I think this is another novel that has potential to be good but falls short due to a lost in translation. While the character of Carl will resonate with readers as having depth and heart Cassie on the other hand leaves the reader scratching their head. Cassie is written to be unsure and awkward but instead becomes strange and a contradiction that makes no sense. This is where I believe the lack in translation resonates the most. I wanted to like this book but many times left to wanting different. The concept of the story is sound, the execution needs work.

I really couldn't get into this book. I was only able to read the first few chapters before giving up. Cassie presents in the beginning of her 'now' chapters as asexual, she has no interest in sex and is more focused on science and doing her job. This is all fine but she thinks of herself as a 'freak of nature' because she has no interest. This is not great representation. There are ways to show someone who is older that hasn't had sex yet and wants to learn from someone who is safe without having them presenting as asexual. I was just really turned off by the characterization of her. There's also too much about from the brother's perspective about how this is gross and wrong. They didn't grow up together, he was already out of the house when their parents got married, so it wasn't like they were raised as brother and sister. I think this idea could have been done much better and still had the taboo interest.

I like this book, not as much as I thought I would be, but still worth it.
Cassie is a highly intelligent young woman. Maybe too much, and that makes her a bit outward. Carl is the exact opposite of his steady stepfather. He is a player and a slayer. Afraid of nothing and no one. Except for Cassie when she asks him to introduce her to the pleasures of the flesh.
And when the situation gets out of control, it is too late to turn back, and the two lovers find themselves ensnared in forbidden passion. Forbidden by everyone: society, their parents, their friends. But how to resist the desire that consumes them?
I think the gap age is a huge issue here, because most of the things they have to fight are her own insecurities like any 21 years old would deal with. Yes, she is smart, but also instable, a bit bratty and insecure. Carl can be a bit intense, but you can see he is the mature part.
I enjoy the dialogs very much. The book is well written and there are great sexy times. It was a bit long for me, it kept dragging with things that only exist in the character’s minds.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This books did not grab me the storyline was ok the characters were bland and the sex was mediocre. the hero was no likeable.Thanks to netgalley for this free read.

I love a good stepbrother romance, especially ones like this when the siblings haven’t grown up together or close to each other so the great taboo debate of being related doesn’t come in to play.

Carl has been travelling the world for a few years when he returns home to see his Mum has remarried and he now has an 11 year old stepsister. Fast forward 10 years and he has been away again and she has been at college then university and the pair haven't been in the same room for years. When Cassie arrives back home for her 21st birthday, Carl is obviously invited back for the celebration and he realises how grown up she looks and just how beautiful.

One thing I did enjoy about this book is how nerdy Cassie is and the fun facts, usually about germs or general knowledge that open up each of her chapters. Her mind works in a scientific way and without thought so she just says what she thinks without actually engaging her brain to see if she should actually say it, this was hilarious in parts. But then also bordered on annoying as it kept happening more and more frequently.

For me personally it didn’t hit that erotica button, I don't know if it was the characters and how they had hated each other for year then suddenly were on the same side and best friends hanging out together but it just wasn’t exciting for me which is what I usually look for in this kind of genre.

Thank you to Netgalley and Warm Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange or an honest review.

I don't know if it's because this has been translated but....this isn't great. Cassie speaks like a robot and comes off as...differently abled. Carl is just...a predator.

Also, it didn't get 'dirty' until almost 50% of the way through the book.

If I'm reading smut, I want that smut in the first three chapters.

Also...this is pretty, pretty gross.

Thanks to netGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.