Big Easy Temptation (The Perfect Gentlemen Book 3)

“You broke her heart.”“Yeah, well, she broke mine, too.”FINAL DECISION: The most emotionally complex story of the series so far, BIG EASY TEMPTATION expands the overarching conspiracy while always keeping the focus of the story on the characters and their relationship.THE STORY: At their first meeting almost decade ago, Naval Officer Dax Spencer knew that Holland Kirk would be special to him. The two circled around one another for years until 3 years ago. The death of Dax’s father brings the two together as Dax seeks answers to what happened to his father. Holland’s work as a NCIS agent gives her jurisdiction and for a time the two work together and finally begin building a relationship. Then everything falls apart separating the two. Now the two reunite as the conspiracy The Perfect Gentlemen are investigating appears connected to Dax’s father’s death. Dax has questions for Holland about what happened three years ago.OPINION: I loved the emotional complexity of this story. The narrative is unusual in that the story is divided in two parts. The first part takes place in the past and ends badly with Holland and Dax separated. The second part begins in present time and ultimately brings the two lovers back together. I especially liked that the story takes the time to bring readers into the past and show the entirety of what went wrong with Holland and Dax. Without that context, it would be difficult to understand and forgive the betrayals that tore them apart. By following Dax and Holland through the entirety of their story, the pain they both experience is more immediate, fresher and thus more devastating than a mere exposition of the past would have been.This is a second chance at love story and I became engrossed in Dax and Holland’s journey and was deeply saddened at the end of the first part of the story and then rejoiced when the two found on another again. The complexity of the story, the characters and the emotional heft of the story matched the increasing complexity of the overarching story.One thing I especially like about this series is that each of the books in the series is different. This is the not a series with different characters in the same story. Each of the stories, each of the characters, each of the situations and challenges are different. At the same time, each of the novels adds to the overarching story and I love that I get to see all the characters throughout the series.Both Dax and Holland make many mistakes on their way to finding one another and I like the optimism of that. Even with all their mistakes and misses in getting to their HEA, the do eventually get there.The most angst filled story so far, this book feels like a pivot point in the series as the third of the five Perfect Gentlemen gets his woman and some of the outlines of the conspiracy are beginning to be revealed. The conspiracy which has ensnared The Perfect Gentlemen is breathtaking in its scope. It also keeps me guessing!WORTH MENTIONING: This book also reveals the likely pairings for the other Perfect Gentlemen and now I can’t wait for the next book.CONNECTED BOOKS: BIG EASY TEMPTATION is the third book in The Perfect Gentlemen series. This book should be read as part of the series because the suspense thread is part of an overarching story. The overarching mystery continues past this book as well so be willing to continue to read the series. Not a hardship!STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.NOTE: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in order to provide a review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

Dax is the sexy Naval officer and Holland is the career driven NCIS agent. They are connected through friends and although they try to keep their distance the chemistry between them is too strong to ignore. While investigating Dax’s father’s suicide Holland betrays him however he achieved his revenge in a way that was even more painful.Years later there is new evidence in his father’s case and he knows that Holland may be the one person that can help him find the answers he needs. He needs to clear his father’s reputation but the thought of seeing her again brings the pain to the surface. Holland never fully recovered from their relationship the first time around so it will be a challenge to work with Dax again as she tries to maintain her confident exterior while inside she is an emotional wreck.As they work together their dormant feelings for each resurface but will they be able to overcome the betrayals and see that they were always meant to be together?I loved these two characters as the demise of their relationship was beyond their control but now that Holland is back in his life Dax is not about to let her go again. The secrets, betrayal, emotions and chemistry that this book contains is second to none and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Gahhh this series is pure quicksand people!! The minute you start the first Perfect Gentleman book with Gabe you get sucked right in and you're needy for them all. I absolutely loved Dax and Holland. They were both so sexy and confident in themselves and their abilities. I absolutely love that the authors created two strong leads that gave as good as they got! I was addicted from the first page and could not get enough of their enthralling past history and the conclusion of their romance years later in the present. What a fantastic addition to the Perfect Gentlemen series!!Dax Spencer and Holland Kirk have a history. It is both amazing and devastating as betrayal tainted both of them. She in the wake of his father's death (*SIGH* this KILLED me) and he in his very own form of payback afterwards. But as circumstances always do, the past comes unraveling again and dormant secrets come to light. Now, as Dax and his fellow Perfect Gentlemen unravel a web of lies, he discovers his family’s tragedy is part of a much larger conspiracy. Soon, all clues point him back to New Orleans…where Holland waits, protecting her deadly secret and holding a torch for the only man she’s ever loved. Can they overcome their pasts and find their way back to each other or will sinister forces permanently separate them both this time?Man this book punched me in the solar plexes. It just straight up gut punched me and I honestly couldn't stop reading until it was done. This story was emotional, so sexy but so so painful at times. After their second strike at almost getting together, I was devastated for everyone. Him. Her. Them. MEEEEE! LOL. That's how amazing this series is. I am sooo invested and a huge fan of both authors. Big Easy Temptation was really my favorite book of the series and kind of blew me away. I laughed. I cried. I was ragey and felt frustrated AF at what happened to them and then ultimately I swooned. The perfect gamut of emotions for this book! I can't wait for Roman and Gus!! Bravo! 4.5 stars! ~Ratula

No plot spoilers.Wow. This is Dax and Holland's story and the first part of the book delivers the backstory to their romance. I cried several times even though I have re-read this book at least four times. There is something new every time I read it. The Bratva storyline continues with more clues revealed, the political intrigue deepens and the plot truly thickens. You really need to read the series in order to get the best from the book and to know the characters properly.The characters are believable and fully developed, so well crafted you feel you know them in life, and consequently you care about them.There are lots of hot sex scenes, all of them appropriate and loving. There are no potential triggers.

omg cannot put them down love this series

What a story!!!!! Extremely gripping, thrilling ,not to mention scorching hot .They know how to make you yearn for the next book .It doesn't matter whether they write separately or together their stories are always amazingly awesome .I've read most of their books!!!

this is a great book. looking forward to the next book in the series.

Big Easy Temptation is the third book in the Perfect Gentleman series. Six guys bonded in boarding school, stayed together through Yale, and now being in powerful positions they have to find out about an intrigue that is a deadly threat to them and their families. Each book is about another couple and their romance, and one aspect of the mystery is solved. You could call these books interconnected standalones. The underlying story is a progressive mystery that is very slowly unfolding throughout.In each last chapter the authors give a glimpse of the direction the next instalment will take, who will be the main character and where it will unfold.This third book is about investigating Dax’ father’s suicide/murder but also a third chance romance between Holland and Dax.Dax is a gorgeous hero, he oozes class and Southern charm. Holland is a very strong heroine, independent, confident and competent.With a fast-paced and complex plot and richly developed characters Big Easy Temptation is a riveting book.