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The Almeida Brothers #1
Lila's Thunder
Lila James knows that her friendship with seventeen year old Chase Almeida is extremely inappropriate, but she still isn't prepared when his older brother Jack decides to tell her just how inappropriate it actually is-- inadvertently igniting a fire that had been burning quietly inside of them for years. Being in the middle of two battling brothers had never been high on Lila's priority list, but when photos of her at her most intimate, her most raw, begin showing up everywhere she goes, she realizes that she's become tangled up in a sticky web of her own devising. More than she ever dreamed possible. Strong sexual content Strong language LILA'S THUNDER is an interracial novel with dark elements. It is book one of The Almeida Brothers Trilogy, and is best read in order of publication. Book Lila's Thunder Book Thunder Rolls Book *coming soon*
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 8, 2014
56 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Trevion Burns
29 books287 followersI'm fascinated by deeply flawed people in impossible situations, and insane people who don't know they're insane. Perfection puzzles me, so my characters are always just a little bit evil--whether they know it or not!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 7, 2015
Trevion Burns knows how to tell a story. All her books I have read so far have kept me hooked until the end!
I do not normally like 3 way romances but this was a compelling, heart wrenching roller-coaster of a ride. This is Lila, Jack and Chase's story. Jack and Chase are two bothers in love with the same woman. Jack is 28 and Chase is only 18 but mature for his age. The brothers are like the bread and Lila is the cheese. The brothers relationship is not in a good place and they are totally jealous of each other's relationship with Lila. It was hard to know who to root for.
I will have to wait for book 2 to see what happens with them all. I was in Chase's camp. I really was not a fan of Jack's. I think he went about things the wrong way especially where Lila was concerned.
Definitely worth a read, if your heart can take the pressure!!!
I do not normally like 3 way romances but this was a compelling, heart wrenching roller-coaster of a ride. This is Lila, Jack and Chase's story. Jack and Chase are two bothers in love with the same woman. Jack is 28 and Chase is only 18 but mature for his age. The brothers are like the bread and Lila is the cheese. The brothers relationship is not in a good place and they are totally jealous of each other's relationship with Lila. It was hard to know who to root for.
I will have to wait for book 2 to see what happens with them all. I was in Chase's camp. I really was not a fan of Jack's. I think he went about things the wrong way especially where Lila was concerned.
Definitely worth a read, if your heart can take the pressure!!!
October 4, 2015
This was an entertaining, yet very frustrating read. OMG, I wanna choke the hell outta these grown-ass characters (And I’m not sure if that was the author’s intention or not). Lila is a twenty-eight year old high school counselor with a PhD who is torn between wanting one brother but afraid to act on those feelings because she doesn’t want to hurt the other brother-who happens to be 10 years her junior and one of her students (ugh.) Jack and Chase Almeida both have it bad for Lila, and they will do anything to have her for themselves, including destroying what’s left of their already fragile relationship. Now do you see why this story was frustrating? I’m like come on son! Really?!
Jack is 30-something with two goals: To be this hot shit, top dog lawyer and get into Lila’s drawers. Throughout this entire story, his behavior towards her borders on obsession to the point where everything else becomes secondary. Chase is 18, and has been in love with Lila since he was 13. Jack and Chase’s parents were killed in a drunk-driving accident that has driven an irreparable wedge between the brothers because Chase blames Jack for their deaths. He’s never forgiven his brother, and they’ve never reconciled their feelings surrounding the events leading up to and after the accident. So basically they’ve carried all this shit for five years, and Lila enters the picture to initially help Chase with not only coping with the situation, but she eventually becomes his tutor as well. This is where things get awkward and continue to spiral.
This story actually wasn’t horrible. It was just messy as hell. The immaturity of the two adult characters just blew me. Lila was truly in love with one brother but simply loved the other, or was it more? The lines were so fucking blurred towards the end. I think that love got skewed and confusing because she literally saw him go from a boy to a man (Ugh, that whole element just didn’t set well with me). Unlike many other reviewers, I do not consider this a love triangle. For me, a love triangle would require that at all three people involved share the same romantic feelings toward one another. Okay, maybe this is an isosceles triangle-Jack and Lila being the two sides of equal length and Chase being that bottom part that connects them. Do I recommend this book? If you love soap opera-ish romance, then yes. It has all the elements of a good daytime drama (Anybody watch Y&R and the Neil/Devon/Hilary storyline?), and I actually look forward to reading book 2 because I am curious as hell to see how this plays out.
Jack is 30-something with two goals: To be this hot shit, top dog lawyer and get into Lila’s drawers. Throughout this entire story, his behavior towards her borders on obsession to the point where everything else becomes secondary. Chase is 18, and has been in love with Lila since he was 13. Jack and Chase’s parents were killed in a drunk-driving accident that has driven an irreparable wedge between the brothers because Chase blames Jack for their deaths. He’s never forgiven his brother, and they’ve never reconciled their feelings surrounding the events leading up to and after the accident. So basically they’ve carried all this shit for five years, and Lila enters the picture to initially help Chase with not only coping with the situation, but she eventually becomes his tutor as well. This is where things get awkward and continue to spiral.
This story actually wasn’t horrible. It was just messy as hell. The immaturity of the two adult characters just blew me. Lila was truly in love with one brother but simply loved the other, or was it more? The lines were so fucking blurred towards the end. I think that love got skewed and confusing because she literally saw him go from a boy to a man (Ugh, that whole element just didn’t set well with me). Unlike many other reviewers, I do not consider this a love triangle. For me, a love triangle would require that at all three people involved share the same romantic feelings toward one another. Okay, maybe this is an isosceles triangle-Jack and Lila being the two sides of equal length and Chase being that bottom part that connects them. Do I recommend this book? If you love soap opera-ish romance, then yes. It has all the elements of a good daytime drama (Anybody watch Y&R and the Neil/Devon/Hilary storyline?), and I actually look forward to reading book 2 because I am curious as hell to see how this plays out.
October 20, 2014
Lila is a school counselor who is either in love with, or just loves, a 17 yr old student, Chase. She's also in love the student's hot older brother Jack. At least Jack is legal! The whole book is Lila whining, being indecisive, and generally acting like a stupid 17 year old though she is in her mid 20s. I skipped pages to just get through this drivel.
June 5, 2015
So this book started off very strong and pulled me in, but somewhere along the way, I began to feel...weird and uncomfortable with where it seemed to be heading, and by the time I was at 95 percent, I knew it wasn't going to end well.
Trevion Burns is a talented author and I loved the idea of pseudo triangle where things are misinterpreted but gets cleared in the end, and that's not what happened here. Not at all.
Where to start?
Lila. Lila, lila, Lila. I liked Lila initially, but progressing through the book, something bout her rubbed off on me the wrong way. Her denial, her excuses, her reasoning and her manipulation (whether intentional or not, it was there) and her relationship with Chase in general turned me off. Under no circumstances -EVER- should a relationship happen that way the way it did for Lilah and Chase. Even though it wasn't sexual, there were undertones and Lila was the mature one of the two, the adult, and just because Chase turned 18 a quarter of the way into the book doesn't make whatever exists between them okay. I found myself wincing at their scenes together and asking, if this were a 28 year old guy, having a relationship with a girl who just turned 18, a girl he's known since he was 23 and she was 13- a girl he knows CLEARLY has feelings for him- would this be okay? Absolutely not and I see no difference here. Regardless of Chase's love for Lila (and she knew but ignored it) she was the adult, she was the one in the position of power and the fact that she had the nerve to be affronted that the parents of the school she taught at were complaining of an inappropriate relationship with a student, bothered me. Because, well, they weren't wrong. Lila knew exactly wtf was going on and not only did enable Chase, she subconsciously encouraged it.
And taking a job where he's going to be going to school? Yeah, that's not... Okay. Like at all.
