Sunshine Season: Temptation / The Best Mistake

by Nora Roberts

Two women will rediscover love in these classic summer romances!

Temptation

Carefree socialite Eden Carlbough was used to breezing through her life of luxury. But after her father suddenly passed away, leaving none of his fortune behind, Eden forced herself to grow up and become practical. Step one was accepting a job at Camp Liberty, a summer camp for girls. Even a year after her world fell apart, Eden is still grappling with her new responsibilities—especially keeping the campers out of their neighbor’s apple orchard. Chase Elliot is overbearing, and very strict about trespassers. Eden is more than happy to stay out of his way, but soon she finds Chase bumping into her every chance he gets. Eden’s past relationship proved to be a sham, so she constantly brushes Chase off, but sometimes temptation is too hard to resist!

The Best Mistake

Ex-model Zoe Fleming is now a hardworking single mom—and she wouldn’t have it any other way. She does need a tenant to help with the household expenses, and when she enlists for one, comfirmed bachelor J. Cooper McKinnon signs the lease. Handsome as he is, Zoe is too busy for romance, and even if she wasn’t, Coop is not the type of man she had in mind: a sports reporter who admits he doesn’t understand kids. Coop wasn’t planning on settling down anyway, and he certainly didn’t sign up to be a father, but the more time he spends getting to know Zoe and her son, Keenan, the more he can picture their future as a family. If only he can convince Zoe he’s finally ready to commit…

Genres: Romance

272 pages, Paperback

Published June 29, 2021

About the author

Nora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.

Reviews

[Shawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do not read this book. To imagine this was written in the modern era is incomprehensible. Two short stories that are not worthy of putting in print. The first is a woman who has lost everything, starts a camp with her oldest friend and becomes prey to the camp’s neighbor. The premise, plot, twisted plot and backstories are totally unbelievable. However, the worst part is the treatment of our protagonist. The thought that she falls from a tree into the arms of a man, however, the man refuses to get off of her multiple times is against all of our #metoo, no means no, stop means stop efforts. WTF Ms. Roberts. That a camp for girls allows not just one but two men to wander into the camp uninvited is for $#1t. The second story I admittedly barely skimmed. But the one premise that a woman allows for a male tenant in her home to take her son to work and babysit the young boy after knowing him less than a week is unacceptable. Shame on you. DO NOT READ>.

[Julie Postmus · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yuck. Almost didn’t add this to my list of “read” books since I’d love to forget it. Such an unhealthy & dysfunctional relationship. I lost count of how many times she said “no” & was disrespected. I kept hoping it would have redeeming factors but nope, the whole thing was terrible.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two stories in the book. The first one, Temptation, I hadn't read before. The second one, The Best Mistake, I had read before, but it was good enough to read again. Both stories were published back in 1987 before Nora Roberts was the best selling author she is now. She's so good that even her early books are worth reading.

[Erica Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Go into this knowing that these stories were originally published in the 80s/90s, and that they are not up to modern standards. With that mindset, you can enjoy them more. The second, more recent story, was the better of the two. These do suffer from the same as other older works by Nora Roberts, in that they aren't nearly as good as her more recent books.

[Lucia D'Amore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable!

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

These were rushed and didn't have enough character or plot development. The relationships were awkward and forced and the men were very pushy. Not my favorite.

[Beverly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a difficult time reading Temptation. As a Girl Guide leader, there were so many scenes that were just "no" that is not appropriate when working with children. And, no self control around children. Even considering that it was written >30 years ago, I don't think my leaders or parents would have allowed such disregard for our safety (when I was young) as this story has.

The Best Mistake was okay. It just moved rather awkwardly, perhaps because it was a short story. We see a relationship with both mom and child develop naturally, then it was like the author realized she needed to have a "we hate each other" component and there was only a couple pages left to have them hate each other then make up.

[Tara H · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 a solid little collection of shorter NR stories. They are older so there’s some bits that are outdated in theme and interaction but taken with a grain of salt, they’re good.

Both stories have young women trying to gain their independence and stand on their own after being let down by the men in their lives. They begin to take pride in their accomplishments and then meet “the one”.

Both relationships progress unbelievably quickly to accommodate the short story timeframe. Again, grain of salt.

These are pure entertainment and filled the spot of “quick summer read” nicely.

[Samantha Mawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readers need to keep in mind that these were published in the 80s and 90s. This is a reprint. If classic style romance novels are not something you care for due to your modern or feminist ideals skip it. However, I don’t mind a classic writing style. This might not be my favorite plot style Nora writes but it still gets you the classic “girl meets boy” in unlikely situations. Perhaps reading the storyline on the back of the books and looking at the original publishing date would help avoid you reading books that aren’t open to your “woke” standards.

[Shannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Feminists beware: what time period was this story developed for? The plot of both stores allude to men swooping in as a “hero” with the Author positioning the female protagonists as if they need men to survive. Each character has unrealistic backstories. It is not a good reflection of residents in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Baltimore, Maryland (I would know, I picked up the book because I thought I could better relate to the characters having lived in/near both cities).

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this up from a free little library box since it was Nora Roberts, but it was so bad. These stories are so dated and definitely were not worth republishing. I guess if you are into dark romance, the MMC in the first story repeatedly tries to bully the FMC into sex, tells her he can't resist her when she looks frightened, and contemplates murdering her when she talks to another man.

[Martin Meek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two books in one. A classic nora at her best. Great summer reads. Trying to read as many of her silhouette titles as possible. These two, one is a novel and the other is a short story. These are a must read for any die hard nora fan.

[Kimberly Small-jonas · Rating 2 out of 5]

30 pages in and I give up. I enjoyed the premise but at the point where she falls out of the tree and he will not get off of her after she repeatedly asks and forces kisses on her as a form of punishment.... Well, that's where I decided I'd had enough. Gross.

[Luanne Fraer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories in this book, Temptation and The best mistake were good, but too short. You just started to get invested in the characters, and the story ends. If you are looking for a quick read, then you will like this book!

[Ann Boytim · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 Two short romance stories in this book

[Wilma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great summer read

[Anne-Marie Philion · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not worth your time. Sometimes , Nora Roberts should just not write these mini stories

[Emilie · Rating 3 out of 5]

These stories were pretty basic and didnt have much to recommend them. The first one was more like a hallmark than a nora Roberts. Second was so short not much time for love so was rushed.

[Rebecca Schaffner]

Nice light reading.

[books_and_coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found both stories very enjoyable! I deeply enjoyed this short story set. I liked the characters and development of story and plot.

[Sarah Sohm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good beach read, very fluffy.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two stories to get lost in … both have great characters I instantly connected with … I enjoyed them both.

[Carley Ross · Rating 2 out of 5]

Almost DNF this one! The plot and characters did nothing for me and there was absolutely no suspense. Sad to say it was my least favorite Nora Robert’s book to date.

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 books in 1 and more for young adults

[Penny Lautzenheiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her books are always good. This one was as well.

[Kristian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Felt like it wasn't a long enough story. 2 in 1 books are not for me.

[Jamie Sciarrone · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first story was hard to read, it was just annoying and I didn’t like it. I thought it was going to be more romantic but it wasn’t

[Glenda I · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked The Best Mistake better than Temptation.

[Lysandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't usually give 3s. I liked the romance, but both guys seemed pushy. I am giving some grace because these were written 30 and 40 years ago, way before "me too"

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

The leading ladies in both of these stories annoyed me.