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Bad Stepbrother
All Harley wanted was one night. One hot and dirty night with Zach. But months later, her bad boy hookup shows up at her Dad's wedding, as the son of the bride.Wanting to escape my good girl past, I went way outside my comfort zone and hooked up with Zach, the nude model from my life drawing class. The night left me wanting more—so much more—but I never expected him to show up at my dad’s wedding where he becomes my stepbrother.Now I can’t get him out of my mind—or my sight—when our parents drag us on a family vacation where his tattooed muscled bod is in my face—all the time.Worse, my attraction turns serious when I discover deep emotional wounds under Zach’s tough-guy exterior, and the source of his intense distrust for my dad becomes clear.Passions and tensions threaten to explode.A standalone, romance with no cheating and no cliffhanger. For readers 18+. Contains strong language and adult sexual situations.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 11, 2016
688 people are currently reading
407 people want to read
About the author
Mara Leigh
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Mara Leigh, a corporate world escapee, loves to hang out in coffee shops and let her imagination run wild.
After hopping between various cities including Edinburgh, San Francisco, and Philadelphia, Mara and her exorbitant shoe collection have settled in Toronto where she writes steamy and emotional reverse harem paranormal, and m/f contemporary romances.
Sign up for her Newsletter
Mara Leigh, a corporate world escapee, loves to hang out in coffee shops and let her imagination run wild.
After hopping between various cities including Edinburgh, San Francisco, and Philadelphia, Mara and her exorbitant shoe collection have settled in Toronto where she writes steamy and emotional reverse harem paranormal, and m/f contemporary romances.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
October 2, 2016
oh man, my first foray into the stepbrother books and this was a dddddooooooooozie!!! Really hot - but also really emotional. The angst was super high - if you like Erin Watts Royal series - this will be right up your alley!!!!
July 21, 2019
I really enjoy reading stepbrother romances and this one was a nice one. It was a quick story, filled with emotions and a lot of steamy scenes.
The best part was seeing Zach grow and see how much he was worth. And even though he had that cocky attitude, he had a huge heart inside that he just kept it locked to avoid being hurt all over again.
It was a good read.
The best part was seeing Zach grow and see how much he was worth. And even though he had that cocky attitude, he had a huge heart inside that he just kept it locked to avoid being hurt all over again.
It was a good read.
August 17, 2016
Not trying to sound rude but... I think I threw up reading this book...
August 16, 2017
I've read quite a few of these ... you know the stepbrother romance but this one has some seriously good bones (no pun intended). The main characters were constantly in your face with a heroine who was breaking out of her shell and a hero who was truly looking to be saved. Though there weren't too many secondary characters but those who were there really helped to shape this tale.
Zach comes from a truly tragic/troubled/unfortunate past. He's moving through life on autopilot with no idea how to love himself or to see his true value. This hero had all of the classic good looks, tattoos and scares but his character is so filled with mistrust that he can't believe that something good could ever come his way. His counter-part Harley is the classic good girl who wants to make sure that her father remains happy. I really can't make a determination how well these two leading characters fit together because I often want a female lead that is as strong as the male lead. In some ways she is just right but in other ways her character isn't enough. As for the secondary character (Zach's mom and Harley's dad) they drew out more angst than the relationship between the leading characters. Regardless, this was a good read and much better than some of the others that I have read already.
Zach comes from a truly tragic/troubled/unfortunate past. He's moving through life on autopilot with no idea how to love himself or to see his true value. This hero had all of the classic good looks, tattoos and scares but his character is so filled with mistrust that he can't believe that something good could ever come his way. His counter-part Harley is the classic good girl who wants to make sure that her father remains happy. I really can't make a determination how well these two leading characters fit together because I often want a female lead that is as strong as the male lead. In some ways she is just right but in other ways her character isn't enough. As for the secondary character (Zach's mom and Harley's dad) they drew out more angst than the relationship between the leading characters. Regardless, this was a good read and much better than some of the others that I have read already.
January 3, 2019
A differend kind of Stepbrother romance than what I'm used too.
If you love erotica and build heroes, then this book is for you.
If you love erotica and build heroes, then this book is for you.
September 24, 2016
This is a good read! Someone you wanna hate but turns into someone you have GOT to love!! This is your book!!!
