Romance book reviews. Reviews of books that make my heart race, have a beautiful love story, and a happy ending.

Romance book reviews. Reviews of books that make my heart race, have a beautiful love story, and a happy ending.

Aestas Book Database
Book Review — Stepbrother Dearest by Penelope Ward

Book Review — Stepbrother Dearest by Penelope Ward

by · 178 Comments

“I loved this girl, and I couldn’t do anything about it.” 

WOW!! I was hooked on this book from the moment I started it and I could not put it down until the end!! An angsty, unconventional love story and such a roller coaster! It was absolutely unputdownable.

When Greta’s stepbrother came to live with them during her senior year, she never expected him to be such a jerk, and she certainly never expected to feel so drawn to him. He was stunning. Gorgeous. Hot. Tattooed and pierced (yes, there!!) with bad habits and a bad attitude to match. And yet she sensed something behind his abrasive behaviour… something that showed her a vulnerability and hurt that she could see was eating away at him, and she was determined to get through to him one way or another.

He was rude, he lashed out with his words, paraded girls in front of her, and toyed with her emotions… and yet the next moment he was putting himself in harms way to protect her. One thing was certain: there was more to Elec  than met the eye.

Once they got past their initial differences, he made it still clear that there were some lines he would not cross. And once she got to know him it became clear that underneath all the anger that he showed the world was a guy with a very good heart who wanted her just as much as she wanted him.

“You’re the only girl in the entire world that’s forbidden, and fuck me if that doesn’t make me want you more than anything.”

But just when things were looking up, one night and one phone call changed everything. Forever. And just as quickly as he entered her life, he was gone again. And she didn’t see him again for seven years.

When a family tragedy brought them both back home, they were both shocked to see how some things (heartbreaking things) had changed so much and others hadn’t changed even one bit.

This is a sexy, angst-filled story of first love and forbidden desires. It’s a story with imperfect people who sometimes choose wrong. It’s a story with heart break and angst, but also with healing and growth. And most of all it’s a story of learning to follow your heart. Sometimes, you just have to listen to your heart.

“I want to be the only one to show you everything and to be the one you’ll always remember for the rest of your life.”

 

Oh my gosh, their reunion just punched me in the gut. Again. And again. And again. That little twist. My poor heart was just shredded. But at the same time, I understood what had happened. It made sense given the timeline… but it didn’t make it one but easier to read.

“I know I’m not supposed to care. But when it comes to you, what I’m supposed to be feeling has never seemed to matter.”

There are no good stopping points in this book and it keeps you desperate to find out what happens next. But especially from about 54% on til the end, I’m pretty sure I didn’t move once from my spot on the couch and just sat there madly flipping pages and devouring the story.

“I’m… fighting the urge to back you up against this wall and fuck you so hard that I’ll have to carry you back to your room.”

This is the kind of book where, once you start reading, you’ll want to cancel all your plans for the rest of the day so that you can just keep reading it. I loved the way the author incorporated both sides of the story. It was a very unique way to show the dual POV and I thought it really worked well for this. There was so much that I loved about the story but it also wasn’t perfect for me. There were some things (in the second half) that I might have wanted a little differently but they didn’t stop me from loving the story and there’s really no doubt that this book was completely unputdownable!!

If you want a sexy, unique, unconventional romance to fall in love with, try this one!!

Rating: 4.5 stars. Standalone New Adult Romance.

STEPBROTHER DEAREST penelope ward

___________________________________

SIGNED GIVEAWAY – NOW CLOSED

Open Internationally. Void where prohibited by law. Must be over 18 to enter.
3 winners will signed copies of Stepbrother Dearest.

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Comments

  4. Started reading while the kids were in school, cooked dinner and I was reading, went to the bathroom and I was reading, husband was watching football and I was reading. OMG it’s 4 am and I’m done!!!! What a great book, thx Aesta for recommending it, I know I can always count on you!

    Reply

  5. I love that word ‘unputdownable’, and, as always loved your review! I’m reading this one, for sure. I’ve been reading a lot of books that you recommend and I love most of them all!!
    You’re great Aestas.

    Reply

  6. I have read over 100 books this year along from 50 shades arthors voice and everything in between and this book is by far my favorite of all… im so in love with this book… thank you so much…

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  30. Omg, I really, REALLY want this book on paperback in my hands *sigh*
    It was sexy, funny and unique. I totally loved.
    Thanks for the chance 🙂

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  36. I’ve been reading a lot of good reviews about this book. It’ll be next on my reading list. Thank you for the chance! 🙂

    Reply

  38. All my friends, book clubs, blogs are talking about this book and I think I’m the last person standing who hasn’t read it as yet

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  53. This book is by far my BEST read of the 2nd half of the year!!! I couldn’t put it down (well I had to because I had to sleep at least 3 hours before going to work). But I read it in 2 sittings. It’s a definite MUST-READ!!

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  55. Penelope is one of my go to authors I’ve read a few of her books and loved every one of them. Stepbrother Dearest is no exception. I absolutely loved this book and fell in love with Elec. I read this in one sitting it was that good, a real page turn I could not put it down.

    Reply

  58. I love love loved this book . I stayed up all night just to finish it …. would love to win a signed copy so I can have Elec in my hands 🙂

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  59. Ohhh this book was soooo good love, love, love Elec. This is the kind of book you should’t start before bed and you have to wake up early to work trust me I went to work without sleep but it was so worth it. Thanks for the chance awesome giveaway 😉

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  63. This is the best book Ive read all year!! Penelope is one of my favorites!!!! I could not wait for it to come out!!!! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win this and add it to my collection!!!!!!! Thank you so much for the chance!! Aestas is one of my favorites too!! Thanks for being so great!!! XoXo

    Reply

  69. I fell so hard in love with elec! He is such a perfect book boyfriend!!! I love this book so much it makes me laugh, cry and want to scream it was a emotional roller coaster. I will deffiently be re-reading this for many times to come I hope to read more from you!!!

    Reply

  71. I read the book and I looooovvvvedddd it! I read it in one sitting, I just couldn’t put it down. I would love to win one copy, that would be amazing.

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  72. I have read the book and loved it. Read it in one sitting, couldn’t put it down. Thanks for the chance!

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  77. LOVE LOVE LOVE both the quotes you used and your review and the awesome author!! Awesome concept for a romance 🙂

    thank you so very much 🙂

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  78. I’m told to be ready for a book hangover with this one!!! Looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  79. Not read yet but heard so many great things bout it, This is such an awesome giveaway thank you for the chance, Finger’s crossed.

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  95. I absolutely loved this book. It is by far one of my all time favorites. Definitely top 3. LOVE Elec!!

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  104. I loved this book!
    This is definitely a book I would love to have physically!
    Thank you for this awesome giveaway
    *Fingers Crossed*

    Reply

  122. Reading the book on my kindle slowly. don’t like reading on my kindle. gives me a headache. want the print copy of the book.

    Reply

  137. I have to tell you I deal with Alzeimers residents all day so when I get home all I do is read! I loved this book and can’t wait to read more from you! Thanks for the chance to win!!

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  139. Loved this book. It grabs you from the very beginning and even when it ends you can’t stop thinking about it.

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  144. This book gave me my first book hang over. I cant stop thinking about it. I keep telling my friends to read this book. I could NOT put it down

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  145. Sounds like I will have to make sure I start this on a weekend so I won’t have to worry about waking up the next day when I can’t stop reading it! 🙂

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  146. I was at home sick the day the book came out, and was able to read it in one sitting. It sucked that I was sick, bit it didn’t matter I loved the book! Oh Elec, I wish I had one of him to myself. It was a gut punch, when they met a couple of years later. I know a book gets to me when the back of my neck gets hot from what’s happening in the book, and it was fantastic! Just reading Greta going through it, I don’t think I would of had her grace. I can’t wait to read it again!

    Reply

  156. I read Stepbrother Dearest and you are absolute right it was unputdownable!!
    I couldn’t get over Elec, and had the biggest grin on my face the whole time I read it, I really didn’t know what to do with myself once I finished reading it 🙂

    Reply

  160. I LOVE these kinds of stories, I know it’s kind of a taboo subject matter, but you can’t help who you fall in love with! Thanks for the chance to read!

    Reply

  162. Thank you so so much for the chance! You guys are simply amazing and I would so love to win this book!!

    Reply

  165. Wow! This was not the storyline I was expecting. I loved that the author added his thoughts behind all of his actions into the book and the prologue was one of the best. I don’t often do this but I read the prologue three times just because I couldn’t let it go.

    Reply

  167. I recently discovered your blog. I’ve loved every book you recommended, but sadly not this one. The writing seemed very immature to me. Sorry!

    Reply

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