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Double Helix #1
Never Mind the Genetics
Since breaking up with his high school girlfriend seventeen years ago, Kevin had no idea that he had left something precious behind with her. Now at age thirty-five, his success has brought him everything in life that he might need– all except companionship.
Since his birth seventeen years ago, Andrew and his mother haven’t had a very peaceful relationship. Born into a family that couldn’t afford him, and haunted him with threats of violence, he hoped and wished for a better life– a life with the father he had never met.
After years of bickering and bitterness, Andrew’s mother takes him not only to meet, but live with his long, lost parent. What Andrew expects is a cold shoulder, but what he gets instead is a warm welcome.
Kevin’s gentle demeanor and sweet words are all it takes for Andrew to understand the true meaning of what it is to be loved, but something else– something bright and unexpected– blossoms from their growing friendship: a very different kind of love.
Never Mind the Genetics is the first book in the series Double Helix.
Since his birth seventeen years ago, Andrew and his mother haven’t had a very peaceful relationship. Born into a family that couldn’t afford him, and haunted him with threats of violence, he hoped and wished for a better life– a life with the father he had never met.
After years of bickering and bitterness, Andrew’s mother takes him not only to meet, but live with his long, lost parent. What Andrew expects is a cold shoulder, but what he gets instead is a warm welcome.
Kevin’s gentle demeanor and sweet words are all it takes for Andrew to understand the true meaning of what it is to be loved, but something else– something bright and unexpected– blossoms from their growing friendship: a very different kind of love.
Never Mind the Genetics is the first book in the series Double Helix.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 2, 2015
70 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Mel Thorn
6 books13 followersI'm a self-published indie author from Michigan, as well as an artist of various types. Writing is my passion, and I spend more time telling stories than I do anything else. I'm not satisfied unless I have a keyboard beneath my fingertips, and a document with which to pour my ideas onto.
I'm a digital and traditional artist. I not only love to create characters to write, but I also love to draw them, and bring them to life in other ways.
When I'm not drawing or writing, I craft my own chainmaille jewelry, and do so as my own business. When the ideas aren't flowing, it's nice to keep my hands busy, and to create something that someone might one day enjoy wearing.
My favorite genres range from crime drama, mystery, and thriller, to fantasy, romance, and horror. I have a wide range of interests in both books and films, and will usually try anything once.
I'm a digital and traditional artist. I not only love to create characters to write, but I also love to draw them, and bring them to life in other ways.
When I'm not drawing or writing, I craft my own chainmaille jewelry, and do so as my own business. When the ideas aren't flowing, it's nice to keep my hands busy, and to create something that someone might one day enjoy wearing.
My favorite genres range from crime drama, mystery, and thriller, to fantasy, romance, and horror. I have a wide range of interests in both books and films, and will usually try anything once.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
October 10, 2017
**** 4 solid don't judged stars *****
There are three types of taboo stories for me:
1)The ones the author don't convince when showing emotional and physical chemistry. This type turns up gross. It fails big time.
2) The ones that work well but there isn't much depth on it to be take seriously. They are basically smut.
3)and the ones that knock me out and I do a double take as in WTH am I reading?! How did the author managed to do that?!
Never Mind the Genetics was category 3. Soooo good! So full of feelings! It was a great surprise!
The story starts with Andrew (17) being dropped at his father door by his mother - a bitch who decided she had had enough of him.
Andrew never met his father, in fact, every time he tried to find out more about him, his mother didn't want to give any info.
Andrew was a very likable characters. His entire life had been miserable. He grew up listening from his mother he was worth of nothing, that she wished he hadn't been born and that she should have aborted him.
That was so ingrained in his head - a kind of brain wash - that he felt he could not be happy. He had to be hard on himself all the time. After all
"who would be left to scold him for his mistakes, to belittle him in front of others? That was part of life, wasn't it? If that wasn't life, why then did he have to go through it?"
How you could resist such a broken character?
And so Andrew went to meet his father, all hopes and fears.
Hopes of being loved for the first time, yet terrified thinking his father would turn out to be nothing like he imagined.
"But you did. You were all that I wished for." You are the best thing that's ever happened to me."
Kevin (37) is a successful author, lives in a massive house alone and is gay.
The best of it? He has no idea he is a father.
Therefore, when bitch knocks at his door to deliver Andrew like a parcel, he has the shock of his life. He could hardly remember the girl he had a fling 17 years ago, let alone to know he was a father.
Their connection is immediately and strong. It was easy to relate to their love/relationship when I stopped to objectively analyse this fucked up situation. Follow my thoughts:
Andrew is 17 and thirsty for love - ( I think I should mention that he already had boyfriends in the past).
The man he meets is an easy going, confident, successful and very good looking guy who welcome him with open arms. That kind of affection we bond with our parents? Hellooo?? there is none. Apart from their blood connection there is no other link. And so lines get crossed here alright.
Same happens with Kevin. He is fascinated by Andrew. They have so much in common. A friendship is quickly established followed by something else *cough*
Right now, I am happy for them. I am happy they have found each other. I'm not really sure how I would take this in real life but you know what?
Niggle: There was something in the writing style that sometimes bothered me. The POV's got mixed up every now and gain. Despite that I really enjoyed Never Mind the Genetics!
It was a captivating read.
There are three types of taboo stories for me:
1)The ones the author don't convince when showing emotional and physical chemistry. This type turns up gross. It fails big time.
2) The ones that work well but there isn't much depth on it to be take seriously. They are basically smut.
3)and the ones that knock me out and I do a double take as in WTH am I reading?! How did the author managed to do that?!
Never Mind the Genetics was category 3. Soooo good! So full of feelings! It was a great surprise!
The story starts with Andrew (17) being dropped at his father door by his mother - a bitch who decided she had had enough of him.
Andrew never met his father, in fact, every time he tried to find out more about him, his mother didn't want to give any info.
Andrew was a very likable characters. His entire life had been miserable. He grew up listening from his mother he was worth of nothing, that she wished he hadn't been born and that she should have aborted him.
That was so ingrained in his head - a kind of brain wash - that he felt he could not be happy. He had to be hard on himself all the time. After all
"who would be left to scold him for his mistakes, to belittle him in front of others? That was part of life, wasn't it? If that wasn't life, why then did he have to go through it?"
How you could resist such a broken character?
And so Andrew went to meet his father, all hopes and fears.
Hopes of being loved for the first time, yet terrified thinking his father would turn out to be nothing like he imagined.
"But you did. You were all that I wished for." You are the best thing that's ever happened to me."
Kevin (37) is a successful author, lives in a massive house alone and is gay.
The best of it? He has no idea he is a father.
Therefore, when bitch knocks at his door to deliver Andrew like a parcel, he has the shock of his life. He could hardly remember the girl he had a fling 17 years ago, let alone to know he was a father.
Their connection is immediately and strong. It was easy to relate to their love/relationship when I stopped to objectively analyse this fucked up situation. Follow my thoughts:
Andrew is 17 and thirsty for love - ( I think I should mention that he already had boyfriends in the past).
The man he meets is an easy going, confident, successful and very good looking guy who welcome him with open arms. That kind of affection we bond with our parents? Hellooo?? there is none. Apart from their blood connection there is no other link. And so lines get crossed here alright.
Same happens with Kevin. He is fascinated by Andrew. They have so much in common. A friendship is quickly established followed by something else *cough*
Right now, I am happy for them. I am happy they have found each other. I'm not really sure how I would take this in real life but you know what?
Niggle: There was something in the writing style that sometimes bothered me. The POV's got mixed up every now and gain. Despite that I really enjoyed Never Mind the Genetics!
It was a captivating read.
October 5, 2017
This might not be everyone’s cuppa so please read with caution. Contains incest, father/son relationship
Boy boy boy .. do I loveeee this book!!! I don’t even know how to begin how much I freaking loveee this book. It was that adorable.
Andrew grew up in a hopeless situation with a loveless mother and an unwelcoming house. One day, his mother suddenly decided that she couldn’t take it anymore and decided to send him away to his biological father who had not a clue that he had a son.
Kevin was a very accomplished author in his mid thirties and enjoying his life to the fullest. Suddenly, he met again with a woman whom he dated very briefly in high school and she announced that they had a son together. Despite his initial astonishment, he surprisingly took the news well and decided that he’d give his son the best life possible from that moment on.
And things got very interesting when Andrew found his father, the savior, very VERY attractive (in a more inappropriate way) and they both found out that they prefer their own gender as partners. Despite the fact that this is a father/son incest story, you won’t find much smut here going on. While the mental connection between Andrew and Kevin escalated quickly, the physical connection between them was agonizingly slow and left me panting and wanting more the whole time. There was not even a kissing scene until after the half of the novel. However, the way the novel was constructed was just excellent and I love the way how those two controlled themselves not to pluck the ultimate forbidden fruit despite their desires and undeniable pull between them. It was simply meant to be. It was so sweet and lovely when they finally got together. It just feels so right. Correct that between 75% to 92% of the story was a bit on the dark side when Andrew got bullied and harassed at school and it made me very sad to see the two of them torturing each other and trying to end what feels so right because logically they know that’s inappropriate. However, I think that’s a very important turning point in this story because that incident determined their future and made their relationship stronger than ever.
Some might say the ending was a bit on the cheesy side but I DON’T FREAKING CARE!!! It was the best result possible and Mel Thorn wrapped up the story neatly and beautifully. While there’s not much smut and the love making and getting together scenes are very subtle and romantic, I got crazy over how BEAUTIFULLY written the dialogues and the writing of the story. You can clearly see, I got almost 40 highlights in this novel. The dialogues is just soooo beautiful and thoughtful. And the HEA was justttttt sublimely delicious. I love it, love it, loveeeeeee itttt!!!!
Whenever I look at you, I’m reminded of how beautiful my creations are.
Please do read some highlights of mine if you have some time because I truly think the writing and the choice of words are quite exquisite.
I’d happily give 5 stars for this one as it was more than deserved.
Well earned 5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Boy boy boy .. do I loveeee this book!!! I don’t even know how to begin how much I freaking loveee this book. It was that adorable.
Andrew grew up in a hopeless situation with a loveless mother and an unwelcoming house. One day, his mother suddenly decided that she couldn’t take it anymore and decided to send him away to his biological father who had not a clue that he had a son.
Kevin was a very accomplished author in his mid thirties and enjoying his life to the fullest. Suddenly, he met again with a woman whom he dated very briefly in high school and she announced that they had a son together. Despite his initial astonishment, he surprisingly took the news well and decided that he’d give his son the best life possible from that moment on.
And things got very interesting when Andrew found his father, the savior, very VERY attractive (in a more inappropriate way) and they both found out that they prefer their own gender as partners. Despite the fact that this is a father/son incest story, you won’t find much smut here going on. While the mental connection between Andrew and Kevin escalated quickly, the physical connection between them was agonizingly slow and left me panting and wanting more the whole time. There was not even a kissing scene until after the half of the novel. However, the way the novel was constructed was just excellent and I love the way how those two controlled themselves not to pluck the ultimate forbidden fruit despite their desires and undeniable pull between them. It was simply meant to be. It was so sweet and lovely when they finally got together. It just feels so right. Correct that between 75% to 92% of the story was a bit on the dark side when Andrew got bullied and harassed at school and it made me very sad to see the two of them torturing each other and trying to end what feels so right because logically they know that’s inappropriate. However, I think that’s a very important turning point in this story because that incident determined their future and made their relationship stronger than ever.
Some might say the ending was a bit on the cheesy side but I DON’T FREAKING CARE!!! It was the best result possible and Mel Thorn wrapped up the story neatly and beautifully. While there’s not much smut and the love making and getting together scenes are very subtle and romantic, I got crazy over how BEAUTIFULLY written the dialogues and the writing of the story. You can clearly see, I got almost 40 highlights in this novel. The dialogues is just soooo beautiful and thoughtful. And the HEA was justttttt sublimely delicious. I love it, love it, loveeeeeee itttt!!!!
Whenever I look at you, I’m reminded of how beautiful my creations are.
Please do read some highlights of mine if you have some time because I truly think the writing and the choice of words are quite exquisite.
I’d happily give 5 stars for this one as it was more than deserved.
Well earned 5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 9, 2018
I give up. Throw my hands up in utter defeat at 25%. The writing is only barely legible.
March 25, 2015
The taboo subject of incest isn't for everyone but I really enjoyed this book, the plot was well thought out and handled in a very delicate way. It's a sweet but sometimes heartbreaking story about Andrew, an introvert boy, who age 17 is thrown out of the house by his uncaring mom and handed over to his father Kevin, who he has never met. As much as they both try to hide from it, there is an almost instant attraction between the two of them and they become inseparable.
October 23, 2018
Successful author, Kevin, 35, has just had a surprise handed to him.
A son, Andrew, 17 yr. old high school kid.
The hateful mother is finally letting Andrew see his father, for good. She doesn't want him anymore. Kevin steps up to be the dad Andrew never had. They get him in school, have long talks, bond playing games and watching movies, and settle in. Andrew begins to feel things for his dad he shouldn't. We are thinking Kevin's friend Kyle is going to be trouble. As things slowly progress, Andrew is happy he's with someone who cares for him. He has freedom, choices, and a "home" for the first time.
At school he meets some shitty kids, like any other school. He tries to have friends, but they judge both his goth style, etc. Further along we have Kevin and Andrew's growing emotions and romantic feelings. They each know it's forbidden. There is NON-explicit sex.
This is well written and interesting. It's strange to imagine their behavior, because it's taboo to most people. You have to decide if you can understand or not.
This is extremely different. It's eye-opening and though filled.
We get a HFN ending.
==========
A son, Andrew, 17 yr. old high school kid.
The hateful mother is finally letting Andrew see his father, for good. She doesn't want him anymore. Kevin steps up to be the dad Andrew never had. They get him in school, have long talks, bond playing games and watching movies, and settle in. Andrew begins to feel things for his dad he shouldn't. We are thinking Kevin's friend Kyle is going to be trouble. As things slowly progress, Andrew is happy he's with someone who cares for him. He has freedom, choices, and a "home" for the first time.
At school he meets some shitty kids, like any other school. He tries to have friends, but they judge both his goth style, etc. Further along we have Kevin and Andrew's growing emotions and romantic feelings. They each know it's forbidden. There is NON-explicit sex.
This is well written and interesting. It's strange to imagine their behavior, because it's taboo to most people. You have to decide if you can understand or not.
This is extremely different. It's eye-opening and though filled.
We get a HFN ending.
==========
March 26, 2015
I found this to be a beautifully written story with well handled subject matter. Incest is not for everyone but personally I think that if there is no chance of conception that there is nothing wrong with it. After years of neglect and mental abuse, it was only natural that Andrew would adore his caring, easy going father. Kevin was a bit of a hermit in that mansion and needed someone to share his life with. Kyle was not the most stable casual lover and had a lot of baggage of his own. The physical part of Andrew and Kevin's relation came slowly as each man thought it out. This book was not porn for anyone who may be considering reading this story but a sweet romance between a father and son.
dnf
June 19, 2020DNF. Stopped at the 55% marker.
This was just too silly for me to continue. I could not believe this story was told in a serious tone.
But leaving the plot aside (ridiculous as it is... and I cannot stress that enough) what was most annoying was the writing style. I cannot believe there was an editor out there who allowed this to be published in this manner. Jumping pov from sentence to sentence or full out making reference to the thoughts of both characters in the same sentence. Is this a style of some sort? It simultaneously erased any tension or suspense about their feelings for each other and how the other would react while the rest of the writing tried to keep it a mystery. Or that is how it felt to me.
Bottom line... I found it horrible. And no amount of coercion could get me to finish this.
This was just too silly for me to continue. I could not believe this story was told in a serious tone.
But leaving the plot aside (ridiculous as it is... and I cannot stress that enough) what was most annoying was the writing style. I cannot believe there was an editor out there who allowed this to be published in this manner. Jumping pov from sentence to sentence or full out making reference to the thoughts of both characters in the same sentence. Is this a style of some sort? It simultaneously erased any tension or suspense about their feelings for each other and how the other would react while the rest of the writing tried to keep it a mystery. Or that is how it felt to me.
Bottom line... I found it horrible. And no amount of coercion could get me to finish this.
August 10, 2021
i don't know about any other taboo fans out there, but the whole appeal of it is the taboo-ness. the fear and self-loathing, the quasi-gothic horror of your own desires - the ANGST, dammit!
that's not to say they can't be fluffy. i like them fluffy! but when there's little-to-no conflict about the fact that they're father and son... it was treated as though kevin was his teacher, or step-father; something morally wrong, but not that that wrong. they are breaking THE ULTIMATE TABOO! where is the heart-rending agony?
am i just an incurable goth? very possible. but i just felt like the whole incest thing wasn't treated with the gravitas that it deserved, especially as they . it was like an inconvenience rather than Literally The Biggest Taboo Ever.
all of my edgy goth-ness aside, the writing itself was... rocky at parts. third-person omniscient is not a good idea with romance/contemporary books, and it just felt like we were skipping around everywhere instead of being really immersed in one character's head.
for a well-written, appropriately angsty but still sweet father/son relationship, i highly recommend Secrets & Lies.
that's not to say they can't be fluffy. i like them fluffy! but when there's little-to-no conflict about the fact that they're father and son... it was treated as though kevin was his teacher, or step-father; something morally wrong, but not that that wrong. they are breaking THE ULTIMATE TABOO! where is the heart-rending agony?
am i just an incurable goth? very possible. but i just felt like the whole incest thing wasn't treated with the gravitas that it deserved, especially as they . it was like an inconvenience rather than Literally The Biggest Taboo Ever.
all of my edgy goth-ness aside, the writing itself was... rocky at parts. third-person omniscient is not a good idea with romance/contemporary books, and it just felt like we were skipping around everywhere instead of being really immersed in one character's head.
for a well-written, appropriately angsty but still sweet father/son relationship, i highly recommend Secrets & Lies.
June 7, 2015
First, let me say that I loved this story and thought the slower pace was perfect. I've been reading edgier stuff for a while and did not think I could still be surprised. I was wrong. Andrew and his father meet for the firs time when Andrew's mother unceremoniously drops him off at Kevin's house after "tolerating" her son's presence for 17 years. I should note that the age, 17, left me waiting and expecting a birthday that...ahem...never seemed to happen. Draw your own conclusions there.
I should also add that I plan to download this file again and save it on my hard drive rather than just keep it on board my Kindle, because I have no doubt it will eventually meet the Amazon ban hammer (and I don't trust the company to not reach into my past purchases and yank it).
Although the blurb makes it clear what the nature of this book is going to be, I was still surprised that at much of what happened, and the suspense of people "finding out" left me damn near sick. In that same thought, my only objection to the story would be the lack of seriousness Andrew and Kevin seemed to give to the taboo nature of their relationship, including their casual stance of showing affection in public. The story seems to treat this taboo as one would being gay in a small town or something. I'm afraid that is far too light. This is the LAST taboo, this is the taboo that results in prison sentences, foster homes, and cars being torched in your drive way. In that sense, the atmosphere surrounding it didn't feel as realistic as it should have. Still, I can understand why the author didn't want to write a dark novel, and treating this subject with real world vision would have necessitated DARK.
As for style, I will note just one thing that the reader may find troubling. This story is written in the omniscient third person perspective, but the author doesn't not separate POVs by chapter or seen. Meaning, you will be dealing with constant head hopping. I mean, you will get POV and inner dialogue from multiple characters in almost every seen. It can get very confusing, almost to the point where you're not sure who is thinking what. Still, I say power through it.
Finally, to the author. Please, PLEASE continue this series. Even if you do get the ban hammer from Amazon, I will buy the rest of this series no matter where you sell it. =)
I should also add that I plan to download this file again and save it on my hard drive rather than just keep it on board my Kindle, because I have no doubt it will eventually meet the Amazon ban hammer (and I don't trust the company to not reach into my past purchases and yank it).
Although the blurb makes it clear what the nature of this book is going to be, I was still surprised that at much of what happened, and the suspense of people "finding out" left me damn near sick. In that same thought, my only objection to the story would be the lack of seriousness Andrew and Kevin seemed to give to the taboo nature of their relationship, including their casual stance of showing affection in public. The story seems to treat this taboo as one would being gay in a small town or something. I'm afraid that is far too light. This is the LAST taboo, this is the taboo that results in prison sentences, foster homes, and cars being torched in your drive way. In that sense, the atmosphere surrounding it didn't feel as realistic as it should have. Still, I can understand why the author didn't want to write a dark novel, and treating this subject with real world vision would have necessitated DARK.
As for style, I will note just one thing that the reader may find troubling. This story is written in the omniscient third person perspective, but the author doesn't not separate POVs by chapter or seen. Meaning, you will be dealing with constant head hopping. I mean, you will get POV and inner dialogue from multiple characters in almost every seen. It can get very confusing, almost to the point where you're not sure who is thinking what. Still, I say power through it.
Finally, to the author. Please, PLEASE continue this series. Even if you do get the ban hammer from Amazon, I will buy the rest of this series no matter where you sell it. =)
May 12, 2016
I was so looking forward to this book, I love taboo especially a little father / son incest, but oh dear!
I found it really hard to engage with either character. I think part of the problem was that although the son Andrew, knew of his dad's existence, he had never met him. Kevin, the father knew nothing of Andrew until his mother dumped him at his house when he was 17.
Therein, lies the problem.
