by Jennifer Ryan
Series: Montana Heat #3
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
She was this Montana Man’s greatest temptation . . .
Alina Cooke—little sister of his two best friends—is the last woman DEA agent Jay Bennett should be waking up next to on the day of her brother’s wedding. But their powerful attraction ignited a powder keg of desire, and their once simple friendship has just become impossibly complicated.
Alina’s always been steady, focused, and lived on the safe side of life. Jay is totally devoted to his dangerous job. She knows a future with him will be filled with worry that one day he won’t come home. She’s done it with her brothers. She’s not sure she can face that uncertainty with the man she loves. Yet being in his arms is a bad idea they keep repeating, again and again.
When Alina is run off the road, Jay fears his job has made her a target. But the threat in Alina’s life is closer than they think. As the enemy gets more ruthless, Alina proves she’s no easy target and Jay will do anything to bring them down. Because surviving and being together is the only thing that matters.
Tempted by Love is the third novel in the romantic suspense series, Montana Heat by Jennifer Ryan. A best friend(s) little sister trope, a hit and run and plenty of danger made Tempted by Love a page-turner.
In the previous books we enjoyed high-stakes suspense as, Undercover DEA Agent Beck “Trigger” Cooke and DEA Agent Caden Cooke found true love. We also got an intense story about Undercover DEA Special Agent Dawson King. In Tempted by Love, our story begins at the weddings of Beck and Caden.
Their sister, Alina Cooke is sitting at the bar looking dejected when the Cooke brother’s best friend, DEA agent Jay Bennett joins her for a whiskey. He feels like he knows her, having heard stories from Beck and Caden, but tonight he notices her as a woman. One thing leads to another and they are in his hotel room. An awkward morning after leaves, Dawson feeling rejected and has Alina kicking herself for running away.
Fate brings these two together. With the Cooke brother’s away, Allie is watching her nephew and Jay is helping the one night she can’t do it. When an accident looks suspect, Allie spends time with Jay as they investigate. I really liked Jay. He has baggage and is slightly older. With Allie I wavered. There are aspects of her personality I loved, and at other moments I grew impatient with her, particularly with her indecisiveness.
The suspense thread was an intense one and revolved around Allie and her job. While we knew the players, it was exciting seeing it all come together as Ryan shared intense action scenes. Ryan did her research and this story could have pulled from today’s headlines. I also like that a common issue in treatments was addressed. I am hoping the finish copy has some 800 #’s for folks who need it.
My issue with the story was the filler. There is a huge overlap of events that occurred in True to You and King’s case. While it offered a different perspective, I found myself pulled from the current plot and skimming through. Then we have Jay’s Mom, who lives in the guest house on Jay’s property. Oh my! This thread felt unnecessary. Sure we gained insight into Jay’s childhood but her placement within the timeline left me cold. I enjoyed the nephew, and it helped connect Alina and Jay after the weddings, but for me it interfered with the slow-build and relationship building that would have kept this from insta-love. I have said before; I don’t mind insta-love and accept it as part of this genre, but I still need the feels. Ryan is awesome and her stories are intense, but this fell short for me.
Favorite moments: The Cooke brother’s learning about the relationship and the awesome view of the stars from Jay’s backyard.
Despite my issues, I still enjoyed Tempted by Love and look forward to more from Jennifer Ryan.
Suspense, humorous moments and heat made Tempted by Love by Jennifer Ryan a page turner, despite some overlap to the previous novel. #NewRelease #MontanaHeat Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
Sorry about the overlapping plots. I can see how that would mess up the slow build of the love story. Great review. I still would like to start this series as this sounds like it would be good.
Mary
Lover Of Romance
This is probably one of my least favorites of Ryan’s books…even though I really liked it, I kinda was disappointed with it a bit even though I loved the romance part of it.
Anne
It’s too bad about the extra because it sounds great and I love romantic suspense. Anne – Books of My Heart
Angela @ Simply Angela
I’ve enjoyed this series but haven’t read this one yet. I do like the intense suspense plots, but it’s too bad that this one overlapped. I’ve noticed a lot of people said this one felt off compared to the others.
Laura Thomas
I’ve had the same issues before in a series. I still continued with it but was let down. Glad you still enjoyed this even though it didn’t wow you:)
Heidi
I struggle with the story overlap when it happens, I get bored of reading the information dump. I am dealing with that right now in Wild Hunger.
Melliane
it’s a bit too bad that it wasn’t more
Mary Kirkland
While it’s not the kind of book that I usually read, it does sound like a good story.
Angela Adams
Maybe the “filler” was to set up the next read in the series? Thanks for the post.
kindlemom1
Sounds like there was maybe a bit too much going on that didn’t even need to be there. That’s too bad when an author does that and really does distract from the story. Wonderful honest review Kim!
Angie Elle
I’m sorry this wasn’t as good as you’d hoped but that you found some things to enjoy. I am not a fan of an indecisive heroine, either, as a rule. But there have been times when I’ve been OK with it, so I understand that frustration. The overlap is always an issue for me, as well, because if I”m going to invest the time in a new story, I don’t want a rehash of previous events.
Great review.
Brandee @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Hmm, makes you wonder if Ryan was under deadline? I”m sorry there were issues in this installment because I know how much you enjoy Ryan’s work but I’m glad it wasn’t a complete loss. Someday I’ll get around to giving her a shot. 🙂
Deborah Haupt
Oh fillers, there are very few who can fill pages to make a 300 page count etc where it doesn’t have an negative effect on the read. Great review Kim, I totally agree and the fact that you still enjoyed it means a lot too.
ShootingStarsMag
Thanks for your honest thoughts. Sorry it had a bit too much filler, but I’m glad there was still enough to enjoy.
-Lauren
Nick
That’s a bummer about the unnecessary plot lines, Kim. I can see why that took away from your enjoyment of the book a bit. I feel like the heroine might be tough for me with her indecisiveness.
Great review, Kim!