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jonetta's review
3.0
Freshman Kat Roberts has a chance encounter with the most gorgeous man in a Cambridge, England pub. Tristan Kingsley's also enchanted with her, ready to put his playboy behavior behind him. Kat's an American living in London with her father and she's attending University. Tristan is six years older and a member of the peerage. There's every reason for these two to stay miles apart from each other. And more to come.
I struggled through the first half of this story as it has one of my major pet peeves...lots of dialogue interrupted with pages of musings between responses. I had to do some serious skimming to avoid leaving this as a DNF. It's a style of storytelling that I consistently have a tough time working through.
I also didn't realize the heroine was only 19-years old so there were aspects that were just not mature enough for my tastes. However, this is a tale of two books...the first half and the second.
The first half was laborious for the reasons I stated above, not because it was poorly written or edited...just a difference in taste and style. The second half read more fluidly and was much more interesting. The ending, indeed, hooked me and provided more dimensions to the characters who earlier felt like caricatures. It ends on a cliffhanger, where I'd thought the book would start so I guess I'm in for the series.
I'm hoping the next two in the series continues the momentum developed after the first half of this story. It saved what I thought was going to be a disappointing read. And, I liked the American view of British culture and vernacular. It rang true.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
I struggled through the first half of this story as it has one of my major pet peeves...lots of dialogue interrupted with pages of musings between responses. I had to do some serious skimming to avoid leaving this as a DNF. It's a style of storytelling that I consistently have a tough time working through.
I also didn't realize the heroine was only 19-years old so there were aspects that were just not mature enough for my tastes. However, this is a tale of two books...the first half and the second.
The first half was laborious for the reasons I stated above, not because it was poorly written or edited...just a difference in taste and style. The second half read more fluidly and was much more interesting. The ending, indeed, hooked me and provided more dimensions to the characters who earlier felt like caricatures. It ends on a cliffhanger, where I'd thought the book would start so I guess I'm in for the series.
I'm hoping the next two in the series continues the momentum developed after the first half of this story. It saved what I thought was going to be a disappointing read. And, I liked the American view of British culture and vernacular. It rang true.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
jaimereadsromance's review
3.0
3.5 Stars
This was a very fast-paced story and I was able to read it pretty quickly. It read a lot like an insta-love romance but there was never really a declaration of love so technically I guess it was just a VERY strong instant attraction.
I liked the characters but never really felt the connection between them. I think that the secrets and desires that they shared with each other were supposed to be deep and meaningful and give the feeling that they share an intimacy with one another that they hadn't found before but what they revealed didn't seem that compelling to me.
I can already hear the complaints from readers about how easily Kat gave up her virginity to Tristan after holding onto it for so long but I'm a firm believer that sometimes when a person is ready, they are just ready. This story is a bit cliché but the way that the stepbrother situation plays into it is one of the better versions of a stepbrother romance that I've read. The way it comes about is a lot less icky.
This wasn't a story that really captured my full attention but I can't help but wonder if mood didn't play a factor in my opinion. Although this wasn't a story I LOVED, it definitely has me intrigued to the point that I NEED to know what happens next.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
This was a very fast-paced story and I was able to read it pretty quickly. It read a lot like an insta-love romance but there was never really a declaration of love so technically I guess it was just a VERY strong instant attraction.
I liked the characters but never really felt the connection between them. I think that the secrets and desires that they shared with each other were supposed to be deep and meaningful and give the feeling that they share an intimacy with one another that they hadn't found before but what they revealed didn't seem that compelling to me.
I can already hear the complaints from readers about how easily Kat gave up her virginity to Tristan after holding onto it for so long but I'm a firm believer that sometimes when a person is ready, they are just ready. This story is a bit cliché but the way that the stepbrother situation plays into it is one of the better versions of a stepbrother romance that I've read. The way it comes about is a lot less icky.
This wasn't a story that really captured my full attention but I can't help but wonder if mood didn't play a factor in my opinion. Although this wasn't a story I LOVED, it definitely has me intrigued to the point that I NEED to know what happens next.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
jenmaybe's review
1.0
He spent one night with her and then bought a $1500 book for her? Nope, that was the straw that broke the camels back.
bookbriefs's review against another edition
3.0
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: http://bookbriefs.net**Forbidden is the first in a new, new adult serial romance. Set at Cambridge university, I was first drawn to this series, before I even knew the name of the series. I am normally not one for future brother/stepsister trope books, but the main character completely won me over. So when I realized the series was called Her British Stepbrother, I was already knee deep in the story and totally engrossed. No way was I backing out. And boy am I ever glad that I didn't. I really enjoyed this story, and cannot wait to continue on with the serial.
Forbidden, and I presuming the entire series, is told in dual narrative between our two main characters, Kat and Tristan. Kat stole the show for me. I loved her personality. Forbidden is a decadent story, but through it all Kat shone through. Even though this was completely out of her normal persona, Author Lauren Smith did an excellent job placing Kat in this new situation and both making her seem completely like herself, and not out of place at all. That is not something easily accomplished. And then there is Tristan. What, oh what should I do with you Tristan? I had to respect his driven in his pursuit of Kat. He was certainly single minded, but he was also extremely thoughtful. He actually surprised me how much thought he put into wooing Kat in a way that she would appreciate. (That is always a big thumbs up from me.)
I probably will wait until the next two parts comes out so I can read them back to back, as that is my preferred method with serials, but I am really glad that I read this first book now because I am not sure that I would have picked up the series once they were all released and I saw that this was a new brother/stepbrother trope. And that would have been a shame, because I would have been missing out on a well written, and deliciously fun read.
Bottom line: if you love new adult romances set in college with smart characters and great writing, this is a good serial for you to check out. And if you are fans of hot British men, you will not be able to resist Tristan. Forbidden is a great read.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
Forbidden, and I presuming the entire series, is told in dual narrative between our two main characters, Kat and Tristan. Kat stole the show for me. I loved her personality. Forbidden is a decadent story, but through it all Kat shone through. Even though this was completely out of her normal persona, Author Lauren Smith did an excellent job placing Kat in this new situation and both making her seem completely like herself, and not out of place at all. That is not something easily accomplished. And then there is Tristan. What, oh what should I do with you Tristan? I had to respect his driven in his pursuit of Kat. He was certainly single minded, but he was also extremely thoughtful. He actually surprised me how much thought he put into wooing Kat in a way that she would appreciate. (That is always a big thumbs up from me.)
I probably will wait until the next two parts comes out so I can read them back to back, as that is my preferred method with serials, but I am really glad that I read this first book now because I am not sure that I would have picked up the series once they were all released and I saw that this was a new brother/stepbrother trope. And that would have been a shame, because I would have been missing out on a well written, and deliciously fun read.
Bottom line: if you love new adult romances set in college with smart characters and great writing, this is a good serial for you to check out. And if you are fans of hot British men, you will not be able to resist Tristan. Forbidden is a great read.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
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