Instant Temptation

Originally posted at: [...]. Don't tell my husband, but I've fallen in love with another man. His name is T. J. Wilder, and he's the incredible hero in Instant Temptation. I've completely enjoyed all of the "Instant" books by Jill Shalvis, so I didn't expect this book to be any different. Thankfully, it met and actually surpassed all my expectations. I literally could not put this book down. I skipped work, I cooked dinner with the book in hand, I even stayed up well past my bedtime in an attempt to get to the end. And the ending was worth it all. It made me choke up and get weepy, it was that packed with emotion. This book was all about internal conflict. Both the heroine, Harley, and our yummy hero, TJ, have abandonment issues. Neither is willing to take that last step and open themselves up to being completely vulnerable to hurt again. They've known each other pretty much forever, and there's an underlying affection between them that we know will easily bloom into love, especially considering the sexual tension that's so hot it made the pages sizzle beneath my fingertips. The author throws in some external conflict, but it's nothing substantial - we know the fact that Harley is casually dating another man isn't going to truly figure into things, even when she makes a list of why he's so much better for her than TJ. It's obvious that TJ is the only man she wants. The only man she's ever really wanted. I think that's what made this story so amazing to me. The emotional angst of the two main characters is so honest and real, so completely believable and heart-wrenching. TJ is absolutely incredible. He's not perfect, by any means. He has a temper, he's arrogant, and has trouble staying in one place. But his heart is so huge, it all but bursts out of his chest. He cares, really cares about Harley - as a friend first, and as a woman, too. He doesn't want to hurt her, and he doesn't want to be hurt. They want their relationship to be all about sex, but it's clear to the reader (if not to them, at least not at the beginning) that it's about so much more. Don't get me wrong, the sex is hot, hot, hot but it's also incredibly tender. I can't express how much this book affected me. I own the other two, but haven't picked them back up to read again.... not yet, even though they're really quite good. This book? As soon as I finish writing this review, I'm giving it another spin. If you like your romance with an enormous amount of heart and plenty of heat, grab a copy of this book. In fact, do yourself a favor: read the entire series... and enjoy the fact that Ms. Shalvis saved the best for last.

Instant Temptation by Jill Shalvis is a wickedly funny and smoking hot story. Harley Stephens needs an upcoming trek into the wilds of Wishful, CA to go off without a hitch. Her heart is set on getting the internship as a research biologist. This trip to check on her coyotes will seal the deal. One major problem is someone is killing her test subjects. Now the trip has taken a deadly turn. TJ Wilder has stuck his nose in her business and is insisting that she won't be going alone. This is just the icing on the cake for Harley. Seems she never got out of her head her one night with TJ and to make things worse he doesn't remember it at all. TJ Wilder pushes his self to limit everyday. A tragedy in his past has him feeling he doesn't deserve to be loved. He volunteers himself to watch out for Harley on her research trip. TJ didn't plan on being this attracted to her. He has always had feelings for Harley but could never figure out why she was so distant at times. Spending so much time together has the truth of their one night coming to light. Both Harley and TJ give into their mutual desires but Harley thinks it can't last since the research job is out of the state. But TJ has other plans. Instant Temptation puts the finishing touches on a sensational series by Jill Shalvis. TJ and Harley's bickering covers up a searing passion, which neither can ignore. Their relationship also has a good basis in friendship. This adds another layer to a delightful story. It was fun watching these two fall in love. In my book you can't go wrong picking up a Jill Shalvis novel.

Once you've finished appreciating the gorgeous cover you can get around to appreciating the book! Jill Shlavis writes contemporary romance like nobody's business. So much humour, great love scenes, incredible dialogue, great characters. Whenever I pick up a Jill Shalvis book I know I'm going to be thoroughly entertained. This is the third book in the Wilder Brothers trilogy, and it does not disappoint. The adventure of falling in love out in the wilderness, a group of entertaining characters populating the stories...this is everything that's great about this genre. TJ and Harley are such fun characters (TJ's way of `making up' for past mistakes in their love life is hilarious). Shalvis will have you laughing out loud. It's a good idea to read these books in order, because each story is as good as the next, and all three brothers and their women are worth getting to know. Very highly recommended.

After having read the 2 previous books in the "Instant" series by Ms. Shalvis, I was eagerly anticipating the release of this book and I was not disappointed. TJ Wilder is an extreemly sexy hero and Harley is a fantastic heroine. TJ has never understood why Harley avoids him and why he is so attracted to her. It all goes back to when they were in high school. Harley has never let herself get near TJ because she's had a crush on him for so long and is afraid that they don't want the same things out of life. At the beginning of this book they don't, TJ is looking for something more along the lines of a temporary romance, he's more of a live life for now type of guy. Harley wants someone who will be with her forever. As they spend more time with each other they realize how much they have in common and also grow to realize that what they think they want out of life...isn't necessarily what they really want. This book has a very satisfying ending and it was fun to see how the series wrapped up. Can't wait to see what Ms. Shalvis writes for us next.

4 1/2 stars This is the third in a series about the three Wilder brothers who live in Northern California and run an adventure company. Both of T.J.'s brother have found love and he is the last hold out. He is getting a little annoyed with all the sappiness around the lodge and can't wait for his next trip--they keep him away for months and it keeps him from settling down. Plus, it keeps him away from Harley. He's known her since they were kids and for years they've been arguing and bickering with each other. The thing is, he's been hiding a crush on her most of that time, too. Harley keeps her distance from T.J. just as much. She wants forever and knows that T.J. isn't a forever kind of guy. Oh my...I loved this book! The other 2 Wilder brothers were hot, but T.J. and Harley just about burned the pages up. The flirting and build up was so fun to read. Some of it was funny and some had me actually feeling sorry for T.J. The coyote story was a bit of a let down and I would have liked a little bit more about it, but it did not detract from the romance between T.J. and Harley. My biggest disappointment with this book is that there are no more Wilder brothers! Wah! I loved them all and wish there were more to read about. I am going to miss them all as well as Annie--gotta love the Aunt with an Attitude. I will continue to say that I am a huge Shalvis fan, so I am probably biased, but this really is a good book. I loved the series and was so happy to see T.J. and Harley finally get their book. I recommend reading the other two books first, but it won't hurt to read them out of order.