*3.5 stars*

Small town heat….

“Rachel Malone had a reputation…”

Yes, she did. If owning one’s sexuality, and enjoying sex, meant raising the eyebrows of her small-minded, small town neighbors then that is what Rachel was going to do. No apologies. No stammering. She was a good person who just happened to enjoy pleasure and wasn’t afraid to go after it…

“She was leaving Georgeville, and nothing would stop her.”

And that was too bad because while Rachel was plotting the quickest way out, Cole and only just arrived, yearning for a slower, small town pace. He wasn’t sure what to make of Rachel at first, wasn’t sure he knew how to handle her confidence, her ability to be open and straight-forward. He did however, quickly know it was something he was going to do his best to figure out…

I love small town romance. There’s something about it that appeals to someone who grew up in the suburbs. I can’t imagine what it is like to know everyone and they know you. Sometimes good, sometimes bad, but intriguing… Except when you are made to feel bad about your choices, choices that are entirely your own. 

Being judgmental is a human thing, however, and that you can find anywhere… How Cole and Rachel figured things out while having enthusiastic, steam the windows encounters made for a quick but hot, hot read…

Tempting Her Neighbor was a sweet, sexy read about a complete introvert and a social butterfly that live in the same small town. Cole wants to remain hidden but Rachel wants to move out of the small town and fly to spread her wings. Both are so stuck in their own heads that neither seem to realize there is more than what they know.
I loved watching Cole come to live with Rachel and I enjoyed how Cole managed to calm Rachel. It was enjoyable to read.

Cole Sampson is not a people person at all, in fact, he is rude to keep them away. He's tired of big city life, so he moves to a small Canadian town, hoping for some peace and solitude. What he didn't count on was his sexy new neighbor, or how much he wants her. Rachel Malone was a small town girl who wants out, but never quite got the courage up. She's a waitress, who enjoys sex, and has a bit of a reputation since she's not inclined to have a relationship. So she's super excited when her new neighbor is hot. However, he's not easy when it comes to trying to get him in her bed. Tempting Her Neighbor is a shorter story that I enjoyed. This is the first time that I've read Laura Jardine, and it won't be the last.

Fresh, sizzling and perfect for the romance reader. I loved the characters and would recommend it to everyone.  The story was well written with a believable and yet romantic chemistry

Rachel had lived in georgeville all her life. But she wasn’t really attached to the place as people were mean to her and talked about her behind her back. Cole was tired of city life and he decides  to move where no one will know him or bother him. Then finds out he has a hot, beautiful neighbor - rachel who offered to help him move on. But Cole believes she is the type who wants to be married someday and that is not for him. But that isn’t necessarily what Rachel wants. 
I didn’t really care for this book very much. I think Rachel is a floozie and that's why she is treated like she is by everyone. Also threesomes aren’t my thing.So I didn’t enjoy this, it just wasn’t for me.

I don't usually read novellas ... the reason is only that I like a longer book. Weird, I know ... it's just that if it ends up being something that I really like, then I want as many pages as the author is willing to crank out, you know? Anyway, I went against my usual "rules" and decided to give this one a go. Not too shabby.
 
I really enjoyed our hero of the story - Cole. He was all grumpy and prickly. He reminded me of my husband. For some reason, I think that stand-offish personality is sexy as hell. I don't know why ... most of the time people think that these grouchy dudes are assholes but they really aren't ... there is usually a very good reason behind the donkey attitude. Then again ... sometimes there isn't and the dude is really just a jerk. Anyway ... Cole was a good dude. I enjoyed his grouchy attitude and the reason why he was that way. You also get to experience a pretty interesting (and extremely slow) transformation within his personality and I always enjoy a good character metamorphosis. 

I kinda liked Rachel as well ... but not as much. It was literally her character that kind of irritated me. She's the kind of chick that wants to just have fun, which is fine. I have no problem with a woman wanting to just go out there and have a much sex as possible - more power to you if that's your deal. But she would say how this is how she is and she's not apologetic for how she is but then in the same breath, she would whine and bellyache that people pick on her and if she was a dude, no one would say a thing about her promiscuity. Look, lady. You can't have it both ways. Either you don't care what people have to say or you do. Anyway, it was just the hypocrisy of her ... is that even the right word? If it isn't, hopefully you know what I mean. 

This isn't your run of the mill, sickeningly sweet romance novel. It's a bit gritty at times and definitely raunchy and naughty at other times. One thing that did stand out is that it's not really what I would consider a romance ... you don't see the romantic interaction between our two main characters ... you see this animalistic need to mate. It's not flowery with a bunch of scented candles and massage oils, it's more get your rocks off, wham-bam thank you ma'am. All in all, not a bad book, but not one to read if you're looking for the mushy love-sick page turner with the dashing guy and the girl next door wallflower. 

* I received this novel in exchange for an honest review *

If Sheldon Cooper was a charter in a romance novel... he would be Cole Sampson! The hole time I read this book I could not stop thinking about how much he reminded me of Sheldon!
Waitress Rachel Malone (this version of Penny) likes one night stands. That is her thing. So, she knows Cole would be a challenge she was willing to take on. There is something about him that intrigues her. Maybe the fact she knows he would not want a relationship with her. 

But what happens when both seem to want more from the other??

I loved this book I was hooked from the very first page and I couldn't put my kindle down while reading this and when I was not reading this book I was thinking about what was going to happen next with Rachel and Cole and I also loved the connection and the chemistry between them. This is the first book that I have read by Laura Jardine and I will  be reading more of her work in the future because I loved this book so much and I loved her writing style

Hella sexy romance, that starts out with with a no-strings attached relationship, which leads to a passionate romance.

I really wanted to love this book.  It checked so many of my boxes- a Canadian setting, a grumpy yet kind of nerdy hero, neighbours.  Unfortunately, this book was just off the mark for me.  I didn't particularly like either main character.  We were reminded constantly that Rachel had a bad reputation but wasn't a "slut" she just loved sex.  It didn't come across that way to me- it seemed like she was trying to convince herself that she wasn't a "slut".  Ugh, I hate that word.  I'm so not into slut shaming and every time it was mentioned in the book it made me feel slightly comfortable.

Then there was Cole.  He ended up growing on me more by the end but through most of the story he wasn't just a grumpy, socially awkward guy.  He was a full out asshole.  Deliberately being mean and rude so people wouldn't talk to him, it made his character a not nice guy to read about.

Overall, there was very little character development, next to zero chemistry between and hero and heroine and WAY too much sex (including a surprise cuckhold/ threesome scene that I would imagine would be jarring if you're not into reading that).  If some of the very random sex scenes had been replaced with some plot about the characters relationship or even just more about who they are I could have seen myself connecting with them a bit a more.

I had mix feeling while reading Tempting Her Neighbors because the substance is lacking in the feelings department. Cole is an antisocial guy who moves to a small town in the hopes of being as seclude as he can possible get while still being a member of society. Rachel is the town girl who has no qualms in her sexuality. When Rachel sets her sights on her sexy antisocial neighbor, she will stop at nothing to get a taste. Cole resist as long as he can but little by little Rachel chips away at his walls. I really enjoyed the fake that Rachel was so aggressive in her pursuit of Cole. Once Rachel catches Cole, they engage in a sex-only BDSM relationship that blossoms into more. Tempting Her Neighbor is a good quick steamy novella with a whole lot of spice. I like it so I would give it 3.5 stars.

3 stars

Tempting Her Neighbor was an OK read.
The storyline held my interest and while I felt this wasn't the right book for me I still found myself turning the pages until the end.
Overall a hot and steamy read.

Thank you to the publisher for the advance copy.

Tempting Her Neighbor is a sweet and sexy new novella from Laura Jardine. Rachel Malone has lived in the super small town of Georgeville all her life. She has dreamed of moving away but admits to herself she is a bit scared. There is a small comfort to being around the people she has known all her life. Unfortunately, one of the main downsides to that is that is definitely hard to meet a man. When Rachel gets a new neighbor, she sees her chance to have a hot fling before she leaves town.

Cole moved to Georgeville to escape big city life. He wants to be left alone to his curmudgeonly ways. With Rachel as his neighbor however, he is very distracted. She is friendly and sweet to him, bringing him a lasagna and offering more than food too. Cole hasn’t had much luck with women and he really does not want Rachel to fall for him because he just wants to be left alone. Their attraction is strong though and soon they are spending more and more time in bed together and it feels good to both of them. But something this good cannot last forever, especially when Rachel is finally ready to take the chance and leave her small town behind forever.

I really, really liked Rachel. She is sweet and just a nice all around woman. And oh yeah, she happens to really enjoy sex, which, in a small town has gotten her a bad reputation. She does not like hearing men talk about her behind her back. Like any woman, it just does not feel good. I appreciated her honesty with Cole in the fact that she was just looking for a fling.

Of course, like any romance story, a fling is easier said than done. Cole falls pretty hard for Rachel, really quickly. It’s kind of an insta-love situation but I really appreciated that Cole embraced the fact that he was in love. He was not expecting it by any means but he is ready go all out with his new feelings.

Tempting Her Neighbor is definitely more of a novella than a full story so the pace of the story is quick, quick, quick. Rachel and Cole meet, they fall into bed, and soon enough they are examining their feelings. Laura Jardine gives the story enough emotional heft that, for me, I was able to believe into their new found feelings together. Additionally, I liked the time jump at the end. It fit their characters without it being a totally perfect happy ever after quite yet. After all, these two are still getting to know each other in many ways.

Laura Jardine is a new-to-me author but I’m excited to give her another chance. Tempting Her Neighbor features a woman who embraces and enjoys her sexuality. That is a character I can get behind!

Tempting Her Neighbor is a short read  about a guy who doesn't want to associate with people in general and his neighbor who wants him. Cole is a hard fellow to get a read on and I wasn't sure if I liked him at first. Even though this book is short, the author covers a lot of both characters lives and I enjoyed it. I do wish it had been longer. I wasn't ready for it to end. This is my first book by Laura Jardine but will not be my last.

Oh, what can I say about this story?  It’s sizzling hot for sure, but also had me snort/giggling and wanting to knock heads together.

Cole Sampson is a cranky old man in a smoking hot bod!  Anti-social to the nth degree, Cole moves to a sleepy little town in the hopes of finding the solitude he desires.  Only meeting his sexy new neighbour stirs desires within him of a completely different sort *winks*

I felt an affinity with Cole and his ‘keep away’ vibes.  I think I have been known to emit the same vibes on occasion too *snorts*

Rachel Malone yearns to break free from her small town and the small minds contained within.  God forbid she owns her sexuality.  It’s 2017, people!  Now she just has to get over her own fears and make her dreams of moving to the city a reality.  Only the arrival of her tempting new neighbour makes her question what she really wants from life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story.  Full of smexy scenes to live up to the Scorched title, but with a healthy dose of heart.  The one negative I had was the repeated mention of Rachel’s supposed ‘reputation’.  So she likes sex, so what?  You have to kiss a few frogs to find your prince.  Y’all know what I’m getting at *winks*

This was the first work I’ve read by this author and I look forward to reading more with hopes of returning to Georgeville soon.

girls what's my weakness? MEN! 
Okay, so this book isn't filled l with hot sexy guys running around but one hot guy who aims to please. He is grumpy as grumpy can get. Cole moves to a small town to have peace and quiet and to not be bothered by neighbors. Ha! Small towns are known for friendly nosey neighbors. But what he wasn't prepared for was the sexy as sin neighbor who wants to bang his brains out! But Cole doesn't do relationships and he's sure that's what it takes to get into bed with her. However, Rachel has other plans. 
Both of them has a issues of assuming to know what the other is thinking. This leads to a few hurt feeling and some cold showers. 
For me this is a great little read to escape the world for a little while. The author does a good job of showing how small towns have more gossip than they have people. 
Heat level - 5

This is a slower book with a small amount of dialogue between characters with minimal secondary characters. It wasn’t until halfway through the book that I really started to connected with the characters. This book does capture the inner emotions of both Cole Sampson & Rachel Malone. The story follows two people that think they know exactly what they want out of life until they meet their other half and everything they though the wanted starts to change. Small town gossip and double standards can beat a person down but through everything Rachel doesn’t apologize for who she is and goes after her dreams and fantasies. This book is an easy read with no drama

I liked this. It was refreshing, fast-paced and fun with that little bit of heartache. I really liked Cole because he's so antisocial, and gives off the jerk vibes I love from alpha males; unlike them, however, he's not so experienced with the opposite sex, which is why this was so surprisingly new for me when his eye would widen at every new sexy thing Rachel did for him. It made me smile. I also liked Rachel and how she owned up to liking what she did. Everyone has their own preference on what turns them on and I commend her for not feeling bad because someone else thinks she's a slut or loose. The small town is horrid to her with their judgments, so I was relieved right alongside her when Cole came to town. I liked their combo and it was a nice, fast read that was both hot and sweet.

3.5 Stars 
This was a good book, but it just wasn't for me. I just wasn't invested in the characters like I usually am when reading. I liked how Cole and Rachel were just the right person for one another. I liked how she brought out a different side to Cole that he didn't even know he had. Cole rather deal with numbers and codes instead of people, but Rachel is just too tempting. Cole is a lone wolf that comes off has kind of of a jerk. Rachel can see through the facade. Cole and Rachel are scorching hot together.There is one scene that's smokin' hot!