My Brother's Best Friend

by Nikki Chase

I’ve loved him my whole life.
He’s only ever seen me as the little crybaby who needed a lot of rescuing.
Now he’s back after 8 years away, and he doesn’t recognize me.
The look in his eyes says I'm finally old enough for the ride of my life.
I can't tell him who I am now… can I?

I used to scribble his name all over my notebook, surrounded by little hearts. He treated me like his own sister, but I wanted more. I wanted to have his last name and wear his ring on my finger.

Eight years ago, tragedy struck. He had to leave the country, and it was all because of my family.

Now he’s back in town. He still has the same sharp green eyes, the same strong jaw, and the same thick mess of chestnut hair.

He's panty-meltingly, toe-curlingly irresistible. And most importantly...

He finally sees me as a woman, and not the girl he left. I see desire in his hungry gaze. I feel it in his dominant touch.

But that’s only because he doesn't recognize me. Given our history, he probably wouldn’t even come near me if he learns the truth.

The way he undresses me with his eyes under the moonlight… I can’t break the spell and tell him the truth.

It's okay if I don't tell him, right? It's only for one night. He's made it clear he doesn't do relationships, and I just want him to be the one to take my virginity.

Except one night turns into two, and then three, and then I’m so in over my head that I don’t know what to do. I think I’m screwed, but not in the good way.

Nothing is going to be the same when I finally come clean.


My Brother's Best Friend is a standalone, full-length novel of approximately 51,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhanger, and a guaranteed happily ever after. Includes bonus content!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Ebooks, Erotica, Friends To Lovers

557 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 13, 2017

About the author

I write contemporary romance featuring bad-boy heroes and strong, feisty heroines.

Reviews

[Letícia Kartalian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Só ok.
A autora incluiu um mocinho "dominador" onde não cabia e que só dura, tipo, vinte páginas.
A história da mocinha com a família e os irmãos merecia um destaque beeeeeeem maior. Eu terminei o livro querendo entender mais do porquê tudo ter sido como foi, porque não era pra ser um dramalhão, só que faltaram pontos específicos no enredo, em si, pra que essa parte brilhasse.
P.S.: Cerca de 40% do livro é o livro, o resto são trechos de outros livros da autora ou coisa do tipo.

[Tracy Kellies · Rating 2 out of 5]

Based on all the rave reviews I thought I would like this book but alas...

[Shauna ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

kinda average but also kinda cute?

[Nazneen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guilty & this book would be my favourites of this author. I loved this book. This was an emotional, too.. I liked how Gabe confesses his love without any doubt or arrogance.I liked how he tells her all about his past.Jackie's fear to tell him the truth about her identity was understandable..I wish I could get some more on Gabe & Jackylene...The epilogue was not enough for me :p

[Rose Silverstone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I thought it was

I didn't realize that this story was a novella and there would be a preview of a few other stories included. It was a nice tale. Gabe and Jackie were adorable characters. Not exactly what I expected when I started this read.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Friendly Ghost Stars

This storyline was a bit unique, and had an additional POV, that wasn't part of a love triangle! That is what prompted me to bump up my rating a bit. Otherwise, the prose and writing style of this book, was just a bit above ok, for me.

[Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read. I like the story, it touches lightly on intimacy rather than a blow by blow detailed description, if that is what you prefer in your romance reading.

[Jola · Rating 3 out of 5]

3+

[Isa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3+

[Scarlett Leva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet review. This was an ok read.

[Jackie D · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Wowzers! **
This was not your typical women hooks up with her older brother friends tale! Jacqueline ( nice name BTW) has grown up with Gabriel, being her brother Sams best friend he was always around. She loved him for as long as she could remember, but Gabriel saw Jackie as the little sister figure back then, tragedy rocks Gabriel and Jacqueline's lives, guilt-stricken, life separates them.
Now Jacqueline is grown 23 years old and has the world and then some on her shoulders- but she has the opportunity to see Gabriel at the Hospitals annual awards show, it has been 6 years, she has a lot she wants to say to the man who has plagued her dreams, but finding the right words is often difficult. Their reunion may not go as she'd hoped, but her foot is in the door so to speak. What happens now will be the catalyst in changing both their lives.
I just read a provocative, emotional clustered mess of secrets, mental illness, grief, guilt, blackmail, lust and having that insta love connection. I believe I said I didn't see that coming twice while reading this almost to the point of frustration intriguing read! Well written with plenty of great detail, I was swiping pages like a maniac through the sweetness and hot as h** scenes trying to get my way to the hea. This is a one of a kind book that I am so glad I had the chance to read!
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a captivating, emotional roller coaster read! This is my first book by Nikki Chase and I loved how she kept me in suspense. Gabe and Jackie set my Kindle on fire!!! Yes, the BDSM sex scenes were HOT but they added to the plot, not detracted. A real romance with depth, fleshed out characters and I really related to Jackie. A must read, but the ending totally made me cry. Have some tissues nearby.

My Rating: 4 stars

[vicki zimmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little creepy

This is the first time I have come across a romance, that could best be described as 'creepy', but, here we are.
Jackie and Gabe have a fabulous romance. It is a story filled with love, and emotion. It has a great hea. But the whole thing, start, to especially finish, is just...creepy. It is not a story I can say I would read again. Though, all in all, it was a nice romance, to me, it was just...creepy.

[BookAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMGee, this book! Not a dark romance, exactly, but there’s so much pain, sorrow, desperation and loss that it will gut you and shatter your heart into a million pieces, ground those pieces to dust, and somehow put you back together, filling up your soul and making your heart soar. Gabriel was Jacqueline’s brother’s best friend growing up, and she’s loved him for as long as she can remember. After a tragedy that devastated both their families, Gabriel comes back to town after living in Africa for the past eight years. Jacqueline sees him at a function for the hospital where they both practice medicine and intends to reintroduce herself to him, but their attraction is immediate and intense, and the conversation quickly moves far beyond a simple introduction before Jacqueline can tell Gabriel that she’s really Sam’s little sister, “Jackie.” Jacqueline is sweet and innocent, with a spine of steel and a heart of gold. She’s been barely holding her family together for years, and revealing her identity to Gabriel could destroy not only their relationship but devastate their families all over again by reopening old wounds. But the guilt is consuming her. And Gabriel blames himself for something that wasn’t his fault, but he’s let it simmer and fester until it has become a dark blackness deep within him.

The advance copy I read of this book is my first by this author, and I absolutely loved it!! With its unique, compelling premise, expertly written storyline and poignant subtext, this is no fluff romance. The characters are deep, vibrant and real, effected by emotional devastation, and the relationship between Gabriel and Jacqueline is sensual, rich, compassionate and inspiring. This book will grab your heart and touch your soul, making you think about the deeper aspects of life, love and life after death. It truly is a profound, seductive, phenomenal work, and you won’t want to miss it!

[BlueBug · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of story I love to see from Ms Chase. It is not only full of the angst of growing up, love and loss, but it is a sort of coming of age story from so many directions. Jacqueline boldly approaches her brother's best friend Gabe after a tragedy a 8 years before tore their families and their friendships apart. Still, she can't deny the feelings she continues to have for him since she was just a child, even after his father sent him to Africa when she was 16 years old. Each of them has secrets they're afraid of revealing, knowing it could bring down their delicate house of cards. In the midst of happiness, it takes something huge to make them face what they've been hiding from for so long, and it leaves the reader wondering if either of them is going to survive this time around.

There's something to be said about a book that makes me shed tears. This one had a few moments in it that gave me the sniffles, and I love when this author can write something that affects me like that. It was romantic and sexy with a little kink thrown in. It held heartbreaking tragedy and room for healing. And the excerpts that included Jacqueline's dead brother, Sam, were especially traumatic and poignant. It's always hard to face loss and to be the ones left behind, but she approached this story with such a beautiful and gentle touch, I absolutely fell in love with it.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. Jackie had a crush on her much older middle brothers best friend Gabe for as long as she could remember. With absentee parents and her oldest brothers disinterest, Jackie was practically raised by Sam and Gabe. Everything fell apart when she was 16.
Gabe is back at the Hospital she is doing her Internship at, and she just wants to reconnect, congratulate him on his award and hope he doesn't recognise her.

Gabe is home after 8 years. A stint in the Peace Core than making his home in Ghana, his father talked him into coming home. He is not sure he wants to stay. When he meets a hot blond intern, he just my have a reason to stay.

Jackie can't believe Gabe doesn't recognise her. She should tell him, but the way he is looking at her, maybe she can pretend to be someone else for a little while.

Great story. Loved Gabe. A good man, who has carried blame for a tragedy he was not responsible for. Jackie is a train wreck. You can't help routing for her. Loved their epilogue.

The story has some light Dom/sub elements and does deal with suicide and it's effects on those left behind..

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Ashlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This book is by far my favorite of all of Nikki Chase's books. The characters were so well developed and the story line so well thought out. Sam's parts were a very interesting way to tell the story of such an important event in both Gabe's and Jacqueline's lives. And I absolutely loved the epilogue! Such a great way to end such an emotionally charged book.

Gave and Jacqueline are perfect for each other and I loved how their long awaited (at least from Jacqueline's perspective) romance came about. The emotions felt so real in this book and the sex was HOT! I loved the dominant but loving nature in those scenes. But more than anything, I loved how well Nikki Chase portrayed how a suicide can effect so many people and in so many different ways. And yes, there is some depression and a suicide in this book written about in detail so please, if that is a trigger for you do not read this book.

The only thing I wish was different was instead of just throwing some water in Rat's face, I wish Jacqueline had punched him in the face, but I understand why she didn't as Ray would probably have hurt her.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys deep contemporary romance books with some heat.

[Julianne Macneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as part of an arc program. I really enjoyed this book about Gabriel and Jacqueline (Jackie).This was a story about Jackie and her crush on her brother's best friend Gabe and how years later their paths cross. Jackie sees Gabriel at an awards banquet and she approaches him to say hello but he doesn't know who she is. Gabriel sees Jackie and he tries to pick her up and she agrees to meet him at his hotel room, only when she goes to tell her friend, she passes out from having too much to drink. The next day, Gabriel decides to find her and find out why she stood him up. When he sees her at the hospital, he tells her he will take her to dinner in a few days. They begin a relationship, but when a tragedy from their past comes back haunt Jackie and she has to confess who she really is. This was an emotional book to read and deals with the aftermath of suicide and the families left behind. This book made me think of the different sides of this hard issue and I cried at parts, well done.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of Nikki Chase's books and so far this one is my favorite by far! I fell in love with Gabriel right from the start! Jacqueline is just who I thought she would be from the beginning....both she and Gabriel have secrets...little to they know they are connected. Jacqueline is a nurse and Gabriel is an award winning doctor. She seeks him out at the award ceremony held in his honor, they both feel the connection...hers for a different reason than his. This story touches on so many subjects, depression, denial, anger, death, sadness along with lust, love, domination and last of all getting to the truth all which are approached beautifully! I cheered, gasped, had tears in my eyes all while reading their story! I will not reveal any spoilers in this review but I will say that Gabriel and Jacqueline's story is so worth reading! Thank Nikki Chase for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance of it's release.

[Cindy Fong · Rating 4 out of 5]

They grew up as friends but a tragedy 8 years ago ended thier friendship. This set into motion many more regrets for both of them, for him guilt, for her, the loss of her first crush. Fast forward eight years and Jacqueline is a doctor working in a hospital and Gabe, also a doctor, is home from Africa and only sees the woman and not the girl he left. Thier attraction is off the charts and is her every wish come true. As they fall for one another more, can she finally come clean about thier past? Will others try to sabotage thier future?

This was a quick easy read. Fair warning, the ending will touch your heartstrings. You really feel the emotions of both Jackie and Gabe reading this story. There are several chuckle worthy moments, angsty moments and dispair. I required a copy of this story to provide my options on the content and story line.

[Susan Foulkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is so much more than the usual "younger sister fancies older brother's friend".

There are so many layers and dynamics at work here that once you start reading it's hard to stop.

Jacqueline recognises Gabriel, but he doesn't know who she is. Their relationship stutters at first, then grows, and love comes into the mix.

But should they be together? Outside forces think not...and try to keep them apart.

Their backstory reveals a tragedy in their past and explains why they've become the people they are.

Add in a meddling father (Gabriel), and a spiteful, lazy brother (Jacqueline), and the scene is set for fireworks!

All the characters are rounded and believable, and Gabriel and Jacqueline are also likable.

The plot is interesting and well paced.

All in all this is a great read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Anakalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!
Just WOW!!!

This is a story about second chances in life and love. A story about guilt and grief, about deep, strong love and forgiveness.

This book captured me with the first chapter and never let me go!

It is heartwarming and heartbreaking to read about the struggle of a family to overcome the grief for loosing its son and brother and the very different ways they cope with it, and about the struggle of the former best friend to cope with his guilt he believes in having in the death of his friend.

The characters are unbelievable well sketched, profound and utter plausible in their emotions and you are literally forced to suffer through their story.

This book is a very intense read and one of the best I've read so far, an absolute must read!
I had to read it in one go and could not stop at all!

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

Oh man, is this a fantastic read. I started this morning and I couldn't put it down. The story and the characters are just so well thought out and written that you feel like you are right there in the middle of the action. I just love the dual POVs. It makes me feel like they are my friends and I hate when the story ends. I feel like my friends are leaving me!!! This story will take you on an emotional ride. The event that occurred "eight years ago" was something that I never expected. Ms. Chase is a fantastic author to bring such touching events into a book. It seems more real life then most stories go.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great and truly emotional romance book. You will fall in love with Gabe and Jacqueline.

[Maria Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the emotional rollercoaster ride this book took me on! This was my first Nikki Chase book to read and will definitely be the first of many of her books I read. I love the angst that is threaded throughout this coming of age book. The characters and storyline are amazing. Jacqueline and Gabriel are a perfect match. I love how their long awaited romance develops. The chemistry between them was off-the-charts hot!! I loved Gabriel's dominant but loving nature.This book provokes so many emotions that at times I was crying, laughing, rooting on the couple or wanting to knock some sense into them. There were some twists that I didn't expect that kept me glued to my Kindle until I finished. I really liked how Nikki touched on a delicate issue and how it affects so many people. This is a definite must read! I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Tisha 'Gardner' Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily read the arc copy of this book. This story surprised me in a lot of way. It pulled at my emotions and I loved the connections to the characters. I would be a story I could read again. I didn't want the story to stop.
Overview. Jackie was a new doc in training. She chose hill Crest hospital since the head was Dr Kent. She wanted to be closer to him because she was in love with his son Gabe Kent. Gabe and Jackie grew up together. Gabe was her brothers best friend from grade school till college. But jackies brother Sam took his own life. This changed Jackie and Gabe. Now Gabe is back, she wants to see him again. But when they meet again, he doesn't see her a Jackie from years ago, he see her as a beautiful woman. They fall in love but the past does haunt them in more ways than one.

[Katie Rios · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was actually better than I thought it would be. This was a one clicker for me. I like the "older brother's best friend" trope, and I knew this would be a shorter read, so I picked it up.
SIDENOTE: The book says like, 500+ pages or something, but I think it only goes to like, 35-40%. There is another book attached and like, a sample of something else. Just wanted to mention.

**POSSIBLE SPOILERS**






I enjoyed the characters. I liked Jackie and I liked Gabe. I actually kind of wanted more. I wanted to see Jackie finally get back at her family, I wanted to see her mom get some real help and get away from her brother. I wanted to see Gabe to tell his dad to fuck off. I just wanted a little more resolution. Other than that, I thought it was fairly well written and had a good story line. I just wanted a little more.

[Teresa Christianson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

OMG Nikki has done it again.
To feel guilty for 8 years because your best friend used your gun to kill himself and his dad and brother blame you and blackmail your family. You leave for the Peace Corp and decide to stay in Africa for the next 8 years. When you finally return you fall in love with an intern at the hospital unbeknownst to you is the little sister of your best friend who died. She has been in love with you most of her life. She doesn't tell you who she is but her other brother finds out you are back and blackmails your dad again. Do you love her enough to forgive her? Does the blackmail keep you apart again? Will you stay in the states with your dad or will you go back to Africa alone again?
I had tears in my eyes a couple times.

[Lori Shankle · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!! Nikki Chase has done it again. She never fails to surprise me with her writing ability. This definitely was not your typical older brother's best friend book. Once I started reading this I could not put it down. Ms. Chase did a marvellous job writing this story in a dual POV. The characters are well developed. There is so much emotion running threw every page of this book. You get it all. Love, joy,laughter, quirky remarks, sadness, anger and any other type of feeling there is. The story line flows and you find you just have to keep reading. I would highly recommend this book for everyone (18 & above of course). Oh, and I can't forget the very hot and sexy love scenes. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story between Jacqueline and Gabe. Both still hurting after 8 years. Him blaming himself and her feeling alone despite living with he family. I loved how he pursued her throughout the story. He was deliciously and wickedly sexy. And he knew just how to take care of Jackie. But my favorite parts were when he would Chase her and speak very nice things to her leaving her speechless. Oh the man was good. Their story flowed very quickly and without a bump. I loved the ending and even the fast one they pulled together. It was absolutely fun and free. And the epilogue had me reaching for a tissue because what is greater and more reassuring than what happened. Excellent book Ms. Chase.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the author.