Teasing

Red Lips & White Lies, Book 5

De: Bella Matthews

Narrado por: 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

So Sweet!

Ive been so excited for these Beneventi boys and Maverick did not disappoint. I loved Emmie, she’s a ball of sunshine and glitter, with a seriously sad backstory. Rosie was freaking precious! The story was funny and sweet with a dash of drama and heartbreak.

With how big these families are I love how close the characters are with each other, but also how each has their own closer clique inside of the group. I feel BM does a great job with that and it gives us a chance to really get to know everyone!

Read: Audible 🎧
MMC: Maverick Beneventi
FMC: Emmie Monroe
Spice: 2🌶️
Tropes: Single Dad, Football, Nanny/Dance Teacher, Grumpy+Sunshine, Teammates Sister, Hurt/Comfort

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.

Maverick and Emmie story

Holy Moly Bella. I wasn’t ready for Maverick and Emmie story. Did this just take over a favorite from Callens book. Yes, yes it did. I love the research that went into writing this book.

The adorable Rosie Maverick daughter has a ton of food allergies and I love the positive representation that was portrayed in the book. She even shows that you can still have amazing food & deserts.
As also will Bella’s book a wonderful positive family that comes together to give support and Sparkles lol.

Emmie has been a lot and Mav is a jerk who’s trying to protect his daughter. He doesn’t have a choice but to hire Emmie as a nanny for Rosie. She’s all rainbows & sunshine trying to keep a positive outlook on the world when she’s has the weight of it on her shoulders.
I’ll ever get over the when the moms come over for wine. (You’ll have to read the book to know what happens.)
Jamie & Ryker hilarious (Hot Nanny and sunrise yoga) Also we have Ryker who is deft so there is a household of people who knows and signs ASL. So excited for his story. I can’t wait for you all to read Teasing.

If you like

🏈 Grumpy/Sunshine
🍒 Single Dad
🏈 The Baller & The Ballerina
🍒 Forbidden
🏈 Nanny
🍒 Hurt/Comfort
🏈 Teammate's Sister

Thank you Bella & Team for my Arc I truly enjoyed my book and can’t wait to read the million others.

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

Maverick & Emmie plus sweet little Rosie

This story broke my soul. Maverick & Emmie were just so good together. Maverick distrusting everyone who comes into his life…making sure they have good intentions when dealing with his sweet little girl Rosie. Emmie lives life to the fullest but knows it can be taken away at any moment. Both are beautifully broken and help heal one another in their journey. Bella's writing just always warms my heart and heals my soul with her characters and the world she continues to write.

Such a great story

I loved reading Teasing, but listening to this book was a whole different experience. Both Ava and Tor did an amazing job of bringing Maverick and Emmie to live with their voices. Hearing them narrated the such well developed plot that Bella created was such a treat. This is definitely a must listen audiobook.

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.

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!

The Perfect Summer Sports Romance

Bella Matthews delivers another swoon-worthy hit with Teasing—a steamy, emotional, and addictive grumpy/sunshine romance that checks all the boxes. If you're a fan of brooding single dads, sassy heroines, and unexpected love stories, this one is for you.

The Story
Maverick Beneventi is every book boyfriend fantasy rolled into one—tattooed, moody, insanely hot, and completely devoted to his adorable daughter, Rosie. He’s the kind of man who builds walls high and keeps his heart locked down tight.

Enter our sunshine heroine: full of energy, mischief, and charm. Becoming Maverick’s nanny wasn’t part of her plan, but from the moment she steps into their lives, nothing is the same.

Their chemistry is off the charts. The tension simmers. The banter snaps. And just when you think you’ve got it figured out—boom—Bella Matthews drops a plot twist that you absolutely won’t see coming. And it works. Beautifully.

🎧 Narration Excellence
Ava Erickson and Tor Thom are magic together. Ava brings so much warmth and heart to her performance—you feel every emotion. And Tor? The man is Maverick. Deep, growly, guarded… and when that vulnerability hits? Game over. They make this story sing. Truly one of the best narrations I’ve heard this year.
Tropes You’ll Love:
✔ Single Dad
✔ Grumpy/Sunshine
✔ Forced Proximity
✔ Nanny Romance
✔ Small Town
✔ Found Family
✔ Emotional Baggage
✔ Sports Romance
✔ Touch her and die
✔ Heartwarming HEA

Final Thoughts
Teasing is tender, sexy, and emotionally satisfying. With just the right mix of heat, heart, and surprise, Bella Matthews proves once again she knows exactly how to write the kind of romance that lingers. And with Ava Erickson and Tor Thom on the mic, this audiobook is chef’s kiss perfection.

Huge thanks to Bella Matthews for this incredible listen.