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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
“You’re the only thing I’ve wanted in so long that I can barely find a reason to breathe without you.”
Laurelin Paige's latest release takes the ongoing Sebastian family feud to new heights, delivering a soapbox brimming with intrigue. If you crave sizzling drama, the "Brutal Billionaire" series is a must-read. While "Brutal Secret" (book 2) can be enjoyed as a standalone, I found it even more interesting due to the foundation laid in book 1.
Reid Sebastian and Emmalina find themselves on the brink of a one-night stand, with Lina secretly hoping to surrender her v-card to Reid. However, their encounter takes an unexpected turn, and they part ways.
Fate, it seems, has other plans, reuniting them at her mother's wedding to Reid's uncle. Not only do they become step-cousins by marriage, but they also find themselves entrenched on opposing sides of the family feud. As their paths continually cross at family gatherings, the tension simmers, their attraction intensifies, and they eventually decide to explore their undeniable chemistry and connection—but in secret.
Or is it a secret at all? Bwaa haaaa haa….Laurelin Paige masterfully weaves one of her most entertaining stories yet. Reid and Lina's journey to a happily ever after isn't just a forbidden romance (despite the age gap, it never feels cringey), it's a delightful blend of amusement and humour. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Reid — the alpha billionaire who usually gets his way — falling head over heels for a quirky and flirtatious gal and all-around sweetheart that is Lina. Oh how I’d love to see this pair onscreen. Their scenes together are sizzling and I just don’t know how Laurelin will top this in the next book of this series.
Thanks to the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Laurelin Paige's latest release takes the ongoing Sebastian family feud to new heights, delivering a soapbox brimming with intrigue. If you crave sizzling drama, the "Brutal Billionaire" series is a must-read. While "Brutal Secret" (book 2) can be enjoyed as a standalone, I found it even more interesting due to the foundation laid in book 1.
Reid Sebastian and Emmalina find themselves on the brink of a one-night stand, with Lina secretly hoping to surrender her v-card to Reid. However, their encounter takes an unexpected turn, and they part ways.
Fate, it seems, has other plans, reuniting them at her mother's wedding to Reid's uncle. Not only do they become step-cousins by marriage, but they also find themselves entrenched on opposing sides of the family feud. As their paths continually cross at family gatherings, the tension simmers, their attraction intensifies, and they eventually decide to explore their undeniable chemistry and connection—but in secret.
Or is it a secret at all? Bwaa haaaa haa….Laurelin Paige masterfully weaves one of her most entertaining stories yet. Reid and Lina's journey to a happily ever after isn't just a forbidden romance (despite the age gap, it never feels cringey), it's a delightful blend of amusement and humour. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Reid — the alpha billionaire who usually gets his way — falling head over heels for a quirky and flirtatious gal and all-around sweetheart that is Lina. Oh how I’d love to see this pair onscreen. Their scenes together are sizzling and I just don’t know how Laurelin will top this in the next book of this series.
Thanks to the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. This is the first book I've read by this author. I will definitely read more!
Brutal Secret follows Lina who is desperate to become more…experienced so she decides to have a random one night stand with the hot bartender at a club. Reid doesn’t want to get attached to anyone and the last thing he needs is an inexperienced woman latching on to him. Things don’t go as planned on their one night together and the two part ways, hoping to it see each other again. But that doesn’t work out too well when they run into each other at a wedding and find out they may be stuck with one another a little longer.
That is the bare bones synopsis. This book was so fun. A bit taboo and a lot of spice, this was the exact book I needed when I read it. I’m in my billionaire romance era so I have been absolutely devouring them lately and this one has a different spin on it. Lina was such a great FMC. She was funny and had me cracking up especially at the beginning. The felt really grumpy/sunshine without going too far. This was also a really quick read for how many pages it had. I liked the bit of family politics we got because it added a dash of tension to the story. This is also a book that is a bit of a slowburn because you can feel how much these characters want to be together from the first page they are both on but they keep resisting!
If you like age gap, forbidden, or billionaire romances, check this out. It’s the second book in a series but you don’t have to read the first book to enjoy this one.
That is the bare bones synopsis. This book was so fun. A bit taboo and a lot of spice, this was the exact book I needed when I read it. I’m in my billionaire romance era so I have been absolutely devouring them lately and this one has a different spin on it. Lina was such a great FMC. She was funny and had me cracking up especially at the beginning. The felt really grumpy/sunshine without going too far. This was also a really quick read for how many pages it had. I liked the bit of family politics we got because it added a dash of tension to the story. This is also a book that is a bit of a slowburn because you can feel how much these characters want to be together from the first page they are both on but they keep resisting!
If you like age gap, forbidden, or billionaire romances, check this out. It’s the second book in a series but you don’t have to read the first book to enjoy this one.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved Lina and Reid so much. The banter, s3xual tension, and over chemistry was so good too. I was sucked in. Nothing like a good age gap (12 years) and forbidden romance.
I absolutely loved and completely devoured this book! This beautiful romance seduced me from page one, and held me captive with its raw and honest emotions, and I could not put it down! I laughed out loud, I cried, I swooned, and I begged for more! Lina and Reid have a passionate encounter, not knowing who the other was. When Reid suddenly walks away, Lina is embarrassed and hurt. Now months later, they discover that they are now connected, when her mother marries his uncle. Unfortunately, the feud between his father and his uncle is fierce enough to make them completely off-limits for each other. Except their fiery attraction and explosive chemistry makes it impossible for them to stay away from each other. But when brutal secrets are revealed, will they be strong enough to fight for each other, or will they lose everything, including their hearts? I fell so hard for Lina and Reid, two beautifully flawed characters who are so perfect together, as they make each other stronger. Lina is now one of my very favorite heroines! She is awkward, hilarious, and spirited, always standing up for herself. I laughed out loud so many times at her inner musings and ramblings. Reid is so deliciously dirty, and so swoony when he just smiled and enjoyed Lina's quirks. She was a breath of fresh air for him after not being able to trust anyone. I love getting to know the Sebastian family more, and how all the cousins fit together.
Vanessa Edwin, and Jason Clarke are absolutely perfect as Lina and Reid. Edwin's portrayal of Lina with all her awkward quirks and enthusiasm was fantastic. Clarke's deep voice is not only incredibly sexy, but his intonation and emotions are flawless, making me understand, and fall even harder for Reid. I love both of their voice changes, and their performances, as they brought these wonderful characters and passionate story to life.
This is a beautifully written love story with deep heartfelt emotion, honest characters, and hot, sizzling love scenes. I absolutely loved every moment and wanted to listen to it all over again immediately! This is a top listen for me and I can't recommend this book highly enough!
Vanessa Edwin, and Jason Clarke are absolutely perfect as Lina and Reid. Edwin's portrayal of Lina with all her awkward quirks and enthusiasm was fantastic. Clarke's deep voice is not only incredibly sexy, but his intonation and emotions are flawless, making me understand, and fall even harder for Reid. I love both of their voice changes, and their performances, as they brought these wonderful characters and passionate story to life.
This is a beautifully written love story with deep heartfelt emotion, honest characters, and hot, sizzling love scenes. I absolutely loved every moment and wanted to listen to it all over again immediately! This is a top listen for me and I can't recommend this book highly enough!
I absolutely loved and completely devoured this book! This beautiful romance seduced me from page one, and held me captive with its raw and honest emotions, and I could not put it down! I laughed out loud, I cried, I swooned, and I begged for more! Lina and Reid have a passionate encounter, not knowing who the other was. When Reid suddenly walks away, Lina is embarrassed and hurt. Now months later, they discover that they are now connected, when her mother marries his uncle. Unfortunately, the feud between his father and his uncle is fierce enough to make them completely off-limits for each other. Except their fiery attraction and explosive chemistry makes it impossible for them to stay away from each other. But when brutal secrets are revealed, will they be strong enough to fight for each other, or will they lose everything, including their hearts? I fell so hard for Lina and Reid, two beautifully flawed characters who are so perfect together, as they make each other stronger. Lina is now one of my very favorite heroines! She is awkward, hilarious, and spirited, always standing up for herself. I laughed out loud so many times at her inner musings, and rambling. Reid is so deliciously dirty, and so swoony when he just smiled and enjoyed Lina's quirks. She was a breath of fresh air for him after not being able to trust anyone. I love getting to know the Sebastian family more, and how all the cousins fit together. This is a beautifully written love story with deep heartfelt emotion, honest characters, and hot, sizzling love scenes. I absolutely loved every moment and wanted to read it all over again immediately! This is a top read for me and I can't recommend this book highly enough!
Super Sweet!
Reid and Lina are adorable together. Between the age gap, dad jokes and diarrhea mouth these two stole my heart. I've become obsessed with the Sebastian family!
Reid and Lina are adorable together. Between the age gap, dad jokes and diarrhea mouth these two stole my heart. I've become obsessed with the Sebastian family!
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed the plot of this one! Their relationship was forbidden, we are getting more info of the feud between Samuel and Raynard. Both are sucky dads, but Raynard really takes the cake. Reid was the billionaire playboy on the surface, while really just being lonely until he can get his inheritance. In all honesty his hesitation with Lena was pretty understandable. I liked him. Lena, honestly just got on my nerves. She was a babbling idiot 90% of the time. Reid and their plot kept me invested. Also the birthday present at the end of was so lame. I did not love that at all. Even with the angst in book one I liked it more than Lena, she brought this book down with her annoying personality.
Read:🎧
MMC: Reid Sebastian
FMC: Lena
Spice: 3🌶️
Tropes: Billionaire, Virgin h, Age Gap (12 years), Step Cousins, Forbidden
Read:🎧
MMC: Reid Sebastian
FMC: Lena
Spice: 3🌶️
Tropes: Billionaire, Virgin h, Age Gap (12 years), Step Cousins, Forbidden