Temptation Trails: A Small-Town Romance (The Haven Brothers)

Welcome back to Tilikum, where small town vibes hit best and the squirrels are planning world domination at their new picnic tables, thanks to Harvey!

This book hit me in all the feels! Garrett is a single dad to 14 year old Owen. As a member of the sheriff's department, and freshly minted investigator, he faced a dad cop's worst nightmare, his son shoplifting. But Garrett handled that with aplomb, putting him right in front of Harper after canceling their blind date. It was hysterical when he was dumbstruck in front of Owen at his first sight of Harper.

And Harper, with her string of bad luck, was just as dumbfounded as Garrett. It was truly awesome watching superstitious Harper and good guy Garrett fall in love, especially when Harper's "bad luck" had their relationship moving at warp speed.

Throw in a weird podcaster and a serial killer, and you have a recipe for one awesome Claire Kingsley book! I have to say, I really thought I knew who the had guy was, but I was way off!

Fair warning, Owen's awesomeness is going to tug your heartstrings and make you want to hug your teenage sons or nephews!

Wow, what can I say about this book? It is incredible. Spiciness, sweetness (in more ways than one), and several twists you’ll never see coming. At least, I didn’t.

Garrett has the ultimate big brother vibes. As a sheriff’s deputy and part-time detective, he feels the need to be the hero for everyone. We saw it in Rewriting the Stars with Annika, we saw it in Storms and Secrets with Marigold. And we definitely see it in his own story. With his son, Owen, and his new lady, Harper.

I usually focus only on the main couple in my reviews, but Owen takes a big part of the story. We first met him in Rewriting the Stars. Now he’s a teenager, and almost grown up. We all remember how it feels to be 14. The world seems to be wide open in front of you, but you don’t always know what you want to do with it yet. But it is clear that he idolizes his dad in a lot of ways. And he has his own hero complex, for sure.

Harper is new in town. Her aunt Doris owns the main bakery, but she’s to the point that she can’t work every day anymore. Fortunately, Harper has been a baker for years, and is interested in a change of pace. So she comes in to take over the bakery. And does it really well, despite her bad luck curse. I am definitely going to need to bake some cookies in the near future!

There are a few less-than-savory characters running around Tilikum right now, though. And they may or may not be focused on Harper and Garrett. Will Garrett be able to save the day? Or will Harper’s bad luck finally catch up with her? Only time will tell.

One thing is for sure, though. These two are definitely “compatible” ;)

Really great story. Quality writing, good character development, and a nice little twist in the plot mystery. I really liked Harper, Garrett, and Owen together.

Claire Kingsley sure does great family series. I got hooked on her writing when I started reading the Miles family series. Then the Bailey Brothers came. And now the Havens. She does an exceptional job at weaving stories built around big, chaotic but loving families. The relationships and conflicts are done well.

Claire Kingsley writes in such a way that one wishes they could be a part of the Miles family, or the Bailey brothers family, or the Havens. The way she develops the surrounding towns makes you want to go find one and live in one just like them with characters just like the ones she portrays. I know I would like to find an Echo Creek, or Tilikum.

Such an enjoyable read. I highly recommend it as I do the first two books in this series. And the entire Bailey Brothers series before it - and even better yet - start with the Miles family series and move forward from there.

Garrett Haven, the Sherriff's Deputy in Tilikum, meets his match in Harper Tilburn. From their meet cute when he can't even remember his son Owen's name! Owen takes an insta liking to her as well. This book has a woven mystery involved in it as well and it's hard to say which kept me more intrigued. Their love story, or the mystery of who done it! Claire has a knack with her suspense plots that will keep you guessing and never really know who she's pointed the finger at until it's revealed! It's the 3rd book in a series, and it's is probably my favorite so far!

This book captured me from page one. The insta love coupled with the suspense and the investigation was the perfect combination to keep me devouring every page.

There were so many things to love about this book. From the missed date to their meet cute in Harper’s bakery, Harper and Garrett were so cute from beginning to end. They definitely had a pretty insta love connection. I loved the relationship between Garrett and Harper, but I also loved the relationship they both had with Garrett’s son Owen. He and Harper developed a great friendship that started in her bakery. I really loved that she gave Garrett and Owen something they were missing and they gave her the family she’d always wanted.

The investigation and suspense part of the plot was very well done. I really liked Harper’s thoughts on her luck, or lack thereof. I loved that I felt like I was doing my own investigation and there were so many possible suspects. I liked the twist near the end and the way it played out.

I thought this was a really good book. I felt like every plot was resolved in the end, I loved that each Garrett and Harper got to the bottom of everyone’s suspicious behaviors and left no stone unturned.

No one does small town with suspense quite like Claire Kingsley! This is the third book in the Haven Brothers series and it is such an enjoyable and entertaining book! The main characters are likable and interesting with great supporting characters as well to fill out the story! The MMCs son is the best wingman! Loved Owen!

If you haven’t read the others, you can certainly read this one anyway, but the previous books in the series are also really good! Don’t miss this great series and all of Claire Kingsley’s other wonderful books! She’s always a joy to read and reread!

Temptation Trails is the third book in the Haven series set in Tilikum. We get to watch Sheriff’s deputy, Garrett Haven, and new to town baker, Harper Tilburn, realize that no matter how bad an ex- marriage was or how much bad luck you're cursed with, love will find its way.

After a failed attempt at a blind date, these two finally get to meet each other thanks to some poor choices of Garrett's teenage son, Owen. They have an instant connection that they learn is hard to dismiss. Their relationship is not without surprises, both happy and threatening. Garrett is determined to do whatever he has to to protect Harper and keep her safe.

One of my favorite parts of this story was Owen. I loved how Claire developed the relationship between Owen and Harper. He is so sweet and protective of her (definitely gets it from his dad!). The scenes they shared had me both laughing and crying. ♥️

Temptation Trails is a romantic suspense book. It will have you trying to figure out who the cold case murderer is right along with Garrett. I know I was! This was definitely my favorite in the series so far!

I absolutely love this series from Claire Kingsley. In this book, a single dad finds the perfect partner in the "cursed" Harper, and while they ease into a relationship, there is an undercurrent of suspense while Garrett tries to solve a murder case. It is the perfect mix of mystery and romance. I must also add that Kingsley wrote the character of Owen perfectly. The teenage slang and mannerisms were on point, and I enjoyed him and his relationship with Harper and his dad in this story.