Duress: An Age Gap Dark Romance

by Poppy Fitzgerald

One woman. Two brothers out to ruin each other. A secret that could destroy all three.Dane

When I first met Everly, the age difference alone led the casual observer to dismiss my feelings as a schoolboy crush, but the truth is, she's had me wrapped around her finger for years...

Too bad my callous bastard of a half-brother went and put a ring on her finger first.

Years later, when I am brought into her path again, I can tell she sees the man I've become just as clearly as she's finally come to see the truth about the monster she married.

He won't let her go without a fight, but he's finally picked a fight I won't let him win just to keep the family peace.

Everly

I never saw myself as a cheater, but I never saw myself married to a monster, either.

The trustworthy man I fell in love with has been warped by power. Now corruption, greed, and manipulation come as naturally to my husband as breathing. He’s even willing to use his brother, Dane’s, unrequited crush on me to manipulate him.

Dane is different. Instead of seeing me as an asset to his image, he sees me for who I am. He looks at me like I am special. For the first time in years, I feel treasured. Important.

Unfortunately, Bryce doesn’t want to let me go and we are tied together by more than just wedding vows. We are bound by a secret that is big enough to destroy all three of us.


Duress is an adult dark romantic suspense and is intended for mature audiences only. Please see inside for full content considerations.

Genres: Dark Romance, Friends To Lovers, Suspense, Dark

386 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2025

About the author

Poppy Fitzgerald is an emerging author of romance novels. Poppy calls the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains home, with her husband, two sons, mostly absentee cat, and overly affectionate Golden Doodle. Poppy enjoys any and all romance genres and tropes, but loves to play around with popular tropes and turn them on their heads to come up with something not commonly seen. When she’s not writing she usually has her head buried in her kindle, reading smut. She also communicates fluently in GIFs and sarcasm and loves making her readers cry.

Reviews

[Pà · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really hit me hard in the best way. I felt every emotion. Poppy’s writing was so strong, I didn’t even notice how fast I was turning the pages until I finished it. Everly and Dane stayed in my mind long after I closed the book. Their connection was deep and powerful, but what stood out most was Everly’s personal growth. The story had tension, mystery, and emotional moments that felt real. I appreciated that healing and recovery were part of the journey, not just romance. The author didn’t rush anything, and everything felt meaningful. This was more than just a love story for me, it was raw, dark, but also full of heart. I cried, I smiled, and I loved every minute. Easy 5 stars. Thank you so much to the author and Luna Literary PR for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving an honest review.

[SinfulReadsByV · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is about Everly and Dane's dark and emotional love story.
The writing perfectly captures all the cracks Everly tries to hide, everything to maintain her illusion of perfection.
I loved everything about this story. The way the characters were written showed that, despite their flaws, they could still find something more meaningful in life. It was amazing watching what led to the turning points for each of them and how they handled it all. Dane is that perfect guy who just seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The drama pulls you down a path of what the hell just happened?! and the chemistry build-up between the characters was so good.
And Bryce was a well-written villain. I was rooting for him to get what he deserved & so much more.
Seeing the MCs get the ending they truly deserved was satisfying. No cliffhanger here, and thank goodness because after everything that happened in those pages, I’m not sure my heart could’ve taken any more. Duress is an accurate title for this dark, chaotic & amazing story.

[Allyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an intense love story with a little mystery tossed in.

I enjoyed reading about Everly and Dane's past and present. It was fun watching the tension build and them try to fight it.

On the other side, I'm always happy when an author can drag emotions out of me and I really didn't like Bryce. I spent most of the book waiting for him to get what was coming to him.

The one thing I wish the book had was more about Everly's parents. They were so absent, especially in the end of the book.

Thank you Poppy Fitzgerald for providing an advanced copy of the book.

[Litbyzuls · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid 3.75 stars.

Main male character has been in love with his brothers wife… yep you read that right brothers wife lol. Brother is a horrible person and husband to Everly our female main character.

Hidden family secrets and entanglements had me intrigued but the story felt a bit dragged out in my opinion but overall good entertaining read.

