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Loving #1
Too Close to Love
Some events just change how you look at a person.
One thing can make them go from someone who’s just always there to someone who matters…More than they should.
Kevin knows that no one would understand what he feels for Jeremy. Even Jeremy would be shocked if he found out. But what do you do when you fall in love with the one person you were never supposed to need?
One thing can make them go from someone who’s just always there to someone who matters…More than they should.
Kevin knows that no one would understand what he feels for Jeremy. Even Jeremy would be shocked if he found out. But what do you do when you fall in love with the one person you were never supposed to need?
121 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 17, 2017
58 people are currently reading
793 people want to read
About the author
M.A. Innes
140 books1,194 followersM.A. Innes writes kinky and curious things like age play, puppy play, sweet guys in lingerie, cute boys in search of a Daddy and more.
When M.A. Innes wants to write a little more mainstream, she writes under the name: Shaw Montgomery
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When M.A. Innes wants to write a little more mainstream, she writes under the name: Shaw Montgomery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
February 13, 2018
Pleasantly surprised by this one...thanks Susan ;)
It's 3- 3,5 stars for me and before you start this one....this is a literal Bromance. So real brothers falling in love and pursuing a relationship.
It's 3- 3,5 stars for me and before you start this one....this is a literal Bromance. So real brothers falling in love and pursuing a relationship.
February 12, 2018
I liked this! It was quite sweet.
After an attempted kidnapping when Kevin is 14, Kevin and his brother Jeremy grow really close. At first it is just to keep the nightmares away, but after several years it is clear they just need each other.
When Kevin is 18, and Jeremy 20, they are both aware that their relationship is not like other sibling relationships. But neither says anything about their feelings to the other, afraid to be turned down. But since they sleep in the same bed and are always pretty possessive of each other’s time, they both know the other has to feel at least something.
But before anything can ever happen between them, they first need to find a way to get away from their controlling parents…
These guys were really sweet. I loved how Jeremy always took care of Kevin and how both of them held out on even kissing other people since they knew they wanted each other. Their relationship felt natural and never weird in any way. I also liked that there wasn’t a lot of angst. The only angst there was came from their crazy parents, but that was doable for me.
Now I’m going to read the sequel to see if they’re still happy happy happy.
After an attempted kidnapping when Kevin is 14, Kevin and his brother Jeremy grow really close. At first it is just to keep the nightmares away, but after several years it is clear they just need each other.
When Kevin is 18, and Jeremy 20, they are both aware that their relationship is not like other sibling relationships. But neither says anything about their feelings to the other, afraid to be turned down. But since they sleep in the same bed and are always pretty possessive of each other’s time, they both know the other has to feel at least something.
But before anything can ever happen between them, they first need to find a way to get away from their controlling parents…
These guys were really sweet. I loved how Jeremy always took care of Kevin and how both of them held out on even kissing other people since they knew they wanted each other. Their relationship felt natural and never weird in any way. I also liked that there wasn’t a lot of angst. The only angst there was came from their crazy parents, but that was doable for me.
Now I’m going to read the sequel to see if they’re still happy happy happy.
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December 29, 2022
MM Romance
Brocest
Part 1 of 9
3.5 Stars ⭐️
A To Z Book Title Challenge: T I read the first 3 in this series as they are all free on smashwords and all start with ‘T’.
T is also for taboo. This is about two brothers who take their bromance to the next level. Kevin is 18, Jeremy is 20 and in this book at least, their relationship didn’t feel taboo. Yes, they are related but this book has a heavy plot set up that helps the reader truly understand how these two became more than they were supposed to be. Unfortunately, their parents are not happy with what they suspect is happening and are trying to keep them apart. This book is how they became more and how they get out on their own. I would have liked more smut because let’s be honest I’m not reading books like this for the plot lines even though it was well done.
The next two books take place when they are in college trying to figure out what to tell people, how to fit in and make it on their own. They both have full scholarships and housing but the past is still haunting them. These two books had way more smut, thank you but had other things that made me shy away from wanting to read the rest of this series. In the second book it becomes clear that Jeremy likes to be in control and Kevin loves to be dominated and they start experimenting with BDSM elements. They are still very inexperienced only having been with each other but are starting to incorporate more things into their sex life. Book three introduces a new couple that knows about them but we don’t get any background on how they met or their backstory although there are mentions of this couple’s daddy kinks. There were plot holes when book three ended which I would have loved a resolution to but I am most likely not going to keep reading this series. As I was looking at the blurbs for the next few books it looks like the new couple is going to play with the brothers and there was descriptions of middles, littles and other age play elements that I am just not into. Also, Kevin has become overly giggly and squeaky in books 2-3 and that kind of shit makes me even less interested in continuing but I did like these 3 books and I recommend this series to anyone who is looking for something taboo.
Brocest
Part 1 of 9
3.5 Stars ⭐️
A To Z Book Title Challenge: T I read the first 3 in this series as they are all free on smashwords and all start with ‘T’.
T is also for taboo. This is about two brothers who take their bromance to the next level. Kevin is 18, Jeremy is 20 and in this book at least, their relationship didn’t feel taboo. Yes, they are related but this book has a heavy plot set up that helps the reader truly understand how these two became more than they were supposed to be. Unfortunately, their parents are not happy with what they suspect is happening and are trying to keep them apart. This book is how they became more and how they get out on their own. I would have liked more smut because let’s be honest I’m not reading books like this for the plot lines even though it was well done.
The next two books take place when they are in college trying to figure out what to tell people, how to fit in and make it on their own. They both have full scholarships and housing but the past is still haunting them. These two books had way more smut, thank you but had other things that made me shy away from wanting to read the rest of this series. In the second book it becomes clear that Jeremy likes to be in control and Kevin loves to be dominated and they start experimenting with BDSM elements. They are still very inexperienced only having been with each other but are starting to incorporate more things into their sex life. Book three introduces a new couple that knows about them but we don’t get any background on how they met or their backstory although there are mentions of this couple’s daddy kinks. There were plot holes when book three ended which I would have loved a resolution to but I am most likely not going to keep reading this series. As I was looking at the blurbs for the next few books it looks like the new couple is going to play with the brothers and there was descriptions of middles, littles and other age play elements that I am just not into. Also, Kevin has become overly giggly and squeaky in books 2-3 and that kind of shit makes me even less interested in continuing but I did like these 3 books and I recommend this series to anyone who is looking for something taboo.
April 25, 2022
4.5 stars
⭐✨✨
So sweet and dorky and hot. Can't wait to continue this series. Removing half a star cus it needed to be more spicy 😤 (I'm a hoe I know). I received some bad news in between reading this so I'm glad I got to take my mind off of it which these two.
So sweet and dorky and hot. Can't wait to continue this series. Removing half a star cus it needed to be more spicy 😤 (I'm a hoe I know). I received some bad news in between reading this so I'm glad I got to take my mind off of it which these two.
He was always the hero. It shouldn’t have surprised me when he took a deep breath and looked over at me. “I love you. You know that, right? And not like—you know…like regular.”
My eyes teared up and I reached over and put my hand on his leg. I could feel his body vibrating, and I knew how hard it had been to say it. “I know. I love you, too. And who cares what regular is? I love you—” My voice broke and it took me a minute to be able to finish. “I love you more than anything. I don’t need regular or normal—I need you.”You didn’t have to understand someone’s choice to love them. You had to accept it.
If we couldn’t be accepted, we just wanted to be left alone.
I didn’t want my parents to be the monster.
We don’t always get what we want, though. I was lucky enough to get Jeremy; I wasn’t going to complain that I didn’t get everything. I was never going to regret choosing him over them. There was never an option. He was always my real everything.
June 8, 2018
I really enjoyed that. The story worked really well alternating between the brothers, and I felt the so truly belonged together.
The angst level wasn't too high, sometimes I'm just waiting for something awful to happen and I can't enjoy the story, but this one was very sweet.
The angst level wasn't too high, sometimes I'm just waiting for something awful to happen and I can't enjoy the story, but this one was very sweet.
September 27, 2022
*taboo relationship warning*
This is definitely not something that I’d normally read (I’m blaming Susan), but I enjoyed it. They were unbelievably sweet.
1/20/2020 Now that I’ve read book 5, I thought I’d start over from the beginning.
8/8/2020 Yes. I read it again. Don't judge.
AUDIO!!! 8/27/2021 Zachary Zaba did a great job bringing the boys to life. I hope we get more.
9/26/2022 After the disaster that was Our Love: The Story, I had to read something to remind me that I once loved this author’s writing. I am taking a break from any of the new stuff. I haven’t enjoyed a M.A. Innes book since Learning to Trust and it’s sequel. Sigh
This is definitely not something that I’d normally read (I’m blaming Susan), but I enjoyed it. They were unbelievably sweet.
1/20/2020 Now that I’ve read book 5, I thought I’d start over from the beginning.
8/8/2020 Yes. I read it again. Don't judge.
AUDIO!!! 8/27/2021 Zachary Zaba did a great job bringing the boys to life. I hope we get more.
9/26/2022 After the disaster that was Our Love: The Story, I had to read something to remind me that I once loved this author’s writing. I am taking a break from any of the new stuff. I haven’t enjoyed a M.A. Innes book since Learning to Trust and it’s sequel. Sigh
September 29, 2018
I thought this was a decent start to the series, I’m sure that book 2 will pick up from where this story ended as Jeremy and Kevin’s story definitely isn’t over.
This is a taboo romance - and I loved the angst and uncertainty they both felt towards each other. I did think there was a lot of telling and explaining their inner thoughts, but I’m definitely going to keep with this series. I feel like their parents are going to cause problems for them.
This is a taboo romance - and I loved the angst and uncertainty they both felt towards each other. I did think there was a lot of telling and explaining their inner thoughts, but I’m definitely going to keep with this series. I feel like their parents are going to cause problems for them.
December 27, 2024
2.5 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️.5/5
Format: ebook
This definitely had a ton of potential but unfortunately we didn’t really reach it.
The amount of information squeezed into the small page count just didn’t work for me. Too much telling, not nearly enough showing. All a bunch of details that didn’t matter to the reader because we never got to see that part anyway, as the book ends before they move into the apartment and start at the school that was info dumped about.
There was a ton of buildup to the singular sex scene, which would have been fine if it were an especially good scene, but I don’t think it was. It was pretty boring and almost awkward.
There was also a lot of blame put on the parents for not accepting their relationship, which? Of course they don’t? Love me a taboo romance, but it’s laughably unrealistic to think parents would be okay with their sons being together. Most of what the parents did wasn’t okay, but in that one instance they can’t possibly be blamed.
Mostly just a miss for me.
Spice: 🌶️.5/5
Format: ebook
This definitely had a ton of potential but unfortunately we didn’t really reach it.
The amount of information squeezed into the small page count just didn’t work for me. Too much telling, not nearly enough showing. All a bunch of details that didn’t matter to the reader because we never got to see that part anyway, as the book ends before they move into the apartment and start at the school that was info dumped about.
There was a ton of buildup to the singular sex scene, which would have been fine if it were an especially good scene, but I don’t think it was. It was pretty boring and almost awkward.
There was also a lot of blame put on the parents for not accepting their relationship, which? Of course they don’t? Love me a taboo romance, but it’s laughably unrealistic to think parents would be okay with their sons being together. Most of what the parents did wasn’t okay, but in that one instance they can’t possibly be blamed.
Mostly just a miss for me.
May 8, 2019
2 and 1/2 Stars rounded up to 3. This book was ok. I didn’t care about the taboo of the main characters being brothers. What I found boring was all the inner monologue. It’s tiresome and really pulls the story down. A little would be fine, but this book mostly takes place in their thoughts.
