“She’s Taylor’s little sister. A woman who’s been through hell and back courtesy of a man. A woman who’s still going through hell because of him. She needs stability and security. Not me, bloody well objectifying her.
One week. Has it really only been a week? Because if the chaos doesn’t kill me, the temptation sure as hell might.”

Sadie is a single mom, struggling with the trauma left behind by her abusive ex. She had a childhood crush on Theo, and she constantly thinks about the kiss they shared when she was 18. Now with a kid in tow and a whole load of trauma, she’ll keep her heart more closely guarded - can she begin again?

Theo is a billionaire - a work centric life with no life balance. This is upended when he agrees to let Sadie and Lottie stay, a tornado of chaos that brings life into his house. Can he avoid his attraction to Sadie? Or will they get a second chance?

“And then I realise: They’re not just in my space any more. They’ve become my space. And what kind of crazy talk is that? I’m a billionaire bachelor with a business to run, not a billionaire babysitter on endless standby.”

This was such a fun read! I love how good Theo was with Lottie - they made such a cute little family. He was protective of Sadie but also helped her heal from her traumas and begin again. I also enjoyed the side characters of Taylor and Enzo and hope we get their stories in future books.

Features - Age gap, best friend’s little sister, single mom, billionaire.

ARC copy provided by Boldwood Books & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This is a captivating, emotionally layered romance that balances tenderness, passion, and resilience with remarkable ease. The novel follows Sadie, a young mother fleeing an abusive relationship, who reluctantly accepts refuge with her sister’s best friend, Theo. What her sister doesn’t know is that Sadie and Theo once shared a fleeting but unforgettable kiss, creating an undercurrent of unresolved attraction.

Stewart handles the sensitive subject of abuse with care, ensuring it shapes Sadie’s journey without overwhelming the story. Instead, the focus remains on her strength, her determination to rebuild her life, and the unconditional love she shares with her daughter, Lottie. Theo emerges as the perfect counterpart—protective, patient, and quietly devoted—his growing bond with Lottie is particularly touching.

The romance itself is both hotly charged and refreshingly authentic. Rather than leaning on tired tropes or contrived misunderstandings, the conflicts feel organic, arising from the characters’ emotional wounds and vulnerabilities. This makes their eventual connection all the more rewarding.

Heartfelt, compelling, and surprisingly hopeful, this book is a testament to Rachael Stewart’s ability to write romance that resonates on both an emotional and deeply human level.

This was a fairly short, quick read but hugely satisfying. There is amazing chemistry between the protagonists, plenty of steamy scenes but also sweet moments and an interesting backstory to the main characters which added some drama to the story.

It's impossible not to fall for Theo, Sadie and her adorable three year old Lottie. There's an air of forbiddenness between Theo and Sadie with There being quite an age gap and he's her sister's best friend. I liked how we got to explore their past which helped the development of their relationship feel more believable.

My favourite moments of the book have to be Theo playing with and indulging little Lottie. Swoonworthy!

When Sadie takes her daughter and leaves an abusive boyfriend, her older sister (Taylor) convinces her to stay with Theo since she refuses to stay with her. The boyfriend hasn't been caught yet and Taylor just wants to know that they are safe so she trusts her best friend to watch out for them. Of course, Taylor doesn't know that Sadie kissed Theo 7 years ago and he turned her down. She had just turned 18 and he was 30. Neither of them have forgotten that kiss. Sadie knows she needs to concentrate on her daughter and get back on her feet so she can be out on her own again by the end of the summer. Theo knows he needs to keep Sadie safe and bring her light back, not take advantage of her while she's recovering.

I was introduced to Rachael Stewart over the summer in the Karma Club series and LOVED her installment so I jumped at the chance to get another ARC from her. It is a really easy read with well developed characters. The abuse is mentioned throughout but doesn't go into graphic details. Lottie, Sadie's daughter, is so cute and I love the relationship that Theo develops with her. The chemistry between Sadie and Theo is hot and I am so glad that the story wasn't full of cliches. There were several times when I just KNEW what was going to happen next and was pleasantly surprised when either something else happened or when their lives just went on. There wasn't a ridiculously overblown dramatic moment of communication disconnect - I could fully believe that a trigger point was hit and some anger that the other person didn't necessarily deserve was tossed their way (been there, done that). I have already added the next two to my TBR list and am excited to get to know some of the other characters better.

