Instant Temptation (The Wilders)

After having read the 2 previous books in the "Instant" series by Ms. Shalvis, I was eagerly anticipating the release of this book and I was not disappointed. TJ Wilder is an extreemly sexy hero and Harley is a fantastic heroine. TJ has never understood why Harley avoids him and why he is so attracted to her. It all goes back to when they were in high school. Harley has never let herself get near TJ because she's had a crush on him for so long and is afraid that they don't want the same things out of life. At the beginning of this book they don't, TJ is looking for something more along the lines of a
temporary romance, he's more of a live life for now type of guy. Harley wants someone who will be with her forever. As they spend more time with each other they realize how much they have in common and also grow to realize that what they think they want out of life...isn't necessarily what they really want. This book has a very satisfying ending and it was fun to see how the series wrapped up. Can't wait to see what Ms. Shalvis writes for us next.

Originally posted at: [...].

Don't tell my husband, but I've fallen in love with another man. His name is T. J. Wilder, and he's the incredible hero in Instant Temptation.

I've completely enjoyed all of the "Instant" books by Jill Shalvis, so I didn't expect this book to be any different. Thankfully, it met and actually surpassed all my expectations. I literally could not put this book down. I skipped work, I cooked dinner with the book in hand, I even stayed up well past my bedtime in an attempt to get to the end. And the ending was worth it all. It made me choke up and get weepy, it was that packed with emotion.

This book was all about internal conflict. Both the heroine, Harley, and our yummy hero, TJ, have abandonment issues. Neither is willing to take that last step and open themselves up to being completely vulnerable to hurt again. They've known each other pretty much forever, and there's an underlying affection between them that we know will easily bloom into love, especially considering the sexual tension that's so hot it made the pages sizzle beneath my fingertips.

The author throws in some external conflict, but it's nothing substantial - we know the fact that Harley is casually dating another man isn't going to truly figure into things, even when she makes a list of why he's so much better for her than TJ. It's obvious that TJ is the only man she wants. The only man she's ever really wanted.

I think that's what made this story so amazing to me. The emotional angst of the two main characters is so honest and real, so completely believable and heart-wrenching. TJ is absolutely incredible. He's not perfect, by any means. He has a temper, he's arrogant, and has trouble staying in one place. But his heart is so huge, it all but bursts out of his chest. He cares, really cares about Harley - as a friend first, and as a woman, too. He doesn't want to hurt her, and he doesn't want to be hurt.

They want their relationship to be all about sex, but it's clear to the reader (if not to them, at least not at the beginning) that it's about so much more. Don't get me wrong, the sex is hot, hot, hot but it's also incredibly tender.

I can't express how much this book affected me. I own the other two, but haven't picked them back up to read again.... not yet, even though they're really quite good. This book? As soon as I finish writing this review, I'm giving it another spin.

If you like your romance with an enormous amount of heart and plenty of heat, grab a copy of this book. In fact, do yourself a favor: read the entire series... and enjoy the fact that Ms. Shalvis saved the best for last.

I love this series, but this book was a disappointment. The romance could have been there, had Harley been less of a prissy, uptight brat. Honestly, I couldn't figure out why she liked him, other than that she thought he was drop-dead gorgeous. She was shallow and annoying. TJ was sweet and funny and wanted to make the relationship work. I don't know why, seeing as how Harley only wanted sex with him. She didn't want him to break her heart and was afraid to give in, but there was no evidence that she actually felt anything but lust for him. I kind of felt bad for TJ and thought Harley was stupid for having sex with him knowing he was kind of tipsy when they were younger.

If you've read this book, you basically know how the other two stories in this series go. Same idea but with a different brother and different lady...predictable. The story was romantic and provided entertainment, but I wanted sizzle and didn't get it. It helps to read the books in order, but Jill does provide some background information so the reader is not completely lost in case they weren't read in order. Would say this book is just...ok.

Damn this book was hot! Again, as I've said in past reviews about Jill Shalvis, she has an amazing ability to write sexy books that aren't all about sex. She's got the tension between characters, emotional AND sexual, down pat. Harley and TJ are amazing together, even while both of them are all about temporary. They have great chemistry and genuinely like each other...even as they struggle to forget about past mistakes. I think this book was my favorite of the three "instant" books and TJ was definitely my favorite brother. He was just trying to make up for his past, uh, indiscretions, and ended up falling in love instead...much to his horror. Harley was the perfect woman for him...seemingly strong and independent, she hides deep inside the desire to have someone take care of her, at least once in a while. TJ is the perfect guy to do so.

I was so sorry to see the Wilder brothers' stories come to an end, but the end was satisfying, as several continuing story lines got wrapped up. I'm off to find another of Shalvis's trilogies to see if she can carry over her great writing to a totally different set of characters. I'm betting she totally can!

Instant Temptation by Jill Shalvis is a wickedly funny and smoking hot story.

Harley Stephens needs an upcoming trek into the wilds of Wishful, CA to go off without a hitch. Her heart is set on getting the internship as a research biologist. This trip to check on her coyotes will seal the deal. One major problem is someone is killing her test subjects. Now the trip has taken a deadly turn. TJ Wilder has stuck his nose in her business and is insisting that she won't be going alone. This is just the icing on the cake for Harley. Seems she never got out of her head her one night with TJ and to make things worse he doesn't remember it at all.

TJ Wilder pushes his self to limit everyday. A tragedy in his past has him feeling he doesn't deserve to be loved. He volunteers himself to watch out for Harley on her research trip. TJ didn't plan on being this attracted to her. He has always had feelings for Harley but could never figure out why she was so distant at times.

Spending so much time together has the truth of their one night coming to light. Both Harley and TJ give into their mutual desires but Harley thinks it can't last since the research job is out of the state. But TJ has other plans.

Instant Temptation puts the finishing touches on a sensational series by Jill Shalvis. TJ and Harley's bickering covers up a searing passion, which neither can ignore. Their relationship also has a good basis in friendship. This adds another layer to a delightful story. It was fun watching these two fall in love. In my book you can't go wrong picking up a Jill Shalvis novel.

I couldn't put this one down- def the best of the trilogy. My only question is, where can I find myself a T.J.?

Try and read the books in order! The story lines are exciting, romantic and definite page-turners. I like how Jill Shalvis links the characters in her books. I hope her next series is just a fun to read. I read all 3 books and will be happy to pass them on to anyone interested. I take very good care of my books; no bent covers or pages. See "sara romance_private collection".

This story of Harley and TJ is wonderful. They have been fighting the feelings for years. Harley has a memory that she is angry about TJ not remembering. She fights her attraction to TJ by being mean to him everytime she sees him. Then he pushes his way into her space and she can't deny it anymore. They have to be with one another at least once.

All of the characters in the story are well written, which helps keep the story flowing. TJ's family push and prod him and sometimes manipulate situations to try and get him and Harley together because they can see what neither TJ nor Harley want to admit. Similarly, Harley's sister consistently teases her about TJ so he is never far from her mind. They all enrich the story and keep it fresh while they help push it along to what turns out to be a fantastic conclusion.

Jill Shalvis has written a wonderful story to finish off her series about the Wilder men. Her descriptions of the natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains paint a wonderful backdrop for the story of two people who love trekking through the wilderness almost as much as they love each other. Anyone who enjoys contemporary romance and the outdoors will definitely enjoy this book. - Karin