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Let Your Heart Decide
New house, new job. A new start with his brother….
Two out of three isn’t bad, right?
Rhys returns to his hometown and must face the brother he’s been avoiding for two years. In his heart, Rhys still hopes to recapture the bond they once shared.
Jake willingly offers him the hand of friendship, but Rhys is reluctant to confront their past, fearing it will only rip them apart again.
When Rhys sees ghostly figures in the grounds of a local historic house, it leads him to investigate their shocking past—and to face his heart’s true desire.
**Please note this is a taboo romance featuring two brothers.**
Two out of three isn’t bad, right?
Rhys returns to his hometown and must face the brother he’s been avoiding for two years. In his heart, Rhys still hopes to recapture the bond they once shared.
Jake willingly offers him the hand of friendship, but Rhys is reluctant to confront their past, fearing it will only rip them apart again.
When Rhys sees ghostly figures in the grounds of a local historic house, it leads him to investigate their shocking past—and to face his heart’s true desire.
**Please note this is a taboo romance featuring two brothers.**
326 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2016
33 people are currently reading
377 people want to read
About the author
Lily G. Blunt
19 books152 followersLily reviewed for Gay Book Reviews and Sinfully Gay Book Reviews.
Lily launched Gay Book Promotions, an online book promotion service for authors of LGBT+ romance and fiction, in 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
February 14, 2024
In honor of the recent events happening within the MM community that I’ve seen on bookstagram regarding taboo books and authors, and the readers who decided to get some of the content and authors banned, I decided to read this to show my support of taboo content. And really, how much more taboo can it get than with some good ol’ brotherly love? However, while I’m all for showing my support for these authors and their content, I’m honest with my ratings and how I feel, too, and I can’t bring myself to rate this higher for the sake of support only when the story itself was quite boring. I guess I can say I’m thankful I read this on Kobo plus because of a 30-day free trial I had instead of buying if, but it’s also only $3.99 for the ebook on Amazon, if anyone is curious. Supporting authors is supporting authors, one way or another.
Incest novels are a guilty pleasure, like it or not. I read them when I’m in a slump, as well as smut filled or erotica novels where absolutely no thoughts process is needed besides eyes on my kindle as I read pages after pages of fictional characters going ham at it.
My issues with this are simple:
The timeline of the story is messy. It starts off as a romance, and then a mystery with a dead ghost story, and then smut, and then a romance with a subplot of ghosts. Adding on to that, the subplot of the ghosts and figures Rhys starts seeing in his haunted house became boring early on. It was difficult to follow what was going on as I was more interested in seeing more of Rhys and Jake, but instead spend quite a lot of time learning about the house, its history, what happened with Samuel and George and everyone else. I think the meaning behind it was nice, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.
Unfortunately, as usual, I couldn’t feel the chemistry between both main characters, Rhys and Jake. While they have a past of being involved sexually and intimately that they’ve been ignoring for two years, it didn’t help add to the lack of UST between them. While I thought there were some moments full of sexual tension, need, and lust, I wasn’t a fan of the execution. It felt as if we were supposed to accept their relationship only because of their involvement before. There is a lot of potential, with how much we learn about how close they were when they were younger and how dependent they were on each other, yet the development of the relationship didn’t progress well. While I can understand this route, I do need more to tension to be satisfied. It felt like the relationship was built only from their past, some sort of small second chance, and not because of present feelings. I thought the author did a fairly good job of presenting enough background for the two to see their closeness and bondness, their love for each other as young brothers, but not as much as their present emotions. Since it’s only on Rhys’s POV, it doesn’t help understand Jake’s feelings more, either. We get some familiarity from his reactions from Rhys, but nothing too much where we could understand his invisible perspective. The development was not executed well in my opinion and lacking that organic feel I usually find in other incest novels.
To make an incest novel successful, for me, it needs that forbidden aspect that shows their push and pull, their reluctance, the complexity of their emotions showing their hesitancy but want at the same time. Personally, incest novels with an easy relationship, no hurdles and no struggles is a little useless for me, to say the least. Rhys and Jake don’t really struggle with their new relationship and the formation of it. While they struggle to accept it at first, the moment they decide to give in, it becomes a repetitive cycle of non-stop sex. Just sex after sex after sex. Their relationship is accepted fairly easy by the people around them and their father too, which isn’t the worst thing, but it didn’t help add to the non-existing drama in their lives. A few moments are spent where they’re domestic and going out, but nothing extravagant and purposeful. In short terms, it was boring. I needed more angst, more drama, more fighting and pushing and pulling, more hesitancy on showing their feelings, more “I want you but I can’t have you.”
So despite by 1-star rating, I didn’t hate this, I was just bored and felt nothing for both characters and the relationship. That said, I think if you go into this for a very low to no-angst, with a relationship fairy acceptable by those around the characters, mostly sexual but somewhat tender relationship, and a side plot of a mystery ghost story, you might enjoy this.
Incest novels are a guilty pleasure, like it or not. I read them when I’m in a slump, as well as smut filled or erotica novels where absolutely no thoughts process is needed besides eyes on my kindle as I read pages after pages of fictional characters going ham at it.
My issues with this are simple:
The timeline of the story is messy. It starts off as a romance, and then a mystery with a dead ghost story, and then smut, and then a romance with a subplot of ghosts. Adding on to that, the subplot of the ghosts and figures Rhys starts seeing in his haunted house became boring early on. It was difficult to follow what was going on as I was more interested in seeing more of Rhys and Jake, but instead spend quite a lot of time learning about the house, its history, what happened with Samuel and George and everyone else. I think the meaning behind it was nice, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.
Unfortunately, as usual, I couldn’t feel the chemistry between both main characters, Rhys and Jake. While they have a past of being involved sexually and intimately that they’ve been ignoring for two years, it didn’t help add to the lack of UST between them. While I thought there were some moments full of sexual tension, need, and lust, I wasn’t a fan of the execution. It felt as if we were supposed to accept their relationship only because of their involvement before. There is a lot of potential, with how much we learn about how close they were when they were younger and how dependent they were on each other, yet the development of the relationship didn’t progress well. While I can understand this route, I do need more to tension to be satisfied. It felt like the relationship was built only from their past, some sort of small second chance, and not because of present feelings. I thought the author did a fairly good job of presenting enough background for the two to see their closeness and bondness, their love for each other as young brothers, but not as much as their present emotions. Since it’s only on Rhys’s POV, it doesn’t help understand Jake’s feelings more, either. We get some familiarity from his reactions from Rhys, but nothing too much where we could understand his invisible perspective. The development was not executed well in my opinion and lacking that organic feel I usually find in other incest novels.
To make an incest novel successful, for me, it needs that forbidden aspect that shows their push and pull, their reluctance, the complexity of their emotions showing their hesitancy but want at the same time. Personally, incest novels with an easy relationship, no hurdles and no struggles is a little useless for me, to say the least. Rhys and Jake don’t really struggle with their new relationship and the formation of it. While they struggle to accept it at first, the moment they decide to give in, it becomes a repetitive cycle of non-stop sex. Just sex after sex after sex. Their relationship is accepted fairly easy by the people around them and their father too, which isn’t the worst thing, but it didn’t help add to the non-existing drama in their lives. A few moments are spent where they’re domestic and going out, but nothing extravagant and purposeful. In short terms, it was boring. I needed more angst, more drama, more fighting and pushing and pulling, more hesitancy on showing their feelings, more “I want you but I can’t have you.”
So despite by 1-star rating, I didn’t hate this, I was just bored and felt nothing for both characters and the relationship. That said, I think if you go into this for a very low to no-angst, with a relationship fairy acceptable by those around the characters, mostly sexual but somewhat tender relationship, and a side plot of a mystery ghost story, you might enjoy this.
September 29, 2019
This is not your typical love story, and it's probably not for everyone. I thought it was beautiful. I don't care that it was between two brothers. This story made me believe they were truly soulmates.
What stopped this from being a 5 star rating was Rhys's repetitive introspectiveness and the fact that other then the prologue, only Rhys' pov is given.
What stopped this from being a 5 star rating was Rhys's repetitive introspectiveness and the fact that other then the prologue, only Rhys' pov is given.
February 13, 2024
Review & Giveaway June 3 at Sinfully.
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this story, my first by Lily G. Blunt. I’ve read a few books with the taboo subject of incest between brothers, some obviously written just for the titillation of the subject matter and others as a romantic love story and this one falls squarely into the latter category. Let Your Heart Decide is the story of two men who grew up together and fell in love. Fooling around as teenagers discovering sex, going their separate ways, meeting and dating other people, but each always knowing in their hearts just who they are destined to love. It just so happens that these two men are brothers.
Other than the prologue told from Jake’s POV, the story is told entirely from Rhys’ side. I loved this set up as the prologue tells of the events occurring the last time the two brothers saw each other and Jake’s viewpoint there makes clear how devastated he was when the moment of joy he’s waited years for becomes his worst nightmare. We know just from that where Jake stands, so now it is up to Rhys to decide what the future will hold.
Picking up two years down the road, Rhys is just out of a relationship and has moved back to his hometown from London, gotten a new job and is set on mending the rift with his brother Jake. Since the night recounted in the prologue the two brothers have had minimal phone contact and haven’t seen each other at all.
Rhys is still haunted by guilt from that night he left. On one hand, he accepts his feelings for Jake and the fact that he wants more than just a brotherly relationship, yet when he thinks of what others may see, he begins to second guess himself. He is truly torn between knowing that Jake is the only person he could ever truly love with all his heart and soul, yet fearing what others will think and how it would realistically impact the life he would want to live with him. Now that he is in his new home, he is also haunted by the strange figures he sees in the woods and on the grounds of the old manor behind his house. His neighbors, Philip and his mother Clare, fill him in on the tales surrounding the house and the lives of the people who once lived there, convincing Rhys that he is actually seeing their ghosts.
This was a beautifully written and thoughtful story. The relationship between the brothers takes center stage, with the ghost story complementing it. I didn’t feel the romance was played for shock value, but it felt organic and pure as any other two men falling for each other. The brothers reminisce about growing up together and through that the reader is given good insight into the closeness the two always shared, their sexual explorations as teens sharing a bedroom and how it continued into adulthood.
As close as the two brothers are, they also have their differences. Jake wears his heart on his sleeve and says what’s on his mind. You can sense his pain whenever he is with Rhys and doing his best to hold back his feelings for his brother’s sake. His love and devotion to Rhys is never in doubt and it is clear that difficult as it may be, he wants a relationship with him regardless of the terms. Rhys is more logical in his thoughts. He runs through all the possibilities, all the potential pitfalls and more before deciding how to move forward. They have great chemistry and an amazing connection that, even with the distance, was never truly broken.
I’m not going to spoil things, but the reactions presented when most people found out about their relationship did not really ring true for me, even with the way it was set up. I did find their father’s take on the news interesting and really not all that hard to believe, but still, not sure if it was very realistic. Other than this minor point, the story pulled me in, the characters grabbed me and I wanted to read more.
There is no coercion, no power plays, it is all consensual as teens and as adults. Rhys and Jake love each other deeply. If you’re intrigued by this type of taboo “brocest” story, but were wary, I think this one would be a good way to dip your toe into the pool. I would recommend this for anyone who is open minded to a story about a love so deep any risks are worth it. I for one would love to read more about how Rhys and Jake fare going forward with this unconventional relationship.
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this story, my first by Lily G. Blunt. I’ve read a few books with the taboo subject of incest between brothers, some obviously written just for the titillation of the subject matter and others as a romantic love story and this one falls squarely into the latter category. Let Your Heart Decide is the story of two men who grew up together and fell in love. Fooling around as teenagers discovering sex, going their separate ways, meeting and dating other people, but each always knowing in their hearts just who they are destined to love. It just so happens that these two men are brothers.
Other than the prologue told from Jake’s POV, the story is told entirely from Rhys’ side. I loved this set up as the prologue tells of the events occurring the last time the two brothers saw each other and Jake’s viewpoint there makes clear how devastated he was when the moment of joy he’s waited years for becomes his worst nightmare. We know just from that where Jake stands, so now it is up to Rhys to decide what the future will hold.
Picking up two years down the road, Rhys is just out of a relationship and has moved back to his hometown from London, gotten a new job and is set on mending the rift with his brother Jake. Since the night recounted in the prologue the two brothers have had minimal phone contact and haven’t seen each other at all.
Rhys is still haunted by guilt from that night he left. On one hand, he accepts his feelings for Jake and the fact that he wants more than just a brotherly relationship, yet when he thinks of what others may see, he begins to second guess himself. He is truly torn between knowing that Jake is the only person he could ever truly love with all his heart and soul, yet fearing what others will think and how it would realistically impact the life he would want to live with him. Now that he is in his new home, he is also haunted by the strange figures he sees in the woods and on the grounds of the old manor behind his house. His neighbors, Philip and his mother Clare, fill him in on the tales surrounding the house and the lives of the people who once lived there, convincing Rhys that he is actually seeing their ghosts.
This was a beautifully written and thoughtful story. The relationship between the brothers takes center stage, with the ghost story complementing it. I didn’t feel the romance was played for shock value, but it felt organic and pure as any other two men falling for each other. The brothers reminisce about growing up together and through that the reader is given good insight into the closeness the two always shared, their sexual explorations as teens sharing a bedroom and how it continued into adulthood.
As close as the two brothers are, they also have their differences. Jake wears his heart on his sleeve and says what’s on his mind. You can sense his pain whenever he is with Rhys and doing his best to hold back his feelings for his brother’s sake. His love and devotion to Rhys is never in doubt and it is clear that difficult as it may be, he wants a relationship with him regardless of the terms. Rhys is more logical in his thoughts. He runs through all the possibilities, all the potential pitfalls and more before deciding how to move forward. They have great chemistry and an amazing connection that, even with the distance, was never truly broken.
I’m not going to spoil things, but the reactions presented when most people found out about their relationship did not really ring true for me, even with the way it was set up. I did find their father’s take on the news interesting and really not all that hard to believe, but still, not sure if it was very realistic. Other than this minor point, the story pulled me in, the characters grabbed me and I wanted to read more.
There is no coercion, no power plays, it is all consensual as teens and as adults. Rhys and Jake love each other deeply. If you’re intrigued by this type of taboo “brocest” story, but were wary, I think this one would be a good way to dip your toe into the pool. I would recommend this for anyone who is open minded to a story about a love so deep any risks are worth it. I for one would love to read more about how Rhys and Jake fare going forward with this unconventional relationship.
November 30, 2017
3.5 Stars
I'll try to write a quick review, later.
*** Thank you Sexy Elf, aka Judith for gifting me this book! It was just what I needed!***
I'll try to write a quick review, later.
*** Thank you Sexy Elf, aka Judith for gifting me this book! It was just what I needed!***
June 4, 2016
So many tears
I can't stop crying. I just can't. The dual love stories of the brothers separated by a century and the ghosts just wrecked me. Rhys and Jake, and Samuel and Thomas were heartbreaking and poignant. Jet was adorable and the ghosts creepy and mournful. The taboo angst was sexy but not overdone at all. Very pleased. I need more from this author.
I can't stop crying. I just can't. The dual love stories of the brothers separated by a century and the ghosts just wrecked me. Rhys and Jake, and Samuel and Thomas were heartbreaking and poignant. Jet was adorable and the ghosts creepy and mournful. The taboo angst was sexy but not overdone at all. Very pleased. I need more from this author.
July 1, 2016
This is my review of Let Your Heart Decde from my M/M Romance Books Blog, OJ He Say. Click the link below to see the whole review and more.
Let Your Heart Decide at OJ He Say!
