Stiffy

Engorged #1

by Ashley Sands

Tell me you want me. Tell me you feel this too.

Rose:
It was only one weekend, one wedding.
I shouldn’t have been nervous about seeing Peter again.
Even if he made my life a living hell in high school.
But seeing him again, makes me see him in a new light.
One that makes me want him.
Can I give into my desire? Should I?

Peter:
Rose was always the one who got away.
I couldn’t wait for the wedding because I could see her.
And one look at her told me she had only gotten better with age.
My need to have her only grew stronger.
She is beauty and perfection and everything I could want.
Now, I just need to convince her that she will be mine.

Stiffy, is a stepbrother enemies to lovers romance with plenty of heat with a guaranteed HEA and no cliffhangers.

Genres: Enemies To Lovers

147 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 2, 2021

About the author

Ashley Sands likes to read and write about taboo stories full of romance and hot sex scenes. She enjoys telling stories of strong women and the men who aren’t afraid to support them and love them. When she isn’t writing, she likes to spend time exploring the out of doors with her rescue dog, Abby or enjoying a nice glass of wine. She currently lives in Southern California where she is working on her latest taboo romantic story.

Reviews

[Tisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose &Peter have known each other since kids. They went to school together. Peter was popular, gorgeous & smart. Everything he touched he seem to get. Right girls, excelled in school, then went to college. Did some volunteering to help the needy. That eventually became his Non profit organization that he was the CEO. Seemed like everything he touched would turn to gold.

Rose ~Shy, quiet, geek, didn’t have a lot of friends. Defeatedly not popular. She hated Peter during high school. (so she thought) He was cocky, arrogant, always trying to out beat her when it came to achievements. His accomplishments & popularity always made her feel like a nobody. The truth was it was only in her mind. In fact, Peter admired, respected her. He was always pushing. Getting in her face was because he wanted to be friends. He wanted to get to know the real Rose. But she would have nothing of it. Her animosity, defensiveness never let up thru high school. They went their sperate ways when it came to college. But once their parents started getting serious. Rose was going to have to be around Eric’s family more. That included his boys. It meant she had to deal with Peter just like in high school. He his accomplishments, goals. Of course, Rose felt like she was never enough to compete with the great Peter!!!
As things progressed with their parents. It was time to participate in functions, gatherings that involved Eric’s charities organizations. It was important to have the children of the organization to be part of the fundraisers. Now that Michelle was engaged to Eric that meant Rose had to support them for her mother’s sake. Rose was more than willing when she wasn’t studying to be their for Eric & Michelle’s causes. They were becoming a family unit. Rose just didn’t want to be at the events that Peter would attend. Rose knew & respected Eric & he wanted Rose’s acceptance in her mother’s life. Which she did but always with her defenses up. She didn’t want to be around Peter.
Now their parents were getting married. Rose couldn’t just avoid Peter. They were going to be family. For the wedding she did everything she could to avoid Peter. Except when needed for wedding duties. Her mom tried to talk to her before the wedding to tell her how much Peter has changed. That maybe all the harassing, baiting Rose thru high school was because he secretly had a crush on her. Rose thought that was a joke. But it seems to be that their parents knew something more than Rose was willing to admit.
During the ceremony, Peter watched Rose intensely. Gave her his cocky grin, attempted to dance with her. Rose always made an excuse she had to take care of something for her mom. When the happy couple were having their wedding dance. That is when Peter made his move. Rose would not say no to dancing with him in front of their parents, friends. What would that look like. Rose didn’t have a choice. Once Rose was in Peter’s arms they felt something. Peter knew she was the woman for him. Now he had to find a way to convivence Rose. Find out what makes her tick. She wanted to know what this beauty was like from the inside out.

Rose woke up from her haze when the dance was over. She knew this wasn’t right. They just became step siblings less than a few hours ago. She cannot have feelings for Peter. What would their parents think? Plus, Peter has never been interested in a simple, shy girl. Who must work hard for her achievements? He has had models, debutantes’ whenever he wanted. Peter is a player, a ladies’ man! She doesn’t need that in her life. Especially now!
Rose worked hard for her degree & now she needs to finish the last of exams to graduate with her masters. She doesn’t need to prove herself to Peter. What Rose didn’t realize is that all her anxiety, push back, avoidance to Peter was that she was secretly & has always been attracted to her now stepbrother. Rose also doesn’t know that her mom was right. Peter has had a crush on her since FOREVER! He could never get to know her to show Rose his attraction to her.
Peter is not going to stop now that they are family.
Things ignite between these two after the wedding. Peter was right about Rose she is everything & more when they finally got to talking. He listened to her plans & goals. Peter didn’t understand the undertone of resentment that Rose felt about his accomplishments. But that night at the bar he was determined to let Rose know that he admired, respect her.
While Peter thought everything was going well. Rose was tipsy & Peter wanted to make sure she was assorted to her room. She attempted to make a pass at her hotel room. Peter the playboy wouldn’t have cared about screwing a tipsy girl. But this was Rose. The woman he has wanted since FOREVER! He was not going to treat her like a one-night stand. He wanted more with her. He kissed her good night. Rose took it as a rejection & him teasing her the whole night. He never was attracted to her. He just wanted to embarrass her & make her look foolish. The next morning while everyone was wishing their good wishes to the happy couple. Peter tried to speak to Rose & her cold, icy persona was back. He didn’t understand why? She was back to ignoring & being sassy to him? When he thought they were finally being friends? Rose kept her behavior, resentment at a distance for her parents’ sake. Then left to start packing. She needed to get back to studying for her exams. Peter was giving know explanation for her change of behavior towards him. But he wasn’t letting her leave that hotel without finding out why? He was a desperate man. He knew he was in love with Rose. He was determined to get Rose's heart.
This is a short steamy couple. Though, I have to admit I got tired of Rose's behavior. Her whiny on how they were not right for each other. That their parents wouldn't approve. It became annoying that the character was making assumption without finding out the facts. Peter was trying to do everything to win her heart. When Rose finally excepted his advances. She then pushes him away. Stating it was fun, but it was temporary. Her excuses to Peter was that he wasn't serious about her. She was giving him a bunch of BS for her own fears of rection. Reject the guy first before she can get hurt. Stupid. I cannot believe Peter was willing to allow her to hurt him over and over again. Read what happens when assumptions finally turn into facts & love is welcomed into their hearts.

[Bo0kSLoth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miscommunications and misconceptions lead these two characters to believe that the other dislikes them back in high school when in fact the opposite is true. When fate throws them back together, will they let fear hold them back now or will they let the burning passion that grows between them ignite?

It really is a cute short story with a HEA once everyone overcomes their inner fears and I personally real love a MMC that isn't afraid to the woman how he feels and then shows her to back it up with his actions. It isn't everyday that I get to read a book where the FMC gets be told that she will be wooed and pursued. I liked it. Made me smile

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leanne Bryson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read anything by Ashley Sands, but this was a fun, sassy read. And since most of her books are on KU, I can read them for FREE. Peter and Rose went through school together and Rose always felt Peter was a player and way to full of himself. But Peter always had a crush on Rose and was trying to get her to notice him. When they meet again at a wedding, he pursues Rose yet again, neither realizing the marriage is between his father and her mother. Now they are step siblings. But that doesn't matter at all to anyone but Rose. Rose can be a bit childish. This book is a fast, fun, steamy read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The addition starts with the book cover….yeah…yeah…yeah don’t judge a book by its cover they say ….well we all do it and this one here it is the scratch to your itch or better yet the filling to your oreos! Within the first chapters you get the panoramic view of whom you’re dealing with! This is book is part of the Engorged series why just read one when you can start at the beginning and keep reading through the series it won’t be a waste of time. Rose and Peter have known each all their lives. Rose knew he aggravated every chance unsure why for her he was just a bully and she avoided him at all costs now fast forward to being invited to the wedding where she knows he will be there so mentally she is preparing herself. Peter sexy as all get out bully (in her head only) to Rose but Peter really had a crush on her it came out little different then he expected fast forward now they are family (officially) and he wants a chance to change her view of him. Upon seeing each other at the wedding everything they felt for each other comes flooding back good, bad, ugly, and pretty. Add to that the chemistry levels have changed to intense, and the magnetic pull can’t continue to be ignored but will she forgive him, will he be able to convince/show her he isn’t the man she thinks him to be, and can they have what’s said to be forbidden because of their status to one another?

