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Pushing the Boundaries #2
Two Timing
He’s everything she wants . . . but he’s not the man she believes him to be.
Detective Derek Brewer believes in the clear dividing line between right and wrong. Years ago, his twin brother Alden fell on the wrong side of that line and Derek has never forgiven Alden for it. But lately Alden has been working hard to change his ways, so when he asks — no, begs — Derek to pose as him for a few days in order to help him out, Derek reluctantly agrees despite the misgivings of his conscience.
Toni Park is desperate to save her older brother from the grip of a terrible drug addiction. She’s put her life on hold to move back home and help him, but every day he seems to be slipping further from her grasp. When she meets Alden Brewer, she sees in the darkly sexy man the potential for a little selfish fun, even if only for a short time. Little does she realize that he’s not who he says he is.
Derek doesn’t want to lie to Toni, but he doesn’t have a choice when Alden’s future is at stake. He consoles himself with the knowledge that their intense affair is only temporary and no one will actually get hurt when it ends. But when their relationship grows deeper, the truth could end up costing them both more than they imagined . . .
Detective Derek Brewer believes in the clear dividing line between right and wrong. Years ago, his twin brother Alden fell on the wrong side of that line and Derek has never forgiven Alden for it. But lately Alden has been working hard to change his ways, so when he asks — no, begs — Derek to pose as him for a few days in order to help him out, Derek reluctantly agrees despite the misgivings of his conscience.
Toni Park is desperate to save her older brother from the grip of a terrible drug addiction. She’s put her life on hold to move back home and help him, but every day he seems to be slipping further from her grasp. When she meets Alden Brewer, she sees in the darkly sexy man the potential for a little selfish fun, even if only for a short time. Little does she realize that he’s not who he says he is.
Derek doesn’t want to lie to Toni, but he doesn’t have a choice when Alden’s future is at stake. He consoles himself with the knowledge that their intense affair is only temporary and no one will actually get hurt when it ends. But when their relationship grows deeper, the truth could end up costing them both more than they imagined . . .
214 pages, ebook
First published April 10, 2017
1 person is currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Audra North
38 books296 followersAudra North is a contemporary romance author of more than twenty romances, including the Stanton Family series from Entangled Publishing, the Hard Driving series from St. Martin’s Press, and the Pushing the Boundaries series from Samhain Publishing. She is the owner and publisher of Pink Kayak Press, which focuses on the publication of diverse romance works. Winter Rain, a Pink Kayak Press anthology, won a gold medal in the 2015 Independent Publisher Awards.
Audra enjoys speaking to writing groups and at industry conferences. She is also an avid jogger and loves running marathons. She has three children and lives with her family outside of Boston.
For more about Audra, and to sign up for her newsletter, visit audranorth.com.
Audra enjoys speaking to writing groups and at industry conferences. She is also an avid jogger and loves running marathons. She has three children and lives with her family outside of Boston.
For more about Audra, and to sign up for her newsletter, visit audranorth.com.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 7, 2017
Two Timing by Audra North
Pushing the Boundaries #2
One brother has always been squeaky clean
One brother has spent half his life doing drugs
One brother is “good”
One brother is “evil”
One brother is resentful
One brother feels the resentment
The brothers are identical
A woman sees the “good” brother filling in for his brother
A romance based on mistaken identity begins
Can the romance be salvaged or will the lie destroy all hope of happiness?
Identical twin brothers swapping identities might happen from time to time but it is usually female twins in romances that do the swap-thing. In addition to the swap thing there is a missing baby-mama, a toddler to care for, another addict causing problems, a man trying to keep his two identities straight, steamy moments aplenty and an action-packed ending.
The story was well written but I had trouble believing there was a need for the identity swap in the first place and didn’t like the idea of two people being intimate with one believing they were with one person when they were really with another. That said…it was an entertaining story and a fun read.
Thank you to the author who provided the ARC through NetGalley. This is my honest review.