May 15, 2017
3.50 / 4 Stars
I know some attitudes and situations were a bit over the top in this book, but I can see what the author was going for in the story. Even though, in real life, there are step siblings who end up falling in love, it's still not an easy situation to open up about to the parents. To me, when a book has them (parents) overly accepting to the news it doesn't feel real. There is bound to be some conflict and questioning. IMHO.
In Bad Stepbrother I can see some overreaction to some situations by Zach & Richard since Zach had a very crappy and unstable childhood. The Dad's (Richard) attitude was harsh at times, even after Zach's mom tell give him the full history of his childhood. After all that I've mentioned I still thought the premise of the story was good.
I know some attitudes and situations were a bit over the top in this book, but I can see what the author was going for in the story. Even though, in real life, there are step siblings who end up falling in love, it's still not an easy situation to open up about to the parents. To me, when a book has them (parents) overly accepting to the news it doesn't feel real. There is bound to be some conflict and questioning. IMHO.
In Bad Stepbrother I can see some overreaction to some situations by Zach & Richard since Zach had a very crappy and unstable childhood. The Dad's (Richard) attitude was harsh at times, even after Zach's mom tell give him the full history of his childhood. After all that I've mentioned I still thought the premise of the story was good.
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January 23, 2024
OK my thoughts. Honestly, although the plot was good. I really didn't like most of the characters. Truthfully I feel the only character that actually had a brain and thought the clearest was Zack. The father was just a short-sighted asshole. The daughter was a bit sheltered but so fixated on her dad. She rarely thought for herself and was in my opinion Immature. The mother although yes was a horrible mom, in the past also suffered from trauma I can understand how the circumstances led to her past behavior and poor decisions. Her actions are common not just for women but people that live in those types of situations. I think Zack's thought process is actually very fair and realistic for the trauma and life he has lived through. His feelings are real and what would be the normal and realistic tight process of someone who has gone through and is going through what he is. I did not love this book. I liked it. I wish the characters were better people. Zack is in my opinion is the one who is a real good person if you consider what he has suffered and him still being a kind, thoughtful, forgiving, and smart human being.
The book is well-written and the plot is a good one. It is a book that I think others would enjoy but I believe they will find it hard to relate to most of the characters because they just aren't likeable in my opinion. This is not a Dark Romance. There is Heat for sure but I had a hard time connecting to the main female character.
The book is well-written and the plot is a good one. It is a book that I think others would enjoy but I believe they will find it hard to relate to most of the characters because they just aren't likeable in my opinion. This is not a Dark Romance. There is Heat for sure but I had a hard time connecting to the main female character.
March 29, 2022
Phew, this book 😳
✅Good girl/bad boy
✅ Taboo romance
✅ Step-siblings
✅ Strangers to reluctant friends to lovers
✅ Hate sex
✅ Dual POV
🚩 Content warning: mentions of domestic violence, rape, child abuse
4 ⭐️
5 🌶
The story follows Harley and Zach, two strangers who hook-up one night in San Francisco. When Harley goes back to Canada, she still hasn’t forgotten about him but knows she won’t see him again—until the day of her dad’s wedding comes along, and Zach is there.
I usually love stepbrother romances, and this one didn’t disappoint. Zach and Harley’s relationship started out as purely sexual (and so so spicy 🥵) and it slowly developed into something more, which I LOVED.
The way Zach’s feelings for her changed as time went on was beautiful and I loved his arc the most. His backstory was heartbreaking, and I’m glad they got their happy ending together. I found Harley a bit childish and frustrating at times though, especially when dealing with her father.
Overall I loved this book. It was very short, only 190 pages, and yet the story didn’t feel rushed at all. According to Kindle it’ll take you around four hours to finish, so I highly recommend it if you need to get out of a slump FAST 👀🏃♀️
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞? Yes.
𝐈𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝? Yes.
𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐋𝐆𝐁𝐓𝐐+ 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤? I don’t remember any explicit queer representation.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐎𝟑 𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐭? “Zach is a true bad boy” “And Harley is such a good girl she’s almost snobby lol” “But I loved them together.”
✅Good girl/bad boy
✅ Taboo romance
✅ Step-siblings
✅ Strangers to reluctant friends to lovers
✅ Hate sex
✅ Dual POV
🚩 Content warning: mentions of domestic violence, rape, child abuse
4 ⭐️
5 🌶
The story follows Harley and Zach, two strangers who hook-up one night in San Francisco. When Harley goes back to Canada, she still hasn’t forgotten about him but knows she won’t see him again—until the day of her dad’s wedding comes along, and Zach is there.
