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Bewitched by Bella's Brother

by Amy Lane (Goodreads Author)

3.99 of 5 stars 3.99 · rating details · 1,110 ratings · 131 reviews

Sebastian Craig and Isabella Bryne have been best friends for five years in the Neverland of academia, and that's where they're planning to stay. So when Bella's brother, Asa, offers them a rent-free summer in his gorgeous home before they move to their next college and degree, they jump at the chance. It looks like a good deal at first... but there's more to Asa than meet...more

ebook, 192 pages

Published August 11th 2010 by Dreamspinner Press (first published August 10th 2010)

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Strawberries for Dessert by Marie Sexton

Best M/M Romance Published in 2010

18th out of 233 books — 470 voters

Best Gay Books Dealing With Children

13th out of 194 books — 295 voters

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Community Reviews

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Oct 05, 2012 ~♡♥Ang ♥♡~ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: re-reading

Loved this book!!
I mean really LOVED IT!!!
It was every thing i like in a book!
Amy Lane you are FANTASTIC!!

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Mar 23, 2013 Bev rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: total-keepers, amy-lane, feel-good, happy-ever-after, happy-families, i-think-i-m-in-love, m-m, what-a-hottie, favorites

Oh Amy Lane, you've done it again, I'm well and truly hooked

What a fabulous story. Sebastian and Bella, true friends, even though he does sometimes call her 'heifer' as a term of endearment. Sebastian is a very flamboyant gay, and doesn't care who knows it! Let's just say that their personal lives are not particularly successful, neither of them currently has a lover, and to make up for that, and the fact that Sebastian's upbringing was not particularly happy, he has been 'adopted' by Bella's f...more

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Oct 10, 2011 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: to-buy, gotta-have-it

This is a comedy and a drama but more than anything it's a romance and there is, as always, Amy Lane's lush prose. You will laugh and cry and want to throttle Sebastien and squeeze him tight. It's a winner not to be missed.

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Sep 08, 2010 Ami rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm-romance-or-erotica

This is where I should try to believe that "Don't Judge The Book By Its Cover" :). I was reluctant to read this at first, since based on the cover (and the blurb here mentioned "Neverland of academia"), I thought it would be a fantasy story -- and I wasn't in the mood to read fantasy; as well as it wasn't my first choice of genre.

HOWEVER, it turns out that this is a contemporary romance, a very good and humorous and tender one to boot. It's very easy to read and totally entertaining. It also fea...more This is where I should try to believe that "Don't Judge The Book By Its Cover" :). I was reluctant to read this at first, since based on the cover (and the blurb here mentioned "Neverland of academia"), I thought it would be a fantasy story -- and I wasn't in the mood to read fantasy; as well as it wasn't my first choice of genre.

HOWEVER, it turns out that this is a contemporary romance, a very good and humorous and tender one to boot. It's very easy to read and totally entertaining. It also features some of the most wonderful people in a story -- Sebastian, a 27-year old doctorate candidate, his best-friend (and probably soul-mate), Bella, Bella's older but oh-my-god-so-sexy brother, Asa (I keep imagining him as Alexander Skarsgård), and Asa's 8-year-old song the quiet-bug-lover Jordan.

The relationship is down-right "Earthly" (can I use that term?); it's fun but also touching -- I admit I cried during a couple of scenes, mostly related to Jordan (I want to hug that kid) -- sort of like a heartwarming Hallmark movie. The dialogs are so easy to read and the banters between Sebastian and Bella are sometimes outrageous but you can simply see how that describes the closeness. I must say that this is for the first time, I enjoy a female character that seems to be as important as the male characters. Oh, there are some female "friends" in several stories I read, but Sebastian and Bella are more than just friends. They're support each other through everything -- they're probably siblings separated by blood.

I totally enjoy Sebastian's rambling -- and how Asa's way to quiet him (very effective :p). I have to admit that at some points I feel that Asa's presence is overshadowed by Sebastian's relationship with Bella. But, it's not such a big problem :). Of course, at the end, I want to smack Sebastian for not seeing what he has and that it needs chicken pox to make him realize that he belongs with Bella and her brother and his son.

The extra 0.5 stars belong to Bella as an important character in an m/m story as well as Jordan, because I want to squeeze him for being so sweet (though he can also be manipulative :p)(less)

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Aug 05, 2012 Kris (KindleRomance) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, lendable-nook

I really enjoyed this story. I loved all of the characters. Bella was a stitch and listening to her banter with Sebastian was a treat. Sebastian was the heart of the story. He was such a sweetie, and I loved when he got on a roll with some of his little speeches. Asa was the strong silent type in some ways. He was an amazing guy all around. I loved that this story wasn't about Asa coming out. It was really just about two people being willing to take a chance on each other. Great dialogue, steamy...more

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Jan 03, 2012 Bee rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: humor, kindle, m-m, passion-erotica, romance

I love Amy Lane…but this was not one of my favorites by her. I guess by any other author’s standards this would have been pretty good, but I wasn’t impressed. Not even the beautiful prose that I expect from her was to be found in this book, nor was the usual pinch of angst. This was waaaay too fluffy, and waaaay too unexciting for my taste.

Sebastian and Bella have been friends for a long time. They’re really close and wouldn’t want it any other way. They’ve both got extensive College degrees, bu...more

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Aug 13, 2010 MandyM rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-romance

I love the title of this book, Bewitched by Bella's Brother. Kind of rolls off your tongue. This is the sweet story of Sebastian, a seemingly extroverted gay university student and his friend Bella's brother (Asa) who is coming out of a bad marriage and has taken over sole custody of his 7yo son. Essentially this is a gay for you story. In his own words Sebastian is "so gay he made a parade in San Fransisco look like a Bible belt tent revival". Asa (a self proclaimed man-virgin) says he is bisex...more

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Mar 28, 2012 Lucas rated it 4 of 5 stars

Bewitched in the title of this romance novel has nothing to do with magic spells; the main character Sebastian is bewitched as in enraptured. Sebastian refuses to grow up; he is a perpetual student. Bella is his best friend, almost like a sister. Her divorced brother Asa has a delightfully bright young son, a big house, a job but no one to share good times with until he meets Sebastian. Asa is a generous, kind, smart and loving dreamboat who is trying he best to be good single father. He and Seb...more

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Apr 17, 2013 Dean MacKinnon-Thomson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-romance

4/5

A well written novella which had strong character development, an interesting if slightly rushed-short plot; but most importantly important moral messages.

Characterisation:

Bella and sebastian are both solid characters whose past, as it is revealed does explain their antics. At first i was worried that the writer had created sebastian as a walking drag-queen stereotype gay just to get some cheep laughs. I feared for no good reason. His flat funny stereotype changes into a meaningful character...more

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Dec 31, 2012 Estara rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, read-in-2012

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. My yen for Amy Lane's version of m/m romance is obviously no fluke - there was a free promo for on of her books on ARe and while there I saw this and bought it right away.

This is what would be a lovely contemporary romance if the characters were heterosexual. We have a great friendship between the openly out Sebastian and Isabella, which has already lasted throughout their academic years, and led to Sebastian being accepted like another son in her family (five kids!).

Sebastian who has no real f...more

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Nov 19, 2012 leigh rated it 3 of 5 stars

This had its cute moments, but ultimately felt insubstantial to me.

Sebastian and Bella are best friends and fellow grad students, and neither has fully grown up. They work retail and are whiling away another summer while they wait for school to resume in the fall. This summer they’ve lucked into a great housing opportunity: staying rent-free with Bella’s divorced brother, Asa, and his young son.

All four of these characters are superficially appealing, and it’s easy to root for them. I had a few...more

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Sep 27, 2011 Kaje Harper rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m

3.5 stars. This is a nice, satisfying love story about a young man afraid of commitment and the amazing older man he falls for. It's a comfort-read book, the kind of thing you go to after wallowing in some other big emotional story, to get your head out of the emo zone. It's nice and sweet, and there is no big angst and very little actually happens in the plot. The characters are all a little too good. (If Asa had a fault, I couldn't find it, and the kid, Jordan, was really too sweet to be true...more

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Dec 22, 2010 Elisa Ramblings added it

A classical family story, this is a mix of gay for you and “peter pan” syndrome. Sebastian is a 27 years old gayer than gay graduate student. He is the one with the “peter pan” syndrome, he doesn’t want to grow. Plus he is so gay. Both these are reaction to issues he has with his own parents, who didn’t disowned him when he came out since basically, they were not so caring anyway. When he came out to his mother she asked him that his behavior didn’t t become too embarrassing, and he started to b...more A classical family story, this is a mix of gay for you and “peter pan” syndrome. Sebastian is a 27 years old gayer than gay graduate student. He is the one with the “peter pan” syndrome, he doesn’t want to grow. Plus he is so gay. Both these are reaction to issues he has with his own parents, who didn’t disowned him when he came out since basically, they were not so caring anyway. When he came out to his mother she asked him that his behavior didn’t t become too embarrassing, and he started to behave like he is always in a gay parade; when his parents started to make comments on him always being in college, doctorate after doctorate, he not only didn’t choose an academic job, but he decided to specialize in a matter that has no future in the academic world. It’s not hard to read in Sebastian’s actions a clear refusal of his original family. A refusal that is even more clear in his attachment to Bella’s family.

Bella is Sebastian’s best friend; for her own reason, she is as incapacitated as Sebastian to grow up. Pairing with Sebastian is only a way to delay her own development, but Bella is younger than Sebastian, and she is still in a moment in life when she is still allowed to be uncertain of her future. So is not for Sebastian.

When Bella’s brother, Asa, comes back home after a bad divorce, he offers to Bella and Sebastain to come living with him; I think he is doing a nice thing towards Bella, but he is also trying to build a family around Jordan, his son. Jordan’s mother abandoned him and her family and Jordan is not reacting well to the news. Bella will play the role of the substitute mother, and that will help also her with her own psychological issue and Sebastian, well, Sebastian is tagging along. I don’t think Asa was thinking to a role for Sebastian in this makeshift family but when Asa and Sebastian meet, it’s clear what Sebastian’s role will be, he will help Asa in regaining trust in love.

Asa is bisexual, and he is quite open about it. He was married, but in a way, he was pair opportunity; he doesn’t judge his possible partner basing his opinion on the genre, but more on the common interests. And he has lot in common with Sebastian. Sincerely between the two, it’s Sebastian who has more issue, Asa only needs a little time to adjust to the new situation, but he is soon ready to fall in love again.

The story is nice, maybe Asa is a little too perfect to be true, a construction worker who has more the body of a model than a blue collar, with a wonderful house and an even more wonderful family, he is the perfect dream date. Not sure such fine man really exist, but in the end this is a romance, not real life.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003Z9K3GO/?...(less)

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Sep 06, 2010 Kassa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ahh Amy Lane, you can do nearly no wrong. This is a surprisingly contemporary piece, I assumed paranormal/fantasy based on the cover and title. Instead it’s a light hearted, easy to read and enjoy story about a commitment-phobe who falls in love with a man-virgin and his family. There is no real tension, I mean there is but it’s kind of ridiculous and artificial, and the real strengths are the fabulous characters and delightful dialogue. The road to love is mostly easy and the commitment fear is...more Ahh Amy Lane, you can do nearly no wrong. This is a surprisingly contemporary piece, I assumed paranormal/fantasy based on the cover and title. Instead it’s a light hearted, easy to read and enjoy story about a commitment-phobe who falls in love with a man-virgin and his family. There is no real tension, I mean there is but it’s kind of ridiculous and artificial, and the real strengths are the fabulous characters and delightful dialogue. The road to love is mostly easy and the commitment fear is negligible. For readers looking for a fun, entertaining, absorbing, and easy contemporary romance piece, this fits that description very well.

The story is character driven with characters as the real stars and Lane has done an incredible job here. Sebastian and Bella are best friends with a fun, biting banter that shows how close they are even as they snipe at each other. Their back and forth dialogue is entertaining and fun to read while still giving Bella some real depth other than a token fag hag. She’s so much more than that and becomes a breathing character that you simply adore; and one that deserves a happy ending of her own quite badly. Her family is equally entertaining with their gregarious mannerisms and affectionate brood. Asa is almost too perfect but he’s offset with a quiet nature and almost too easy going manner. He comes close to losing Sebastian from Asa’s own issues that he deals with.