3 Stars
Pushing the Boundaries #2
One brother has always been squeaky clean
One brother has spent half his life doing drugs
One brother is “good”
One brother is “evil”
One brother is resentful
One brother feels the resentment
The brothers are identical
A woman sees the “good” brother filling in for his brother
A romance based on mistaken identity begins
Can the romance be salvaged or will the lie destroy all hope of happiness?
Identical twin brothers swapping identities might happen from time to time but it is usually female twins in romances that do the swap-thing. In addition to the swap thing there is a missing baby-mama, a toddler to care for, another addict causing problems, a man trying to keep his two identities straight, steamy moments aplenty and an action-packed ending.
The story was well written but I had trouble believing there was a need for the identity swap in the first place and didn’t like the idea of two people being intimate with one believing they were with one person when they were really with another. That said…it was an entertaining story and a fun read.
Thank you to the author who provided the ARC through NetGalley. This is my honest review.
3 Stars
April 26, 2017
I wanted to like Two Timing, since stories of mistaken identities are always high on my TBR list. Unfortunately that hook wasn’t enough to save a romance that isn’t quite sure what genre it wants to fit into.
By day Derek Brewer is a cop, but when his identical twin brother Alden begs for help, Derek finds himself moonlighting as a janitor. Alden’s past history with drugs made it difficult to find work so Derek steps in to cover his shift for a few nights while Alden deals with the disappearance of his daughter’s mom. Keeping a low profile during his first night, Derek is surprised when one of the cubicles is occupied by a beautiful woman. She’s got curves in all the right places and immediately Derek is picturing the ways he could clean off her desk and take her on top of it.
Toni Park mistakes the new janitor for her brother’s old friend Alden. The two boys used to travel in the same pack and fell into drugs together, too. Alden’s recovery from drug use seems like a miracle – one that her own family has been praying her brother will receive. Alden seems awkward when Toni calls out his name and she’s a little unnerved by her body’s physical response to the large, handsome man. The following day Toni can’t seem to get Alden out of her mind so she takes the initiative and seduces him that evening while working late. Fortunately, Derek’s been hung up on the sexy brunette, too, and is more than willing to fall prey to her seduction. Their heat together is incredible; however Derek knows it will all fall apart once Toni realizes that he’s been lying about his real identity since the beginning.
Two Timing is full of missed opportunities. The cover design and the characters’ constant thoughts about sex all lend themselves to an erotic romance; however the sex scenes are too tame to be considered hot or explicit. There are two pseudo suspense plot lines running in the background of Derek and Toni’s romance but both are weak, barely aiding the struggling love story. It was difficult to like either of the characters since Derek gets angry or broods for rather childish reasons (i.e. sibling rivalry) and Toni is little more than a do-gooder out to save her family, her junkie brother and now “Alden” just because she can. It was all quite a mess and I found little satisfaction with the end other than I could stop reading the book.
For more mini reviews please visit All About Romance
By day Derek Brewer is a cop, but when his identical twin brother Alden begs for help, Derek finds himself moonlighting as a janitor. Alden’s past history with drugs made it difficult to find work so Derek steps in to cover his shift for a few nights while Alden deals with the disappearance of his daughter’s mom. Keeping a low profile during his first night, Derek is surprised when one of the cubicles is occupied by a beautiful woman. She’s got curves in all the right places and immediately Derek is picturing the ways he could clean off her desk and take her on top of it.
Toni Park mistakes the new janitor for her brother’s old friend Alden. The two boys used to travel in the same pack and fell into drugs together, too. Alden’s recovery from drug use seems like a miracle – one that her own family has been praying her brother will receive. Alden seems awkward when Toni calls out his name and she’s a little unnerved by her body’s physical response to the large, handsome man. The following day Toni can’t seem to get Alden out of her mind so she takes the initiative and seduces him that evening while working late. Fortunately, Derek’s been hung up on the sexy brunette, too, and is more than willing to fall prey to her seduction. Their heat together is incredible; however Derek knows it will all fall apart once Toni realizes that he’s been lying about his real identity since the beginning.
Two Timing is full of missed opportunities. The cover design and the characters’ constant thoughts about sex all lend themselves to an erotic romance; however the sex scenes are too tame to be considered hot or explicit. There are two pseudo suspense plot lines running in the background of Derek and Toni’s romance but both are weak, barely aiding the struggling love story. It was difficult to like either of the characters since Derek gets angry or broods for rather childish reasons (i.e. sibling rivalry) and Toni is little more than a do-gooder out to save her family, her junkie brother and now “Alden” just because she can. It was all quite a mess and I found little satisfaction with the end other than I could stop reading the book.
For more mini reviews please visit All About Romance
July 5, 2017
3.5 Stars
This book gave me a front seat to the impact of drug abuse within families. The lengths in which the drug addict will do anything to get their drug of choice; and the effects of their drug usage on family members. It also showed just how far families are willing to go (or not) to help their loved one(s) get clean, even after countless failed attempts.
I liked the hero, Derek because he is the person we really get to know in the story and to a lesser extent the heroine too. However, I didn't like the heroine very much. Yes, she was helping her brother, even willing to break the law. The heroine had tunnel vision and she came off as self-centered. She felt abandoned by her friends because only her issues were important. She failed to realize or wouldn't acknowledge that maybe they were dealing with an issue within their own families or just tired of hearing her gripe all the time.
I also found her aggressiveness with wanting Alden/Derek too off-putting. He told her no -- that it wasn't a good idea for them to get involved -- that his life was complicated, yet she still foisted what she wanted upon him. I don't like it when men do it and certainly didn't like it when she did it.
Donahue, one of the background characters -- really intrigued me and I'd definitely read a story about him. I was really tuned into Derek's observation of Donahue and Donahue's observation of others. There is definitely a story to be told about him and I hope the author considers writing one for him. Tough subject matter -- not much romance.
Leads: Asian/White Female and White Male
Netgalley ARC
This book gave me a front seat to the impact of drug abuse within families. The lengths in which the drug addict will do anything to get their drug of choice; and the effects of their drug usage on family members. It also showed just how far families are willing to go (or not) to help their loved one(s) get clean, even after countless failed attempts.
I liked the hero, Derek because he is the person we really get to know in the story and to a lesser extent the heroine too. However, I didn't like the heroine very much. Yes, she was helping her brother, even willing to break the law. The heroine had tunnel vision and she came off as self-centered. She felt abandoned by her friends because only her issues were important. She failed to realize or wouldn't acknowledge that maybe they were dealing with an issue within their own families or just tired of hearing her gripe all the time.
I also found her aggressiveness with wanting Alden/Derek too off-putting. He told her no -- that it wasn't a good idea for them to get involved -- that his life was complicated, yet she still foisted what she wanted upon him. I don't like it when men do it and certainly didn't like it when she did it.
Donahue, one of the background characters -- really intrigued me and I'd definitely read a story about him. I was really tuned into Derek's observation of Donahue and Donahue's observation of others. There is definitely a story to be told about him and I hope the author considers writing one for him. Tough subject matter -- not much romance.
Leads: Asian/White Female and White Male
Netgalley ARC
April 4, 2017
Derek Brewer, a detective working with Warren Davis (from Giving It Up), is standing in for his recovering addict brother at his new job, a janitorial position with a firm hiring him. He’s mad as hell at his brother for being the bad twin thus forcing Derek to be the good twin most of their lives, but at the same time, he’ll do anything he can to help him. Especially now that Alden has 3-year-old daughter to care for. And Derek will do anything for his niece.
It’s not hard to tell the brothers have issues with each other, although I’m pretty sure Derek’s issue with Alden, and mostly with himself, is key to the strain and awkwardness of their relationship. And twins have a special connection to begin with.
However, when he sees Toni that first night at the job, she recognizes him as his twin, and he goes with it. Playing along. Fearing that identifying as Alden’s twin, doing Alden’s job, he will lost his one chance at getting back on his feet.
He doesn’t plan on falling in love. Hell, he doesn’t plan on continuing the charade once Alden is able to resume his duties.
Toni realizes that “Alden”, he brother Sal’s friend whom she knows used to get high with Sal, has recovered and is turning his life around. She clings to the hope that Sal can get better, although he’s in far worse shape than Alden has ever been. And she’s instantly attracted to “Alden”.
Having given up her life in California to come back home and help her parents deal with Sal’s addiction, Toni feels she’s the only one left on Sal’s corner. She will do anything in her power to help him, and that means taking a job she doesn’t like, work for a promotion, in order to get him into a rehabilitation facility. She is even considering committing a crime.
As the story progresses, the instances where everything can turn on its head grow closer together, until the point where Derek actually helps Toni, when she’s attacked on the street, as a police officer (which is actually is) and she meet the real Alden, since he’s now able to do his own job.
There’s a beautiful balance to this romance, to the progression of the plot and the dynamics between Toni and Derek vs Toni and Alden is very nicely shown. Toni and Derek’s bond isn’t easily discarded by either of them when things come to a head, but is mended in a lovely way as both brothers heal, as well.
Audra North was able to mesh the two relationships, Derek’s with Toni and Derek’s with Alden. And with that, carried through a romantic, complex story Two Timing is.
It’s not hard to tell the brothers have issues with each other, although I’m pretty sure Derek’s issue with Alden, and mostly with himself, is key to the strain and awkwardness of their relationship. And twins have a special connection to begin with.
However, when he sees Toni that first night at the job, she recognizes him as his twin, and he goes with it. Playing along. Fearing that identifying as Alden’s twin, doing Alden’s job, he will lost his one chance at getting back on his feet.
He doesn’t plan on falling in love. Hell, he doesn’t plan on continuing the charade once Alden is able to resume his duties.
Toni realizes that “Alden”, he brother Sal’s friend whom she knows used to get high with Sal, has recovered and is turning his life around. She clings to the hope that Sal can get better, although he’s in far worse shape than Alden has ever been. And she’s instantly attracted to “Alden”.
Having given up her life in California to come back home and help her parents deal with Sal’s addiction, Toni feels she’s the only one left on Sal’s corner. She will do anything in her power to help him, and that means taking a job she doesn’t like, work for a promotion, in order to get him into a rehabilitation facility. She is even considering committing a crime.
As the story progresses, the instances where everything can turn on its head grow closer together, until the point where Derek actually helps Toni, when she’s attacked on the street, as a police officer (which is actually is) and she meet the real Alden, since he’s now able to do his own job.
There’s a beautiful balance to this romance, to the progression of the plot and the dynamics between Toni and Derek vs Toni and Alden is very nicely shown. Toni and Derek’s bond isn’t easily discarded by either of them when things come to a head, but is mended in a lovely way as both brothers heal, as well.
Audra North was able to mesh the two relationships, Derek’s with Toni and Derek’s with Alden. And with that, carried through a romantic, complex story Two Timing is.
February 1, 2017
This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
3.5
Twin swapping has moved beyond teen-aged girls. I never would have guessed it would end badly either, would you? This was a good book.
3.5
Twin swapping has moved beyond teen-aged girls. I never would have guessed it would end badly either, would you? This was a good book.
January 29, 2017
netgalley
not bad, an ok read
not bad, an ok read
April 12, 2017
First and foremost, thank you Audra North and netgalley for my advanced copy of Two Timing. I had no clue when I picked this book up that it was the second in a series. So pick up the first one! I loved Alden/Derek/Toni. There is lots to be said about office romances and you will get lots of that with this one. Derek Brewer, a detective working with Warren Davis (from Giving It Up), (I already bought to read)is standing in for his recovering addict brother at his new job, a janitorial position with a firm hiring him. The heat that is between Derek and Toni is undeniable. I love how the both are two jagged people that come together to form perfection. There’s tender moments there are dark moments all and all a great romance.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews