A Little Too Far

A Little Too Far #1

by Lisa Desrochers

Wie konnte das passieren? Wie konnten sie so weit gehen? Ihr Stiefbruder Trent war doch immer Lexis bester Freund und engster Vertrauter. Fluchtartig verlässt Lexi ihre Familie und bricht zu einem Auslandsjahr in Rom auf. Aber auch Tausende von Kilometern entfernt und trotz des attraktiven Alessandro schafft sie es nicht, den Mann, den sie nicht haben kann, zu vergessen . . .

Genres: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Forbidden Love, College, Friends To Lovers

385 pages, Paperback

First published September 17, 2013

About the author

Lisa Desrochers is the USA Today bestselling author of the A LITTLE TOO FAR series, courtesy of HarperCollins. Also in stores is her YA PERSONAL DEMONS trilogy (Macmillan). Look for her upcoming adult contemporary featuring hot Mafiosi, begining with OUTSIDE THE LINES , coming from Penguin in October 2015.

She lives in central California with her husband and two very busy daughters. There is never a time that she can be found without a book in her hand, and she adores stories that take her to new places, and then take her by surprise.

For more info, find her on-line at https://www.facebook.com/LisaDesroche..., or visit www.lisadwrites.com

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Forbidden Stars!!!!



Lexie Banks hasn’t had a lot of luck in love. Lexie catches her long term boyfriend cheating on her on their college break. She goes back to school, tries to forget about him. Then, at the end of summer, she runs into him. He wants her back. Lexie can’t deal with that, so she goes to the one person she can always count on. Her very best friend in the world. Her step brother Trent.

While Trent is comforting Lexie... things escalate. As in, they have sex. Right before she is supposed to leave for Rome. It’s amazing, incredible, but is it wrong?

The Stepbrother...

“I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want you.”

When Lexie gets to Rome, she doesn’t know what to think about what happened with Trent. Things are awkward between them. They want to be together, but they don’t know if it’s okay, how their parents would react. She decides to do what any good Catholic would do, confess her sins. Her priest recommends to get her mind off things, she helps their Priest in training (Alessandro Moretti) with a project. Lexie is an art history major so this project is perfect for her. She finds she can open up to Alessandro, almost like she could with Trent. He is a good listener. The more time she spends with Alessandro, the more she likes him, and she realizes how attracted she is to him...

The Priest in Training...



Alessandro is starting to rethink things. He has a vow of celibacy, but Lexie is the first girl who has ever tempted him. Lexie doesn’t know what to do. Trent still isn’t talking to her. As much as she’s tried not to be, she is still in love with him. But she could see herself loving Alessandro...

Whats a girl to do?



Lexie has an important decision to make. Either choice she makes, her life and anothers will change forever.

“I came here today because when you finally realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”

I was expecting this story to be a little more taboo/forbidden love than it was. It was a very enjoyable read. Sweet, sexy, funny, both guys were swoony! It was a fun, easy read. I found myself conflicted a lot of the book... I couldn’t decide which guy I wanted Lexie with for a while (they are both amazing and very likeable) but ultimately, I was happy with the way it ended. I'm so happy ... is getting a book I can’t wait to read it!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Year Later...

Not kidding. I first heard about this book back in August, and now over a year later, on November 18, 2014, I have FINALLY read this book.



Thank you, Genie. You know, this was one of those books where you actually stop and think to yourself, "Can someone's life really be this screwed up?" Probably not as sexual-angsty like Lexi Banks' was--which was, in essence, people wanting to have sex with each, like everywhere you look. This whole book was everybody wanting to shag with everybody else EVEN THE SOON TO BE PRIEST. That's gotta tell you something.

"Cut to the chase, Karen. Did you like the book or not!?"

*narrows eyes* Fine. Yess, I enjoyed this book. Just like there were Wanting-To-Fucks thrown all over the place, there were also feels. Like so:




And they all had to do with Alessandro, my poor baby.

Anyway, so enough ranting. *clears throat* Note: this review will not be professional...hint, le profanity, mild spoilers...etcetera. You has been warned.

The book starts off with Lexie Banks, who was very recently cheated on by her douchebag of an ex, who then has the nerve to want SHAG her at a Sizzler. So now, you mostly get where this is going...yes people. She's on the rebound. With her step brother, the hawt Trent. After he fucked her brains out, the awkward elephant in the room they're supposed to ignore, but fail miserably to, is dancing all over the place, and the friendship she had with Trent is basically ruined.

Then she goes to Rome for some art study abroad thing, and from there things just kind of went in a straight line. Nothing interesting was going on, except Lexie making some British friend with sex problems of her own. And from here on, even though things started happening, it really didn't change the pace of the story. It was like stuck, but still expanding. One of those said expansions was Lexie confessing to a priest that she had mind blowing sex with her step brother, and in order to atone for her "sin," she is sent over to Reverend Moretti, who is supposed to make her do some sort of project.

And said Reverend turns out to be...YES, ALESSANDRO



And...then it begins.

The lusting after a soon-to-be-priest.


Other than my beloved Alessandro, the whole story just kind of revolved around Lexi not knowing what the hell she wanted, or what she wanted to do, or who she wanted to do it with.



The only thing that saved this story from irritating me was the writing. Oh god, dat writing tho. Desrochers has a beautiful style of writing, very descriptive, and hilarious. Lexie, tho I wanted to throttle her sometimes, is a very down-to-earth character who realizes that the world doesn't revolve around her. She isn't a TOTAL mindless idiot, and knows that the choices she makes affects those around, and I really liked that about her. Even though I wanted to strangle her with her hair and toss her into a river for leading my poor baby on, at the end she had her epiphany, and made her ultimate decision.

4.5 delicious stars for this baby. I enjoyed it, deeply, and definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a light, funny, hot and sexy read.

Toodles, I'm off to read Alessandro's story.

Fuck Trent.




UPDATE 8/16/2013

So I heard there was an excerpt online, and was able to read the first chapter.



When I was done, I just sat there like:



Now I really want this book. But I have to wait till whenever this book decides to get published.





~~~~~








A Little Too Far....

Sex with step-brother...



And then wanting to have sex with a soon-to-be priest...





...





This is certainly different. I think I will read this simply because its..well...fucking different. So I want this book. Like, now would be nice.






And one more thing...

[Aestas Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, here's my casting of the two hotties:

Have you ever gone just a little too far?

A Little Too Far was a really cute double taboo New Adult romance with just the right amount of angst, two swoony guys, and exactly the ending I'd hoped for. 

Okay, I have to admit, the moment I read the blurb for this book, I knew I wanted to read it. I mean seriously, a double taboo?! I'm not usually a love triangle fan but this one had my attention just because it seemed so... different! We're talking a stepbrother and a priest here! This was not your average love triangle!

The story followed Lexie who, after her boyfriend of over three years cheats on her felt that she needs a fresh start and accepted a one year scholarship to study abroad in Italy. But first, she spent the summer back home and two days before she left something happened.... she had mind blowing sex with her stepbrother!

She and Trent had been very close ever since their parents married each other. While they may not have grown up together, there had always been the 'undercurrent' of something more between them. Over the last several years, they had bonded over a shared understanding of what it was like to survive a broken family and had always supported each other. And then...

"All of a sudden, he isn't my stepbrother. He's everything I've ever wanted."

Eeeep!!

Ok, honestly though, it really didn't feel that awkward between them... I mean, okay, sure, a leeeeetle bit at first just 'cuz, you know... but honestly it didn't feel quite as  dangerously 'taboo' as I expected and they really kind of just felt right together. Or at least, I was definitely rooting for them. But still... I mean, given the situation, it wasn't exactly smooth sailing.

"So what happens now?"

And that's when I come crashing back to Earth - and reality.

I just had totally mind-blowing sex with my stepbrother.

And I'm leaving for Rome in two days.

Which is a good thing because I just had totally mind blowing sex with my stepbrother.

Once she got to Italy, Lexie headed to confession feeling guilty over her night with Trent and the fact that she couldn't stop thinking about him. After a somewhere lengthy (and pretty hilarious) confession, she turned to leave and ran smack into Reverend Moretti... soon to be known to us as Alessandro. Now see, Trent was just such an all-round nice guy -- protective by nature but also a total sweetheart. I knew as soon as I met him who my choice would be. And I absolutely decided that I was NOT going to fall for the priest. Nu huh. Nope. Nope. Nope.

Well, that didn't last too long and I have to admit, I did swoon when I met Alessandro. Personally though, I never was 'torn' between them as to which one Lexie should end up with still... there was swooning. Turns out, he was eight months away from being ordained but for all intents and purposes, he counted as a priest -- we're talking robes, vow of celibacy and the whole nine yards.... and when the Father at the confessional sent Lexie to work with Alessandro on a project at the museum (idle hands and all), they began to build... a friendship.

"I needed the perfect missionary for this job, and the Lord sent you."

"Actually, it was Father Reynolds who sent me, on account of the fact that there weren't enough Hail Marys I could possibly say to cover my ass."

This worked out well because she wasn't looking for a new relationship and he was sooooooo totally forbidden -- like all the way straight-to-hell style forbidden. But the more they got to know each other, the more their feelings grew.

For the record, for those of you on the fence at the whole 'priest' thing. He wasn't a saint. In fact, he was actually a reformed bad boy with some pretty shady spots in his past and while he was certainly devoted to his higher purpose now, it wasn't always so.

Lexie was a fun heroine. She messed up, took leaps and I really enjoyed reading the story from her perspective. There were a few times when I wanted to shake her but generally, I really liked her.

While I did enjoy the book, I found the first half to be a little bit slow. But by the half way mark, it had really started to build and I pretty much just sat there madly flipping pages until the end. Things were all going down the wrong path! There were big "oh-noooo" moment, so many "almost" moments -- the phone calls and texts between Trent and Lexie killed me! If only.... *sigh* I missed Trent and there was all that going on back home. But Alessandro was there but still so forbidden and just... yeah... 


If it makes a difference, I loved the ending!! It was the one I wanted and I really appreciated that all the characters were very sensible about the way they handled the whole situation. The uncertainty was drawn out a little but it wasn't taken too far keeping everything in the deliciously angsty territory. I also appreciated that things were resolved early enough in the book to give me a little time to bask in the happy glow before the end.

"Our hearts know. They always have."

The writing style was witty, easy flowing and drew me right into the story. I read it in one sitting -- took me about 3 hours and I really just enjoyed it. And, obviously since this is a love triangle, only one guy "gets the girl" so the next book in the series,  A Little Too Much, will tell the other guy's story and be out in November 2013. I'm looking forward to it :)

4 - 4.5 stars

****************************

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[Patrycja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly wild and insanely bittersweet ride with addictive storyline and sweeping of feet romance, A Little Too Far is definitely a novel that has to be read.

It’s heartbreaking and mesmerizing in entirely new way, it made my heart race, my eyes teary and my girlie parts tingling. This is a story beyond every romance I’ve read – it’s captivating, beautiful journey of discovering what love really means and that in love there’s never too far. Yes, you can keep your toes on the invisible border and it’ll probably bite you in the ass, but there’s still hope for true feelings to blosom.

A Little Too Far is stunning journey of Lexi Banks’ self-discovery. She finds herself in entirely new place where her feelings start to be overwhelming and that’s when she starts to go a little too far. She has feelings for her stepbrother Trent who’s also her best friend since they have been fifteen. Trent has dark vibe of captured in reality musician. He’s sexy, strong and has a bike, which muliplies his sexiness. His your wet dream come true.



Two nights before Lexi goes Rome on her student exchange things between her and Trent get really intense and before they know it, Lexi’s the best orgasm of her life.
Their moment of passion is mind-blowing and sensual, something Lexi has never experienced, but after few moments there’s also overwhelming guilt and shame.

With mixed feelings and breaking heart, Lexi goes to Italy, where she meets wonderful, caring man who’s also about to become a priest. Alessandro is handsome, inteligent and has golden heart.



Is Lexi about to make another step that takes her too far?

In this beautiful and sensual love triangle of forbidden feelings, Lexi fights for her heart and redemption.

First thing first, I have confess I opened book on the last chapter to see if Lexi will be with Trent or Alessandro. I couldn’t stop myslef, I just had to see! After that I could start reading. And Wow! Some things are still slowly sinking into my mind. This novel breaks molds, shatters hearts and make you breathless. .If you want to be mesmerized, captured and enchanted, A Little Too Far is a novel that certainly would make you so!

From the start that’s like fireworks to explosive end, A Little Too Far is an unputdownable read filled with beauty, joy, sorrow, passion and love. It hooked me in from the first chapter and made me think about this story long after I read the last page.

** ARC copy provided by Edelweiss in exchange for honest review**


More reviews on Smokin' Hot Book Blog and my Facebook Page

[Kristin (KC) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 Stars*

Not as intense or dark as expected, but still a fairly sweet and fun read!

A Little Too Far is an entertaining, emotional read that steadily skims the surface of darker issues. Yes, there are forbidden elements that become morally questionable and boundary pushing, but the plot presents these controversial issues in a mostly lighthearted manner. After I adjusted my expectations for the tone of this story, I was able to appreciate its tenderness.

I'm going to skip a plot summation because there is a love triangle involved that I'd hate to expose. For me, this story kicked off to a rocky start and gradually found its footing. The heroine, Lexie, was initially difficult to decipher. The heart of her character was sweet and slightly insecure, so many of her bold and racy comments sometimes felt like a contradiction. But as the story progressed, she really became more distinctive and was actually a very likable heroine.

Both heroes in this story were amazing characters, which definitely made the love triangle more difficult to digest. But the author actually did a great job with its execution — causing limited disappointment.

The controversy is introduced through both heroes who each represent a forbidden love interest for Lexie: One hero being her stepbrother, and the other, a deacon on his way to priesthood. Scandalous, huh?

Although this story was fairly predictable at times, I still found it very sweet and entertaining. The writing was basic and clean, with a perfect pace and a fluid rhythm that easily became its focal point. I enjoyed the artful elements as well as the vivid descriptions of Rome. The religious aspect was often present, but never preachy, so I don't see this becoming uncomfortable for readers who choose to avoid this topic.

And, finally, I love that the following installment will be a character spinoff — although I won't reveal which! Fun read!

Book Stats:
▪ Genre/Category: Contemporary Romance
▪ Steam Caliber: Moderate steam
▪ Romance: Love triangle
▪ Characters: Well developed and layered.
▪ Plot: A forbidden love story surrounding and emotional love triangle.
▪ Writing: Clean and fluid.
▪ POV: 1st Person: Heroine
▪ Cliffhanger: None
▪ Next Installment: Spinoff
▪ HEA? Yes

[Catarina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Sinfully Hot Stars!!



After a bad re-encounter with her asshole ex-boyfriend, Lexie finds console in the same place of always: with her best-friend and step-brother (her step-mother’s son), Trent.
But things got a little out of hand and they end up having sex. A little fact that will change everything between them.
Not because they don’t feel anything for each other, but because they are supposed to be… well, family. Even not being biologically related. And after that, things let a little awkward.



But then Lexie goes to Italy for a year abroad and that’s when she meets Alessandro, a guy in his way to become a priest that will grow close to her… especially when Trent is so far away and her new feelings doesn’t seem to fade with the distance.



And between two guys that she can’t have, but loving only one of them, she have to make a decision that will change everything.
When the person you love is not supposed to be with you, do you give up or do you keep fighting? Even when the fighting could take you to a place a little too far than you were expecting?



If you’re thinking of skipping this because of the love triangle (I totally understand it, I HATE love triangles and would skip either!), this is not a love triangle per se. .
There’s one person she loves and believes that can’t have, there’s some angst (or frustration, it can go both ways) until they find their way and meanwhile there’s some doubt (therefore the so called triangle), but there’s not a girl having a simultaneous relationship with two different guys. So you can breathe deep and read it!

The story is very well written and although the heroine being sometimes annoying and little immature, the characters were very likable. (Especially Trent!!)
If you’re looking for a good NA reading, you can give this one a try! ;)

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

♦ 3.5 STARS. ♦

My first reaction after reading the blurb of this story:

Not one, but two "forbidden" romances in one novel??

Yep, that definitely had me intrigued! ;)

Let me clarify from the start though, that the story really wasn't as angsty or dark as the blurb made it out to be. Sure, there were a few "forbidden" romance elements and morally questionable situations but the way the author wrote it, the story had a very lighthearted feeling to it. So, even though it wasn't what I expected it to be, it was still a pleasantly surprising, unique NA novel that I really enjoyed reading.

A Little Too Far is the story of the twenty year old Lexie Banks who's about to leave on a year long exchange trip to Rome. A few days before her departure, she runs into her cheating ex-boyfriend. This encounter makes her week comfort in the arms of the seriously hot, seriously off limits stepbrother. Confused after having had sex with him, she's happy to be leaving the country in order to sort out her thoughts and feelings. But, even abroad, trouble seems to follow her around...

♦ LEXIE ♦



Lexie is a bit of a contradiction. At times she comes off as a strong, independent young woman, other times she seems insecure and a little gullible. This made it hard for me to connect with her character at first, but as the story progresses she becomes more and more mature and steamy in her decision making. And in the end, I think she really made the right decision by breaking things off with Alessandro and by finally confessions her true feelings to Trent.

♦ TRENT ♦

"All of a sudden, he isn't my stepbrother. He's everything I've ever needed."



Trent Sorenson has not only been Lexie's stepbrother for over five years, he's also her best friend. He'salways there for her no matter what. He'd the one person who knows all her deepest secrets and he'sthe one she can mean on whenever she needs support. What nobody knows, is that Trent and Lexie were each other's first kiss and that they've always secretly had feelings for each other ever since. But they've always known they can never be together. Until now, that is.

♦ ALESSANDRO ♦

"Passion can sometimes bring out qualities in a person that they never knew they possessed."



Reverend Alessandro Moretti Is the very handsome, very sympathetic soon to be priest, encounters on her very first church visit in Rome. As the two of them start to spend more time together, their friendship starts to grow into something more that neither of them can deny is there.

Being far away from home is exactly what Lexie needs to gather her thoughts and decide what she wants to do with her life. But all the while, she still often thinks about what happened with her stepbrother before she left and about the strong friendship they've always had that now might be ruined forever. At the same time, Lexie develops a growing connection to Alessandro, which doesn't exactly makes her situation less complicated.

Both male main characters were very likeable and swoonworthy which made he story all the more fun to read. But at the same time they're also, each in their own way, very off limits for Lexie which makes it all the harder for her to choose whether one of them might be "the one".



"You picked me up and helped me heal,
You taught me what it meant to feel.
Now I can, now I do, and everything I feel is you.
I would never do you wrong,
or let you down or lead you on.
I can't stop now, I'll come unglued, when everything I feel is you."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

All in all, A Little Too Far was a fun, unique, easy-to-read coming of age NA story with a sweet, happy ending. The author did a great job at creating a story around some unconventional, taboo otopics without making it too heavy or overly dramatic too read. I loved the original setting of the story in Rome and I loved each of the three main characters and I'm already looking forward to Alessandro's own story in the sequel, A Little Too Much.


Extra bonus: the When Harry Met Sally references.

"I came here today because when you finally realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." ♡

[Wendy Darling · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some sexy scenes, but the story was...all over the place.

Also, if there are going to be a lot of sex scenes, it'd be nice if the guys varied up their moves a little. :P

[.Lili. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I'll start off by saying this was a good book. It just fell short of my expectations. I can't go into too much detail without giving away spoilers. I'll break it down to how I felt while reading it and how I'd rate it.

At the beginning I was-

It was hottt! Loved the friendship and sexual tension between Trent and Lexie. This part of the book: 5 stars!!

Then she went to Rome and I was kinda like-

The story started to lose me. The beginning of the trip was boring. I didn't really feel the sexual tension between Alessandro and Lexie. I know it was written there but I didn't connect to it. I didn't find it believable. This part of the story gets 2 stars.

Christmas break and back to Rome-

It was ok- it picked up a bit. 3 stars.

The end I was conflicted. It was both-

and

The end although exciting, was very rushed. I felt like I blinked and it was over. That's a cardinal sin for me. When I've already invested so much time into a story I want more than a simple "see ya later", which is kind of what I felt I got. I'll override the bad with the good- 4 stars.

I'll reiterate what I said at the beginning- this wasn't a bad book. I think it simply fell short of my expectations. Would I recommend it? Sure. Will I read book 2? Probably. So overall rating is 3.5 stars. Hope my review made some sense.

[Jess-i-ca · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars...This was a decent read but I found myself quite bored at times and skimming to get through it. The Art History and extra info that I didn't need turned me off in this book. Some people may love it, I did not.



Lexie got on my nerves quite a few times. She's so unsure of herself and wishy washy....Get it together!





Love Alessandro! He is awesome!



Sam


And Trent.... He doesn't tell her he loves her, he waits until she texts him and then shows up weeks later? WTF



Get it? Brother? HAHAHAHA I crack myself up...

I thought the ending seemed very rushed as well...

[Dilek VT · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book claims to have sort-of-a taboo subject but I don’t get it much. The story only turns out to be something annoying for me :(

I am angry about how everything is handled so I have found it really impossible to write a review without spoilers. Thus, beware that there are spoilers everywhere from now on.

After her major break-up with her cheating boyfriend, our heroine Lexie finds the comfort in her dear step-brother’s arms (not blood-related) and on the spur of the moment, they sleep together and Lexie realizes that she has always been in love with him. Then, she feels guilty for sleeping with him. He also feels guilty. They don’t confess that they are in love with each other, they just decide to pretend that it did not happen or should not have happened. (Also, years ago, they had their first kiss and then they decided to forget about it and never go any further).

My problem here is: Why on earth can step brothers and sisters not fall in love if they are not blood-related? OK, the society has some moral issues towards a match of this kind but it is not incest, right? It may not be the ideal situation, the parents may feel disturbed about it but it should not be treated as a forbidden love or a taboo subject. If they were blood-related, that would be incest and that would be taboo. That is why, I did not understand her “Oh, I have sinned” reaction.

OK, let’s go back to the story. A few days later after their sleeping together, Lexie goes overseas to study in Italy, where she directly goes to a church to confess her sins. She feels guilty but she still misses the touch of her step-brother. Then, she immediately swoons for the hot-looking reverend. Whoops! What happened to her deep love for the step-brother, where is the deep pain of separation? I am sorry but that does not make sense.

Reverend Alessandro is not a priest yet but soon-to-be one. He gradually falls in love with Lexie and in the end, confesses his feelings to her saying she made him realize that he was not ready for such a devotion to the church.

At the same time, Trent, the step-brother, starts to go out with Lexie’s best friend Sam. He does not love her, or sleep with her as he later says. He tells her he loves someone else but still, I don’t know why, but still he goes out with her. When Lexie goes home for the holidays, they still don’t confess their feelings about each other. He goes out with her best friend while she is there. He later explains that he was trying to forget Lexie as she told him she had the hots for the reverend. Oh my God, please, why did I give myself this torture?

Yes, our annoying heroine cannot decide who she wants till the last moment. The reverend or the step-brother? The step-brother or the reverend?

She goes from one to the other in her thoughts and feelings. She has no clue what she actually wants or should do; her feelings and hormones are all over the place.

She even questions if she can love two guys at the same time? Oh, what a mess!



Is the hero better than the heroine? Well, he also does not take the matters into his hand. He does not say anything about his love.

Bored, really bored...
Bored while waiting for them to pluck up some courage and decide what to do.
Bored with all the unnecessary details relating to Italian art and architecture, sculptures, etc...
Bored to death while waiting for them to act upon their feelings...

Well, our dear boy Trent, who can’t be as courageous as the reverend and cannot say how he feels about Lexie until she texts him her feelings, flies to Rome to her with a ring when she confesses her love over a phone message. Seriously? Pooh :(

Oh, love triangles are something I hate and this was one of the worst.

I am also not comfortable with their parents. Their mother and father got married when they were 15 and 16. Since day one, Lexie and Trent have been very close, hugging each other all the time, her curling up in his lap all the time etc. Well, it kind of was bound to happen. The parents who didn't mind that they were way too close for siblings at that age experience a moment of horror and shock when they learn that they are in love. I was surprised when the father said he did not see it coming. Well, he must have been really blind.

All in all, that book was kind of a disappointment for me...

[Lady Vigilante (Feifei) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: So this book boasts THE most unique love triangle I’ve ever seen and so before starting it, I took a quick sneak peek at the end, just to lower my blood pressure. Despite knowing the ending beforehand, my review will not be biased on the fact that I liked who Lexi ended up with. Just wanted to clear that up.

This was one of the books I HAD to buy when I read the blurb. Here’s part of it to refresh your memory:

“Have you ever gone just a little too far?

Lexie Banks has.

Yep. She just had mind-blowing sex with her stepbrother.”

=_= Tell me how you really feel, right? But that’s not all!

“But even thousands of miles away, Lexie can’t seem to escape trouble. Raised Catholic, she goes to confession in hopes of alleviating some of her guilt … and maybe not burning in hell. Instead, she stumbles out of the confessional and right into Alessandro Moretti, a young and very easy-on-the-eyes deacon … only eight months away from becoming a priest.”

O_O Um. WOW right? Double the taboo-ness! It was the perfect book that got me out of my reading funk!

The story revolves around Lexi Banks, who is on the rebound after kicking out her cheating bastard of a boyfriend. She is about to study abroad in Rome and 2 days before she leaves – bam – she and her stepbrother Trent have sex. It definitely went far fast, but not overly so, since there was always this underlying sense that Lexi and Trent’s friendship was deeper. The hugs, the teasing, the casual touches that bordered on being intimate, were all pretty obvious signals that shouted “DO ME.” But more than that, I fell for Trent waaaay before anything physical happened.

“He’s the only one who knows all the sordid details of my love life – things too embarrassing for even Sam and Katie. I’ve confided all of it to Trent, in detail. But that’s just the kind of guy Trent is.”

Can he get anymore perfect??!! So of course it was disappointing and frustrating for me to read how their, erm, relationship/friendship/lover status was left hanging when Lexi left for Rome. This was me at 27% of the book:



I despise wishy washy heroines, and though some saw Lexi as one, I didn’t. Surprisingly. What I saw instead was a lost, confused but determined woman trying to rediscover who she is and sort out her mixed feelings.

“This is my time to reboot. Here, I can reinvent myself into whoever I want to be. I’m not going to be the girl whose boyfriend screwed around on her behind her back, or the girl who slept with her brother on the rebound. I’m going to be the new, improved Lexie. The one who has her shit together.”

After one HILARIOUS confession (still chuckling thinking about it), she stumbles into Alessandro Moretti, a deacon-about-to-be-priest. I won’t understate their connection, but I will say that throughout the book (even in some of the steamy scenes) I could never picture him and Lexi together. Maybe because Trent is just so ingrained in my head?? Mind you, I still fell for Alessandro too. The things that would come from his mouth, some are just so, so true, and definitely resonate with reality.

“Passion can sometimes bring out qualities in a person that they never knew they possessed.”

My feelings for Alessandro was more intellectual than physical, and I truly appreciated his presence in Lexi’s life. They were both two people searching for their own paths: Lexi coming to terms with her love life and future, and Alessandro with his chosen path to become a priest.

Another part of the book that really, really resonated with me was the art history. I’ve always been an intellectual at heart and art history fascinates me, so the little tidbits of Michelangelo and the Greek sculptures really appealed to me. In fact, without them, I'd say this story would be incomplete. They were vital in anchoring Lexi’s personality and was just one aspect of how she matured into the woman she became near the end.

“So, when you’re doing something you love, sometimes it doesn’t feel hard, even if it is. That’s how Michelangelo felt about sculpture.”

Lisa has written a beautifully complex tale that highlights the shortfalls of humans, the finite nature of mortality, and that unconventional love is acceptable. This is a book I won’t be forgetting anytime soon!

5 BLOWING-THE-BOUNDARIES-AWAY STARS!!!

[*J* Too Many Books Too Little Time · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!



A love triangle between an almost priest and a step-brother....what's not to love about that?!?! Oh wait, sounds like a disaster waiting to happen right??

Sounds pretty
if you ask me!

Disclaimer:
So for those of you that aren't a fan of the love triangle, I will tell you that there wasn't a lot of back and forth. And rest assured there was no cheating or anything like that.

The story begins with Lexi home for summer break. She's a few days away from leaving for a year abroad in Rome. She's out with her friends for shopping and lunch when she runs in to her cheating ex-boyfriend Rick which brings back all of these feelings. She's home discussing said feelings with her step-brother Trent--who also happens to be her BFF--when they end up sleeping together.



Oh come on people....they're only related by marriage. And no, this isn't an incest book....not really. So once Trent and Lexy sleep together things become a wee bit



Lexi heads off to Rome where we meet Alessandro. Lexi is confessing her many sins when she's instructed to meet with Reverend Moretti aka Alessandro. He has a mission for her--as repentance for her sins. Alessandro is a soon to be preist. They become friends and Lexi confinds in him all about her feelings for Trent.

Now this is where my only complaint about the book comes in. I kind of found all of the Italian art mumbo jumbo a smidge boring. Just personal preference.



So I'd just skim those parts.

Lexi returns home for the Winter break and will see Trent for the first time since they slept together. Will she tell him how she feels about him? What will happen when he finds out about Alessandro?

When Lexi returns to Rome her relationship with Alessandro continues to grow and over time things between them become a bit murky. At this point I have no clue who I want her to be with. I love both Trent and Alessandro.



And now Alessandro is questioning his decisions to become a priest. Did he choose the right path? Or is Lexi his path? But is Lexi still in love with Trent or did Trent move on with someone else?

I'm not going to lie this became a real nail-biter the last 15-20% of the book. I was almost afraid to keep reading but I couldn't stop either. I will say I am SUPER DUPER-LY happy with the way the story ended.

There was NO cliffhanger ending. Everything wraps up pretty nicely. It wasn't too angsty, it did make me laugh and there was some HOT sex. I am definitely looking forward to the other companion books in the series.

[Ilze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I am so happy to give the book 5 ★, it was an awesome read!



❥I didn't have high expectations for the book, because last time everybody loved the story I hated it. Though this story sounded good and I thought I will give it a try, and I am happy I did, because the book turned out to be really good.

❥I loved the story, it was really original and unexpected in a lot of ways. ~Two days before leaving to Rome Lexie sleeps with her step-brother/ best-friend. Being Catholic, she goes to church to confess her sins, which leads her to run into to-be priest Alessandro. Now she is torn in two...~

❥It was 'kinda' love triangle, because Lexie was torn between two, however they weren't really competing with each other. It was more like Lexies struggle to figure out what she wants and if she can have it.

❥I am usually frustrated when heroine can't choose or don't know how to choose and then jumps from one guy to another, it wasn't the case here. Firstly, it wasn't an easy or obvious choice, because she was ocean away from Trent who is her step-brother and Alessandro who was deacon. Therefore I didn't get annoyed with Lexie once.

❥I really liked Lexie, she was an awesome heroine. All the time going to church and confessing of using Lords name in vain (Ohh God!) and shouting in the church "Holy shit!" It was so funny!

❥I did laugh a lot, the whole relationships with to-be priest were so entertaining, like the scene in the erotic museum.

❥However I also liked their serious heart-to-heart talks, and the sweet moments they shared. Damn, I feel like I have to find a hot priest for myself too, something between Alessandro and Soren ;D

❥I am not really fan of art or neither I am really religious, though the themes in the book didn't bother me at all, and I actually found out a lot of new things I didn't know.

❥AND the guys, ahhh I really love them both. Trent was just so sweet and sexy, and Alessandro was so wise and tempting. I liked that they both were forbidden in different way though. Step-brother and to-be priest, not exactly simple choice. I enjoyed the conflict she was having in her head.

❥It was sexy! The mind-blowing sex with Trent and sweet romance with Alessandro.

❥In the end I was happy with her choice, but honestly I liked them both so much that I wouldn't have minded either way. Though I want HEA for all of them^^

❥Lastly, I really enjoyed the book. It really felt like a breath of fresh air and I do recommend it to others who are looking for something original, different, not too serious and don't mind 'kinda' love triangles.

[Lisa Desrochers]

Here's a excerpt from A LITTLE TOO FAR. Hope you love reading Lexie's story as much as I loved writing it =)

[Paulina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ein wenig zu weit ist ein faszinierender, sexy New Adult-Roman, der die Grenzen überschreitet. Die Liebesszenen sind heiß und die Kulisse in Italien könnte für eine junge Frau, die ihren Weg in der Welt findet, nicht perfekter sein. Sehr empfehlenswert!

[Glass · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Tabooish" themes are my absolute favorite and I can't turn down opportunity to read something with that kind of storyline. When I saw that A Little Too Far, along with this oh so hot cover, is about pseudo-incest, I was all "Gimme now!" Did I get what I expected? That and then some more. Did I like it? Well, that is the problem...

Story & Characters. When I started reading this book, I was hooked - Lexie is back home, avoiding her idiotic ex-boyfriend, preparing for her trip to Italy and talking about her hot stepbrother Trent. Next thing she's home, Trent is home, no parents, they talk and wham --- they are all over each other in the way that is all but brotherly or sisterly. (Oh, shut up and stop glaring at me! Look at the mirror before you start judging someone else for having same fantasies like you.) Five pages later she is in Italy standing on the doorstep and drooling over to-be-priest, Alessandro. Uh, uh...

SPOILER ALERT!

There is no way I can talk about A Little to Far without spoilers, so consider yourselves warned. If you didn't read it, come back later when you do. If you do not care about spoilers - continue.
When a book is based on one big taboo, it could be really well and tastefully written - like Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma. It's a thin line between writing just for the sake of getting the attention and creating a hype, and genuine interest in problem. Lisa Desrochers doesn't have any interest in later - she created romantic and sexual fantasy. Lexie is in love with her stepbrother - who isn't actually related to her, their parents got married when they were 15 or so. Pent up sexual tension over the years ends up in one (or few) mind blowing orgazams. They don't get a chance to talk about what happens and Lexie is all over the ocean in Italy for the rest of the school year. This is where whole thing went "a little too far" for me.
It wasn't enough to include one taboo, but there has to be more. Meet Alessandro, Franch/Italian/
American hot as sin soon to priest. He cooks, he is ex-criminal who lost his V-card with his brother's ex-girl, he knows everything about arts, takes her to this long tours, listens to her confession about Trent. That is not all. Alessandro has a seriously hot body because he is boxer and he's training young boys in Youth Center. And nobody asks questions - why is young almost priest all the time with a girl, why does he take her home to meet family, eating dinner at her apartment... Before you get to say "what the fuck?", he got our fair lady on kitchen table having her instead of dessert. So...
Lexie is the most annoying character since Kiera from Thoughtless series. She has no clue what she actually wants, she is all over the place with her emotions and hormones. One minute she is in love with her stepbrother and in the other she is thinking how her priest has broad shoulders and muscular arms. Hmm... Probably the most stupid part of this whole situation is her friendly relationship with Trent - she would curl up in his lap and cry all the damn time while they were growing up. And he is just one year older than her. And their parents didn't mind that their kids were way too close for "siblings". Yes, that is really how it works in real life.

OKAY, I'M GOOD NOW...

Back to the original question - did i like A Little Too Far? I would be a complete hypocrite if I would say that I didn't. On contrary, I read it in almost one sitting, I devoured all hot parts. This book goes in my favorite trashy books bookshelf - there are so many thing that bothered me, I hate characters, but I'd still read them. A Little Too Far and other books like this are my guilty, masochist pleasure.

[Amy | Foxy Blogs · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Little Too Far is 'sort of' a love triangle and 'sort of' forbidden romance. Lexi is a girl torn between what she thinks is acceptable according to society and what she feels is right in her heart.

Cute story line. My favorite quote is when Lexi tells Trent,

"You know damn well I have no virtue."

SERIES:

No cliffhangers. Spinoff.

[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I didn't read any spoilers in my friend's reviews. I didn't even read the next book's description. I was that good!

So when things didn't go my way in this story I was beyond disappointed.



Nevertheless, it was an extremely angsty well paced story. I even enjoyed the art history stuff, go figure.

"I am a sinner and I am weak, he says."

I'm looking forward to Book 2!

[Chelsea (chelseadolling reads) · Rating 1 out of 5]

So I was originally going to give this 2 stars because, while it was bad, it wasn't like, terrible. But then it got terrible and here we are. I was really hoping this was going to fulfill my craving for some smutty/cheesy/gr8 new adult but it so just did not. 1 star. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Little Too Far begins with Lexie Banks home on college break. While at dinner with her best friends, she runs into her cheating ex-boyfriend Rick—who didn’t just cheat on her, but cheated on her with three different girls. He hurt her badly. But seeing Rick again stirs up feelings in Lexie that confuse her, especially after he steals a kiss from her. She leaves the restaurant quickly and goes home to confide in her best friend, who is also her step-brother, Trent. When one thing leads to another and all the pent up feelings and desire they’ve felt for each other over the years comes tumbling to the surface—they find themselves in bed together; resulting in them having hot, passionate, mind-blowing sex. Oopsie daisy.

“Never during any of it, even once we’re both naked on my bed, does any part of me feel like we shouldn’t be doing this. All of a sudden, he isn’t my stepbrother. He’s everything I’ve ever needed.” – Lexie Banks

Did Lexie and Trent take it a little too far? I didn’t think so. I never got that icky feeling like I would if they were actually brother and sister by blood. Yet it’s still forbidden because their parents are going to completely freak if they find out. And it could possibly tear the family apart. Lexie feels conflicted over what they’ve done. How can something so taboo feel like it was meant to be? What does it all mean? And, she’s leaving for Rome in two days – which doesn’t give them enough time digest the situation or talk about it. To say things are awkward between them when she leaves is a massive understatement.

Once in Rome, Lexie is stilling feeling overwhelmed by guilt and shame. Lexie decides to go to confession and confess her indiscretion; hoping it will help alleviate what she’s feeling. As part of her penance, the priest assigns her to a young reverend; an incredibly handsome and charming man. Poor Lexie just cannot catch a break with the attractive forbidden fruit in her life. She’s assigned to work alongside Alessandro, the hot soon-to-be priest, and teach children Rome’s art history. Slowly, the chemistry that is already prevalent heats up further as they grow closer, all while Lexie’s feelings for Trent continue to linger on the surface, never wavering.

“I thought I was going to hell before, but this pretty much cements it.” – Lexie Banks

It was easy to become immersed in Lexie’s world. I really felt like I was there with Lexie in Rome, as the author describes Rome beautifully. The author took me on an enthralling journey as Lexie digs deep and searches her soul to find out what she truly wants out of her life. I really adore Lexie’s witty, loveable, and compassionate personality. She’s a fun heroine. While she did make some terrible decisions, it was hard to stay mad at her. She acted and reacted in ways that were believable and genuine. The big question is: Who will she choose? Both men are forbidden but willing to make sacrifices for her. Will it be Trent, even if it could potentially tear her family apart? Or will it be Alessandro, who is days away from becoming a priest?

Alessandro’s life was once headed down a dark and dangerous path, until he found his way by devoting his life to God. But meeting Lexie makes him doubt the path he’s taken. He’s not sure if he can withstand the temptation that is Lexie Banks. Alessandro is written in an amazing way. I couldn’t help but feel for him. He obviously felt conflicted over his duty to God and his feelings towards Lexie. I honestly grew to care for Alessandro though I thought I wouldn’t since I was so hung up on Trent. The author manages pull my heart in two different directions.

Although both men are consuming in their own way, Trent is the one who made my pulse pound and my heart flutter the moment he walked onto the pages. Not only does he ride a motorcycle, but he plays guitar. And be still my melting heart…. Trent wrote and sang songs for Lexie. *sigh* When Lexie and Trent were together, I felt the deep emotional connection they had formed between them over the years. But during the time they spend apart, doubts and unspoken misunderstandings begin to settle in both their minds and take root. Are they really meant to be together?

I have to be honest here… There just didn’t feel like there was a good balance with the individual scenes Lexie had with Alessandro and Trent. I was really disappointed with the lack of Trent’s presence in the story. I wish the author would’ve given me more of Lexie and Trent together. I felt cheated.

Lexie is a very lucky girl to have two incredible men who want her. I can imagine there will readers whose hearts will be torn over Lexie’s heart-wrenching decision. Both these men are worthy and it hurt knowing one of them will get their heart broken. I give kudos to the author for not bowing down to expectations. She took a chance with this boundary-breaking, incredibly complex love story. This story is about taboo relationships and a complicated love triangle, but it’s ultimately about finding yourself and choosing love and happiness over fear of the unknown. There is emotional heartache but it also has many laugh out loud moments that I loved. Do yourself a favor and escape into this consuming story where friendship, love, and lust collide. These character’s lives will be changed forever. I’m totally looking forward to the next book coming out in November, 2013 that is centered around one of these characters. But I’m not saying who. *wink*

Rating: B+
Heat: Hot



-- A Romantic Book Affairs Review


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[Mitchii · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s not even the sexy silhouette on the cover that grabbed my interest; although that itself was attention-grabbing enough. This was one of those rare moments when I actually paid attention first to the summary. It was intriguing, oozes something between sensual and forbidden. I mean, she done some not so brotherly act with her stepbrother. Even though they are not blood related we all know it is frowned upon by our society. And when things didn’t work out, she find herself getting close to a soon-to-be-priest.

Lexie just broke up with her longtime boyfriend after she found out that he was cheating on her. Devastated she sought comfort in her stepbrother. But Trent wasn’t just that to her, he was also her best friend. She told him things about her, what ticks her off, her problems, everything. But unexpected happened between them: they slept together. With her leaving to Rome was just around the corner they decided to forget about what happened between them. In Rome, she felt guilty with all the things she’ve done so she decided to confess her sins. So as atonement she will do ministry projects to ease her out of trouble. There she met Reverend Alessandro Moretti, a young transitional deacon and just months away on being a priest. He’s good looking, kind and safe. He took her on art tours, cook for her, and let her have fun with the children. It’s hard not to fall for him but Lexie is still conflicted. She still has feelings for Trent but their mutual decision motivates her to move on. Now the question is, to whom?

It got two forbidden topic on its sleeves so I really can’t blame myself for picking it up immediately. But I got to say the way it presented those issues was sort of tasteful. At first, I was like thinking it was just a big trick to grab people’s attention into buying this book. But it’s wasn’t like that, I did like the story and the issues as I said was handle carefully. The relationship of Lexie and Trent in the very beginning emphasized that they have romantic feelings for each other but they put it aside because of their situation. But I would have preferred if the story actually show some of it instead that short flashback and the description given by Lexie. I get that they are close, he was her confidant. But I would like to see it firsthand so I could understand their relationship further.

Then there is Alessandro, the soon to be priest. He was very charming and I know it’s bad of me thinking he was better off as normal guy and not a priest. But I got to learn more about him and the reason why he wanted this on his life. He has a dark past and he saw being a priest as amends for that. And then there’s chemistry between him and Lexie. I liked how he restrained himself (although it wears off eventually) because of his devotion.

My frustration has something to do to who she ends up with. My sister was asking me if I like the story. And I answered her that it was alright and I told her that I think she’s not really that in love with Trent but at the same time I don’t want him to end up with Alessandro. Yeah, I know it is awful of me but as for my reasons: on Trent and Lexie, I didn’t feel anything about their relationship. It just established that they’re close therefore their feelings are real. No further development needed. I actually read more development between her and Alessandro. But I then I want Alessandro to remain a priest because I don’t want him and Lexie together. I know it’s selfish of me but he deserves more. The guy is too good to be true.

So as a final note, don’t ask me who she ends up with, I’m not gonna answer.

3.5/5

I received an eARC from William Morrow via Edelweiss. Thank you.

See original post here @ Aeropapers

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

HAHAHAHAHAHUHUHUUUU AHAHA

Okay, wo soll man da beginnen.

Erst einmal eine inhaltliche Zusammenfassung:
Lexie Banks ist 20 Jahre alt und lebt das typisch-amerikanische Collegegirl-Leben. Bis ihr Freund, mit dem sie seit High-School-Zeiten zusammen ist, sie betrügt. Eine Welt bricht zusammen. Trotz der Trennung kommt sie schwer über ihn hinweg. Als sie ihm in den nächsten Semesterferien zuhause wieder begegnet, kommen alte Erinnerungen hoch. Das wirft sie ganz schön aus der Bahn und als sie abends nach Hause kommt, schüttet sie ihrem Stiefbruder Trent ihr Herz aus. Der zeigt großes Verständnis, sie kuscheln, eins führt zum anderen und schließlich schläft Lexie mit ihrem Stiefbruder.

