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The memories of your childhood can haunt you as an adult, and Roman wasn't any different. Yes, he had money, he had the looks, the dream career, but what he didn't have was trust...in women.
Then along came a pretty little stepsister who just forces him to change his ways. Can he?

Or will the weight of the past ruin any chance at a future?

Arrogant, rude, demanding, and dreamy.
Amelia had had a crush on her stepbrother before she landed in his family. Will his downright lewd behavior be enough to destroy any feelings that she has for him or can they find a way to work past the animosity?

Unknown Binding

First published June 25, 2021

58 people are currently reading
104 people want to read

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C.M. Steele

203 books2,042 followers

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5 stars
179 (56%)
4 stars
73 (22%)
3 stars
45 (14%)
2 stars
12 (3%)
1 star
9 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Jenny.
3,160 reviews558 followers
July 14, 2021
Oh wow, I absolutely loved this story! Roman is a recluse a lonely man who wants nothing to do with women until he falls in love with his stepsister. Problem is he doesn't know how to let go of the past. His mother issues torment him. He sees a therapist in order to become a better man for Amelia. He is a nice man with a kind but bruised heart and heroine and their baby help him heal. I loved his jealousy and possessiveness. The super sweet epilogue with their kids melted my heart! It was so romantic!
Profile Image for Oriana Reads.
4,296 reviews37 followers
June 25, 2021
Holy heck that was a ride. This story was so freaking good😍😍 I loved the banter between Amelia and Roman and how she wasn't intimidated by Roman's hot and cold attitude 🤣🤣🤣 The back and forth and the chemistry
we're off the charts. I loved that it was DV and that they were their one and only.😍😍😍 Onsta love, sweet, romantic, safe with action and drama (tiny bit😉) and with a great HEA at the end👍👍👍
Profile Image for Summer Hector.
208 reviews
June 30, 2021
So I pride myself on being honest. And therefore I shall be telling you EXACTLY why this book didn't work for me.

We were making love when he had a heart attack
Because that's the exact sort of thing you tell a step-son you JUST met.

She releases it with a warning. “Insult my daughter again and I’ll send you to the hospital, but it won’t be from fucking.”
I get that this was supposed to be a strong statement or whatever but to me it just sounded fucking disgusting . It's not like her step son was thinking of fucking her

“I’m so fucking right and wrong. Go to bed and lock your door.”
...AND WHAT IS THAT EVEN SUPPOSED TO MEAN???

If I were to pin point every error in this book I would end up writing a novella of my own titled 'EVERYTHING WRONG WITH INTENSE BY CM STEELE' but my biggest issue is how intrusive the girl's mother is. It doesn't come across as protective it comes across as gross. Also why didn't he do a background check on the body guard? Why did the bodyguard even kidnap her? What's his mother's deal? Why the sudden change in his actual father? Even if it was explained the dialogues aren't followed by who says the particular sentence and b.c of that everything is just this big muddled mess
Profile Image for Amyb1975.
811 reviews184 followers
June 23, 2021
Who is ever going to make me whole but you?
I cannot express how much I. Loved. This. Book. This story right here is exactly why I love to read. I am always searching for stories just like this one...dual virgins, vulnerable yet alpha, possessive, stepbrother H who falls hard and fast for the h and made sure everyone around them both knew he was hers and she was his. Loved how he wanted to make himself a better man for her and took great lengths to do so. He sheds some tears for her which I completely loved and spoke those wonderful words "please don't leave me". No abuse, no OM/OW drama, fantastic epilogues at 10 years and 20 years after meeting. This book gave me every one of my favorite things to read in a book. I would give this 10 stars if I could. Originally read the ARC of this 3 times in the first 2 days that I had it. Already pre-ordered my copy for when it releases. Magnificent job as always Ms. Steele!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for A-reader.
1,598 reviews51 followers
July 1, 2021
Intense totally lives up the the title, the story is very intense. It read like a Telenovela or Bollywood movie. Lots of crazy drama and crazy characters. Roman has been manipulated by his mother his whole life, he finds out as a teen his father, Theodore is really his stepfather, a surprise to Theodore too. His sperm donor was a married man who wouldn’t leave his wife for his crazy mom. When the sperm donor dies he leaves his company to Roman. The poor stepfather is poisoned and has a restraining order so he can’t get near Roman. When it expires he explains everything to a very angry Roman. He confronts his crazy mother and ends his relationship with her. Fast forward to Theodore having a heart attack and secretly being married to a woman with a teenage daughter. Roman’s first meeting with Amelia is nuts, he insults her right away thinking she’s the wife. He justifies his anger because he’s attracted to her, he’s never allowed himself to trust a woman, he’s a 30 year old virgin. The word stepbrother is used a lot but neither are real step siblings. Amelia is adopted and Roman is not Theodore’s biological son. Amelia and Roman have a crazy push pull relationship, but after talking to a therapist about all his mommy issues, he does better by Amelia. Lots of drama with the crazy mother, Amelia gets hurt and Roman realizes he could have lost her. Lots of I love yous and a surprise pregnancy. Epilogues with kids.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
333 reviews4 followers
June 28, 2021
Roman definitely comes off as an arrogant, cocky jerk! But, when you hear about his history with his mother, you can completely understand where it's coming from. He has stayed completely away from women, which is why he's still a virgin at 30. What he doesn't expect is his beautiful, sweet, and sexy 18 year old stepsister. Amelia is at the hospital because her new stepfather has had a heart attack. What she didn't expect was to be immediately insulted by her new stepbrother. Secretly, Amelia has always had a crush on Roman for his charitable work with foster children. But Roman ruins all of that when he continues to be nasty to her. All because he is fighting feeling that hes never had before. But when Roman decides to learn to trust Amelia, and let her know his true feelings, he goes all in. But, his mother is not done trying to ruin his life. There is some much in this book: angst, suspense, kidnapping, an alot of steam. Another great book from Mrs. Steele!! I loved it!!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for casvec.
7,458 reviews75 followers
September 5, 2021
Intense does not even begin to describe Roman and Amelia's story. Roman grew up with his mom, who only taught he how not to trust women. When he reconnected with the only man he call Dad, his world began to change. The truth of his past came out and his future was bout to go on a ride. Amelia is young but she is strong and his not going to let anyone mess her around. When she met Roman, aka her step brother, her feeling were split.

