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Famous on the Internet #1
Br0th3rly
Fighting his relentless love for Trevor, the guy he was raised to consider his brother, has been Tristan’s mission in life.
To distance himself from Trevor, even after discovering they weren’t really related, he left for college at sixteen. Moving into the city, building a new life, and running an anonymous blog about what he considers sick, twisted feelings might make Tristan famous on the Internet, but it isn’t enough to get over his obsession. Every time he goes home, a quick glance at Trevor brings it all flooding back.
When commitment-phobe Trevor announces he’s got a serious boyfriend during one of Tristan’s rare visits home, the adoring kid brother will be forced to run once again. This time, however, Trevor doesn’t stand back and watch him leave.
Instead, he follows him, making it nigh on impossible for Tristan to keep his love a secret for much longer.
To distance himself from Trevor, even after discovering they weren’t really related, he left for college at sixteen. Moving into the city, building a new life, and running an anonymous blog about what he considers sick, twisted feelings might make Tristan famous on the Internet, but it isn’t enough to get over his obsession. Every time he goes home, a quick glance at Trevor brings it all flooding back.
When commitment-phobe Trevor announces he’s got a serious boyfriend during one of Tristan’s rare visits home, the adoring kid brother will be forced to run once again. This time, however, Trevor doesn’t stand back and watch him leave.
Instead, he follows him, making it nigh on impossible for Tristan to keep his love a secret for much longer.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2016
About the author
Alina Popescu
76 books180 followersI am a writer, traveler, blogger, and coffee addict. I started writing stories when I was 10 and kept doing it as a hobby till a few years ago. I prefer fantasy and sci-fi when it comes to writing and I am currently working on a vampire series, Bad Blood. Book I of the series, The Edge of hope, was published in April 2014.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
March 17, 2017
5 stars
You know the feeling you have when *everybody* loves a book, BUT you?
It's quite the opposite here: when I saw this book's average rating, my heart sank. There are many low ratings and I popped here still euphoric and ready to declare my undying LOVE for this book. Can't believe it was free on Amazon!
Anyway, nothing can hold me back now. SO here I go:
I LOVE this book to the moon and back!! I got sucked into the story from the very beginning.
I'm sorry it was too short with only 100 pages. I've read it in one standing, but it left me wanting for more. Much more! I fell in love HARD with Tristan and Trevor! Please tell me there will be at a sequel! Give it to me!!!! *grabby hands*
At first I got curious about it because, from the writer's name, Alina Popescu, I knew it was written by a Romanian and I haven't read, until now, any MM story by a Romanian author. Br0th3rly was exactly what I needed right now. This one is pretty short, fast-paced, angsty, but with a very sweet ending and some pretty HOT scenes.
Then I was attracted by the not-so-brotherly-love mentioned in the blurb. Even if the main characters are NOT blood related, they were raised as siblings, and were too afraid to lose their family by admitting their feelings, for years!
I thought I knew what I was getting myself into when I dived into this, but it was way different than I expected. Better. Much better!
I was surprised by this book and I think I'll mention some of my reasons:
- all the blog posts were heartbreaking. We get to know Tristan from the very beginning: through the first blog post as AdoringKidBrother. He made me love him from the start.
- it made my heart bleed and I was about to cry while reading the first half of the book. I swear I *never* cry while reading! So this author is that good! Angsty - yes. Unbearable - not really. And I devoured every chapter, every scene.
I don't want to give too much, because I think it's always better to keep the surprises of a book for the other readers. What is safe to say is that I lived and breathed this story, I kept my fingers crossed for Tristan to get his HEA, my heart sank when Trevor invited his boyfriend Ash at their mother's birthday. I could taste Trist's despair and ache and I followed this story praying Trev will share his feelings at one point.
I will not complain we don't get dual POV, because I adored this anyway. I must say I wasn't sure they will get to live their fantasies and all I can say is: Alina Popescu is writing amazing HOT scenes! It was worth it, the waiting, for both of them and for the readers. *blushing*
So this is a beautiful story of two men who hid their feelings for all their lives and got to the point they had to face their fears and admit what they really felt.
The ending may seem too easy for some, but I'd say it was unexpectedly sweet and think they suffered enough.
I will definitely read other books by this author and I would recommend this one to those who are not disturbed by a stepbrother story, those who are not easily offended, and to any MM book lovers.
You know the feeling you have when *everybody* loves a book, BUT you?
It's quite the opposite here: when I saw this book's average rating, my heart sank. There are many low ratings and I popped here still euphoric and ready to declare my undying LOVE for this book. Can't believe it was free on Amazon!
Anyway, nothing can hold me back now. SO here I go:
I LOVE this book to the moon and back!! I got sucked into the story from the very beginning.
I'm sorry it was too short with only 100 pages. I've read it in one standing, but it left me wanting for more. Much more! I fell in love HARD with Tristan and Trevor! Please tell me there will be at a sequel! Give it to me!!!! *grabby hands*
At first I got curious about it because, from the writer's name, Alina Popescu, I knew it was written by a Romanian and I haven't read, until now, any MM story by a Romanian author. Br0th3rly was exactly what I needed right now. This one is pretty short, fast-paced, angsty, but with a very sweet ending and some pretty HOT scenes.
Then I was attracted by the not-so-brotherly-love mentioned in the blurb. Even if the main characters are NOT blood related, they were raised as siblings, and were too afraid to lose their family by admitting their feelings, for years!
I thought I knew what I was getting myself into when I dived into this, but it was way different than I expected. Better. Much better!
I was surprised by this book and I think I'll mention some of my reasons:
- all the blog posts were heartbreaking. We get to know Tristan from the very beginning: through the first blog post as AdoringKidBrother. He made me love him from the start.
