Tessa and Liam's story was really a tear jerker for me. It was hard to watch Tessa go through the stages of moving on with her life after losing her best friend/husband. Liam was the perfect opposite to Tessa's bright, cheery personality! I loved meeting the Donovan clan since I missed book 1. This was a great intro to the family and I'm excited to go back and read book 1. This was heartbreaking as Tessa and Liam found their way and I shed a tear during the process. Loved it!

I listened to this one and loved the narration. Great job!

Liam moves into his new house only to discover that his new neighbor is a woman he met at a wedding 6 months earlier. Tessa is a happy and upbeat even though she’s been navigating life alone since her husband Trevor died. Liam was in the military for years and is now trying to adjust to life as a civilian. Tessa is the sunshine to Liam’s grumpy. The banter between these two is hilarious. There are many sweet moments and also some sad moments. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narration.

Thanks to @NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 Stars. This is technically the third in The Donovan’s series but the first book is a 76 page prequel so this is the second full length novel.. I’ve read Samantha Chase and the other books in the series so I knew what to expect. The Donovan’s are a big family. The parents own a pub and where family is always welcome. But the family can also be very meddling.

The oldest Donovan, Liam returns after 12 years in the Marines. He is used to being the one in charge with his time in the military and by being the oldest sibling. He purchases a new house and is appalled at the over the top decorations of his next door neighbor.

If Liam is the grumpy in this trope the sunshine is Tessa Sullivan. She believes in looking at the bright side of life and loves going over the top for holidays. She teaches music at the local elementary school. Of course sparks fly between the two. She is a widow and Liam is less than trackless when he suggest she needs therapy and to move on with her life. Antagonism turns to friendship and then to more.

Chase chooses closed door for her romances but the MC’s are soon getting busy with each other without defining what they are doing. You know they will crash at some point. I like that Tessa stands up for herself and isn’t bulldozed by Liam and his lack of communication.

Over all I really enjoyed the story. The Donovan family is a bit in your face. Two brothers fight out their feelings and to me that is Liam not using words to communicate so I didn’t find it a positive. Also I cringed when the mom is making fat comments about one of her daughters and no one calls her on it. It isn’t funny and I’m not the first reviewer to mention it is a big negative for the matriarch.

I listened to the audio book with narration by Carly Robins. She did a great job and I’ve listened to her narrate several authors books. Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Grumpy sunshine holiday perfection.
Neither Liam nor Tessa are happy to find out they're becoming neighbors when Liam buys a house in Tessa's neighborhood. Her happy go lucky attitude doesn't jive with Liam's pessimistic view on life. Both main characters come to this book with their share of past trauma - Tessa is a widow and Liam is a war veteran. Together, they help each other work out their issues and grow closer as friends and maybe more.
I loved the way these characters communicated with each other and worked out their differences while building a long lasting bond. I also love the Donovan family and all their meddling.
Don't sleep on this sweet holiday romance!

She's the overbright sunshine to his overdim dark clouds, but is everything really sunshine and roses for her or is she just putting on a cheery face to hide a deeper emotion? This sweet small town romance has enough heat to spice things up, but it's Christmas cheer is really just what you are looking for! I love the Donovan family and their meddling ways, but their meddling might just blow things up this time! Humor, sadness, Christmas cheer and plenty of spice to keep you warm as you listen to this sweet happily ever after romance! The narrator does an outstanding job of bringing the characters, their emotions and the plot to life. I can't wait to listen to the next book in the series!

I got this advanced copy of Tempt Me audiobook.
I liked the narrator. This was a first for me to read from this author. I liked the characters and I liked how they helped each other heal and grow.
I anticipate this is part of series....and would definitely be interested in finding out more from these characters!
3.5☆

Ahhhh I really, really liked this one a lot. It was sweet, it was charming, and it was romantic and I loved every minute.

I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is my first time reading this author and it was okay.. This book is part of a series but it can be read as a standalone. It just didn't hit right for me. I didn't care for either of the main characters and I especially didn't like that Liam’s mom kept fat shaming Liam’s one sister. It was aggravating and the first time it happened I was shocked. It was a cute story, I just wasn't enthralled with it. I would’ve liked this book more if it was narrated by two different people. I found it quite confusing when the narrator switched between the main characters and didn't have any change to the voice they were doing.

Overall, I just wasn't as invested in this story as much as I would have liked to be.

⭐⭐⭐

I have loved Samantha Chase for as long as I can remember and love her wit and writing style. I also love that her novels are part of a series, but most of them can be read as a standalone. Tempt Me is no different. It is "technically" book 2 in The Donnovan's Series but reads very well as a standalone, and it doesn't leave you with questions or anything, Samantha Chase makes sure to explain and tell you who people are just in case you are reading as a standalone. The only bad thing about finding a standalone novel is that now i want to read the whole donnovan's series, and I may or may not have already purchased the others!

This standalone features the grumpy/sunshine trope set in a small town (a guilty pleasure of mine)

Liam Hates Holidays, and Tessa Loves them! Little does he know that when he bought his house, that he already knew his neighbor.. He met her 6 months ago at a wedding and she drove him insane with her upbeat personality, and that was only for two days, and now he's her neighbor, talk about awkward.

I absolutely loved the banter between Liam and Tessa, and I adored the small town feel of everyone who knows each other and their business. It added to the drama of the love hate relationship that Liam and Tessa have going on. I always love when the man tries to avoid falling in love but finally gives in and tell her that they are meant to be, even as corny as that may be. It makes for a cute novel and now I can't wait to meet more of the Donnovans.

What happens when the grump moves in next door to the constant ray of sunshine? When Liam Donovan buys a new home and moves back to his hometown after retiring from the Marines, the last thing he is expecting is young widow Tessa Sullivan and her copious amounts of Halloween lawn decorations next door. And Tessa? She’s not expecting her new neighbor to be a grump. Did I mention that they met before and that neither made a favorable impression?

This contemporary romance is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. In addition to the grumpy-sunshine, enemies(ish)-to-lovers, next-door neighbor vibes, author Samantha Chase incorporates the small town and meddling family tropes. The steam level is fade-to-black.

This one will take you through a young widow’s journey opening up again after creating her own bubble of grief and a type A leader’s journey as he learns to compromise. When it comes down to it, though, everything hinges on communication, and that’s where the conflict comes in. It takes some grand gestures—showy on his part, more subtle on hers—for the two to truly open up about their romantic feelings for each other.

I listened to an audiobook version of this story, and, after a certain point, the narration from Carly Robins kept me more engaged than the storyline itself. Robins did a good job of capturing upbeat, cheery Tessa and much more serious Liam. And although I typically prefer two narrators for dual POV novels, I enjoyed the vocal choices for both the male and female characters here. I listened to the audiobook at 1.75x speed, and that felt like a natural conversational speed for the dialogue in the novel.

One thing that did bother me—but is minor in the scheme of the novel as a whole—is that there are repeated references to Liam’s mother commenting on what one of her daughter’s should eat and how certain foods would impact how said daughter’s clothing fits as well as how changes in size would impact her ability to attract a man.

Overall, I appreciate having the opportunity to escape with this audiobook for a little while but do not foresee myself picking it up to read again.

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Dreamscape Media and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

I plan to go back and read the first two in the Donovan series. I thought from the title that it would be a little more steamy and spicy, but it was a really sweet romance. The banter between Liam and Tessa was so cute and perfect for the grumpy/sunshine troupe. I did like that it could be read as a stand alone.

Tessa lost her husband and best friends a few years ago and she throws herself into being super positive all the time. Liam moves in next door and is immediately annoyed with Tessa, her positive attitude, and her holiday decorations. Liam is a former Marine and has moved back to work on a real estate venture with his friends. His family lives here and he is ready to put down roots of his own. As time goes on and he spends more time with Tessa, he comes to love her positive attitude and all the things that she does for those around her. They become friends and as the title says, he is tempted to pursue more.

A good grumpy/sunshine romance. I like how he was grumpy but also had to bring her sunshine self back down to earth a little bit. They both had some rude awakenings to do and I like that they were able to help each other and put each other first.

🌀Synopsis
Liam just bought a new house and the neighbor he hasn’t met is already obnoxious. When she turns up with cookies to welcome him he realizes they’ve met before- at a friend’s wedding- and she was annoying then too.
Tessa loves to see the best side of life. Since her best friend passed away she’s now a widow and determined to live life the best she can. Unfortunately, Liam seems to find a way to ruin her mood.
He’s trying to reconnect with his family. She’s trying to find a way to live without her best friend. Together, they find a way to help each other move forward.

This small town, Grumpy/Sunshine, stand-alone romance audiobook is fantastic! Tessa and Liam are so cute, the way their relationship develops made me smile!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audiobook. This is my honest voluntary review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the audiobook "Tempt Me" by Samantha Chase in exchange for an honest review.

A bit of a disclaimer, I have read all of the Magnolia Sound books by Samatha Chase, as well as "Dare Me" from the Donovan series so some of my thoughts pull from knowledge of those books. "Tempt Me" can be read as a standalone novel, but if you enjoy it, I would strongly suggest going back to the Magnolia Sound series and enjoying it from the beginning.

"Six months ago, Liam Donovan met the world's cheeriest, most upbeat woman at a wedding.
It was the longest two days of his life.
Now she’s his next door neighbor.
Talk about awkward."

I'm a fan of most of Samantha Chase's books, but I really enjoyed listening to "Tempt Me." Carly Robbins does a great job narrating this book. I find her voice easy to listen to and I don't have a problem getting into the story. I believe she also narrates the Magnolia Sound series.

I absolutely love how the town of Laurel Bay and the residents there were introduced in the Magnolia Sound series and there is a crossover between the two towns. It's like visiting old friends to hear bits and pieces about what they're up to and how they're connected to Laurel Bay. I have fallen in love with the Donovan family and the dynamic between the parents and all 5 of the siblings.

It's a quick and enjoyable read, perfect for fans of the holidays!

I always love Samantha Chase’s writing, you can always expect a well written book with a good storyline!

This book definitely had the holidays as its centerpiece, but I think it would be great to read anytime of the year. And Tessa was just so likable and kind, she really made the book. And grumpy, holiday hating Liam was perfect for her! She was the exact match that he needed to realize that holidays can be fun and celebrated. I really enjoyed reading about their romance!

Book 2 in the new The Donovans series. Can work as a stand alone, but I think you would be better off reading at least book 1, if not 0.5 as well.

I am no stranger to [author:Samantha Chase|1250276]'s books. I've read quite a few. But I struggled with this one. I think a lot of it was that I was set off nearly immediately by Liam's mom fat shaming his sister. And it continued through the book. There are five Donovan children, yet the mother only picked on the sole single daughter.

I did not enjoy this one as well as I normally enjoy [author:Samantha Chase|1250276]'s books. I didn't really care for Liam or Tessa and was just not invested in their story. I am not sure how much Liam's mother affected that, as it did kind of set the tone for the book.

I received an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Liam has finally come home and starting to settle in after years in the military. He truly wants some quiet from his unbelievably invasive in your face, but loving family. He loves them, but they’ve never met a boundary they haven’t stomped right across in the most annoying yet in their view helpful way. His mother seriously needed therapy, a hobby or just to recognize that her children were no longer in diapers and could function as adults if only she would allow them to do so. While moving in, he discovers that his new neighbor, Tessa is the yin to his yang. He’s a bit of a grump while she is the Disneyland of human beings. She’s so sweet that she can cause you to develop a cavity just by being in her presence. Both of them are trying to find their way. She is recovering from terrible loss and he is trying to find his footing back as a civilian and no longer being the father figure to his siblings. If you can get beyond the insane family and it’s a fun listen to their eventual obvious HEA. Lovely narration.

I loved this book and could see Hallmark making this into a movie. Liam is the grinch (or is he), while Tessa is bubbly and holiday loving. When he moves in next door the sparks fly, and their differences become apparent.
Liam isn’t what he appears to be at first sight. He is truly to find his footing with his family. Before he enlisted, he took care of his siblings-he is the oldest- and now they don’t seem to need him or want him around. Tessa is coping with losing her best friend and husband (on paper only). As they get to know each other, they begin to fall, but neither admits it to the other.
They agree to “help” her get ready to date again, and then the sparks really fly. Unfortunately, he starts to feel like he is competing with a ghost and she doesn’t seem able to move past losing her ex. There is a lot of emotion and heartbreak in this book. Whether he can admit how he feels and she can let go of the past, remains to be seen.
The narration provided by Ms. Robins was fantastic, even though I prefer dual narration. She brought emotion to the characters and drew the listener into the story right away. I would gladly listen to another book narrated by Ms. Robins.
I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to get the next book in this series. I received an ARC and this is my honest, voluntary review.

When Liam moved next door to Tessa he was immediately turned off by the Halloween decorations including a huge blowup snowman who had a habit of drifting over into his yard. He was not amused, in fact, he was downright disgusted. The next thing he knew she was at his front door with a welcome to the neighborhood basket. This led them directly to fight number two.

Eventually they reconcile their differences and Liam convinces Tessa that they should pretend to date so she get past losing her husband and best friend. Of course, it's not that easy to fake date without getting involved.

Funny in places, full of angst in others, Tempt Me is a book of appreciation to family and friends. I think you will like the Donovans as they marry off their children. The narrator, Carly Robins, adds to the story. Her voice(s) are excellent.

#NetGalley #SamanthaChase #Donovans #ChasingRomanceInc #Romance #OppositesAttract #LiamAndTessa #CarlyRobins #DreamscapeMedia

I absolutely loved this book! I have read the other 2 books in the series and even though you don’t have to read the others, there’s no reason you shouldn’t! Liam is such a great character who is like an old curmudgeon who can’t help falling for the girl next door. Little did he know that the woman he met at his friend’s wedding would end up being the same one that lived next door with the obnoxious holiday decorations.