Sixteen years ago I lost the ability to walk and the girl I loved in the same night. Two days before Christmas. Since then, I’ve worked hard to rebuild my life from the bottom up. Sure, I had help in the form of one very large, and sometimes overbearing, older brother. But my life is my own and I’m proud of it. The only thing that eludes me is the promotion that I’ve been seeking at Townsend Industries. Nothing can stand in my way of working my butt off to achieve my end goal. That is, until the girl who left me broken in a hospital bed, walks into Townsend’s boardroom. Apparently, it’s my job to work directly with her to see this deal through.
Failure means letting go of my professional dream, while pushing through will bring me closer to Jackie Hinkerson than I’ve been in well over a decade. Everything in me is telling me to roll the other way. Yet, with the holidays fast approaching, this deal at work looming, and the fear and sadness I see in her eyes, I doubt I’ll be able to stay away from my greatest temptation.
2.9⭐️ This novella is short and sweet. For 16 years, Jackie and Mark have not seen each other since the accident that resulted in his permanent paralysis. There is a huge misunderstanding between Jackie and Mark, recriminations are leveled and assumptions are made. That is the backdrop of the story.
Issues surrounding Jackie’s father’s will, and his brother’s influence over Jackie and her mother were prominent factors and central to the entire plot. Hence, I expected full disclosure concerning this mystery and in a much more cohesive fashion. What little is revealed, it’s glossed over and any explanations germane to this issue are either incomplete or grossly understated. I spent the entire novella waiting for the big reveal—I am still waiting. Additionally, the ending seemed rushed, and in some instances, it was predictable. There were editing snafus along the way, unfortunately.
All in all, this was just an OK read for me, and it is not what I have come to expect from and appreciate about this author’s books.
This was a great book by Tiffany Patterson, a beautiful holiday/second chance romance. I’m happy Jackie and Mark got their HEA in spite of what happened 16 years ago. Highly Recommended.
Jackie Hinkerson learned how to wall herself off from others at an early age. Her devious abusive and manipulative father demanded ultimate obedience not only from her but her mother Marietta as well. When Mark O'Brien came into her life in high school, she knew to keep their relationship a secret. She did not want anything to happen to Mark because of her controlling father. According to Jackie, the best thing to happen was when her father died, releasing her and her mother from his tyranny, or so she thought. He was controlling them from his grave calling her back home to take care of her grieving mother to do his will.
When Mark O'Brien saw Jackie for the first time in sixteen years, he was thrown back into time remembering how she abandoned him after his accident. He wanted to hate her. But all is not what it appears to be. He knows that Jackie still has walls up and is hiding something and he's determined to find out what. He and Jackie know that after all this time, the fire of their love still remains.
Tiffany always writes a well-plotted and executed story and this one represents her craft well. She executed the revealing of the dramatic plots to this story bit by bit, teasing the reader and revealing the plot at the right time and place. I just loved this couple. Mark, even though he was in a wheelchair, he was a very strong and able man with the air of a man with lots of confidence and swagger. He has enough confidence to protect the woman he loves. I also just love Mark and his brother Connor and his wife Resha's relationship. The brothers have a very loving and typical relationship. Jackie's love for her mother is what makes her work hard to protect her and make sure she is safe from her father's control from the grave. Mark and Jackie deserve their second chance and worked hard to get their HEA.
Mark O'Brien and Jackie Hinkerson were high school sweethearts until a bad accident and an overbearing father tore them apart. Fast forward 16 years and these two meet again and not on the best of terms. So many unanswered questions and misunderstandings stand in there way of a second chance but it love has it's way, neither of them will be able to deny a little holiday temptation. I have been wanting to know Mark's story since he was first introduced in Aaron's Patience, so I was excited to hear that it was finally happening. A Holiday Temptation is a sweet and spicy romance about second chances and these two definitely deserved it. I especially enjoyed getting to know Mark a little better since I have always thought there was a good story behind why and how he ended up at Townsend Industries and I was right.
Really enjoyed this holiday romance. I love Tiffany Patterson's books! She really delves into family dynamics so well and how they play in romantic relationships, especially interracial relationships. She just has a unique way of writing about this while also adding the heat and of course, romance! This was an especially touching story because it deals with Aaron Townsend's assistant, Mark, who is a paraplegic due to an accident he had in his teen years. His teenage love he had not seen in 16 years unexpectantly re-enters his life when their jobs intersect and they're forced to work together. Their split long ago was due to her father's manipulations and lots of misunderstandings, but they soon discover their love never died and enter into a passionate and loving relationship. It's also lovely how she wrote their love scenes. Anyway, really recommend this book and just about everything Tiffany Patterson writes.
I am so overjoyed that Mark's story has finally come to light and I got to “see" some of my old friends and my number one Boo, Aaron. Mark, is smart, funny to name a few of his qualities...and has no time to waste on pity party... He has a good life and a wheelchair is not going to stop him. I love his spirit and Jackie , I am glad you get your HEA. Very nice!!!!
Tiffany Patterson is on my short list of drop everything and read her book now. This one is no exception. Now, I wait in anticipation until her next release. Recommended: Read It!
I just looked at my review from Connor and Resha’s story and commented that I wanted Marks story and now I have it. I really don’t remember Connor and Resha bc my review wasn’t detailed like I sometimes can be but despite how I felt in their story I like them so far in Mark and Jackie’s story.
How the hell does Mark get his wheelchair in and out the car unassisted?
I take it back, Connor is still annoying af.
“Can you …” I grin. “It takes some effort, but yeah, I can get it up.” Hmm that awkward as hell especially mid make out
Mark was moody but had good reason. I liked Jackie though a few times I wanted to just shake her. This was an ok story. Glad they both got their HEA
I picked this one up on a whim. I didn't know too much about it and sounded interesting. And while I didn't hate it, I didn't love it either. Both protagonists were okay and I liked getting to know their stories. I really enjoyed the fact that it features a disabled protagonist and that made me keep on reading.
I liked the second chance romance aspect of the book, even thought it was predictable. It was still fun. There is a lot of things that happen here. But a good short read.
Interesting story line, but the narrative was difficult to follow without a clear indication of who was the POV character with both being in 1st person.
Things seemed to slide into place too easily, but it was a quick read.
Finally a Tiffany Patterson novel in which I didn't want to strangle or maim the main male character. I'll call that progress lol.
From the time I came across Mark in one of the previous Townsend family books, the mystery behind his story intrigued me and I wanted to know. So I'm glad he got his own novel.
Now looking at my rating the reason this isn't a fully four or five star read is because the beginning did drag. It took me two weeks to read this, because honestly the same series of events kept happening. Jackie and Mark are at work, someone gets hungry, they eat, and it would be a wash, rinse, repeat until the ice that surrounded Mark when it came to Jackie melted, and they were able to reconcile their past. There is of course a heavy topic and a triggering moment, but it was handled with sensitivity. Overall, this book had the usual trappings you'd expect with holiday romance.
Jackie & Mark’s story was sweet. Definitely a soft one being that Im so used to Patterson’s gangsta men who will go to hell to save their women.
Not sure why she didn’t treat Mark the same. Nothing when he disappears for 8 days.... ((sigh)) Would have loved to see his heart when dealing with the situation.
Overall if you enjoy Ms. Patterson’s work, this will be no different.
This was so good! I love this story about Mark and Jackie! I have read all of the Townsend family stories and my fave is always the one entitled, "Aaron's Patience" so I always hoped to read about Mark and his life. This was such a bonus! All during the story I kept yelling for Jackie to tell Mark about her secret! Mark is every bit "macho" like his older brother Connor. I read Connor's story, too. Tiffany Patterson is awesome! Whew! Now, I am moving onward to read about Jackie's friend who makes those delicious cookies!
Finally Mark gets his own story, and a sweet short one as well.
When I got the notice that Tiffany Patterson release a new book, I drop everything to get it and read it. And to make it even sweeter its Mark, Conner little brother book.
This book is really sweet, and its also on the short side. The sex scenes are also sweet and short, not so much hot and sexy like her other books. But just enough that you will most definitely reread during Christmas. It really gives you a holiday feel to it.
Reading about Jackie and Mark left me wishing I could've read about their highschool relationship as well. Even though you don't really need to read it to feel the chemistry between the two.
I was also surprised to see another side of Conner. You really see how over protective he is for his little brother. Some of his abrutness to Jackie was kind of off putting. It really remind me of Aaron and how he can be very bluntly mean. Never thought I would see this from Conner, but it just shows me how he is when it comes to his family.
Overall enjoy this book and I cannot wait for another one of Tiffany Patterson books to come out.
Super emotional longish novella/ short novel! Jackie is just trying to take care of her mother after the death of her (totally horrible) father and this puts her directly in the path of the one man she is never meant to see again. Mark really wants this promotion - the fact that has to work with a woman who broke his heart really shouldn't factor in... I have to say I didn't know what to expect from this read - but it packed a lot of emotions into a small number of pages. I loved their open discussion of his disability and he didn't magically get better in the bedroom. I wish it had been longer - I was so curious about the boss/ Mark's relationship - I wanted more of the family hijinks. But super great holiday read all around. Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 Steam: 🔥🔥 Tropes: second chance, holiday, office Subgenre: contemporary romance CW/ TW: toxic family relationships, multiple mentions of abuse both physical and emotional
As always this is a home run as with all your books .I'm is glad Mark and Jackie was able to recapture the love that they once shared as teens didn't like Jackie uncle will from the very beginning and as much influence he thought he had didn't stand a chance up against Connor or Aaron or even Mark ,one thing about the Townsend clan is it they see you as family they will stop at nothing to help the people they love.I hope with get to see more of Mark and Jackie in other books that will come.
This book was good and I’m glad I read it. Mark won my heart over. He saved the book for me honestly. His past broke my heart but his attitude now was so inspiring. The one thing I disliked about the book and it bothered me so much more than I thought it was is that each chapter doesn’t say who’s talking. Not only does it not tell you, it will switch mid chapter to the other person. So you’re waiting for his name or her name to be said to know who’s talking. You kind of get the hang of it and know the way they are speaking who it is but it still is annoying and I know it will annoy many others who read this novella. The romance was sweet. You could tell they had a history and really loved each other. It’s not very steamy but I don’t think it needed to be. It was just a good novella.
I love everything by this author. So happy that Mark got his story. Jackie and Mark had been in love in high school. Because of her controlling father she had to break things off with him. But time has way of healing old wounds and bring two people who are meant to be together, together. This story touch on domestic violence, and mental abuse of the entire family. Not sure what happened to Jackie's uncle but whatever it was he deserved it. Love the Townsends and friends of the Townsend's. To the author 👏👏👏👏
This was a cute holiday read if you read a lot from this author you will be please with a few couples who make cameos or are mentioned. I didn’t care for the mother’s character but it is a story that needs to be told. I just wish that more growth could have been seen with her. I also would have liked more detail into how it all was resolved in the end. Besides those little issues I had I would definitely recommend this book.
Jackie and Mark were high school sweethearts. Mark had an accident which put him in a wheelchair. And Jackie was sent away by her father to keep her away from Mark. 16 years later she comes back to take care of her Mother after the death of her father.
She runs into Mark when her company is in the process of merging with Mark’s company. At first things do not go well, but after working together they figure everything out and after all the time apart they find their HEA.
Pretty good. LOVE a well written story with a character with a disability
Pretty clean work and this wasnt a cheap book. Im definitely interested in rearing more from this author. My only critique is the secret conflict that drives the plot is really hard to believe. The timing of the present works out well enough but the conflict from when the leads are in high school seems a bit rough. Like this is where honesty and communication really prevent conflict. However I know that its needed for the story but eh. Its a relatively clean book as well (not a Clean Romance, just not as much raunchy sexual activity and language as Ive read in other books)
Mark is left disabled after a bad accident, his girlfriend also leaves him.
Now, 16 years later, they meet again and have to work together on an big project that can change their living career. At first Mark can’t stand Jackie and wants to stay as far away from her as possible. Jackie though does everything to make this project work and manages to convince Mark to work together.
Mark still can’t forget what Jackie did to him in the past, Jackie also blames herself for what happened to Mark.
Soon, sparks fly between them again and they’re back together.
They have a lot of obstacles to overcome and misunderstandings to explain.
Overall I liked their story, it was sweet and also moving. They storyline was also interesting.
I've been waiting on this book since he was first introduced into the series. I can honestly say I wasn't disappointed at all all. Although he was extremely angry with Jackie about the past, you could tell that he still loved her. I was glad that they finally got past the drama that was keeping them apart.
>.> so it's only the day after I read this book and yet it feels like :X so many :X
I think this might be the first [only?] Townsend/Townsend adjacent book where the hero doesn't murderize someone. So ... there is that?
Jackie Hinkerson and Mark O'Brien were high school sweethearts. I ... wasn't ... I guess Jackie's dad threatened to ruin Mark if she didn't go away to boarding school? I guess I just don't "understand" why/how he was so evil. But I also get a lot of the time there's no rhyme or reason to abusers.
It's that he's dead and Jackie is back and I don't ... understand the terms of his will/her inheritance. [I can't remember if it said she couldn't tell anyone about it?]
Her and her mom though. Oof. And her WTF uncle. I think most WTF is ... how did Mark do what he did/how ... does he know it'll work? Like ... coercion is ... although if you don't follow up on it? I dunno. [Like - if he's in the hospital they'd make reports...]
ANYWAY. I really liked Jackie and Mark and I liked that TP didn't just ignore that Mark is in a wheelchair - that it mentions him rearranging/redesigning his home for his chair etc, the board to slide into bed (which I don't really understand because blessedly when I had to go from wheelchair to bed I could at least stand on one foot...)
It's ... kinda like they just fall back into how they were REALLY quickly.