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Hooked
Thirteen years as a rugby superstar. Thirteen years of winning streaks, of making more money than I've known how to spend, of women throwing themselves at me. Thirteen years since I last saw Emilia, knowing she has every right to hate me, her so-called stepbrother. Thirteen years knowing I ruined her life and left without looking back. Or so she thinks. Money can’t buy forgiveness, but at least it can get my foot in the door. Hooked is a full-length standalone romance with no cliffhanger and a HEA.
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2015
85 people are currently reading
705 people want to read
About the author
Iris Parker
14 books81 followersA strawberry and cream junkie, culotte aficionado, and lover of cat-eye glasses, Iris lives in the Old World. She roasts her own coffee and still rides her bike everywhere—when she can be coaxed from her writer’s room in the attic, that is.
A shameless cat lady who somehow landed herself the best husband, she spins tales on her computer until the wee hours of the morning just to give her heroines what they deserve: the kind of love you only see in novels.
If you'd like to be notified of new releases and special sales and to sign up to Iris's ARC list, click here.
You can contact Iris at: author.iris.parker@gmail.com, or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
A shameless cat lady who somehow landed herself the best husband, she spins tales on her computer until the wee hours of the morning just to give her heroines what they deserve: the kind of love you only see in novels.
If you'd like to be notified of new releases and special sales and to sign up to Iris's ARC list, click here.
You can contact Iris at: author.iris.parker@gmail.com, or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
September 12, 2015
Not much to say about this one. As far as stepbrother novels go this wasn't a very great one. I did like it but it had some lacks in the story that the flashbacks from the past did not fill.
I did like the fact that HE was a rugby superstar and that SHE was determined to do anything it took for the children and the youth center.
And...
*ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
I did like the fact that HE was a rugby superstar and that SHE was determined to do anything it took for the children and the youth center.
And...
*ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Read
August 29, 2015 DNF ..
I HATE to put a book down!But I didn't connected with the characters and with the story. Honestly I was a little confused and I don't like when a book confuses me. When I read is for my own enjoyment and when I am NOT enjoying there is no point for continue reading the book.
I am a BIG fan of Stepbrother romances and I am sad that this one didn't work out for me. Maybe I wasn't in a mood or maybe this book just wasn't for me!
Regardless of my thoughts about this book, I wish only success for this author because she is a sweetheart, really!
*ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
I HATE to put a book down!But I didn't connected with the characters and with the story. Honestly I was a little confused and I don't like when a book confuses me. When I read is for my own enjoyment and when I am NOT enjoying there is no point for continue reading the book.
I am a BIG fan of Stepbrother romances and I am sad that this one didn't work out for me. Maybe I wasn't in a mood or maybe this book just wasn't for me!
Regardless of my thoughts about this book, I wish only success for this author because she is a sweetheart, really!
*ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
November 28, 2015
3.5 stars.
I enjoyed this, it was a fun generic romance to kill a few hours but it wasn't amazing. There was nothing particularly special about it and honestly, I skim read through the last third, I just didnt really care about the characters or their romance.
I tend to prefer my romances to be either kinky, dark and gritty or both so this just wasn't really my kind of thing but if you like sweet, redemption romances this was enjoyable.
*ARC provided for review*
I enjoyed this, it was a fun generic romance to kill a few hours but it wasn't amazing. There was nothing particularly special about it and honestly, I skim read through the last third, I just didnt really care about the characters or their romance.
I tend to prefer my romances to be either kinky, dark and gritty or both so this just wasn't really my kind of thing but if you like sweet, redemption romances this was enjoyable.
*ARC provided for review*
August 24, 2015
Hooked started out really strong but in the end it just fell short for me. Emilia was introduced as an athletic coach at a recreation center for troubled kids that was about to close down. She seemed to genuinely care about the kids she coached and I liked her. Along came Simon, famous Rugby star in England who has come back to the states to make amends for things that happened between he and Emilia when they spent two summers together as teenagers. He decided the best way to start to make amends was by donation money to the recreation center, keeping it open for at least another year. Everything was there, the tension, genuine dislike and distaste on Emilia’s part...It all seemed to be setting up for a greatly told story. But then it fell apart. And the reason for that is because I feel like not enough time was take to actually develop the characters’ relationship to make their feelings, at least on Emilia’s part, believable. This book was about 240 pages, and I feel like it should have had at least 100 more.
Here’s the thing, I’m a firm believer in cause in effect. I think in order for someone to do something there has to be a reason for them to do it. You wake up at 3am to get a glass of water. The cause? You woke up parched. You give the guy on the bus the evil eye. Cause? He’s being an obnoxious asshole. Nothing ever happens just because. I also believe that the stronger the reaction to something, the greater the cause. There wasn’t a lot of plausible cause and effect going on in Hooked...
A very contentious relationship between Emilia and Simon was alluded to by little passages at the end of each chapter which seemed to come from Simons diary. This was supported by the fact that Emilia flat out stated that in their small time together when they were teens she was bullied by him. So when after a glossed over three week period, Emilia is out of the blue jealous because Simon might have a girl friend or having any type of feelings for him besides disdain? That’s a problem for me because WHERE is that coming from?
I do believe that it is possible to bury feuds and develop a camaraderie or friendship in that amount of time, but its not my job as the reader to write that for the author and in a book as short as this one, I shouldn’t have to fill in the blanks. I shouldn’t have to imagine conversations and interactions between Emilia and Simon that would have softened her disposition towards him enough to start liking him after all the bullying he subjected her to when they were kids. I need to READ that stuff. I need to see it. There needs to be some kind of apology coming out of his mouth before I can believe Emilia would feel anything for him. Especially considering some of the things that was hinted at were done to her by him. Yes he helped keep the recreation center open and donated tons of money. Yes that shows that he is apologetic. And yes actions speak louder than words. But in some situations, the words need to be spoken and the actions need to be there as support.
The other issues I had with this book were just more of the same thing. Not enough exposition. Things weren’t explained or developed properly when there was so much room to do so. I still only have a vague idea of what Simon did to Emilia when they were younger and NO real idea why. Simon went through something tragic when he was younger that apparently played a part in the way he acted towards Emilia but that was never really expounded upon either. There were just too many holes in the story and I don’t think its fair as a reader to have to try and figure out what the author intended.
I really think that with about 150 more pages of exposition and proper character development, I would have really loved this book. But as it stands right now? Its just another NA book that didn’t quite hit the mark.
Thank you to Iris Parker for sending me this book for review.
Here’s the thing, I’m a firm believer in cause in effect. I think in order for someone to do something there has to be a reason for them to do it. You wake up at 3am to get a glass of water. The cause? You woke up parched. You give the guy on the bus the evil eye. Cause? He’s being an obnoxious asshole. Nothing ever happens just because. I also believe that the stronger the reaction to something, the greater the cause. There wasn’t a lot of plausible cause and effect going on in Hooked...
A very contentious relationship between Emilia and Simon was alluded to by little passages at the end of each chapter which seemed to come from Simons diary. This was supported by the fact that Emilia flat out stated that in their small time together when they were teens she was bullied by him. So when after a glossed over three week period, Emilia is out of the blue jealous because Simon might have a girl friend or having any type of feelings for him besides disdain? That’s a problem for me because WHERE is that coming from?
I do believe that it is possible to bury feuds and develop a camaraderie or friendship in that amount of time, but its not my job as the reader to write that for the author and in a book as short as this one, I shouldn’t have to fill in the blanks. I shouldn’t have to imagine conversations and interactions between Emilia and Simon that would have softened her disposition towards him enough to start liking him after all the bullying he subjected her to when they were kids. I need to READ that stuff. I need to see it. There needs to be some kind of apology coming out of his mouth before I can believe Emilia would feel anything for him. Especially considering some of the things that was hinted at were done to her by him. Yes he helped keep the recreation center open and donated tons of money. Yes that shows that he is apologetic. And yes actions speak louder than words. But in some situations, the words need to be spoken and the actions need to be there as support.
The other issues I had with this book were just more of the same thing. Not enough exposition. Things weren’t explained or developed properly when there was so much room to do so. I still only have a vague idea of what Simon did to Emilia when they were younger and NO real idea why. Simon went through something tragic when he was younger that apparently played a part in the way he acted towards Emilia but that was never really expounded upon either. There were just too many holes in the story and I don’t think its fair as a reader to have to try and figure out what the author intended.
I really think that with about 150 more pages of exposition and proper character development, I would have really loved this book. But as it stands right now? Its just another NA book that didn’t quite hit the mark.
Thank you to Iris Parker for sending me this book for review.
August 20, 2015
4.5 RUGBY STARS!!
Ratings:
Hero: 5 STARS!
Heroine: 4.5 STARS!
Plot/Story line: 4 STARS!
Sexual Chemistry: 5 STARS!
Writing: 4 STARS!
Banter: 4 STARS!
Releasing Date: August 28, 2015
HEA: Yes.
Trilogy: No.
Dual POVs.
Hooked is a step-brother romance novel written by an upcoming author Iris Parker. Simon is a hot shot rugby star in England where he is popular for his role in the team. He comes to State where he meets our heroine after thirteen long years. I am completely in love with Simon despite of his stupid behaviour in the past with Emilia. The story starts when Simon donates a huge amount of money at the place where Emilia works. I won't go into details about her work because that will just ruin the plot of novel.
Simon did some horrible things in the past with Emilia which later on changed her into a different person.
Simon was so sweet and charming. He made me SWOOOON over him. His guilt and anger was justifiable.
The story line was very happening and amazing throught out the novel.
I loved the way Iris Parker gave us short notes/snippets of the past and present in the end of every chapter. It gave me a great feeling of something surprising which I haven't seen in any other novel.
The author has done an incredible job. The writing was so good and mesmerising. I loved the sexual attraction between the couple. The past and present clashes between them was described beautifully.
Will I read another book by this author? DEFINITELY. COUNT ME IN ;)
You guys do need to read this book. It is one hell of an amazing ride!
Cheers! xo
**ARC provided by the author in exchange of an honest review.**
Ratings:
Hero: 5 STARS!
Heroine: 4.5 STARS!
Plot/Story line: 4 STARS!
Sexual Chemistry: 5 STARS!
Writing: 4 STARS!
Banter: 4 STARS!
Releasing Date: August 28, 2015
HEA: Yes.
Trilogy: No.
Dual POVs.
“I want her.
I need her.
Jesus.”
Hooked is a step-brother romance novel written by an upcoming author Iris Parker. Simon is a hot shot rugby star in England where he is popular for his role in the team. He comes to State where he meets our heroine after thirteen long years. I am completely in love with Simon despite of his stupid behaviour in the past with Emilia. The story starts when Simon donates a huge amount of money at the place where Emilia works. I won't go into details about her work because that will just ruin the plot of novel.
“Trust me. I’ve been hooked on you from the moment we met.”
Simon did some horrible things in the past with Emilia which later on changed her into a different person.
Simon was so sweet and charming. He made me SWOOOON over him. His guilt and anger was justifiable.
The story line was very happening and amazing throught out the novel.
I loved the way Iris Parker gave us short notes/snippets of the past and present in the end of every chapter. It gave me a great feeling of something surprising which I haven't seen in any other novel.
“I haven’t been able to forget you since the moment I saw you, Emilia Jones”
The author has done an incredible job. The writing was so good and mesmerising. I loved the sexual attraction between the couple. The past and present clashes between them was described beautifully.
Will I read another book by this author? DEFINITELY. COUNT ME IN ;)
You guys do need to read this book. It is one hell of an amazing ride!
Cheers! xo
**ARC provided by the author in exchange of an honest review.**
August 27, 2015
***ARC KINDLY PROVIDED FOR AN HONEST REVIEW***
I love Simon and Emilia!!
Emilia is so sweet and caring and works hard in a rec center for young troubled teens.
