DON’T TEMPT ME (Guthrie Brothers #1) by Lori Foster-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 26, 2016

Love comes along when it’s least wanted

Jason Guthrie has no time for entanglements—between helping out his widowed brother and teenage nephew and getting his hometown back on its feet, his days are spoken for. But his nights are another story… And when his lovely new neighbor, Honor Brown, reluctantly accepts his help in remodeling her house, Jason finds himself wishing his handyman skills could knock down the defenses she keeps building around herself.

Martial arts teacher Sullivan Dean knows real danger when he sees it—even when it takes the form of the gorgeous blonde helping her friend move in across the street. After putting his wayward past behind him to focus on teaching control to troubled kids, Sullivan has learned to avoid party girls like Lexie Perkins. But Sullivan can’t seem to keep his hands off the real woman behind that flirty charm—or keep his heart from landing at her feet

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REVIEW:  DON’T TEMPT ME is the first installment in Lori Foster’s contemporary, adult GUTHRIE BROTHERS romance series. This is handyman Jason Guthrie, and hair stylist Honor Brown’s story line. There is a secondary romance building between Honor’s best friend Lexie Perkins, and martial arts instructor Sullivan Dean.

Told from several third person points of view DON’T TEMPT ME follows the building relationship between Jason Guthrie, and his new neighbor –the independent, stubborn and feisty Honor Brown. Honor has recently purchased the run-down property next to Jason’s house and is surprised when the neighborhood welcome brigade, consisting of Jason, his brother Hogan, and nephew Colt, offer to help clean up and repair what needs to be done. Jason is a handy man; a carpenter whose attraction to Honor is immediate and intense. As the story line builds Jason begins to notice that his new neighbor leaves her house at all hours of the night leaving Jason to wonder what’s going on in Honor’s life. Honor has a secret, one that is neither dangerous nor dark, but our heroine is a private person who refuses to ask for help when the going gets rough. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the over the top sexually graphic text and imagery.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including a number of Honor’s extended family who have a difficult time accepting our story line heroine –there is so much animosity between the members of her family that it is surprising Honor has let things get so out of hand. We are introduced to Honor’s best friend Lexie who has fallen for Jason’s neighbor across the street- Sullivan Dean. Sullivan is a martial arts instructor who mentors at-risk children and youth. Jason’s brother Hogan Guthrie has hit upon some difficult times and finds himself, along with his seventeen year old son Colt, taking up residence at his brother’s house. Hogan has caught the attention of the local bar owner Violet; and Colt is having some difficulty acclimating to his new surroundings. Nathan Hawley is the local law enforcement officer and we have yet to see any sort of relationship development for him.

DON’T TEMPT ME is a delightful story about family, love and friendship. The premise is sexy and romantic; the characters are colorful and eclectic; the romance is heartwarming, hopeful and slow to build. Lori Foster’s DON’T TEMPT ME is the perfect read for a lazy day at the beach.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy