BEFORE BEN (Wilde Ways #3) by Cynthia Eden-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 30, 2019

Enemies make the best lovers.

It was a one night stand with her worst enemy. Ben Wilde was cocky, charming, and sexy as the best sin. He was also Courtney McKenna’s weakness. Every single inch of his muscled perfection was trouble and temptation. They’d sparred in the courtroom more times than she could count, and the tension between them had always been red-hot. One night should have been all she needed to get the guy out of her head and her dreams. Only…it wasn’t.

Because before Ben, life was easy. Life after Ben? Hot. Dark. And dangerous.

Courtney tries to fight her scorching desire for Ben even as they plan to face-off in court once again. Even as they fight for power. But once you cross some lines, there is no going back. And Ben doesn’t plan to let her go anywhere.

He’s had a taste, but Ben wants a whole lot more.

Ben Wilde has never believed that opposites attract, but there is something about button-downed, prim and proper Courtney that has always driven him wild. And when he gets her in his bed, the attraction he feels for her changes into a sensual obsession. Sure, they can be enemies in the courtroom, but in the bedroom, they are meant to be something else entirely.

Be careful what you want…

Someone out there doesn’t want Ben to have Courtney. Someone who will do anything to stop their attraction. But that predator in the dark is messing with the wrong man. When it comes to Courtney’s safety, Ben will break every rule in the book. He will stop pretending to be nice and show the world just how wicked and dangerous he can truly be. Because Courtney is his, and Ben will play dirty, he’ll play rough, and he will destroy anyone who threatens her.

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REVIEW: BEFORE BEN is the third instalment in Cynthia Eden’s contemporary, adult WILDE WAYS romantic, suspense series focusing on the men and women who own and work for Wilde Securities. This is divorce attorneys Ben Wilde, and Courtney McKenna’s story line. BEFORE BEN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Ben and Courtney BEFORE BEN follows then frenemies to lovers relationship between former law school classmates, and divorce attorneys Ben Wilde, and Courtney McKenna. Ben has never stopped lusting after our story line heroine but when a series of break-ins and threats force Courtney to look for help Ben immediately add protector and guardian to his list of things for Courtney McKenna. Hiring his brother’s firm Wilde Security means keeping a closer eye on the woman he has always loved, a woman whose life is in danger from an unknown source. What ensues is the building relationship, friendship and love between Courtney and Ben, and the potential fall-out as more than one person is desperate to reach our story line heroine.

Courtney McKenna grew up in the foster care system having always had to look after herself but Ben’s years of persistence finally push our heroine over the edge as she relents to a one-time only fling that turns into something more when Ben insists on twenty four hour protection, in his bed and by his side. Ben Wilde has tried to years to seduce Courtney McKenna but Courtney only saw a desperate man trying to get into her pants. When her life is threatened on more than one occasion, Courtney struggles behind head and heart knowing Ben’s life is on the line when the fall-out aims in his direction.

The relationship between Ben and Courtney is a frenemies to lovers. Ben has never stopped loving Courtney from the moment he saw her at law school, but Courtney’s attraction is just as strong, although she refuses to admit to her longing and need. Staying with Ben brings Courtney face to face with her future, a future that is threatened by more than one unknown. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and spirited secondary and supporting characters including Eric and Piper (Protecting Piper #1), Simon and Gwen (Guarding Gwen #2), Wilde Securities VP and ex-SEAL Simon Forrest; security specialists Julia Slate and Rick Williams; defense attorney Kendrick Shaw,
Eric’s assistant Dennis; Courtney’s neighbour Cole Trevor; divorce applicants Hayden and Kadi Laslow; mob boss Julian Rossi; and legal secretary Sharon Long. The requisite evil has many faces.

BEFORE BEN is a story of intrigue, revenge, secrets and lies, family and love. The premise is engaging and captivating; the characters are intelligent, lively and dynamic; the romance is seductive and edgy. BEFORE BEN is an energetic, inviting and thrilling addition to Cynthia Eden’s WILDE WAYS.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Protecting Piper
Guarding Gwen
Before Ben

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy