Teasing

Red Lips & White Lies, Book 5

By: Bella Matthews

Narrated by: Ava Erickson, Tor Thom

From #1 Amazon and USA Today Bestselling Author Bella Matthews comes a single dad, grumpy/sunshine, sports romance.

Falling for the grumpy, single dad next door wasn’t on my summer to-do list.

Did I mention he’s also a football god? A really hot one? Because he is.

Becoming said baller’s new nanny?

Yeah, I definitely didn’t see that one coming.

But nothing about Maverick Beneventi was ever what I expected.

He’s the embodiment of every broody book boyfriend I’ve ever loved, wrapped in deliciously sexy muscles and covered in beautiful black ink. All scowls and sharp edges, I was sure he hated me.

Until one mischievous puppy, one rainy night, and one unexpected job offer changed everything.

Now, my days are filled with bedtime stories and butterfly kisses, all thanks to the one person who can bring Maverick to his knees—his little girl, Rosie.

He doesn’t do complications. Or fun. Or anything that could make him smile. But somewhere between late-night talks and lingering touches, stolen glances and quiet moments . . . something changes, and I did the one thing I swore I wouldn’t.

I fell in love.

With Maverick. With Rosie.

With the life I was sure I’d never have.

And with summer slipping away and my heart on the line, I have to decide—stay and fight for the family I never saw coming . . . or walk away before I destroy it all?

©2025 Bella Matthews (P)2025 Bella Matthews

Amazing Story

I absolutely loved this story. The narrators truly brought both Emmie and Maverick to life and I loved how the voices matched the ones in my head while reading the book. Would highly recommend if you love single dad x nanny romance, found family, sports romance and second generation tropes.

Amazing!!

Emmie is such a sweet and sassy woman. She has a lot going on personally with her family and it broke my heart. She has some secrets too, she just isn’t ready to share with everyone. She is living for each day, she doesn’t think about the future. And she is definitely not looking for love. Then 3 hot football players from her favorite team and a little girl move next door.

Maverick is such a grump to everyone except his sweet little girl Rosie. But he has reasons as to why he is so grumpy. The mother of his child decided she didn’t want to be a mom and he stepped up right away. But he’s been hurt and not interested in dating or love. He doesn’t trust very easily either.

Rosie is the cutest little girl ever! The little girl is full of life and has so many people around her that loves her. She also has a lot of allergies and has to be careful around things.

The banter between Emmie and Maverick is so good. The girl can sure keep him on his toes and it catches him off guard. He doesn’t expect to like her and maybe even trust her? Well he must, because he agrees to let her be the nanny. They have chemistry that is just brewing between the two of them. There is something there, but both are so stubborn and don’t want to give in. Her nickname for him, Cujo, had me CRACKING UP!

Oh and Jamie and Ryker, I mean I loved them just as much. They kept giving Maverick such a hard time and it was hilarious. They could see what was happening, even if he was denying it.

This book had me laughing, kicking my feet swooning, and even shedding a couple of tears. I was not expecting the little family twist of Emmie’s and it broke my heart.

ⓐⓤⓓⓘⓞ ⓣⓗⓞⓤⓖⓗⓣⓢ
I loved reading this, but listening…10 out of freaking 10!!! Amazing! In every single way! I devoured this audiobook and didn’t stop until it was done. The narrator’s really brought the characters to life and had me cracking up.

Emmie and Maverick

It's always fun being back in Kroydon Hills. In Teasing, book five in the Red Lips & White Lies series, we follow Emmie and Maverick's journey to love. Maverick is a single dad who’s super protective of his five-year-old daughter, Rosie. He has a complicated past that has caused him to be a bit of a grump, and he is definitely not looking for love. Emmie, a fun and sunshiny dance teacher, ends up moving in next door. When Rosie runs into Emmie outside, they form an instant connection. Maverick is immediately on guard and is less than thrilled to see Rosie talking to this beautiful stranger. Soon, this beautiful stranger becomes Rosie's nanny, and Maverick's world is turned upside down in the best way.

I loved Maverick and Emmie together. They had a great connection, undeniable chemistry, and I loved their banter. Emmie had been through a lot and really needed someone who would be patient with her and allow her to work through her feelings. Maverick is that guy. These two are total opposites, but they fit well together. I loved witnessing the development of Emmie and Maverick's relationship. I also loved Emmie's relationship with Rosie. Their journey was an emotional rollercoaster, and it was impossible not to root for their cute little family. Teasing is a good read with a satisfying romance, an unexpected plot twist, the perfect amount of steam, and a found family element that warmed my heart. I can't wait to see what comes next.

Narration:
Ava Erickson and Tor Thom perform this audiobook in dual-style narration. They both did a wonderful job of fully embodying the characters and bringing them to life. Ava's performance highlighted Emmie's warmth and strength. Tor made the broody, grumpy, and guarded Maverick believable. Both of them brought the tension, passion, and vulnerability. Ava and Tor enhanced my experience with this story and delivered a great listening experience.

Hot nanny

This book touches on a lot of hard real life topics. The voices match the characters to perfection. I read this book when it came out but listening to it was even better. Hands down perfection. I felt ever true emotion this story told.

This made me Feel all the feels!

Nothing like a book getting you teary eyed while in your cube at work!

I loved Emmie and Maverick! Their story had me feeling all the feels! I laughed out loud, I swooned, I got emotional with the tears! I loved it all! And listening to the audio, the narrators had me feeling it all! Ava Erickson and Tor Tom definitely scored a touchdown with their narration of this amazing story!

Angsty and cute

Teasing is the fifth book in the Red Lips & White Lies series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Maverick was a grumpy single dad and a football player. His daughter, Rosie, immediately bonded with their neighbor, Emmie. And she ended up becoming Rosie’s nanny.

This was a bit emotional as Emmie was dealing with a lot. And it was heartbreaking to see what she was going through. She was sweet through it all though.

It really didn’t take much for the broody Maverick to fall for Emmie, and he fell hard. And he was so sweet and understanding of what she was dealing with.

The two of them were great for each other and had so much chemistry. And Rosie was such a cute kid!

There was angst, spice, emotion, and so much love. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Audiobook notes:
Narrated by: Ava Erickson
Narration Style: Dual

Those Beneventi Men

The single dad trope will get me every-time! Make that dad a protective Beneventi man its escalates that to a whole different level! Ava and Tom do an outstanding job of bringing these characters to life! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fabulous!

This was a great listen. Ava Erickson and Tor Thom did such an amazing job bringing these characters to life.

As always Bella Mathews gives us a wonderfully written love story. I highly recommend this and all her works of literary art.

Emmie && Mav 😍😍

This. Audio. Was. Amazing 😍

Single dad romance between neighbor, turned nanny. Maverick is the best dad and so protective of his daughter. To the point that most people don’t know the NFL player even has a daughter! So when he finds his new neighbor meeting his daughter and she has a camera, he automatically thinks the worst could happen. But the more Mav gets to know Emmie, the more he can’t seem to stay away!

I love love love Mav & Emmie and loved this book even more on audio!! && Ava & Tor did so so good!

Teasing was an incredible audio experience!

With every book in the Red Lips & White Lies series I think it can't possibly get better, yet Bella Matthews ups the ante with each release. I am so in love with this series and world. To experience Teasing in audio was an experience that I won't soon forget. Ave Erickson and Tor Tom were phenomenal as Emmie and Maverick. The personality they gave these characters, as well as the side characters that always mean so much to the story, was fantastic. Ava narrating Rosie will make your heart expand at the sweetness. That's one special little girl.

Grumpy single dad, Maverick and next door neighbor Emmie (whom also happens to be his teammates sister) had me laughing, swooning, kicking my feet in happiness, and my heart just melting at the little family they built with sweet Rosie.

The single dad x nanny is becoming one of my favorite tropes, especially the way Bella writes it with all the sweet and spicy, add in the fun family and friends moments and you're in for a good time. Be forewarned - you will not want to put this story down once you start so plan accordingly.

Be warned - do not listen to Chapter 23 and 24 while you're driving. Getting choked up and having leaking eyes is not recommended on the interstate. Ava Erickson & Tor Tom delivered the emotions and fear of the situation with Rosie so poignantly and beautifully that you won't be able to hold back your emotions.

An incredible story made even better through an exceptional narration cast.