Let Your Heart Decide
Wow. OK. Let’s see where I begin. When I first heard about this book from one of my fave authors my ears perked up. I mean, taboo! Moth, meet flame. I’ve read a few taboo books and it all depends on how the whole subject is approached and what I found here really rocked, big time. Not only is this done in a really sensitive, honest manner but the whole paranormal angle is just brilliant. Yeah, I really couldn’t put this one down. I’m going to repeat this one more time:
Please note this is a taboo romance featuring two brothers.
THE CHARACTERS
Jake:
Still six feet of lean, manly man, his navy T-shirt clinging to his broad chest. Maybe he’d filled out, bulked up more. He walked to the front door, a hand sweeping over the top of his dark blond hair, his jean-clad legs taking large, confident strides towards me.
Rhys:
He didn’t respond at first but smiled absently, his gaze skimming down my damp chest to my towel-covered groin. Our eyes met again when he finished ogling me. His whole face exuded want, his pupils enlarged with need and lust. That was so wrong. Why did it feel so right? Jet interrupted the moment, nuzzling my balls and sniffing my blossoming erection. “Down, boy.” Jake grinned at me, then looked at the dog. “And you, Jet!” He chuckled as I turned and returned upstairs to dress.
THE STORY
Yeah, the story… This is a wonderfully written, sensitive story of two brothers, two years apart, that grow up together, experiencing all the wonderful experiences of two young boys, two young men, and form a bond that is beyond anything else. Their shared emotions, parental difficulties, coming of age hormonal urges, all shared in a spirit of love and caring and bonding beyond anything either of them could possibly hope for, however, there was one line they never crossed… until their mother’s death. Once that line was crossed things changed radically. It’s how Rhys and Jake deal with this, each in his own way, that lays the groundwork for Rhys’ return to their hometown after breaking up with his cad boyfriend Myles. Add to this the paranormal element of Thomas and Samuel and their beyond the grave connection to Jake and Rhys and you have the ingredients for one riveting story. Yes, definitely taboo, definitely hot, and definitely couldn’t put it down.
THE WRITING
The writing is amazing. The prologue grabbed in me in a myriad of ways, all of them good. I’ll let your imagination go there. The rest of the story flows at a wonderful pace, the secondary characters, Phillip and Clare, and the two men from the past, Thomas and Samuel, so well written and developed that this book was such a pleasure to read. The beta reading and editing is top notch, no hiccups or WTF’s. All in all, this was a pleasure to read and I highly recommend it. A great love story, albeit not for everyone.
I must admit that with this book I am at quandary. There is a wonderful poem that weaves its way through this book, a really beautiful poem that drove me to tears. I’ve debated whether to quote it in this review and have opted not to. Please do yourself a favor, read this book, experience the poem throughout, and come home to it at the Appendix. I have some Kleenex right here.
THE DISCLAIMER
I purchased my copy of Let Your Hear Decide for my own enjoyment and reviewing.
Let Your Heart Decide at OJ He Say!
Let Your Heart Decide
Wow. OK. Let’s see where I begin. When I first heard about this book from one of my fave authors my ears perked up. I mean, taboo! Moth, meet flame. I’ve read a few taboo books and it all depends on how the whole subject is approached and what I found here really rocked, big time. Not only is this done in a really sensitive, honest manner but the whole paranormal angle is just brilliant. Yeah, I really couldn’t put this one down. I’m going to repeat this one more time:
Please note this is a taboo romance featuring two brothers.
THE CHARACTERS
Jake:
Still six feet of lean, manly man, his navy T-shirt clinging to his broad chest. Maybe he’d filled out, bulked up more. He walked to the front door, a hand sweeping over the top of his dark blond hair, his jean-clad legs taking large, confident strides towards me.
Rhys:
He didn’t respond at first but smiled absently, his gaze skimming down my damp chest to my towel-covered groin. Our eyes met again when he finished ogling me. His whole face exuded want, his pupils enlarged with need and lust. That was so wrong. Why did it feel so right? Jet interrupted the moment, nuzzling my balls and sniffing my blossoming erection. “Down, boy.” Jake grinned at me, then looked at the dog. “And you, Jet!” He chuckled as I turned and returned upstairs to dress.
THE STORY
Yeah, the story… This is a wonderfully written, sensitive story of two brothers, two years apart, that grow up together, experiencing all the wonderful experiences of two young boys, two young men, and form a bond that is beyond anything else. Their shared emotions, parental difficulties, coming of age hormonal urges, all shared in a spirit of love and caring and bonding beyond anything either of them could possibly hope for, however, there was one line they never crossed… until their mother’s death. Once that line was crossed things changed radically. It’s how Rhys and Jake deal with this, each in his own way, that lays the groundwork for Rhys’ return to their hometown after breaking up with his cad boyfriend Myles. Add to this the paranormal element of Thomas and Samuel and their beyond the grave connection to Jake and Rhys and you have the ingredients for one riveting story. Yes, definitely taboo, definitely hot, and definitely couldn’t put it down.
THE WRITING
The writing is amazing. The prologue grabbed in me in a myriad of ways, all of them good. I’ll let your imagination go there. The rest of the story flows at a wonderful pace, the secondary characters, Phillip and Clare, and the two men from the past, Thomas and Samuel, so well written and developed that this book was such a pleasure to read. The beta reading and editing is top notch, no hiccups or WTF’s. All in all, this was a pleasure to read and I highly recommend it. A great love story, albeit not for everyone.
I must admit that with this book I am at quandary. There is a wonderful poem that weaves its way through this book, a really beautiful poem that drove me to tears. I’ve debated whether to quote it in this review and have opted not to. Please do yourself a favor, read this book, experience the poem throughout, and come home to it at the Appendix. I have some Kleenex right here.
THE DISCLAIMER
I purchased my copy of Let Your Hear Decide for my own enjoyment and reviewing.
Want to read
May 27, 2016Did someone say brocest? I'm there.
May 28, 2016
Let me start by making something very clear: this is a TABOO story. The lovers in this story are BROTHERS. If this is not to your liking, this book and this review are probably not for you.
With that out of the way I want to say that I loved this story and count myself lucky I was allowed to beta read it for the author. There are a few levels to this story and for me they all worked. This book starts on a very emotional note, drawing the reader in immediately, before settling down a bit and introducing the situation and characters. Except that the reader isn’t allowed to relax for very long because next thing we (and Rhys) know, ghostly apparitions keep both him and his audience guessing.
The attraction between Rhys and Jake is palatable just as Rhys’s doubts and hesitations make perfect sense. Their reunion after two years apart and their journey back towards each other had me on the edge of my seat even more than the ghostly part of the story had. While the mystery certainly captivated me I couldn’t wait to see when and how Rhys and Jake would find a way to be all they were destined to become.
The secondary characters in this story were equally fascinating. It took me a while to figure Rhys’s neighbour and his role in the story out, and even longer for me to make up my mind about him. I love that; there’s nothing quite like a story that keeps me guessing to rope me in and keep me hooked. Between the ghosts, the unconventional love story and Philip, there was more than enough in this story to keep me captivated and turning the pages as fast as I could read them.
I was rather impressed with the balance the author managed to strike between the very realistic angst especially Rhys experiences whenever he contemplates giving in to his feelings and desires and the relative ease with which he eventually surrenders to that which cannot be denied. Maybe most of the people in their lives show more acceptance for the situation than you’re likely to encounter in real life, but for me it worked, especially since this is also a ghost story and therefore only loosely set in our world at best anyway. Besides, I like my endings happy, even if they’re happier than they’re like to be in reality because I’ll never stop hoping that one day tolerance—both when it comes to the books we read and to the relationships we want to have in our lives—will be the norm.
If you enjoy your books with supernatural elements and a healthy dose of taboo romance, I highly recommend Let Your Heart Decide.
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.
