Mobility Mom Book Shelf: Sweet Temptation by: Bella Matthews(Audio Review)

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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Sweet Temptation, written by Bella Matthews and narrated by Andi Arndt and Tor Thom, is a truly perfect mix of heart, heat, and humor.

Book Description

From #1 Amazon and USA Today Bestselling Author Bella Matthews comes a brother's best friend, bad boy/good girl, football romance.

Lucky Beneventi might be the villain in my fairytale, but given the choice, I’m not sure I’d have it any other way.

My brother’s best friend and Philly’s favorite football player is the same cocky bad boy every girl wants and the dangerous temptation I was never supposed to touch.

Until I did. . .
And now I can’t stop.

I’m selfish enough to crave him—his kiss, his body, his heart—even when I know I’ll leave it shattered in the end.

But this can’t happen.
We can’t happen.
I won’t let us.

Even if he makes me feel alive in a way my broken body knows won’t last forever. . .

Because the truth is, when the story ends, Lucky isn’t the villain.
I am.

About Bella Matthews

Bella Matthews is a USA Today & #1 Amazon bestselling author. She is married to her very own Alpha Male and raising three little ones. You can typically find her running from one sporting event to another. When she is home, she is usually hiding in her home office with her English bulldogs by her side. She likes to write swoon-worthy heroes and sassy, smart heroines. Sarcasm is her love language and big family dynamics are her favorite finishing touch to add to each story.

My Thoughts

Sweet Temptation, written by Bella Matthews and brilliantly narrated by Andi Arndt and Tor Thom, is a truly perfect mix of heart, heat, and humor. Bella Matthews is simply one of my favorite authors; the strong sense of found family, witty banter, and undeniable chemistry woven throughout her books always manage to heal my heart even without me knowing it needs healing, and this one was no exception. I always struggle with wanting to devour the book and savoring it.

This story perfectly delivers the down-bad-for-his-best-friend’s-little-sister football player trope I craved, utilizing the delicious forced proximity when Lexie returns to town and moves in with her brother, Lincoln, and his roommate, Lucky Beneventi. Lucky, Philly's favorite football player, is the cocky bad boy every girl wants and the dangerous temptation Lexie was never supposed to touch. I loved Lucky way more than I anticipated; the way he had me giggling and kicking my feet like a schoolgirl was intense, and I should have known this Beneventi man would blow my socks off. Though Lexie initially believes a relationship is selfish because of her cystic fibrosis (CF) and her fear of leaving someone behind, the wonderful banter and tension build until we get that "one night lucky" moment—a promise wrapped in a threat, as the book puts it.

Their romance is both beautiful and bittersweet, tearing at my soul in the process. Bella, utilizing her background as a nurse, did a beautiful job showcasing Lexie’s struggle with a chronic illness; as someone who has lived with CKD, I really connected with Lexie and understood her feelings. Lucky simply did not care about her barriers; the way he loved Lexie—accepting her, refusing to let her push him away, and proving he was here to stay—was incredibly moving. I particularly loved Lexie’s mom and Lucky’s sister for standing up for their relationship and dropping the necessary truth bombs when others were holding back.

The romance is beautifully paced, equal parts swoony and steamy, while still carrying a heartfelt message about love, trust, and second chances. Bella has such a talent for creating characters that feel real—you don’t just read about them, you live with them. The small-town charm, laugh-out-loud moments, and the kind of slow-burn tension that keeps you turning the pages make this an absolute standout in the contemporary romance genre. Their connection felt beautifully real, and the fantastic narration by Andi Arndt and Tor Thom only enhanced the depth and emotion of their story, completely captivating me. I can always count on Bella Matthews’ books to have found family, a strong heroine, delicious spice, and to make me laugh and cry in the same chapter, and Sweet Temptation is no exception. If you’re looking for a romance that includes banter, group texts, spice, football, and forced proximity, this is a must-read.