I usually love stepbrother romances, and this one didn’t disappoint. Zach and Harley’s relationship started out as purely sexual (and so so spicy 🥵) and it slowly developed into something more, which I LOVED.
The way Zach’s feelings for her changed as time went on was beautiful and I loved his arc the most. His backstory was heartbreaking, and I’m glad they got their happy ending together. I found Harley a bit childish and frustrating at times though, especially when dealing with her father.
Overall I loved this book. It was very short, only 190 pages, and yet the story didn’t feel rushed at all. According to Kindle it’ll take you around four hours to finish, so I highly recommend it if you need to get out of a slump FAST 👀🏃♀️
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞? Yes.
𝐈𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝? Yes.
𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐋𝐆𝐁𝐓𝐐+ 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤? I don’t remember any explicit queer representation.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐎𝟑 𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐭? “Zach is a true bad boy” “And Harley is such a good girl she’s almost snobby lol” “But I loved them together.”
September 4, 2022
This book was on my Kindle for a while and I chose to read it because it sounded like just the book I needed. Now I'm mad that I apparently slept on this book for so long because it was really good.
I've read more than a few in the stepbrother romance trope and this is definitely at the top for being about the attraction more than the taboo. Now don't get me wrong, I love taboo, but this was a nice change of pace in that regard.
This book was an emotional, heart breaking and mending, read for me and I really appreciated the journey the author takes the characters on. The spice and dirty talk was also really well written, so it an all around good read.
Definitely interested to check out more by this author.
Content warnings: this book features heavy themes of past domestic violence against a mother and her son (who is the MMC). It does not shy away from the struggle and the strength it takes to recover.
I've read more than a few in the stepbrother romance trope and this is definitely at the top for being about the attraction more than the taboo. Now don't get me wrong, I love taboo, but this was a nice change of pace in that regard.
This book was an emotional, heart breaking and mending, read for me and I really appreciated the journey the author takes the characters on. The spice and dirty talk was also really well written, so it an all around good read.
Definitely interested to check out more by this author.
Content warnings: this book features heavy themes of past domestic violence against a mother and her son (who is the MMC). It does not shy away from the struggle and the strength it takes to recover.
May 9, 2017
I found this book advertised on a book blog, and I will admit that it's not usually something I read but the blurb really got my attention and I decided to give it a try.
It's pretty much in the title, Bad Stepbrother and that's exactly what Zach is. I do love Zach and Harley's chemistry and will admit I did want to punch him for being an egotistical ass. But once the story progressed further I grew to understand what made him that way and all the baggage that he carried.
It's definitely hot and heavy, fighting feelings that shouldn't exist and temptation. And to see a strong family element from Zach's perspective towards his mother was endearing throughout. It is worth a read if this genre appeals to you.
It's pretty much in the title, Bad Stepbrother and that's exactly what Zach is. I do love Zach and Harley's chemistry and will admit I did want to punch him for being an egotistical ass. But once the story progressed further I grew to understand what made him that way and all the baggage that he carried.
It's definitely hot and heavy, fighting feelings that shouldn't exist and temptation. And to see a strong family element from Zach's perspective towards his mother was endearing throughout. It is worth a read if this genre appeals to you.
June 4, 2017
Bad stepbrother? Wow.
This is a great book. You will fall in love with Zach and Harley. One a rich spoiled child who's had everything they ever wanted. The other was abused and always told he was'nt worthy of love. Two people who are such opposites, will find a way to over come the obstacles standing in their way of true love. They meet while Harley and her friend are expanding their horizons before starting college. They hook up for a one night stand only to meet a few months later at their parents wedding. Neither one has been able to forget that night and the sexual attraction between them only grows until they both give in to some pretty hot sex.
This is a great book. You will fall in love with Zach and Harley. One a rich spoiled child who's had everything they ever wanted. The other was abused and always told he was'nt worthy of love. Two people who are such opposites, will find a way to over come the obstacles standing in their way of true love. They meet while Harley and her friend are expanding their horizons before starting college. They hook up for a one night stand only to meet a few months later at their parents wedding. Neither one has been able to forget that night and the sexual attraction between them only grows until they both give in to some pretty hot sex.
July 14, 2017
Hot, intense and so freaking good! Must read
Very new to me author and I love a good stepbrother romance so I was intrigued. Holy hotness was this read completely worth it!! I loved Harley and how everything turned out. Zach was a very very hot stepbrother and I very much enjoyed reading about Harley's view of him at the beginning of the book, when they first met.
The sex was hot and very well written, much better than some scenes I have read recently. The story-line was a bit familiar but took on a different twist than I was expecting! Not like the other stepbrother romance books I've read at all, and so much better. I can't wait to see what else this author has written!
Very new to me author and I love a good stepbrother romance so I was intrigued. Holy hotness was this read completely worth it!! I loved Harley and how everything turned out. Zach was a very very hot stepbrother and I very much enjoyed reading about Harley's view of him at the beginning of the book, when they first met.
The sex was hot and very well written, much better than some scenes I have read recently. The story-line was a bit familiar but took on a different twist than I was expecting! Not like the other stepbrother romance books I've read at all, and so much better. I can't wait to see what else this author has written!
August 12, 2019
This hits closer to 3.5 stars for me. I liked Harley and Zach, they were relatively mature for their early 20’s age group. Some of their connection was very sweet - Zach’s inner monologue as he feel in love but didn’t feel he deserved her. The level of emotional damage was the negative for me - his mom having four abusive husband’s before meeting Harley’s dad and Zach’s amount of abuse from those relationships - that felt a little too over the top as did how whiplashy Harley’s dad was with regards to Zach. He was initially so hurtfully negative about Zach even though he had a good relationship with his mom but came around so quickly when they told him they were in love.
May 17, 2019
Broken Love
Harley and Zach met by chance and had one infuriating passionate night together. Months later they met again at their parents wedding surprised to find they are now step siblings. The situation is awkward and strained as there is already tension between Harley’s dad and Zach and mom ... but she’s there in front of him again and he hadn’t forgotten her and she has defiantly not forgotten him. Can they come to an understanding? This book is a fantastic read with the character chemistry that is off the charts, this is a definite recommend!
Harley and Zach met by chance and had one infuriating passionate night together. Months later they met again at their parents wedding surprised to find they are now step siblings. The situation is awkward and strained as there is already tension between Harley’s dad and Zach and mom ... but she’s there in front of him again and he hadn’t forgotten her and she has defiantly not forgotten him. Can they come to an understanding? This book is a fantastic read with the character chemistry that is off the charts, this is a definite recommend!
August 9, 2019
I loved this book. The characters were likable. Even though the hero could have been an ass, the author gives him redeeming qualities and details of his past life, which explain his actions. I found the heroine a bit too persuadable, but paired with the hero, I thought she was understanding and likable. The only secondary character I didn't care for was the heroine's father. To me, he was overbearing and then would switch to being super nice.
I'm looking forward to reading more books written by Mara Leigh.
I'm looking forward to reading more books written by Mara Leigh.
December 16, 2018
Change
Zack and Harley meet and it was lust at first sight. They meet again when their parents get married. Zack has lived a sad life. His mother's past mistakes has lead him to life of misery.
Harley has only been the apple of her dad eye. All she wants is to please him. When Zack comes around things change for Harley.
The book was good. I didn't like the ending. I would of like to see something concrete of their lives.
Zack and Harley meet and it was lust at first sight. They meet again when their parents get married. Zack has lived a sad life. His mother's past mistakes has lead him to life of misery.
Harley has only been the apple of her dad eye. All she wants is to please him. When Zack comes around things change for Harley.
The book was good. I didn't like the ending. I would of like to see something concrete of their lives.
February 4, 2019
Decent, but frustrating.
It was decently written, but I found myself hating each of the characters (except the children, of course). The lead female was highly annoying, and overly obsessed with her father. The lead male was not just badly broken, but truly messed up in the head. The father was a complete asshole, and the mom... ugh. The sex was brutal and didn’t sound in the least bit wonderful. Eh. Just not for me
It was decently written, but I found myself hating each of the characters (except the children, of course). The lead female was highly annoying, and overly obsessed with her father. The lead male was not just badly broken, but truly messed up in the head. The father was a complete asshole, and the mom... ugh. The sex was brutal and didn’t sound in the least bit wonderful. Eh. Just not for me
April 28, 2019
Astounding
This book was do fantastic I don't know where to begin.The story is fantastic and very written.Harley & Zach are great characters. The book is written in such a way that you live the story with them. It points out that regardless of how a person acts. there is a reason for there actions.Also points out. get to know a person before you judge them.This is out of the ballpark.Loved it!!!
This book was do fantastic I don't know where to begin.The story is fantastic and very written.Harley & Zach are great characters. The book is written in such a way that you live the story with them. It points out that regardless of how a person acts. there is a reason for there actions.Also points out. get to know a person before you judge them.This is out of the ballpark.Loved it!!!
December 30, 2019
I love a good stepbrother romance book, and this one wasn't bad.
I liked the connection between the characters, a few minor frustrations with how stubborn they both can be, but it was at about 60% where it kinda went downhill a little for me, where I was disappointed with both Harley and her dad. Harley made up for it fairly quickly though.
I would've liked an epilogue or something a little further into the future, but overall it was an enjoyable read with some good steam.
I liked the connection between the characters, a few minor frustrations with how stubborn they both can be, but it was at about 60% where it kinda went downhill a little for me, where I was disappointed with both Harley and her dad. Harley made up for it fairly quickly though.
I would've liked an epilogue or something a little further into the future, but overall it was an enjoyable read with some good steam.
March 21, 2021
A novel full of emotions and steamy scenes. No one really is that bad, circumstances make them seem bad...as we discover in this read. The author delves into a world of pain and abuse, as well as the emotions that come from it and how to move on in life. Often ones childhood is so painful they spend their whole life overcoming it or waiting for some one to see them for who they really are underneath it all.
December 22, 2021
This book. What started out with fun dialogue, silly jokes, and one-liners had me practically crying and punching my fist indignantly in the air, a-la-Chris Judd in The Breakfast Club. So many emotions. Zach's back story is so compelling and sad. I rooted for their story and enjoyed the ending. The scene in the house with Zach's & Harley's revelation left me floored. Also, the 'scenes' were deliciously erotic.
December 30, 2018
Battery operated approval!
This book only got a four star approval because it needed some editing love. I enjoyed this story, it had some dark moments, some very sexy scenes. This couple had a lot to over come and I liked that even though they came from different backgrounds they helped each other emotional and physically. Great bedtime read!
This book only got a four star approval because it needed some editing love. I enjoyed this story, it had some dark moments, some very sexy scenes. This couple had a lot to over come and I liked that even though they came from different backgrounds they helped each other emotional and physically. Great bedtime read!
August 5, 2019
Great book! Well written story about a forbidden love and a bad boy with quite a few steamy scenes, just what I was hoping for. But it’s also about violence and abuse (in the past), which I didn’t expect. Not really happy with the ending, I wanted to know a bit more. All in all I really enjoyed this book.
July 21, 2020
Good
This was a good story. At first I thought Zach was a cocky b**tard. Turns out he had a very hard child hood. Harley had the good life growing up. I guess opposites do attract. Wow though give me a man with Zach's body but a more alpha type, yum yum. Thank you for the wonderful story.
This was a good story. At first I thought Zach was a cocky b**tard. Turns out he had a very hard child hood. Harley had the good life growing up. I guess opposites do attract. Wow though give me a man with Zach's body but a more alpha type, yum yum. Thank you for the wonderful story.
May 9, 2017
Bad stepbrother
I really enjoyed this story, I liked how the girl was the rich one this time and it showed the guys perspective to what it's like on the other side. Can't wait to see what's next.
I really enjoyed this story, I liked how the girl was the rich one this time and it showed the guys perspective to what it's like on the other side. Can't wait to see what's next.
May 10, 2017
Loved it
This was a sweet love hate relationship, where both Zack and Harley try to push away how they felt. What I loved was that they connected before they became step siblings, so it was never wrong and it was always just right from the moment she drew his dick. 😊
This was a sweet love hate relationship, where both Zack and Harley try to push away how they felt. What I loved was that they connected before they became step siblings, so it was never wrong and it was always just right from the moment she drew his dick. 😊
August 7, 2017
Surprisingly good!
This author is new to me. I really enjoyed
Reading this book. It's very hot and emotionally as well. The things that bothers me is the fact that her ex bf name was change in the middle of the story from Josh to Joel.
This author is new to me. I really enjoyed
Reading this book. It's very hot and emotionally as well. The things that bothers me is the fact that her ex bf name was change in the middle of the story from Josh to Joel.
August 9, 2017
Rather enjoyable "Step-brother" romance. The meeting between the two characters in the beginning of the story was hilarious, if not quite embarrassing for Harley (female lead).
There was just the right amount of tension as their relationship developed to keep me on my toes.
There was just the right amount of tension as their relationship developed to keep me on my toes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews