I’m sort of on the fence with Tempting. I didn’t realize this was a spin-off series. Even though it’s the first book in the series, I do think you should read the other series first. I was so confused about who everyone was and belonged to and how they were related. The author dove in assuming the reader knows everyone, which I don’t think should be the case for a first-in-series book. I think the author should assume the reader is new to the world. Aside from being thoroughly bewildered for most of the book, I thought the whole friend group was a bit incestuous. Especially how they discuss their sex lives with each other, even though they’re married or in relationships with others’ siblings. It was kind of weird and gross. 

I did really love Mackenzie and Nixon together. The dirty talk was amazing. And one of my favorite things, possibly ever, happened in this book: the MMC, a “possessive” brother himself, called the FMC’s big brother out on his crap. I DETEST the overbearing big brother trope, especially once they start throwing out the “baby sister” garbage. It’s infantilizing and takes away the FMC’s agency and is a little vomity. But in THIS book, Nixon puts Easton in his place, and even tells him it’s sick to think that another man is taking away his sister because she doesn’t belong to her brother. I wanted to bow down to this queen, Ms. Matthews, for that. Seriously, bravo 👏 Usually, it has to be the sister or the brother’s wife putting poor big brother’s feelings at ease. I adore that the author had the MMC do it in this book. Honestly, I gave the book an extra star because of that. 

I enjoyed this book, and I would read the next in the series, but I think I need to go back and read the other series first. 

I received an ARC of Tempting from Valentine PR. I am leaving this review voluntarily.