Tempting Fate is another fantastic novel by Kerrigan Byrne! The characters, who we met in previous novels, truly came to life in this story. Felicity and Gabriel compliment each other perfectly. They are equally flawed and equally lovable! My only disappointment was that I did not get to see more of their romance continue to unfold! I would love to see what the future holds for them.

I am a huge fan of Kerrigan Byrne and of the Goode Girls spin off series and this is yet another books where Kerrigan doesn't disappoint. In this story we get to see Gabriel and Felicity fall in love. Their romance is sweet to read through and what I loved about them is that it is heavily rooted in friendship, understanding, and companionship and not just attraction and passion. Felicity has severe anxiety around anyone, especially men, that she does not know but is able to be herself and comfortable around Gabriel. In turn Gabriel, who is using the false name that he and his brother came up with in the previous book, cannot stay away from her and wants to protect her, no matter how dangerous for her he thinks he is. Even though the author relies on a time jump in this books like she does in a few of her other books, I did not mind it because you don't feel as if most of the story was told in the first half.

The only criticism that I have for the book is that I feel like the plot point of Gabriel and his Rafe's gang possibly coming back and knowing that they were alive did not go anywhere. if was mentioned that the new leader disappeared and Gabriel even ran into a couple of the old members, but you never heard anything else. It was almost as if it was supposed to be a bigger plot line but it was scrapped and the small details building up to it were forgotten about and weren't removed. Also, the ending climax happened so abruptly and suddenly that it felt out of place but the author did say that these books are shorter than her normal ones.

The next thing isn't necessarily a criticism. Because I have read all of the books in the Goode Girls, Victorian Rebels, and The Devil You Know series I have found that some of Kerrigan's twists and small little details can be predictable. When I first read about Emmaline I immediately suspected that she was a Goode child or perhaps a mistress to their father. I was not completely correct and was surprised that Felicity and her older sister turned out to be the ones who were illegitimate but it was still predictable. Also, since it has been confirmed that we are getting books for the 3 new Goode siblings I suspect that based on small comments made by Emmaline and Bainbridge that they have a history or may end up being the main characters in Emmaline's story.

I really enjoyed the fourth story of the Goode sisters. Felicity was sooo likable, and you couldn’t help but love Gabriel as well. They seemed quite mismatched, yet were perfect for each other. The ending was quite a surprise, I love it when I cannot predict what happens next.

4.5*

I absolutely loved this! This was everything to me. I honestly don't have any big critiques of this because I found this novel so close to perfect.

My favorite thing about this book was Felicity and Gabriel. This is definitely a sunshine/grump trope and it's one of my favorites. It also has the beauty and the beast-Esque trope and that is also one of my favorite tropes and I feel like Kerrigan Byrne did these so well.

I really really love Felicity. She is such a quiet and strong heroine and I really saw myself in her. I love how she was soft and wasn't afraid to be vulnerable. She also never tried to be anybody but her self and that was such an admirable trait. She is one of those characters that may not seem like they take up space but you definitely notice when she isn't there. I love Felicity so much and I think it was also nice to see a different type of heroine, especially a softer one, for once. With all that being said, I think she complimented Gabriel so nicely (and he complimented her well also).

Gabriel is my favorite type of hero, he is scarred, grumpy, feels unloveable, and may come off as not soft but honestly has one of the softest hearts. I love how Gabriel was so fiercely head over heels in love with Felicity and all he wanted to do was protect her but he never once treated her like she was helpless and I appreciate when authors create heroes like that. I also love how he (essentially) worshipped her it was so freaking cute. I do love how he grows over the novel and allows himself to become more vulnerable with her and start to show his love for her. He was such a beautiful soft grump and I love him.

My only little complaint is that I feel like the pacing was a bit off at times because I wasn't sure how certain things were going to be wrapped up in the number of pages we had, but honestly, that is just very minor. I also didn't like how Felicity easily forgave Mercy during one scene and wish she would have stood up a little more towards her, honestly, I just wish her family respected her more and feel like there wasn't any groveling from them, especially Mercy.

Overall, I loved this! Felicity and Gabriel are such strong and lovely characters and I enjoyed reading them.

Tempting Fate by Kerrigan Byrne
A Goode Girls Romance #4

Sweet story of a love that shouldn’t work but is actually perfect. Not really “Beauty and the Beast” but definitely a close relation. The scarred man who was love-smitten at first sight and willing to do anything to protect the younger, beautiful, shy, caring, tongue-tied, woman that stars in his dreams finds himself in the right place and time to be there for his dream woman – actually a flesh and blood woman more normal than he thought. Will they get their HEA? Of course :)

What I liked:
* Gabriel/Gareth: older brother, protective, damaged, scarred, ruthless, intelligent, devoted, lethal, gentle giant (with some), intriguing.
* Felicity: wealthy, twin, beautiful, shy, suffers anxiety attacks, gardener, likes to dance, responsible, protected, faints at the sight of blood, needs glasses, seeks security.
* The development of the relationship between Gabriel and Felicity
* Gabriel’s ability to defend and protect those he cares about.
* That both male and female lead characters seemed opposites but were actually were well matched and able to learn and grow together
* The underlying threat and finding out who was behind it
* The twist that might lead to a new series
* Getting to see the three other sisters from previous books and find out how they were doing
* What Felicity and Gabriel ended up doing once together.
* Wondering about where the twins would eventually settle down.

What I didn’t like:
* The people I was meant not to like…and there were more than a few.

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Oliver Heber Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

Just when I think I can’t love Kerrigan Byrne anymore, she writes Felicity and Gabriel’s story. We all know I love a beastly, angsty, damaged hero and Gabriel was all that plus adorably sweet, caring and protective of the shy Felicity Goode.

Gabriel has worn a mask to cover his disfigured face for most of his life but after several painful surgeries he has the opportunity to start over. Felicity’s parents have died and she must marry a titled man or will lose everything, that leaves her ripe for fortune hunters and attacks. She hires Gareth, not knowing he is Gabriel, to protect her.

I love that Gabriel is not only protective but sweet, he wants to be beside Felicity, help her garden, finds her glasses and watch. The fact that he was pinning for her, watching her just made my heart ache for him. Gabriel had always been on the outside, protecting his brother and now he has a chance to save Felicity and be closer to her. They were meant to be together- how they were both hiding in the shadows, him because of his face, her because of her anxiety and fear.

While the the Goode girl books are shorter than the Victorian Rebels and Devil You Know series, I really love them. There is the mystery of who is trying to hurt Felicity, the discovery of her fathers deception and we saw some old favorites, Mercy & Raphael, Titus! The adventure, intrigue, steam and character development that I love from Kerrigan Byrne will keep me reading and loving these Goode girls!

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

After seeing her three sisters all happily married, though to husbands her parents believe were beneath them, all Felicity Goode wants is to be happy herself. But, following her parents deaths, she is left their sole beneficiary, and has to marry a titled gentleman in order to retain her inheritance. She's starting to return to society, but a threat made against her life, and the fortune hunters hounding her tail, she needs to find a bodyguard, and none other than Gabriel Sauvageau turns up on her doorstep. Presumed dead, and under a false identity following his cosmetic surgery, he's always been entranced by Felicity, and would do anything he can to help her, and learning that she is at risk, he can't allow anyone but himself to protect her. Can Gabriel come to terms with his history, and his violent past, or will it come to haunt him?

I've enjoyed the two previous books in this series, so was extremely happy to be approved for Felicity's book when it became available. Meeting both Gabriel and Felicity in the other books, particularly in Dancing with Danger, made me want to know more about them - especially Gabriel - and we were definitely given all the answers we wanted, and more, in Tempting Fate. I loved the way that even though Gabriel and Felicity were very different people, with different pasts, they strengthened and bolstered each other, without becoming overbearing. Truly, they made each other a better person, and never took away any of the spark that made them, them. Also, seeing all of the Goode siblings, and their partners, was a nice addition. At first, I thought this might be the last Goode book, but had seen on GR that there were other books scheduled, but unsure of who they would be about - but we now know why that is. The mystery of who was after Felicity kept you hooked, and it was difficult to guess who it was until the big reveal. All in all, a lovely book.

Gabriel Sauvageau has only touch one woman in his life, and that was to save Felicity Goode’s life. Then he disappeared, she thought he was dead to her she couldn’t even thank him for saving her life. Felicity has realized her life is in danger especially after word of her inheritance got out and sets out to hire a new bodyguard, a brute of a man, but she immediately feels safe in his presence. Gabe will do anything to keep Felicity safe if only he can keep his identity safe from her. I love this story poor Felicity is a gentle young woman who has a difficult time around people in general especially men, she freezes up and cannot think to talk and communicate with people. Gabe is trying to start a new life, a new life without all the dangers of the underground world he used to live in, but the only thing he regrets is leaving Felicity behind. He watches over her from a distance from her the last year to keep her safe. They have a deep connection, an emotional connection that draws them to each other. A great emotional story I voluntarily read and reviewed this excellent book filled romance.

This is the 4th book in the Goode Girls series, but the first that I read and I followed along with minimal issues. I wish I’d read the first three books only because I love the author’s writing style and I know that I would enjoy reading them, not because I need them to understand this book.
The only single sister left out of the Goode sisters and now the sole inheritor of her parent’s estate, Felicity would much rather spend her time reading her romances or int the garden, but she must find a husband. Before she ventures out into society though, she must find a bodyguard. There have been some strange happenings and she feels that she needs the protection, and she doesn’t want to worry her family about it. To find just the right man, Felicity puts an ad in the paper.
Gabriel Severand is not who Felicity thinks he is. As a matter of fact, he’s only been Gabriel Severand for a short while. Before that, he was Gabriel Sauvageau. Known the breadth of Europe and wanted a lot of places. As Gabriel Sauvageau, he was badly disfigured, but a surgeon gave him a new life when he fixed his face. Gabriel has spent most of that time watching Felicity. When she accidentally runs into him and mistakes him for an applicant for the bodyguard position, he goes along.
As the two grows close, so does the evil that is hunting Felicity. There’s an unnamed person or persons who is bent on killing her and they don’t know why. Will Felicity and Gabriel figure out who it is in time to stop them? Will Felicity forgive Gabriel for his deceit? Will the pair fall in love?
Ms. Byrne writes a scorching hot romance full of twists and turns that you just don’t see coming. Just when you figure out one thing, she throws a curveball at you that has you scratching your head and wondering what’s going to happen next. The characters are all fleshed out, no one dimensional characters can be found. The writing is great, and I absolutely loved the story. I can’t wait to start reading book 1, and yes, I will be rereading when I get to this book in the series.
**I received an ARC of this story from Netgalley and the publisher and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Oh gosh - another fabulous KERRIGAN BYRNE story... At first, I thought the Goode Girls were going to be too light and frothy compared to the gritty, sexy Kerrigan stories I love but WOW - they have been amazing.

This one is delicious - watching as the very dark and tormented Gabriel is able to emerge from his own personal hell and find the perfect woman for himself, even if he thinks he would be the worst thing for her. Felicity is the eccentric sister who has grown up in the background of the family and never expected to find love, even if she had to marry. Watching these two circle and get closer and closer is so emotional and fabulous to read!

So perfect for each other even if they don't know it yet.... Read it!

my personal markers for a great read...1. smart and engaging writing, 2. Humorous, 3. sexy interactions 4. stories with family/friends 5. badass woman 6. will reread the book/series yearly.

2 /5 romance along with hotness and steam

i was personally a little disappointed...i thought this couple and their story would have been off the charts. over all still a very good read.
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(4 stars rating has all the above)

(5 stars rating has HIT all the markers by 🤯...that good)

I'd seen the chat around the previous books and was impressed enough to want to find out more about this author. Sadly it seems that this isn't one of her better offerings. The premise of the plot was great, but the storyline and characters were underdeveloped. The resolution to the story was incredibly rushed with no foreshadowing to make it a believable plot twist. The author's voice is pleasant to read and I found the book easy to complete but I just wanted more depth, passion and intrigue. Based on feedback from friends, I would still read this author's work in the future. I have nothing to compare to, but their view is that this isn't reflective of the usual quality of Kerrigan Byrne's work and I respect their opinion enough to believe them.

