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The Fontaines #1
The Sweet Taste of Sin
Ashlyn just wants to move on with her life. Run her bakery. Heal her broken heart. She's had three years to try and forget Dante Fontaine.
To the rest of the world, Dante is Hollywood royalty, the ridiculously attractive oldest son of the notorious Fontaine family.
To Ashlyn? He’s the guy who took her virginity and made her swear off men forever.
But when an accidental--and humiliating--encounter brings him back into her life, Ashlyn realizes that no matter how hard she’s tried to forget about him, Dante definitely hasn’t forgotten about her.
…and this time, he's not going to let her go.
To the rest of the world, Dante is Hollywood royalty, the ridiculously attractive oldest son of the notorious Fontaine family.
To Ashlyn? He’s the guy who took her virginity and made her swear off men forever.
But when an accidental--and humiliating--encounter brings him back into her life, Ashlyn realizes that no matter how hard she’s tried to forget about him, Dante definitely hasn’t forgotten about her.
…and this time, he's not going to let her go.
309 pages, ebook
First published October 15, 2015
883 people are currently reading
1260 people want to read
About the author
Ember Casey
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Ember Casey is a USA Today bestselling writer who lives in Atlanta, Georgia in a den of iniquity (or so she likes to tell people). She write books about wicked billionaires, Hollywood bad boys, playboy princes, and sexy treasure hunters.
When she's not writing steamy romances, you can find her whipping up baked goods (usually of the chocolate variety), traveling (her bucket list is infinite), or generally causing trouble (because somebody has to do it).
Ember Casey is a USA Today bestselling writer who lives in Atlanta, Georgia in a den of iniquity (or so she likes to tell people). She write books about wicked billionaires, Hollywood bad boys, playboy princes, and sexy treasure hunters.
When she's not writing steamy romances, you can find her whipping up baked goods (usually of the chocolate variety), traveling (her bucket list is infinite), or generally causing trouble (because somebody has to do it).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
September 18, 2020
I went into this book knowing that it contained a lot of tropes I’m not typically a fan of, but every once in a while I try to push myself to read books outside of my safety net. It’s a way of testing my limits and either reaffirming or discounting my preferences.
Plus, I guess I’m just in a masochistic mood.
Unfortunately, but not unsurprisingly, the book didn’t work for me and it only has a little to do with my dislike of the following tropes:
-Heroine remains celibate during separation
-Heroine witnesses hero having sex with OW
-Hero is heroine’s one and only ever sexual partner
-Hero claims to have loved and thought of heroine their whole separation, but he still dipped his wick in all kinds of wax
No, I’m not a fan of any of that, but I had bigger issues with the characters and plot presentation.
For starters, I wanted to like the hero more and I think if I had some of his POV that would’ve been possible. Instead, all I got is the heroine’s constant doubting and whining. The hero claims he suffered during their separation(s), but I never got to see it. What good is his pain if I don’t get to experience it?
He made some grand gestures and pleaded with the heroine about how scared he was something bad had happened to her and voila, problem solved.
Secondly, the heroine goes from “I hate him” to openly telling him she loves him in less than 24 hours. Wow, that must be some magical D for her to be so forgiving.
Just because he was finally willing to expose their relationship to the public doesn’t mean she should go straight to the declarations of love. I’d like to think any logical real human being would take more time than that, so it’s unfortunate for the heroine to be so… well, dumb.
Finally, they never really acknowledge the elephant in the room: seeing the H cervix-tapping OW. Ashlyn makes some passive aggressive comments about Emilia, the OW she saw Dante having sex with, then Dante says a couple times how there were no emotions involved and it was a convenient stress reliever blah blah blah. Well, I have about 100 problems with that because it makes no sense. Dante and Emilia were so stressed out at a work engagement that they just had to go bang in a closet? That’s a mighty big risk to take by sleeping with your brother’s fiancé in a public location where anyone could and did walk in on them. What if it hadn’t been Ashlyn to walk in? Now Emilia’s fake relationship with Luca is out and that’s a publicity nightmare for everyone.
I don’t know about most people, but when I’m high-strung and stressed out because of work, I like to maybe scream into a pillow, or take a walk and buy some chocolate. I certainly don’t sleep with people because it’s so “convenient”. The scene was too contrived. There are a million more realistic ways for the characters to be reacquainted under awkward circumstances AND make readers angry/uncomfortable. The cherry on top of this whole debacle is that apparently the OW and hero’s brother are the couple in the next book and apparently, Dante never bothered to tell Luca he was sleeping with Emilia. Fake engagement or not, that’s such an asshole thing to do.
After finishing this book and reading all about the hero’s never-ending love for the heroine all I could think was, would Dante have ever reached out to Ashlyn had she not walked in on him banging his brother’s fiancé?
Plus, I guess I’m just in a masochistic mood.
Unfortunately, but not unsurprisingly, the book didn’t work for me and it only has a little to do with my dislike of the following tropes:
-Heroine remains celibate during separation
-Heroine witnesses hero having sex with OW
-Hero is heroine’s one and only ever sexual partner
-Hero claims to have loved and thought of heroine their whole separation, but he still dipped his wick in all kinds of wax
No, I’m not a fan of any of that, but I had bigger issues with the characters and plot presentation.
For starters, I wanted to like the hero more and I think if I had some of his POV that would’ve been possible. Instead, all I got is the heroine’s constant doubting and whining. The hero claims he suffered during their separation(s), but I never got to see it. What good is his pain if I don’t get to experience it?
He made some grand gestures and pleaded with the heroine about how scared he was something bad had happened to her and voila, problem solved.
