Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Twin Ties #3

Double Heat

Rate this book
When Evan and Brennan moved in with their boyfriends, Alek and Luka, they knew things would be complicated, but as their privacy gets eroded, and people around them begin to notice the tangled nature of the four-way relationship, coping becomes a struggle. After Brennan leaves on a brief trip home, and Evan remains behind to enjoy the full attention of both Alek and Luka, the careful balance of things gets thrown off. Ex-boyfriends surface, haunting Evan and Brennan in similar ways as regret for poor choices threatens their happiness, and the sexual freedom displayed earlier in their lives draws predators willing to use violence, coercion, mind-games and force to take what they want. Though Luka and Alek struggle to protect those they love, it soon becomes clear that the dangers surrounding them will find ways to rush in, trying to take what belongs to them.

322 pages, Paperback

First published August 25, 2015

10 people are currently reading
493 people want to read

About the author

Lynn Kelling

29 books391 followers
Lynn Kelling began writing in order to tell stories that aren’t afraid of the dark, don’t hold anything back and always strive to be memorable, forging lasting attachments between character and reader. Her inspiration comes from taking a closer look at behaviors and ideas lurking at the fringes of life—basically anything that people may hesitate to speak of in mixed company, but everyone wonders about anyway. Her work is driven by the taboo in order to expose the humanity within it. Lynn is an artist, designer and lover of any form of creative self-expression that comes from a place of honesty and emotion, whether it's body art or opera. She has had multiple novels published, has written over fifty works of erotic fiction of varying lengths, and always has several novels in progress.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
93 (34%)
4 stars
103 (38%)
3 stars
49 (18%)
2 stars
18 (6%)
1 star
8 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for ☆ Todd.
1,442 reviews1,584 followers
October 4, 2015

Oh. My. Fucking. God. This book far exceeds the drama and frustration levels of the first two books in the series.

** Spoilers ahead, so you've been warned. **

This one is all about an abusive ex coming after Brennan and Evan allowing himself to be manipulated into having sex again with the man who took advantage of him when he was 14.

And Evan went *willingly*. Then let the creep VIDEO TAPE the entire humiliating experience. God, I wanted to shoot someone in the face. Repeatedly

Yes, Evan and Brennan were still only 18 in this book, but for fuck sake, they're smart guys, so the level of pure, unadulterated fuckery here truly pissed me off throughout most of the book.

In the first two books, the two sets of twins were 'supposedly' learning to trust one another. Yet, when push comes to shove, Evan and Brennan won't allow themselves to trust anyone with several parts of their past lives.

Things did get better as the book concluded, but I'm pretty sure that I'm at the point that I'm completely done with this series.

2.75 stars for this installment of Twin Ties, mainly because I'm not a fan of MC's being too stupid to live for the majority of the book.
Profile Image for Lynn Kelling.
Author 29 books391 followers
Read
June 23, 2015
This is the 3rd novel in the Twin Ties series and it is scheduled for release in September, 2015!

**UPDATE** The release date of this book has been moved up to the end of August!! Cover reveal to come...
Profile Image for Jewel.
1,941 reviews279 followers
July 27, 2015
ARC of Double Heat provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This review has been cross-posted at Reviews by Jessewave

3.5 Stars

While I have enjoyed this series - I mean, it is SUPER HOT - I felt like parts of Double Heat felt too drawn out. I would also have liked to see some time pass and see Evan and Brennan mature a bit. Their constant self blame for being abused and hurt, the constant excuses as to why their abusers weren't bad guys and their tendency to run away or change the subject became touch bit tedious. These boys need serious therapy. Both of them were sexually abused when they were 12 and 13 and that initiated self destructive behavior in both of them that they haven't begun to deal with. And to warn you, some of those memories are played out on page, in vivid detail.

This entire book dealt with, in graphic detail, Evan's and Brennan's pasts and what they must do in order to move forward in their lives.

To say that Brennan and Evan have issues, would be a gross understatement. Brennan seems like the well adjusted one, and in many ways he is. However, he had to grow up way too fast and with him having to take care of his mom when she got cancer, he's just had to deal with too much. And then there was the part of his life that no sexually active teenager wants their parents to find out about. So he didn't always make safe or right choices. But he was a kid, you know? And he got taken advantage of more than Double Heat probably covered.

The worst was Tommy when they were both about 17 . Tommy was bad news and he was very aggressive with Brennan and I don't think their sex life was always entirely consensual. Tommy sure knew how to manipulate Brennan to get what he wanted, and he would convince Brennan that he wanted it, too. He was creepy, for sure, and dangerous. He discovered just how dangerous when he returned to Monroe, LA to keep his promise to his mother that he would always visit her grave on her birthday. He learned a good number of things on that trip. He discovered that you can never really go home again. He no longer had anything in common with his old friends and he was in such a different place in his life. And he finally figured out that Tommy wasn't just pathetic, he was dangerous.

While Brennan was in Louisiana, Evan had the twins to himself. He was worried to pieces that he would screw up their overall relationship. Evan has such little self worth. He really doesn't see what Alek and Luka see in him and he thinks that Brennan is a way better person, too. But when Evan was 13, he was fed the bullshit that no one would care about him if he didn't bend over for it. From the mouth of a predator to groom Evan to respond in a certain way. Drew is an old friend of Evan and Brennan's dad and the person that sexually abused Evan when he was a boy.

Evan hasn't seen Drew in a very long time, but his role in this book was very difficult for me to read. There is one chapter I skimmed entirely because I felt so ill, I couldn't actually read it. Double twincest == hot, Sleazy pedophile surfacing to torment a previous victim is not. So very not. And it isn't meant to be. It's meant to illustrate why it is that Evan is so messed up, and I think it did that very well, even if it was too difficult for me. And Lynn Kelling did not glaze over it, either. So if that kind of thing is a trigger for you, be warned.

It takes these extreme events for Evan and Brennan to finally open up and talk about what had happened to them and start to heal. And Luka and Alek are there with them, every step of the way. I'm told that Lynn Kelling is working on a fourth book and I am looking forward to seeing where takes these boys. I hope it isn't somewhere too traumatic, but then we haven't gotten into Luka's and Alek's past too much yet, so maybe that's where it will go. Wherever the journey takes them, though, I hope they come out the other side stronger for it. I'm rooting for them!
Profile Image for Kazza.
1,556 reviews174 followers
November 29, 2015

Hell yes!! I love this series.

Why? Because it's two x twins and the series is sexy as sin...


description


This is an interesting book. On one hand it is super sexy, I can't resist reading about these guys. On the other hand it deals with some (sadly) common and serious topics. There's social commentary related to predatory behaviour - in this instance a paedophile as well as partner abuse. People preying on another when they are younger, vulnerable. The effects and mind games it plays on those who are violated and impacted. It's fiction, but is still packs a punch while remaining true to the series overall, pushing boundaries and diving right into the taboo twincest realms - best twincest books ever written.

The very appropriately named Double Heat is dark in places and a part of several chapters may be very, very hard for some people to read

I'm thoroughly invested in this series and I would not say no to a book or two about Presley and Carter, two interesting and enigmatic secondary characters. Jimmy. What can I say? I definitely want more on the man who never shies away from helping others. Oh, and please bring Kazza some more backstory on the gorgeous and supportive Popovic twins because I know they have demons I need to be let in on up close and personal. 4.5 stars - need half stars, Goodreads.

Full review at  photo Potential-OTDU-Banner-9-Smaller2_zpsf0878d67.png
Profile Image for Sandi ♥'s way too many M/M books.
689 reviews3 followers
August 28, 2015
Man this one about gutted me. Lots of triggers in here people Rape, underage (via flashbacks) of way to much for a young boy to deal with. Just packed full of angsty tough times. But yea I loved this series. The Popavic twins.. Yea I want some of my own please.
Profile Image for Arlyn.
1,137 reviews86 followers
May 25, 2017
*This was a re-read for me. Because I already knew how the story panned out, I found myself paying more attention to the nuances of the relationship dynamic between the four main characters than to the sequence of events within the story. Definitely a more subdued and reflective read the second time around. However, the 5 star rating still stands.*

Original Review:

This is the third book in the Twin Ties series. Like it's predecessors, this was a 5 star read for me. While this series will always have the taboo shock factor working for it and against it simultaneously, it is the quality of the writing and my overwhelming affection for the characters that keeps me coming back for more.

In this book, we learn some backstory that gives us further insight behind the tender fragility so characteristic of Evan and Brandon. When ghosts come back to haunt the younger twins, it fuels the fierce protectiveness of Alec and Luka, the older and more wizened set of twins. Of course, the older men also have a history of shady experiences that they would like to keep firmly in the past. When all is revealed, they are forced to either stand strong together or to sever ties and take the path of least resistance.

If you are a fan of the first two books, I recommend this without hesitation.
Profile Image for Paul.
648 reviews
March 8, 2017
Interesting trilogy but not for everyone, major trigger warning so read the blurb's to each book. I initially read this more out of curiosity, but I got a lot more than I was bargaining for. The understanding of broken twins, that could only help each other put themselves back together again. I might not agree with the elephant in the room (incest) but the way Lynn Kelling wrote these made it make sense in a way but only to their individual circumstance. I can't explain it properly
Profile Image for Joyfully Jay.
9,090 reviews518 followers
August 26, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.

4.25 stars


I’m going to start by saying that this book was a lot harder to read than the first two, and that was largely due to the subject matter and some of the things that are portrayed on page. It was masterfully written and wholly necessary for the tale, however, there are definitely some very tough issues brought up and actually shown. I’m going to just bluntly state, for any of you who need the trigger warnings, that there is rape, noncon/dubcon, and discussion and flashbacks of child abuse within this story. It was definitely a tough and emotional read, and I did have to take a few small breaks just to keep from sinking too far into it.

What I really loved about this book was the continuation of the story. I liked seeing the characters continuing to grow. Evan, once again, stole the spot light for me. He’s the one that my heart continually attaches to, and the one I feel for the most. Perhaps it because of all he’s gone through in his life, what he’s still going through, and how far he’s come. There’s definitely more work to be done, but I think he does the most growing over the course of this book and finds even more inner strength by the end.

Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
Profile Image for Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~.
2,241 reviews260 followers
June 2, 2016
3.5 stars

First off, you MUST read this series in order or the story will not work at all. Double Heat picks up shortly after Dual Affairs (formerly titled Twin Affairs) ended, with the four men settling into their new apartment and living as a foursome. I found this installment to be the hardest to read. The focus is on Evan and Brennan overcoming their past in order to move on and it is nowhere near easy since the abuse they both suffered is highlighted and people they thought they had left behind come back to torment them once again. Both the characters and the reader have to go through some very dark moments and there are on page scenes of rape and dubious consent as well as flashbacks to child abuse.

So much has happened in the first two stories, I really needed the reminder that it has only been six months since the start of the first book and that Brennan and Evan are still only 18 years old. Their age makes it easier to forgive some of the questionable choices and childish behavior they occasionally exhibit. While all the men have agreed that honesty and communication is the only way their complicated relationship will work, Evan and Brennan are still keeping secrets.

Evan is still adjusting to some aspects of the relationship. He has difficulty accepting that Luka and Alek love him for who he is and is sure if they knew everything about his past they would not want him. He is still leery of any public touching, even if it’s just his brother leaning against him or Luka throwing an arm over his shoulder while in the gym. With Brennan planning a short trip alone back to Louisiana on their mother’s birthday, Evan is beginning to panic about being left alone with Alek and Luka. As if all this isn’t enough, Drew, the older man who took advantage of Evan as a child shows up again and it turns out he has a connection to Alek and Luka. This seemingly random meeting has dire consequences and results in some of the most difficult to read scenes in this book. Drew is quite simply a monster and Evan still doesn’t comprehend the damage the man did to him at a young age and is once again vulnerable to his sick intentions.

Brennan, on the other hand, has always seemed strong and more well-adjusted to the situation than Evan is, but he is also holding back a secret. His ex from Louisiana, Tommy, has been texting him as if they are still together and Brennan is concerned about running into him. He is also worried about having to explain his new life with his brother and the twins to the friends he left behind. Shortly after arriving in Louisiana Brennan realizes his mistake in not inviting Evan and in expecting to feel the same about everything he left behind. He too has not had the clearest hindsight about the true nature of the relationship he had with Tommy and when the two meet Tommy makes it brutally clear that he is not done with Brennan.

Alek and Luka, are the support system holding Evan and Brennan together. It is clear that Alek and Luka love them unconditionally and would do anything to assure their safety, but they also see that Evan and Brennan’s problems are not just going to be able to be brushed off. While Evan and Brennan’s connection is stronger than ever, they have a tendency to withdraw into each other. It really does seem that they need the other one nearby to feel whole, and Alek and Luka understand this need even when it seems they are being excluded.

The angst and pain do make up the majority of the story, but the love story between the four men is still there. Regardless of the combination, when they get together it is always emotional and hot. As unconventional as the relationship is, the foundation of love and respect always shines through and they manage to have some fun along the way.

Luka and Alek’s former roommates, Carter and Presley, along with Evan’s friend Jimmy are back and more protective of the foursome than ever. Carter has managed to form a strong friendship with Evan and Jimmy has become a father figure to all of them.

Lynn Kelling’s writing is always strong, but at some points, I did feel the story drag a bit. Evan has always been one to dwell on issues before addressing them but in this installment I felt it getting a bit repetitive and at times it slowed me down.

I am still fully invested in this series and this foursome and am excited that book four is expected to focus on Luka and Alek whose pasts are still a bit of a mystery. There is lots of hope at the end of this book and another new start. I would love to spend some time with these guys in a healthy relationship, but then again, as a Lynn Kelling fan, I know that their ultimate happiness is still going to be hard won and that Alek and Luka’s secrets are likely to be just as harsh and Evan and Brennan’s.
Profile Image for Lisa.
3,520 reviews139 followers
December 2, 2015
I waited such a long time to read this book. Today was the day. Settled down in my comfy armchair, nice cup of tea and a blanket, ( yes its August, but its the UK and its chilly) and I began.
Wow what a book.
We were introduced to 2 new friends, Pres and Cater, who were just that friends.
Yes, there was lots of sex between our 4 men and even a chain of 4 at the end but this book was a lot darker than the previous 2.
We had a lot of Brennan and Evan's back story and it wasn't easy to read. My heart broke for them.
The cast of secondary characters were great, Jimmy for backing up the guys and even Charlie came through.
Please be warned if you are to read this book there are graphic scenes which everybody might not be able to read.
That said, I read this in one sitting.
Now I learn there is to be a 4th book and also a prequel. I can't wait.
Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Trio.
3,617 reviews209 followers
April 2, 2016
Amazing - I thought this was the end of the series but at the conclusion of the book LK writes she is working on more, either some short stories she wrote to prepare Evan's character for the second book or maybe even a fourth in the series. That would be incredible given the changes these four make over the three books - esp Evan and Brennan, their characters grow so much. I'm always blown away by Kelling's ability to get so into her characters and make them so real. The way she is able to take four completely different characters and build the distinct relationships between them all is fabulous.

I think I'm going to reach out to her and see if she would ever consider giving Drew his own book...
Profile Image for Love Bytes Reviews.
2,529 reviews38 followers
September 29, 2015
5 Heart Review by Roberta

So, I love long books. I love long books that are part if a series. So, this book came up on the review list and I vaguely remember buying the first book in the series. Now, normally…I’d just read this book and see if I could just figure things out. However, something told me that this one…I truly would need to read the first two books in order to really get a feel for this story and dammit…I was right. These books…just DAMN!!

So, this book picks up a few months after book two left off and the couples are all moved in with each other. It’s nice, yet it’s also so very scary to have this much togetherness all the time. Evan is dealing with still some of the issues of being out as a gay man. Not only that…but dating someone(s) and having other people know about it. Evan has always lived his life so alone and not to go to an abundance of people around…it still takes some getting used to. Evan has taken to being really good friends with Carter, someone who knows about the relationships that he has with Brennan, Alek & Luka. Evan has lots of issues regarding the loss of his privacy. Evan also struggles with being able to talk about his thoughts and feelings.

Brennan…it’s their mother’s birthday and he’s going back to their little town to go and spend some time with his mother. He’s also made arrangements to hangout with his old friends as well. He’s nervous about that as his life isn’t anything that they could possibly understand. One of the flies in his ointment is this ex, Tommy. Tommy, the guy who still calls and texts Brennan even though Brennon doesn’t respond to his overtures. Brennan who suffers from the very thought of losing more people that he loves. Brennan, the kid who just wants to have his family there and to finally find a measure of peace.

Alek and Luka of course play a big part in this story. These two guys aren’t mind readers and they can’t know what’s in their boys’ heads. They can’t know all the things the boys are hiding away from them. They can only love and protect what is theirs. I love that Alek and Luka are so supportive of their loves and that they just want to find a way to be happy, all four of them. Alek and Luka are just these really great guys and I really can’t wait to find out more about them. I hope the next installment focuses on them. These two have so much that they need to work out, finally amongst themselves. It will cathartic for them to finally allow them to forgive and move past some of their past. But, that’s up to Lynn to let us know what’s going to happen to them.

The secondary characters….Presley, Carter and Jimmy. Now, these guys are true friends to the foursome. They may not like it or Hell, even understand it…but they love and support our guys and that is the true measure of friends. Hailey, a friend of Evan and Brennan’s mother…she loves Brennan and she never meant any harm, she just didn’t understand some things that were never explained. She only wants the best for her friend’s son. Drew…well, that man is just a pig and I hated EVERYTHING about him!! There were no redeeming qualities that that man possessed. I wasn’t sorry for what happened to him. Tommy…now this guy…if I saw him…I would punch him in the throat. Before we even actually met him, there was just something odd about him just with the texts and calls. I mean, if someone breaks up with you and leaves the damn state and won’t respond to your calls and texts…I think it’s over and you should just let that go. Its not that damn serious.

Now, the sexy times in this book were plentiful and yet…it wasn’t the be all end all of this story. That was just another way to bond and also to show the others how much they were loved. I liked that even though there were plenty of sexy times, they weren’t all there was to the story. They were there when they needed to connect to each other and to show love and affection.

So, I will say that there was a scene of rape in this story. There was a near rape and a complete rape. This might be a trigger for some and I just wanted to give a heads up on that front.

This series just seems to get darker and darker and yet, there is always hope and love and plenty of support. I was really glad that I binged read the first two books and it put me in the mindset for the 3rd book and just allowed me to be completely immersed into the story. I know people say that books are standalone, however, this is not one of them. I really believe that in order to truly understand these characters you should read the first two books. I really hope that Brennan and Evan get some professional help. They need it. Hell, I’ll even throw in Alek and Luka. Those two have some issues to work out as well, but I assume we’ll get into that later.

Now, I will talk about the relationship between the 4 main characters…they are 2 sets of twins that sleep with each other. They are in a committed poly-relationship that they ALL work on. This is huge for all of them. Now, I know that some people are not going to like the subject matter and that’s fine. But for those who don’t mind delving into something different and something darker…this is a really great series. I really applaud the author for taking the chance and writing about a love that isn’t the “norm”. That falls outside of what some people find that they can handle. I applaud the Publishing house that allows author’s and readers the chance to explore things that fall outside the box. I look forward to the next installment.

This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
 photo 11014879_970988406253334_3984928259579074216_n_zpsm8c6semk.jpg
Profile Image for Susan65.
1,648 reviews53 followers
August 25, 2015
The Blogger Girls

I love this series. Who knew I could not only read a double taboo book, but actually freaking love it? Maybe it had more to do with the realism the author brings to the story, and the many, many feels, but I love this series and highly recommend it to everyone, even those who normally steer clear of taboo or twincest.

Book three has the twins, Evan and Brennan, and Alek and Luka, living together as a committed and loving foursome. Those important to the guys all know the truth of their relationship, but Evan is struggling heavily with anyone else finding out. His fears are legit as he was the one almost killed in book two. Knowing that there are homophobic assholes just looking to cause trouble, Evan does his best to keep the truth hidden. Too bad the rest aren’t on the same page.

Brennan needs closure to his old life, and he wants to fulfill a promise to his deceased mother. Sadly, this requires him to take a road trip back to Louisiana on his own. He would love for Evan to come, but Evan is not yet ready to visit the grave of the mother who gave him away. So Brennan takes off on his own. Here is where the first of the major life events comes to fruition. Too bad it’s not a good one.

Alek and Luka, being the older twins, feel intensely compelled to protect the younger twins at all costs. Evan and Brennan need the protection but they balk at being restricted. They understand the situation, but human nature also comes into play. This leads to a horrific ordeal for Evan…one with repercussions for the all the guys.

There is no way to bring up any of the “situations’ or “events” without giving the story away. But trust me when I say that what you’ve read in the first two books is child’s play compared to this one. Many topics are touched on in a graphic way that made it uncomfortable to read, but they were necessary for the guys to move forward in their lives and relationship.

So, if you are reading this then I am assuming that taboo is not a hard limit for you. That being the case, prepare yourself for more violence, dubious content, and non-consensual sex. These boys go through hell before they can get to heaven.

Overall Impression: It was amazing
Profile Image for A.M. Arthur.
Author 87 books1,235 followers
May 7, 2016
My poor heart was a beaten, bloody pulp by the time I finished this one. THANKS A LOT LYNN.

While Evan is undoubtedly the main "star" of this series, Brennan totally stole the show for me in this book. There's a bit more focus on his past and his emotional journey (don't get me started on all the ways I wanted to tear Tommy to pieces). The author pulls no punches, either, in depicting on-page violence, but there is always a tender follow-through in terms of the comfort half of those hurt/comfort moments. Whenever one of the foursome is hurt, the others rally in a way that the hurt party never had in the past.

Evan and Brennan come face to face with their pasts (very literally), but they both come out of it stronger and more emotionally mature. While I'd have been satisfied if this was the last book, I was super excited to find out there will be a fourth, with a deeper focus on Alek and Luka. Which I'm very excited for, because I do feel like we barely scratched the surface of their complicated history, and I'd be all over a prequel featuring them.

The only reason I didn't five-star this one was because of the constant, irritating use of said-isms throughout the entire series. Said is your friend.
3,549 reviews38 followers
Read
August 31, 2015
My Admiration Continues to Grow

Ms. Kelling has written the first three books of a series that only gets better with each subsequent publication. She has drawn us into the lives of these strong men. Lives who are entwined to such a degree that they feel each other's pain when they're apart while their love grows deeper every day.

The cast of secondary characters are just as well thought out. Their actions are sometimes cruel and at other times misguided.

Waiting for the next book in the series is going to be agonizing for this fan of the 'Amazing Ms. Kelling.' Thanks go to the publishers for having the courage to continue providing us with these wonderful stories.
Profile Image for Zoe.
279 reviews8 followers
November 3, 2015
"Fuck you for feeling so good," Brennan complained. "Jesus..."

Wow. I just finished this one late last night and even if it was the most difficult book to read for me in the series, I really loved it and how different this series is from all those other stories you get to read lately.

The story starts a few weeks after Brennan, Luka, Alek and Evan moved into their apartment together and while one is whishing that now everything is starting to get more and more sorted out and normal, things are getting even more serious for our beloved foursome. The past catches up with them and we get an insight into the darkest chapters of both Evan and Brennan's young lives. They both have suffered so much and are going through so much again in this book, at the end it's really a miracle they're still up and moving. And though it helps to understand who Brennan and Evan really come from, who they are, and why they are who they are, this was exactly the reason, why I liked the other two books a tiny bit more than this one. At one point I thought I couldn't read on anymore, it was simply too much and I didn't want them to hurt anymore and make the same mistakes over and over again.
BUT, like I said, even if I didn't like how some of the story went down, it all made sense for the characters and in the end it's totally worth it. Also: even if I tried I couldn't stop reading about those four :-)

What makes this series so special for me is the sense of how utterly connected those two pairs of twins are. With each other and as a foursome in general.

"...holding on to keep him there, needing him closer, so close even air, thought, or fear couldn't part them"


For me, Lynn Kelling excels in describing this incredible strong bond between them and makes you want to give an arm if it got you something even remotly similar than this.
Also, I simply really adore each and every one of them, even as I fell even more in love with Brennan and Luka in this book :-D
I love that everyone of them is so unique, always has his own voice and his own quirks and tells. In some threesome books I read, sometimes it was really confusing and difficult to tell the characters apart, they all blended together somehow. I never felt like that with Brennan, Luka, Alek and Evan. I love Evan's fragility and his willingness to give himself completely, Brennan's brave and cheeky side, I love how earnest and caring (and bossy!) Alek can be and how Luka always is able to lighten the mood. Just to name a few of their qualities. Each one has his part in this foursome, has his own way to contribute to the relationship, so you're never left to wonder why exaclty these four go through all this trouble to be together. There simply is no way to leave even one of them out.

And what are quartet they are!

I could spend hours reading about their fun and sexy times and although there weren't that many fluffy and light parts in this book, the few there were, had my sighing and laughing out loud multiple times.

„We need to color code the young ones. But that might not be enough. It’s going to be way dark so I think it’s going to have to be stripes and polka dots. Ev, you can be striped and Cupcake is polka dots because they’ll look like sprinkles.“
...
„What do you think is going to happen, you mistakenly slip it to the wrong boyfriend?” Evan asked."


Also, did I mention the sexy times?

„Uh-oh,” was all Evan was able to get out before Brennan was on him, pushing him up against the doorframe, kissing him hard, slipping him his tongue. The other twins migrated closer to watch.
Luka said softly, “Wow. I will never get tired of that.”
Evan was trying really hard not to laugh, since his mouth was being expertly tongue-fucked by his brother.
...
“Ask me again if I’m against pro-swapping,” Brennan dared.
Evan lowered his chin submissively.“Yes, sir, Mr. Holt.”
“Fuck, that’s hot,” Brennan moaned.
That’s when Evan noticed the other two and snorted with laughter, hiding his face against Brennan’s neck. Alek was just a couple feet away, wonderstruck, with Luka hanging on his shoulder, mouth agape. They were both staring shamelessly.“


And the last scene? *dies*



I'm so happy there's going to be at least one more book to come, I can hardly wait. This book felt a little bit like the 3rd act in a play, where everything has to get even worse to finally get better, and I'd really like to see that happening. Although I'm guessing we will get to know a bit more about Alek and Luka's past in the next book, since we only had a few glimpses so far. Nevertheless, I can only hope the future will be a bit less traumatic for the four of them and they'll get lots of time for cuddling in bed :-P


P.S. Did I mention that I'm rooting like hell for a Carter and Presley Spin-Off?! *crosses fingers*



Profile Image for Caroline Brand.
1,755 reviews68 followers
September 3, 2015
REVIEWED FOR PRISM BOOK ALLIANCE

I think one thing you can be assured of in a Lynn Kelling book is that she doesn’t pull punches. Double Heat is no different and is quite a difficult read in some places. It focuses on Brennan and Evan and more precisely how circumstances and sometimes poor judgement from their pasts has come back to haunt them. There is still a lot in the book about Alek and Luka but they take on more of a protector/nurturing role, we have yet to get their full story but hopefully it will be along soon.

It is very easy to forget when you start Double Heat that Evan and Brennan are still only eighteen and I kept having to remind myself of this fact when they continued to make what I felt like stupid decisions or putting themselves in awkward and sometimes dangerous situations. They have both done a lot of living in their short lives and even though they grew up apart they are surprisingly similar in a lot of ways and also have the same hurts.

Both sets of twins are now living together and trying to map out a life which includes their sexual relationship as a group. They have all promised each other honesty recognising it as a requirement to navigate such an unusual relationship but certainly from Evan’s and Brennan’s point of view they are not entirely honest about their pasts fearing how Luka and Alek will see them if they know all the details.

Brennan has always appeared to be the more put together twin but becoming a carer for his dying mother put a lot of pressure on him. As a way of rebelling he allows himself to be treated poorly by his boyfriend Tommy. At the time this act of defiance made him feel empowered but he couldn’t have guessed the consequences it would have after his mother’s death when he walked away. He had handed over power to a bully who was in no hurry to let him go. Believing himself safe when he ignores calls and text messages leaves him in a precarious and dangerous position when he returns home.

Evan not only grew up without the support of his mother and brother but with a mostly absent father. Uncomfortable with his peers it made him an extremely easy target for the predators of this world especially when he mistook their interest for love and understanding. He developed a dangerous and unhealthy relationship with a man much older that used and abused him and has suddenly now returned to his life.

Both these young men are made to face up to their pasts at the same time and both with horrendous consequences. Luka and Alek appear to have to walk on egg shells as they navigate around their younger lovers trying to support and understand what is happening. Whilst Brennan is quicker to divulge his past Evan struggles and keeps things locked up inside. When all the secrets have been divulged both their pasts collide with deadly consequences.

Although this is a dark read there is light at the end of the tunnel towards the end when it sees things may finally be working out. Of course with book 4 planned I expect that their happiness will be short lived!
Profile Image for Monica Vidal.
794 reviews73 followers
September 22, 2015
Ah books...*sighs* They come out of nowhere and they sweep you out of your feet. I started this series because of the twincest thing. I'm not ashamed to admit that. It's a polemic topic, it's hot, it's forbidden so yeah, I'm on it. But then...idk, Lynn happened. What started as a "holy shit this is too hot to be true" ended with me broken hearted and sad. I know, to some ppl that is not a good sign, but to me, the books that leave me crying in a corner are the ones I'll never forget.

The twins (Evan's and Bren's) journey is not an easy one. It will most likely break your heart to and sometimes even make you angry but they will win your love and devotion. .

I guess I'll just have to read the next book to see how the author will deal with the boys' issues. I'm too involved now. And I just need to see them happy. Plus, I'm in love with Luka.
561 reviews12 followers
August 27, 2015
Wow what can I say about this book. You know when you read a book by this author that it will not be all hearts and flowers. Lynn writes stories that are dark and gutwrenching and at times really hard to read. This book was no different. What Evan and Brennan had to endure in this instalment was absolutely terrifying and completely heartbreaking. In a way tho it almost felt necessary, like they needed this to see just what they have with each other. To see that they are all absolutely all meant to be with each other. To almost free them. This foursome are are seriously incredible and in the midst of all the angst are some some sweet and sexy scenes that had my smiling so hard and maybe blushing a little too. If I could have given it more than 5 stars I would have. In truth I could read about them all day everyday. I also fell just a little more in love with Brennan in this one...sigh.
Profile Image for Tracy.
807 reviews1 follower
August 29, 2015
God! This book was so hard for me to read... Evan just makes me want to hug him and protect him...
There were two parts in the story that I literally had to either put down or fast forward to see how the scene ended then I would go back and read it
I enjoyed the story
The love and passion that they all feel for each other literally comes off the pages
I can feel how scared they are for each other during certain scenes and the tension was so real
Lynn is an awesome story teller and I really hope now that they've started to heal and really come together as a foursome that we can continue to be a part of their lives
And of course the scenes between each set of twins is pure sex/hotness especially the last scene as they all come together
I loved it all even the parts that made me sad
Profile Image for ❀~Amy~❀.
535 reviews
April 7, 2016
I loved this book...that said, it was really hard to read at times. Brennan and Evan really had some tough experiences in this one. Learning about their past was hard, but the things that occurred in the present were harder for me. And just so someone isn't surprised like I was, there are 3 scenes of rape in this book. I usually avoid that like the plague and I'm not sure if I would have read this book had I known ahead of time.
This was well-written and I loved the story as a whole. Alec and Luka were awesome as usual and I loved how they helped and supported Brennan and Evan through all that they go through. I'm really looking forward to book 4 and I hope that there are easier times ahead for the foursome.
Profile Image for Wendy❤Ann.
1,757 reviews48 followers
September 30, 2017
Update:
I find it amazing that after a re-read, it can still feel as if I've read the book for the first time. Throughout this series, I picked up on details that I either missed or didn't remember from the first go around. As awesome as I remembered!!!

Original review:
Just when you think things can’t possibly get more difficult or dramatic for this tangled foursome – they do – of course they do. This book was by far the most challenging of the three so far to read. The blurb covers the warnings so don’t take them lightly. Ex-boyfriends and predators have a very nasty way of showing up to threaten relationships already on rocky foundations.

See my full review at... Hearts On Fire Reviews - 5 hearts
Profile Image for ⚣Michaelle⚣.
3,662 reviews233 followers
April 9, 2016
Gah. Glad it's over. I mean, holy fuck the sex was smoking hot and off the charts good (plus, you know, TWO sets of twins - all boinking. Yeshhhhhh). But I dunno...something about the way the twincest was all reasoned out, blamed on their isolation and upbringing and abuse. No, I'm not happy with it.

Yes, I suppose for the content itself it was good, well written, fully explored. I'm just sit over here in my less dark world where fucked up shit isn't what prompted their relationships.

(Also, I've re-solidified my non-con/dub-con hard limit line with this one. I'm not going anywhere near that again. I read it, because I felt I needed to in order to continue with the story and understand the characters but I will NEVER go there again, I don't care how well-written or how important it is to the story. I needed two hot showers followed by a 20 minute cold rinse to try and wipe my mind of those chapters. Then I ate a half pound Reese's egg and chased it with half a bottle of champagne. I think I set the brain clock back some and the details are less gruesome now, but I'm sure that's one of those squicks I won't be re-negotiating any time soon. FYI Dear Readers: Approach with Caution.)

Plus, ugh. More Evan. It's allllll about Evan, even when it WASN'T about Evan. For fuck's sake, Brennan got attacked, then brutally raped...but eh, it saved Evan so it's all good. He'll get over it. But the chapters where Evan got mindfucked and gave in to the ex-molester again and everyone wanted to save the poooooor baby and make it all better for him...WHAT THE FUCK EVER. That's reason #2 I'm glad it's over.

Edited to Add: Oh fuck me. Of COURSE there's another one, a prequel, and it's...wait for it...all about, you guessed it - EVAN. GAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'mma read it cause I ain't a quitter but ISTG Lynn, for fuck's sake, give me some Brennan. I want to read about BRENNAN.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
185 reviews1 follower
September 4, 2015
This was the hardest book of the series to read, so much bad happened that it was almost overwhelming. Around 57% I was so close to stopping and marking this as my first DNF but I kept going and it got better (kind of), also reading the Author notes at the end helped a bit.

There are lots of triggers in this one and the scenes were quite graphic . I'm not sure why therapy is never brought up, I think all 4 of these boys need help but the E & B for sure should be talking to someone.

This book pretty much takes place right where book 2 ends, so there wasn't really anytime for the characters to grow before they got put through the wringer. I have my fingers and toes crossed that eventually these 4 will get their HEA in the new house, with that fancy new bed (:

I would say that you do need to have an open mind for this series but it is worth picking up!
Profile Image for Ula'ndi Hart.
989 reviews15 followers
Read
October 3, 2016
Not going to rate this because I didn't finish it. I've been trying to get around to it since Febuary and I finally just gave in and decided to admit defeat. It just totally lost me somewhere. I might finished it someday, I might not. So I'm just gonna move it to the side now.
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,115 reviews81 followers
January 17, 2020
Wow... and it just continues!

Now... throw in Carter into the mix!! He’s also treating Evan like a kid!

I really feel like Evan shouldn’t be in a relationship with anybody! He’s so up and down and unsure of everything. He’s stressing about being alone with Luka and Alek.
The strain with Alek seems weird between Evan and him. They don’t even seem like a couple.

Then throw in the hot mess of everything else that went down in this book.

This series wasn’t what I was expecting.
Profile Image for Jacki.
380 reviews
August 22, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through Wicked Reads.

after reading the first two books, I flew right through this one. It definitely left me with mixed feelings.

I loved where the author was going with it. I thought gong back to the characters' pasts to bring forth the buried emotional trauma to bring healing, better understanding, and stronger love was a great way to round out the series, especially after the emotional havoc from book two.

The only thing that left me with a nasty taste in my mouth was what happens with Evan. I definitely can see the why of it, but it was definitely a shock after getting such a well rounded Evan in book two. (You'll understand when/if you read the book- which you should if you read the first two. (*hint hint*) It was very effective for shock value and emotional angst.

All of the events do bring forth the emotions that all of the characters need to in order to work through and begin to heal. Especially for Evan and Brennan. I can respect that.

I would definitely tell anyone who read the other books to keep reading and read this one.

Overall, it was okay. I was happy to see a light at the end of the tunnel for these four lovable and bizarre guys. I'm glad I finished the series, and I will be looking into more by Lynn Kelling as I really et into her writing style.

Wicked Reads Review Team


Profile Image for Gina Marie ~books are my drug of choice~.
285 reviews6 followers
June 14, 2016
This book gives much more of the younger twins back story. Many of those questions that I had after the first two books were answered. This book was heartbreaking. The past comes into the present for both boys with tragic consequences. For those easily triggered or people who have a hard time dealing with abuse issues this is a book you may want to skip. Nothing is gratuitous, there is a point behind everything but some hard issues come up in this book. The manipulations, emotional and mental abuse was what really got to me.
This book is also something that you should skip if you are offended by twincest. Since it is involving 2 sets of identical twins it is a bit out there. The sex is still hot but this book really focuses more on the emotional development of each and their relationships among them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.