My heart couldn't deny what I felt for him, and my body couldn't ignore his touch.
He was my step-brother and what we had might be real... but it was also forbidden.
Dear Reader,
Falling for the Forbidden is the first part of Ben and Lauren's story. It's emotional, full of angst, has plenty of steam and will leave you wanting more!
This is also the first book in my new Forbidden series which is a spin-off from my Falling series but can be read independently from that series.
Tracy Lorraine is a M/F and M/M contemporary romance author. Tracy has just turned thirty and lives in a cute Cotswold village in England with her husband, baby girl and lovable but slightly crazy dog. Having always been a bookaholic with her head stuck in her Kindle Tracy decided to try her hand at a story idea she dreamt up and hasn’t looked back since.
I'm feeling deeply betrayed by this book. Yes, there's an element of shame on me because I didn't look at GR first, I didn't look at reviews...I didn't realize this was a series. 😐 Even worse, I didn't realize this had a cliffhanger. 😑
What makes my feelings worse is that this book was pretty much a perfect stepbrother book. I had been seeing this book in constant ads on facebook, and it kept screaming at me...all of those teasers/ads were leaving a lot to live up to. They were great. So imagine my surprise when the book was going amazing! I had absolutely no complaints. I was loving the relationship between Ben and Lauren. I loved every moment they were together. I did wonder a few times if his feelings were real, or if he started something with her specifically to get back at her dad...but I was right there in the book, hooked on every word.
And then end dropped out and I was left stunned. Like I said, shame on me. I missed the memo. I am glad I read this, it was good, but I'll be honest...if I had know it was a trilogy, and that book 3 isn't out yet, I would have waited. Because now knowing that book 2 mostly likely has a cliffhanger as well, and I have a month left to wait for book 3...I'm not real happy.
I didn’t realize this was a cliffhanger (followed by 6 years before they reconnect. I got to the end of this one and the premise of the next one says “none of the women who have warmed my bed can fill the void in my heart”. I knew then that I was done. How long did the guy even wait before jumping in bed with the next woman? A day? A premise like that makes the “I love you” in this book smell like bull%#^, especially when it reads like he had planned to come back for her. To me that’s no different than cheating.
I absolutely love Tracy’s books but this one has to be my favourite so far.
If you don’t fall for Lauren and BJ (Ben) then something is not right, these characters are phenomenal to read. The chemistry between them is through the roof and the story keeps you completely hooked from the start.
You have to love a forbidden romance and Tracy has nailed this one completely. She is able to capture you and keep you wanting more. The whole story flows amazingly, it’s fast paced and a definite page turner.
I can not begin to say how brilliant this story was to read, if you love step brother romance you’re going to definitely love this one. It’s my ultimate favourite one so far. The story leaves you on a cliffhanger but it’s one that just makes you want to demand the next book from this author.
Hands down a massive 5 ⭐️ read...if I could I would award to more, it deserves it so much. I can’t wait for the next book in the story to read more about Lauren and Ben.
Very intense and interesting story. So much drama and so much left unsaid. The attraction between Ben and Lauren is beautiful in it's devastation, and forbidden in the grand scheme of things. It makes me anxious and curious to see what happens next.
Falling for the Forbidden By: Tracy Lorraine They're "Falling for the Forbidden," But It's Not End'n Well... Especially As Daddy Dearest Fights It! Here They GO "Falling for the Forbidden," It's totally Taboo... And They Shouldna DO IT, But They cannot HELP ThemSelves! of Course... There's BackLash, Consequences, & HeartAches in Store! Cuz, There Always IS... When you're "Falling for the Forbidden!" Especially... When SomeOne is Dead set Against you being Together! NOW, Hang on tight, Dear Readers, & Beware... Cuz "Falling for the Forbidden" is just the 1st Installment of the this Trilogy, & YOUR going on a Ride... Without a FIRM Resolution or Destination in Sight or IN MIND! So, "Falling for the Forbidden's" Story NEEDS a CONTINUATION to be Complete!?! Hmmm... Like ANOTHER Installment... or TWO!?! Yes, And "Falling for the Forbidden's" Story is likely to leave You beg, Beg, BEGging for more, More, More, & MORE! But... Here's a Guarantee~ "Falling for the Forbidden" has lots of serious Flare, but only for those who'll Dare... To One-Click this Treat & Start on the "Falling for the Forbidden" Road! ONE LAST NOTE on this Tale: WhatEver you DO, just TRUST ME on this~ You're gonna be HOOKED & NEED that NEXT Fix... Oops, I Meant "Falling for the Forbidden" Book!! I was granted an ARC of Tracy Lorraine's "Falling for the Forbidden" via B00|{$P®0UT. I recommend this book to others based upon its own recommendations. All opinions expressed within this review are uniquely my own & freely given! Until next time... Happy Reading!
This book was really hard to understand the concept of what the author wanted to relay to this reader. Questions: why all the anger? What happened to Ben to make him the type of person he is? There was no back story to give me any information as to who they are as a person. Maybe if the story was written with dual POV it would make more sense.
Unfortunately I will not be waiting for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Overall, this wasn’t a bad novel and I’ll likely read the rest of the trilogy at some point.
However, I just didn’t connect with Lauren the way I have love Tracy’s other female main characters. I’m used to the Stellas who are complete bad asses or even Calli’s who start protected princesses but grow into a woman who can handle the darkest of men.
Again, good contemporary romance and the issue was probably me :)
I absolutely loved this book and was honored to have been able to read and review. It was such a phenomenal read and had amazing characters as well as an amazing story line. I just could not get enough of it and once I started reading it I could not put it down. I recommend that you read it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was good but I felt like I was missing something after I finished it. There will be a second book (this ends with a cliffhanger) so I'll definitely read it but I just couldn't connect with Lauren for some reason but it otherwise kept me intrigued. I enjoyed the forbidden aspect of it though. It's nice to read those every now and then!
I loved how well written the storyline is done giving you a smooth and easy time. The characters have great chemistry to keep you interested in turning the pages.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Loved Ben & Lauren's story. Great characters. I couldn't put this one down. Such a great story. I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review for a copy of the book via booksprout.
Lauren has just moved in with her father, Nick, and step-mom Jenny to work with him at Johnson & Sons. She grew up living with her mom and is not prepared for her step-brother, Ben. Ben does not trust Lauren's dad Nick at all with the company that his family started. Yet as much as he wants to hate Lauren he can't deny his attraction to her. Are Ben and Lauren willing to cross the line and at what cost will it be for both of them? This is such a great beginning and I am really looking forward to this series. I liked Lauren but almost from the beginning you knew where certain parts of the book were headed, like with what was going on with Nick at work. Lauren was very trusting but at the same time she was warned by Ben to trust her gut. I really liked Ben and you could tell he was onto something but he was walking a fine line due to Nick and his relationship with his mom, Jenny. I hated how Nick treated Ben and how much he had to put up with. The relationship between Ben and Lauren was intense right from the beginning but they had to be very careful, especially with how much Nick hated Ben. The scene at the restaurant was very surprising and I was shocked at what Nick did to Lauren and I couldn’t believe she still put up with him after that. I wasn’t surprised at what happened at the end and I am curious to see what happens next as I know things are not going to be easy for Ben! By Rebecca
Falling for the Forbidden is the first book in the Forbidden Trilogy and what a start is was. It was the perfect beginning to a tantalizing and angsty stepbrother, forbidden romance. So, apparently Ben was a prominent character and mentioned quite a bit in the series before this one, but I never felt like I was missing anything. In saying that, I would have loved to have gotten glimpses of him before and watched his character growth, but I still got exactly enough to make me fall head over heels in love with him.
Oh, the angst and the forbidden feels this book evoked! That steam, sexual tension and electrifying chemistry was off the charts. I loved the different emotions. The forbidden feelings of loving someone who isn’t deemed right but also the sweet and tender moment of first love. The push and the pull had me flipping the pages so quickly, I devoured this book. Although I definitely knew this book was going to end in heartbreak, I mean come on it’s a trilogy, I was surprised by how much it still affected me, even though it was a little cliched.
Super excited to find out how the story progresses and if a few unanswered questions and lingering thoughts on other characters and situations will be resolved.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
After her parents separated Lauren moved in with her mom but if she wants her father to pay for college he has a couple of conditions. She now finds herself living at his home with her stepmother and stepbrother Ben and having to work for her father’s company as well.
From their first meeting the sparks fly between Lauren and Ben and it is only a matter of time before the chemistry ignites. Will they be able to keep their relationship a secret and what happens if her father finds out?
This is the first part of a trilogy so it does end on a cliff hanger that leaves us wanting more of Ben and Lauren.
Falling for the Forbidden (Forbidden #1) by Tracy Lorraine
5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Falling for the Forbidden is the first book in the Forbidden series by author Tracy Lorraine. It is written in dual POV and tells the story of Ben & Lauren.
A great forbidden romance that you can't put down. A truly page turner. I fell in love with the characters from the start. Forbidden Romance + Stepbrother Romance and you got me, color me interested & intrigued. Loved the relationship between Ben & Lauren. There were moments when I was scared that Ben was looking only for revenge, but that definitely wasn't the case.
Falling for the Forbidden by Tracy Lorraine is the first book starting the story of Lauren and Ben. Lauren lives with her mom but when her dad offers to help with college if she moves in with him, of course she does. This puts her to closer to Ben, her step brother. Both have avoided each other until one night when she tries to help him which starts putting cracks in their walls toward each other. Ben knows some things about her father that we start to unravel. Of course this book just starts this relationship so there will be other books to come
Lauren and Ben’s story was captivating, exhilarating, fast-paced read. When Lauren is forced to move home before college, sparks begin to fly between her and Ben, being step-siblings is not going to make their relationship easy, with sneaking around and they can’t keep their hands off each other, the truth is bound to come out and when it does, it’s all going to hit the fan. Great read, recommend this book.
Her stepbrother was so hot and they are about to enter a sexual relationship. It is so hot but they both know if is wrong. Will anyone find out? What if they cannot keep it a secret? See what will happen
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Previously reviewed as an ARC...it has been several months and still this cliffhanger sticks with me. This is fantastic story full of love, triumph, obstacles, failures, and heartbreak. Oh, and let's not forget some really, truly hot moments. I frequently lose interest in a series that ends an installment with cliffhangers but Tracy is one of a handful of authors that keeps me coming back for "the rest of the story."
I love Tracy Lorraine's writing. I love her style, her flow, her stories. But every once in a while a favorite author releases a book that just doesn't hit the mark.
And that's okay.
I enjoyed this book, but it did feel a bit...rushed. Lauren and Ben were forbidden but explosive.
But that ending? I'm not a huge fan of series where the H and h separate for years because of miscommunication. That's personal for me, so if that doesn't bother you, then the ending might be better for you.
The way this is wrote kept jerking me out of the story . Instead of a full scene with full thoughts this was little minor scenes and not very interesting at all. You just made statements without writing it in an emotional way that left you reading a report instead of a book . I did not care at all about these people because the writer wrote them in one dimension. Can't see myself reading book 2 much less a long books series .
I couldn’t get into this story. Lauren is way too immature. Ben is too angry. Her father seems like a jerk. His mother is too happy. I just didn’t care what happened to them. The sex scenes might have been better if the characters were more engaging. Just not worth the time to read.
I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Good story with a lot of drama. This is book one of Ben and Lauren’s story . They are adult step-siblings who are attracted to each . She is working as intern for company while step- brother is working from home. They try to cover their relationship because things could change when her father finds out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I felt myself wanting more details, more angst, more tension between them. We get introduced to Lauren and find out a little bit about her before Ben barges into the room and kind of “forgets” she’s his stepsister. I thought that it was going to be a enemies ish to lovers ish type of book (my favorite kind) but then it didn’t really happen that way and suddenly they’re both attracted to each other 🤔.
Basically, Lauren’s father wants her to stay away from Ben. He’s an a** to Ben and they both get into screaming matches, which is why Ben isn’t home a lot of the time. There was something that was kind of alluded to about something being fishy in terms of the numbers that Lauren’s father presents in the business (which is technically Ben’s since it’s his patrimony) and Lauren notices it, and that is when she kind of starts questioning her father. Ben and Lauren do succumb to their attraction, but then they realize that they have so many obstacles in the way.
Obviously this doesn’t end in an HEA since there are two other books. I want to know what happens in book two just because another favorite trope of mine is the “second chances” or, as many would like to refer to it as, years-have-passed-and-we-all-wanna-know-if-there’s-still-a-spark type of book. I’m not sure if the author’s writing style will improve from this book to book 2. I’m the kind of reader that appreciates details in my books, but I found myself creating scenes in order to picture what was going on. We’ll see what I decide because I wanna know what happens...
Lauren and Ben. Step brother and sister. They totally should not even think about having feelings right? Wrong. Lauren is a naive young lady. She is starting out in a new place, with new people and at a new job working at her Fathers company. I didn’t really care for Lauren as much as I wanted to. Though she questioned everything and was very emotional (which I can relate to). Ben. Ben is a jerk. No doubt about it. But, give me a jerk any day. He is so reluctant to give in to the feelings that he has for Lauren. He knows that he is no good for her and is trying his best to stay away.
I really wish there was just more to the story. Give me a slow burn. Make me wait forever until they FINALLY decided they are going to get together. When they give into the feeling that they have been having the entire book. Don’t just rush into things. Especially with a story like this one. Some might see it as a taboo and I think if you rush into this kind of relationship people won’t find the love for this story. Take it slow, make me wait!! Overall I liked the writing style and the pacing was good. My only main complaints I have are the love/romance aspect felt really rushed as was the ending, too.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 stars from me.
Thank you to Give Me Books PR for sending me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.