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Sinful Stepbrother
SECRET. STEPBROTHER. STRAIGHT.
Alex was always the golden boy. Straight. Successful. Married. And completely off-limits.
Then, he was divorced, shattered, and drowning in his own misery. Dragging him to a run-down villa under the Tuscan sun was supposed to fix him. A quiet retreat in Italy to eat good food, drink too much wine, and clear his head.
Big mistake.
Because when a brutal thunderstorm blew in over the hills, the roof started leaking, and there was only one dry bed left in that ancient house.
Suddenly, the close quarters were suffocating. Alex watched me with eyes that were far too hungry for a stepbrother. He tracked my every move. He got unreasonably tense when the local Italian men looked my way. He invaded my space, claiming he was just "leaning on me" for support.
He said he was broken. He said he was straight. But when we were trapped in the dark with the rain lashing against the stone walls, Alex didn’t just want comfort. He wanted me.
He’d always been my untouchable stepbrother. But in Italy, where nobody can see us, he became the storm that threatens to consume me entirely.
SINFUL STEPBROTHER is a high-angst MM romance featuring a possessive stepbrother, straight-to-gay awakening, forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine tension, and a broken hero who crosses every line to claim what's his. HEA guaranteed.
Alex was always the golden boy. Straight. Successful. Married. And completely off-limits.
Then, he was divorced, shattered, and drowning in his own misery. Dragging him to a run-down villa under the Tuscan sun was supposed to fix him. A quiet retreat in Italy to eat good food, drink too much wine, and clear his head.
Big mistake.
Because when a brutal thunderstorm blew in over the hills, the roof started leaking, and there was only one dry bed left in that ancient house.
Suddenly, the close quarters were suffocating. Alex watched me with eyes that were far too hungry for a stepbrother. He tracked my every move. He got unreasonably tense when the local Italian men looked my way. He invaded my space, claiming he was just "leaning on me" for support.
He said he was broken. He said he was straight. But when we were trapped in the dark with the rain lashing against the stone walls, Alex didn’t just want comfort. He wanted me.
He’d always been my untouchable stepbrother. But in Italy, where nobody can see us, he became the storm that threatens to consume me entirely.
SINFUL STEPBROTHER is a high-angst MM romance featuring a possessive stepbrother, straight-to-gay awakening, forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine tension, and a broken hero who crosses every line to claim what's his. HEA guaranteed.
- GenresM M Romance
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Did Not Finish
July 28, 2026DNF at 78%. This is zero stars for the flimsy plot, under developed characters, coincidences as plot drivers and absolute hate on women.
“It’s actually thanks to you. Once I had some time to myself to reflect on how much I hated fucking you, I realized that you turned me gay.”
“I didn’t turn you gay,” she growled. “I’m a fucking ten and you know it. You were lucky to have me.”
“You’re a six at best,” I replied. “But you’re right, I was lucky to have you. Because you showed me just how much I couldn’t stomach being with women.”
Then, just to add some spice to my lies, I added, “I guess that explains all those work trips out of town, huh?”
Like they say, hurt people hurt people, yet Alex's lies are vicious for no reason. Similarly Amanda going scorched earth for a mediocre marriage she had checked out of long ago. All a little OTT.
Alex's wife divorces him because of relationship issues primarily he's a workaholic. Is he a workaholic? Yes but for a good reason, Alex is a provider. He's doing this all for Amanda, his beloved wife.
According to Alex who is blindsided by the divorce news at an award ceremony - where Alex is picking up an award for being 'the best at his job', Amanda says she's fucking the pool boy and looking forward to the divorce. Amanda then is spiteful as hell, turns his mom and step dad against Alex, and starts grasping for his money, house and savings.
Alex goes into a decline. We should feel sad for Alex, poor guy. Things are being done to him. He has no agency. Why is life so bad? It isn't Job levels of bad, but it feels like it to Alex.Despite having a bed, he prefers to wallow on the floor at night contemplating why life is so unfair.
Enter saviour stepbro Leo, only person speaking to Alex now because parents have taken Amanda's side and he was fired because of his divorce. Really!
Leo has his own problems and secrets which are not that important or interesting beyond the fact that he needs a buddy to come with on a 3 week holiday to Italy. Given that Alex's current purpose in life is getting carpet burn but not in the good way, Alex decides to join Leo on what must be the cheapest flight ever with 2 layovers.
The moment they arrive at the villa there's a frisson or two. All of a sudden they are checking each other out surreptitiously. Before it can develop a charming gay Italian comes into the mix.
It's all insta love and no lube - olive oil because it's Italy, so of course.
I was plodding along with this book and fully intended to conclude dull and unmemorable, however it ramped up the 'women are - pick whatever slur you hate the most - and ran with it'.
That's a hard no from me because it lazy writing. Even though it's evidenced that Alex was an absent husband and son, it was justified because he was doing the right thing for the right purposes and this shouldn't be questioned. How dare someone say he should reflect on his behaviour to see how it contributed to relationships. Nope. That is not entertained at all.
Plus the wife was pantomime villain of wrong. See my notes and activities.
All in all a waste of an early morning start.
“It’s actually thanks to you. Once I had some time to myself to reflect on how much I hated fucking you, I realized that you turned me gay.”
“I didn’t turn you gay,” she growled. “I’m a fucking ten and you know it. You were lucky to have me.”
“You’re a six at best,” I replied. “But you’re right, I was lucky to have you. Because you showed me just how much I couldn’t stomach being with women.”
Then, just to add some spice to my lies, I added, “I guess that explains all those work trips out of town, huh?”
Like they say, hurt people hurt people, yet Alex's lies are vicious for no reason. Similarly Amanda going scorched earth for a mediocre marriage she had checked out of long ago. All a little OTT.
Alex's wife divorces him because of relationship issues primarily he's a workaholic. Is he a workaholic? Yes but for a good reason, Alex is a provider. He's doing this all for Amanda, his beloved wife.
According to Alex who is blindsided by the divorce news at an award ceremony - where Alex is picking up an award for being 'the best at his job', Amanda says she's fucking the pool boy and looking forward to the divorce. Amanda then is spiteful as hell, turns his mom and step dad against Alex, and starts grasping for his money, house and savings.
Alex goes into a decline. We should feel sad for Alex, poor guy. Things are being done to him. He has no agency. Why is life so bad? It isn't Job levels of bad, but it feels like it to Alex.Despite having a bed, he prefers to wallow on the floor at night contemplating why life is so unfair.
Enter saviour stepbro Leo, only person speaking to Alex now because parents have taken Amanda's side and he was fired because of his divorce. Really!
Leo has his own problems and secrets which are not that important or interesting beyond the fact that he needs a buddy to come with on a 3 week holiday to Italy. Given that Alex's current purpose in life is getting carpet burn but not in the good way, Alex decides to join Leo on what must be the cheapest flight ever with 2 layovers.
The moment they arrive at the villa there's a frisson or two. All of a sudden they are checking each other out surreptitiously. Before it can develop a charming gay Italian comes into the mix.
It's all insta love and no lube - olive oil because it's Italy, so of course.
I was plodding along with this book and fully intended to conclude dull and unmemorable, however it ramped up the 'women are - pick whatever slur you hate the most - and ran with it'.
That's a hard no from me because it lazy writing. Even though it's evidenced that Alex was an absent husband and son, it was justified because he was doing the right thing for the right purposes and this shouldn't be questioned. How dare someone say he should reflect on his behaviour to see how it contributed to relationships. Nope. That is not entertained at all.
Plus the wife was pantomime villain of wrong. See my notes and activities.
All in all a waste of an early morning start.
July 23, 2026
I ended up giving this 3 stars, and honestly, I'm still not entirely sure why. the spice was enjoyable, and I'm always a sucker for forbidden romance, forced proximity, and a good bi awakening.
That said... this book was incredibly shallow.
The characters lacked any real depth, the plot barely existed, and everything felt almost too easy. There was very little emotional development or tension to make me truly care about what was happening. Oddly enough, despite being such a quick read, it also managed to drag in places.
It's one of those books that's entertaining enough to keep you turning the pages, but once you finish, it leaves almost no lasting impression. I couldn't stop reading while I was in it, yet I doubt I'll remember much about it in a few weeks.
Characters 2/5
Story 3/5
Spice 2/5
That said... this book was incredibly shallow.
The characters lacked any real depth, the plot barely existed, and everything felt almost too easy. There was very little emotional development or tension to make me truly care about what was happening. Oddly enough, despite being such a quick read, it also managed to drag in places.
It's one of those books that's entertaining enough to keep you turning the pages, but once you finish, it leaves almost no lasting impression. I couldn't stop reading while I was in it, yet I doubt I'll remember much about it in a few weeks.
Characters 2/5
Story 3/5
Spice 2/5
July 29, 2026
Ahhh
Leo was the caring stepbrother who balled his parents out for taking Alex's spiteful wife's side when he caught her sleeping with the pool boy.
Dealing with his own heartache after buying a home in Italy for his fiancé, invites his very straight stepbrother to accompany him.
They fall in love against the odds and Alex is left with real decisions to make when their parents suddenly turn up on the doorstep.
Loved it!!!
Leo was the caring stepbrother who balled his parents out for taking Alex's spiteful wife's side when he caught her sleeping with the pool boy.
Dealing with his own heartache after buying a home in Italy for his fiancé, invites his very straight stepbrother to accompany him.
They fall in love against the odds and Alex is left with real decisions to make when their parents suddenly turn up on the doorstep.
Loved it!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2026
This book was an okay read. It was a slow read at times because nothing really happened. It was a free read on KU. I would not buy this book or read it again. The first one was a lot better.
July 21, 2026
Absolutely riddled with AI tells. If you can’t write a book without using AI, you are not an author.
July 22, 2026
Meh. Absolutely nothing happens. Ex-wife is cartoon villian. Parents are pathetic.
July 23, 2026
this book had potential
This book was lacking at every level. Even if you skipped ahead to move it along, it seemed like you didn’t miss much.
This book was lacking at every level. Even if you skipped ahead to move it along, it seemed like you didn’t miss much.
July 24, 2026
Slow burn with a will they won't they.
Great writing as always and im loving the series
Great writing as always and im loving the series
July 31, 2026
😍💓😍💓😍💓
This was really good. Filled with so much angst. Made me hate Amanda lol!!!! I can't wait till the next book comes out!!!
This was really good. Filled with so much angst. Made me hate Amanda lol!!!! I can't wait till the next book comes out!!!
August 20, 2026
Trigger/Content Warnings:
- infidelity [not between mcs]
Leo should have made Alex work for it. What he said was so far out of line...
- infidelity [not between mcs]
Leo should have made Alex work for it. What he said was so far out of line...
August 22, 2026
so good
Was crying when I thought it was going to end
But it ended so beautifully I loved this story and I love the convo with Amanda and I love how her life turned out 🤣🤣
Was crying when I thought it was going to end
But it ended so beautifully I loved this story and I love the convo with Amanda and I love how her life turned out 🤣🤣
Did Not Finish
September 13, 2026Dnf @ 67%
September 21, 2026
Hott
Loved this read. Read it in 2 sittings. Love Alex. He needed Leo. A great couple. On to the next book.
Loved this read. Read it in 2 sittings. Love Alex. He needed Leo. A great couple. On to the next book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews