Okay, I wouldn’t usually count a DNF as “read” but I suffered through 61% of this atrocity so I’m putting it toward my reading goal 😂 I got this book free from the kindle store a while back and… thank god it was free. I really don’t like to hate on books but I have no idea how this made it out of the very first rough draft.
Endless typos, grammatical errors, accidental repeated scenes, name changes when talking about the same person. I’m not sure literally anyone read this after the author wrote it 🙃🙃
Also some of the comparison during the spicy scenes absolutely killed me!!!! Comparing a bl0wj0b to sucking juice out of a pickle and sucking t!ts to a dog licking peanut butter…. Just why lmao
I truly felt like my 13 year old self could’ve written this book in one take and it would’ve turned out the same
You would think this book was going to be a spicy short read; forbidden love and a threesome, but it was so boring.
Rachel has been in ‘love’ with her stepbrother since she met him their parents divorced but they still kept in contact. Then Rachel goes off to Cambridge uni and sleeps with her professor.
Ryan mean while becomes the ‘Darling’ of the NHL. These two don’t keep in contact for years. The book starts off with Ryan’s POV which reads like his thirteen-year-old self’s diary thinking about his stepsister. On the off season he lives in his home town and has his groupies.
Jason the third wheel mutual friend might as well be a cardboard cutout Rachel and Ryan bring to the bedroom for the one-dimensional way he was written.
That said the Blurb for the next book in the series The Captain, sounds promising.
I want to say first off I enjoyed the writing style of this book. There were just somethings that bothered me about the story. Rachel and Ryan are step-siblings but not right now, their parents have been divorced for years, so I don't understand the problem of them getting together. The MFM part didn't bother me but Ryan sure had a problem with it in some parts and I understood he loves Rachel, but unless they are in a relationship already he really can't say anything. And yes I understand it is just a book but he is sometimes a whiny bitch for a hockey player. Anyway, the sex scenes are hot the story was good as long as you ignore Ryan being a baby sometimes.I voluntarily read an advance reader copy for my honest review.
This book made absolutely no sense whatsoever. It was just really bad y’all. The first annoying thing about it was that it was pretty much 90% in her monologue and only 10% actual dialogue with the characters. And that is just always beyond annoying to have to read the incessant thoughts of characters constantly overthinking everything it was annoying. And then you have the character, Jason. Why the fuck was he even there? He has to be one of the worst best friends ever. Jason knows how Rachel feels about Ryan, who is his best friend by the way, and Jason knows about Ryan’s feelings for Rachel yet he somehow forces his way into their first ever intimate moment. He doesn’t ask any of them really if they’re even interested in a threesome, and then proceeds to fuck Rachel before Ryan could even do so. How is he his best friend? And Rachel is just like oh OK that’s let’s go with that. And Ryan is jealous and not into it, but he doesn’t say anything to his best friend. His so-called best friend, then proceeds to stay there the entire day or two constantly interjecting himself in their romantic moments and sexual moments, which just made absolutely no sense whatsoever. It didn’t need to be in the story at all, and it just doesn’t make sense as a best friend in general. I don’t know if it was a spelling mistake within the book, but it was constantly referred to that. They couldn’t be a couple because they were best friends, and that would ruin his career and would ruin everything that people thought about them. Like why would it matter to anybody that he was fucking his best friend? And I’m talking about Rachel not Jason. It just doesn’t make any sense that anybody would care that she was his best friend that. It makes me think that the writer meant to write that she used to be his stepsister, but it was constantly referred to as best friend in the book. This whole book was just stupid as hell and I really didn’t like it at all. Oh, and don’t even get me started on her comparing him going down on her to a dog licking off peanut butter. And her sucking dick like sucking juice out of a pickle. Both of those are just disgusting.
The Darling is the first book in the Bad Boys of the NHL series. While this is part of a series, it is a standalone with no cliffhanger. This is a short quick read. The sex is hot and steamy and includes menage so 18+.
The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat that info here. I normally don't like step-romances, but this wasn't typical. Don't expect much dialogue or plot but it is a nice diversion. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author including more in this series.
Short story which is a quick read. It’s supposed to be taboo but doesn’t come across that way. It definitely needs to be re-edited or at least proofread due to the amount of incorrect word choices or missing words. It really impacted my reading experience.
Unencumbered by lengthy characterizations and emotional depth, this story is all heat and sexy times. Ryan's had his eye on his former step-sister for about as long as she's been eyeing him, but their paths are finally crossing at the right time for them to make use of their steamy chemistry. And why not add Ryan's best friend, Jason, to the mix? It's all about fantasy-fulfillment, and this book delivers that in spades.
The Darling is the first book in the Bad Boys of the NHL series. This can be read as a standalone. There is a lot of sex and involves multiple partners so 18+. This book as an interesting start to the series.
I don’t know where to begin. From the absurdity of the characters to the horrific grammatical errors, this author is hands down a waste of your reading pleasure.
"If you ever fantasized to spend a steamy hot weekend in the company of two gorgeous men then this book if perfectly fitting for you."
" I received a complimentary copy of this book and have volunteered to leave a review."
