Tempting (Red Lips & White Lies Book 1)

This book is so good! Ares had been my favorite for so long but oof Nixon came into the picture and I think it’s safe to say that they now share that title. I’m so happy Kenzie finally got her happy ending and with none other than Nixon 😍😮‍💨This is written so beautifully and gave me all the feels. Their group chats are always hilarious. It’s something I look forward to reading. 😂Nixon just returned back to Kroydon Hills the same Kenzie went to DC. I remember him in the Knockout and he was such a great brother to Grace, accompanying her to Ares’ father’s funeral. He offered his silent support to his sister and did not cause any ruckus even after learning that they are together. I totally loved him then but I fell in love more with him in this book. As the saying goes, silent waters run deep. Nixon is just like that. He bulldozed his way in Kenzie’s life and turned it upside down in a very good way.Kenzie on the other hand was in Kroydon until she went to DC for her residency. She is focused on her career and there were no mentions of past boyfriends on other books. She kept to herself most of the time and seems to be always busy studying. She has been a good friend to every one of her best friends. She saw them find their happy ending one by one and by the time she was back to Kroydon, she’s the only single one among them. She was not looking for anything relationship because she is so dedicated to her career. But then Nixon offered himself up on a silver platter and she was not able to resist no matter how hard she tried.Their story transitioned smoothly. I really love how patient Nixon is when it comes to Kenzie. He supports her in any way he can and does not take offense when she was busy with her work. They work so well together! He is really perfect for Kenzie 🥰

4.25 starsThere were so many great moments in this love story between Kenzie and Nixon. I loved they had a history so there was already this established relationship filled with caring and respect. The chemistry between them was great. I loved the flirting and the banter. The sexy lessons were sizzling, but those scenes were always balanced with the affection and intimacy between them, which was nice. It didn’t just feel like a smut fest, which it could easily done with the lessons. The affection and intimacy were probably what I enjoyed the most about the book. Overall, I just thought they had a good relationship.Yet at the same time I thought there were some things that were missing. Even though there was some build up and angst, I thought things happened on the quick side for them. It was almost too easy to get there. I wanted a little bit more of a romantic journey for them. Partly they did have a romantic journey through years of knowing each other and developing feelings for one another over the passage of time, but that was never really shown, but inferred. I just needed a bit more than that because I felt a chunk of their story was missing because of that.Admittedly there were a lot of characters to keep track of and relationships of those said characters. Even though it was overwhelming at first, I came to love the family and friend dynamics. It made me invested in not only in Kenzie and Nixon’s story even more but the other characters stories as well. Plus it was just hilarious all the ribbing and teasing going on. It was a fun part of the story.

I ✨LOVED✨ this book. I wish I had time to go re-read all of the previous series, because I am literally obsessed with the Kroydon Hills crew!This book had all of the things you expect and love in a Bella Matthews book - spice, laughter and so much swoon. I love the Krodyon Hills universe Bella has created; the girl squads and guy groups. I so enjoy that you get to revisit the past couples in all the books, and see how their stories continue.I honestly highlighted half of the book - between spicy scenes, Nix and Mac swoon, and the always funny group texts. (Bella, please never stop writing the group texts!)**Possibly Spoilery Review Below**Nix and Mac were so perfect. In the book and for each other. They *both* started out adamant that they didn't want a relationship to interfere with their careers, both noticing how much the other had ~grown up~ since they were teenagers, to finally both finding the piece they were missing in the other.The fake dating, ~spicy lessons~ and then secret dating were a fun combination, and I loved the family aspect of this too. The "pressure" from their friends and family, grossing each other's siblings out with s.e.x. talk, Kenzie/Leo and the apple!Now, where can I find a Nix in real life? texts. (Bella, please never stop writing the group texts!)**Possibly Spoilery Review Below**Nix and Mac were so perfect. In the book and for each other. They *both* started out adamant that they didn't want a relationship to interfere with their careers, both noticing how much the other had ~grown up~ since they were teenagers, to finally both finding the piece they were missing in the other. The fake dating and ~spicy lessons~ were a fun combination, along with the "pressure" from their friends and family.Now, where can I find a Nix in real life?

A fantastic start for the series. I've been a fan since the beginning and enjoy catching up with the Kroydon Hills families I love that the author can still surprise me. I've read all of her books with these phenomenal families and just when I think she may have to start repeating some of the plots, she pulls out a fresh one! I looked forward to Nix and Mac's story. And while it wasn't as full of angst as some in the past, I felt like this was the story suited for these two. It was perfect, from beginning to end. And the spice was there to enhance the story throughout. Can't wait for the next one!

“What’cha thinking that’s got your cheeks blushing like that, Mac?”Listen, it’s officially a guarantee now that if Bella writes it, I’ll devour it and become utterly OBSESSED with the story. I couldn’t wait to dive back into this world and continue to fall even harder for all these characters.“Baby, if you want to play with safe words, we can leave now.”This story follows Kenzie who has just returned home after medical school and is adjusting to being back. She seems to be having problems with a co-worker who refuses to take no as an answer so she agrees to fake date her brothers teammate, Nixon Sinclair, so she will be left alone.“Falling hard for this man is going to be too easy, and heartbreak isn’t on my bucket list.”She doesn’t expect to feel such chemistry with her best friend’s brother and when he brings the dirty talk, she is left with her head spinning. Nixon has ALWAYS noticed Kenzie but has kept his distance. Now with the opportunity he finds himself in, he can’t help but show her how good they can be together.“Give me baby steps, and I’ll give you everything I have.”I’m a sucker for the ‘fake dating’ trope, especially when you mix in spicy lessons. This along with the emotional components of the story had me hooked. Both characters are struggling with life decisions and I loved watching how they overcome those and eventually lean on each other.“So many tomorrows, baby.”“So many lessons still to come, Nix.”Bella’s books give me the feelings of returning home. I’ve become so emotionally invested in the universe, that I literally drop everything when a new book hits my kindle because I know that I will be laughing over the banter, feral for the group texts, blushing during the spicy scenes and become a giggling school girl over the newest MMC.Can’t wait for this series to continue, especially knowing who is next 😏.

Well, Bella has dont it again. Nixon sinclair takes no prisoners in this book. That man is the definition of the perfect book boyfriend. The praise, the growly demanding moments, the lessons, lord give me strength..... and fan to cool down!Kenzie is the perfect woman for Nix she is quietly strong in her own way but so undeniably broken in others, but that's what makes me love her even more.Another absolutely stunning story, and I can't wait for Callens book next

I devoured this book, I love how Bella has written the characters, I fell in love with all of them.So we're back in Kroydon Hills and this story revolves around Kenzie and Nixon, and I absolutely LOVE them together.Kenzie is a bit shy, but a strong and smart woman and Nixon is the ultimate book-boyfriend (sweet and SPICYYY).For me they are the perfect combination for an epic love story.What to expect:🏒 Spicy Lessons💖.Fake Dating🏒 Hockey Romance💖 Found Family🏒 Touch her and die💖 Small Town

Omg! Nixon freakin Sinclair surprised me in the best way! He gave such Declan & Cooper vibes 🫠 These Sinclair men know how to make a girl melt🥵I relate to Kenzie.. her awkwardness and unsureness and the fact that she was only focused on studies for nearly a decade. I love that she delivers babies and how good she genuinely is. She‘s smart, dedicated, organized, beautiful and kind.Nixon is much the same but different in that he is more relaxed than Kenzie, but they fit so perfectly. They compliment each other. He is a hockey player, hot, quiet, focused, dedicated and obsessed with hockey and Kenzie.. omg when he said that he‘s had a crush on her since they were both 13 i melted 😍 He reminded me a lot of Declan.I love how from attraction and a friend helping out a friend.. it turned into more. Btw: i loved the Nixon‘s Secret Thoughts at the end 🥹It was so beautiful and pleasantly surprising, cause only the girls got the Secret Thoughts in the last series and Kenzie in this and to see one from Nixon was such a nice touch!I also loved the family moments in this. We see a all of our First Gen & Second Gen characters we love and what‘s going on in their lives. All in all, i love this book and i recommend everyone to read it!

This story was just perfect! I adored Kenzie and her vulnerability whilst also being such a talented and accomplished professional. Nix was just the perfect smexy, caring athlete. Together they were perfection.I love the friendship, banter and family connections in books by this author and this story didn’t disappoint. I loved every page and was completely hooked and invested in these characters from the start.An incredible story 💕