With that out of the way I want to say that I loved this story and count myself lucky I was allowed to beta read it for the author. There are a few levels to this story and for me they all worked. This book starts on a very emotional note, drawing the reader in immediately, before settling down a bit and introducing the situation and characters. Except that the reader isn’t allowed to relax for very long because next thing we (and Rhys) know, ghostly apparitions keep both him and his audience guessing.
The attraction between Rhys and Jake is palatable just as Rhys’s doubts and hesitations make perfect sense. Their reunion after two years apart and their journey back towards each other had me on the edge of my seat even more than the ghostly part of the story had. While the mystery certainly captivated me I couldn’t wait to see when and how Rhys and Jake would find a way to be all they were destined to become.
The secondary characters in this story were equally fascinating. It took me a while to figure Rhys’s neighbour and his role in the story out, and even longer for me to make up my mind about him. I love that; there’s nothing quite like a story that keeps me guessing to rope me in and keep me hooked. Between the ghosts, the unconventional love story and Philip, there was more than enough in this story to keep me captivated and turning the pages as fast as I could read them.
I was rather impressed with the balance the author managed to strike between the very realistic angst especially Rhys experiences whenever he contemplates giving in to his feelings and desires and the relative ease with which he eventually surrenders to that which cannot be denied. Maybe most of the people in their lives show more acceptance for the situation than you’re likely to encounter in real life, but for me it worked, especially since this is also a ghost story and therefore only loosely set in our world at best anyway. Besides, I like my endings happy, even if they’re happier than they’re like to be in reality because I’ll never stop hoping that one day tolerance—both when it comes to the books we read and to the relationships we want to have in our lives—will be the norm.
If you enjoy your books with supernatural elements and a healthy dose of taboo romance, I highly recommend Let Your Heart Decide.
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Read
April 16, 2017**Please note this is a taboo romance featuring two brothers.**
Many thanks to Kathy Mac Reviews/MM Book Escape for the teasers.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who purchases Let Your Heart Decide and to those wonderful friends and followers who share posts and links via Facebook, Twitter and other social media. It is greatly appreciated.
I've been overwhelmed by some of the fabulous comments readers have made about my taboo story via their blogs and reviews.
I would like to make a comment about the ending of the story without giving away any spoilers as several people have commented on it. I wanted to give my boys a HEA and to some extent I have done that, although I have left the future for them open. I debated over this issue long and hard as I was writing the story, but in the end I wanted the reader to be part of the experience. Your reaction to the story is the reaction Rhys and Jake might face in the future from friends, family and colleagues.
I hope you 'Let Your Heart Decide'.
CHECK OUT MY LATEST NEWSLETTER HERE
http://us12.campaign-archive2.com/?u=...
Many thanks to Kathy Mac Reviews/MM Book Escape for the teasers.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who purchases Let Your Heart Decide and to those wonderful friends and followers who share posts and links via Facebook, Twitter and other social media. It is greatly appreciated.
I've been overwhelmed by some of the fabulous comments readers have made about my taboo story via their blogs and reviews.
I would like to make a comment about the ending of the story without giving away any spoilers as several people have commented on it. I wanted to give my boys a HEA and to some extent I have done that, although I have left the future for them open. I debated over this issue long and hard as I was writing the story, but in the end I wanted the reader to be part of the experience. Your reaction to the story is the reaction Rhys and Jake might face in the future from friends, family and colleagues.
I hope you 'Let Your Heart Decide'.
CHECK OUT MY LATEST NEWSLETTER HERE
http://us12.campaign-archive2.com/?u=...
August 29, 2016
So Beautiful On Every Level
From the opening pages this book will grab you and pull you along even if you have any doubts about the possibility of reading a love story in which the lovers are two brothers. Well, the first chapter will do that, at least.
From there through the middle of the book, however, the narrator Rhys turns out to be an exceptionally idiotic and at times insensitive dolt who can't bring himself to accept what happened between him and his two-year-older brother Jake (left on the cover).
At the same time he becomes engrossed over the history of the estate bordering his new house, a history with attendant mysteries which boggle his mind and will throw you for a complete, and wonderful, loop.
There are too many spoilers one can drop along the way in a review that I simply will not reveal.
Suffice it to say that Jake is as exceptionally wise and sensitive as Rhys sometimes is not.
That the inclusion of some lovely verse at the head of each chapter (and in a post-script) is enough to tear your heart apart and send you soaring into the heavens.
That the mysteries which his neighbor Philip, and his mother Clare, reveal inch-by-inch, come to be solved in a way that rescues Rhys' guilt from almost losing Jake's beloved black Lab.
That love comes around to those who have the patience to wait, and be around for comfort, and in this book you get that in spades--especially when someone digs one into the ground.
Enough! A brilliant theme handled so lovingly I simply could not let it go. Thank you, Ms. Blunt!
From the opening pages this book will grab you and pull you along even if you have any doubts about the possibility of reading a love story in which the lovers are two brothers. Well, the first chapter will do that, at least.
From there through the middle of the book, however, the narrator Rhys turns out to be an exceptionally idiotic and at times insensitive dolt who can't bring himself to accept what happened between him and his two-year-older brother Jake (left on the cover).
At the same time he becomes engrossed over the history of the estate bordering his new house, a history with attendant mysteries which boggle his mind and will throw you for a complete, and wonderful, loop.
There are too many spoilers one can drop along the way in a review that I simply will not reveal.
Suffice it to say that Jake is as exceptionally wise and sensitive as Rhys sometimes is not.
That the inclusion of some lovely verse at the head of each chapter (and in a post-script) is enough to tear your heart apart and send you soaring into the heavens.
That the mysteries which his neighbor Philip, and his mother Clare, reveal inch-by-inch, come to be solved in a way that rescues Rhys' guilt from almost losing Jake's beloved black Lab.
That love comes around to those who have the patience to wait, and be around for comfort, and in this book you get that in spades--especially when someone digs one into the ground.
Enough! A brilliant theme handled so lovingly I simply could not let it go. Thank you, Ms. Blunt!
November 4, 2017
3-3.5 stars
Yes this is a taboo story about brothers but if you're expecting 300pages of incestuous sex this is not that book. There is fully consensual sex in this but that's not what the heart of the story is about.
This was a good story with a sweet romance, set alongside a century old mystery that mirrors the taboo subject of the book. And while I liked it there were just a couple of things keeping from a higher rating for me.
I suppose that acceptance is at the heart of this but it just didn't ring true to me to be that easy. Especially but even then that's an anticlimax because we never see it. So, the ending was wrapped up in a bit of a fluffy bow which left me wanting, but I suppose that overall I liked it.
Yes this is a taboo story about brothers but if you're expecting 300pages of incestuous sex this is not that book. There is fully consensual sex in this but that's not what the heart of the story is about.
This was a good story with a sweet romance, set alongside a century old mystery that mirrors the taboo subject of the book. And while I liked it there were just a couple of things keeping from a higher rating for me.
I suppose that acceptance is at the heart of this but it just didn't ring true to me to be that easy. Especially but even then that's an anticlimax because we never see it. So, the ending was wrapped up in a bit of a fluffy bow which left me wanting, but I suppose that overall I liked it.
July 23, 2017
Told entirely from Rhys' perspective, except for the prologue, I was immediately drawn into this story. I could feel Rhys' heartache after he walked away from the one person he shouldn't love. He's determined to be able to be around Jake and maintain a strictly brotherly relationship. At first I was disappointed that the story was told from Rhys' POV, but it becomes clear why that is and I was able to let it go and not worry about what Jake was thinking.
As Rhys is settling into his new home, he sees a ghost in his backyard. He begins trying to find out who this ghost is, and as he does, he sees more than one ghost. As the truth is revealed, it opens Rhys' eyes to what his heart already knew.
For me, this is the first book where the brothers actually told anyone on the page. I was wondering how everyone would feel about it, especially their father, but I'm not The story ends with them planning to tell the rest of their family and friends. I wish I knew what they would have said, but in the end, love is love, so it doesn't matter.
As Rhys is settling into his new home, he sees a ghost in his backyard. He begins trying to find out who this ghost is, and as he does, he sees more than one ghost. As the truth is revealed, it opens Rhys' eyes to what his heart already knew.
For me, this is the first book where the brothers actually told anyone on the page. I was wondering how everyone would feel about it, especially their father, but I'm not The story ends with them planning to tell the rest of their family and friends. I wish I knew what they would have said, but in the end, love is love, so it doesn't matter.
June 23, 2020
First of all i have no problem with taboo/forbidden subjects theme (God knows i have read enough of them to be able to gain a personal satisfaction no matter quantity of the mentioned) and i was far from being a prude either.
Let Your Heart Decide is taboo mixed paranormal/supranatural element story. Its seem interesting, however, here i pointed so many issues with the story :
1. Lack of romance connection between MC.
2. Rhys's garden repetitive story
3. Dull and boring history lessons
4. The whole Philip thing
5. Open arms acceptance MCs incestuous relationship from people around them-family (Dad) and friends and no conflict at all which i believe its surreal and impossible imo.
Overall, its OK read to me.
Let Your Heart Decide is taboo mixed paranormal/supranatural element story. Its seem interesting, however, here i pointed so many issues with the story :
1. Lack of romance connection between MC.
2. Rhys's garden repetitive story
3. Dull and boring history lessons
4. The whole Philip thing
5. Open arms acceptance MCs incestuous relationship from people around them-family (Dad) and friends and no conflict at all which i believe its surreal and impossible imo.
Overall, its OK read to me.
June 6, 2016
First, let me go ahead and say that I'll read pretty much any book with a gay "-cest" theme because I eat those books up like candy. So, I'll admit I didn't read much further than "brothers" and one-clicked the heck out of this book with absolutely no idea what to expect. Well, the surprise was on me because this book is so much more than that.
There are two main stories going down in this book. Primarily, there's the story of Rhys and Jake, brothers who have been alternately fighting and giving in to their mutual attraction for years, and the struggles they go through as they reconnect after some time apart as brothers first and lovers later down the line. Second, there is the background ghost story of Samuel and Thomas who lived in the early 1900's and whose ghosts Rhys sees and investigates. At first, the ghost aspect of the book kind of irked me (I'm like Rhys and Jake's father - not really a believer in ghosts) but their story grew on me and towards the end I may or may not have (definitely did) tear up a little at the conclusion.
The writing is very subtle in the book. There is no sensationalism, no tantalizing, cheap use of the incest theme to drive the plot. This was a very beautifully written book that tells not one but two love stories. It's important to note that, unlike a lot of books in this taboo genre, this is not a story told for shock value. It is, first and foremost, a love story, not erotica, not porn on paper. So a reader going into this looking for taboo sex may find the story slow and unsatisfying. Don't get me wrong, there's sex. Hot sex. But it comes later in the story, after Rhys and Jake reconnect and fall in love again.
There were some plot points that seemed unrealistic to me (ghost story aside) such as the reactions from friends and family re: Rhys and Jake's relationship. Honestly, that is probably my only criticism of the book. I greatly enjoyed this book and it definitely left me with all the feels. I always reserve that last half star rating for books that leave me feeling some kind of way, and this one nailed that on the head. I loved Rhys and Jake, and I loved the author's writing. I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
This review was originally posted on Wine Between the Lines
There are two main stories going down in this book. Primarily, there's the story of Rhys and Jake, brothers who have been alternately fighting and giving in to their mutual attraction for years, and the struggles they go through as they reconnect after some time apart as brothers first and lovers later down the line. Second, there is the background ghost story of Samuel and Thomas who lived in the early 1900's and whose ghosts Rhys sees and investigates. At first, the ghost aspect of the book kind of irked me (I'm like Rhys and Jake's father - not really a believer in ghosts) but their story grew on me and towards the end I may or may not have (definitely did) tear up a little at the conclusion.
The writing is very subtle in the book. There is no sensationalism, no tantalizing, cheap use of the incest theme to drive the plot. This was a very beautifully written book that tells not one but two love stories. It's important to note that, unlike a lot of books in this taboo genre, this is not a story told for shock value. It is, first and foremost, a love story, not erotica, not porn on paper. So a reader going into this looking for taboo sex may find the story slow and unsatisfying. Don't get me wrong, there's sex. Hot sex. But it comes later in the story, after Rhys and Jake reconnect and fall in love again.
There were some plot points that seemed unrealistic to me (ghost story aside) such as the reactions from friends and family re: Rhys and Jake's relationship. Honestly, that is probably my only criticism of the book. I greatly enjoyed this book and it definitely left me with all the feels. I always reserve that last half star rating for books that leave me feeling some kind of way, and this one nailed that on the head. I loved Rhys and Jake, and I loved the author's writing. I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
This review was originally posted on Wine Between the Lines
June 21, 2016
Brothers Rhys and Jake have always had a special bond, but they haven't seen each other for two years, after a night of passion that sent Rhys running away. Now Rhys is back in his hometown, and he expects to reconnect with Jake, but the not-so-brotherly feelings they share are threatening their relationship. Maybe the ghosts of some ill-fated brothers haunting Rhys will help him decide whether to follow his mind or his heart….
Told from Rhys point of view, Let Your Heart Decide focuses on the anguish he experiences over his illicit feelings towards his brother Jake. They have always shared a very intimate relationship, but on the night of their mother's burial they finally give in to their desires and make love… Which sends Rhys on the run, chased by guilt and shame. Over the following two years their relationship is practically non-existent, but a breakup with his boyfriend and a desire to reconnect with his brother send Rhys back to his hometown. Once there, he realises his feelings towards Jake haven't disappeared with time, and they are reciprocated by Jake, who's been waiting for him to return. While they are working out their relationship and its limits, Rhys has to fight the advances of a cute neighbour, and has a series of supernatural encounters with the ghosts of two brothers whose love led them both to die in misery. The tragedy of the past lovers is what triggers the final reaction from Rhys, who decides to follow his heart and share his life with his brother openly as lovers.
In short, is is a cute story, well narrated and with a supernatural and taboo element to make it even more intriguing. The only drawback I find is that there is too much of sweetness and happiness for me, a bit cheesy... But that's only an opinion based on my preferences; I'm sure most readers will love the sweet HEA.
Told from Rhys point of view, Let Your Heart Decide focuses on the anguish he experiences over his illicit feelings towards his brother Jake. They have always shared a very intimate relationship, but on the night of their mother's burial they finally give in to their desires and make love… Which sends Rhys on the run, chased by guilt and shame. Over the following two years their relationship is practically non-existent, but a breakup with his boyfriend and a desire to reconnect with his brother send Rhys back to his hometown. Once there, he realises his feelings towards Jake haven't disappeared with time, and they are reciprocated by Jake, who's been waiting for him to return. While they are working out their relationship and its limits, Rhys has to fight the advances of a cute neighbour, and has a series of supernatural encounters with the ghosts of two brothers whose love led them both to die in misery. The tragedy of the past lovers is what triggers the final reaction from Rhys, who decides to follow his heart and share his life with his brother openly as lovers.
In short, is is a cute story, well narrated and with a supernatural and taboo element to make it even more intriguing. The only drawback I find is that there is too much of sweetness and happiness for me, a bit cheesy... But that's only an opinion based on my preferences; I'm sure most readers will love the sweet HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2017
3.5 stars
This book was a slow burn for me. The way the book started I thought it would have taken off right from there. But it didn't. It took awhile for Rhy's & Jake to get together.
Mostly from Rhy's part. He struggled with his feelings for his brother for a while. He knew it was wrong for him to have these feelings and urges for Jake. He didn't want to act on them. But at the same time. He wanted to be with him.
This book was different in the way that it was normalizing two brothers being together. No one questioned it or said anything but 1 person. Which I found to be unbelievable. I wanted that little bit of drama that came with their decision to be together. I mean... it is pretty unusual for two brothers to be together. And a little shocking. More than one person I would think would have a problem with it.
