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Off Limits
What was I supposed to do? I desperately wanted to take that summer art class – one that would count toward my college credits come fall. But it was far from home and the only option I really had was to stay with Jackson, my stepbrother – the very stepbrother who detested me and my mother. Surly and sullen, he was still the sexiest man I’d ever seen. He wasn’t thrilled to have me invade his home or his life, either. Slowly, though, he warmed toward me. Was it because of the electricity that crackled between us? The irresistible pull we both felt? Or maybe it was the searing kiss we’d shared that night… Whatever it was, he was teaching me things that I’d never learned in art class – things I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone. What would our parents say?
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First published October 29, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
February 12, 2015
1.5 'Icky' Stars
Ugh, this book left me with a 'what have I just wasted my time reading' look on my face. I've been going through a taboo romance phase enjoying the shared temptation between the MCs. With Jackson and India, however, it was ALL one-sided. India conducted the entire relationship in her head never once expressing her feelings or calling Jackson on his. Jackson was a big f*cking DICK throughout. He acted like it was India's fault he was tempted by her actually calling her a slut at one point. She, of course, internalized this wondering if she was. I only PRAY fictional India will learn to value herself and that younger girls reading this book understand that the MCs relationship was NOT normal nor anything to strive for. Jackson was an emotionally abusive asshole and on the short list of my least favorite male characters.
Whew, rant over! I'm glad I got that off my chest.
P.S. Btw, the sex was tepid and uncomfortable to read...much like the book, actually.
Ugh, this book left me with a 'what have I just wasted my time reading' look on my face. I've been going through a taboo romance phase enjoying the shared temptation between the MCs. With Jackson and India, however, it was ALL one-sided. India conducted the entire relationship in her head never once expressing her feelings or calling Jackson on his. Jackson was a big f*cking DICK throughout. He acted like it was India's fault he was tempted by her actually calling her a slut at one point. She, of course, internalized this wondering if she was. I only PRAY fictional India will learn to value herself and that younger girls reading this book understand that the MCs relationship was NOT normal nor anything to strive for. Jackson was an emotionally abusive asshole and on the short list of my least favorite male characters.
Whew, rant over! I'm glad I got that off my chest.
P.S. Btw, the sex was tepid and uncomfortable to read...much like the book, actually.
November 20, 2014
India goes to stay with Jackson (her step-brother) in Chicago to take an art class for the summer for college credits. When she moves in with him, he is gruff and moody and treats her as if he doesn't want her there. They then start to hang out together and he kisses her. After the kiss he tells her she is just like her mother and she is left wondering what the heck happened. Jackson then runs hot and cold, as well as India not letting his comment go, so they both don't know where they stand. Jackson then decides to do the right thing and India is devastated and Jackson avoids her for her remaining time there. The ending was abrupt (I hit for the page to move forward multiple times on my Kindle because I couldn't believe that was the end) and that left me a little more disappointed with this book. It was an okay read but felt rushed throughout.
May 12, 2022
But, why?
So, spoilers
This guy comes to the art showing to tell her he loves her and wants to be with her and he decides to bring the OW he was fucking as a date!?
Why? This could have been such a good book, an easy 4 or 5 star but there were just small things that irritated me, like the aforementioned OW.
So, spoilers
This guy comes to the art showing to tell her he loves her and wants to be with her and he decides to bring the OW he was fucking as a date!?
Why? This could have been such a good book, an easy 4 or 5 star but there were just small things that irritated me, like the aforementioned OW.
February 18, 2015
This made me think "ugh" and "meh"
India, the heroine was ok. She wasn't the overly angst-y, melodramatic type you usually find in these teen dramas.
But Jackson, the hero, was really immature and just lacked that certain oomph. It would have worked better if he was older and Alpha.
The romance was lacklustre and I didn't feel the chemistry from the taboo part of it. In fact it didn't make much sense why Jackson was reticent and reluctant when they decided to give their relationship "a go". And the way he then decided "oh it's all ok now" was just too pat.
I also felt the sub-characters were one dimensional and ruined the story - just to immature. Fletcher and Celeste were just too formulaic and cliché - both blonde, petty and clearly not good enough to be with the protagonists. I think making them seem more real and nicer people would have given the plot some substance.
Overall it lacked the sizzle factor, the romance was lacklustre and the hero was tedious. The tall, dark handsome cliché who didn't have much else going for him
India, the heroine was ok. She wasn't the overly angst-y, melodramatic type you usually find in these teen dramas.
But Jackson, the hero, was really immature and just lacked that certain oomph. It would have worked better if he was older and Alpha.
The romance was lacklustre and I didn't feel the chemistry from the taboo part of it. In fact it didn't make much sense why Jackson was reticent and reluctant when they decided to give their relationship "a go". And the way he then decided "oh it's all ok now" was just too pat.