- it made my heart bleed and I was about to cry while reading the first half of the book. I swear I *never* cry while reading! So this author is that good! Angsty - yes. Unbearable - not really. And I devoured every chapter, every scene.
I don't want to give too much, because I think it's always better to keep the surprises of a book for the other readers. What is safe to say is that I lived and breathed this story, I kept my fingers crossed for Tristan to get his HEA, my heart sank when Trevor invited his boyfriend Ash at their mother's birthday. I could taste Trist's despair and ache and I followed this story praying Trev will share his feelings at one point.
I will not complain we don't get dual POV, because I adored this anyway. I must say I wasn't sure they will get to live their fantasies and all I can say is: Alina Popescu is writing amazing HOT scenes! It was worth it, the waiting, for both of them and for the readers. *blushing*
So this is a beautiful story of two men who hid their feelings for all their lives and got to the point they had to face their fears and admit what they really felt.
The ending may seem too easy for some, but I'd say it was unexpectedly sweet and think they suffered enough.
I will definitely read other books by this author and I would recommend this one to those who are not disturbed by a stepbrother story, those who are not easily offended, and to any MM book lovers.
March 14, 2017
4 stars!
"Brotherly" is the story of Tristan, he has been in love with his brother Trevor, who years later is told by their parents are not blood brothers. But his still feels anguished by his love for him, thinking his love is not right, and thinking there's no way Trevor feels the same. On one of his visits home his devastated when being introduced to Trevor's new serious boyfriend, heartbroken he leaves. Till the last person he ever expected shows up on his front door.
For being a short read this was really good it had my emotions going all over the place. From teary eye to pulling my hair out, wanting to shake both guys to hugging them. It was sad to see through Tristan eyes how he wanted to be with Trevor and the guilt he lived with. And not for one second did I feel like it was wrong regardless of how they grew up as brothers, they weren't. Right front the beginning I knew these two belong together. Thank goodness when they finally talked it out and we see how they both miscommunicated well, it was worth the angst. I was right Trev/Tris as a couple were so perfectly hot.
I'm definitely keeping my eye out for more of this author. ❤
"Brotherly" is the story of Tristan, he has been in love with his brother Trevor, who years later is told by their parents are not blood brothers. But his still feels anguished by his love for him, thinking his love is not right, and thinking there's no way Trevor feels the same. On one of his visits home his devastated when being introduced to Trevor's new serious boyfriend, heartbroken he leaves. Till the last person he ever expected shows up on his front door.
For being a short read this was really good it had my emotions going all over the place. From teary eye to pulling my hair out, wanting to shake both guys to hugging them. It was sad to see through Tristan eyes how he wanted to be with Trevor and the guilt he lived with. And not for one second did I feel like it was wrong regardless of how they grew up as brothers, they weren't. Right front the beginning I knew these two belong together. Thank goodness when they finally talked it out and we see how they both miscommunicated well, it was worth the angst. I was right Trev/Tris as a couple were so perfectly hot.
I'm definitely keeping my eye out for more of this author. ❤
March 10, 2017
3 promising stars for this short sexy story
Trist has been in love with Trevor, his stepbrother (not blood-related) for as long he can remember and no matter how brotherly Trevor acted, this love didn’t fade once they were both adults and Trist kept the family interactions at its minimum not to let his feelings get out. But the struggle is tough and Trevor is not ready to give up on Tristan.
It was sexy, with plenty of feels, even though a bit OTT. But what I really loved : the writing !!! It was witty as F**, refreshing and funny.
I will definitely read book 2. Thanks for the rec, Dia
Trist has been in love with Trevor, his stepbrother (not blood-related) for as long he can remember and no matter how brotherly Trevor acted, this love didn’t fade once they were both adults and Trist kept the family interactions at its minimum not to let his feelings get out. But the struggle is tough and Trevor is not ready to give up on Tristan.
It was sexy, with plenty of feels, even though a bit OTT. But what I really loved : the writing !!! It was witty as F**, refreshing and funny.
I will definitely read book 2. Thanks for the rec, Dia
February 12, 2016
Wow - loved the writing and the way Popescu used blog posts throughout to tell some of the story. I would have liked Trevor's POV in addition to Tristan's POV.
March 3, 2017
Bittersweet
I enjoyed the sweetness, and the angst was written well enough that I felt Tristan's pain in my own gut. I wasn't entirely convinced that two people could be THAT clueless about one another's feelings, especially considering the amount of self-involvement necessary to maintain that cluelessness. But the true and loving connection Tristan and Trevor share is just too wonderful for me to rag too harshly on the somewhat unnecessary angst.
I enjoyed the sweetness, and the angst was written well enough that I felt Tristan's pain in my own gut. I wasn't entirely convinced that two people could be THAT clueless about one another's feelings, especially considering the amount of self-involvement necessary to maintain that cluelessness. But the true and loving connection Tristan and Trevor share is just too wonderful for me to rag too harshly on the somewhat unnecessary angst.
July 16, 2017
It was ok
Editing needed to be done, the basic story line not very original, and there really wasn't much of a story outside of brotherly love regardless. This was just ok for me. And the parents knew the whole time. I didn't really buy that but at least they accepted them.
Eh, it was free so for that I am grateful.
Editing needed to be done, the basic story line not very original, and there really wasn't much of a story outside of brotherly love regardless. This was just ok for me. And the parents knew the whole time. I didn't really buy that but at least they accepted them.
Eh, it was free so for that I am grateful.
January 22, 2016
Original Blog Post: Blog tour, eARC Review, & #Giveaway: Br0th3rly (Famous on the Internet, Book One) by Alina Popescu
Review by: multitaskingmomma
My Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars
Br0th3rly is a blog written by an adoring younger brother who talks about his love for the man he grew up knowing as his older brother. Before you get twisted thoughts, bear in mind this is not an incestuous romance between blood brothers. This is not taboo twincest either.
This is the story of two unrelated by any blood or gene men who fell in love but did nothing about it for fear of rejection and getting ostracized by society. They are two men who loved but did nothing to act on the love for fear. One brother, Tristan, bares his mind and soul anonymously in a blog. Although the comments section is always disabled, he is a minion of followers who reblog and share whatever posts he writes at 3 or so in the morning. This anonymity, this mystery of a writer, it caught the imagination of said minions to the effect Br0th3rly is very famous on the Internet.
Does Trevor know what Tristan is doing? No. As this is the first book, you readers will realize this is going to be an ongoing story of Trevor's and Tristan's relationship and how it will get affected by Br0th3rly.
This is a very fast read and at more or less ninety pages, seems too short. The feelings Tristan has for Trevor are laid bare but Trevor is oblivious. We the readers become the minions who follow Br0th3rly's posts. We are curious what he has to say next and being unable to post the comments because it's disabled makes it a bit frustrating.
Alina Popescu is on to something here and this has gotten my curiosity meter pinging. Looking forward to when Trevor discovers how Br0th3rly is going to affect his life.
Note: eARC provided for by publisher for an honest review.
Review by: multitaskingmomma
My Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars
Br0th3rly is a blog written by an adoring younger brother who talks about his love for the man he grew up knowing as his older brother. Before you get twisted thoughts, bear in mind this is not an incestuous romance between blood brothers. This is not taboo twincest either.
This is the story of two unrelated by any blood or gene men who fell in love but did nothing about it for fear of rejection and getting ostracized by society. They are two men who loved but did nothing to act on the love for fear. One brother, Tristan, bares his mind and soul anonymously in a blog. Although the comments section is always disabled, he is a minion of followers who reblog and share whatever posts he writes at 3 or so in the morning. This anonymity, this mystery of a writer, it caught the imagination of said minions to the effect Br0th3rly is very famous on the Internet.
Does Trevor know what Tristan is doing? No. As this is the first book, you readers will realize this is going to be an ongoing story of Trevor's and Tristan's relationship and how it will get affected by Br0th3rly.
This is a very fast read and at more or less ninety pages, seems too short. The feelings Tristan has for Trevor are laid bare but Trevor is oblivious. We the readers become the minions who follow Br0th3rly's posts. We are curious what he has to say next and being unable to post the comments because it's disabled makes it a bit frustrating.
Alina Popescu is on to something here and this has gotten my curiosity meter pinging. Looking forward to when Trevor discovers how Br0th3rly is going to affect his life.
Note: eARC provided for by publisher for an honest review.
March 8, 2017
Overall book rating: 3
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 3
Maybe my feelings are based on the fact that I have indeed read a few (although not a great deal) “sibling/incest” stories. Some of them done really well I might add.
Yes: * I did enjoy the “idea” around the story
* I liked the whole Blogger thing and the publisher hounding Trist
It was entertaining and a little “something else”
* I actually think this could have really been great... but to me it
unfortunately had a bit of a juvenile feel to it at points in time.
No: * Trist is a one hell of a Drama Lama – I can understand his
emotions and feelings up to a point, but maybe the approach
was a little... off at times. Resulting in me kinda sorta losing
my empathy with him. Enough already.
* I didn’t like “all’s well ends well” thing in the end either. All
this drama and tears and what have you for a HEA crammed into a few
Pages that felt somewhat unrealistic.
All in all I still enjoyed it for what it was though. A Short-read.
So maybe I should shut up and remember that there are only so many pages the author had to pour all this information into and be happy.
I’m happy. Their happy, everyone is happy.
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 3
Maybe my feelings are based on the fact that I have indeed read a few (although not a great deal) “sibling/incest” stories. Some of them done really well I might add.
Yes: * I did enjoy the “idea” around the story
* I liked the whole Blogger thing and the publisher hounding Trist
It was entertaining and a little “something else”
* I actually think this could have really been great... but to me it
unfortunately had a bit of a juvenile feel to it at points in time.
No: * Trist is a one hell of a Drama Lama – I can understand his
emotions and feelings up to a point, but maybe the approach
was a little... off at times. Resulting in me kinda sorta losing
my empathy with him. Enough already.
* I didn’t like “all’s well ends well” thing in the end either. All
this drama and tears and what have you for a HEA crammed into a few
Pages that felt somewhat unrealistic.
All in all I still enjoyed it for what it was though. A Short-read.
So maybe I should shut up and remember that there are only so many pages the author had to pour all this information into and be happy.
I’m happy. Their happy, everyone is happy.
June 16, 2016
La autora no lo hace mal así que creo que leeré más de ella pero estos personajes han hecho que ponga los ojos tantas veces en blanco que temía que se me iban a quedar del revés. Dramallamas y'all!!
April 16, 2016
This story, as written, really didn't work for me on quite a few levels.
The first half of the book was mostly Tristan, the younger brother, bemoaning the fact that he was a deviant pervert for being attracted to his older brother, Trevor, beginning at age 10.
So for chapter after chapter after chapter, Tristan mentally beat himself up over his intense, all-consuming love for his brother. Ad nauseam. He just kept droning on and on about it, until I wanted to just yell, "Dead horse, DEAD HORSE!" and yank the battery out of my eReader.
The story worked much better in the second half, once Tristan ran away from his older brother. No way could he handle his big brother finally getting serious enough with a guy to invite him over to meet the parents, so he runs away. Again.
Only this time, Trevor followed him back to the city a few weeks after, where Tristan has been stewing in his own juices over his unresolvable, never-ending brotherly lurve.
Then, as these books always tend to do, everything magically works out and we got an HEA, which would have been enjoyable and great, BUT...
1.) A lot of the enjoyment was tainted for me by Tristan's tendency to be a huge drama queen. Even when he got what he's always desired, he was still looking a gift horse in the mouth. He's 22, not 14, but it seemed as though every little thing had to be High Drama.
2.) Many times, I found myself thinking that some portions of the dialogue sounded like something out of a soap opera. I wasn't really a fan of that. Below are a few examples:
“Taste me, Trist. You’ll see I’m as real as I can be.”So when all was said and done, this one averaged out at around 2.5 stars for me, although other reviewers did seem to enjoy this story more.
“Look at me, Trist. Watch me come undone for you.”
“Easy, Trist.”
“I can’t, I simply can’t. I need more!”
“I think it’s high time you were introduced to Br0th3rly.”
He shrugged and pulled me into his lap. “That can wait. I need to get reintroduced to your naked body.”
----------------------------------------------
My copy of the book was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
January 14, 2016
***I have been given a free copy for an honest review***
This has been a long expected release and I'm happy to say that I was not disappointed. It's a wonderful story, perfectly timed and executed. I lived it every step of the way. I loved and pitied Tristan and hated Trevor, I yelled at them and called them names. I cried with them. And boy, I would read this again!
And I loved the format of story. I can't wait to see what Alina has in store for us for book 2 of the series.
This has been a long expected release and I'm happy to say that I was not disappointed. It's a wonderful story, perfectly timed and executed. I lived it every step of the way. I loved and pitied Tristan and hated Trevor, I yelled at them and called them names. I cried with them. And boy, I would read this again!
And I loved the format of story. I can't wait to see what Alina has in store for us for book 2 of the series.
March 10, 2019
3.5 stars!
Very entertaining story about two young men raised as brothers (not blood related) falling in love with each other. Really enjoyed reading this Amazon Freebie! The perfect short story for my 3 hours commute to work!
Very entertaining story about two young men raised as brothers (not blood related) falling in love with each other. Really enjoyed reading this Amazon Freebie! The perfect short story for my 3 hours commute to work!
January 20, 2018
Has potential at being a very good brother x brother book, but due to it being short, Everything was rushed and i got a lit of cringe vibes but mainly because I felt it was kinda cheesy as well. I flipped fast through the end as i lost interest after the reveal. I also disliked how their names both started with a T. I kept getting confused who was who at times. I would have liked more angst and having the younger brother attempt a relationship in the story with another person during the main story rather than offside and seeing the older brother get his feathers ruffled up seeing this. Want to get his reaction.
February 14, 2018
I read this book because a GR friend with similar taste gave it 4 stars. For me, it's more of a 2-3. If you are going to write an incest book, you need to go all-in. Embrace the kink! Revel in the taboo!
This book didn't do that. Instead, this book tries to write about a taboo topic but does it in the most tame way possible. Without spoiling anything, I'll simply say that this book doesn't *feel* taboo because the taboo portion is weirdly made non-taboo like due, in large part, to everyone's super cool reaction to the MC's love for his brother, including the brother. And then there's the fact that they aren't biologically related (which is meant to make their love okay) and that the MC loved his brother sexually since he was 10 or 12 (which is meant to be no big deal, but I actually found that to be the most icky because no 10 or 12 year old should be consumed with lust--be it for his brother-not-brother or someone else). Add to that the book publisher who contacts the brother with a completely unrealistic book deal and, well, I'm done. This book just felt like a bit of a hot mess to me.
Anyways, this was a weird read for me. I like stories that deal with taboo topics, but this one had me making all sorts of strange icky facial expressions as I read for all the reasons expressed above. You're welcome to check it out for free (it's a KU book if you're a member) but I don't think I can actually recommend it.
This book didn't do that. Instead, this book tries to write about a taboo topic but does it in the most tame way possible. Without spoiling anything, I'll simply say that this book doesn't *feel* taboo because the taboo portion is weirdly made non-taboo like due, in large part, to everyone's super cool reaction to the MC's love for his brother, including the brother. And then there's the fact that they aren't biologically related (which is meant to make their love okay) and that the MC loved his brother sexually since he was 10 or 12 (which is meant to be no big deal, but I actually found that to be the most icky because no 10 or 12 year old should be consumed with lust--be it for his brother-not-brother or someone else). Add to that the book publisher who contacts the brother with a completely unrealistic book deal and, well, I'm done. This book just felt like a bit of a hot mess to me.
Anyways, this was a weird read for me. I like stories that deal with taboo topics, but this one had me making all sorts of strange icky facial expressions as I read for all the reasons expressed above. You're welcome to check it out for free (it's a KU book if you're a member) but I don't think I can actually recommend it.
March 6, 2018
4.5 stars
Short but exquisite, angsty tale of two (not blood related) brothers in love. Very emotional and heartwrenching, beautifully written but the main plot could be an issue for some readers.
Short but exquisite, angsty tale of two (not blood related) brothers in love. Very emotional and heartwrenching, beautifully written but the main plot could be an issue for some readers.
March 12, 2017
This book was a pleasant surprise. I probably would have never found it on my own but my dearest friend from Romania suggested it as the author is a fellow Romanian. It happened to be FREE on Amazon at the time so I figured...why not? And I am thrilled that I did.
For a subject matter that could be tricky to manage, the author handles it with a quirky humor that endears the MC's and Tristan's angst to the reader. We find ourselves saddened for Tristan and his seemingly unrequited love for Trevor...his stepbrother. The story is told from Tristan's POV and interspersed with Tristan's blog posts about his journey thru loving his stepbrother hell. At times it's humorous and at times painfully sad. However, Trevor holds on to a few secrets of his own; and when push comes to shove, both men finally let go of years of anguish as they loved each other silently from a distance. Once the dam is broken, we have a touching and sweet confession from both that leads to some very sexy intimacy. And of course a sweet HEA.
A pleasant surprise well worth the read!
For a subject matter that could be tricky to manage, the author handles it with a quirky humor that endears the MC's and Tristan's angst to the reader. We find ourselves saddened for Tristan and his seemingly unrequited love for Trevor...his stepbrother. The story is told from Tristan's POV and interspersed with Tristan's blog posts about his journey thru loving his stepbrother hell. At times it's humorous and at times painfully sad. However, Trevor holds on to a few secrets of his own; and when push comes to shove, both men finally let go of years of anguish as they loved each other silently from a distance. Once the dam is broken, we have a touching and sweet confession from both that leads to some very sexy intimacy. And of course a sweet HEA.
A pleasant surprise well worth the read!
March 5, 2017
4.5 stars
That was a sweet sexy read, I really enjoyed it. Thank goodness they explained the brotherly thing pretty early on though. I actually read a book recently with two brothers that went very differently, this was fairly light. Only criticism, it ended a little quickly
That was a sweet sexy read, I really enjoyed it. Thank goodness they explained the brotherly thing pretty early on though. I actually read a book recently with two brothers that went very differently, this was fairly light. Only criticism, it ended a little quickly
March 14, 2017
Really good book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Poor Tristan he broke my heart, he punished himself so much because he believed he was a deviant. It's only in Tristan's POV which actually works well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Poor Tristan he broke my heart, he punished himself so much because he believed he was a deviant. It's only in Tristan's POV which actually works well.
March 6, 2017
Really enjoyable read
I really enjoyed this book, it has great characters plenty of drama and angst and a decent happy ending. The story focuses on two step brothers who have grown up together. The problem is that one of them is in love and lust with the other even though he knows it's wrong. But what happens when the other brother tells you he has feelings for you too. Recommended.
I really enjoyed this book, it has great characters plenty of drama and angst and a decent happy ending. The story focuses on two step brothers who have grown up together. The problem is that one of them is in love and lust with the other even though he knows it's wrong. But what happens when the other brother tells you he has feelings for you too. Recommended.
March 24, 2016
3.5 stars I really enjoyed this a lot, and actually had tears in my eyes during much of it. Travis's situation was heartbreaking. Imagine being desperately in love with someone you can never have and telling the truth could make you lose your entire family? Then add the fact that you have to see this person constantly. That would be hard to deal with, and it was well done in this story.
The thing that I think made me round down to 3 stars instead of up to 4, was that sometimes the writing/dialogue had an odd and overly formal way to it. It made them seem much older, or like they were from a different era. For example:
Seriously? Who says that? But it was sweet and heartbreaking, then sweet and hot. I was satisfied with the way things worked out in the end. They acknowledged the reality of the world, as opposed to things being white-picket fence perfect. Some sacrifices had to be made, but they were whole and happy. The way that the book deal was wrapped up also went well in that it wasn't a major focus, but highlighted things and allowed for a light moment of what's to come at the end.
That being said, I skipped the last few blog entries. Once things were developing between the guys I didn't want to hold off reading to flash back in time. Some were heartbreaking and/or gave new insight to something in present time. But some were just random snatches. I think the events in the blog posts could have related more to present events, and that would have felt a little more cohesive.
So, not perfect, but lovely. If the idea of two men that were raised as brothers falling in love skeeves you out, then do not read this book. It is what it is. But why read boring old romances where everything is easy?! Challenge yourself a little, you might like it. *wink
Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for Hearts On Fire
The thing that I think made me round down to 3 stars instead of up to 4, was that sometimes the writing/dialogue had an odd and overly formal way to it. It made them seem much older, or like they were from a different era. For example:
"Your core? That I've known, always. And it's mine, as I'm yours."
Seriously? Who says that? But it was sweet and heartbreaking, then sweet and hot. I was satisfied with the way things worked out in the end. They acknowledged the reality of the world, as opposed to things being white-picket fence perfect. Some sacrifices had to be made, but they were whole and happy. The way that the book deal was wrapped up also went well in that it wasn't a major focus, but highlighted things and allowed for a light moment of what's to come at the end.
That being said, I skipped the last few blog entries. Once things were developing between the guys I didn't want to hold off reading to flash back in time. Some were heartbreaking and/or gave new insight to something in present time. But some were just random snatches. I think the events in the blog posts could have related more to present events, and that would have felt a little more cohesive.
So, not perfect, but lovely. If the idea of two men that were raised as brothers falling in love skeeves you out, then do not read this book. It is what it is. But why read boring old romances where everything is easy?! Challenge yourself a little, you might like it. *wink
Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for Hearts On Fire
March 8, 2016
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
This story puts a bit of a spin on the friends-to-lovers theme for while Tristan and Trevor are certainly friends, they were raised as brothers, although they do find out at an earlier age that they are not blood related.
Tristan is miserable. I mean he has been absolutely miserable for most of his life pining for Trevor and then berating and loathing himself for his thoughts and feelings. He has done everything he can think of to put distance between them and, while he has tried dating, there is no one and nothing that feels right and his heart feels like he is betraying Trevor. This was the area that the author excelled in as Tristan’s character and motivations and feelings were well drawn.
