Member Reviews
I really like Whitney and Killian's story and the chemistry between the two is fire! I always love when a book can keep my attention (which can be hard most days, regardless of how much I love to read) and this book I definitely didn't want to put down. It probably has something to do with I love grumpy/sunshine romances and mafia romances. So two of my favorite things combined. It made me want to go read Tease Me and I look forward to the next book in this series!
Tempt Me (and Tease Me) were my introduction to Tara and they did not disappoint!
I loved the Grumpy x Sunshine, suspense, Killian’s protectiveness and their chemistry.
I’m excited to read more from Tara!
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this arc. The characters were great and they were a great couple.
Love Mafia romance books this one is for you for sure.... Was totally worth it binge reading this book.... Now I want a man like killian.. Lol... Such an alpha that will make you shiver...
This was an okay read but it was a bit forgettable. there was a lot going on at times and I found myself getting bored at times but the chemistry was strong with the characters and that kept me engaged. I haven't read anything from this author before but I would be inclined to read her again.
i received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Tempt Me is the first novel in this series and tells the narrative of Whitney and Killian. Killian is a depressed and troubled man who believes he does not deserve happiness/love or someone like Whitney. He falls strongly for Whitney, but makes a commitment to keep her safe from harm, even himself. Whitney is a light of sunshine, full of creativity and life. She is instantly drawn to Killian, but no matter how hard she tries to persuade him to notice her, he pushes her away. When someone from Whitney's past threatens her, Killian becomes overly protective and possessive. Killian understands, forced into close proximity, that he is sick of fighting his feelings for her.
The more I sit on this book the more I realize how much I enjoyed it. This was my first mafia romance, and I was not disappointed. This is a true grumpy to sunshine, older man/younger woman trope with a hint of touch her and die and I am not good enough for you and your sparkliness. The pacing was good but did pick up quite fast once the main peeps committed to see their chemistry through. You can read this as a standalone, but it was helpful for me to read their novella, Tease Me, first. The spice was HOT!
Killian's life changed 10 years ago when his family was killed in front of him. He was instructed to go to New York with only an address in his pocket. Flash forward to 7 years in and he is a bodyguard/enforcer for his friend turned family and meets the woman of his dreams. Enter Whitney. Whitney is all sunshine and rainbows. She is an author. She is beautiful. She is untouchable because Killian convinces himself he will taint her with his tarnished darkness. They dance around each other for YEARS until finally Killian catches onto the fact that Whitney has some serious feelings for him. He questions everything- Is this real? How could this work? Is it worth it? What if I am not good enough? It takes another man flirting with Whitney in a stalker situation for him to realize he can't hold himself back anymore, he wants her and he wants her forever.
I liked the overall story- there was just enough hint of suspense that broke up the angst and overthinking of feelings and left me wondering how this whole thing was going to play out. I am intrigued to go back and read Lucian and Olivia's story. Olivia and Whitney are BFs which is how Killian met her. There seems to be another book in the future for this series in Luca and Kate. Luca is a member of a sex club and Kate is the innocent ballet set designer- enough said!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Oh hell yes! After all of the Prescott found their HEA, I kinda fell into despair: where would I get my alpha male protectiveness now?!
But fortunately Tara has started a new series: Kings of Hell’s Kitchen. It starts with Kilian Byrne (does the name ring a bell? Check out Silent Vows for more Byrne men).
Kilian is no nice guy, but when he finds himself in a tight situation, he turns to Lucian Prescott for help yep: from Bad Intentions). Lucian helps him turn his life around, but Kilian never feels good enough for love.
He has been pining for Whitney for years, but he never felt good enough for her. As always with Tara, sparks are flying, suspense is killing you and the story keeps you on the edge of your seat. Five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc
HOLY slow burn!! Killian and Whitney live completely different lifestyles. He’s an ex mob member who now does “clean up” for the organization he works for: the Kings of Hell’s Kitchen. She’s a fantasy romance novelist. They end up meeting through her best friend where he’s stuck playing bodyguard. The pining, spice, found family, triggers, and much more are enticing and lure you in like no other! Can’t wait to read more of the Kings!
I found these characters hard to engage with and root for, not for lack of being well developed, but it just lacked something. That led me to read the book without enjoying it.
It was good but after 85% I just couldn't enjoyed it as much as the first part of the book. Could have been better. It was a so so read for me.
Thanks netgalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the copy
Irish mob enforcer Killian Byrne is anything but happy. After losing everything, Killian finds himself on a bus out of town and toward a new beginning. On the other hand, Whitney Vanek is the epitome of "living your best life" and doesn't intend to change that anytime soon. When the two collide in a seemingly innocent bar encounter, neither one can forget it. While Whitney is sure she can snag Killian, he is determined to stay away. Sometimes doing the right thing isn't always the easy thing.
I love a good romance, and the grumpy/sunshine trope might be one of my favorites. Add in a sprinkle of forced proximity and a dash of anti-hero vibes, and I'm sold. Tempt Me by Tara Wyatt is a fun, easy read with plenty of spice and simmer to keep you turning the pages. The characters are witty, intelligent, and realistically written. I fell in love with both Killian and Whitney almost instantly. The storyline is interesting throughout and the story arc is perfect in timing and tension. Additionally, Wyatt skillfully manages to sidestep many landmines throughout the book that others tend to trip on, including predictable plot twists and surface-layer problem-solving. Honestly, it's not often that I find a book in a series that I enjoyed as much as this one, and I will be looking forward to reading more about The Kings of Hell's Kitchen again soon.
NOTE: Despite this book being labeled The Kings of Hell's Kitchen #1, there is, in fact, a "prequel" that is not made known to the reader until the end of this book. While this book can be (and was) read as a standalone, readers who enjoy the weaving of characters in and out of different books/series from an author should dig a little deeper into Wyatt's recommended book reading order. Unfortunately, this was the only factor keeping this book off my 5-star shelf. If I had read "Bad Intentions" first, I would have found a deeper understanding of the past events between Killian, Olivia, and Lucian and how they impacted Killian's reluctance to let Whitney in. As such, I would rate Tempt Me by Tara Wyatt 4.75 out of 5 stars.
This is the first book in her new Kings of Hell series. I received this book as an ARC through netgalley. It has everything going for it. Its a mafia dark erotic romance what more do I really need to say
4 Stars! This is the first book in the ‘Kings of Hell’s Kitchen’ series and can be read as a standalone. This series is a spin-off of ‘The Prescott’s’ series. I enjoyed this book. It’s kinda a forbidden, insta-love with some erotic ‘sexy times’, mafia-like romance, older man/younger woman(only 13 years apart) with plenty of action. I love how protective the male main character is of the female main character. I felt like all their feelings were pushed down and then everything sorta happens all at once but it was still an enjoyable read. I really liked how the chapters were dual points of view, so the reader knows what both main characters are thinking. Speaking of the main characters, they were Killian and Olivia & I really liked both of them and was glad they got a HEA ending. I definitely want to read the next book in the series.
*I received this at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*
I’m absolutely obsessed with Killian and Whitney! But honestly, the smut killed it for me. I don’t know what it was but it just didn’t work for me. I really enjoyed the story though and if there are more books in this series in the future I’ll 100% be picking it up!
When talking to a friend I remembered that there was also a moment I had to go back to a previous chapter because of an inconsistency.
In chapter 34 Killian says that Lucian hugs him “not a back slapping man hug, but a real, genuine hug”.
In chapter 38 he says (about Lucian) “he hugs me. And not in a manly clap on the back hug, but a real hug. It’s the first time another man has hugged me since my dad”.
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for giving me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
I also received the prequel, Tease Me, along with the book which was a wonderful surprise.
Tempt Me is my first Tara Wyatt read and I immediately fell in love with her writing and storytelling. Killian and Whitney were so hot and sweet together, the perfect combo. All the side characters were great as well and I am completely dying to get a hold of Luca and Kate's story coming later this year! I also want to go back and read Lucian and Olivia's story as well. When I become invested like this in a series, that is usually a sign I've become a die hard fan of the author and this time is no exception.
I love an obsessed, protective hero and a heroine who is strong willed but also lets her man take care of her when needed. I got that and more in this book with Killian and Whitney. If you're a fan of romance with over the top hero's who are obsessed with their women with a little crime mixed in, then this book is for you.
I am looking forward to reading more by Tara Wyatt and seeing how the rest of the Kings of Hell's Kitchen men fall in love.
This book was really good.
This was my first book by this author.
Killian was that broken hero you just love. I was just wishing Killian would give in to his feelings for Whitney but I found it sweet how he couldn’t be with anyone but her and he read all her book. Then how protective he was of her!
Whitney was such a strong character and always thought she never needed to depend on anyone but she was different with him.
They were perfect for each other and had great chemistry. I loved it when they finally got together.
It has some of my favorite tropes.
•Age gap
•Touch her and you die
•Alpha hero
I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
Tempt Me by Tara Wyatt is Book 1 in the Kings of Hell's Kitchen Series. This is the story of Killian Byrne and Whitney Vanek. Killian is an enforcer who is scared inside and out so when he meets Whitney about 3 years ago he was immediately drawn to her but felt his was to dark and no good enough for her. Whitney too felt a connection to Killian but he didn't seem to return her feelings. Now in their present day, Whitney has a stalker and Killian has vowed to protect her. Enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read more from this author/series.
Sparks fly in Tara Wyatt’s Tempt Me!
Killian, a man with a dark past, has to decide if the sins of the past (and some in the current day) should prevent him from being happy.
Whitney is the light to Killian’s darkness, and she has had the hots for Killian for years. They finally share a kiss at their friends’ wedding, but a misunderstanding leaves Whitney confused and upset.
Killian has been obsessed with Whitney for years, too, and vows to keep her safe - which he thinks means he must keep his distance. When Whitney’s life is endangered though, Killian steps up to keep her from harm, and finally decides he might not be able to stay away from her any longer.
Tempt Me is a steam filled story of lust, sex and violence… and kept me turning the pages to see what happened next.
Thank you to the Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for early access to this book in exchange for my honest review.
Unfortunately this one fell flat for me. The pacing was all over the place and I didn't really connect with the characters so I'd lost interest by the 50% mark