2.5 stars
This was a struggle for me. I didn't really connect with the story and so I didn't properly settle in. I've read lots of Selena Kitt before, with Under Mr Nolan' s bed being an all-time naughty (and very taboo) favourite and I've been pulled right in by the intense erotic smut and the dirty talk. She really knows how to describe a smutty scene in a way that makes you feel like you're sitting right in the middle of the action, hearing the sounds and um...all that.
This one though is a proper story with a plot that doesn't just revolve around sex scenes, with drama, mystery, suspense and some poignant moments along the way. It's also a stepbrother story, something which I've read a lot of recently, although actually, as it's only Tilly' s mum who seems to mind about that, I wasn't feeling the taboo. Perhaps I've become desensitized, idk. I can't lie though, Beast and Tilly have some great chemistry when they're getting it on and the sex scenes were sizzling.
The issue for me was, for a long time, I just couldn't figure out what was going on. Added to that I didn't particularly like any of the characters and so I struggled to get invested in the story. Another reviewer hit it on the head for me when she said it felt like she'd been dropped into the middle of a story. Perhaps if I'd read more about Beast and Tilly five years ago earlier on in the narrative I might have felt Tilly' s sense of betrayal more keenly. Unfortunately, by the time it was all revealed I'd long since lost all sympathy for Tilly, writing her off as a whiner.
By the time we hit the last third of this, finally I was getting it and the drama and suspense pulled this one back from the brink for me. There was some classic tstl behaviour from Tilly who, at times, is frighteningly dense, so I sort of moved from dislike to exasperation with her at that point, even going as far as feeling a few pangs of pity for her.
Beast though...now he was interesting with his thick corded neck and immense strong body and growling, alpha ways. Noice.
Lots of people enjoyed this so don't let me put you off, but I'm afraid this wasn't my favourite from this author. Sorry.
*I received an arc from the author in return for my honest opinion*