Secondly, the heroine goes from “I hate him” to openly telling him she loves him in less than 24 hours. Wow, that must be some magical D for her to be so forgiving.
Just because he was finally willing to expose their relationship to the public doesn’t mean she should go straight to the declarations of love. I’d like to think any logical real human being would take more time than that, so it’s unfortunate for the heroine to be so… well, dumb.
Finally, they never really acknowledge the elephant in the room: seeing the H cervix-tapping OW. Ashlyn makes some passive aggressive comments about Emilia, the OW she saw Dante having sex with, then Dante says a couple times how there were no emotions involved and it was a convenient stress reliever blah blah blah. Well, I have about 100 problems with that because it makes no sense. Dante and Emilia were so stressed out at a work engagement that they just had to go bang in a closet? That’s a mighty big risk to take by sleeping with your brother’s fiancé in a public location where anyone could and did walk in on them. What if it hadn’t been Ashlyn to walk in? Now Emilia’s fake relationship with Luca is out and that’s a publicity nightmare for everyone.
I don’t know about most people, but when I’m high-strung and stressed out because of work, I like to maybe scream into a pillow, or take a walk and buy some chocolate. I certainly don’t sleep with people because it’s so “convenient”. The scene was too contrived. There are a million more realistic ways for the characters to be reacquainted under awkward circumstances AND make readers angry/uncomfortable. The cherry on top of this whole debacle is that apparently the OW and hero’s brother are the couple in the next book and apparently, Dante never bothered to tell Luca he was sleeping with Emilia. Fake engagement or not, that’s such an asshole thing to do.
After finishing this book and reading all about the hero’s never-ending love for the heroine all I could think was, would Dante have ever reached out to Ashlyn had she not walked in on him banging his brother’s fiancé?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2015
Ok, so I am having a problem rating this book. 90% of it was a solid 4 star read for me, but at the beginning when pretty much cast a shadow over the rest of the story! It was all I kept picturing the WHOLE DAMN BOOK.
Also, and I really, really, really hope I am wrong, but from the sounds of the last chapter I am afraid that for the next book (Luca's story)
So ya, confused on a rating party of one here!
Also, and I really, really, really hope I am wrong, but from the sounds of the last chapter I am afraid that for the next book (Luca's story)
So ya, confused on a rating party of one here!
August 23, 2016
This really could have been a good romance.
But two major issue.
One, and this is huge, the start of the story has the heroine accidentally walking in on the hero having sex with another women (second chance romance and this is the first time the heroine sees the hero after three years apart). That was so wrong and overshadowed the whole story for me.
Second. It looks like Lucca, the brother of the hero, is going to be paired off with that particular women in the next book. That is an automatic strike, NOT reading the next book if the author goes down that path!!! That's gross as far as I'm concerned!!
But two major issue.
One, and this is huge, the start of the story has the heroine accidentally walking in on the hero having sex with another women (second chance romance and this is the first time the heroine sees the hero after three years apart). That was so wrong and overshadowed the whole story for me.
Second. It looks like Lucca, the brother of the hero, is going to be paired off with that particular women in the next book. That is an automatic strike, NOT reading the next book if the author goes down that path!!! That's gross as far as I'm concerned!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2019
Read on Kobo!
The Sweet Taste of Sin is a slightly fast-paced second chance romance story, involving main character Ashlyn who is a baker and Dante who writes for TV/Film/Theatre reconnecting their ties together after three years apart. They dated once before and after a terrible break-up, Dante really wants her again. A short and very steamy read, I felt more frustrated as I kept reading on. Some of the behaviours that were displayed felt a little toxic and Dante as a character I wasn't a fan of. I won't be continuing on with the series!
The Sweet Taste of Sin is a slightly fast-paced second chance romance story, involving main character Ashlyn who is a baker and Dante who writes for TV/Film/Theatre reconnecting their ties together after three years apart. They dated once before and after a terrible break-up, Dante really wants her again. A short and very steamy read, I felt more frustrated as I kept reading on. Some of the behaviours that were displayed felt a little toxic and Dante as a character I wasn't a fan of. I won't be continuing on with the series!
October 27, 2015
Review by Lisa Kane
Ash has a successful bakery. For the last three years she has poured her soul and heart into this business. Well what's left of her heart. Most of it was shattered by Dante Fontaine, the successful Hollywood screen writer. The two had a passionate affair and Ash thought he really loved her-up until he started to publicly date a super model. Now she is focused on her business and hasn't dated in all that time.
When the Fontaine's are coming to town for a film she's asked by her best friend, Jack Teegan, to make a special cake for a celebration. She reluctantly agrees, her heart tells her no way does she want anything to do with Dante, but her business head advises her this could give her business that push she needs to become successful.
When she goes to deliver the cake, she walks in on Dante and the film's leading lady, Emilia having sex. Did I mention Emilia is Luca's fiance. Luca is Dante's brother. Hmm..guess he's keeping it all in the family. A few days later, Dante seeks Ash out to clear the air. She shuts him down. She doesn't want to hear his explanations about Luca and Emilia's relationship and what the truth is that they are hiding. She lets him think she is seeing someone else.
Ash and Dante play a dangerous game with each other. Dante lets Ash know he wants her back and Ash hides behind lies.
"I tired to forget you, Ash. I tried to distract myself. Sometimes with work. Sometimes with alcohol. Sometimes with other women. But somehow you were always there in my mind."
Can she let Dante in again, without having him destroy her world? Dante has reasons for why he didn't follow Ash when things ended for them. To be honest, they weren't good enough for me and he would have needed to suffer a lot more if I had been Ash. If he hadn't come back to her town for business I guess he never would have seen her again.
