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Peach State Stepbros #3
The Step Dare
TAYLOR
I'm the quiet one.
At a party, I'll be sipping from my Solo cup, hanging by my much chattier best friend Brenner.
Easygoing, all smiles, and hot as hell, Brenner always has his pick of guy or girl by the end of the night.
I do fine, but I don't trust easily, so he's one of the few people who really knows me.
We do everything together—studying, playing video games, and occasionally, ridiculous dares.
Like this latest dare.
I've always considered myself straight, but recently, I've been curious.
And what better way to explore this uncharted territory than with my bi bestie, who, given his long list of satisfied hookups, I know will do the job right.
I expected it to be good.
I wasn't prepared for how it would leave me hungry for so much more, needing Bren to show me what I've been missing out on.
What is it they say? It's always the quiet ones...
BRENNER
What's that saying...never met a stranger?
That's me. I'll talk to anyone, anytime.
It's how Taylor and I became friends, and I'm thankful for that every day.
He's my chill, zero-effs-given, video-game-loving bestie.
Whom I'm now hooking up with.
It's just fun, but then our parents drop the bomb on us that they've been secretly dating.
Oh, and they're in love and getting married in just a few months' time.
As hot as the idea of him being my stepbro is, we agree we should stop our little...extracurriculars...because what if it comes between our parents?
But keeping our hands to ourselves proves easier said than done.
I've become addicted to Taylor, and he to me.
What our parents don't know won't hurt them, right? And it's not like this means anything.
Only...the more we mess around, the more I realize it does.
What started out as just a good time has become so much more, but with everything that's at stake, do we stop now, or do we dare take a chance on what's happening between us?
Content Warning: The Step Dare is a steamy, low-angst romance, but it contains content that some readers may find triggering, including discussions about grieving the loss of a parent and the loss of an infant.
*The Step Dare can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.
I'm the quiet one.
At a party, I'll be sipping from my Solo cup, hanging by my much chattier best friend Brenner.
Easygoing, all smiles, and hot as hell, Brenner always has his pick of guy or girl by the end of the night.
I do fine, but I don't trust easily, so he's one of the few people who really knows me.
We do everything together—studying, playing video games, and occasionally, ridiculous dares.
Like this latest dare.
I've always considered myself straight, but recently, I've been curious.
And what better way to explore this uncharted territory than with my bi bestie, who, given his long list of satisfied hookups, I know will do the job right.
I expected it to be good.
I wasn't prepared for how it would leave me hungry for so much more, needing Bren to show me what I've been missing out on.
What is it they say? It's always the quiet ones...
BRENNER
What's that saying...never met a stranger?
That's me. I'll talk to anyone, anytime.
It's how Taylor and I became friends, and I'm thankful for that every day.
He's my chill, zero-effs-given, video-game-loving bestie.
Whom I'm now hooking up with.
It's just fun, but then our parents drop the bomb on us that they've been secretly dating.
Oh, and they're in love and getting married in just a few months' time.
As hot as the idea of him being my stepbro is, we agree we should stop our little...extracurriculars...because what if it comes between our parents?
But keeping our hands to ourselves proves easier said than done.
I've become addicted to Taylor, and he to me.
What our parents don't know won't hurt them, right? And it's not like this means anything.
Only...the more we mess around, the more I realize it does.
What started out as just a good time has become so much more, but with everything that's at stake, do we stop now, or do we dare take a chance on what's happening between us?
Content Warning: The Step Dare is a steamy, low-angst romance, but it contains content that some readers may find triggering, including discussions about grieving the loss of a parent and the loss of an infant.
*The Step Dare can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 13, 2025
451 people are currently reading
1090 people want to read
About the author
Riley Hart
114 books7,169 followersRiley Hart is the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She's a hopeless romantic. A lover of sexy stories, passionate men, and writing about all the trouble they can get into together. If she's not writing, you'll probably find her reading.
Riley lives in California with her awesome family, who she is thankful for everyday.
Riley lives in California with her awesome family, who she is thankful for everyday.
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March 16, 2025
Tropes: friends to lovers, step Brothers, roommates
Feels: 1/5
Steam*: 1.5/5
Kinks: threesome
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: abusive a****** father, dead mother, infant loss in the past (baby sister), divorced parents, sex with others
Cheating between MCs: Kind of, they felt ragey at the idea of the MMC being with someone else, yet they hooked up with Dax anyway.
Any cheating: Just the MMCs being with Dax
Other person drama: Taylor and Brenner were hooking up (they were exclusive but only by accident, not intentionally exclusive), but decided they needed to stop because their parents were getting married. But they couldn't stop themselves and they found excuses to hook up. During one of their breaks, Taylor hooks Brenner's ex hook up Dax and Dax asks the two of them to have a threesome with him. They have a threesome. And then they aren't with anyone else after that, but they constantly talk about the threesome with Dax and it takes away from the romance.
2 stars
Taylor and Brenner have been friends since childhood. They are BFFs. They are in their early twenties now at college. Brenner has always been bi. Taylor has always identified as straight, but he's curious and when they're both horny they decide to hook up. They hook up casually for a while, but then they realize their parents are together and are getting married, so they decide they should end things so that it doesn't complicate their parents relationship. But they can't stay away. And they keep hooking up occasionally, just doing hand and mouth stuff. On one of their breaks, Taylor reels in Dax, who is an ex-fling of Brenner's. Dax asks them to have a threesome and the guys agree. They share Dax. Taylor's first time having anal is with Dax.
They keep rotating between saying they are going to stop, and hooking up. And they keep reminding the reader that it's casual, and that they don't have feelings, that it's not a big deal and it's just fun. And they keep talking to each other and in their internal monologues about their threesome with Dax.
I really disliked this book. It was an interesting premise, but it was a complete let down. Let me tell you why:
1. There was zero work put into showing us how the characters felt about each other. Because the characters were best friends, the authors just took that as an excuse not to put in any work into showing us feelings. Telling us they are friends and thus must care about each other, is not at all the same thing as showing us that they are falling in love.
2. I am normally so weak for snuggling and platonic touch. But when the authors told us that these characters would cuddle, it was just words on a page, there was no conveying of emotion, nothing that tugged at the senses, it was literally just after the fact references to cuddling. That was the worst possible use of snuggling I have ever seen. Show me goosebumps, show me a sigh or holding of breath, give me nuzzling into their neck, give me a pinky reaching out to touch, show me the character relaxing when they wake up in the morning and realize that person is still holding them. This was cold and emotionless!
3. On the topic of it being emotionless, these characters told us and showed us a billion times how casual they found their relationship to be, right up until 75%, in their thoughts and in their words they were telling us it was just casual. They were denying being boyfriends or anything. They were just convenient sex to the other person when they were horny for 75% of the book. There was zero romance.
4. Other person drama... I'll be frank, this is probably biased of me, I know that. I personally am not a fan of sex with others in a romance, especially after the MCs have been together. I did not love that Taylor and Brenner had a threesome with Dax at 32%, it was too far into the book, they had already been together. It did not make sense for them to go from struggling with being jealous, to all of a sudden throwing themselves into sex with Dax, being all hot for Dax, and then right after going back to struggling with jealousy. You can't have possessiveness and sharing at the same time in a book, it's inconsistent. But the biggest sin was how many times the characters mentioned their threesome with Dax after that. For example, during the first time that Taylor and Brenner were having penetrative sex, Taylor was literally lubing up and lining up and comparing it to how Brenner lined him up to f*** Dax. And they had mental comparisons to the threesome mentioned multiple times through to the end of the book. Stop slapping the reader in the face with reminders of a hot time with another guy! To my neurospicy brain, this book came off to me as ingenuine, like it was erotica pretending to be romance (erotica to me is sex for titillation with no plan for a hea or romance - not that this book was terribly explicit or erotic in its sex scenes, what it had in common with erotica was only mild titillation and the lack of romantic design). You're trying to convince the reader that Taylor and Brenner are building something special, yet you're f****** it up by having them be casual and think of their other sex? What a stupid writing decision this whole book was. The only thing that made any plot sense, was the 7% at the end where the deadbeat dad showed up and Brenner was protective of Taylor.
Some notable moments: (I highlight plot points in blue, things I don't like in red, and things I like in yellow. I only had one yellow highlight the entire book and it was just a joking moment. I had tons of red which is not a good sign for the book)
""I can’t believe you would blame me. We’re supposed to be stepbrothers. That means we have each other’s backs.” “Actually, I’m pretty sure it means you’ll start boning any day now,” Colin jokes, and Taylor becomes real interested in the box he’s setting down."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 1/5
Steam*: 1.5/5
Kinks: threesome
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: abusive a****** father, dead mother, infant loss in the past (baby sister), divorced parents, sex with others
Cheating between MCs: Kind of, they felt ragey at the idea of the MMC being with someone else, yet they hooked up with Dax anyway.
Any cheating: Just the MMCs being with Dax
Other person drama: Taylor and Brenner were hooking up (they were exclusive but only by accident, not intentionally exclusive), but decided they needed to stop because their parents were getting married. But they couldn't stop themselves and they found excuses to hook up. During one of their breaks, Taylor hooks Brenner's ex hook up Dax and Dax asks the two of them to have a threesome with him. They have a threesome. And then they aren't with anyone else after that, but they constantly talk about the threesome with Dax and it takes away from the romance.
2 stars
Taylor and Brenner have been friends since childhood. They are BFFs. They are in their early twenties now at college. Brenner has always been bi. Taylor has always identified as straight, but he's curious and when they're both horny they decide to hook up. They hook up casually for a while, but then they realize their parents are together and are getting married, so they decide they should end things so that it doesn't complicate their parents relationship. But they can't stay away. And they keep hooking up occasionally, just doing hand and mouth stuff. On one of their breaks, Taylor reels in Dax, who is an ex-fling of Brenner's. Dax asks them to have a threesome and the guys agree. They share Dax. Taylor's first time having anal is with Dax.
They keep rotating between saying they are going to stop, and hooking up. And they keep reminding the reader that it's casual, and that they don't have feelings, that it's not a big deal and it's just fun. And they keep talking to each other and in their internal monologues about their threesome with Dax.
I really disliked this book. It was an interesting premise, but it was a complete let down. Let me tell you why:
1. There was zero work put into showing us how the characters felt about each other. Because the characters were best friends, the authors just took that as an excuse not to put in any work into showing us feelings. Telling us they are friends and thus must care about each other, is not at all the same thing as showing us that they are falling in love.
2. I am normally so weak for snuggling and platonic touch. But when the authors told us that these characters would cuddle, it was just words on a page, there was no conveying of emotion, nothing that tugged at the senses, it was literally just after the fact references to cuddling. That was the worst possible use of snuggling I have ever seen. Show me goosebumps, show me a sigh or holding of breath, give me nuzzling into their neck, give me a pinky reaching out to touch, show me the character relaxing when they wake up in the morning and realize that person is still holding them. This was cold and emotionless!
3. On the topic of it being emotionless, these characters told us and showed us a billion times how casual they found their relationship to be, right up until 75%, in their thoughts and in their words they were telling us it was just casual. They were denying being boyfriends or anything. They were just convenient sex to the other person when they were horny for 75% of the book. There was zero romance.
4. Other person drama... I'll be frank, this is probably biased of me, I know that. I personally am not a fan of sex with others in a romance, especially after the MCs have been together. I did not love that Taylor and Brenner had a threesome with Dax at 32%, it was too far into the book, they had already been together. It did not make sense for them to go from struggling with being jealous, to all of a sudden throwing themselves into sex with Dax, being all hot for Dax, and then right after going back to struggling with jealousy. You can't have possessiveness and sharing at the same time in a book, it's inconsistent. But the biggest sin was how many times the characters mentioned their threesome with Dax after that. For example, during the first time that Taylor and Brenner were having penetrative sex, Taylor was literally lubing up and lining up and comparing it to how Brenner lined him up to f*** Dax. And they had mental comparisons to the threesome mentioned multiple times through to the end of the book. Stop slapping the reader in the face with reminders of a hot time with another guy! To my neurospicy brain, this book came off to me as ingenuine, like it was erotica pretending to be romance (erotica to me is sex for titillation with no plan for a hea or romance - not that this book was terribly explicit or erotic in its sex scenes, what it had in common with erotica was only mild titillation and the lack of romantic design). You're trying to convince the reader that Taylor and Brenner are building something special, yet you're f****** it up by having them be casual and think of their other sex? What a stupid writing decision this whole book was. The only thing that made any plot sense, was the 7% at the end where the deadbeat dad showed up and Brenner was protective of Taylor.
Some notable moments: (I highlight plot points in blue, things I don't like in red, and things I like in yellow. I only had one yellow highlight the entire book and it was just a joking moment. I had tons of red which is not a good sign for the book)
""I can’t believe you would blame me. We’re supposed to be stepbrothers. That means we have each other’s backs.” “Actually, I’m pretty sure it means you’ll start boning any day now,” Colin jokes, and Taylor becomes real interested in the box he’s setting down."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2025
The Step Dare is an entertaining romance between best friends Taylor and Brenner. They are extremely close and enjoy spending time together. One little bet changes the trajectory of their friendship forever. Together, they learn they share similar feelings for one another even when they were not expecting it.
Overall this is a fun, low angst steamy romance between two best friends who develop feelings for one another even though they were not expecting to. I loved seeing all of the previous characters return and I am so excited for the next iteration of this series with the Frat house. Those characters were fun and I look forward to their stories. Tanner and Brenner were incredibly adorable and watching them stumble through their feelings was both hilarious and heartwarming.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
Overall this is a fun, low angst steamy romance between two best friends who develop feelings for one another even though they were not expecting to. I loved seeing all of the previous characters return and I am so excited for the next iteration of this series with the Frat house. Those characters were fun and I look forward to their stories. Tanner and Brenner were incredibly adorable and watching them stumble through their feelings was both hilarious and heartwarming.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
March 14, 2025
DNF. Not safe because 3some🤢 I wish i knew before wouldn't have reading in the first place
March 8, 2025
This nicely rounds out the stepbrother romances with best friends Bren and Ty getting involved with each other on a casual basis and then finding out their single parents are getting married to each other.
Each book's brought a slightly different twist to the trope and I liked this one a lot. It's clear from the start there's already a lot of love between the two young men, who've essentially grown up together and have been supporting the other through tough times in the past.
When they end up exchanging blow jobs following a dare, it also becomes obvious there could be much more between them.
As Tyler explores his awoken bisexuality, Bren is ever willing to help him experiment and things get steamy pretty quickly.
There's a lot of sex in this one, for me I think sometimes it felt like it was there just for something to fill in the pages, I wasn’t sure that all of it was necessarily taking the story forward.
That's my main niggle with the narrative, the other was right at the end, when Ty's wasted space of a dad shows up at the wedding. It again just seemed like drama for the sake of it, given we'd had no mention of him other than the historical information about him being a manipulative and cruel man.
That said, everything else about the book worked very well, as it covered some more serious topics about parental loss and losing a sibling alongside the humour.
I'm very much looking forward to reading the spin-off series too.
#ARC kindly received from the authors via The Author Agency, I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Each book's brought a slightly different twist to the trope and I liked this one a lot. It's clear from the start there's already a lot of love between the two young men, who've essentially grown up together and have been supporting the other through tough times in the past.
When they end up exchanging blow jobs following a dare, it also becomes obvious there could be much more between them.
As Tyler explores his awoken bisexuality, Bren is ever willing to help him experiment and things get steamy pretty quickly.
There's a lot of sex in this one, for me I think sometimes it felt like it was there just for something to fill in the pages, I wasn’t sure that all of it was necessarily taking the story forward.
That's my main niggle with the narrative, the other was right at the end, when Ty's wasted space of a dad shows up at the wedding. It again just seemed like drama for the sake of it, given we'd had no mention of him other than the historical information about him being a manipulative and cruel man.
That said, everything else about the book worked very well, as it covered some more serious topics about parental loss and losing a sibling alongside the humour.
I'm very much looking forward to reading the spin-off series too.
#ARC kindly received from the authors via The Author Agency, I am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 15, 2025
Dnf 61%. I really tried but this was not it. Its just milking the whole step brothers thing -in a bad way. It was giving me the ick the way they repeated it to each other and the banter fell short overall. There was also no chemistry or build up to the relationship. There was some effort to have some depth into the characters but that also failed.
March 24, 2025
Rating: 4.5/5 🌟
Spice: 4/5 🌶️
Characters: Taylor and Brenner
I just love this entire series. Every book was extremely enjoyable and gave me everything I wanted.
Taylor and Brenner are best friends, college roommates, and about to be stepbrothers. They are also complete opposites. Taylor is the quiet introvert and Brenner is outgoing.
A little bit of bicurious fun with one another leads to more than they expected, and feelings start to develop. But with their parents getting married they try to put an end to things and stop it from going any further. They just didn't expect that they wouldn't be able to control those feelings and desires. It's a recipe for angst and pining but it's done in a cute way with very little angst. Just a fun, steamy, sweet time! I love that about this series honestly. Some of my favorite moments are when these two show their vulnerable sides and express their actual feelings, and of course, the moments of jealousy. I can't help it. I love a jealous possessive hero.
This will be a series I revisit time and time again because every book just made me feel happy.
Spice: 4/5 🌶️
Characters: Taylor and Brenner
I just love this entire series. Every book was extremely enjoyable and gave me everything I wanted.
Taylor and Brenner are best friends, college roommates, and about to be stepbrothers. They are also complete opposites. Taylor is the quiet introvert and Brenner is outgoing.
A little bit of bicurious fun with one another leads to more than they expected, and feelings start to develop. But with their parents getting married they try to put an end to things and stop it from going any further. They just didn't expect that they wouldn't be able to control those feelings and desires. It's a recipe for angst and pining but it's done in a cute way with very little angst. Just a fun, steamy, sweet time! I love that about this series honestly. Some of my favorite moments are when these two show their vulnerable sides and express their actual feelings, and of course, the moments of jealousy. I can't help it. I love a jealous possessive hero.
This will be a series I revisit time and time again because every book just made me feel happy.
March 14, 2025
"𝗧𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗲❟ 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗼'𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚｡ 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗲'𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱❟ 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗷𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁｡"
This was so freaking cute. Almost zero angst to speak of. Just a best friends-to-lovers with a wonderful family thrown in. Yes, you heard that right. Taylor and Brenner may have been raised by a single parent with different back stories, but both cared deeply about their sons. Brenner and his Dad were so adorable. I loved how his Dad would just shake his head when Brenner would spout something wild per usual. You could also tell how close Taylor and his mum were, especially as they both had lived through the trauma of dealing with Taylor's biological father together in the past.
The whole relationship between Taylor and Brenner started due to Taylor's curiosity about being with a guy. And of course, Brenner being Brenner is going to volunteer to introduce his bestie to the joys of man-on-man lovin. I don't think they started off thinking it was going to lead to them falling head over heels, but from the start it was easy to see there was the potential.
"𝗛𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮���𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗜'𝗺 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸❟ 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗜 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝘀 𝗶𝘁｡"
The only thing standing in this couple's way was the fact that their parents have recently fallen in love and their worries that it would cause an issue. Both Brenner and Taylor love their parent and don't want anything to stand in the way of their happiness. It was bittersweet because though it was lovely to see such caring family members, it also made things tougher for their relationship. Don't worry, Taylor and Brenner can't stay away from being with one another for long. They started off with such a strong bond I don't think anything would have been able to come between them in the end. These two were solid and so was their sweet HEA.
P.S. CANT WAIT FOR THE FRAT BROS spin off!!
This was so freaking cute. Almost zero angst to speak of. Just a best friends-to-lovers with a wonderful family thrown in. Yes, you heard that right. Taylor and Brenner may have been raised by a single parent with different back stories, but both cared deeply about their sons. Brenner and his Dad were so adorable. I loved how his Dad would just shake his head when Brenner would spout something wild per usual. You could also tell how close Taylor and his mum were, especially as they both had lived through the trauma of dealing with Taylor's biological father together in the past.
The whole relationship between Taylor and Brenner started due to Taylor's curiosity about being with a guy. And of course, Brenner being Brenner is going to volunteer to introduce his bestie to the joys of man-on-man lovin. I don't think they started off thinking it was going to lead to them falling head over heels, but from the start it was easy to see there was the potential.
"𝗛𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮���𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗜'𝗺 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸❟ 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗜 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝘀 𝗶𝘁｡"
The only thing standing in this couple's way was the fact that their parents have recently fallen in love and their worries that it would cause an issue. Both Brenner and Taylor love their parent and don't want anything to stand in the way of their happiness. It was bittersweet because though it was lovely to see such caring family members, it also made things tougher for their relationship. Don't worry, Taylor and Brenner can't stay away from being with one another for long. They started off with such a strong bond I don't think anything would have been able to come between them in the end. These two were solid and so was their sweet HEA.
P.S. CANT WAIT FOR THE FRAT BROS spin off!!
Read
March 16, 2025Dnf @24%
I’m not feeling the connection between these two. They’re supposedly great friends and I just don’t feel it, once the sex starts, literally a handful of pages in, I just got bored. No build up, nothing romantic, just handjobs and blowjobs right out of the gate. Bleh.
Finding out there’s a threesome makes me not want to continue at all.
I’m not feeling the connection between these two. They’re supposedly great friends and I just don’t feel it, once the sex starts, literally a handful of pages in, I just got bored. No build up, nothing romantic, just handjobs and blowjobs right out of the gate. Bleh.
Finding out there’s a threesome makes me not want to continue at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2025
A MM Friends to Lovers, "Future" Step brothers romance who are college roomies with a opposites attract dynamic, curiosity & first times, some (not so) secret funsies & wholesome friendships/family!
It was a fun, easy story that I devoured my #ARC of in 6hrs. I needed this with my exam preparation stress! Loved Brennan & Taylor 🥰. Sad this series is over, but I'll check the frat spin off.
Brennan's the charismatic, talkative extrovert to Taylor's quieter, relatively serious introvert personality (& a secret commanding side 🤭). Both in college & finally become roommates, so it's a blast!
When T gets Bi-curious, who better to help him than his flirty, (very) experienced Bi-bestie? Just Fun... till it gets complicated, as parents are *gasp* together! Is it still worth it?
B+T are hilarious with cute bond & fun dares (tho those don't play that big role). Great to see our step-bro gang & self-reflection (lol), & such lovely parents!! It made sense why B+T puts them 1st. But with matters of heart, resisting is futile! Loved the vulnerable (🥺😭) & playful 😆 scenes, trying to stay away but can't 🤭, jealousy, realisations & vers couple yay! They don't feel too forbidden as step was a "future" thing for most of book.
Lil spoilery, but the early 3-some scene was an unexpected hot surprise, authors did a good job to still show T+B's connection there! That's a choice for 1st time, eh? Dax, omfg 😂. That climax got me. I kinda wish we saw the wedding 🙈. Loved the epilogue. The girly friends were sweet!
Story Ratings:
POV: 1st person, Dual POV
1) Enjoyed? —> Ya, so fun!! 5/5
2) The Characters: 5/5
3) Top feels: 😳🤭😏😅😍🥺😆🙈🥳😉🙁😭❤️🥰😤☺️🤭
4) Steamy scenes: 4.5/5
5) Levels: Cute+Swoon: 4.5/5
Angst: 2/5 (lil resist)
Dark: 1.5/5
6) Creativity + world: 4.5/5
7) Plot arc: (Besties, Future Step Bros, Fun & Love) 4.25/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.6/5
It was a fun, easy story that I devoured my #ARC of in 6hrs. I needed this with my exam preparation stress! Loved Brennan & Taylor 🥰. Sad this series is over, but I'll check the frat spin off.
Brennan's the charismatic, talkative extrovert to Taylor's quieter, relatively serious introvert personality (& a secret commanding side 🤭). Both in college & finally become roommates, so it's a blast!
When T gets Bi-curious, who better to help him than his flirty, (very) experienced Bi-bestie? Just Fun... till it gets complicated, as parents are *gasp* together! Is it still worth it?
B+T are hilarious with cute bond & fun dares (tho those don't play that big role). Great to see our step-bro gang & self-reflection (lol), & such lovely parents!! It made sense why B+T puts them 1st. But with matters of heart, resisting is futile! Loved the vulnerable (🥺😭) & playful 😆 scenes, trying to stay away but can't 🤭, jealousy, realisations & vers couple yay! They don't feel too forbidden as step was a "future" thing for most of book.
Lil spoilery, but the early 3-some scene was an unexpected hot surprise, authors did a good job to still show T+B's connection there! That's a choice for 1st time, eh? Dax, omfg 😂. That climax got me. I kinda wish we saw the wedding 🙈. Loved the epilogue. The girly friends were sweet!
Story Ratings:
POV: 1st person, Dual POV
1) Enjoyed? —> Ya, so fun!! 5/5
2) The Characters: 5/5
3) Top feels: 😳🤭😏😅😍🥺😆🙈🥳😉🙁😭❤️🥰😤☺️🤭
4) Steamy scenes: 4.5/5
5) Levels: Cute+Swoon: 4.5/5
Angst: 2/5 (lil resist)
Dark: 1.5/5
6) Creativity + world: 4.5/5
7) Plot arc: (Besties, Future Step Bros, Fun & Love) 4.25/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.6/5
March 13, 2025
The Step Dare is book three in the Peach State Stepbros Series. This MM stepbrothers romance story is about Taylor and Brenner.
Taylor and Brenner are best friends. Taylor is on the quiet side and more of an introvert while Brenner is a chatterbox and very outgoing. They both have been through some tough times in their lives but thank goodness they have each other. Taylor and Brenner can open up and truly be themselves with each other.
Taylor has considered himself straight while Brenner is bisexual. When Taylor starts to question his sexuality, he is fortunate to have his best friend to help him experiment. Taylor and Brenner start messing around, and they both see it as casual and all in good fun. But once they find out their parents are getting married, they put a stop to it. Of course this doesn’t last long and we see them go from hooking up to eventually becoming so much more.
I do have to say that I struggled a bit connecting with this story. Since Taylor was inexperienced, I didn’t like the scene where he has sex with a man for the first time. This moment just didn’t sit well with me.
It was easy to see how Taylor and Brenner were perfect for each other. I loved how they supported each other as well as their parents too. They had such a great group of friends, and I enjoyed getting to see the other stepbrother couples from the previous books in this series.
I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
Taylor and Brenner are best friends. Taylor is on the quiet side and more of an introvert while Brenner is a chatterbox and very outgoing. They both have been through some tough times in their lives but thank goodness they have each other. Taylor and Brenner can open up and truly be themselves with each other.
Taylor has considered himself straight while Brenner is bisexual. When Taylor starts to question his sexuality, he is fortunate to have his best friend to help him experiment. Taylor and Brenner start messing around, and they both see it as casual and all in good fun. But once they find out their parents are getting married, they put a stop to it. Of course this doesn’t last long and we see them go from hooking up to eventually becoming so much more.
I do have to say that I struggled a bit connecting with this story. Since Taylor was inexperienced, I didn’t like the scene where he has sex with a man for the first time. This moment just didn’t sit well with me.
It was easy to see how Taylor and Brenner were perfect for each other. I loved how they supported each other as well as their parents too. They had such a great group of friends, and I enjoyed getting to see the other stepbrother couples from the previous books in this series.
I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
March 13, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
The Step Dare was such a sweet, low-angst, friends to lovers MM romance. This is the 3rd book in the series, but you can definitely read it without reading the previous books.
Brenner and Taylor have been best friends for years and are also roommates. Brenner is an outgoing and flirty bi-sexual and Taylor is curious. Brenner is more than happy to help him explore his sexuality and they start to hook up. Things get complicated when they realize their parents are getting married. They agree to stop their friends with benefits relationship because they do not want to make things weird for their parents. Brenner's dad has had a hard time after his wife died, and Taylor's mom had a difficult divorce from her emotionally abusive husband. They just want their parents to be happy. I loved the relationship they had with their parents.
Taylor and Brenner can't stay away from each other, especially since they live together. I really loved their 6 they had amazing banter. They were so close and supportive of each other that their feeling become much more serious.
This book was so sweet and cut, but it definitely brings the spice!
Thank you to The Author Agency for providing the ARC.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
The Step Dare was such a sweet, low-angst, friends to lovers MM romance. This is the 3rd book in the series, but you can definitely read it without reading the previous books.
Brenner and Taylor have been best friends for years and are also roommates. Brenner is an outgoing and flirty bi-sexual and Taylor is curious. Brenner is more than happy to help him explore his sexuality and they start to hook up. Things get complicated when they realize their parents are getting married. They agree to stop their friends with benefits relationship because they do not want to make things weird for their parents. Brenner's dad has had a hard time after his wife died, and Taylor's mom had a difficult divorce from her emotionally abusive husband. They just want their parents to be happy. I loved the relationship they had with their parents.
Taylor and Brenner can't stay away from each other, especially since they live together. I really loved their 6 they had amazing banter. They were so close and supportive of each other that their feeling become much more serious.
This book was so sweet and cut, but it definitely brings the spice!
Thank you to The Author Agency for providing the ARC.
March 13, 2025
This book was so well done! Finally we have a bff story (Taylor & Brenner) who have been friends since childhood and are now in College together and roommates. Bren is bi and Taylor has been curious ;) I loved this story so much because it was the first time the two MMCs stayed friends and then turned that connection into friends with benefits... turned future step bros and then transition to boyfriends… and kept the friendship intact the entire time! I loved how these two got together and grew that connection from friends to lovers. Honestly that alone… and of course, the amazing storytelling… Makes this book 5 stars… So amazing… So perfect
🔥soon-to-be stepbrothers
🔥mm romance
🔥bi-awakening
🔥friends to lovers
🔥soon-to-be stepbrothers
🔥mm romance
🔥bi-awakening
🔥friends to lovers
dnf
April 9, 2025time to take my yearly break from riley
March 16, 2025
Got bored after 55% and literally forced myself to finish because I wanted to see how the parents reacted. 3 stars for the first half only.
Was it worth it? No but hey, it counts towards my reading goal lmao
Was it worth it? No but hey, it counts towards my reading goal lmao
March 19, 2025
DNF at 34%.
I hate sharing. It felt close to cheating to me. Not a fan.
I hate sharing. It felt close to cheating to me. Not a fan.
March 4, 2025
*ARC Review*
Just want to preface with saying I LOVE Riley Hart and my issues with this book are totally personal preference related, not quality related.
I normally love Riley Hart, and while I did love the characters and their connection, I just didn’t love the threesome situation and how it was talked about so much throughout the entire book. I don’t feel like it added much to the story and I definitely didn’t understand why it was such a focal point. That being said, I did root for the characters to be together and I liked that it was different than your typical step brother romance. But overall, just because of personal preference, it wasn’t my favorite but will still definitely be giving the rest of the series a try!
Just want to preface with saying I LOVE Riley Hart and my issues with this book are totally personal preference related, not quality related.
I normally love Riley Hart, and while I did love the characters and their connection, I just didn’t love the threesome situation and how it was talked about so much throughout the entire book. I don’t feel like it added much to the story and I definitely didn’t understand why it was such a focal point. That being said, I did root for the characters to be together and I liked that it was different than your typical step brother romance. But overall, just because of personal preference, it wasn’t my favorite but will still definitely be giving the rest of the series a try!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2025
I was so excited for this book, but apparently the author forgot how to write.
13 pages in and we have never sending blowjobs… where is ANY build up
13 pages in and we have never sending blowjobs… where is ANY build up
March 16, 2025
Rating: 3.5
Steam: 4
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Tropes / tags: friends to lovers, sexual discovery, secret relationship
The Step Dare was a steamy romance with banter that made me smile!
Brenner and Taylor had been best friends for ages, but the lines blurred a little between them when Taylor wanted to explore his sexuality. A few sexy dares and suddenly they were hooking up regularly - until things got more complicated and they found out that they're stepbrothers-to-be as their parents are dating.
Brenner and Taylor's story had a lot more steam to it than the previous books in this series, and the focus was mostly on their physical relationship. There were feelings as well, but they were more of a slow burn. It was obvious that they cared a lot about each other, and I liked their banter and communication a lot. The story also brought up some heavier topics, about the loss and grief of family members, as well as growing up with an abusive parent.
I had some struggles with this one, but it was probably a case of me and not the story. I mainly had a hard time telling the characters apart, and even if it got easier after a while, I didn't really feel like I got to know them that well. A lot of the pages were sex scenes that didn't necessarily add anything to the plot, and sadly after a while it felt a little dragged out as not much else was going on.
The Step Dare was overall an enjoyable read though, and I always have a soft spot for friends to lovers. Brenner and Taylor were cute together and I loved their intimate moments and honest conversations. It was refreshing with a new to me take on soon-to-be stepbrothers, and how they had to navigate their relationship changing in multiple ways at the same time.
-
I received an advanced copy of this book, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Steam: 4
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Tropes / tags: friends to lovers, sexual discovery, secret relationship
The Step Dare was a steamy romance with banter that made me smile!
Brenner and Taylor had been best friends for ages, but the lines blurred a little between them when Taylor wanted to explore his sexuality. A few sexy dares and suddenly they were hooking up regularly - until things got more complicated and they found out that they're stepbrothers-to-be as their parents are dating.
Brenner and Taylor's story had a lot more steam to it than the previous books in this series, and the focus was mostly on their physical relationship. There were feelings as well, but they were more of a slow burn. It was obvious that they cared a lot about each other, and I liked their banter and communication a lot. The story also brought up some heavier topics, about the loss and grief of family members, as well as growing up with an abusive parent.
I had some struggles with this one, but it was probably a case of me and not the story. I mainly had a hard time telling the characters apart, and even if it got easier after a while, I didn't really feel like I got to know them that well. A lot of the pages were sex scenes that didn't necessarily add anything to the plot, and sadly after a while it felt a little dragged out as not much else was going on.
The Step Dare was overall an enjoyable read though, and I always have a soft spot for friends to lovers. Brenner and Taylor were cute together and I loved their intimate moments and honest conversations. It was refreshing with a new to me take on soon-to-be stepbrothers, and how they had to navigate their relationship changing in multiple ways at the same time.
-
I received an advanced copy of this book, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
March 16, 2025
“Are you sure we’re good? That that’s what you wanted and you felt comfortable the whole time?” - Brenner
“We’re always good, Bren. I’m glad you were there with me…my first time with a guy. That made it even better.” - Taylor
I liked the first part of this book with the cruise, although that was also a bit fast about Brenner's dad dating Taylor's mom. I'm glad that Brenner had conversations about his mom with his dad and Taylor, that they helped him with his feelings and that they talked about her. Brenner's mom means a lot to Brenner and his dad and I'm also glad that Nicole (Taylor's mom) saw that. Brenner's mom will always have a place in their lives and that was written beautifully. And I'm really glad that Nicole found a loving partner, she deserves that and Taylor also deserves to see his mom being loved the right way.
That being said, I have a hard time seeing a ''problem" with this whole dating your stepbrother thing. Their parents didn't really think about their sons, when they started dating so why should they?? I don't understand that point, that made it so much harder for me to like or even finish this book. This book felt very flat to me. I was waiting for something excided to happen. Thankfully Brenner had a conversation with Mila (his friend) and she helped Brenner finally admit that he had a crush on Taylor. Also in that conversation she asked him for help and he made it all about him, I understand that it is his book and all but Mila was so interesting and his friend. I like the background characters and their moments.
I also didn't feel excited when they "officially" had something. I just felt nothing and was glad that the book was almost over, Originally I was going to give this 3 stars but then I thought, "why would I give a ROMANCE book 3 stars if I didn't like the couple /romance part" . So I'm going to give it 2 stars. I just don't see Taylor and Brenner as a couple. I really tried to see them that way but I just don't feel it.
I received an ARC copy of this book.
“We’re always good, Bren. I’m glad you were there with me…my first time with a guy. That made it even better.” - Taylor
I liked the first part of this book with the cruise, although that was also a bit fast about Brenner's dad dating Taylor's mom. I'm glad that Brenner had conversations about his mom with his dad and Taylor, that they helped him with his feelings and that they talked about her. Brenner's mom means a lot to Brenner and his dad and I'm also glad that Nicole (Taylor's mom) saw that. Brenner's mom will always have a place in their lives and that was written beautifully. And I'm really glad that Nicole found a loving partner, she deserves that and Taylor also deserves to see his mom being loved the right way.