The whole Philip thing.... really got to me. All I kept thinking every time he stopped by was damn... he bugs!
I would hate to have a neighbor like that! But as time went on... he became a likable neighbor and a good friend to Rhy's and Jake.
The whole paranormal thing in this book wasn't bad. It was interesting. I felt for Samuel and Thomas. I would have liked to known more about their story. Maybe in Rhy's dreams? They could have came to him?
The detailed descriptions of everything! It felt at times overkill I had to skim some parts. It just felt a little like a history lesson.
Overall.... this was an ok read. It flowed and kept my attention throughout the book. this is the second book I've read by this author. I'm definitely going to check out this authors other books.
This book was a slow burn for me. The way the book started I thought it would have taken off right from there. But it didn't. It took awhile for Rhy's & Jake to get together.
Mostly from Rhy's part. He struggled with his feelings for his brother for a while. He knew it was wrong for him to have these feelings and urges for Jake. He didn't want to act on them. But at the same time. He wanted to be with him.
This book was different in the way that it was normalizing two brothers being together. No one questioned it or said anything but 1 person. Which I found to be unbelievable. I wanted that little bit of drama that came with their decision to be together. I mean... it is pretty unusual for two brothers to be together. And a little shocking. More than one person I would think would have a problem with it.
The whole Philip thing.... really got to me. All I kept thinking every time he stopped by was damn... he bugs!
I would hate to have a neighbor like that! But as time went on... he became a likable neighbor and a good friend to Rhy's and Jake.
The whole paranormal thing in this book wasn't bad. It was interesting. I felt for Samuel and Thomas. I would have liked to known more about their story. Maybe in Rhy's dreams? They could have came to him?
The detailed descriptions of everything! It felt at times overkill I had to skim some parts. It just felt a little like a history lesson.
Overall.... this was an ok read. It flowed and kept my attention throughout the book. this is the second book I've read by this author. I'm definitely going to check out this authors other books.
January 5, 2021
Brothers in love, you say? I’m freaking there. Though this had a sort of historical mystery paranormal theme going on in the background that I wasn’t quite into, I still overlooked that part and enjoyed the present storyline.
Rhys moved back home after 2 years away and bought a house... where he kept seeing ghostly figures and hearing weird noises. There was a cultural Hall type of thing where he uncovered the story of 2 gay lovers from the 1900s that later on he found out were brothers, but neither of them knew that until later on. It was a tragic love story, but the whole story brought out Rhys’s feelings for his own brother, Jake.
We find out over the course of the story that they’ve been close since they were teenagers and fooled around with each other for years. Then one night 2 years ago, they finally had sex and Rhys freaked out and moved away. Now that Rhys came back, he can’t push away his feelings for his brother Jake, no matter how much he tries. And eventually he gives in and decides to be with Jake no matter what other people say because they love each other.
As it turns out, a lot of the people in their life accept their relationship anyway, even their Dad. Kinda heartwarming, really.
It’s cute, and I would’ve enjoyed the story more if I got the story of Rhys and Jake’s past all up front instead of in bursts throughout the book. I still didn’t care much about the historical aspect added in to the story, but that’s probably just me because I’m not into that genre of romance anyway.
Overall I’d say it was a decent read and I am glad I read it. I’d probably rate this a 3.5⭐️ or so.
Rhys moved back home after 2 years away and bought a house... where he kept seeing ghostly figures and hearing weird noises. There was a cultural Hall type of thing where he uncovered the story of 2 gay lovers from the 1900s that later on he found out were brothers, but neither of them knew that until later on. It was a tragic love story, but the whole story brought out Rhys’s feelings for his own brother, Jake.
We find out over the course of the story that they’ve been close since they were teenagers and fooled around with each other for years. Then one night 2 years ago, they finally had sex and Rhys freaked out and moved away. Now that Rhys came back, he can’t push away his feelings for his brother Jake, no matter how much he tries. And eventually he gives in and decides to be with Jake no matter what other people say because they love each other.
As it turns out, a lot of the people in their life accept their relationship anyway, even their Dad. Kinda heartwarming, really.
It’s cute, and I would’ve enjoyed the story more if I got the story of Rhys and Jake’s past all up front instead of in bursts throughout the book. I still didn’t care much about the historical aspect added in to the story, but that’s probably just me because I’m not into that genre of romance anyway.
Overall I’d say it was a decent read and I am glad I read it. I’d probably rate this a 3.5⭐️ or so.
March 7, 2018
Started off very strong. Jake and Rhys are brothers and have been separated for about 2 years after acting on some feelings brought about by a death in the family. Rhys leaves town and moves to London. After he breaks up with his boyfriend, Rhys decides to move back to the town where he grew up and where Jake is still living in the house they grew up in. They need to come to terms with what happened but both are having trouble doing so. Rhys has moved to a house that is near an old estate. His house abuts a spooky woods. Since I am quite the lover of brocest/incest, I don't think I paid attention to the fact that there is a bit of ghost story intertwined in this tale. But it's done well and the fact that it parallels what's going on with Jake and Rhys is riveting. Very imaginative. The book seems to slow down around the 45-50% mark and, in my opinion, the prose gets a little purple "his eyes were dark and shining and full of lust and desire - almost dazed - framed by his long gorgeous lashes." But I skimmed a bit and was able to remain rooted in the story. Lovely writing (sans the purple!), interesting juxtaposition of the ghost story and Jake and Rhys' story. Good secondary characters although Philip did creep me out a bit. I kept expecting him to be some sort of villain. But good book. Actually a 3.5 but I bumped it up.
May 14, 2019
First off, I’ll be honest. I won this during a contest, and I always read and review books that I’ve won. Second, I had no idea the book was about two brothers, so I was a bit shocked when I finally—duh!—noticed the warning. But I’m an open-minded person, and I kept an open mind while reading. Furthermore, there were societies that practised incest throughout history, so I made sure to give the book the respect it deserved for the author daring to tackle such a contentious subject, and also respect what two consenting adults decide for themselves.
With that said, I hope I can do this review justice because I’m not familiar with what I’ve since learned is called “brocist fic.”
The opening to this story is full of pathos. And this drew me into the book right away. The setting reeked of sweet loss, and the two coming together full of need and regret. Well done.
The narration changes then to Rhys, the younger brother for the duration of the story. He’s moved back home after fleeing two years earlier, determined to re-establish a brotherly relationship with older brother Jake. But Rhys has a difficult time moving past what he truly wants.
Furthermore, there is a past from over a century ago that forces Rhys to address his dilemma. He keeps seeing ghosts. His hometown is rich in history, and next-door neighbour Philip is quite versed in it. And Rhys learns the truth about the ghostly figures he sees, and he must then finally acknowledge what he feels.
Read more here: https://maggieblackbird.com/2019/05/1...
With that said, I hope I can do this review justice because I’m not familiar with what I’ve since learned is called “brocist fic.”
The opening to this story is full of pathos. And this drew me into the book right away. The setting reeked of sweet loss, and the two coming together full of need and regret. Well done.
The narration changes then to Rhys, the younger brother for the duration of the story. He’s moved back home after fleeing two years earlier, determined to re-establish a brotherly relationship with older brother Jake. But Rhys has a difficult time moving past what he truly wants.
Furthermore, there is a past from over a century ago that forces Rhys to address his dilemma. He keeps seeing ghosts. His hometown is rich in history, and next-door neighbour Philip is quite versed in it. And Rhys learns the truth about the ghostly figures he sees, and he must then finally acknowledge what he feels.
Read more here: https://maggieblackbird.com/2019/05/1...
July 24, 2018
The story was interesting with the ghost story that parallels the brothers' relationship. The ghost story was a bit of a mystery and added an interesting subplot. The relationship between the brothers was probably the most well done incestuous relationship I've seen as far as how natural and believable it is. It really did seem to lack any ick factor. The sex was well done and pretty hot.
But what really annoyed me and why I knocked it down to three stars from four is the fact that with the exception of only one character (who was a jerk to begin with), the other characters looked at them with the sweetest most lovingly, googly eyes and just fawned over how lovely they are as a couple. Sorry. Not happening. I may like some incest every now and then in my FICTION but not out in the real world. I can accept the fact that the brothers might have one or two accepting friends and family, but the perception given is that everything was going to work out grand and everyone was going to accept them and they were going to live as an out and proud incestuous gay couple, happily ever after. If you can suspend a lot of belief and accept a story where seemingly most people (or at least the impression that they do) welcome incestuous relationships with open arms, then this one will be a fantastic story.
I'm not saying it's not a good story. It is a good story and one I would definitely recommend. It would be a great one to start with if you are wanting to read a brocest/incest book for the first time. But it really lacks in realism on how the relationship is viewed from the outside and that clearly bugged me.
But what really annoyed me and why I knocked it down to three stars from four is the fact that with the exception of only one character (who was a jerk to begin with), the other characters looked at them with the sweetest most lovingly, googly eyes and just fawned over how lovely they are as a couple. Sorry. Not happening. I may like some incest every now and then in my FICTION but not out in the real world. I can accept the fact that the brothers might have one or two accepting friends and family, but the perception given is that everything was going to work out grand and everyone was going to accept them and they were going to live as an out and proud incestuous gay couple, happily ever after. If you can suspend a lot of belief and accept a story where seemingly most people (or at least the impression that they do) welcome incestuous relationships with open arms, then this one will be a fantastic story.
I'm not saying it's not a good story. It is a good story and one I would definitely recommend. It would be a great one to start with if you are wanting to read a brocest/incest book for the first time. But it really lacks in realism on how the relationship is viewed from the outside and that clearly bugged me.
August 8, 2018
Just wonderful
Wow! I've no idea how I found this fabulous book, nor how on earth I never discovered this amazing author before now, but I'm so glad I did!
This was an intriguing and unputdownable book from start to finish!
I loved how Lily combined the taboo aspect of "brotherly love" with the eerie touch of the paranormal.
There were times when I was really not sure where she was going with the story, or how the two very diverse storylines would meet in the middle, but the poetic and beautifully written prose just has a way of weaving it's web around you and drawing you deeper and deeper into this tale of heartrending romance.
Definitely an author worth pursuing. I have already downloaded a few more of Lily's books.
Highly recommended!!
Heat level: five burning flames.
Standalone story.
Wow! I've no idea how I found this fabulous book, nor how on earth I never discovered this amazing author before now, but I'm so glad I did!
This was an intriguing and unputdownable book from start to finish!
I loved how Lily combined the taboo aspect of "brotherly love" with the eerie touch of the paranormal.
There were times when I was really not sure where she was going with the story, or how the two very diverse storylines would meet in the middle, but the poetic and beautifully written prose just has a way of weaving it's web around you and drawing you deeper and deeper into this tale of heartrending romance.
Definitely an author worth pursuing. I have already downloaded a few more of Lily's books.
Highly recommended!!
Heat level: five burning flames.
Standalone story.
April 7, 2019
I read this story as a palate cleanser after something particularly dark, love and brothers seemed like the perfect fit.
Of course I didn't expect it to cause my heart to hurt and tears threatening to fall. While I loved Jake and Rhys and their story of rekindling their love.
They acted like teenagers again and it was cute and lovely to read. Their father was so accepting, I would have hoped everyone had one of those.
What really pushed me over the edge was the poems for each chapter, and the more we got to know Samuel and Thomas it just aches more.
I just wanted to have a few extra moments with them, but I know had their love been its own book, I would have broken down reading it.
Of course I didn't expect it to cause my heart to hurt and tears threatening to fall. While I loved Jake and Rhys and their story of rekindling their love.
They acted like teenagers again and it was cute and lovely to read. Their father was so accepting, I would have hoped everyone had one of those.
What really pushed me over the edge was the poems for each chapter, and the more we got to know Samuel and Thomas it just aches more.
I just wanted to have a few extra moments with them, but I know had their love been its own book, I would have broken down reading it.
September 13, 2017
Beautiful
I must admit, I was extremely apprehensive when I decided to read this book. It's the first book I've read by this author, and the first book that looks at an incestuous relationship. However, the story was beautifully written and I really felt for these men as they struggled to come to terms with their feelings and how to progress with their lives, as a couple. It was painfully obvious they were meant to be together and their connection was soul deep, love is Love after all.
I must admit, I was extremely apprehensive when I decided to read this book. It's the first book I've read by this author, and the first book that looks at an incestuous relationship. However, the story was beautifully written and I really felt for these men as they struggled to come to terms with their feelings and how to progress with their lives, as a couple. It was painfully obvious they were meant to be together and their connection was soul deep, love is Love after all.
June 5, 2018
Wonderful story of love
This story proves that true love comes in many forms. The best we can all do is respect it and keep it nurtured. Love is love no matter where you find it, hold it close to your heart.
This story proves that true love comes in many forms. The best we can all do is respect it and keep it nurtured. Love is love no matter where you find it, hold it close to your heart.
February 13, 2019
Breathtaking intensity, beautifully written. Brilliant.
January 5, 2024
DNF: 36%
I can’t put my finger on it, but everything was very…bland. Even the ghost/haunted angle wasn’t thrilling. But the brother Jake was just unlikable. A possessive threatening petty asshole
I can’t put my finger on it, but everything was very…bland. Even the ghost/haunted angle wasn’t thrilling. But the brother Jake was just unlikable. A possessive threatening petty asshole
June 26, 2016
I totally fell in love with Rhys from the first moment I ‘met’ him and was instantly drawn into his story as he let it unfold, the loss of his mother was still fresh but couple that with losing his brother from his life and the pain felt real. It is he way that Lily shows you rather than tells which draws me into her books, and this one was no exception.
Rhys is trying to start over his life, make a fresh start and finally face his past,but it’s never quite that easy is it? Well, obviously not, but this a delicate and sensitive subject and process which is very, very well handled. Rhys is clearly shell shocked at the breakdown of his relationship with his now ex, Myles, and it sends him running home after a two year absence. Returning home and meeting up with his estranged brother is a big step for both of them. There are clearly more than the feelings of brotherly love bubbling beneath the surface still.
Then you add in a bit of a mystery, a story of loss and love and stories of ghosts and mysteries and you have me well and truly hooked, to the point where read over half of the book in one sitting. I literally couldn’t put it down.
The characters were well thought out, the emotions and interactions were almost lyrical in their feel. Nothing was left to chance, or missed out.
This was a brave and difficult subject matter to handle, and was the first taboo story I have read. It would’ve been easy to go for the easy option with this, but I always find that Lily will take the other route, and this shone through. It never once felt wrong to read about the love and connection that Rhys and Jake shared, in fact, it felt like I was intruding at times due to the level of intimacy which wasn’t always purely of a sexual nature between Myles and Jake.
Add in a love affair which almost mirrors theirs, but one set many years before. Two lovers who loved, and lost each other. There are ghosts of more than their love haunting the large country estate which backs onto Myles’ house
The scenes of intimacy were hot, but also tender. The love and emotional connection between these two men felt so right, it was meant to be. There is no way that a love so tender and consuming could ever be wrong.
It goes to show that the love you feel isn’t something you choose, your heart picks a soul rather than a person based on their looks etc, and you cannot argue with what your heart decides it wants.
I was left wanting more, to know that these two made it in the future, that fate wasn’t cruel enough to rip them apart and they got the HEA they were leaving me with and so badly deserved.
The book left me feeling warm and fuzzy inside, and goes to show, love IS love.
Rhys is trying to start over his life, make a fresh start and finally face his past,but it’s never quite that easy is it? Well, obviously not, but this a delicate and sensitive subject and process which is very, very well handled. Rhys is clearly shell shocked at the breakdown of his relationship with his now ex, Myles, and it sends him running home after a two year absence. Returning home and meeting up with his estranged brother is a big step for both of them. There are clearly more than the feelings of brotherly love bubbling beneath the surface still.
