REVIEW: My Temptation by T.L. Swan

In My Temptation by T.L. Swan, Three years ago Juliet Drinkwater went on a magical first date with devastatingly handsome Henley James. He easily laid on the charm, making it one of the best nights of her life. Until the next day, that is. Because the successful engineer disappeared from Juliet’s life without a trace, leaving her to wonder what happened to scare him off. Now, as she’s moving into her forever house on Kingston Lane–that admittedly needs some major renovation done–she’s shocked to find out Henley is her next-door neighbor. What are the odds that the one guy she truly liked, who she annoyingly can’t get out of her head to this day, is someone she’ll have to see all the time?

“I do not appreciate you bombarding your way into my street.”
“Your street?”
“That’s right.” His jaw tics as he glares at me.
“I mean, I do know the cul-de-sac is called Kingston Lane, but I didn’t realize it had its very own king. How lucky we are.”
“You are not funny,” he snaps.
I so am.

Things grow complicated quickly between Juliet and Henley. Their amazing chemistry is still very much there. However, with each interaction it becomes increasingly clear that they are definitely not on the same page about where this thing between them is headed. As Juliet falls from lust into love with Henley, and Henley runs at the first hint of anything pertaining to romance or emotions, she figures she’s got her work cut out for her. But she does know he’s worth the effort. Juliet has seen the incredibly caring man underneath all that attitude. If they can just get past their verbal sparring sessions and Henly can overcome the issues holding him back, then she has a feeling the sky’s the limit for them.

‘We’re the perfect storm, where normality feels wrong and the forbidden feels hot.’

Comical bickering, undeniable chemistry, and a hero with mercurial mood swings were the name of the game in My Temptation, the start of T.L. Swan’s sexy new Kingston Lane series.

‘If I’ve only learned one thing in this life, it’s this… If you lean into the light, love will always find you there.’

CW: View Spoiler »PTSD, childhood trauma, loss of parents, cheating (secondary cast), dementia (detailed). « Hide Spoiler

T.L. Swan is known for her seductive stories where dominant dirty talking alphas are brought down a notch or two by feisty, capable heroines. And while that describes the main characters in My Temptation to a T, the addition of their well-meaning but nosy neighbors on Kingston Lane added a (mostly) fun layer to Henley and Juliet’s angsty romance. Yes, it was a tangled up emotional mess of will-they-or-won’t-they that made me frustrated at times. But Swan threaded in enough humor, tender moments, and even a heaping dose of mental health awareness that made this a powerful, touching novel.

Henley James. *sigh* He was one complicated guy. Right from the start you could tell there was something going on–likely from his past–that had him alternating between the most charming, attentive man Juliet had ever met to being downright rude and pushy. There was a heartbreaking reason for Henley’s behavior, which we learned over time. Up until that point did I want Juliet to make him beg and plead for forgiveness each time he messed up? Absolutely. And did I chuckle when she gave him an attitude right back, standing up for herself and her feelings for him? You betcha. But I also fell in love right along with Juliet when she would see the *real* Henley beneath the gruff exterior. And it was those scenes that carried me through Henley’s frequent over-the-top, entertaining freakouts when his emotions got the better of him.

I will caution that there were some heavier subjects in between all the spicy bedroom antics so if you have any reading triggers, please check out the content warning. Otherwise, My Temptation was a solid beginning to the series. And with some of the teasers Swan included, it looks like future romances on Kingston Lane will be just as complex and scorchingly hot as this one was.

QOTD: Do you prefer book heroes to be alphas or betas? Or somewhere between?

Book Info:

Publication: Published: August 29th, 2023 | Montlake | Kingston Lane #1

Enter a world of luxury, lust and love with this scorching first title in T L Swan’s provocative and witty Kingston Lane series.

The first time I laid eyes on Henley James, I was mesmerized. The chemistry between us was like nothing I’d ever felt. Impeccable suit, dimpled smile. He was charming and gorgeous, sophisticated and suave. He gave me his business card and asked me to call. His dating game was strong; I was gone from his first smile. I’d love to tell you our date was a raging success, but it wasn’t. Far from it. I decided right there on that day that Henley James and I would forever be mortal enemies; I would never think of him again.

Three years later, I bought my dream home. I’m so excited to meet my neighbors―that is, until I do. Oh no! What are the chances? It’s him. Still single, still the hottest man alive, and still obnoxiously sarcastic. He saunters around wearing next to nothing and refuses to close the blinds at night. I will not let myself think of him at all costs. It could be my sanity.

My temptation is a nightmare.