3.5 ⭐️ Filthy Rich Temptation by: Rachael Stewart is Publishing Date October 5, 2025 with Boldwood Books

A quick sweet read with some heaviness. Glimpses of past moments and some traumas deepen the view of the characters. I appreciated seeing the support and healing take place for Sadie she deserved it. As well as the changes in Theo, though he was good from the start.

Warnings containing scenes of explicit sexual content and character of domestic violence.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity and Boldwood Books for the ARC copy allowing me shares my honest thoughts.

I enjoyed reading Theo and Sadie’s story. Theo is Sadie’s older sister’s best friend. Sadie and Theo had a moment years ago that Theo put a stop to, heartbroken Sadie met someone else and moved away. Seven years later, a survivor of domestic violence she is back in London, living with Theo for the summer.

The story was a bit slow in the beginning but I felt like the ending was rushed. I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Lottie (Sadie’s daughter) and Theo. Theo was so protective and so sweet. Loved Sadie’s story of being a survivor. It was a good story, and look fwd to reading the next book in the series.


Read if you like:
Siblings best friend
Second chance
Forced Proximity

Rachael Stewart writes characters full of personality, even the little kid has a distinct personality in this story.
I loved the story development incorporating what each character brought to the table. Letting go of your tightly guarded heart is hard for our FMC, but the MMC slowly erodes that wall. I enjoyed this book and made for a great afternoon.
If you like your books with forced proximity, best friend's sister, single mom, second chance at love, and plenty of glitter, this is your read.

Easy and entertaining! Filthy Rich Temptation is a very quick read. You don't really have time to get bored!! I always love a best friend's sibling trope, even more so when our MC's have some kind of history together! I enjoyed Theo and how caring he was. I wish we had a bit more from him and his story though. I feel like there was a bit too much focus on Lottie and not enough on Theo, but that's on personal preference.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion 🫶🏽

3.5⭐️ 2.5🌶️

This book is short, sweet, and delicious! I liked the suspense element at the end, but felt it was a bit anticlimactic. Wish it had more of a “touch her and unalive” moment.

Sadie and Theo are both down bad for each other, they don’t even know how to move forward. They had their first kiss 7 years ago, and with a 12 year age gap and Sadie being his best friends little sister and barely 18, he of course panicked and then she ran. Now she is out of an abusive relationship and a 25 year old single mom and their spark never faded. After weeks of trying the keep it platonic, Sadie has had enough and decides she is going after what she wants! Lottie was the sweetest little girl I love her connection with Uncle Feo, turned Daddy.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sadie and Theo are a hot couple and their sexual tension is off the charts. However, the most endearing character is Lottie, Sadie's young daughter. She is a trip.

This is truly an enjoyable story, and the author deals with the domestic abuse storyline with amazing care. Overall a solid read.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

After escaping an abusive relation, Sadie and her daughter find themselves living with Theo, her sisters best friend and the guy she was in love with 7 years ago, possibly still is.
It’s been 7 years but the attraction between Theo and Sadie has not dimmed, but she is 12 years his junior, his best friends younger sister and just getting over an abusive relationship. But as Sadie finds her wings again, keeping a control over their attraction proves to be impossible.
This was a wonderful book to read. I really liked how the friendship grew between Theo and Sadie. There was a strong attraction between them, and I loved how the author has used it to enhances the romance between them. Sadie’s daughter was just adorable - a perfect 3 year old. This book had emotions, trauma, healing and Lottie added joy to the story, infact I think she was the heart of the story. This was such a heart touching read that I can’t wait to see what more the author has in store for Axel and Taylor.

Love Sadie & Theo but Lottie steals the show! I really enjoyed this sweet love story. Although it did have the serious topic of domestic abuse it was dealt with respectfully and wasn’t heavy. Looking forward to the next one in the series!

I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me the privilege of being able to read this book. I really appreciate it!

Rachel Stewart has done it again with a truly fantastic new romance! This is the second book of hers that I have read where one of her main characters has been subjected to trauma they didn't deserve. I really hope that it's not from personal experience, that she can write about these situations like she does (they're not vivid or on page but they are alluded to) because she does a fantastic job of representing what those situations can do and feel like. This book was a fantastic romance but an even more fantastic book to remind you of your strength period no matter what you might go through, but also to remind you of strength and resources for when you need to leave should that apply to you. Well also being a fantastic reminder of warning signs to look for in those you love and ways to try and help if that might be the case.

Theo and Sadie's story was incredible! Yes it has spice, but my gosh do they have a true relationship! This occurs rather quickly based on the timeline, but these two have known each other and been each other's rocks since they were younger. Getting to read the dual pov and see how they both originally fell in love with the other and all of their thoughts was everything! Rachel Stewart rocks the very deep and personal thoughts and moments for both of them! I also really loved their individual growths. Well they grow together neither exactly grow because the other made them but because the other was there and believed in the other enough to stand by them and support the other in everyway they actually needed! It was beautiful! Don't get me started on Lottie either! She was the perfect example of a 3 year old and I love the references to the authors nephew! Princess toast got me! I laughed so hard at that scene! So many other too, but that scene will live rent free in your mind as the turning point where you can't image these 3 not becoming and being a family! You're going to have your heart broken and mended so many times in this story, but that ending will be the absolute one to steal your breathe away!

Thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart again for allowing me that absolute privilege of being able to read this story! I really appreciate it! It was everything I thought it would be and so much more and I really loved it!

I received an arc copy of Filthy Rich Temptation, so thank you to Rachael’s team for this! FRT was such a cute and easy read. I am a sucker for the single parent trope and loved the dynamics between all the characters.

This was a quick read for me. Sadie and Lottie were a mum and daughter who had experienced a traumatic past but were now being protected by a friend.

Initially I thought Theo was only Sadie's sisters best friend but there was a lot that had happened there which cemented a friendship between Sadie and Theo alone.

Theo was adorable with Lottie and I loved how Sadie grew.

"Filthy Rich Temptation" by Rachael Stewart is a fresh take on the billionaire romance trope. Theo and Sadie’s story balances sizzling chemistry with deeper themes, as Sadie escapes an abusive past and seeks safety for herself and her young daughter. I loved that Sadie, as a single mother, takes center stage—it added vulnerability and authenticity to the romance. The stalker/domestic abuse angle was handled in a way that felt accessible without overshadowing the love story. With layered characters, emotional intensity, and a twist on the classic rich hero narrative, this opener left me eager for more books in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Mills & Boon/Harlequin for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5 stars)

Filthy Rich Temptation by Rachael Stewart was a captivating read. Her writing flowed so smoothly that I found myself easily absorbed into the story. The relationship building between the characters was beautifully done, and the secret longing and temptation between them was captured perfectly, making their chemistry feel authentic and believable.

While I enjoyed the read overall, there were a few parts that didn’t fully hit the mark for me, keeping it at 3.5 stars instead of higher. Still, it’s a strong romance with plenty of tension, emotion, and passion that fans of the genre will no doubt enjoy.

Loved this one! I loved Theo and Sadie's internal struggle to suppress their feelings. Theo is so swoony. Who doesn't love a billionaire taking care of you. Sadie's flip out that Theo kept her ex attacking her sister was warranted but so glad she got over it a quick and realized the omission was only done out of love and protection.
Can't wait to read more in this series!

A sizzling, forbidden billionaire romance packed with tension, angst, and undeniable heat. Theo and Sadie’s story is pure slow-burn temptation—best friend’s little sister, forced proximity, and a past kiss that changes everything. With heart, steam, and a dash of danger, this is a can’t-put-down read for romance lovers.

Star Rating: 5/5
Spice Level: 3/5

Filthy Rich Temptation delivered on its promises. I really enjoyed the story of Sadie and Theo and the build up of their chemistry. Even though it was a short read, it didn't seem rushed towards the end as a lot of books often do. I loved the connection that they built between Sadie's daughter and Theo and how that connection allowed for Sadie to come start to focus on herself and her healing after years of neglect and abuse. I did feel like the ending was a bit anticlimactic. I wished that it was a little more dramatic and reminiscent of what would have actually happened in similar circumstances, but the rest of the book was put together so well that it didn't ruin the story for me.