Simon is gorgeous and strong and despite his anger he is a gentleman and a caring person.
Simon had a very difficult childhood which made him an angry teenager.
So when he was made to spent two summers with his father's new family and his beautiful stepsister Emilia it was enough for him to take out all his anger on her. And Emilia hated Simon for all the pain and the bullying he caused her. But there wasn't only hate .... there was attraction too....
So Simon is back to make things right...
He is an English rugby star now
who comes to the States for forgiveness and a second chance.
Hooked is a step-brother romance novel with a lot of feelings, attraction and great sex scenes.
![]()
But..
I felt something missing.
I don't know what happened between them other than he was a jerk growing up. I needed a bit more character development. What really happened between them?
Why did Emilia hate him so much?
I liked the glimpses as to what happened in the past based on Simon. I did feel their attraction too, but I just felt it wasn't enough.
I really needed a little more of their past.
I love Simon and Emilia!!
Emilia is so sweet and caring and works hard in a rec center for young troubled teens.
Simon is gorgeous and strong and despite his anger he is a gentleman and a caring person.
Simon had a very difficult childhood which made him an angry teenager.
So when he was made to spent two summers with his father's new family and his beautiful stepsister Emilia it was enough for him to take out all his anger on her. And Emilia hated Simon for all the pain and the bullying he caused her. But there wasn't only hate .... there was attraction too....
So Simon is back to make things right...
He is an English rugby star now
who comes to the States for forgiveness and a second chance.
Hooked is a step-brother romance novel with a lot of feelings, attraction and great sex scenes.
But..
I felt something missing.
I don't know what happened between them other than he was a jerk growing up. I needed a bit more character development. What really happened between them?
Why did Emilia hate him so much?
I liked the glimpses as to what happened in the past based on Simon. I did feel their attraction too, but I just felt it wasn't enough.
I really needed a little more of their past.
January 30, 2016
1 "it's just not my kind of book" star
Alright, I think I'm just really not into Stepbrother romances. I'm pretty sure the book in its whole wasn't all that bad but I personally didn't enjoy it. I wasn't into this story, it didn't really grab my attention, and well, I couldn't even finish it. I have no idea how someone who usually loves stepbrother romances would feel about this book, but I didn't relate to it. At all. So, I don't know, maybe you would. Who knows?
This is a very short review, I know, but I actually didn't read enough of the story to be able to say much.
I wish all the success to the author, Iris Parker, she was actually very sweet and a delight to talk to, thank you.
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Alright, I think I'm just really not into Stepbrother romances. I'm pretty sure the book in its whole wasn't all that bad but I personally didn't enjoy it. I wasn't into this story, it didn't really grab my attention, and well, I couldn't even finish it. I have no idea how someone who usually loves stepbrother romances would feel about this book, but I didn't relate to it. At all. So, I don't know, maybe you would. Who knows?
This is a very short review, I know, but I actually didn't read enough of the story to be able to say much.
I wish all the success to the author, Iris Parker, she was actually very sweet and a delight to talk to, thank you.
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
September 26, 2015
This book provided by Hot New Books in exchange for an honest review
I'm a sucker for a good step-brother romance and Hooked does not disappoint. I enjoyed the story, the rugby (I'm a fan of sports romance), and the tension between the main characters.
Simon is the sexiest bachelor in England. He's also the star rugby player with a sketchy past.
Emilia is the step-sister he tormented for two summers.
When the two come together for the first time in 13 years, Simon knows he has a lot to prove. After all, he ruined her reputation before he left for England for good. What better way to weasel your way in to someone's life and heart than with a large monetary donation to the youth rec center that his dear step-sister works and coaches?
The two break down walls and find a rhythm while at the center and it isn't long before they are spending time together away from the rugby field. This is where my biggest complaint comes in: THIS FELT RUSHED. The time gap is 3 weeks. I think those 3 weeks would have been a nice addition to this story and to the building of the chemistry between Simon and Emilia.
Add in some angst (although I enjoyed this part of the story--it lends a bit to understanding Simon) and then a "I'm not good enough for you so I'm leaving" moment and you have a typical romance.
Once Simon gets his head together, he realizes that he didn't do Emilia any favors by leaving. He returns, apologizes, and Simon and Emilia get their HEA.
I enjoyed this book. Want a step-brother, rugby romance? Check out Hooked.
I'm a sucker for a good step-brother romance and Hooked does not disappoint. I enjoyed the story, the rugby (I'm a fan of sports romance), and the tension between the main characters.
Simon is the sexiest bachelor in England. He's also the star rugby player with a sketchy past.
Emilia is the step-sister he tormented for two summers.
When the two come together for the first time in 13 years, Simon knows he has a lot to prove. After all, he ruined her reputation before he left for England for good. What better way to weasel your way in to someone's life and heart than with a large monetary donation to the youth rec center that his dear step-sister works and coaches?
The two break down walls and find a rhythm while at the center and it isn't long before they are spending time together away from the rugby field. This is where my biggest complaint comes in: THIS FELT RUSHED. The time gap is 3 weeks. I think those 3 weeks would have been a nice addition to this story and to the building of the chemistry between Simon and Emilia.
Add in some angst (although I enjoyed this part of the story--it lends a bit to understanding Simon) and then a "I'm not good enough for you so I'm leaving" moment and you have a typical romance.
Once Simon gets his head together, he realizes that he didn't do Emilia any favors by leaving. He returns, apologizes, and Simon and Emilia get their HEA.
I enjoyed this book. Want a step-brother, rugby romance? Check out Hooked.
September 17, 2015
*** This book provided by the Author in exchange for an honest review ***
Hooked is a debut novel and i can say that the author did a pretty good job!!
I enjoyed Emilia & Simon's story and i really like both POVs.
I would have really liked to read more about their childhood and most development on the end of the book (I didn’t get enough of their time together!!!!) but the story is exciting and can not wait to find out how it evolves.
