped up on one of my book deal subscriptions as a freebie. It sounded interesting and since it was free, I thought why not!.
So, I have to start at the end of this book, because at the very end (the epilogue) the H and h are watching a reality show called "Put a Ring On It" (a bachelorette type show) where the h's friend, Savannah Rose, is the bachelorette. As they watch the bachelors exiting the limo they also spot the H's twin brother as one of the bachelors. The brother has been pining over some girl, but her name isn't mentioned. Now mind you the h's friend, Savannah, is mentioned a few times, but not in much detail (and not in connection with Owen, the brother) so the name didn't really ping with me early on. But in the context with "Put A Ring On It" I started to get a buzz. Then in the afterword the author explains that their (Owen and Savannah's) story will be told in an upcoming book in the Put A Ring On It series and the synopsis mentions one bachelorette, an NFL player and a hot Greek! By now the bells are clanging! I didn't even need to read the referral to the first book in the series "Hold Me Today" (Nick and Mina's story) to know that I had already read that book...and loved it!. I came to one conclusion ... I LOVE this author! Maria Luis has a way of throwing romance, humor, a little angst, and troubled characters along with interesting and/or qwerky friends into the mix and coming up with a beautful, unique, funny and emotional story! I loved her characters in "Hold Me today" (you can check out my review on that one in "goodreads" or on Amazon).
Now for "Tempt Me With Forever". I loved Lizzie (princess) and Gage. She has her issues but deals with them and "chooses to be happy". She is smart, sassy, qwerky and likes to take the bull by the horns so to speak. You will love her! Now Gage is a good hearted man, a little cocky and little alpha-take charge kind of guy (the latter goes with the territory ... He's a cop on a S.W.A.T. type team). But he has issues from his past that he's dealt with by bottleing it all up and not letting anyone get close. He has a "No Relationship" code. Of course Lizzie is just the gal to tear down his walls.
Maria Luis brings these two together in a fun and humorous way. And the humor is sprinkled throughout...you will find yourself laughing out loud at least once or twice and certainly smiling and chuckling often. You might also cry or feel like it on one or two occassions. Luis just has this knack for blending all of the emotions into one great story with characters you'll love. I will definitely be reading more of Maria Luis, free or not. She's been added to my list of favorite/go to authors!
I downloaded this book when it popped up on one of my book deal subscriptions as a freebie. It sounded interesting and since it was free, I thought why not!.
So, I have to start at the end of this book, because at the very end (the epilogue) the H and h are watching a reality show called "Put a Ring On It" (a bachelorette type show) where the h's friend, Savannah Rose, is the bachelorette. As they watch the bachelors exiting the limo they also spot the H's twin brother as one of the bachelors. The brother has been pining over some girl, but her name isn't mentioned. Now mind you the h's friend, Savannah, is mentioned a few times, but not in much detail (and not in connection with Owen, the brother) so the name didn't really ping with me early on. But in the context with "Put A Ring On It" I started to get a buzz. Then in the afterword the author explains that their (Owen and Savannah's) story will be told in an upcoming book in the Put A Ring On It series and the synopsis mentions one bachelorette, an NFL player and a hot Greek! By now the bells are clanging! I didn't even need to read the referral to the first book in the series "Hold Me Today" (Nick and Mina's story) to know that I had already read that book...and loved it!. I came to one conclusion ... I LOVE this author! Maria Luis has a way of throwing romance, humor, a little angst, and troubled characters along with interesting and/or qwerky friends into the mix and coming up with a beautful, unique, funny and emotional story! I loved her characters in "Hold Me today" (you can check out my review on that one in "goodreads" or on Amazon).
Now for "Tempt Me With Forever". I loved Lizzie (princess) and Gage. She has her issues but deals with them and "chooses to be happy". She is smart, sassy, qwerky and likes to take the bull by the horns so to speak. You will love her! Now Gage is a good hearted man, a little cocky and little alpha-take charge kind of guy (the latter goes with the territory ... He's a cop on a S.W.A.T. type team). But he has issues from his past that he's dealt with by bottleing it all up and not letting anyone get close. He has a "No Relationship" code. Of course Lizzie is just the gal to tear down his walls.
Maria Luis brings these two together in a fun and humorous way. And the humor is sprinkled throughout...you will find yourself laughing out loud at least once or twice and certainly smiling and chuckling often. You might also cry or feel like it on one or two occassions. Luis just has this knack for blending all of the emotions into one great story with characters you'll love. I will definitely be reading more of Maria Luis, free or not. She's been added to my list of favorite/go to authors!
January 6, 2019
I read book 3 just the other day and immediately dived into Tempt Me With Forever, book 4. After this I am going to read books 1 and 2! Maria Luis is a new author for me and I am going to make it my mission to read everything she’s ever written!
I loved this romantic comedy which was so wonderfully written. I was engaged the entire time and felt so many emotions. I also loved reading the descriptions of New Orleans and felt as if I was there.
Lizzie, the heroine in this story, is someone I really admired. She was independent, true-to-herself, and a smart business woman. Some may put her down for her chosen profession of having a successful social media platform and blog, but this is no easy task and if successful, which she was, is financially lucrative. I loved the many sides of Lizzie, and how she could be all glammed up one minute, but in jeans with no makeup the next. She is someone I would want to be friends with in real life. This story is how she is publically dumped and humiliated, and asks Gage to be her “pretend” boyfriend to help her save face. I like how she didn’t play games and was honest with him from the beginning. They met while she was getting her first tattoo from Gage, a skill that he does on the side to help out his brother, Owen, who will be featured in Book 5.
Gage was a true hero in my eyes as well. He not only was loyal to his brother, his full-time job was as a member of the SWAT team where he chose to fight crime and risk his life to help others. Not only was he hot and handsome, he was humble, genuine, moral, caring, and vulnerable. He had been hurt in the past, and it took him a long time to open up and trust Lizzie, who couldn’t have been more sweet and understanding. Even though he was immediately attracted to her, he took his time getting to know Lizzie and came to really love, trust, and respect her. Qualities that are important in any long-lasting relationship.
They didn’t have it easy, but I loved their friendship and sarcastic banter, their support and concern for one another, and especially their sexy times! I was routing for them the entire time. I loved how the characters from the previous books were mentioned as well and can’t way for the next book in this series. Well done Maria!
I loved this romantic comedy which was so wonderfully written. I was engaged the entire time and felt so many emotions. I also loved reading the descriptions of New Orleans and felt as if I was there.
Lizzie, the heroine in this story, is someone I really admired. She was independent, true-to-herself, and a smart business woman. Some may put her down for her chosen profession of having a successful social media platform and blog, but this is no easy task and if successful, which she was, is financially lucrative. I loved the many sides of Lizzie, and how she could be all glammed up one minute, but in jeans with no makeup the next. She is someone I would want to be friends with in real life. This story is how she is publically dumped and humiliated, and asks Gage to be her “pretend” boyfriend to help her save face. I like how she didn’t play games and was honest with him from the beginning. They met while she was getting her first tattoo from Gage, a skill that he does on the side to help out his brother, Owen, who will be featured in Book 5.
Gage was a true hero in my eyes as well. He not only was loyal to his brother, his full-time job was as a member of the SWAT team where he chose to fight crime and risk his life to help others. Not only was he hot and handsome, he was humble, genuine, moral, caring, and vulnerable. He had been hurt in the past, and it took him a long time to open up and trust Lizzie, who couldn’t have been more sweet and understanding. Even though he was immediately attracted to her, he took his time getting to know Lizzie and came to really love, trust, and respect her. Qualities that are important in any long-lasting relationship.
They didn’t have it easy, but I loved their friendship and sarcastic banter, their support and concern for one another, and especially their sexy times! I was routing for them the entire time. I loved how the characters from the previous books were mentioned as well and can’t way for the next book in this series. Well done Maria!
November 10, 2017
Title: Tempt Me With Forever
Series: NOLA Heart Novel Book #4
Stand Alone Title: yes
Author: Maria Luis
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Blurb: Never trust a bad boy.
That’s what Beauty Influencer Lizzie Danvers tells her YouTube subscribers after getting dumped on Instagram. Lizzie may have the devil’s luck in choosing men, but she’s determined to prove that the age-old “once a playboy, always a playboy” theory is bulletproof. All she needs is thirty days and one sexy commitment phobe to do it...
By day, Gage Harvey helps his twin at Inked on Bourbon, tattooing butterflies onto every female under the age of thirty. By night, he works for New Orleans’ Special Operations Division, fulfilling a family legacy to protect his city. Relationships aren’t on his radar--until the hot-as-hell woman on his tattoo table glances up at him, a butterfly half-inked on her ass, and propositions him.
Gage should say no--nothing good ever comes from entertaining crazy women. But for the sake of playboys everywhere, he’ll take one for the team, and prove to Miss Lizzie Danvers that bad boys are the only men who will tempt you with forever.
Favorite quotes: “There’s a reason God made fingers and vibrators, Gage. I doubt I’ll be needing that one night with you after all.”
Thoughts: Tempt Me With Forever had its moments, and funny little one liners that brought a laugh. The book was very much in the ‘now’, what with Lizzie being a YouTube and Instragram wonder. It was a cute little read but was lacking a little something and just never quite hit that ‘wow’ factor for me. The sparks between Lizzie and Gage were there, and they even had a few moments where I thought it was really going to live up to the potential that was there, but it just never quite happened. All in all it was a decent read.
Rating: B
Review by: Sarah
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com
Series: NOLA Heart Novel Book #4
Stand Alone Title: yes
Author: Maria Luis
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Blurb: Never trust a bad boy.
That’s what Beauty Influencer Lizzie Danvers tells her YouTube subscribers after getting dumped on Instagram. Lizzie may have the devil’s luck in choosing men, but she’s determined to prove that the age-old “once a playboy, always a playboy” theory is bulletproof. All she needs is thirty days and one sexy commitment phobe to do it...
By day, Gage Harvey helps his twin at Inked on Bourbon, tattooing butterflies onto every female under the age of thirty. By night, he works for New Orleans’ Special Operations Division, fulfilling a family legacy to protect his city. Relationships aren’t on his radar--until the hot-as-hell woman on his tattoo table glances up at him, a butterfly half-inked on her ass, and propositions him.
Gage should say no--nothing good ever comes from entertaining crazy women. But for the sake of playboys everywhere, he’ll take one for the team, and prove to Miss Lizzie Danvers that bad boys are the only men who will tempt you with forever.
Favorite quotes: “There’s a reason God made fingers and vibrators, Gage. I doubt I’ll be needing that one night with you after all.”
Thoughts: Tempt Me With Forever had its moments, and funny little one liners that brought a laugh. The book was very much in the ‘now’, what with Lizzie being a YouTube and Instragram wonder. It was a cute little read but was lacking a little something and just never quite hit that ‘wow’ factor for me. The sparks between Lizzie and Gage were there, and they even had a few moments where I thought it was really going to live up to the potential that was there, but it just never quite happened. All in all it was a decent read.
Rating: B
Review by: Sarah
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com
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