Tempted by the Gargoyle by Lisa Carlisle

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Meet your perfect match this Saturday night — or your perfect match for the night.

The eclipse of the red Supermoon sends crowds into Boston for an evening hyped up for a night of passion, one not to be missed. Boston police officer Larissa Riley wants nothing to do with the media-driven event, but her friend convinces her they need a night out after all they’ve gone through. They visit a new gothic-themed club where Larissa is disturbed by the attractive stranger eying her.

Roman, a gargoyle shifter and commander of the Stone Sentries, patrols from the rooftop of a club on the night of the eclipse. The Supermoon bodes danger and he puts all his sentries on watch. When a blast of dark magic soars past him, he searches for its origin and fixes on a brunette. Something about her is different, demanding all senses be on high alert. Is she dangerous? Or is she in danger?

Deciding a night with a hot stranger would be good for her, Larissa invites Roman back to her hotel, unaware he is surveilling her. The night takes a dark turn as secrets are uncovered and danger moves in. Her beloved city is under attack. Larissa must decide who to trust before all is lost, including the fate of her closest friend.

Tempted by the Gargoyle

Stone Hearts and Blood Moons

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 🖤💙❤️💚
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎
Character development: 🙃🙁😋🥰
Narration: 🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration

🧡 The Heroine – Larissa

Larissa is a dedicated Boston police officer whose world turns stranger than usual on the eve of the red super moon eclipse—a night brimming with superstition, chaos, and eerie energy. While she typically prefers a quiet night in, her free-spirited friend Janey convinces her to go out dancing at a local goth club. Rumors swirl that the eclipse might be the perfect time to meet your soulmate… or signal the beginning of the apocalypse. Though Larissa keeps her supernatural abilities—like her occasional premonitions—well under wraps, Janey knows there’s more to her than meets the eye.

💪 The Hero – Roman

Meanwhile, Roman patrols the rooftop of the club with a watchful eye. As commander of the Stone Sentries, a covert group of gargoyles who protect the city, he’s uneasy about the sudden influx of unaware humans drawn to Boston under the blood moon’s pull. With the memory of the Boston bombing still fresh, Roman is especially alert for threats like werewolves lurking in the shadows. He and his clan stand ready to defend the city from the supernatural dangers no one else can see.

🍷 The Storyline

Inside the club, Roman immediately senses something unusual—both dark magic and the magnetic presence of a human woman: Larissa. He’s drawn to her, though unsure if the energy is coming from her or something else nearby. Larissa, ever the intuitive cop, doesn’t appreciate being stared at and confronts Roman directly. Yet, despite her irritation, she’s intrigued by his calm demeanor, foreign accent, and stillness—so unlike the typical overconfident men she meets. When she stumbles and he catches her, the chemistry sparks. Though hesitant at first, Larissa agrees to have a drink with him, considering—just maybe—a one-night escape from her ordinary life.

🔎 Highlights
• Larissa’s cop instincts shine through in subtle but sharp observations—like Roman’s unnervingly still posture, a clue that something about him isn’t entirely human.
• The concept of gargoyles as ancient, sentient protectors who sometimes lose their will to live adds a melancholic depth to the mythology.
• The story provides rich backstory and world-building, particularly regarding Roman’s past and his clan, enhancing the emotional weight of the characters.

⚠️ What Fell Flat
• The writing occasionally veers into awkward or clichéd territory. Lines like “Holding hands was far too intimate for someone she just met” don’t quite hit the mark emotionally.
• The plot itself feels a bit thin and could have benefitted from deeper stakes or more intricate twists.

🎧 Performance Matters

The audiobook is presented through dual narration, alternating perspectives between Larissa and Roman, which adds dimension and variety to the storytelling. Kieran Flitton and Bridget Bordeaux take on the roles—though neither narrator ranks among my personal favorites. Flitton’s delivery is somewhat monotone, lacking the emotional nuance that could elevate the tension and romance. Bordeaux, while clear and competent, doesn’t quite bring Larissa’s spark to life. That said, having both voices helped anchor the dual-POV format and made the listening experience more dynamic overall.

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