Just a Little Tempted is book 3 in the Sterling Family Crossover series and follows Simon and his best friend’s little sister Raina as they navigate a fake relationship that turns real while he is her boss.
About Just a Little Tempted
Simon grew up with two brothers and a sister. Straight out of college, he and his best friend, Kurt, started a business. Sadly they were burned by a third partner who cut corners and cost them their reputation and all of their business. Since then, he has made himself a successful businessman in partnership with his brother, Liam. They invests in companies who want to take the next step but do not have the capital necessary to facilitate it.
Raina grew up the youngest of three children and the only girl. There is an age gap between her and her brothers, Kurt and Miles. When she was in college, her mother got sick so she dropped out to take care of her. She has no regrets for her decision because family comes first. Her previous employer has blackballed her, just because she would not lower her standard of ethical behavior.
Raina has been looking for a job for six months. Simon has been looking for a new assistant. His best friend, and her brother, Kurt, puts the two of them together. Simon is a task master. He gives her a list on her first day. He knows there is no way she will be able to complete it. But she surprises him and completes every task, plus a few other changes to his calendar and scheduling system. He is flabbergasted.
Raina is determined to make a good impression. Every week she brings in homemade baked goods and leaves them on Simon’s desk. She brings him his coffee when she makes hers. Then she tackles the list he has left for her. And everyday, she completes the list.
With Liam so busy with the Galva Tech launch, he tells Simon to attend the charity gala. A client they are trying to partner with will be there, so he needs a date, and not a hookup. The client is very family oriented and wants to partner with someone who can see his vision for the future of his waterpark.
But when Simon arrives at the event with Raina, he is surprised to see his business nemesis there, at the same table they are at with the client and his wife. Both are vying for his business, but Chuck, the nemesis, has the advantage by being married with children. Thus begins the whole fake dating story in order to show that Simon is stable and in a committed relationship.
A couple of weeks later, Simon and Raina head out to the waterpark to see its current set up and make their pitch. She and the client’s wife spend time talking about family and she is constantly engaging the other woman in conversation. There is such a difference in the way Simon and Raina handle this time than how Chuck and his family handle it.
But when a family emergency causes Raina to miss the contract signing, Simon’s past rears its ugly head. He knows she is not irresponsible, but based on the past he is unable to let her get a word in. And boy this does not sit well with her brother, Kurt.
When Simon hears about what really happened, he heads over to Raina’s to make amends. But will she let him in?
Next on the agenda is for Simon to make a spontaneous visit to the client’s office. There, he comes clean about the fact that his and Raina’s relationship had been fake, but now it was real. Knowing this could cost him the contract, he feels the need to put all of his cards on the table and come clean. Will the client respect him for this choice, or pull the contract from him?
Impressions
This book kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to happen. There were so many things that could happen here, but of course this a HEA, so we know Simon and Raina will end up together. But will her brother’s accept their relationship or will it be a bone of contention between them?
I loved Raina. She is always happy, no matter what. She is determined to prove herself. She is very good at what she does. She is a spitfire on steroids. I would love to have her as my best friend.
Simon needs an attitude adjustment. He is grumpy, short tempered and demanding in business. This is why he is unable to keep an assistant. He is rigid in his schedule and his expectations. But for the first time, Raina exceeds everything.
This is a match made in business heaven. But with Simon being Raina’s brother’s best friend, will this relationship be doomed from the beginning? Or will Kurt give him a chance to prove he can put her first?
Availability
Just a Little Tempted is currently available for purchase in eBook and Paperback formats on Amazon.
Series Listing
- Just A Little Crush (A Sterling Family Crossover Novel Book 1)
- Just A Little Desire (A Sterling Family Crossover Novel Book 2)
- Just A Little Tempted (A Sterling Family Crossover Novel Book 3)
About Carly Phillips
NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller, Carly Phillips is the queen of Alpha Heroes, at least according to The Harlequin Junkie Reviewer.. Carly married her college sweetheart and lives in Purchase, NY along with her crazy dogs who are featured on her Facebook and Instagram pages. The author of over 75 romance novels, she has raised two incredible daughters and is now an empty nester. Carly’s book, The Bachelor, was chosen by Kelly Ripa as her first romance club pick. Carly loves social media and interacting with her readers.
About Erika Wilde
Erika Wilde is a New York Times Bestselling author. She is best known for her super sexy Marriage Diaries series and The Players Club series, and has also co-written the Dirty Sexy Series and the Book Boyfriend Series with Carly Phillips, her best friend and writing buddy for the past twenty years. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two daughters, and when she’s not writing you can find her exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest. For more information on her upcoming releases, please visit website at www.erikawilde.com and sign up to receive my newsletter for updates and news!
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