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Soulmates #1
Roommates
Ethan Fitzell has been avoiding his stepsister Jenny since their parents got married, but when she shows up at his apartment uninvited, he's forced to face the fact that her absence has only made his heart grow fonder...
Jenny
I always liked him. But when our parents got married, things got confused. As if being a teenager isn't confusing enough.
All I knew was that the feelings I had for him weren't okay.
I’ll never forget the anxiety I felt the night I ran into him at a party that had gotten out of control.
I saw him standing around with the popular kids as soon as I walked in the door.
And he saw me, too. He always saw me. It was talking to me that he avoided.
I watched his buddy spin an empty wine bottle on the butcher block while my friend Brandi rummaged in her oversized purse for the two bottles of hard lemonade her older sister gave us.
When the spinning bottle stopped, I realized everyone was staring at me.
“Looks like you’ve gotta kiss Jen,” some jock said to Ethan.
I felt the color drain from my face, taking the moisture in my mouth with it as a suffocating panic grew in my chest. I was going to be found out.
Ethan laughed it off. “Yeah, that’s not happening. She’s my sister.”
“Not really, though,” his buddy insisted.
The eruption of laughter and jeering sounds made the dim kitchen feel like a jungle full of predators, and I was sure my cheeks were going to burst into flames.
“Don’t be stupid,” Ethan said, tilting a can of beer over his mouth.
When his friend spun the bottle again, Ethan glanced back at me one more time and wiped the back of his hand across his lips.
I’ve been wondering what it would be like to kiss him ever since.
**Author's note: This is a full-length, standalone romance novel with no cliffhanger and no cheating. It is intended for a mature audience and has an ending that will leave you smiling so hard it hurts.
Jenny
I always liked him. But when our parents got married, things got confused. As if being a teenager isn't confusing enough.
All I knew was that the feelings I had for him weren't okay.
I’ll never forget the anxiety I felt the night I ran into him at a party that had gotten out of control.
I saw him standing around with the popular kids as soon as I walked in the door.
And he saw me, too. He always saw me. It was talking to me that he avoided.
I watched his buddy spin an empty wine bottle on the butcher block while my friend Brandi rummaged in her oversized purse for the two bottles of hard lemonade her older sister gave us.
When the spinning bottle stopped, I realized everyone was staring at me.
“Looks like you’ve gotta kiss Jen,” some jock said to Ethan.
I felt the color drain from my face, taking the moisture in my mouth with it as a suffocating panic grew in my chest. I was going to be found out.
Ethan laughed it off. “Yeah, that’s not happening. She’s my sister.”
“Not really, though,” his buddy insisted.
The eruption of laughter and jeering sounds made the dim kitchen feel like a jungle full of predators, and I was sure my cheeks were going to burst into flames.
“Don’t be stupid,” Ethan said, tilting a can of beer over his mouth.
When his friend spun the bottle again, Ethan glanced back at me one more time and wiped the back of his hand across his lips.
I’ve been wondering what it would be like to kiss him ever since.
**Author's note: This is a full-length, standalone romance novel with no cliffhanger and no cheating. It is intended for a mature audience and has an ending that will leave you smiling so hard it hurts.
467 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 30, 2016
About the author
Hazel Kelly
55 books777 followersHazel Kelly is an Amazon bestselling author who writes sweet and steamy romance that will make you smile all over.
When she's not traveling the globe in search of cozy hammocks to write in, she enjoys tackling her tbr list with a nice big glass of anything will do. She lives in Dublin with her favorite Irishman and their three-legged cat.
For updates (and warm fuzzies!) follow Hazel on:
Facebook➜ www.facebook.com/hazelkellyauthor
Instagram➜ www.instagram.com/hazelkellyauthor
And join her Inner Circle @ ➜ www.hazelkelly.com/innercircle
When she's not traveling the globe in search of cozy hammocks to write in, she enjoys tackling her tbr list with a nice big glass of anything will do. She lives in Dublin with her favorite Irishman and their three-legged cat.
For updates (and warm fuzzies!) follow Hazel on:
Facebook➜ www.facebook.com/hazelkellyauthor
Instagram➜ www.instagram.com/hazelkellyauthor
And join her Inner Circle @ ➜ www.hazelkelly.com/innercircle
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 363 reviews
October 21, 2021
3.5 STARS
This is a new adult romance through and through. Which, honestly, I don't know why, surprised me in the beginning a little bit (but I couldn't have wanted anything else I guess when we speak about step-siblings here, could I?).
Jenny and Ethan had a big crush on each other long before their parents got married together, but Jenny was a shy theater geek and Ethan was a popular jock, so neither of them thought it's mutual. Years later (when they are 22 and 23) they reconnect when Jenny crashes at his apartment for a few nights only to discover those feelings are still there.
What differs this books from others in this genre is the writing. There is a lot of flashbacks and internal monologue, actually we see more inner thoughts than actual dialog between the main characters, which could have been considered as a lot of telling and just a little bit of showing, but in my mind, it made their story more intimate above all. The book was focused mainly on them, how two souls who belong together fell in love. There was no deep plot besides the obvious, no drama with coming out with their relationship, it was mostly the back and forth of guilty desire, how their strong feelings were born. But all in all, it was heartwarming, tender and the word that comes to my mind foremost, is cute. And also funny, I loved the humor here in general, but Jenny's friend Brandi was just hilarious:)
This is a new adult romance through and through. Which, honestly, I don't know why, surprised me in the beginning a little bit (but I couldn't have wanted anything else I guess when we speak about step-siblings here, could I?).
Jenny and Ethan had a big crush on each other long before their parents got married together, but Jenny was a shy theater geek and Ethan was a popular jock, so neither of them thought it's mutual. Years later (when they are 22 and 23) they reconnect when Jenny crashes at his apartment for a few nights only to discover those feelings are still there.
What differs this books from others in this genre is the writing. There is a lot of flashbacks and internal monologue, actually we see more inner thoughts than actual dialog between the main characters, which could have been considered as a lot of telling and just a little bit of showing, but in my mind, it made their story more intimate above all. The book was focused mainly on them, how two souls who belong together fell in love. There was no deep plot besides the obvious, no drama with coming out with their relationship, it was mostly the back and forth of guilty desire, how their strong feelings were born. But all in all, it was heartwarming, tender and the word that comes to my mind foremost, is cute. And also funny, I loved the humor here in general, but Jenny's friend Brandi was just hilarious:)
July 7, 2016
This book had some potential, but it lacked depth and believability, as well as a good copy editor. I don't buy that step-siblings would get together so easily, with neither parent making a big deal out of it. There was also a little too much choppy dialogue and internal monologue and not enough anything else. The relationship between Jenny and Ethan should have taken longer to develop and should have had a few more roadblocks.
Want to read
August 11, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/11/2019)! 🎁
December 18, 2021
Imagine your favorite step-brother romance.
Now remove all the conflict, drama, angst, and chemistry.
This book is what you have left.
The h is so innocent she’s stressing out about a kissing scene in the play she’s auditioning for, and she can’t even glimpse the H’a naked chest without blushing like an Amish school girl… but one round with H’s magic dick and she’s dirty talking like a seasoned prostitute and goes full-on aggressive exhibitionist porn star. 👀 Seems legit. 👌🏻
The H is a bartender In NYC. He has a great apartment and drives a Range Rover. 👀🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😅😅🤡. Okay. 👌🏻
I didn’t understand where all the big feelings were coming from. Once all their history is rolled out, you realize that this pair has barely spoken 2 words to each other in the 6 years since their parents married.
The *highlight* was when the H gets upset because the h was propositioned by a casting director… he starts to hulk out… and then was all, “Eh, nevermind”… which summed up this book perfectly. 👀😐🙄
Bottom Line? It seemed promising at first but devolved into Super Meh. I barely managed to finish. ⭐️⭐️
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating or sharing
- OW drama - at the very beginning of the book the h sees the H making out with a random girl.
- no OM drama
- h is a 22 year old virgin
- the H is a 22 year old manwhore
- the h and H do not become step siblings until they are 16, and the H is promptly shipped to boarding school - so these MCs barely know each other.
- No condoms or safety talk 😑
Now remove all the conflict, drama, angst, and chemistry.
This book is what you have left.
The h is so innocent she’s stressing out about a kissing scene in the play she’s auditioning for, and she can’t even glimpse the H’a naked chest without blushing like an Amish school girl… but one round with H’s magic dick and she’s dirty talking like a seasoned prostitute and goes full-on aggressive exhibitionist porn star. 👀 Seems legit. 👌🏻
The H is a bartender In NYC. He has a great apartment and drives a Range Rover. 👀🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😅😅🤡. Okay. 👌🏻
I didn’t understand where all the big feelings were coming from. Once all their history is rolled out, you realize that this pair has barely spoken 2 words to each other in the 6 years since their parents married.
