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Arcadia: A Spicy Forbidden Romance
She was supposed to be passing through.
Instead, she became the center of everything.
When eighteen-year-old Tate is left behind in the French countryside with her mother’s new husband and his son, she expects distance, discomfort… maybe even indifference.
What she doesn’t expect is the way the silence starts to change.
Jerome is steady, controlled—the kind of man who doesn’t lose control. Until he does.
Leon is volatile, sharp-edged—the kind of man who pushes people away. Until he doesn’t.
Trapped in a place where no one is watching and nothing feels quite real, Tate finds herself caught between them—pulled into something neither of them is willing to name.
Arcadia is a full-length MFM menage romance (NO MM). Spicy, forbidden, dual POV, standalone in series. HEA guaranteed.
Instead, she became the center of everything.
When eighteen-year-old Tate is left behind in the French countryside with her mother’s new husband and his son, she expects distance, discomfort… maybe even indifference.
What she doesn’t expect is the way the silence starts to change.
Jerome is steady, controlled—the kind of man who doesn’t lose control. Until he does.
Leon is volatile, sharp-edged—the kind of man who pushes people away. Until he doesn’t.
Trapped in a place where no one is watching and nothing feels quite real, Tate finds herself caught between them—pulled into something neither of them is willing to name.
Arcadia is a full-length MFM menage romance (NO MM). Spicy, forbidden, dual POV, standalone in series. HEA guaranteed.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 20, 2025
About the author
Saint Bryde
6 books22 followersSaint Bryde writes romance that doesn’t behave.
Her stories explore what happens when boundaries blur and desire stops asking for permission. She’s drawn to complicated dynamics, morally messy characters, and the kind of chemistry that builds slowly, until it can’t be ignored. Her work leans into tension over spectacle. Into restraint before release. Into the moments where characters understand exactly what they’re doing… and do it anyway. Set against immersive backdrops—from isolated countryside homes to places where no one is watching—her books focus on proximity, pressure, and the emotional consequences of getting too close.
Readers who enjoy taboo tension, slow-building obsession, and emotionally charged relationships will feel right at home. When she’s not writing, she works with animals and spends her time in quiet spaces that tend to inspire her most intense stories.
Sign up to her newsletter to not miss an update as well as extra exclusive goodies. You can also follow Saint on her socials.
Her stories explore what happens when boundaries blur and desire stops asking for permission. She’s drawn to complicated dynamics, morally messy characters, and the kind of chemistry that builds slowly, until it can’t be ignored. Her work leans into tension over spectacle. Into restraint before release. Into the moments where characters understand exactly what they’re doing… and do it anyway. Set against immersive backdrops—from isolated countryside homes to places where no one is watching—her books focus on proximity, pressure, and the emotional consequences of getting too close.
Readers who enjoy taboo tension, slow-building obsession, and emotionally charged relationships will feel right at home. When she’s not writing, she works with animals and spends her time in quiet spaces that tend to inspire her most intense stories.
Sign up to her newsletter to not miss an update as well as extra exclusive goodies. You can also follow Saint on her socials.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
August 15, 2026
3 ⭐️
I didn’t hate the story…but I didn’t love it either. I enjoyed the French countryside location 🇫🇷, and the premise of the story, but the romance aspect felt like it came out of nowhere with both MMC’s and the whole missing mother storyline was more of a distraction than anything. The writing is good 👍🏽, the story just needs a little more polishing in my opinion.
Also, I speak French, so I enjoyed the bilingual moments of the book, but non-speakers would benefit from some translation in the book. It would be distracting to me if I didn’t understand some of the book and had to pause to figure out translation. That might just be me though 🤷🏽♀️
🎧: The narrators were VERY good, but the way the story is set up, this would have benefitted from DUET narration rather than dual. I know it’s expensive to produce, so they did the best with what they were given. They all handled the French very well.
Overall it was OK. The writing was good, but I was left wanting more from the story. If you are in the market for a quick, spicy read then you may enjoy this story.
Thank you to Must Love Audio for the ALC 🎧💞
I didn’t hate the story…but I didn’t love it either. I enjoyed the French countryside location 🇫🇷, and the premise of the story, but the romance aspect felt like it came out of nowhere with both MMC’s and the whole missing mother storyline was more of a distraction than anything. The writing is good 👍🏽, the story just needs a little more polishing in my opinion.
Also, I speak French, so I enjoyed the bilingual moments of the book, but non-speakers would benefit from some translation in the book. It would be distracting to me if I didn’t understand some of the book and had to pause to figure out translation. That might just be me though 🤷🏽♀️
🎧: The narrators were VERY good, but the way the story is set up, this would have benefitted from DUET narration rather than dual. I know it’s expensive to produce, so they did the best with what they were given. They all handled the French very well.
Overall it was OK. The writing was good, but I was left wanting more from the story. If you are in the market for a quick, spicy read then you may enjoy this story.
Thank you to Must Love Audio for the ALC 🎧💞
September 4, 2026
4 ⭐️ 3 🌶️
What a wild, fun ride. This started off with a bang, and I’m a sucker for forbidden, taboo reads. When Tate is waiting at the airport for her mother, but she never shows up and her stepfather picks her up instead, I just knew this was going to hook me.
I loved the ups and downs I went through while reading this. I felt the depth of emotions the characters were experiencing. You could feel the tension, and you wanted to know what happened to her mother and why she just up and vanished. While that mystery played out in the background, Tate started to become comfortable living with her stepfather and stepbrother. Jerome and Leon as father and son were a little tense from the start, but when it came to Tate, they had complex push and pull feelings. The forbidden step dynamic added another layer to the story, which I liked. I will say the spice was absolutely delicious, and the taboo scene at the end hit the spot. It’s about 95% forbidden and 5% taboo at the end. I knew going in that I wouldn’t take this too seriously and would just enjoy the story, because it was going to be wild.
The audiobook was great. It’s done in dual narration, and Evelyn, Sean, and Anthony were fantastic to listen to.
I will say that, as a personal preference, since French accents are being used, I would have preferred this audiobook done in duet narration. At times, especially with other languages, I need to focus more on what’s being said. Because each narrator had their own accent when speaking French, it was sometimes hard to differentiate between Jerome and Leon in the same scenes. Again, this is more of a personal issue.
Overall, I enjoyed this short, quick forbidden taboo read, and I look forward to reading more of Saint’s work in the future.
Genre/Type: Dark Adult Romance 18+
APK: Audiobook ALC
Audiobook Length: 7hrs 25mins
Narrators: Evelyn Rose, Sean Masters and Anthony Palmini - Dual
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: First Person
Series or Standalone: Standalone
Tropes or Themes: Forbidden, Taboo, Love Triangle Turns into Menage, Age Gap, Found Family, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn, Step Father and Step Brother MMC, High Tension, Chemistry, Secrets, Truth or Dare, Alcohol, Cheating, Sexual Content, Praise, Dirty Talk, Oral Play, Virgin FMC, Dry Humping Scene, Car Scene, Pool Scene, Couch Scene and DVP Scene.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Margins | Pagebound | Pinterest | Facebook | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
What a wild, fun ride. This started off with a bang, and I’m a sucker for forbidden, taboo reads. When Tate is waiting at the airport for her mother, but she never shows up and her stepfather picks her up instead, I just knew this was going to hook me.
I loved the ups and downs I went through while reading this. I felt the depth of emotions the characters were experiencing. You could feel the tension, and you wanted to know what happened to her mother and why she just up and vanished. While that mystery played out in the background, Tate started to become comfortable living with her stepfather and stepbrother. Jerome and Leon as father and son were a little tense from the start, but when it came to Tate, they had complex push and pull feelings. The forbidden step dynamic added another layer to the story, which I liked. I will say the spice was absolutely delicious, and the taboo scene at the end hit the spot. It’s about 95% forbidden and 5% taboo at the end. I knew going in that I wouldn’t take this too seriously and would just enjoy the story, because it was going to be wild.
The audiobook was great. It’s done in dual narration, and Evelyn, Sean, and Anthony were fantastic to listen to.
I will say that, as a personal preference, since French accents are being used, I would have preferred this audiobook done in duet narration. At times, especially with other languages, I need to focus more on what’s being said. Because each narrator had their own accent when speaking French, it was sometimes hard to differentiate between Jerome and Leon in the same scenes. Again, this is more of a personal issue.
Overall, I enjoyed this short, quick forbidden taboo read, and I look forward to reading more of Saint’s work in the future.
Genre/Type: Dark Adult Romance 18+
APK: Audiobook ALC
Audiobook Length: 7hrs 25mins
Narrators: Evelyn Rose, Sean Masters and Anthony Palmini - Dual
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: First Person
Series or Standalone: Standalone
Tropes or Themes: Forbidden, Taboo, Love Triangle Turns into Menage, Age Gap, Found Family, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn, Step Father and Step Brother MMC, High Tension, Chemistry, Secrets, Truth or Dare, Alcohol, Cheating, Sexual Content, Praise, Dirty Talk, Oral Play, Virgin FMC, Dry Humping Scene, Car Scene, Pool Scene, Couch Scene and DVP Scene.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Margins | Pagebound | Pinterest | Facebook | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
September 8, 2026
Not going to lie, this one's been buried in my "I don't know why I'm interested in this but maybe one day" pile for a year.
I picked this up now BECAUSE it was sort of unhinged and not something I'd usually go for. Because my mom's in the hospital and my dad's losing his marbles about it. I needed the distraction. So.
Penelope Douglas fans, to the front! This book is a shorter, sweeter, less...fucked up? Credence, with a French accent.
There's very little buildup time (again, book's short), by chapter 4 or 5 we've already got people getting off by themselves thinking about other people in the house. But at the same time there are a couple time jumps so it's not like Jerome and Leon meet this chick and then fuck her into the mattress the next day. She has some pretty sweet, interesting interactions with both of them before clothes start to come off. So kudos to the author for that.
And the whole set up - Tate's mom abandoning her with these 2 strange men is a really flimsy set-up for a menage situation, but whatever. It might not be the prettiest vehicle on the road, but she'll get you from point A to point B. The mom drama 70% of the way through - I genuinely didn't really care about it. I sort of just wanted the woman to go away again. She's a real piece of work.
Tate herself is very 18 year old coded, in my head. And there are times where it genuinely feels like the author wrote her younger on purpose. It's whiney and bratty in a way that reads more spoilt child, not young woman deliberately being a pain in the ass.
BUT I will give her this. She's got a spine. She doesn't like being told no, and even though her mom abandoned her, she's not a doormat for these men she now lives with.
There are a few attempts at some real emotional growth, hard conversations get had, there's a little father/son bonding going on. The conversations feel...just a little juvenile. Very simple speech, no over-complicating an extremely over-complicated situation. It works for a book this short, but if you're hoping for sweeping emotional revelations...don't.
One last thing: We get a glossary of French phrases at the front of the book, which is helpful, if i had an eidetic memory. I'm not flipping all the way back to the front every time someone's on page babbling in another language I don't understand. The list isn't complete either, there are several things that weren't included that I had to google to understand. There's a way to include phrases in foreign languages in text while providing enough context that a reader who doesn't speak said language would get the point.
I picked this up now BECAUSE it was sort of unhinged and not something I'd usually go for. Because my mom's in the hospital and my dad's losing his marbles about it. I needed the distraction. So.
Penelope Douglas fans, to the front! This book is a shorter, sweeter, less...fucked up? Credence, with a French accent.
There's very little buildup time (again, book's short), by chapter 4 or 5 we've already got people getting off by themselves thinking about other people in the house. But at the same time there are a couple time jumps so it's not like Jerome and Leon meet this chick and then fuck her into the mattress the next day. She has some pretty sweet, interesting interactions with both of them before clothes start to come off. So kudos to the author for that.
And the whole set up - Tate's mom abandoning her with these 2 strange men is a really flimsy set-up for a menage situation, but whatever. It might not be the prettiest vehicle on the road, but she'll get you from point A to point B. The mom drama 70% of the way through - I genuinely didn't really care about it. I sort of just wanted the woman to go away again. She's a real piece of work.
Tate herself is very 18 year old coded, in my head. And there are times where it genuinely feels like the author wrote her younger on purpose. It's whiney and bratty in a way that reads more spoilt child, not young woman deliberately being a pain in the ass.
BUT I will give her this. She's got a spine. She doesn't like being told no, and even though her mom abandoned her, she's not a doormat for these men she now lives with.
There are a few attempts at some real emotional growth, hard conversations get had, there's a little father/son bonding going on. The conversations feel...just a little juvenile. Very simple speech, no over-complicating an extremely over-complicated situation. It works for a book this short, but if you're hoping for sweeping emotional revelations...don't.
One last thing: We get a glossary of French phrases at the front of the book, which is helpful, if i had an eidetic memory. I'm not flipping all the way back to the front every time someone's on page babbling in another language I don't understand. The list isn't complete either, there are several things that weren't included that I had to google to understand. There's a way to include phrases in foreign languages in text while providing enough context that a reader who doesn't speak said language would get the point.
April 17, 2025
Great ARC read! I actually liked the FMC Tate and felt she was dealt a bad hand. Tate’s mother pissed me off!! For some reason I feel like this book could have been longer. Tate didn’t come off as ditzy and I appreciated that. Leon and Jerome were not bad. This is the first I’ve read as a father son duo but it wasn’t uncomfortable to read. Their relationship matured through out the story and they were able to work together for Tate.
February 8, 2026
I was recommended this as it was supposed to be like Credence by Penelope Douglas but I honestly felt it was nothing like it. I didn’t like the writing style, I thought Tate was awfully predictable and acted younger than her age.
The only decent thing, in my opinion, about the book was the forbidden element and how fast paced it was. Everything else just wasn’t for me. This will absolutely be someone’s cuppa tea, but not mine!
The only decent thing, in my opinion, about the book was the forbidden element and how fast paced it was. Everything else just wasn’t for me. This will absolutely be someone’s cuppa tea, but not mine!
September 6, 2026
What a WILD little ride. Arcadia throws you straight into the deep end, and as someone who will apparently never learn my lesson when it comes to forbidden and morally questionable romance...I was READY.
Tate arrives in France expecting to meet her mother’s new husband, only for her mom to disappear and leave her with a complete stranger and his son. In a FOREIGN COUNTRY. With people she’s never met. Ma’am. NOT mother of the year material. And somehow this absolute disaster of a situation turns into one of those books where you know you probably shouldn’t be rooting for what’s happening...but here you are anyway.
Jerome is welcoming, protective, and steady, while Leon is much more guarded and carrying plenty of his own resentment toward his father and Tate’s mother. Watching Tate settle into this strange new household while all three of them slowly figure each other out was one of my favorite parts. There’s awkwardness, friction, curiosity, and SO much simmering attraction underneath everything. And when those feelings finally start surfacing? OH BOY.
The chemistry between Tate, Jerome, and Leon is ridiculously good. The tension builds without rushing them into anything, and I really enjoyed watching each connection develop in its own way. Everyone is fighting what they want because they KNOW how complicated the situation is, which only makes the eventual surrender that much more delicious. And yes...the spice is GOOD. The final stretch takes this from forbidden into full-on TABOO territory, but mostly it just feels forbidden given the age gap and step-status.
Tate’s relationship with her mother also gave the story more emotional weight than I expected. Bianca had me wanting to reach through the pages more than once. Watching Tate slowly stop measuring herself by her mother’s approval and start choosing herself instead was such an important part of her growth.
I also loved the French setting. There’s something about this gorgeous countryside backdrop paired with such a chaotic and tense relationship situation that just WORKS. The story is short and moves along quickly, but it never felt like it was sprinting through the important moments. Although...I absolutely would have taken another few hours. I wanted more of Tate, Jerome, and Leon once they were finally able to just BE together. Give me the domestic mess!
The audiobook was fantastic. Evelyn Rose, Sean Masters, and Anthony Palmini all brought their characters to life beautifully, and the French was handled REALLY well. And those accents? I'm here for more Sean Masters with a french accent. Evelyn captured Tate’s vulnerability and growing confidence so well, while Sean and Anthony brought all the tension, frustration, longing, and heat. My only preference would have been duet narration instead of dual. With all three characters sharing scenes, and especially with the French accents, there were moments where I had to pay extra attention to distinguish Jerome and Leon. That's purely a personal listening preference though. The performances themselves were excellent, and this cast absolutely made the story even more enjoyable.
Overall, Arcadia was a quick, spicy, messy little forbidden romance that I flew through. It gave me tension, questionable decisions, complicated feelings, French countryside vibes, and enough spice to keep me very entertained.
What to expect in Arcadia
🔥 Forbidden Romance
🔥 Taboo Romance
🔥 Step Father + Step Brother
🔥 MFM / Why Choose
🔥 Starts as a Love Triangle
🔥 Age Gap (20+ years)
🔥 Forced Proximity
🔥 Slow Burn
🔥 Virgin Heroine
🔥 High Tension
🔥 Complicated Family Dynamics
🔥 Secrets
🔥 French Countryside Setting
🔥 Dirty Talk
🔥 Praise
🔥 Found Family
Tate arrives in France expecting to meet her mother’s new husband, only for her mom to disappear and leave her with a complete stranger and his son. In a FOREIGN COUNTRY. With people she’s never met. Ma’am. NOT mother of the year material. And somehow this absolute disaster of a situation turns into one of those books where you know you probably shouldn’t be rooting for what’s happening...but here you are anyway.
Jerome is welcoming, protective, and steady, while Leon is much more guarded and carrying plenty of his own resentment toward his father and Tate’s mother. Watching Tate settle into this strange new household while all three of them slowly figure each other out was one of my favorite parts. There’s awkwardness, friction, curiosity, and SO much simmering attraction underneath everything. And when those feelings finally start surfacing? OH BOY.
The chemistry between Tate, Jerome, and Leon is ridiculously good. The tension builds without rushing them into anything, and I really enjoyed watching each connection develop in its own way. Everyone is fighting what they want because they KNOW how complicated the situation is, which only makes the eventual surrender that much more delicious. And yes...the spice is GOOD. The final stretch takes this from forbidden into full-on TABOO territory, but mostly it just feels forbidden given the age gap and step-status.
Tate’s relationship with her mother also gave the story more emotional weight than I expected. Bianca had me wanting to reach through the pages more than once. Watching Tate slowly stop measuring herself by her mother’s approval and start choosing herself instead was such an important part of her growth.
I also loved the French setting. There’s something about this gorgeous countryside backdrop paired with such a chaotic and tense relationship situation that just WORKS. The story is short and moves along quickly, but it never felt like it was sprinting through the important moments. Although...I absolutely would have taken another few hours. I wanted more of Tate, Jerome, and Leon once they were finally able to just BE together. Give me the domestic mess!
The audiobook was fantastic. Evelyn Rose, Sean Masters, and Anthony Palmini all brought their characters to life beautifully, and the French was handled REALLY well. And those accents? I'm here for more Sean Masters with a french accent. Evelyn captured Tate’s vulnerability and growing confidence so well, while Sean and Anthony brought all the tension, frustration, longing, and heat. My only preference would have been duet narration instead of dual. With all three characters sharing scenes, and especially with the French accents, there were moments where I had to pay extra attention to distinguish Jerome and Leon. That's purely a personal listening preference though. The performances themselves were excellent, and this cast absolutely made the story even more enjoyable.
Overall, Arcadia was a quick, spicy, messy little forbidden romance that I flew through. It gave me tension, questionable decisions, complicated feelings, French countryside vibes, and enough spice to keep me very entertained.
What to expect in Arcadia
🔥 Forbidden Romance
🔥 Taboo Romance
🔥 Step Father + Step Brother
🔥 MFM / Why Choose
🔥 Starts as a Love Triangle
🔥 Age Gap (20+ years)
🔥 Forced Proximity
🔥 Slow Burn
🔥 Virgin Heroine
🔥 High Tension
🔥 Complicated Family Dynamics
🔥 Secrets
🔥 French Countryside Setting
🔥 Dirty Talk
🔥 Praise
🔥 Found Family
December 3, 2025
𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨
𝕬𝖗𝖈𝖆𝖉𝖎𝖆 | Saint Bryde
ɴᴏᴡ ᴀᴠᴀɪʟᴀʙʟᴇ
ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴠɪʙᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ:
🪴Forced Proximity
🪞Age Gap
🪟Hate to Love
🇫🇷 French Countryside Setting
🪴Abandoned FMC
🕯️Step Dad AND Step Brother
Tate has been dealt a bad hand. Abandoned in France by her negligent and flighty-at-best mother, she is forced to stay with her new Step Dad and his son. She is in a country she is not familiar with, with people she has never met in her life, being let down [again] by someone who has constantly been demeaning. Her step dad, Jerome, is kind and welcoming but stern. Her step brother, Leon, is standoffish. Jerome and Leon themselves have an unsteady relationship between father and son. Their time with Tate will either cause irreparable harm or strengthen their bond.
Emotionally complex characters mixed with irrepressible feelings makes for one explosive read. The relationships Tate has with Jerome and Leon evolve organically over the course of the book, nothing feels forced. Each relationship advances in their own way based on the chemistry between them. The chemistry is achingly thick, with plenty of build up to the spice between everyone. Feelings are fought though ultimately win out over what is “acceptable”.
The authors ability to pull you into the story via the writing is exceptional. The description of the French countryside setting really made you feel like you were there experiencing all there is to offer. Though not her age, I did feel that Tate was relatable in the way that she had to “grow up” when it came to her mother. Though a shorter read the pacing didn’t feel too rushed, and certainly not dragging. The timing and scenes flowed together nicely. I didn’t want the book to end. I do wish that we had more time, that the book was longer, and got to see them establish their relationship a bit more. It would be interesting to see more of the dynamic of the three of them once they overcame everything.
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy of the book.
𝕬𝖗𝖈𝖆𝖉𝖎𝖆 | Saint Bryde
ɴᴏᴡ ᴀᴠᴀɪʟᴀʙʟᴇ
ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴠɪʙᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ:
🪴Forced Proximity
🪞Age Gap
🪟Hate to Love
🇫🇷 French Countryside Setting
🪴Abandoned FMC
🕯️Step Dad AND Step Brother
Tate has been dealt a bad hand. Abandoned in France by her negligent and flighty-at-best mother, she is forced to stay with her new Step Dad and his son. She is in a country she is not familiar with, with people she has never met in her life, being let down [again] by someone who has constantly been demeaning. Her step dad, Jerome, is kind and welcoming but stern. Her step brother, Leon, is standoffish. Jerome and Leon themselves have an unsteady relationship between father and son. Their time with Tate will either cause irreparable harm or strengthen their bond.
Emotionally complex characters mixed with irrepressible feelings makes for one explosive read. The relationships Tate has with Jerome and Leon evolve organically over the course of the book, nothing feels forced. Each relationship advances in their own way based on the chemistry between them. The chemistry is achingly thick, with plenty of build up to the spice between everyone. Feelings are fought though ultimately win out over what is “acceptable”.
The authors ability to pull you into the story via the writing is exceptional. The description of the French countryside setting really made you feel like you were there experiencing all there is to offer. Though not her age, I did feel that Tate was relatable in the way that she had to “grow up” when it came to her mother. Though a shorter read the pacing didn’t feel too rushed, and certainly not dragging. The timing and scenes flowed together nicely. I didn’t want the book to end. I do wish that we had more time, that the book was longer, and got to see them establish their relationship a bit more. It would be interesting to see more of the dynamic of the three of them once they overcame everything.
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy of the book.
September 4, 2026
This was a fast, fun & dirty read. I flew through the chapters and really enjoyed it.
Just a heads up, if you don’t like a true forbidden love story, then skip this one. I, however, question my morals every single time I enjoy stories like this one🤭
We get to know Tate, who gets shipped off by her mother to her new stepdad and son, who she has never met, in France. The mother spontaneously married him.
They we’re all blindsided when the mom doesn’t show up, leaving Tate with Jerome (the stepdad), expecting he will take care of her. Which he does, but we’ll get to that😏😂
Leon, however, has a hard time accepting Tate and his dad’s latest choices. Which made the story believable, because I would have resisted too with how they handled this. So a lot of tension and feelings and searching on how to handle this new dynamic they have found themselves in.
The three of them fall into a routine with some ups and downs, in which they get to know each other. I’m not going to spoil anything on how it takes place. But that leads to attraction, desire and messy forbidden feelings. Honestly, it starts to get really taboo in the last 10% of the book.
The mother part really got me fuming. The audacity of this woman had no bounds. And added an extra layer to the story.
I loved the chemistry between the three of them and how the complexity of this situation was handled.
🎙️ @evelynrosenarrator was new to me, but she understood Tate’s character. Which gave more depth to her character. Definitely going to search for more of her work🧡
@seanmaster & @antpalmini, that French accent had me weak in the knees🫠 You made me feel all the feels, the longing, frustration, desire and all the heat🥵🤭 Loved this Dual narration!!
So if you like a fast-paced (not too fast😉), fun, forbidden, taboo, steamy audiobook, then this one’s for you.
Thank you Saint Bryde & Must Love Audio for this ALC opportunity in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own 🤍
Just a heads up, if you don’t like a true forbidden love story, then skip this one. I, however, question my morals every single time I enjoy stories like this one🤭
We get to know Tate, who gets shipped off by her mother to her new stepdad and son, who she has never met, in France. The mother spontaneously married him.
They we’re all blindsided when the mom doesn’t show up, leaving Tate with Jerome (the stepdad), expecting he will take care of her. Which he does, but we’ll get to that😏😂
Leon, however, has a hard time accepting Tate and his dad’s latest choices. Which made the story believable, because I would have resisted too with how they handled this. So a lot of tension and feelings and searching on how to handle this new dynamic they have found themselves in.
The three of them fall into a routine with some ups and downs, in which they get to know each other. I’m not going to spoil anything on how it takes place. But that leads to attraction, desire and messy forbidden feelings. Honestly, it starts to get really taboo in the last 10% of the book.
The mother part really got me fuming. The audacity of this woman had no bounds. And added an extra layer to the story.
I loved the chemistry between the three of them and how the complexity of this situation was handled.
🎙️ @evelynrosenarrator was new to me, but she understood Tate’s character. Which gave more depth to her character. Definitely going to search for more of her work🧡
@seanmaster & @antpalmini, that French accent had me weak in the knees🫠 You made me feel all the feels, the longing, frustration, desire and all the heat🥵🤭 Loved this Dual narration!!
So if you like a fast-paced (not too fast😉), fun, forbidden, taboo, steamy audiobook, then this one’s for you.
Thank you Saint Bryde & Must Love Audio for this ALC opportunity in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own 🤍
May 13, 2025
Abandoned by her mother in the French countryside, Tate makes the best of a bad situation.
Her step-father Jerome is kind and welcoming, her step-brother Leon stand offish.
In time she becomes comfortable in her surroundings developing a relationship with both Jerome and Leon.
Until their relationship becomes something more. Both men giving into their feelings and in one night Tate looses her innocence, craving more than just their touch.
They find themselves at a crossroads until Bianca, Tate’s mother returns, and Jerome sees her for who she is, making the decision to no longer have her in his life.
However Bianca’s presence forces Tate to make a decision that impacts Jerome and Leon, both hurt by her choice, knowing why she did what she did.
They say time makes the heart grow fonder, and it does for Tate, she’s graduated from school and working a job that will pave the way for her future dreams, her mother is determined to be part of her life, but Tate is so much stronger not giving into the hurtful words she says.
And when Leon connects with her, feelings that weren’t acknowledged surface and Tate makes a decision, to accept what she wants - Jerome and Leon. Because they were inevitable.
Tate fulfilled her dreams of becoming an interior designer, living a life she’s always dreamed of with Jerome and Leon, as they await the birth of the daughter.
The taboo element one of my favourite tropes and the spice was perfect and on point.
Recommend both the author and the book.
I received an ARC. Therefore I am submitting a voluntary review.
Her step-father Jerome is kind and welcoming, her step-brother Leon stand offish.
In time she becomes comfortable in her surroundings developing a relationship with both Jerome and Leon.
Until their relationship becomes something more. Both men giving into their feelings and in one night Tate looses her innocence, craving more than just their touch.
They find themselves at a crossroads until Bianca, Tate’s mother returns, and Jerome sees her for who she is, making the decision to no longer have her in his life.
However Bianca’s presence forces Tate to make a decision that impacts Jerome and Leon, both hurt by her choice, knowing why she did what she did.
They say time makes the heart grow fonder, and it does for Tate, she’s graduated from school and working a job that will pave the way for her future dreams, her mother is determined to be part of her life, but Tate is so much stronger not giving into the hurtful words she says.
And when Leon connects with her, feelings that weren’t acknowledged surface and Tate makes a decision, to accept what she wants - Jerome and Leon. Because they were inevitable.
Tate fulfilled her dreams of becoming an interior designer, living a life she’s always dreamed of with Jerome and Leon, as they await the birth of the daughter.
The taboo element one of my favourite tropes and the spice was perfect and on point.
Recommend both the author and the book.
I received an ARC. Therefore I am submitting a voluntary review.
May 20, 2025
Tate is an 18-year-old, confused American girl stranded at an airport in Nice, France. Her flighty mother Bianca took her out of high school right before exams and graduation to go to France to meet her new stepfather Jerome and stepbrother Leon. But Bianca disappears after they land in Nice, saying she will meet them at the country house. Except Bianca doesn’t show up. She “dumps” Tate on Jerome saying she didn’t want to be married, that she wants to “find” herself. Unfortunately, Tate is all too used to Bianca losing her or not showing up. She is used to the mental abuse her mother has subjected her to her entire life. This time, Tate gets mad and embraces France and her new life. Tate, Jerome and Leon share a tempestuous summer, working together on Jerome’s rental property and bonding. They end up crossing the line of propriety when they develop feelings for each other and begin a menage relationship. Until Bianca shows back up, beaten, wanting Jerome back.
Bryde packs so many tropes into one book, yet somehow, they all work. I also enjoyed the descriptions of France and their idyllic location with bountiful natural splendor. The characters were emotionally complex with lots of baggage, and it was fun to see how they all changed when together. I enjoyed what happened to Bianca and the wonderful ending. This was a beautiful and unique love story. I really enjoyed it and definitely recommend it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Bryde packs so many tropes into one book, yet somehow, they all work. I also enjoyed the descriptions of France and their idyllic location with bountiful natural splendor. The characters were emotionally complex with lots of baggage, and it was fun to see how they all changed when together. I enjoyed what happened to Bianca and the wonderful ending. This was a beautiful and unique love story. I really enjoyed it and definitely recommend it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 2, 2026
🪻🎧 𝐀𝐋𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 🎧🪻
📖 Arcadia by Saint Bryde
🎙️ Narrated by Evelyn Rose, Sean Masters, and Anthony Palmini
🗓️ Release Date: September 2, 2026
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
Narration: 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️/ 5
🪻Contemporary New Adult Romance
🪻Forbidden Romance
🪻Age Gap (20 / 18 / 40)
🪻Forced Proximity
🪻MFM
🪻Love Triangle to Why-Choose
🪻Step-Dad & Step-Bro
🪻Slow Burn
🪻Virgin FMC
🪻FRENCHHHHH!!! 🫠🫠
🪻e-Book in KU
🪻Dual Narration
Tate flys to France to stay with her mom and meet her mom’s new husband. Her mom bails on her and says that she needs to take a break, which isn’t surprising. Tate’s mom is flighty. Nobody is surprised by this behavior.
Unfortunately for Tate, this means she’s stuck in a foreign country with her mom’s husband (who she’s never met) and his son who apparently dislikes her on sight (because he hates her irresponsible mom).
Within a few weeks Tate starts to catch feelings for BOTH men and things progress… until her mom comes back to shake things up again.
I could have listened to another four hours of this story. The narrators were great. It was a summery, slow burn and I’m so glad that Tate didn’t have to choose.
📖 Arcadia by Saint Bryde
🎙️ Narrated by Evelyn Rose, Sean Masters, and Anthony Palmini
🗓️ Release Date: September 2, 2026
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
Narration: 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️/ 5
🪻Contemporary New Adult Romance
🪻Forbidden Romance
🪻Age Gap (20 / 18 / 40)
🪻Forced Proximity
🪻MFM
🪻Love Triangle to Why-Choose
🪻Step-Dad & Step-Bro
🪻Slow Burn
🪻Virgin FMC
🪻FRENCHHHHH!!! 🫠🫠
🪻e-Book in KU
🪻Dual Narration
Tate flys to France to stay with her mom and meet her mom’s new husband. Her mom bails on her and says that she needs to take a break, which isn’t surprising. Tate’s mom is flighty. Nobody is surprised by this behavior.
Unfortunately for Tate, this means she’s stuck in a foreign country with her mom’s husband (who she’s never met) and his son who apparently dislikes her on sight (because he hates her irresponsible mom).
Within a few weeks Tate starts to catch feelings for BOTH men and things progress… until her mom comes back to shake things up again.
I could have listened to another four hours of this story. The narrators were great. It was a summery, slow burn and I’m so glad that Tate didn’t have to choose.
September 19, 2026
🎧⭐️ALC Review⭐️🎧
Overall Thoughts: I was super hopeful for this book since it hit on a lot of my favorite tropes including not one but two age gaps, especially since I seem to be in my age gap era, but alas, this book just wasn’t for me. The writing was good, and the story line was there, I just had trouble connecting to the characters, so it definitely isn’t a bad book, just not the book for me. I can see why people like this book, and it could have absolutely been my mood and stress, but for whatever reason, I could not get into it, The narration was good as well. Evelyn was great, but it was hard to distinguish between they MMCs when she was speaking in a French accent, but Sean and Anthony both rocked the accent so, you have two voice actors who bring that accent.
Narration: Multi-cast, dual, first-person present tense, multi-POV with flashbacks
Tropes: Age gap, France, mom’s (ex)husband, stepbrother, why choose, taboo, cúlt adjacent, jealousy, small/country town, abandonment, mental
abuse from mom, vírgin FMC
Overall: 3 ❤️
Spice: 2.5 🌶️
Humor: 1 😂
Drama: 3 🎭
Darkness: 2.5 🖤
Narration: 5 🎧
ALC: Must Love Audio
Overall Thoughts: I was super hopeful for this book since it hit on a lot of my favorite tropes including not one but two age gaps, especially since I seem to be in my age gap era, but alas, this book just wasn’t for me. The writing was good, and the story line was there, I just had trouble connecting to the characters, so it definitely isn’t a bad book, just not the book for me. I can see why people like this book, and it could have absolutely been my mood and stress, but for whatever reason, I could not get into it, The narration was good as well. Evelyn was great, but it was hard to distinguish between they MMCs when she was speaking in a French accent, but Sean and Anthony both rocked the accent so, you have two voice actors who bring that accent.
Narration: Multi-cast, dual, first-person present tense, multi-POV with flashbacks
Tropes: Age gap, France, mom’s (ex)husband, stepbrother, why choose, taboo, cúlt adjacent, jealousy, small/country town, abandonment, mental
abuse from mom, vírgin FMC
Overall: 3 ❤️
Spice: 2.5 🌶️
Humor: 1 😂
Drama: 3 🎭
Darkness: 2.5 🖤
Narration: 5 🎧
ALC: Must Love Audio
September 4, 2026
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Format: Audiobook - Dual narration by Evelyn Rose, Sean Masters, and Anthony Palmini
Page/Time: 7 hr 25 min
Series / Standalone: Standalone
Tropes: Forbidden/Taboo (step brother/father) Forced Proximity, Age Gap, Love Triangle, Slow Burn
Thanks to Must Love Audio, Lyric Audiobooks and the author for this gifted audiobook - all opinions are my own
Tate, Jerome and Leon
📚For any forbidden/taboo lovers, this one will definitely scratch that itch. It also hits on many more levels. The slow burn was perfect for building angst and Tate’s background, particularly the relationship with her mom is super emotional. Every relationship in this story has full progression and, for a decently short book, the story is thorough and satisfying.
🎧There couldn’t have been better choices in casting this audiobook. Each narrator really embraced and performed the emotions for their characters. The dual style performance was so well done there was never a moment that I was taken out of the story.
Format: Audiobook - Dual narration by Evelyn Rose, Sean Masters, and Anthony Palmini
Page/Time: 7 hr 25 min
Series / Standalone: Standalone
Tropes: Forbidden/Taboo (step brother/father) Forced Proximity, Age Gap, Love Triangle, Slow Burn
Thanks to Must Love Audio, Lyric Audiobooks and the author for this gifted audiobook - all opinions are my own
Tate, Jerome and Leon
📚For any forbidden/taboo lovers, this one will definitely scratch that itch. It also hits on many more levels. The slow burn was perfect for building angst and Tate’s background, particularly the relationship with her mom is super emotional. Every relationship in this story has full progression and, for a decently short book, the story is thorough and satisfying.
🎧There couldn’t have been better choices in casting this audiobook. Each narrator really embraced and performed the emotions for their characters. The dual style performance was so well done there was never a moment that I was taken out of the story.
August 28, 2026
2.6?? Um not great
FMC was immature I think. She kinda threw a tantrum a couple time when things didn’t come easily. Throwing out “I hate you”s
The whole plot with her mom’s story was weird and like disconnected. And then the daughter punched her lol.
Don’t even want to waste time on a review. It did have credence vibes but not rly. I didn’t feel connected to the characters at all and then she just left them at 80% and it just felt like a tantrum again.
The final acceptance of the MFM relationship wasn’t even that satisfying bc I didn’t rly care.
I think I liked Leon’s character more but fuck I don’t even know if I liked him that much now I’m reflecting.
Her sex scene with Jerome was hot. That was probs the best thing abt this book bc he made her sq 💦 and was kinda an animal.
The Leon sex scenes were good too.
LSS I didn’t feel emotional invested in any of the characters and didn’t like the FMc
FMC was immature I think. She kinda threw a tantrum a couple time when things didn’t come easily. Throwing out “I hate you”s
The whole plot with her mom’s story was weird and like disconnected. And then the daughter punched her lol.
Don’t even want to waste time on a review. It did have credence vibes but not rly. I didn’t feel connected to the characters at all and then she just left them at 80% and it just felt like a tantrum again.
The final acceptance of the MFM relationship wasn’t even that satisfying bc I didn’t rly care.
I think I liked Leon’s character more but fuck I don’t even know if I liked him that much now I’m reflecting.
Her sex scene with Jerome was hot. That was probs the best thing abt this book bc he made her sq 💦 and was kinda an animal.
The Leon sex scenes were good too.
LSS I didn’t feel emotional invested in any of the characters and didn’t like the FMc
April 15, 2025
Arcadia: A Spicy Forbidden Romance definitely lives up to its title! It's super forbidden and super sexy.
Tate is abandoned in the French countryside with her new stepfather Jerome and her (initially hostile) stepbrother Leon. Both the men end up desiring her... and both see this desire realised.
There's plenty of emotional build up to the intimate scenes with both men, as Tate discovers her own feelings and loses her sexual innocence. There's also a lot of trying to fight feelings, but ultimately failing and giving into desire.
I enjoyed the use of French language as I can read French, but for readers who don't, translations are provided. It definitely gave the book more French flavour.
The end was quite mindblowing. I definitely wasn't expecting that! It had vibes of The Chamomile Lawn but I won't spoiler it further, other than to say it was a proper HEA.
Tate is abandoned in the French countryside with her new stepfather Jerome and her (initially hostile) stepbrother Leon. Both the men end up desiring her... and both see this desire realised.
There's plenty of emotional build up to the intimate scenes with both men, as Tate discovers her own feelings and loses her sexual innocence. There's also a lot of trying to fight feelings, but ultimately failing and giving into desire.
I enjoyed the use of French language as I can read French, but for readers who don't, translations are provided. It definitely gave the book more French flavour.
The end was quite mindblowing. I definitely wasn't expecting that! It had vibes of The Chamomile Lawn but I won't spoiler it further, other than to say it was a proper HEA.
September 5, 2026
Thank you to @mustloveaudio for the gifted ALC of Arcadia by Saint Bryde 🫶
First off, the narrators were fantastic! You get Anthony Palmini, Sean Masters and Evelyn Rose and they did a fantastic job of bringing these characters and the emotions that come with a forbidden romance to life.
This one has a bit of everything! Forbidden romance/taboo, Age Gap, Forced Proximity, a secluded French setting, and plenty of angsty and warring emotions.
Jerome is steady, nurturing, and somewhat broody. Leon is your typical bad boy and very standoff ish at first, but of course he comes around 🤪 There is so much family drama, tension and complex feelings in this one. The spicy scenes were so well done and I ate them up. I loved this audio and story and was truly invested in their unconventional HEA.
First off, the narrators were fantastic! You get Anthony Palmini, Sean Masters and Evelyn Rose and they did a fantastic job of bringing these characters and the emotions that come with a forbidden romance to life.
This one has a bit of everything! Forbidden romance/taboo, Age Gap, Forced Proximity, a secluded French setting, and plenty of angsty and warring emotions.
Jerome is steady, nurturing, and somewhat broody. Leon is your typical bad boy and very standoff ish at first, but of course he comes around 🤪 There is so much family drama, tension and complex feelings in this one. The spicy scenes were so well done and I ate them up. I loved this audio and story and was truly invested in their unconventional HEA.
July 8, 2025
I am sooo loving the tabooness (if that is a word) of this book.
Just think Father and son are in love with stepdaughter/sister from amarriage that should not have been. She is thrown in the mix after her mother, Bianca, just abandons her without ever introducing them to each other.....in another country that she does not speak th language.
Love has a way of happening in the midst of chaos and confusion, and heartbreak. Father and sons fight, and then bridge of a gap all beacuase they both love the same woman and will give her choice, but what if she doesn't have to choose and in the end they are the perfect family....just the three of them finding thier own happiness with each other.
Just think Father and son are in love with stepdaughter/sister from amarriage that should not have been. She is thrown in the mix after her mother, Bianca, just abandons her without ever introducing them to each other.....in another country that she does not speak th language.
Love has a way of happening in the midst of chaos and confusion, and heartbreak. Father and sons fight, and then bridge of a gap all beacuase they both love the same woman and will give her choice, but what if she doesn't have to choose and in the end they are the perfect family....just the three of them finding thier own happiness with each other.
August 31, 2026
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
If you’re craving a taboo/forbidden love story + age gap with a father and son plus an 18 years old stepdaughter/stepsister. This is the book for you! 🔥
I binged it in one day! I wasn’t sure where the story was going to go with the father and son both being involved but I enjoyed reading/listening to it. Be warned, it was definitely on the forbidden side.
The spice was hot and the chemistry between the charactersof Tate, Jerome and Leon was FIRE! I really enjoyed the French as well since I speak French too.
🎧 The audiobook is performed in multicast dual narration with by Evelyn Rose, Sean Masters and Anthony Palmini. They were all great at bringing to life the characters and they did a good job with the French in most of the sentences.
Rating: 4 ⭐
Spice: 3 🌶️
Audiobook: 4.5 🎧
Audiobook Format: Multicast Dual Narration
TROPES
🔥 MFM Why Choose
🔥 Taboo/ Forbidden Romance
🔥 Age Gap (FMC 18, MMCs 20 & 40)
🔥 Forced Proximity
🔥 Stepfather & stepbrother
🔥 Slow Burn
🔥 Virgin FMC
🔥 French accents
Thank you Must Love Audio and Saint Bryde for the advanced copy of the audiobook. All bookish thoughts are my own.
If you’re craving a taboo/forbidden love story + age gap with a father and son plus an 18 years old stepdaughter/stepsister. This is the book for you! 🔥
I binged it in one day! I wasn’t sure where the story was going to go with the father and son both being involved but I enjoyed reading/listening to it. Be warned, it was definitely on the forbidden side.
The spice was hot and the chemistry between the charactersof Tate, Jerome and Leon was FIRE! I really enjoyed the French as well since I speak French too.
🎧 The audiobook is performed in multicast dual narration with by Evelyn Rose, Sean Masters and Anthony Palmini. They were all great at bringing to life the characters and they did a good job with the French in most of the sentences.
Rating: 4 ⭐
Spice: 3 🌶️
Audiobook: 4.5 🎧
Audiobook Format: Multicast Dual Narration
TROPES
🔥 MFM Why Choose
🔥 Taboo/ Forbidden Romance
🔥 Age Gap (FMC 18, MMCs 20 & 40)
🔥 Forced Proximity
🔥 Stepfather & stepbrother
🔥 Slow Burn
🔥 Virgin FMC
🔥 French accents
Thank you Must Love Audio and Saint Bryde for the advanced copy of the audiobook. All bookish thoughts are my own.
August 17, 2026
Format: Audiobook
Narrators: Evelyn Rose, Sean Masters, and Anthony Palmini
Non-Spoiler Review:
This book was:
Forbidden.
Taboo.
MFM.
Spicy but…with a Slow Burn.
Jealous MMC’s.
Contemporary Romance but make it Dark.
Arcadia was an intriguing book. I found myself wrapped up in the forbidden and taboo aspect of a romance in the French countryside. Performed in dual narration, Evelyn Rose, Sean Masters, and Anthony Palmini gave emotional performances, leaving me wanting more every time I had to put my headphones down. This book was a slow burn yet had just the right amount of spice. I enjoyed seeing the characters grow while navigating the murky waters of their situation.
Thank you, Must Love Audio for the ALC.
Narrators: Evelyn Rose, Sean Masters, and Anthony Palmini
Non-Spoiler Review:
This book was:
Forbidden.
Taboo.
MFM.
Spicy but…with a Slow Burn.
Jealous MMC’s.
Contemporary Romance but make it Dark.
Arcadia was an intriguing book. I found myself wrapped up in the forbidden and taboo aspect of a romance in the French countryside. Performed in dual narration, Evelyn Rose, Sean Masters, and Anthony Palmini gave emotional performances, leaving me wanting more every time I had to put my headphones down. This book was a slow burn yet had just the right amount of spice. I enjoyed seeing the characters grow while navigating the murky waters of their situation.
Thank you, Must Love Audio for the ALC.
November 21, 2025
If you loved Credence then you have to read this book!
The only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars was because I found Tate to be a little annoying sometimes but maybe that was just because she’s 18 and is supposed to come across as very naive and inexperienced. And I wish we got more spicy scenes but the scenes were did get really hit the spot 😆
I loved Jerome & Leon and how there relationship was so strained and all it took was an innocent girl to come between them to bring them back together 🤭
4⭐️| 2🌶️
The only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars was because I found Tate to be a little annoying sometimes but maybe that was just because she’s 18 and is supposed to come across as very naive and inexperienced. And I wish we got more spicy scenes but the scenes were did get really hit the spot 😆
I loved Jerome & Leon and how there relationship was so strained and all it took was an innocent girl to come between them to bring them back together 🤭
4⭐️| 2🌶️
August 19, 2026
This is perfect for anyone that loved Credence by Penelope Douglas!!
Slightly different dynamic because these are her step brother and step father, however she did not grow up around them. She met them after she was already 18.
This story was a quick and dirty read, but it wasn’t lacking anywhere! The story felt like it wasn’t rushed, but it is short so it feels faster paced. It still flows really well for being a quick read.
I love how she found a family that deserved to have her with her step brother and step father. It just so happens she also found love!
The narrator’s did a phenomenal job as well in this story!
Sean Masters and Anthony Palmini with French accents!? Say less 🫠
Evelyn Rose also portrayed the young and innocent fmc so well too!
Slightly different dynamic because these are her step brother and step father, however she did not grow up around them. She met them after she was already 18.
This story was a quick and dirty read, but it wasn’t lacking anywhere! The story felt like it wasn’t rushed, but it is short so it feels faster paced. It still flows really well for being a quick read.
I love how she found a family that deserved to have her with her step brother and step father. It just so happens she also found love!
The narrator’s did a phenomenal job as well in this story!
Sean Masters and Anthony Palmini with French accents!? Say less 🫠
Evelyn Rose also portrayed the young and innocent fmc so well too!
August 19, 2026
2.5 ⭐️
This one wasn’t for me.
I saw someone compare it to Credence by Penelope Douglas which made me excited going in but this was like the Walmart version in French and the ending made me a little uncomfortable.
The build up to the spice seemed too quick with no push back from the FMC, which I get, she’s 18 and young ppl do shit without thinking but I would’ve liked some more inner dialogue.
I gave it an extra .5 cuz the audio was well performed (thanks Must Love Audio for the ALC) but I just couldn’t connect with characters or the writing.
