Seducing the Enemy

Forbidden Confessions #4

by Shayla Black

Just how far will he go to take his pound of flesh from her?

I’m Jett, self-made billionaire.
I’ve achieved everything I’ve ever set my mind to—except revenge.
Eight years ago, my best friend stole my multimillion dollar idea…
After I fell for his little sister.
He made a fortune.
And she stabbed me in the back.
Now he’s in financial straits, while I’m richer than I ever dreamed.
So I made Whitney a bargain: forty million dollars in exchange for a week of her body.
But now that she’s in my bed, animosity may not be all I’m feeling…

Enjoy this Forbidden Confession. HEA guaranteed!

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Enemies To Lovers, Novella, Contemporary, Short Stories, Adult

87 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 25, 2020

About the author

Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances. Her books have sold millions of copies and been published in a dozen languages.

As an only child, Shayla occupied herself by daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and started pursuing a publishing career. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America, her heart was with her stories and characters, so she left her pantyhose and power suits behind.

Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her daughter, and two spoiled tabbies. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, gaming, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

Follow me on Facebook: http://shayla.link/FBPage

Join me in my Book Beauties group for weekly LIVE chats: http://shayla.link/FBChat

Reviews

[Anovelqueen · Rating 3 out of 5]

***2.5 STARS***

This was a DNF for me.

The trope is “I get revenge on you by making you sleep with because I can help you with your financial troubles”. Jett had his business idea, an app, stolen by his college friend Vance and his sister Whitney. Now Vance is close to bankruptcy and Jett has offered to bail him out if Whitney sleeps with him.

I don’t have a problem with this trope but it is kind of hard to do for a novella because the heroine has to acquiesce quickly which causes me to lose respect for her and therefore in the book. That’s just my prudishness (that’s a joke). But seriously I just couldn’t connect with the characters.

The writing seemed choppy to me and didn’t flow. The characters weren’t well developed. But on the positive side the cover is beautiful. This just was not my cup of tea.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review,

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

I’ll send a car to pick you up at precisely nine o’clock. Bring nothing with you. Anything you need, I’ll provide. When you arrive, the front door will be unlocked. Once inside, you will strip. And you will kneel. Then you will wait for me. You will be completely mine. While you’re with me, you will forget two things: any other man who’s ever fucked you and the word no. You will do anything I desire with, to, or for me during our week together. Am I clear?”

*dirty shiver*

Well, then. Wasn't this just utterly delicious? Dare I say, this was one of the most satisfying novellas I've read in a while. Is it a little cliche? Sure! Did I care? Not in the least. Shayla Black is my go to for yummy uber alphas and the heroines that give them hell. What can make it better? A second chance romance with a deliciously dirty revenge plot.

Whitney has just made a deal with the devil. When Jett was 21 years old, he fell fast and hard for the beautiful younger woman. They shared a stolen kiss that ultimately cost him everything. Now, years later, he's back to exact his pound of flesh. Whitney's brother betrayal is still a fresh wound. And when he can use the woman that he used to love to exact revenge on the man that cost him everything? Well that's even better. He offers Whitney a deal; a week submitting to him, and in exchange he'll bail out her brothers $40 MIL mistake.

Whitney is not about to give in so easy and is content to give him hell. Jett thinks that his feeling are long ago buried, but everything floats back to the surface the second they're back in each others orbit. This was sexy and oh so fun. It was quick paced and oh so satisfying. I devoured it with a giddy little smile on my face.


ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review

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[Sofia Lazaridou · Rating 1 out of 5]

"When I part her with my thumbs and my gaze devours her most secret flesh, it’s as if I’ve opened a whole new world. Yes, I’ve seen a woman’s pussy before— lots of them. But this is the one I’ve craved for too many years"

Isn't that romantic? Isn't romantic to know that Jett slept with Whitney's acquaintances? Isn't it romantic to be told again and again that Jett slept around? Wanna know the best part? We even got the "I have never stopped loving you" line. I haven't rolled my eyes so hard in a long time.

Now wanna hear the sad part? Whitney is a virgin. She couldn't sleep with any other man because they weren't Jett. She knew what (or should I say who) Jett had been doing for the last eight years and yet she chose to remain faithful to him and that's plainly pathetic. I was expecting a lot more from this author. Not to mention that she should have left him after he revealed his master plan.

The book is supposed to be 87 long and it felt even shorter. It has 3 chapters and an epilogue and the whole story happens in like less than 12 hours. If this book had been a novel it would have worked, but in this format, it didn't. There was supposed to be so much hate on Jett's part and yet the moment his Johny got wet he forgot everything. Actually many things were left unresolved and it was annoying.

The romance was not believable at all and the heroine just made me sad. Oh, did I mentioned that she is engaged to another man?

[Siobhan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shayla Black is a name I have often seen, but it took a while for me to finally pick up one of her books. After doing so, I was annoyed with myself for taking so long. I adored it, and I was eager for more. Thus, I was happy to dive into Seducing the Enemy.

I’m going to be honest and say I’m extremely picky when it comes to short stories. I find myself setting higher standards, as I need to be wowed in such a short space of time, and there are few authors whose short stories I will regularly return to. Despite this, I was willing to give Seducing the Enemy a try – not only did I want more Shayla Black, this one sounded super interesting.

I’m sure many will enjoy Seducing the Enemy, but this one didn’t work for me. I wanted more depth to this one, I wanted to understand things better than I did, and I wanted to feel something. I just wanted more in general.

I will probably give another Shayla Black short story a read, just to see if this was a one off, but for the most part, I’ll be sticking to the author’s full-length novels.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this story was short, it was everything I hoped it would be. From the description, you get the just of the story. Jett was screwed over and lost everything, including the girl. Now the tables have turned and he sees his opening. Whitney has always looked out for her brother. To bail him out, she accepts an offer extended by a man she has never forgot. This story was perfect on pace, emotions and explosive chemistry. You will not be disappointed in this book.

Review copy provided for a voluntary review.

[Erin Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Star review of Seducing The Enemy (Forbidden Confessions #4) by Shayla Black

Although not a particularly long book, Ms. Black certainly packed a lot into it. This book was hot, steamy, gripping and slightly suspenseful. It is also a second chance at love story that had me fully invested from the first to the last chapter.

Having been badly burned by his ex best friend and his girlfriend, eight years later Jett now finds himself with the power to exact revenge. In exchange for a week with Whitney, he will bail out his old friend. However, what emotional cost will there be for Jett and Whitney?

Jett is shocked to realize that he still has feelings for Whitney, despite her betrayal. Even more surprising Whitney still has feelings for him too. Can they both make peace with the past and in doing so forge a future together?

All in all this was a captivating read with strong writing and characters that you cannot help but relate too. If only it had been a little longer.

[Lexa (author in progress ;) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ✨

I just can’t tolerate guys like Jett. His whole attitude, being fueled not only by lust/love, but also revenge and anger gave me MAJOR ick/frustration vibes. I hated what he was making Whitney do for the most part too. I know some people need or appreciate the whole dom/sub type of relationship, or enemies to lovers, but to me, it just grates on my nerves and honestly only messes with my mood and emotional health in a detrimental way as I get into the stories I’m reading too much, and then I get annoyed or enraged at a person who isn’t even real 🙄. This is why I can’t really handle enemies to lovers for the most part: I hold grudges way too hard, get way too emotionally worked up, and end up needing to completely dissociate the jerk side of a character from the deeply care part of a character because I’d never get over that bad side of a character. I know everyone else seems to love enemies to lovers and I can recognize that those cases can often lead to a deeper feeling relationship and love between the couple, but it takes a very specific route for me to actually be on board with an enemies to lovers relationship. This story and the relationship DID get better towards the end when they opened up to each other, but, again, I don’t know that I can really say it was worth it to me. Honestly, I wish I could be more on board with the trope, but I, sadly, just can’t deal with it 🙄😕.

This book would probably appeal to someone else and I’m certainly not saying it was bad, it was just bad for ME.

[Kari Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Jett met his best friend’s sister Whitney he was immediately drawn to her and although he tried to deny his feelings for her that turned out to be a challenge he could not meet. As a result not only did he lose his best friend but also the company they were creating together.

Nearly a decade later fate brings them together one again as Jett has achieved financial success beyond his dreams, but he has never forgiven or forgotten Whitney and her brother. They now need his help, and Whitney is prepared to pay the price he is demanding but who will emerge the winner in this battle of the wills?

Short and steamy there is no doubting that Whitney and Jett have always belonged together and it is finally their time.

[valentina · Rating 1 out of 5]

bueno, escribir una escena subida de tono entre una chica de dieciséis y un man de veintiuno no fue lo más acertado del todo, y ni hablar de la trama en sí.

[Joana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was short but so good. ❤️
Almost deserve a full book. 🤤
Loved Jett and Whitney, they were amazing. 😍

[Fallen Star Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing story by the author! Jett and Whitney has something one summer many years ago they both wanted the other but he was twenty-one and she’d just turned sixteen but the cravings the urges became too much and on Whitney’s sixteenth birthday she got the present she asked for a kiss from the hot sexy older guy that was her brothers best friend but then everything crumbled and fell apart. That summer was everything and yet crushing to them both now they are enemies but Whitney needs his help and Jett’s demands are steep and unrelenting and she has to choose what to do. Walk away or give him what he demands..

Overall it’s a great read but keep in mind it is a novella and short but definitely worth reading. I loved Jett the dark brooding male that will stop at nothing to get what he desires most. Whitney has a spine and gusto she won’t go down without a fight and I loved her strength. Definitely recommend if your looking for another spectacular read by Mrs. Black.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Forbidden Confessions series and it packs a wallop. The opening scene will have those feelings of sensation coursing through your body as you are introduced to Jett and Whitney. It is one book that you will not be able to put down as the emotions keep building with each page that turns. Eight years ago, at age twenty-one, life was good for Jett until it all turned on a dime. Whitney was just turning sixteen and all she wanted was a simple kiss from Jett. However, nothing in life is simple and that one indiscretion cost him. Fast forward and Whitney’s brother is in dire straights and needs money. Who will Whitney turn to for help? Will Whitney be able to meet the demands imposed on her? This is one saucy enemies to lovers, second chance romance that will have you on the edge of your seat. It is a fast read and brings into play some of the characters from the author’s other series. I highly recommend this book, especially if you are looking for a quick steamy read. I volunteered to read a copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason has loved Whitney since before it was ok for him to be in love w/her. The sister of his best friend, Whitney has crushed on Jett for years. For her 16th birthday, when Jett and her brother were home from college, Whitney asked Jett for a birthay kiss. Fight it as he might, there was just something between him and Whitney that couldn't be explained. Through a series of events, Jett and Whitney's lives take unexpected turns, and they haven't seen each other in several years. When circumstances bring them together, they've both changes, and the sweet feelings they shared when they were younger have been replaced with animosity and mistrust.

Jett wants revenge on the family who betrayed him, and first on his list is Whitney.

Although a short story, there's so much in this tale. I loved the push and pull between Jett and Whitney. Both have grown and matured, but some things remain the same. This series is so great.
Jason Clarke is doing such a wonderful job narrating thius series. Can't wait for the next one!

[Linda Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only thing worth waiting for is Long, Lost, Love...

People who were meant to be together will always find their way back to each other. This rings true for Jett and Whitney. Jett fell hard for his best friend's sister. She was much younger than Jett, forbidden and definitely hand's off. But they both could not help the way they felt for each other. Whitney's brother puts a stop to their relationship before it even had a chance to start. To add salt to Jett's wounds, Whitney and her brother also betrayed Jett financially and emotionally. Jett never recovered fully and vowed retribution for their act.

8 years later after becoming a self made man, Jett devised a sure fire plan to seek revenge on them both. Trouble is when he sees Whitney again, all his plans fly out the window. He falls hard once again for her. This novella is a steamy page turner you don't want to miss reading.

[Mary Mooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you do when your best friend/business partner split ways over his sister? Well, you make your life better than his and when his life is spiraling out of control, you step in and take back what is yours.
Eight years ago, Vance caught Jett and Whitney together and that is when the trouble started. Whitney took her brother's side. Now Jett is going to use her to help get her brother's company back on track. Or that is what he tells her.
Jett has been in love with Whitney for so long and he knows that she loves him too. He just needs to get them alone to prove it to her. Can he show her that they belong together? Will he be able to win her over without getting his heart broken again?
This is a short, hot, and sweet story. I wish it were longer. Check it and the others in this series out and enjoy a little Forbidden Confessions.
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review and this is my honest opinion**

[Amanda McCalip · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a really good quick read once in awhile and Seducing the Enemy did not disappoint. While this is a short story, it packed a punch and kept me drawn in from beginning to end.

Jett falls hard for his best friends sister. She is much younger though and he knows he needs to keep his hands to himself even though the temptation is high. Whitney falls for Jett just as hard and these two have to fight the attraction they have for one another.

The relationship is over before it can go anywhere due to Whitney's brother. Then the two ultimately betray Jett leaving him in the past completely betrayed.

These two meet once again and the attraction is still there, but Jett is out for revenge and Whitney is all in to help her brother who is in trouble. Plans change though and these two won't be able to stick to their original ideas.

This was a steamy short read and as always a fantastic written book by Shayla Black. Her alphas are like no other!

[April Symes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seducing the Enemy by Shayla Black is book 4 in the Forbidden Confessions series. This is Jett and Whitney's novella story.
Though a short read, it certainly packs quite the sizzling and emotional story. This is a 2nd chance romance read that focuses on Jett and Whitney. Years before, 21 year old Jett fell hard and deeply in love with his best friend's 16 year old sister, Whitney. That summer, she was forbidden fruit, and hands off. Whitney was also in love with Jett ; things were going great but something happened and everything just fell terribly apart. Fast forward 8 years, Jett and Whitney meet each other again and that sizzling chemistry is still there. This time, Jett is out for revenge against those who wronged him.
Will he come to realize that he and Whitney have a 2nd chance or will his revenge plot ruin things? What a wonderful short story full of feels, heat, romance and love.

My Rating: 4.5 stars *******

[Ruthie Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

I am really enjoying these short but impactful Forbidden Confession stories. This one is rather fabulous because there are plenty of twists which make you think one way of Jett, and then you have to wonder whether in fact the plan all along was somewhat softer and definitely much more romantic.

There is a wonderfully erotic vibe, which is dealt with in a clever, fun and enticing way. As the two of them have history, it is easy to believe that they will fall into something serious so quickly, and it is a hugely fitting solution that brings about the ending we all want to read.

Perfect escapism - enjoy!

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't like to read too many novellas unless they're in the middle of a series because everything can be rushed. Seducing the Enemy had a great premise to intrigue me, but there was too much going on too quickly for me. Jett wants revenge against Whitney, whose brother, Vance, stole his idea to make a ton of money. Vance is now about to go into bankruptcy, while Jett has a ton of money, so he's determined to get revenge on Whitney, who sided with her brother. Jett was just plain gross to me because of his actions along with his inner monologue, while Whitney needed to not be so slow on the uptake of waiting on him for so many years. Plus, she fell right into bed with him instantly which I attribute to the short(ish) length. Remember, this is only my opinion, so hit those one click buttons because different strokes for different folks and all. That's all from me, so I'll leave you with HIGHLY RECOMMENDING because I do so love this author!

[shaira ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was short sweet (spicy 🌶️) and super fun - kinda induces the same feeling one would get if they tried fairy floss (cotton candy) for the first time 🍭

my only issue with it - there was a fair bit of angst at play here which could’ve been explored a little better had the story been slightly longer. there was a lot of potential and way too much story to be neatly packed into a less than 90 page novella. well on one hand, i do like that it got straight to the point and one less pendulum swing of miscommunication - so in a way it kind of worked ig? 🤷🏽‍♀️

anyway, highly recommend if you enjoy these tropes:
✅ second chance rom, some lingering “i’ve always been in love with you” feelings with a little angst
✅ older brothers (former) friend, forbidden love
✅ bargain with the enemy - “i will give you 40 mill and save your brother from ruination if you submit to me body mind and soul for a week” concept

rating: 3.5 ⭐️

[Mysti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read all of these last summer and never wrote reviews for them. What a loser!!

So these are all short, somewhat smutty reads. They're much better when you listen to the audio. It's funny because you read them in the order they're listed, they don't make sense. Characters are intermingled in the various books but they're out of sync.

Anyway, this is an enemy-to-lovers fic. Jett (smart billionaire) fell in love with his friend/business partner's sister, Whitney (virgin) when they were young. Shit happens and he ends up hating her for her betrayal. Even though she was only 16 at the time. So he bribes her so he can get some sexy times. They have sexy times and it's actually pretty hot.

Issue really was just all the back-n-forth between them. She was annoying with her constant complaining.
I guess in the end, you get what you pay for. A one-time boinking session.

[Allyson Sherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

True angst and sass is written all over this book and you can feel it deep within. From the moment you read the first sentence, and until you get to the heart of the story... my heart beat profusely.

Your heart knows who to love and it won’t let anyone step in its way. And Jett definitely knows that. Whitney brings the sass and a secret while Jett brings the dominance and a side of revenge. But together... they rock the bed and their hearts.

I enjoyed this Confessions novella better than the last as the ending was more forthcoming and the full circle of the story was complete in a smoother transition (not in a rush).

*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Tanya Rae ~ TaSTy WordGasms · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seducing the Enemy is the 4th book in the Forbidden Confessions Series. This is a second chance, enemies to lovers short story. Things move pretty fast but they have to when the story is a novella. Fortunately Jett and Whitney knew each other in the past. So it makes it believable.

Jett is about to enact his revenge. Eight years ago Jett’s best friend Vance burned him. Vance launched an App that made him a lot of money and he left Jett behind. Now Vance needs money and Whitney is in the line of fire! This book is hot and steamy. I look forward to reading more books by this author!!!

[Amanda Carle St-Jacques · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enemy to lovers is always a great read. Shayla is amazing at writing stories that has the reader wanting temptation to be given into but also wanting it to play out more to see what may happen.

A little bit of dominance and a could hard truths told and the story goes up in flames. The good kind of course. A 90min read and my feelings went from eagerness for the couple to anger for the brother to excitement and happiness for the couple.

This is another great addition to the Forbidden Confessions series.


And if you have read her More Than Words series you might recognize something near the end.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy smokes, I think my kindle was smoking from this one! Such an amazing story!!

Jett and Whitney had chemistry years ago and he gave her exactly what she wanted for her sixteenth birthday....and then she betrayed him. Her brother and Jett were best friends and were going to start a business together....best laid plans and all that.

Jett has never forgotten Whitney and how she broke his heart. Her brother needs financial help and Jett has just the plan to get back at her and her brother. Little did he know, that Whitney was just as heartbroken as he was. Will Jett's revenge plan backfire?

I loved the story, the characters, the heat!! Best novella I've read in a long time!!

[Katrina · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was horrible I can’t believe that Shayla Black wrote these books.First off he fell in love with her when she was a minor 16 years old. The excuse he gives in his mind is that she was a mature 16. Isn’t that the reasoning that pedophiles use to justify why they mess with underage children. This is not the only book in this series to have this theme one has the man 30 and the girl 17. Why not make them at least 18. The difference is 5 years but she was still,a minor and the scene in her bedroom when she’s 16 is disturbing. And he was saved from sleeping with her because her brother walked in.

[Christina Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends to enemies. Then enemies to lovers. It’s a cute love story of a guy being in love it’s his best friends sister who is off limits. They get caught being together but nothing happened that night and they turned into enemies. After 8 years it’s payback time. He makes a bet against his ex best friend that his ex best friend loses and now he makes a proposition for the sister to clear her brothers debt. She has to be with the guy she was in love with for a whole week but she’s engaged to another guy. Twist they have sex, she’s a virgin and they realized they are in love still with one another and they get married happily ever after.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seducing the Enemy by Shayla Black is a scorching hot story with three-dimensional characters whose chemistry is smokin' hot. Jett Dean met and fell for Whitney Chancellor when she was sixteen and he was twenty-one. After a falling out with her brother Vance who was Jett's best friend at the time it is eight years before Whitney and Jett get together again. The sex scenes are steamy and the emotional aspects of their relationship are a delight to read about. This is the fourth book in Shayla Black's Forbidden Confessions series. I sure hope there will be more of these stories.

[Melanie Marnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading a Shayla Black book is always, always a captivating experience. As with the other books in the Forbidden Confessions series, Seducing The Enemy, is a quick, hot read with a decidedly Shayla twist. Also there's a tie-in to the More Than Words series. Fabulous! CD

They say that revenge is sweet and perhaps it is. Jett Dean is about to find out. Whitney Chancellor has haunted him for the past eight years and now she's here, finally under his control. Yet in the blink of an eye she undoes his plotting and planning leaving him the vulnerable one.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of Shayla's alpha men to get addicted to. Ms Shayla spins a tale of love, deceit, lust, revenge and of course sex. Just the first few pages will have you fanning yourself.
If you've read the other books in the Forbidden Confessions or some of her other books you'll read a few characters you know. And as always, she has you turning page after page. When you get to the end, you just want more. So sit back, grab a cold drink and turn down the AC as you enjoy the story of Jett and Whitney.