My Other Half

by S. Michelle

What do you do when you realise you want more than brotherly love from the man that hates you?

Eighteen months ago, my twin brother walked out of my house and my life.
I should be grateful. I have almost everything I could ask for. I am sailing through a university course I love. I have wealthy, loving parents and friends I adore.

But one thing is missing.

I am struggling to rebuild a relationship with a man that can’t stand to look me in the eye.
What will it cost us when he discovers I want to have more than just a brother? To have my other half.

*This novella contains a relationship between two consenting men of a taboo nature

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, New Adult, Erotica, Romance, LGBT

138 pages, ebook

First published June 28, 2019

Reviews

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy *clapping hands* I love this little smutty gem. What a delicious sexy read.
Between all the deliciousness there was a sharp and hurtful story. Awesome!

Tom is hurt, deeply hurt, like missing a part of his body hurt. His identical twin brother Gabe left him eighteen months ago without a word. He can’t get over it. He was his best friend, his everything.
He understands now that Gabe must hate him deeply. When their paths crossed again, his brother never sets an eye on him or tried to do very hard. After a painful accident things are changing a bit. Gabe is even concerned. Tom doesn’t understand, because his brother hates him.

Yes, I loved this read. I loved the smut, the hurt, the love nobody would understand.
The way of writing was fast-paced and that was awesome. The lines were strong and vivacious.
For me it had more than enough story, I only desired the boys! Because I adored them!!

Read and reviewed for LesCourt ARC team

[mira · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️

tbh too much drama for a novella, the smut was good tho.

[Gerbera_Reads]

DNF at 85%

This book so didn't work for me, and it had nothing to do with taboo subject it contained. I was so looking forward to reading it. I wished to love it so much but this author is just not for me. Sorry for bad review. Copy provided for my honest and unbiased review

[yaishin]

Meh. It started out well enough but they had sex then it got boring.

[BB · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s very rare to find a brocest/twincest/taboo book, with likable MC’s, a (half)decent plot and is really well written.
This book sadly just wasn’t one of them.

I first read the sample and I was intrigued enough to eventually buying the book. Started reading and around 60% in, I started skimming it. And I found a list of things I have issues in this one, namely the following:

• The choppy writing
• MC calling his twin on too many occasions:”half of his soul” “half of his heart” “my angel” or other cringeworthy references to the other (whyyyy?!?! This is the second brocest novella I read this year that this happened 😖)
• Excessive and unnecessary angst and drama, it was like watching a bad soap opera
• All the crying and saying “sorry” when there is little to no communication or explanation (I don’t mean as if boys can’t or shouldn’t cry, but here it was very unrealistic and not befitting the scenes)
• When there finally was any (mis)communication, the dialogues were overly dramatic.
• The sex scenes turned unexpectedly BDSM-ish, complete with a sort of D/s dynamic between the twins. And when I say unexpected, I mean there wasn’t ANY indication that MC was some kind of dominant. It was really weird and didn’t fit organically into the story.

Yikes, this list turned out longer than I was planning to write 😳 I just feel that a lot of taboo books tend to go in the direction as this one. And that’s just a damn shame.
And I also want to clarify, that it isn’t my intention to completely bash this 30k words novella or the author with the aforementioned list, but that these things just simply irked ME.
And to possibly make readers aware of them, when they have similar feelings about the issues I mentioned in my list, before they plan to buy a novella for $2,99.

(Also trigger warnings: suicide attempt at the very beginning of the story and never mentioned again in the second half of the story)

On the author’s Smashwords page: “S Michelle is the pen name for Sandy Smith's taboo and kinkier books”

[Funzee Shu · Rating 3 out of 5]

“You are mine, and I will never let you walk away from me again.”

Interesting start, the conflicts and taboo side were good, but when it turn into a light D/s sex I must admit it kinda turned me down a bit. I was expected to find more comfort-hurt or gut wrenching moments due to the taboo conflicts, but it didn’t went well as I expected. Overall, it’s still good, but the story kinda lost it grip at nearly end of the book. As for the taboo (twincest) things, I have no problems with this kind of trope, on the contrary it’s my kinda things.

Well, I’m curious, will Sam or Dean gonna have their own book?


🍀I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.🍀

[Rachel Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for me. This isn’t going to be a book that’s for everyone, I get that. This deals with a relationship between twin brothers, and although it’s completely consensual, it’s obviously very taboo in nature. I would also say that there should be trigger warnings for attempted suicide in this as well.

Gabe and Tom are twins who have been very close their entire lives. However, suddenly Gabe is pulling away and drastically distancing himself from his brother, which hurts Tom deeply. This entire story is told from Tom’s POV, so we never get the depth to what is going through Gabe’s mind during this story, which is something that I really wish we had gotten to read.

It’s clear that Gabe is struggling with his feelings, but then Tom starts to question his own - is it just brotherly love, or something more? And when their friends Sam and Dean (I couldn’t help but think of Sam and Dean from Supernatural the entire time, and of course the Wincest, which seemed VERY appropriate for this story LOL) discover what’s going on, how will everyone go from there.

This is an emotional story. Like I said, I wish that we had gotten to see some things from Gabe’s POV. There were also times when I thought that the writing was just either too telling and not enough showing, or just not realistic (I know, I’m asking for realism with a twincest story here...) but I didn’t think it felt natural with a young guy calling the other guy “my angel” and there was a lot of crying. I mean, a whole lot of it.

I thought that the subject matter was handled in a this-is-as-good-of-an-outcome-we-can-hope-for type of way. The epilogue set years later was well done and I’m happy that these two guys have found a way to make it work, live together and work together, and hopefully not raise too many suspicions.

I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Ana Nimity · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you picked up this book and started it without reading the warnings and you're offended, that's on you, not the author, who states explicitly that the content may be offensive to some viewers. I am not one of them and I thoroughly enjoyed this taboo erotic love story between brothers. It's full of angst, with sympathetic characters. If you're okay with taboo, I recommend it, and would love to see more from this author.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a taboo story about twins Tom and Gabe.
Their journey is an emotional one. The difficulties they both faced were vast, beginning with their separation before they are reunited.
I really loved this story about love and hope. It was steamy but also sweet.
I enjoyed the storyline and the way it was written. I look forward to more from this author.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debiut, nowy autor i tabu. Ciekawe, seksowne. Czekam na więcej.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy taboo reads and something about twins just gets to me. They always have such a unique connection and then it just turns into more.

I enjoyed this one but I didn’t feel that connection as deep as I normally would want to with twins. Maybe it was because this book is on the shorter side and there wasn’t enough time to show those feelings? Not sure.

I felt for Tom when his brother, Gabe, stopped talking to him all of a sudden. They were planning on moving in together and then at the last minute Gabe told him that he was moving in with someone else without Tom. They spent their whole lives super close and doing everything together and it just abruptly changed. I felt for Tom, I really did. ☹️

I know now after reading why Gabe did it... because he had feelings for Tom that were definitely more than brotherly. But Tom’s feelings felt almost forced? Like they changed way too fast for it to feel genuine. He saw Gabe’s porn video and got turned on and then all of a sudden he’s feeling the same way Gabe has felt for almost 2 years? Not sure how believable that is. I didn’t really like that part.

I liked the both of them together, but I kinda wanted a few more sexy details. Dean sucked as a friend and totally pissed me off with how he acted.

The epilogue was good, I guess it gives a hint that what they had ended up in a HEA.

This was a 3.5⭐️ for me. Glad I read it but I felt like I wanted something more from the story.

[Caia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3- 3.5
Definitely something with ups and downs
I think the story would’ve benefited from a few more chapters towards the end, I thought there might’ve been some plot points that could’ve wrapped up a bit more smoothly

I enjoyed the smut
I enjoyed that this wasn’t focused on it but more on the dynamics, the psychological aspects etc

There were so many interesting characters introduced that it almost looked like this was a small part of an interconnected standalone series with other couple/throuple dynamics but apparently not.

I would definitely read more stories set in this universe

!! Mental health / suicide attempt / OD / twins in love

[Audi♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute. Not my favorite twincest. The beginning struggles had me feelin' for them, but the love just wasn't there.

Gabe pissed me off.. why'd you leave your twin like that after your friends caught yall fuckin 🤣
a note...really?!

Thomas pov only.
No cheating.
No om.

[Jacquie Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Taboo for sure but it didn't have the same grip of me that similar books have had before. I knew exactly where it was going before it went there.
Despite that, I liked Tom a lot. Gabe less so.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this could have been a great read, the stilted way the book was laid out drew me away from the story time and time again. The story is told from Tom's POV and when you first meet him, he's upset because his brother, Gabe, won't see him. But when Gabe's best friend calls and tells Tom he's in the hospital, he drops everything and goes to his brother. And you think the Tom and Gabe's story would start there, but again, there's no explanation, but Tom is stuck on the periphery, wanting Gabe to talk to him.

Tom and his friend Dean head up to Tom and Gabe's parent's cabin for a winter holiday and Gabe and his best friend, Sam, show up. Sam obviously knows how Tom and Gabe feel about each other and isn't shocked with Tom acts jealous, but there is no connection, other than Tom caring for Gabe, in the first half of the book.

The connection between Tom and Gabe is palpable once they give into their feelings for one another and from the half way point to the end, it's sex without the luxury of talking about their feelings. The book becomes predictable and the only part I truly enjoyed was the epilogue, and even then, there wasn't a true connection to the characters as a reader. Although it's in the first person perspective, there is nothing really solved or talked about to solidify their relationship, other than them being brothers.

It's a quick read and I really wanted to like this book, but with the switching of locations and times within the same scene (which drove me crazy), the lack of communication between the two men, and the way the conflict played out left me feeling there should have been more in-depth exploration to their connection and an actual talk between Tom and Gabe about their future, instead of glossing over it with 'it'll work out.'

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gavin and Tom are brothers. For over a year, Gavin has been avoiding Tom. Tom learns that Gavin is in love with him. Gavin has been avoiding Tom because he thinks he's disgusting, that Tom would hate him if he ever found out. But Tom loves Gavin too. Their love transcends brotherly love into something more. They have to keep their secret from their friends and family.

I thought some of the writing was choppy. And, I don't know, I thought Tom was really quick to get on board with being in love with his brother. I thought that being in love with each other would produce more conflict. They tried hiding it, and their close relationship their whole lives made them able to hide it better, but I thought there would be more internal conflict.

Overall, I thought the story was ok. This taboo trope is a new one for me, and I am all for giving everything a try. It just wasn't it for me. I liked the characters. It was a quick read, which I enjoy sometimes.

[Elin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always love a good brocest story, it's something about the taboo and the angst it generates that grips me. Also, love of family growing to something more is something I think is plausible and that again makes stories like these almost better than any old romance.

I loved the beginning of the book, the closeness and their falling out, the distance between them. And though T seemed to have harboured feelings for his brother subconsciously, I still felt he dropped in to the rabbit hole a bit too quickly. Went Dom a bit too fast.

The book could have benefited from having a few more chapters to work around their story, to build it properly since there was such an amount of sexual content. And T calling his brother "My angel." Made him seem forty and didn't seem fitting for what age he's suppose to be in this story.

[Georgiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

“We talked a little. Not everything, but I think we are cool, yeah.”

There are some taboo books I absolutely love, and this is one of them.

Gabe is ignoring Thomas. I didn’t get the feeling Gabe hated Thomas, just that something was wrong between the two. Unfortunately, what’s bothering Gabe causes him to end up in the ER. I would think a near death experience would possible fix things between the two, but it doesn’t… not yet.

I absolutely loved how everything unfolded and the mild angst in the story. Even thought this is told from Thomas’s POV I felt I got enough from Gabe to really understand him as well.

This story was emotional, beautiful, and hot/sexy even if it is a taboo subject. The author did wonderful with the details.

[Jesslan Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Other Half
By S. Michelle

This is a taboo story about identical twin brothers, Tom and Gabe. When Gabe disappears from Tom's life Tom is heartbroken and doesn't understand why his brother/best friend won't have anything to do with him anymore. They'd always been together.

This book is on the more serious side. Not much laughter or happiness until towards 3/4 of the book. I did like Tom and Gabe as characters. I do wish their relationship wasn't so serious and was lighter and happier more often.

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

holy wow... this is a tasty type of taboo haha.. i really enjoyed this. i also liked that it was a struggle to love.. it wasnt easy and simple.. it was amazing and sexy and heartbreaking.. and hard.. it wasnt all rainbows and sunshine and easy going. it was a lot of fun to read and i really enjoyed it. very good story and i hope to see more.

[ML · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love taboo subjects and twincest is my absolute favorite.
For a first time author, this is a really fleshed out story. I really enjoyed how they came to terms with their feeling for one another.
It was hot and sexy too!
I would definitely want more books from this new author.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3 stars

[Bati · Rating 4 out of 5]

-4

[Nora · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was mostly good, the only irritating thing was how much she told a conversation through a passive recap instead of told it with dialogue. Lazy. Irritating. I'd rather SEE it. And also weeks and weeks pass all the time, which I guess is kinda realistic to life and maybe okay for a movie, but just feels weird in a book especially if you're the type of reader that has a hard time picturing things especially with time jumps.

Also the ending broke my heart, not bc it was sad for our boys but bc of the realistic broken friendship with T's bestie. Sam, I wasn't worried about (altho it was weird when G's overdose happened how T referred to Sam as his friend but they hadn't spoken in 18 months 😬), I got the vibe the whole book the he knew, I think any reader would, but it was weird the boys didn't think he knew or suspected. but Dean? Man, even 8 years later that was unresolved. I almost which there was more books by Michelle, so I could see if Scott and Guy found their forever third, or if they took Zander back bc he was lying about sleeping with others and putting them at risk and was just scared of commitment (the only way I'd root for them otherwise good riddance, which is why I really wanna know how Guy and Scott end up lol bc they seemed like good guys with a strong love and I love MMM), and if Dean not only found his Daddy by 8 years later but if his Daddy was the one who made him text Tom congrats on the nomination. I HONESTLY think he would have been an interesting character to dive into because, why did he get so pissed for 8 years? did he feel that strongly like Tom not telling him about Gabe was a betrayal? Or was he truly disgusted? Because to me, there's a possibility his high maintenance self was just offended his best friend didn't tell him more than he was disgusted, cause he wants to be important to the people he loves, and I think his Daddy sensed that and forced him to initiate contact for the first time in 8 years with the text, even if he had to follow it with *leave me alone vibes* by saying he was instructed to send the text. That's just my bleeding heart though, because it saddens me he couldn't get past the brothers, even 8 years later. That's a LONG time for best friends to no longer even be in each other's lives, after such a cruel, quick cut. So I prefer my theory instead of thinking about how realistically, Dean just reopened a wound and nothings going to come of him reaching out, which he did under force. 😪.

Anyways I didn't really talk about the book itself just my emotional reactions, bc I figured enough ppl have reviewed the book. It felt so well finished for Gabe and Tom, that I'm just left musing and wondering about the other characters and potential storylines Michelle unintentionally baited and hooked me on LOL.

Worth a read if you like brothers, bc it was pretty happy all drama and angst and time leaps and passive writing considered.

[Essie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s not about the trope because I like it when it’s really well done. This one was okay.
I missed Gabe’s POV (I feel especially with a taboo like this you need both POV).
I also felt there were parts missing. Like the reason for the attempted suicide. Of course I can guess but I wanted/needed to hear it from Gabe.
There was little to no communication which I think is essential in a story like this.
I also got the feeling Sam knew more but that is also left unexplained.

[Irissska · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5

[Loves · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an awkward mix of slow burn romance and cheesy, over the top cliched porn (sex) scenes. I mean, come on. People don't have that kind of carefully choreographed sex on their first time with a new partner. Not on their second, too. It was unrealistic and artificial. In addition, the author wasted too many pages describing the twins angst and self-doubts and too little on the actual development of their relationship and the external challenges they had to face.

[Iman (hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The epilogue saved the whole book :))

[karol · Rating 3 out of 5]

taboo, gêmeos, MM

eles são tão fofinhos, só queria guardar o gabe em um potinho

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sooooo much filler