Diary of a bookworm

The Tryst – Lauren blakely

Content Notes:

Published/Pages: 2023/456

POV: Dual – Hero & Heroine

Trope: One Night Stand, Forbidden Romance Ex Boyfriend’s Dad

Goodreads Bookshelves: 2023, age gap, contemporary romance, ex boyfriends dad, forbidden romance, forced proximity, one night stand, single dad, steamy, Virgin Heroine

HEA: Yes

Steam Level: Extra Steamy

Swearing: Adult

Trigger Warnings: Alcohol, Anxiety, Assault, Attempted Murder, Death, Grief, Murder, Violence

My Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Book Description: Some men are just off-limits. Like your ex-boyfriend’s father. But when I met the sexy, powerful older man shortly after my business school graduation, he was simply the seductive stranger I wanted to notice me, and he sure did. Fast forward a few months later, when my college ex – now a good friend – introduces me to the person he looks up to most…his father. The man I spent that one hot night with. I should stay far away from the commanding business mogul. But my ex and I are planning a charity fundraiser that involves late nights at his dad’s penthouse in Manhattan. Nights where he can’t stop looking at me with desire in his eyes that matches my own. I try to resist him, playing the good girl in the city…mostly. He’s the perfect gentleman…until he comes knocking on my door and tells me exactly what he wants to do to me. And I say yes. Stealing nights with him like this is supposed to be wrong, but it feels so right. And when he saves the day to protect his son at the fundraiser, my heart wants him as much as my body does. Can we ever be more than just a tryst?

Goodreads Review (no spoilers)

My Review:

Nick & Layla/Lola 

This is book two in Blakely’s Virgin Society series. I’d definitely say it was another winner from Blakely. 

I’ve read age gap stories before, but they’re usually a max of five years. The age gap in this story is 15 years, AND it’s her ex’s dad. I was a little wary at first, but I trusted Blakley with my first MM book, so I knew she wouldn’t lead me astray. I even told my sister how I was unsure, and she said “Dude, you were just calling the dad in our kickboxing class a DILF, I think you’ll be fine”. Haha 😅 

Nick and Layla’s story is beautiful, angsty and steamy! Nick and Layla meet at a conference in Florida, where they have an instant connection. But he lives in London, and she lives in New York, so they agree to one night. Until they start chatting, an ocean apart. When he comes to NY for business, rhey agree to see each other, until they discover they have something in common. Her ex-boyfriend is his son. 

Layla was a great Heroine. She was strong, independent, a badass, and knew what she wanted. Reading about her special rings, I instantly thought “She went through some shit”. And she definitely did. After being assaulted, she learns Krava Maga, which I thought was badass.  

“Dating is like Christmas. You don’t just put up your tree the night before SAnta comes down the chimney. You do it earlier, so you can enjoy the twinkling lights with anticipation.” -Adam

I’m not sure words do Nick justice. He was a powerful, sexy, mature and extremely kind man. Oh man… the way he was obsessed with Layla’s pleasure, and the way he talked to her… 😍🔥I WAS HERE FOR IT! I definitely kept telling myself, “I need a man like this”.  

I really liked David. He’s of those people that give 100% to whatever they do. I thought the way he handled the whole situation was realistic and understandable. My heart broke for him when his dad came to talk to him, and he was just so sad and defeated. Their resolution was great though. “I mean…we dated the same girl, Dad,” he says, then turns to me, his eyes saying can you believe that. “Yeah,” I say, then I just shrug like what can you do? “I guess good taste runs in the Adams men.” He snort-laughs. “Oh, god. Please. No dad jokes about Layla.” “That was not a dad joke.” “That was a dad joke,” he insists.”

The progression of Layla and her mother’s relationship was nice to see. After Layla finally started speaking up for herself and finally talked about her dad’s last words, they entered a new stage I their relationship. I loved it. I also loved that she wasn’t anything like Rose. 

I can’t wait to read the next book, The Tease, which is Nick’s older brother, Finn and Layla’s friend Jules’ story.  

Altogether a fantastic read! Full of steam, swoons and heartfelt moments.