It had been five years since my twin brother Gabe had moved to California when I got the call that changed my life forever. He was my family, the only one I had, and he was gone. I sat in the cold, dark funeral home while people moved around me. I could hear them talking, but all I could do was think. So many questions ran through my mind as I looked down at my hands in my lap. How could I have let him go? How could I have lost five years with him? Why hadn't I gone? There were two reasons. One was to take care of my grandparents. They'd both passed in the five years he'd been gone. The other was the one person I couldn't stand, my brother's best friend, Doug. He'd gone with him to help him start his company. I'd been under my covers in the same clothes for two days when my phone rang. It was my brother's lawyer letting me know that I needed to be in California the following morning. If I didn't show up, my brother's company would stop running. It was in his will. My plane ticket was waiting, there was no getting out of it. It took all I had to get out of bed and shower off the funk I was feeling, but I did it. I did it for my brother, his company, and the people that worked there. When I walked into the room to wait for the rest of the people to arrive, I thought about Gabe and how proud I was of what he had accomplished. He'd taken his passion and turned into something amazing. When the door opened and his best friend walked in, it took all I had to remain in that room. I couldn't wait for the others to walk in and fill the space between us, but that never happened. There were no others. It was just the two of us. Then it happened, the lawyer began to speak, and I thought I was going to lose it. Gabe left everything, including the company, to his best friend and me evenly. But that wasn't all, not even close. There were rules we had to follow before the papers would be signed and everything would be split. 1. We had to work together at the company for six months. 2. We both had to live in my brother's house the entire time. I was done. There was no way. My brother always had been a jokester, and that by far was his best joke ever. I was ready to leave when his lawyer added one last thing. If either of us treated the other badly during that time, the company would be sold and everything would be given away. I couldn't let that happen. Just in the hour I was there, I'd already learned that my brother had kept things from me. I hadn't told him everything about my life either. What else didn't I know about him? There was only one problem, and his name was Doug. Could we be that close for that long without ruining everything my brother had built?
This new book by Sharon was just fantastic. I loved it so much. I am going to try to give a review without giving away too much. Gabe and Gabby were twins and Doug was their best friend until they were 16 years old. At that time Gabby and Doug were as much in love with each other as 16yr olds can be. Something happened on both sides and from that point on, they hated each other. Gabe and Doug stayed best friends and they went to California to start up a business together. Now you know by reading the blurb, there was a car accident and Gabe died. At this point Gabby goes to California for his will and has to stay for 6 months. There are so many secrets that are not being told. One by one they slowly come out. Some are so painful and heartbreaking that it brought tears to my eyes. But at the same time, there were parts of the story that I was laughing my behind off. So here are a few points. 1. There are really hot sex scenes. 2. There is no cliffhanger. 3. You do get an HEA. 4. Alternating Points of view between Gabby and Doug. Watching Doug and Gabby find their way back to each other was a very enjoyable read. And there are many surprises in the book that you will love. I really loved Bridget and my heart broke for her, I'm so glad she is getting her own book. I also loved the security guy, Derek. John I wasn't so sure about at first, but at the end he made up for the suspiciousness. If you want to know who these people are, you are just going to have to read the story. My only problem with the story is Gabe died. Seeing the person he was and loved by everyone, I wish there would have been a different outcome. But then I guess the story wouldn't have worked out the way it did. This is a 5***** read for me and yes I do recommend the book. I received an ARC for this book for an honest review and received nothing else. Great book, LOVE it.
No sex til close to the end of book. HEA. She stays away from her love because of a misunderstanding on both their parts. This also means she stays away from her brother who moves with his best friend, her love, and starts a company. Now the brother has a tragedy and she must run the company and live with the ex love for6 months. A bit of skipping-around on my part just to get to the end. It was a bit slow but nice idea.
Absolutely LOVED this book! Working on my Brothers Best Friend is a love hate enemies to lovers story between Doug and Gabby. This story was well-written and flowed very well. The book was emotional, feisty, and funny. Sharon Cummin is an amazing author and is becoming one of my favorites.
Doug and Gabriella have loved each other since forever, but misunderstandings and lack of communication on both sides tore them apart. Years later, tragedy brings them back together. Even though they're still both angry and hurt, the sparks that fly whenever they're around each other is hot enough to keep a small village warm by campfire!🔥
Good grief though! These two take stubbornness to a whole new level! What a great idea Gabby's twin brother, and Doug's best friend, Gabe, had when he drew up a Will that would force these two to live and work together at the company he and Doug ran together--or it would be shut down! These two were holding things against each other that happened when they were 16-years old, but the crazy thing is, neither of them knew why the other was mad!😕 Wow, talk about a big misunderstanding! When readers find out what it actually is, there will be some reactions like, "Really?" , "What the_?" , or my personal favorite "😱" . Seriously, 14 years wasted (they're 30 now) on something that could have been rectified had they only talked to each other. But when you factor in that they were teenagers at the time, well, you could only expect so much maturity at that age ....still, with Doug and Gabby having Gabe in common, I just can't believe not one person brought up the Big Issue! It just festered on for years!!
Anyway, that brings us to Gabe's Will reading and all the instructions. I loved that he cared about his sister and his best friend so much, he wanted to see them happy--and together. The emotion--grief, sadness, heartbreak, happiness in memories-- I absolutely felt it. I mean Gabe was definitely loved because he was genuinely a good person. Every time someone mentioned a fond memory of him, I teared up. My heart truly broke for these people.
Everything Gabe put in his Will was definitely supposed to bring Doug and Gabby together. It was really very endearing and so sweet. *I do, however, find it a bit strange that: 1) the way Gabe's Will was written, it seemed like he knew he was dying, but that's not possible!!?? 2) why didn't he put as much effort into that special someone for himself!!???
I do love a good, tear-jerking, a bit angsty, sexy romance, and Sharon Cummins definitely has that going on here. I love the idea for this book! I think it makes for a very interesting story. Although I enjoyed the verbal sparring, it got rough there for a minute because the conflict between Doug and Gabby dragged on and on and on--it was the longest six months I have ever read! I kept thinking, somebody needs to rip off somebody's clothes and start making out soon because with all this heat between them, that house was bound to explode!😂
When they finally decided to have the "talk", I couldn't have been happier! Doug and Gabby are absolutely sensational together! They conquer hurts of the past, some present danger, and push forward to a beautiful future!
*Final Note: I just wish Ms. Cummins would stop mixing up "you're" with "your"--it was all over the book! I'm willing to overlook a few, but that mistake was made so many times, I was thinking maybe the editor had a battle with autocorrect--and lost! Everyone has lost a skirmish or two with that darn autocorrect, I would just say take a little more time in editing. Please don't hate me. 😕 * Unsolicited Rant Over*
WORKING ON MY BROTHER'S BEST FRIEND by Sharon Cummin
This was a new author for me and i'm so glad a friend recommended her to me by 3% into the book i was hooked, crying for Gabby, Doug and all those around Gabe and it only got better from there. By the time i got to 10% my husband had called me twice and i said one more page only to keep reading as the emotions this book brings out makes you feel as if you are part of this very tight circle of people. This book captures your heart and takes you on an emotional roller coaster that you don't find many authors able to do but wish for every time you open a book. The character main and supporting will have you rooting for them, laughing with them, and wanting to slap them either to say wake up or to say get out and stay out. I truly loved this book and the escape and connection that i was able to find in its pages and with its characters so didn't want it to end. Am so looking forward to reading more from this author and have already recommended this book it was that good.
** I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book for my honest opinion **
** Provided on behalf of the author for an honest review ** ** Review by Kylie from Bloggers From Down Under **
Gabby and her twin brother Gabe are close. They have to be. Their parents abandoned them when they were babies, leaving them to be raised by their grandparents. When their grandparents pass away, they only have each other.
One night Gabby’s world is turned upside down when Gabe is killed in a car accident. She just barely makes it through his memorial, and it’s only made more unbearable by Doug, Gabe’s best friend, and the man who broke her heart years ago.
But Gabby and Doug are about to be forced to spent the next six months not only working together, but living together. The last thing either of them want to do.
In a beautiful story, we learn about the lies that were told in the past, family secrets and that sometimes true love will never die. Heartbreaking at times, but an all over lovely book that will have you feeling all kinds of emotions.
Gabby and Gabe were twins and inseparable, until Gabe moved to start his career. Gabby didn’t visit her brother much due to her not wanting to see Doug, who was her teenage crush and, also, hurt her. With her brother deciding to have the last word when his will was read both Gabby and Doug get a surprise, they have to run his business and live together for six months or his business gets sold. The lawyer who is also their friend didn’t believe what Gabe told him about how much, Gabby and Doug didn’t get along, until he saw it. They both have thoughts that maybe what they thought about each other was wrong, but both can’t get past the past. The letters continue from Gabby’s brother and the last one he tells them both to forget whatever happened in the past they deserve to be happy and he knew there was something between them. You watch Gabby and Doug journey through their emotions to work towards a happily ever after, though it wondering what was Gabe thinking.
I loved it, the emotions with Gabby’s twin brothers passing, her guilt for 5 years of abandoning him when he went to California with his best friend Doug. When the blurb don’t say is that Doug, Gabe and Gabby knew each other since they were under 10 and for 6 years life was perfect for the three (minus never knowing their parents) the life changed when they were 16. Doug came back from his father’s ticked off at Gabby. Then when they were 18 Gabby saw Doug and her then best friend kissing, now they hated each other for over 10 years. Now losing Gabe to a car accident and living to the terms of the will, these two will got from hating to tolerating to more. Gabe had secrets even he didn’t know until after he was gone that Gabby will over hear, Gabby has deep pain and torment from the recent past that her brother nor Doug knew, but what will these two do when their past is brought up discuss and set right?
I absolutely loved this story. The happy tears are still falling. True to life story lines,very realistic. These characters are complex, deeply loyal,loving, flawed and perfect all at the same time. It wasn't too predictable and had enough angst and exciting twists and turns to keep me turning the pages curious for more. A true lifelong love story with a deeply fulfilling family bond that feeds the soul. I giggled out loud, fanned myself, and kept the tissues close by. A good soap opera in book form. Simply delightful and impressive writing. This is my first Sharon Cummin book and won't be my last. I loved it. I highly recommend it. You won't be disappointed.
Gabby just lost her twin brother, Gabe. Doug was Gabe’s best friend in the whole world. Story begins with Gabby and Doug grieving the loss and reminiscing. Gabby and Doug hate each other, and now they must comply with Gabe’s will and work/live together for the next 6 months.
This had such a slow build up and it only continued to lag further and further. It seems the author’s titles all sound the same and have similar story lines (ex: In love with my brother’s best friend, a crush on her best friend’s brother, falling for my best friend, etc.) And they all certainly follow the same he said/she said format.
Dough and Gabby totally purge their grief, regrets, and disdain in their diary. And I couldn’t really stand it. Plus, it was just too, too SLOW.
Meh - for the content of the story this book was too long - premise was good but I found both main characters a bit whiny - the situation with her ex was unrealistic The issue that kept them apart for 14 years was so insignificant it was laughable I don't think I will be reading anymore from this author
This is one of those books you just can't put down!
Even if the book has had some minor mistakes, I really enjoyed reading it. It almost caused a sleepless night however I somehow found the strength to tear my eyes away and grab some sleep. But I couldn't wait for the next opportunity to continue.
This story holds your interest on a very high level. There are a lot of hints that leave you guessing, but you never know until the author lets you. Some things are predictable, but that's not a major turn off.
Everything around the main characters revolves around loss, heartache, love, misunderstandings, healing and second chances. I felt an instant connection to Gabby and Doug. Their chemistry is undeniable and you feel the heat between them in every interaction. It was kind of thrilling to go on the ride Gabe set up for those two.
Actually, what I didn't expect at all before starting this book, I had a book-hangover after finishing this story. Maybe we can hope for a second part, as I really would like to read some more about this "patchwork" family :)
I actually really enjoyed this book. It is erotic fiction, so there are graphic sex scenes and strong language. The writing is certainly not the best in the world but the story is interesting and entertaining enough to overlook the style of writing. If you are looking for a steamy romp that also has a lot of emotional buildup besides just the romance/sex between the main characters this may be a good choice for you.
Side note, this book does deal with domestic abuse and death within the family so you may need to be aware before reading.
A twin sister whose brother dies lives a separate life in a different state. Whilst she is hiding from an unrequited love. Her brother ran a successful business with his best friend. A crazy will brings his sister and best friend together again.
This was a moving story amongst the grief and tears there was laughter. The characters were likeable and the love story was cliche but fun in places.
For me there could have been more sex scenes as i love reading raunchy scenes.
Loved it couldn't put it down , I figured out who the father was when Bridget found out she was pregnant. The pent up frustration and miss understanding of the main characters made the book even more enjoyable. I was hoping they would get together but it wasn't certain even to the end . Would of liked a better epilogue though about if they had kids and how the company was going. Was a great read Definitely recommend it. Sharon Cummin this is the first book of yours I have read and know I will be reading more.
This was such a good read. I loved how even in death Gabe brought Gabby and Doug together. They were so good together and truly belonged together. I hope Bridget will find true happiness as well. Derek would be her perfect match after losing the love of her life. There was so much going on but the author did a great job pulling it all together. There were some grammatical errors but overall a great read!
Couldn't get used to the writing style. Struggled to keep track of who was narrating. Couldn't get used to the style of talking about a dead person in the present tense like he was still there. Also, way too much use of the word "ass" instead of personal pronouns, as in, "get your ass over here", "your ass is washing the dishes", etc. And too many typos like your/you're and then/than. On the whole rather disappointing.
Working on My Brother's Best Friend was my first book from Sharon Cummin. It did not disappoint. This book was emotional yet lovely. Out of 5 Stars; Hero: 5 Heroine: 4.5 Secondary characters (see below); Bridgett: 5 Derek: 5 Heat level between Hero & Heroine: 4 Overall Book: 4.5
Blimey what an emotional read, I sobbed more than once, so be prepared and have tissues at the ready, I loved Doug and Gabby in fact I loved all the characters, the only thing I hated was that Gabe died, I kept thinking/hoping it was a trick 😭😞 like I said in the beginning this is a very emotional rollercoaster of a story.
Epically done.. oh hell, I was so wrapped up in this book I even read while walking the dog! I can’t wait to read all of her books. Sexy steamy erotica this book is not. It is a perfect story of soulmates who find the way back to each other and done in a perfect way!
Very entertaining storyline and likeable characters. Denying their feelings for one another has kept them apart for years. Will being forced to live and work together for six months force them to admit their true feelings or drive them further apart ?
I enjoy this book by Susan Cummin . I was right there through all the emotion. The loss of a love one, the gift of life and the prevail of love.. Excellent book..
So I did like most of the characters. The story line was good. The thing that bothered me was that here are two grown adults who do not talk out what is bothering them for years and years. Come on.
This book was great. Every time I thought it would wrap up (and was sad) I still had multiple chapters left. I enjoyed the back and forth and the development of the relationship between Doug and Gabby.
Very touching story of love & loss. I was totally engrossed in the story from the very first page. I can only imagine what it would be like to lose a twin.