I joined another buddy read with The Ripped Bodice book club for Tempting Klaus by Ashlee Rose. The holiday pun title piqued my interest. I’m also woefully behind on my half Cannonball, so it was time for more novellas.
In this erotic holiday romance, we are introduced to Belle. She lies in wait to seduce her father-in-law, Klaus. From that first page, it was a record-scratch moment. Beg your pardon? Did I read that correctly?! We learn she married Klaus’ son nearly a year ago and is a sex-starved virgin. They got married and nearly a year later have not consummated the marriage. WHAT. Personally, after one month, it’s time for an annulment. But I wouldn’t get married as a virgin anyway. The husband keeps making promises and blaming work. The idiot son rejects her when she ties herself in a literal bow for him. Enter Klaus. He is sweet but eventually can’t stop making eyes at this woman. The couple come to the FIL’s place for the holidays. The son is some sort of politician and is glued to his phone 24/7. Klaus tries to cheer up Belle innocently by offering wine and conversation. Things get spicy really fast. This is an erotica story after all. Belle informs Klaus she doesn’t think the marriage will last. Then, all bets are off.
It was an extremely quick read. It wasn’t as playful as the pun title suggested to me. It really bugged me that this woman stayed married to such a jerk. The age gap (late 20s vs 50s) with Klaus also gave me pause since she was a virgin. Klaus was teaching her about sex and at times right when the son was in the room. Even if the son was taking Ambien, I don’t see how he could miss his dad taking his wife’s virginity in the same bed! The writing was decent, but the premise and the characters just weren’t for me. I couldn’t suspend my disbelief to fully get on this ride. If you like easy-to-read erotica and are not bothered by a father claiming his son’s wife, you’ll enjoy it.
CBR15 Passport Challenge: Books recommended by friends (book 2 of 3)