I liked this story, I just wish Dante had followed his heart sooner, but all ends well in this love story. Now Luca and Emilia- their story is next and I think that may just be one angsty read!
Ash has a successful bakery. For the last three years she has poured her soul and heart into this business. Well what's left of her heart. Most of it was shattered by Dante Fontaine, the successful Hollywood screen writer. The two had a passionate affair and Ash thought he really loved her-up until he started to publicly date a super model. Now she is focused on her business and hasn't dated in all that time.
When the Fontaine's are coming to town for a film she's asked by her best friend, Jack Teegan, to make a special cake for a celebration. She reluctantly agrees, her heart tells her no way does she want anything to do with Dante, but her business head advises her this could give her business that push she needs to become successful.
When she goes to deliver the cake, she walks in on Dante and the film's leading lady, Emilia having sex. Did I mention Emilia is Luca's fiance. Luca is Dante's brother. Hmm..guess he's keeping it all in the family. A few days later, Dante seeks Ash out to clear the air. She shuts him down. She doesn't want to hear his explanations about Luca and Emilia's relationship and what the truth is that they are hiding. She lets him think she is seeing someone else.
Ash and Dante play a dangerous game with each other. Dante lets Ash know he wants her back and Ash hides behind lies.
"I tired to forget you, Ash. I tried to distract myself. Sometimes with work. Sometimes with alcohol. Sometimes with other women. But somehow you were always there in my mind."
Can she let Dante in again, without having him destroy her world? Dante has reasons for why he didn't follow Ash when things ended for them. To be honest, they weren't good enough for me and he would have needed to suffer a lot more if I had been Ash. If he hadn't come back to her town for business I guess he never would have seen her again.
I liked this story, I just wish Dante had followed his heart sooner, but all ends well in this love story. Now Luca and Emilia- their story is next and I think that may just be one angsty read!
October 23, 2015
5 Star Review
I was given this book for a honest Review
I fell in love with Dante and Ashlyn in The Secret Seduction and now 3 years on we find Ashlyn running her own bakery and Dante writing screenplays. Ashlyn runs into Dante whilst delivering a cake to a after party and all those feelings from the past come back and once again that man turns her upside down. Has he changed, Can she trust him and does he really want her ......
This is a book about second chance love. Can Ashlyn forgive Dante for the way he left her, can they rekindle the passion ......
Ember Casey once again gives us a book that's has characters that you can't help falling in love with, a story that has humor, love and some hot sex.....
I really didn't want this book to end and I want more from The Fontaine's
I was given this book for a honest Review
I fell in love with Dante and Ashlyn in The Secret Seduction and now 3 years on we find Ashlyn running her own bakery and Dante writing screenplays. Ashlyn runs into Dante whilst delivering a cake to a after party and all those feelings from the past come back and once again that man turns her upside down. Has he changed, Can she trust him and does he really want her ......
This is a book about second chance love. Can Ashlyn forgive Dante for the way he left her, can they rekindle the passion ......
Ember Casey once again gives us a book that's has characters that you can't help falling in love with, a story that has humor, love and some hot sex.....
I really didn't want this book to end and I want more from The Fontaine's
December 1, 2020
Really?
This book was okay until I got to the end and all the extras, including the first chapter of the next book. So, Dante and the heroine in that book were caught having sex by Ashlyn in this book, and that lady will be his brother’s wife? Just no. How messed up is that? I don’t know what kind of creativity, plot, or line of story that is. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth...
This book was okay until I got to the end and all the extras, including the first chapter of the next book. So, Dante and the heroine in that book were caught having sex by Ashlyn in this book, and that lady will be his brother’s wife? Just no. How messed up is that? I don’t know what kind of creativity, plot, or line of story that is. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth...
October 17, 2015
NOT enough grovelling from Dante, IMO!!! *ANNOYED SNIFF*
Want to read
June 16, 2020💝FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (8/19/2018)!💝
March 11, 2023
What the hell??!! What the hell did I just read?
How am I supposed to fall in love with the "hero" of this story if you start the book with our "heroine" walking in on the "hero", who she hasn't seen in three years, having sex with his brother's fiancé!!!!!
And then I'm meant to believe that he loves her!! And he's loved her this whole fucking time!!!
Nope, just absolutely nope.
I'm also surprised that I read this book till the end, why, to find out the author did another book but this time with our "heroes" brother and the woman from the beginning of this story as a love couple!!! That's right, the woman who is engaged to the "heroes" brother, that same woman that was having sex with him, is having their own romance book with said fiancé.
How am I supposed to fall in love with the "hero" of this story if you start the book with our "heroine" walking in on the "hero", who she hasn't seen in three years, having sex with his brother's fiancé!!!!!
And then I'm meant to believe that he loves her!! And he's loved her this whole fucking time!!!
Nope, just absolutely nope.
I'm also surprised that I read this book till the end, why, to find out the author did another book but this time with our "heroes" brother and the woman from the beginning of this story as a love couple!!! That's right, the woman who is engaged to the "heroes" brother, that same woman that was having sex with him, is having their own romance book with said fiancé.
February 10, 2025
Two words to sum this up... Buyer's regret 🤦
July 25, 2019
This should have been a more likeable second chance romance. Ashlyn is a former film school student who dropped out to become a successful pastry chef and bakery owner. She broke up with her film school boyfriend, Dante Fontaine, because he was keeping her hidden from his Hollywood celebrity family and friends. The last straw was when he told her that he would be taking a supermodel to a red carpet event and he had no answer for Ashlyn when she asked him “why not me?”
Jump forward three years, and after pining over her lost love all this time, Dante re-enters Ashlyn’s life and asks for a second chance to make things right. The foundation of a lovely romantic reunion, filled with loss and longing and regrets, are all there. But there is one extra detail that casts a bitter pall over the entire story, and it was entirely unnecessary. It happens in Chapter One. Ashlyn walks in on Dante having sex with his brother’s fiancée.
No, Ashlyn wasn’t stalking or spying. She was on a legitimate bakery mission, delivering sweets that required both hands to carry. That’s why, when she needed directions, she used her hip to bump open a door that was already ajar and voilà! Hero and OW, in flagrante delicto!
THAT’S the first time Ashlyn and Dante see each other in three years. So, then he decides to pursue his lost love. Do you see the plot hole here? By way of explanation later on, Dante says that it meant nothing. They were JUST RELIEVING STRESS. Also, he let’s Ashlyn in on a little secret. His brother and Emilia (the OW) are not really engaged. It’s a fabricated engagement meant to stir up publicity for their blockbuster movie. Well! Then instead of betrayal, they are merely guilty of poor taste to be doing it behind a partially opened door where anyone could see them. Imagine if anyone else saw them. BROTHER’S FIANCÉE!
This whole subplot had such a strong ick factor that it shadowed an otherwise nice romance and knocked it down at least two stars.
Jump forward three years, and after pining over her lost love all this time, Dante re-enters Ashlyn’s life and asks for a second chance to make things right. The foundation of a lovely romantic reunion, filled with loss and longing and regrets, are all there. But there is one extra detail that casts a bitter pall over the entire story, and it was entirely unnecessary. It happens in Chapter One. Ashlyn walks in on Dante having sex with his brother’s fiancée.
No, Ashlyn wasn’t stalking or spying. She was on a legitimate bakery mission, delivering sweets that required both hands to carry. That’s why, when she needed directions, she used her hip to bump open a door that was already ajar and voilà! Hero and OW, in flagrante delicto!
THAT’S the first time Ashlyn and Dante see each other in three years. So, then he decides to pursue his lost love. Do you see the plot hole here? By way of explanation later on, Dante says that it meant nothing. They were JUST RELIEVING STRESS. Also, he let’s Ashlyn in on a little secret. His brother and Emilia (the OW) are not really engaged. It’s a fabricated engagement meant to stir up publicity for their blockbuster movie. Well! Then instead of betrayal, they are merely guilty of poor taste to be doing it behind a partially opened door where anyone could see them. Imagine if anyone else saw them. BROTHER’S FIANCÉE!
This whole subplot had such a strong ick factor that it shadowed an otherwise nice romance and knocked it down at least two stars.
February 4, 2016
5 Stars!!!
I was given this book in turn for an honest review.
Dante left Ashlyn broken hearted; when their lives cross paths three years later; the passion they shared is as strong as the day they parted. Can they find the solace they once had or have too many bridges been burned?
Ember Casey has written a passionate, sexy, HOT, fascinating romance. I truly did not want to put this book down; however my sleepy eyes at one point did get the better of me. The characters in book #2 of the Fontaine series are all loveable; I absolutely loved Ashlyn's best friend Jack, his humour was brilliant and he was a great friend to Ashlyn; although at one point I did want to slap him. Mama Pat is another great character; she was the rock and reason that Ashlyn needed to see what was in front of her. I could feel the pain Ashlyn was going through with the dilemma she was facing. As a character Ashlyn was witty and didn't hold back her thought's; her fiery nature was what made her the perfect match for Dante Fontaine. Dante himself was irresistible; not for his charm or his status, because he was real with Ashlyn, he laid his heart on the line and wasn’t an arrogant celebrity; it was clear that sometimes he tolerated the industry he was apart off. Ember Casey has shown her talent yet again in Sweet Taste of Sin; without a doubt she is an excellent writer and I cannot wait to read more from the Fontaine brothers.
This book can be read as a standalone; to fully enjoy and appreciate the story I recommend reading The Secret to Seduction first.
If you enjoy humorous romances, with suspense and passion you will absolutely love Sweet Taste of Sin by Ember Casey.
I was given this book in turn for an honest review.
Dante left Ashlyn broken hearted; when their lives cross paths three years later; the passion they shared is as strong as the day they parted. Can they find the solace they once had or have too many bridges been burned?
Ember Casey has written a passionate, sexy, HOT, fascinating romance. I truly did not want to put this book down; however my sleepy eyes at one point did get the better of me. The characters in book #2 of the Fontaine series are all loveable; I absolutely loved Ashlyn's best friend Jack, his humour was brilliant and he was a great friend to Ashlyn; although at one point I did want to slap him. Mama Pat is another great character; she was the rock and reason that Ashlyn needed to see what was in front of her. I could feel the pain Ashlyn was going through with the dilemma she was facing. As a character Ashlyn was witty and didn't hold back her thought's; her fiery nature was what made her the perfect match for Dante Fontaine. Dante himself was irresistible; not for his charm or his status, because he was real with Ashlyn, he laid his heart on the line and wasn’t an arrogant celebrity; it was clear that sometimes he tolerated the industry he was apart off. Ember Casey has shown her talent yet again in Sweet Taste of Sin; without a doubt she is an excellent writer and I cannot wait to read more from the Fontaine brothers.
This book can be read as a standalone; to fully enjoy and appreciate the story I recommend reading The Secret to Seduction first.
If you enjoy humorous romances, with suspense and passion you will absolutely love Sweet Taste of Sin by Ember Casey.
October 16, 2015
5 AMAZING STARS!!!
MY OH MY, I could never get enough of Dante Fontaine. That man knows how to push all the right buttons, and is every woman's fantasy!!!
We fell in love with Ashlyn and Dante in The Secret of Seduction. Now after three years has passed and Ashlyn is now finding herself and has opened her own Bakery. She has desperately been trying to forget about Dante, and move on with her life. But as we know life never turns out as planned. So when she runs into Dante her world gets turned upside down.
~ Will she be able to trust him, or is he the same Dante she walked away from? ~
This story is about regaining the love you once had. After years have passed can you fall in love again, have you grown over the years, can you let go of the past and let them in, or maybe they are your past for a reason???? It's crazy how our minds work when dealing with relationships, and you are going to get it all in this story. The push and pull from them is unremarkable. We have Ashlyn who wants to push him away, while Dante fights to pull her in. They have this crazy love/hate relationship that no one could ever instant but them. This book is going to leave you wanting more. I honestly couldn't put this book down. I was always like "after I finish this chapter" then BAM two hours later....
Ember has always been one of my favorite authors. She really knows how to suck you in, and makes you get lost. Her characters are easy to love, and they will become a part of you. This woman knows how to write a funny, and sexy read like nobody's business. I hope you enjoy the Fontaine's as much as I have.
I can't wait for Luca's story!!!!
MY OH MY, I could never get enough of Dante Fontaine. That man knows how to push all the right buttons, and is every woman's fantasy!!!
We fell in love with Ashlyn and Dante in The Secret of Seduction. Now after three years has passed and Ashlyn is now finding herself and has opened her own Bakery. She has desperately been trying to forget about Dante, and move on with her life. But as we know life never turns out as planned. So when she runs into Dante her world gets turned upside down.
~ Will she be able to trust him, or is he the same Dante she walked away from? ~
This story is about regaining the love you once had. After years have passed can you fall in love again, have you grown over the years, can you let go of the past and let them in, or maybe they are your past for a reason???? It's crazy how our minds work when dealing with relationships, and you are going to get it all in this story. The push and pull from them is unremarkable. We have Ashlyn who wants to push him away, while Dante fights to pull her in. They have this crazy love/hate relationship that no one could ever instant but them. This book is going to leave you wanting more. I honestly couldn't put this book down. I was always like "after I finish this chapter" then BAM two hours later....
Ember has always been one of my favorite authors. She really knows how to suck you in, and makes you get lost. Her characters are easy to love, and they will become a part of you. This woman knows how to write a funny, and sexy read like nobody's business. I hope you enjoy the Fontaine's as much as I have.
I can't wait for Luca's story!!!!
April 11, 2019
I love Ember Casey and her writing style but something about this book did not work for me. It seemed that Dante and Ashlyn’s story should have been more developed in the beginning when they were both in acting class and their love was shielded from outside influences. It would have made their reunion after 3 years separated make more sense. It felt like Dante, who has a famous family, had cheated on her and that is why they were not together. Then she is delivering a cake years later and uncovers Dante with his brothers finance in the throes of love. Sounds like a douche bag to me and then suddenly he goes on a mission to get Ashlyn back after that? Girl I would run and not look back no matter how good the sex was. This story could have been great had Dante and Ashlyn develop their early relationship and explain that he pushes her away cause he doesn’t want to expose her to the crazy paparazzi and the life of a famous person. Then, when seeing her years later with a successful bakery business, go after her. I just couldn’t get passed the guy who cheated on her and was with his brothers finance no matter how great he was to Ashlyn after that.
February 16, 2016
I love a second chance romance, and this is one of the best I've read in a while. Ashlyn is a self made woman running her own bakery. Up to her eyeballs with phallus and boob cakes, she is longing for her big break. Well it comes, but at a price, it puts her face to face with the man who tore her heart out and stomped on it. Dante Fontaine, Hollywood Royalty, but when she knew him he was just the man she loved. Hollywood tore them apart once, but will they let it tear them apart again?
I loved the push and pull between Dante and Ashlyn. Ashlyn is no shrinking violet and didn't just fall at Dante's feet when he came back into her life. This story kept me guessing right up until the end.
As always Ember Casey perfectly blends humor, angst, and sexiness with relatable characters and lush settings. I enjoy her writing and I cannot wait for Luca's story.
***ARC given in exchange for an honest review***
I loved the push and pull between Dante and Ashlyn. Ashlyn is no shrinking violet and didn't just fall at Dante's feet when he came back into her life. This story kept me guessing right up until the end.
As always Ember Casey perfectly blends humor, angst, and sexiness with relatable characters and lush settings. I enjoy her writing and I cannot wait for Luca's story.
***ARC given in exchange for an honest review***
March 1, 2021
This might be an interesting series later but this book needed just a little more character growth for me to believe that this was going to be an HEA.
Ashlyn is happy (more or less) running her bakery and avoiding her one and only True Love Dante Fontaine, yes, of the Hollywood Fontaines. But then she runs into him (in a situation that is one that pops up in romance novels but isn't one of my favorites.) And he realizes that she is still his True Love and he might have a chance (or something like that). Then he keeps running after her because he wants her even though she repeatedly says "No, nope, nopity nope." Usually I would DNF after about the third instance of this but I was tired and somehow kept going.
They eventually do end up together but there was not near enough groveling and I'm not exactly sure why she took him back other than her lady bits kept telling her to.
Ashlyn is happy (more or less) running her bakery and avoiding her one and only True Love Dante Fontaine, yes, of the Hollywood Fontaines. But then she runs into him (in a situation that is one that pops up in romance novels but isn't one of my favorites.) And he realizes that she is still his True Love and he might have a chance (or something like that). Then he keeps running after her because he wants her even though she repeatedly says "No, nope, nopity nope." Usually I would DNF after about the third instance of this but I was tired and somehow kept going.
They eventually do end up together but there was not near enough groveling and I'm not exactly sure why she took him back other than her lady bits kept telling her to.
October 23, 2015
I love Ember Casey and everything that she writes. I was excited when I got picked to read and review an ARC copy.
This was a sweet, sexy, and passionate second chance romance.
I loved all the characters in this novel. Dante has regretted letting the love of his life walk away. When he sees her again for the first time in three years he realises the mistake he made snd is determined to win her back. I loved Ashlyn, she was strong willed and passionate but very weak when it came to Dante. She was heartbroken when they broke up and confused when he came back in to her life. She tries to fight their attraction, but in the end how can you fight true love! I am excited for Luca's story, there is definitely going to be some tension between him and Dante.
This was a sweet, sexy, and passionate second chance romance.
I loved all the characters in this novel. Dante has regretted letting the love of his life walk away. When he sees her again for the first time in three years he realises the mistake he made snd is determined to win her back. I loved Ashlyn, she was strong willed and passionate but very weak when it came to Dante. She was heartbroken when they broke up and confused when he came back in to her life. She tries to fight their attraction, but in the end how can you fight true love! I am excited for Luca's story, there is definitely going to be some tension between him and Dante.
May 10, 2019
This is my first Ember Casey book and I thought that it was promising at the beginning despite the scene between Dante and Emilia which was a big turn off actually (way to break a woman's heart some more..pound it into minute pieces why don't you.) But I soldiered on because honestly I was intrigued and Ashlyn seems to be an interesting character. But towards the middle it went really downhill for me because of how disappointed I was of the heroine. Talk about emotional baggage she does have a lot of them and I found her too weak and ambiguous that irked me till the end. I am almost afraid to read the second book -- why would Luca still end up with Emilia is beyond me.
October 17, 2015
Sweet Taste of Sin by Ember Casey
A totally engrossing book!! Ashlyn had her heartbroken by Dante 3 years ago. When he pops back into her life, in a very embarrassing way, she's shocked by the emotions she still feels.
Amazing character development, for both the main and secondary characters. The way this author pulled so many emotions out of me with a few well placed words...very well done.
A totally engrossing book!! Ashlyn had her heartbroken by Dante 3 years ago. When he pops back into her life, in a very embarrassing way, she's shocked by the emotions she still feels.
Amazing character development, for both the main and secondary characters. The way this author pulled so many emotions out of me with a few well placed words...very well done.
November 1, 2023
The couple: Dante and Ashlyn
Romance trope: second chance
Series: The Fontaines
Length: 330 pages
Plot: Ashlyn has made peace with her past - nearly - but then her past shows back up in the form of Dante, the beautiful, successful screenwriter who made her feel like she wasn't good enough. Parting ways almost destroyed her, but she landed back on her feet. He's now in her bakery asking for a cake...and more. He wants a second chance but Ashlyn isn't sure she can risk her heart again.
Commentary: I originally read this on Wattpad and it's one of the few Wattpad stories I've read where it actually was ready for publishing.
I liked the story - love a good second change - but I feel like there were unresolved issues. For example, I can understand why Dante didn't want to expose Ashlyn to the press, but that doesn't explain why he wouldn't introduce her to his family. Surely they have gatherings without the paparazzi there? And he didn't have to go to Hollywood events with other women - he could have taken one of his brothers or his mother - people take non-dates to those events all the time! He made a decision based on the actions that would happen as a result but failed to take into account Ashlyn's feelings. If he had just asked her what she thought or wanted, they might have stayed together the first time. So I'm not against his reasoning, just his execution, and I wish they would have really talked that out so that there wouldn't be an opening for that sort of misunderstanding in the future.
Also, the ending felt a little rushed. But still, it was a good story and I enjoyed it.
Next book in the series: The Lies Between the Lines
Romance trope: second chance
Series: The Fontaines
Length: 330 pages
Plot: Ashlyn has made peace with her past - nearly - but then her past shows back up in the form of Dante, the beautiful, successful screenwriter who made her feel like she wasn't good enough. Parting ways almost destroyed her, but she landed back on her feet. He's now in her bakery asking for a cake...and more. He wants a second chance but Ashlyn isn't sure she can risk her heart again.
Commentary: I originally read this on Wattpad and it's one of the few Wattpad stories I've read where it actually was ready for publishing.
I liked the story - love a good second change - but I feel like there were unresolved issues. For example, I can understand why Dante didn't want to expose Ashlyn to the press, but that doesn't explain why he wouldn't introduce her to his family. Surely they have gatherings without the paparazzi there? And he didn't have to go to Hollywood events with other women - he could have taken one of his brothers or his mother - people take non-dates to those events all the time! He made a decision based on the actions that would happen as a result but failed to take into account Ashlyn's feelings. If he had just asked her what she thought or wanted, they might have stayed together the first time. So I'm not against his reasoning, just his execution, and I wish they would have really talked that out so that there wouldn't be an opening for that sort of misunderstanding in the future.
Also, the ending felt a little rushed. But still, it was a good story and I enjoyed it.
Next book in the series: The Lies Between the Lines
January 3, 2026
I got this book on a Fill Your Kindle free book day a few years ago and finally decided to read it to clear out some of my unread books. The book immediately got started on the wrong note when the MMC is having sex with his brother's fake fiancée and the FMC walks in on them.
This was the first time they've seen each other in three years and he hadn't reached out at all since then but then he's like "nooooo, it's not like that. I've loved you the whole time - but I've slept around, because you were just too good for me." Boy, bye. He also bulldozes into her life even when she claims she has a boyfriend (she doesn't) and then goes from keeping her hidden the last time they dated to taking her out in public almost immediately this time. The dialogue was also really weird because sometimes they'd sound like normal people and other times they sounded very formal when there was no reason for it.
The FMC is also just blah as well. She loves him but drops him at the first sign of trouble and can't get over him even after three years. Then the second time drops him because she's insecure about notes he's written about a character that's based on her. They both seem really immature for their age, for sure.
The epilogue reveals MMC's brother is in love with the fake fiancée MMC was having sex with and that's the next book. But I'm not touching that with a ten foot pole, because I was already grossed out by this situation.
If you get this book for free then sure, take a chance on it. But it definitely wasn't for me. If it wasn't only like 200 pages, I would have DNFed in that first chapter.
This was the first time they've seen each other in three years and he hadn't reached out at all since then but then he's like "nooooo, it's not like that. I've loved you the whole time - but I've slept around, because you were just too good for me." Boy, bye. He also bulldozes into her life even when she claims she has a boyfriend (she doesn't) and then goes from keeping her hidden the last time they dated to taking her out in public almost immediately this time. The dialogue was also really weird because sometimes they'd sound like normal people and other times they sounded very formal when there was no reason for it.
The FMC is also just blah as well. She loves him but drops him at the first sign of trouble and can't get over him even after three years. Then the second time drops him because she's insecure about notes he's written about a character that's based on her. They both seem really immature for their age, for sure.
The epilogue reveals MMC's brother is in love with the fake fiancée MMC was having sex with and that's the next book. But I'm not touching that with a ten foot pole, because I was already grossed out by this situation.
If you get this book for free then sure, take a chance on it. But it definitely wasn't for me. If it wasn't only like 200 pages, I would have DNFed in that first chapter.
December 15, 2020
“don’t you ever apologize for how you feel. There’s no shame in emotions.” She glances over at me. “Some people spend most of their lives hiding their emotions. Or burying them down so deep that even they don’t recognize what they’re feeling. If something in this life makes you feel something, let it. Don’t judge yourself for it.”
If you think this book will be glamour full of celebrity, how their life, mmmm it's not like that. I'm okay though but that's make me doesn't really attach with the story. It's fast pace, we're stuck in Ashlyn mind and it's didn't give so much view of the world of the book. Mostly about her confusion about Dante. I can't feel the connection for Dante character, i don't know why.
So why i give it three stars ? the story it's good for me, about second chance, how to bring back those trust, i like to see when the male lead try their best to take back what they broke, and how the female lead try to process all of that.
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes when it comes to you,” Dante says. “And every time I see that look in your eyes, it kills me a little more. But I’m done making mistakes, Ashlyn. I’m done doing anything that makes you believe, even for a second, that you aren’t the world to me. Because you are, Ashlyn—you are everything. You mean more to me than anything else, and even if it takes me my entire life to prove that to you, I’m not going to rest until I do.”
If you think this book will be glamour full of celebrity, how their life, mmmm it's not like that. I'm okay though but that's make me doesn't really attach with the story. It's fast pace, we're stuck in Ashlyn mind and it's didn't give so much view of the world of the book. Mostly about her confusion about Dante. I can't feel the connection for Dante character, i don't know why.
So why i give it three stars ? the story it's good for me, about second chance, how to bring back those trust, i like to see when the male lead try their best to take back what they broke, and how the female lead try to process all of that.
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes when it comes to you,” Dante says. “And every time I see that look in your eyes, it kills me a little more. But I’m done making mistakes, Ashlyn. I’m done doing anything that makes you believe, even for a second, that you aren’t the world to me. Because you are, Ashlyn—you are everything. You mean more to me than anything else, and even if it takes me my entire life to prove that to you, I’m not going to rest until I do.”
April 21, 2019
The Sweet Taste of Sin
THE FONTAINES
EMBER CASEY
Review by Roy Murry, Author
When you give up something precious of yourself, you will never get it back. That loving act is the beginning and the underlining love keeping the main character engaged with the past, present, and possible future of her romance.
Ashlyn falls in love with a famous person, a Fontaine, in film school college. Handsome and wealthy Dante falls in love with her also, but there is a side of him that he will not let her in. They break up.
Then the story begins a few years later, and all emotions come to light again with an unfortunate event. Here is where the Taste of Sin starts with conversations and acts of sin that lead to another 'On again; off again,’ rollercoaster ride that does not seem to end.
However, it does end. Romantics will like the end; others will not. However, the written emotional conversations will keep the reader hoping for the best, as they should in a well put together beginning of a series - THE FONTAINES.
Only reading on, will the love affair be fully developed between Ashlyn and Dante. It's worth the chase to get the series - the first book free.
THE FONTAINES
EMBER CASEY
Review by Roy Murry, Author
When you give up something precious of yourself, you will never get it back. That loving act is the beginning and the underlining love keeping the main character engaged with the past, present, and possible future of her romance.
Ashlyn falls in love with a famous person, a Fontaine, in film school college. Handsome and wealthy Dante falls in love with her also, but there is a side of him that he will not let her in. They break up.
Then the story begins a few years later, and all emotions come to light again with an unfortunate event. Here is where the Taste of Sin starts with conversations and acts of sin that lead to another 'On again; off again,’ rollercoaster ride that does not seem to end.
However, it does end. Romantics will like the end; others will not. However, the written emotional conversations will keep the reader hoping for the best, as they should in a well put together beginning of a series - THE FONTAINES.
Only reading on, will the love affair be fully developed between Ashlyn and Dante. It's worth the chase to get the series - the first book free.
November 15, 2021
Ashlyn, pastry chef and owner of her own bakery shop, has been grieving for a lost love for three years. She's made a life for herself, baking amazing cakes for bachelorette parties (think phallic-shaped cakes), but when she gets the chance to bake a showstopper of a cake for a movie premiere, it brings her into the proximity of her old love, Dante Fontaine.
Three years ago, he broke her heart, leaving her an emotional wreck. Only work and good friends, Mama Pat and Jack, have brought her out of it, or did they?
When they meet again, there is chemistry, but can Ashlyn trust him? Should she trust him? Dante claims to have never forgotten her; that he has never stopped loving her; that he'd never hurt her, but she isn't convinced. Can he convince her? Can he protect her when the news gets out?
A few What-the-tuck trends, but overall a decent romance (with no noticeable typos--a definite plus in this reader's opinion). This is the first novel in a series about the Hollywood family, the Fontaines, with several hot brothers. (There's a prequel novella.)
Three years ago, he broke her heart, leaving her an emotional wreck. Only work and good friends, Mama Pat and Jack, have brought her out of it, or did they?
When they meet again, there is chemistry, but can Ashlyn trust him? Should she trust him? Dante claims to have never forgotten her; that he has never stopped loving her; that he'd never hurt her, but she isn't convinced. Can he convince her? Can he protect her when the news gets out?
A few What-the-tuck trends, but overall a decent romance (with no noticeable typos--a definite plus in this reader's opinion). This is the first novel in a series about the Hollywood family, the Fontaines, with several hot brothers. (There's a prequel novella.)
October 20, 2019
A nice, quick story about two people who get back together after being separated for a few years.
I liked this quick, short story, but some parts could have been improved a bit. For example, they met again only after she caught him in the act with someone else (which he didn’t explain until after he proposed). I liked Dante, but didn’t like how he didn’t even try to prepare her for what to expect after they went public together (& we don’t see how he tried to keep her safe after this, either - either with cameras, security...).
I would have liked Ashlynn to be presented with a new script for the film Dante was writing instead of just shredding it, too...
Still a nice story, though. Worth reading.
I liked this quick, short story, but some parts could have been improved a bit. For example, they met again only after she caught him in the act with someone else (which he didn’t explain until after he proposed). I liked Dante, but didn’t like how he didn’t even try to prepare her for what to expect after they went public together (& we don’t see how he tried to keep her safe after this, either - either with cameras, security...).
I would have liked Ashlynn to be presented with a new script for the film Dante was writing instead of just shredding it, too...
Still a nice story, though. Worth reading.
December 17, 2025
I really disliked both Ashlyn and Dante. Ashlyn was one of the annoying FMCs I've read in awhile. She flipped and flopped constantly, she completely abandoned her best friend the moment Dante started showing her attention again. And outside of a few arguments with Dante, she didn't seem to have any personality.
Dante was a controlling, secretive, walking red-flag. He didn't seem to respect Ashlyn at all, constantly going against her verbal wishes about her body. I just didn't like him.
Other than sex, this couple has nothing in common. No shared hobbies, interests, or tastes. Sex can't carry a relationship. I also hate how they are reunited, especially with the epilogue from Luca's POV. That scene really ruined any real chance I had for thinking they belong together.
Dante was a controlling, secretive, walking red-flag. He didn't seem to respect Ashlyn at all, constantly going against her verbal wishes about her body. I just didn't like him.
Other than sex, this couple has nothing in common. No shared hobbies, interests, or tastes. Sex can't carry a relationship. I also hate how they are reunited, especially with the epilogue from Luca's POV. That scene really ruined any real chance I had for thinking they belong together.
April 1, 2024
“You bring out the truest deepest parts of me.”
This is one of many great lines contained in this novel. Ash and Dante have a love that expands time and exists on emotions leaving you raw and with a bared soul. Excellent read-cant wait to continue the series!
I listened to this on the google play app. It was read by google AI. As Ive said before in other reviews, using the AI to read a novel takes away from the story. Certain emotions are not read appropriately and are also mispronounced. Overall, this story was well written and engaging. So, the AI voice did not detract too much. I recommend this book for adult audiences who enjoy romance.
This is one of many great lines contained in this novel. Ash and Dante have a love that expands time and exists on emotions leaving you raw and with a bared soul. Excellent read-cant wait to continue the series!
I listened to this on the google play app. It was read by google AI. As Ive said before in other reviews, using the AI to read a novel takes away from the story. Certain emotions are not read appropriately and are also mispronounced. Overall, this story was well written and engaging. So, the AI voice did not detract too much. I recommend this book for adult audiences who enjoy romance.
June 27, 2020
I wishe the author would have included the recipe for Ashlyn's caramel, LOL!
For someone who seems fairly smart, it seems like Ashlyn was terribly dense about the reason why Dante might want to keep his private life/relationship with her secret from the press. How could she not realize what it would be like when she sees the covers of gossip magazines and websites? The part that was confusing would be why he kept her secret from his family...they seem close, so I don't get why he would feel they needed to be kept apart.
Overall a good read.
For someone who seems fairly smart, it seems like Ashlyn was terribly dense about the reason why Dante might want to keep his private life/relationship with her secret from the press. How could she not realize what it would be like when she sees the covers of gossip magazines and websites? The part that was confusing would be why he kept her secret from his family...they seem close, so I don't get why he would feel they needed to be kept apart.
Overall a good read.
December 10, 2020
This book annoyed me from the start. I hate when there’s a breakup and years later the woman hasn’t been with anyone since then, while the man gets to sleep with other people. I think the author also forgot to give the h a personality outside of whining and complaining, I got tired of reading her thoughts. I think a dual POV would have been better to understand the H because it was hard for me to believe that he still loved her after all those years but didn’t try to contact her and slept with his brother’s fake fiancée which didn’t sit right with me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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