Megan Hart
Tempted
Harlequin Spice, 2007
Genre & Keywords:
Contemporary Romance, M/F, Ménage, M/F/M, Alcohol abuse, Nerving MIL, Addiction, Unwanted pregnancy
Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Heat level: 2.5 of 3 flames
Back Blurb
I had everything a woman could want.
My husband James. The house on the lake. My life. Our perfect life. And then Alex came to visit.
The first time I saw my husband's best friend, I didn't like him. Didn't like how James changed when he was around, didn't like how his penetrating eyes followed me everywhere. But that didn't stop me from wanting him. And surprisingly, James didn't seem to mind.
It was meant to be fun. Something the three of us shared for those hot summer weeks Alex stayed with us. Nobody was supposed to fall in or out of love. I didn't need another man, not even one who oozed sex like honey and knew all the secrets I didn't know, the secrets my husband hadn't shared. After all, we had a perfect life. I loved my husband.
But I wasn't the only one.
Tempted is told in first person from Anne's point of view. She's married to James whom she loves fondly. It's not an earth-shattering love but a calm, solid one. Then Alex comes into their lives. James and Alex have a history together and Anne immediately feels attracted to Alex. Soon they all three end up in bed together, which makes for some pretty hot sex scenes. Always straight m/f/m scenes, not a hint of m/m action though. Of course things become complicated when emotions get involved.
To be honest, I didn't like Anne that much. This feeling grew stronger and stronger in the second half of the book and her last scene with Alex sealed the deal for me - no chance left for her to redeem herself. The fact that the story is only told from her POV and we never learn about James' or Alex's feelings doesn't help. Eventually I even found the secondary storylines about Anne and her family taking too much pages. My worries for Alex (and James) kept me from enjoying these.
I usually can appreciate a flawed character, really, but Anne's idea of an (unprotected) solution just goes beyond flawed imo. In the end it's hard for me to love a book when I find the heroine selfish and unpleasant, even though I can see that it's written very well with great skill. I still look forward to reading Alex's story in Naked, because of Megan Hart's beautiful and compelling style of writing. Let's just hope I like the heroine in that story better...
I loved the writing style of Megan Hart but in this story the ending didn't work for me :( and like you, I want to read NAKED just because I loved Alex so.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this book but I felt bad for James. I felt he was a bit cheated on this. But I still really liked the book. I will be reading Naked soon =)
ReplyDeleteAlex is the best!
I was looking forward for your review, hon! You´re right in so many points. (but I don´t agree with your rating ;-))
ReplyDeleteI liked this book very much. Although I didn´t like Anne´s decision, I´m still thinking MH was right with the end, because it suits Anne´s character. I didn´t like her too much, either, because she is somehow weak, and I don´t like weak heroines.
It was all about losing Alex, for me. OMG, I so cried while reading this scene you mentioned.
But still I gave the book 5 stars because of MHs great writing.
As to MHs heroines I honestly must tell you, that I have a problem with most of them, because they all are weak, imo. But what MH really does great, is picturing the guys through her heroines POV. I don´t know how she does it, but they are unspeakable sexy. Alex Kennedy as well as Nick Hamilton from "Deeper", and oh! Jack from "Dirty" and "Stranger"!
I hope you like "Naked" and tell us about it soon!
I've never read Mega Hart (although I'm starting Naked soon) but I hear she brings out strong emotions in people..hopefully the next time will be better for you!
ReplyDeleteOk, even if I was reading m/f right now, I'm pretty sure this wouldn't work for me.
ReplyDeleteI've recently discovered Ms. Hart and enjoy her dirty emotional style, but here endings always chafe me.
ReplyDeleteI think I will pass on this one. Thank you for the review.
Now I got curious about what is really going on in this book, I do wonder
ReplyDeleteHi Janna, finally time to catch up, love then new look of your blog, ahemmm that just tells you how long I have been absent... I never read a Megan Hart book but when a character does not appeal to me I always have trouble with a story, it sounds very one-sided, as a reader I would have liked to know Alex and James feelings too...
ReplyDelete@Leontine: Ditto! Over at Goodreads Adrienne told me MH also wrote Everything Changes which is a Spice Brief and is from Alex's POV and gives a different perspective on this story. I think it would be nice to read that! :)
ReplyDelete@pattepoilue: Yes, James was one to feel bad for too, although my feelings for Alex were stronger, lol! Have you read Everything Changes?
@evi: Uhoh, all are weak heroines you say? Luckily MH's writing is really good or else I would think her work was not for me... I really like my heroines a bit more likeable, lol! Ah well, thanks for the warning, sweetie. I'm definitely going to read and review Naked! :)
@Mandi: Yep, let's hope so! Enjoy Naked, Mandi! :D
@Chris: I'm pretty sure too! Considering your dislike of ménages. And with this heroine. Nope, not your thing! :)
@Sweets: This was my first MH novel, but not my last! I agree with you on her style and that makes me want to read more of her books. The chafing endings are not my thing that much. ;D
@Blodeuedd: There's only one thing to do now, hon! Reading it! ;)
@Marissa: Hey hon, good to see you here! I'm happy you're spending some of your me-time visiting my place! :D Glad you like the look.
What you said about the book being a bit one-sided: that's often my problem with singular first person POV too! I want to know more about the other characters' feelings all the time! *sigh*
You hit the nail on the head with this review. I could not like Anne, and I felt so unhappy at the end of the book. It was very well-written, but I just didn't love it like I thought I would.
ReplyDeleteVery well written review honey. This has to be the only one of Ms Hart's book that I can safely say that I do not care for this one.... James and Alex... I love....
ReplyDeleteI hope all is well honey!!!! Hugs to you honey!!!
Thanks for the review. The premise sounds so good, but I'm with you on horrid female leads. Looks like I may skip this one.
ReplyDelete@Janna not yet but I will. I love Alex, he's just amazing.*drool*
ReplyDeleteI've not read any of Megan hart's books either. Hmmm. Perhaps this is not the right book for me to try.. :)
ReplyDelete@Janna - Now that is info I love to get :)...I would really like to read Alex's POV...will go check it out. Thanks hon!
ReplyDelete@Eyre: Thanks, hon! I have secret handy man skills nobody knows about *wink*. I felt the same disappointment as you did.
ReplyDelete@Cecile: I'm actually glad that you say that! It gives me hope for the other books I have of her on my ereader! :D
@Jen: Maybe you'll love it. A lot of my bloggy friends seem to be much more positive than me :)
@pattepoilue: Oh yes, I'm with you on Alex, hon! :D
@orannia: Nope, I guess there are better books by MH to try first ;)
@Leontine: You're welcome, but better thank Adrienne ;)
I haven't tried Megan Hart yet (not sure why) but I'll have to remember not to read this one first.
ReplyDeleteI see you are getting onto the Hart bandwagon...
ReplyDeleteHope the next one you read works for you..
E.H>
@Colette: You might like it, but yeah, I would choose another one of her books as a first read if I was you! :)
ReplyDelete@EH: Yep, indeed! :) I hope so too...