Dangerous. Unpredictable. Damaged. And every girl's secret fantasy. Arsen Constantine is many things.
I'm Valentine Dawson. You might recognize me from that crazy-popular movie trilogy I star in, but if you think that's drama, you haven't met my stepbrother...
When someone attacks my family, guess who shows back up to protect me?
He doesn't care that we're related now. Now he thinks that I'm his property. After one sweaty, heart-stopping mistake, I almost was... And that was just the beginning.
Nothing will stop him from making me beg.
Getting Mine is a full length Stepbrother Romance novel that follows the lives of two lovers from infatuation to obsession. Decency be damned. 18+ suggested because of all the steamy, sexy, suspense with a tattooed, filthy-mouthed Alpha.
Adair Rymer lives in New England and loves whiskey and her cat. She is always daydreaming of lovers and how to push the her own literary boundaries. She loves her motorcycle and her men filthy and is keen on a hot cup of Coca Tea.
And above all else, she loves the people who buy her books, who encourage her to continue living her passion.
Getting Mine was definitely a different read for me from Adair Rymer as I was used to her badass biker books. This story has more of a NA feel to it. The story revolves around Arsen & Valentine (Val), two high school kids who were just getting to the point of where they could have been considered a couple. As fast as Arsen came into Val's life, he was suddenly and without warning, gone. Fast forward six years ~ Valentine is a famous actress easily manipulated by her famous father (also an actor) and a bit hardened by the shallow lifestyle of entitlement and the desertion of Arsen, which she never quite got over. Arsen is now Val's bodyguard as her life is in danger. Oh, did I mention that Arsen and Val are step-siblings? The development of Val's father and Arsen's mother wasn't brought to light in the course of the story other than the fact that they were married. As Arsen and Val maneuver through unchartered waters of why and how their lives are what they are, one thing that's never changed was their love for each other. In order for the story to make sense, the chapters move back and forth from past to present, allowing the reader a chance to see how the past affected the present. There were some twists and turns which added some thrilling moments. I had a bit of a hard time connecting with some of the characters, mainly Val and her father, Hugh. The book was well written as Adair Rymer is a brilliantly talented author ~ I would absolutely recommend this read if you like early adult fiction. I was given this ARC for an honest review and thank you for that.
I am used to Adair Rymer writing kickass biker books and dark romance seems to be one of her strengths. This book is so different as there are no bikers in sight but instead it tells the story of a movie star and her famous father and the "lower class" mother and son who have merged their lives together. Years have passed since Valentine has seen her high school crush Arsen and when he crashes back into her life it is as her "bodyguard" and protection from an unknown assailant. They both have kept secrets from each other and when life starts to get dangerous and complicated (pressure from her father and handlers as well as Arsen's pull back to his violent past) decisions need to be made that will impact both of their futures. The story goes back and forth between present day and their angst ridden teenage years in high school and the history they shared is very crucial to how they turned out as adults. I really liked the storyline of this "stepbrother" romance...it was exciting, had a lot of interesting supporting characters and thrilling action to balance out the sexy as hell love scenes. The things that are really important in life battle with the luxuries most people think they need to survive...and sometimes who you love and trust is not who everyone thinks is the right choice. A great addition to Rymer's library of books that is different from what she usually writes. I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
***** 5 ***** "choosing the important things in life" stars
I am a fan of Adair's books and this one was different than her others but I loved it! It is the tale of two teenagers who find a unique friendship that is just on the cusp of blossoming into young love when they are separated by family. A set of unusual circumstances arise and they are now related through marriage. They have been apart for 6 years and when they cross paths again the spark is still there. Val is now a young talented movie star and Arsen has made quite a name for himself in the underground world of fighting. Val's family is being threatened and her self centered egotistical father Hugh has decided that he knows what is best for her, little does Val know that this is not the first time he has tried to change the course of her life and make decisions for her. Arsen and Val are now thrown together. Val is a target and Arsen is sent to protect her! You can feel the chemistry between them. I loved Arsen's dirty sarcastic mouth! Val always seems surprised at the things that he says to her but is quite the worthy opponent. If he is looking for a battle of wits he may have met his match!!! This tale was full of love, romance, lust, witty banter and suspense !! It was a great mix!!! Is it possible for these two people who are so different to come together. Can they overcome the external forces that are attempting to keep them apart!! You will thoroughly enjoy the journey of Val and Arsen!!! I was given an Arc for an honest review! ~~Michele McMullen~~
I'm not sure where I was when I decided this was a DNF, but it was enough. I'm not angry like I sometimes get with sloppy writing, just a little disappointed, and that's probably because I didn't spend any money on this one since it was a KU read. Also, I didn't let this one waste too much of my time before I decided to do an Elsa.
Then again, I think I've read one decent stepbrother romance -- MAAAAYYYBE and I'm not even sure I didn't imagine that since I can't think of what it would have been -- so I don't know why I keep picking these up. They are clearly never going to work for me. I guess I just keep hoping one will surprise me. I don't know if this was the author's first book, but it read like it. For the record, I can put up with some... awkward writing if the story keeps me entertained, but this story wasn't doing enough of that. I'm also not a big fan of multiple or extended flashbacks and this one featured them in bulk.
I loved this book, watching the want and confusion and fear going through Valentine and Arsen. I hated Hugh and what he did to his daughter, I do not think I could have gone so long under his thumb, especially as an adult. She made it on her own and he still was not happy. Arsen showed her who she really is and helped her be happy while she helped him at the same time. Seeing the way they cared for each other from the beginning and never gave up on each other, even when it seemed like they were, was amazing to see. They worked through all their possible issues, and kept going regardless of what other thought, Damned the consequences, and they came out on top. Seeing the pain and suffering Arsen put himself through thinking he was doing right by leaving Val was impressive, I think without that time away he would not have been able to do what he did in the end to get back to her, even after he had given up. I believe they were each others good luck charms, and saved each other through the best love ever.
Another beautiful story of redemption. Incest is always a taboo subject although technically step siblings share no blood and are therefore not committing incest. It can seem odd to people but it just takes getting used to and deciding how much you love the person and want to build a life with them. This couple defied the odds and won their HEA.
Val & Arsen are 2 teens thinking about taking "that next step",until they are forced to put the brakes on, thanks to Val's egotistical, controlling (& general POS) father, who also happensto be a famous & powerful actor. When he decides to marry Arsen's mother, making them step-siblings, he turns their love into something forbidden & dirty. Years later, Arsen returns as Val's (who is now a famous actress herself) bodyguard, & sparks fly again. The story goes back & forth, chronicling their past & present relationship, with all the twists & turns along the way. Let's just say that love triumphs, & the "bad guy" gets his due. I was a "Step-brother virgin" & this was a great story to pop my cherry :) Great job, Adair. You can now add "steps" to your success. Your badass biker stories are great, & this was just as good.
This is the story of two teenagers, their friendship, how their relationship came to be, and subsequent meeting years later. Val was a quiet girl at school, she liked to hide in the back ground, until Arsen happened to noticed her and they became friends, when they start to feel closer they are unfortunately separated. As the years pass they become related by marriage and 6 years later they finally meet up again. And the attraction is still there. Arsen had been asked to protect Val as she now is a talented movie star. It's time to take their friendship to the next level, but is Val ready?
The chemistry between them was amazing, the pages were smoking. And I liked how the story moved from past to present, it showed how the characters had changed and developed. I would highly recommend this book.
Val was the nerdy daughter of a well known actor. All her father cared about was the family image. Arsen was the high school jock who became her best friend. Then he left without a word and six years later he returned. By this time, his mother was married to her father. Someone was trying to hurt the family and Arsen became her bodyguard. She was now a well known actress still following what her father said. I loved the story in this book. What Val and Arsen had to go through to be together was different and interesting. Lots of twists and turns enough hat I couldn't put the book down!!!
What a delightful story. Arsen and Val are thrown into a step siblings situation as soon as their love blooms. Her father is horrid and knows nothing but his fame. He does everything is his power to ruin everything.
In the midst of this story, Arsen agrees to protect Val from threats made to the family. Being around her again is torture. He knows that he loves her but he also thinks he isn't good enough for her and her lifestyle.
I will start out saying that I have always been a little afraid of reading a Stepbrother Romance. Then I will say that Adair Ryder did a very good job handling their relationship! I absolutely loved Arsen and Val. I can't wait for the next book! Definitely a must read for you! LT
I received this book in exchange for a honest review. I love my step brother romance books including this one. I loved the characters and the storyline. Its a well written book that has a good flow to the story!
I can't believe I'm saying this, because this is a trope I don't generally enjoy... (but yet I keep trying with it.) I really liked this book, however. I thought the plot was great and I loved the characters.
I really liked how Adair wove the past and present together and alternated between Val and Arsen's points of view. While the plot isn't a new one (hero leaves as teen for unknown but valid reason, then reappears to get his love back), I loved their story. And it was super hot and dirty!