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The Donovans #2
Tempt Me
A Small Town, Grumpy/Sunshine, Standalone Romance
He hates the holidays. She lives for them. Let the games begin.
A small town, grumpy/sunshine romance from NY Times Best Selling Author Samantha Chase
Six months ago, Liam Donovan met the world's cheeriest, most upbeat woman at a wedding.
It was the longest two days of his life.
Now she’s his next door neighbor.
Talk about awkward.
Tessa Sullivan believes in always looking at the bright side. Unfortunately, her new neighbor is the most negative man on the planet and seems to have made it his mission to ruin her good mood on a daily basis. She loves to sing, she loves to smile, but more than anything, she loves to decorate for the holidays. The fact that this seems to bug her new neighbor is simply a perk.
After twelve years in the Marines, Liam is more than ready to come home and start the next phase of his life. He’s starting a business, reconnecting with his mildly over-bearing family, and loves the fact that he’s finally got a place of his own. If only his neighbor’s decorations would stay on her side of the property. There isn’t one thing about Tessa that tempts him…until there is. Now she’s all he can think about.
Being friends makes sense.
Becoming lovers was inevitable.
But having Tessa be his forever is more than tempting.
*Each book in the Donovans series can be read as a standalone*
He hates the holidays. She lives for them. Let the games begin.
A small town, grumpy/sunshine romance from NY Times Best Selling Author Samantha Chase
Six months ago, Liam Donovan met the world's cheeriest, most upbeat woman at a wedding.
It was the longest two days of his life.
Now she’s his next door neighbor.
Talk about awkward.
Tessa Sullivan believes in always looking at the bright side. Unfortunately, her new neighbor is the most negative man on the planet and seems to have made it his mission to ruin her good mood on a daily basis. She loves to sing, she loves to smile, but more than anything, she loves to decorate for the holidays. The fact that this seems to bug her new neighbor is simply a perk.
After twelve years in the Marines, Liam is more than ready to come home and start the next phase of his life. He’s starting a business, reconnecting with his mildly over-bearing family, and loves the fact that he’s finally got a place of his own. If only his neighbor’s decorations would stay on her side of the property. There isn’t one thing about Tessa that tempts him…until there is. Now she’s all he can think about.
Being friends makes sense.
Becoming lovers was inevitable.
But having Tessa be his forever is more than tempting.
*Each book in the Donovans series can be read as a standalone*
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2022
104 people are currently reading
520 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Chase
143 books2,355 followersSamantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than seventy titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 30 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
April 24, 2023
4.25⭐
This is book 2 in The Donovans series ~ yes a standalone, but more enjoyable if you've already met the crazy Donovan clan in Dare Me: A Small Town, Second-Chance, Standalone Romance.
Featuring ~ dual 3rd person POV, grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, neighbors to lovers, veteran, teacher, small town, closed door romance, no steamage
Liam & Tessa
Liam spent over a decade in the military and has just purchased his first house next door to the overly cheery Tessa. They don't have anything in common, but become friends with benefits. It's not long before they catch feelings, but could they really make something work when they are so opposite?
Liam is the oldest with 4 siblings and is used to be in control with a 'my way or the highway' attitude. I'm not too sure I liked Tessa's past relationship or how Liam puts his nose in it, but all works out like we knew it would.
Tessa was both outgoing and somewhat shy. She really pulled the grump right out of Liam and turned him into a sweet fella. Oh man with his grand gesture ~ I wish I could've seen the YouTube video for that.
Overall, a delightful read. I'm looking forward to the next book following Ryleigh, I just hope her mom isn't as hard on her as she was in this one.
I was lucky enough to also receive an audio copy. It was narrated by Carly Robins for 7 hours and 38 minutes. She did a great job, but I do wish there was a male narrator for Liam's parts.
*Thanks to Samantha Chase, Chasing Romance Inc, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
This is book 2 in The Donovans series ~ yes a standalone, but more enjoyable if you've already met the crazy Donovan clan in Dare Me: A Small Town, Second-Chance, Standalone Romance.
Featuring ~ dual 3rd person POV, grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, neighbors to lovers, veteran, teacher, small town, closed door romance, no steamage
Liam & Tessa
Liam spent over a decade in the military and has just purchased his first house next door to the overly cheery Tessa. They don't have anything in common, but become friends with benefits. It's not long before they catch feelings, but could they really make something work when they are so opposite?
Liam is the oldest with 4 siblings and is used to be in control with a 'my way or the highway' attitude. I'm not too sure I liked Tessa's past relationship or how Liam puts his nose in it, but all works out like we knew it would.
Tessa was both outgoing and somewhat shy. She really pulled the grump right out of Liam and turned him into a sweet fella. Oh man with his grand gesture ~ I wish I could've seen the YouTube video for that.
Overall, a delightful read. I'm looking forward to the next book following Ryleigh, I just hope her mom isn't as hard on her as she was in this one.
I was lucky enough to also receive an audio copy. It was narrated by Carly Robins for 7 hours and 38 minutes. She did a great job, but I do wish there was a male narrator for Liam's parts.
*Thanks to Samantha Chase, Chasing Romance Inc, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
March 16, 2024
Tempt Me, the third book in The Donovans series had all the ingredients for success. Unfortunately, it just didn’t follow the right recipe. With tropes like grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, and small-town romance, one would think, what’s not to like?
Plenty, actually.
In the past year, I’ve grown more accustomed to the first-person POV. Tempt Me, however, was written in the third person POV, a writing style I found to be impersonal given other elements of the story. Being that this was more of a personal preference, I made my attempt at being unbiased and tried not to think about it too much. Yet, from page one I disassociated. There was nothing about the world or its characters that was described in a way that immersed me in all its glory. Simply put, it fell flat.
Perhaps it’s because I went into this book without reading its predecessors, but I wasn’t emotionally connected to our main characters, let alone the side characters. Tessa, our female protagonist, despite her insistence on it being the contrary, was too easily swayed by what others thought. She was unable to stand up for herself. I know she did not move all that way from her family who was condemning her grieving process just to let some man next door do it. I will say, I loved the way she embraced the holidays. Especially during a time of mourning, any celebration can be difficult, to say the least. So seeing her bring out the joy by focusing on the simple pleasures was heart-warming.
Our male protagonist, Liam, though was just straight-up unbearable. Is he a broody grump or does he just lack empathy and not understand social cues? The absolute AUDACITY this man had to tell a woman he barely knew how to live her life, especially a life after death. His attitude was giving very much I have it worse than you. He could’ve developed immensely by the end of the novel, but truthfully, I didn’t even see the point in giving him the chance to try. He was that irredeemable to me.
Both Tessa and Liam were one-dimensional and lacked any true personality outside of their stereotypes of the grump and the sunshine. There was absolutely zero chemistry and there wasn’t a single instance where I found myself rooting for them as individuals or as a couple.
Don’t even get me started on Liam’s mother. Within the first 5% of the book, she was fat shaming her daughter. I was appalled not only by that but the way none of her brothers stood up for her. Red flag, Tessa. It’s literally soaring in the sky. Run while you still can. A man that isn’t for all women is for no women. Despite her misogynistic mindset, the mother is still written in a light that suggests the audience should love her.
There were some sensitive topics that were not approached appropriately. As someone that is currently grieving, if someone told me that I needed to “get over it” and go to therapy, I would make it my life’s mission to become their everyday dose of personal karma.
The pacing of this novel was all over the place. In one chapter we were trick-or-treating, the next we were decorating for Christmas. The time jumps weren’t just occurring chapter by chapter, they were playing out scene by scene. There was no progressive timeline.
Let me just say, I’ve never DNFed a book before this one. I think it’s important to always give a story the benefit of the doubt. That being said, I got 41% in before I acknowledged that my time was better spent elsewhere.
This book just simply was not my cup of tea. I may take another chance on Tempt Me in the future, but it will be a very distant time from now if at all.
Thank you to Valentine PR and Samantha Chase for providing me with this ARC. As always, all opinions are my own and are not influenced by early access to this title.
Plenty, actually.
In the past year, I’ve grown more accustomed to the first-person POV. Tempt Me, however, was written in the third person POV, a writing style I found to be impersonal given other elements of the story. Being that this was more of a personal preference, I made my attempt at being unbiased and tried not to think about it too much. Yet, from page one I disassociated. There was nothing about the world or its characters that was described in a way that immersed me in all its glory. Simply put, it fell flat.
Perhaps it’s because I went into this book without reading its predecessors, but I wasn’t emotionally connected to our main characters, let alone the side characters. Tessa, our female protagonist, despite her insistence on it being the contrary, was too easily swayed by what others thought. She was unable to stand up for herself. I know she did not move all that way from her family who was condemning her grieving process just to let some man next door do it. I will say, I loved the way she embraced the holidays. Especially during a time of mourning, any celebration can be difficult, to say the least. So seeing her bring out the joy by focusing on the simple pleasures was heart-warming.
Our male protagonist, Liam, though was just straight-up unbearable. Is he a broody grump or does he just lack empathy and not understand social cues? The absolute AUDACITY this man had to tell a woman he barely knew how to live her life, especially a life after death. His attitude was giving very much I have it worse than you. He could’ve developed immensely by the end of the novel, but truthfully, I didn’t even see the point in giving him the chance to try. He was that irredeemable to me.
Both Tessa and Liam were one-dimensional and lacked any true personality outside of their stereotypes of the grump and the sunshine. There was absolutely zero chemistry and there wasn’t a single instance where I found myself rooting for them as individuals or as a couple.
Don’t even get me started on Liam’s mother. Within the first 5% of the book, she was fat shaming her daughter. I was appalled not only by that but the way none of her brothers stood up for her. Red flag, Tessa. It’s literally soaring in the sky. Run while you still can. A man that isn’t for all women is for no women. Despite her misogynistic mindset, the mother is still written in a light that suggests the audience should love her.
There were some sensitive topics that were not approached appropriately. As someone that is currently grieving, if someone told me that I needed to “get over it” and go to therapy, I would make it my life’s mission to become their everyday dose of personal karma.
The pacing of this novel was all over the place. In one chapter we were trick-or-treating, the next we were decorating for Christmas. The time jumps weren’t just occurring chapter by chapter, they were playing out scene by scene. There was no progressive timeline.
Let me just say, I’ve never DNFed a book before this one. I think it’s important to always give a story the benefit of the doubt. That being said, I got 41% in before I acknowledged that my time was better spent elsewhere.
This book just simply was not my cup of tea. I may take another chance on Tempt Me in the future, but it will be a very distant time from now if at all.
Thank you to Valentine PR and Samantha Chase for providing me with this ARC. As always, all opinions are my own and are not influenced by early access to this title.
November 26, 2022
This one has Hallmark Christmas movie written all over it, and it was so darn fun to read! A Grinchy guy moves in next door to a bubbly, sunshiny, lovth-the-holidays girl and the fireworks begin. That’s how it appears on the surface, but it's so much more!
I adore this Laurel Bay series with shades of Magnolia Sound, it's neighboring city. We get a few appearances from beloved characters, but this series focuses on the Donovan siblings.
Liam Donovan is the oldest of the bunch, with the typical oldest child's attitudes and responsibilities. But he's been away from the family in the military for several years, and a lot has changed. Not only is he finding his footing and figuring out how he fits into the new Donovan family dynamic, he has to deal with his next-door neighbor’s over-the-top holiday decorations.
Tessa Sullivan moved to Laurel Bay to get away from her well-meaning family and friends. She wants to live life on her terms and always tries to look on the bright side. She has her reasons for her sunny disposition, and she genuinely enjoys seeing people smile.
These two are like oil and water, but it's not long before they find common ground, and in doing so they both learn and grow. What seems like a fun holiday romance evolves into an emotional, heartfelt story of two people laying ghosts to rest and finding their best selves on their road to forever. Charming, entertaining, touching, and heartwarming, this fantastic romance is just the thing to put you in the holiday spirit!
I adore this Laurel Bay series with shades of Magnolia Sound, it's neighboring city. We get a few appearances from beloved characters, but this series focuses on the Donovan siblings.
Liam Donovan is the oldest of the bunch, with the typical oldest child's attitudes and responsibilities. But he's been away from the family in the military for several years, and a lot has changed. Not only is he finding his footing and figuring out how he fits into the new Donovan family dynamic, he has to deal with his next-door neighbor’s over-the-top holiday decorations.
Tessa Sullivan moved to Laurel Bay to get away from her well-meaning family and friends. She wants to live life on her terms and always tries to look on the bright side. She has her reasons for her sunny disposition, and she genuinely enjoys seeing people smile.
These two are like oil and water, but it's not long before they find common ground, and in doing so they both learn and grow. What seems like a fun holiday romance evolves into an emotional, heartfelt story of two people laying ghosts to rest and finding their best selves on their road to forever. Charming, entertaining, touching, and heartwarming, this fantastic romance is just the thing to put you in the holiday spirit!
December 20, 2022
She's the overbright sunshine to his overdim dark clouds, but is everything really sunshine and roses for her or is she just putting on a cheery face to hide a deeper emotion? This sweet small town romance has enough heat to spice things up, but it's Christmas cheer is really just what you are looking for! I love the Donovan family and their meddling ways, but their meddling might just blow things up this time! Humor, sadness, Christmas cheer and plenty of spice to keep you warm as you listen to this sweet happily ever after romance! The narrator does an outstanding job of bringing the characters, their emotions and the plot to life. I can't wait to listen to the next book in the series!
December 14, 2022
A good grumpy/sunshine romance. I like how he was grumpy but also had to bring her sunshine self back down to earth a little bit. They both had some rude awakenings to do and I like that they were able to help each other and put each other first.
🌀Synopsis
Liam just bought a new house and the neighbor he hasn’t met is already obnoxious. When she turns up with cookies to welcome him he realizes they’ve met before- at a friend’s wedding- and she was annoying then too.
Tessa loves to see the best side of life. Since her best friend passed away she’s now a widow and determined to live life the best she can. Unfortunately, Liam seems to find a way to ruin her mood.
He’s trying to reconnect with his family. She’s trying to find a way to live without her best friend. Together, they find a way to help each other move forward.
🌀Synopsis
Liam just bought a new house and the neighbor he hasn’t met is already obnoxious. When she turns up with cookies to welcome him he realizes they’ve met before- at a friend’s wedding- and she was annoying then too.
Tessa loves to see the best side of life. Since her best friend passed away she’s now a widow and determined to live life the best she can. Unfortunately, Liam seems to find a way to ruin her mood.
He’s trying to reconnect with his family. She’s trying to find a way to live without her best friend. Together, they find a way to help each other move forward.
February 20, 2023
I haven't read the other books in Samantha Chase's The Donovans series, but I had no trouble following along with Tempt Me. This story worked just fine as a standalone.
A very sweet hurt/comfort opposites attract romance, Liam is a staid (sometimes grumpy) veteran who is just crying out for some love in his life. Tessa is set in her ways, cheery, and also desperately in need of some romance.
Samantha Chase does a lovely job of making these two total opposites fit quite nicely. And I think Carly Robins did a fine job with the narration in the audio version of Tempt Me.
thank you to Dreamscape Media, via NetGalley, for providing an audiobook copy of Tempt Me for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own
A very sweet hurt/comfort opposites attract romance, Liam is a staid (sometimes grumpy) veteran who is just crying out for some love in his life. Tessa is set in her ways, cheery, and also desperately in need of some romance.
Samantha Chase does a lovely job of making these two total opposites fit quite nicely. And I think Carly Robins did a fine job with the narration in the audio version of Tempt Me.
thank you to Dreamscape Media, via NetGalley, for providing an audiobook copy of Tempt Me for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own
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December 14, 2022TEMPT ME is book two in the Donovans series and is coming December 6th!!
I'm so excited to share this with you today!!
Pre-Order NOW!!
Amazon: https://geni.us/TemptMe-Kindle
Apple: https://geni.us/TemptMe-Apple
Barnes & Noble: https://geni.us/TemptMe-Nook
Kobo: https://geni.us/TemptMe-Kobo
Google Play: https://geni.us/TemptMe-Google
I'm so excited to share this with you today!!