After all these years of reading romance-erotica literature I feel my self drowning much more deeper into this forbidden world. Short stories or novels I am always keen to sit down and devour them. They are my thing!! However, even if it had never been an issue for me before, I have recently started to consider if the book I was reading at that moment was the one with the good story everyone would love to read among others. It's the most difficult decision, especially when the book I might have in my hands is an advanced readers copy provided by a new to me author.
The Darling is an erotica short-story, between two step siblings whose parents are no longer married. Although, Ryan and Rachel were seperated after their parents divorce, they were still very close to each other. Until, Rachel left abroad to get her collage degree. The attraction they had felt while they were in high school stayed alive for several years after. Through these years, Ryan became the most favorable and most enviable hockey player in National Hockey League. They called him The Darling! Unfortunately, Ryan haven't felt completed. Despite the public's acknowledge and the winning awards he had earned, his dream was to have Rachel by his side. Rachel on the other hand, moving abroad, she had been studying physiology and she intended to get a job as a sports therapist. All those years abroad, she had kept being informed about Ryan's well about in his career. All these years she never stopped thinking about him, and now that she came back home for good she has one thing in mind. To finally be with him!
The story itself has a nice theme to illustrate and develop yet it lapses of certain details which I believe they might meant to improve it in some ways. At the beginning, I found the story quite interesting and I was looking forward to see where it would take me. The narration was quick, mostly introducing Ryan's and Rachel's inner-thoughts, same needs, same fears. The third wheel blown into town at their most intimate moment. The book itself already had introduced it through it's cover so it was that moment or...later. The moment was brutally hot, the erotic atmosphere between the three was palpable and forbidden yet I felt that it was forced to move forward. The rest of the story had the same pattern. Steamy hot scenes, intimating moments, lots of inner-questions and a HEA that I wish it could have left me pleased. Like I said, the story had the potentials to be a very good, short-erotica-story that anyone would enjoy reading. If you are into threesome all the scenes will blow your mind, I can guarantee you that. If you are into the full experience then leave the details behide and enjoy Ryan's and Rachel's weekend like I had. I have the feeling that this author has a lot to give, especially in the erotica genre, that's why I'm going to give a look in her work and read some of the books soon.
I hope I intrigue your imagination and made you grab the book yourselves and find out what's really happening because there is no way to tell you myself.
Until next time, enjoy your free time reading great books with the most unforgettable stories.
She's everything he wants. The only problem is she's his stepsister. They call me the Darling of the NHL because I'm the best player in the whole f*cking league. What they don't know is that I'm not really the midwestern American everyone makes me out to be. I fantasize about my stepsister. I haven't see her in years but I bring her to bed with me every night in my dreams. It's the perfect way to get through the long off-season. Until, one night, she's at my door, soaking wet, sliding off her dress in front of me. She wants me to watch. And then, she's in my lap, my hand between her thighs, ready to finally feel her cu- When my best friend Jason walks in. And she doesn't send him away. I don't like to share but it's not like the Darling of the NHL can go public with his stepsister, even if our parents aren't together anymore. I want her in any way I can get her. And eventually, I'll have her all to myself.
Heather's Notes I am not sure why they were so hung up on the fact they used to be step siblings. It is not that taboo. Heck, their parents weren't even married anymore. It would have made a little more sense if they had been. I felt like that was a little over done. I also didn't really like that they had this long weekend as a ménage and now it will never happen again. So why do it in the first place. Also Jason had no character other than as a third for the ménage. I thought it could have been written better either as keeping them as a threesome or getting rid of Jason altogether. He added nothing to the story. This next book is supposedly about a virgin being bought in an auction so I doubt I will continue this series, although I would like to see how Ryan and Rachel handle coming out as a couple. Also while this did not affect my rating, why is the girl on the cover a brunette with dark eyes when the description in the book clearly says blonde hair with blue eyes more than once. It is so annoying but I know that is usually not the authors fault.
Loved it For a short time in their early teens Ryan and Rachel were step siblings. When their parents split up they remained friends all through high school. Then Ryan got picked up by the Rangers and Rachel went off to college in England. They didn't keep in touch. 10 years later, Rachel has come home. Ryan is the "darling" of the NHL, the best in the league. Rachel has been in love with him for as long as she can remember. When she runs into Jason, Ryan's best friend, he gives her the chance to reconnect with Ryan. Ryan is stunned when tipsy Rachel shows up at his door. He has been in love with her for years. She is always on his mind. She is the last thing on is mind as he falls a sleep and the first thing when he wakes. When she offers him all he has dreamed of he doesn't hesitate. Then Jason shows up and Rachel. Doesn't bat an eye. When he joins in she welcomes him. They have an amazing weekend. When it is over they have to decide if this was a fling, will they be secret lovers or are they strong enough to forge a lasting relationship. A fast paced and very steamy, MFM, menage, second chance romance. Loved Ryan and Rachel and Jason. Can't wait for the next book.
Don't go into this expecting any deep significant meaning, plot, or character development. It's more of a 'Penthouse, I never thought this would happen to me' with an internal angsty monologue running at the same time.
The smut is perhaps 3.5 star worthy, the overall writing quality less than that, between poor proofreading (the men fondle her beasts) and gems like this:
"I felt pleasure just taking it in my mouth, wrapping my lips around it and sucking on him like I would suck the juice out of a dill pickle."
Unless your gentleman friend finds his anatomy referred to as a green warty thing hot, of course... The MFM theme is made clear to be a short term arrangement - just about for the length of the book, though adverturously so. And the step sister thing is played up heavily, with both of them appearing to have teenage emotional intelligence.
When the best part of the book is the grammatical mistakes, it is a BAD book. 'He cupped her beasts' was hysterical, as was 'the girls he 'dared' (dated). Still, The constant repetition of 'it was a forbidden romance because they had been steps siblings' became seriously irritating, as did 'she liked Jason, but only as a friend', and 'Ryan didn't want to share'. Those three repeating scenarios comprise probably fifty -sixty percent of the book. I really disliked both main characters, because of how they treated Jason. She thought him 'simple' (repeatedly said this), while Ryan was passive aggressive any time they all had sex together--but he was their best friend. What? Nice friends...NOT! Neither main character really wanted Jason there. This was not a MFM romance, this was a MF romance with a temporary side of accidental threesome. "Hanna and the hockey gods" is a good menage sports romance.
Hot stepsister + supet hot hockey playing stepbrother = a super hot story and some hot menage times when you throw in his hot friend.
Ryan is the 'Darling' of the NHL and even though he knows that people consider it taboo he is in love with Rachel, a girl who used to be his stepsister. He hasn't seen her in almost ten years, so when she shows up on his doorstep drenched from the rain he lets her in. Rachel is tired of trying to fight the feelings she had for Ryan, so she goes to his place and when he lets her in she starts peeling off her clothes. Just as they are getting close to having s*x, Ryan's best friend Jason walks in. They end up having a MFM ménage and falling asleep. Both Ryan and Rachel have feelings for eachother, but Ryan doesn't want to share Rachel with anyone. Grab this sexy book and find out what will happen with these two. Definitely a must read.
This is light on the drama but filled with intimate moments. Ryan and Rachel have wanted one another since their parents were married. A divorce and many years of distance haven't changed that fact. When a suggestion from Ryan's best friend, Jason, and a little liquid courage brings Rachel to his door, they're forced to confront their feelings for one another. The presence of his best friend makes for some wicked encounters. It's sweet and it's hot and it's a fantastic start to a whole new series. I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book.
Loved the plot, the sex scenes had a good amount of detail without the story being souly focused on it (like the intimate scenes didn't drag) it was just the right amount of detail 🤤🤤
Only thing is I felt there could have been more said about Jason, like they could have had some conversation with him to know where his head was at with the whole thing not just assumptions the whole time.
Overall enjoyed the book and will continue to read the series :) Thank you !
The Darling was a pretty decent book. The story moves quick, maybe a little too quickly. I felt that it was a little rushed, and a lot of storyline was omitted. That being said, it was a good book. Rachel and Ryan have been in love with each other for as long as they can both remember, but each thought the other didn't return those feelings. When they finally figure it out though, it's electric. Add in the hot best friend and let the show begin.
They might have been step siblings one time long time ago but been friend for a little time after their parents divorce but since they were one time related they been in lust with each other. Now over 10 years later he still fantasize about his ex stepsister and she do the same until his best friend takes her out on a Daryl a club, but liquid courage made her woman up and she found him and their weekend was sex filled with the 3 of them, until Ryan tells Rachel to pick, him every or Jason.
I love the forbidden but if your parents are divorced and you share no blood you’re no longer related. For me this was more childhood best friends at most. It’s just logic but I loved reading it anyway. Even if it wasn’t as taboo as many believe. The threesome was more taboo really. I thought it would end up happily ever after for the thrupple, but was surprised when it didn’t. Still good just not as satisfying I guess but believable for sure.
This was a nice and quick read and of course its more smutty than story but I still enjoyed it. I liked the added bonus of the best friend joining even though it is not a menage relationship. The H's concerns about them being stepsiblings when their parents were married for like a New York minute over a decade ago felt lame but perhaps that's because I am used to reading OTT mafia men who don't care about anything. Not even if the h is interested in them...
I was actually impressed at the authors hockey knowledge. Author mentioned my favorite player who is typically overlooked. I was impressed at the vivid descriptions. My only complaint is that the book was too short for me to it was novella style. If it had been expanded, the chapters drawn out more-a little more give and take- I would have given 5 stars. But it definitely worth the read
This was one of the steamiest forbidden stepbrother books I have read! Ryan is the Darling of the NHL, Rachel was his step sister for a few years when they were younger. Each has been in love with the other for the entire time they have known each other. Jason is Ryan's best friend and for one hot weekend he indulges his sexual appetites with his two friends.
This was a really great book. You have a step brother/step sister romance, but their parents are not married anymore, so they really are not steps. They have always loved each other and finally took it all the way. Also has a little MFM mixed in with a best friend of the guy, so definitely some hot steamy sex.