I also felt the sub-characters were one dimensional and ruined the story - just to immature. Fletcher and Celeste were just too formulaic and cliché - both blonde, petty and clearly not good enough to be with the protagonists. I think making them seem more real and nicer people would have given the plot some substance.
Overall it lacked the sizzle factor, the romance was lacklustre and the hero was tedious. The tall, dark handsome cliché who didn't have much else going for him
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July 11, 2024🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/17/2020)! 🎁
February 6, 2022
I liked this stepbrother romance. It was well written and the characters drew you into their world. Jackson had issues with his father, but truly longed for a better relationship with him. He cares for India, her safety, her well being, but he's conflicted with his true feelings for her. India has never had a family she could count on, her mother goes thru men like water. She knows she loves Jackson and sees no reason they can't be together. I really wanted more showing them together and happy. Perhaps her graduation, him proposing, their wedding.
September 14, 2017
Short and after a while, lifeless.
June 28, 2015
This book should be off limits - and off the shelves. Atrocious writing and aptly labelled.
July 1, 2023
~ body betrayal
~ pining doormat heroine
~ jerk stepbrother
✋ sex with OW after starting relations with h
I can’t believe this got any 5 star reviews. The H is a shallow jerk who runs hot and cold, he’s either ignoring the h or sleeping with her, he parades his fuck buddy in front of the h, then calls the virgin h a slut (he did apologize, but it doesn’t make up for the rest).
The h is awful to the one guy showing an interest in her, pines after her stepbrother, gives in whenever he wants her and never grows a back bone. She has no problem sleeping in the same bed he had his OW in just the night before. She says nothing about him bringing his ow to her art exhibition knowing she’ll see them together when he supposedly told his father about their relationship two weeks before?
Nothing in this story screams long term commitment. Don’t waste your time the smut’s not good either.
~ pining doormat heroine
~ jerk stepbrother
✋ sex with OW after starting relations with h
I can’t believe this got any 5 star reviews. The H is a shallow jerk who runs hot and cold, he’s either ignoring the h or sleeping with her, he parades his fuck buddy in front of the h, then calls the virgin h a slut (he did apologize, but it doesn’t make up for the rest).
The h is awful to the one guy showing an interest in her, pines after her stepbrother, gives in whenever he wants her and never grows a back bone. She has no problem sleeping in the same bed he had his OW in just the night before. She says nothing about him bringing his ow to her art exhibition knowing she’ll see them together when he supposedly told his father about their relationship two weeks before?
Nothing in this story screams long term commitment. Don’t waste your time the smut’s not good either.
November 13, 2022
Fast read
I love stories with HEA and a bit of taboo
India has a mom who raised her with as little "love" as possible or as India puts it "does food and clothes count?" And has been married at least four times.
Jackson's dad left him and his mom when he was a little boy and he's carried resent for his father ever since
India gets a chance to go to a six week art class in Chicago and her stepfather has arranged for her to stay with her stepbrother, Jackson, whom she hasn't seen since the wedding
They start out as "enemies" and end up together. The process is hard (no pun intended) but so intriguing you are not going to be able to stop reading until the end.
I love stories with HEA and a bit of taboo
India has a mom who raised her with as little "love" as possible or as India puts it "does food and clothes count?" And has been married at least four times.
Jackson's dad left him and his mom when he was a little boy and he's carried resent for his father ever since
India gets a chance to go to a six week art class in Chicago and her stepfather has arranged for her to stay with her stepbrother, Jackson, whom she hasn't seen since the wedding
They start out as "enemies" and end up together. The process is hard (no pun intended) but so intriguing you are not going to be able to stop reading until the end.
August 22, 2024
I have mixed feelings about this book. It's not the taboo aspect of step siblings that's my issue. It's more that Jackson goes back and forth on his feelings towards India. India is the one who thought she had this whole relationship going on with Jackson but he was sleeping with other people. Then when they finally got together he didn't speak to her for a week...multiple times. He states the reasoning later, but why start something with her until you are sure what's going on with your parents? Ugh. Not my favorite step sibling relationship book by a long shot. It had potential but it missed the mark.
September 18, 2017
The story concept was good. I liked the work put into the back story. But the book read as a first draft. It needs a little more editing. More polishing.
Also, Jackson was a bit on the mean side. He needed a few more soft moments. He's not very likeable, despite being sexy.
What does she like about him?
Also, Jackson was a bit on the mean side. He needed a few more soft moments. He's not very likeable, despite being sexy.
What does she like about him?
August 26, 2025
I love stories that have a happy ending and are taboo. I also love a forbidden relationship. I found this story for free on my Kindle app and I love it. It is sweet, short, and fast. I had fun reading it. I also love that India is an artist. I love the relationship that takes form. I think the characters are interesting as well.
October 15, 2025
India and Jacksons story
Good short read. India is an art student and Jackson is a bit of a grumpy older guy but they do love each other. Lots of obstacles to overcome they make it work.
Good short read. India is an art student and Jackson is a bit of a grumpy older guy but they do love each other. Lots of obstacles to overcome they make it work.
October 31, 2025
If the guy I was screwing (step brother or not) told me we couldn't be together in favor of a relationship with his father AND didnt talk to me for weeks after wards, showed up at the art show I was at with the OW before telling me he was actually in love with me? Hard no thanks. kick rocks buddy.
February 10, 2017
Really liked this book, it's a quick read but still very enjoyable.
June 21, 2017
It could have been more. I read it, was short read. But could have been so much more.
January 8, 2018
!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!! $$$$$ $$$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ (( ) ( _ ) ( _ ( ( # _ (
!!!!!!!!!!! $$$$$ $$$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ (( ) ( _ ) ( _ ( ( # _ (
October 14, 2018
Off Limits
The reason I have Off Limits only 3 stars is because of how it end. I tell people that the ending was not all that great. But rest of the book was maybe 3 1\2 stars.
The reason I have Off Limits only 3 stars is because of how it end. I tell people that the ending was not all that great. But rest of the book was maybe 3 1\2 stars.
January 6, 2020
It was free on kindle so I grabbed it to give it a try, but it really wasn’t worth my time. It read like fan fiction with little development.
April 18, 2020
Not bad
Lacking in depth and description in the details but its Not a bad story, I actually enjoyed it. Worth a quick read, took me about 2 and a half hours to finish
Lacking in depth and description in the details but its Not a bad story, I actually enjoyed it. Worth a quick read, took me about 2 and a half hours to finish
December 21, 2020
A good read
I found this nook to be a great read, it keeps you interested and its less then a hundred pages. Must admit I wish it had been longer.
I found this nook to be a great read, it keeps you interested and its less then a hundred pages. Must admit I wish it had been longer.
March 15, 2022
Could have used an extra chapter to round things off. But overall was a good book.
June 22, 2024
It was okay. Took me forever to get into for such a short read lol.
September 9, 2024
annoying FMC
FMC need to grow a backbone she pissed me off so much she let the MMC bring her down bring other girl around no thank you.
FMC need to grow a backbone she pissed me off so much she let the MMC bring her down bring other girl around no thank you.
November 13, 2024
Step brother (but not raised together )
January 16, 2023
This review is just me recounting the events of what happened in the book so I can I remember waht I've read.
I suggest not reading this if you don't want to know all the details I'm recounting.
Okay, so great chemistry & tension. We got india & Jackson, recent stepsiblings. India is taking an art class before college in the fall. She stays with her stepbrother to be closer. He's closed off & stand off ish while she's just trying to stay out of the way. She meets fletcher & Lauren at her class. They have a project they need to complete for said art project. They three decide on portraits of each other. Fletcher does indie, india does fletcher (but only for a time till she turns to doing one of Jackson instead), & Lauren does fletcher. Lauren's crushing on fletcher. Fletcher crushing on lauren. India crushing on Jackson. She & Jackson hook up. They have to eventually bring it up to their parents, but thankfully their short marriage is ending. Fletcher gets hostile toward india because she doesn't like him that way. He accuses her of sleeping w/her brother to which she specifies they aren't related. Lauren's uncomfortable because she knows fletcher crushing on india while she's crushing on fletcher herself. But in the end, alls well that ends well. Fletcher sells the portrait of india to Jackson. Her portraits of Jackson, india, says are not for sell. Parents divorce. They get tougher. Hea.
1/23
I suggest not reading this if you don't want to know all the details I'm recounting.
Okay, so great chemistry & tension. We got india & Jackson, recent stepsiblings. India is taking an art class before college in the fall. She stays with her stepbrother to be closer. He's closed off & stand off ish while she's just trying to stay out of the way. She meets fletcher & Lauren at her class. They have a project they need to complete for said art project. They three decide on portraits of each other. Fletcher does indie, india does fletcher (but only for a time till she turns to doing one of Jackson instead), & Lauren does fletcher. Lauren's crushing on fletcher. Fletcher crushing on lauren. India crushing on Jackson. She & Jackson hook up. They have to eventually bring it up to their parents, but thankfully their short marriage is ending. Fletcher gets hostile toward india because she doesn't like him that way. He accuses her of sleeping w/her brother to which she specifies they aren't related. Lauren's uncomfortable because she knows fletcher crushing on india while she's crushing on fletcher herself. But in the end, alls well that ends well. Fletcher sells the portrait of india to Jackson. Her portraits of Jackson, india, says are not for sell. Parents divorce. They get tougher. Hea.