That being said, I have a hard time seeing a ''problem" with this whole dating your stepbrother thing. Their parents didn't really think about their sons, when they started dating so why should they?? I don't understand that point, that made it so much harder for me to like or even finish this book. This book felt very flat to me. I was waiting for something excided to happen. Thankfully Brenner had a conversation with Mila (his friend) and she helped Brenner finally admit that he had a crush on Taylor. Also in that conversation she asked him for help and he made it all about him, I understand that it is his book and all but Mila was so interesting and his friend. I like the background characters and their moments.
I also didn't feel excited when they "officially" had something. I just felt nothing and was glad that the book was almost over, Originally I was going to give this 3 stars but then I thought, "why would I give a ROMANCE book 3 stars if I didn't like the couple /romance part" . So I'm going to give it 2 stars. I just don't see Taylor and Brenner as a couple. I really tried to see them that way but I just don't feel it.
I received an ARC copy of this book.
April 24, 2025
I'm continuing this series because I liked the chemistry in the first book. Truth be told, I didnt love the 2nd book but as a sucker for friends to lovers, I actaually liked this one more than the 2nd one. But I am on the same train as majority of the people in comments: the Dax threesome. The scene itself, I was OK with, it was hot. But their obsession with it afterwards, mentioning it again again when particularly at unnecessary points threw me off multiple times and ruined their own moments.Their initial attraction was great, them pushing their friendship boundies was great, but you crave the moment of acknowledment, emotional bond as more than friends a bit too long. They seemed a bit too stuck on the threesome and use that moment's memories to get off in their future endevours😅 But though not my favorite friends to lovers story, not a horrible one either.
Story:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chemistry:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ending:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angst:⭐️⭐️
Banter:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing quality:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶🌶🌶
Story:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chemistry:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ending:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angst:⭐️⭐️
Banter:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing quality:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶🌶🌶
March 15, 2025
This book was way better than the last although it had basically the same trope. Not a lot happened in this book either. However I did enjoy it quite a lot. Taylor and Brenner are very sweet to each other, the banter is ok (although not so present). And the backstory makes sense.
All in all good read and I recommend it.
All in all good read and I recommend it.
March 10, 2025
This story was such a feel-good one and the MCs are both great guys. I always love it when the characters have a great relationship with their parents since that is not always the case. This author really knows how to write great romance storys.
March 4, 2025
I loved Brenner and Taylor so very much!! Their friendship was what hooked me and then the spice hits 🥵! Their chemistry was explosive and I devoured every word in this story! Best friend, soon to be stepbrothers and roommate make for a spectacular story! I definitely recommend this book!
March 6, 2025
I liked the banter and the spice, but that's about it.
March 15, 2025
An easy, almost uneventful friends to lovers, bi awakening. Super low angst, super smooth.
March 15, 2025
the 3some ruined it
March 22, 2025
Just wasn't able to get into it. There is a scene (30-36%) where the MCs share a partner while "avoiding" each other because it's what's "best" and it kind of just pulled me out and I skimmed through that scene and most of the rest of the book. I guess I was just hoping Taylor got to experiment and share his firsts with Brenner. Then it kept getting referenced to later on and I honestly rolled my eyes. This would be a good book for most people probably, but I usually actively avoid books where MCs are intimate on page with others. I thought someone was going to change their mind right before as I was reading and was wrong lol. Between that, the sheer amount of unnecessary spice coupled with the long internal monologues and drama that turns into like, not even drama, I give this a 2/5.
March 17, 2025
Random 3some ruined the book for me. How did they go from jealously to hooking up with him... Wish I had known about it bc I wouldn't have read the book.
March 15, 2025
What a great read! I love how this one is a slightly different stepbrother dynamic as they are friends before that becomes their official family relationship.
I wasn't expecting how quickly Brenner and Taylor get right on down to things together. They are clearly a good fit as best friends, innately knowing the other comes in handy so many ways and when Taylor is open to exploring, Brenner feels it's only right that he steps up to help, as his best friend. The feelings that come along with what they do are wholly unexpected but also seem very natural for them both.
It's quite a fast paced story which helps to move through things with ease as, in regards to their relationship development, I'd say it's fairly low angst. The worry they have is more for their parents, and any worry their possible relationship might cause is sweet. Both Brenner and Taylor clearly think the world of their parents, and it's nice to read two good relationships with parents.
There are mentions of the passing of a parent and a younger sibling(all off page) and the grief that they still deal with, and one absent parent who was verbally abusive to the other parent in front of them as a young child.
This has been a great series from Riley and Devon that I highly recommend. I'm looking forward to what they bring us next.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
I wasn't expecting how quickly Brenner and Taylor get right on down to things together. They are clearly a good fit as best friends, innately knowing the other comes in handy so many ways and when Taylor is open to exploring, Brenner feels it's only right that he steps up to help, as his best friend. The feelings that come along with what they do are wholly unexpected but also seem very natural for them both.
It's quite a fast paced story which helps to move through things with ease as, in regards to their relationship development, I'd say it's fairly low angst. The worry they have is more for their parents, and any worry their possible relationship might cause is sweet. Both Brenner and Taylor clearly think the world of their parents, and it's nice to read two good relationships with parents.
There are mentions of the passing of a parent and a younger sibling(all off page) and the grief that they still deal with, and one absent parent who was verbally abusive to the other parent in front of them as a young child.
This has been a great series from Riley and Devon that I highly recommend. I'm looking forward to what they bring us next.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
May 6, 2025
The dialogue in this was so nauseating and cringe inducing I had to go on suicide watch while reading this
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