Tempting Tristan (Harborside Nights #3; Love in Bloom #57)

Tempting Tristan (Harborside Nights #3; Love in Bloom #57)

Melissa Foster

Enjoyment: Quality: Characters: Plot:

Alternate cover edition for ASIN B01EZ3ZZIY For previous cover edition see here Tempting Tristan is a stand-alone M/M romance featuring two sexy, hot alphas. One injured war hero, one man who has loved and lost. Each struggling for a future not bound by his painful past. TRISTAN I’m fresh off the heels of yet another bad relationship. I’m done. I’m taking a break from men to figure out what I keep doing wrong. I know my faults. I lead with my heart, not my head. But that’s never going to change. A few weeks into my no dick hiatus, I think I’ve got a handle on things. That is, until badass heartthrob Alex Wells strolls into my bar. ALEX Eight years in the Army, months in a hospital bed, and far too long hiding my sexual identity has left me damaged, pissed off, and up for a Silver Star—for the incident that nearly cost me my life, and kept me from my grandmother's funeral. All I want is to forget my stint with the institution that allows but doesn't necessarily accept, and live the life I’ve always wanted. The hot bartender coming my way, just might be my gateway drug. But I’m f*cked up. The closer he gets, the more my walls go up, and he’s going to find out that my physical scars aren’t the ones that run the deepest. "This book, I... am in awe. An M/M romance that all other Authors who write M/M should stand up take note."- Socially Book Nerd (5 Stars) "What an amazing love story this is. The author really gripped me, I didn't want this book to end I wanted more!" - A Book Lover's Emporium (5 Stars) "This is the first Melissa Foster book that I've ever read, and I will definitely be reading more from her ASAP." - Happily Ever Chapter (5 Stars) "Romantic and beautiful, Tristan is more than tempting. Alex is commanding and tender and the both of them together melt my heart." - The Book Fair Reviews (5 Stars) "I love me a good M/M book, and this one has made its way to one of my favorites!!" - Tiffany W, Goodreads Reviewer (5 Stars) "Melissa Foster is synonymous with sexy, swoony, heartfelt romance!" New York Times Bestseller Lauren Blakely "With her wonderful characters and resonating emotions, Melissa Foster is a must-read author!" New York Times Bestseller J. Kenner "Catching Cassidy is laugh out loud funny, heartwarming, sexy, and hands down one of my favorite reads so far this year!" #1 NYT Bestselling Author of The Bet, Rachel Van Dyken HARBORSIDE NIGHTS is a sexy, hot, and evocatively real series of stand-alone romances that follows a group of friends who have known one another for years as "summer" friends, and now come together after college to build their lives. They're tough, edgy, and accepting--most of the time. This series is written in the same loving, raw, and emotional voice readers have come to love by New York Times & USA Today bestselling, award-winning author Melissa Foster with LGBT themes. ** AUTHOR BIO Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.


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  • LBeet
    Apr 16, 2025
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  • Cheri
    Apr 03, 2025
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    The beginning of this book was such a disappointment to me. I loved the characters and the story, but there were some continuity issues that were driving me absolutely insane! By halfway through I was a bit afraid I'd have to give this a very low rating. The fact that the last half was awesome and my history with Melissa Foster's writing is the only reason I rounded this rating up to a 3 instead of down to a 2 since I'm think 2.5 is the most accurate.

    The chemistry between Tristan and Alex is OFF.THE.CHARTS! I love them as a couple. Two big, tough, hard-bodied guys who are soft as pudding on the inside. What's not to love? Plus, I'm a sucker for a man in uniform.

    I have a lot of military family and my son is actually in the Army so in some ways my mind wanted to rebel against anything bad said against our military. And at first it kind of did because I almost felt there were things bordering on disrespect. I felt better when Tristan kept on Alex about what makes a hero. And I truly did understand Alex's thoughts and bad feelings as he had spent his military career hiding his true self...of course that left a bitter taste in his mouth. I shouldn't have worried as much as I did because, as usual, this author is a whiz at turning things around and showing a progression in the character's thoughts.

    As for the continuity, I've made it known my reviews that continuity is a pet-peeve of mine. If the author and/or editors don't care enough to make sure the timeline adds up it seems disrespectful to the reader. And in this case it truly pained me that there were so many issues with the timeline since I love this author. An example (which isn't even the first instance in the book): beginning of the chapter references how busy Friday afternoons are at the bar, character goes home and talks to roommate who asks if he's bringing his guy to the party Tuesday...which would be 4 days away. He then explains how they invited people over for tomorrow. Ummm....tomorrow is Saturday, not Tuesday. There are multiple times this happen in the first half of the book. I'm so glad it got better in the last half of the book.

    One other issue. A big deal is made when Alex first appears among the friends working at the bar that day because his is so gorgeous. He has such a commanding presence he can possibly be gay. What?!? I know the author probably used this scene to try to make a point about stereotypes, but by then having the gay character go along with this thought actually does the opposite. Why perpetuate a stereotype like this? I don't understand and I'm disappointed the author took this route.

    The romance and story are so good they truly do override the bad things I have listed above. Alex has so much to deal with and Tristan is so sweet and patient. On the other hand, Tristan is very untrusting and unsure of his instincts and Alex helps him to see he deserves a wonderful relationship.

    I was glad to see a bit more of the friends in this book than we did in the second book as I missed seeing them as much in the 2nd book of the series. I can't wait to read Brandon's story but I don't think he's next. I guess that just gives us more time to read his shenanigans.

    Again, I love Melissa Foster's writing and this story sucked me in and held me captive. I just wish there were so many errors in the beginning.

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  • wenders
    Jan 07, 2025
    Enjoyment: Quality: Characters: Plot:

    I love, love, loved this book! Alex is a solider who was injured and feels like he let everyone down because he survived and others died. He has scars from being wounded and scars from being gay. The military he knows acknowledges that he's gay, but doesn't want to see it. Alex returns to Harborside following the death of his grandmother (he's also carrying guilt because she died while he was in the hospital recovering) and catches the eyes of Tristan across the bar. Tristan has his own demons -- he wears his heart on his sleeve and gives it away readily. But he's tired of being used and left behind, so he's sworn off men and looking for love. So when Alex rambles in, he's interested, but guarded.

    Reading these two find their way through their demons, I was struck again and again how much the support of someone to be authentically who you are is so, so important. Alex struggled with the mentality of being open in public with Tristan, especially around other military members. And Tristan wanted so badly to believe in what Alex was promising, but he had been wounded one too many times. Their possessive claiming and in public made me swoon (I mean, who wouldn't want that?). I devour everything Melissa writes and this was no exception.

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