Can I read Tempted by Love as a standalone, or do I need to read the series in order?

You can read Tempted by Love on its own. It is book 1 of The Steeles at Silver Island, one of the interconnected sub-series in Melissa Foster's Love in Bloom collection, and every Love in Bloom book is written as a standalone with its own complete romance and a guaranteed happily ever after. Reading the series in order simply lets you follow the extended family as familiar characters reappear across the books.

Who are the main characters in Tempted by Love?

Tempted by Love follows Jack "Jock" Steele and Daphne Zablonski. Their romance is the heart of the book, set among the big, close-knit families Melissa Foster's readers return for.

How steamy is Tempted by Love?

Tempted by Love is an open-door contemporary romance, so it pairs its emotional story with on-page love scenes. Readers who prefer sweeter, closed-door versions can look for Melissa Foster's clean-language editions published under her pen name, Addison Cole.

Tempted by Love

Reader reviews of Tempted by Love

Nadene · 2026-07-17T02:00:27.000000Z

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.I had a wonderful time with this book from start to finish. Despite the few moments where the story dragged, I had a blast spending getting to know the main characters. I have been waiting with bated breath for Daphne and Jock’s from the moment I picked up on their chemistry in Bayside Fantasies. It was at that moment I recognize that Jock suffered tragedy in the past and I wanted to know his story. Daphne intrigued me. I watched as she raised her daughter single handily and struggled with insecurities about her body. I wondered about her story, hoped she would find her special someone. Foster did not disappoint. She delivered an emotional story about loss, healing, hope and love. She created characters one loved and could relate to, but Hadley, Daphne’s three-year-old daughter, stole the hearts of all who had the pleasure to meet her. This included Jock, who had shut himself off and avoided interacting with toddlers. I wondered at his behaviour and on learning the reason for his actions, my heart wept for him. However, Hadley’s unwavering determination to work her way into his heart proved to be salve he needed to soothe his broken heart. I enjoyed the interactions between Daphne and Jock, filled with innuendos and humour. What they shared revealed the authenticity of their feelings for each other. Every facet of their emotions leapt from the pages and seeped into every fibre of my being. Conclusion/Recommendation Tempted by Love turned out to be a wonderful start of The Steele’s of Silver Island series. I am looking forward to spending more time on Silver Island. This story was a great portrayal of friendship, family bonds, healing and love. This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading

Jack "Jock" Steele

Contemporary Romance Small-Town Romance

Pages: 482
Published: 2020
Language: English

Synopsis

Years ago, bestselling author Jack "Jock" Steele lost his girlfriend and their baby in a horrific accident, and he has carried the grief and a torturous secret ever since. An aging philanthropist pulled him back from despair, and for a decade Jock devoted himself to the ailing man who became his family.

Now his friend has died and left him a fortune on one condition: that he writes and publishes another book. Struggling to create again, Jock cannot get sweet, sharp single mother Daphne Zablonski out of his head, and her adorable toddler quickly wraps tiny fingers around his guarded heart.

Daphne, a divorced mom with everything to lose, is wary of risking her fragile stability, yet the friendship growing between them soon becomes too tempting to deny. As Jock and Daphne edge toward something deeper, his hidden past and her fears threaten the fresh start they both crave.

Set on the sandy shores of Silver Island among the sharp-witted Steeles, this is an emotional, steamy romance about grief, healing, and the unexpected family that helps a broken man believe he is worthy of love again.

2 reviews