Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Some crushes are worth the wait, even if they’re howlingly complicated.

After years of pandemic isolation, Ivan Mason has settled into a comfortable but lonely existence, hiding behind his lumberjack aesthetic and work-from-home routine. When his best friend Jules convinces him to spend Halloween weekend at the charming Williamsville Inn with the extended Powell family, Ivan reluctantly agrees, never expecting to come face to face with the man he’s secretly desired since adolescence.

Skylar Powell has always felt like the overlooked middle child, recently single and still figuring out his place in the world. Coming home for his mother’s Halloween extravaganza wasn’t high on his priority list until he sees his little brother’s childhood friend all grown up, bearded, and impossibly attractive.

As autumn leaves fall and jack-o’-lanterns glow, Ivan and Sky find themselves drawn together under the warm lights of the inn’s courtyard. But with meddling family members, an obnoxious almost-stepbrother, and the complication of living hundreds of miles apart, their connection seems as fleeting as Halloween night itself.

When costumes come off and truths are revealed, Ivan and Sky must navigate the feelings of those around them as they try to decide if what sparked between them is just seasonal magic or a treat worth savoring long after the holiday ends.

 

 

Trick or Treat Temptation is a heartwarming, slow-burn romance featuring childhood crushes on a best friend’s brother, awkward family dynamics, a costume contest, and two men discovering that the perfect time to fall in love might just be during the spookiest season of all.

 

Book Review

“You’ve bewitched me, body and soul—just like a perfect Halloween night.” ~ Mr. Darcy, ‘Prejudice’ by Jane Austen

 

Ivan rarely leaves his apartment unless his best friend, Jules, drags him out. In Hank Edwards’s ‘Trick or Treat Temptation,’ Jules persuades Ivan to join him for a whirlwind Halloween weekend with his unpredictable extended family. Surrounded by a kaleidoscope of personalities and tangled ties, Ivan wonders if the experience will turn out to be a devilish trick or a sweet treat.

 

As Ivan speculates about the guest list, he recalls his old crush on Jules’s brother, Sky. Ivan hopes to see Sky, but since Sky is straight, he expects nothing to come of it. After arriving and settling into their room, they run into Sky. The encounter is awkward, but they quickly reconnect and reminisce, dissolving the tension. Sky hesitated before coming this weekend, but seeing Ivan immediately makes it worthwhile. He regrets losing touch and debates whether to take a chance, share his feelings, and come out as bisexual in hopes they could be together.

 

As the weekend unfolds, they endure a range of activities orchestrated by Sky’s mother, from pumpkin decorating to lavish meals. All the while, Ivan suppresses his attraction to Sky, unaware that Sky is scheming ways to get closer.

 

After a long day that ends with the local Halloween celebration, both Ivan and Sky continue to avoid their feelings. Later, Sky goes out to the courtyard and finds Ivan there. He decides to be honest, tells Ivan he is bisexual, and admits he wants to be together. They kiss. Sky is happy, but Ivan feels overwhelmed and asks for some time to think. Sky understands and hopes Ivan won’t need too long.

 

‘Trick or Treat Temptation’ reminds me of an X-rated Hallmark movie, full of emotional twists and turns with a happy ending. Jules is hilarious and a great friend, always pushing Ivan to try new things. Ivan is a good guy who really benefits from Jules’s encouragement. Who can resist a blushing lumberjack? Jay is more complicated, but I was relieved when he finally faced his feelings, which helped Ivan do the same. The rest of the family is a quirky group, often going in different directions, but sometimes coming together. I found it hard to keep up with them. Thanks, Hank. It was a good addition to the ‘Williamsville Inn’ series.

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book was purchased by the reviewer.

 

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 216 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	08-September-2025
Price	$4.99 ebook, $14.99 paperback
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Trick-Treat-Temptation-Williamsville-Story-ebook/dp/B0FHRL4JF2