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Pacific Book Review

From the outside, Dr. Bethany McNeal looks like she has it all. So far in life she has succeeded in nearly everything she puts her mind to, as author K. L. Lewis created a marvelous female protagonist in Vital Temptations: A Heart’s Betrayal.

Bethany McNeal is extremely close to finishing up her residency in pediatrics, a field she loves, and is fortunate enough to be able to continue on with her fellowship at the same hospital. She has her own place and she’s smart, beautiful, and sexy. She has a couple of close friends to share her life with and who are always looking out for her best interests. But, what she lacks, and truly wants, is to find the love of her life. While her mother wants her to settle down with a handsome doctor, Bethany has been hurt in the past, and wants a man that gives her butterflies and one she can trust completely with her heart and feelings.

That’s a pretty tall order as she begins to think she may have found the one when she meets Brent, another resident. He’s charming and sexy, and the sparks definitely fly between these two, well before their relationship even becomes sexual. There is an exciting romance that not only makes Bethany’s heart flutter, but as a female reader, my heart skipped a few beats as well.

Their intense chemistry is punctuated by a clever, genuine, and flirtatious dialogue, and ultimately some hot sex scenes. Unfortunately, when things seem too good to be true – they often are; Brent has a secret that when revealed could destroy his relationship with Bethany. The discovery will also strain Bethany’s relationship with her close friend Caleb. Add to all of this a chance meeting with yet another handsome suitor complicates everything even further.  However, all of the elements combine to create a successful romance with plenty of juicy drama. K. L. Lewis reveals Brent’s secrets slowly, easily maintaining reader interest, if only to find out what’s really going on. A multi-dimensional plot features engaging and dynamic secondary characters, and a second romance adds to the appeal and readability.

The element that stands out most for me is Bethany herself. She is a strong, intelligent female character, yet the author achieves the appropriate amount of relatable vulnerability. Many female readers, such as myself, understand that even with drive and success, often we don’t feel complete with out someone to share our lives with. She also struggles, overcomes, and ultimately finds the ability to follow her heart to true happiness. The book has very few flaws, and the main place it struggles is with pacing: some elements, like the beginning of Bethany’s relationship with Charles, seems to drag on. Conversely, some parts of the story, like the intensely emotional final chapters, feels rushed.

Ultimately, Vital Temptations is an entertaining and sexy romance that will appeal to feminine readers who enjoy strong characters, perplexing emotional drama, and a happy ending. This is a great companion book for a trip, or a bedside table to read before drifting off into a world of choosing between following your heart, or your mind’s better judgement.