Sebastian on the other hand really shines as a talkative, intelligent, yet still nerdy man that desperately seeks a family and attachment yet fears losing them constantly. His belief that he’ll be kicked aside one day makes him slow to give in mentally, yet he’s generous with his love and affection. While he still fears he may one day lose everything, he still reaches out, falls in love, and lets himself become part of a unit – both Bella’s family and Asa with his son.

This dichotomy is at the heart of the tension injected in the story as Sebastian falls in love with the near perfect brother Asa. Yet Sebastian is supposed to leave at the end of the summer for his second doctorate and thinks he has to go because nothing really lasts. This is the weakest part of the book since the ending is obvious and not just because this is a romance. The story sets up how utterly perfect Asa and Bella’s family is, the house they live in, the completely scene stealing and utterly adorable son Jordan, how Sebastian doesn’t want to leave, his degree really isn’t that essential to his life, and on and on. It’s so obvious that Sebastian should stay that I got annoyed with both the story and character. Why go against everything you want and desire simply to prolong a happy ending? It made no sense to me as a reader nor did it fit really with Sebastian at that point and it made me want the story to hurry up and get back to the characters.

This definitely affected my overall enjoyment of the story yet the characters truly are great. Their banter, dialogue, and unique quirks all came through from the smallest side character to the main group. They feel near perfect yet have enough texture and flaws to stay interesting and the dialogue simply shines. The repetition of the terms “heifer” or “cow woman” in referring to women gets old since this has happened in a few of Lane’s books, but other than that the quick wit and back and forth makes for a really engaging story. Jordan as the son is adorable from his fascination with bugs to drill sergeant repetition and even his frequent sickness.

While the tension is not the strength, the book shines in showing a set of characters that will wrap around your heart almost immediately. The quick pace makes for a story you’ll fly through and likely be disappointed it’s over. This is definitely one of Lane’s better stories and the solid writing helps save the story (even when I got frustrated with it).
(less)

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Aug 20, 2010 Grammy 1 rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I cannot say enough for this lighthearted Novella of Amy Lanes. When saying lighthearted and Amy Lane…I feel like an oxy-moron.
******Spoiler******
This book needs NO TISSUES...

Isabella Bryne and Sebastian Craig are quite a pair….Isabella is “5foot 11 inches of tall beautiful Norwegian woman “. Sebastian was so gay “He made the San Francisco Parade look like the Bible Belt Revival Tent Meeting” … and they adored each other.

Isabella’s brother Asa was willing to put the 2 up for the summer to help w...more

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Dec 03, 2011 Cindi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, amy-lane

4.5 stars

What a great book!

Sabastian is an extroverted, very openly gay man. He is 27 years old and still hasn't managed to.... nor wanted to..... grow up. He is a professional student with a bunch of degrees. His best friend, Bella, is more grown up but also still in school. They are offered a summer of free rent if they stay with Bella's brother in his huge house for the summer before they go on to yet another college. Asa is the brother. He has just gone through a very bitter divorce and has...more

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Sep 12, 2011 L-D rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, romance

Sebastian and Bella are about as close as two friends can be. They would already be married if Sebastian wasn't gay. They are also what I call lifetime students with Sebastian pursuing his second doctorate but never having a job outside of a retail book store. In order to save some money, Bella and Sebastian decide to spend the summer at her brother Asa's house before moving to their next University. Asa is newly divorced and could use some help with his young son. There is a little history and...more

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Jun 25, 2012 Tammy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Fantastic book. I loved both Sebastian and Asa. Sebastian was one of favorite character types - slightly flawed, witty, self-deprecating. Asa is his perfect mate - stong, accepting of Sebastian's flaws, hot. The supporting characters were well-developed especially Bella, Asa's sister and Sebastian's best friend and Jordan Asa's son. Amy Lane did a good job with Jordan's story line. The single parent story line often involves a custody battle. I really liked that this story dealt Asa's ex-wife wi...more

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Oct 13, 2011 Brainorgan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m

I'm liking Amy Lane more than I thought I would. It's very witty, she's very good at dialog which is so much more fun than long descriptive passages. Also, this one is about textiles and art history which I love; I was so tickled when Sebastian told the short history of paisley. I was hoping for more of a build up to them having a relationship; Asa seems quite serious in a short time. Also, forgive me in advance if this is an insult, but I think it's kind of Disneyish. The characters are stereot...more

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Nov 09, 2010 Karen K rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook-owned, gay-with-kids, gay-romance, gay-drama, gay-first-time, gay-hurt-comfort, gay-tear-jerkers, gay-faves

This was a beautiful, light-hearted story, at least for the most part, and the angsty, dramatic parts made my heart beat faster and my emotions run raw.

I loved Sebastian and his wit and his huge, freaking heart. He's such a wonderful full-bodied, endearing, heart-pounding character that was engrained and familiar in my head as soon as I met him. :) I'm not usually a fan of central female characters but Bella was so special and she and Sebastian together were so perfect and hilarous. I fell for...more

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Jan 18, 2012 Shana rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction-contemporary, fiction-teachers-and-students, fiction-glbt

Sebastian is set to work on his second doctorate when his best friend Bella's brother Asa invites them to stay at his house for the summer. As the only member of Bella's large family that he has never met, Sebastian is not certain what to expect in Asa, but it's not quite what he finds--a composed, taciturn man who's devoted to his son. As Sebastian and Bella find their way together into Asa's family, though, separation looms as the summer comes to a close and Sebastian's plans take him away.

Som...more Sebastian is set to work on his second doctorate when his best friend Bella's brother Asa invites them to stay at his house for the summer. As the only member of Bella's large family that he has never met, Sebastian is not certain what to expect in Asa, but it's not quite what he finds--a composed, taciturn man who's devoted to his son. As Sebastian and Bella find their way together into Asa's family, though, separation looms as the summer comes to a close and Sebastian's plans take him away.

Something about this story just didn't sit right with me, and I can't quite put my finger on what it was. It never clicked.

Sebastian is a likable character, sarcastic but laid-back, and devoted to Bella and her family. It was sometimes difficult to see him as a doctoral candidate (especially for a second doctorate), but his education didn't really play into the story much, aside from being the reason for separation that added a poignancy to his relationship with Asa.

Asa is less developed to me--I think he's part of what failed to click. He seemed somehow too perfect, and I just couldn't get a good handle on him. His physical description also didn't sit right with me; the components listed when Sebastian first meets him didn't jive in my head with an attractive picture, despite the author's insistence otherwise. (Really, the facts that his eyes were slightly crossed and that his nose was Roman didn't need to be mentioned as often as they were.) I'm still not sure how to pronounce his name either. I'd thought it was AH-sa, but there's a scene in which Asa's ex-wife calls him Ace-hole, which makes me think that it's perhaps pronounced AY-sa. I like to taste characters' names in my head while I'm reading, so wondering how it was correct pulled me out of the story more than once.

The supporting cast was good, with the high point being Bella. I never did quite come to like Jordan, despite my predilection toward appreciating single dads and their kids in the genre. The rest of the Bryne family was lovely, if fleeting, and Julie was fun for the bits she was actually there, rather than an aside.

The chemistry between Sebastian and Asa was okay, if not particularly steamy. I did, however, enjoy Sebastian's seduction of Asa (if it could be called that, the first time he encouraged him to make a move). I could believe in them as a couple, but they were a rather boring couple.

The story itself flowed nicely, well-paced and engaging. Some of the word choices made me snicker, though, especially during sex. Reading a character screaming "Gawwwwwdddd" comes across as rather ridiculous. (I totally wish I was exaggerating that, too, but I actually counted the Ws and Ds in the story, and my reproduction is accurate.)

This wasn't a bad way to spend an afternoon, being a pleasant read if not stand-out. I'd recommend starting with other stories by this author first, though; there are better introductions to her writing out there. (less)

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Sep 07, 2010 Jenre rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, m-m, romance

Sebastian and Bella are perpetual students, especially Sebastian. At 28 years of age he’s just about to embark on a second Phd, with a thesis which tries to prove to the world that crafts are a form of legitimate art. The only university which didn’t laughingly reject his proposal is across the country and Bella, his best friend, is accompanying him in the move. Before that, they have a summer together, staying in the home of Bella’s brother Asa, who has recently moved back to California with hi...more Sebastian and Bella are perpetual students, especially Sebastian. At 28 years of age he’s just about to embark on a second Phd, with a thesis which tries to prove to the world that crafts are a form of legitimate art. The only university which didn’t laughingly reject his proposal is across the country and Bella, his best friend, is accompanying him in the move. Before that, they have a summer together, staying in the home of Bella’s brother Asa, who has recently moved back to California with his seven year old son after a painful divorce, the ripples of which he is still trying to deal with. Asa and Sebastian are attracted to each other but neither want to start something which will be painful to let go once the summer is over.

One of the things I like so much about Amy Lane’s books is that her characters are always so well defined. The three main characters in this book of Sebastian, Bella and Asa are fully fleshed and rounded, sympathetic but also flawed. It made it so easy to like them, and to be engaged in their journey through the book. Sebastian is just such a delight. He’s outrageous, charismatic, talkative. The sort of man who is always the life and soul of the party, and loved by everyone. However, he’s also rather vain and self-absorbed at times, jumps to conclusions about people and clings desperately onto his youth, refusing to grow up, leave academia behind and get a meaningful job. Instead he clings to his, frankly useless, Phd thesis in the hope it will buy him some time before facing the real world. It was marvellous to see him have to face up to reality, to make some painful decisions and to change his outlook on life through his relationship with Asa and his son, Jordan.

Bella and Asa are very different to Sebastian in that they are quieter and comfortable in their own skin. However, they both try to hide their painful pasts in the silence. It was amusing to read the scenes where Sebastian is desperately trying to fill the silence with his chatter – especially as Asa gets him flustered, leading to inappropriate innuendo and flirting. It was also satisfying to see how Sebastian’s gift of the gab was able to diffuse awkward situations, and even lead to Asa and Bella opening up more.

For the first part of the book Sebastian and Asa’s relationship is fraught with delicious sexual tension, as both acknowledge the attraction but are reluctant to act on it for various reasons. I love a good build up of sexual tension and found myself squirming a number of times at some of the scenes. When the pair do give in to their lust, it was pretty explosive but with a underlying tenderness which I found added to the emotional depth of the book.

There were other things I liked about the book too, especially in the relationship with the three main characters and Jordan. There’s a fair bit of emotional content to the book, based mainly around Asa and his ex-wife, but there were also scenes brimming with humour. Given that Sebastian has an irrepressible cheeky sense of humour, it will come as no surprise if I tell you that I was laughing at a number of points in the book.

If I have any complaints about the book it’s that I was a little frustrated at how long it took Sebastian to come to his senses. In fact, for a fair bit of the last part of the book I wanted to slap some sense into him. I do get the impression that I was perhaps supposed to feel like that towards Sebastian at that point, but it went on a tad too long.

Despite that niggle, this is a pretty terrific contemporary romance. There was enough of a balance of humour and angst to keep me satisfied, as well as a set of sympathetic and interesting characters all of whom were very distinct and unique. If you’re looking for a book with an engaging hero (so engaging in fact that I was sad to leave him at the end of the book) and an absorbing plot then I’d recommend Bewitched by Bella’s Bother.(less)

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Jun 27, 2012 Gyn rated it 4 of 5 stars

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Amy Lane is a genius. And this book just proves it all over again. She writes in 3D (4D even...5..6..) I could touch, feel, taste and smell every setting, every emotion, every tear, every hug. I usually find that shorter novels don't have enough depth to satisfy me but Lane can pack so much into a short scene or even a few sentences. It's a paisley ladybug, a chimpanzee story, a whisper and light touch in the dark.

The story itself is one of friendship...more

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Sep 08, 2011 Yvonne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: borrowed-kindle, m-m, m-m-fluffy-read, q3-gb-2011-read

When I first saw this book cover I thought this was a fairytale like story. Then I read the blurb & realized it was actually a contemporary story. Now that I've read it, I would characterize it more like a contemporary fairytale. Everyone from Sebastian to Bella to Asa to Jordan, are just so perfect looking, perfect acting with a few 'cute' flaws & they come from a perfect family complete with perfectly cute names & wonderful cousins, nieces, nephews... Asa, I think, was the most per...more

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Sep 07, 2010 Andi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Amy Lane does it again. This novella was an absolute delight to read, and although lighter than some of her other work, it still retained the strong characterizations that make her books so "bewitching." The characters come off the page and populate your mind in a way that makes you understand and sympathize with their arc regardless of whether they are strong or weak, put together or messed up. The author does not write in two dimensions. On its surface, a simply story, there is a great deal of...more

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May 05, 2011 Veronica / V rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: effeminate-flamboyant-hero

Sebastien is the most adorable character, I loved this book.

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May 19, 2011 Shira Anthony rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone looking for a sweet, cleverly-written slash romance

Shelves: angst, gay-for-you, m-m-slash, to-re-read

Such a sweet story - I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely book! No, it's not as angsty or perhaps as deep as Ms. Lane's other books (I am a huge fan!), but I just adore the way she writes - it's such a refreshing, funny, biting style, and Sebastian seemed such a perfect fit for her "voice."

MILD SPOILERS: (view spoiler)...more Such a sweet story - I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely book! No, it's not as angsty or perhaps as deep as Ms. Lane's other books (I am a huge fan!), but I just adore the way she writes - it's such a refreshing, funny, biting style, and Sebastian seemed such a perfect fit for her "voice."

MILD SPOILERS: (view spoiler)

I agree with some of the other reviewers that the tension in the story was pretty predictable, but honestly didn't care. I didn't need a major trauma or angst to round out the plot. I also agree that Asa's character is a bit too good to be true, but I think part of this comes from the fact that, although the narrative is in the third-person, the story is most definitely told from Sebastian's persepctive, and Sebastian worships the ground Asa walks on. Of course Asa would seem perfect.

Ms. Lane did a marvelous job with the character of Bella, giving her depth and her own story. A nice change of pace from the traditional dual protagonist focus of M/M romance. I laughed out loud more than a few times (my kids kept giving me strange looks!) as I read some of the scenes. The sex scenes were hot and there were plenty to satisfy me.

This would be a perfect beach read, if you're looking for something clever and sweet - a story to keep you smiling, well after you've finished. I don't doubt I'll be re-reading this one, the next time I'm feeling like I need a warm fuzzy!(less)

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Aug 22, 2010 Adara rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is such a great story about growing up after you're considered an 'adult'. Over the course of the summer, Sebastian grows to love his best friend Bella's eldest brother, Asa, and his son, Jordan. The problem is that he knows he's leaving to pursue his next degree at the end of the summer. As the summer closes, and after Bella bails on going to the next university with him, Sebastian has to decide whether pursuing the degree is worth leaving the relationships he's forged. We witness Sebastia...more

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Jul 23, 2011 Lux rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: hea, relationship-driven, slice-of-life, hea-with-kids

Somehow, from the cover art and the title of the book I had expected 'Bella's Brother' to be some charming, smooth talking flirt or young adult who was going to be too pretty for words. Bella's brother is neither, he's quiet, taciturn, nearing forty and a beautiful middle aged man with a kid and a divorced ex-wife. This story is mainly relationship driven, and all the characters, whether they're the main or minor are fleshed out and entertaining. Bella's family is amazing, it made me wish I was...more

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Sep 14, 2012 Monika rated it 4 of 5 stars

4.5 Stars

OMG! I can’t believe I just finished reading a book that had a girl in it that I actually really like! Bella was so funny and her and Sebastian’s back and forth banter was an absolute joy to read. Sebastian, what a sweet, lovable big hearted guy, he would make such a great BFF and Asa a silent, strong loving father but because of his silence we really don’t get to know him as well as I would have liked, but somehow the chemistry between Sebastian and Asa is there right from their first...more

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About Amy Lane

Amy Lane dodges an EDJ, mothers four children, and writes the occasional book. She, her brood, and her beloved mate, Mack, live in a crumbling mortgage in Citrus Heights, California, which is riddled with spiders, cats, and more than its share of fancy and weirdness. Feel free to visit her at www.greenshill.com orwww.writerslane.blogspot.com, where she will ride the buzz of receiving your e-mail u...more

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“...she often had a temper that made a PMS-ing harpy going into nicotine withdrawal look like a chubby fuzzy bunny that burped daisies and shot rainbows out its ass.” — 16 people liked it

“He had learned that sometimes, watching someone work or standing beside them, looking at stars or at bugs or at a sunset, was far more communicative than the eternal babble that sprung from his own wayward tongue.” — 1 person liked it

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