That being said, it started off as a good book but lost me about halfway through. I got the feeling that we were supposed to empathize with Lila when she lost her shit at jack, and her torn emotions between the two and I just couldn't. She was selfish with her reasoning and was very ignorant.
I love angst in my books but this was a little too much, a little too deep and a lot of unnecessary drama. I had hopes that book 2 would deal with Chase finding someone his own age, and himself in the process but nope. With the "justification" that Lila tries to paint on, it looks like it's heading towards a Chase and Lila ending and I'm not interested in that.
Trevion Burns is a talented author and I loved the idea of pseudo triangle where things are misinterpreted but gets cleared in the end, and that's not what happened here. Not at all.
Where to start?
Lila. Lila, lila, Lila. I liked Lila initially, but progressing through the book, something bout her rubbed off on me the wrong way. Her denial, her excuses, her reasoning and her manipulation (whether intentional or not, it was there) and her relationship with Chase in general turned me off. Under no circumstances -EVER- should a relationship happen that way the way it did for Lilah and Chase. Even though it wasn't sexual, there were undertones and Lila was the mature one of the two, the adult, and just because Chase turned 18 a quarter of the way into the book doesn't make whatever exists between them okay. I found myself wincing at their scenes together and asking, if this were a 28 year old guy, having a relationship with a girl who just turned 18, a girl he's known since he was 23 and she was 13- a girl he knows CLEARLY has feelings for him- would this be okay? Absolutely not and I see no difference here. Regardless of Chase's love for Lila (and she knew but ignored it) she was the adult, she was the one in the position of power and the fact that she had the nerve to be affronted that the parents of the school she taught at were complaining of an inappropriate relationship with a student, bothered me. Because, well, they weren't wrong. Lila knew exactly wtf was going on and not only did enable Chase, she subconsciously encouraged it.
And taking a job where he's going to be going to school? Yeah, that's not... Okay. Like at all.
That being said, it started off as a good book but lost me about halfway through. I got the feeling that we were supposed to empathize with Lila when she lost her shit at jack, and her torn emotions between the two and I just couldn't. She was selfish with her reasoning and was very ignorant.
I love angst in my books but this was a little too much, a little too deep and a lot of unnecessary drama. I had hopes that book 2 would deal with Chase finding someone his own age, and himself in the process but nope. With the "justification" that Lila tries to paint on, it looks like it's heading towards a Chase and Lila ending and I'm not interested in that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2014
After reading stereo..I was excited for her next work. However, This book was plain stupid... Character were not realistic and were very annoying.The main girl was just so freaking ridiculous. Her attitude as professional woman was just nonexistent. It really worried me. The worst part of the whole charade was she had more chemistry with the baby brother than the elder one. I felt she kept trying to force the lawyer and her together. Still, I like the way she writes, so I will read her next work just not something from this disappointing book.
June 20, 2016
Where's Chris Hansen when you need him?
Wow. Between her giraffe level eyelashes tickling her cheeks, creepy unethical behavior, and emotional affairs with a minor, the heroine was truly a hot mess and is the perfect example of why some people should never be allowed to be counselors. Also, does it really rain that much in NYC? And wow, these people cry A LOT. Ugh. It's just annoying. The writing isn't that bad, but the storyline is pretty creepy and is filled with over dramatic moments. I say 2.5 stars max.
Wow. Between her giraffe level eyelashes tickling her cheeks, creepy unethical behavior, and emotional affairs with a minor, the heroine was truly a hot mess and is the perfect example of why some people should never be allowed to be counselors. Also, does it really rain that much in NYC? And wow, these people cry A LOT. Ugh. It's just annoying. The writing isn't that bad, but the storyline is pretty creepy and is filled with over dramatic moments. I say 2.5 stars max.
September 2, 2021
This is the second book by this author that I've read. So far, it seems like she's got a good handle on a driving plot. The events are interesting, however there's something missing. I find it hard to connect deeply with the characters.
It's a good thing the plot is interesting because the romance fell short again. The description of Jack and Lila's relationship felt clinical rather than giving me the feels. There were a few moments when Lila connects with Jack and Chase when I felt mild butterflies but it was too few and far between to impress me.
This story revolves around 18yr old Chase who's in love with his counselor Lila who is paid by his brother Jack to look after Chase. But Lila and Jack hook up and a triangle ensues.
I cheated and read the blurbs of the next 2 books, so I know a little how this triangle will unravel.
This story had a lot of potential but the lackluster storytelling made it a 2.5 star. I realize it's not the 3rd POV but rather the lack of emotional description that detracts from this author's talent. Too bad, because she's got potential.
It's a good thing the plot is interesting because the romance fell short again. The description of Jack and Lila's relationship felt clinical rather than giving me the feels. There were a few moments when Lila connects with Jack and Chase when I felt mild butterflies but it was too few and far between to impress me.
This story revolves around 18yr old Chase who's in love with his counselor Lila who is paid by his brother Jack to look after Chase. But Lila and Jack hook up and a triangle ensues.
I cheated and read the blurbs of the next 2 books, so I know a little how this triangle will unravel.
This story had a lot of potential but the lackluster storytelling made it a 2.5 star. I realize it's not the 3rd POV but rather the lack of emotional description that detracts from this author's talent. Too bad, because she's got potential.
January 2, 2016
Very exciting read. Truly an extraordinary twist and turns of events
Very good hate that the b brothers were at each throats but in order for Lila to figure it out Jack placed the cards right where they needed to be. Her love for Jack is there but I felt as she was fighting w/herself, because deep down she knew that she ?o ed
Can't wait to read second installment of this series. Hate that it had to come to that sicking feeling in the pit of her stomach to realize she love Jack but is in Love With Chase
Very good hate that the b brothers were at each throats but in order for Lila to figure it out Jack placed the cards right where they needed to be. Her love for Jack is there but I felt as she was fighting w/herself, because deep down she knew that she ?o ed
Can't wait to read second installment of this series. Hate that it had to come to that sicking feeling in the pit of her stomach to realize she love Jack but is in Love With Chase
April 21, 2016
Couldn't even
Not worth my time it was a chore to turn the page not exciting or even looking forward.... felt like I was reading a book written by a teenager that had 1 page of quality but turned it into 300pages of crapola
Not worth my time it was a chore to turn the page not exciting or even looking forward.... felt like I was reading a book written by a teenager that had 1 page of quality but turned it into 300pages of crapola
December 21, 2014
I guess I'm not a fan of triangle love.
November 5, 2018
I truly did not like this book. I knew going into the book I was not a fan of the student/teacher romance. I absolutely hate it and its glorification. It is gross but I tried to read because I liked Book 3 and Jack. I wanted to hear the story from the beginning.
I disliked this book not only for the student/teacher element but because there was no reason for Lila to be in love with Chase based on the book's contents. Their only bond consisted of a love/hate conversation for Titanic. You can't tell me this teacher and grown woman is struggling with her love for a seventeen year old and then show no examples of a relationship. Their interactions consisted of Chase desperately trying to tell Lila he loved her and Lila not being able to say she didn't love him back. Seriously? There was no getting to know their relationship dynamic. She had more of a relationship with Jack and even then they fell in love way too quickly. Overall, the book was poor. The characters already knew each other with little backstory and the reader was plopped in afterward and expected to care, understand, and believe the non-existent love.
I disliked this book not only for the student/teacher element but because there was no reason for Lila to be in love with Chase based on the book's contents. Their only bond consisted of a love/hate conversation for Titanic. You can't tell me this teacher and grown woman is struggling with her love for a seventeen year old and then show no examples of a relationship. Their interactions consisted of Chase desperately trying to tell Lila he loved her and Lila not being able to say she didn't love him back. Seriously? There was no getting to know their relationship dynamic. She had more of a relationship with Jack and even then they fell in love way too quickly. Overall, the book was poor. The characters already knew each other with little backstory and the reader was plopped in afterward and expected to care, understand, and believe the non-existent love.
November 22, 2017
My overall feeling about this book is 'it was alright'. Something was off about this though. I cannot put my finger on it but something was missing or not right. I also didn't appreciate dancing all around the taboo without committing the taboo. Go for gold. IDK if I want to read more. This is surprising since I have to literally leash myself from reading the Revenge series. Burns is talented but this is a no for me. The girl on the cover throws me off too. The female MC is described as real brown skin. This is BWWM. IDK what is going on with the model.
February 7, 2019
Didn't really like any of the main characters. Jack is in love with Lila but too scared to tell her because he doesn't want to hurt his younger brother Chase. Chase has depended on Lila and through that dependency he has developed this trustee/loveish thing for Lila. Lila loves both Jack and Chase and doesn't know rather to pick someone her age or and adolescent to be her lover. Started book 2 last week and I'm already pressed.
March 12, 2018
I liked the story but had problems connecting with Lila and Jack. I felt there was no real chemistry between them but plenty between Chase and Lila. Yes, I get that he's too young, but come on, Jack? Self absorbed Jack? Everything feels forced. Nothing organic. I'm firmly team Chase and my hope is this crazy will be corrected in book two.
August 2, 2018
Three is a crowd !!!
Lovely Lila caught between
two handsome btothers!
Lila tries to help Chase heal,
Chase is obsessed with his
Guidance Counselor, friend!
While Jack tries to fight his
obsession & attraction to Lila
the brothers are at each other's
throat! Both jealous of the others
special relationship with Lila! Who
will win Lila's heart ???
Lovely Lila caught between
two handsome btothers!
Lila tries to help Chase heal,
Chase is obsessed with his
Guidance Counselor, friend!
While Jack tries to fight his
obsession & attraction to Lila
the brothers are at each other's
throat! Both jealous of the others
special relationship with Lila! Who
will win Lila's heart ???
October 23, 2020
A tricky taboo subject - where does a teacher draw the line
Spoiler ALERT! The writer thankfully did not commit the ultimate blunder in the name of love! The protagonist was torn which made for good tension.
Spoiler ALERT! The writer thankfully did not commit the ultimate blunder in the name of love! The protagonist was torn which made for good tension.
February 18, 2023
1 star for racial slur that Trevion Burns used in dialogue from Asian character - Tracy. Trevion, slant eyes are racial slur for Asians. Like, how ignorant can you be?
Also, the whole ending about stalking is so last minute rush of the plot. Trevion didn't build up the reveal at all.
Also, the whole ending about stalking is so last minute rush of the plot. Trevion didn't build up the reveal at all.
dnf
September 24, 2022DNF @ 37% don’t like the direction this is going in. Not a fan of triangles.
February 11, 2024
Good book
November 29, 2014
This was an unconventional love triangle type of story. The unconventional aspect of it deals with the fact that one love interest is very young (not that young, but flirting the line of jail bait). I guess that would classify this book as a bit taboo. I can get with that because I enjoyed the characters, even the angst-ridden Jack (who seemed to be obsessed and in constant turmoil). He was a bit too far gone emotionally for my liking (and for an attorney - c'mon, pick your balls up off the floor, dude!). I prefer my fantasy men with a bit more backbone. In that regard, I give his younger brother Chase the edge and was rooting for him. Anyway...
This offering by Trevion Burns is definitely worth the read. It's not as strong as STEREO (in my opinion), but it's definitely bolder. Again, I can appreciate that.
Things I liked:
1. Dealt with a taboo relationship in a way that wasn't salacious
2. Most of the characters reacted in a realistic way to their situations
3. The 3 main characters had chemistry
4. Ended on a cliffhanger but not a frustrating one.
Overall I recommend this book to those that like romantic, erotic tales. No dubious consent, not too vulgar and the relationships/conflicts are believable.
This offering by Trevion Burns is definitely worth the read. It's not as strong as STEREO (in my opinion), but it's definitely bolder. Again, I can appreciate that.
