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The Literacy Advocate
, August 11, 2015
(view all comments by The Literacy Advocate)
A FORBIDDEN FANTASY BECOMES REALITY IN STEPBROTHER, MINE
I read this book in three separate e-books as an electronic serial title.
Stepbrother Mine begins with Dana, a dedicated college student with aspirations for grad school, essentially being cut off by her mother and desperate for financial support. She decides to follow her best friend's advice and put herself up for "contract" on a website for rich men looking to purchase a no-strings-attached sexual experience with a virgin. Dana expects to get $50,000 out of this enterprise, but she's shocked to learn that her contract has been bought by none other than her stepbrother, a man whom she had an unforgettable teenage crush on and who, ten years her senior, disappeared from her life without a word after having become her best friend, protector, and confidante. We are introduced to stepbrother Mason in a rather awkward experience with one of his many subs; he has become bored with all of them, he tells us, even though he has a bevy of submissive beauties in his life on a regular basis, all of whom know and seem unconcerned that he sleeps with the others routinely. Mason, when surprising Dana at an arranged weekend tryst (after buying her contract), immediately falls back into the role of the honorable and heroic older stepbrother. He is unable to resist Dana's efforts to cajole him into a sexual relationship, but he tells her that he wants to take things slowly.
I liked these characters, and looked forward to seeing how Dana and Mason's relationship progressed. I was not impressed with Mason's behavior during his first appearance, and found his descriptions of his social and sex life to be unappealing. The alternating points of view are a big plus, allowing us to hear both Dana and Mason's perspectives. Part one is a solid start to an interesting three-part serial novel, and I'm convinced by Ms. Carew of the chemistry that her characters have together, and the emotions that run deep between them. The 66-page length of the first of three e-books (which make up the entire print book) had me anxious to read part two to see if Mason and Dana could find enough common ground to build a relationship (hopefully without the sub club!).
Parts two and three continue Dana and Mason's story. Dana struggles to reconcile her desire for Mason with his ambivalent behaviors; he wants Dana, but he constantly vacillates between his wish to make her his and his need to break things off with her for appearances' sake. He believes she will be shunned by everyone in their social circles, and become the victim of vicious gossip and backstabbing. Dana does seem to be the passive sort; although honest, she finds herself lacking the confidence to claim Mason, and often falls into emotional, tear-filled moods. The characterization of Mason did not effectively reconcile the two halves of Mason's personality; his Dom persona and his loving, protective older brother nature did not come together as a single personality. Despite the unevenness of the characters' behaviors, and a possibly too-heavy reliance on the sex scene included at the end of the novel, I did feel invested in these characters; I admired their honesty, courage, and commitment to each other. The strength of the bond of Dana and Mason's relationship with each other allowed me to be on board for their journey, anxious for them to find their HEA. In the end, I was not disappointed! Those romance readers who enjoy edgy behavior, taboo themes, BDSM play, and steamy sex scenes are sure to find a lot to enjoy in STEPBROTHER, MINE.
**I was granted a complimentary copy of STEPBROTHER, MINE by St. Martin's Griffin in exchange for my honest review.**
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