1/23
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2017
I'm going to give this book 3 stars. I can't help but be addicted to the stepbrother and stepsister romance, so I definitely enjoy reading books about them. Even though I knew this book was tinted sexually I would have wished that there was at least slightly a little bit more romance inside of it, so that was a little bit of a bummer for me. I got the feeling that I never really got to understand the true personalities of the characters and that everything stayed on the surface, there weren't a lot of details in the story, mainly just actions. Apart from that it was a story that was very well put together and it didn't move too slow, which made it a very nice read. Sometimes I just wonder how in some books two characters can fall in love with each other so fast, that's probably why I missed the outline of the story a little bit, because it makes it hard for me to believe that this can actually happen. Still, I enjoyed this read and it was a good story, the romance between the main characters was cute and steamy and there was definitely something in the story that made me want to keep going and finish it.
February 10, 2017
What just happened?
I have never read such a lifeless book in the whole time I've been reading books. Which means that this is the worse book ever!!!!
The characters lacked personality, the whole story line was rushed, there weren't any feelings of lust or need or anything! The girl, who I can't remember the name off even though I've just finished reading this book five minutes ago, had no personality. All she had to say was "yeah" or "okay" or "sure". She didn't hardly voiced any opinion, she went along with whatever and I really didn't feel like she was that in to Jackson (I only remember his name cause my son is called Jackson). And then the whole story line was really rushed, I didn't feel like there was any connection between them, it just happened so randomly and out of the blue. The other characters weren't relevant at all. They didn't make any difference to the story line that was really pretty shit!!
I did read it till the end though. Only cause I thought I was maybe missing something and it would be better in the end but I was wrong. It was terrible.
I have never read such a lifeless book in the whole time I've been reading books. Which means that this is the worse book ever!!!!
The characters lacked personality, the whole story line was rushed, there weren't any feelings of lust or need or anything! The girl, who I can't remember the name off even though I've just finished reading this book five minutes ago, had no personality. All she had to say was "yeah" or "okay" or "sure". She didn't hardly voiced any opinion, she went along with whatever and I really didn't feel like she was that in to Jackson (I only remember his name cause my son is called Jackson). And then the whole story line was really rushed, I didn't feel like there was any connection between them, it just happened so randomly and out of the blue. The other characters weren't relevant at all. They didn't make any difference to the story line that was really pretty shit!!
I did read it till the end though. Only cause I thought I was maybe missing something and it would be better in the end but I was wrong. It was terrible.
August 26, 2015
Description
What was I supposed to do?
I desperately wanted to take that summer art class – one that would count toward my college credits come fall.
But it was far from home and the only option I really had was to stay with Jackson, my stepbrother – the very stepbrother who detested me and my mother.
Surly and sullen, he was still the sexiest man I’d ever seen. He wasn't thrilled to have me invade his home or his life.
Slowly, though, he warmed toward me. Was it because of the electricity that crackled between us? The irresistible pull we both felt? Or maybe it was the searing kiss we’d shared that night…
Whatever it was, he was teaching me things that I’d never learned in art class – things I wasn't allowed to tell anyone.
What would our parents say?
My thoughts
I loved the author's writing style it held me from beginning to end.
The character's were amazing. I loved their chemistry is so good, they go on a roller coaster ride of emotions to get to where they need to be.
Jackson gets jealous when she hangs out with a guy from summer school, things start to spark between India and Jackson. He tries to restrain himself but he can't and he gives in to his desires.
Overall I really enjoyed this book.
Purchased on www.amazon.co.uk
What was I supposed to do?
I desperately wanted to take that summer art class – one that would count toward my college credits come fall.
But it was far from home and the only option I really had was to stay with Jackson, my stepbrother – the very stepbrother who detested me and my mother.
Surly and sullen, he was still the sexiest man I’d ever seen. He wasn't thrilled to have me invade his home or his life.
Slowly, though, he warmed toward me. Was it because of the electricity that crackled between us? The irresistible pull we both felt? Or maybe it was the searing kiss we’d shared that night…
Whatever it was, he was teaching me things that I’d never learned in art class – things I wasn't allowed to tell anyone.
What would our parents say?
My thoughts
I loved the author's writing style it held me from beginning to end.
The character's were amazing. I loved their chemistry is so good, they go on a roller coaster ride of emotions to get to where they need to be.
Jackson gets jealous when she hangs out with a guy from summer school, things start to spark between India and Jackson. He tries to restrain himself but he can't and he gives in to his desires.
Overall I really enjoyed this book.
Purchased on www.amazon.co.uk
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews