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Stepbrother Billionaire
I’ve hated him since middle school.
The effortlessly popular, lacrosse superstar, beautiful, blue-eyed nightmare Emerson Sawyer. Funny thing is, he didn’t even know I existed until our senior year, when his mom started hooking up with my dad.
Now he torments me in the hallways, calling me “Sis” whenever he gets the chance, relishing in the fact that I can’t hide my blushing whenever he’s around. Even though I can’t stand him, my body betrays me—and he loves it.
Emerson and his mom just moved in with us, and as if crushing on him wasn’t weird enough, now our bedrooms share a wall.
The sexual tension keeps building between us, but I know nothing can ever happen…especially now that our parents are engaged. I try to tell myself that I hate him, that he’s wrong for me, that we’ll never be together…
So why did I agree to play Seven Minutes in Heaven at his girlfriend’s high school party?
And why does Emerson suddenly have my panties in his hands?
Stepbrother Billionaire is a standalone novel. It contains adult themes, harsh language, and graphic sexual content.
The effortlessly popular, lacrosse superstar, beautiful, blue-eyed nightmare Emerson Sawyer. Funny thing is, he didn’t even know I existed until our senior year, when his mom started hooking up with my dad.
Now he torments me in the hallways, calling me “Sis” whenever he gets the chance, relishing in the fact that I can’t hide my blushing whenever he’s around. Even though I can’t stand him, my body betrays me—and he loves it.
Emerson and his mom just moved in with us, and as if crushing on him wasn’t weird enough, now our bedrooms share a wall.
The sexual tension keeps building between us, but I know nothing can ever happen…especially now that our parents are engaged. I try to tell myself that I hate him, that he’s wrong for me, that we’ll never be together…
So why did I agree to play Seven Minutes in Heaven at his girlfriend’s high school party?
And why does Emerson suddenly have my panties in his hands?
Stepbrother Billionaire is a standalone novel. It contains adult themes, harsh language, and graphic sexual content.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
527 people are currently reading
2437 people want to read
About the author
Colleen Masters
24 books1,055 followersHey there,
I'm Colleen Masters, author of the Faster Series. Thank you so much for swinging by and checking out my stories! As an indie romance author, your support means everything to me. Let me tell you a little bit about myself...
I grew up in Central Jersey, and studied Theatre Arts and English at Monmouth University. (Going to college right next to the beach? Hell yes :D) My dream has always been to make a profession out of writing, so I moved to NYC five years ago and have been working my butt off to make that dream come true ever since. Right now, I'm living on the Upper East Side with my darling fiancé and our corgi, Frodo. (Bit of a lit nerd, what can I say?) All of my friends get such a kick out of my "survival job," but I don't really see my writing as a day job at all--it's way too fun for that!
These books are truly a labor of love, and I'm so happy to share them with you. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them!
xo
CM
I'm Colleen Masters, author of the Faster Series. Thank you so much for swinging by and checking out my stories! As an indie romance author, your support means everything to me. Let me tell you a little bit about myself...
I grew up in Central Jersey, and studied Theatre Arts and English at Monmouth University. (Going to college right next to the beach? Hell yes :D) My dream has always been to make a profession out of writing, so I moved to NYC five years ago and have been working my butt off to make that dream come true ever since. Right now, I'm living on the Upper East Side with my darling fiancé and our corgi, Frodo. (Bit of a lit nerd, what can I say?) All of my friends get such a kick out of my "survival job," but I don't really see my writing as a day job at all--it's way too fun for that!
These books are truly a labor of love, and I'm so happy to share them with you. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them!
xo
CM
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 520 reviews
January 28, 2015
This was me after finishing this book.
Basically, they were step-siblings for like 2 seconds and contrary to the title, he was never a billionaire either.
Basically, they were step-siblings for like 2 seconds and contrary to the title, he was never a billionaire either.
April 14, 2016
3.5 ★'s
Abby's been crushing on the hot guy at school for the past year. Unfortunately, she finds out her Dad and his Mom are together and he's about to become her stepbrother.
The first half of the book is getting to know both Abby and Emerson when they first meet and dealing with them being in high school. This wasn't my favorite part. I don't know...they both just seemed way too juvenile and definitely not almost eighteen years old.
I'm glad I stuck it out because the second half was much better. The only problem there is it's eight years later. I just really hate when so much time has gone by and especially if these two love each other so much, how could they sit back and not do anything?
So, eight years later and Abby's just finished her Master's degree and is interviewing for a job (and getting it), which just happens to be the company that Emerson works for. Of course, Emerson is a billionaire...who knew he was a tech nerd after all?
I liked both Abby and Emerson for the most part. I do think there was too much contrived drama and that didn't leave enough time for romance. I really don't see the problem with dating someone who is only your stepbrother for one day!
But I did like how it ended. These two finally got things right!
♦ On a side note:
~what in the hell is up with these high school girls and their vibrators? *SMDH*
~Also, Abby was a staunch vegetarian in high school but eight years later, she's eating salmon. I think an explanation was in order especially since it was made out to be such a big thing with the whole Jurassic Park story!
~And it really bugged me that they kept saying almost TEN years, why not just be accurate and say eight?
Favorite quotes:
♥ "It’s just...I never wanted to settle down with anyone else. Because the person I really cared about was still out there. Only, I’d already met and lost her.”
♥ “I say...Let’s jump.”
Abby's been crushing on the hot guy at school for the past year. Unfortunately, she finds out her Dad and his Mom are together and he's about to become her stepbrother.
The first half of the book is getting to know both Abby and Emerson when they first meet and dealing with them being in high school. This wasn't my favorite part. I don't know...they both just seemed way too juvenile and definitely not almost eighteen years old.
I'm glad I stuck it out because the second half was much better. The only problem there is it's eight years later. I just really hate when so much time has gone by and especially if these two love each other so much, how could they sit back and not do anything?
So, eight years later and Abby's just finished her Master's degree and is interviewing for a job (and getting it), which just happens to be the company that Emerson works for. Of course, Emerson is a billionaire...who knew he was a tech nerd after all?
I liked both Abby and Emerson for the most part. I do think there was too much contrived drama and that didn't leave enough time for romance. I really don't see the problem with dating someone who is only your stepbrother for one day!
But I did like how it ended. These two finally got things right!
♦ On a side note:
~what in the hell is up with these high school girls and their vibrators? *SMDH*
~Also, Abby was a staunch vegetarian in high school but eight years later, she's eating salmon. I think an explanation was in order especially since it was made out to be such a big thing with the whole Jurassic Park story!
~And it really bugged me that they kept saying almost TEN years, why not just be accurate and say eight?
Favorite quotes:
♥ "It’s just...I never wanted to settle down with anyone else. Because the person I really cared about was still out there. Only, I’d already met and lost her.”
♥ “I say...Let’s jump.”
January 30, 2015
2.5 - 3ish stars!
The blurb was more exciting than the story itself! So its divided into two parts, first is when they were teens then the rest as an adult.
I usually gobbled this kind of theme, but sadly this one lacked of... well.. sadly everything!
It didn't really gripped me anyhow and I'm not saying that it should touch my soul, but I felt like I was just reading it. No build up, no angst.. heck even the sex part was MEH!
The book is a novella length, so everything went pretty quick! Decent plot but poorly executed in my opinion. There was so much that could have been done with this story.
The main characters were just okay, I think I'm more disappointed with the Hero- could've made him more alpha, rough, bad.. just ANYTHING to excite me!
I don't know if I'm really making any sense here. lol.
Overall its not really bad. I've read worse!
I guess I was too hyped up since the title screams taboo then to put the billionaire word in it (which btw he wasn't even one!).. well, I was sold!
Lets just say that this book isn't for me. Quick read and would recommend it if you're itching for some step sibling love or just bored and nothing shit to do. :P
January 11, 2015
I really enjoy books by Colleen Masters. She knows how to craft a story to draw you in and keep you hooked. Thank goodness I didn’t have to work today because I started this when I woke up this morning, intending to only read “for a little bit” and before I knew it, I was at 75% in the book and since I was that far, I went ahead and finished the book. :D
I really enjoyed the set up of the story, the connection that was built between Emerson and Abby. They were high school seniors, just weeks before their 18th birthdays. Their parents were dating and living together, forcing them together. They had a clear cut plan…one night and then they go their separate ways because the next day, their parents are getting married. Well….things didn’t quite go as planned. They got their night, and the parents got married but…things blew up after that.
I wasn’t sure what was going to happen after the parents got married, but I can say I didn’t expect what did happen. My jaw dropped, I started laughing and had an OMG moment. Of all the things that could have happened, I never would have guessed that!
Where I started having a few issues was the present day/adult version of the characters. Emerson felt like an adult. He’d been through a lot with his mom after things blew up between her and Abby’s dad and he found something he loved and was good at, created a career, traveled and Abby…didn’t. She went to college and was looking for a job. That’s fine, I’m cool with that, heck, I’m living that! But she was stuck living in the past, under her the thumb of her grandparents. So when Emerson and Abby met up again, by chance, he acted like an adult and she acted like the high school girl she was last time they saw each other. Her response to seeing him was to run from him. I don’t really have an big issues with the story, but I wish that the adult time for the characters were longer, fleshed out more. With them having spent more time together.
Pretty early on in their reunion, Abby and Emerson face a challenge regarding work and their newly rekindled relationship. And true to her nature, Abby wants to run from Emerson. But she gets some advice from the last place I’d expect….her dad. He’s basically be absent from her life for the last 8 years and he barely acknowledged her before that…and after the way things went down 8 years ago, I had issues with him being the one to “make her see reason” (totally my words, but I can’t think of another way to phrase it).
My one other issue was Abby’s grandparents. At one point in the book, Abby takes Emerson to the tree house in the backyard. She says that her grandfather built it and that he’s a good man. They may be rich, but they're good people. I had assumed that the grandparents in question were her dad’s parents since the grandpa built it for her dad when he was a kid, but…if that’s the case, I want to know what happened between that part of the book and actually meeting the grandparents. The people that were introduced during the wedding scene were the furthest thing from “good people”. They were snobby and rude and just plain horrible. And the way the later treated Abby was awful. So I was left wondering if the grandparents were the same “good people” she had referred to.
Other than those few issues, I did enjoy the story. I loved the connection & chemistry between Emerson and Abby. The book was entertaining and kept me hooked to read it in one sitting,
I really enjoyed the set up of the story, the connection that was built between Emerson and Abby. They were high school seniors, just weeks before their 18th birthdays. Their parents were dating and living together, forcing them together. They had a clear cut plan…one night and then they go their separate ways because the next day, their parents are getting married. Well….things didn’t quite go as planned. They got their night, and the parents got married but…things blew up after that.
I wasn’t sure what was going to happen after the parents got married, but I can say I didn’t expect what did happen. My jaw dropped, I started laughing and had an OMG moment. Of all the things that could have happened, I never would have guessed that!
Where I started having a few issues was the present day/adult version of the characters. Emerson felt like an adult. He’d been through a lot with his mom after things blew up between her and Abby’s dad and he found something he loved and was good at, created a career, traveled and Abby…didn’t. She went to college and was looking for a job. That’s fine, I’m cool with that, heck, I’m living that! But she was stuck living in the past, under her the thumb of her grandparents. So when Emerson and Abby met up again, by chance, he acted like an adult and she acted like the high school girl she was last time they saw each other. Her response to seeing him was to run from him. I don’t really have an big issues with the story, but I wish that the adult time for the characters were longer, fleshed out more. With them having spent more time together.
Pretty early on in their reunion, Abby and Emerson face a challenge regarding work and their newly rekindled relationship. And true to her nature, Abby wants to run from Emerson. But she gets some advice from the last place I’d expect….her dad. He’s basically be absent from her life for the last 8 years and he barely acknowledged her before that…and after the way things went down 8 years ago, I had issues with him being the one to “make her see reason” (totally my words, but I can’t think of another way to phrase it).
My one other issue was Abby’s grandparents. At one point in the book, Abby takes Emerson to the tree house in the backyard. She says that her grandfather built it and that he’s a good man. They may be rich, but they're good people. I had assumed that the grandparents in question were her dad’s parents since the grandpa built it for her dad when he was a kid, but…if that’s the case, I want to know what happened between that part of the book and actually meeting the grandparents. The people that were introduced during the wedding scene were the furthest thing from “good people”. They were snobby and rude and just plain horrible. And the way the later treated Abby was awful. So I was left wondering if the grandparents were the same “good people” she had referred to.
Other than those few issues, I did enjoy the story. I loved the connection & chemistry between Emerson and Abby. The book was entertaining and kept me hooked to read it in one sitting,
December 21, 2018
Abby has a crush on Emerson, a boy who doesn’t know she’s alive. Then, their parents hook up and Emerson and his mother move in, and the two of them start realising they cannot control their overwhelming urges and desires. But they’ll have to: because otherwise people will think they are going to hell and shun them.
So far, all the classic elements of the stepbrother book. A hero and heroine in their final year of high school, all sizzling hormones and stressing about what they will do with their lives and desperate to start adulting. The reason stepbrother drama works so well is that you put these two crazy kids into the same house, with parents who fiercely pretend that five minutes proximity is equivalent to a shared childhood and just let everything work itself out. Our kids won’t touch naughty parts, they’re related now! Haha, parents are stupid.
Stepbrother books make it somehow plausible that characters with nothing in common spend time together. You can put your shy geek art girl with your jerk/jock man boy and they have no choice but to get their snog on. And then you make it even sexier, because if they don’t keep it a secret, it’ll set off Social Ragnarok!
Emerson and Abby’s parents are The Worst. Usually I’m more sympathetic to old people, because young people are all self-centred and stupid and inclined to say cutting things to the old people who, actually, have at least made sure the young survived to an age where they can be self-centred, stupid and cutting.
However, these people. The pair are recovering from addiction and alcoholism and met in AA, and if there’s one thing that fiction has taught me it’s that everyone thinks people on recovery journeys together should forgo the rumpy pumpy. It’s also Social Ragnarok, but it’s trumped here by pseudo incest so no one cares. Anyway, the parents arrive just as Emerson and Abby have decided they should touch each other naked to announce that they are getting married. It’s horrible! Emerson’s mom is like ‘congratulations on becoming brother and sister, we’re doing this for you guys!!’ No you aren’t, lady.
Abby’s dad has lots of money for doing nothing, so together these two can spend money doing whatever they like, and then complain about how exhausting being a parent is while drinking mimosas by the pool.
Emerson storms out of the house and Abby is left to awkwardly watch his mother sob. Being a parent is exhausting, etc.
And I loved that part! If it could have stayed as a teen drama plot and a race to see who gets into Valhalla (yeah, I’m not even trying to be Norse myth accurate) maybe this story could have worked but: we had to get to the bit where Emerson somehow becomes a billionaire. Because that’s in the title.
The parents get married and go off to start their honeymoon but immediately get into an argument over money when Abby’s dad discovers that Emerson’s mom has been sending his money to her ex-husband who is in prison. Emerson’s dad sold drugs so he could pay for the IVF treatments that eventually resulted in Emerson, and this is a deliciously terrible tragedy. The parents arrive home to discover Emerson and Abby in Emerson’s bed. They haven’t done anything … this time. They went to a hotel to do their sex, which is classy of them, rather than doing it for free in the house. There’s no chance to explain their restraint, because these parents are terrible. Emerson storms out. He stops off to beat up a guy that … you know, it’s not important. Abby had this sad backstory and probably it did something to shape her character, along with grieving over her dead mother and how useless her dad was. But mostly Abby comes across as a bunch of sad baggage with great tits.
Eight years later, Abby is getting a graphic design job at a tech company, and her new boss is Emerson. And he’s a billionaire. He’s an employee and a billionaire, because there’s another boss who is the actual boss. It didn’t make any sense. I was a bit over both of them, but I think the real tipping point was when they were late for work. Because I’m not standing for that nonsense.
Seriously, I’m not. I don’t have huge expectations of stepbrother drama, but showing up late for work in your first week because you were so overcome with reignited passion for the forbidden lover you haven’t seen in 8 years is nonsense. Forgetting an important meeting that’s part of the work that you love and has maybe made you a billionaire (it’s all a bit unclear) is also nonsense. Structurally, the story has failed to establish enough reader good will towards either of the characters to forgive this degree of self-involvement. And I’m not simply bagging being late for work as an unpardonable offense: the real unpardonable offense is expecting me to view the fall-out with any sympathy.
And this whole thing where they meet up again: it’s completely random. Both of them have got on with their lives, and could potentially have continued without ever running into each other again. Emerson’s not even in the country most of the time! They could have contacted each other at any time - but didn’t.
And Emerson storming off and leaving Abby to deal with fallout is a pattern and a pretty clear demonstration that she’s not a priority. There’s some soppiness over him having bought her a ring she liked when they went off to have classy 18th birthday sex, and holding onto it until now, but it’s a pretty tenuous demonstration of love.
And then … the epilogue! At first I thought Emerson had funded a start-up for Abby and her BFF (who was far better at being in a relationship with Abby than Emerson was, and clearly loved her blindly), but then it turned out the BFF was just doing PR for Abby and Emerson’s joint project, which was some stupid charity app for families of addicts, or whatever. God, epilogues. All they do is make already terrible things far worse.
I am very annoyed by this book. I need a stepbrother break.
So far, all the classic elements of the stepbrother book. A hero and heroine in their final year of high school, all sizzling hormones and stressing about what they will do with their lives and desperate to start adulting. The reason stepbrother drama works so well is that you put these two crazy kids into the same house, with parents who fiercely pretend that five minutes proximity is equivalent to a shared childhood and just let everything work itself out. Our kids won’t touch naughty parts, they’re related now! Haha, parents are stupid.
Stepbrother books make it somehow plausible that characters with nothing in common spend time together. You can put your shy geek art girl with your jerk/jock man boy and they have no choice but to get their snog on. And then you make it even sexier, because if they don’t keep it a secret, it’ll set off Social Ragnarok!
Emerson and Abby’s parents are The Worst. Usually I’m more sympathetic to old people, because young people are all self-centred and stupid and inclined to say cutting things to the old people who, actually, have at least made sure the young survived to an age where they can be self-centred, stupid and cutting.
However, these people. The pair are recovering from addiction and alcoholism and met in AA, and if there’s one thing that fiction has taught me it’s that everyone thinks people on recovery journeys together should forgo the rumpy pumpy. It’s also Social Ragnarok, but it’s trumped here by pseudo incest so no one cares. Anyway, the parents arrive just as Emerson and Abby have decided they should touch each other naked to announce that they are getting married. It’s horrible! Emerson’s mom is like ‘congratulations on becoming brother and sister, we’re doing this for you guys!!’ No you aren’t, lady.
Abby’s dad has lots of money for doing nothing, so together these two can spend money doing whatever they like, and then complain about how exhausting being a parent is while drinking mimosas by the pool.
Emerson storms out of the house and Abby is left to awkwardly watch his mother sob. Being a parent is exhausting, etc.
And I loved that part! If it could have stayed as a teen drama plot and a race to see who gets into Valhalla (yeah, I’m not even trying to be Norse myth accurate) maybe this story could have worked but: we had to get to the bit where Emerson somehow becomes a billionaire. Because that’s in the title.
The parents get married and go off to start their honeymoon but immediately get into an argument over money when Abby’s dad discovers that Emerson’s mom has been sending his money to her ex-husband who is in prison. Emerson’s dad sold drugs so he could pay for the IVF treatments that eventually resulted in Emerson, and this is a deliciously terrible tragedy. The parents arrive home to discover Emerson and Abby in Emerson’s bed. They haven’t done anything … this time. They went to a hotel to do their sex, which is classy of them, rather than doing it for free in the house. There’s no chance to explain their restraint, because these parents are terrible. Emerson storms out. He stops off to beat up a guy that … you know, it’s not important. Abby had this sad backstory and probably it did something to shape her character, along with grieving over her dead mother and how useless her dad was. But mostly Abby comes across as a bunch of sad baggage with great tits.
Eight years later, Abby is getting a graphic design job at a tech company, and her new boss is Emerson. And he’s a billionaire. He’s an employee and a billionaire, because there’s another boss who is the actual boss. It didn’t make any sense. I was a bit over both of them, but I think the real tipping point was when they were late for work. Because I’m not standing for that nonsense.
Seriously, I’m not. I don’t have huge expectations of stepbrother drama, but showing up late for work in your first week because you were so overcome with reignited passion for the forbidden lover you haven’t seen in 8 years is nonsense. Forgetting an important meeting that’s part of the work that you love and has maybe made you a billionaire (it’s all a bit unclear) is also nonsense. Structurally, the story has failed to establish enough reader good will towards either of the characters to forgive this degree of self-involvement. And I’m not simply bagging being late for work as an unpardonable offense: the real unpardonable offense is expecting me to view the fall-out with any sympathy.
And this whole thing where they meet up again: it’s completely random. Both of them have got on with their lives, and could potentially have continued without ever running into each other again. Emerson’s not even in the country most of the time! They could have contacted each other at any time - but didn’t.
And Emerson storming off and leaving Abby to deal with fallout is a pattern and a pretty clear demonstration that she’s not a priority. There’s some soppiness over him having bought her a ring she liked when they went off to have classy 18th birthday sex, and holding onto it until now, but it’s a pretty tenuous demonstration of love.
And then … the epilogue! At first I thought Emerson had funded a start-up for Abby and her BFF (who was far better at being in a relationship with Abby than Emerson was, and clearly loved her blindly), but then it turned out the BFF was just doing PR for Abby and Emerson’s joint project, which was some stupid charity app for families of addicts, or whatever. God, epilogues. All they do is make already terrible things far worse.
I am very annoyed by this book. I need a stepbrother break.
August 20, 2015
I just see the other reviews and they aren't good...
But i enjoy it... It was good!
Not perfect, but pleasable to read it!
I really enjoy it, although that something was missing...
No "missing" is not the right word, i think that everything became so quickly between them and that was the problem...
Emerson and Abby was future stepsiblings... but the chemistry between them was everywhere around them...
The things didn't go well for them...
Everything fell apart like a tower of playing cards...
They ended up to be seperated for very long time...
That story in many points was heartbreaking, even depressing...
but in other points was sweet...
I really dislike their parents...
They were so selfish pricks... They didn't care for their children...
Emerson and Abby were alone against the world...
And nobody aloud them to fight together side by side... And this was pity!!!
It was against their will to be apart, but they didn't have any other option...
I liked Emerson very much: He has strenght and power...
He knew what he truly wanted and he fought about that.
Maybe in some point ended up to feel ashamed
but he finally prove to the world that he was beyond that...
He manage to became a billionaire...
The only thing that I didn't like to Abby it was the fact that she was scared of following her heart...
She was afraid the falling if nothing ended up well, and she was forgeting that if she finally managed not to fall, she would fly...
But i enjoy it... It was good!
Not perfect, but pleasable to read it!
I really enjoy it, although that something was missing...
No "missing" is not the right word, i think that everything became so quickly between them and that was the problem...
Emerson and Abby was future stepsiblings... but the chemistry between them was everywhere around them...
The things didn't go well for them...
Everything fell apart like a tower of playing cards...
They ended up to be seperated for very long time...
That story in many points was heartbreaking, even depressing...
but in other points was sweet...
I really dislike their parents...
They were so selfish pricks... They didn't care for their children...
Emerson and Abby were alone against the world...
And nobody aloud them to fight together side by side... And this was pity!!!
It was against their will to be apart, but they didn't have any other option...
I liked Emerson very much: He has strenght and power...
He knew what he truly wanted and he fought about that.
Maybe in some point ended up to feel ashamed
but he finally prove to the world that he was beyond that...
He manage to became a billionaire...
The only thing that I didn't like to Abby it was the fact that she was scared of following her heart...
She was afraid the falling if nothing ended up well, and she was forgeting that if she finally managed not to fall, she would fly...
January 12, 2015
I liked it, but expected more. Wanted more. The story needed more. Everything happened so quickly, the reader doesn't have time to experience the love between Abby and Emerson because you never get to experience the relationship growing.
October 20, 2015
If you're in the mood for a quick, easy, and angsty read to pass a little time, this one might be a good choice for you. Sometimes, I need to read something that isn't going to leave me feeling emotionally drained or stress me out and just provides a little entertainment. This was that book for me this week. No, I didn't fall in love with this story, but I found it to be entertaining enough. It kept my attention and moved along quickly. I thought it was alright.
August 3, 2015
2.5 stars
I only knew about this book because some people where making a fit about the cover, font of the title and story being similar to Penelope Ward's Stepbrother Dearest. I will say that some things were similar(17 year old girl having vibrator...which is just weird to me and after being apart for years, the H and h suddenly fall back in love(or never really fell out of love). I liked the story but then it didn't work for me. I felt the characters connection but other stuff that happened in the story I didn't get.
*Read thru Kindle Unlimited*
I only knew about this book because some people where making a fit about the cover, font of the title and story being similar to Penelope Ward's Stepbrother Dearest. I will say that some things were similar(17 year old girl having vibrator...which is just weird to me and after being apart for years, the H and h suddenly fall back in love(or never really fell out of love). I liked the story but then it didn't work for me. I felt the characters connection but other stuff that happened in the story I didn't get.
*Read thru Kindle Unlimited*
January 5, 2015
I actually had downloaded this book before all the hype about it being a rip off of Stepbrother Dearest. To be honest there are hardly any similarities and the book is not on the same level as SD. This book was a struggle to finish, it was predictable, cliche, insta lust, insta love and I had no character connection at all. Shame really, because the cover and blurb pulled me in but I'm afraid that is where the love ended for this book.
August 18, 2016
I rated a 2 due to the effort the author put into the book.
The blurb got me excited, I was thinking forbidden love, possible some angst and all I got was a "blah".
Abby was someone I despised from page one, she was whiny, she was boring, and she was just so dang on annoying!
The story had potential but the whole progress of it was all over the place. I was kind of sad about paying 2.99$ for a book that didn't hold my interest for more than a couple of pages at a time.
Emerson was first an ass, then all of a sudden turned into this love sick puppy, then this asshole again..
The whole book, story, and the characters just got on my last nerve.
Would I recommend it? No, not even if it was free :( sorry!
January 26, 2015
Oh, I should know that Colleen Masters should be on my insta-download shelf. Ever since I read her formula racing book series, I've been hooked on her subtle alpha males that protect what is theres and only bring out the alpha when it is totally needed. I read her MC book--loved that too. Then I saw step-brother. Step-brothers are apparently huge at the moment, after grabbing this one on my kindle unlimited a bunch have shown up lol.
Anyways, this book was a tough, fun, heart-breaking, and fantastic read for me. I consider half of this book young adult and new adult. The author did a brilliant job of evolving the two characters throughout the years. I mean all the way down to the intimate scenes. When they are in high school it has that innocent flare to it, and then when they are adults it ramps up a notch. I was blown away that the author took care of those two details.
Then we have the characters. Oh, did they give me a run for the money. I mean honestly I wanted to beat both Emerson and Abby over the head quite a few times. At the end Emerson seemed to be the more clear-headed one and Abby was pushing all my romance buttons. As a whole, I go her. I related to her in the sense I know that family shapes you--even if you don't want it too. Emerson was this soothing Alpha male that didn't come off too over-bearing but was actually quite reasonable and thought about everything. He didn't demand control over Abby's life, rather he accepted Abby as an equal and relished in that. It made them both stronger and more likable characters at the end of the day. I loved that Abby, once they finally came together again, didn't let Emerson get off so easy. All the things that had shaped her life allowed her to give him hell and I loved that he said 'I'm sorry." You don't get that alot in this genre, its just a whole lot of barbarian chest pounding and readers swoon. You all do know an alpha male can be willing to accept an equal while still protecting and taking care of her, right?
As a whole I loved the story. It took us on a journey with great pacing and as usual I was left with a smile on my face after sobbing my eyes out before the H/h finally come together. Thank you once again for opening up my soul and letting it go while I read, Mrs. Masters.
*I read a copy of this book via Kindle Unlimited*
Anyways, this book was a tough, fun, heart-breaking, and fantastic read for me. I consider half of this book young adult and new adult. The author did a brilliant job of evolving the two characters throughout the years. I mean all the way down to the intimate scenes. When they are in high school it has that innocent flare to it, and then when they are adults it ramps up a notch. I was blown away that the author took care of those two details.
Then we have the characters. Oh, did they give me a run for the money. I mean honestly I wanted to beat both Emerson and Abby over the head quite a few times. At the end Emerson seemed to be the more clear-headed one and Abby was pushing all my romance buttons. As a whole, I go her. I related to her in the sense I know that family shapes you--even if you don't want it too. Emerson was this soothing Alpha male that didn't come off too over-bearing but was actually quite reasonable and thought about everything. He didn't demand control over Abby's life, rather he accepted Abby as an equal and relished in that. It made them both stronger and more likable characters at the end of the day. I loved that Abby, once they finally came together again, didn't let Emerson get off so easy. All the things that had shaped her life allowed her to give him hell and I loved that he said 'I'm sorry." You don't get that alot in this genre, its just a whole lot of barbarian chest pounding and readers swoon. You all do know an alpha male can be willing to accept an equal while still protecting and taking care of her, right?
As a whole I loved the story. It took us on a journey with great pacing and as usual I was left with a smile on my face after sobbing my eyes out before the H/h finally come together. Thank you once again for opening up my soul and letting it go while I read, Mrs. Masters.
*I read a copy of this book via Kindle Unlimited*
January 15, 2015
3.5 so this wasn't as bad as the ratings suggest, but it wasn't anything spectacular. It would have been a better book if the story plots weren't so simple. Everything just fell into place way too easily. One moment there would be a great tragedy, then the next couple of pages everything would be hunky dory.
Abby and Emmerson were strangers when they first met, then they spent a day together. All of sudden the were in love and spent one night together. The next day they were torn apart by the stupidity of their parents. Years later, they meet again and then the next day they are in love. That was a huge reason to why I felt this story was somewhat of a disappointment. They didn't have to so much as fight for each other, as it was more of they fight and then they were happy and together by the next couple of paragraphs.
This book was also filled with A LOT of unanswered questions. Like
This story definitely could use some work but it wasn't too terrible. I did read it pretty quick and I do feel that the story is definitely not as many pages as listed on Amazon but it was a nice, simple, ok read.
Abby and Emmerson were strangers when they first met, then they spent a day together. All of sudden the were in love and spent one night together. The next day they were torn apart by the stupidity of their parents. Years later, they meet again and then the next day they are in love. That was a huge reason to why I felt this story was somewhat of a disappointment. They didn't have to so much as fight for each other, as it was more of they fight and then they were happy and together by the next couple of paragraphs.
This book was also filled with A LOT of unanswered questions. Like
what the hell happened to Emmerson's mom, Deb??? (it was said she went to rehab and was doing better but after their parent's disastrous 1 day marriage, we never hear from her again); after Abby's dad came to speak to her, did he better his life, was he even in Abby's life now???; what the hell happened to Abby being a vegetarian???; did her grandparents ever speak to her again???; what the hell happened to Abby's dream of being an artist??? (they did make an app for familes of substance abuse...while that is amazing, what the hell happened to her dreams of doing something with art???); and why the hell is the epilogue only 2 pages???
, and so forth. I could go on and on with a lot of questions that need to be answered.This story definitely could use some work but it wasn't too terrible. I did read it pretty quick and I do feel that the story is definitely not as many pages as listed on Amazon but it was a nice, simple, ok read.
January 8, 2015
Let me get the frustrating part out of the way first.
Emerson and Abby are our main characters and I loved them both. I felt what came between them was so totally stupid every time it came up I wanted to throw my Kindle. If they had been brought up since young children as brother and sister I could see the taboo but it's just ridiculous in this case. Firstly they had just met senior year in high school and had only shared a house for a couple weeks. Their parents were married one day and it was annulled. I have seen many shows were kids get married and their parents meet and marry. Besides they have no blood connection. To me it doesn't make sense no matter how you look at it. For people to call it incest is ignorant.
Ok enough of that. Now I can get to the good stuff. When our couple meet he acts like he can't stand her. She's been crushing on him awhile. Their parents planning a wedding gets to be a complication once they figure out their feelings.
" again the stupid stepstupidity " Things go wrong for all involved and hearts get broken. You get your HEA but some tuff times are in the way. With old money snotty grandparents, alcoholic father,a drug addicted mother Emerson and Abby have a lot to deal with. I really enjoyed this book.
April 18, 2015
DNF at 34%
My opinion and notes as to why the book/story did not work for me.
Disappointed I spent my money on this one. If I would have not gotten this book a few weeks ago, I would be asking for a refund. My mistake for not reading the sample before I clicked BUY. The hero, Emerson, does not talk to the heroine at all...treats her badly or so Abby says. I really did not get the sense that Emerson was bad to her, (but I did not really care for Abby) and then within a chapter (and very early in the book) he admits how he feels. What??? After playing a game?? Abby and Emerson supposedly never spoke or got along until they had one good interaction, which gave Abby enough confidence to tell Emerson something that happened her that has caused her a panic attack.
The heroine tells her BFF everything. It had the annoying BFF that I do not care for. The writing style and the character development did not work for me. It may work for you.
My opinion and notes as to why the book/story did not work for me.
Disappointed I spent my money on this one. If I would have not gotten this book a few weeks ago, I would be asking for a refund. My mistake for not reading the sample before I clicked BUY. The hero, Emerson, does not talk to the heroine at all...treats her badly or so Abby says. I really did not get the sense that Emerson was bad to her, (but I did not really care for Abby) and then within a chapter (and very early in the book) he admits how he feels. What??? After playing a game?? Abby and Emerson supposedly never spoke or got along until they had one good interaction, which gave Abby enough confidence to tell Emerson something that happened her that has caused her a panic attack.
The heroine tells her BFF everything. It had the annoying BFF that I do not care for. The writing style and the character development did not work for me. It may work for you.
January 5, 2015
DNF at 68%
I feel so bad for rating this book while I didn't even really finish it, but I just couldn't keep reading it. I've always been interested with this "taboo" concept, and I actaully do enjoy books like this. Sadly, this one did not do it for me. Also, I recently finished a book with the same theme and I don't want to compare, but unlike this one, the story was done far better in my opinion.
Also I felt that Emerson and Abby connected more through physical/sexual means, and I wished that there was a deeper emotional connection.
2 stars!
I feel so bad for rating this book while I didn't even really finish it, but I just couldn't keep reading it. I've always been interested with this "taboo" concept, and I actaully do enjoy books like this. Sadly, this one did not do it for me. Also, I recently finished a book with the same theme and I don't want to compare, but unlike this one, the story was done far better in my opinion.
Also I felt that Emerson and Abby connected more through physical/sexual means, and I wished that there was a deeper emotional connection.
2 stars!
February 18, 2015
I stole this GIF from previous reviewer.. because seriously this is how I felt after listening to a horrible audiobook- the editing sucked,the narrator talked like 100 miles an hour, and lets just say, the cover of this book is nothing like the book?.. Most of the book he was 18 years old, no 18 year looks like that. Emerson was a Stepbrother for 24 hours.. okay so really not a valid name for a book- and billionaire?! Not even close.
June 12, 2017
I freaken love step brother romance books, there is something so dirty and naughty about them. I just can't help myself to devour them lol. What Abby Emmerson had going on was it incest at all. I mean come on there were idiots but a guess being alone can do that someone. Although Deb was clearly aware of what she was doing. It was just dad to see how it destroyed a relationship before it could even begin
May 21, 2018
3.5 stars
December 27, 2014
This book is just loaded with those perfect-timing gasp moments. It was ridiculous. And the step sibling drama that followed them into adulthood was absolutely, yes - ridiculous. There wasn't a single thing about that whole taboo-not-really-taboo situation that was at all realistic, or intriguing.
I liked Emerson well enough, but he was very two dimensional. As for Abby...just, no. I liked her in the first half of the book, but after "the scene" when she turned 18, it all went completely downhill for her character, and I lost all comprehension and respect for her.
I liked Emerson well enough, but he was very two dimensional. As for Abby...just, no. I liked her in the first half of the book, but after "the scene" when she turned 18, it all went completely downhill for her character, and I lost all comprehension and respect for her.
December 27, 2014
I had high expectations for this book, and for Emerson himself Colleen's male heros are known for their alphaness but Emerson just didn't have that quality. I mean the boy knows what he's doing in the bedroom, "that's right," he murmurs, his voice low and hoarse, "I love it when you tell me what you want." And he has those caring qualities I like but he just wasn't alpha enough for me. This book did disappoint me a little I was truly expecting more.
January 12, 2015
3.5 Stars
Wow, this was very similar to Stepbrother Dearest ! I enjoyed both of the stories and I'm glad I read each of them. However, the fact that they're so similar makes it impossible not to draw comparisons. And this story was a bit rushed and skimmed the surface of the H/h emotions a bit too much. I suggest you read both, but if you decide to read them back to back I'm afraid you may enjoy this one a bit less.
Wow, this was very similar to Stepbrother Dearest ! I enjoyed both of the stories and I'm glad I read each of them. However, the fact that they're so similar makes it impossible not to draw comparisons. And this story was a bit rushed and skimmed the surface of the H/h emotions a bit too much. I suggest you read both, but if you decide to read them back to back I'm afraid you may enjoy this one a bit less.
March 6, 2015
5 sexy-taboo Stars!!!!! I loved it! I actually like the story being split between the years. I liked seeing how abby and emerson evolved and progressed. Loved abby's character and i wanted to f#%k emerson! :) even though i couldnt understand how abby's family could treat her the way they did, i still like how she stood up to them for what she really wanted. And most of all, i loved the happy ending! :) -im all smiles after reading this book.
January 24, 2016
I have a few questions:
1) Can loafers be trendy?
2) What does it mean when girls say they're going to "freshen up"?
3) What kind of giant, SINGLE man decides to get this dog
out of ALL the dogs in the world???
So yeah. An unremarkable book. I probably won't remember it in a week. These are the questions that plagued me while reading.
1) Can loafers be trendy?