To rest his mind somewhat, Tristan writes an anonymous blog about his feelings for Trevor. It’s just a way for him to cope and send his thoughts out into the world and since he has the comments are disabled, it does not allow for discussion. The blog posts started out interesting, but then could have tied back to the present day story a little bit more for me rather than being in the general sense. Also, the blog attracts the eye of a publisher who comes off as a little stalkerish and then offers Tristan a deal that is nothing short of outrageous by reality standards.
The majority of the book leading up to any sort of reveal was emotional and more intense, but once Trevor was more on page it lost some of that. Then, the intimate scenes, which should have been more powerful, went in the opposite direction for me and lost a lot of the tension that had been built up throughout the entire book.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
This story puts a bit of a spin on the friends-to-lovers theme for while Tristan and Trevor are certainly friends, they were raised as brothers, although they do find out at an earlier age that they are not blood related.
Tristan is miserable. I mean he has been absolutely miserable for most of his life pining for Trevor and then berating and loathing himself for his thoughts and feelings. He has done everything he can think of to put distance between them and, while he has tried dating, there is no one and nothing that feels right and his heart feels like he is betraying Trevor. This was the area that the author excelled in as Tristan’s character and motivations and feelings were well drawn.
To rest his mind somewhat, Tristan writes an anonymous blog about his feelings for Trevor. It’s just a way for him to cope and send his thoughts out into the world and since he has the comments are disabled, it does not allow for discussion. The blog posts started out interesting, but then could have tied back to the present day story a little bit more for me rather than being in the general sense. Also, the blog attracts the eye of a publisher who comes off as a little stalkerish and then offers Tristan a deal that is nothing short of outrageous by reality standards.
The majority of the book leading up to any sort of reveal was emotional and more intense, but once Trevor was more on page it lost some of that. Then, the intimate scenes, which should have been more powerful, went in the opposite direction for me and lost a lot of the tension that had been built up throughout the entire book.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
January 15, 2016
I know I signed up for this book. But I forgot what it was about by the time I started to read it. So instead of going on Goodreads to find out what this book was about. I went in blind.
Ok... I was kind of shocked. I thought to myself.. Whoa... There was some brotherly loving going on!....lol
But it was all good... I was getting into it. Then I started to notice little hints the author was doing to kind of justify Tristan's behavior and later their relationship. Which I was kind of bummed about.
When I first started reading this book. I thought.... ohhh a taboo kind of book! A younger brother falling for his slightly older brother. Ok... Kind of shocking. I'll go with it!
But... as I started to read more the whole tabooness kind of just fizzled out. The author I felt focused so much on the fact that they weren't blood related brothers. They were just raised that way.
Plain and simple... They were stepbrothers.
For a good chunk of the book you have Tristan fighting and whining and crying and just over all avoiding everyone over his brother he could not have.
Then you have Trevor. Going with everyone and doing everything and anything with all kinds of different men. Not even noticing his younger "brother".
I wish this book would have played out differently. Maybe stayed true to the whole taboo subject. And not make Tristan the way he was.
When they finally got together... It was pretty hot! But it just felt too short. Not enough of them together.
Overall this was an ok read for me. I would read more about Trevor & Tristan if there was another book coming out about them.
*ARC provided for an honest review*
-Michelle
Ok... I was kind of shocked. I thought to myself.. Whoa... There was some brotherly loving going on!....lol
But it was all good... I was getting into it. Then I started to notice little hints the author was doing to kind of justify Tristan's behavior and later their relationship. Which I was kind of bummed about.
When I first started reading this book. I thought.... ohhh a taboo kind of book! A younger brother falling for his slightly older brother. Ok... Kind of shocking. I'll go with it!
But... as I started to read more the whole tabooness kind of just fizzled out. The author I felt focused so much on the fact that they weren't blood related brothers. They were just raised that way.
Plain and simple... They were stepbrothers.
For a good chunk of the book you have Tristan fighting and whining and crying and just over all avoiding everyone over his brother he could not have.
Then you have Trevor. Going with everyone and doing everything and anything with all kinds of different men. Not even noticing his younger "brother".
I wish this book would have played out differently. Maybe stayed true to the whole taboo subject. And not make Tristan the way he was.
When they finally got together... It was pretty hot! But it just felt too short. Not enough of them together.
Overall this was an ok read for me. I would read more about Trevor & Tristan if there was another book coming out about them.
*ARC provided for an honest review*
-Michelle
mm
February 7, 2016With this book Alina Popescu proves she is an innovator and doesn’t care much about formulaic writing. The actual story is mixed with e-mails and blog posts, the latter being quite witty. This was one of the things that I found attention-grabbing.
The other was, of course, the idea of brotherly love which is not quite brotherly after all. Maybe I would have been more thrilled if it had remained in the taboo area but I understand this would have been frowned upon a lot. This being said, it was exciting to follow Tristan’s agony and the ways he was trying to deal with it.
There was a chapter or two that I found somewhat boring because they just went round and round what I already knew – Tristan’s secret love and his brother f***ing every pretty boy within reach. But then I thought it’s justifiable as after all the little one had lived 10 years with these heartbreaking emotions so in order for us to get even an ounce of it, it had to be repeated. Also at the beginning he seemed too much concerned with the physical side of things and seemed to be only in lust rather than in love with Trevor but the easy justification came right away to my head. A teenage boy – no need to say more!
All in all this was an interesting book to read, had few Downs but mostly Ups. Once I went through the part mentioned above I was more than eager to take it whenever I had few minutes free.
Frankly speaking, I can’t wait for the second part of the Famous on the Internet series. I’m sure Alina will surprise us with something new and different.
The other was, of course, the idea of brotherly love which is not quite brotherly after all. Maybe I would have been more thrilled if it had remained in the taboo area but I understand this would have been frowned upon a lot. This being said, it was exciting to follow Tristan’s agony and the ways he was trying to deal with it.
There was a chapter or two that I found somewhat boring because they just went round and round what I already knew – Tristan’s secret love and his brother f***ing every pretty boy within reach. But then I thought it’s justifiable as after all the little one had lived 10 years with these heartbreaking emotions so in order for us to get even an ounce of it, it had to be repeated. Also at the beginning he seemed too much concerned with the physical side of things and seemed to be only in lust rather than in love with Trevor but the easy justification came right away to my head. A teenage boy – no need to say more!
All in all this was an interesting book to read, had few Downs but mostly Ups. Once I went through the part mentioned above I was more than eager to take it whenever I had few minutes free.
Frankly speaking, I can’t wait for the second part of the Famous on the Internet series. I’m sure Alina will surprise us with something new and different.
September 2, 2017
Short but has a lot of depth and emotion
I picked this up free a while ago, and then forgot about it until seeing someone else mention it. I am so glad I took the time to read it! The emotions are expressed so well, and interspersing the chapters with his blog posts was clever and added perspective to the story. Just a great read all around.
I picked this up free a while ago, and then forgot about it until seeing someone else mention it. I am so glad I took the time to read it! The emotions are expressed so well, and interspersing the chapters with his blog posts was clever and added perspective to the story. Just a great read all around.
February 4, 2016
Needed: 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 stars. 3.375 stars this one.
"Fighting his relentless love for Trevor, the guy he was raised to consider his brother, has been Tristan’s mission in life."
This was one of those stories where you bang your head on the wall because you know either way someone was going to get hurt. Also, the storyline was set out so well, I could not put it down. My ratings fell due to partial storyline. The parents could have prevented all this hurt and confusion.
Love for the one person he had no rights to, had Tristan running from home at 16 and staying as far away as possible. In order to requite his feelings, he starts a blog to purge himself of his feelings. Along the way, a publishing company happens upon his blog and offer Tristan money to publish a book based on his blog.
Through all this, brother Trevor decides his lifestyle needs changing and finds a boyfriend. This sends Tristan running from home yet again. Trevor took it upon himself to end all this and get to the bottom of things.
I will not lie, I needed this to end cus it was killing me! Heat level about a 2, but that is ok, cus the story made up for it all.
I made a note that I will try this author again.
"Fighting his relentless love for Trevor, the guy he was raised to consider his brother, has been Tristan’s mission in life."
This was one of those stories where you bang your head on the wall because you know either way someone was going to get hurt. Also, the storyline was set out so well, I could not put it down. My ratings fell due to partial storyline. The parents could have prevented all this hurt and confusion.
Love for the one person he had no rights to, had Tristan running from home at 16 and staying as far away as possible. In order to requite his feelings, he starts a blog to purge himself of his feelings. Along the way, a publishing company happens upon his blog and offer Tristan money to publish a book based on his blog.
Through all this, brother Trevor decides his lifestyle needs changing and finds a boyfriend. This sends Tristan running from home yet again. Trevor took it upon himself to end all this and get to the bottom of things.
I will not lie, I needed this to end cus it was killing me! Heat level about a 2, but that is ok, cus the story made up for it all.
I made a note that I will try this author again.
January 29, 2016
Tristan has been in love with the man raised as his brother, Trevor, since he was ten years old. Trevor's sleeping around ways have forced Tristan into a self-imposed isolation, staying away from Trevor and his parents as far as possible to avoid being hurt. When Trevor brings home a boyfriend Tristan runs as fast as he can, unable to deal with the thought of losing him for good.
I really enjoyed the way that this book was written. It was witty and fresh. Both Trevor and Tristan will have you smiling throughout. These guys belong together and they are incredibly cute with each other as friends and more. This is a short, quick read but it will lift your mood and leave you feeling hopeful.
***Reviewed for LBM Book Blog***
I really enjoyed the way that this book was written. It was witty and fresh. Both Trevor and Tristan will have you smiling throughout. These guys belong together and they are incredibly cute with each other as friends and more. This is a short, quick read but it will lift your mood and leave you feeling hopeful.
***Reviewed for LBM Book Blog***
February 14, 2016
Br0th3rly is a captivating story that caught my attention right from the first chapter. Alina really gets into her characters' heads and gives us great insight into their feelings. At times I laughed, at times I wanted to shout at the screen as I read, and I was very satisfied with the ending.
Disclaimer: I was involved in the publication of this title.
Disclaimer: I was involved in the publication of this title.
March 12, 2017
Really enjoyable read. First book I've read in ages where I wanted to read it in one sitting!
September 16, 2017
5 Stars
Poor Tristan is tormented by his incestuous feelings for his brother, who is actually his stepbrother. But he and Trevor have been raised together from Tristan's birth as siblings and weren't told until they were much older that they were not really related by blood. After graduating high school two years early, Tristan ran away from his family at the age of 16 to attend college and hasn't returned to their small town more than a couple of times a year when he's forced to. He avoids conversing with and as much contact with Trevor as possible. When he returns home for his mother's birthday celebration and is faced with watching Trevor with his new boyfriend, he is heartbroken and leaves for good, but Trevor is persistent and he follows Tristan back to New York.
My heart absolutely broke for both Tristan and Trevor. Although the story is told completely from Tristan's POV and Trevor's feelings are kept quiet vocally, they come through loud and clear in his actions and reactions to Tristan. Both men are tortured by wanting the other and not only thinking the other doesn't reciprocate their feelings, but in Tristan's case it's worse because he fears his family will believe him a deviant for his feelings and disown him.
While my heart definitely broke, Alina made sure to mend it in the end with the beautiful connection between Tristan and Trevor. The chemistry and sexual tension between them was off the charts and the love they felt for each other came off the pages of the book. I absolutely loved this story and my only regret is we didn't get more page time with Tristan and Trevor as a couple. Maybe Ms. Popescu will give them a novella, I mean Christmas is coming up, right?! *hint hint nudge nudge*
Very enjoyable and definitely recommendable!
*copy provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Poor Tristan is tormented by his incestuous feelings for his brother, who is actually his stepbrother. But he and Trevor have been raised together from Tristan's birth as siblings and weren't told until they were much older that they were not really related by blood. After graduating high school two years early, Tristan ran away from his family at the age of 16 to attend college and hasn't returned to their small town more than a couple of times a year when he's forced to. He avoids conversing with and as much contact with Trevor as possible. When he returns home for his mother's birthday celebration and is faced with watching Trevor with his new boyfriend, he is heartbroken and leaves for good, but Trevor is persistent and he follows Tristan back to New York.
My heart absolutely broke for both Tristan and Trevor. Although the story is told completely from Tristan's POV and Trevor's feelings are kept quiet vocally, they come through loud and clear in his actions and reactions to Tristan. Both men are tortured by wanting the other and not only thinking the other doesn't reciprocate their feelings, but in Tristan's case it's worse because he fears his family will believe him a deviant for his feelings and disown him.
While my heart definitely broke, Alina made sure to mend it in the end with the beautiful connection between Tristan and Trevor. The chemistry and sexual tension between them was off the charts and the love they felt for each other came off the pages of the book. I absolutely loved this story and my only regret is we didn't get more page time with Tristan and Trevor as a couple. Maybe Ms. Popescu will give them a novella, I mean Christmas is coming up, right?! *hint hint nudge nudge*
Very enjoyable and definitely recommendable!
*copy provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*
May 1, 2018
Man this was a heartbreaking story mostly. But it was good. I don't normally go for the whole 'incest’ kinda thing, but I really liked this story.
Tristan learned at an early age was it was like to lust. The only problem was, it was his brother. The more time went on, the more it turned from lust to love. Yes, he still lusted after Trevor but it was so much more. And the more he fell in love, the more sick and twisted he felt. He felt like he was so disgusting. He pushed himself to graduate from high school early and moved out as quick as he could. Finally, he could breathe. At least until he had to make a visit home. Even his blog wasn't helping much because the minute he saw, every feeling he ever had was slammed into him. This last visit home for his mom's birthday was all he could take. Seeing Trevor with a boyfriend after all the flings, his heart broke. Fleeing as fast as he could, he has to figure out how to cope. Because life now feels over.
Ever had someone you've loved so much you didn't think you could breathe without them? I know I have. You feel like your whole life is consumed with only them. No matter what you do, it's always them. You watch through every fling, every sexual encounter, every flirt and your heart just aches and breaks because they don't see you. You try to do all you can to make them see you, but nothing works. This is Tristan. Now add the feelings of being a sick pervert. I mean, who falls in love with their brother, right? He is miserable. Every time he looks at Trevor, he yearns and aches. He dreams of the day they could be together, but knows it's not possible. He rushed through high school, did everything in college to forget, buries himself in work all to forget every look, every phone call, every text. He doesn't know how to move on. He can't even have any kind of relationship because he's so consumed with Trevor. Seeing Trevor finally, supposedly settling down with someone was the final straw. His heart can't take any more. He has his blog, he has his work and his best friend, maybe now he can move on. He has to try.
I know trying to heal from a broken heart is like the worst thing ever. At least it feels like it. Life as we know feels like it will not continue on. We feel like love is just a pipe dream. But somehow, through time, we get up and dust ourselves off and move on. Or sometimes our dreams end up coming true. We just have to keep trying.
http://lovebytesreviews.com
Tristan learned at an early age was it was like to lust. The only problem was, it was his brother. The more time went on, the more it turned from lust to love. Yes, he still lusted after Trevor but it was so much more. And the more he fell in love, the more sick and twisted he felt. He felt like he was so disgusting. He pushed himself to graduate from high school early and moved out as quick as he could. Finally, he could breathe. At least until he had to make a visit home. Even his blog wasn't helping much because the minute he saw, every feeling he ever had was slammed into him. This last visit home for his mom's birthday was all he could take. Seeing Trevor with a boyfriend after all the flings, his heart broke. Fleeing as fast as he could, he has to figure out how to cope. Because life now feels over.
Ever had someone you've loved so much you didn't think you could breathe without them? I know I have. You feel like your whole life is consumed with only them. No matter what you do, it's always them. You watch through every fling, every sexual encounter, every flirt and your heart just aches and breaks because they don't see you. You try to do all you can to make them see you, but nothing works. This is Tristan. Now add the feelings of being a sick pervert. I mean, who falls in love with their brother, right? He is miserable. Every time he looks at Trevor, he yearns and aches. He dreams of the day they could be together, but knows it's not possible. He rushed through high school, did everything in college to forget, buries himself in work all to forget every look, every phone call, every text. He doesn't know how to move on. He can't even have any kind of relationship because he's so consumed with Trevor. Seeing Trevor finally, supposedly settling down with someone was the final straw. His heart can't take any more. He has his blog, he has his work and his best friend, maybe now he can move on. He has to try.
I know trying to heal from a broken heart is like the worst thing ever. At least it feels like it. Life as we know feels like it will not continue on. We feel like love is just a pipe dream. But somehow, through time, we get up and dust ourselves off and move on. Or sometimes our dreams end up coming true. We just have to keep trying.
http://lovebytesreviews.com
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