A Stepbrother Romance told from the male point of view.
When the world is against your love, how do you survive it?
From the moment we met, we knew there was something. Some invisible force that makes two people want the one thing they can’t have. Our parents saw it too. They kept us apart and treated me like I was some sort of deviant for being attracted to my stepsister. They told me to stay away. They warned me to leave her alone. They just made it worse.
It wasn’t me they should have been warning. Abigail was the one pursuing me.
Over the years, we’ve stayed connected in secret. It’s been a long drawn out tease. But now it’s the last summer before college, and my father and stepmother have no choice but to have us both in the house at the same time.
She wants one summer before her family obligations take over.
But I want all of her. I want to own her body and soul, and I’m not going to stop until she’s mine.
I don’t care if she’s my stepsister. I don’t care what anyone thinks. I won’t give her up.
Part one of a four part series by debut author, Eve Cates. Part two coming very soon!
Eve Cates is a twenty-something author of contemporary romance. She loves all things naughty, demanding men and difficult situations (pass the popcorn please). Her first series, StepSister Devotion, will be told in four parts, releasing via Kindle Unlimited.
Eve has loved writing ever since she picked up her first crayon and penned a note to her imaginary friend 'Pok'. Accused of being a 'dreamer' as she grew, she's taken that notion and turned her daydreams into stories to delight and satisfy her readers.
When she isn't writing, you'll find her at home with her husband, four children, and two dogs.
Twelve year old Sebastian is more than reluctant to be a part of a wedding where his father will be marrying the very person he cheated on his mother with. He also knows he will be meeting his new stepsister, Abigail, for the first time during this event. His world is tilted when he finally lays eyes on her. She is breathtaking. They share a moment, but soon Sebastian is forced to return home.
In the next five years, Seb and Abigail stay in touch. Their friendship grows, and they find that their bond is strong. When Seb is told he needs to stay with his father for the summer, he will endure their tempestuous relationship, in hopes of getting to see Abigail again.
When the two finally come face to face again, Seb cannot hold his tongue, and admits to his forbidden feelings. Even though Abigail feels the same, her rich affluent background will shun on this type of relationship. Still, the two cannot fight their desires.
What could be so wrong, when everything seems so right?
This is part one of a four part series. To date, all parts will be available (with part 4 releasing on 4/8/15).
I will start by saying, that as much as I really love and enjoy forbidden and taboo romances, I'd have to say the whole Stepbrother topic is getting to be a bit over the top. So this book initially caught my attention because it was still a step-sibling story, yet this was told solely from the male POV, which is a major plus in my eyes.
This was a really good read. I enjoyed the the writing and the flow of the story. I fell for Seb right away. The guy is absolutely devoted to getting Abigail to be his. His tenacity is incredibly endearing, and I loved his character. My heart went out for him for not only his unattainable love for Abigail, but also the cold reception he receives from his father and stepmother.
I thought this was a great foundation to start out with, and I am literally on to the next one as soon as I post this. :) I can't wait to see what happens...
"I feel like it's wrong that I enjoyed being kissed by my stepsister, and I wonder if that means that I'm sick in my head because of it. At the same time, I worry, wondering if perhaps the fact that I want to do it again is even worse"
StepSister Devotion is part one of a four part series. Sebastian and Abigail have been step-siblings since they were twelve years old. Their first meeting is at the wedding of their parents (his father and her mother), when they take off afterwards into the woods, finding a lake to go swimming. Their parents finally find them, soaking wet in their undergarments. As you can imagine, they are quickly separated and not allowed to see each other again.
Sebastian lives with his mother and Abigail attends boarding school. They keep in touch though through texts, and a diary that is kept hidden in their parents house. They write to each other when they visit and leave it for the next one to read and respond. They have become best friends even though they have never spent any physical time together.
They even have nicknames for each other, SnowWhite and Timberlake. Abigail can do no wrong, she's the perfect daughter, student, etc. Sebastian is practically ignored by his father and stepmother. They have witty banter back and forth about it...
"TIMBERLAKE - I hear u recently conquered Mount Everest & discovered an ancient tomb where u found the mummified remains of a Pharaoh still alive & breathing
SNOWWHITE - all true. Just like I heard u got a great job as a toilet scrubber at the local YMCA. Public school certainly has its perks!
The summer after they graduate high school, they are finally able to spend time together. Sebastian is staying with his father and stepmother for the entire summer, and Abigail is secretly staying at the house too. They call it the "Manor" because it's so large and their parents are always out so she's confident she won't be caught, or will they??!
There were a couple of things that bothered me in the story. It does take place in the US, but the author uses British terms, so I imagine she is from the UK. I would think that beta readers or the editor would have caught these. Sebastian is also 17 years old and has more sexual experience than a 35 year old playboy - haha. Abigail is also a virgin who really enjoys her first time. Don't get me wrong, it was great to read but very unrealistic!
Part I doesn't necessarily end on a cliffhanger, but Sebastian is at a crossroads in his life. He feels like the only way he'll get Abigail is to have money and success - feelings that he'll probably tackle in future parts.
Overall, it was a good story and well written, but the only downfall is that it follows the standard "Stepbrother" formula and I think I've personally grown tired of them. I have the complete series, but, for now, I've stopped at the end of part 1. I'll definitely be going back when I'm in the mood for something quick and dirty.
Ngaaw. Saw a friend read this and thought it's short so if it isn't any good...it won't drag out the agony of forcing myself to read it. But it was good. It's a sad simple story of two 13 year olds meeting at their parents wedding and being forced apart for years.
Abigail is all like
And Sebastian is all like I don't find it fair that the parents don't even love each other yet they're the reason their children can't be together, that the world would see their relationship as 'sick an twisted'. As incest. Because Abigail and Sebastian were meant to be together. I feel we didn't really get much character development. Just the basic background check and then get going with the story. I didn't feel Abi's and Seb's connection. It really did feel like a fling. A hopeless fling. It needed more depth and emotion and that connection they had for all those years apart needed to be rectified when they finally came back together. But there wasn't really anything but lust and want. Shame really. But I still liked the story and bought part 2 so what the hell ever haha.
A Stepbrother Romance told from the male point of view.
When the world is against your love, how do you survive it? From the moment we met, we knew there was something. Some invisible force that makes two people want the one thing they can’t have. Our parents saw it too. They kept us apart and treated me like I was some sort of deviant for being attracted to my stepsister. They told me to stay away. They warned me to leave her alone. They just made it worse. It wasn’t me they should have been warning. Abigail was the one pursuing me.
Over the years, we’ve stayed connected in secret. It’s been a long drawn out tease. But now it’s the last summer before college, and my father and stepmother have no choice but to have us both in the house at the same time. She wants one summer before her family obligations take over.
But I want all of her. I want to own her body and soul, and I’m not going to stop until she’s mine.
I don’t care if she’s my stepsister. I don’t care what anyone thinks. I won’t give her up. A disturbingly good read. Sebastian's father is getting married to a wealthy socialite and is gaining a stepsister in the process. Sebastian wants nothing to do with any of it including going to the wedding. At 13 he just wants to stay with his mom. Abby's life is set in stone and pre-determined whether she wants it or not. She's is 14 and has never even met her new step brother. She's not happy that her mom is marrying again. At the wedding after the I dos she grabs her new step brothers hand and makes a run for it. They form an instant bond that lasts through the years unbeknownst to their parents who did everything possible to keep them apart. The summer after graduation they seal their fate by spending one hot and steamy summer together. Sebastian is unable to let go as he gave his whole heart to Abby for the first time in his life. This story has so much drama that it kept me on the edge of my seat. It's clear that, even as young teens, they're meant to be together. They go on to prove that money doesn't buy happiness and Love truly does make the world go round. If you're looking for an angst filled and sexy good read this is the book series for you. 4 stars from this Cranky reviewer.
This was a quick and dirty read. What happens when you pop a stiffy upon meeting your new stepsister? Well, you're pretty much always kept away from her. But even though Sebastian's evil stepmother has kept him and Abigail apart, they've secretly kept in contact via the internet. One summer they're not separated, and it changes everything between them.
Yep, I'll say it loud and I'll say it proud, I LOVE STEPBROTHER ROMANCES! StepSister Devotion I is the introductory book in this serial that's sure to only get better with each installment. I liked that there was a bit of sexual tension built up before these two hit the sheets. Once they did, whoa baby! Smokin' hot! But beyond that there is a good plot too. I'm looking forward to sinking my teeth into the second part of this serial.
StepSister Devotion I is told entirely in Sebastian's POV. Personally I love books in the male perspective but I'm hoping Abi will narrate some of the next one because I'd love to hear her thoughts. It is a serial, so the cliffhanger is pretty much implied. All in all, a pretty good, sexy start. ~ Erin, 3.5 stars
This was a fantastic debut from Eve Cates. I literally could not put this book down when I started it. One of my favorite things about it is that it’s all told through Sebastian’s POV. Not very often do I read books with male POVs but this one was so good.
This story starts with Seb having to go to his father’s wedding. He isn’t very happy about it at all. I wouldn’t be either if I was in his shoes. At the wedding he sees his step sister Abigail for the first time. There is instant attention between these two the moment they see each other. Both Abi and Seb don’t want their parents to marry each other so they decided to skip out for a bit. These two share a moment with each other and then they are literally ripped apart.
After four years of Seb and Abi being apart, they finally see each other again in person. Over the years they have kept a secret relationship with each other via phone and social media. But now that they are face to face things heat up fast.
I don’t do spoilers so here is a few highlights. Seb and Abi know they can’t be together because everyone would look down on them but they both love each other. I did not like the way Seb’s dad and stepmother treated him. I felt so bad for him at times and it broke my heart. Then everything with Abi happened and Seb found out secrets that he didn’t know. This book literally left my mouth hanging open. I honestly cannot wait for book 2. I know this is going to be a very intense 4 part series and I can’t wait to see what fate has in store for these 2 young lovers.
I love this book! The writing is phenomenal and to have it written from a male POV makes me squeel with delight. Especially when that male happens to be Sebastian; smoldering hot, sexy guitar playing, yumminess beyond words Sebastian.
Thank goodness this is only part one because I fell head over heels for this story. A forbidden love that has not only passion but depth. I can feel the torment these characters face knowing their love is looked upon as wrong. Of course the way Seb's father has treated him since that awkward moment when Seb was only thirteen doesn't help things. "They kept us apart and treated me like I was some sort of deviant for being attracted to my stepsister. They told me to stay away. They warned me to leave her alone. They just made it worse."
I will warn you, some of the scenes are HOT and a cold shower may be required after reading. Did I happen to mention how much I LOVE Seb?
Ciffhanger? You bet, but the best books keep you on the edge of your seat and have you begging for more. That's how I feel about Stepsister Devotion. I don't think I will ever be able to get enough. Hurry up part 2, I NEED more!
"I hate that we are reduced to this. I hate that we love each other so deeply and have to hide it away." One of the many lines that pulls at my heart.
i hate that abigail was weak, wouldn't stand up for seb, hid things from him and thought she had NO OTHER CHOICE in things. all their heartache was unnecessary and it seemed like seb hurt sooo much more than she did. bottomline, for me, abigail was selfish. seb deserved so much better. i only finished the book for seb.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was gifted this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
“Being with Abi is better than music and better than swimming or running. It’s better than any moment before and probably every moment after. It feels like perfection.”
The stepsibling taboo genre has been well-visited, especially in the last year. When beginning to read Stepsister Devotion I thought I knew how the book was going to progress. But, I quickly learned that it was unfair to jump to that conclusion with this book, and was giddy with excitement that I gave it a chance.
Abigail She is the well-rounded, all-American girl. She always does what’s right, dresses right, says the right things, goes to the right places with the right people. She is exactly what her family wants her to be. You’ve heard people say that it’s always the quiet ones…Abi fits that warning.
Seb He's the good kid. He makes every attempt to do the right thing. Things have not always come easy for him, and he doesn’t have the perfect life. But, he wants to better himself.
Theirs is a story of complicated young love. Neither expecting to see what they do in each other. We watch as they attempt to avoid the obvious. We are with each character as they go through growth and change, until it leads them to the inevitable.
The author hooked me at “Run!”. Abigail is pure spunk and tenacity, and I am in love with Seb! Seriously! Last page, I was bummed that I had to leave him. Some of the things that wooed me and prompted five stars for my review…Author Eve Cates allowed for characters development with age, with their demeanor and verbiage changing as time passed. My interest is always piqued when given a story from a male’s point of view, so being allowed to read Seb’s thoughts was a unique opportunity. The way in which Seb presented himself to Abby left me speechless. He was definitely all male, but hid a soft side beneath the surface that seemed to be saved for her. Swoon!! My emotions were constant pulled, from anticipation to despair, hope to hopeless. Seb and Abi’s time together was sweet and hot, a recipe for goodness or everything that's bad for you. The surprises in the story made me squeal, at times with delight and then with swift change to horror. At one point my heart was ripped out, broken into a thousand pieces, and left shattered on the ground. Thankfully, I know that book 2 in this series will be releasing soon.
StepSister Devotion is a real, honest, in depth and emotional account of a forbidden romance between a step sister and step brother. Seb and Abigail have literally been devoted to each other since their parents married each other, not physically but emotionally nurturing each other through their teenage years.
I enjoyed how it was told from Seb, the step brother's perspective, how I would have loved though for a few chapters to be written from Abigail's point of view in critical parts of the story, I think that would have helped me connect with her on a deeper level, perhaps that is to come in the next book? I desperately wanted to know how utterly torn she was about Seb and the life she is destined and expected to lead by her family.
Seb was quite a reflective and a sensitive soul obviously coming from his music ability and his strong connection to his mother and his desperate need for affection from his weak father. We really do not find much out about Abigail and her expectations until the end and what a punch in the gut to Seb. I found her character a bit cold, I did not feel her depth of inner love for Seb so perhaps I have not warmed enough to her. I am in Sebs corner to go out and find his place in life and show his father, step mother and Abigail what he is truly capable of as a man and human being.
Fair warning there is no HEA at the end of this first book but I did not feel unhappy about that as I am eagerly now awaiting the next instalment. With the amount of emotion in this book I am glad the author kept it honest and real, not everything in life is secured by the time you turn 18 years old. So many current step sibling books have a quick happy ending and I really believe this series is only going to get better as it evolves.
Seb's dad is a character I am looking forward to understanding and learning more about, he must have a story there and well Abigail's mother is just an absolute bitch and I so want Seb to show particularly her how amazing he is.
As both characters are only 18 I did not get the erotic sexual hot and heavy connection I have in other step sibling romances of late but thinking this series will probably heat up in the coming books. Having said that the sexual scenes were written well and were loving considering the emotional connection these two are fighting.
1.) told from male POV. So many books are told exclusively or mainly from the female POV. I love Seb. I adore Seb. He is heartbreakingly sweet and romantic and loyal. The Eve Cates did a fantastic job of opening the emotions of this character and connecting him to the readers.
2.) maturity of the characters. The age of these characters in 17, just turning 18. I find in a lot of books with young adult leads, the overuse of the exclamation point to emphasize drama, which just comes across as whiney-ness. The thoughts of Seb and the feelings verbalized by both Seb and Abi are emotional and believable.
3.) back To Seb. Did I mention I loved him? The ending was heartbreaking (but do not despair! This is a 4 book series.) and before you groan and roll your eyes, if books 2-4 are anything like book 1, it's totally worth the read and $.
4.) the relationships between Seb, his mother, father and step-mother is actually quite interesting. How their actions have impacted Seb and influenced his decisions. While that is a small part of the book, I really felt like it was a value add to the overall conflict and perception of the book.
Going into this book I didn't know what to expect but I found myself pleasantly surprised. I really, really enjoyed it. My heart broke for Sebastian throughout this book. He wasn't even the mastermind but he recieved all of the blame. He lived his life in shame over something a spoiled richkid led him into and his father chose everyone else above him. Poor Sebastian felt ashamed for something that was so natural but was taken out of context by adults who should have known better. I mean they didn't even grow up together or had even met before that moment so what the hell were the parents playing at except we later find out that the Abigail's mother was just a snobby classist so that was her reason behind being a jerk.
Regardless, I loved Seb and Abi's sultry all encompassing love ( honestly I liked but wanted to slap alot for being a bit insensitive with all of her secrets that weren't really secrets since they were going to be announced at the end of the summer and I don't blame him for his outburst because what in the hell was she thinking not telling him these things from the start PROPERLY). It was well written by a truly skillful author.
Seb has loved Abi since he was twelve, when they met at the wedding of Seb's dad to Abi's mom. Despite being deliberately kept apart, they manage to become friends. Now on the cusp of adulthood, they come together during the summer after high school. Seb is consumed by his love for her and for a short time they find happiness with each other but she is a rich girl and he is a poor boy which can only lead to heartbreak.
I love the character of Seb. This story is told from his point of view so we know what is in his mind and heart. We don't know Abi except through Seb's view. It's pretty clear though that she feels the weight of responsibility to uphold her family name and fortune and all the expectations that come with it. She knows all they can ever have is this brief time together. This story is well-written and emotional. I can't wait to read the rest of Seb and Abi's story.
I will begin with a warning as this is a cliffy, but it a worthy cliffy if that makes it any better! Plus I believe the next will be coming soon.
Sebastian was just a little boy suddenly thrown into a world he didn't understand. He seemed so sweet and innocent. Abigail started out as a rebellious young woman but she turned into a devious little wench. I am not liking her very much right now, and I really wanted to.
They have been kept apart but one summer changes everything. Passion runs wild, secrets unfold, hearts break. Nothing is what is seems and no one is what you think. When something taboo feels so right you must know that the bottom will fall out.
I can not wait to see what the future holds for Sebastian. I really want to see some vindication!
An enjoyable quick read and is written from the male POV which I love and I loved Seb. He is so sweet and loves Abi so so much even though he feels like he shouldn't because of his dad and Abi's mum being married. They meet the day their parents get married when Seb is twelve and Abi is thirteen and they just seem to connect from the minute Abi says 'run'. Over the next five years while they don't see each other they go on to have an emotional bond (through text and writing to each other) that becomes so much more when they end up arriving at their parents house one summer before Abi leaves for college and that's when their emotional bond becomes physical. Abi came off at times a little cold but as the story unfolds we begin to see what she has to live up to. This is a four part series so there is a cliffhanger at the end but looking forward to the next installment.
I received an ARC from United Indie Book Blog in exchange for an honest review
Where do I start ?! It's as if Eve Cates wrote this series for me about me, it's as if she got into my head and put my thoughts to paper.
Everything about Seb and Abigail is wrong yet so right and so beautiful! ♥
Their tale is of forbidden fruit, wanting something so bad you can taste it ,yet you can't have it! The French have a beautiful word for it "La Douleur Exquise"
Seb is smouldering kryptonite! Abigail is your blonde socialite , put the 2 together and we get a passionate and intense chemistry! I physically hurt reading this, it's raw,its real and its honest. Seb and Abigail will be FOREVER in my heart♥
A shout from the rooftop ★★★★★ that I actually don't want to share but want to share at the same time !
I started this hoping it wasn't going to be just another step-(fill in the blank) story where they fall in love, but no one approves, but there isn't much else to the story. Eve Cates did not disappoint. She threw some twists, turns, lies, and drama into this that makes her story stick out from the rest. It was interesting to read the mind of a 12 almost 13 year old boy who is so confused by his first attraction to a girl. Everyone remembers those awkward days where boys and girls stopped being yucky and started looking attractive. You also get to see how reactions can shape a young child's thoughts and beliefs. Overall this was a good start for what is going to be a four parts. Eve Cates has definitely left me investing into what happens.
This book was Hot, in s slightly twisted way. The writing was amazing, the story was a page turner, and the forbidden love I cheered for.
Seb is a hot almost adult whose life was rocked when his parents divorce happened. When his dad remarries he be comes almost an out cast, the labeled deviant, the bad step kid.
Abi..i really don't know what to thing about her yet. I want to like her, but most of my mind wants to really dis like her. Is she a tease, is she just that selfish...I just cant conclude yet..
This book was such a awesome read. Can not wait until book number two... I could literally read it know if it was out.
First of all I want to say. CONGRATULATIONS Eve Cates with you debut novel.
StepSister Devotion is written with passion. StepSister is story about a forbidden love. Two people who have been attract to each other and put together because a blended family.
Sebastian and Abi has the Chemistry that make you blush.
I really like it that it's written from Sebastian his pov all the time.. It shows you young man fight with his heart and mind and translate his feelings in songs. Eve Cates has wrote Sebastian very well.
I was crying with Sebastian , how he felt is written with so many emotion.
INTERESTING READ... keen to see how the remainder of the story pans out in the books that follow. I love how you get a back ground on these characters from when they were younger and first meet at their parents wedding, to when they are slightly older and more adventurous and are keen to explore the relationship they have striven to build in secret from the family. Eve chapters emotion, heart ache and torture of these characters so beautifully. I was pleasantly surprised by this book since I only came across it as a FREE e-book when I was browsing Amazon & who doesn't love a free book??? Happy Reading ~ Gemma A Xoxo
* * ARC given on behalf of obsessed by books for an honest review * * I loved this book, yes it step siblings that fight their attraction and then they cross that line, but we hear this story from a males pov and it's awesome . Sebastian is forced to attend his father's wedding , that's when he first sees abi. There is a strong attraction what off the bat, they end up crossing that line to just be torned apart, but they remain in contact. I mean what are you suppose to do when the person you want is forbidden? this book kept on the edge of my seat, I can't wait to see how this story goes. definitely a must read.
Wow! Where to start? This is only the second taboo book I have read and I really enjoyed it. It was short, sexy and at some points sweet! I loved the passion that was between both Sebastian and Abigail, even from when they were young. I adored Sebastian from the start. He was completely upfront and honest with his feelings. His feelings for Abi were genuine. I was crying at the end and my heart broke for Seb. I detested both Seb’s father and wicked witch stepmother Cynthia. I loved this part and I can’t wait for part 2! 5 stars
this may be a taboo subject but we all deserve love and as long as you're NOT blood relatives and your NOT harming anyone then people need to backup and for the love of GOD, STOP BEING SO F*CKING JUDGMENTAL!!! Who are we to decide who is appropriate for another person? This author is definitely an up and coming and I am going to enjoy every one of her books....This series was beautifully written and the H.E.A is so heartwarming!!! Definitely a must read!!!
I was a little skeptical with this book with so many step sibling books out now but let me just say this book took a piece of my heart at the end I felt EVERYTHING Seb felt! Heart breaking! I loved the fact that it was HIS POV you feel so much more! I was on the edge of my seat the WHOLE book! God I can't wait for book 2!! Amazing story! Strongly recommend!!
They meet for the first time at the age of 12 and 13 on their parents wedding day. They secretly stay in touch and meet up on that last summer before college.
After that first meeting Sebastian is a tortured soul. The emotions of Sebastian in this story are so strong. Forbidden to be close and yet their love pulls them in.