Beautiful Desire

Blossom Beach, Book 3

By: A James, Ashley James

Narrated by: Muffy Newton, Sebastian York

When I find out I could lose my bookstore, I make a deal with the devil to save it, not realizing I would end up in bed with the last person I ever thought I’d be hot and sweaty with…Fletcher St. James.

Even at twenty-four, he’s a spoiled brat. He believes the whole world owes him something, and he really needs to be put in his place.

When his wealthy, power-hunger father propositions me with something I desperately need in exchange for teaching his son a little responsibility, it’s an offer I can’t refuse.

After all, there’s nothing I enjoy more than humbling an arrogant man and bringing him to his knees.

This should be a piece of cake.

But one thing I didn’t expect was how much Fletcher would enjoy it… Or how much that would turn me on. The tension quickly boils over, and before I know it, we’re giving in to our illicit desires, consequences be damned.

I crave the feeling of his body against mine, and the needy sounds he makes right before he begs.

But more than that, I can’t get enough of the little things, like the way the golden sun looks reflecting off his green eyes in the morning, or how beautiful his vulnerability is.

And when his touch becomes my safe space, bringing out a softer side of me I’ve kept locked away for too long, it’s impossible to remember why this is wrong.

When the secrets come out about the lascivious things we indulge in behind closed doors, will it be worth it, or will this deal end up costing me everything?

©2025 Ashley James (P)2025 Ashley James

Great Listen

I love this world that A. James has created. I have gone back to the start of the series and listened to it all the way through. I read the fourth book first and I just wanted more of these characters and their story.

In this story you get a reverse age gap and even though it is not my favorite to read I still really enjoyed this book.
Georgia and Fletcher are thrown together both making a deal to make their dreams come true. And even though some don't like the step sibling trope, I love it. These two were not raised together, so to me that is what makes the difference.
I like the enemies to lovers vibes going on in this story.

I really enjoyed the audio of this one. It is done in duet and I listened to it all the way through in one sitting. Both narrators did a really good job bringing this to life.

Condescending

Easily noted - FMC is not a dominant or take charge in the bedroom. she is a bratty ssawhole who uses condesension as a mechanism for power over a partner. I DNF'd in Ch. 10 because I couldn't take it anymore. I usually love Ashley James and I usually never write review but this was a complete "yuck" of a book.

DNF

I tried ya'll. I really really tried but for some reason I couldn't stomach this one. I just didn't like their dynamic. At all. Georgia was kind of a weirdo to me and honestly this young kid following her around like a puppy willing to do whatever she said...gave me such an ick feeling. And BTW I generally love a good reverse age gap. To be fair though, there isn't much that can top the first book in this series. I still think about that one from time to time.