Haha, poor Titus!

He's still there, isn't he.

OWWW.

This is just creepy. Who did this to her?

Go away, Bainbridge.

Plot twist. But what is wrong with Emmaline?

Having heard so many great things about Kerrigan Byrne's books in the romance community, I was really excited to get the chance to read this. Especially since it sounded right up my alley. We have a shy, sheltered, inexperienced heroine with a good heart who needs to hire a personal bodyguard after being threatened and attacked. She is the heir to her dead father's fortune and it seems someone is gunning for the inheritance she will possess once she finds a suitable man to marry. That's where the hero comes in. He is a scarred, damaged, and tortured man who is completely gone for our heroine from the first day he saw her. Upon meeting, he is instantly hired as her personal bodyguard.

Since this is the first book of this author I've read, I obviously haven't read the rest of the books in this series. However, I had no trouble following the story. I'll admit that at certain points, the pacing and plot felt slow to me. I found myself forcing myself to finish. It just wasn't holding my interest. But the beginning and last couple of chapters hooked me.

I genuinely did enjoy the romance between Gabriel and Felicity. The emotional connection between them was beautiful. I loved the scenes when they finally were confessing their feelings and desires for each other. In those parts I could see why this author's books are so loved by many in the romance community. And it's also why I eventually did decide to give this book a full four star rating when initally it was going to be three.

The plot of who was threatening Felicity's life, at first, I could do without it. As the story progressed, though, I got into it. And the reveal of who was behind this took me for a loop. I didn't see it coming. I don't know if it's because I haven't read the other books in this series, but I thought it was a clever little plot twist. Usually when I read books with this kind of plot, the author throws clues to the reader about certain characters and you pretty much figure out who the bad guy is before it's revealed. In here, it wasn't like that and I appreciated it. Definitely made the story more interesting and set it apart from others I've read.

Overall, this was a solid historical romance. If you're looking for something that will have your heart bursting with love - this is it!

Thanks to Netgalley I received a acr for a honest review 


I was do thrilled that I got a early copy of Tempting Fate.  The books that I read do far have been a 5 star read.  Reading Tempting Fate kind of reminded me of beauty and the best.  I loved Felicity and Gabriel Story A 5 star read 


Happy Reading 📚

Lisa

No one writes a tortured hero like Kerrigan Byrne, and with Gabriel, she did not disappoint. Her heroines are a delightful combination of strong and sweet, and fierce and vulnerable.

The characters are great, their love story is tender and sweet.

They rescue each other and it is joy to watch it unfold.

The only downside is that this story means that the series of Goode girls is over. This story was part of a series, and can be read as a stand alone, but trust me, once you read one, you will have to read ALL of her work

I received a free ARC from Netgalley, but all opinions are my own. .

3 Ran out of steam stars

I have really enjoyed this series, and I have especially been looking forward to this story because Gabriel is the kind of H that I most enjoy (strong, silent, devoted); perhaps because I have been looking forward to it, I built up those expectations a little too high. But regardless, this story just fell flat for me in that it started very slowly, there was not very much action (though the h was in "grave danger"), the back story for the mysterious H was skimmed over almost completely, the "big reveal" was rushed and didn't have ANY build-up so there was no way to understand what was happening or to try to ascertain who was after Felicity and why, and (biggest sin in my mind!) very little steamy goodness that, when it did finally arrive, came pretty late in the story.

What I liked:
--- As I've said, Gabriel is my cup of H tea all the way, so getting to know him even a little better (and there was very little provided) was nice; Felicity was a good h with a few quirks that made her more relatable
--- Return of many of the characters from earlier stories in the series (didn't dominate the story; nicely folded in and more subtle)
--- The small amount of steamy goodness we got in this one was delish

What I didn't like as much:
--- I felt like Gabriel should have had much more of a back story than he was given; the explanation about how he was so badly deformed was not much more than we already knew <spoiler>Raphael told Felicity that Gabriel fought in place of Raphael when they were teenage boys and the fighter hit Gabriel with a big piece of wood that took his nose off; that was it - end of story</spoiler>
--- Very slow start and very little action throughout, especially for a situation where the h's life is endangered; and a very rushed ending and "ta-da" reveal of the villain(s) and the reasons for the villainy - no build-up whatsoever and completely impossible to see coming when this could have been constructed over the course of the series to really give a bug bang at the end here
--- WHERE IS MY STEAMY GOODNESS?!! <spoiler>Literally NOTHING until about 68% and then that was basically a make-out sesh with no one getting off; they FINALLY got down to it at 80%, and while it was hot, it was ONE time with a glossed over quickie the next AM</spoiler>

Overall, while I enjoyed the story in general, I felt there were many missed opportunities along the way in terms of the back story for Gabriel; more action (for someone trying to kill the h, they really didn't try very hard); some more lead-up to the "big reveal" bc it basically came out of nowhere; and MORE STEAMY GOODNESS!!

Plot --- 3/5
Main Characters --- 4.5/5
Supporting Cast --- 4/5
Steam Level* --- 2.5/5
Violence --- nothing graphic (implied violence; "she heard a terrible cracking sound" kind of thing vs detailed descriptions)
Language --- some
POV --- 3rd

*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild (nothing descriptive); 2/5 - 3rd base action/1 home run; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere (a couple of full-on steamy scenes); 4/5 - yes please! (erotica territory); 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all

Another winner from Kerrigan Byrne! Her stories jump off the page as you are immersed into her story! We are treated to a beauty and the beast type with lots of suspense and sizzling chemistry between Felicity and Gabriel-Gareth. I am always so impressed with Kerrigan's stories and she outdid herself with this one. Both of them are such damaged individuals and it was a delight to see them find love and safety in each others arms.

Felicity Goode, the last of the 4 sisters is in need of a bodyguard it seems now that she's unexpectedly inherited all of her scornful father's estate. His will stipulates she must marry at least a Viscount to keep her father's vast shipping company and his wealth. Unfortunately upon marriage all of that will belong to her husband that she'll be dependent on. We come into the story after she's been mugged on her way home and is about to interview potential bodyguards. Felicity is the nearsighted, quiet, bookish, high strung, scared of her own shadow twin to Mercy who is her opposite in every way. Misplacing her glasses, she bumps into Gabriel Sauvageau lurking outside her townhouse, doesn't recognize him, and invites him in as one of her candidates for bodyguard.

Gabriel has stayed hidden for the past year enduring Titus Conleith's reconstruction surgery on his disfigured face. He and his brother, Raphael have arranged their deaths to end the Fauves smuggling empire so they could start over. He now has a face that can be seen without horror and has been watching over his sister-in-law Felicity with all her family out of the country. She doesn't recognize him with his changed face and new name of Gareth Severand. She finds she immediately feels safe with him and hires him on the spot. Gabriel can't resist being able to be close to her and keeping her safe. This begins the investigation into who's trying to kill her and them being drawn deeper into understanding each other. I loved how these two could talk to each other when they couldn't do that with others. Felicity opens up her heart to Gabriel unlike anyone else because she feels safe under his protection. I loved watching them fall in love.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hell yes, another story of the Goode girls.. And after Mercy left with her Raphael in the end of Dancing with Danger, I was very curious how her twin sister Felicia would fare. Never had I imagined that the shy twin would fall for the savage Gabriel.

And, true to Kerrigan, she has woven yet another wonderful story. And although Felicia may appear to be the weakest of the Goode sisters, Kerrigan shows us how compassion, resolve and kindness have nothing to do with having a spine of steel or not. So, you may be surprised with how things will unfold. A wonderful, gripping story, about seeing true beauty, second chances and true heroes. Where lies and deceit will keep you on edge and where romance will make you swoon. Five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Nergalley for providing the arc.

Another great read following the Goode family.

I was really looking forward to reading this one and finding out about Gabriel and Felicity. Seeing the violent, disfigured giant of a man find his softer side with Felicity was great. They both came out of their shells and learnt that there was more to their characters than how they are perceived by others.

I love the way Kerrigan Byrne writes the intimate scenes. Each one is unique to the characters and the situation and it is not a copy/paste, one size fits all.

This book did not disappoint!

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

#NetGalley #TemptingFate