Who can resist a book with a villain named The Expresso Bandit? Not me. This book had me drawn in with the chemistry between Madison and Gabe but add in the mystery of the robberies and now I am hooked. These two had a serious attraction from the start even though I felt that Madison needed to slow her flirt just a little. I like a strong female heroine but not a brash and boastful one. I couldn’t connect with her but I absolutely loved Gabe. He was the strong, silent type that you just knew would protect you for all the bad guys that come your way. Overall it was a delightful story.

When I began this short story, I realized I had read a prior addition so I was familiar with the story.

Although it was a technically well written book, I found the female character, Madison, extremely unlikeable. She was portrayed as a typical young, entitled, rich family type of girl. On top of that, she came across as very shallow even though she supposedly had lived and worked in Italy for a year and had an MBA.

Her treatment of Gabe, her brother's best friend and a police officer, was abhorrent. She is attracted to him, seduces him and then says she's just looking for rebound sex? And it gets worse...I'm sorry but just NO!

Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for providing me with a free copy for an honest review.

This was a nice way to spend my day.

Gabe and Madison have known each other for years. He's her brother's best friend. So, when Madison decides she needs a rebound fling, she picks Gabe cause he's hot and she knows him. gabe resists for a while, but he realizes Madison is just the woman he needs, all while protecting her from a robber who is out to kill her.

I LOVED the action and the Espresso Bandit plot! It was great! And the conclusion to it had me cheering. What I didn't love was Madison. Now, don't get me wrong. I liked her, but she was the one in pursuit of Gabe. Even after he told her no. She just came on a little strong for my liking. She may not bother others, so don't like my feelings persuade you in any way. Gabe was hot. He was sort of broody and he was a good guy :)

*thanks to IndieSage PR for sharing a copy of this with me*

Since I have not read this author before I was drawn to it by what lay inside according to the blurb. It centered around Madison and Gabriel with their story being sweet and hot. Hot as the coffee served but with some spice that seemed to follow along. She also had my man in a uniform in here with that being a seal the deal for me to settle down and follow them along as they go after the bandit. Stubbornness begins at first but when danger takes over the direction changes with us getting into the heart of this one. I stay with them until they get to their conclusion with me getting a wonderful read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I absolutely love romances with the trope of brother's best friend.
Shelli is a new to me author, and I really liked her writing style. I found myself easily absorbed into her world, and her characters are all well developed.
The chemistry between Gabe & Madison is very hot, and the sexual tension is ugh so good!!!
I would definitely read other books by this author

I really enjoyed this book! I read it before in its earlier incarnation as Dangerous Grounds and it was good then and I have to say I really loved the updated version. I love best friend’s forbidden sibling stories and Madison and Gabriel are no exception. I really liked them together and their relationship is a bit complex but very believable. I thought it was funny how Maddie just couldn’t stop saying the wrong thing, every single time. This was a great book and a great series and I hope the rest of the stories will be re released as well. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Madison, Maddie, is a twenty-five year old determined to make her way in the world after being raised with the proverbial silver spoon in her mouth. She spent a year in Italy, gets her MBA, and decides to open a coffee shop. After being recently dumped, she decides it's time to date again-maybe a rebound guy??

While attending a welcome home party for Maddie's brother, Eric, she happens upon Gabe, his sexy cop best friend. Wow, when did he get all swoon-worthy?? He's always been a relationship-phoebe and jumps from one girl to the next. Maybe he just may be the ticket Maddie is looking for. But he's Eric's best friend and he's always thought of her as the younger kid sister. How can she change his mind?? She sets out to seduce him. Using her best moves, Gabe proves to be immune to her advances. He thinks sleeping with her is a bad idea-even though she is tempting.

Things heat up when Maddie's business is robbed by the Espresso Bandit, and Gabe's arrival saves her from death. But the Bandit flees out the back door with her purse. He now knows where she lives. As she is the only person whose seen him, the cops put her under protection until the man is caught. Eric asks Gabe to personally watch over her, so she moves into his house. Things definitely heat up between the two. Feelings start getting in the way though, and lines become blurry. Maddie has another attempt on her life, so Gabe whisks her out of town. They hide away in seclusion at a friends cabin.

Gabe and Maddie's romance blossoms in the secluded cabin. They really get to know one another and talk about things no one else knows. Romantic dinners and walks on the beach-everything is like a dream. When they are forced back out of hiding to identify a suspect, things go sideways quick. Can they right the path given the obstacles thrown in their way??

I enjoyed Gabe and Maddie's romance! I rooted for these two from the start and their romance just flowed. I felt Maddie was immature at times and even naïve, but I liked her. There was no way Gabe wasn't going to fold to her seducing ways! They were hot together and sex was whew! give me a cigarette! Gabe was smitten right away-although he didn't want to admit it. He knew Maddie felt different to him. He wanted her with him so he could protect her and keep her from harm.

The ending was done well, the Espresso Bandit meets his match, but I didn't like Maddie's misplaced sediments towards Gabe after. Yes she comes around, finally, and we are treated to the ending our heart's want so bad! Definitely worth the time reading Grounds for Seduction! Grab an espresso and dive right in!

reviewed by Deb

Rarely do I come across characters in books that I dislike so much that it completely ruins the story for me by the h of this one Madison Phillips is one such character. I love a strong confident female character that's not afraid to go after what she wants. However, Maddy is over the top with her sexual aggression towards Gabe Martinez. Even though Gabe is attracted to her, Maddy is his best friend's sister and he's reluctant to let anything happen. He's especially reluctant when he becomes concerned for her safety against the "expresso bandit". A thief who is targeting coffee shops like the one Maddy owns.

The story isn't bad although slightly silly at times but I couldn't get past the characters to really enjoy it.

Ugh. Madison was a horrible rediculous character. I have no idea why anyone would want to even be near her, let alone in a relationship with her. She spoiled, naive, and completely selfish. Also, she practically attacks Gabe, he turns her down repeatedly, so she handcuffs him until he agrees to have sex with her. If the genders were reversed you'd have,people up in arms, no means no, etc. And the whole premise is silly. If her parents live in a gated estate that would be the safest place for her. And they certainly had the means to hire a bodyguard. The whole thing was silly. And if a police officers badge was stolen, it's a pretty big to do. Maybe I could have gotten past those issues, but the characters weren't likeable, so I was not at all invested. They all seemed much more,like high schoolers than adults.

3.5 Stars

I have to say it's not very often that I come across a character that I really dislike. Unfortunately, in this story, Madison is definitely not on the top of my list.

I know the author was trying to make her a strong, independent woman who knew exactly what she liked, but in reality she created a character who came off like a cocky, spoiled, inconsiderate, trampy girl.

The good thing is, and the only thing that got me through this book, was Gabe. A decidedly hot, kind, caring guy who gave up trying to resist Madison's over the top advances. He became her protector and the object of a few sweaty moments of my own.

While the author had a strong plot that was unique and well-developed, I wish Madison would've been a different type of woman. We are given a great HEA but it wasn't without a lot of bumps in the road.

With plenty of sexy hot moments in this read and the delicious specimen with the name of Gabe, this was a really good book. I just didn't connect with Madison in the least. And for that reason kind of soured my experience with this book.

When I requested this book, I did not realize that it was previously published (although I think this one has been updated) and that I had it on my TBR stack. I have read several books by Ms. Stevens and like her writing. It flows very nicely and the descriptions of Seattle and the surrounding areas makes you feel as if you are standing with the characters. This is a nice, sweet and sexy story with the best friend’s sister trope. I loved seeing Gabe trying to stay the course and not give in…great sexual tension moments. I would have liked more non-sexual tension in the story and it did happen at the end.

DNF. Madison was a LOT too aggressive for my tastes. It wasn't daring or sassy, it was kinda skanky and desperate. Tone it down a bit, lady! I also (to the extent that I did read) found her be silly - who starts a business they aren't capable of running? Throws herself THAT hard at a guy? The premise... something about a caffeine bandit? Eh. Couldn't get into it.

Madison, recently dumped and soon opening her own business is at her brothers welcome home party from Iraq. She decides maybe she needs a rebound fling and when her brothers long time best friend walks in, she takes the chance. Gabe Martinez is Eric's best friend, a cop and while he finds Madison damn near irresistible he shuts her down.
Madison opens her new business, and though she can't make a cup of coffee to save her life, she's got Sarah, barista and much more. Meanwhile there have been a rash of robberies of coffee shops around Seattle and each one the violence has escalated. Gabe warns Madison to be careful. So not even open a full week for business, she's robbed. She's also the only one to see the perp and he's taken her handbag. It's decided to keep her safe that she live with Gabe. The shop is closed for a few days and Madison is honing her seduction skills. These two court and spark and there's steam o' plenty, no cappuccino machine needed.
Her brother is getting married, his bride tries to pair Gabe off with her maid of honor setting Madison on edge. These two are hiding their relationship (loose term). Madison shows her insecurities.
When the robber comes back during broad daylight with a gun, Gabe is grazed, no one else is hit and it's decided that they need to disappear for a week until they can catch this guy. They go up to Whidby to a cabin. Things seem to change for these two. I say seem to, these two have more mood swings that a roomful of menopausal women, but that's ok. Keeps the story going.
When they get the call that the bad guy's been arrested, they return home. Back to her apartment, she goes to shower and he leaves briefly and well.... let's just say you have to read the book. The ending is interesting.
I would have liked this book better had the focus been narrowed down just a tad. It's a good and quick read and I'd recommend it. You get a whole lot of steam and not a lot of coffee in your cup!
3.5 stars from me.

**arc from NetGalley and Publisher in exchanged for a fair review**

Grounds for Seduction by Shelli Stevens is a good read with plenty of heat. Maddie and Gabe have such great chemistry and the banter betweeen the two...I abso~love it! Maddie definitely likes to try and get Gabe all riled up...and who of us wouldn’t? I want a Gabe :p This story is based on the brother’s best-friend troupe and is well-done. Definitely will be adding Ms. Stevens to my go-to author list.

Please note that an ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review of which this is both honest and completely voluntary.

I received a ARC from Netgalley for a honest review.
Great book! I enjoy reading Gabriel and Maddie story. Maddie is a strong, intelligent and loving woman. Gabriel is a strong men with good values. I recommend reading this book.

3.5 Stars Grounds for Seduction is a steamy, hot read. I liked Maddie and Gabe and the banter made for good story. I will read more by this author.

3 1/2 Stars.....

A nice mix of sexual tension, taboo attraction and strong characters, made Grounds for Seduction a fascinating read and one that I easily read in one sitting.

Madison and Gabriel had intense chemistry, and their constant banter made the overall plot even more enjoyable. Shelli Stevens has penned a fun, steamy and passionate story, that’s sure to appeal. There was a lot going on, but overall a good read.

Okay, I am by no means a prude, and I enjoy sexuality in romance as much as any reader of romance....but come on! This was beyond ridiculous - the girl needed to have some class, for goodness sake. She is a spoiled brat, used to getting everything she wants, and when a guy tells her no, she invites him to her coffee shop where she proceeds to offer him a blow job. When he turns that down, she starts stripping. No, nope, hell no. I couldn't read any further. It was just embarrassing. I felt embarrassed for her. There was no build-up. I didn't get a chance to form a bond with either the hero or heroine before the vulgarity became over the top and frankly, smacked of desperation. Not attractive. No thank you. Very sorry, but not my cup of tea at all.

a solid romance with a unique and interesting plot. enjoyed

3.5 Stars!

Are you in the mood for a hot and steamy read? Then pick up a copy of Grounds for Seduction by Shelli Stevens. This story takes place in the Seattle area, and because of the author's descriptive words, I felt like I was experiencing the city's ambiance in real-time.

The two main characters, coffee shop owner Madison Phillips, and police officer Gabe Martinez, have know each other for a long time. Gabe has been best friends with Maddie's older brother Eric for years. Now Eric is getting married and both Maddie and Gabe are in the wedding party. Maddie has always felt something for Gabe, but due to their age difference, she has never felt comfortable doing anything about it. Maddie has decided to seduce Gabe, whether he wants her or not. Until recently, Gabe always treated Maddie like a younger sister, and now he cannot stop thinking about her.

Maddie's brand new coffee shop gets robbed, as does a few of the other coffee establishments in the area. The Expresso Bandit is on the loose, but since Maddie can recognize the violent robber, she needs to be under protective custody. Gabe becomes her bodyguard, and very quickly their mutual lust for each other becomes much more.

I liked this book, however, I would have preferred a little more story along with the hot sexy times. Maddie and Gabe are fun characters, and I enjoyed how they discovered different things about each other. Although there is a lot going on in the book, the plot fell a little flat for me.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.