The journal entries at the end of each chapter was nice :)
Hooked is a debut novel and i can say that the author did a pretty good job!!
I enjoyed Emilia & Simon's story and i really like both POVs.
I would have really liked to read more about their childhood and most development on the end of the book (I didn’t get enough of their time together!!!!) but the story is exciting and can not wait to find out how it evolves.
The journal entries at the end of each chapter was nice :)
August 25, 2015
I was given an arc of this book for an honest review.
I love second chance romances! This book was really great. I loved the characters and I loved the story. It started a bit slow, but it did pick up. I loved how I was able to love Simon after hating him in the beginning! This authors writing style was great and I look forward to reading more.
I love second chance romances! This book was really great. I loved the characters and I loved the story. It started a bit slow, but it did pick up. I loved how I was able to love Simon after hating him in the beginning! This authors writing style was great and I look forward to reading more.
August 25, 2015
*ARC kindly provided by author in exchange of an honest review.*
A book that talks about forgiveness, second chances and love... I'm definitely going to read more by this author...
I loved Simon and how he tried to redeem himself for past mistakes and I loved Emilia for having the strength to forgive and love unconditionally...
A book that talks about forgiveness, second chances and love... I'm definitely going to read more by this author...
I loved Simon and how he tried to redeem himself for past mistakes and I loved Emilia for having the strength to forgive and love unconditionally...
December 5, 2015
4.5-5 stars. I received an ARC from the author for an honest review.
When I got an email from the author a few days ago asking if I'd like to read this, I took a look at the synopsis and jumped at the chance. Step brother? Sports romance? Two things I love. When u saw the sport was rugby, I became giddy with excitement. I've never actually read a sports related romance where the featured sport is rugby. I LOVE rugby.
But this book wasn't just about rugby, rather the fact that the sport element was therapeutic for all characters involved. In actuality, rugby is a large part of each characters lives and the development of the story, but a small factor towards the rest.
This story may run with the rugby theme, but also runs parallel to the factor of youths and their mental and physical wellbeing I guess you'd say. The male protagonist actually ends up having a dark past which makes him self doubt/hate and he projects that onto others.
This is a second chance, something I LOVE. It's not his second chance at romance like most romance books, but his second chance to get to know her and her him. I was surprised and empathetic to a lot of situations encountered here, but I'm unsure if I'm happy with how some things played out.
The meeting with Angus and the very ending are both things I'm on the fence about, and the fact it's a step brother romance but that tabooness was never really visited and barely anyone knew.
The journal entries at the end of each chapter I actually loved! It definitely made Simon more likeable and easier to understand. It also allowed an insight into his troubled soul in his hardest and happiest times, and how he from the start had an appreciation for her even when he pushed her away, and concreted his self hatred and hatred for his father and his new family when he was a bully of a child. Loved the cover too!
When I got an email from the author a few days ago asking if I'd like to read this, I took a look at the synopsis and jumped at the chance. Step brother? Sports romance? Two things I love. When u saw the sport was rugby, I became giddy with excitement. I've never actually read a sports related romance where the featured sport is rugby. I LOVE rugby.
But this book wasn't just about rugby, rather the fact that the sport element was therapeutic for all characters involved. In actuality, rugby is a large part of each characters lives and the development of the story, but a small factor towards the rest.
This story may run with the rugby theme, but also runs parallel to the factor of youths and their mental and physical wellbeing I guess you'd say. The male protagonist actually ends up having a dark past which makes him self doubt/hate and he projects that onto others.
This is a second chance, something I LOVE. It's not his second chance at romance like most romance books, but his second chance to get to know her and her him. I was surprised and empathetic to a lot of situations encountered here, but I'm unsure if I'm happy with how some things played out.
The meeting with Angus and the very ending are both things I'm on the fence about, and the fact it's a step brother romance but that tabooness was never really visited and barely anyone knew.
The journal entries at the end of each chapter I actually loved! It definitely made Simon more likeable and easier to understand. It also allowed an insight into his troubled soul in his hardest and happiest times, and how he from the start had an appreciation for her even when he pushed her away, and concreted his self hatred and hatred for his father and his new family when he was a bully of a child. Loved the cover too!
August 20, 2015
This book really surprised me. Hooked isn’t your typical stepbrother story, it is so much more than that. I was impressed by this author’s writing and storytelling. This story drew me in from the very beginning and made it almost impossible for me to put down. I had a smile on my face for most of this book, other times I had a lump in my throat and feelings tingling in my chest. I loved experiencing the anxiety and excitement, the new-relationship-butterflies and self-doubt. I enjoyed reading their back story as it came in small amounts throughout the book. I’m glad I took a chance on this new author, she has impressed me with this story. I’m looking forward to seeing what she writes next.
September 1, 2015
Received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very sweet love story in the present, and a heartbreaking story in the past. I loved the glimpses of the past at the end of each chapter, and they made me understand, and like Simon's motives in the future even more! Emilia was a strong woman and worked with disadvantaged youths. The glimpse into some of these kids' lives was heart wrenching. Simon was swoon worthy!! I will check out this author's future books since I enjoyed this story so much!!!
"When you have so little, even a tiny thing is worth the world."
This was a very sweet love story in the present, and a heartbreaking story in the past. I loved the glimpses of the past at the end of each chapter, and they made me understand, and like Simon's motives in the future even more! Emilia was a strong woman and worked with disadvantaged youths. The glimpse into some of these kids' lives was heart wrenching. Simon was swoon worthy!! I will check out this author's future books since I enjoyed this story so much!!!
"When you have so little, even a tiny thing is worth the world."
August 22, 2015
Wow! This story is about second chance romance and forgiveness. I love the storyline it's sweet,emotional, hot and sexy. Simon and Emilia have great chemistry together and was totally Hooked. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and hope to read more books written by Iris Parker.
August 27, 2015
*3.5 stars*
October 12, 2015
Review by Jen Hagen
Simon was an angry teenager who found a place to take his frustration out on the streets. He witnessed his best friend die on those streets. Later he found the welcoming walls of the local recreational center to keep him out of trouble. Simon has been living in England for the last 10 years and is a successful rugby player. He comes back home to save the recreational center from its demise, just as the recreational center once saved him from his demise.
Emilia is one of the center’s employees and she gives the center everything she can with her heart and mind. She is quite shocked when a large donation comes in to keep their doors opened. The bigger shock is who the benefactor is.
Simon Ferguson. Biggest a$$hole in two countries. The planet. The f*cking galaxy. Here. Standing in front of me.
Why the reason for Emilia’s outburst? Oh…Simon and Emilia are step siblings and Simon did something over a decade ago to make Emilia hate him. Simon had immense bitterness for his father leaving him and his mother for Emilia’s mother. Simon spent two summers as a teenager living with Emilia and his father and he found the perfect way to take out some of his anger…on a perfectly unsuspecting Emilia. Emilia hasn’t forgotten the way he tarnished her reputation even after 13 years.
“Let’s not pretend, Simon.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Activing civil with one another. It’s all just an act; we both know that we are far beyond politeness and manners. Frankly, I don’t want to waste my time acting like we’re colleagues. We’re not, and we never will be.”
There may be some underlying sexual tension behind the source of their reciprocated anger. Get them alone in a room and let the clothes come off. That will make everything better, right? Or is this the kerosene to the fire that was started all those years ago?
“I’m not sure this was a good idea.”
Morning-after regret always brings good angst. Simon is still battling his demons from his teenage years and this is going to cause a problem. Simon is going to run…run away from his problems instead of facing them head on, just as he did years ago. He is on his hamster-wheel of bad decisions and it’s time for him to find a way off that wheel and welcome the rest. Emilia can be the rest he needs if he would just stay.
The story is told in dual POV and at the end of each chapter is a segment from Simon’s diary that he started 13 years ago. I would have liked a little more back story on Simon and Emilia than these little glimpses into his thoughts. I found that I just couldn’t connect with the story and felt that it moved excruciatingly slow.
Simon was an angry teenager who found a place to take his frustration out on the streets. He witnessed his best friend die on those streets. Later he found the welcoming walls of the local recreational center to keep him out of trouble. Simon has been living in England for the last 10 years and is a successful rugby player. He comes back home to save the recreational center from its demise, just as the recreational center once saved him from his demise.
Emilia is one of the center’s employees and she gives the center everything she can with her heart and mind. She is quite shocked when a large donation comes in to keep their doors opened. The bigger shock is who the benefactor is.
Simon Ferguson. Biggest a$$hole in two countries. The planet. The f*cking galaxy. Here. Standing in front of me.
Why the reason for Emilia’s outburst? Oh…Simon and Emilia are step siblings and Simon did something over a decade ago to make Emilia hate him. Simon had immense bitterness for his father leaving him and his mother for Emilia’s mother. Simon spent two summers as a teenager living with Emilia and his father and he found the perfect way to take out some of his anger…on a perfectly unsuspecting Emilia. Emilia hasn’t forgotten the way he tarnished her reputation even after 13 years.
“Let’s not pretend, Simon.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Activing civil with one another. It’s all just an act; we both know that we are far beyond politeness and manners. Frankly, I don’t want to waste my time acting like we’re colleagues. We’re not, and we never will be.”
There may be some underlying sexual tension behind the source of their reciprocated anger. Get them alone in a room and let the clothes come off. That will make everything better, right? Or is this the kerosene to the fire that was started all those years ago?
“I’m not sure this was a good idea.”
Morning-after regret always brings good angst. Simon is still battling his demons from his teenage years and this is going to cause a problem. Simon is going to run…run away from his problems instead of facing them head on, just as he did years ago. He is on his hamster-wheel of bad decisions and it’s time for him to find a way off that wheel and welcome the rest. Emilia can be the rest he needs if he would just stay.
The story is told in dual POV and at the end of each chapter is a segment from Simon’s diary that he started 13 years ago. I would have liked a little more back story on Simon and Emilia than these little glimpses into his thoughts. I found that I just couldn’t connect with the story and felt that it moved excruciatingly slow.
November 6, 2015
Would you believe this is the first step-brother romance I’ve read. I was probably too presumptuous about those storylines because I thought they all sounded so similar but I was glad I eased myself into this sub-genre with Iris Parker’s Hooked.
Simon Ferguson did nothing but make his step-sister Emelia’s life a living heck in the two years they spent under the same roof, thirteen years ago. English, rugby playing and with enough swagger and confidence to rival any sports superstar, Simon feels the intense need to make amends and rectify all the wrongs he caused as a teenager, starting with intelligent and benevolent Emelia.
‘“That fire,” he said softly into my ear, his lips brushing the soft, tender patch beneath my earlobe as he made his way down towards my collar bone.
“And if I’m not more careful, it’s going to grow and grow. You’re the only one who could put it out, and the blaze will devour me whole.”’
It was incredibly interesting to read the destructive and bitter teenage Simon’s diary entries, I think it was certainly beneficial so that we as the reader got an insight into how bad and haunting his thought process was but I still think we would have benefitted from actually going back to that time and experiencing those incidents because without them I still felt a strange disconnection from Simon. Emelia is a kind hearted and forgiving heroine but one with a good backbone and integrity, especially when she has run ins with her arch nemesis, in fact some very good comedic scenes comes from a little friendly competition between the two.
It was a good book but I did think it needed expanded upon in certain areas. I enjoyed it thoroughly but just didn’t love it because of this. The sexual tension was again good but I feel like it too could have been explored a bit more therefore amping up the chemistry and friction between the hero and heroine. It was well written and the dialogue was witty and fresh and the contrast between Simon’s English tongue and Emelia’s American was on point, usually it’s difficult to get it right without one of them coming across as stereotypical and misused, but Iris certainly has her characters down pat.
