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Crimson College #4
Forbidden Little Game
Not yet published
Expected 14 May 26Sharing a college campus with my infuriating stepbrother should be easy.
Until he crosses a line with me, and we’re pulled into a twisted, chaotic game.
Noah is straight. Preppy. Rich as sin. Everything I’m not.
When I catch my stepbrother rifling through my belongings like a stalker, it sparks something inside me I can’t shake.
Let the frat boy stalk me a little. I’m going to stalk him right back.
One night, the mutual hatred sparks between us. We collide, and he gets a taste of me he can’t quit.
What we’re doing is bad. Wrong. …Completely consuming.
But I witness something I shouldn’t one night when Noah is attacked by a violent man.
When a stranger lays a hand on my new obsession, I explode.
Protecting him is my salvation.
Now we’ve crossed a line forever, and there’s no chance I’m losing this game.
No one can hurt him. Mafia ties run deep in Onyx Society, and we’ve stepped on the wrong rival’s shoes.
Noah is broken. Vulnerable. I see the sea of emotion behind his perfect exterior.
He claims he still despises me, even when we’re close. But with his life under threat, I risk everything to defend what’s mine.
When he says I’m crazy, I say:
I am. And you are, too.
Because I know we’ll both do whatever it takes to win this forbidden game.
Until he crosses a line with me, and we’re pulled into a twisted, chaotic game.
Noah is straight. Preppy. Rich as sin. Everything I’m not.
When I catch my stepbrother rifling through my belongings like a stalker, it sparks something inside me I can’t shake.
Let the frat boy stalk me a little. I’m going to stalk him right back.
One night, the mutual hatred sparks between us. We collide, and he gets a taste of me he can’t quit.
What we’re doing is bad. Wrong. …Completely consuming.
But I witness something I shouldn’t one night when Noah is attacked by a violent man.
When a stranger lays a hand on my new obsession, I explode.
Protecting him is my salvation.
Now we’ve crossed a line forever, and there’s no chance I’m losing this game.
No one can hurt him. Mafia ties run deep in Onyx Society, and we’ve stepped on the wrong rival’s shoes.
Noah is broken. Vulnerable. I see the sea of emotion behind his perfect exterior.
He claims he still despises me, even when we’re close. But with his life under threat, I risk everything to defend what’s mine.
When he says I’m crazy, I say:
I am. And you are, too.
Because I know we’ll both do whatever it takes to win this forbidden game.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 14, 2026
13 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
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Review of advance copy received from Author
********** Contains Spoilers**********
I’ve read quite a few of Raleigh Ruebins books in the past which I really enjoyed and this is no different. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought that it was another good addition to the Crimson College Series and definitely my favourite of the series so far. I thought that Noah & Torin were great together and their chemistry was completely off the charts. They’re stepbrothers that have hated each other from the get go.
Torin because he believes that Noah looks down on him because he comes from money and he and his mother don’t and therefore he has the perfect life and has it easy because can’t fixes everything and Noah thought that Torin was cool when they first met met but things eventually turned to hate after Torin hated Noah on sight and that everything comes easy for Torin and that Noah’s father and siblings rave about Torin’s wood work and all his volunteer work which doesn’t help matters. Whereas Noah is a f*ck up that his family thinks that he isn’t serious about the future.
Granted he was drinking heavily and sleeping around but I don’t blame him when you find out that he did have a dream once that he told his father about while in high school and his father literally laughed in his face all because his dream supposedly was a money drain, so that didn’t help with his drinking and he’d become invested in women quickly but they never wanted anything from him apart from sex.
Their first encounter together at their parents wedding when they were forced to share a hotel suite was hot as hell and when they were both at Crimson College living in the Onyx house for the Summer they couldn’t stay away from each other. I loved how possessive and protective Torin was of Noah when he was endanger due to doing a favour for his frat brother Roman, with mafia ties and was caught in a feud between two families. Noah just melted under Torin’s skilled hands and instructions and I really enjoyed seeing them slowly drop their walls and let the other in. I’m really looking forward to reading Roman’s book when it’s released, as well as more from Raleigh Ruebins in the future. I’d recommend this book, series and author to others.
******I received a complimentary copy of this book through GRR. I would still happily review this book even if I purchased it myself. My thoughts and feelings about this book are completely unbiased******
I’ve read quite a few of Raleigh Ruebins books in the past which I really enjoyed and this is no different. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought that it was another good addition to the Crimson College Series and definitely my favourite of the series so far. I thought that Noah & Torin were great together and their chemistry was completely off the charts. They’re stepbrothers that have hated each other from the get go.
Torin because he believes that Noah looks down on him because he comes from money and he and his mother don’t and therefore he has the perfect life and has it easy because can’t fixes everything and Noah thought that Torin was cool when they first met met but things eventually turned to hate after Torin hated Noah on sight and that everything comes easy for Torin and that Noah’s father and siblings rave about Torin’s wood work and all his volunteer work which doesn’t help matters. Whereas Noah is a f*ck up that his family thinks that he isn’t serious about the future.
Granted he was drinking heavily and sleeping around but I don’t blame him when you find out that he did have a dream once that he told his father about while in high school and his father literally laughed in his face all because his dream supposedly was a money drain, so that didn’t help with his drinking and he’d become invested in women quickly but they never wanted anything from him apart from sex.
Their first encounter together at their parents wedding when they were forced to share a hotel suite was hot as hell and when they were both at Crimson College living in the Onyx house for the Summer they couldn’t stay away from each other. I loved how possessive and protective Torin was of Noah when he was endanger due to doing a favour for his frat brother Roman, with mafia ties and was caught in a feud between two families. Noah just melted under Torin’s skilled hands and instructions and I really enjoyed seeing them slowly drop their walls and let the other in. I’m really looking forward to reading Roman’s book when it’s released, as well as more from Raleigh Ruebins in the future. I’d recommend this book, series and author to others.
******I received a complimentary copy of this book through GRR. I would still happily review this book even if I purchased it myself. My thoughts and feelings about this book are completely unbiased******
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
ARC Review
*mild spoilers ahead*
Even though I still think book 3 is the strongest in the series, I had a really good time with Forbidden Little Game. It didn’t hit the same as “Reckless,” but it kept me invested.
Noah has been an interesting character since book 1, so I was happy to finally get to know more about him, his motivations, and see him grow, confront some of his toxic past habits, and make an effort to be better. It gave his arc more depth and made his story more engaging.
Torin, on the other hand, didn’t work for me nearly as well. I wanted to connect with him more than I did, but something about his storyline felt all over the place, and because of that, I never fully clicked with his POV. He wasn’t a bad character, but compared to Noah, he just didn’t feel as emotionally compelling to me.
I do have to say, I like the stepbrothers trope and it works here. The relationship feels believable enough within the world of the story, and the chemistry between them is very strong. There is a lot of tension, and the spicy scenes were probably some of the strongest parts of the book. That’s something this author does really well across the whole series.
My main issue is something I’ve felt with the previous books too: there’s just so much going on around the main story that it starts to feel noisy. There are a lot of side threads, extra conflicts, and little plot points fighting for attention, but not all of them feel fully developed or properly tied up by the end. Because of that, the central emotional arc loses some impact, and the book ends up feeling a little incomplete. The pacing was also an issue for me. A lot of it dragged in the middle, and then suddenly the last quarter picked up fast, which made the ending feel kind of rushed.
Overall, this was still an enjoyable read for me. If you’ve already been following the series, I think there’s a good chance you’ll have fun with this one too, especially if you are curious about Noah. It has some flaws, and I wish the plot had been tighter and a little more focused, but the character work, the chemistry, and the spice are nice enough to make it a fun read. Not my favorite in the series, but still a solid follow-up.
*mild spoilers ahead*
Even though I still think book 3 is the strongest in the series, I had a really good time with Forbidden Little Game. It didn’t hit the same as “Reckless,” but it kept me invested.
Noah has been an interesting character since book 1, so I was happy to finally get to know more about him, his motivations, and see him grow, confront some of his toxic past habits, and make an effort to be better. It gave his arc more depth and made his story more engaging.
Torin, on the other hand, didn’t work for me nearly as well. I wanted to connect with him more than I did, but something about his storyline felt all over the place, and because of that, I never fully clicked with his POV. He wasn’t a bad character, but compared to Noah, he just didn’t feel as emotionally compelling to me.
I do have to say, I like the stepbrothers trope and it works here. The relationship feels believable enough within the world of the story, and the chemistry between them is very strong. There is a lot of tension, and the spicy scenes were probably some of the strongest parts of the book. That’s something this author does really well across the whole series.
My main issue is something I’ve felt with the previous books too: there’s just so much going on around the main story that it starts to feel noisy. There are a lot of side threads, extra conflicts, and little plot points fighting for attention, but not all of them feel fully developed or properly tied up by the end. Because of that, the central emotional arc loses some impact, and the book ends up feeling a little incomplete. The pacing was also an issue for me. A lot of it dragged in the middle, and then suddenly the last quarter picked up fast, which made the ending feel kind of rushed.
Overall, this was still an enjoyable read for me. If you’ve already been following the series, I think there’s a good chance you’ll have fun with this one too, especially if you are curious about Noah. It has some flaws, and I wish the plot had been tighter and a little more focused, but the character work, the chemistry, and the spice are nice enough to make it a fun read. Not my favorite in the series, but still a solid follow-up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I honestly have exactly zero complaints about this book 🥰 I devoured it in a day and I honestly loved everything about it.
First things first - the chemistry 🥵 I can be quite a sceptic about whether the MMCs actually have the sparks flying between them, but here I had no doubts. The spice was spicing, and I loved how the intimacy scenes were drawn out so deliciously 🤤
Chef’s kiss 🤌
The constant push and pull, “hate” - love only made it all better)
“I never know if he’s going to lunge at me and hurt me or melt against my body in need, and I like that.”
And then of course, Torin and Noah, so different but so charismatic and lovable in their own ways. Noah, my adorable precious baby, with his heart on his sleeve, so vulnerable with his feelings 🥺 And Torin, protective, obsessive and controlling, but so caring 😻 They were really perfect for each other 💗
“God, how long is it going to feel like this?” I ask.
“This feeling, like my heart’s too big for my chest?”
“Don’t know. But I’ll be here for as long as it takes to find out.”
An important thing for me here was the fact that while we do have a subplot running along, it remained a SUBplot, never overwhelming the relationship storyline. And what’s even more important, while we do have “mafia” here, it was moderately ridiculous 🤭
I also appreciated how Raleigh refrained from all the unnecessary drama that usually comes in stepbrother / straight guy trope. There was literally no judgement, or doubts, or denials - everything unfolded so naturally between Noah and Torin, with such care and acceptance 💗
A very comforting, low angst story with a perfect length and charming MMCs, an easy 5 stars for me 💙
Thank you very much to Raleigh Ruebins and TAA for this ARC 🫶
First things first - the chemistry 🥵 I can be quite a sceptic about whether the MMCs actually have the sparks flying between them, but here I had no doubts. The spice was spicing, and I loved how the intimacy scenes were drawn out so deliciously 🤤
Chef’s kiss 🤌
The constant push and pull, “hate” - love only made it all better)
“I never know if he’s going to lunge at me and hurt me or melt against my body in need, and I like that.”
And then of course, Torin and Noah, so different but so charismatic and lovable in their own ways. Noah, my adorable precious baby, with his heart on his sleeve, so vulnerable with his feelings 🥺 And Torin, protective, obsessive and controlling, but so caring 😻 They were really perfect for each other 💗
“God, how long is it going to feel like this?” I ask.
“This feeling, like my heart’s too big for my chest?”
“Don’t know. But I’ll be here for as long as it takes to find out.”
An important thing for me here was the fact that while we do have a subplot running along, it remained a SUBplot, never overwhelming the relationship storyline. And what’s even more important, while we do have “mafia” here, it was moderately ridiculous 🤭
I also appreciated how Raleigh refrained from all the unnecessary drama that usually comes in stepbrother / straight guy trope. There was literally no judgement, or doubts, or denials - everything unfolded so naturally between Noah and Torin, with such care and acceptance 💗
A very comforting, low angst story with a perfect length and charming MMCs, an easy 5 stars for me 💙
Thank you very much to Raleigh Ruebins and TAA for this ARC 🫶
Review of advance copy received from Author
Obsessive, Addictive, and Way Softer Than You Expect
Forbidden Little Games by Raleigh Ruebins completely sucked me into Noah and Torin’s chaotic little world. The chemistry between these two was immediate and intense, with that perfect push-and-pull tension where you genuinely never know if they’re about to fight, spiral, or kiss each other senseless. And honestly? That unpredictability made this ridiculously hard to put down.
Torin’s possessive, obsessive energy balanced so well against Noah’s emotional openness and vulnerability. They felt completely different from each other, but somehow fit together in a way that made every interaction addictive. I especially loved how naturally their relationship developed despite the taboo setup. The emotional progression never felt forced, and once the walls started coming down between them, the connection became surprisingly sweet underneath all the obsession and chaos.
The intimacy in this book was SO well done too. The tension actually had time to build, which made every scene hit harder emotionally and physically. Raleigh Ruebins really leaned into the longing, control, vulnerability, and emotional intensity instead of rushing through those moments, and it worked incredibly well for these characters.
I also appreciated that the darker mafia subplot stayed in the background enough to support Noah and Torin’s relationship instead of overtaking it. At its core, this really felt like a relationship-focused story about two emotionally messy people becoming each other’s safe place in the most unhinged way possible.
If you love possessive MMCs, stepbrother tension, obsession-heavy romance, emotional vulnerability, and chaotic relationships that somehow still feel comforting, this one is absolutely worth the read.
Forbidden Little Games by Raleigh Ruebins completely sucked me into Noah and Torin’s chaotic little world. The chemistry between these two was immediate and intense, with that perfect push-and-pull tension where you genuinely never know if they’re about to fight, spiral, or kiss each other senseless. And honestly? That unpredictability made this ridiculously hard to put down.
Torin’s possessive, obsessive energy balanced so well against Noah’s emotional openness and vulnerability. They felt completely different from each other, but somehow fit together in a way that made every interaction addictive. I especially loved how naturally their relationship developed despite the taboo setup. The emotional progression never felt forced, and once the walls started coming down between them, the connection became surprisingly sweet underneath all the obsession and chaos.
The intimacy in this book was SO well done too. The tension actually had time to build, which made every scene hit harder emotionally and physically. Raleigh Ruebins really leaned into the longing, control, vulnerability, and emotional intensity instead of rushing through those moments, and it worked incredibly well for these characters.
I also appreciated that the darker mafia subplot stayed in the background enough to support Noah and Torin’s relationship instead of overtaking it. At its core, this really felt like a relationship-focused story about two emotionally messy people becoming each other’s safe place in the most unhinged way possible.
If you love possessive MMCs, stepbrother tension, obsession-heavy romance, emotional vulnerability, and chaotic relationships that somehow still feel comforting, this one is absolutely worth the read.
Review of advance copy
4.5 stars
Forbidden Little Game is book four in the Crimson College series. This MM college dark romance story is about Noah and Torin.
Noah and Torin become stepbrothers when Noah’s father marries Torin’s mother. Noah and Torin are spending their summer at Crimson College, where both of them will be living in the Onyx House. These two can’t stand each other, but a lot of that is due to assumptions and misunderstandings they’ve had about each other.
Noah and Torin were drawn to one another. Once they really got to know each other, we see the walls break down. They had amazing chemistry and it was great to see how their relationship naturally developed.
When Noah was in danger, I love how protective Torin was of him. And although I did like how the subplot didn’t overshadow Noah and Torin’s relationship, I do wish I would have gotten a better understanding of why the mafia was after Noah.
I do have to say I was disappointed we didn’t get to see Noah and Torin tell their parent’s they were together. Torin was so supportive of Noah’s dream, and I wish we could have seen their family’s reaction to this as well.
Overall, I enjoyed this stepbrothers romance story. I am definitely looking forward to Roman’s story next.
I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
Forbidden Little Game is book four in the Crimson College series. This MM college dark romance story is about Noah and Torin.
Noah and Torin become stepbrothers when Noah’s father marries Torin’s mother. Noah and Torin are spending their summer at Crimson College, where both of them will be living in the Onyx House. These two can’t stand each other, but a lot of that is due to assumptions and misunderstandings they’ve had about each other.
Noah and Torin were drawn to one another. Once they really got to know each other, we see the walls break down. They had amazing chemistry and it was great to see how their relationship naturally developed.
When Noah was in danger, I love how protective Torin was of him. And although I did like how the subplot didn’t overshadow Noah and Torin’s relationship, I do wish I would have gotten a better understanding of why the mafia was after Noah.
I do have to say I was disappointed we didn’t get to see Noah and Torin tell their parent’s they were together. Torin was so supportive of Noah’s dream, and I wish we could have seen their family’s reaction to this as well.
Overall, I enjoyed this stepbrothers romance story. I am definitely looking forward to Roman’s story next.
I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Stepbrothers enemies to lovers is one of my all time favorite tropes and this one doesn’t disappoint! This is book 4 in the Crimson College series and I was glad to be back. Noah and Torin are both living at Onyx House and it’s torture for them both. I love how much they seem to hate each other yet are still drawn to the other.
The mafia/kidnapping plot was interesting but I wish more would’ve been explained about it, especially at the end. It seemed to be wrapped up in a pretty bow without much explanation as to why they were even after Noah in the first place.
My only other issue was that we didn’t get to see them tell their parents. I always enjoy when the parents find out, and with Noah and Torin being close to them I thought we’d get that moment.
Otherwise, I loved the story! I loved the constant push and pull between Noah and Torin. I always enjoy when the drama isn’t based on homophobia, either internal or external. It was nice that Noah accepted himself pretty quickly and that they had a harder time accepting that they were in a relationship, regardless of with who. They were surrounded by supportive friends including all the couples from previous books. It was a relatively low angst, fun, slight slow burn of a story and I cannot wait for the next one!
The mafia/kidnapping plot was interesting but I wish more would’ve been explained about it, especially at the end. It seemed to be wrapped up in a pretty bow without much explanation as to why they were even after Noah in the first place.
My only other issue was that we didn’t get to see them tell their parents. I always enjoy when the parents find out, and with Noah and Torin being close to them I thought we’d get that moment.
Otherwise, I loved the story! I loved the constant push and pull between Noah and Torin. I always enjoy when the drama isn’t based on homophobia, either internal or external. It was nice that Noah accepted himself pretty quickly and that they had a harder time accepting that they were in a relationship, regardless of with who. They were surrounded by supportive friends including all the couples from previous books. It was a relatively low angst, fun, slight slow burn of a story and I cannot wait for the next one!
Review of advance copy
Forbidden Little Game is the 4th book in the Crimson College series by Raleigh Ruebins. This newest installment should be read after the 1st 3 books in the series.
In Forbidden Little Game we get Noah's story. The one who is known as a "party boy". He is
a member of the Onyx Society at Crimson. Torin is Noah's new step brother who is attending Crimson over the summer and staying at the Onyx House
Noah and Torin do not like each other, or so it seems. When Torin comes in to save Noah from danger they begin spending more time together. They open up to each other in late night chats and they realize they don't really hate each other.
They do everything they can think of to annoy one another. They keep poking at the other. It gave me those “kindergarten” vibes where one kid pokes the other kid and adults say it’s because they like you.
Torin has this protective streak that seems to be only for Noah. Noah is so insecure and is always wondering if he’s good enough for anyone. I want to scream to him that he’s perfect.
It felt like the book flew by. I read it in 2 days and I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.
Steam: 3.5/5
Fun: 4.5/5
Overall: 4/5
Thanks to GRR for providing an ARC and this is my honest review.
In Forbidden Little Game we get Noah's story. The one who is known as a "party boy". He is
a member of the Onyx Society at Crimson. Torin is Noah's new step brother who is attending Crimson over the summer and staying at the Onyx House
Noah and Torin do not like each other, or so it seems. When Torin comes in to save Noah from danger they begin spending more time together. They open up to each other in late night chats and they realize they don't really hate each other.
They do everything they can think of to annoy one another. They keep poking at the other. It gave me those “kindergarten” vibes where one kid pokes the other kid and adults say it’s because they like you.
Torin has this protective streak that seems to be only for Noah. Noah is so insecure and is always wondering if he’s good enough for anyone. I want to scream to him that he’s perfect.
It felt like the book flew by. I read it in 2 days and I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.
Steam: 3.5/5
Fun: 4.5/5
Overall: 4/5
Thanks to GRR for providing an ARC and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy
Oh, this was fantastic. Listen, I've loved this entire series, so I knew this one wouldn't disappoint.
Noah is a wonderful character. In the previous books he was the party guy and only in recently stories did it come out that he had a bit of a problem and needed to get (forgive me) straight. The Noah in Forbidden Little Game is my favorite Noah. His inner dialogue broke my heart and resonated in ways that are probably unhealthy. He's a gentle guy who wears prickles to cover that gooey interior. And Torin is the perfect counterpoint to that. He's not just prickly, but downright abrasive--at least to Noah. Their back and forth dynamic was perfection and the tension absolutely delicious.
As for the background plot, I'm going to just say that I enjoyed it. It feels too spoilery to go further than that, but I really hope the next book gives us more insight regarding the details.
If you like obsessive love with all the tension and a sidestep into dark academia (listen, I think it fits, alright?), this is the book and series for you.
Noah is a wonderful character. In the previous books he was the party guy and only in recently stories did it come out that he had a bit of a problem and needed to get (forgive me) straight. The Noah in Forbidden Little Game is my favorite Noah. His inner dialogue broke my heart and resonated in ways that are probably unhealthy. He's a gentle guy who wears prickles to cover that gooey interior. And Torin is the perfect counterpoint to that. He's not just prickly, but downright abrasive--at least to Noah. Their back and forth dynamic was perfection and the tension absolutely delicious.
As for the background plot, I'm going to just say that I enjoyed it. It feels too spoilery to go further than that, but I really hope the next book gives us more insight regarding the details.
If you like obsessive love with all the tension and a sidestep into dark academia (listen, I think it fits, alright?), this is the book and series for you.
Review of advance copy
Another great installment in this series! Noah is just trying to find his way, his purpose. He's working on avoiding the vices he'd always turned to in order to block everything out and now his hated-stepbrother Torin is invading his sacred spaces. I loved seeing the chemistry between these two - even when they outwardly said they hated the other - you could tell they were covering what they were really feeling. I enjoyed the reluctant lust turned to feelings and each of the guy's own reactions to the situation. Torin's fierce protectiveness of Noah was so endearing, just love me a protective MMC, even when he thinks he hates the guy in question. Poor Noah - always falling so hard, and this time is no different - as much as he tries to tell himself it will be. The intrigue in this one moves the plot along quickly and it's fun. I'm excited to see Roman get his story and learn more about the workings of his family. This one was a fun, fast-paced book, full of emotion and hot spicy scenes!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Enemies to lovers & Stepbrothers ahh my absolute favourite tropes, and this book did not disappoint!
Noah & Torin, I was really rooting for these guys from the beginning, Torin is fiercely independent, doesn’t want love or relationships & wants to travel the world for work & also wants to mess with Noah because it’s fun, Noah, confused & doesn’t think he is good enough or good at anything & has started to be sober.
I loved how Torin has thoughts about Noah that he was a rich kid that got everything he wanted but when he started to get to know him more his first thoughts were wrong, and once Noah started to open up to Torin & tell him what he wanted in life he actually started to believe he could do it and had someone on his side.
Torin was fiercely protective of Noah & I loved that instantly wanted to keep him safe and keep him safe he did!
I would have loved to have know how Noah’s dad & Torin mum would have reached to their relationship though.
I can’t wait for Romans book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed this entry in the Crimson College series. This story focused primarily on stepbrothers Noah and Torin, who have a very contentious relationship due to many misunderstandings and assumptions both have of one another. Noah and Torin's relationship is further strained when they are living together on campus, which only increases the already present tension in their dynamic.
Over the course of this story, watching the walls fall slowly between these two as they are further pushed closer and closer together through a variety of instances helps to rebuild their bond, and it goes in a direction neither really expected. Overall, this was another entertaining entry in the series where the chemistry is fantastic, and the dynamics between the main characters were perfectly encapsulated. I loved their dynamic and cannot wait for the next one.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
Over the course of this story, watching the walls fall slowly between these two as they are further pushed closer and closer together through a variety of instances helps to rebuild their bond, and it goes in a direction neither really expected. Overall, this was another entertaining entry in the series where the chemistry is fantastic, and the dynamics between the main characters were perfectly encapsulated. I loved their dynamic and cannot wait for the next one.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I will forever love a good stepbrothers book this story was just as amazing as the first 3 books I love coming back to crimson college to visit these boys again! Im always hooked reading each book I devoured this in a day!! sweet baby Noah who wears his heart on his sleeve he just wants to love and be loved and find his way! Between the tension and the chemistry between Noah and torin it was absolutely chefs kiss all the denial for their feelings for each other they both so deeply misunderstood each other and once they finally were able to break the walls down and see each other for they were instead of what they thought about it each other it so easy and comforting between them! I loved how torin was so protective of him from the start needing to keep him safe I loved everything about this story and can’t wait to see where she takes us for Roman’s story that’s gonna be a fun time !!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Definitely my favourite in the series!!
I really liked Noah and Torin together. Their animosity felt real and the way their relationship progressed was really fun to read. I loved how they were so gone for each other! Torin's protective streak entertained me, especially when he couldn't figure out why he was doing it, and Noah trying to coach himself to not fall in love was adorable.
I also loved how Torin was so supportive of Noah's dream and that he was so invested in it that he was helping with the plans. I do wish though that we'd gotten to see their family's reaction to them being together and to Noah's future plans.
The mafia plot was interesting and put Roman into the story more, which definitely has me intrigued for his story coming up next!
*****
I received an ARC of this book from The Author Agency, and this is my honest review
I really liked Noah and Torin together. Their animosity felt real and the way their relationship progressed was really fun to read. I loved how they were so gone for each other! Torin's protective streak entertained me, especially when he couldn't figure out why he was doing it, and Noah trying to coach himself to not fall in love was adorable.
I also loved how Torin was so supportive of Noah's dream and that he was so invested in it that he was helping with the plans. I do wish though that we'd gotten to see their family's reaction to them being together and to Noah's future plans.
The mafia plot was interesting and put Roman into the story more, which definitely has me intrigued for his story coming up next!
*****
I received an ARC of this book from The Author Agency, and this is my honest review
Review of advance copy received from Author
These two are so cuteee!!
The way I waited to read this book because I knew it was going to be good!! (And it was!!!)
Book 4 in the series features Noah and Torin who become stepbrothers and have to navigate their summer at Crimson College. At first these two don't like each other as they both have different opinions of each other but they slowly start to learn more from each other and when the sizzle of tension hits, it stays! The moments when they tease each other and then break, knowing the tense feeling that lingers inside them. Then there is this suspense where Roman (Noah's friend) has trouble amongst his family and the situation runs sideways but Torin becomes all protective of Noah!! They both have each other's backs and love each other in their own way!
I immediately knew I was going to love these two and I definitely enjoyed this book!!
The way I waited to read this book because I knew it was going to be good!! (And it was!!!)
Book 4 in the series features Noah and Torin who become stepbrothers and have to navigate their summer at Crimson College. At first these two don't like each other as they both have different opinions of each other but they slowly start to learn more from each other and when the sizzle of tension hits, it stays! The moments when they tease each other and then break, knowing the tense feeling that lingers inside them. Then there is this suspense where Roman (Noah's friend) has trouble amongst his family and the situation runs sideways but Torin becomes all protective of Noah!! They both have each other's backs and love each other in their own way!
I immediately knew I was going to love these two and I definitely enjoyed this book!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 stars
Im new to this author and was a bit worried that it was part of a series. I needed to not worry, you really dont need to have read the other books before this.
I was really surprised how much I like this writing style and how well and fast it flowed. It was super easy to read with a good amount of spice.
Loved the characters and how they came together. Although its a secret Society frat nothing was actually involving that in the story so im not sure how much that was needed, also it would have been good to get the families opinion on things. I do think some things could have been fleshed out a bit more as there was no real connection to the story and more explanations regarding the mafia side and the attempted kidnapping. I felt this was just added in to make something happen in the book but wasnt really needed.
Otherwise it was a quick book to read.
Im new to this author and was a bit worried that it was part of a series. I needed to not worry, you really dont need to have read the other books before this.
I was really surprised how much I like this writing style and how well and fast it flowed. It was super easy to read with a good amount of spice.
Loved the characters and how they came together. Although its a secret Society frat nothing was actually involving that in the story so im not sure how much that was needed, also it would have been good to get the families opinion on things. I do think some things could have been fleshed out a bit more as there was no real connection to the story and more explanations regarding the mafia side and the attempted kidnapping. I felt this was just added in to make something happen in the book but wasnt really needed.
Otherwise it was a quick book to read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Immediate 5/5🌶️for the spice omg 🥵🔥2nd 5/5 for setting plot and chemistry between the male leads! I loved Noah & Torin and I loved the way that they learned to see each other from a difference perspective, like Torin pulled his head out of his butt and learned that money doesn’t mean an easy life of having family that always back you 100% and Noah learned that Torin wasn’t out to take his place or ‘be better’ than him. I also liked the subplot, it was interesting without taking up too much space if that makes sense! Overall I really enjoyed FLG and I’ve never been so glad about to read a book that’s part of a series 💜
Features;
🖤Stepbrother MMCs
🏫Forced Proximity
📚Voyeurism/Exhibitionism
☕️Enemies to Lovers
🔫Mafia subplot
💰HEA
Review of advanced copy received from the author agency <3
Features;
🖤Stepbrother MMCs
🏫Forced Proximity
📚Voyeurism/Exhibitionism
☕️Enemies to Lovers
🔫Mafia subplot
💰HEA
Review of advanced copy received from the author agency <3
Review of advance copy
This was a spicy stepbrother mm romance in a college setting, with some high stakes mafia threats, and a ton of sexual tension.
I loved the chemistry between Torin and Noah, how they push each other, and have that 'hate to love' vibe.
They have a secret relationship, high lust for each other, and the taboo element of being step brothers and enemies.
I loved the forced proximity from them being roommates and having to spend family time together, and how Torin constantly challenges and teases Noah.
They both insist it's casual, but you can see how hard they fall, how protective Torin is, and how needy Noah is only for Torin.
Loved the action and drama, the Bi-Awakening, all the angsty flirting and spice, and the sweet ending.
I loved the chemistry between Torin and Noah, how they push each other, and have that 'hate to love' vibe.
They have a secret relationship, high lust for each other, and the taboo element of being step brothers and enemies.
I loved the forced proximity from them being roommates and having to spend family time together, and how Torin constantly challenges and teases Noah.
They both insist it's casual, but you can see how hard they fall, how protective Torin is, and how needy Noah is only for Torin.
Loved the action and drama, the Bi-Awakening, all the angsty flirting and spice, and the sweet ending.
May 6, 2026
I received this book as an ARC and was very excited for it.
Noah and Torin? I’m not even going to lie, they both pissed me off until they finally were able to get their shit together and ya know… ACTUALLY BE ON THE SAME PAGE FOR ONCE.
Like I totally get that you guys have beef with each other and etc and one of you feels like you’re “favored” more than the other, but lord. The urge to bash their heads together was very strong.
Now when Noah decided to have that “bright little idea” and do wha Roman asked, I figured that Torin would arrive and save the day and save the day that he did, love that for Noah very much because Noah was… not smart there.
All in all, I loved this book and rate it 4.5/5 stars! 🥳
Noah and Torin? I’m not even going to lie, they both pissed me off until they finally were able to get their shit together and ya know… ACTUALLY BE ON THE SAME PAGE FOR ONCE.
Like I totally get that you guys have beef with each other and etc and one of you feels like you’re “favored” more than the other, but lord. The urge to bash their heads together was very strong.
Now when Noah decided to have that “bright little idea” and do wha Roman asked, I figured that Torin would arrive and save the day and save the day that he did, love that for Noah very much because Noah was… not smart there.
All in all, I loved this book and rate it 4.5/5 stars! 🥳
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Who doesn't love a step brother storyline!!! This was a great storyline, different from the other step brother storylines I have read - it was two step brothers! What a book 🔥
It was a slow smoldering storyline about Noah and Torin who hated each other as soon as they met. But they were thrown together due to an event and boy o boy did the angst and sexual attraction start!
I couldn't put this book down and read it within one day.
I absolutely loved the emotions, the spice and the storyline! Everyone needs a Torin in their life -- someone who wants you and is your personal cheerleader!
A must read 📚 ❤️
It was a slow smoldering storyline about Noah and Torin who hated each other as soon as they met. But they were thrown together due to an event and boy o boy did the angst and sexual attraction start!
I couldn't put this book down and read it within one day.
I absolutely loved the emotions, the spice and the storyline! Everyone needs a Torin in their life -- someone who wants you and is your personal cheerleader!
A must read 📚 ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Read this overnight because I simply couldn’t put it down—an absolutely tremendous book.
The stepbrother, enemies-to-lovers trope is one I adore, and this story delivers it perfectly. The constant push and pull between Noah and Torin kept me completely hooked from start to finish.
Their emotional evolution—especially the moment they both realise they’re everything to each other—was beautifully written and felt genuinely earned. The chemistry between them is electric: Torin’s need to challenge Noah, paired with Noah’s willingness to yield, creates such a compelling story.
With its angsty flirting, forced proximity, and seriously high heat, this book easily earns more than five stars.
The stepbrother, enemies-to-lovers trope is one I adore, and this story delivers it perfectly. The constant push and pull between Noah and Torin kept me completely hooked from start to finish.
Their emotional evolution—especially the moment they both realise they’re everything to each other—was beautifully written and felt genuinely earned. The chemistry between them is electric: Torin’s need to challenge Noah, paired with Noah’s willingness to yield, creates such a compelling story.
With its angsty flirting, forced proximity, and seriously high heat, this book easily earns more than five stars.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
I think this one might be my favorite out of the whole series. I have loved Noah from the previous 3 books and to see him finally get his HEA was literally everything!! The push and pull that Torin and Noah have is soooo good. Add in their chemistry and all the tension and it’s just explosive. I also love how protective Torin is of Noah, and how he does everything he can to keep him safe. I enjoyed getting to see glimpses of the couples from the past books in the series and I cannot wait for Roman’s book, he has always been such a mystery and Im excited to find out more about him and who actually catches his eye.
I received this book as an ARC from GRR and they are my honest opinions.
I received this book as an ARC from GRR and they are my honest opinions.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Why you will love this book:
🔥MM Dark College Romance
🔥Stepbrothers
🔥Enemies to Lovers
🔥High Heat
🔥Preppy Frat Boy
🔥Emotional Scars
🔥Obsession and Control
That list is the exact reason why I wanted to read this book lol
As someone who also loves fast and hard it understand how Noah feel like he will never find someone that feels the way he does. I felt like that at his age too. Im loving this series and I cant wait for Roman's book eekkkkk I bet that one will be interesting.
🔥MM Dark College Romance
🔥Stepbrothers
🔥Enemies to Lovers
🔥High Heat
🔥Preppy Frat Boy
🔥Emotional Scars
🔥Obsession and Control
That list is the exact reason why I wanted to read this book lol
As someone who also loves fast and hard it understand how Noah feel like he will never find someone that feels the way he does. I felt like that at his age too. Im loving this series and I cant wait for Roman's book eekkkkk I bet that one will be interesting.
Review of advance copy
It was good to be back with the unhinged Crimson College gang. The romance was captivating, satisfying, and had a well-paced arc. The mafia plot was compelling but I was disappointed by the lack of explanation. The friendships were nice, I felt the solidarity and affection. The dark-lite scandal and OTT rich kid shenanigans were delightful as always.
Roman’s book is next and I can’t wait for more of him.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
Roman’s book is next and I can’t wait for more of him.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy
This is my favorite out of the entire series so far and I am excited to see what Raleigh comes up with next! These books are fantastic and this one is no exception! Seriously a must read! Animosity, spice, love and action made for a fantastic read!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
So forbidden, step brothers who hate each other. But walking in on him while in his hotel room changed everything and a fine line between love and hate. These two are so hot together and he will do anything to protect him. Couldn’t get enough of these two!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I greatly enjoyed this book! I absolutely love this whole series. I am so happy that Noah finally found his person. Noah and Torin are good together. They shouldn't work, but they do. This book had a good plot and romance. If you like stepbrother romances then give this one a try.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was good. It's Stepbrothers Noah and Torin they hate one another, and there is so much tension with them. Noah gets stalked and that's when things change. Torin is looking out for his safety and they begin a secret forbidden relationship. It's my favorite book in the series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review coming soon
Review of advance copy
Review to come
Rating: 3.25 stars
Angst: 1/5
Steam: 3/5
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
Rating: 3.25 stars
Angst: 1/5
Steam: 3/5
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Spice level: 1.5
I loved this book from page 1.
I have not read the other books in the series as of yet but I most definitely will be.
It had the right amount of angst and suspense for a short read. HEA guaranteed!
Looking forward to Roman's book next!
I loved this book from page 1.
I have not read the other books in the series as of yet but I most definitely will be.
It had the right amount of angst and suspense for a short read. HEA guaranteed!
Looking forward to Roman's book next!
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