Desire

by Hunter Rose

Damn, she’s gorgeous. Shame, she seems like an entitled snob from Bel Air. A daddy’s girl who thinks she can have whatever she wants. And now she's here in my tattoo studio on some drunken dare. I want nothing to do with her, that’s for sure.

How wrong can a man be? Just one kiss and Stella almost breaks down the walls of my mental fortress. She nearly has me with her sharp wit and movie star looks...But I can’t get serious with another woman again. Especially not her. Because my daughter is the only one I vow to love. After seeing Stella on TV with her big shot producer father, I know I need to stay away. Fame complicates things. But when I run into her again, I can't resist. We try to keep things purely sexual but it doesn't last long. As quickly as it all started, the media finds out about our little adventure.

Now I'm forced to walk away from love to protect my daughter, Or to choose love and everything that comes with it.

Genres: Contemporary

203 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2021

About the author

Hunter Rose is a Contemporary Romance author who found his love for literature at an early age. Reading everything from Edgar Allen Poe to Nora Roberts, Hunter's love for reading quickly turned into a passion for writing. After writing in a few genres, Hunter became intrigued by Contemporary Romance being the hopeless romantic that he is.

When he is not writing, Hunter finds inspiration through travelling across the world and meeting new people. Although he enjoys spending time with others, Hunter also appreciates some alone time displaying his creativity in his carpentry workshop with a glass of aged Whisky on the rocks.

Reviews

[Kristin Howie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although it’s a popular trope, this was my first time reading a rich girl/blue collar guy book. However this potential road block doesn’t end up as much of one in the story. The biggest hurdle the couple seem to have is their erratic hot and cold interaction with each other. It switched so often I felt whiplash, and it seemed to hinder the steam level from rising until well into the second half of the book. I also found the daughter character, who was meant to be the voice of reason to help bridge the main characters together, to be more annoying and unlikeable. She’s supposed to be the part of the male lead’s life that means the most, pre-female lead, yet I didn’t care whether she was part of the story or not. Overall it was a good idea for a story but the execution left me wanting.
Also, on a technical note, there were many typos that distracted. But because I read an ARC, I hope these get fixed in a final revision before it is published.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynn Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stella, 26, has a very rich dad and after a recent breakup she and a friend hookup with 2 guys at a bar and she goes with them to get a tattoo in a very intimate area. Zac, 38, a single dad with a 15 year old daughter, is the tattoo artist where Stella and her friends end up. Zac is gruff and kind of rude to them while Stella is snarky right back and after he kicks out the guys he ends up giving Stella and her friend rides home. Zac also does paints and he sees Stella again when her dad commissions him to do a painting of his late wife. Zac ends up asking Stella for advice about his daughter and they end up going on a date. Despite their differences and problems that arise for them, can Zac and Stella find happiness together?

I thoroughly enjoyed this story about Zac and Stella and I highly recommend it. The author did a great job developing the character’s personalities and you got to know them well and learned why they acted as they did. Zac was a hard working single father who loved his daughter and wanted the best for her while he painted and did tattoos. Stella had a rich single dad and she grew up with all the luxuries and had a great relationship with her father. I loved the conversations between Stella, Zac, his daughter, and their friends because you saw that Zac was gruff but sweet and Stella was not just a spoiled rich girl. The epilogue was a perfect ending for their story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Confessions of a Bookaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um, I want my own Zac!!!

I love a story about a tattoo artist and this book did not disappoint. From the moment Stella drunkenly stumbles into the tattoo shop where Zac works he is stricken by her beauty and cannot stop thinking about her or the spot where he inked her. He is a single father whose sole focus is raising his 15 yr old daughter and doesn't do relationships. For reasons he doesn't understand Stella is always on his mind.

Stella cannot stop thinking about Zac and wonders how she can see him again then as luck would have it he shows up at her house with a business proposal from her father and Stella just cannot help herself from being around him. She knows they are from different worlds but finds herself falling hard and fast for him.

This is my third Hunter Rose book and I was not disappointed. He has a way of forming relationships between his characters. I love a story when the characters have to maneuver around the obstacles that seem to be in their ways when they are from two different worlds.

***I was given an advanced copy of this by the author for an honest review***

[Melanie R · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters in this book and the premise but was missing some of the relationship building. Zac and Stella both seem like good, kind, and responsible individuals and it seemed like they would be a good fit even with their age difference and difference in upbringing, we did not get experience it firsthand. Their relationship seemed to be more about their sexy time together and there was less about them getting to know each other as individuals. Other than one night out for dinner and a movie with Zac, Stella and Azure, there was not a lot about them building their interpersonal relationship. A few other times were mentioned but it was one character thinking back to an event. I would rather feel like I experienced it directly with the characters. The writing and editing were good, I just felt like the relationship was rushed or the book focused too much time on the physical aspect of it. That is not the norm for Hunter Rose so I won’t let this one book stop me from reading future releases.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Charmaine Nouwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desire by Hunter Rose is an emotional,enjoyable and steamy romance story of Zac and Stella..Zac is a gorgeous,single dad,a tattoo artist and do painting on the side.Stella is a daddys girl,rich and a photograper..The two met when stella and her friends went to the tatoo shop and ask for a tatto at first sight the attraction is their the chemistry is undeniable and they spend a wonderful night together when Zac brought Stella home..Stella fell hard to Zac but his kinda blind because he just got burned with the mother of her child when she abandoned them..when Zac friend recomended him to a well known big shot producer to do a painting for him, he didnt know that his the father of Stella,but from there their chemistry still explosive and they get together but what Stella gonna do when she woke up and some woman is in Zac kitchen cooking breakfast and Zac is not aware whats really is in front of him and not even concern for Stellas feelings,so she left! she walk away from love to protect herself from the hurt..what Zac needs to do to win Stella back?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BP34 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stella and Zacchary will grab your attention right at the beginning and take you on an emotional roller coaster. She's the entitled daughter of a big shot Hollywood producer. He's a single parent tattoo shop owner whose main priority is his young daughter. She is his life and he will protect her from anything that is not in her best interest. Fate brings them together when she stumbles onto his shop. He knows her entitled kind and has no interest. One kiss is all it took and he was a goner. Their chemistry was explosive and it caused him to rethink things. When the press catches wind of their relationship things become a drama zone. What does he do to protect his daughter? Is he willing to continue their relationship? This was a quick read that was well written and had a easy flow. The characters were likable and well developed. The story line was entertaining. I read a free book via Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Glauka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book ... There is no more unequal couple, one thinks in the beginning. Zac is a single father of a 15-year-old daughter is full of tattoos, works for a living in a tattoo-shop and dreams of an artistic career as a painter ... Stella, a beautiful young model, raised by a successful and rich screenwriter alone, because her mother died when Stella was very young. From the first second that Stella appears in Zac's tattoo studio, the sparks fly between them ... It is wonderfully stimulating and funny to watch them get together. Zac is portrayed as realistically as he perceives things very differently or not at all. Typically man...but what a wonderful father, handsome man and tender lover. You will love it as I did.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zacchary and Stella will have you in their corner to get a chance for happiness. Stella is good a picking no good men who only want to use her to get in good with her father. All that changes when she goes to a tattoo parlor for a tattoo and meets Zacchary. Zacchary takes one look at Stella and thinks that she is just another entitled woman out to get what she wants when she wants it but as they talk, they begin to connect. Their real first encounter will have Zacchary rethinking his feelings and how Stella is breaking down barriers he has in place. When word gets out about their relationship, will he break things off to keep his daughter out of the public eye? This story draws you in and keeps you glued to the drama to see how it will play out.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stella comes from a wealthy background, and while out with her friend they drunkenly stumble into a tattoo shop which is owned by single dad Zac, and the sparks fly form the moment they meet. Zac is not looking for any relationships as his focus is understandably his 15-year-old daughter. Neither of them can stop thinking about the other, but fate has a plan, and they meet aging when Zac arrives at her house to see her dad about a bussines proposition. This is a well written tale which is an emotional roller coaster throughout, as well as having explosive chemistry, drama, engaging and relatable characters, and love. I was hooked throughout, and I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I recommend.

[Cathy Greco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zac is a tattoo artist and meets Stella when they go to get tattoos with her friend and two guys. Zac is gruff and seems to be rude. Stella is smart, strong, and can be very snarky. Zac is raising his fifteen year old daughter and trying to the best for her. Stella comes from money. They seem to be total opposites. Zac asks for advice about his daughter and they go out on a date. The interaction between Stella and Zac is great. Can Zac live with being in the spotlight or does he need to protect his daughter? This was a great story with wonderful characters you could relate to both characters. Great story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Toni Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished the book and it was short, but needed more development. The sex scences were really good and how an erotic love story should contain. I found, Stella, the main female character a little vain and stupid...you know a stereotypical blonde bimbo. I was not sure if I liked her or thought she was blah. Zac was a caveman with soft edges. He was sometimes clueless about women emotional needs, but he did learn. I look forward to seeing this author develop as a romance writer be,cause I see promise in the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Desire is a good book with a wonderful storyline, but it doesn't quite check all the boxes for me. Zac is a tattoo artist and a single father. After a breakup, Stella and her friend come in to get a tattoo and he tries to dissuade her. He thinks she has an attitude and is a snobby rich girl, while she thinks he's gruff and quite rude. Soon, he begins to ask her questions about his daughter and they go out on a date. Their relationship is just a little bit off in the sense that there is too much talking and not enough showing. There is a lot of excellent interaction and they do make a great couple. I really enjoyed the ending and the epilogue was ideal! 

[Melissa H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute love story that draws you in. Found myself rooting for both Zac, a single father who loves his daughter more than anything, and Stella who always seems to pick the wrong ones. Personally, I liked being inside the minds of both characters and listening to their inner monologue...it made for a story that felt real and relatable. If you like a good quick steamy romance then this is perfect for you. My only dislike was the use/overuse of the word "lest". It just didn't seem to fit with the characters, especially Zac, IMO.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book.

Stella is a pretty spoiled daddy’s girl—and awfully modest when prepping for a tattoo when her job is modeling. Zac is very clueless about dealing with all the women in his life. Almost laughably so. Between Azure, Holly, and Stella, it takes him a loooong time to get it, even when he is told what the issues are. At least he can eventually admit it. He and Stella are both kind of cute in their crushes on each other. The very end was definitely amusing. Handful of typos—not bad at all there.

[Margery Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful
Although he’s a relatively new author, he is providing us with entertaining reads that are all quite different. They do have the theme of being love stories in common, and this one certainly doesn’t miss being that. Stella me Zac when she went to get a tattoo, and their relationship is just as unique as how they met. All of the necessary elements are in this story to make it difficult to put down until you’ve read it all.
Looking forward to his next book (definitely a bright spot in these Covid times!)
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was fireworks for this couple when they first met but neither one of them would admit it to each other, only to themselves until they could not take it anymore. Aside from admitting their feelings in the beginning, they also had being from different statuses in life going against them. All in all they worked it out. The story unrolled with a lot of "juicy stuff" happening in their relationship. I like how they just had to fight against themselves until they could work it out. Worth the read.

[Amanda Marlowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stella meets Zac after she's been to a club and gets a bit drunk, she's dared by her friend and a couple of boys to get a tattoo. Zac is the artist. Then Zac hears from his friend, Giovanni, who works in the hotel where his paintings are hung, a Mr Hutchinson wants to meet him. Turns out that it's Stella's father. Zac and Stella continue to meet, but Zac, for a grown man, seems clueless how to treat Stella and what she might expect from their relationship.

Can Zac fix his mistakes?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Helena Mendes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is just that good! I loved it! Zac and Stella meet and fall in love but they have to navigate lots of rip tides for their relationship to be. Zac is a single father and tattoo artist that lives a normal life with his daughter , and Stella lives her life in the spotlight with TV shows, the rich and famous...and the annoying paparazzi. Want to know how it goes for them?...Buy and read the book, you won't regret it...it is totally worth it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desire follows daddy’s little rich girl Stella Hutchinson and tattoo artist, and single father, Zacchary Wells. When a drunk Stella stumbles into Eye of the Needle tattoo parlor, Zac is just closing up but when she offers him two thousand dollars for a tattoo in an intimate location, he can’t deny her. When they’re one kiss ignites a spark, their chemistry begins a slow burn. Now Zac can’t stop thinking about the beauty, and Stella can’t stop thinking about Zac either. Will the tattoo artist be enough for the rich little princess?

[Yvonne Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written from the male point of View

Ladies if you’ve ever wondered what that guy was thinking, here’s your chance to find out. I don’t believe I’ve ever read a book with such an insight to the male mind. Is he making love to you or just going thru the motions? I really enjoyed this book and recommend it highly. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars, I thought it started a little slowly. But once it got rolling? Oh my goodness, Hot, Hot, Hot!!

[Kaesea Wheatley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book as much as others did. Storyline is very superficial to me. While I know this isn't the final edited copy of the book, the errors were very distracting. Also, there are phrases used in this book that not even my Gynocologist says, it was very off-putting. This is a first read from this author for me, based on this book alone, I don't see myself reading their other works.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zac had been badly burned by what he thought was love, but now he only has regret, inability to express his emotions, and wary of women. However, he does have a beautiful daughter from that failed relationship. Stella is a model and was raised in an affluent atmosphere. If they don’t talk, will they ever find their HEA? Great read!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m loving all the books this author is writing.
He is becoming one of my favourites.
Stella has a nice get out and ends up getting a tattoo.
Zac was just about to shut shop when Stella and her friends walk in. He gets all growly, WOW !!! ❤️
If you want a new author please start reading Hunter’s book you will not be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book for an voluntary and honest review.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book by a new author to me.
Stella and Zac meet by chance when she drunkenly wants a tattoo. The chemistry between them is off the charts but he's a single dad and doesn't do relationships.
When they meet again they give into the chemistry but can he really change his ways.
Plenty of ups and downs with even more drama but also a love that they can't deny.
Loved the ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BooksBooksandmoreBooks69 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this author, you can be guaranteed a good read.
And this book didn’t disappoint.
Zac and Stella are great together, once they get over their animosity towards each other.
Zac thinks Stella is a spoiled little brat. Getting to really know Stella proves tricky, but it’s all worth it in the end.
Really well written. Carefully thought out, and another book I’m going to rereading again and again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Misty Goan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible well written romantic opposites attract romance story.  The engaging storyline was entertaining and intriguing as they face the obstacles of different worlds having you addicted to wanting a HEA.  The characters are interesting, well developed, and have sizzling undeniable  chemistry.  An amazing perfect epilogue leaving me happy and satisfied.  I voluntarily read and reviewed this incredible ARC. 

[Loreli Jessee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally enjoyed this wonderful book. I loved that Zac and Stella fell for each other before they found out about their financial situation. I loved the snark Stella has she is a spitfire. Loved all the characters and how they let you into their lives and shared with you. You will be pulled in and be better for it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[booklover0228 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one hot read!
Stella is a rich and Zac is a tattoo artist and also a fantastic painter. He is not a get involved sort of guy since he was once left high and dry. He just likes to as he says “have a good sexy time”. That is until he met Stella. For both it was not an easy road to get a happy ending, but with the help of Zac’s daughter they were able to get it.
They do have a ton of ups and downs and twists and turns. But in the end they are able to I find their. HEA.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desire by Hunter Rose is a story about a single dad romance. I was fortunate to get an ARC from the author for a pre-read. Although the perspectives are from both main male and female characters it creates an understanding to the reader. At first I did not like Stella (typical spoiled rich girl) - it’s like she “heard” my thoughts about her and called herself out on it. However the story dynamic got better as I continued reading. I absolutely loved Zac and his persona. I thought the fact that he was ignorant and he knew it was a flaw of his; a rare oddity considering the awkward situation he put himself in. The entire story resolved itself and became a really good read. There was a heart touching moment that made me want to weep but overall, the story was well written.

[S I · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing read! Temptation at it best! Stella and friends goes to get a tattoo but Zac doesn’t want to give it to her since she tipsy but money talks.
Attraction to each other will bring these two together but drama will follow and Zac has to think of his daughter. Can this work out? A sweet read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.