The Forbidden Fling (Sandy Springs Book 2)

This was the first book I've read by Emily, and I really enjoyed it. I give it 4.5 stars (rounded up) and a 3 on spice level. Faye was a beautifully written character. Her struggles were both unique to her and something I was able to relate to on my own. I didn't know much about stomas and ostomy bags, but reading about Faye's led me to look them up, and I'm happy that I was able to learn something new. I'd never read a book with a character who has one, so that was a unique experience that I'm sure others with ostomy bags will appreciate reading. Diana was more complex than I expected her to be, and I really enjoyed that. She had such a dense background, and I liked that Emily took the time to explore that. I do wish that we got to see more of her bonding time with Molly, but I understand why we didn't as well. Sandy Springs being a place to better yourself was a really interesting background to the story. It really allowed the characters to open up and delve into their personal issues in a way that enhanced the plot. Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I may even go back and read the first one in this series or some other books of Emily's. She's a new author for me, and I'm super happy that I took the leap and read this book. Side note: Quin was by far my favorite character. I absolutely fell in love with them. They are just perfect, and I really hope their story is next because I need it ASAP.

The Forbidden Fling is book two in the Sandy Springs series. It’s a standalone, so you needn’t have read the first book, The Heartbreak Hotel. This is an age-gap, ex-girlfriend’s mom romance, that takes place at a wellness retreat in Portugal. I was immediately drawn in by the disability rep with Faye having an ostomy. I’ve never read a character with this procedure and it was interesting to learn about and see the things Faye struggles with. Although it isn’t all negative, as the ostomy has given Faye a new lease on life, and she no longer has the frequent Crohn’s flare ups she had before. She has been adjusting to life with her ostomy for about six months when her dads encouraged her to go on this wellness retreat. She had been in a slump since her life changed drastically after the emergency surgery. Faye studied to be an ecologist but has been away from work and misses it. Diana is a successful Harvard professor and author that has been struggling to write her second book. She hates to take time away from work as she has a fierce competition with one of her colleagues and worries she’ll take her place. But she needs to reconnect and repair the relationship with her daughter so she takes Molly to the wellness retreat in Portugal. They don’t travel together as Molly still lives in England and Diana is coming from the states. This means there is alone time for Diana and Faye to meet. Neither know they have a connection in Diana’s daughter Molly. The spicy scenes were…

I always enjoy Emily's writing, it's easy to read and fun. This was a fun story with a lot of side characters to try and keep track of and different things happening. I loved Faye, she was by far my favorite, and how she grew throughout the story and learned to accept and even embrace her difference was awesome. The ostomy bag almost was character in itself. I didn't really care for Diane that much, I can't really explain why but I just didn't connect with her character nor did I feel chemistry between her and Faye. The way she also catered to her 20 something daughter was annoying.i couldn't see faye with Molly together either so they didn't make for believable exes, to me. I enjoyed Quin's character immensely and was so happy that they found a home with Faye and her family. The ending with the HEA felt a little rushed for me, I felt like Faye should have stood her ground more and made Diane grovel. All in all, I did enjoy the premise, although I had to push myself to get through some parts. The spice did not disappoint 🔥🔥 It was a nice, light read with just a little angst.

This is a steamy age-gap romance with heart and genuinely complex characters. I loved both main characters and felt that their connection was real and deeply developed, even as they faced some uncomfortable truths. Each of them has personal struggles to overcome and moments where they don’t present their best selves, but those challenges ultimately deepen their bond and show how they navigate life’s ups and downs together. The age gap is handled especially well, without any sense of a predatory or unfair power dynamic. Instead, this is truly a romance between two consenting, informed adults who fall for each other while navigating conflict and their own personal challenges. I was especially impressed by the chronic illness and ostomy representation. It was handled thoughtfully and skillfully, highlighting both the practical lifestyle changes and the shifts in self-perception that can come with it. The story also reinforces that people with ostomies can still live full, “normal” lives that include sex, romance, and attraction. I also appreciated how the author crafted characters who initially come across as malicious, only to reveal their own internal struggles. This added depth to the story and emphasized that these characters are complex and fallible rather than purely good or bad. This book left me wanting more—not because the story felt incomplete, but because I simply wanted to spend more time in the world Emily Wright created.

It was a pleasure to head back to Sandy Springs! I very much enjoyed reading familiar characters in addition to the new MCs of this story. Kicked up my feet in happiness with Riley and Ella’s exciting event ;). I loved the rep in this one. I have never read a story of a character with a stoma and I loved how the author did the representation both emotionally and physically. The story begins with a storm that causes Faye’s arrival to Sandy Springs to come a day later. She’s already out of her comfort zone and staying at a hotel is the last thing she wants to do. Making the best of it she checks in and gets comfortable then heads to the bar. There’s a gorgeous older woman there that maybe awakens a part of Faye that’s been closed for a while now. Diana is trying to reconnect with her daughter. Going to Sandy Springs is supposed to be for Molly and for Diana to get some writing done. She’s stuck at a hotel away from Molly and Sandy Springs due to a storm and Molly not leaving when she said. Hanging out in the bar to pass some time brings her face to face with a beautiful younger woman. Something about her has Diana stopping at her table and staying to talk. The chemistry between these two is phenomenal. I swear at times there was smoke coming off the pages ;). They had an ease and respect for one another and it showed in their time together, both in private and out and about the island. Well written and paced. I liked the flow of the relationship. I loved the scenery and…