Then you add in a bit of a mystery, a story of loss and love and stories of ghosts and mysteries and you have me well and truly hooked, to the point where read over half of the book in one sitting. I literally couldn’t put it down.
The characters were well thought out, the emotions and interactions were almost lyrical in their feel. Nothing was left to chance, or missed out.
This was a brave and difficult subject matter to handle, and was the first taboo story I have read. It would’ve been easy to go for the easy option with this, but I always find that Lily will take the other route, and this shone through. It never once felt wrong to read about the love and connection that Rhys and Jake shared, in fact, it felt like I was intruding at times due to the level of intimacy which wasn’t always purely of a sexual nature between Myles and Jake.
Add in a love affair which almost mirrors theirs, but one set many years before. Two lovers who loved, and lost each other. There are ghosts of more than their love haunting the large country estate which backs onto Myles’ house
The scenes of intimacy were hot, but also tender. The love and emotional connection between these two men felt so right, it was meant to be. There is no way that a love so tender and consuming could ever be wrong.
It goes to show that the love you feel isn’t something you choose, your heart picks a soul rather than a person based on their looks etc, and you cannot argue with what your heart decides it wants.
I was left wanting more, to know that these two made it in the future, that fate wasn’t cruel enough to rip them apart and they got the HEA they were leaving me with and so badly deserved.
The book left me feeling warm and fuzzy inside, and goes to show, love IS love.
August 17, 2016
I really enjoyed reading Lily Blunt's Let Your Heart Decide. This was a fairly quick, sweet read with hints of the supernatural and mystery. Early in the story, I was reminded of M/F books by Barbara Michaels I read as a teen. Michaels' stories typically had an element of the supernatural, and in a few books there was a parallel narrative discovered by the lead as the story progressed, as was the case in Blunt's story. Rhys returns to his home town from London and immediately begins seeing figures at the back of his property and at the historic estate that his property abuts. The parallel is between the current story of Rhys and his brother, Jake, and the circumstances surrounding the mysterious figures Rhys sees around the properties.
While I really enjoyed the parallel narrative aspect, at times I felt the atmosphere was a bit lacking. Looking back on the whole story, I wonder if this was intentional on Blunt's part, like maybe she thought that adding too much of the supernatural element would detract from the story of the people involved. As I said before, I was kind of reminded of Michaels' stories; she had an excellent balance of "Ooooh, spooky" without detracting from the human element. Not a major detraction here, just a missed opportunity.
As for the brother-love element (I really despise the term brocest)...well...I'm going to get sappy. People always say that love is a beautiful thing and as long as it doesn't harm anyone, what's the harm? But when faced with a sibling love beyond the familial, they get disgusted. Well, is love a beautiful thing or not? As I was reading LYHD, I kept thinking about Shakespeare's Sonnet 116. So many aspects of this story reminds me of the sonnet. Jake being the "ever-fixed mark", the star to Rhys' "wandering bark": how protective Jake was of Rhys throughout their childhood, and despite Rhys putting emotional and physical distance between them, Jake's love never wavers. And I think it goes without saying that the two siblings have one hell of a tempest ahead of them, not just in the first reveal but for the rest of their lives. Any love that can survive those conditions can be called a marriage between true minds. We should all be lucky to have something like that in our lives.
Both arms of the narrative tie up neatly; some would say too neatly and without too much strife. But it should not have been much of a surprise considering the writing style and how the stories played out. All supernatural and mystery elements aside, this is a love story. So for people who can handle romantic love between siblings and who also don't want harrowing angst, this is a good story for you.
While I really enjoyed the parallel narrative aspect, at times I felt the atmosphere was a bit lacking. Looking back on the whole story, I wonder if this was intentional on Blunt's part, like maybe she thought that adding too much of the supernatural element would detract from the story of the people involved. As I said before, I was kind of reminded of Michaels' stories; she had an excellent balance of "Ooooh, spooky" without detracting from the human element. Not a major detraction here, just a missed opportunity.
As for the brother-love element (I really despise the term brocest)...well...I'm going to get sappy. People always say that love is a beautiful thing and as long as it doesn't harm anyone, what's the harm? But when faced with a sibling love beyond the familial, they get disgusted. Well, is love a beautiful thing or not? As I was reading LYHD, I kept thinking about Shakespeare's Sonnet 116. So many aspects of this story reminds me of the sonnet. Jake being the "ever-fixed mark", the star to Rhys' "wandering bark": how protective Jake was of Rhys throughout their childhood, and despite Rhys putting emotional and physical distance between them, Jake's love never wavers. And I think it goes without saying that the two siblings have one hell of a tempest ahead of them, not just in the first reveal but for the rest of their lives. Any love that can survive those conditions can be called a marriage between true minds. We should all be lucky to have something like that in our lives.
Both arms of the narrative tie up neatly; some would say too neatly and without too much strife. But it should not have been much of a surprise considering the writing style and how the stories played out. All supernatural and mystery elements aside, this is a love story. So for people who can handle romantic love between siblings and who also don't want harrowing angst, this is a good story for you.
May 30, 2016
*****TABOO*****
Jake and Rhys have always been close, closer than brothers should be. As children it was just the way they were, as they got older the love they shared didn't fade. Jake is 2 years older than Rhys and accepted his feelings for his brother, Rhys has struggled as he got older with the guilt and thought more about the consequences of getting involved, staying away from university just trying to keep his distance and finally running away to London the day after their mothers funeral.
Two years later Rhys return home after splitting from his boyfriend, no matter how hard he tries to justify his move back, he needs to accept Jake is his home.
On the first day in his new home Rhys experience's some feelings that send chills through him and thinks he sees someone or something watching him from the woods at the back of his home. It appears Rhys is seeing past residents of Uppington Hall and encounters an unsolved mystery from 100yrs ago.
I really enjoyed reading Jake and Rhys's story it was beautifully written, dealing not just with the taboo relationship but also the consequences and the guilt. The side characters of Thomas and Samuel was intriguing and i really wanted to see the mystery solved and how it was interwoven with Jake and Rhys's relationship. It pulled me in from the start and i didn't want to put it down. It was heartwarming and funny and i was honestly left a bit deflated when it finished. I wasn't quite ready for it to end........
Jake and Rhys have always been close, closer than brothers should be. As children it was just the way they were, as they got older the love they shared didn't fade. Jake is 2 years older than Rhys and accepted his feelings for his brother, Rhys has struggled as he got older with the guilt and thought more about the consequences of getting involved, staying away from university just trying to keep his distance and finally running away to London the day after their mothers funeral.
Two years later Rhys return home after splitting from his boyfriend, no matter how hard he tries to justify his move back, he needs to accept Jake is his home.
On the first day in his new home Rhys experience's some feelings that send chills through him and thinks he sees someone or something watching him from the woods at the back of his home. It appears Rhys is seeing past residents of Uppington Hall and encounters an unsolved mystery from 100yrs ago.
I really enjoyed reading Jake and Rhys's story it was beautifully written, dealing not just with the taboo relationship but also the consequences and the guilt. The side characters of Thomas and Samuel was intriguing and i really wanted to see the mystery solved and how it was interwoven with Jake and Rhys's relationship. It pulled me in from the start and i didn't want to put it down. It was heartwarming and funny and i was honestly left a bit deflated when it finished. I wasn't quite ready for it to end........
September 12, 2016
When I started this book, I wasn't sure what to expect. Usually incest books center around the relationship and have very little plot outside of that angle -- and let's face it, the ones I ordinarily read are a lot darker. Let Your Heart Decide, though, was a really neat story that centered around a ghost story with a forbidden romance taking equal time. The fact that it happened to be between brothers was an interesting angle. It's treated a lot more lightly than I'd have thought, and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes sweet romance stories with the incest as only a minor footnote.
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