February 12, 2018
I liked it but I didn't love it. Could have done with a bit more angst and conflicted feelings, cos for being in love with your own brother, the MCs were quite calm and accepting about it.
February 11, 2017
4.5 stars
Once again, MA Innes handles a taboo subject with subtlety and ease, without hitting you over the head with the situation. Her storytelling and characters always draw me in, and this was no different. She writes the sweetest men; I fall for them every time, and I always want more. Loved Jeremy and Kevin, can't wait to read the next chapter of their lives together. Whether writing as MA Innes or Shaw Montgomery, this author is an auto-read for me, and her characters are an auto-love.
Once again, MA Innes handles a taboo subject with subtlety and ease, without hitting you over the head with the situation. Her storytelling and characters always draw me in, and this was no different. She writes the sweetest men; I fall for them every time, and I always want more. Loved Jeremy and Kevin, can't wait to read the next chapter of their lives together. Whether writing as MA Innes or Shaw Montgomery, this author is an auto-read for me, and her characters are an auto-love.
November 4, 2018
3.5 - a good start to this series. Jeremy & Kevin have a bond that developed over time. After Jeremy saved Kevin a form of need grew and they both realized they wanted more from each other- regardless of society’s norms. I’m interested in how this will develop now that they’ve left their meddling parents.
January 1, 2022
That was somehow incredibly un-forbidden-ey to me. I picked this up for some smut but I liked the non-smut parts way better.
July 27, 2023
my main beef is that i wished it was longer. the dark romance head in me can't be silenced and all i wanted was to see Kevin kidnapped and have it play out in-depth rather than it merely be an attempted kidnapping that springboards into manifesting the extreme brotherly love between Kev and Jeremy.
that being said, this was pretty sweet and easy to get into. the chemistry was believable because there was a back story ie; a good trauma bond. it's the backbone of so many of the fucked up books i read and i live for it. there's just something about the taboo genre that really ramps up the drama and the heat. i'm such a sucker for the internal conflict of wanting what they shouldn't have.
there's plenty of tension without it being agonizing and it was all tastefully done. 4ish stars cos it's hard to come by a decently written taboo book that has just the right amount of tension, fluff, and heat.
that being said, this was pretty sweet and easy to get into. the chemistry was believable because there was a back story ie; a good trauma bond. it's the backbone of so many of the fucked up books i read and i live for it. there's just something about the taboo genre that really ramps up the drama and the heat. i'm such a sucker for the internal conflict of wanting what they shouldn't have.
there's plenty of tension without it being agonizing and it was all tastefully done. 4ish stars cos it's hard to come by a decently written taboo book that has just the right amount of tension, fluff, and heat.
February 10, 2019
Review to come...
September 23, 2017
This romance is definitely on the kinky end of the spectrum, considering the two main characters are brothers. It's also on the angsty side, which makes total sense with what these two guys are dealing with, and their ages (18 and 20). I loved how the author 'explained' their close relationship, and it made total sense to me (although IRL I might take issue with it...I think).
I haven't read the sequel to this book yet, and as such, I'm a bit conflicted. On one hand I'm hoping for the reveal that they turn out to not be related, and on the other hand that would kinda suck, too, seeing how sweet their romance was. I find myself rooting for them as they are...
Yeah, definitely not for everyone, but I liked it.
I haven't read the sequel to this book yet, and as such, I'm a bit conflicted. On one hand I'm hoping for the reveal that they turn out to not be related, and on the other hand that would kinda suck, too, seeing how sweet their romance was. I find myself rooting for them as they are...
Yeah, definitely not for everyone, but I liked it.
March 2, 2020
This is actually a very straight forward read. There are not a lot of ups and downs, and the drama is something that the MCs expect so it doesn't really take them by surprise.