~Nicole
Simon Ferguson did nothing but make his step-sister Emelia’s life a living heck in the two years they spent under the same roof, thirteen years ago. English, rugby playing and with enough swagger and confidence to rival any sports superstar, Simon feels the intense need to make amends and rectify all the wrongs he caused as a teenager, starting with intelligent and benevolent Emelia.
‘“That fire,” he said softly into my ear, his lips brushing the soft, tender patch beneath my earlobe as he made his way down towards my collar bone.
“And if I’m not more careful, it’s going to grow and grow. You’re the only one who could put it out, and the blaze will devour me whole.”’
It was incredibly interesting to read the destructive and bitter teenage Simon’s diary entries, I think it was certainly beneficial so that we as the reader got an insight into how bad and haunting his thought process was but I still think we would have benefitted from actually going back to that time and experiencing those incidents because without them I still felt a strange disconnection from Simon. Emelia is a kind hearted and forgiving heroine but one with a good backbone and integrity, especially when she has run ins with her arch nemesis, in fact some very good comedic scenes comes from a little friendly competition between the two.
It was a good book but I did think it needed expanded upon in certain areas. I enjoyed it thoroughly but just didn’t love it because of this. The sexual tension was again good but I feel like it too could have been explored a bit more therefore amping up the chemistry and friction between the hero and heroine. It was well written and the dialogue was witty and fresh and the contrast between Simon’s English tongue and Emelia’s American was on point, usually it’s difficult to get it right without one of them coming across as stereotypical and misused, but Iris certainly has her characters down pat.
~Nicole
August 31, 2015
Hooked was a very difficult book for me to get into. I loved the premise of it, but I feel like the execution was a little off. It was like coming into a movie late and not knowing what happened in the first half. Because of that, I never formed a connection to our leads, Simon and Emilia, nor was I able to understand their chemistry.
What I didn’t like:
• Simon was a douche to Emilia when their parents first came together when they were younger. I know that because of the animosity that Emilia has toward Simon in the beginning of the book, present time. That would be fine and well if we were given insight into their youth and all that transpired through flashbacks, but we’re not. The most we get are a few lines of Simon’s journal entries which isn’t enough to make sense of really. A journal entry appears at the end of each chapter and it definitely doesn’t help because they bounce from year to year - not always in order. WHY would you do that? They’re jumbled thoughts that seem to be randomly placed. Almost as if they were thrown in as an afterthought.
• We all know this is a Stepbrother romance and there’s nothing really awkward about that. I mean, they aren’t really related after all. What DOES make it awkward is calling each other “sis” and “stepbro” right before making out. Yeah … thanks for making it weird.
I had wanted very much to come out loving this book, but it just didn’t happen for me. It had a lot of promise and I think things would have turned out much better had we just been given some more insight. That right there would have fixed a lot of things for me as a reader.
I’d have to give this book 2 stars. I was able to finish it, but it’s definitely not something that I would go back to reread. And please don’t let my thoughts discourage you from giving this story a try. I may not have enjoyed it, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll feel the same. I’m known to be a bit picky at times.
*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review. The fact that it was given to me in no way reflects how I feel about it*
What I didn’t like:
• Simon was a douche to Emilia when their parents first came together when they were younger. I know that because of the animosity that Emilia has toward Simon in the beginning of the book, present time. That would be fine and well if we were given insight into their youth and all that transpired through flashbacks, but we’re not. The most we get are a few lines of Simon’s journal entries which isn’t enough to make sense of really. A journal entry appears at the end of each chapter and it definitely doesn’t help because they bounce from year to year - not always in order. WHY would you do that? They’re jumbled thoughts that seem to be randomly placed. Almost as if they were thrown in as an afterthought.
• We all know this is a Stepbrother romance and there’s nothing really awkward about that. I mean, they aren’t really related after all. What DOES make it awkward is calling each other “sis” and “stepbro” right before making out. Yeah … thanks for making it weird.
I had wanted very much to come out loving this book, but it just didn’t happen for me. It had a lot of promise and I think things would have turned out much better had we just been given some more insight. That right there would have fixed a lot of things for me as a reader.
I’d have to give this book 2 stars. I was able to finish it, but it’s definitely not something that I would go back to reread. And please don’t let my thoughts discourage you from giving this story a try. I may not have enjoyed it, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll feel the same. I’m known to be a bit picky at times.
*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review. The fact that it was given to me in no way reflects how I feel about it*
September 9, 2015
**ARC provided by author, in return for an honest review.**
☆☆☆☆ 3.5 - 4 Stars ☆☆☆☆
Hooked is a standalone Stepbrother Sports Romance. As a debut novel, Iris Parker did a pretty good job.
Hooked is exactly what the title is about. Simon is a British Rugby player who came back to US to make amends with his stepsister. Because when they were just teenagers, Simon was an angry kid that decided to take all his anger out on his stepsister. He lashed out and made Emilia’s life a living hell. For two years Emilia had to put up with his crazy ways, until Simon moved out….Years later when Simon finally grew up to be a decent guy and after keeping tabs on what’s going on in Emilia’s life, he decided to help out the gym that Emilia loved and worked at. Emilia wasn’t open to Simon at all, but when she realized how much Simon had changed… she started to let him in. It didn’t take long for them to spend time together and turned their friendship into something more. But will Emilia really get over their past and give what they have going a try? Read and find out.
This was a simple Stepbrother romance, that will either hook a reader or leave them confused. As much as I enjoyed the way Simon and Emilia got together, I was left a little confused with the Simon’s diary entries that I wasn’t even sure was a diary entry at first. It took me a little while to figure one what the diary entries were about, because they weren’t added in date order. I did however enjoy the sweet man that Simon had become and how much he cared for Emilia. Emilia was a forgiving woman and these two just belonged together, how matter what anybody say. If you love stepbrother romance this could be your book.
:::REVIEW IS ALSO ON FOUR CHICKS FLIPPING PAGES:::
http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...
☆☆☆☆ 3.5 - 4 Stars ☆☆☆☆
Hooked is a standalone Stepbrother Sports Romance. As a debut novel, Iris Parker did a pretty good job.