Dass das keine so gute Idee war (obwohl sie es natürlich mega geil fand), wird ihr auch schnell bewusst, weshalb sie sich nun umso mehr auf ihr Auslandssemester in Rom freut – eine halbe Weltreise entfernt von Trent und ihren Gefühlen für ihn. Doch auch ihn Rom lässt sie das schlechte Gewissen nicht los, sodass sie sogleich eine der vielen Kirchen aufsucht und dort die unvergessliche Nacht mit ihrem Stiefbruder beichtet. Um für ihre Sünden zu büßen, soll sie bei einem sozialen Projekt mitarbeiten. Begleitet wird sie dabei von Alessandro, einem angehenden Priester, den Lexie natürlich sofort wieder super hot findet. Doch soll sie es wirklich wagen? Eine Affäre mit dem attraktiven Priester könnte immerhin seine Ordination gefährden…
__________________

Wie man schon zu Beginn dieser Rezension ahnen konnte, war „A little too far“ kein Hörbuch für mich. Ich hab ja schon viel krasses Zeug in Büchern gelesen, manchmal konnte mich auch Shit, von dem ich es gar nicht erwartet hätte, echt gut packen. Seit diesem Buch weiß ich aber: sobald es in Richtung Inzest geht (jaaa, ich weiß, das sind nur Stiefgeschwister, aber trotzdem), ist es für mich einfach vorbei. Freut mich, wenn Leute hier eine romantische Liebesgeschichte drin sehen, aber ich bin da raus. Ich kann das einfach nicht ertragen.

Vor allem hatte ich erwartet, dass diese Liaison mit dem Bruder nur ein ausschlaggebender Punkt der Geschichte sein würde – es dreht sich jedoch fast das ganze Buch darum. Lexie sitzt also in einer der schönsten Städte der Welt und denkt ständig über ihren nervigen Stiefbruder nach. Unangenehm. Da spielt natürlich auch mit rein, dass ich den Stiefbruder wirklich sehr unsympathisch fand, aber gut, glaub kaum, dass es die Story aufgewertet hätte, wenn er sympathischer gewesen wäre.

Bis kurz vor Schluss dachte ich, das Buch wäre okay, aber halt nichts für mich (also 2🌟), aber die letzte Stunde des Hörbuchs und das Ende haben mich so genervt, dass ich nur 1.5🌟 geben kann.

[Lise *friends don't flag* · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really did enjoy this one and it started out fast, funny, furious and a first forbidden love scene that was frenzied and freaking HOT!

I might be going a bit “too far” with my f’s but I was so excited to read this and considering I read it in one sitting and am now a bit frazzled and slightly frustrated with the ending.

I liked Lexie, the heroine a lot. Sure she had some dense moments but she is only 20/21 and in love with her soul mate/step brother and was cheated on by her long time boyfriend and for the majority of the story she is studying art history in Rome where she meets a knock out 24 year-old almost priest, Reverend Moretti (Alessandro).

Lexie and Alessandro become friends and work with children teaching art appreciation. I really enjoyed the scenes where Alessandro and Lexie are touring the sites and art museums of Rome. I loved Lexie’s relationship with her British schoolmate, Abby and the junk showing kid as well as the wrinkled old women neighbor.

The intensity of Alessandro’s faith and his dedication to his family and friends (Lexie) made this book for me. I was completely invested and connected to the main characters and since most of the story took place in Rome and around what Lexie and Alessandro were doing, Trent became a distant memory. So… the last 15% or so was…. Hmmm… I will not spoil it for you. There are many reviews up that have very thorough and detailed spoilers that capture how I felt at the end of this book so I will leave it to you to decide.

**Bonus at the end of this book is a tease from the next book, A Little Too Much**Yay!

[Monica Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Taboo subject matter but handled deftly. Love the cover. The characters are relatable. Definitely recommend!

[Stephanie • Ideally Inspired · Rating 2 out of 5]

....



Guys.

I'm going to try my best to not make this an extremely rant-filled review. If anything, I just want this to be over with. Ironically, that's exactly how I felt when I was reading this.

I typically don't read reviews prior to picking up a book, because I like going in blind...



When I read the synopsis for this book, I got excited, because of the element of forbidden romance. I thought that as with most contemporary romance novels, there would be angst-y moments, there would be times of conflict, and in the end, we'd get resolution. So despite the fact that this book had so-so ratings, I picked it up and gave it a chance.

Cue chapter one: Drew me in. Girl on the rebound from her first love with a high school sweetheart, trying to cope with the end of their relationship after he cheated on her. Boy comes back into her life, tries to win her back, girl leaves him in the dust.



Cue chapter two: Girl finds solace in the arms of her stepbro, Trent. They've always had a close relationship, so you could totally understand their chemistry. Then throw in some scotch, and then one thing leads to another...



I know what you're thinking, "he's her stepbrother!"...yes, but...


(But c'mon, I was expecting it, cause we're told about this in the synopsis.)

So, at this point, I'm bracing myself for at least another 200 pages of angst and sexual tension.

...well...



What I wasn't prepared for, was the clusterf*^k situation that Lexie (the heroine) would get herself into.

The day after the 'deed' was done, Lexie was boarding a plane, leaving for Italy for a semester abroad (for Art History). Naturally, this would be phase one of relationship complication. (That, and the whole 'step-siblings' thing...)

So, I kept reading...10%, 20%...*scratches head*



kept reading....30%...40%...



Got confused, cause all of a sudden, there some other random love interest came out of nowhere...



...And...it just...didn't...make...sense....

But despite that, I. Kept. Reading....45%...50%...55%...





Then, I thought Lexie came to her senses. I thought that surely, at 56%, (and at this point in the book, it's 3 months later), there would be some progress with Lexie and Trent. That finally, they would start behaving like the ADULTS that they are, and at least possibly talk about it the elephant in the room.

....NOPE.

BUT STILL, I. KEPT. READING....60%, 70%, 80%...



...83%...ok, 83%, I got excited, cause SOMETHING started happening...what? FALSE ALARM





BUT GUESS WHAT? I. KEPT. READING.

..84%...90%...93%....

Then the last 7%? That was a blur. I don't think I could see past the last 90 (NINETY!!!) PERCENT OF ANGST-RIDDEN CONTENT.

So, I got to the end. The resolution? *shrugs*

The angst killed all my hopes, dreams, and connections to this story. TOO MUCH.

Final thoughts:

[image error]

Not for me. 2 Stars for its potential, of what it could've been for me. I was just so utterly disappointed.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been...well...a whole lot of days since my last confession. Probably a year or more. I accuse myself of the following sins...”

OMG I cannot describe how much I loved this book! I mean the whole taboo subject of falling for your step brother aaaannd a priest in the making just made this one of those books that I just couldn't say no too!

Lexie has recently dumped her boyfriend of three and a half years after finding out he is a lying cheating scum bag. She runs into the arms of her best friend, her shoulder to cry on and the one person in the world that knows her inside and out, she secretly feels something for him but knows it can never be more than what is because her best friend just happens to be her step brother.

After a night of Warcraft, drowning her sorrows and getting drunk with her step brother Trey they share an intimate moment which leads to mind blowing sex and a night they will never forget.

After their night together they are both confused and skittish around each other, but they also have no time to talk about it coz Lexie is heading to Rome in two days. She leaves America with a broken heart but concludes that time away from Trey will help them both sort out their true feelings for each other.

While in Rome she goes to a local church to confess her sins and she is given a mission which leads to her Alessandro. A priest in training who also just happens to be one of the sexiest men alive. He loves working with the youth of the community and has the perfect assignment for Lexie. Her mission is to teach the children the importance of the exquisite art that is around them and hopefully make them love and appreciate it as much as she does.

And that is really how this story begins.

Lexie



Trey



Alessandro




I read this book in one sitting. It's super cute and the banter between Alessandro and Lexie was awesome. We find out a lot about Alessandro in this book. We find out the reason why a young attractive guy like him would want to become a priest and also how much he values family as well as being there for the not so fortunate youth of this little community. He really is the perfect gentleman. Always there when Lexie needed someone to talk to, he helped cure her fear of heights and was just downright swoon worthy! I know he's a priest but he was just so damn fine! Don't judge me! Lol

Lexie is awesome too. She has an amazing personality and the way she drools, creams her panties and practically worships the statues and art that Rome has to offer is hilarious.. She's super cute and witty and takes no shit from anyone including Alessandro.

We don't really find out a lot about Trey apart from how he is seen in Lexie's eyes but we do know is that he's loyal and has always been there for her. He's a sweet heart, athletic and artistic though we kinda learn early on that he truly loves Lexie and has always carried a torch for her in the way he would do anything for her and the song he wrote for her when they were teenagers.

“You fill the hollow places life has left behind.
And now your soul is tangled into mine.
When I needed an angel you were there,
you, to all my secrets I bare.
I needed you then,
and I need you now.
Someone, somehow.”

I found myself torn between both Alessandro and Trey because they were both lovable characters, and they both loved Lexie but I totally agree with the way this book ended. I didn't really expect much from this coz of the whole priest thing...you know being a Catholic and getting grossed out at the idea of having a crush on any kinda priest no matter what age, shape or form, so it did surprise me a lot on how easy it was to fall in love with Alessandro.

I am definitely gonna be on the look out for the next book!! Amazingly written book.

4.5 Tempting Stars

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

GAH! I had such high hopes for this being my next 5 star read. It was soo close, but not quite. *4.5 stars*

Warning: This review may contain minor spoilers, I will warn beforehand though.

Before I go off on a rant, I want to start off talking about all the things I loved. I loved Lexie's character, her humour and her incredible passion for art, and eventually for teaching children. I loved Trent, the step-brother, in the beginning, I should have been grossed out, disgusted maybe. Trent and Lexie had lived as brother and sister for A LOT of years, but I wasn't any of those things. I just enjoyed their relationship and that first sex scene with them, it was hot. I also loved that the story took place in Rome. There's just something so special about a book that is set in a place we aren't really used to. I really felt like I was there, walking those cobbled streets right along with Lexie. And lastly? I absolutely adored Alessandro.

"Passion can sometimes bring out qualities in a person that they never knew they possessed."

So more on the guys.. IMO there isn't much to say about Trent. He is Lexie's step-brother, there is supposedly a load of sexual tension there (I didn't totally buy that at the start) and eventually they act upon it.. And regret it. Instantly. He's your typical hot, nice guy. I wouldn't say there was anything extraordinary about him but at the same time, he wasn't a big bore either. Idk.. I just wasn't feeling him.

"All of a sudden, he isn't my stepbrother. He's everything I've ever needed."

And on to Alessandro.. sigh. I instantly fell for him. As the blurb says, he is 8 months away from becoming a priest. And I'm gonna be honest, before I started I thought there is no way I'm going to be able to fall and root for this guy. I was so wrong. He was one of the most interesting heroes I've ever read about in a book. He had a story to tell, that much was obvious from the beginning, and I couldn't wait to find out what the story entailed. He helped Lexie in so many ways from the moment she moved to Rome and never did he do it in a patronising way. He always had her best interest at heart.

"Lexie, you are one of God's truly spectacular creations."

I am generally not the biggest fan of love triangles, but this one was pretty tame in comparison to some. It's really hard to talk about my dislike of the book without giving anything away, so if you don't want a spoiler of any description, then it's probably best to stop reading now.

* SPOILER ALERT * SPOILER ALERT * SPOILER ALERT * SPOILER ALERT * SPOILER ALERT * SPOILER ALERT * SPOILER ALERT *

Ok.. So.. IMO, if the author was dead set on having Lexie end up with the one guy in particular that she did, then I needed more from that relationship. I felt like we meet him, hear nothing from him in months, only snippets here and there, and then suddenly we get to 85%, after Lexie has spent a beautiful year (nearly) in Rome, and she is falling for the guy we don't know. He just wasn't around enough for me to believe it and that is why I can't go for 5 stars.

* SPOILER ALERT * SPOILER ALERT * SPOILER ALERT * SPOILER ALERT * SPOILER ALERT * SPOILER ALERT * SPOILER ALERT *

Overall I did really enjoy this read and it was a pleasant surprise because I really didn't know how I would feel about it. And I'm really looking forward to the next books in the series.

*Reviewing for The Hopeless Romantics Book Blog as part of the 'A Little Too Far' blog tour.*

[Steph Moles Krayeski · Rating 5 out of 5]

While reading "A Little Too Far," I had the privilege of being a part of an online "Reading/Discussion Group" with a bunch of spicy gals who share a passion for reading. After 10% in, we were all chatting away and a little over eager to see were Lexie's emotional journey would take us.

This addictive storyline transported us into the heroine's world of Lexie Banks. A taboo tale where she battles her feelings between two leading men: her step-brother, Trent Sorenson and her confidant, the Reverend Alessandro Moretti. Our group felt an instant connection to these likeable characters! We weren't sure who to root for, but we knew that this was quite possibly the craziest love triangle out there.

And the best part was: there were many monumental, touching moments that blew us away! We laughed, we yelled, we ranted, we raved...and we had so much fun reading this entertaining story of forbidden love. With a cherry on top, we got a HEA and a sneak peek at book 2! *Giddy & Clapping*

A special thanks to the author, Lisa Desrochers, for writing this fabulous book that was deliciously angsty and 100% rave-worthy!
My Rating: 5+++ Stars!

P.S. A final shout out to the women of "The Sinners Group Read" who shared this crazy reading adventure with me! You gals gave me valuable insights and heightened my overall reading experience. Thank You!!!

[Once · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY AMAZEBALLS THIS BOOK WAS EXCELLENT!!! Review coming soon for book tour

When you are done reading A Little Too Far you might have to go to church and confess your sins because I can guarantee you that your thoughts while reading this book will be SINFUL!

Let me begin with saying that I knew when Lisa Desrochers would write a book that was outside the young adult level, it was going to be SAUCYLICIOUS to the max. In Lisa's young adult Personal Demons series, she never went over the limit but even staying in those boundaries she managed to make certain scenes sexy and leaving you wanting more without going over what you could get away with in YA. So when those restraints were lifted when she wrote A Little Too Far, Lisa DID NOT hold back, I repeat DID NOT. Lisa had been tweeting (teasing) about writing hot scenes and hot boys here and there during the writing process of A Little Too Far, making her fans desperate to read the book. I was already a fan of Lisa's before this novel and this installment in her writing career just sealed the deal even harder with me. I can't wait to see what the future brings in the series and just in general with any other book projects Lisa might have cooking up.

A Little Too Far is a coming of age story for Lexi. For the last few years her bond with her step-brother has grown closer and closer. They are each others best friends above anything else. They know each other deepest secrets and have been their for one another through really hard times. But sometimes when you open those flood gates too wide, you let it get too far and loose any and all control. That's what happened with Lexie and Trent. One moment led to another and what should not have ever happen, did (you won't hear me complaining that it did). They might not be biological siblings but they are by marriage and having relations (HOT SEX) with that sibling is a big NO NO not just with God but pretty much anyone. Now everything has changed forever.

Lexie is in a place she could have never imagined she would be with Trent and she has to leave in a couple of days to Rome. See Lexie is going to attend college abroad for a year. Lexie will have to cope with what she has done overseas and without Trent by her side. So when she finally arrives in Rome, she being a practicing catholic, heads to confessional to share her sins. The Padre sends her after confessions to seek Alessandro. He is a Deacon with the church only months away from finally becoming a full fledged Padre himself. Meaning he has taken his vow of celibacy. Problem is that Alessandro is pretty young and one sexy Deacon. Lexie takes noticed immediately, but she knows that Alessandro is even more off limits than what Trent was. Plus Lexie is mending her heart after what happen with Trent. Hoping that by her working with Alessandro as assigned by the church's Father, she hopes she will be ok and begin to heal, but lines begin to get crossed as Alessaandro himself begins to questions himself. Sometimes the heart overpowers the mind and makes one forget what is right from wrong even if the wrong feels so so right.

This is one forbidden love triangle that will leave you thirsty for more. The story has a combination of love, friendship, passion, doubts and pretty much every emotion we all felt when we were that age and learning who and what we wanted to be. You will be enamored immediately when you begin reading and you will stay up all night up until you have read the last word. This new adult book is the definition of unputdownable if you look it up in the dictionary. You will have all the right feels with the books, TRUST ME. If you are of age to read this story, I recommend it with all my saucy heart. Lisa Desrochers will make you want to hop on a plane and travel to Rome looking for your very own Alessandro. Don't get me wrong though, Trent is just as wanted and hot as Alessandro. No wonder Lexie founds herself in such a bind.

Lisa you out did yourself and I Thank You. Cannot wait to read A Little Too Much and then A Little Too Hot.