This one wasn’t for me.
I saw someone compare it to Credence by Penelope Douglas which made me excited going in but this was like the Walmart version in French and the ending made me a little uncomfortable.
The build up to the spice seemed too quick with no push back from the FMC, which I get, she’s 18 and young ppl do shit without thinking but I would’ve liked some more inner dialogue.
I gave it an extra .5 cuz the audio was well performed (thanks Must Love Audio for the ALC) but I just couldn’t connect with characters or the writing.
September 3, 2026
This was a short and fast-paced spicy read. There was also some suspense.
And it was hot. Tate just met her stepdad and her stepbrother and had a connection with both. Luckily, she didn’t have to choose.
Narrated by: Evelyn Rose, Sean Masters, and Anthony Palmini
Narration Style: Dual
The narrators were fantastic! They each matched their character perfectly, and those French accents…whew. I will say that I noticed the femme narrator had a slight British accent at some parts even though the fmc was American.
And it was hot. Tate just met her stepdad and her stepbrother and had a connection with both. Luckily, she didn’t have to choose.
Narrated by: Evelyn Rose, Sean Masters, and Anthony Palmini
Narration Style: Dual
The narrators were fantastic! They each matched their character perfectly, and those French accents…whew. I will say that I noticed the femme narrator had a slight British accent at some parts even though the fmc was American.
April 25, 2025
The writing was actually really good, the author really knows how to put you into a scene.
The set up of the story was quite fast paced but in ways but also seemed to drag.
I did finish the book but felt like I had to force myself to do so, nothing against the author I just didn't vibe with this book, that could be in me though I do like a dark romance lol. It is very tame considering the taboo plot but the FMC kind of bugged me; I know she is 18 but she seemed too childish to me.
The set up of the story was quite fast paced but in ways but also seemed to drag.
I did finish the book but felt like I had to force myself to do so, nothing against the author I just didn't vibe with this book, that could be in me though I do like a dark romance lol. It is very tame considering the taboo plot but the FMC kind of bugged me; I know she is 18 but she seemed too childish to me.
May 14, 2025
I was lucky enough to get an ARC for this book!
Tate is abandoned by her mother in the French countryside to live with her stepfather Jerome and stepbrother Leon. When her relationships with both of them slowly develops into something more, it sure does get steamy!
A spicy, Taboo romance that I surprisingly enjoyed a lot!
I enjoyed the use of the French throughout the book and that the translations were provided.
“My body becomes a playground for their desires, and I revel in it”
Tate is abandoned by her mother in the French countryside to live with her stepfather Jerome and stepbrother Leon. When her relationships with both of them slowly develops into something more, it sure does get steamy!
A spicy, Taboo romance that I surprisingly enjoyed a lot!
I enjoyed the use of the French throughout the book and that the translations were provided.
“My body becomes a playground for their desires, and I revel in it”
April 16, 2025
This wasn't something I would normally read but I was pleasantly surprised. I was worried it wouldn't have any kind of real story but it did! You actually felt for Tate and how awful her mother is towards her. The spice was just right and just enough taboo to take it to the next level.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 18, 2025
Ok, let me start out by saying this isn’t a bad book, I think it was more of a “me” problem. As a woman in her 30s, I’m just over reading about 18y/o FMCs. This was my first time reading a book by this author, and it was a decent first read. I’m definitely a mood reader and I don’t think I was in the right mood to truly enjoy this book.
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
April 21, 2025
This was a very sweet, yet sexy book! I loved it. The way the individual relationships advanced was well written. I wanted to smack the mother, but she finally did something good for Tate. Jerome and Leon are 🔥🔥🔥! I hope there is more to come with them, because it did seem like it ended quickly after the throuple was established. I need more of them...as a group 😉.
August 22, 2026
3.5
If you are a fan of Credence by Penelope Douglas and love a boundary-pushing, unapologetically wild read that doesn't hold back on the heat, please do yourself a favor and pick this up. This is your sign to add it to your TBR immediately!
When I saw the tropes listed for this one: taboo, MFM, and no sword-crossing...my pervy little mind was curious, and boy, did I learn some things! While taboo romance isn't usually my go-to, I had a pretty great time with this one. If you love dark, high-heat forbidden romance, Arcadia delivers on every bit of its promises with maximum spice, dynamic tension, and a plot that keeps you completely hooked.
This story follows eighteen-year-old Tate, who finds herself staying in the French countryside with her mother’s ex-husband, Jerome, and his son, Leon. Jerome is controlled and steady until he isn't, while Leon is sharp-edged and volatile. Isolated together, the silence starts to change and Tate finds herself caught in an intense dynamic between both men that neither can walk away from.
When you read Arcadia, you should expect:
🇫🇷 French Countryside / Isolated Setting
🔥 Taboo / Forbidden Romance
⏳ Age Gap
👥 MFM Menage (NO MM / No Sword-Crossing)
🎭 Dual / Multi-POV
🔒 Forced Proximity & High Angst
Word to the wise: you HAVE to listen to this on audio. The narration brings out all the atmospheric intensity of the setting and characters, taking the emotional weight and the darker, spicy tones to a whole other level. Did I mention that the narrators are Evelyn Rose, Anthony Palmini, and Sean Masters?!
Huge thank you to MLA for the gifted audiobook!
If you are a fan of Credence by Penelope Douglas and love a boundary-pushing, unapologetically wild read that doesn't hold back on the heat, please do yourself a favor and pick this up. This is your sign to add it to your TBR immediately!
When I saw the tropes listed for this one: taboo, MFM, and no sword-crossing...my pervy little mind was curious, and boy, did I learn some things! While taboo romance isn't usually my go-to, I had a pretty great time with this one. If you love dark, high-heat forbidden romance, Arcadia delivers on every bit of its promises with maximum spice, dynamic tension, and a plot that keeps you completely hooked.
This story follows eighteen-year-old Tate, who finds herself staying in the French countryside with her mother’s ex-husband, Jerome, and his son, Leon. Jerome is controlled and steady until he isn't, while Leon is sharp-edged and volatile. Isolated together, the silence starts to change and Tate finds herself caught in an intense dynamic between both men that neither can walk away from.
When you read Arcadia, you should expect:
🇫🇷 French Countryside / Isolated Setting
🔥 Taboo / Forbidden Romance
⏳ Age Gap
👥 MFM Menage (NO MM / No Sword-Crossing)
🎭 Dual / Multi-POV
🔒 Forced Proximity & High Angst
Word to the wise: you HAVE to listen to this on audio. The narration brings out all the atmospheric intensity of the setting and characters, taking the emotional weight and the darker, spicy tones to a whole other level. Did I mention that the narrators are Evelyn Rose, Anthony Palmini, and Sean Masters?!
Huge thank you to MLA for the gifted audiobook!
September 4, 2026
This was a SPICY, taboo, fun read! Tate is a baddie who knows what she want and I’m so here for it, you hear and feel the emotion for all the characters and just makes their reunion sweeter. Jerome and Leon have this magnetic feel to them, and they had no problem turning that on Tate lol! This ones for all my taboo TABOO girls🖤
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