2) What does it mean when girls say they're going to "freshen up"?
3) What kind of giant, SINGLE man decides to get this dog
out of ALL the dogs in the world???So yeah. An unremarkable book. I probably won't remember it in a week. These are the questions that plagued me while reading.
January 5, 2015
Perfect quick read! I loved the characters and storyline. I enjoyed reading their first encounter then going 8yrs into the future rather than just seeing them reconnect and only getting bits and pieces of the past. I definitely recommend if you're looking for an angst filled short read you could spend the entire day getting lost in.
March 9, 2015
Thank-you Jessica for this recommendation and giving me the privilege of reading it! I owe you one ;)
January 26, 2015
I was gifted a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Abby is quiet. Nerdy. Studious. All the things that in her mind made her invisible to all the boys. Especially the one she wanted most...Emerson Sawyer. The problem with crushing on him is that their parents were dating and he didn't know she was alive. The only time he paid attention to her was to torture her by calling her sis and then going back to ignoring her. Until the night that he shows her he sees more than she thinks.
Emerson has known who Abby was since middle school. But in his mind she was too good for him. When they both realize just how deep their feelings for each other the rug is pulled out from both of them at the announcement of their parents marriage. All they had was one night together before everything came tumbling down around them.
When years later they find each other again they must make the decision- fight for the love they both still feel or run.
I liked Emerson from the beginning. He was cocky yet had the sweetest side to him as well. Abby grew into herself as the years went by but I couldn't help wishing throughout the story that she had more of a backbone. It wasn't until the very end that she really showed what she was truly made of.
It was a sweet story of love lost and found.
Abby is quiet. Nerdy. Studious. All the things that in her mind made her invisible to all the boys. Especially the one she wanted most...Emerson Sawyer. The problem with crushing on him is that their parents were dating and he didn't know she was alive. The only time he paid attention to her was to torture her by calling her sis and then going back to ignoring her. Until the night that he shows her he sees more than she thinks.
Emerson has known who Abby was since middle school. But in his mind she was too good for him. When they both realize just how deep their feelings for each other the rug is pulled out from both of them at the announcement of their parents marriage. All they had was one night together before everything came tumbling down around them.
When years later they find each other again they must make the decision- fight for the love they both still feel or run.
I liked Emerson from the beginning. He was cocky yet had the sweetest side to him as well. Abby grew into herself as the years went by but I couldn't help wishing throughout the story that she had more of a backbone. It wasn't until the very end that she really showed what she was truly made of.
It was a sweet story of love lost and found.
January 15, 2015
*I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review*
Okay, I have to admit that I had high expectations for this book. I had hoped for a more of a taboo story...this wasn't one. For those comparing it to Stepbrother Dearest, no. It was nothing like that book. However, it was not a bad book. It was a pretty decent read. But the cover and blurb are highly misleading. So taboo lovers, no. This is not for you.
I enjoyed the writing and really loved Sawyer. The heroine was okay too, but come on. A 17 year old with a v******r??? A little too much for me. lol
Nonetheless, it was entertaining but nothing heavy. I found myself enjoying the first part of the book more because the ending seemed a little stretched out to me...I felt like the couple's separation had happened for no reason, like there wasn't any real drama. I probably felt that way because I expected a little more in the angst department. I'm a sucker for drama, what can I say? lol
4 Stars from me.
Okay, I have to admit that I had high expectations for this book. I had hoped for a more of a taboo story...this wasn't one. For those comparing it to Stepbrother Dearest, no. It was nothing like that book. However, it was not a bad book. It was a pretty decent read. But the cover and blurb are highly misleading. So taboo lovers, no. This is not for you.
I enjoyed the writing and really loved Sawyer. The heroine was okay too, but come on. A 17 year old with a v******r??? A little too much for me. lol
Nonetheless, it was entertaining but nothing heavy. I found myself enjoying the first part of the book more because the ending seemed a little stretched out to me...I felt like the couple's separation had happened for no reason, like there wasn't any real drama. I probably felt that way because I expected a little more in the angst department. I'm a sucker for drama, what can I say? lol
4 Stars from me.
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March 15, 2015Insta love then Insta drama:(
The blurb said she hating him since middle school. The book says she crushes on him since freshman year in high school. I didn't really understand how he was mean to her when they didn't even speak or notice each other. Then supposably they have a "moment" playing 7 minutes in heaven. I guess I fucking missed the "moment" somehow. There was no moment! lol Ugh! A DNF for me:(
The blurb said she hating him since middle school. The book says she crushes on him since freshman year in high school. I didn't really understand how he was mean to her when they didn't even speak or notice each other. Then supposably they have a "moment" playing 7 minutes in heaven. I guess I fucking missed the "moment" somehow. There was no moment! lol Ugh! A DNF for me:(
January 16, 2015
Beginning age 17-18 - 5 stars
Middle to end age 25-26 -3.5 stars
Writing - 5 stars
Story - 4 stars
I really really enjoyed this story ... I am a little confused on how the average rating is 3.44 or whatever it is. I find myself to be a good judge in books and I would expect this to be higher.
Anyways with that being said don't let good reads rating discourage you from reading this I usually do and I am so glad I went against my better judgement and gave this book a shot. <3
Middle to end age 25-26 -3.5 stars
Writing - 5 stars
Story - 4 stars
I really really enjoyed this story ... I am a little confused on how the average rating is 3.44 or whatever it is. I find myself to be a good judge in books and I would expect this to be higher.
Anyways with that being said don't let good reads rating discourage you from reading this I usually do and I am so glad I went against my better judgement and gave this book a shot. <3
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