They wanted each other, and they had both more or less guessed that it was reciprocated. There was not a lot of drama with the outside world - I was expecting there to be a lot since they are brothers, but they knew their parents would dissaprove, so they had already mentally prepared for that.
All of that being said, you might think I found it boring, but I didn't. The writing was super good, and I was rooting for the MCs all the way through. It could have been the biggest dramatic story ever, but it wasn't; it's a love story - simple as that.
They wanted each other, and they had both more or less guessed that it was reciprocated. There was not a lot of drama with the outside world - I was expecting there to be a lot since they are brothers, but they knew their parents would dissaprove, so they had already mentally prepared for that.
All of that being said, you might think I found it boring, but I didn't. The writing was super good, and I was rooting for the MCs all the way through. It could have been the biggest dramatic story ever, but it wasn't; it's a love story - simple as that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2024
I go into these taboo ebooks not expecting much more than a naughty, taboo sexcapade with a bit of plot, so I was pleasantly surprised to find I was emotionally invested in this pair within a few chapters. I worried about what would happen to them, I cheered for them when they took bold steps, I let out a relieved sigh when things worked out alright. When the story gets to the spice it’s a nice mix of hot and sweet. I am hoping it will fall more on the hot side in the next book, but this was really what the story needed at this point. Ends with an HFN. It ends somewhat abruptly and it appears this is a series of long novellas/ short novels that tell one story and I am not sure why it isn’t just one longer book, but I will definitely be reading the next book.
April 4, 2017
Taboo alert. I've read other works by this author and thought I'd try this one. Jeremy and Kevin were both sweet. I usually don't like books with young characters (18 & 20) and the subject was difficult. I liked the book okay and found out here is a new follow on book so I'll most likely read that one too.
January 13, 2019
I couldn't wait for this to end... in fact I was going to DNF it when I realized I only had 4 pages left. Thank God. The repetitive thought processes were killing me and I'd already started skimming... the prelude to the death knell. Don't let this review turn you off, because I've read better from this author. Just do yourself a favor and skip this one.
June 21, 2017
Read it on a recommendation
Not my type of taboo. I'm ok with step siblings or step fathers, but full fledged blood siblings...no. Not for me.
Not my type of taboo. I'm ok with step siblings or step fathers, but full fledged blood siblings...no. Not for me.
December 27, 2024
True rating ... 4.5 stars :-)!!!!
More thoughts to come when I am done with the series :-)!!
More thoughts to come when I am done with the series :-)!!
April 13, 2022
This is one of the most taboo books but written in the sweetest ways. I adore the connections these men have with each other and the way the support one another through adversity and change.
May 14, 2018
I usually think of myself as open-minded, but I think I'd personally have to be an only child (I'm very glad I'm not male at the moment based on the storyline) to feel ok with this subject matter. I have to admit that I probably wouldn't have picked it up if I'd realized the content, but someone recommended it to me and I've unfortunately been on a self-imposed hiatus on reading book descriptions so I didn't realize what the type of taboo was. I pretty much finished it to just finish it since it was short (which was only made possible because the author, thank god, did not spend a lot of time making the MCs seem brotherly) and so I'd feel justified in deleting it from my kindle library since I spent the money on it. (Needless to say, I'm now back to reading book descriptions. Spoilers be damned). Not my cup of tea.
P.S. I'm refraining from stating my more negative views. If I'd bothered to read the back of the book, I wouldn't have them (because I'd not have read it), so it seems unfair to give a very negative review because I'm uncomfortable with the subject matter.
P.S. I'm refraining from stating my more negative views. If I'd bothered to read the back of the book, I wouldn't have them (because I'd not have read it), so it seems unfair to give a very negative review because I'm uncomfortable with the subject matter.
February 14, 2022
There was a lot of overlapping concepts and conversations that ended up running me the wrong way. The shortness of the bookeany there wasn't time to flesh out the characters and the issues the boys had with their parents left a pit in my stomach. It also left off on a weird spot.
January 25, 2024
What do I think about this book? Hmm, I'm not sure. I enjoyed it for the most part, but at some point I started to get bored. It was really drawn out I felt and I really just wanted it to move forward. If I remember correctly, I felt this way in the Pieces series. That one was four books and really could've been 2, taking all the extra out.
I also had a hard time connecting with these two moving from brothers to "more" than brothers. I can't really pinpoint why exactly, but it wasn't working for me.
I will continue with the next book to see here it goes.
I also had a hard time connecting with these two moving from brothers to "more" than brothers. I can't really pinpoint why exactly, but it wasn't working for me.
I will continue with the next book to see here it goes.
May 8, 2024
Oh boy. I think I’m with the parents in this one. That relationship is way too twisted, unhealthy and obviously weird. Even knowing it’s a fictional situation it’s kind of uncomfortable to read.
February 20, 2017
M.A Innes manages to do it again. Another wonderfully sweet but hot taboo. A tale of forbidden love between brothers. I can't wait to read more about these beautiful boys.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
February 12, 2017
I was immediately drawn into the story of Jeremy & Kevin. Brothers drawn closer together after a traumatic event leaves them feeling vulnerable, relying on each other for support & feeling safe. As a few years pass, Jeremy & Kevin both know their own feelings have evolved but are unsure of how the other feels.
I really felt the love these brothers have for each other without it feeling cheap or dirty somehow. Loved the way they acted like brothers - just more.
Great story building making it feel real & believable. I felt their happiness, fear, love, excitement, trepidation.. all of it.
A beautiful story of a taboo love that may be hard to understand but totally made me believe. I felt that these brothers wanted & deserved a HEA. I can't wait to read more of Jeremy & Kevin & watch their relationship evolve.
Highly recommend for those with an open mind/heart.
I really felt the love these brothers have for each other without it feeling cheap or dirty somehow. Loved the way they acted like brothers - just more.
Great story building making it feel real & believable. I felt their happiness, fear, love, excitement, trepidation.. all of it.
A beautiful story of a taboo love that may be hard to understand but totally made me believe. I felt that these brothers wanted & deserved a HEA. I can't wait to read more of Jeremy & Kevin & watch their relationship evolve.
Highly recommend for those with an open mind/heart.
January 14, 2022
My 3rd(?) reread because Too Close to Love finally has an audiobook and it's amazing. Available on Shaw Montgomery/M.A. Innes's website. I hope the rest of the series gets audio editions, too. 🤞🎧📕
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
It's been a few years since I read Too Close To Love and it's a short little book I never forgot about. I looked it up recently and was surprised to see it had sequels. Multiple! Of course, I immediately ran to Kindle but couldn't seem to find them. Apparently Amazon is removing (or has removed) a large portion of taboo books. Censorship, much? Anyways, I'm currently binging the series and hopefully I enjoy the other books as much as this one; though, I couldn't imagine parents as terrible as Kevin and Jeremy's. They seem to lack any compassion for their children. Were they always that bad? Jeremy and Kevin both talk of their childhood with a sort of fondness. We need a better backstory.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
It's been a few years since I read Too Close To Love and it's a short little book I never forgot about. I looked it up recently and was surprised to see it had sequels. Multiple! Of course, I immediately ran to Kindle but couldn't seem to find them. Apparently Amazon is removing (or has removed) a large portion of taboo books. Censorship, much? Anyways, I'm currently binging the series and hopefully I enjoy the other books as much as this one; though, I couldn't imagine parents as terrible as Kevin and Jeremy's. They seem to lack any compassion for their children. Were they always that bad? Jeremy and Kevin both talk of their childhood with a sort of fondness. We need a better backstory.
Their views on things were so narrow they didn’t have the ability to see things from a different perspective. The anger I hadn't realized I’d been hanging on to started to fade. It was kind of sad. Their own limitations on what love was supposed to look like were going to cost them their children. You didn’t have to understand someone’s choice to love them. You had to accept it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews