Tempting (Inked Hearts Book 1)

First half of the book is ⭐️⭐️ (pace was way too slow)
second half is ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall is ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Kaylee just turned 18 and graduated from high school. For sometime Kaylee noticed her best friend’s older brother Brendan. She knows he will only see her as her little sister’s best friend.
When her parents decided to move back to New Jersey to be near her grandmother and never told her her condition. And she is living with her best friend when Brendan offer the housing for her parents. Kaylee has difficult time communicating with her parents. She was upset when they didn’t even discuss with her with her living arrangements and her grandmother’s condition when they know she was really close to her.
Ever since Brendan lost both of his parents, he became sole guardian to his sister. He is very protective of his sister and Kaylee since he is 8 years senior. Now she is living with them things will be more complicated.
First half is very slow . First 49% percent of the book was about Kaylee and Brendan hiding their true feelings. Once they explore their feelings it moved much better. I really liked about the book about Kaylee’s depression. It wasn’t sugarcoated or too optimistic. Her feelings seems more genuine and she wasn’t afraid to talk about medication and seeing therapist.
I just wished it would move a bit quicker in the first half.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

Brendon was supposed to be off limits for Kaylee - he's older, tatted up, and her best friend's older brother. Kaylee is just starting college and has her whole future ahead of her. But when Kaylee discovers drawings of herself in Brendon's tattoo sketchbook, she becomes desperate to cross the line and give into both of their desires.

Tempting is a steamy forbidden romance between 18-year-old Kaylee and her best friend's 26-year-old brother Brendon. While Kaylee has been keeping a lot of her issues from everyone, even her best friend, Brendon has a a history of solving his problems with a rotation of women in his bed. Can they both overcome their pasts in order to find a happy future together, or is their chemistry just a temptation and nothing more? Tempting is a full-length, standalone romance full of passion, drama, and everything that makes for a satisfying, steamy read. Both Brendon and Kaylee are fleshed out, multi-dimensional characters with problems and histories, and Crystal Kaswell gives us secondary characters with personality as well, rather than just background characters. The plot moves along nicely - Kaylee and Brendon have their own issues to work through, rather than the plot just being about their love life. This was a longer read - defiinitely a bigger investment than a few hours. I really enjoyed Tempting - the characters were great, the plot was interesting, and the passion sizzled on the page.

[I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.]

I was absolutely captivated by Kaylee and Brandon’s story. This story is about accepting who you are and embrazing what life throws your way. Its about Kaylee’s secret struggles and her devoted crush on her best friends older brother. Its about Brandon lusting over his younger sister’s best friend and his struggles to accept that he is good enough for her. Brandon is a sweet, caring, overly protective older brother who tries to keep his distance to his sisters best friend. Brandon is able to succeed for the most part until tragedy strikes and he is asked to become her guardian. Brendon struggles with carrying for his sister, keeping his desires in control and protecting them from men like him. He’s been told all his life he wasn’t good enough, but the more time they spend alone together the harder it is to stay away from Kaylee. I love the banter between all the Ink Hearts friends. I love that Kaylee is a bit broken and still goes after what she mostly wants. I admire her courage and how she tackles each hurdle. Kaylee is such a good, positive, carrying and brilliant young woman that its hard not to love her. I gotta tell you that their story did make me cry, as well as laugh. The chemistry and heat between Kaylee and Brendon is steamy hot and sooooooo….WOW! I received this ARC of this and this is my honest opinion…It’s BRILLIANTLY Tempting HOT!!

I voluntarily read this book for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book. It was different then what I thought it would be. Brandon and Kaylee was a complicated mess between the two of them. Brandon was eight years older then Kaylee and knew he needed to stay away from her but he just couldn't. Kaylee has been in love with Brandon forever but he was her best friend's brother and off limits.
Kaylee was just starting her first year of college but she was worried about her grandma. She was not doing well and they were really closr. She wanted to be there for her but her parents and grandma made decisions without her. They treated her as if she was a child. She was an adult who could make her own decisions but she was hiding something. Know one would understand her or love her if they knew so she thought.
Brandon knew he needed to stay away from her but he just couldn't. He thought he was not good enough and too old. His mother constantly told him he was worthless and would not amount to anything. He believed her but was it really true. He was taking care of his sister since their parents died. Was he really worthless if he had his act together and taking care of his kid sister?
These two have their own issues but could they come together and make things work or was there just to much between them?
A definite must read. Enter into the world of Brandon and Kaylee and see what happens it's worth the read.

Brendon & Kaylee are both broken in different ways. Brendon is 8 years older than Kaylee and is still dealing with all the harsh things his mom said to him & the way she made him feel worthless. She left him thinking he wasn't good enough for a girl like Kaylee or that he'd never amount to anything. Been a became legal guardian of his little sister Emma after their parents died. He was determined he would never great Emma the way his mom did him, but he did come to see some of his moms ways of thinking. Kaylee is Emma's best friend & has been around forever. Kaylee has been crazy about Brendon for a long time but she knows he only sees her as a kid, or does he?
The night of Kaylee's 18th birthday Brendon starts to struggle with feelings & thoughts he's been having of Kaylee. He wants her but he thinks she's too good for someone like him.
Kaylee's battling depression but no one knows this, and this makes her feel unworthy of being loved and she's afraid Brendon won't want someone who's broken. Kaylee is also dealing with the fact that her other best friend her grandmother is dying, which has forced her parents to move to where she lives to take care of her leaving Kaylee to live with Emma & Brendon since she's starting college in just a few weeks.
So much to overcome, can Brendon & Kaylee find happiness?
This is my first time to read one of Crystals Kaswell's books and I really enjoyed it. I loved all the characters especially meeting the guys in the tattoo shop! Dean and Walker will keep you entertained & Emma is a spitfire! I can't wait to read their stories. But keep the tissues handy because you'll need them.

Tempting
by Crystal Kassel
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kaylee's parents are moving across the country to help her ailing, beloved grandma. Kaylee is staying with her bestie Emma, and her brother, Brendon. Brendon and Emma's parents died in a car crash. Brendon, at 26, is Emma's legal guardian...and now, Kaylee's too (even though both girls are 18). Emma is enrolled in college, and Kaylee is supposed to enroll as well...that's why her parents left her there. Brendon is a successful tattoo artist and, all Kaylee thinks about! Kaylee quickly becomes all Brendon thinks about too, even though he knows he shouldn't. Unfortunately neither one openly knows how the other feels since they know it would be wrong on many levels. Since Kaylee secretly viewed Brendon's sketchbook, she knows that he wants her...but she can't tell him that...until they get closer anyway. How's that going to work out? Can the two ever get together? What about Kaylee's secrets? How would Emma react if she knew about her best friend and her brother? And what about Kaylee's parents? I love Brendon, he's like "sex on a stick" hot! Kaylee is definitely a great girl, but much to hard on herself, and maybe a bit dramatic. The drama the three go through is intriguing. I enjoyed this book for the story and all the different characters!
I voluntarily read this Advance Readers Copy for an honest review.

Tempting by Crystal Kaswell is another awesome start to what is a fantastic series. Kaylee and Brendan are truly meant to be. Kaylee, the sweetest girl ever, knows what she wants and she absolutely wants Brendan. Brendan, the hot, brooding, self-sacrificing alpha wants Kaylee too but of course she’s too good for him.
Just as all of Crystal Kaswell’s characters, these two are so very real with real, everyday problems. The supporting characters, their friends are larger than life too. I wish they were all my friends!
Overall a very well written book, I had the pleasure of receiving an Advanced Reader Copy via Hidden Gems to share my honest review.

I actually started this series out of order (the books can be read perfectly as stand alones) but it was really good to get to see how it all started and see the characters I already met before their stories were told. I really liked this one, and if I can I will read the rest of the series, eventually. My main issue is directly related to the headline, a lot of it is based on the "save me and I'll save you" motto and I'm a bit against it, even more so as the book deals with mental health. The heroine suffers from depression, explained as a chemical inbalance of her brain, the hero has self steem issues due to his mother's view of who he should be and who he is not being enough. As someone who deals with depression on a daily basis and some self worth issues and who goes to therapy (works better than meds for me, but each patient responds better to a different mix of treatments) I have come to terms with that fact that if you don't want to save yourself no one else will be able to. That said I think the story should have been focused more on how they improve themselves rather than each other. Otherwise, very good read, the story flows really well, except for excess use of the word "there".

I absolutely adored this book.
Its only these last few years that people are comfortable speaking up about mental health issues but its a sad thing that it takes a few high profile celebrity deaths for people to sit up and take notice. Its sad that people that have depression hide it as they feel like they will be ostracized and in some case they are as they are made to feel inadequate, weak and broken that they will isolate themselves.
Ive known, lost, and have friends and family that suffer from depression, so this book with its storyline had a deep impact on me.

This is a best friends older brother romance centering around Kaylee and Brendon.
Kaylee has always liked her best friends older brother but never did she think that the sexy inked bad boy wanted her too until she found his drawings of her. Brendon has been lusting after Kaylee but has always thought that a good and innocent girl like her would never want anything to do him.
Kaylee has a dark secret she is keeping to herself and fears that if Brendon finds out that he will turn his back on her and leave.

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book.

I loved the main characters Brendon and Kaylee. The supporting characters Emma and the crew of Ink Heart tattoo parlor were also lovable. You get to know each characters very well and it's a well written story about a older man and a virgin lady romance. While growing up Brendon's Mom told him he was worthless because he only wanted to draw so he became a rebel. When his Mom died Brendon became the caretaker of his sister Emma which made him grow up and become the daddy figure. Kaylee who suffers with depression that she hides from Brendon and Emma moves in with them when her parents move out of state to take care of Kaylee's sick Grandma. Kaylee always had a crush on Brendon but thought he didn't feel the same until she sees his sketchbook drawings. Brendon wants Kaylee but feels he not worthy so he fights his feelings for Kaylee because he likes making rough love and he can't believe sweet and pure Kaylee would want that. Can Kaylee show Brendon she loves him as he is? Will Brendon and Emma stand by Kaylee when they find out about her depression? I volunteer to read and review this ARC.

Received this book as an ARC for my honest review.

This book was a mix of emotions for me. Needed to be proofread. 2 examples, 1: "It suits Mom. Strong. Beautiful. Viscous." I am sorry but she isn't a thick sticky substance she is probably vicious. 2: "We go straight to the hospital with Grandma." Grandma is already at the hospital so you can't go with someone when they are already there. Then you have a 26 year old who is falling for an 18 year old but they are both acting like they are 10 most times. The only depth you see in this book is the very explicit sex scenes between the two. This starts happening around 1/2 of the book and then it pretty much doesn't let up. They are both broken and they can both be there for each other but it was almost like a co-dependency thing instead of love and they really didn't fix any of the problems. If you like a lot of sex scenes, then this book is for you. I gave it three stars as it was an ok book, I don't know if I would read more by this author as the author needs to develop more on the character but it wasn't a horrible book either.

So the book starts on familiar territory – Kaylee is in love with her best friend’s older brother, who is old enough to know his attraction to her wouldn’t be well-received. Their chemistry is undeniable, though, and a family emergency throws them together until they can’t resist temptation any longer.

But there’s so much more to this story. Kaylee has a secret that colors her entire approach to life, and she’s certain that no one – not even Brendon – would stand by her side as she deals with it. Brendon doesn’t “do” complicated, and his reasons are deeply felt and nearly insurmountable. I loved the way the author intricately drew these characters as they learned the true depth of their feelings and the strength they could find in each other. The important issues are addressed head-on without any sugar coating, adding realism and stark honesty that elevates this story above its genre.

It’s a terrific story, one you won’t want to miss. It’s longer than most due to the well-paced emotional journey of its characters, but it’s well worth the read. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Tempting was an older man, younger woman story about two people who felt they were broken but who were perfect in each other’s lives. Brendon is a talented tattoo artist who has been lusting after his younger sister’s best friend Kaylee. Kaylee has had a crush on Brendon for years but has never acted on it, worried he doesn’t feel the same and that her best friend would hate her. Life events causes them to all live together where the temptation is hard to resist.
This was a good book but maybe longer than it needed to be. I enjoyed the secondary characters and the banter among everyone. I received an ARC for my honest review.

This book had so much potential, but it totally missed the mark. The premise of the book was good and I liked the characters (for the most part), but there was so much more wrong with this book. First was basic writing style. The book was filled with short sentence/paragraphs and incomplete sentences. Another quirk the author seems to have is writing out the meaning behind nods, winks, looks, etc. To do that at a few key points where needed, such as when describing friends that know each other so well they can communicate with just a look, but for almost every gesture to be written into the book in italics was just odd. The book also could have been much shorter if the author hadn't repeated the same things over, and over, and over (I mean seriously.... it looked like some of the lines were copied and pasted a few times throughout the book). I get that some things will need to be repeated at different times throughout a book, but this was just ridiculous.

***I received an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another fabulous read by Crystal Kaswell! 18 year old Kaylee moves in with her best friend Emma and her older brother/legal guardian Brendon, a 'bad boy' tattoo artist. Kaylee is crushing on Brendon but doesn't think she has a shot until she sneaks a peek at his sketchbook and realizes he just might feel the same way.

There is some angst, as Kaylee struggles with her long concealed battle with depression and low self worth, and also coming to terms with the rapidly declining health of her beloved grandmother. Brendon is conflicted between his feelings for Kaylee and the fact that he's supposed to be protecting her from guys like himself. And then there is the matter of keeping it from Emma as well as Kaylee's parents.

As always, extremely well written with lots of emotion and very relatable characters. I loved this book and it's quickly earned it's place in my favorites list. Added bonus: a cameo from our dear Joel! I love everything from Crystal, and Tempting is a welcome addition.

I received an advanced copy of this manuscript and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I enjoyed this romance by Crystal Kaswell, but I have to admit, it was not what I was expecting. It's a crushing-on-my-best-friend's-older-brother, a friends-to-lovers, and a forbidden romance. I liked the relationship between Kaylee and Brendon, even though there is a significant age difference. Eight years IS significant, when you're only eighteen! Kaylee's character was a bit uneven, in many regards, she felt young, and I kept wondering if most of her drama, was because she felt abandoned and marginalized, by her parents. Her parents were a puzzle to me, too. Though I enjoyed it, most of the issues and the drama, put me more in the mind of a young adult, romance. Drama, angst and plenty of spice. I received this book as an ARC and I volunteered this review.

Kaylee has known Brandon for years, he's her best friend Em's older brother by eight years. The two have feelings for one another but have never acted on them, everyone else around them know that the two belong together except them. Kaylee moves in with Brandon and Em when her parents leave to move back to the east coast to take care of her maternal grandmother who's very ill. Kaylee is sleeping in Brandon's room until they can get the room set up for her, she sees the sketch book that is always in Brandon's reach. He's a tattoo artist, and much to Kaylee's surprise she comes across some sketches featuring a nude her. She's intrigued.
I enjoyed reading this book.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy for an honest review.
Kaylee just turned eighteen when her parents up and move back out east. She needs to move in with her best friend, Emma and her big brother Brendan as she is starting college in a few weeks.
Brendan has been raising his younger sister, since their parents were killed. He became a parent overnight.
Kaylee has loved Brendan for years and is not sure how she is going to handle seeing him day in and day out.
She struggles with her parents decision to leave her out of the loop in decision-making.
Brendan struggles with his feelings for Kaylee. It's getting harder to hide them from her and others.
There is great chemistry between them. They are friends first.

I really enjoyed reading this story, I think because it wasn't your typical best friend's brother story for me, it was so full of life; the good and the bad. It wasn't just a love story, a secret relationship story - it was a story about survival and hope.

For me this had a good storyline, good characters and is a good start to the series as I want to know what happens to all the characters. I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an ARC.

Tattoo artist Brendon wants the beautiful Kaylee who sure knows how to rock the sexy librarian look and would love to teach the sweet and innocent Kaylee many things ... too bad she's his younger sister Emma's best friend and therefore off limits. College student Kaylee has crushed on her best friend Em's brother Brendon ever since she first saw him over a decade ago. Kaylee and Brendon are friends and that's all they'll ever be because he's not interested in her ... or is he? After Kaylee moves in with Em and Brendon, she can't resist flipping through Brendon's closely guarded sketchbook when she finds it sitting out on the dresser and finds drawings he drew of her ... naked ... in his bed. How much longer will Brendon be able to resist temptation now that Kaylee knows her attraction to him isn't one-sided?

Crystal Kaswell delivers a sweet, angsty and steamy read that will have you losing yourself in the story

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book

On the outside this seems like just another formula book about loving your brothers best friend, but on the inside you find much more depth to the characters and the story. Kaylee in particular felt very real to me and I loved how this author didn't use a very real issue in today's world, depression, as a gimmick. The story actually explored the impact depression has on everyday situations and how that can affect a person that is dealing with it. Ironically the depth of the story of character development was greatly appreciated, at times it did make the story feel a little draggy. This is the only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 stars.

*** I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy. ***

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

Brendon is the the moody bad boy tattoo artist and older brother of Kaylee's best friend Emily. Kaylee, is a straight A good girl who has always had a crush on Brendon. Kaylee ends up moving in with Brendon and Emily after her parents move back to NJ from California for her dad's job. There is a lot of back and forth about Brendon being too old/the protector and fighting his feelings for Kaylee, which got a little tedious for me. All of the characters in the book are well-written and I did enjoy the story line. The relationship between Kaylee and her grandma is a sweet one. Overall, this was good read and I am very likely to continue reading the rest of the series.

ARC review. I had already read this book before but had not left a review so I read it again! I loved the way Crystal develops both the characters and the storyline. They’re detailed, unique and intriguing. I love the different emotional issues that she weaves into her plot. I promptly ordered and read her other books and will eagerly await her new ones. Tattoo artists are my new favorite as their creative and artistic sides make for a steamy romance.

I have experienced every emotion possible while reading TEMPTING at least twice!

Going in, I did not expect this gloriously hot, witty beast of a tale to be such an emotional whirlwind as well!
I was so caught up in the intensely passionate ties that bind Brandon and Kaylee mixed with a storyline that grabbed my heart took it down a path of absolute frustration, sadness laughter, and confusion- it was a bumpy plot twisted trail I did not want to see end!
While this book was quite the emotional ride, Fear not! It also carries a slow burn sensually budding relationship with sparks I swear you could feel coming off the pages, sweetness all around and some laugh out loud moments with Brandon, his sister and his friends ( I loved Dean LOL )
Ms. Kaswell is onto something spectacular here, and I already want more!
Perfect!
5 Stars from me!
I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book

Tempting by Crystal Kaswell is a huge 5 star read.
Ms Kaswell has a wonderful way of writing a story that pulls you in and refuses to let go, Kaylee has just turned 18 and has a huge crush on her best friend Emma's older brother, when her grandmother gets ill and her parents move across country to care for her they leave Kaylee behind under the care of Brendon, being under the same roof brings Kathleen and Brendon closer. Kaylee suffers from depression and has loads of insecurities that she doesn't want anyone to know about so puts on a "face" for the outside world.
Brendon is Emma's older brother, he took on guardianship of her when their parents died, he finds himself lusting after Kaylee but feels like he won't ever be good enough for her.
I understood a lot of what Kaylee was going through and felt that this was well written in the story.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

I enjoyed the plot of the story. Unlike most falling for your sisters best friends, this one was a bit different as he was the guardian of his sister, taking care of her after their parents died, and her best friend was always around so it was almost like a parent with kids friend, which is not the best type of situation, but its hard for either of them to resist, especially being thrown together in such a way that it happens. I loved the chemistry and plot, but the writing style lagged in parts for me, which is why I gave it a 4 rather than 5 star. A great read nonetheless and one I will read again in the future. Loved it! I received an advanced copy of this book for my honest opinion.

I voluntarily received an ARC copy for an honest review. KAYLEE IS A YOUNG GIRL JUST TURNED EIGHTEEN SHE HAS PROBLEMS WITH DEPRESSION, FEELS UNWORTHY OF BEING LOVED, AND SUICIDAL THOUGHTS,SHE IS LIVING WITH HER BEST FRIEND EMMA AND HER TWENTY SEVEN YEAR OLD BROTHER BRENDAN A TATTOO ARTIST AND INTO KINKY ROUGH SEX. SHE FALLS SECRETLY IN LOVE WITH HIM, BUT IS CONVINCED SHE IS UNWORTHY. UNKNOWN TO HER BRENDAN WANTS HER BUT SHE IS HIS KID SISTERS BEST FRIEND, AND IS TEMPORARY GUARDIAN TO BOTH OF THEM. THIS IS A GREAT LOVE STORY WITH SOME HEARTBREAKING PARTS, THE CHARACTERS ALL OF THEM THAT WORK IN THE TATTOO SHOP ARE GREAT, LOTS OF INTERACTION BETWEEN THEM ALL AND OH YES HOT ? HOT ? SEX.

An enjoyable and entertaining read. This story is about Brendon and Kaylee. I found myself rooting for them from the start. They had intense and immediate chemistry. I found the angst of the story started to get a bit dark but then quickly disappeared. They had a lot of struggles but over cane. All in all a decent read. I voluntarily received an arc copy of this book so I expect some edits, this book could use another proper proofing as not only were there error but also similar but inncorrect word exchanges and punctuation issues. If I purchased, I would have probably returned if these issues weren’t corrected. It did take from the story so I hope the authors takes heed.

So I am struggling a little with this review, because I feel like there are a couple of things I want to say, but worried about spoilers.

So first, the easy stuff:

Well written.

Engaging characters. (Of utmost importance to me.)

Swoon worthy, supportive hero. (Practically a trademark for Crystal now.)

Engrossing storyline (I read it in one day.)

Now on to the questionable stuff. If you worry about triggers in books, read on, otherwise you may want to stop now.

This book deals with a clinically depressed character(not really a spoiler, because the reader knows early on) and while I do not suffer, the author's writing skills make the character's struggles feel authentic to me. So for someone who is clinically depressed, depending on how they internalize the story, they may take something either positive or negative away. (I think that is as good as I can get. Apologies if I have not explained myself well.)

Oh, and one final note: there was a weird vocabulary tick in this book, the characters were constantly "planting" (themselves on furniture, hands on objects, etc.) I don't mind the phrase, it was just a touch overused.

Tempting was and is a sinfully sexy, smoldering romance with temptation that is beyond compare. The characters are developed and strong and kind of amazing while the storyline takes hold of you and just doesn't let go.

First we get a great cover that is just plain mouthwatering. Then a blurb that piqued my interest and the hero had me fanning myself while our heroine seemed bold, beautiful and a take charge kind of woman. The sex was decadent and wicked and the plot very well thought out.

Tempting gets a SINFUL FIVE SHOOTING STARS! Its fun, flirty, and just plain TEMPTING!

Brendon is in lust with his younger sisters best friend Kaylee and she feels the same towards him. They had great chemistry, but Kaylee was dealing with a lot of issues. Her parents were moving, but did not want to take her, and she also is in her head a lot and fighting ongoing depression... I felt for her as mental health issues are no joke. I like this book, and the cast of characters in the tattoo shop were entertaining..... BUT, this book moved a little slow. It took me awhile to finish it and I had such high hopes for it. Overall it was a good book and would like to read about the others.
*I received an advance reader copy for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked Kaylee and Brendon. They feelings they feel for one another are forbidden. They shouldn't be lusting after one another. Kaylee is Brendon's little sister's best friend. Plus Brendon is responsible for Kaylee for the duration. It's a ll sorts of complicated. It's pretty steamy so be forewarned you may need something to cool off. My heart goes out to Kaylee. She's struggling with a lot. At some points in the book I could relate to Kaylee because most of the time I seem okay on the outside, but in the inside it's a hot mess. There were also parts that had tears in my eyes. This book is heartbreaking at times, but yet so beautiful.

The story of our bad boy Brendon and sweet innocent Kaylee was amazing! I have been looking forward to this and it was worth the wait in so many ways! A great book always starts with an amazing author and Crystal, once again does not disappoint.
This was a multidimensional storyline that included, some angst and required patience (on my part) as I wanted things to move so much faster! It touched me in many ways emotionally. I felt happy, sad, eager, fascinated and overall impatient! Of course, patience pays off and this book was on overall excellent read.
I can't wait to get introduced to the rest of "the gang" as I will patiently try to wait for the next release in this series.
Also, I loved the appearances Joel made in this book - (he was always my favorite). I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. Congratulations!

I received an advanced copy of this manuscript and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I loved this book!
Crystal made me fall in love with her writing with her Dangerous Noise series and than Sinful Serenade series.
This book has no rock stars except a little which I loved that she brought the Joel into this book even if it was only for a little bit.
Brandon and Kaylee were just as good. I loved their story. Once I received the book I couldn't put it down. I loved how Brendon was the over protective bestie brother but we all knew why. This was a fantastic book of firsts, family,friends,and love.
I highly recommend this book. The love that Brendon has for Kaylee will just make your heart melt. The things he does to her will make you love him even more. It was a great love story.

Great job Crystal!!
Now I want more!

I voluntarily reviewed this free arc of Tempting by Crystal Kaswell. This book is about a blossoming love story between Kaylee Hart and Brendon Kane. Kaylee’s parents had to move because her grandmother became very ill. They didn’t want to disrupt her life and school so they let her live with her best friend Emma and her older brother / guardian Brendon. Kaylee and Brendon has had secret crushes on each other for a while, but never acted on them until Kaylee finds Brendon’s sketchbook. The one thing that I really enjoyed about this book is that you get to see life through the eyes of someone with depression and gain an understanding of what they are going through.

Genre: Romance - Best Friend's Brother
Stand Alone: Yes
Part of a Series: Yes - Book one of Inked Hearts
POV: Kaylee and Brendon
Steam Level: Kindle-Melting
4/5

Tempting is the perfect mix of sweet and steam. Humor and emotion. Light and dark. Kaylee is hiding a secret, a shameful (to her) secret. Brendon is fighting himself and the demons of his past. Together they are stronger but how strong is their relationship? Once I started Tempting I couldn't put it down. The story sucked me in and did not let go until the end. Crystal Kaswell is a genius when revealing these character's passions, fears and doubts. I cannot wait to read more of her work.

I received this book for free from the author. This is my honest and voluntary review.

3.5 stars
This is a slow torturous read that makes you yearn for them to get together already. Brendan and Kaylee are practically family what with him being her best friend's big brother and taking care of them all. They have the hots for each other but has their own reasons to not act on it. Brendon being the one in charge to look out for her and Kaylee with her own demons. And then there's the friends gang with their unending teasing!! I actually kind of felt the story was a bit dragging initially but then it picked pace through mid story.
I volunteered to review the advanced copy of the book and this is my honest opinion.

Not as emotionally draining as her previous books but it still has its moments to tug on your heartstrings. While Kaylee has a serious secret that’s hard to acknowledge and talk about she still wants her best friend to know what’s going on with her but is scared to be looked at and judged. Brendon is a couple of years older and is her best friends brother and knows that being attracted to Kaylee can complicate lots of things and will be looked at as indecent because of the age difference. Good interaction amongst the key characters with witty banter and disagreements. Would be nice to have a further look into their lives at least 4 years after their initial relationship. Good book with lots of possibilities for background friends and coworkers.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Tempting reads like a heartache. Like a scent that lingers on the wind or that haunting melody that ends before it had the chance to begin. Brendon and Kay are that memory that haunts every waking second. The what if of the rest of your life. Crystal Kaswell tied my heart in knots with this story of soulmates, past mistakes and unlucky breaks. Kaylee is a girl becoming a woman. She struggles with everything from unrequited love, feelings of abandonment and self esteem issues as she fights to be the perfect daughter, student and friend. Her heart belongs to the man she can never have and her demons are threatening to swallow her. Can the man of her dreams, help her become the woman of his heart? Ms. Kaswell tackles a ton of baggage as she mesmerizes readers with this soulful, turbulent and courageous journey to love.

3.5 Stars!

Tempting started off strong with some really good angst moments and revelations come to light. The middle third of the book was a little slow for me. It was a bit repetitive with the angst. However, the last third recovered nicely with the climax and the sweet HEA.

Brendan’s big penchant for rough sex was the worlds worst kept secret. Everyone knew including Kaylee. Kaylee’s secret was a bigger deal and I’m glad Caswell kept it from the other characters for so long, but I felt like the Reveal was lackluster.

A decent sisters BFF romance. I enjoyed all the characters and look forward to the other books.

An engaging and emotional read with angst and hot chemistry. Brendon and Kaylee are both broken with their own issues. Brendon a natural dominant is now gaurdian of his younger sister since their parents death, struggles with feeling of inadequacy from his mother always calling him worthless. Kaylee is Brendon sister's best friend and is 8 years younger and battles with depression and feeling of being unlovable. They are both secretly inlove with each other but have their own reasons for not acting till forced into close qusrters. I loved following the obstacles that these two went thru to get to their HEA with dual POV'S.

Kaylee has been his little sister's best friend for years, she's been jailbait but when she turned eighteen a twist throws them in closer quarters. Brendon is kicking himself for agreeing to be Kaylee's guardian while her parents move across country. She's legal but he's suppose to be watching over her, came he cross that line, finally making his fantasies come true or should he let her loose? Kaylee has been in love with Brendon for years, but now that she's eighteen why won't he touch her, does he feel the same? Hot taboo situation with two sexy hormone overcharged roommates!

Volunteer review based on ARC

Kaylee and Brendon have known each other for years but all of a sudden they are really noticing each other. Story is quite easy to read but seems to just plod along. It's a nice story just with no zip. There are few bumps and bruises in the story but nothing that really makes you sit up and take notice. I really like the fact that the author incorporated someone suffering from depression in the story. Many authors tiptoe around the subject but Crystal dives right in. The sex scenes are scorching. I liked the characters too - that always helps. No cliffhangers here, end with an HEA.

I voluntarily reviewed this book for arc for an honest review. I found this book to be very slow and quite boring! I lost interest quite a few times but pliers through it finally. Can’t say it improved at all. Firstly the age difference 18 year old virgin vs 26 year old bad boy. Would she really be so sexually aggressive to start with? The sex scenes were so long I skipped a lot of them as I felt they were too far fetched for reality. Also poor grandma had a massive build up to her imminent death and then nothing! Just found this unrealistic and again boring. Wouldn’t recommend this!

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book. I have read a couple of book by Crystal Kaswell. It is a good book. It is well written book. The characters bare well developed. It is a big brother crushing on little sister friend. Brendon is the guardian of his baby sister after the death of their parents. He is fighting his feelings for Kaylee. He doesn't think he is good enough for her. Their push together and they can't fight their feeling anymore. Will be able to make their relationship work. I can't wait to read more books by Kaswell. I will recommend this book and author.

**I received an ARC and am leaving a voluntary review.

Excellent writing, addictive storyline and lovable sexy characters. I love the female lead for her strength, wit, maturity and determination. The male lead was perfect except for how much he fought his feelings & desires for her though that's understandable in a way since he didn't feel like he was good enough for her and didn't deserve to be loved. Their passion & chemistry is so extremely hot you'll definitely be feeling the effects of the love scenes. I absolutely adore the supporting characters; their humor and banter is fantastic. Despite some heartbreak that brought me to tears, the humor, love and amazing HEA made this a perfect story that I highly recommend.

I actually really enjoyed this story almost a 4 but what brought it down for me was the length. It was really drawn out and I thought could have been cut in half. I got half way through and thought to myself what the other half could possibly be about. Nothing super exciting happens, it's just drawn out angst and lust. And a few spots threw out I felt like some sentences or words were missing. I don't know. Just felt I was missing something. But I did enjoy the story's itself. I like best friends/brother books. What I liked most was they were friends before hand so they knew about about each other. And the other characters really made it funny. Specially Dean. Looking forward to see what comes next. Also liked the cover.

This book definitely has more hard-core / explicit sex scenes with more dominant / submissive themes as a heads up. Despite not being as excited about those themes typically (I read 50 shades, but didn't seek more like it out), I was really drawn into this book and the characters. The characters are quite young (mid 20s, and 18 y/o), but I was able to identify with them and became very drawn to their development and their relationship. I also enjoyed a realistic view of depression from the writer's perspective. I would definitely recommend this book - especially if you enjoy more explicit sex scenes. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an advance copy.

I have previously read and reviewed 16 books for Crystal. They have all been wonderful but this is my favorite. Brandon is a tattoo artist who was made to feel that he was inferior and didn't deserve happiness by his parents. When his parents are tragically killed he becomes the guardian for his younger sister. He is very attracted to her best friend named Kaylee. When Kaylee's grandma gets ill her parents go east to take care of grandma and Brendon agrees to be her guardian while she attends college. Can he resist the temptation. Very interesting characters with lots of flaws. Hot sex, good editing, and sadness that made me cry. Don't miss this masterpiece. I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced copy of this book.

I Voluntarily Reviewed this ARC....
This book didn't hold my interest until about half way thru.
First part of the book was nothing but Kaylee & Brendon's obsession for each but that neither one thought it was a good idea of them being together cause of Em Brendon's little sister who is Kaylee's best friend.
With other reasons as well Brendon's parents made him feel worthless due choses he made as a teen & Kaylee suffers from depression with makes her feel unworthy. Two Broken souls!
The book does get better, lots of steamy intense scenes!

There is Brendon, a bad boy tattoo artist who knows better than to want his sister's best friend. Then there is Kaylee, a good girl, eight year's younger than Brandon but can't help the crush that just won't go away. She is shy and can't bring herself to tell him. Good first love story having to deal with multiple issues and really wanting the HEA. Will they get it? You'll need to read the book to find out.

I have enjoyed everything I have read from this author. Great character development and her ability to create the scene so you fell like you are there is a talent. Enjoy. I did. Look forward to reading more.

I voluntarily wrote this review from an advanced copy of this book.

This book has Brandon lusting after his sister's best friend,Kaylee. The author brings lots of emotions out in this book dealing with depression,self respect and insecurity as well as the hot romance. Both characters are strong and well developed and the supporting characters help to bring the story around.The author did a great job bringing this story to life and I enjoyed reading it. I would highly recommend this book.

I am volunteering to leave a review for an ARC of this book and all opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

Rather than simple romances, this author always manages to give us a satisfying read with great characters. I liked both Kaylee and Brendon from the start, and it's great to see the relationship between Kaylee and her grandmother. There's a twist which makes Kaylee and Brendon a pairing that's a little taboo, but that's not the only thing that can keep their love from blooming. This is one wild ride, but it's one that I felt in my heart. Excellent writing, and great depth with the characters. This is a voluntary review of an advance reader copy.

I went into this book with the mindset of something light and fun only I got so much more. I wanted something hot, steamy, & breezy this is not what I got and I'm so happy about it! Brendon and Kaylee's story gave layers of a relationship most would object to but they brokenness healed each other which makes the political correctness of it matter less. I appreciate a author who can do deep and still keep the steam. Then I got the blessing of Dangerous Kiss as a add in book. And away I went falling in love with Ethan and Violet's story too! Rock star bad boy and the math geek I mean it chick flick gold. Usually find myself not liking the second book authors tend to combine but these did not disappoint.

What happens when your infatuated with your best friend's brother?
What happens when your infatuated by your little sister's best friend?

It's not always good, but it can be. Kaylee discovers something interesting that Brendan is hiding, and she doesn't know what to do with it. So when she decides to act upon her knowledge, reality comes into play. Can they get through the hard times, all the while discovering who they are?

Loved this. Love how the author handled some very REAL things like death, and depression.

I’ve received an ARC and am leaving a voluntary and honest review.
I loved this book!!! Couldn’t put it down!!!
Literally read it in one sitting!!!
I love Crystal’s books!!! And this one is a great series starter!
I want to read all the next ones, like now!!!
I loved Brendon, such a wonderful guy and inked a well...I love romance and tattoos!
Kaylee was a sweetheart and the perfect match for him!
They complete each other in all the best ways!
Highly recommend this one as all of Crystal’s books!!!

In this heartfelt story about Kay and her best friends older brother, Brandon. Kay has just turned 18, and is trying to figure out what to do with hey life. Her grandmother, who she adores has fallen gravely ill, and her family moves away for a better paying job to better care for her grandmother. Leaving Kay in California with a plan to live with her best friend Emma, and her older brother Brandon. The storyline follows Kay and Brandon as they work through their attraction and both family and personal commitments. There are certain realities that affect both Kay and Brandon, that could threaten their relationship. The story is followed by another at about 52% mark.

Both think they are not good enough for each other. He thinks he is not good enough for such a young innocent girl and she is hiding a dark secret she feels will change the way he sees her. They both are hiding their relationship from Em and when she finds outburst both lies to her causes him to break things off with her when she needed him the most. She is losing her grandmother whom she loves very much, but uninsured and friends smack him upside his head and make him realize that he is a of it for pushing her away A great read.