Tempted

by Ayla Cox

Denise and Hugh have it all... mostly.

Glorious, high paying jobs at the most illustrious VC firm in San Francisco and expense accounts that let them wine and dine their clients.

At a client party, surrounded by the glitz and glam of the one percent, Denise's problems come to a head and she has to decide which path she wants to take.

Accepting her life and relationships as they are or something that makes her feel something she hasn't felt in years: ravenous desire.

Genres: Romance, Erotica, Novella, African American Romance

87 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2023

About the author

Welcome to Ayla Cox’s kinky world. When she’s not on her knees in a fit of passion and lust, she’s devouring any book she can get her hands on. On the off chance that Ayla has time off, you may find her frolicking on a beach or hiding away in a lake cabin, recharging her batteries, both figuratively and literally. If you love what you’ve read, give her a follow and leave a few encouraging words.

Ayla can be found on TikTok @AylaCoxWrites.

Reviews

[T Divine’s Reading Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

⚠️This is a short novella snack and I can’t wait to dive into the second book! OMG 😱 this is like 50 Shades of Brown & Black! But BETTER with a melanated spin on it!

📚Oh me oh my! Tempted is the proper title for this because there’s nothing but temptation! Denise & Hugh oh my girl, what have you gotten yourself into??!?

📖 What if you wanted a different man, what if that man just happened to be your Bestfriend/work husband, what if you were settling for your current situation, can your long term boyfriend get it together, what piques your curiosity, do you like being told you are good girl, how many times have you thought about your friend in this light, will you have and fall for him, can work and pleasure be separated, what if you take a step on the wild side, could you lose everything? Read to find out the answers to these questions? RUN 🏃🏽‍♀️ YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!

📳Kindle Unlimited

[Authoress Nadia Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read

Deliciously sinful and extra spicy.i enjoyed this read. First read by Ayla Cox, but I enjoyed it. Came across this book via tiktok and I am so happy about it. I didn't know I needed this story, but honeyyyyy I sure did.

[Ash Reads Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listen to the audiobook and thank me later. Very quick and very spicy!

[Sistaharlem · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really good. Definitely moving on to the next book in the series. The sound effects are hot. I enjoyed the story too probably because the friends to lovers trope is one of my favorites.

[Emilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book of this book.

The narrator narrated very well and the smut scenes were hot!

I enjoyed the storyline. The writing was witty, sexy and sinful.

I enjoyed the connection between the main characters. Especially, their connection during the spicy scenes. Whoooo, made you squeeze your thighs together and your panties dampen.

The one thing I didn’t like about the storyline is the cheating, but that is my own personal preference. I do believe that it is used to help the storyline develop in to the next book.

Overall, I enjoyed this book.

[Jaleesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just Enough

This was quick but it was just enough to have me completely invested. Denise and Hugh were HOT and you can tell they’ve been waiting to take things to another level. There are some complications so I’m excited to see how things move forward.

[Brianna M · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way this book had my jaw on the floor from start to finish should be illegal. The book was steamy, sexy and scandalous!! I cannot wait for more to come!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denise and Hugh might have it all, but I have to disagree. I feel like they are missing each other. It's crazy how in 58 pages (most of it smut), Ayla Cox was able to make me so invested in a couple. This was a fun, super spicy novella, and I'm so excited to continue on to the next book, Addicted. I want to read more about Denise and Hugh!

[Tiffany Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty good read

This book was definitely not what I was expecting. Not really a fan of cheating so hopefully they both leave their partners in the next book. Also not a fan of the fmc ex simply because he seems like a bum. But I enjoyed this short story.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice sweet spicy novella. The sex was sexing from the start. I love the chemistry between the coworkers the care they had for each other was beautiful. Too bad they were not single. I loved this right to the point. Onto the next part.

[LaNae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Came across this author and book via tik tok, and I’m thankful my fyp was on my side! This book was all the delicious lust and sexual tension you can think of between two colleagues.
I’m not one for the cheating trope, but well… sorry to whatever her terrible boyfriend’s name was lol! This novella was the perfect quick fun spicy read I was looking for! Excited to see what happens in book 2!!

[Fatimah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick little story, this was the first book I read from this author, I found her through tik tok, I will be reading more from her.

[Strawberry Skies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very spicy, overflowing with tension. I’m excited about the second book, to see where Hugh and Denise will go. Very well written, kept me on the edge of my seat, fanning myself!

[Sarai · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2 ⭐️
Honestly this started out super funny and really entertaining I wanna know more about Denise and Hugh forsure!!! It's a very short novella introducing us to this world and more background info which was nice can't wait to start the second book !

[Terra Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely steamy right from the beginning and doesn't stop

[Slipperyvowels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spicy! And nice nice

This was so good. I loved all of it. It was creative, full of sexy things but the storyline was also on point. Can't wait to read more about Denise and Hugh.

[Brianna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot and spicy ! I can’t wait to see what the second book is all about. I love the banter with her friend Cleo towards the end

[derrellee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot hot hot . I want more . This had me on the edge of my seat . I read it on Kindle Unlimited and then bought it. Yes mame 10’s across the boards.

[Maddison · Rating 5 out of 5]

NASTY JUST NASTY ALL AROUND🥵🥵

[Dre Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baby it's hot, and I'm talking 🌶️ 🔥

4.5 stars ⭐️

Ayla Cox's Tempted: A Best Friends to Lovers Spicy Romance is a steamy, sexy stroll through the spicy side of life. The plot follows Denise and Hugh, coworkers and work partners (in the "work husband/work wife" sense) caught up in the humdrum of their work and their personal relationships. One night, these things come to a head as Denise and Hugh's relationship takes a turn for the transformational.

This book really lays the groundwork for a larger, fuller story. Complete with a fleshed out cast, drama around the corner, and steamy scenes that will make your imagination run wild.

I will have to say, the cheating angle is not my favorite ideological vein, but it is definitely making for a very interesting story. Looking forward to seeing how this all comes to a head in future stories.

[J.R. Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ummm... 🌶️🔥🥵

*Runs... no, SPRINTS to update resume for new job in corporate America 😏
If there were not another book for me to grab right now to find out what happens next, I would be really hot! (not to be confused with the steamy hot heat I felt reading this novella). I love a quick, spicy, read that draws you in and really makes you feel like you're part of the main character's sexual angst & subsequent release, so to speak. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm on my way to download the next book.

[Elizabeth A · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌶️🌶️🌶️🤩🌶️🌶️🌶️

Read this!!!! NOW!!! I read this fantastic novella in an hour, y’all, and you will not regret it! You need a little, well, a lot of spice on your lunch break? You need a spicy palate cleanser in between some heavy reads? You need a quick spice break as a working mom after you put the kiddos to bed? You’re a student that needs a spicy mental cleanse in the middle of studying? Then pick it! PICK IT NOW!

I cannot wait to get into ADDICTED!
Denise and Hugh= 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Michele Marrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but oh so spicy. Loved it start to finish. Denise being a successful female powerhouse at her company and her work husband Hugh is a tall drink of water with power and a whole heck of a lot of sex appeal. Denise has a mice in situation and Hugh is married they have a great relationship at work and outside of work. Something happens which leads Denise to make some changes. The things that unfold are nice changing and dramatic.

[kimiwheelielovesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Denny aka Denise and Hugo have been friends forever and while at a work party Hugo gives Denny a proposition. After dealing with a little bit of a man child boyfriend, Denny considers it and the rest... You'll have to read to find out!! 😁
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
- Friends to Lovers
- Little Dom/Sub
- He Falls First

Triggers:
- Sexually Explicit Content
- Language

[Cris Criss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good grief!!!

Quick read but definitely packing enough heat to keep you unblinkingly tearing through the pages. Hugh is a MAN. He shows up for Denny in a high stressed situation to calm her. Well, he did more than calm her and he left her wanting more. I can’t wait for the next part.

[malissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you TikTok for not doing me dirty. This novella came across my fyp and I’m so glad it did. Such a great read, I wish it was longer. I wanted more.

Spicy af! I need a glass of whiskey to cool down with a side of Hugh.

I need more Denise & Hugh in my life.. brb going to read the second book!

[Tricia Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was perfectly what it was meant to be. It was spicy erotica and it was a novella. I typically like more back story and want more than novellas provide but the good new is... there is a part 2. More heat to anticipate. The spice was spicy and the description was vivid without being too repetitious. 

[She Reads What She Wants · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who in the world thought such a little book would leave such a lasting impression? I know I didn't!

What can I say except there was no way that I was not reading book 2 once I was done with this one. The spice just hit you in the face and the way that the author described everything that was going on made you feel like you were in the story and that is never a bad thing.

Especially with this book! I cannot tell you, you have to experience it for yourself.

Go on, you know you want to!

[CT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tempted by Ayla Cox was my first book by this author, and it definitely won’t be my last. This novella was a great purchase and a must-read. It was spicy, engaging, and very well done. I also listened to the audiobook, which was 🔥🌶️ and added so much to the experience. I can’t wait to read the next book!

[Gina Loves 2 Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ate this novella up. I finished it in an hour. Super quick and HEAVY on the spice! 🥵
Although this book was steamy and delicious, it contained one of my least favorite tropes.
It's still worth the read, and I'm interested in finding out what happens in the second book!