Hooked is exactly what the title is about. Simon is a British Rugby player who came back to US to make amends with his stepsister. Because when they were just teenagers, Simon was an angry kid that decided to take all his anger out on his stepsister. He lashed out and made Emilia’s life a living hell. For two years Emilia had to put up with his crazy ways, until Simon moved out….Years later when Simon finally grew up to be a decent guy and after keeping tabs on what’s going on in Emilia’s life, he decided to help out the gym that Emilia loved and worked at. Emilia wasn’t open to Simon at all, but when she realized how much Simon had changed… she started to let him in. It didn’t take long for them to spend time together and turned their friendship into something more. But will Emilia really get over their past and give what they have going a try? Read and find out.
This was a simple Stepbrother romance, that will either hook a reader or leave them confused. As much as I enjoyed the way Simon and Emilia got together, I was left a little confused with the Simon’s diary entries that I wasn’t even sure was a diary entry at first. It took me a little while to figure one what the diary entries were about, because they weren’t added in date order. I did however enjoy the sweet man that Simon had become and how much he cared for Emilia. Emilia was a forgiving woman and these two just belonged together, how matter what anybody say. If you love stepbrother romance this could be your book.
:::REVIEW IS ALSO ON FOUR CHICKS FLIPPING PAGES:::
http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...
November 22, 2015
I enjoyed this story. It was light hearted, fun and easy to read. I liked the main characters and the snapshots of Simon's diary worked well at giving an insight into his childhood. I felt Emilia's connection to him as teenager for overlooked somewhat, she's so pissed when he enters her life again and we understand why, but unlike Simon we're not really told that she had any romantic feelings towards him, only that she was friendly.
I love Rugby, I'm a proud Welsh girl and any rugby fan would know how seriously us Dragons take our rugby. In fact it was what set the books blurb on Amazon apart from all the other stepbrother romances.
Few points:
- The author likes to point out the male MC is British, but he still uses the word 'mom.'
- No matter how stereotypical, us British don't say the phrase 'oh bother,' nor do we call underwear 'panties.'
- England winning the Rugby World Cup, hasn't happened since 2003 and a rugby fan would know it's not on the horizon any time soon because the English team has performed worse and worse every 4 years since then. Was it so important to the story that they won? Realism is important to me. I appreciated the World Cup timeline was correct, October.
- The British also don't say 'groceries,' well, it's not common practice. We just say food shopping. Same goes for 'backyard.' It's a garden.
I'm not trying to be picky, I understand the character lived in the US at some point but if the author is going to highlight his Englishness so often it needs to be believable. If he has an English accent he's clearly lived in England long enough to lose most, if not all, of his Americanisms.
As someone who is British I found it hard to keep focus at some points during the book, my mind was constantly thinking 'we don't say that.' It felt like the MC was only English because it was an excuse to have Rugby as the chosen sport.
I love Rugby, I'm a proud Welsh girl and any rugby fan would know how seriously us Dragons take our rugby. In fact it was what set the books blurb on Amazon apart from all the other stepbrother romances.
Few points:
- The author likes to point out the male MC is British, but he still uses the word 'mom.'
- No matter how stereotypical, us British don't say the phrase 'oh bother,' nor do we call underwear 'panties.'
- England winning the Rugby World Cup, hasn't happened since 2003 and a rugby fan would know it's not on the horizon any time soon because the English team has performed worse and worse every 4 years since then. Was it so important to the story that they won? Realism is important to me. I appreciated the World Cup timeline was correct, October.
- The British also don't say 'groceries,' well, it's not common practice. We just say food shopping. Same goes for 'backyard.' It's a garden.
I'm not trying to be picky, I understand the character lived in the US at some point but if the author is going to highlight his Englishness so often it needs to be believable. If he has an English accent he's clearly lived in England long enough to lose most, if not all, of his Americanisms.
As someone who is British I found it hard to keep focus at some points during the book, my mind was constantly thinking 'we don't say that.' It felt like the MC was only English because it was an excuse to have Rugby as the chosen sport.
August 30, 2015
ARC kindly provided by author in exchange of an honest review.*. I will give it 3.5 stars. I always like reading a book that takes you back and forth to different times. It usually means that their is a lot of history between characters, and that is usually where I become engrossed in the characters. Although, I really like the premise of the book, It felt a little flat at times while I was reading it. She would get to a memory or a time when I felt like she could have gotten deeper with the readers about Emilia's or Simons' life and it would end or go on to something else. I just wanted more. The passion between our characters was well written and I enjoyed the happily ever after. However, the reason this book is not a 5 stars for me is mainly because I never really felt connected or invested in either Simon or Emilia. Great first book and I look forward to reading more from Iris Parker.
August 23, 2015
author provided copy for honest review
the story is about second chances forgiveness
and love ,,,Simon Ferguson hot shot rugby player
and Emilla Jones a rec center worker...Siomon and
Emilla hate each other his father marrys her
mother,,,,,
""She’d had everything, and I resented her for that.
Friends who liked her for who she was, love from the
father who had abandoned me, a happy life that didn’t
know tragedy or hunger. I’d expected an arrogant bitch,
manipulative and easy to hate."""
13yrs later they meet again will the second time around be
different will love when out or will the past stay in the present.
I loved this story thank you Iris Parker for giving me a copy
i look forward to reading more of your work great job defiantly
a winner,,, characters were very likable and the story line kept you invested
throughout the story waiting to see what would happen ...love it cant wait for
more from this author,,,,
the story is about second chances forgiveness
and love ,,,Simon Ferguson hot shot rugby player
and Emilla Jones a rec center worker...Siomon and
Emilla hate each other his father marrys her
mother,,,,,
""She’d had everything, and I resented her for that.
Friends who liked her for who she was, love from the
father who had abandoned me, a happy life that didn’t
know tragedy or hunger. I’d expected an arrogant bitch,
manipulative and easy to hate."""
13yrs later they meet again will the second time around be
different will love when out or will the past stay in the present.
I loved this story thank you Iris Parker for giving me a copy
i look forward to reading more of your work great job defiantly
a winner,,, characters were very likable and the story line kept you invested
throughout the story waiting to see what would happen ...love it cant wait for
more from this author,,,,
August 25, 2015
Entertaining and hot love story.
I got this book for an honest review and I loved every minute of it!
She is a strong and independent woman who loves to help the children at her center, but things are getting hard financially.
That's when HE shows up, he the one who tormented her years ago, who ruined her life.
But now he's changed, and that is driving her crazy!
The bad stepbrother from her past is nowhere near the amazing guy that shows up all these years later.
They get to know one another again and while she starts to learn and understand why he was the way she remembered, she starts to fall for him.
He has dark secrets that haunt him and make him unable to accept himself as a good guy which finally challenges his capacity to be there for her.
They say love will set you free and I think that was what changed everything for him, he always wanter HER.
I got this book for an honest review and I loved every minute of it!
She is a strong and independent woman who loves to help the children at her center, but things are getting hard financially.
That's when HE shows up, he the one who tormented her years ago, who ruined her life.
But now he's changed, and that is driving her crazy!
The bad stepbrother from her past is nowhere near the amazing guy that shows up all these years later.
They get to know one another again and while she starts to learn and understand why he was the way she remembered, she starts to fall for him.
He has dark secrets that haunt him and make him unable to accept himself as a good guy which finally challenges his capacity to be there for her.
They say love will set you free and I think that was what changed everything for him, he always wanter HER.
August 28, 2015
Emilia Jones put her heart and so in to the center for the youth. She loved the work she did in helping the young people stay of the street. She had a very painful past though and the one person that was the root of all that pain was her step-brother Simon Ferguson. Now here she was face to face with him.
Simon Ferguson had a painful past and one that he was not proud off. Now he was back home ready to make a mends by helping the youth and making things right with his step-sister. Problem with his step-sister is he had it bad for her. He wanted her so bad and had spent sleepless nights thinking about her. Can Simon convince Emilia to forgive him? Can Simon keep running from his past?
Simon Ferguson had a painful past and one that he was not proud off. Now he was back home ready to make a mends by helping the youth and making things right with his step-sister. Problem with his step-sister is he had it bad for her. He wanted her so bad and had spent sleepless nights thinking about her. Can Simon convince Emilia to forgive him? Can Simon keep running from his past?
November 16, 2015
2.5 Stars
I usually hate flashbacks, but the flashbacks in this book are short journal entries at the end of each chapter. I liked them a lot and actually looked forward to reading them. They were short and to the point. I thought it was very clever the way the author did that.
However, the rest of the story started off pretty promising and the just fell flat. The angst was predictable and the apology was weak. The hero just had to say "sorry" and all was forgiven. No groveling. Nothing epic. The premise was there as well as the character set up, but the execution felt weak.
This is my opinion. It may work for you, but it did not work for me.
I usually hate flashbacks, but the flashbacks in this book are short journal entries at the end of each chapter. I liked them a lot and actually looked forward to reading them. They were short and to the point. I thought it was very clever the way the author did that.
However, the rest of the story started off pretty promising and the just fell flat. The angst was predictable and the apology was weak. The hero just had to say "sorry" and all was forgiven. No groveling. Nothing epic. The premise was there as well as the character set up, but the execution felt weak.
This is my opinion. It may work for you, but it did not work for me.
August 28, 2015
Simon and Emilia are step siblings who never really knew eachother. They only spent two summers together while in their early teens. But Simon made Emilia's life a living hell for those two summers. Fast forward 15 years and Simon is a successful rugby player and Emilia is a counselor working with at risk teens.
Simon wants to make amends so he gives his time and money to Emila's cause. But of course Emilia does not trust him and this is where we get the slow simmer build up to their budding relationship.
I loved this book and cannot wait for more from Iris Parker.
Simon wants to make amends so he gives his time and money to Emila's cause. But of course Emilia does not trust him and this is where we get the slow simmer build up to their budding relationship.
I loved this book and cannot wait for more from Iris Parker.
August 30, 2015
I received an arc from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is the book I have read of Iris Parker and it won't be the last. We meet Emilia who works at a rec. center and is closing but someone has saved the day and now they won't be closing. Emilia is thrilled until she learns who saved the center. She never thought she would see Simon again ever. She can never forgive him for what he did. Simon never forgot about Emilia, he knew he hurt her more then anyone, did Simon come back to hurt her or to tell her wanted he always wanted to say. Amazing story that I couldn't put down
This is the book I have read of Iris Parker and it won't be the last. We meet Emilia who works at a rec. center and is closing but someone has saved the day and now they won't be closing. Emilia is thrilled until she learns who saved the center. She never thought she would see Simon again ever. She can never forgive him for what he did. Simon never forgot about Emilia, he knew he hurt her more then anyone, did Simon come back to hurt her or to tell her wanted he always wanted to say. Amazing story that I couldn't put down
September 5, 2015
OH SHIT!!! My rugby cherry has been popped. My first ever rugby book. That was exciting.
No clue how I got this ARC, it just showed so I had NO CLUE what to expect.
Rugby, stepbrother, British accent, what more could I ask for.
What a hot little sports book.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
August 20, 2015
** I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review**
I've never been one for sport books but as a fellow Brit I know how muscly our rugby players are so that got my attention a little haha.
I love that Simon & Emilia Finally got the ending they deserved.
My only wish is that we got more of a back ground story from their childhoods.
Admittedly it did take me a while to get Into the story but again I don't read sport books normally. Once I did get In to it I couldn't put it down.
I've never been one for sport books but as a fellow Brit I know how muscly our rugby players are so that got my attention a little haha.
I love that Simon & Emilia Finally got the ending they deserved.
My only wish is that we got more of a back ground story from their childhoods.
Admittedly it did take me a while to get Into the story but again I don't read sport books normally. Once I did get In to it I couldn't put it down.
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