TEMPTING MR. WEATHERSTONE is a novella that introduces Vivienne Lorret's Wallflower Wedding series. The story originally appeared in the anthology FIVE GOLDEN RINGS Christmas anthology with stories by other authors. TEMPTING MR. WEATHERSTONE is a charming story about two people whose friendship turns romantic. I like that Penelope and Ethan have been friends for so many years, and know each other so well. The length of their friendship, as well as the fact that they became friends so early in life, adds to the intimacy of their relationship.

I like that TEMPTING MR. WEATHERSTONE is told from both points-of view. Ethan and Penelope have so many similarities. Not only did they both lose a parent at a relatively young age, but they both like order in their lives. The disruption and wonderful chaos that romance injects into their relationship is a great counterpoint to all that orderliness. I enjoyed how Penelope ruffles Ethan's feathers and gets him more worked up than she first realized. There's a sexy "Clark Kent" quality to Ethan that I love. Penelope is an intelligent woman, but her vulnerability when it comes to her long-hidden feelings for Ethan makes her very human and real. Their banter is amusing and adds spark to the romance.

Although TEMPTING MR. WEATHERSTONE is not a full-length novel, it doesn't feel rushed or unfinished. Vivienne Lorret does a good job of establishing who the main characters are and what their relationship is. The strong emotion in TEMPTING MR. WEATHERSTONE really shines through —Penelope's sense of longing as well as Ethan's unexpected uncertainty and passion. As a fan of both Vivienne Lorret and "friends-to-lovers" stories in general, TEMPTING MR. WEATHERSTONE is very satisfying and entertaining.

After reading the later stories, featuring Penelope's friends, this glimpse into her own romance is especially interesting. With TEMPTING MR. WEATHERSTONE, Vivienne Lorret succeeds at creating likable characters and a sparkling historical romance. I look forward to reading more books by Vivienne Lorret in the future, including her upcoming Rakes of Fallow Hall series.

Book Summary

Previously appeared in the e-book anthology Five Golden Rings.

USA Today bestselling author Vivienne Lorret revisits her Wallflower Wedding series with a delightful tale of friends-to-lovers, just in time for Christmas.

Penelope Rutledge longs for passion, but only with the man of her dreams: the brilliant, dashing Ethan Weatherstone. If only her longtime neighbor would open his eyes and realize how much she loves him. If only they weren’t best friends with so much at stake. Penelope knows her future—and their friendship—is in her hands, but is she willing to take the biggest risk of all on the man she loves?

If it were up to Ethan, life and love would be as predictable as the figures in his ledgers—certainly nothing like the adventures Penelope longs for. Yet his childhood friend has grown into a beautiful, feisty woman blissfully unaware of the danger she causes when near. Ethan knows he must save Penelope and her reputation … but can he save himself from the temptation of her lips?