For me although they are blood related, they had never met, they didn't have the usual father / son relationship so to me, it just didn't feel like incest. They were 2 strangers who were attracted to each other. I think the author had Andrew keep calling Kevin, Dad to remind us.
It was also a book that took a long time to get going. I was at 60% before the two even got physically together. We had a lot of flirting and because of the way the author wrote we knew what both MCs were thinking. We even had a couple of instances of them kissing as Kevin dropped Andrew off at school, really?
The whole break up and lets get back together was painful.
Such a shame as this book held a lot of promise that it just didn't live up to for me.
I found it really hard to engage with either character. I think part of the problem was that although the son Andrew, knew of his dad's existence, he had never met him. Kevin, the father knew nothing of Andrew until his mother dumped him at his house when he was 17.
Therein, lies the problem.
For me although they are blood related, they had never met, they didn't have the usual father / son relationship so to me, it just didn't feel like incest. They were 2 strangers who were attracted to each other. I think the author had Andrew keep calling Kevin, Dad to remind us.
It was also a book that took a long time to get going. I was at 60% before the two even got physically together. We had a lot of flirting and because of the way the author wrote we knew what both MCs were thinking. We even had a couple of instances of them kissing as Kevin dropped Andrew off at school, really?
The whole break up and lets get back together was painful.
Such a shame as this book held a lot of promise that it just didn't live up to for me.
March 17, 2015
I know a lot of people will not like this book due to the incest, but I have to say this was a very beautiful story. I was honestly rooting for Andrew and Kevin to work out as a couple, they were just so perfectly in tune with one another and it was very touching. The love they grew into as father and son and then partners was so beautifully written.
January 14, 2016
DNF @ 70%
Can't believe how bad this is. The writing is unbearable, but the character construction is lame.
Can't believe how bad this is. The writing is unbearable, but the character construction is lame.
November 29, 2017
DNF.
And not because of the incest aspect, if I had an issue with that then I wouldn't have picked this up in the first place, I actually took issue with everything else.
The writing was painfully hard to read, when I wasn't skimming I was literally forcing myself to carry on and every word was slow and agonising. The POV would constantly change during scenes so It was insanely hard to keep up. The characters were dull, creepy and unlikeable. I never actually made it to the point where anything physically happened between Andrew and his dad because it was so slow getting there, I really did try to be patient but it was dragging so bad and the story thus far wasn't entertaining at all.
It came across super unrealistic (I understand it's a book with incest so realism might not be the main goal.. although it does happen) but everything else was far fetched, mainly people's behaviours, for instance, the mother was just.. strange. All the characters were strange, their thought processes and dialogue was just odd, no other way to explain it really.
Lastly, another example of how odd and unrealistic I found this book to be; The father (who appears to be a nice, caring human for the most part), getting high and having loud sex with his fuck buddy/friend (who I must mention is a total annoying dick and not an entertaining addition to the story) whilst his son who he's just met and started to connect with is in the room next door having to listen. This just didn't made much sense to me.
And not because of the incest aspect, if I had an issue with that then I wouldn't have picked this up in the first place, I actually took issue with everything else.
The writing was painfully hard to read, when I wasn't skimming I was literally forcing myself to carry on and every word was slow and agonising. The POV would constantly change during scenes so It was insanely hard to keep up. The characters were dull, creepy and unlikeable. I never actually made it to the point where anything physically happened between Andrew and his dad because it was so slow getting there, I really did try to be patient but it was dragging so bad and the story thus far wasn't entertaining at all.
It came across super unrealistic (I understand it's a book with incest so realism might not be the main goal.. although it does happen) but everything else was far fetched, mainly people's behaviours, for instance, the mother was just.. strange. All the characters were strange, their thought processes and dialogue was just odd, no other way to explain it really.
Lastly, another example of how odd and unrealistic I found this book to be; The father (who appears to be a nice, caring human for the most part), getting high and having loud sex with his fuck buddy/friend (who I must mention is a total annoying dick and not an entertaining addition to the story) whilst his son who he's just met and started to connect with is in the room next door having to listen. This just didn't made much sense to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2016
3.75*
March 28, 2021
I’m truly blown away how completely terrible this book was. It’s unfathomable a story about incest is boring and bland as unflavored oatmeal, but here you have it. The characters were one dimensional, the storytelling awkward, and not even the setting offered any indication as to time or place. Yes, a city name was mentioned, but really?? There’s no way, No. Way. the author has visited where they’re writing of; for the exception of a snowstorm suddenly mentioned out-of-flipping-nowhere, it could’ve all taken place on a colonized moon. 🙄🤦🏻♀️👎👎
May 5, 2022
Yea look, this was just not a great book. From the first chapter and the multiple changes between first and third person (let alone different characters POV), to the weirdly placed words that seemed like 'synonym' was searched up, it just fell flat.
There were some other niggles like Andrew being 17 (why?) therefore I was torn between not wanting to see them get it on and wanting to see it finally happen to find out if it was worth the very long book and wait (70% and it wasn't really worth it).
I skim read the vast majority of this book and it still took two days to read, far too long without much pay off.
There were some other niggles like Andrew being 17 (why?) therefore I was torn between not wanting to see them get it on and wanting to see it finally happen to find out if it was worth the very long book and wait (70% and it wasn't really worth it).
I skim read the vast majority of this book and it still took two days to read, far too long without much pay off.
June 11, 2018
Hard to put down, fascinating read!
I have mixed feelings about this book...as a whole.
First off, this author has chosen an extremely controversial and very daring subject for this (also very) adult read.
I, therefore, found myself a bit let down that the author seemed almost embarrassed to write about the sexy times, and visibly tried to avoid using graphic terminology; preferring to cover it up with poetic phrasing which, for the most part just did not fit.
Mostly the scenes were almost off-page or behind the door.
For an adult read, I personally prefer not to read a statement like "to hide the activity below my belt".
I doubt this book was intended to be PG13.
As for the story itself:
A topic very sensitively handled, I think. A very touchy subject in anybody's language, but the author has approached the situation very realistically.
It's not for us to say if something like this can easily happen, but supposing it did, I think Mel has played out the pros and cons (especially the cons) to perfection.
I can't say I felt comfortable with the writing style in general. The POVs of the (several) characters are all over the place. The headspace of each character pops up out of the blue, requiring read & reread to keep track of the goings on.
The layout of the book could have done with a bit more planning and organization.
Grammatically, the book is appalling.
Lots and lots of bad edits, spelling oopsies and incorrect English.
In particular: "where it lied" ??? As opposed to "where it lay". 🤔😣 this one jumped out at me and wrestled me to the ground every single time, literally making my ears ring and my head hurt.
As a forbidden, taboo romance, this one is in excellent form, without the smutty feel that many similar stories tend to have.
If you are intrigued by this type of story, I would highly recommend giving this one a try.
Overall rating:
Sex 2/5
Concept 5/5
Story 5/5
Writing 1.5/5
Character development 5/5
Scenic detail and environment building 5/5
Standalone story with a fabulous HEA ending.
Heat level around 2. Limited profanity.
I have mixed feelings about this book...as a whole.
First off, this author has chosen an extremely controversial and very daring subject for this (also very) adult read.
I, therefore, found myself a bit let down that the author seemed almost embarrassed to write about the sexy times, and visibly tried to avoid using graphic terminology; preferring to cover it up with poetic phrasing which, for the most part just did not fit.
Mostly the scenes were almost off-page or behind the door.
For an adult read, I personally prefer not to read a statement like "to hide the activity below my belt".
I doubt this book was intended to be PG13.
As for the story itself:
A topic very sensitively handled, I think. A very touchy subject in anybody's language, but the author has approached the situation very realistically.
It's not for us to say if something like this can easily happen, but supposing it did, I think Mel has played out the pros and cons (especially the cons) to perfection.
I can't say I felt comfortable with the writing style in general. The POVs of the (several) characters are all over the place. The headspace of each character pops up out of the blue, requiring read & reread to keep track of the goings on.
The layout of the book could have done with a bit more planning and organization.
Grammatically, the book is appalling.
Lots and lots of bad edits, spelling oopsies and incorrect English.
In particular: "where it lied" ??? As opposed to "where it lay". 🤔😣 this one jumped out at me and wrestled me to the ground every single time, literally making my ears ring and my head hurt.
As a forbidden, taboo romance, this one is in excellent form, without the smutty feel that many similar stories tend to have.
If you are intrigued by this type of story, I would highly recommend giving this one a try.
Overall rating:
Sex 2/5
Concept 5/5
Story 5/5
Writing 1.5/5
Character development 5/5
Scenic detail and environment building 5/5
Standalone story with a fabulous HEA ending.
Heat level around 2. Limited profanity.
February 25, 2018
Meh...this was very long and had way too much drama outside of the relationship to allow me to get invested in it. It's also written in third-person omniscient, so there's major head-hopping between almost every single character in every scene.
But I did feel for Andrew. He went through some rough stuff, but what it comes down to is that I don't see this relationship as a lasting one.
But...If there ever is a second book published I'd still read it to see if I've been proved wrong.
But I did feel for Andrew. He went through some rough stuff, but what it comes down to is that I don't see this relationship as a lasting one.
But...If there ever is a second book published I'd still read it to see if I've been proved wrong.
October 8, 2017
I pretty much read the first 80% of this in one sitting I was so engrossed in the story. I would have given this a strong 4.5 stars if not for the last 20% which I didn't enjoy as much. There were also A LOT of mistakes in this book and the constant use of "lied" instead of lay really got on my past nerve for some reason.
October 26, 2021
I like reading taboo books but not this one. I usually dont care about the writing as long as I enjoy it since I'm very easy to please but this one was almost unbearable. The storytelling was very awkward.
March 18, 2017
WOW!!! what an ending!!!!
****Little Spoilers alert****
For the first 60% of the book I was on the verge of sleeting my wrists because ABSOLUTELY NOTHING kept happening. I was agonized, screaming to myself "will you f***ing kiss him!?" didn't matter to me who kissed who first or why, as long as it'll happen and the sooner the better.
Technically speaking, the writing style was weird. The author kept jumping form Andrew's mind to Kevin's and it was quite a mess sometime because I couldn't keep track with who's thinking what and had to go back a few sentences and re-read just to try and guess who said it to whom and why.
Badly edited indeed.
Thus the first half of the book gets 2 stars at most from my part.
Getting to the good part....
The other 40% of the book were absolutely beautiful! (plot like).
The depth of the main characters and the depth of their love were transmitted almost perfectly to the reader by the author.
Having "love rivals" also helped a lot to ignite the little sparks of jealousy between Kevin and Andrew.
Andrew who came to live with his father has a lot of mental complications. His mother literally threw him out of the house and just bombed Kevin with the news that he has a 17 year old son and now he has to take him in with him. Luckily Kevin's house was big for the two of them to live in, yet not entirely enough, for Andrew could hear his dad f***ing his friend Kyle through his paper-thin bedroom wall.
Side characters were kind of flat. Kyle was deeper than Ben, that's for sure, but could have been deeper too. In my mind Kyle was this big bearded motorcycle-riding guy who liked it up his ass and always teased Kevin about everything and somehow imagining Kevin and Kyle in bed was..... umm... a big no-no for me.
Ben was lacking in character. Though he appeared a lot in the book (mostly in its second part), his only purpose was to aggressively hit on Andrew at every opportunity and in the end beat the sh*t out of him.
Kevin is depicted as the almost perfect gay guy e-v-e-r. Quoting him "I made love with him, not f***ed him" as he said to Kyle referring to his relationship with Andrew.
Andrew, on the other hand, at first is this fragile freak emo kid who makes you wanna slap him back to reality. But as I kept reading I connected with Andrew so much that I let go his weird emo-ness or him dying his hair blue.
The last 3 chapters of the book were the reason I rated the whole book 4 stars.
The finding out of their relationship, so as Andrew's dilemma about it were depicted fantastically!
Only because of that I recommend you to read the book... assuming you're fine with the incest theme (or else you won't be reading this review).
You can light read through half of it and then get to the interesting parts.
Enjoy!
****Little Spoilers alert****
For the first 60% of the book I was on the verge of sleeting my wrists because ABSOLUTELY NOTHING kept happening. I was agonized, screaming to myself "will you f***ing kiss him!?" didn't matter to me who kissed who first or why, as long as it'll happen and the sooner the better.
Technically speaking, the writing style was weird. The author kept jumping form Andrew's mind to Kevin's and it was quite a mess sometime because I couldn't keep track with who's thinking what and had to go back a few sentences and re-read just to try and guess who said it to whom and why.
Badly edited indeed.
Thus the first half of the book gets 2 stars at most from my part.
Getting to the good part....
The other 40% of the book were absolutely beautiful! (plot like).
The depth of the main characters and the depth of their love were transmitted almost perfectly to the reader by the author.
Having "love rivals" also helped a lot to ignite the little sparks of jealousy between Kevin and Andrew.
Andrew who came to live with his father has a lot of mental complications. His mother literally threw him out of the house and just bombed Kevin with the news that he has a 17 year old son and now he has to take him in with him. Luckily Kevin's house was big for the two of them to live in, yet not entirely enough, for Andrew could hear his dad f***ing his friend Kyle through his paper-thin bedroom wall.
Side characters were kind of flat. Kyle was deeper than Ben, that's for sure, but could have been deeper too. In my mind Kyle was this big bearded motorcycle-riding guy who liked it up his ass and always teased Kevin about everything and somehow imagining Kevin and Kyle in bed was..... umm... a big no-no for me.
Ben was lacking in character. Though he appeared a lot in the book (mostly in its second part), his only purpose was to aggressively hit on Andrew at every opportunity and in the end beat the sh*t out of him.
Kevin is depicted as the almost perfect gay guy e-v-e-r. Quoting him "I made love with him, not f***ed him" as he said to Kyle referring to his relationship with Andrew.
Andrew, on the other hand, at first is this fragile freak emo kid who makes you wanna slap him back to reality. But as I kept reading I connected with Andrew so much that I let go his weird emo-ness or him dying his hair blue.
The last 3 chapters of the book were the reason I rated the whole book 4 stars.
The finding out of their relationship, so as Andrew's dilemma about it were depicted fantastically!
Only because of that I recommend you to read the book... assuming you're fine with the incest theme (or else you won't be reading this review).
You can light read through half of it and then get to the interesting parts.
Enjoy!
February 22, 2016
This is a beautifully crafted story that has a slow yet steady pace. This book brought out a first for me such as incest with a non-step family member which included an underage character . Even though I was uncomfortable reading some passages I pressed on and ultimately enjoyed the story.
Although this is fictitious, I wished elements surrounding certain scenes were dealt with in a more serious and realistic manner. This particular scene and some others showed problems with execution in my opinion. There are some spelling errors too but those items did not distract me from the overall enjoyment of the book.
If you don't mind non-step incest stories involving an underage character then I would check out this book. I give Never Mind the Genetics ***3.5 I actually DO mind the genetics but was totally into this book stars***
Although this is fictitious, I wished elements surrounding certain scenes were dealt with in a more serious and realistic manner. This particular scene and some others showed problems with execution in my opinion. There are some spelling errors too but those items did not distract me from the overall enjoyment of the book.
If you don't mind non-step incest stories involving an underage character then I would check out this book. I give Never Mind the Genetics ***3.5 I actually DO mind the genetics but was totally into this book stars***
January 14, 2017
3~3.5/5
While this book is quite a good read, it was far from perfect. I must admit I did read the book for the taboo theme. However my biggest problem with the book is Andrew age. He's 17 in the beginning of the book and 18 by the end of it. He's just too young to be in the a commit relationship with Kevin. I felt that the book would have work out better had he been older, or had the book give the relationship more time to bake - perhaps making it spans out in the course of 3 years or so rather than in a couple of months. With all the change in Andrew life, I can't help but felt that his affection toward Kevin was too situational.
While I understand this is fiction, everything was just a little too perfect. From Kevin almost glamorous life-style, to how the drama was resolved. It lacks the realistic edge, making it a fairy tale that's fun to read but not memorable unfortunately.
While this book is quite a good read, it was far from perfect. I must admit I did read the book for the taboo theme. However my biggest problem with the book is Andrew age. He's 17 in the beginning of the book and 18 by the end of it. He's just too young to be in the a commit relationship with Kevin. I felt that the book would have work out better had he been older, or had the book give the relationship more time to bake - perhaps making it spans out in the course of 3 years or so rather than in a couple of months. With all the change in Andrew life, I can't help but felt that his affection toward Kevin was too situational.
While I understand this is fiction, everything was just a little too perfect. From Kevin almost glamorous life-style, to how the drama was resolved. It lacks the realistic edge, making it a fairy tale that's fun to read but not memorable unfortunately.
July 7, 2017
Something to know about me is that I love books about taboo subjects!
I've read a few books about incest that I've enjoyed. A favorite being Rock by Anyta Sunday. Or Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma! All the ones I've read before though have been sibling incest so Never Mind the Genetics was something new for me.
In fiction books nothing really bothers me or grosses me out. I can't say in real life that I would approve of a romantic relationship between a father and son, but it's fiction! At the same time, I can't tell me how to live their lives and if it's not hurting anyone then let people be.
I had fun reading this book. It was pretty cheesy and dramatic at times, but it was still good and I'm glad I picked it up. I will definitely be reading the other books in the series.
I've read a few books about incest that I've enjoyed. A favorite being Rock by Anyta Sunday. Or Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma! All the ones I've read before though have been sibling incest so Never Mind the Genetics was something new for me.
In fiction books nothing really bothers me or grosses me out. I can't say in real life that I would approve of a romantic relationship between a father and son, but it's fiction! At the same time, I can't tell me how to live their lives and if it's not hurting anyone then let people be.
I had fun reading this book. It was pretty cheesy and dramatic at times, but it was still good and I'm glad I picked it up. I will definitely be reading the other books in the series.
February 25, 2018
Although a story that could be a little too edgy, I didn't find this story salacious in any way with no gratuitous intimacy. It is difficult to get too worked up negatively about a gay relationship between an almost 18-year-old, although entirely inexperienced, and a man he had never met previously, despite their genetic connection; a man who basically rescued him from a life of despair. "No matter how hungry he was, how juicy it looked, how delicious it must 'taste' it was a fruit not meant to be picked"
I do wish the author had an experienced editor as I think the flow and development could benefit from that input and collaboration. The story is 4* but the presentation only 3.5.
I do wish the author had an experienced editor as I think the flow and development could benefit from that input and collaboration. The story is 4* but the presentation only 3.5.
May 15, 2015
Beware...this book contains father/son incest. It was just ok. No real plot development. The author just told us that the characters develop feelings for each other, but we don't actually see it.
December 28, 2018
Interesting
It was a good enough read, not enough sexual details but a good story. I'm interested in reading a part 2
It was a good enough read, not enough sexual details but a good story. I'm interested in reading a part 2
May 3, 2020
This highly taboo read is also a well developed story with a great plot, defined characters and plenty of heat, humour, angst and sweetness!
I thoroughly enjoyed the read with such an unusual series of developments, it was refreshing and engaging and I can see this one on my re-read list!
I thoroughly enjoyed the read with such an unusual series of developments, it was refreshing and engaging and I can see this one on my re-read list!
Read
October 3, 2017Star was too horrible and made this story feel super unbelievable. I am a little sad because I wanted to have my mind blown away by something so taboo, but I just wasn't feeling it.
June 13, 2020
4.5 stars ⭐
I loved this book! Yes, it's taboo and not just any taboo, a big one. I understand how a lot of people just DNF'd after learning what's the book about, and that's ok. I however loved the story.
I happen to love this particular taboo, and I've only ever read one other book that did it justice.
Usually whenever someone tackles this topic, it's always in a fully naughty way, it's all about the sex and kink and all desire and steaminess, and they usually just flat out ignore the emotional and romantic side of it completely.
That's why this book is great, yes it has some steamy scenes, but the vast majority of the book is focused on the development of this particular relationship, the good and the bad, the doubts, the fear, the staring, the whispers, the rejection and disgust from others and how despite everything, they made it work, Kevin and Andrew finally found everything theat ever wanted in each other.
I'm not giving it a 5, because the book does have some issues, mostly technical. There's a lot of spelling and grammar mistakes, and sometimes you get lost in whether it's one or the other talking. This book needs some serious editing in that regard.
Great story nonetheless, and thank you for having the balls for tackling a story like this despite the possible backlash and mean comments from all those narrow minded prudish people.
I loved this book! Yes, it's taboo and not just any taboo, a big one. I understand how a lot of people just DNF'd after learning what's the book about, and that's ok. I however loved the story.
I happen to love this particular taboo, and I've only ever read one other book that did it justice.
Usually whenever someone tackles this topic, it's always in a fully naughty way, it's all about the sex and kink and all desire and steaminess, and they usually just flat out ignore the emotional and romantic side of it completely.
That's why this book is great, yes it has some steamy scenes, but the vast majority of the book is focused on the development of this particular relationship, the good and the bad, the doubts, the fear, the staring, the whispers, the rejection and disgust from others and how despite everything, they made it work, Kevin and Andrew finally found everything theat ever wanted in each other.
I'm not giving it a 5, because the book does have some issues, mostly technical. There's a lot of spelling and grammar mistakes, and sometimes you get lost in whether it's one or the other talking. This book needs some serious editing in that regard.
Great story nonetheless, and thank you for having the balls for tackling a story like this despite the possible backlash and mean comments from all those narrow minded prudish people.
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