Pre-Order NOW!!
Amazon: https://geni.us/TemptMe-Kindle
Apple: https://geni.us/TemptMe-Apple
Barnes & Noble: https://geni.us/TemptMe-Nook
Kobo: https://geni.us/TemptMe-Kobo
Google Play: https://geni.us/TemptMe-Google
November 26, 2022
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this series. Liam and Tessa's journey will make you mad, make you sad, have you laughing and warm your heart. A most honest, real path to love will surely fill you heart with joy like it did mine❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
November 9, 2022
The cold shoulder has addiction written all over it. Liam and Tessa turn emotions inside out. With an ironic sense of humor and a depth of emotion that washes over the soul, Tempt Me turns spicy attraction into heartwarming romance.
November 27, 2022
WOW! Samantha Chase has done it again! I absolutely loved Tempt Me, the third book in her The Donovans series! I can truly say that Tempt Me is an incredible love story, which filled me with a rollercoaster of emotions, and it was impossible to put it down. I loved every moment on every page. Samantha Chase continues to deliver the incredibly written love stories that I LOVE to read. I love this opposites attract love story, the Laurel Bay, Maine setting, and the amazing characters, they feel like family! Samantha Chase does not disappoint her readers with all the feels in Tempt Me and has once again delivered an amazing story filled with everything that I have come to love about and expect from her books. Who does not love hot sexy men, strong, passionate females, big loving families, and caring friends, who always support each other? I love how Samantha develops her characters in such a way that you fall in love with them and care about them much like a good friend. I love how Samantha Chase always manages to create the "perfect" heroine, who is a strong, sassy woman on her own, to balance out the sexy, swoon worthy man. Samantha Chase continues to deliver all that and so much more. I am not sure how she does it, but Samantha Chase has once again given her readers another remarkable book. My favorite part of the book is how Samantha Chase incorporates the title of the book into the love story. Tempt Me is filled with all the heartbreaking and heartwarming moments and plot twists, that I have come to love and expect in a Samantha Chase love story, I especially loved the poignant and bittersweet moments that filled this page turner. Samantha Chase continues to prove that she is an incredible storyteller. I love that she writes her stories from the perspective of the main characters. I love getting inside their minds and knowing their thoughts and how they really feel. My favorite moments in Tempt Me are the lighter moments where I found myself smiling and laughing aloud. I also love the parts that pull at my heartstrings and cause me to sigh, as I read the heartbreaking moments. Tempt Me is filled with such moments and so much more. Tempt Me is an opposites attract love story between Tessa Sullivan, elementary school music teacher and widow and the oldest member of the Donovan family, Liam Donovan, retired Marine. Tessa and Liam originally meet when they are paired as partners at their friends’ wedding. Upon returning to Laurel Bay after being away for twelve years, Liam buys a house and discovers that Tessa is his neighbor complete with an overly Halloween decorated yard. Liam starts off on the wrong foot with Tessa because of his grumpiness towards her. Tessa divulges that she married her best friend, Trevor Scott when he was sick because he asked her to. Liam decides to help Tessa get back into the dating arena, since she has not dated since Trevor dies. Conversation between Liam and Tessa flows so easily, I love the chemistry between them. I love the ways that Liam and Tessa spend time together and how their relationship changes as they spend more time together. The Donovans discourage Liam from pursuing a relationship with Tessa, since he is a control freak, and she is so happy and cheery. An unexpected plot twist puts their relationship in jeopardy, and once again changes things between them. I love the changes that Liam is willing to made in his life to have a chance with Tessa. I love how the Donovans fulfill Tessa’s dreams about the scenery for the winter choral concert. I love the heart-to-heart conversations that Liam has with his family and how they help him reunite with Tessa and the one that Tessa has with Trevor’s mom and her family to get closure on her relationship with Trevor. I was so happy that Tessa and Will finally admit their true feelings for one another. So glad that Liam and Will’s partnership is taking off and that Liam’s future is in Laurel Bay. Another favorite part is the winter choral concert and Liam’s role in it. I love the epilogue, all the changes that Tessa and Liam make in their lives to have a future with one another. Tempt Me was an amazing love story; I am so glad that Tessa and Liam got the happily ever after. I loved all the surprises that filled the pages of this love story. I love all the characters in this series. I enjoy all the interactions among the Donovan siblings, it feels like real family love and makes me laugh at their teasing and the descriptions of the Laurel Bay in Tempt Me. Who does not love family and friends that always have each other’s backs? I loved every moment. I cannot wait to read the other books in the series. Highly recommend this beautifully written story.
November 20, 2022
Oooh… a broody, grumpy former Marine, Liam who is part of the Donovan big, loud, and in-your-business family is my jam! What’s not to love? Liam, who has returned to Laurel Bay after leaving the military, is trying to find his place in his family and life. As the oldest brother of the five Donovan siblings, he no longer fits as the all-knowing, in-charge, and take-care-of-it-all brother. Since his siblings are now adults, they have lives of their own, and really don’t need his irritable, ogre-like self, and he certainly doesn’t need the over cheerful, over bubbly neighbor Tessa.
Tessa loves to smile, laugh, and sing. She enjoys being happy and making others happy too. As a music teacher at the local elementary school, she is a favorite teacher in the school and in the town; everyone loves her. She is, however, stuck in her grief for her late husband and best friend, and will deny it to whomever brings it up to her; especially, her neighbor Liam.
Temp Me is an enemies to lovers, small town, large family, grumpy-sunshine, and holiday romance that had me from the beginning with so much emotion! I cried, laughed, and felt my heart grow as Liam and Tessa learned about themselves and each other. I love the way Samantha Chase brings Liam and Tessa together after their disastrous first, second, and maybe third meeting. Although I wanted to duct tape Liam’s mouth and shake Tessa from her delusions, I loved seeing them get caught up in each other. Liam is an honorable, kind, and loving man underneath the broody exterior. Just the way he takes care of Tessa’s tiny dog is so sweet. Watching the grumpy ones fall and try and figure out not only what’s happening, but how to fix the messes they make is so much fun and Tempt Me gave me all that and much more.
This is the second book in the Donovan’s series and is a stand-alone, no cliffhanger, HEA. You don’t have to read the first book, but once you get to know Will and Arianna in Tempt Me, if you haven’t read Dare Me (Book 1), you’ll want to go back and read their story! I’m looking forward to the next book in the series of this loud, loving, and over the top family. I received an arc for this book, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Tessa loves to smile, laugh, and sing. She enjoys being happy and making others happy too. As a music teacher at the local elementary school, she is a favorite teacher in the school and in the town; everyone loves her. She is, however, stuck in her grief for her late husband and best friend, and will deny it to whomever brings it up to her; especially, her neighbor Liam.
Temp Me is an enemies to lovers, small town, large family, grumpy-sunshine, and holiday romance that had me from the beginning with so much emotion! I cried, laughed, and felt my heart grow as Liam and Tessa learned about themselves and each other. I love the way Samantha Chase brings Liam and Tessa together after their disastrous first, second, and maybe third meeting. Although I wanted to duct tape Liam’s mouth and shake Tessa from her delusions, I loved seeing them get caught up in each other. Liam is an honorable, kind, and loving man underneath the broody exterior. Just the way he takes care of Tessa’s tiny dog is so sweet. Watching the grumpy ones fall and try and figure out not only what’s happening, but how to fix the messes they make is so much fun and Tempt Me gave me all that and much more.
This is the second book in the Donovan’s series and is a stand-alone, no cliffhanger, HEA. You don’t have to read the first book, but once you get to know Will and Arianna in Tempt Me, if you haven’t read Dare Me (Book 1), you’ll want to go back and read their story! I’m looking forward to the next book in the series of this loud, loving, and over the top family. I received an arc for this book, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
December 6, 2022
This is the story of two insecure people who are very afraid to fall in love. Liam is the oldest sibling in his family, who has finally returned home after eight years in the military. Unfortunately, he finds it difficult to adapt to the fact that his siblings are now all adults. Yet, after years of being in control, Liam continues to speak his mind to EVERYONE – including his new next door neighbor, Tessa.
On the other hand, Tess is a happy-go-lucky optimist. She is a young widow who is always laughing and singing. She is independent and does not want anyone to tell her what to do.
Obviously, Tessa and Liam are total opposites. Liam despises Tessa’s “Pollyanna” attitude, and Tessa dislikes Liam’s need to control everyone. However, both of their attitudes clearly cover up an underlying attraction that neither of them wants to acknowledge.
To make matters worse, when they finally attempt to be friendly with each other, their families constantly caution them that they are not right for each other. This advice negatively affects their relationship.
Still, Liam and Tessa spend most of their time in bed making love while enjoying each other’s company. However, they are rarely in sync about their real feelings. They constantly misread and misinterpret almost every little thing they do and say.
While reading this book, I often wanted to shake some sense into both of them. Still, it is great fun to watch Liam and Tessa fall in love as they totally pretend they don’t care about each other.
But, in the end, it is all worth it when both of them finally give in and accept their feelings for each other. Plus, when Liam finally grovels for Tessa’s forgiveness, it is awesome to watch this serious, controlling man finally give in to his emotions!
December 7, 2022
It is time to get to know Liam, the oldest of the Donovan clan. He is returning to Laurel Bay after years of service. He has bought a home in a quiet neighborhood and started a business. Moving in, he begins to question his brother about the neighborhood, and then he meets his new neighbor, surprise.
Tessa has moved to Laurel Bay to start over; her cousin lives here. She is a music teacher and a lover of holidays. Her new neighbor is the stick up his butt, grump she was paired with at the last minute for her cousin’s wedding. Will they be able just to avoid one another?
The Donovans are your big noisy, nosy, pub owning family. I am looking forward to the next book.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Tessa has moved to Laurel Bay to start over; her cousin lives here. She is a music teacher and a lover of holidays. Her new neighbor is the stick up his butt, grump she was paired with at the last minute for her cousin’s wedding. Will they be able just to avoid one another?
The Donovans are your big noisy, nosy, pub owning family. I am looking forward to the next book.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
December 1, 2022
This is book two in The Donovans series and it is Tessa and Liam's story and omg it is definitely a must read. Tess and Liam met at a wedding and things went from bad to worse as Tess was outgoing, caring and full of sunshine and Liam was totally grumpy, opinionated and dislikes small talk. Liam had got out of the marine's recently and started his own company with his best friend and now he has bought his own house which had been another one of his goals. Tess is a school music teacher and moved to Laurel Bay after her best friend and husband Trevor died and she needed to be away from her family and there opinions constantly telling her to move on with her life but she wasn't ready yet. When Liam and Tess realised that they now lived next door to each other and that started there constant bickering, argument and then something happened that changed everything but will it be for the good of had only time will tell. Wow this series just gets better and better with each book written and I couldn't put this book down and had to keep turning the pages wondering what would happen next. There were ups and downs, drama, emotional situations that have you in tears and some Christmas Magic but the outcome makes this book definitely a must read and I can't wait to read the next book in this amazing series.
December 28, 2022
Samantha Chase knows how to sweep her readers off their feet. Tempt Me has all the Hallmark vibes, and I could very easily see this being a Hallmark Christmas movie. I fell in love with this book. A grinch and a happy go lucky sunshine, what's not to loave about that. Liam Donovan is a former Marine. He's grumpy, and broody, and comes from a very loud family. He moves into the house next door to Tessa, the bubbly sunshine neighbor. Tessa is a music teacher at the local school. Everyone adores her and all the happiness she spreads. They first meet at a wedding, and it didn't go well. When they realize they are neighbors, they argue non-stop. But something ends up changing that eventually. This was such a cute book. Run and grab your copy today.
April 28, 2023
Enemies to friends premise. Too much psychoanalysis and who would want to date this guy in the book.
In the real world the lead guy character would be someone to run away from what a jerk.
Yuk. Not for me.
In the real world the lead guy character would be someone to run away from what a jerk.
Yuk. Not for me.
December 7, 2022
I’m loving the Donovan family. Liam is the eldest sibling and returns home after serving in the military. He is struggling to reconnect with his siblings as an adult. When he moves in to a new home, it’s just his luck that he moves next door to the always perky Tessa Sullivan. But it is all an act. Tessa is dealing with her own issues and as she grows closer to Liam, they begin to interfere. I really love this family and who the relate to each other as grown ups. It is funny and sweet how they still react like they did as kids. Bring on the rest of the stories!
November 25, 2022
Liam snuck in and stole my heart! Yes, he was serious, a little grumpy and spoke without a filter but he was also a little lost- which is what made him so endearing. Tessa was Liam's opposite in every way which caused some major missteps along the way but where she matched him perfectly was that she was a little lost herself. Samantha Chase wrote a great story that included just the right amount of heat, the fabulous Donovan family and the reminder that everyone's heart/love is a precious gift.
December 5, 2022
I thought this book was ok. It is a grumpy / sunshine trope and a behind closed doors romance. Both main characters have their own past trauma they are working through. He has just retired from the army and is now trying to put down roots and reconnect with his family. She is still in her perky, I’m totally happy about everything denial bubble after losing her husband. He moves in next door and upon her coming to welcome him to the neighborhood they realize they have previously met at a friend’s wedding a few months past and did not hit it off. They start a friendship of sorts that turns into a romantic connection. The guise of which was to help her get practice with men to start dating again. It felt immature and flimsy to use that as a shield when they start to develop real feelings. There is also a very problematic theme of his mother fat shaming her daughter to only eat salad and says she won't find someone if she keeps gaining weight. I thought after the first comment it would be a joke, but no. Her sentiment is repeated further on in the book and no one steps in to stop that or comment on it being fat shaming. Big no-no. This novel wasn't my favorite and honestly, I just wanted to finish it. The characters themselves were not bad and his family's bond seems fun to explore but I just didn't enjoy it. Maybe if you’ve read the series from the beginning and have a connection with the characters from that world building, you’d feel differently. I won’t be continuing.
**honest arc review from Netgalley
**honest arc review from Netgalley
January 29, 2023
Liam has spent more than the last decade serving his country and is trying to adjust as he makes plans for his future. He is looking forward to his new business, the house he has recently purchased and being close to his family. He wasn’t happy to find out that his neighbor is a woman he has met in the past who always sees the best in others and in every situation.
Even though Tessa’s past isn’t without its pain she works hard to show everyone she is happy both when it comes to her career as a teacher and her personal relationships. Although she tries to see the good in Liam his brutal opinions and cantankerous attitude makes that difficult but that doesn’t stop the feelings she is developing for him.
Liam and Tessa have dealt with their pasts very differently which causes some turmoil however with the help of those they care about they are able to overcome their mistakes and realize that they belong together. The narrator did a wonderful job with both characters and their feelings.
Even though Tessa’s past isn’t without its pain she works hard to show everyone she is happy both when it comes to her career as a teacher and her personal relationships. Although she tries to see the good in Liam his brutal opinions and cantankerous attitude makes that difficult but that doesn’t stop the feelings she is developing for him.
Liam and Tessa have dealt with their pasts very differently which causes some turmoil however with the help of those they care about they are able to overcome their mistakes and realize that they belong together. The narrator did a wonderful job with both characters and their feelings.
dnf
May 11, 2024Ya'll ... I'm 23.9% in on this audio and a scene is unfolding that has me so #twitchy I may not be able to get past it. It's walk away #twitchy ... #sendhelp
28.2% ... NO! NOPE! Just ... #fuckingfuckery
I'm done.
I can't think of a single time this has happened in the past with a Samantha Chase story but there are sensitive circumstances in this storyline that in my opinion are not being handled properly and quite frankly, border on disrespectful. Maybe down the line the character(s) redeem themselves and the author somehow pulls this all together but I'd have to continue to listen to this to get there and I'm just too #twitchy about this whole thing because WHY WAS IT WRITTEN LIKE THIS?! *sigh*
28.2% ... NO! NOPE! Just ... #fuckingfuckery
I'm done.
