Stepbrother Dearest by Penelope Ward

March 15, 2015 Kristi Reviews 4 ★★★★★

Stepbrother Dearest

Published on September 23, 2014

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
five-stars

As I’m reorganizing my computer files, I realized I wrote this review when I finished Stepbrother Dearest in the middle of the night, and never posted! I loved this book. I immediately PMed the author on Facebook, and picked up her other works. There is something about this story that made me fall hard, and let me tell you, this was a top 2014 read for me. Here’s my long overdue review! I wrote this October 19, 2014…

There’s nothing I love more than finding a new book that I can’t put down. Reading this book made my weekend, hell, it probably made my month. It definitely made my top list of books I read this year. This book has it all-well all the ingredients that make it a favorite book of mine, especially forbidden love.

Part one introduces the characters, Greta and Elec who are step siblings who are meeting for the first time. Elec, a tattooed bad boy who does not want to move in with his father elicits all the angry, teenage bad boy qualities. Greta, is the sweet and cute girl next door. Elec makes it his goal to embarrass and humiliate Greta at every chance. Through pranks and rudeness, Greta still tries to see the best in her stepbrother while trying to extinguish her attraction to him. The chemistry between these characters is apparent from the get go and the sexual tension builds with every page. Just when you’re calling Elec an asshole he does something that makes you reconsider and try to figure out who the real Elec is. As their relationship finds its balance, an unexpected turn of events presents itself which frustrated me and made me go-“no, no, I want more, God Damn It!!!”. This part can’t be over yet.

Part two takes place seven years after high school when tragedy brings Elec and Greta together again. When these two see each other again, my heart about broke. I felt every emotion Greta was feeling.

The one that got away was supposed to stay away, not come back and leave you all over again.

How true is that??? I spent the remainder of the book filled with angst, and also hope. Both these characters drew me in from the start and their story was as much heartbreaking as heartwarming.

I wanted more. I loved every page of this book and still I wanted more. I kept looking at the percentage on my kindle and was nervous that there was a cliffhanger; but at the same time I wanted a cliffhanger because that meant there was more to come. But no, this is a standalone-and I LOVE standalones, but I could read about these two for a long time. A freaking fantastic standalone. I wanted more. I wanted to continue reading about this couple. I wanted more after I read it that I went back to reread the last 30%, again. And what an ending. *sigh*

Elec told Greta she makes him feel things, “you make me feel things, Greta. You always have. When I’m around you, whether it’s good or bad… I feel everything.” Well Penelope Ward made me feel all types of things too. I can’t wait to read her other books!

I can assure you, this was my first stepbrother romance, and it wasn’t my last, but it’s still my favorite! If you haven’t read, are hesitant on reading the popular theme of taboo step-sibling romance these days, this is a good one to start, or try!

About Stepbrother Dearest

You’re not supposed to want the one who torments you.When my stepbrother, Elec, came to live with us my senior year, I wasn’t prepared for how much of a jerk he’d be.

I hated that he took it out on me because he didn’t want to be here.
I hated that he brought girls from our high school back to his room.
But what I hated the most was the unwanted way my body reacted to him.

At first, I thought all he had going for him were his rock-hard tattooed abs and chiseled face. Then, things started changing between us, and it all came to a head one night.

Just as quickly as he’d come into my life, he was gone back to California.

It had been years since I’d seen Elec.

When tragedy struck our family, I’d have to face him again.

And holy hell, the teenager who made me crazy was now a man that drove me insane.

I had a feeling my heart was about to get broken again.

Stepbrother Dearest is a standalone novel.

**Contains graphic sexual content and harsh language. It is only appropriate for adult readers age 18+

About Penelope Ward

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers. She spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family friendly career.

Penelope lives for reading books in the new adult genre, coffee and hanging out with her friends and family on weekends.

She is the proud mother of a beautiful 10-year-old girl with autism (the inspiration for the character Callie in Gemini) and a 8-year-old boy, both of whom are the lights of her life.

Penelope, her husband and kids reside in Rhode Island.

She is currently working on her fifth novel and loves friend requests from readers!

Website • Facebook • Goodreads

Ive heard good things about this one although the premise seems a bit uncomfortable to me. I kind of want to give it a chance though. Thanks for sharing your review. <3 Bee @ Bee Reads Books
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