Tempted

By: Ava Harrison

Narrated by: Joe Arden, Andi Arndt

Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Unemployed. Check.

Zero prospects. Check.

An eviction notice in hand. Check.

Life in shambles? Check. Check. Check.

Desperate to avoid living on my sister’s couch, I took a job in the one place I shouldn’t.

That's where I first saw him.

Drew Lawson.

Elusive bad boy.

Owner of the hottest club in the city.

And apparently my new boss.

Temptation comes in many forms.

For me, it’s the way he looks at me.

The way he feels.

He’s my addiction.

My secret.

I know I should keep my distance.

I could lose everything - even myself.

But I can’t.

And neither can he.

©2020 AH Publishing (P)2020 AH Publishing

Rollercoaster

What a great story with very well developed characters. Ava Harrison has yet to disappoint me with her amazing writing style. And I & Joe, as always, are fantastic narrators with emphasis on the right words at the right time. Definitely recommend.

Well written and Realistic

I really liked this book. The characters and storylines were fairly angsty and realistic. My only criticism would be that I would have liked to have seen the post- accident time period prolonged a bit. More drama and Bailey not so quick to accept and forgive. Otherwise, spot on. Another fabulous AH book!

Loved this book!

This was an easy listen and worth the credit spent on it. Ava Harrison did it again!!

Holy WOW!!!

This was a very intense read. I mean that in the best way, too. There were times I wanted to throw my phone at Bailey's stupid choices, but trust me when I say I'm glad I didn't. That's the mark of a book that pulls you in and doesn't release its hold until the last page of the epilogue.

Good

The story is pretty good, however it's hard to listen to Joe. Sorry. If I was a writer he would not be narrating any of my books. his reading is unrelatable

Not for me

I thought at first it would be a good story however, it proved to be disappointing in the end. The heroine was so annoying. Just when you think she is learning and getting her act together, she makes practically the same mistake again. She listens to and trusts the wrong people. I couldn’t understand why Drew wanted to be in a relationship with her. I am not sure it is worth the credit.

Pick your self up dust off and keep going.

Before I listened to this book I read some of the reviews. One person complained about all of the drug abuse. That review gave me second thoughts about listening to it. I feel the drug issue was handled quite well. Suggesting na meetings then rehab. I also admired the emphasis on the way to get clean was to do it for your self and not someone or something else. All in all I feel the book was uplifting.
Jo Arden and Andi Arndt continue to be a couple of my favorites. I love to listen to their voices. As a team they add to the enjoyment of listening to a book.

Not Totally Tempted...

First off, CW: drug use. Some spoilers ahead.

I had a bit of a hard time with this book. I thought Drew and Bailey didn’t have a lot of chemistry. I just wasn’t sold on them falling for each other. I didn’t like the other woman scenario even though it was one sided. I wasn’t too into the constant drug use by the Reese character.

I know. You see the 4 stars and think, what? Hear me out. The audio by Joe Arden and Andi Arndt was excellent. And in this case, that leveled up the 2-3 star story for me. I thought Andi just elevated Bailey. I felt the pain of an addict. I felt the rush of falling for someone. I did this as a read at first, but ended up listening for the most part because of her.

Now, some things didn’t make sense for me. Bailey not affording school on a 6 figure salary? Drew making a “clean” club, but it wasn’t really clean? It just stuck out for me.

The black moment was written well. It was heartbreaking, but at the same time, I didn’t like how some of it panned out. I get it, I just wasn’t into it.

I will say this, if Ava is going to write Carter and Harper, I am 100% here for that. Their energy was simmering in a way that I just didn’t expect. I am still thinking about them.

OH AVA, THIS ROLLERCOASTER’S GOT FELLS

I’d preordered this anticipating the rocky ride and emotional twists Ava Harrison is well known for.. but wow she really put me through the wringer (along with her lead characters of course) as they struggled with their demons, struggled with different backstories of addiction and struggled to keep hold of each other. Their journey to happily ever after started the moment their eyes locked and chemistry flared.. but there was a lot of skeletons in both their closets waiting to be revealed. And there’d be insecurities, temptations and wrong moves taken before they could both stand on solid ground. Drew, the handsome billionaire Nightclub owner, has been inside his gilded cage of guilt for years - never letting anybody come too close or penetrate his walls. Bailey is two years sober, her rent is past due and she desperately needs a job.. but Drew’s Nightclub should’ve been the last place she works in with all its temptations.. however, in the end, he and it would be her salvation. Unfortunately, first they have to understand each other, take some tentative steps forward, break apart as blows, twists, snakes in the grass and gut-punches reveal themselves.. and share all their truths, before they can have a forever. My heart went out to both characters.. for Drew over his guilt and loss in an untimely drug-related death and for Bailey over her continued struggles with addiction and the reason for it. There’s seismic chemistry, sex, twists, passion, delicious friction, heartache, a very supportive sister, pain, family friction, love and feels for miles in this riveting dual POV listen. The narration by Joe and Andi was on point and perfect bringing the characters, drama and dynamics to life. WORTH A CREDIT? For me yes, an enjoyable rollercoaster romance for sure.

drama

There is so much going on in this book. I was a bit conflicted. Like why would a recovering addict work in a bar around so much temptation? I know it was the only choice. There were parts to this where it dragged on and others where it needed to keep going to help build the character. They both have survivors guilt but she has a few more skeletons in her closet. Their love was a slow burn even though it might seem like insta-lust.
Overall good book. It's not steamy like others but still a good read.
Good job from the narrators.