The *highlight* was when the H gets upset because the h was propositioned by a casting director… he starts to hulk out… and then was all, “Eh, nevermind”… which summed up this book perfectly. 👀😐🙄
Bottom Line? It seemed promising at first but devolved into Super Meh. I barely managed to finish. ⭐️⭐️
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating or sharing
- OW drama - at the very beginning of the book the h sees the H making out with a random girl.
- no OM drama
- h is a 22 year old virgin
- the H is a 22 year old manwhore
- the h and H do not become step siblings until they are 16, and the H is promptly shipped to boarding school - so these MCs barely know each other.
- No condoms or safety talk 😑
December 13, 2016
I'll bump it up to 1.5 stars because at least I was curious enough to finish but otherwise pretty disappointing. I didn't care for the writing and this was a clear case of telling me these characters had feelings for each other instead of showing me. Too much inner dialogue of looking back way in the past when they apparently developed these feelings though it seemed like they barely interacted at all (and have barely seen each other since). And too much telling me they liked each other in the present. I didn't buy their love and I also found way too many aspects that were not believable. Lots of eye rolling ensued. Definitely wasn't for me and isn't anything I'd recommend.
Want to read
August 15, 2019Free on Amazon 15th August 2019
March 5, 2017
~~3.5 stars~~ (IT WAS GOOD)
April 2, 2019
an enjoyable easy read not sure the parents reaction fits to there relationship with the children so far but didn't take anything away from book.
November 23, 2016
"Because I knew it couldn't last. When we woke up in the morning, I wasn't going to be his girlfriend or his lover or his dream come true. I'd just be his dirty little secret."
Hazel Kelly is good with an insightful phrase, and that is why I kept on reading this new adult love-fest between step-siblings. Not a lot happens, there is a lot of internal reflecting, and the expected conflict from family and friends is virtually absent. However, Ethan and Jenny carry a sweet, long-term awareness of one another that predated their parents' marriage. They are likable characters, and Ethan finally learns to get a grip on opportunities in his life - beyond even Jenny. 3.5 rounded to 4 stars.
Here are some of those phrases that kept me engaged:
* "She was like another species, and most of the time, I couldn't tell if I was studying her or hunting her."
* "Nothing destroyed the prospect of sex with straight men like being surrounded by gay ones."
* "And then the thought occurred to me that Ethan might have his very own red room of pain and the idea made me feel so completely uncomfortable that I had to talk myself down."
* "After all, the more she pushed me away, the sooner she'd stop feeling like the carrot at the end of my f-ing stick."
* "I leaned against the door frame, letting the smell of coffee wash over me like the irresistible claws of a thousand kittens."
* "I pulled her hair out of her face with my fingertips and dragged them gently across her temple. I couldn't help it. It would be like holding one of my favorite paintings from the MoMA in my lap and not touching it."
Hazel Kelly is good with an insightful phrase, and that is why I kept on reading this new adult love-fest between step-siblings. Not a lot happens, there is a lot of internal reflecting, and the expected conflict from family and friends is virtually absent. However, Ethan and Jenny carry a sweet, long-term awareness of one another that predated their parents' marriage. They are likable characters, and Ethan finally learns to get a grip on opportunities in his life - beyond even Jenny. 3.5 rounded to 4 stars.
Here are some of those phrases that kept me engaged:
* "She was like another species, and most of the time, I couldn't tell if I was studying her or hunting her."
* "Nothing destroyed the prospect of sex with straight men like being surrounded by gay ones."
* "And then the thought occurred to me that Ethan might have his very own red room of pain and the idea made me feel so completely uncomfortable that I had to talk myself down."
* "After all, the more she pushed me away, the sooner she'd stop feeling like the carrot at the end of my f-ing stick."
* "I leaned against the door frame, letting the smell of coffee wash over me like the irresistible claws of a thousand kittens."
* "I pulled her hair out of her face with my fingertips and dragged them gently across her temple. I couldn't help it. It would be like holding one of my favorite paintings from the MoMA in my lap and not touching it."
July 7, 2016
2.5 stars
Not a bad book, just not my cup of tea.
A little too cliché ...
Not a bad book, just not my cup of tea.
A little too cliché ...
July 22, 2016
It was alright. Kind of wish there would have been a bit more drama for them to over come but it was an easy fun read over all
November 9, 2022
So, this was a cute and light read. There was some quirky, cute dialogue, actually it was pretty dialogue heavy with some lighter instances of inner monologuing, which made this a little unique to me. Jenny has been in love with her stepbrother Ethan since they met at 15/16. He was angry at the world after his mom died and his dad remarried so quickly, and he was shipped off to military school a year later. He’s stayed away all this time and is now living in NYC.
Jenny has graduated college and shows up at his apartment one day, sent by Ethan’s dad with a spare key, and she’s told that she’s welcome to stay. Only Ethan has no idea, so when he shows up after work with a girl in tow, he’s caught off guard, and instantly turns his asshole vibes on. They spar back and forth over a few days until he decides to help her prepare for her audition. By kissing her. It was such an amazing kiss, but neither of them really knew what to do with it. Until he finds out that her horrible casting director tried to get her to trade a blowjob for a role. And then he lets himself feel for her.
I don’t know. I liked Ethan and Jenny as characters, but their love towards each other fell really flat for me. There wasn’t much in the way of showcasing how they felt, just the declarations that they loved each other, although it was almost skipped over in terms of them telling each other. It was cute and fluffy, but the feelings were missing for me.
Jenny has graduated college and shows up at his apartment one day, sent by Ethan’s dad with a spare key, and she’s told that she’s welcome to stay. Only Ethan has no idea, so when he shows up after work with a girl in tow, he’s caught off guard, and instantly turns his asshole vibes on. They spar back and forth over a few days until he decides to help her prepare for her audition. By kissing her. It was such an amazing kiss, but neither of them really knew what to do with it. Until he finds out that her horrible casting director tried to get her to trade a blowjob for a role. And then he lets himself feel for her.
I don’t know. I liked Ethan and Jenny as characters, but their love towards each other fell really flat for me. There wasn’t much in the way of showcasing how they felt, just the declarations that they loved each other, although it was almost skipped over in terms of them telling each other. It was cute and fluffy, but the feelings were missing for me.
July 30, 2018
Nice romance
The beginning was a little slow for me. I kept waiting for something to happen. Then, half way through, things happened! We did get some nice romantic scenes that I appreciated. I didn't love the main characters. They just didn't have enough depth or anything to make them stand out. Their appearances weren't really described so it was hard to picture them. The story was okay. Overall it was an okay book but nothing spectacular.
The beginning was a little slow for me. I kept waiting for something to happen. Then, half way through, things happened! We did get some nice romantic scenes that I appreciated. I didn't love the main characters. They just didn't have enough depth or anything to make them stand out. Their appearances weren't really described so it was hard to picture them. The story was okay. Overall it was an okay book but nothing spectacular.
September 5, 2016
Actual Rating = 4.5
When you're still in love with someone after many years of being apart, who would let a little thing like being step-siblings get into the way of that, right?
This is my third read of this series. I read them entirely out of order but even if I had read this one first, I still would have continued the series. I liked all three books and their stories were vastly different, so it wouldn't be fair to choose a favorite. However, this might just be it!
This particular subject is a little tough for me. Don't get me wrong, I love the forbidden-love type of stories. It's one of my favorite themes and I have yet to tire of it. The step-sibling angle, however, I had a little apprehension about. Yes, I know, they aren't technically related and I have watched the Brady Bunch. I get it, it happens. However, a lot of authors botch this theme so I was worried at first.
No more worries! I inhaled this book in under six hours, carrying it all over the house with me so I didn't have to stop reading. The story sucked me in from the first chapter and I was glued to screen.
Ethan has almost everything. A fun job with a great boss, a nice apartment far away from his father, and as many women as he could ever hope for, who are willing to help him to forget about the one woman he can't have.
Jen is an aspiring actress who needs to borrow Ethan's couch for a few days in order to attend a casting in the city. But showing up, unannounced, at Ethan's home only serves to complicate their already strained relationship. And seeing so much of Ethan is causing Jen's feelings for him to resurface.
The writing was smooth and there was just enough suspense to keep me on the edge but not too much to annoy me. The main characters were well-developed and believable and the secondary characters brought extra humor to the mix.
The reason I took off a half-sun is because I found the conflict at the ending to be solved a bit too easily. I expected a HEA but not for the package to be wrapped so nicely and neatly. Especially, after so much angst throughout the story, itself.
In closing...
I have run out of books in this series. I'm not sure if Hazel Kelly intends to add more but I really hope so. Until then, I will definitely check out her other works! 4.5 suns!
Full review on blog: http://uptildawnbookblog.blogspot.com/2016/09/review-roommates-by-hazel-kelly.html
When you're still in love with someone after many years of being apart, who would let a little thing like being step-siblings get into the way of that, right?
This is my third read of this series. I read them entirely out of order but even if I had read this one first, I still would have continued the series. I liked all three books and their stories were vastly different, so it wouldn't be fair to choose a favorite. However, this might just be it!
This particular subject is a little tough for me. Don't get me wrong, I love the forbidden-love type of stories. It's one of my favorite themes and I have yet to tire of it. The step-sibling angle, however, I had a little apprehension about. Yes, I know, they aren't technically related and I have watched the Brady Bunch. I get it, it happens. However, a lot of authors botch this theme so I was worried at first.
No more worries! I inhaled this book in under six hours, carrying it all over the house with me so I didn't have to stop reading. The story sucked me in from the first chapter and I was glued to screen.
Ethan has almost everything. A fun job with a great boss, a nice apartment far away from his father, and as many women as he could ever hope for, who are willing to help him to forget about the one woman he can't have.
Jen is an aspiring actress who needs to borrow Ethan's couch for a few days in order to attend a casting in the city. But showing up, unannounced, at Ethan's home only serves to complicate their already strained relationship. And seeing so much of Ethan is causing Jen's feelings for him to resurface.
The writing was smooth and there was just enough suspense to keep me on the edge but not too much to annoy me. The main characters were well-developed and believable and the secondary characters brought extra humor to the mix.
The reason I took off a half-sun is because I found the conflict at the ending to be solved a bit too easily. I expected a HEA but not for the package to be wrapped so nicely and neatly. Especially, after so much angst throughout the story, itself.
In closing...
I have run out of books in this series. I'm not sure if Hazel Kelly intends to add more but I really hope so. Until then, I will definitely check out her other works! 4.5 suns!
Full review on blog: http://uptildawnbookblog.blogspot.com/2016/09/review-roommates-by-hazel-kelly.html
August 13, 2019
I found this book for free on Amazon and it’s my first time reading anything by this author. I really like stepbrother romances and this one was really good.
I think the difference this book has to others in this genre is how, since Ethan’s first pov, it showed how he knew about his feelings, how he dealt with it and the secrets he had to keep in order to stay away and try to forget the things he couldn’t have. This was the best part. Ethan was amazing. He had such a good heart and after he decided to do it, he opened his heart and told Jenny everything.
This is a good story, quick read, enjoyable characters and plot. I’m definitely gonna check the rest of the series.
I think the difference this book has to others in this genre is how, since Ethan’s first pov, it showed how he knew about his feelings, how he dealt with it and the secrets he had to keep in order to stay away and try to forget the things he couldn’t have. This was the best part. Ethan was amazing. He had such a good heart and after he decided to do it, he opened his heart and told Jenny everything.
This is a good story, quick read, enjoyable characters and plot. I’m definitely gonna check the rest of the series.
June 21, 2016
I read this book through Kindle Unlimited. This is my first book by this author. The writing style isn't one of my favorites. This book has more internal monologue than actual dialogue between the main characters. The story takes place within a two week time frame with the last chapter being three months later. The book is a short read with all the double spacing throughout every page and no where near a "real" 366 pages. Zero drama in this book.
Jenny has graduated college and goes to NY for an audition. Her stepfather has given her his son, her stepbrothers apartment key for her to stay with him while she is there. Ethan, a bartender has no clue she is coming and finds her on his sofa when he brings a date home for the night. Their parents married with they were around 15-16 although they had an attraction to each other prior to the marriage. While she is there their attraction is still strong and they finally give in and sleep together. He is her first and has always wanted him to be. During this time she discovers Ethans art work and helps to arrange a show for him. They tell their parents they are together during a surprise visit and they are good with it. The book ends 3 months later on his successful art showing and her finally getting a job as Hyena #2 of The Lion King, somewhat anticlimactic for an ending.
Jenny has graduated college and goes to NY for an audition. Her stepfather has given her his son, her stepbrothers apartment key for her to stay with him while she is there. Ethan, a bartender has no clue she is coming and finds her on his sofa when he brings a date home for the night. Their parents married with they were around 15-16 although they had an attraction to each other prior to the marriage. While she is there their attraction is still strong and they finally give in and sleep together. He is her first and has always wanted him to be. During this time she discovers Ethans art work and helps to arrange a show for him. They tell their parents they are together during a surprise visit and they are good with it. The book ends 3 months later on his successful art showing and her finally getting a job as Hyena #2 of The Lion King, somewhat anticlimactic for an ending.
September 9, 2018
Loved this story!
Impressions given by not being open and communicative can follow you through years of life. The lives of Ethan and Jennifer could have turned out very different if not for the ups and downs. Read it so you can see for yourself how good comes to those who speak their minds rather than hide behind social stigma. You won't be disppointed!
Impressions given by not being open and communicative can follow you through years of life. The lives of Ethan and Jennifer could have turned out very different if not for the ups and downs. Read it so you can see for yourself how good comes to those who speak their minds rather than hide behind social stigma. You won't be disppointed!
September 19, 2016
I've never been one for stepbrother stories but I really enjoyed this one. I discovered Hazel Kelly through KU and I really enjoy her writing style and characters that are full of life that you can grab onto.
June 27, 2016
~ Book provided by the author in exchange for my honest opinion
I wanted to write this review right when I got home, but I got distracted by the Germany vs. North-Ireland game. Anyway, here it is
I wanted to write this review right when I got home, but I got distracted by the Germany vs. North-Ireland game. Anyway, here it is
Read
July 15, 2016Stayed up until 2am reading this book. Super cute!
January 29, 2019
Oh god. The sheer amount of SKIMMING I had to do.
MEH. Totally Meh.
MEH. Totally Meh.
Shelved as 'pseudo-incest-eeew'
February 22, 2023Not into step-siblings.
🤷♀️🤷♀️
🤷♀️🤷♀️
March 1, 2018
It has been quite some time since I have read a hot, forbidden stepbrother romance, so I decided after reading the blurb that I was ready and more than willing to step into Jenny and Ethan's world and try out a “new to me” author. It wasn't long into Roommates and Hazel Kelly had me in flames from all the repressed sexual tension and had my heart twisted from the myriad of emotions flowing between this unlikely couple! Ethan and Jenny had me burning the midnight oil waiting to see how these two young and loveable souls would find their way to be together.
Jenny Layne has always been madly in love with Ethan, even before he became her stepbrother. She has always seem to think that he hates her and wants nothing to do with her. So to go to New York as an inspiring actress and try out her luck at both acting and being Ethan's roommate is a brave if not completely stupid feat. Once she gets there, all the emotions that she has buried for him come rushing back and now she must do everything in her power to ignore those feelings for Ethan and grab a starring role on Broadway, which will be the hardest...she doesn't know. Jenny burrowed deep inside my heart with her naive ideals and her love filled gaze and lust filled haze that seems to surround her when Ethan is anywhere near. She reminds me of the little sister that I never had and I couldn't wait to see her get the love that she deserves.
Ethan Fitzell is a guy who reformed his life from an anger filled teenager to a young man who has found his purpose since being out on his own after suffering through a tough childhood with a hardened Dad and being shipped off to military school. Ethan surprised me in so many ways and had my heart from the moment he first scowled at Jenny trying to act like she didn't affect him. I just knew that he was going to be putty in Jenny's hands once she got past his hard facade and found that boy that fell in love with her. And what reader could resist wanting to coddle this bit of man candy who needs all the love he can get?
Hazel Kelly delivers a scorching first round of forbidden love in the Soulmates series. I highly recommend Roommate for a romance that gives you a good punch of lust, a heavy dose of love, and lots and lots of feels! I look forward to reading many more books by Hazel starting with the next one in this series full of love that starts in the most unlikely of places. I can't wait to see what panty twisting, heart melting moves Hazel Kelly has to offer in My Best Friend's Brother. All I can say is bring on the heat and the emotions and I will keep coming back for more!
Jenny Layne has always been madly in love with Ethan, even before he became her stepbrother. She has always seem to think that he hates her and wants nothing to do with her. So to go to New York as an inspiring actress and try out her luck at both acting and being Ethan's roommate is a brave if not completely stupid feat. Once she gets there, all the emotions that she has buried for him come rushing back and now she must do everything in her power to ignore those feelings for Ethan and grab a starring role on Broadway, which will be the hardest...she doesn't know. Jenny burrowed deep inside my heart with her naive ideals and her love filled gaze and lust filled haze that seems to surround her when Ethan is anywhere near. She reminds me of the little sister that I never had and I couldn't wait to see her get the love that she deserves.
Ethan Fitzell is a guy who reformed his life from an anger filled teenager to a young man who has found his purpose since being out on his own after suffering through a tough childhood with a hardened Dad and being shipped off to military school. Ethan surprised me in so many ways and had my heart from the moment he first scowled at Jenny trying to act like she didn't affect him. I just knew that he was going to be putty in Jenny's hands once she got past his hard facade and found that boy that fell in love with her. And what reader could resist wanting to coddle this bit of man candy who needs all the love he can get?
Hazel Kelly delivers a scorching first round of forbidden love in the Soulmates series. I highly recommend Roommate for a romance that gives you a good punch of lust, a heavy dose of love, and lots and lots of feels! I look forward to reading many more books by Hazel starting with the next one in this series full of love that starts in the most unlikely of places. I can't wait to see what panty twisting, heart melting moves Hazel Kelly has to offer in My Best Friend's Brother. All I can say is bring on the heat and the emotions and I will keep coming back for more!
July 16, 2018
Me sabe un poco mal darle solo 2 estrellas. Pero es que está bien, sin más. Una historia corta, entretenida, para pasar la tarde del domingo vamos.
Resumen rápido, quizá con algo de spoilers. Ethan y Jenny se conocen desde el instituto. Ella la típica nerd que pasa desapercibida. Él el típico adolescente popular y torturado. Se gustan pero ninguno cree que el sentimiento pueda ser mutuo ya que no "pegan" según la jerarquía social del insti. Así que no se deciden a hacer nada, excepto observarse. Hasta que BANG sus padres se casan y se convierten en hermanastros. Y claro, ahora liarse está feo porque son "familia". Él se mete en un lío y lo expulsan del instituto. Su padre, que es un señor súper estricto, controlador y autoritario que no supo afrontar la muerte de su mujer y pagó su frustración con su hijo, lo envía a un internado (no sé exactamente la traducción para 'boarding school', parece una especie de academia militar por lo que él cuenta). Pasan como diez años sin verse, excepto dos o tres veces contadas para Navidad. Él vive ahora en NYC trabajando como barman. Ella se acaba de graduar en arte dramático y tiene que ir allí para un casting. Así que el padre de él decide darle una llave de su piso (que hizo sin su permiso) y la autoinvita a quedarse unos días. Imaginad la sorpresa de Ethan cuando vuelve a su casa con una chica y se encuentra a su hermanastra durmiendo en su sofá. TOMA JEROMA. Total, que cabría pensar que después de tantos años han conseguido pasar página en su crush mutuo adolescente. Pero evidentemente no es así y empiezan a saltar chispas. Y fuegos artificiales. Pero OMG es mi hermanastrx! ¿Qué pensarán nuestros padres? ¿Qué pensará el mundo?
Te lo digo yo, al mundo se la suda. Mogollón. Porque, sinceramente, cuánto drama. No se tocan nada. Son dos personas cuyos padres se han casado y ya. Supongo que después de haber leídoel mind-blowing 'Hale' de K Webster el calentamiento de cabeza de estos dos por el qué dirán me parece una chorrada. Y la verdad es que me he quedado con ganas de conocer a Brandi, bestie de Jenny y la única que le dice las cosas como son, sin tanto rodeo.
Ya por último y me callo, lo prometo, hay demasiado diálogo interno para mi gusto. Ella piensa mientras lo observa dormir. Él piensa mientras la observa dormir. Meh. Dadme acción. Sois adultos, hablad entre vosotros leñe.
Resumen rápido, quizá con algo de spoilers. Ethan y Jenny se conocen desde el instituto. Ella la típica nerd que pasa desapercibida. Él el típico adolescente popular y torturado. Se gustan pero ninguno cree que el sentimiento pueda ser mutuo ya que no "pegan" según la jerarquía social del insti. Así que no se deciden a hacer nada, excepto observarse. Hasta que BANG sus padres se casan y se convierten en hermanastros. Y claro, ahora liarse está feo porque son "familia". Él se mete en un lío y lo expulsan del instituto. Su padre, que es un señor súper estricto, controlador y autoritario que no supo afrontar la muerte de su mujer y pagó su frustración con su hijo, lo envía a un internado (no sé exactamente la traducción para 'boarding school', parece una especie de academia militar por lo que él cuenta). Pasan como diez años sin verse, excepto dos o tres veces contadas para Navidad. Él vive ahora en NYC trabajando como barman. Ella se acaba de graduar en arte dramático y tiene que ir allí para un casting. Así que el padre de él decide darle una llave de su piso (que hizo sin su permiso) y la autoinvita a quedarse unos días. Imaginad la sorpresa de Ethan cuando vuelve a su casa con una chica y se encuentra a su hermanastra durmiendo en su sofá. TOMA JEROMA. Total, que cabría pensar que después de tantos años han conseguido pasar página en su crush mutuo adolescente. Pero evidentemente no es así y empiezan a saltar chispas. Y fuegos artificiales. Pero OMG es mi hermanastrx! ¿Qué pensarán nuestros padres? ¿Qué pensará el mundo?
Te lo digo yo, al mundo se la suda. Mogollón. Porque, sinceramente, cuánto drama. No se tocan nada. Son dos personas cuyos padres se han casado y ya. Supongo que después de haber leído
Ya por último y me callo, lo prometo, hay demasiado diálogo interno para mi gusto. Ella piensa mientras lo observa dormir. Él piensa mientras la observa dormir. Meh. Dadme acción. Sois adultos, hablad entre vosotros leñe.
January 22, 2022
I've reread this a few times and love it a bit more everytime. I listened to the audio version this time and the narrators did a brilliant job of portraying Ethan and Jenny. Loved the low key drama around this step siblings story it was never to much and flows nicely. Nice amount of chemistry, drama, romance, steam and internal monologue to keep me hooked. Loved the development with Ethan and Jennys story. They have both wanted each other since meeting and before they discovered they were going to be step siblings. Plenty of back story and flashbacks to get you invested in the build up. A great forbidden love/step siblings romance
February 17, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
It felt like a nice, sweet and relatively low angst book - all things considered with their past, the progression felt natural. However, the tempo of the story was a bit off. The book went from taking its time, to suddenly feeling like everything was happening back to back in a VERY short period of time, and it left me feeling extremely underwhelmed. I appreciate the lack of third act break up, but there wasn't any real conflict aside from their past which wasn't even much of a hindrance in the end. Maybe it's just a me thing, who knows.
It felt like a nice, sweet and relatively low angst book - all things considered with their past, the progression felt natural. However, the tempo of the story was a bit off. The book went from taking its time, to suddenly feeling like everything was happening back to back in a VERY short period of time, and it left me feeling extremely underwhelmed. I appreciate the lack of third act break up, but there wasn't any real conflict aside from their past which wasn't even much of a hindrance in the end. Maybe it's just a me thing, who knows.
March 8, 2019
Okay...
I'm a sucker for a good forbidden romance, and this was definitely that. But it felt like there was too much build-up and not enough of the relationship after they decided to go through with it.
I'm a sucker for a good forbidden romance, and this was definitely that. But it felt like there was too much build-up and not enough of the relationship after they decided to go through with it.
August 30, 2018
He liked her in school, then their parents got married...!
Jenny had a huge crush on Ethan while they were at school. She saved him a seat next to her on the school bus and he just walked right past to sit with his buddies.
But her gesture never went unnoticed. Ethan saw, but couldn't sit there for fear of his crush being known and his mates taking their mocking out on her.
Both mutually attracted to each other, but both too frightened to admit it.
He was shipped off to boarding school, after being expelled from school after he took his anger out on a boy who was talking dirty about his Jenny.
Years later, Jenny turns up, uninvited, at Ethan's apartment to attend an audition, in the hope of getting her big Broadway break.
Within days they realise their feelings for each other haven't changed. But there's only one problem with acting on them... Their parents.
You see, Ethan's dad married Jenny's mum.
Making Ethan and Jenny step siblings.
Could they make their love work?
Would their parents understand?I
Would they be over before they even began.
Jenny had a huge crush on Ethan while they were at school. She saved him a seat next to her on the school bus and he just walked right past to sit with his buddies.
But her gesture never went unnoticed. Ethan saw, but couldn't sit there for fear of his crush being known and his mates taking their mocking out on her.
Both mutually attracted to each other, but both too frightened to admit it.
He was shipped off to boarding school, after being expelled from school after he took his anger out on a boy who was talking dirty about his Jenny.
Years later, Jenny turns up, uninvited, at Ethan's apartment to attend an audition, in the hope of getting her big Broadway break.
Within days they realise their feelings for each other haven't changed. But there's only one problem with acting on them... Their parents.
You see, Ethan's dad married Jenny's mum.
Making Ethan and Jenny step siblings.
Could they make their love work?
Would their parents understand?I
Would they be over before they even began.
September 14, 2021
Soulmates
Wow! Loved this book! It was so good. Both characters were so strong and still imperfectly perfect.
I loved the ending and the relationship changes between some of the secondary characters.
Wow! Loved this book! It was so good. Both characters were so strong and still imperfectly perfect.
I loved the ending and the relationship changes between some of the secondary characters.
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