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

Temptation has never looked so good!

Ava Harrison has done it again! Taken an addiction rattled character (TW), made me walk in her shoes and fight for her all the way to the twisted end of this delectable tale. How could she make it better? Just add a billionaire hero named Drew whose insecurities play out so well through amazing dialogue. So many character flaws that waiting each moment for Bailey and Drew to combust together just adds to the need to turn the page or keep listening.

And speaking of listening – oh my goodness! The things she wrote for Andi Arndt and Joe Arden to say to us in their narrative performance – absolutely wonderful! Let’s just say the King of the F word got his work out in this one!

Some may have an issue with the addiction talk in this book, but there is a trigger warning on the ebook. Don’t take it lightly as Ava Harrison does not shy away from real subjects & Tempted is no different. Raw, emotional and fantastic are all the things she delivered in this 5-star read!

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.

powerful story.

it is a powerful story of two broken souls who found happiness together. ❤❤ Andi and Joe are magnificent as alway.

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.

Very good

This book ended up having some twists to it that I wasn’t expecting. The characters were very well developed and easy to get caught up in. Joe Arden and Andi Arndt are probably two of my favorite narrators so listen to them pair up on such an amazing book was a treat.

Boring Absolutely Zero Chemistry

The narrators were great as usual, and the story was okay, but the chemistry between the characters was completely absent. The LFC was all over the place. One minute she's shy, the next she's assertive and there's never a good reason for either at any given moment.

Even better in audio!

Tempted is another really wonderful story from Ava Harrison......and I loved it even more the second time around! I enjoyed reading it, but listening to Andi Arndt and Joe Arden's narration - it really upped the emotion of the story for me. They absolutely nailed their performances!

Drew and Bailey had instant chemistry from the moment they met, and I enjoyed watching them try to balance their professional and personal relationship.......all while Bailey is trying to maintain her sobriety while working in a bar. Might not have been the most ideal spot for her, but I get her wanting to face her battles head-on, all while having temptation (in many forms) right in front of her face. And Drew - he had quite the savior complex, after having experienced a traumatic loss in life, and not wanting to see that happen again after getting to know Bailey. They sure had a lot of ups and downs, but I appreciated that about the story. Addiction is a lifelong battle, and I loved that it wasn't sugar-coated at all.

I also really loved some of the side characters - Harper, Carter - and I would love to get to know them better in the future!

Emotional!

I read it before, and the audiobook version is even better. Bailey and Drew's story is emotional, complex and beautiful. Bailey was a drug addict and she is a strong survivor. Drew is a club owner, billionaire, handsome, protective, and caring. They are opposites attract. They share a strong and sizzling chemistry. The supporting characters are great. I love Harper, Bailey's sister. The storyline has drama, secrets, and twists and turns. Joe Arden and Andi Arndt did a great job with the narration.

Tough Road but worth the long walk!

This was such a good story…A journey of recovering for two broken people from alcohol and drug abuse..and past memories that they feel guilty over. Bailey and Drew make you feel what it is like to walk in their shoes. Well written and worthy of 5 stars!

Swooning over Drew 😍

I, both, read and listened to this book. It's definitely one that will be added to my read/listen to again list.
Joe as Drew was a home run. His voice conveyed all the right emotions at the right time. He never disappoints.
Andi did an awesome job as Bailey. She has perfected the art of bringing characters to life.
Drew has a soft spot for broken women and has a bit of a hero complex. He wants to help Bailey overcome her past and heal from those scars. What he doesn't expect is for Bailey to heal his scars; ones he didn't realize he was still carrying around. The story unfolded in a way that made me fall in love with both characters and a couple supporting ones as well. In the end both Drew and Bailey get the healing they deserve and Bailey realizes that she is much stronger than she even knew.

Real, raw, and emotional performances

I love Ava Harrison’s writing. She is one of the best at blending twists and turns and emotion together, making you keep turning the page long into the night, and this book is no different. I was hooked on Drew and Bailey’s story. I laughed. I cried. I shouted at my kindle. I swooned.

Bailey has an addictive personality, so putting herself in a situation where she could be tempted isn't the best option but the only one she has. Enter her soon to be brother-in-law setting her up at a bar with renowned club owner, Drew Lawson. Drew has demons of his own and although he has his own reasons for hiring Bailey. Soon they realise their attraction is undeniable. Sparks fly when they are around one another and although they try to fight it, soon they are having delicious encounters that can only be described as kindle melting. There is a fair amount of angst in this story so if that isn't your thing, you may want to pass on this one. But if you love all the feels and seeing twists and plots comes together, you will love it!

Andi Arndt and Joe Arden are fantastic. They were the perfect voices to bring this story to life. They both brought so much real and raw emotion to the story and characters that it felt palpable—like they were these characters and were enduring these trials. It was beautiful to listen to. The production was great with no issues.

LOVE!

I read Tempted as soon as it was released, and couldn't wait to hear it brought to life by Joe Arden and Andi Arndt! Wow... just wow! They were absolutely outstanding!
 
Bailey Jameson knows only too well about temptation.  Two years ago, it was almost her downfall. These days though she’s in a much better place, but down on her luck. With a third eviction notice hanging over her head, she needs to make good money and fast.  Her solution? Getting a job at the hottest club in New York. It's not an ideal environment - temptation is around every corner – not only in the form of drink and drugs, but also in the form of the club’s owner - Drew Lawson!
 
And who can blame her?! Drew is every girl’s dream! A reformed bad boy, he’s gorgeous and of course mega rich – just a shame he's her new boss!
 
Happy listening! It's brilliant!
 

Be tempted to listen to this!

When faced with temptation or being evicted, Bailey chooses to work in the local night club. Two years sober, she does her best to do her job well and make it through another day clean. Drew, the owner of the club has his own demons. Fraternizing with the help is not on his agenda, but there is something about Bailey he cannot resist. Ava Harrison weaves a story emotionally driven with a few twists that keep us on the edge. Bailey is a phenomenal character. She is stronger than she thinks as she deals with her addiction and her budding relationship. Drew is complex and his past keeps him intriguing. The secondary characters add a lot of additional layers which add that bit of angst that I love about her books. It's gritty, real and the romance off the charts.

Narrated by Andi Arndt and Joe Arden, the story flows with ease. This seasoned team knows how to make their characters bleed emotion and heal taking us with them on the journey. It was an emotionally charged listen and wonderful narration.