Better then Temptation

Ivy Smoak is a new author to me. I have recently decided to do readathons to try and reach my reading goal and decided to finally finish book two since the series is on kindle unlimited. I will be continuing this series into 2021 for sure. I enjoyed picking up James and Penny’s story and I am starting to like Penny lots and have more questions about James then I know what to do with. This installment in the series had it’s ups and downs in true Penny and James fashion it was a very good read. I am not sure why I put it down. The love between the two characters and their developing relationship is captivating. I would like to point out that even though Penny ends up with James I do have a soft spot for Tyler as a character. Will he get his own books please and thank you that would be amazing. New to this author so I will not ask for too much.

This was more emotional and drama filled then the first book but it worked well. James has lots of secrets and she doesn't exactly trust him 100%. Isabella turns up the heat by leaking James and Penny's story to the press. The reader is left in a mess of emotions. Will James get it right will the ex-ruin things for them or will we get our happy ending. I personally can’t wait to find out. I have had such a rough go with books lately that finishing everything I have started is my mission before the end of the year.
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Where to begin...

I was not impressed by this book. There are some plotting issues that aren't resolved - like, James is supposedly an "addict" but of what, exactly? Penny? Shaving? Breathing?

The immaturity of the two characters is astounding. Penny, I understand as a 19-20yo college sophomore, I don't expect her to be on her A-game just yet, she's still in high school mode and figuring her shit out but James at 27yo and a college professor? Please. Though it may seem mysterious and taboo falling into a Teacher/Student relationship, this is college and though still youngish, Penny is technically a consenting adult which makes the reality of her immaturity so much more cringe-inducing.

The entire fucking with emotions of another is such a cliche and high school move that I had a hard eye roll at it but yet, I kept reading it because like so many of us, I love a dramatic train wreck of a relationship.

Overall, because it kept me reading just to find out how much worse it could get (and it really does) I gave this 3 stars rather than two.

*All thoughts and opinions are my own. I read this using my personal Kindle Unlimited subscription.* ( )