Avoiding Temptation (Avoiding, #3)

by K.A. Linde

[Angie]

I knew it! I knew it! I knew it! Avoiding Temptation is the predictable conclusion to a series that has had more ups and downs than a Ferris wheel. This time, we're two years after Jack's disastrous wedding, with Alexa and Ramsey going about their lives together. But then--there's always a but--Jack calls and throws Alexa's world into chaos again. I wasn't surprised at all. It's just what Jack does, especially since Alexa is always there for him. Of course, we also get the dramatic highlights from the previous two years, all leading up to Alexa's final decision.

I totally knew who Alexa would choose from the beginning of the series. If she didn't, I'd be mad against my better judgement, because then all of this craziness would have been for nothing! It became very apparent in Avoiding Temptation, that Alexa was doing simply that. Avoiding her temptation aka Jack. She's hasn't put their past behind her like she pretends she has. They're "friends" but she doesn't like to be around him because she can't say no to him. Clearly that is a problem. She keeps saying that she's putting so much work into her relationship with Ramsey and isn't going to let Jack ruin that, but she shouldn't have to put that much work into it. She's just forcing it to feel like she's in control. I don't really like characters like this, but the author made sure they were consistent, so at least I believed all of their dumb decisions.

The description for Avoiding Temptation is also a bit misleading. Alexa is not juggling affection for three men. There's Ramsey and Jack. Yes, there is a third man relentlessly pursuing her, but she shuts him down repeatedly. I felt like it was very clear she didn't want to be with him, at all, so mentioning him in the blurb seemed like a way to falsely ramp up the drama. This series definitely does not need help in the drama department! There's plenty without the fabrication.

While I did figure out exactly where the story was going, I still thoroughly enjoyed Avoiding Temptation. Alexa's love life was a train-wreck which I couldn't look away from. She has screwed up and been screwed over time and time again for 10 years! While I'm still not sure her choice is a healthy one, it was the right one for her at the time. Maybe it works out, maybe it doesn't. But they deserve a real chance to give it a try.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.