REVIEW: Forbidden to Taste by J.C. Harroway

Forbidden to Taste by J.C. Harroway is a steamy and emotional ‘forbidden’ romance story.

Drake Faulkner regretted the day he let a coin toss decide who would get to date the pretty girl at the bar. But his best friend Sam won, and ended up married to Kenzie Porter. The men served together in the military and Sam died, leaving Kenzie widowed. It’s been three years of checks in the mail but Drake hasn’t had to heart to go see her in person – so she’s taken the plunge herself.

Kenzie no longer grieves her dead husband but she hasn’t been able to move on with another man, though she has taken steps to further her career. She wants a job as a sous-chef but doesn’t have much experience. Drake happens to own a prestigious restaurant that would be perfect as a training opportunity for her, so she gets up the courage to ask for his help. One thing leads to another, and he is soon helping her get back on her feet sexually too. But not without a lot of guilt over Sam’s death, his part in it, and his real feelings for Kenzie. Can two scarred souls find solace and a future with each other?

Oh, the guilt! It’s an ever present thing in this steamy tale of forbidden passion. Drake has long regretted letting Kenzie slip through his fingers, but what is done is done and he can’t change the past. Yet he carries it around with him, the death of his friend and his feelings for his friend’s wife. He never acted on them and would never have considered becoming involved with Kenzie, had she not approached him with her job request, and her wish to get over her sexual hibernation period since her husband died.

Even with his guilty conscience, Drake can’t stop himself from giving Kenzie what she wants. The result is several steamy scenes and an eventual reckoning of the past. There are some heavy emotions in this story as they work through their issues. Kenzie doesn’t have the same hangups over them being together as Drake does, so it’s up to him to choose the path that will lead to their happy ending. The result is an entertaining, emotional and sexy read.
 

Book Info:

Publication: May 01, 2019 | Harlequin Dare | Billionaire Bachelors #2

The sweetest pleasures… are the most dangerous!

Drake Faulkner would have given anything to marry McKenzie Porter, but his army buddy and best friend Sam got there first. Drake’s avoided Kenzie in the years since Sam was killed in action – he doesn’t trust himself around her. But when she turns up begging for a job at his hotel, Drake struggles to resist temptation. Their powerful chemistry feels risky, but that only makes it harder to stay away..