REVIEW: Waves of Temptation by Marion Lennox

Waves of Temptation by Marion Lennox: First impressions count. But Matt Eveldene’s first impression of his so-called sister-in-law was as bad as they get. Mired in grief, picking up his brother’s body in Hawaii, then seeing the bedraggled waif – no doubt bound for rehab – and having to give her Jess’ insurance payout. Distasteful to say the least. Once he leaves, he’ll never have to see her again.

Kelly Eveldene doesn’t give a crap what her husband’s brother thinks of her. Even though Jess always said how much he loved Matt, she could see no evidence of the person he’d described. This man was horrible. Assuming she’s an addict, throwing a check at her, and telling her to go away. Well, she’d definitely do the going away part, and if she had the luxury, she’d shove the check where the sun didn’t shine. But when she learns something after she’s told not to contact the Eveldene’s again, everything changes – and the money is essential.

Fast forward to the present day – Kelly Eveldene is a doctor on the surfing circuit, about to be in her ex-family’s backyard. She can’t miss it, her teenage son is competing, and she travels with the tour every year. Fate would never be cruel enough to put her back in their crosshairs – and yet, it does.

Jess’ – Kelly’s son – is in a serious accident, and is taken to the hospital in which Matt Eveldene practices Orthopedic Surgery. He can’t believe what he’s seeing. Not only is this Jess a younger version of his brother, but he had no idea he had a nephew. And Kelly… he hardly recognizes this woman as that person at the funeral home. A doctor and a mother. Now he has to reassess everything he’s assumed for the last 15 years.

Kelly may have to set aside her grudges and get to know the family she never wanted to know, and Matt decides to give Kelly and Jess a chance at seeing what a real home can be. However, some things just can’t fall into place that easily. Family doesn’t always want to be family – and home doesn’t always mean a place. Can they work things out together, or will they end up being too different after all?

I simply adored this book. I was totally heartbroken with the flashback chapter – I knew right off that Matt had misjudged Kelly, and could see that she was devastated and felt like she was letting Jess down. So, I was sucked in at page one. Then when the action switches to Australia, it just never stopped being good.

Kelly is amazing. As a person, a parent, a doctor – everything. Jess would be a great kid to be around – except maybe I’d want to hand him some video games to break up the Surfing shows. And Matt is thoughtful and complex. When he self-examines his past relationships with his family and ex-fiancee, I could really get a sense of why he is where he is.

I also loved the one-sided conversations – made me chuckle every time! So good on you Ms. Lennox, and Congratulations on your 100th Romance Novel!

Book Info:

Published March 1st 2014 by Harlequin Medical Romances

When fate steps in…

When physician Kelly Eveldene’s son is injured in a surfing accident, she finds herself face-to-face with the one man she prayed never to see again: delectable orthopedic surgeon Dr. Matt Eveldene! Seeing beautiful Kelly again brings back their painful history and sparks new, unacceptable desires in Matt – Kelly’s strictly off-limits! But who can resist the temptation of the forbidden…!

Waves of Temptation is Marion Lennox’s 100th romance novel.