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Cinnamon Roll Alphas #0.5
Tempting Heat
Finn thinks Tom’s her enemy.
The truth is, he’s loved her for years.
Now that a blizzard's trapped them together, he finally has the chance to tell her the truth.
Forget about the storm raging outside. It's the ice protecting Finn's heart that Tom has to melt.
Tempting Heat features a dirty-talking hero, a schedule-obsessed heroine, and—wait for it!—only one bed. While Tempting Heat is a novella, the rest of the books in the sassy, steamy Cinnamon Roll Alphas series are standalone full-length novels.
The truth is, he’s loved her for years.
Now that a blizzard's trapped them together, he finally has the chance to tell her the truth.
Forget about the storm raging outside. It's the ice protecting Finn's heart that Tom has to melt.
Tempting Heat features a dirty-talking hero, a schedule-obsessed heroine, and—wait for it!—only one bed. While Tempting Heat is a novella, the rest of the books in the sassy, steamy Cinnamon Roll Alphas series are standalone full-length novels.
125 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2019
278 people are currently reading
1043 people want to read
About the author
Sara Whitney
22 books287 followersSara Whitney writes sexy, sunny contemporary romance that's unforgettable and unputdownable. She worked as a journalist and film critic before she earned her Ph.D. and entered academia. She divides her time between professoring, authoring, and entertainment reporting, and she almost certainly has an opinion about your favorite TV show.
Sara lives in Illinois, where she's surrounded by books, cats, half-full coffee cups, and practically empty bags of Swedish Fish. Keep up with the latest by subscribing to Sara's mailing list at http://www.sarawhitney.com/subscribe
Sara lives in Illinois, where she's surrounded by books, cats, half-full coffee cups, and practically empty bags of Swedish Fish. Keep up with the latest by subscribing to Sara's mailing list at http://www.sarawhitney.com/subscribe
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
August 6, 2020
This was a sweet romance novel. It was predictable, but enjoyable at the same time. Although I enjoyed this book, I have to say that I was still waiting for that next level of excitement.
November 22, 2019
Fun Rom-Com!
Finn and Tom had been friends in high school until distrust and betrayal turned them against each other. Now, years later, the two meet again during a snow blizzard, their hearts as cold as the ice on the street. When old feelings heat up, the terrible rift in their friendship is driven to the surface and it's time to come clean.
Funny, touching, and just the right amount of snark to lose yourself for a weekend. And for those who like a little groveling, it has that too!
This friends to lovers story is a fabulous debut and after the sneak peek at the end of the book, I look forward to the next tale in the series.
Quote:
"When we were kids I hoped without hope that someday I'd get lucky and you'd choose me."
Finn and Tom had been friends in high school until distrust and betrayal turned them against each other. Now, years later, the two meet again during a snow blizzard, their hearts as cold as the ice on the street. When old feelings heat up, the terrible rift in their friendship is driven to the surface and it's time to come clean.
Funny, touching, and just the right amount of snark to lose yourself for a weekend. And for those who like a little groveling, it has that too!
This friends to lovers story is a fabulous debut and after the sneak peek at the end of the book, I look forward to the next tale in the series.
Quote:
"When we were kids I hoped without hope that someday I'd get lucky and you'd choose me."
February 16, 2021
Tempting Heat is the first Sara Whitney book I've read and it certainly won't be the last. Sara's writing style is easy to fully immerse myself into and I appreciate the hilarious bickering between our beloved main characters, Tom and Finn. Their friends-turned-enemies-turned-lovers relationship is to die for and don't get me started on the snowstorm which trapped them in the small cabin. The circumstance did nothing but spice up the already intense sexual tension and *phew* just get ready for some seriously juicy, swoon-worthy, and light-hearted romance story! :)
***Thanks to InkSlinger PR and the author for kindly providing me with an e-copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.***
***Thanks to InkSlinger PR and the author for kindly providing me with an e-copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.***
July 30, 2023
Well-written, but a novella. Nothing that will stand out over time
August 22, 2021
I finally know Finn and Tom’s story! Once they surrender to the inevitable, things turned sweet, smexy, and all kinds of awww. I am loving this series!
February 14, 2021
Tempting Heat proves that short and sweet can leave a lasting impression. Whitney tempts with heartache and enchants with romance. Finn and Tom reel you in by the heart and set about claiming the senses.
January 13, 2026
This is a lovely story with an interesting setting and characters. However, there are a couple of attitudes I didn’t like. Finn should have apologised earlier in the weekend, right after finding out the truth, and I didn't like Tom asking her to grovel, but I understand that she needed to make a big statement.
January 8, 2023
A nice romance. I am not sure, whether as a short story it could have been better written. I think not.
March 15, 2020
This is a quick and easy read. The storyline is well-crafted, intriguing, suspenseful, has drama and steam. The characters are defined, and likable with sizzling chemistry. I liked it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 10, 2023
Cute and easy novella! Loved the characters and how they got past the issues to find the love that they were missing for so long.
January 29, 2023
Not sure I’m too crazy about Finn. She was kind of an asshat to Tom.
December 10, 2022
I read this back in March and for some reason forgot to add it to my goodreads shelves, so I'm adding it now and writing a short review. I picked it up because it fulfilled a prompt for the 2021 Heaving Bosoms Reading Embrace (HB Author). It's a prequel novella to Whitney's
Cinnamon Roll Alpha
series. It looks like this series has gone through a rebranding, because it's been renamed (It was called the
Tempt Me
series earlier this year) and the covers have been redesigned from photorealistic to illustrated cartoons.
Anyway...Tempting Heat is about Finn and Tom, who were friends in high school but then had a falling out. Now, they both live in Chicago. After meeting and flirting with Tom at a bar, Finn's roommate, Josie, brings Tom back to their apartment. Josie leaves early the next morning, then a blizzard blows in, trapping Finn and Tom alone together.
Considering how short this is (136 pages), it took me too long to get through it. I read three quarters of it in February, put it down, forgot about it, then a few weeks later realized I never finished it and read the last quarter. I think this a fine book and I don't have any complaints about the writing. It's just not for me. The main characters are on the younger side (early 20's) and I always seem to struggle with novellas. If you're looking for a New Adult, short, cute, low-stakes, wintery, snowed-in story that isn't holiday or Christmas themed, this is a good choice.
STATS
genre: new adult contemporary romance
setting: Chicago, IL
book length: 110 pages, 30k words
format: Kindle ebook, own
tropes: snowed in, forced proximity, enemies to lovers
Anyway...Tempting Heat is about Finn and Tom, who were friends in high school but then had a falling out. Now, they both live in Chicago. After meeting and flirting with Tom at a bar, Finn's roommate, Josie, brings Tom back to their apartment. Josie leaves early the next morning, then a blizzard blows in, trapping Finn and Tom alone together.
Considering how short this is (136 pages), it took me too long to get through it. I read three quarters of it in February, put it down, forgot about it, then a few weeks later realized I never finished it and read the last quarter. I think this a fine book and I don't have any complaints about the writing. It's just not for me. The main characters are on the younger side (early 20's) and I always seem to struggle with novellas. If you're looking for a New Adult, short, cute, low-stakes, wintery, snowed-in story that isn't holiday or Christmas themed, this is a good choice.
STATS
genre: new adult contemporary romance
setting: Chicago, IL
book length: 110 pages, 30k words
format: Kindle ebook, own
tropes: snowed in, forced proximity, enemies to lovers
March 10, 2022
I received an ARC of Tempting heat and was kind of disappointed.
I mean the book was cute and I really liked Tom and Finn even their nicknames for each other.
I guess I wanted more of the altercation with them. Either like a chapter with a flash back of them in high school or just more detail of what went down in regards to their fight.
It was a cute story and a quick read and I enjoyed reading it just wanted little more from it.
I mean the book was cute and I really liked Tom and Finn even their nicknames for each other.
I guess I wanted more of the altercation with them. Either like a chapter with a flash back of them in high school or just more detail of what went down in regards to their fight.
It was a cute story and a quick read and I enjoyed reading it just wanted little more from it.
November 7, 2019
I kind of really really loved this novella. It made my heart squeeze and my cheeks flush. It was sexy and comforting and lovely. I absolutely adore a second chance romance, and even more so a friends to lovers. Wrap yourself in a cozy blanket, cuddle up, and devour this story. Finn and Tom are 100% guaranteed to make. you. swoon.
Ugh, my heart.
Ugh, my heart.
November 18, 2019
A short, snowy story of second chances. It was a good setting and plot with enjoyable characters. There was steam.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 18, 2022
Sweet, but “high heat” it is not. Wrong marketing there, and disappointing.
The story had promise but the conflict was an easily remedied misunderstanding. Everything was a bit bland, but I don’t regret reading it.
The story had promise but the conflict was an easily remedied misunderstanding. Everything was a bit bland, but I don’t regret reading it.
Want to read
February 18, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/17/2020)! 🎁
February 5, 2024
Tempting Heat by Sara Whitney is the prequel novella to the Cinnamon Roll Alphas series. Tom Castle and Fiona “Finn” Casey were friends in high school. Until one incident tore their friendship apart. Finn now thinks Tom is her enemy. Little does she know that he has loved her for years. A series of events has led to them being trapped together in her apartment. Now he has the opportunity to tell her the truth, but will she listen? Finn is horrified and furious. The memories are still very painful and she does her best to ignore him. But there is very little room for that and when the power goes out, she realizes they need each other to survive the frigid night.
Tempting Heat is so much fun! It is a sweet, sexy story with great banter. All the great features readers want in a romance. I loved Finn and Tom together. Their chemistry is so good and it was a hard story to put down. There is a little spice but nothing too outrageous. There are more tender, sigh-inducing moments that will melt any heart and bring a smile to readers’ faces. Add a sassy roommate and an overprotective brother and there are great humorous moments. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. If you love second chance romances with a little spice, I highly recommend Tempting Heat.
Tempting Heat is available in paperback and eBook
Tempting Heat is so much fun! It is a sweet, sexy story with great banter. All the great features readers want in a romance. I loved Finn and Tom together. Their chemistry is so good and it was a hard story to put down. There is a little spice but nothing too outrageous. There are more tender, sigh-inducing moments that will melt any heart and bring a smile to readers’ faces. Add a sassy roommate and an overprotective brother and there are great humorous moments. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. If you love second chance romances with a little spice, I highly recommend Tempting Heat.
Tempting Heat is available in paperback and eBook
April 4, 2021
Tempting Heat is a short and sweet novella that left me wanting to read more in the Tempt Me series. Sara Whitney wrote a good second chance romance that will put a smile on readers' faces.
Finn is a young woman living in Chicago. She is a person who loves to be organized so when she hears of a blizzard coming she wants to make sure she has everything she would possibly need. Things get interesting when she arrives at her apartment and runs into an old acquaintance.
Tom is the sexy hero in this read. He is charming, confident, and easy on the eyes. When he wakes up from a hangover and sees Finn, so many feelings come rushing back.
Tom and Finn were about to start officially dating in high school when a text message between the two was sent to all the students. Finn assumed the worst and never spoke to him again. Both were heartbroken and Finn never thought she would see him again. But now that they are older will they be able to heal their old wounds?
I give Tempting Heat 3 stars. It's a quick read that had a good story. It was a bit predictable but I still enjoyed Tom and Finn's HEA. I would definitely read more in this series.
Finn is a young woman living in Chicago. She is a person who loves to be organized so when she hears of a blizzard coming she wants to make sure she has everything she would possibly need. Things get interesting when she arrives at her apartment and runs into an old acquaintance.
Tom is the sexy hero in this read. He is charming, confident, and easy on the eyes. When he wakes up from a hangover and sees Finn, so many feelings come rushing back.
Tom and Finn were about to start officially dating in high school when a text message between the two was sent to all the students. Finn assumed the worst and never spoke to him again. Both were heartbroken and Finn never thought she would see him again. But now that they are older will they be able to heal their old wounds?
I give Tempting Heat 3 stars. It's a quick read that had a good story. It was a bit predictable but I still enjoyed Tom and Finn's HEA. I would definitely read more in this series.
November 22, 2020
Tempting Heat is a standalone Novella filled with a sweet story. I can't stop smiling when I read this book. It was short, simple, and sweet.
I really liked Tom. He is such a sweetheart ❤️.
Tom and Finn were high school best friends, Tom being Finn's boyfriend's Bff and all. Something happens in the past due to which they are no longer in touch. But when Tom appears in her apartment during a Blizzard, it spikes up the heat in the cold season.
“Will you sleep with me?”At her words, the blanket slipped from his fingers.
“Oh my God, not that." Her cheeks burned. "I just mean the same bed. For warmth."
It's a simple, steamy , and a quick read. Since this book made me happy, I am rating it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ because sometimes all you want is a little happiness 😉. It's not how much twisted or dark it is, and it is not. This book made me realise that I could give away 5 stars to such simple books as well.
I really liked Tom. He is such a sweetheart ❤️.
Tom and Finn were high school best friends, Tom being Finn's boyfriend's Bff and all. Something happens in the past due to which they are no longer in touch. But when Tom appears in her apartment during a Blizzard, it spikes up the heat in the cold season.
“Will you sleep with me?”At her words, the blanket slipped from his fingers.
“Oh my God, not that." Her cheeks burned. "I just mean the same bed. For warmth."
It's a simple, steamy , and a quick read. Since this book made me happy, I am rating it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ because sometimes all you want is a little happiness 😉. It's not how much twisted or dark it is, and it is not. This book made me realise that I could give away 5 stars to such simple books as well.
February 26, 2023
A novella-length second-chance, frenemies to lovers story.
Fiona (Finn) and Tom were close friends in high school. Tom had a huge crush on her, but she was dating his best friend. After an episode of cyber-bullying left Finn believing that Tom had betrayed her, their friendship and any hope of a relationship between them was ruined.
The story takes place ten years later when through an act of gentlemanly kindness to Finn's room-mate, Tom gets snowed in at Finn's apartment. After clearing up the old misunderstanding between them they are able to be honest about their feelings. When the power is cut, there's nothing to do but for the two of them to share body heat (of course).
When Finn's room-mate reappears when the snow clears, she kicks Tom out, still thinking he was the cause of her friend's high school embarrassment. Finn has to do some grovelling, but it doesn't take much for Tom to forgive her.
There is a sweet HEA in the epilogue.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
Fiona (Finn) and Tom were close friends in high school. Tom had a huge crush on her, but she was dating his best friend. After an episode of cyber-bullying left Finn believing that Tom had betrayed her, their friendship and any hope of a relationship between them was ruined.
The story takes place ten years later when through an act of gentlemanly kindness to Finn's room-mate, Tom gets snowed in at Finn's apartment. After clearing up the old misunderstanding between them they are able to be honest about their feelings. When the power is cut, there's nothing to do but for the two of them to share body heat (of course).
When Finn's room-mate reappears when the snow clears, she kicks Tom out, still thinking he was the cause of her friend's high school embarrassment. Finn has to do some grovelling, but it doesn't take much for Tom to forgive her.
There is a sweet HEA in the epilogue.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
February 27, 2023
Cute little story that reminds us that you shouldn’t jump to conclusions.
Fiona (Finn) and Tom went to school together; she was his best friend’s girlfriend. After a humiliating experience occurs at school, the trio are friends no more.
Eight years pass until they meet again, when Josie, Finn’s roommate, is escorted home by Tom. They had met at a bar and he just wanted to be sure she made it home safely. He ended passing out; Josie left for work and didn’t let Finn know there was a “guest”.
Finn and Tom end up snowbound in the apartment due to a Chicago blizzard. They both have work to do - she for her marketing firm and he (a TA) has papers to grade from college students. Slowly they interact with one another as they used to. Do they FINALLY talk about the elephant in the room? Do they figure out what actually happened? Do they realize why they felt so betrayed by the other?
Loved this quick little story and am curious to see what happens between
Josie and Jake next!!
Fiona (Finn) and Tom went to school together; she was his best friend’s girlfriend. After a humiliating experience occurs at school, the trio are friends no more.
Eight years pass until they meet again, when Josie, Finn’s roommate, is escorted home by Tom. They had met at a bar and he just wanted to be sure she made it home safely. He ended passing out; Josie left for work and didn’t let Finn know there was a “guest”.
Finn and Tom end up snowbound in the apartment due to a Chicago blizzard. They both have work to do - she for her marketing firm and he (a TA) has papers to grade from college students. Slowly they interact with one another as they used to. Do they FINALLY talk about the elephant in the room? Do they figure out what actually happened? Do they realize why they felt so betrayed by the other?
Loved this quick little story and am curious to see what happens between
Josie and Jake next!!
July 7, 2020
'Scale of one to ten, Huck'
This book is the first I've read by Sara Whitney and I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The book is in a third person narrative and follows the story of Finn and Tom. As stories go, this wasn't the most original I've read but it was sweet and I am a sucker for a cute romance.
Tempting Heat is a second chance romance. Finn and Tom have history together and haven't been friends since what happened in high school. After finding themselves snowed in together for the weekend, the two of them begin to reconnect.
For a novella this story had the perfect pace and made me interested in the rest of the series. I liked the style of writing and the characters were fully realised and realistic. A solid start for sure!
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book is the first I've read by Sara Whitney and I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The book is in a third person narrative and follows the story of Finn and Tom. As stories go, this wasn't the most original I've read but it was sweet and I am a sucker for a cute romance.
Tempting Heat is a second chance romance. Finn and Tom have history together and haven't been friends since what happened in high school. After finding themselves snowed in together for the weekend, the two of them begin to reconnect.
For a novella this story had the perfect pace and made me interested in the rest of the series. I liked the style of writing and the characters were fully realised and realistic. A solid start for sure!
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2020
A nice little romance
The writing flowed and had very few errors.
The plot was a enemies to friends which was ok. However, the reason for them being enemies originally was a tad weak as the leaked message wasn't really bad. The characters are ok but felt they could have been developed a bit more. I didn't really feel that the heroine was as well developed as she could have been and she was a wimp. I got quite frustrated towards the end as I felt all the misunderstandings/quarrels were disappointing. A tighter plot and tighter/deeper characters would make this a really good book.
Definitely worth a look if you want a quick read.
I received a free copy of this book from Hidden Gems and then borrowed it via Kindle Unlimited so I could reread it to review it. This review contains my independent thoughts on the book.
The writing flowed and had very few errors.
The plot was a enemies to friends which was ok. However, the reason for them being enemies originally was a tad weak as the leaked message wasn't really bad. The characters are ok but felt they could have been developed a bit more. I didn't really feel that the heroine was as well developed as she could have been and she was a wimp. I got quite frustrated towards the end as I felt all the misunderstandings/quarrels were disappointing. A tighter plot and tighter/deeper characters would make this a really good book.
Definitely worth a look if you want a quick read.
I received a free copy of this book from Hidden Gems and then borrowed it via Kindle Unlimited so I could reread it to review it. This review contains my independent thoughts on the book.
January 23, 2021
He powered on his Kindle, grateful to see a full battery icon. "While I'm doing dissertation edits, I limit myself to comfort reading. I just rated one of my favourite Terry Pratchett books."
She brightened. "I've heard he's funny!"
"He's hilarious. Actually..." Was he really going to suggest this? "If you're not into your David Foster Wallace, I could, um, read The Colour of Magic to you."
He was excruciatingly aware of every moment of silence that stretched between them after his impulsive suggestions, unsure if he'd had a good idea or the worst one ever. Then, thank the giant space turtle, she grinned up at him. "Will you do the voices? And accents?"
He'd definitely had a good idea. "Voices, yes. Accents, badly."
"Awesome. Let's do it.
...
January 28, 2023
When Finn gets snowed into her apartment for a few days, she's less that thrilled to be stuck with Tom. Tom, one of her best friends in high school before he betrayed her by sharing private texts and humiliating her in front of the school. But Tom is determined to show Finn she's got it all wrong, he's not and never has been that guy, and he's had feelings for her all along. Will a few days be enough to get over years of animosity?
The story was cute, quick, and worth a read those looking for a fun snowed-in romance with a hot nerd male lead. Though, I'll note that Tempting Heat is billed as a "hot" enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy novella, but "Hot" is a bit of an exaggeration... it's not closed door, but the romantic encounters are brief, and certainly nothing like you'd see in a Tessa Bailey or Helena Hunting book.
4 stars - 7/10
The story was cute, quick, and worth a read those looking for a fun snowed-in romance with a hot nerd male lead. Though, I'll note that Tempting Heat is billed as a "hot" enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy novella, but "Hot" is a bit of an exaggeration... it's not closed door, but the romantic encounters are brief, and certainly nothing like you'd see in a Tessa Bailey or Helena Hunting book.
4 stars - 7/10
October 21, 2025
4.5 snowed in - please don’t come and save me Stars 🌟
Tom & Finn are cute cute cute!!
Loved this snowy romance 🥰❄️🩵
Damn snow plows get outta here! We don’t need you!
(Except for my road — please do come to my road this winter)
Really enjoyed jumping into this short & sweet novella.
Would loved to have seen some more flashbacks to Tom & Finn in high school - would have been fun to see them as teens vs now but alas it was a novella so I do get the shorter length and I enjoyed every second!
Sara’s writing is as always so devour-able (??? Is this a word? I’m making it a word), funny, and swoon-worthy!
Giggling, blushing, kicking my feet!
Thanks for another great read - excited to move onto
Book 2 real soon! & hoping to see more of Finn’s hot brother asap. Hiiii Jakey! 😘
Tom & Finn are cute cute cute!!
Loved this snowy romance 🥰❄️🩵
Damn snow plows get outta here! We don’t need you!
(Except for my road — please do come to my road this winter)
Really enjoyed jumping into this short & sweet novella.
Would loved to have seen some more flashbacks to Tom & Finn in high school - would have been fun to see them as teens vs now but alas it was a novella so I do get the shorter length and I enjoyed every second!
Sara’s writing is as always so devour-able (??? Is this a word? I’m making it a word), funny, and swoon-worthy!
Giggling, blushing, kicking my feet!
Thanks for another great read - excited to move onto
Book 2 real soon! & hoping to see more of Finn’s hot brother asap. Hiiii Jakey! 😘
February 17, 2020
Give me a good second chance story and I’m happier than a cat in catnip. From high school best friends and secret crushes to all-out enemies and finally to lovers, this story brings together some of my favorite themes. Reading this ‘snowed in’ book as the white stuff continues to fall outside my window was wildly appropriate. I loved this pair. Finn and Tom made me laugh out loud so many times in the course of their story. There were also several times that I railed against fate on their behalf. I didn’t much like Josie at the end of this book, so I’ll be very interested to see how the author makes me love her in a book of her own.
July 3, 2020
This is a cute little diddy. It is a second chance (of sorts) romance. She was his best friends girl back in high school. They had a falling out and now it's eight years later and they are forced into each others space. Little does the other know, but there was mutual attraction all those years ago... and it's all still there now. The characters feel real. There's a little angst and a few laughs. There is some sexual content, but it's toned down and not explicit. This is a novella, so it's a quick read. Perfect for in between books. Because of being a novella, you don't get too in depth with the characters or the backstory. You get just enough.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews