Stepbrother Alpha's Baby Boxed Set

by Lauren Landish

The complete Stepbrother Alpha's Baby series!

I’ve always had a crush on my ridiculously handsome stepbrother Stefan. For years, he’s always been there, at my side. We’ve played together, laughed together and even cried together. But then our relationship turned really weird. 



Anytime he was near, I found myself filled with sinful thoughts, and when he touched me, it felt like I would burst into flames. Soon, just being in his presence became too much to bear. I started avoiding him at all costs, and when I did encounter Stefan, I would act like a cold-hearted bitch to him so he would never suspect my true feelings. 



But sometimes, the things you hide have a way of coming to light...when you least expect them.

Genres: Romance

474 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 15, 2015

About the author

Lauren Landish is a WALL STREET JOURNAL & USA TODAY bestselling author and her books have garnered a legion of praise from her readers.

When she’s not plotting about how she will introduce you to your next sexy as hell book boyfriend, you can find her deep, deep in her writing cave, furiously tapping away on her keyboard, writing scenes that would make even a hardened sailor blush.

Lauren, who lives in NC with her boyfriend and fur baby, warmly invites you to her worlds of rock hard abs, chiseled smiles, and men with deep, fat pockets…but beware! These stories are guaranteed to have you addicted and needing your next fix!

Visit Lauren's Website at: http://www.laurenlandish.com/
Join the Mailing list at: http://www.subscribepage.com/w1h8x6
Connect with me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lauren.landish
Follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenlandish

Reviews

[Kami Dodson-Perry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stefan & Bella

Stefan & Bella were about 4 when their parents were married. Essentially growing up together. The problem is both had very strong romantic feelings towards the other.

Stefan tried to bury these feelings in tons of girls while Bella treated Stefan like crap and kept him at a distance. They knew that it would be frowned upon if they acted on these feelings.

---SPOILER ALERT---

While away at college some things got out of control and Bella & Stefan end up having sex without knowing they were with each other.

Once things got this far out of hand the other students started harassing Stefan and Bella. Despite it being TABOO to be together in this manner Stefan and Bella loved each other.

They escape back home to hide their terrible secret from their parents which did not work well at all. Once the secret was out all hell breaks loose. With Stefan trying to figure out a job or school and Bella feeling really insecure the story gets super out of control.

Here is my take on this story….. First of all Bella with her size 2 thing just about drove me crazy. Enough already you’re a size 2 congrats. SHUT UP. Secondly, even though they grew-up together they are not BLOOD RELATED so really get over it. It’s not that bad. Third, I would have so told on those Frat houses for getting me into the mess in the first place. I would not care if everyone knew because if I was not ashamed then it would not matter. But the story was a lot of feeling ashamed for the 2 sleeping together but it was an accident ….. if you are ashamed then stop SLEEPING together on purpose. I had no issues with the 2 being a couple. Bella’s character was too whiny and Stefan was to conceded.

[Cocktails and Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Cocktails

I found this one on Kindle Unlimited and decided to see what this alpha stepbrother was all about. I wish I hadn't picked it up.

I was ready to give up on this box set at ever points, but I kept giving it the benefit of the doubt. Hoping, that maybe, the characters and the storyline would get better as I got further into it. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Stefan and Bella's relationship didn't have much depth. Sex seemed to be the only thing they agreed on, otherwise they were keeping their distance, arguing or Bella was making stuff up in her head and pushing Stefan away. Their parents were even worse and quite hypocritical considering their own mess. I couldn't find one reason to care about why I Stefan and Bella should be together.

[Jen Cothran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so I liked it....I didn't really love it...so that is why I went with 3 stars and not 4.

I mean Stefan & Bella are step-siblings from the age of about 4 and grow up together, but as puberty hits, he goes all man-whore, and she gets all panties-in-a-twist, because ultimately they want one another. But they CANT or SHOULDNT happen to have those feelings, cuz they are related, right??

Sooo, college comes around and a wager/dare is made between fraternities, and wouldn't you know, ba-da-bing ba-da-boom, they hook up. Obviously not acknowledging that they knew before hand, but it happens and as cliche' as it sounds she gets knocked up. Well, wouldn't you know it turns into a great big poo-storm from there, however....yes the end is redeeming, but between the first two chapters and the end, lets just say it could have been a little more something...idk, something more than it was, because honestly, I wished it were more. Yes, it had your angst and drama and some fights and declarations of love, but the drama in the 'Family Unit' was just a little over the top for me. But hey, could be your cuppa tea?..or not!?

I did enjoy the writing its self, there were no major hang-ups along the way. But my reason for the three and not more stars is that I was left with a feeling of something missing or just not quite right to me. But I will say it was worth the read and did have a nice HEA at the end. #nofamilyisperfect #steplove #babydrama #HEA

[Tashia · Rating 2 out of 5]

So not as bad as I thought it was going to be since I finished it. I honestly thought it would go in my dnf files but since it wasn't as corny as I predicted....

It had it's moments, some good and some bad. Stefan was supposed to be this Alpha male, but I totally did not get that vibe. This felt like two teens in over their heads, playing house. But I finished it, so...

Yeah, I'm just as surprised.

Just an okay read for me.

[Fatmata Sankoh · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started off really fantastic, had some exciting reads to it but then I found some bits that I felt disconnected from the story. Not too keen with the ending as I expected much more for Bella's character. Loved though how Stefan stayed true to her through it all. Would recommend as it was a good read.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclosure: I got this as an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. This review is also posted on Amazon (or will be once they approve it), without the spoilers, which is where I put all my thoughts about the characters, situations etc that I couldn’t find a way to summarize without going into too much detail. So much spoiling in here.

Boring form stuff: The book is well written, very few errors (typos easily missed by human and machine alike – ex.: the instead of then), amazingly accurate depictions of interactions. There's a pro and con's list (really basic) at the end of this suuuuper long review, so if you want to skip there for that, I will not at all be offended.

Okay, So, I ended up quite liking this book. This particular niche isn’t one I would generally read or gravitate toward, but I always like to branch out and see what’s happening with other types of books than just those I would consider one of my standby favorites. It’s easy to ignore the relation by marriage and still get a good story coming through.

Not sure if it was intentional, or just the natural by-product of Lauren Landish’s ability to write a character with a particular personality and stick with it, but this book had some seriously accurate themes about college (and general) life and the ways girls and boys are treated by the various people they interact with, both of the same gender and of the opposite sex. I really appreciated that realism, at the same time it made me angry… as it does in real life.

Getting into the story itself – Bella and Stephen are step siblings, both beginning college, and having both been secretly nursing an attraction to one another since high school. They never acted on this attraction, because they both knew it wasn’t something that was societally acceptable, and worked on ignoring one another and moving past it. Bella specifically chose a different college than Stephan to attend, and went so far as to not let anyone know where she was really going, but by a twist of fate (after getting kicked out of his) Stephan ends up at her college anyway, and they get pushed into a masked encounter by their respective Sorority/Fraternity. Neither of them realizes who the other is until after things have gone too far.

Bella gets chosen randomly to be the “sacrifice” after being one of 9 losers to compete in a contest the sorority (Kappa Beta) has. Stephan is the winner of his frat’s (Alpha Gamma) contest – his prize is getting to sleep with a sorority sister from Kappa, which happens to be Bella, of course. It kind of underscores the double standards of sexism (in life), where as the winner, he gets to bang a girl… but because she didn’t win, she has to choose between doing this or getting kicked out of Kappa. I would have liked to have seen it be that the winner of Kappa’s contest won the right to spend a night with one of the hot guys from Alpha. The concept of the girls having no idea what was in store when they agreed to partake in the competition drove me a little nuts. Given the opportunity, knowing the stakes, there would be plenty of people who’d be up for that kind of situation, so I can’t see how keeping it a secret and then springing it on people is something that needs to happen. I will acknowledge that it likely does happen in real life, and that bugs me too. I can understand her choice to do it, given that she’s presented as hyper competitive and had her mind set on dating/sleeping with other guys to get over her fascination with Stephan.
From Stephan’s perspective, he has this inner thought monologue about how it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility for Alpha to have set this up only to substitute “some slut” who was hot, as they were told at the beginning of the competition, for “a dog”. Granted, this is pretty accurate for a young adult guy – college athletic star who’s been screwing his way through anything with a skirt… but it made me question why he would bother with the contest if was so derogatory toward the “prize” even when considering she was as described.
Bella is concerned with being labelled a slut if she goes through with being the sacrifice, and the HBIC of Kappa, Hannah, basically tells her to stop being a baby, picks out a white bikini with wings and a halo (and a mask), and tells her that anyone who reveals her identity to the Alphas or anyone else on campus would be kicked out and humiliated at school. Given that the contest Bella barely lost was a dildo swallowing competition… I had a hard time believing her concerns with being labelled slutty were her real issue with it.
Something I have to mention, just because it made me literally cringe… Stephan is not a good kisser. Their first kiss had him “swirling [his tongue] in around like an eel” in her mouth. I don’t know about you, but if the best way I can describe a dudes tongue during a kiss is to visualize a squiggling eel… that’s not really something I’d want a repeat of. Ever.
There was also some weird phrasing, “meat stick” was used a few times, both from a female and male POV to describe a penis, and it just struck me as a “wtf” phrasing in a romance novel. She also let him “lightly choke her” while they were having sex… when she still thought she was sleeping with a stranger. Me, personally, if someone reaches for my throat and I don’t 100% know they’re not a murderous creep, I’m knocking out teeth.

This obviously blows up in their faces, and while Stephan is more popular than ever, Bella is subjected to slut shaming not only from the students at large but also her own sorority sisters, and harassment by the rest of the school - especially from his fraternity brothers. It gets worse when they realize the condom had apparently broken, because she turns up pregnant, and they begin a long trail of lies and cover-ups to avoid letting their parents know or getting into trouble at the school.

So, it gets out that it happened, rumors are flying, and an investigation starts once the Dean gets involved. Both houses clam up and refuse to talk about it, insist it didn’t happen etc. Bella’s not off the hook though. She’s basically reviled on campus, the guys from the frat feel like she should be down to sleep with them, since she was willing to sleep with her brother, and the Kappa girls treat her like the whore of Babylon… and everything kind of spirals from there.
They find out she thinks she’s pregnant, and one of the first things Stephan wants to know is if she’s been with anyone else, says he can’t believe her since she slept with him thinking he was a stranger and how he thought she was “above such behavior”. Never mind that he’s been whoring around since high school… she doesn’t call him on that, and instead just feels badly about the whole interaction. Excuse me, What?! Where is the bitch we met at the beginning of the story, making his life hell as an avoidance method?
So, on the way to the store to get the pregnancy test, he looks over and she looks miserable and vulnerable since she’s been crying… but instead of feeling like, tender protectiveness or something, he’s thinking she’s beautiful and wants to pull over to screw her. I get that’s pretty par for the course with late teen/early 20’s guys… sex is always on their mind, but that seems like a really jacked up spot to have that urge (I say as a woman in my 30’s who is so far removed from that period in my life I can only remember bits and pieces).
There’s so much more I wanted to get into, because I literally have like 8 pages front and back of notes, but this is already super long and probably too detailed, so I’m going to skip some stuff and just add a list at the very end.
Seriously, if you were to ignore the bits about being step siblings (which is pretty easy to do, actually), it’s a story about a girl and boy that no one thinks belong together, but care about one another trying to figure out how to make things work. It’s got a really fast pace for most of the book with a lot going on, and is totally worth the read.

In short (hahaha I know, I know…. I’m sorry!) -
Pros:
Well written and engaging
Good pacing It’s a pretty long story, originally 5 that have been combined into one book, at according to Amazon it’s like 424 pages. I literally read it in two sittings, approximately 4-5 hours total time. I got so hooked into all of the stuff that was coming at the characters I just wanted to see what would happen next.
Almost Nonstop twists and additional hurdles At one point, I had to sit and stare at nothing to try to fully appreciate all of the stuff coming at the two main characters. It’s a lot, it’s high drama, and it’s done in such a way that it doesn’t feel “too cluttered”.
Believable characters and settings The Author nails the culture of the stereotypical “cool kids” on campus, as well as the overall tendency to applaud men for sexual conquests no matter how inappropriate, and shame women for the same thing.


Cons:
Stephans reaction to pretty much all situations is either sex, or fighting. She had literally passed out twice while she was pregnant, and rather than suggesting she see a doctor (which she had yet to do at all) after one of the episodes he carries her to bed, gets her awake, then sleeps with her. That’s not a time to let your hormones drive the bus, guy.
Their parents are so self-interested and obnoxious (not really a con, but I wanted to reach through my kindle and slap the crap out of them) Evelyn, Bella’s mom, in trying to persuade her daughter to get an abortion literally tells her that Stephan won’t want her after she gets fat from the pregnancy and her vagina is all stretched out. Apparently a woman is only worthy if she’s thin and hot, he couldn’t be interested in her for who she is as a person. She and Terry (Stephan’s Dad) also repeatedly make it all about how it will effect –their- lives and that the kids are being selfish by refusing to have an abortion. I didn’t expect them to be supportive, but jesus.
Total nitpick – She eats a bunch of seafood while she’s pregnant, it feels like almost every time she eats, even though I know it’s not… when pregnant women are supposed to avoid it unless it’s well done (seafood usually isn’t, because it turns to rubber), and also have it in very small amounts because of mercury concerns. It bugged me, but it’s not really an “issue” in terms of the story and doesn’t detract from it.

[Mary Winstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up with Stefan, Bella loved having a best friend. When they were in their teens they fell for each other but, never acted or said anything. Bella treated Stefan like crap while he had sex with a few females to put Bella out of his mind. When they both set of for college Stefan heads south and Bella heads north but told her family she was going somewhere else. When Stefan gets kicked out of school for fighting he heads north. While both are in sororities they are put threw tests and end up having to wear masks and kinky outfits have to sleep with each sorority house champ/loser. Well things go haywire one night and boom you need to read.

[Lindarhc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stefan has loved Bella his stepsister for a long time and not knowing that she loves him. Stephan goes to one college and Bella to a different one. Then no one tell Bella that he has transferred to her college. To each get into there sorority they each had to complete task. As the winner Stephan goes forward to the last part and since Bella’s name is picked she has to complete it for her sorority. They both have to get in costumes and goe to a dark room for sex. After they have finished Bella realises that it Stefan and pulls his mask off and runs from the house. Then a while later Bella realises she is pregnant and so there troubles begin.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Misleading!

This isn't a box set, it's one book. The story was okay although I'm not sure why a college would care if step siblings were having sex or a relationship. Understandably is the concern of hazing within the fraternities and sororities but other than that....I don't get it. The author seemed a bit scattered and/or they have a lousy editor. Several simple mistakes including the wrong character name at one point. I'm going to read "Razor" next because it's free on Kindle Unlimited. I hope it's better than this one.

[Tai Nelson-Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

This is a pretty good book. If you have ever read Lauren Landish books then you should know what you are getting into.
Bella and Stefan are step siblings who are best friends until they start growing up and Bella starts seeing Stefan as more than just a friend.
When they both go off to college Bella doesn't tell Stephan where she is going and they end up having some surprise sex at a fraternity/sorority ritual.
Good book and a must read!

[Veronica LaRoche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story about step-siblings wanting each other but stay away until they can't anymore. Bella always wanted Stefan but never acted on it, and Stefan feels the way away, but one night brings them together and also their feelings. But once the secret is out it could ruin their lives. I liked how Stefan no matter what wouldn't let Bella go, you can feel how much they care for each other and the ending was how it should have ended.

[Lofty · Rating 4 out of 5]

4*
Bella has had the hots for her stepbrother Stefan unbeknown to her he feels the same.
When she leaves for college she keeps her whereabouts secret from him only for them to get together by accident.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Forbidden love

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked the idea of the book but some things were hard to look past. I am fully aware that this is fiction but some things were hard to grasp. The drama seemed over the top. The sacrifice event was really extreme and the dean's threats didn't really make sense. I am not sure how they could threaten them since there was no blood relations. The drama with Veronica just didn't really fit and we never really found out her reasoning behind it and why did we have to read about the dad's online cheating. It didn't add to the story just added more drama. I wish the stories could have been streamlined more on just Stefan and Bella and continued past the baby. I mean come on an accident , the birth and her announcement were all crammed into the last few pages. I would have loved to read more of that instead of about Veronica and Terry. This story could definitely use an epilogue. I went looking for another book thinking that it was a continuation but that was the end.

[Paige Prince · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Couldn't even get through the first book. All tell, no show. Completely unbelievable story. They have feelings for each other, never admit it, she's a horrible b!tch to him and he turns into a manslut. But when they're forced to bone as part of a sorority/frat initiation (BS!) they realize who each other really is AFTER they go through with it and she runs away, exposing her identity to everyone. Somehow the dean of the school is able to threaten her and the stepbrother with expulsion if it's proven that they actually slept together (though it's a state school, not a private school, so I'm not sure how that would work since state schools DGAF what you do with your free time as long as you pay your tuition). Then magically she knows she's pregnant about a week after the incident goes down because she's been nauseated/barfing for a week, and mostly in the mornings (morning sickness is a misnomer--it lasts ALL DAY). Sorry, but I just can't buy that. DNF.

[Yessica Rivas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stepbrother Alpha's Baby in my opinion is a great book!
Finally had the time to read it

Stefan for me was a Great Character he just change everything he had planned for Bella

Bella on the other hand made me a little crazy she was supper insecure and her MOM!! Oh My I wanted to punch her soooo bad!! I hate her for all the things she did to Bella

Im Happy Veronica got what she deserved

And Stefan dad was an Ass sorry. At first I thought he was a great stepfather and that he will support Bella and Stefan but was soo wrong he only wanted things his way!!

Overall I Liked it and I'm happy that Bella and Stefan have a Happy ending

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, with the holidays it took several days to finish this but, WOW. What a story. As I am not easily offended by taboo situations (except incest) I found this story to be quite intriguing. Their were lots of hot and steamy scenes but, there were also moments of vulnerability and romance, betrayal and hardship. The characters found themselves in a situation with seemingly impossible odds and still managed to push there way through using their love for one another as the rock and strength needed to see them through. I really enjoyed it and I look forward to reading more stories by Lauren.

[Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read books 1-4 when it was a serial but realized I never got the ending. So, KU to the rescue!

I'm glad I got to read the ending, but other than that, there's not much to say. Like with the 4th installment, this was over the top, unnecessary drama and it didn't do much for me. With every word, I came to hate their parents more and more, and I found Bella to be annoying on more than one occasion.

[Mandee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secret Baby Stepbrother romance

This book is a Stepbrother/Stepsister romance with a side of a secret baby. The book is written in multiple POVs Stefen, Bella, Evelyn, Terry, Jace, and Veronica. If you prefer a a 1 person or 2 person POV book this isn't for you. If you enjoy seeing things from other characters POV this will be perfect for you.

[Waldine Fryer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different

I truly can say that this was not what I suspected but I was surprised lay pleased. Very interesting story about step-siblings that ended up together. Reading more about there life after the event would've been great but the points the author touched on weren't bad.

[Meckesha Booher · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was just ok for me. I couldn't seem to get into it and connect with the characters. It had its moments where it would get good but then I would start to get bored and skip over some of it. Just not what I was expecting.

[Alexandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of the stepbrother romance story lines. I saw these books and it looked interesting. The story line was good. I like the forbiddenness of it all but the way everything panned out was just not working for me.

[Karry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad but not enough

All in all this story was really good. To me there were quite a few plot holes. The "ending" left off in a cliffhanger type manner. Hopefully there will be more to fill in the holes and make the cliffhanger ending have obvious reasons for being.

[Jasmyne Vela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent

I liked the books. It had some twists in it. Kinda got predictable. Wasn't too fond of how weak a character Bella was.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Noella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too immature for my taste

[Araceli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok.

[Amanda Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

This was a good book. Reading about their love is surreal but the struggles they go through are even better

[Tammy Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

Story has realistic issues, situations, and emotions, told from multiple people's point of view, great writing from Lauren Landish again.

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars. Was an ok read. It was a page turner, I just had to find out how this played out.

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh!

A sexy book ... Full of sex and little else. College step-siblings caught out by sorority hazing have baby. Whatever.