Protective. Obsessive. And rough around the edges.James Foster knows the rules: you don’t fall for your best friend’s little sister. Nina is too young, too reckless, and too busy saving the world to be tied down by the commitment he craves.If he was smart, he’d stop wanting her. But she’s the one thing on earth James just can’t quit.Fierce. Principled. And impossible to resist.Political … quit.
Fierce. Principled. And impossible to resist.
Political campaigner Nina Chapman is sick of one-time things. She wants forever, and she wants it with her brother’s best friend—but James still sees her as a child to be coddled.
So when a controversial article lands Nina in hot water, she finds herself under his protection and under his roof. It’s a shame James doesn’t want her in his bed, too.
…Or does he?
Warning: this red-hot novella contains one radical leftist heroine, one over-protective hero, one annoying childhood nickname, and a shared apartment with only one bed. Also, Brexit. But not too much, I promise.
Please note: a version of Guarding Temptation was previously published as Resisting Desire in the Rogue Nights anthology. This version has been revised and expanded to double its previous length.
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I love a good friends to lovers story with a hint of danger and great banter. Talia Hibbert delivers in guarding temptation!
Okay, I’m just going to put this out there. I don’t think it’s possible for Talia Hibbert to write anything less then perfection. I mean, if she intentionally sat down and wrote ish, it would undoubtedly be the most glorious, snarky, sparkly ish we’ve ever read. That’s just how damn good she is, and Guarding Temptation keeps that glory train rumbling along. We have forced proximity. We have serious hotness. We have two friends who are secretly in love with one another afraid to hurt not just their friendship but themselves. We have the blue-ribbon of sarcasm and funny dialogue. We have such beautiful emotion. And finally, we have a love story that leaves you knowing these two are that couple who will be sitting around their grandchildren many years from now loving on them–and teaching them to fight the power.
Can we just pause for the cause right here and shout a “hells yes!” to the cinnamon roll heroine?? Nina Chapman runs a political news site where she breaks down politics and current events as well as share her views. Her current piece on Brexit has dragged the trolls out of their caves and she’s receiving death threats. In spite of avoiding James Foster after a sizzling hot night where they crossed the line of friendship and James practically threw her back over that line with a fumbling apology, she goes to him. He’s protective, huge and and ex-fighter. He’s also her brother’s best friend who she’s been in love with for years. Not that he’s noticed. Men. *le sigh* Little does she know, James has nursed a bad case of guilt and unrequited love for a while. But he doesn’t want to lose her friendship. He also fears just being one of the men she dates then drops like a bad habit. He wants to be special to her–he just wants to *be* hers. Did I forget to mention how sweet and beautiful James is? Well, he is. Utterly.
James insists on Nina moving in with him for the time being, and after someone has doxxed her–thankfully giving out the wrong address but the intent was awfully clear–he goes into I-will-lay-anyone-the–out-who-dares-come-for-you mode. The love between them–friendship and romantic–is just lovely. Even as wonderfully crusty and snarky as Nina is, James never fails to see below that surface to the kind, brilliant, vulnerable woman beneath. He has never tried to impede her career or try and silence her. He adores that she’s this woke civil justice fighter that refuses to be cowed by others’ ignorance or attempts to steal her voice. He’s never slut-shamed her or made her feel less than because of her curves. He LOVES her body and her beauty. Hell, he worships her. And in turn, Nina *sees* him. She gets him. Sharing close quarters and both of them finding a way to grab back Nina’s power in this situation brings them closer, helps them to lower their guards both physically and emotionally. Their road to their happily ever after is hard fought and so satisfying and empowering. Seems an odd combination, right? But so true.
If you’ve read any of Talia Hibbert’s books then you know that she unfailingly weaves in themes of women empowerment and strength. I loved Nina for so many reasons, but also because she spoke for me as a black woman in a country where I often feel unseen and unheard. There was one line that had me blinking back tears. Talia says to James, “Sometimes I think black women in particular are seen as ‘strong’ in a way that removes our humanity….People believe that abusing us doesn’t matter, because we can take more than other people. That’s not the case.” Nina spoke for me. And reading this book, I wanted to be her because of her bravery, her consciousness, and that often misunderstood strength. This is a novella, and yet there was so much packed into it that it felt like a full-length novel. Such a wonderful read!!
A year ago I was saying Talia Hibbert was a “rising star.” Well that star has fully risen! I love everything this lady does, including this latest swoony friends-to lovers romance with some danger mixed in! Two smart, stubborn characters, sweet heat and some intrigue. Hibbert doesn’t let us down!
Bodyguard + There’s Only One Bed + BIG Hero = Yes Indeed!!!
James wants and loved Nina but is afraid of losing her as a friend if all she wants is a quickie. Nina wants and loved James but doesn’t think he wants her the same way. Add in some danger to force that proximity and what starts with the moments after they’ve given into to temptation becomes sexy and satisfying!!!
Also let me just say again that James is a BIG hero, think Winston Duke as M’Baku from Black Panther big. Soooo sexy and sooo satisfying.
Despite it’s novella length, Guarding Temptation is provided character development and emotion that made the sexual tension even better!
If you’re not reading Talia Hibbert yet, you should be!
Talia Hibbert fans are going to love this sexy, sarcastic new story!
Swoony and SEXY!
A new steamy novella from Talia Hibbert!
Can’t wait to dive into this steamy read!
Can’t recommend this quick and sexy read enough! Hot enemies to lovers action with just enough suspense to make it pop big time!!
“Swoony friends to lovers with an element of danger! James and Nina are both too pig-headed for their own good, but they’re just so gosh darn charming about it. If you like sweet heat and a bit of intrigue, this quick read is right up your street!” – 5-star Goodreads review
“Packed with the two very best things about a Talia Hibbert book: sex and sarcasm. Cannot recommend highly enough.” – 5-star Goodreads review
New to me! Live!
Loved the steam in this one!
A steamy friends-to-lovers with banter, intrigue and lots of heat!