[paigesofsmut · Rating 3 out of 5]

He wants his brother’s wife 🤏🤏

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skeptic to Believer

Honestly I am shocking even myself as I say this was my favorite in Poppy's Birch Falls series thus far... But here we are! I have had the pleasure of being a Poppy Fitzgerald fan since her debut novel Astray, and it has been an exciting journey watching her grow into her writing and seeing how her voice as an author becomes more pronounced. I still can't believe Astray was a debut novel, but I digress... I will admit I was hesitant at first coming into a story where there was cheating between spouses. I know it was probably more so my own experiences projecting onto the book and characters, so I did my best to tuck that all away and truly experience Duress as it was written.

I am SO THANKFUL I gave this a chance. The way Poppy captures Dane and Everly's story is EVERYTHING. Not once did I get an "ick" feeling as Everly "cheats" on her husband with his brother... Yes... HIS M-F'ing brother y'all... So hot!!! I will admit I was incredibly skeptical of even being able to enjoy the plot, but the way we SEE Everly and how her husband treats her compared to how our MMC (Dane) treats her leaves absolutely no doubts that Everly is married to the wrong man.

Once again, Poppy takes us on a roller-coaster ride of emotions and some of these are uncomfortable to bear witness too, but uncomfortable in the best way. I felt true pain and heartbreak with Dane and Everly. Then cried tears of joy as we saw our beloved characters come back together in the end. Did I mention the ADHD rep?!?! LOVED it!!! What about showing the work and therapy our characters put in?! Seriously this book has it all!!!

The way Dane loves Everly is how everyone deserves to be loved. New Book boyfriend right here and I will fight you all for this man!!! He is understanding, patient, domineering yet yielding, and most important, only wants Everly to be happy, whatever the outcome. He puts her needs first, always.

I cannot recommend this enough and I am positive you will love this world and these characters as much as me. Lastly, Gloria is the GOAT!!!!

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

5🌟
4.5🌶

Thank you to Poppy Fitzgerald for the chance to read an advance copy of this riveting story! I devoured this story in less than a day! In short, this book is phenomenal, beautifully devistating, tragically healing, and a must read! You won't regret it!

⚠️ Check your trigger warnings ⚠️

She envisioned a life of love and happiness, and held a passion for the arts. But, Everly Carmichael is tied to her possessive, domineering husband by a dark secret. Can she continue to live under his thumb, or will she allow herself to be swept away by his younger brother, who only has eyes for her?

Dane Wilcox has been in love with his sister-in-law since the day he met her. His older brother had made his whole life hell, and he cannot fathom how Everly is married the man. When long dead secrets are revealed, will Dane and Everly let the past rest, or will it tear away their chance at happiness?

Usually, I am not a fan of the love triangle trope, or pitting brothers against each other, but Fitzgerald did this so beautifully, I couldn't help but LOVE this story. This book has some dark, and very realistic, traumatic events. Often, authors use flashbacks to show the trauma a character experienced. Not Fitzgerald! She plops the characters right in the center of it and drags the reader kicking and screaming through the hell that the characters experience. But worry not! Fitzgerald also takes the reader on the heart-wrenching healing journey with the characters.

🖤In-laws to Lovers
❤️Romantic Suspense
🖤Possessive Relationship
❤️Cinnamon Roll MMC
🖤Blackmail
❤️Touch Her + Die
🖤He Falls First
❤️Age Gap 
🖤Cheating With His Brother
❤️Dark Secrets

"Seeing her face for the first time after our kiss is like seeing the sun come out after a week of rain and gloom."

"His kiss is all- consuming. He doesn’t kiss me like he’s possessive or like he owns me. He kisses me like I am his very essence of being. He kisses me like he’s a man dying of thirst, and I am the water essential to his survival."

"A girl can only be patched together so many times before she becomes just the shattered remains of what could have been."

I received an advanced copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The above opinions are my own.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say I am ever *happy* about going back to Birch Falls where nothing is ever what it seems. I'm always going to get my feelings hurt, trust someone I shouldn't. Get Betrayed. Stabbed in the back. I mean, I'm always going to be happy about it in the end but ... man, it's always a RIDE. This ... no exception. These brothers? Toxic doesn't even begin to describe this relationship.
Dane and Bryce couldn't be more different, the only thing they common is Everly and they couldn't love her differently. One sees her as an accessory and the other as his soul's desire. Of course, she wound up marrying the one who uses her as a path to his career and wears her like an expensive handbag while out with his coworkers.
But what can they do? Cheating would be wrong! Right? RIGHT?!?!
If only that were the biggest moral dilemma faced in the latest Birch Falls novel where corruption, murder, mayhem, and secrets are behind every perfect facade.
Another stellar novel by Poppy Fitzgerald. Hold on to your ats, your pearls, your jaw. Just enjoy the ride.

[Emily pistel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m still thinking about Everly and Dane. I am still in this world and I catch myself randomly thinking about them, that’s how you know it was a good book!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a dark and stormy night when two novels, Dark Romance and Suspense, found themselves out an out of way way inn where there is only one room and one bed. You know what happens next of course, and the lovechild of that fated union is the spicy intense novel, Duress.

The story lured me in gently with sweet promises of characters from Exile reappearing and flourishing in their new relationship and career. Aw bless, it's lovely to see them getting on with their lives? What's that? Yes of course I know they're fictional. Get off my lawn.

Sadly, my nostalgic cooing only lasted for a little while before the evil queen, Poppy swept in and gathered up her storytelling skills to lead me into Trauma Land. This woman's plot and character development is diabolical. I can't believe I trusted her a third time, and yet here I am. She had me tied up in so many knots that I'm pretty sure I quality for a merit badge of some description.

I have some lived experience with psychologically abusive partners. Oh I could really pick 'em back in the day. I would walk past a big box full of red bunting clearly labelled 'Red Flags' and end up dating it for six months. These days it's cats all the way and you know what? Never mind, I'm wandering off topic. What I'm trying to word salad my way into saying is that Poppy can write the slow burn of desire and attraction and still manage to offset it with a slow build of tension and abuse. Again, diabolical.

Everly is an introverted artist married to Bryce who is a lawyer gunning for a big career and has used Everly's father as a stepping stone. Dane is Bryce's younger half-brother and a cop in Birth Falls. There is a major schism between Bryce and Dane and Everly is the go-between. The slight complication there is that Dane has feelings for Everly and can't understand why she stays with Bryce. He sees her as a warm, caring, talented individual and adores her accordingly. Bryce sees her as an accessory, and there's a world of difference.

So there you have it, the aggressive narcissistic lawyer versus the younger brother dealing with burnout but still full of empathy as he guides his rookie partner Serena (her story is in Exile and she appears in Astray). Meanwhile Everly is trapped in a soulless McMansion creating artwork and trying to avoid her attraction to Dane.

Bryce is a terrible human being and let's face it, we all know his kind. He has zero qualms about using his wife as leverage with his colleagues as well as his half-brother, and his arrogant manipulation is right off the charts. Everly is so browbeaten at this point that it's a wonder she has lasted this long, but Bryce's over-confidence manages to push her just that little bit in the other direction and what do you know, it's into Dane's arms.

All it takes is a couple of nights out with friends in a safe space, and a taste of how could things could be (if you're picking up what I'm putting down there - I'm waggling my eyebrows furiously at this point) and then you have a demonic balancing act. And then ... THEN come the flashbacks that trigger the Poppy Fitzgerald Impending Sense of Doom (patent pending). You can partly see what's coming but you don't know if you actually want to be right because that would be horrible, and then you're kinda right but then she does this weird parkour thing and all heckin' heck breaks loose.

Suspicions and hackles are raised, Everly grows a backbone and then she doubles down on her hunch because she's had enough and she wants everything to come to light, no matter the cost. Now this is the part of the book that really started to trigger some memories for me. No matter how great it is to have the Great Awakening and get out of a bad relationship, there's also a loss of dignity, particularly when there are people waiting for you on the other side. There's a period of grieving what you never had, and shame for not seeing what others could. Growth comes out of that but it can be a hard slog, and this is exactly what Poppy captured for Everly.

I'm not going into great detail here because spoilers, but there's a beautifully realised stage of grief, shame and healing that Everly goes through before she can start to live for herself. What's also beautiful is that love is waiting for her on the other side, no matter how long it takes. I started bawling at the start of that phase and was full on snot-sobbing at the end. That was my personal experience shaping how I read the story. Others will find it to be a great suspense and dark romance lovechild, and that's absolutely fine. Everyone experiences stories differently.

I'll wrap it up by contrasting this book with Exile, which is book two in the Birch Falls series. Exile was about coercive control, and when I got to the end of that one I couldn't help but wonder if I would have recognised all the red flags in the story while I was in a similar situation. Duress by contrast, is more about recognising the situation, accepting the why, and then the road to recovery afterwards. All similarly dark stories but with different layers of recognition and recovery.

Gut-wrenching and rewarding all at once. I would also like to point out that I managed to work my way through that book without any emotional support carbs in the house, which was a massive failing on my part. I'll know better for next time.

[Raquel Caldeira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is dark, twisted, and emotional in a way that completely pulled me in. At the surface, it’s about forbidden love between a woman and her husband’s younger brother, but it quickly unravels into so much more: family secrets, betrayal, obsession, and the devastating impact of generational wounds.

Everly’s journey was one of the hardest to read. She truly loved her husband at the start of their relationship, but over time, neglected, and reduced to little more than arm candy to boost his legal and political career. Her chapters were heartbreaking, because as much as you root for her to leave her husband, you also understand why it was so hard for her to walk away. That blend of love, loyalty, fear, and self-preservation made her story incredibly raw and human.

Everly’s husband, Bryce, is presented as toxic and manipulative, but his character is also layered with heartbreaking realism. His bitterness, resentment, and desperate need for approval are rooted in childhood abandonment and complicated family history. While I never condoned his actions, I understood the pain that fueled them, and it made him a disturbingly complex character. Honestly, he might have been one of the most fascinating parts of the story.

Dane on the other hand, is fiercly protective and supportive of those he loves—whether partner, friends, or family— and it shines through. On the flip side, I did get a little frustrated with him at times, particularly his black-and-white view of Bryce as nothing more than a monster, without trying to understand the complicated history that shaped him. That lack of empathy made Dane feel less layered in comparison but this is understandable given that Dane is a police officer with a that rigid sense of right and wrong that fits with his worldview.

The women in this story endure so much—emotional manipulation, dangerous secrets, and life-altering betrayals. AND THE PLOT TWISTS? Fml, my heart couldn't take it. By the time the book reached its climax, I was fully invested and felt every ounce of tension, heartbreak, and devastation.

If you’re looking for a dark romantic suspense that’s heavy on family drama, packed with secrets and moral grey areas, and layered with both passion and tragedy, Duress will keep you hooked until the very end.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one left me completely torn. On the one hand, it’s got one of my favourite tropes – older woman, younger man – and the reverse age gap isn’t overplayed. Dane is a classic good guy MMC: loyal, protective, emotionally available, and harbouring a long-standing torch for Everly, his sister-in-law. Add in some juicy suspense, family secrets and the emotional pull of a toxic marriage, and I was hooked early on.

But for all the high-stakes melodrama, there were plenty of things that didn’t quite land for me. Dane – who I wanted to love – too often slipped into sleazy teenage fantasy territory. His inner monologue when looking at Everly felt immature and jarring, and honestly it grossed me out a bit. I love a MMC who has filthy thoughts, but not ones that read like a bad 15 year-olds' idea of sexy talk.

Everly, meanwhile, is in a difficult situation with her abusive husband – and while I’m not here to judge anyone’s actions under duress, I struggled to believe she’d risk sleeping with Dane in her marital home. Some of her choices didn’t feel quite believable. Add in sex scenes that lacked chemistry and realism (no protection? Really?), and a dynamic between the leads that didn’t deepen during the steamy moments, and the shine wore off quickly for me.

Still, there’s a lot of gripping emotional drama here, and something addictive about the chaos. I didn’t love it – but I’m oddly curious about what happens to the side characters…

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duress is a dark, emotional romance full of tension, secrets, and forbidden chemistry. Everly is stuck in a toxic marriage to a man who’s twisted by power and control. Her husband, Bryce, is manipulative and cruel, and he’s not above using his own brother, Dane, to get what he wants.
But Dane isn’t playing along. He’s had feelings for Everly for years, long before she married his half-brother. When they're thrown back into each other's lives, all that pent-up emotion starts to come out. The chemistry is strong from the start, and it only builds from there.
This story is about more than romance—it’s about being seen, finding safety, and reclaiming control. Dane treats Everly with care, something she hasn’t felt in a long time. It’s easy to root for them, even when the situation is messy.
There’s suspense layered into the plot, and it keeps the story moving. Secrets come out, things unravel, and while some side characters (like Everly’s parents) could’ve been more present, the ending still feels complete. No third-act breakup, no drawn-out drama, just a solid HEA for two people who really earned it.
If you like forbidden romance, intense chemistry, and a morally gray setup that delivers a satisfying payoff, this one is worth picking up.

[Bookishkfae Fae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the perfect blend of mystery, suspense, and romance. Some family secrets are so dark they could ruin relationships and lives. Everly is realizing the man she married is a monster, and his younger brother may the only person who can help her. Dane has always been protective of those he loves and believed in fighting for what is right, even when that means fighting his own brother.

The suspense is intense! The mystery and family trauma is deep! It was absolutely a page turner. I was engaged and excited to see what would happen. I was cheering for Ever and Dane and their steamy secret relationship.

I loved that the healing aspect of this story was taken so seriously! Therapy!! Self discovery! The FMC acknowledges that man and a relationship can’t fix you! The characters take their healing journeys seriously after dealing with trauma!! It is so refreshing!! I loved that this was an entire “step” in the storyline. It felt so real and so necessary.


Tropes:
In-laws to Lovers
Romantic Suspense
Possessive Relationship
Cinnamon Roll MMC
Blackmail
Touch Her + Die
He Falls First
Age Gap
Cheating With His Brother

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was phenomenal. It was dark, emotional, and impossible to put down. I am obsessed. I devoured this book in one sitting. It had me hooked from page one. Everly is caught in a not so great situation. She's married to a man who has turned into a monster that is wrapped up in power and corruption. Then we have Dane, her husband's half brother, who truly sees Everly and has always been in love with her. He's everything her husband is not, and it makes her feel special again. There is also a massive secret that could destroyed all three of them.

This isn't your typical sweet romantic suspense, it's dark, full of angst, and emotionally messy, but in the best way. This book will have you fiending for more after every single page. It touches on tough subjects like domestic violence and deep emotional wounds, but will have you healing and whole by the end. These characters are unforgettable, and you will be thinking about them long after the book is finished. This book will show you that even in br0ken situations, real love can still be found.

Thank you Luna Literary for the advance copy.

[Katty · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I struggled with Duress.
On one hand, Poppy Fitzgerald wrote a book that is raw, borderline realistic, and tragic.
On the other hand, it kind of dragged in some spots.

I loved the forbidden aspect of it and how Dane and Everly had this sizzling connection. Dane having harboured feelings for Everly for years and struggling to understand how and why she continued to stay with his not so great of a human brother, and then when he finally makes a love because of how miserable she is in her marriage was kind of relieving.

However, I also found Dane to be a bit much. Yes he had these feelings for her for so long, but also at some point it was kind of weird 🤨

Everly also struggled so much. She loved her husband in the beginning, but after being tossed aside and used as nothing more than arm candy was awful. Her side of the story was tough to read because as much as you rooted for her to leave douche mcgee, you also understand why it was so hard for her to.

I didn’t hate Duress but I also didn’t love it.

Thank you to Luna Literary Management and Poppy Fitzgerald for the opportunity to read Duress in advance.

[Elvira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duress is a tension filled love triangle that pulls you in from the start. At its center are two brothers and the woman caught between them. Dane, the MMC, has always been in love with his brother’s wife, Everly. He can’t understand how she could marry someone like Bryce, someone he sees as cruel and unworthy of her.

Everly isn’t happy in her marriage, but she stays because of a secret Bryce holds over her. She knows Dane loves her, and despite her efforts to stay distant, she finds herself falling for him too. Still, she fears that revealing the truth will shatter all their lives.

I loved the suspense surrounding Everly’s secret, it kept me turning the pages. Why would she stay with Bryce when she had sweet, caring, and devoted Dane right there, willing to do anything for her?

Normally, I’m not a fan of love triangles, but Poppy Fitzgerald does a fantastic job weaving this one in a way that makes you want to root for Dane and Everly. Their connection felt genuine, and the emotional stakes were high enough to keep me fully invested.

[Janelle Sequin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Poopy Fitzgerald book that I have read and I really enjoyed this book.

In this book it is about Everly & Dane. Everly is Dane’s sister in law in this book as she is married to Bryce who is Dane’s half brother. Dane has always been in love with Everly. Everly is in a not so good marriage with Bryce as she isn’t allowed to go out and do things and must play the perfect wife. Both Everly & Bryce are keeping a secret. Everly starts to realize Bryce is not the same man she married ten years ago and is trying to figure out how to leave this marriage as Bryce has started to become abusive towards Everly. Dane has always been kind to Everly and things happen between them and they also both need to heal from secrets being revealed. All Everly needed was a good man to take care of her.

I really loved reading this story at times it was really hard to read due to the subject matters so just be prepared for that.

Thank you Luna Literary and Poppy Fitzgerald for allowing me to read this book before it was released.

[Dawnie.03 · Rating 3 out of 5]

the concept of this story is a man “stealing” his brothers wife. I am not a fan of cheating, I genuinely hated the fact of it in this book even if the brother everly is married to is a horrific person. I get the whole eye for an eye thing but it still gives me the ick. Also the plot twist if you can even call it that around halfway through was literally the most predictable cliché in the world. Dane is a fairly decent mmc. He protected his partner which is honorable (he’s a police officer). Random bit but his brother (Bryce) is a crocked lawyer which makes it hard for everly to divorce him. Bryce is a real pos in my opinion. I hated him from the first introduction. Bless their mother’s little heart though. A second plot twist happens and h^ll yeah honestly. But their poor mother😭 that woman has been through so much and poor everly. I swear the women in this book go through so much it’s crazy lol. It did end pretty much exactly how I expected it too but I love that everly and Dane got their happy ending after all the trauma in this book

[Cindy Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duress is my first book from this author but definitely won't be the last. This story is an emotional rollercoaster ride.

Everly is in a terrible marriage with a man named Bryce who is driven by power and so much control. She is very unhappy. He uses his younger brother Dane all the time. Dane has loved Everly for years, before she was even married to Bryce. When they see each other again they still have the chemistry from before. Dane is so good to Everly and treats her far better than her husband. You want them to get their happy ending. I loved seeing the healing aspect for the characters. Everly was so strong.

This story has secrets that come out and a lot of mystery and suspense. You won't want to put it down. I look forward to more from this talented author.

You will enjoy this story if you love:
* Forbidden romance
* Suspense
* He falls first and hard
* Age gap

Thank you to the author for an advanced copy for an honest review.

[Extraspicybooklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was super intense and so freaking good! Some Great mystery and suspense added in too 🥰

Everly is an introverted artist but her husband Bryce has been manipulating and gaslighting her years. Dane is Bryce’s half brother that they despise each other. When the opportunity arises for Everly to go to game night with Dane and his friends she decides to take it. And oooooh Dane and Everlys Chemistry is next level delicious! And I mean in REAL life we don’t like a cheater but in bookland it’s soooo so good! Things unravel pretty fast for them after an intense kiss. Everly is starved for the positive attention and things just unravel for her from there. Secrets are uncovered and blood is shed
Bryce is the biggest piece of garbage and deserves all the things that happen.
Such a good great boon with a perfect HEA! 🖤

[ThatsSomeGoodSmut · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded to 4 stars

Duress is a tense, emotional ride that blends forbidden romance, buried family secrets, and a creeping sense of danger into one gripping story. Everly and Dane’s chemistry crackles from their very first page together, and the years of yearning adds so much weight to every glance and touch. Watching their relationship unfold against the backdrop of Everly’s unraveling marriage kept me hooked.

There’s a lot of emotional depth here and the suspense element adds tension without overwhelming the romance. Secrets come to light in just the right rhythm to keep you turning pages, and the payoff is worth the build. This is a story about survival, reclaiming power, and choosing love even when the path is messy.

Thank you to the author and Luna Literary Management for this copy.

[Tracy Belardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

This book made me a nervous wreck!!
I won't be able to summarize this book without giving too much away...but let me tell you this: It's a page turner!
You will love Everly. You will feel sorry for her and worry for her. You could possibly judge her decisions but stick with her....
You will also love Dane. He's a police officer and Everly's brother in law. You will feel bad for him too. You could question his motives but stick with him.
Now Bryce is a different story. You will like young Bryce. You may question his actions. You will despise present day Bryce and will absolutely question every little thing he does. You'll be yelling for Everly to kick his hateful butt to the curb.
Poppy Fitzgerald....listen hear woman....my blood pressure suffered because of this book!
AND I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT!!!!
Thanks for the ARC!!

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is top tier! Younger brother in love with older brothers wife, I.can.not! I ate it up! Tons of triggers in this girl though, so check them, for real!
Dane is literal book boyfriend goals! Straight golden retriever, do anything she asks vibes. We love a devoted man!
He's been in love with Everly since he was a teenager when his older brother brought her home to meet the family. He kept his feelings mostly bottled up, until things with Everly and his brother get nasty. Again, check your triggers (cheating, physical/verbal abuse, borderline SA).
The mystery and suspense was such a great added morsel to the storyline. So well written and thought out.
I loved this story so much and I am forever a Poppy reader!
🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶🌶🌶

[Jess Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was full of tension, secrets, emotional damage, and just the right amount of healing. It follows one woman and two brothers who are basically at war with each other, and there’s an awful secret that has the power to destroy everything between them.

At first, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the cheating aspect. But once I got into it, I realised the story was so much more than that. It wasn’t about drama for the sake of it. It was about what happens when someone has been stuck in a toxic situation for too long and finally finds a way out. The emotional abuse, the past trauma, and the need to feel safe and loved were such a big part of the story, and I really appreciated that it didn’t just focus on the romance.

Dane and Everly broke me a little. The way he loves her is how everyone should be loved. Yes, she was married to his brother, but honestly, the guy was a complete jerk and didn’t deserve her. It was messy, sure, but also real and human. Everly finally getting her happy ending felt right.

The plot twist, the reveals, and all the moments of vulnerability really hit. It’s the kind of story that reminds you how strong people can be, even when everything feels like it’s falling apart.

[Sussu {Romance Obsessed}]

Thank you so much for the arc, but I think I will DNF it at about 16% in.

I didn't really like either of the characters, the writing was not to my taste and idk. I think it was the nickname "giggle pants" that did me in.
I also didn't realize it was the type of book where the FMC is completely ignored by her husband and his brother is more than happy to take his place. I read the blurb, but I thought it was going to be more of a why choose situation. My bad 😅

It maybe didn't click for me bc the first time they kiss is when he's given her a crumb of attention and she's drunk as well. It just kind of made me wonder if she even really likes him, or is just latching onto him because he's the only guy that's paid any attention to her.

[Carla Cannan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow…shazam…what a book! Check trigger warnings

However, going in I knew there was cheating, but I found myself cheering for our MMC’s.

Bryce, the husband and older brother is mentally abd physically abusive to Everly. She has been gaslighted and treated horribly for so long that she doesn’t think she is desirable. Boom, enter Dane.

Dane, the younger, 1/2 brother worships the ground Everly walks on and treats here as she should be treated.

Is it messy? Yes. Is it morally wrong? Yes, but we are in book land. I’ve never liked any cheating book before this one.

You will find yourself cheering for Dane and Everly.

Thank you to Luna Literacy and Poppy Jacobsen for the ARC opportunity.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everly is in a loveless marriage. Her husband's younger brother has always harbored a crush and could never understand what she saw in his brother. Cue game night, alcohol and a stolen kiss.
We learn more about her husband's character and of course there is nothing about him that makes us feel bad that this is going on.
This did drag toward the end. There was some suspense but not a lot of overall action going on.
There was what I like to call the "non-communication" trope, where people keep secrets from one another because they believe it to be in the other person's best interest and it just unnecessarily complicates things while adding 0 to the storyline. There was that with Everly and Dane.

[Jordan Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whewwww we this was a good read! The suspense kept me from literally putting this book down and it had the perfect amount of spice! We have Dane and Everly as our main characters. Everly is married to Dane’s brother but he hasn’t been the man she fell in love with in many many years. Everly is older than Dane. Dane has been in life with Everly for many years also and has always been there for Everly. There is lots of blackmail in this story (Dane is a cop and his brother is a lawyer that has turned to the dark side). There are some hard topics in this book for sure!

In-laws to Lovers
Romantic Suspense
Possessive Relationship
Cinnamon Roll MMC
Blackmail
Touch Her + Die
He Falls First
Age Gap
Cheating With His Brother
Dark Secrets

Thank you Luna Literary PR for the arc!

[Christina Santos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a very emotional theme in the book, they are some things in the book that are heavy topics so make sure keep that in the mind before starting. The tropes in the book are age gap my favorite, he falls first, In law to lovers, and many more. We have our main characters Everly and Dane, Everly is getting married but what happens when she doesn't wasn't to get married to her partner and realize its some one else maybe her soon to be brother in law? The plot was good the book had some twist in the book I was like wow I love how the author wrote the fmc in the book. thi book will be avalible on amazon and KU on August 1.