Plot Summary
"It's not just a love story, it's an obsession..."
So begins Jeanne St. James' "Tempting Him," the fifth installment in her Obsessed novella series. The story introduces us to Skylar, a woman who has developed a rather elaborate routine: every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, she positions herself outside her home to tempt her jogging neighbor. Whether she's washing her car, watering her lawn, or doing yoga "with all my assets in the air," Skylar is determined to catch the attention of the mysterious runner who passes by her house three times a week.
What Skylar doesn't realize is that her neighbor, Cade, is equally obsessed with her. As Cade himself admits, "Three days a week, I put myself through hell by jogging through my neighborhood. I suffer through it simply to catch a glimpse of a woman I don't know." The mutual attraction finally culminates when Cade literally falls—over his feet, over his heart, over this woman—and into Skylar's arms.
What follows is a weekend of explosive chemistry and discovery as these two neighbors finally give in to their mutual attraction. But this isn't just a simple neighbors-to-lovers story. Both Skylar and Cade are harboring secrets that could destroy their relationship before it truly begins. When Cade reveals his true identity as a Secret Service agent, Skylar's world comes crashing down around her. She has a secret of her own—one that could end everything between them before they've even had a chance to start.
The entire story takes place over roughly 24 hours, making for an intense, fast-paced read that doesn't waste a single moment. From the initial fall to the shocking revelation at the end, "Tempting Him" delivers exactly what its title promises: temptation, heat, and a whole lot of complications.
Character Summaries
Skylar
Skylar is our heroine, a woman who's been quietly nursing an attraction to her jogging neighbor for months. She's portrayed as confident and sexually adventurous, unafraid to use her assets to get what she wants. Her approach to catching Cade's attention is both amusing and effective—she's not shy about putting herself on display, whether through car washing or strategically positioned yoga poses.
But beneath the confident exterior, Skylar is carrying a heavy burden. She's a widow, still healing from the loss of her husband, and this past trauma has shaped her in ways she's only beginning to understand. Her secret—revealed late in the story—adds depth to her character and explains some of her behavior. She's not just a woman looking for a good time; she's someone who's experienced profound loss and is cautiously opening herself up to the possibility of love again.
Cade (Kincade)
Cade is our hero, a Secret Service agent who's been jogging past Skylar's house specifically to catch glimpses of her. He's the classic alpha male—protective, dominant, and intensely attracted to Skylar from the moment he first saw her. Despite his profession and the discipline it requires, Cade finds himself completely undone by this woman he doesn't even know.
What makes Cade interesting is the contrast between his professional life and his personal desires. As a Secret Service agent, he's trained to be observant, to notice details, to assess threats. Yet when it comes to Skylar, he's been so focused on his attraction that he's missed some crucial information about her. This irony adds a layer of complexity to his character—he's not infallible, and his obsession with Skylar has made him surprisingly blind.
Cade is also experienced in BDSM, which becomes immediately relevant when he and Skylar finally connect. His dominant nature meshes perfectly with Skylar's submissive tendencies, creating a sexual dynamic that's both explosive and surprisingly tender.
Their Dynamic
The chemistry between Skylar and Cade is, as multiple reviewers have noted, "off the charts." Their mutual attraction has been building for months before the story even begins, so when they finally come together, the tension that's been simmering beneath the surface explodes into full-blown passion.
What's particularly effective about their dynamic is how quickly they establish trust and communication. Despite having just met, they're able to have honest conversations about their desires and boundaries. When Skylar asks Cade if he likes "ass play" before she even knows his full name, it's not just a shocking moment—it's a demonstration of how comfortable they are with each other sexually.
Their relationship moves at lightning speed, but in the context of a novella that takes place over 24 hours, this pacing feels appropriate. They're both adults who know what they want, and they're not interested in playing games. The BDSM elements add another layer to their connection, allowing them to explore power dynamics that complement their natural personalities.
Tropes Present
Neighbors to Lovers: The central trope of the story. Skylar and Cade live next door to each other and have been silently admiring one another from afar for months before their first interaction.
Instalust/Insta-attraction: Both characters have been attracted to each other from a distance for quite some time, so when they finally meet, the attraction is immediate and intense.
Law Enforcement Hero: Cade is a Secret Service agent, bringing with him all the protective instincts, discipline, and alpha energy that comes with law enforcement romance heroes.
Widow Heroine: Skylar is a widow, still grieving the loss of her husband. This adds emotional depth to her character and creates potential conflict with Cade's profession.
BDSM: Both characters are experienced in BDSM, and their sexual compatibility in this area is a major part of their connection. The story includes explicit BDSM scenes and power exchange dynamics.
Secrets: Both characters are hiding something from each other—Cade about his profession, Skylar about her past. These secrets create tension and drive the conflict in the story.
Weekend Romance: The entire story takes place over roughly 24 hours, making it an intense, concentrated romance that develops quickly but feels earned given the months of mutual attraction that preceded it.
Alpha Male: Cade is the quintessential alpha hero—dominant, protective, and intensely attracted to Skylar. His Secret Service background only enhances these traits.
HEA (Happily Ever After): As promised in the series description, the book delivers a happy ending for our couple, though some readers may wish for more closure regarding their future together.
Trigger Warnings
Explicit Sexual Content: This book contains explicit sexual scenes, including BDSM elements, power exchange, and various sexual activities. It's intended for mature audiences over 18.
BDSM Themes: The story includes BDSM dynamics, including dominance and submission, power exchange, and specific sexual practices like anal play. Readers who are uncomfortable with these themes should avoid this book.
Grief and Loss: Skylar is a widow dealing with the loss of her husband. While this isn't the central focus of the story, it's an important part of her character and may be triggering for readers who have experienced similar losses.
Law Enforcement Themes: Cade is a Secret Service agent, and his profession plays a role in the story's conflict. Readers who have negative experiences with law enforcement may find certain aspects of the story difficult.
Secrets and Deception: Both characters keep secrets from each other, which creates conflict in their relationship. Readers who are sensitive to themes of deception in relationships should be aware.
Quick Relationship Development: The relationship between Skylar and Cade develops very quickly (over 24 hours), which may not appeal to readers who prefer slower-burn romances.
What Works Well
Incredible Chemistry: The strongest element of "Tempting Him" is undoubtedly the chemistry between Skylar and Cade. Because they've been silently admiring each other for months before the story begins, there's a foundation of attraction that makes their immediate connection feel earned rather than rushed. When they finally come together, the tension that's been building explodes into scenes that are genuinely hot and emotionally resonant.
Efficient Storytelling: Jeanne St. James has a gift for packing a lot of story into a small package. At 114 pages, this novella doesn't waste a single word. Every scene serves a purpose, whether it's establishing the characters' attraction, developing their relationship, or setting up the conflict. The pacing is relentless in the best way possible—there's no filler, no unnecessary exposition, just story from start to finish.
Surprising Depth: Despite its short length and focus on steam, "Tempting Him" manages to deliver genuine emotional depth. Skylar's status as a widow and Cade's profession as a Secret Service agent aren't just throwaway details—they're integral to the story's conflict and the characters' motivations. The revelation of Skylar's secret adds a layer of complexity that elevates the story beyond simple erotica.
BDSM Representation: For readers who enjoy BDSM romance, "Tempting Him" delivers well-written, consensual scenes that explore power dynamics without crossing into non-consensual territory. The communication between Skylar and Cade about their desires and boundaries is refreshing, and their mutual enjoyment of the BDSM elements is clear.
Unique Plot Twist: Without spoiling anything, the connection between Skylar's past and Cade's profession is genuinely surprising and adds a layer of irony to their relationship. It's the kind of twist that makes you want to go back and reread the earlier scenes with new understanding.
Strong Character Voices: Both Skylar and Cade have distinct personalities and voices. Skylar's confidence and sexual agency are refreshing, and Cade's combination of alpha dominance and genuine vulnerability makes him a compelling hero. They feel like real people with real desires, not just caricatures designed to fulfill romance tropes.
Series Consistency: As the fifth book in the Obsessed series, "Tempting Him" maintains the tone and style that fans have come to expect while still feeling fresh and original. If you've enjoyed previous installments, you'll likely love this one too.
Standalone Accessibility: Despite being part of a series, the book works perfectly as a standalone. You don't need to have read the previous four books to understand or enjoy this story, making it easy for new readers to jump in.
What Doesn't Work as Well
Abrupt Ending: The most common complaint among reviewers is that the ending feels rushed. After building up this incredible chemistry and revealing these life-changing secrets, the story concludes rather abruptly. While we get a HEA, we don't get to see much of Skylar and Cade navigating their new reality together. Some readers may wish for an epilogue or at least a few more scenes showing how they move forward from the revelations.
Pacing Issues: While the fast pace is generally a strength, it can also be a weakness. The relationship develops so quickly that some readers may struggle to fully invest in Skylar and Cade as a couple. They go from strangers to lovers to people considering a future together in the span of a day, which, while understandable given their months of mutual attraction, still feels incredibly accelerated.
Limited Character Development: Because the story is so short and focused so heavily on the immediate attraction and conflict, we don't get to know Skylar and Cade as deeply as we might in a longer novel. We learn the essentials—who they are, what they want, what secrets they're hiding—but there's not much room for nuance or complexity beyond that.
Unanswered Questions: The revelation of Skylar's secret raises a lot of questions about how she and Cade will move forward, but the story doesn't really explore these. Readers who like their romances to tie up every loose end may find themselves frustrated by the open-ended nature of the conclusion.
Potential Unrealistic Elements: While the chemistry between Skylar and Cade is undeniable, some aspects of their relationship strain credibility. The fact that they're so perfectly sexually compatible, that they communicate so openly about BDSM preferences so early, and that they're both so immediately ready to consider a serious relationship—all within 24 hours—may feel a bit too convenient for some readers.
Limited Exploration of the Secret Service Aspect: Cade's profession as a Secret Service agent is interesting, but the story doesn't really explore what this means for his day-to-day life or how it might impact a relationship. It's used primarily as a plot device to create conflict with Skylar's secret rather than as a fully realized aspect of his character.
Skylar's Secret: Without spoiling anything, the nature of Skylar's secret and its connection to Cade's profession, while surprising, may feel a bit contrived to some readers. It's the kind of coincidence that works in fiction but might raise eyebrows in reality.
Short Length: While the novella format is perfect for a quick, steamy read, some readers may simply wish there was more story. The characters and their situation are compelling enough that you can easily imagine this being expanded into a full-length novel with more room for character development and relationship building.
Final Thoughts
"Tempting Him" is a thoroughly enjoyable novella that delivers exactly what it promises: heat, chemistry, and a surprising amount of emotional depth. Jeanne St. James has proven once again that she knows how to pack a complete, satisfying story into a small package. The chemistry between Skylar and Cade is electric, the BDSM elements are well-written and consensual, and the plot twist adds genuine intrigue to what could have been a straightforward neighbors-to-lovers story.
The 4-star rating reflects both the book's strengths and its limitations. On the strength side, you have incredible chemistry, efficient storytelling, surprising emotional depth, and a unique plot twist that elevates the story above simple erotica. On the limitation side, you have an abrupt ending, pacing that may feel too fast for some readers, and character development that's necessarily limited by the novella format.
For readers who love steamy romance with BDSM elements, "Tempting Him" is a must-read. It's the kind of book that you can devour in a single sitting and come away feeling satisfied—though perhaps wishing for just a little bit more. The chemistry between Skylar and Cade is the real star here, and St. James writes their scenes together with a heat and authenticity that's rare in the genre.
The book's greatest strength is also its greatest weakness: its focus on the immediate, intense connection between two people who've been silently attracted to each other for months. This makes for an incredibly hot and emotionally resonant read, but it also means that some aspects of the story—particularly the ending and the long-term implications of the characters' secrets—feel underdeveloped.
If you're looking for a quick, steamy read with well-written BDSM elements, surprising emotional depth, and characters you can't help but root for, "Tempting Him" delivers in spades. It's a solid addition to the Obsessed series and a testament to Jeanne St. James' skill as a writer of erotic romance. Just be prepared for the ending to come sooner than you might like—and for the characters to linger in your mind long after you've finished reading.
Bottom line: This is a hot, satisfying read that manages to pack emotional punch alongside its steam. While it may leave some readers wanting more closure, the journey to get there is absolutely worth taking. Sometimes the best stories are the ones that leave you wanting just a little bit more—and "Tempting Him" definitely falls into that category.
Rating Breakdown
- Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)
- Spice Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 (4/5 chili peppers - High heat with BDSM elements)
- Plot Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)
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