This story will burn up your kindle with each turn of the page. The trust Roman is struggling to learn, the feeling he feels for Amelia, the support he has from his dad is an emotion and very electrifying that will have you needing to cool off.

All I can say is grab a cold drink and a fan as this story is H-O-T-T.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,592 reviews4 followers
June 30, 2021
This is book number 1 of the Dark Hearts series and focuses on Roman and Amelia. Roman has serious trust issues with women thanks to his mom's lies and betrayals. He is such a huge jealous and possessive jerk to Amelia when they initially meet but thankfully he quickly realizes that he needs to be better for her. I loved that he sought professional help to help sort through his baggage that he carried from his mom and was doing what he could to be a better man for Amelia. I also LOVED that this was a dual virgins book. This was such a great story! It's 100% going on my re-read list. I would give this book way more than 5 stars if I could. I can't wait to see what else this series has to come!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Lauren.
6,131 reviews57 followers
September 14, 2021
First things first; I really like the cover of this book!
Intense is the first book in the ‘’dark hearts’’ series. This story is short, fast paced and an enjoyable read. I read this book in one sitting and was satisfied throughout. I found the writing style easy to follow, the characters likeable and the storyline enjoyable. Roman doesn’t trust women thanks to his mothers evilness. When he meets his new stepsister, he tries his best to resist her but will he be able to.
The chemistry between Roman and Amelia is clear to see and I liked them together.
I really liked the ending and the epilogue for this story.
The storyline for this book is easy to follow and it is an enjoyable read. I cannot wait for more books from this series.
Profile Image for Mindy Chase-selder.
803 reviews13 followers
July 1, 2021
Intense love!!!

This is definitely an intense love story. Roman has never had a trusting relationship with women,due to the betrayal by his mother, the one woman that he should never have to question or doubt. But finding out about the betrayal and trying to make amends with the only loving father that he has known leads him right to the one woman that he has to fight everything that he has known to win her over.
Amelia has had a crush on Roman for years, but seeing the man in person when her mother’s husband is in the hospital, is a whole other experience. She knows of his take on women and relationships just by what his father had mentioned in passing, but having that rudeness directed at her has her rethinking that crush. If only her body got that message as well. There was an undeniable attraction and reaction to the jerk that held her attention.
When Roman realizes that he can’t stop thinking or wanting to be without Amelia he knows that he will do whatever it takes to claim her and keep her forever. Hoping that their intense love will take them straight to their forever. Great Read!!!!
377 reviews4 followers
June 27, 2021


Loved it! Amelia was a sweet h and so good for Roman. And Roman... wow! Total alpha, that v didn't make anything awkward or hold him back! An alpha that shows his emotions to that extent? So perfect😍 He didn't just demand she be his... that man put in the work. I'd definitely recommend!!
S/n: curious about hurt best friend that she mentioned a couple times. Seems like a story there, but is it one already written, or one that may be written??
*it was fun seeing Vicktor again😏
Profile Image for Jamie West.
1,439 reviews5 followers
June 28, 2021
Roman and Amelia

Intense is the perfect name for this book! Roman is off the charts intense, dirty and raunchy, sexy and rude from the moment he meets Amelia, his new step sister. Amelia has been attracted to Roman from the start but she loves to sass him and poke him until he’s fuming or wanting to devour her. Despite his trust issues with women, caused by an evil mother, Roman strives to be a better man for his Amelia. I love the sexy, tension filled bickering they share with each other. A great story by C. M. Steele!
561 reviews
July 4, 2021
Cute story

This was a cute story. I couldn’t give it the full five stars because it just moved too quickly. I’ve read love at first sight but this was kind of ridiculous. Plus her mother and new stepfather talking about her sex life with her step brother within 1 day of them meeting?! Yuck. There was a big section on birth control - before they had sex and yet.... It could’ve been so much more. There was no build up and no climax. Just blah blah blah. Not a waste of time but nothing to get too excited about.
Profile Image for Misty Schott.
4,225 reviews34 followers
June 26, 2021
Roman may never get over his distrust of women.

From a young age Roman decided that women couldn't be trusted. His mother being the prime example of a horrible woman and the women he dated when he was younger weren't much better. Then Roman meets his new step-sister, Amelia and he ends up being a total jerk to her. Can Roman overcome his trust issues and maybe have a relationship with Amelia? Or is he already too set in his ways? This is a great read and I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Confused .
33 reviews1 follower
February 13, 2022
Great!

Loved seeing the male character recover from trust issues. Most writers will turn a male who has trust issues into a man whore but I kind of liked him staying away from relationships and being a complete virgin until 30. It gets repetitive when every novel puts the chick as the one shying away from the opposite sex.
Profile Image for Tarah Didley.
376 reviews3 followers
December 9, 2023
I have always enjoyed C.M. Steele’s books.

She knows how to draw you with the first chapter and keep you enthralled all the way until the end.

They are quick, sexy, filled with so much chemistry that you melt, and the alpha ness is so good that when he says the right thing to you all you want to do is obey!!
1,563 reviews7 followers
June 25, 2021
Captivating

This was such a cute and steamy read. Amelia is perfect for Roman. Roman is a alpha male and will do anything for Amelia. A captivating love story that you will love.
Profile Image for Sarah Nielsen.
4,185 reviews20 followers
June 30, 2021
I received this as an arc for my honest review

This was a super steamy story with a bit of a forbidden twist. I liked it. Great banter and off the charts chemistry between Roman and Amelia. High intensity storyline that kept me entertained from the beginning. I really enjoyed reading it.
Profile Image for Jeannette.
3,151 reviews8 followers
July 2, 2021
So good

This was a good book to read. It had sad and sweet moments. I liked the characters and their chemistry and connection. As always I can't wait to read more from this author.
Profile Image for Robin.
2,516 reviews20 followers
January 17, 2022
Roman & Amelia

So good! Intense really is the best word ever to describe Roman! Also caveman, OTT, alpha… But once he got himself sorted, he was totally perfect for Amelia. I was so caught up in their story!
677 reviews6 followers
July 7, 2021
Love wins!

I always enjoy CM Steele's stories. Intense >
Funny,emotional and of course you get some steamy scenes. Roman and Amelia made a great couple. Loved how they both trusted their hearts and was so happy this book didn't have ahole parents trying to keep them apart because they were stepbrother and sister.
great HEA!

Profile Image for Nate.
24k reviews19 followers
July 16, 2021
I enjoyed Roman & Amelia's book. Good characters. It was an intriguing read. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.
3,768 reviews12 followers
July 12, 2021
Roman has trouble trusting ladies because of his mom. But he’s conflicted when he sees Amelia. The love /hate he has for her will bring an insight that he’ll do anything to get her back and he’ll change to accomplish it. A great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon).
16.4k reviews215 followers
July 11, 2021
I really enjoyed this book! The storyline was well developed, the characters were complex and well developed and the story world was detailed. The writing drew me in, and I felt immersed in the story! I always look forward to more books by this author and would recommend this book!
1,350 reviews6 followers
July 2, 2021
Hmm...not sure how to start this one. Reading the blurb I was very interested in the story. And I'll say it was a good read, I think I just felt like the story didn't mesh as well as I hoped for. Roman was such a rude jerk, it almost felt like a bully romance. I can sort of understand with his mother being this crazy person. Amelia felt a bit more normal although she did seem very young and immature at time. There was definitely some super steamy scenes between these two and I did like the ending quite a bit. Just took me a bit to warm up to the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Maggie Alexander.
1 review16 followers
July 4, 2021
Roman has trust issues when it comes to women. He didn't think that would change when he met his new stepsister, he was in for a surprise! Amelia has changed his mind and his heart, but can he make her believe that he is not the jerk he first acted like?
I liked the storyline. Roman's trust issues were both understandable and relatable. It was nice to see a hero work to get the girl, and that the girl was not a pushover.
I received an arc from Booksprout for my review.
677 reviews6 followers
July 3, 2021
I always enjoy CM Steele's stories. Intense >
Funny,emotional and of course you get some steamy scenes. Roman and Amelia made a great couple. Loved how they both trusted their hearts and was so happy this book didn't have ahole parents trying to keep them apart because they were stepbrother and sister.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews

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