Things I liked:
1. Dealt with a taboo relationship in a way that wasn't salacious
2. Most of the characters reacted in a realistic way to their situations
3. The 3 main characters had chemistry
4. Ended on a cliffhanger but not a frustrating one.
Overall I recommend this book to those that like romantic, erotic tales. No dubious consent, not too vulgar and the relationships/conflicts are believable.
December 11, 2025
A Grown Woman Problem I Absolutely Didn’t Need… But Devoured Anyway
This book feels like stepping into the middle of someone else’s storm, realizing you should leave, and then sitting down anyway because the drama is too good. Lila’s complicated history with Chase and Jack Almeida hits that perfect nerve between messy and magnetic. The attraction feels wrong, then right, then wrong again, and somehow that makes it even better.
The emotional tension works because it feels lived in. These characters have baggage, scars, and bad timing that actually make sense. The pull between Lila and Jack builds slow, steady, and deliciously unavoidable.
No page feels wasted, and nothing feels manufactured. Just raw, human chaos with a pulse.
I read it in one sitting, like someone staring too long at a lightning storm because they want to see where it hits next.
This book feels like stepping into the middle of someone else’s storm, realizing you should leave, and then sitting down anyway because the drama is too good. Lila’s complicated history with Chase and Jack Almeida hits that perfect nerve between messy and magnetic. The attraction feels wrong, then right, then wrong again, and somehow that makes it even better.
The emotional tension works because it feels lived in. These characters have baggage, scars, and bad timing that actually make sense. The pull between Lila and Jack builds slow, steady, and deliciously unavoidable.
No page feels wasted, and nothing feels manufactured. Just raw, human chaos with a pulse.
I read it in one sitting, like someone staring too long at a lightning storm because they want to see where it hits next.
March 17, 2015
Ah the triangle book. It's never a pleasant ride for the reader cause we always pick a side and hate it when the characters don't agree. This book could have been inappropriate but it steered clear of danger zones. I wasn't really a fan of how some things played out and it took me a while to get everyone's motivation but not a bad read. I'm on board for a sequel. I'm interested to see how this plays out. Personally I'm team chase. And that's so weird...
February 15, 2015
Thunder & Chaos
Not really sure how I feel about this book. Most of the time I found myself hating Lila and then Jack. The story was well written but full of angst. Not even sure if I'm looking forward to part 2 or if I will be reading it because I hope it's the story of Chase without Lila &Jack.
Not really sure how I feel about this book. Most of the time I found myself hating Lila and then Jack. The story was well written but full of angst. Not even sure if I'm looking forward to part 2 or if I will be reading it because I hope it's the story of Chase without Lila &Jack.
March 27, 2016
Frustrating
I gave this book 3 stars because I honestly hated how Lila feelings were for Chase, it honestly made me sick to my stomach that she was okay seeing him or believing him but easily turned off by Jack when he did something wrong. I almost wished Jack and Chase fell in love with different women and Lila slowly disappeared. Overall it was an okay book.
I gave this book 3 stars because I honestly hated how Lila feelings were for Chase, it honestly made me sick to my stomach that she was okay seeing him or believing him but easily turned off by Jack when he did something wrong. I almost wished Jack and Chase fell in love with different women and Lila slowly disappeared. Overall it was an okay book.
September 19, 2014
I really liked it. I don't really like love triangle romance anymore because the girl never chooses the guy I want them to. I was team Chase from the get go, but i loved the way the story turned out. Can't wait for book two!
October 12, 2014
I'm happy to say I thought it was a wonderful read! Though the premise of 2 brothers in love with the same woman is not new, the story showed powerful emotions and twists that made it stand out and wouldn't let me put it down.
April 6, 2020
Drop Everything & Read This-
Here's my Succinct Review
Here's my Succinct Review
September 18, 2014
Really good story. I can hardly wait for book 2
October 20, 2014
This was a really good read. By the end of the book I wanted Lila to end up with Jack.
October 1, 2014
Dream man but that goes to Chase. I feel as if the author is leaning towards Jack but I am only feeling Chase. The tension though! I want a book only about Chase :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews