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Living with Temptation
While attempting to move on from her failed marriage, Chelsea Levin receives an offer from Dean Westley, New Jersey's notorious playboy millionaire. For a week she can share his house on the condition that it will be strictly professional. Unaware of his true motives, she accepts his offer but soon finds herself wildly attracted to him.
After being branded cold hearted by the media, Dean attempts to change his wayward reputation by using Chelsea. As he struggles to hide his past secrets, he quickly begins developing feelings for her - and succumbing to temptation. To heal each other, they must heal together. But the past is hard to overcome and when Chelsea learns to trust again, Dean's secrets emerge.
After being branded cold hearted by the media, Dean attempts to change his wayward reputation by using Chelsea. As he struggles to hide his past secrets, he quickly begins developing feelings for her - and succumbing to temptation. To heal each other, they must heal together. But the past is hard to overcome and when Chelsea learns to trust again, Dean's secrets emerge.
- GenresContemporary Romance
174 pages, ebook
First published December 16, 2012
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 12, 2013
Review posted at:
Story Rating 4 stars
Character Rating 4 Stars
Romance Rating 5 Stars
Heat Level 3 Stars
Overall Rating 4.5 Stars
OH MY! I REALLY enjoyed this book. It was an easy read but kept me interested all the way through. This is the type of story that women might fantasize about happening to them, well not the whole story but the part where she would meet a sexy hot millionaire who also happens to be great in bed, LOL. I must say this is not an erotic romance but there were some steamy love scenes that kept this jaded reader very happy.
Near the end, it became heart wrenching and I was sobbing for the heroine Chelsea. I was hoping for a HEA and then the ending gave me one that was so good that I added another 1/2 star to my rating.
This was my first read from Melinda Hale and I can assure you it won't be my last.
*A copy of this book was Kindly provided by Melinda Hale in exchange for an honest review*
Story Rating 4 stars
Character Rating 4 Stars
Romance Rating 5 Stars
Heat Level 3 Stars
Overall Rating 4.5 Stars
OH MY! I REALLY enjoyed this book. It was an easy read but kept me interested all the way through. This is the type of story that women might fantasize about happening to them, well not the whole story but the part where she would meet a sexy hot millionaire who also happens to be great in bed, LOL. I must say this is not an erotic romance but there were some steamy love scenes that kept this jaded reader very happy.
Near the end, it became heart wrenching and I was sobbing for the heroine Chelsea. I was hoping for a HEA and then the ending gave me one that was so good that I added another 1/2 star to my rating.
This was my first read from Melinda Hale and I can assure you it won't be my last.
*A copy of this book was Kindly provided by Melinda Hale in exchange for an honest review*
September 5, 2013
Just finished "Living with Temptation"... This is the first story I've read from author Melinda Hale.
It was an enjoyable romance that had an easy flow.
Chelsea's married and discovers her husband Ryan has been unfaithful. Leaving her with no where to go. Through a mutual friend, she meets millionaire Dean Westerly who has problems of his own and thinks Chelsea is the one to fix them.
The relationship has its ups and downs, with very few characters being introduced besides the main 2. I think the story is a good one, but I would have liked to have seen a little more emotional turmoil, maybe a triangle perspective. The love scenes were nicely done and tasteful without being over the top. The back and forth emotions make you wanna shake one if not both characters at times.
All in all, an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Hale...
It was an enjoyable romance that had an easy flow.
Chelsea's married and discovers her husband Ryan has been unfaithful. Leaving her with no where to go. Through a mutual friend, she meets millionaire Dean Westerly who has problems of his own and thinks Chelsea is the one to fix them.
The relationship has its ups and downs, with very few characters being introduced besides the main 2. I think the story is a good one, but I would have liked to have seen a little more emotional turmoil, maybe a triangle perspective. The love scenes were nicely done and tasteful without being over the top. The back and forth emotions make you wanna shake one if not both characters at times.
All in all, an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Hale...
September 2, 2013
Repetition is not always Key
Disclaimer: I volunteered and received this book to read for review.
As far as the nuts and bolts are concerned, this novella (approximately 150 pages in length) is, I believe, the debut work of Ms. Hale. It is a fine first story and, after reading this, I look forward to reading her second novella, Undressing the Billionaire, for which I have also volunteered to R4R.
In summary, Chelsea is recently separated after discovering her husband, Ryan, was unfaithful. In a financial bind and needing a place to live, she is introduced to Dean Westerly through a mutual friend and moves in with him on a temporary basis. Dean has inherited wealth and has a playboy reputation, the latter of which he would like to change. His first attempt failed and now he's making attempt No. 2, unbeknownst to Chelsea.
I do not feel the characters were very well-developed. They were vague in definition and never grew into solid characters I came to know. This may be an element of the short-story aspect of this writing, but I think that a short story is not itself a reason for under developed characters, especially as I am referring to the H and the h, not the minor characters.
Outside of the sex/passion scenes (which have more action and little talk), there is fairly little dialogue in the book and far too much of Chelsea's repetitive thoughts � the reader reads repetitive passages of Chelsea’s thoughts and concerns about relationships, whether with Dean or beyond Dean or in her past with Ryan. Unfortunately, her thoughts are restated rather than developed and showing growth or maturity as the story progresses. Also reiterated overly much is Chelsea’s titling Dean as a "playboy millionaire". As she repeats this title to herself, I felt that she is fixated on this media-given title, continually reminding herself of his "true self", and cannot move beyond the fact that he has money. There's more to a wealthy person than their wealth and she seems to be unable to move beyond his fine clothes and nice (inherited) house or the lifestyle those with more money become accustomed to.
The majority of the story is told from Chelsea's point of view, with very little time spent in Dean's point of view and only one character speaking on Dean's behalf. With little dialogue, Dean remains shallow, undefined and unknown to the reader. There is little opportunity for the reader giving Dean the benefit of doubt or have faith that he will do what is right. It doesn't help the reader that Dean is hardened by the media and his first failed attempt to recover his good name that he remains stoic and close-mouthed.
Both Dean and Chelsea are presented as superficial, with hints of deepness never truly explored or revealed. Success is often defined by wealth � Dean has it, but didn't earn it; Chelsea and Ryan once had it, but lost it. Of course, we know that there is more to a successful life than wealth. We see the possibility of Chelsea’s and Dean’s successful life dawning in the closing pages of the book, but we don’t actually read it � we hope for it as the story ends. Is that the point the author is making? One can’t be certain because the characters never had it while we were reading about them.
I was disappointed that the e-book I received from the author was not fully edited for punctuation, grammar, spelling (to/too, your/you're) and such, only because this book is already in the market. Had I been asked to be a Beta reader, my expectations would have been different than reading for review a book available for sale. Action and movement sometimes appeared impossible (bodies in a position, then a hand or mouth reaching to another place inconsistent with how their bodies were, or being in one place of a room, then whooshed to another place, then back again...hard for the reader to visualize).
All-in-all, a good beginning novella from a debuting author with room for improvement and room for growth!
Disclaimer: I volunteered and received this book to read for review.
As far as the nuts and bolts are concerned, this novella (approximately 150 pages in length) is, I believe, the debut work of Ms. Hale. It is a fine first story and, after reading this, I look forward to reading her second novella, Undressing the Billionaire, for which I have also volunteered to R4R.
In summary, Chelsea is recently separated after discovering her husband, Ryan, was unfaithful. In a financial bind and needing a place to live, she is introduced to Dean Westerly through a mutual friend and moves in with him on a temporary basis. Dean has inherited wealth and has a playboy reputation, the latter of which he would like to change. His first attempt failed and now he's making attempt No. 2, unbeknownst to Chelsea.
I do not feel the characters were very well-developed. They were vague in definition and never grew into solid characters I came to know. This may be an element of the short-story aspect of this writing, but I think that a short story is not itself a reason for under developed characters, especially as I am referring to the H and the h, not the minor characters.
Outside of the sex/passion scenes (which have more action and little talk), there is fairly little dialogue in the book and far too much of Chelsea's repetitive thoughts � the reader reads repetitive passages of Chelsea’s thoughts and concerns about relationships, whether with Dean or beyond Dean or in her past with Ryan. Unfortunately, her thoughts are restated rather than developed and showing growth or maturity as the story progresses. Also reiterated overly much is Chelsea’s titling Dean as a "playboy millionaire". As she repeats this title to herself, I felt that she is fixated on this media-given title, continually reminding herself of his "true self", and cannot move beyond the fact that he has money. There's more to a wealthy person than their wealth and she seems to be unable to move beyond his fine clothes and nice (inherited) house or the lifestyle those with more money become accustomed to.
The majority of the story is told from Chelsea's point of view, with very little time spent in Dean's point of view and only one character speaking on Dean's behalf. With little dialogue, Dean remains shallow, undefined and unknown to the reader. There is little opportunity for the reader giving Dean the benefit of doubt or have faith that he will do what is right. It doesn't help the reader that Dean is hardened by the media and his first failed attempt to recover his good name that he remains stoic and close-mouthed.
Both Dean and Chelsea are presented as superficial, with hints of deepness never truly explored or revealed. Success is often defined by wealth � Dean has it, but didn't earn it; Chelsea and Ryan once had it, but lost it. Of course, we know that there is more to a successful life than wealth. We see the possibility of Chelsea’s and Dean’s successful life dawning in the closing pages of the book, but we don’t actually read it � we hope for it as the story ends. Is that the point the author is making? One can’t be certain because the characters never had it while we were reading about them.
I was disappointed that the e-book I received from the author was not fully edited for punctuation, grammar, spelling (to/too, your/you're) and such, only because this book is already in the market. Had I been asked to be a Beta reader, my expectations would have been different than reading for review a book available for sale. Action and movement sometimes appeared impossible (bodies in a position, then a hand or mouth reaching to another place inconsistent with how their bodies were, or being in one place of a room, then whooshed to another place, then back again...hard for the reader to visualize).
All-in-all, a good beginning novella from a debuting author with room for improvement and room for growth!
January 27, 2013
This review was originally posted at where I received the book as a free reviewing copy.
Recently separated from her cheating husband, Chelsea needs a place to stay for a few days. Playboy millionaire Dean needs some help to keep the media at bay, and change his image. A mutual friend connects them to solve both their problems. What starts out as a helpful offer becomes a lot more when their attraction sizzles with their continued close proximity.
I wanted to like this book. Who doesn't like a second-chance at love story? And the cover promised me smexy times and some fine lingerie. I was in!
To the author's credit, I liked the way the bedroom scenes were written. The story is based on the passion the characters feel, and the culmination of that was infrequent, but effective. There was little demonstrated sexual tension between Chelsea and Dean, but when they were on, they were on fire!
Apart from the smexy time, what ensued was confusion, mostly mine, brought about by the inconsistencies in the story. The characters can't seem to make up their minds about how they feel or what they want; not that unusual in a romance story, I hear you say, and right you are! But when it happens continuously, within the space of a page or two, then a reader might start to wonder what they'd missed. The characters would think one thing, and then say and do something completely different, leaving the reader adrift. and it didn't only happen with the two main characters. At one stage Say what?
Adding to the frustration, the author employed the tactic of telling, not showing. I wanted to read more of the interaction between Chelsea and Dean, to see for myself through their communication and actions how much chemistry there was and how those feelings evolved to reach the satisfying conclusion at the end of the book. Instead, the characters were portrayed often in scenes where they were thinking about each other and working through those feelings in their head. The reader is able to see first hand how the characters feel from the narration, rather than from the scene descriptions of when Chelsea and Dean are together. Other readers might not mind this as much as I did.
I would be interested to see what improvements this author could make when they start describing the story, rather than narrating it, but I understand that this type of storytelling is very much a personal preference. Lovers of Harlequin category reads might get a real kick out of this one.
Recently separated from her cheating husband, Chelsea needs a place to stay for a few days. Playboy millionaire Dean needs some help to keep the media at bay, and change his image. A mutual friend connects them to solve both their problems. What starts out as a helpful offer becomes a lot more when their attraction sizzles with their continued close proximity.
I wanted to like this book. Who doesn't like a second-chance at love story? And the cover promised me smexy times and some fine lingerie. I was in!
To the author's credit, I liked the way the bedroom scenes were written. The story is based on the passion the characters feel, and the culmination of that was infrequent, but effective. There was little demonstrated sexual tension between Chelsea and Dean, but when they were on, they were on fire!
Apart from the smexy time, what ensued was confusion, mostly mine, brought about by the inconsistencies in the story. The characters can't seem to make up their minds about how they feel or what they want; not that unusual in a romance story, I hear you say, and right you are! But when it happens continuously, within the space of a page or two, then a reader might start to wonder what they'd missed. The characters would think one thing, and then say and do something completely different, leaving the reader adrift. and it didn't only happen with the two main characters. At one stage Say what?
Adding to the frustration, the author employed the tactic of telling, not showing. I wanted to read more of the interaction between Chelsea and Dean, to see for myself through their communication and actions how much chemistry there was and how those feelings evolved to reach the satisfying conclusion at the end of the book. Instead, the characters were portrayed often in scenes where they were thinking about each other and working through those feelings in their head. The reader is able to see first hand how the characters feel from the narration, rather than from the scene descriptions of when Chelsea and Dean are together. Other readers might not mind this as much as I did.
I would be interested to see what improvements this author could make when they start describing the story, rather than narrating it, but I understand that this type of storytelling is very much a personal preference. Lovers of Harlequin category reads might get a real kick out of this one.
September 14, 2013
I received a copy of this from the author in return for my honest opinion.
I was expecting to enjoy this much, much more than I did. A woman, recovering from a broken marriage, is taken in by a handsome millionaire while both of them fight their natural attraction for one another. I was hoping for zinging chemistry and a slow burn attraction. Sadly I didn't get that.
In its defence, the sex scenes were hot and well written.
Most of this was written from Chelsey's pov and she had my head spinning by the way she said one thing then immediately did another. I know that's common in this sort of fiction, but in this story it felt more like an inconsistency than a dithering female character trait. It rather killed the chemistry between them because it felt like they were stuck in a loop.
I also got extremely bored by the obsession with his millionaire status. I'm not sure whether the obsession with the whole millionaire thing was the narrator or the author, but it was mentioned far too frequently for my liking. I would rather read more about how he looked or how he looked at her than be reminded he's a millionaire at every turn. At one point Chelsey admires her reflection in a new dress by saying she looks like a millionaire? Perhaps I'm fussy or know too many fictional millionaires now but for me, the mere fact of being a millionaire in itself is not enough to make someone attractive. The thing about millionaires in stories like this is that it's shorthand for success, someone who does something well and much better than most other people who never manage that level of success and wealth. I didn't get that about the male love interest, Dean though because he'd inherited his wealth and well, he didn't actually do anything but spend money. Kind of difficult to admire that.
A pity really, I was hoping I would enjoy this more.
I was expecting to enjoy this much, much more than I did. A woman, recovering from a broken marriage, is taken in by a handsome millionaire while both of them fight their natural attraction for one another. I was hoping for zinging chemistry and a slow burn attraction. Sadly I didn't get that.
In its defence, the sex scenes were hot and well written.
Most of this was written from Chelsey's pov and she had my head spinning by the way she said one thing then immediately did another. I know that's common in this sort of fiction, but in this story it felt more like an inconsistency than a dithering female character trait. It rather killed the chemistry between them because it felt like they were stuck in a loop.
I also got extremely bored by the obsession with his millionaire status. I'm not sure whether the obsession with the whole millionaire thing was the narrator or the author, but it was mentioned far too frequently for my liking. I would rather read more about how he looked or how he looked at her than be reminded he's a millionaire at every turn. At one point Chelsey admires her reflection in a new dress by saying she looks like a millionaire? Perhaps I'm fussy or know too many fictional millionaires now but for me, the mere fact of being a millionaire in itself is not enough to make someone attractive. The thing about millionaires in stories like this is that it's shorthand for success, someone who does something well and much better than most other people who never manage that level of success and wealth. I didn't get that about the male love interest, Dean though because he'd inherited his wealth and well, he didn't actually do anything but spend money. Kind of difficult to admire that.
A pity really, I was hoping I would enjoy this more.
September 12, 2013
Boy, this title sure did hit the nail on the head. Both Chelsea and Dean had to live with it from the moment they meet. But Dean was holding back too much from Chelsea to begin with and Chelsea was never holding back anything. It was a great read. I really enjoyed it. And as much as we all hated too, you really did start to like Nicola. I wish she had a larger part, but it was a short book. I can actually see Chelsea and Nicola becoming close. That would be HUGE!!!
January 18, 2013
nice light romance. very quick read.
Read
July 24, 2014DNF. Tried absolutely could not force myself to finish. No one could make up their mind what they were thinking or feeling. Dumb dumb ppl.
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