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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you Must Love Audio for my ALC.
It's been a hot minute since I read a Penelope Ward book, and when I found out that Christian Fox AND Andi Arndt narrate the audiobook, I immediately requested an ALC. Okay so right off the bat, the narration is truly excellent. These are two of my favourite narrators and they can make anything sound good. It's unfortunate that this story was just not for me.
Stepbrother Dearest begins when Greta and Elec are both 17 years old. Elec moves in with his father, Greta, and Greta's mom, and he's not happy about it. She's a good girl and he's a bad boy. They're stepsiblings living in the same house. Great set up. Part 1 of this book takes place when Greta and Elec are both 17 and 18 years old. They fall in love, stuff happens, and they get separated. Part 2 takes place 7 years later after their separation when a sudden event brings them in each other's lives again.
*SIGH* I could've liked this. I get what the author was trying to accomplish with Elec and Greta. She was going for the whole soulmate thing—that no matter how hard Elec and Great might try to move on with other people, they will always belong to each other and their love will always remain superior. The author tried to create a contemporary fated mates romance with "the one that got away" with the "it's always been you." But it just didn't work for me. It felt like a poor version of Coop and Jess from In My Dreams I Hold A Knife. Coop and Jess are not stepsiblings, but their story does have some similarities that were better executed, IMO.
Greta and Elec sounded like they never grew up even though they were supposed to be adults now. Elec, in particular, suffered from character regression. I get that he was going through a difficult time and that coming back home will always bring back past trauma, but I just disliked his attitude overall. There were a lot of "not like other girls" moments in this book that didn't sit well with me. I'm sorry, but Greta ain't special.
There were also a few things that made me scratch my head in confusion. Like why are both Greta and Elec always going around telling strangers their story? Why is Chelsea (Elec's girlfriend) telling Greta about her sex life with Elec? It was all so very absurd. This entire book felt so odd. Part 1 was decent enough, but Part 2 just fell apart. Oh and there's a total soap opera plot twist at the end that made me feel like I was watching a Kdrama makjang 😂
It's been a hot minute since I read a Penelope Ward book, and when I found out that Christian Fox AND Andi Arndt narrate the audiobook, I immediately requested an ALC. Okay so right off the bat, the narration is truly excellent. These are two of my favourite narrators and they can make anything sound good. It's unfortunate that this story was just not for me.
Stepbrother Dearest begins when Greta and Elec are both 17 years old. Elec moves in with his father, Greta, and Greta's mom, and he's not happy about it. She's a good girl and he's a bad boy. They're stepsiblings living in the same house. Great set up. Part 1 of this book takes place when Greta and Elec are both 17 and 18 years old. They fall in love, stuff happens, and they get separated. Part 2 takes place 7 years later after their separation when a sudden event brings them in each other's lives again.
*SIGH* I could've liked this. I get what the author was trying to accomplish with Elec and Greta. She was going for the whole soulmate thing—that no matter how hard Elec and Great might try to move on with other people, they will always belong to each other and their love will always remain superior. The author tried to create a contemporary fated mates romance with "the one that got away" with the "it's always been you." But it just didn't work for me. It felt like a poor version of Coop and Jess from In My Dreams I Hold A Knife. Coop and Jess are not stepsiblings, but their story does have some similarities that were better executed, IMO.
Greta and Elec sounded like they never grew up even though they were supposed to be adults now. Elec, in particular, suffered from character regression. I get that he was going through a difficult time and that coming back home will always bring back past trauma, but I just disliked his attitude overall. There were a lot of "not like other girls" moments in this book that didn't sit well with me. I'm sorry, but Greta ain't special.
There were also a few things that made me scratch my head in confusion. Like why are both Greta and Elec always going around telling strangers their story? Why is Chelsea (Elec's girlfriend) telling Greta about her sex life with Elec? It was all so very absurd. This entire book felt so odd. Part 1 was decent enough, but Part 2 just fell apart. Oh and there's a total soap opera plot twist at the end that made me feel like I was watching a Kdrama makjang 😂
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sully was one of my favorite side characters in the whole world!
**arc received in exchange for an honest review and blog tour!**
5+ Stars I LOVED THIS BOOK!! My Full Review
I want to give this book 10 Stars...I loved it SO much. Love doesn’t even seem like a strong enough term to properly cover the way it took over my day. Once I started I couldn’t stop…it had every element that I adore and more. Angst, an asshole that just needs the right person to see them, a simple yet completely true girl and add a sexual tension that can be felt right through the pages, and you get one of my favorite reads of the year so far!
Elec and Greta were fierce in their emotions, in what they thought was right and where their hearts belonged. Those beliefs did not always lead them the way I wanted them to go, but they always knew that what they shared was different, was real and wasn’t easy. My heart broke, fluttered and swooned many times through out reading their story…as did both of theirs many…many times!
You feel every emotion that is penned as if you are living it, only to realize that you are so wrapped up in something fictional; it all seemed too real, too raw and too much to not fall head over heels. The want, need and complete devotion shown not only through Greta’s eyes but finally through Elec’s can’t be ignored, I believe it can crack the hardest of reading hearts!
I can’t stop thinking about these two and re-reading the parts that made me smile, mad and all out crazy. I recommend this book to anyone that loves a great love story that spans time, hearts, friendship and the knowledge that sometimes your someone is in the last place you thought you would find them.
For more reviews good times and lots of laughs join us at Two Unruly Girls FB Page
5+ Stars I LOVED THIS BOOK!! My Full Review
I want to give this book 10 Stars...I loved it SO much. Love doesn’t even seem like a strong enough term to properly cover the way it took over my day. Once I started I couldn’t stop…it had every element that I adore and more. Angst, an asshole that just needs the right person to see them, a simple yet completely true girl and add a sexual tension that can be felt right through the pages, and you get one of my favorite reads of the year so far!
Elec and Greta were fierce in their emotions, in what they thought was right and where their hearts belonged. Those beliefs did not always lead them the way I wanted them to go, but they always knew that what they shared was different, was real and wasn’t easy. My heart broke, fluttered and swooned many times through out reading their story…as did both of theirs many…many times!
You feel every emotion that is penned as if you are living it, only to realize that you are so wrapped up in something fictional; it all seemed too real, too raw and too much to not fall head over heels. The want, need and complete devotion shown not only through Greta’s eyes but finally through Elec’s can’t be ignored, I believe it can crack the hardest of reading hearts!
I can’t stop thinking about these two and re-reading the parts that made me smile, mad and all out crazy. I recommend this book to anyone that loves a great love story that spans time, hearts, friendship and the knowledge that sometimes your someone is in the last place you thought you would find them.
For more reviews good times and lots of laughs join us at Two Unruly Girls FB Page
I mean… it was okay? I’m not sure what I was expecting but this felt flat in every way. Probably won’t be reaching for another Penelope Ward book, which is a shame because I do quite like her & Vi Keeland’s projects together.
Quick and satisfying read
Obviously the premise behind this story is considered a bit taboo by many, but you have to remember that Elec and Greta didn’t grow up together and are not related through blood.
The smut wasn’t overbearing which is a good thing, but I kind of felt the pace of the book was a bit rushed. It was a very fast read - one that you could easily ready in just a few hours. I would recommend for those who are interested in a fast-paced, sexy and slightly taboo read!
Obviously the premise behind this story is considered a bit taboo by many, but you have to remember that Elec and Greta didn’t grow up together and are not related through blood.
The smut wasn’t overbearing which is a good thing, but I kind of felt the pace of the book was a bit rushed. It was a very fast read - one that you could easily ready in just a few hours. I would recommend for those who are interested in a fast-paced, sexy and slightly taboo read!
Perfect!
I really enjoyed this book, I couldn't put it down. Elec's history blew me away. This book had love, laughter, anger, tears, and every emotion in between. Can't wait to read the next book.
I really enjoyed this book, I couldn't put it down. Elec's history blew me away. This book had love, laughter, anger, tears, and every emotion in between. Can't wait to read the next book.