I can't think of a single time this has happened in the past with a Samantha Chase story but there are sensitive circumstances in this storyline that in my opinion are not being handled properly and quite frankly, border on disrespectful. Maybe down the line the character(s) redeem themselves and the author somehow pulls this all together but I'd have to continue to listen to this to get there and I'm just too #twitchy about this whole thing because WHY WAS IT WRITTEN LIKE THIS?! *sigh*
January 19, 2023
3.5 Stars. This is technically the third in The Donovan’s series. The first book is a 76 page prequel so this is the second full length novel. I’ve read Samantha Chase and the other books in the series so I knew what to expect. The Donovan’s are a big family. The parents own a pub and where family is always welcome. But the family can also be very meddling.
The oldest Donovan, Liam returns after 12 years in the Marines. He is used to being the one in charge with his time in the military and by being the oldest sibling. He purchases a new house and is appalled at the over the top decorations of his next door neighbor.
If Liam is the grumpy in this trope the sunshine is Tessa Sullivan. She believes in looking at the bright side of life and loves going over the top for holidays. She teaches music at the local elementary school. Of course sparks fly between the two. She is a widow and Liam is less than trackless when he suggest she needs therapy and to move on with her life. Antagonism turns to friendship and then to more.
Chase chooses closed door for her romances but the MC’s are soon getting busy with each other without defining what they are doing. You know they will crash at some point. I like that Tessa stands up for herself and isn’t bulldozed by Liam and his lack of communication.
Over all I really enjoyed the story. The Donovan family is a bit in your face. Two brothers fight out their feelings and to me that is Liam not using words to communicate so I didn’t find it a positive. Also I cringed when the mom is making fat comments about one of her daughters and no one calls her on it. It isn’t funny and I’m not the first reviewer to mention it is a big negative for the matriarch.
I listened to the audio book with narration by Carly Robins. She did a great job and I’ve listened to her narrate several authors books. Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. ***** I actually read and reviewed this in December 2022 for NetGalley and somehow it didn't get posted to Goodreads.
The oldest Donovan, Liam returns after 12 years in the Marines. He is used to being the one in charge with his time in the military and by being the oldest sibling. He purchases a new house and is appalled at the over the top decorations of his next door neighbor.
If Liam is the grumpy in this trope the sunshine is Tessa Sullivan. She believes in looking at the bright side of life and loves going over the top for holidays. She teaches music at the local elementary school. Of course sparks fly between the two. She is a widow and Liam is less than trackless when he suggest she needs therapy and to move on with her life. Antagonism turns to friendship and then to more.
Chase chooses closed door for her romances but the MC’s are soon getting busy with each other without defining what they are doing. You know they will crash at some point. I like that Tessa stands up for herself and isn’t bulldozed by Liam and his lack of communication.
Over all I really enjoyed the story. The Donovan family is a bit in your face. Two brothers fight out their feelings and to me that is Liam not using words to communicate so I didn’t find it a positive. Also I cringed when the mom is making fat comments about one of her daughters and no one calls her on it. It isn’t funny and I’m not the first reviewer to mention it is a big negative for the matriarch.
I listened to the audio book with narration by Carly Robins. She did a great job and I’ve listened to her narrate several authors books. Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. ***** I actually read and reviewed this in December 2022 for NetGalley and somehow it didn't get posted to Goodreads.
January 28, 2023
I love a good Grumpy Sunshine Romance and Liam and Tessa were perfect.
Liam Donovan is finally home after his years in the military. Feeling a little out of his element, he's sure that starting a business with his best friend and finally buying a home will help fill in the funk he's feeling.
Tessa Sullivan moved to Laural Bay to try and start over. She is a much too young widow who is tired of people butting into her life. She's fine but everyone who knows her thinks she needs to move on. So she has. Or at least she thought she had.
When Liam moves in next door to Tessa - he realizes that he knows the perky too happy new neighbor. He met her months before at a friend's wedding and she rubbed him the wrong way. Tessa is determined to stay out of Liam's way. Stick to the happy little bubble she's built. Even if the guy is a walking Adonis.
These two opposites have a common bond in the physical sense but sometime during this agreement they make, things start to turn in a different direction.
Liam is the typical know it all Alpha male in the way that he knows he's harsh but he thinks he's helping instead of hindering. Tessa is trying to break free of the past but having a hard time letting go.
The pull these two had for each other was fun to watch. Even though they were as different from night and day - they still had this magnetism that they just couldn't deny. Both looking to find themselves - had their eyes opened in a way they never thought possible.
We get more of the Donovan bunch which is always full of fun and laughter. I really loved Tempt Me and it is my favorite couple of the series so far.
Liam Donovan is finally home after his years in the military. Feeling a little out of his element, he's sure that starting a business with his best friend and finally buying a home will help fill in the funk he's feeling.
Tessa Sullivan moved to Laural Bay to try and start over. She is a much too young widow who is tired of people butting into her life. She's fine but everyone who knows her thinks she needs to move on. So she has. Or at least she thought she had.
When Liam moves in next door to Tessa - he realizes that he knows the perky too happy new neighbor. He met her months before at a friend's wedding and she rubbed him the wrong way. Tessa is determined to stay out of Liam's way. Stick to the happy little bubble she's built. Even if the guy is a walking Adonis.
These two opposites have a common bond in the physical sense but sometime during this agreement they make, things start to turn in a different direction.
Liam is the typical know it all Alpha male in the way that he knows he's harsh but he thinks he's helping instead of hindering. Tessa is trying to break free of the past but having a hard time letting go.
The pull these two had for each other was fun to watch. Even though they were as different from night and day - they still had this magnetism that they just couldn't deny. Both looking to find themselves - had their eyes opened in a way they never thought possible.
We get more of the Donovan bunch which is always full of fun and laughter. I really loved Tempt Me and it is my favorite couple of the series so far.
February 5, 2023
Opposites attract! Liam is the oldest brother and from previous books we know he is strict, somewhat staid, and very opinionated. Tessa was briefly mentioned in a previous book, but now we learn about her and all her sunshine and cheer! I adore that part of her character includes little miss Phoebe❤️
I love SC stories. They always take me away and immerse me in the community and characters. That doesn’t mean everyone is perfect, in fact it os their “flaws” that make them so relatable and I would argue likable!! For example, Liam’s mom has some rough moments for me when she comments about her daughters weight and all the children’s love life. But, then she has moments like with Tessa about who her son really is that shows how much love she has for the family.
Tessa and Liam butt heads and personalities a lot. Their ending was cute and I enjoyed seeing them get a HEA. I can’t say they were my favorite or top favorites for SC characters or couples, but I like what they brought to the series, how quickly I flew through the story and the additional insight to the other siblings in the Donovan clan!
I love SC stories. They always take me away and immerse me in the community and characters. That doesn’t mean everyone is perfect, in fact it os their “flaws” that make them so relatable and I would argue likable!! For example, Liam’s mom has some rough moments for me when she comments about her daughters weight and all the children’s love life. But, then she has moments like with Tessa about who her son really is that shows how much love she has for the family.
Tessa and Liam butt heads and personalities a lot. Their ending was cute and I enjoyed seeing them get a HEA. I can’t say they were my favorite or top favorites for SC characters or couples, but I like what they brought to the series, how quickly I flew through the story and the additional insight to the other siblings in the Donovan clan!
Read
December 10, 2022Thank you to valentine pr for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review:
Dnf at 37% don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t a bad book by any means. In fact I think it’s well written and cute! But I just didn’t connect w the characters and for me characters in a romance are a big deal! I wish it was a little less cringe and not so many tropey add ons.
I feel bad that I didn’t love this cuz I was super excited! It’s a holiday neighbor grumpy sunshine and those are some of my fav things so I had high hopes. I’m still not 100% sure what didn’t work 🤷🏻♀️
Anws, I’m sure many people could absolutely love this but having read a lot of these this one just didn’t hit unfortunately!
Dnf at 37% don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t a bad book by any means. In fact I think it’s well written and cute! But I just didn’t connect w the characters and for me characters in a romance are a big deal! I wish it was a little less cringe and not so many tropey add ons.
I feel bad that I didn’t love this cuz I was super excited! It’s a holiday neighbor grumpy sunshine and those are some of my fav things so I had high hopes. I’m still not 100% sure what didn’t work 🤷🏻♀️
Anws, I’m sure many people could absolutely love this but having read a lot of these this one just didn’t hit unfortunately!
December 10, 2022
For the Most part I liked it. There were just two things that shocked me. First, was how much stamina Tessa and Liam had. I swear it seems like they were intimate six times in one day. No one has that kind of stamina at least it’s been a while. And two, when Riley‘s mother was fat shaming her And making her eat salad while everyone else got burgers and unhealthy food. It was sad. But other than that I enjoyed it
Yes my husband wants to write a review so here it is OMG it was the most emotional book ever in a sarcastic voice his words not mine
Yes my husband wants to write a review so here it is OMG it was the most emotional book ever in a sarcastic voice his words not mine
January 5, 2023
I listened to the Audiobook version of the book. I thought both narrators did an excellent job. You could tell they were more experienced narrators.
This is a well written “enemies to lovers” I took away a star because of predictability.
A romantic story of a love lost woman and a hardened man thrust together as neighbors. This story is set in a tight knit small town. A crucial time in their lives when they don’t realize just how lonely they are.
This is a good book that I had a hard time putting down. A solid romance story that any romance ready will enjoy
This is a well written “enemies to lovers” I took away a star because of predictability.
A romantic story of a love lost woman and a hardened man thrust together as neighbors. This story is set in a tight knit small town. A crucial time in their lives when they don’t realize just how lonely they are.
This is a good book that I had a hard time putting down. A solid romance story that any romance ready will enjoy
November 29, 2022
OMG OMG OMG! What a cute story!
Liam is a veteran who has been in the military for 12 long years. He knows nothing more than being on top of him and not letting his feelings over power him.
Tessa is a widow and a school teacher who is over cheery and loves to celebrate anything and everything!
These two have met once before and they weren’t static of each other and now they are next door neighbors!
It all started with Tessa’s over decorated front yard…
Liam is a veteran who has been in the military for 12 long years. He knows nothing more than being on top of him and not letting his feelings over power him.
Tessa is a widow and a school teacher who is over cheery and loves to celebrate anything and everything!
These two have met once before and they weren’t static of each other and now they are next door neighbors!
It all started with Tessa’s over decorated front yard…
December 3, 2022
Cute enough but not memorable and the fat shaming from the mother (a character that was supposed to be the sweet beloved matriarch) was jarring and enraging. Even though it wasn't the sister's book, we got several scenes where the mother makes sure she knows she is fat and will die alone if she doesn't stop eating. It's really gross
December 29, 2022
This is a steamy and slightly angsty romance. The narration was done very well, and the story is well written. Samantha Chase walks us through grief, letting go, and trusting yourself and others after a devastating loss.
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