[Coastie Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read from this author. This is the story of Peter and Rose. These two have known each other for a very long time and Rose always thought that Peter was annoying because he bragged so much about all his accomplishments. She just never knew that he was only doing this to get her attention because he had a crush on her. Now they are thrown together as adults since his father and her mother are getting married. While Rose was dreading it, Peter was looking forward to this reunion and was finally hoping to be able to get her attention.

This was a cute story, but I felt like Rose just put too much thought into EVERYTHING! She thought that Peter was self-absorbed, but in reality, he was only trying to get to know her better and Rose was letting her insecurities get the best of her. Will Rose be able to get out of her brain long enough to realize what she could potentially have? I will admit, that at several points in this story, I did want to slap some sense into her! LOL! I look forward to reading more this author. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Latecia Jennings · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3.5 stars**This was a steamy romance and I would say it was OK...good even. When I read the brief blurb, I knew I had to read this possible taboo stepsibling romance. This could have been a higher star review for me but I had extreme annoyance with Rose. I get her issues but mannnnnnnnn I hate how she was stringing Peter along like that. That push and pull with her was ridiculous. But Peter hung in there...he was determined to win Rose over. He really loved her but I felt she had lust for him. They eventually get a HEA of sorts but it was a frustrating journey there. Kind of bummed that there wasn't an epilogue but there was a brief preview for the next book. Looks nice.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enemies to Step-siblings to love.

I really liked this story. It was entertaining and enjoyable but also frustrating. The characters were interesting and likable. Peter knew that he was attracted to Rose and had been for a long time. Rose wasn’t prepared for Peter to decide to show her how he felt or that by him doing so she would figure out that she had feelings for him. They were reunited at their parents wedding and things between them quickly became steamy. There was some angst. Peter was very patient with Rose. I liked how the story ended but I would have liked an epilogue further out. I recommend reading this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Andrea Barth-Leidinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yesss. I finished it. It’s rather rare that I am sooo happy to finish a book. It’s also rather unusual for me to hang three days at one small book. It can’t really take very much longer than three to four hours normally…unbelievable. Yes, sorry but I found it so annoying that it’s becoming hilarious 😆.
The pull and give, pull and give, pulled my given patience out of me. Completely. If you like such a thing, interrupted with steam, this might please you. Sorry for this, I promised to leave my review, but I would have loved not to publish it.

As a member of Ashley’s Arc team ( I believe for the longest time anyway) I received a free copy of this book and am leaving my honest opinion.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really got invested in Rose and Peter's story when I was reading Stiffy by Ashley Sands. It was swell written and the chemistry between them was forbidden and off the charts explosive. Rose and Peter were classmates in high school and Peter tried everything he could get her attention. But in Rose's mind all he did was torment and annoy her. Peter knows Rose is the only woman for him and now that he will be seeing her again at their parent's wedding, he is not about to let her get away again. 5 stars.

[Katja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rose didn't like Peter in high school and lately he's been a bit of a player but now his dad is marrying her mom and they have to interact. It turns out they're quite compatible sexually and he wants it serious but she keeps finding reasons or making up excuses they shouldn't be together. This was all right, I just kept feeling that Rose was making it unnecessarily complicated for silly reasons and lost a little patience with her.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter has always had a crush on Rose, but now that they are family can he convince her to give him a real chance. A interesting storyline of step siblings who’ve know each other all their lives, before their parents get married, but have had a misunderstood relationship. I enjoyed the authors take on Peters character and how he really tries to get Rose to give him a chance. Thought the parents attitude was very open and understanding when it comes to love.

I am voluntarily leaving a review for this book that I received free.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that will really make you smile. Peter has always wanted Rose. And in high school he went out of his way to get her attention. But all he succeeded in doing was annoying Rose and making himself a borderline bully. Now, they will see each other again at their parents wedding. Yep, seems the parents have decided to make them step siblings. Peter is excited to see Rose and Rose...yeah, not so so much. Rose wishes she could run in the opposite direction, while Peter is ready to chase after her.
I recommend this book and this author.

[Victoria Wyatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose and Peter went to school together. Rose is being stubborn about her mom marrying Peter’s father because she believed he belittled her in school. At the wedding sparks ignite between them. Rose made me mad a few times with her stubbornness and annoyance. No others spoilers. I did like the ending would not have mind a little epilogue though otherwise it ended on a good note.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[John Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book it was great, this story was about Rose and Peter. Rose and Peter went to the same high school, Rose had a crush on Peter she believed he did not like her even looked at her. Peter had a crush on Rose and she ignored him. Rose and Peter went to the same wedding. Will either one be still interested now five years had past!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first read from this author. The first sentence of this book was hilarious: “I don’t understand why you can’t just do a friends-with-benefits or a no-strings-attached relationship, like normal people,”
I absolutely loved the first person point of view of the story. This is a deal breaker for me. This was a good story and I will be reading more from this author in the future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[FD · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story started nicely, but at a certain point it became long-winded and that was mainly due to main character Rose who made the relationship unnecessarily complicated. Other than that, I;m not very fond of the writing style, it comes across as unkempt, doesnt flow smoothly, and while this is acceptable in the book at first, it gets boring as the story progresses. But a nice cover

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !!! a great start for this new series !!! love Peter...Rose ? this is their story... a fast paced drama... the knew each other in high school...in her mind - he bullied her... in his mind - he just tried to get her attention... he was crushing her... now , their parents are getting married...it's his chance... she just wants to stay away...the chemistry is explosive...will they be a couple ?

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I volunteered to read this ARC for an honest review. I enjoyed this quick story about Rose and Peter. They were classmates but he was a player and popular, she was shy and reversed. So they never got along . Now his dad is marrying her mom. But when chatting at the wedding reveals his secret crush and the spark between them, everything changes.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Samina Rajiwate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nicely written short story. Rose's mother is getting married. They are going to be married in Vegas. But Rose is dreading meeting Peter, the son of the man her mothers marrying. Peter has always had a crush on Rose. Now at the wedding he gets a chance to be with her. Loved reading this story. Thanx.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The humour in this book had me laughing out loud between the seriousness. Rose was more worried about what others would think, while Peter knows they are perfect for each other.
For readers who want a light read, a book where they can immerse themselves in romance, fun and family, you can choose Ashley Sands each time.
I received a copy and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shows you true love can happen at anytime. When its your true love you will know and feel. but mostly you will be willing to don anything for them. Will be looking out for more books by Ashley Sands. With her writing she pulls you in like its happening to you.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elesha's book fun gossip · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a will they won't they situation, do you I've in to temptation? It was an enjoyable read, with chemistry and amazing characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable stepbrother enemies to lovers romance. Wonderful characters. Only about 100 pages. But packed with angst, steam and an HEA. I'm not too crazy about the name!

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Peter & Rose's book. It was an entertaining read. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Mulan Book Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose can't stand Peter as he always annoyed her in high school and was forever bragging to her. Unfortunately, her mother has decided to marry his father which means she will have to see him. Peter is excited to see Rose as he has always liked her but she had always brushed him off in high school. At the wedding, they spend some time together and are attracted to each other. Due to a misunderstanding Rose doesn't want to spend time with Peter but he actively pursues her. With the new title of "step-sibling", Rose is wary of starting a relationship with Peter. Peter will need to convince Rose and she will need to overcome her fears if they want to reach their HEA. I thought Peter was a total sweetheart and loved reading his POV. Rose irritated me a bit as I thought she was a tad mean to Peter.

I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest opinion.