Temptation (A Temptation Novel)

I was drawn to this book because I was always fascinated by Amish culture, and the idea of a non-Amish girl and an Amish boy falling in love is absolutely amazing sounding! I love tales of forbidden romance, and Rose and Noah’s relationship is truly forbidden. I initially assumed that Rose and Noah met during his Rumspringa, but that’s not the case. I actually liked how Noah was completely in his community when he and Rose are together, since it added to the tension.

Just a word of warning: DO NOT read the preface! I read an ARC, so I’m not sure if the preface made it in the finished copies, but if it did, DO NOT read it! I was so mad when I read the preface, because it spoils a major turning point in the book! I don’t usually mind when there’s an intro that actually takes place late in the story, but I do mind when it reveals something that huge!

“That was the problem with English girls — they did what they wanted. But then again, maybe that was one of things that made Rose so intriguing…and dangerous to me (7% eARC).”

I absolutely loved Noah’s chapters! I really enjoyed learning more about the Amish way of life and their beliefs. It was interesting how behaviors I wouldn’t even think twice about are considered inappropriate for Amish women, but those same behaviors from Rose caught Noah’s attention. I almost wish the entire book was from his perspective, since it is so different than my own. Also, I sometimes find myself annoyed with Rose. Some of her reactions to the Amish community are ones that I’d imagine myself having, but then there are times when she acts like she never knew there were people different from her in the world. Occasionally her thoughts were down right rude.

Of course, Noah isn’t without his faults, but he’s been raised in a totally different manner, so I could understand his occasional sexist statements. Sometimes I would cringe when he was thinking about his future with Rose, but I don’t think he honestly could see what was wrong with some of his ideas. Those moments just made me want to keep reading though, to see how Rose would react when he eventually told her of his plans.

Overall, I loved this book. It did get a little repetitive at times, since Rose and Noah would sneak off together, then have to ignore each other, then Noah would find a way for them to sneak off together again, rinse and repeat. But it was also sweet, frustrating and heartbreaking. After that ending I’m so glad to realize that this is a series! I’m eager to learn more about Noah’s community!

I really enjoyed this book!

Temptation was a pretty big let down. Amish culture fascinates me and I was hoping for something awesome and...didn't get it. The writing was just okay and Rose and Noah have some major insta-love issues and they could really use a reality check.

Rose and Noah both irritated me. Both are selfish and convinced that the other will do what they need to do to enter their world. Noah's sure Rose will drop being an "English" and be an obedient, Amish wife. Rose is sure that Noah will respect her need to go to college and be wild and independent and start learning how to use technology.

Beyond this, they didn't really have a personality. They both had these interesting back stories and a lot could've been done with them. A little bit happened with Rose's family, but her old life? Her dancing? Her desire to be a vet? Casually mentioned and then never again. I can't really remember Noah doing anything except thinking about or talking to Rose.

This is the problem with insta-love, my friends. It doesn't give the characters time to develop personalities, wants, desires, other conflicts. There was nothing to either of our characters, or any of the side characters, because it was all about their impossible love story. And this wasn't even an impossible love story, this was a love story with two fundamentally different characters. I honestly don't see how this can work.

The writing was kind of...ordinary. It wasn't the high quality I'm used to from a novel published by a pretty big publisher like Harlequin. Nothing special.

Some of their interactions were sweet. Sometimes they could be funny. And I kept getting so close to liking Noah, especially at the end. There was a lot of promise in this book and it wasn't a total let down...but it was close.

The worst part for me? I, again, didn't know this was part of a series. So the ending gave me minimal closure and then there was a preview for book 2 that made me curious about it. Even though Temptation irked me in a lot of ways and really let me down, there's still a chance I'll be picking up the sequel. Be warned of what you're getting in to.