Member Reviews
I feel the need, every time I read a book by Calista Fox, to say how well written it is and how grown up I feel when I read these, sexy as sin, menage books. The Stepbrothers is no exception.
The story is exciting in more than the usual sexy ways with the beautiful Scarlet being an insurance fraud investigator and delving into our hunky, sexy Stepbrothers, Michael and Sam's family, over a claim from an art theft. Things heat up between Scarlet and the men individually at first, but these men have a history of sharing women and things soon heat up.
Scarlet having two girl friends in menage relationships already obviously helps the thought process in this life style choice (obviously I'm looking for friends in the wrong places!) These men are just so .... Y.U.M! I want two!
Calista knows how to incinerate your knickers and get your brain working to try and discover the true reason behind the art theft. This is an an excellent addition to the series.
As always I want to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing us with a copy of these books so that we could bring you this review.
I have another favorite author who I would fill my menage fantasies. Yes I love Calista and how well she writes her love triangles. One of the other things that I so enjoy with these books is that they still have a little bit of action. There are moments in both these books that my heart breaks and I want to comfort our heroins. Bayli was able to make her dreams come true in going out in a limb for what she wants in another state away from her friends. I love her mind, her thirst for research is amazing. This helps Scarlet get what she needs and helps her find her own threesome happily ever after.
I gave these books 5 kisses.
Happy reading... Adri
First of all, thank you to the folks at both Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC - i'm clearly a fan of this series and am so happy to have it a few months ahead of time.
For those of you who have read the previous 2 installments in the series, you kind of get a sense of where this one is going. We know the struggles that Jewel had with business and then her two lovers - but that seemed to work out. Then there's Bayli and her struggle with living her own life and then enter her two sexy men who righted everything as it needed to be.
So where does Scarlet's story go. We know that she's a fraud investigator and a good one - hot on the trail of trying to solve the mystery of a stolen collection of art. That takes her to one man in particular - Michael - who seems to have it all but potentially has a lot to hide.
This story goes in fast and furious when these two finally meet face to face - he's a hard man to track down, and all thoughts of Scarlet's go out the window when she sees him in person. He's a force to be reckoned with - powerful, controlling and incredibly sexy. That almost derails her but she still manage to dig a bit deeper. While one part of her mind wants to put him off the suspect list, the other part isn't so sure. What happens though is that their chemistry is so intense that even after 2 years of avoiding men, she falls into bed with him and their connection seems to be something so much more. so let's pause that for a second.
Enter Sam, Michael's step brother and a new suspect on the list. Scarlet goes out to Montana to track him down and find out what he knows about the stolen art, and well, whatever we thought she had with Michael - it's the same with Sam. And she quickly learns that maybe there's something more in line with what her friend have with their men when she learns that these two guys have an alibi that includes the same woman/women.
So our story goes from there. We see how the heat and sparks aren't unique to just one set of the couple and they are able to consider something more complicated. The other bit is that these sparks lead them all down a path of finding more secrets about the family than anyone ever knew.
I have to say that i knew fairly early on who was in control of the art theft, however the complexities that came along with it, the back story etc - that was all completely left field and random. I think that it's to the congratulation of our author that she's able to weave those bits it, just to keep things more exciting.
What we learn in this story is that people aren't always what they seem and there's often so much more under the surface that you shouldn't discount it off the bat. I feel like there was a lot of healing done for a lot of folks while along the way there's a LOT of really hot and passionate sex. All in all a great culmination to the series that i've enjoyed over the past months. I hope you guys give it a read when it's available.
Scarlet Drake loves to solve a mystery and she's good at it. When she take a job for an insurance company she has no idea it would put her in between tow of the hottest men shes's known, or that it could completely destroy what they hold so dear.
Ms Fox keeps you guessing about the mystery to the very end, but puts so much story in between that the pages fly by..
I didn't love it and I didn't hate it.
As with the last book in this series, the threesome scenes were HOT. However, I failed to feel that a connection was made between Scarlet and Michael. It wasn't until the very end of the book did I sense they had something together but even then it wasn't nearly as strong as the author was portraying.
Now the connection between Scarlet and Sam....that was off the charts! From the beginning they both had compassion and empathy for one another. They bonded over a past filled with losses and heartache. Whereas from the beginning the bond between Scarlet and Michael was based on physical need. I also struggled with Scarlet jumping so quickly into bed with Sam with very little guilt or concern that she had slept with his step brother only days before.
I will say I liked the ending of the mystery and how it played out.
Amazing book!! Absolutely loved it! Yet another epic read! Cannot wait for more of your work!!
While this is the third book in the Lover's Triangle series, it can definitely be read on its own. I have not read the other two in the series and I can safely say the plot of this book was not impacted at all by me not reading the other two. The only thing I missed was how Scarlet's friends each met their respective men. However, judging by how much I enjoyed this book I might just have to go back and read their stories! I really enjoyed that even though this story did feature a ménage romance, that was not the while focus of the story. Sure it played a big part, but there was also a "mystery" to be solved surrounding some stolen artwork. Scarlet is the insurance investigator looking into the theft and the suspects are the Vandenberg family. Unfortunately, Scarlet has feelings for two members of the family.
All in all a great story with plenty of steamy scenes, not all of which were ménage, plus a touch of suspense.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
Just by the description I thought I would like this book but within a few pages I was SURE I would love it!
"I carry a gun, Mr. Vandenberg. I'm also a certified Krav Mama instructor. I can break your hand without even breaking a sweat. And what I can do to your balls will put you in traction for a week. You're playing a very risky game with me right now"
Scarlet had endeared me to her from this moment on. I LOVE a strong heroine both emotionally and physically.
Michael knew this woman was different. Special. Unfortunately she was also trying to prove a case of insurance fraud that had his family in the hot seat. It didn't take long for Michael to brush his annoyance of this woman away.
"This woman was a drug and he was instantly addicted"
Scarlet fell for Michael just as hard and their one hot night wouldn't be enough. Unfortunately, they live a continent apart and she was still investigating his family. Her next interview, his step-brother Sam.
Scarlet rushes to Montana to meet with Sam. Time is of the essence due to the statute of limitations deadline fast approaching. Not used to the snow, Scarlet finds herself quickly in a ditch only to be saved by the man she is hunting for. He takes her back to his house until her car can be fixed but it doesn't take long for her to feel instantly attracted to this handsome, rugged, slightly sad cowboy. Mysteriously, of the first time since he lost his trust love, he too wants more than just the physical.
Scarlets dilema? She is equally attracted to 2 step-brothers whose family may or may not be guilty of $18 million of insurance fraud. Who will she pick? Does she have to pick? Do they want her? Can they forgive her? What will she find?
This is a great book of mystery, hot sex, secrets and even a little danger. I believe this is the 3rd book in a series but can be read completely as a stand alone. Enjoy!
This was probably my least favorite of her books, but the storyline seemed a little more developed. An easy read but it just seemed a little off.
Scarlet Drake has been hired to either catch an art thief, or prove that the art work wasn't stolen at all, and the owner chose to hide it momentarily to cash in on a big payday. The owner of the artwork is playing hard to get though, and has been dogging Scarlet at every turn, and she is beginning to wonder if his hiding out is a way of showing his guilt...but then she meets the handsome billionaire and quickly decides Michael is not her guy. That of course not long after she shares a heated night with him, and figures out that he just isn't that kind of man... so that means it's off to her next lead!
Which takes her to Montana to meet his step-brother Sam, whom also seems to have just pocketed a healthy sum of money... but after spending a little time with him she quickly decides it doesn't fit the bill either. He does however stir up some serious heat between them, and they quickly fall into bed... and Sam makes it known that he isn't ready to let her walk away. Both men are so different, and have so much to offer her, and it is nearly impossible for her to choose one over the other. Maybe she doesn't have to though... maybe they would be willing to share...
This enticing little story is full of intensity, mystery, drama, and some seriously hot sexy times that will have you needing a cold shower just to recover!! This is my second visit to this series and I have to say I really enjoyed this trip, Sam and Michael were quite the charmers, they had me swooning throughout. I also really enjoyed the suspenseful plot, it kept engaged and teetering on the edge of my seat, it was such a well rounded and satisfying read. I highly recommend you get your hands on this one, these two sexy alphas are sure to keep you entertained from start to finish!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.
I love a good menage love story, and Calista Fox always delivers!
Scarlet Drake is an insurance fraud investigator. Her new case regards a stolen art collection and she gets more than she bargained for. Thus ends up meeting Michael and his stepbrother Sam. To say it's lust at first sight is an understatement . . . The chemistry is off the walls, and the suspense had me on the edge of my seat!
Definitely my new favorite by Calista Fox, a perfect menage love story that all erotic lovers should read!
A fun story with smoky hot chemistry between the 3 main characters, who come together through mystery and suspense, only to later realise just how much they really do need each other. The plot was a little predictable at times yet it still held my interest right up until that ending. I'm really enjoying the books from these verses, looking forward to the next one. I really hope there is a next one.
What a great book! The story line is so much more that just a MFM romance and there is a lot of depth to these characters. Each character is dealing woth some massive tragic back story and to see how much they actually need each other to pull each other from the darkness that threatens to consume them makes this book fantastic! There are so many good parts to this book it is hard to pick just a few to put in this review. When Sam came to her rescue with Rudy in his truck, melt my heart hot guy who rescues the dog and then comes to the rescue of the girl, so swoon worth! The end of this book is just perfect! It could not have ended any better, my heart was breaking for them as I was devouring the final few chapters!
I really enjoyed this book, but not as much as book one from the series. The book was fairly paced and held my interest. It was steamy, as to be expected from a Calista Fox book, but had a good balance of plot/erotica.
I really didn't enjoy this book at all, don't know why I finished it. I didn't feel chemistry between any of the characters, and the mystery totally fell flat.
Michael and Sam are step brothers who sometimes share woman.....Scarlet is looking into an art theft from the guys family home.......she finds lies......SAMs real father and twin brother (which he's never known) passion and finally love. This book is steamy hot and filled with suspens. Another great book!!!!
I really enjoyed this story. I loved the characters and the menage with multiple characters.
Plus the bonus is there was a bit of mystery happening too.
Very good story. Highly recommend it!!
Scarlet Drake can't resist a puzzle. And she's got a doozy of one -- find out what happened to $18 million dollars of artwork before the statute of limitations is up. Unfortunately standing in her way are two blindingly handsome and sexy stepbrothers, Michael Vandenberg and Sam Reed. As she grows closer to the men, she can't help but feel torn between her duty to her client and the undeniable attraction she feels toward both men.
There's a certain suspension of disbelief one has to have with this book. Three best friends all entering ménage à trois is a little far-fetched, but it doesn't make the story any less fun. And it is fun. Scarlet is the sex-positive, intelligent, headstrong but still empathetic heroine we deserve. She knows who she is and what she wants and all of her conflicts come not from her flaws, but from her greatest strengths.
Every woman needs their own Sam Reed. The man is sensitive, caring, a good cook, good with animals, and considerate in bed. He's got aspects of both an alpha and beta male, and I honestly really liked him. Michael was fun, but I didn't connect to him in the same way I did Sam.
The overarching plot, find out what happened to the artwork, definitely drove the story. The hints toward the perpetrator were laid early on but still were surprising when actually revealed.
My biggest problem, and what ultimately knocked this down a star, was actually some of the sex. Specifically the anal sex. While I appreciated the author taking the time to mention that Scarlet had prepped herself in anticipation of having anal sex, that wasn't enough. Proper lube was not used in several situations which had me wincing, not enjoying, those scenes, and there wasn't enough preparation for one of the later acts... which was compounded by the lack of lube. The vaginal, oral, and foreplay were all well-written and hot. Which is why was so disappointed with the later scenes.
In all, I enjoyed this book. And am happy to give it:
Four stars
This was a really fun romance novel! I got to know and love the characters quickly, and the mystery kept me intrigued. I'll be checking out the earlier books in the series.