Finley Embraces Heart & Home

Love, Austen #4

by Anyta Sunday

MUM is the love of his life.
Until he meets his STEP-BROTHER.

For years it’s been just Finley and Mum. Now she’s getting married, and they’re moving into a flash mansion and his step-dad is lording it over him. He’s clearly a homophobe, and doesn’t want him rubbing off (so to speak) on his son.

Like that would ever happen. No way he’d ever go for someone who shares his DNA.

Even if Ethan and his dad don’t look anything alike.

Even if Ethan and his dad don’t act anything alike.

Even if . . .

This can’t happen. They’re whānau now, family, there are boundaries.

Secret. Forbidden. Irresistible.
A reimagining of Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park.

***

TAGS:
Heart-throbbing slow burn, a bit of pretty prose, Ethan is his step-brother, Finley wasn’t supposed to see him naked, step-dad is a homophobe, Finley has naughty thoughts, Austen might roll over in her grave, secrets and confessions under sparkly stars, mutual pining, the world is unfair, pining-pining-and-more-pining, Finley turns naughty thoughts to actions, so what there are rules?, maybe they shouldn’t have done that, jealousy is an ugly green beast, Austen might like this now, forgetting is impossible, more impossible is choosing between heart and home.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Slow Burn, LGBT, Fiction, Retellings

266 pages, Paperback

First published September 13, 2021

About the author

Specialising in slow-burn romances where emotions reign, intimacy lingers, and chemistry sizzles—stories that leave you holding your breath and cheering for love, with just a splash of spice to sweeten the journey.

Check out my website:
Contact: http://www.anytasunday.com/?page_id=386

Für deutsche Leser:
http://www.anytasunday.de/

In italiano:
http://www.anytasunday.it/

Reviews

[☆ Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not the biggest fan of Jane Austen, but this M/M retelling of her "Mansfield Park" was a lot of fun and I'm glad that I read Anyta's take on the story.

I adored both Fin and Ethan, but as the story began, 14 y.o. Fin had lost his dad and was understandably angry that he had to move into the home of his mother's fiancé', so he wasn't a ray of sunshine when it came to giving his new, 15 y.o. step-brother, Ethan, any sort of a chance.

Ethan knocks on the door frame, balancing a plate. At my nod, he comes in and settles it between us on the bed. It’s full of halved scones spread with jam and dollops of cream.

I pick one up and grumble, “I’m supposed to hate you, Ethan.”

His dimple pops. “I mean, you can always try to.”

But Ethan was ridiculously nice and easy to talk to, not to mention *hot*, so the boys bonded pretty quickly, helping to move Fin past his dour mood and putting Ethan into Fin's BFF / crush zone.

Ethan frowns and instead of covering himself up, stares at his dick.

He looks up at me. “Ahakoa he iti he pounamu.” It’s the Māori proverb I taught him last week, although perhaps the context isn’t exactly . . . appropriate. Although it is small, it is a treasure.

It’s the hardest I’ve ever laughed in my life.

As time passed and Fin came to love living at Mansfield with Ethan, I'd worried what would happen during Ethan and Fin's back-to-back years abroad, but that entire separation felt like maybe 5 (extremely-rushed) pages of the story.

I was right to fret about the outside relationships they would form during that time, though, as two of them followed Fin back to Mansfield after returning home, in the form of twin siblings Cress and Ford.

I absolutely hated Cress right from the get-go, with her thinly-veiled desire to have Ethan for herself. And when that ultimately didn't work out, she definitely showed her selfish, mildly-vindictive side.

I didn't particularly dislike Ford, but his player side never allowed me to trust him, with good reason, even though I did eventually kinda-sorta like the guy.

I did enjoy what Anyta did with Tom, Ethan's dad and Fin's step dad, who I initially disliked, but ended up feeling that he may have been a misunderstood character.

I may be the only one, but I would LOVE to have a Fin / Tom discussion follow-up short story, with each of them fully explaining to the other how their feelings, motivations, and actions changed as the story progressed. Was Tom ever truly homophobic or was it something else entirely? Inquiring minds and all that.

Much like Anyta's slightly-similar book, "Rock", the guys did eventually get their HEA, but I didn't feel as though this story put me through as much of an emotional wringer as "Rock" did.

I'd rate this book at around 4.25 stars and recommend it to any fans of Anyta's writing that, like me, aren't really the biggest worshipers at the altar of Jane Austen.

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[Lelyana's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lean my head against the glass and laugh hollowly. “You’re going to read it. You’re going to act it.”“Fin—”“And I’m going to watch and pretend they’re not dreams I wish would come true

I was conflicted between loving this and hated this story at the same time. If you read Anyta's book Rock, this book has so much similarities. Forbidden love, step brothers, and the most frustrating slow burn forbidden romance I have ever read.
This was just as heartbreaking it hurts me so much reading what Finley and Ethan had been through.

Trying to please their just married parents, and trying not to lose the family, they sacrificed their own happiness.
Though, in my opinion, loving your stepbrother is not a 'real forbidden' affair, Finley and Ethan tried to behave themselves. To be stay brothers.
But it's killing them, and killing me as well.
Years of denying their love, having boyfriends, girlfriends, and hurting themselves more and more each and every single day, rare stolen moments, they had to make decision to love themselves first.

So many people make my blood boiled in this story, but the most annoying are the twins Cess and Ford. I really wanted to kill Cess especially, that girl was so dumb and had no shame at all. Ugh!
Too bad, this one was also the minus factor of me rating the story. I almost put this down.
Almost.
And Ethan and Finley didn't get together for almost 90 percent of the story was kinda annoyed me so much. It's all because of Tom? And his lacking of communication with his kids, not to mention Finley's mother!

"Because in his mind , that part of us is over. He doesn’t wallow in it like I do . He’s just made it a rule to move on."

"I whisper, “Why are you here, Ethan?”
He glances over my shoulder, to all of greater Mansfield.
His voice is a whisper. “I’m afraid. I want to sleep with you.”
“You have a nightlight.”
He looks at me and joins me at the rail.
“There’s something I’m far more afraid of than the dark, Fin.”"

But overall, to be fair, Finley Embraces Heart and Home is perfectly written and IMO the best of this series, because Anyta brought back ROCK vibes all over again with this book. Rock that I liked so much,
This one was also a heartbreakingly bittersweet forbidden romance that will keep you read until the ending in one sitting like me.

If you like slow burn, forbidden love, twist and rollercoaster. read this book.

We’re a kaleidoscope of conflicting emotions, Ethan. You can hate someone and still very much love them

PS. I'm still questioning my rating until now.
ARC given by Gay Romance Reviews for a full blog tour.

[Bookreader87(Amanda) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

I took a trip to angst city and built a home on longing and pining road right near forbidden love straight across from glacial burn street it's right before you hit happily ever after city. 😆

Fin and Ethan's story starts when they are teenage boys. They become step brothers and build a friendship but there's always underlying feelings there. They spend most of time denying their feelings fearing disapproval of the people they love. They try and try to let each other go but always seem to find there way back to one another.

This book reminded me of another book by this author. It was very reminiscent of Rock. At least in this one they were step brothers by marriage. I enjoyed it but boy oh boy did I have to go through a lot to get to the HEA. I do wish it had an epilogue not a fan of books just stopping. I need a little more.

*I was provided an ARC from GRR, this is my honest review.*

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

I don't know why I keep picking up books in this series and thinking "I'll just start a couple chapters before I have to get xxx done.", because inevitably everything else I absolutely have to do gets shoved aside as I'm completely immersed in these wonderful stories that Sunday is writing. This book was a little angstier than the others in the series, but it absolutely worked for these two MCs. There's so much pining, so many feelings, just absolutely so much to love about this story. There was also a little to hate as our favorite evil twins made a repeat appearance, but I can forgive that as their plans are thwarted once again. A heartbreaking forbidden romance with a perfect HEA. Please, please, let this not be the last in the series.

[h o l l i s · Rating 1 out of 5]

This feels more like a reimagining of the author's ROCK than it does MANSFIELD PARK but as I'm only vaguely familiar with the latter, I have to assume at least some of this is Austen. Maybe.

Having said that, I wasn't going to win with this one from the get-go because I'm not really vibing with step-brother/sibling romances, especially when they begin acquaintance young, which this one did. But I could've trucked along and dealt with it.. until Sunday had me believe the line that Finley tried to pull with Ethan that "sometimes siblings make out/fool around" (paraphrasing, I tried to bleach the actual line from my brain) and I just.. a) no and b) you just called yourselves siblings. I was immediately checked out after that.

Also, dear lord, the storytelling moment about Finley's first time? What the actual hell was that? Once again, I cannot get on with the author's sex scenes. They are truly painful.

And, finally, you are telling me that the big main conflict of the entire premise is resolved.. just like that. Enraging. Truly.

I'm not sure if this is the worst yet because while their antics were painful, the characters themselves were fine (blah, really), but honestly it's all a mess at this point. Here's hoping PERSUASION, book six's homage, can salvage something out of this experience because thus far it's been fail after fail for me.

1.5 stars

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm disappointed. Not surprised, given how Bennett went down, but I am disappointed that Finley had to follow through that road, rather than follow after Emerett and Cameron (which are more faithful to the plot of the originals).
The greatest disappointment of all, to me, was Finley as a character. I knew it was going to go wrong from chapter 1 when he leaves his luggage on the entrance and talks back to Tom. He has as much common with Fanny Price as Fanny has with Elizabeth Bennett; that is to say nearly nothing at all. Ethan describes Finley as bold and outspoken, with is the antithesis of Fanny, who is shy and anxious and sickly but deeply convinced of her morals and doing what's right.
I get the feeling Anyta changed Finley's personality because Fanny is one of the two most polarizing Austen heroines, along with Emma Woodhouse, and I wouldn't be surprised if she was in the "Fanny is insipid" camp of the debate. As someome who is shy and sickly and fell on love with Fanny for her inner strength and bright inner world, seeing her personality erased like this in an adaptation feels like a slap in the face.
My second issue is that it feels not so much like a Mansfield Park adaptation, but as a rewriting of Rock (also by Anyta) with some Mansfield Park elements added for pizzazz. I didn't recognize a Mansfield park event until at around 40% of the book, and most of the tension was kind of replaced because we all knew Finley's feelings are returned through the whole novel. Anyta is clear on that. Main antagonists are gone (aunt Norris is a cat!), events are simplified, conflicts are smoothed over, and others simply change in impact because Finley is a brave, strong, outspoken hero who has never had an issue with stating his thoughts or saying no, so stating his thoughts or refusals has no shock.
I'm likely going to end up reading the next two, because I am a committed clown, but I'll go to the persuasion adaptation expecting my favorite to be butchered. Masochistic? Maybe. But my second favorite and the most popular were butchered, so it's not a badly placed expectation. At least the sense and sensibility one promises a bit of interest with its coming heroes. Heaven knows how it'll work out.

[Ky · Rating 4 out of 5]

* 4 Stars *

Anyta Sunday is well-known for her slow-burn stories and this one is no different. There is attraction and feelings, but at the same time, there are obstacles that are keeping the characters from starting a relationship for years.

The fact that the story spans many years was a huge plus for me, it always is. We get to see Ethan and Finley as they grow up, mature, and find their place in the world. The story follows them through their teenage years up until they're well in their twenties.

There is an element of forbidden that accompanies their feelings as they're stepbrothers and they don't want to cause their parents any problems, but as much as they try to keep their distance and change how they feel, it doesn't happen. They go through years of missing each other, longing for a relationship that they think is impossible, they go through boyfriends and girlfriends in an effort to move on, they try travelling to put more distance between them, but nothing seems to work.

As much as I liked both Ethan and Finley, I can't land on an opinion about Ethan's father. His attitude toward both his son and his stepson was complicated, to say the least. I believe that he loved them both in his own way, but he had certain expectations that he found very difficult to let go of. At least, as the years rolled by, he seemed to mellow out a little bit and actually think about what makes them happy instead of what he thought their lives should be like.

I found this story, particularly the first part of it, to have a lot of similarities with Rock, which I happened to read just a few weeks ago and I loved it. This didn't bother me and there are still many things that make the two books distinct enough. I'll have to admit to liking "rock" more, but I had a nice time with this title as well.


~ Copy provided by Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement. ~

[Kaje Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is told in present tense and a sparse but effective narrative style that manages to create real emotion in the spaces between the words. Finley and Ethan first meet when they are 14 and 15, as their parents who have been dating decide to move in together and get married.

Finley deeply resents his mother's decision to marry Tom, a man he dislikes (at least in part because Tom is taking his dead father's place in his mother's life.) Despite that resentment, he's intrigued by his new step-brother Ethan. The two of them circle each other, trying to figure out how they belong in each other's lives. Under the surface, an attraction and deep affection are building.

But they're now related by marriage, Tom is not particularly forgiving of Ethan's flaws to begin with, and Fin doesn't want to upset his mother. The inability of both boys to communicate with their parents adds to the angst of the story. Still, the heart wants what it wants. And they are close to letting go of the barriers they've raised between themselves when family dynamics shift again, and force them further apart.

The painful hopelessness of loving someone forbidden, not just by the outside world but by their own consciences, comes across clearly. I wished they were making different choices, but understood the ones they made. There are a lot of little touches, small moments, brief lines, that make clear the rollercoaster of hope and despair, desire and denial, that these two guys ride. I read this through in one long evening, to find out how they managed to come out the other side together.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

First book in this series that felt like an Anyta Sunday book!

The epic slow burn, the angst and forbidden relationship... I absolutely loved Fin and Ethan together.

Definitely felt more like a contemporary retelling in comparison to the previous book. What I found strange is that when Bennet appears in this book he's not talking like he's time travelled from Austen's era 😂 I liked his character so much more because of it!

I would have liked to see what happens with Rush though, I felt sorry for his character.

[Virginia Cavanillas]

”We’re a kaleidoscope of conflicting emotions, Ethan. You can hate someone and still very much love them.”

My fav in this series so far.

Out on September 13th

[Mellii · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like Mansfield Park reads differently than Austen's other novels, this one is different from the series so far. It's more angst (kind of a given, as we have stepbrothers falling in love here), more tortured longing, and much more emotional and intense. The fact that it is also written from Finley's point of view was also a lovely idea, as it gives the whole narration the feeling of emotions just bubbling over, which is very Fin.

Also, big improvement over the original, Ethan is not a condescending, pompous idiot, and they admit their feelings much earlier and try not to long for each other. It still amazes me how it manages to resembles the original, but is all Anyta Sunday at the same time.

A lovely addition to my favorite series by Anyta!

*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review*

[iam · Rating 4 out of 5]

NGL, I wasn't thrilled when I saw this book was about stepsiblings falling in love. But I enjoyed the rest of the series, and I trust Anyta Sunday to write a good romance, so I gave it a chance.

It was a good book. The writing style flowed easily and it was quick to read.
What I enjoyed about it most was the various relationships, and how bittersweet so many of them were: there was so much love and affection, but also so much hurt and pain between the various members of the past. They are all so in love, and loving, and close and dear to each other, and yet they keep hurting each other without intent. This applies to all sorts of relationships, family, friends, and romantic ones.
All these relationships were handled incredibly well, and I really am impressed with how much the book made me care for all these characters, even the ones who on first glance don't seem like good people, or the ones that weren't actually all that important to the plot. They still all got a personality and were unique and well-rounded, no matter their on-page time.

Nevertheless, I am torn about the whole stepbrother thing. I wish it hadn't been there, but it was also such an integral part of the plot that without it this wouldn't really have been possible. It's a hard thing to get over, but also handled rather well in the end.

As usual, I cannot comment on the actual retelling part, as I have not read Mansfield Park (or any other of Jane Austen's works). The book can absolutely be read on its own, however, and while character(s) from previous books in the series appear, it can definitely stand on its own.

I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Achim · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
I just couldn't resist a book with such a cover and because it's an Anyta Sunday, it's somehow strange that I did resist the previous 3 books. Would I have been able if those were available as a graphic novel? Maybe not but then maybe it was the Austen reference which made me reluctant. Would be ridiculous because I never read anything by her, only watched some movies and not all of them completely. Have to admit that even after reading Sundays take on Austen I'm not not more curious about her work than before but I will definately look for more information about Kathrine Mansfield (quotes from her work are heading each chapter of this book).

So about 'Finley Embraces Heart & Home' itself ... lovable characters but a lot of pinning, so much pinning and looking how happily it played out in the end, I'm not sure why, probalby a lot of teenage angst with all it's side effects and while that creates it's own irresistable pull, it also wasn't what I expected ... which I maybe would have if I ever read an Auston book.

[E.Muddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so there is pining, and then there is PINING. Finley and Ethan gave us the latter, and I can’t pretend that it didn’t hurt me at times. All I wanted was them to finally be able to be together!! In saying that, the mutual pining and all the angst works spectacularly to create one epic, will-they-won’t-they, slow burn romance. There is a wonderful mix of humour and heart, MCs who are genuinely likeable, and some gorgeously heartfelt moments that had me tearing up.

I don’t want to give anything more away because I believe it is one of those books that just needs to be felt. I will say that whilst I was satisfied with the ending of course, I would have liked an epilogue to solidify their HEA. It felt a tad abrupt without one. Apart from this little niggle, I completely adored this book. Cannot recommend this series highly enough!

[MiaReadsMMBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Queen of the Slow Burn is back and she absolutely nails the pining in this homage to Austen's Mansfield Park. If you've read the previous books in the Love, Austen series, you'll be equally delighted with Fin & Ethan's romance. You should note that if you haven't read the previous books, you could read this as a standalone (though what are you doing, go read all the books in this series, they're fantastic!).

Any book that uses quotes from the great New Zealand writer, Katherine Mansfield, and wholly embraces Te Reo is always going to get a seal of approval and a fair bit of love from this Kiwi reader!

5 happy stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Misneach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really really loved this one the most.

[Isa Tis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75*

Dans Finley embraces heart and love, Anyta Sunday revisite Mansfield Park, c'est avec bonheur que j'ai redécouvert ce classique avec une trame bien respectée et franchement de tous les romans de Jane Austen, c’est certainement un des plus difficiles à revisiter. Cet opus est jusque-là le plus mélancolique et tourmenté de la série, l’humour y est bien plus discret mais cela donne à cette histoire un charme particulier.

Finley est orphelin de père et  sa vie bouleversée quand il déménage avec sa mère à Mansfield, la demeure de Tom, son beau-père. Ces deux-là sont à couteaux tirés et ils ne font pas vraiment l'effort d'améliorer leur relation. Pourtant, ce changement de vie lui permettra de se lier avec Ethan, le fils de Tom, mais tout se complique lorsque Finley se met à éprouver plus que des sentiments fraternels pour son demi-frère...

L’amour interdit est au cœur du récit, Ethan et Finley sont dans une situation intenable, ils sont parfaitement conscients que ce qu’ils ressentent l’un pour l’autre peut briser leur famille. Pendant des années, ils essaieront de combattre leurs sentiments, en s’éloignant l’un de l’autre et cela fait très mal de les voir se torturer ainsi. Mais ce côté doux-amer est contrebalancé par le fait que la tendresse est omniprésente entre Ethan et Finley.  Et j’ai adoré la façon dont l’autrice a su retranscrire la façon dont ils se comprennent sans forcément échanger de mots. Encore une fois, Anyta Sunday offre des passages qui ont fait battre mon palpitant un peu plus vite ou m'ont complètement fait fondre. Ces deux garçons sont à croquer ensemble, et j’ai aussi adoré que la culture Maorie soit présente dans le roman à travers les personnages de Finley et de sa maman.


Les protagonistes sont assez nombreux, adorables ou insupportables, certains m’ont bien fait grincer les dents et ont fait naître en moi une incroyable frustration.
Les jumeaux Cress et Ford m’ont agacée au possible avec leur côté manipulateur, d’ailleurs j’aurais aimé que Rush soit mis au courant pour Maria  et  largue cette garce vite fait bien fait, c’est horrible de laisser le lecteur dans l’interrogation. Bon ok, ce sont des personnages secondaires mais quand même !
Je suis obligée d’évoquer Maata, la mère de Finley, et Tom, le père d’Ethan. Le manque de communication de ces derniers avec leurs gosses m’a consternée  et j’aurais aimé que le moment où la vérité éclate donne lieu à des dialogues plus approfondis.

Les apparitions de Bennet mais aussi des héros des tomes suivants sont quant à elles très sympas !

J’aurais adoré avoir un épilogue, la fin a été un peu trop précipitée à mon goût, aaah c’est si cruel de la part de l’autrice, d’autant plus qu’il faut attendre la toute dernière partie pour que les héros soient véritablement ensemble !



Si ce tome n’est pas mon préféré de la série, j’ai passé un très bon moment et je suis incroyablement excitée à l’idée de lire Elliot, song of the soulmate (même si mon capitaine Wentworth porte une barbe   ) car Persuasion est mon roman favori de Jane Austen !

[Bárbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC provided by Gay Romance Reviews*


This was much closer to Anyta than the previous installments in the series, for which I'm deeply grateful.

True, I had a little trouble with some of the characters, but am I truly me if I don't have something petty to complain about? We all know the answer *winks*

As always, the slowburn was delicious. Maybe more so in this one book than in all the previous from this series. The sweetness overload was almost too much for me to handle- I was just very invested in Ethan and Fin's story.

I'm not saying this one was as great as to make me forget how lukewarm I felt about the others from the series, but I'm at least mature enough to admit it came pretty darn close.

Four stars because sometimes I felt some of the drama dragged a bit, some obstacles were a bit repetitive. But overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Almost as much as to get me to say I'm actually looking forward to the S&S retelling (but only almost, because I still have some pride, y'all)

[MJ Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oof what can I say? I have read every book in this series so far and have loved them all. 

In all honesty I didn't really bother to even check the blurb for this one because there was no chance I wouldn't read it. Cue my absolute horror when I discovered that we were starting the story when the youngest MC was 15yrs old, and me, a horrible ageist who hates reading about young people. But it was perfect, loved it. 

We follow Fin and Ethan's simmering relationship over a matter of years, (making this one heck of a slow burn) as they struggle with their attraction as stepbrothers and how it clashes with their role as family. 

The chemistry between these two practically vibrates off the page. The barely concealed passion and love (all the pining!) between them was so perfectly written that I struggled to put this down. It's a crazy hot slow burn and the "forbidden" angle is used to good advantage. Being stepbrothers is a little taboo (less so than cousins would be nowadays, which is what I'm informed the original Mansfield Park was) but I was completely sold on the relationship and read eagerly to get to their HEA. We get a full range of emotions from the dark to the light, which really brings these complex characters to life. This is messy, restrained, yearning in all its glory. 

I haven't read Mansfield Park (not sure I've even seen a tv production of it) so I can't comment on any comparisons between this and the original text. However there was an aspect that felt a little less contemporary in their love story which gave it that dreamy/romantic edge. There's a lot of beautiful prose and I found the writing evocative and emotional but it also manages to be an easy read. It's just brilliant storytelling.

There are a lot of tough subjects broached, it's certainly not without its angst. But it never felt superfluous or overtly dramatic and was a genuinely engaging tale of love, family and identity. It's worth noting though, that if you are someone who might need content warnings, you should definitely check these out before reading. 

This was just a perfect story to lose myself in. The kind of story where I couldn't hide the reactions on my face as I read. A story that I miss now it's over.

I cannot wait for the next in the series. 


I received an ARC of this book and chose to leave a review.

[ButtonsMom2003 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd give this 10 stars if I could.

I’ve been a huge Anyta Sunday fan since I read my first book, Leo Loves Aries but a couple of her more recent stories just didn’t grab me the way that The Signs of Love series did – until this book. I loved absolutely everything about Fin and Ethan’s love story and couldn’t put it down once I started reading it.

Finley isn’t happy about his mom’s upcoming marriage and the fact that he has to move and change schools. He’s also not excited to be getting a step-brother, Ethan. Ethan’s dad discourages him from doing the things he enjoys. He wants to be an early childhood teacher. He likes playing dress up and games with his young neighbors and his father is not happy about that. His father is also not happy that he and Finley seem to be getting a little closer than he is really comfortable with.

The blurb already tells us that Finley is going to have a thing for Ethan but it really can’t convey the true depth of this story. In classic Anyta Sunday fashion this is a super slow-burn romance. Even when things heat up there’s still not a lot of hot sexy time and that was perfect for Fin and Ethan’s romance.

I’ve never read the classic book that this is based on so I have no idea how closely it parallels Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park but I wouldn’t care if it didn’t resemble that book at all. Anyta Sunday has written Finley and Ethan’s story with so much depth and angst and love that I just can’t say enough good things about it. I want to add that I’m not really in to “taboo” books but this didn’t feel like a taboo story to me. Finley and Ethan aren’t that young when they become family and nothing really happens between them until they are much older so the fact that they were step-brothers didn’t seem taboo to me at all.

The story spans quite a few years, beginning when Finley is about 14 and Ethan a bit older. They become friends and then Ethan goes away for a year. Knowing that Finley will make the same trip and stay in the same places the year after, Ethan leaves notes for Finley at each stop. This was so romantic to me. Unfortunately, other things happen and their great romance is stalled.

I wish I could write well enough to really convey how much I loved this book. The tears were flowing freely near the end which always mean that it’s a story that touched me deeply and that I loved it.

A copy of this book was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.

***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***

[Henna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly; Mansfield Park is the only Austen's book which I have not read yet nor seen any of the film adaptations. Therefore I cannot say much about how this fares as retelling/reimagination. Secondly, Finley Embraces Home and Heart is written very beautifully, the language is poetic at times and overall it is well written. However, it's written in first point of view and it's a stepbrothers romance, both of which aren't favourites of mine. If I'm not entirely incorrect, I have never read a stepsiblings romance before, because it's not my cup of tea. Sunday is one of my favourite authors and this series is something I love, so I took a chance and dived into this knowing that I might not love it as much as I love the other books in the series.

The story is very captivating - I had a hard time putting it down once I started. There's quite a lot of angst and will-they-won't-they back and forth, which became both addicting and frustrating. Finley's a nice main character, he's quite in touch with his emotions and adorably stubborn at times. Ethan's sweet and more reserved, and I connected less with him because he acted cowardly at times and I felt like he kept so much information from Finley.

What irked me most was Finley's mother. She's presented as a loving mother who thinks the world of Finley, but it does not come across. She kept making choices and not telling Finley in advance (big, important things such as them moving to Mansfield and her getting remarried) and she pressured Finley so many times when it came to their new family (like letting Tom have guardianship over Finley when Finley was uncomfortable about it). She never took Finley's side and never tried to understand how difficult it was for him. It made my blood boil, particularly when it was clear it was never going to be addressed and they all blamed Finley for being difficult. Anyway, I'm sorry for the rant, but it affected my reading experience and is part of why I only felt lukewarm about the story.

I loved that Bennet was included in the story, despite how shortly. I loved the glimpses of Elliot and Wentworth (I cannot wait for Persuasion retelling!) and the Dashwoods. All in all, Finley Embraces Heart and Home is not my favourite but it is beautifully written and quite addicting.

[Zofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really sure about the rating... Have some conflicting feelings about the book. This has VERY strong similarities to "Rock", which is one of my five star reads and stories that had truly stuck with me. And that is both a blessing and a curse for this book. Blessing, because like "Rock", it is emotional, heart breaking and unbelievably sweet and tender and the same time, set in the magical New Zealand's scenery and, typically for Anyta, well written, with palpable care for the English language, for the choice of words and the style (I'm not even a native speaker of English and I can still appreciate that).
At the same time, there was something uncomfortable about the read feeling like a retelling of the author's own book. It definitely didn't feel as fresh and original as "Rock" did. Maybe it would for someone who hadn't read the earlier book, I can't tell. Also, the whole "forbidden love" theme, which is the main axis of the book and the reason behind Fin's and Ethan's suffering over the years, feels a bit forced. Obviously, they were not brothers, not related and met in their adolescence. Tom's character might have suggested possible issues or homophobia, but in the end it was all resolved fairly easily and felt slightly anticlimatic.
Still, if we overlook the above for the sake of the story, it is a lovely book and a truly emotional read.

[The Porch · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 I absolutely love Jane Austen, which is both a plus and a minus when you are reading a retelling. This was one of the better ones of the Sunday series but something about her writing style in this series is difficult for me to fully connect to.

[Sanaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.

“We pick and choose memories to support the narrative we’re living in.”

This was just adorable and at this point it's not a secret that I love Anyta Sunday and her books. I haven't read Jane Austen's books before so I can't compare this to the novel.

Fin and Ethan were both likeable characters and I enjoyed them together. I liked the story and most of the characters. I do wish that the ending didn't feel so rushed though. I feel like the whole story was building up to it and then bam, the end. Aside from that, it was a very cute read. I loved the romance.

[Jacquie Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful reworking of Mansfield Park.
A slow burn as is usual with Anyta Sunday and full of angst. It actually hurt to read it in parts.
I kept promising myself one more chapter before I'd put it down and somehow had read 65% before I knew it.
Told exclusively from Finley's pov the story follows them over years. There are a couple of cameos but this could work as a standalone.
Contraversial opinion here, but I think I prefer this version of Mansfield Park

[UltraMeital · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was EVERYTHING. It was also quite frankly TORTURE. If you put social norms a side for a second (or a few hours at least ;)) it's one of the purest romances I've ever read. Fin and Ethan's love story was tender and heartfelt. It started when they were young, so very young, and though they tried their best to simply be what society - and mostly their parents - wanted them to be, at a certain point it hurt too much. Like with the previous ones this is another re-telling of Jane's Austen novels, this one being "Mansfield Park" (which I haven't read or seen before). Also, we only get one POV - Finely - and while Ethan's emotions were so very obvious I have a feeling being in HIS head would have been an even greater torture. Fin was always more true to who he is and what he wants, for Ethan it was different with what his father tried tough-loving him to be.

Finely Price's life crashed down (the second time) when at 15 his mother announces she is going to marry Tom Bertram. As he is still struggling with losing his father, moving into Tom's mansion - Mansfield - is too much too soon. Tom tries to include Finley, be friendly and accommodating but he won't have it. He wanted to hate Tom's son - Ethan - as well, but it simply wasn't possible. As Ethan puts it "You can always try to". They become fast friends. There is something so easy in communicating with each other. Ethan struggles a lot with his emotions, with what he wants or being expected to be (which isn't what his father has in mind) so simply BEING with Fin who says and expresses his feelings openly was liberating .

There IS something else under the surface, surely from Fin's side, and yet their connection and friendship has always stayed platonic. Loving, caring, yet still keeping a certain distance. Their first kiss is shared 2 years later, on Ethan's graduation party, right before he leaves for a year of traveling in Europe. This sweet and tender kiss should have lasted them the two years apart with a hope (not even a promise) things could be different later on.

But when they are finally home and maybe even ready to share what they have been feeling towards one another for years now, another family declaration makes theirs impossible. It doesn't help that now they are both adults, Tom expects them (mostly Ethan) to start taking care of themselves and build a financial future. Tom's eyes are RIGHT THERE and he doesn't like what he sees going on between them. specially when he witnesses something he shouldn't have - TWICE. Staying apart is difficult yet also spending time just the two of them - like they did in those first two years - with them being surrounded by friends. Fin's friends from high school - Maria and Rush - the couple who should have broken up YEARS ago and the twins Cress and Ford from London - who have their own motives to staying in they guys' orbit. We Also get a bit of Bennet Keene (Finley's first boyfriend as well as the MC from the previous one). All of them together made things ever MORE complicated and added more layers to the story. It was also nice seeing a slightly younger Bennet than the one we met in the previous installment.

When I say THE STRUGGLE WAS REAL I mean Ethan and Fin but I also mean ME! It was heart breaking reading of their feeling towards each other and how much they fought themselves and each other to have the little they allowed themselves. I was suffocating with tears half the book. Yes in society's eyes (and more so in Tom's eyes) they are considered brothers even if they never actually WERE ones to each other. There was something so innocent about the way they connected, what they shared, trying to keep them apart was a punishment they shouldn't have had to endure.

There were so many conversations that broke my heart. Between the two of them naturally, but also the more revealing ones with their friends as well as the more final ones with their parents. One short conversation between Fin and Tom literally BROKE me. I simply don't have any more words. This was one of the most tender, sweet and heart breaking story I've read in a LONG time. Maybe ever. I don't really know at the moment. I'm so happy I found a whole day to immerse myself in it, simply being in my "happy place" (granted, tearing up and choking on tears.. so maybe not the best word there..) what more could I possibly ask for?

Only for the next installment to come soon! (It's less than a month.. I'm be counting the days!).

ANOTHER MUST READ!

More Reviews HERE

[Sailor Neptuno · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ★

“I’m supposed to hate you, Ethan.”
His dimple pops. “I mean, you can always try to.”

After finishing this series I'm truly considering reading Jane Austen’s books. I’m sure that the people who’d read all those classics will have a different appreciation of this series.
This time the slow burn is even slower than in Bennet, Pride Before the Fall. So, if you’re not a fan of this trope you’d keep that in mind. Overall it was a cute installment, with lots of angst and some funny moments too (Mrs Norris’s vendetta against Finley was hilarious).



We could see a little bit of Finley and Ethan’s story through Bennet in Bennet, Pride Before the Fall. We follow all their journey since they met, in their teenage years, till their 20s. I like how Finley stood up for himself without pressuring to do the same Ethan when he wasn’t ready.
I’ve got to admit that sometimes I had a hard time connecting with Ethan. But then, in the parts when he didn’t hide his true self, I could see what Finley saw in him. Like that scene with Finley sitting in a tree to watch Ethan babysitting the neighbours and wearing a crown, it was lovely.




Two men in a difficult position. Slow burn. Acceptance. Found family. A lovely addition to this series.


*Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a free and honest review*

[Love Is All Around · Rating 4 out of 5]

RECENSIONE A CURA DI SLANIF
Questa nostra storia inizia quando Finley Price ha quindici anni e sua madre, Maata, gli comunica che sta per risposarsi con un certo Tom, dopo che suo padre è morto tre anni prima per un attacco di cuore. Lo informa, inoltre, che da quel momento in poi avrà un fratellastro, un tale Ethan Bertram. Dire che Finley non è entusiasta all’idea è un eufemismo, e ce la mette tutta per far sapere a Tom quanto lo detesta; così come vorrebbe fare con il figlio di questi, ma… Non ha fatto i conti con Ethan e la sua gentilezza, che lo costringono non solo a non odiarlo, ma persino a trovarlo simpatico e, col tempo, a volergli bene.
Più le settimane passano, più Finley scopre che Ethan è una persona dolce, genuina, attenta e affettuosa; tutto il contrario dell’idea che ha di Tom, che Finley è convinto lo odi solo per il fatto di essere gay dichiarato.
Quando, tuttavia, i sentimenti che Finley nutre per Ethan e quelli che Ethan nutre per Finley diventano molto diversi dalla semplice amicizia o dall’affetto fraterno, le cose finiscono solo per complicarsi.
Per la società e agli occhi di Maata e Tom, loro sono fratellastri. Come possono sperare di stare insieme? Nessuno li accetterà mai. È dunque inevitabile dover passare tutta la vita a desiderarsi da lontano senza mai poter avere la possibilità di afferrare quell’amore a piene mani?
Continua sul nostro blog!

[Eevebooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5⭐

Este es un libro que forma parte de la saga "Con amor, Austen" como el cuarto libro y que a su vez es un retelling enfocado en "Mansfield Park" de Jane Austen. Si os soy sincera no me había leído ese libro nunca y tampoco lo conocía de por sí, así que leer algo similar a esa historia por primera vez, y de la mano de una de mis autoras favoritas de la vida, ha sido todo un honor. Y es que aunque no es mi favorito de la saga, me ha encantado como todo lo que escribe siempre, pues tiene una forma tan delicada de transmitir las cosas que es imposible no conmoverte a cada capítulo.

La trama me ha gustado mucho y eso que yo por lo general no soy muy dada a leer el cliché de hermanastros que se enamoran, pero como digo siempre, incluso esos clichés con los que menos me identifico, la autora sabe ganarme y es algo que adoro de ella. Este diría que es el libro con más drama de la saga y aun así está hilado de una forma tan perfecta que no se te hace denso de leer, sino que disfrutas de cada página como si no llevases prácticamente nada leyendo. Me ha encantado los mensajes que deja y la visibilidad que se le da a muchos personajes, a sus sentimientos y a la forma en que se ve el amor desde un punto de vista más cercano.

Los personajes son otra maravilla más creada por Anyta Sunday y es que no me canso de repetir que lo mejor que tienen sus libros es precisamente la conexión que crea con ellos. Los diálogos son de diez, la forma en que se enamoran es magistral y el crecimiento personal que tienen cada uno de ellos para lograr sus propios objetivos es fascinante. No he podido parar de leer a cada momento libre que tenía y es que de no haber sido por el trabajo, me habría acabado el libro el mismo día que lo obtuve. El romance es precioso, es el más dramático de todos por la situación, pero no me canso de decir que esta mujer hace los mejores romances BL que existe en este universo.

La pluma de la autora me encanta y eso no va a cambiar sin importar el tiempo que pase. Es que su forma de transmitir las emociones, de hacer ver la dulzura de sus personajes y el crecimiento personal que tienen en cada página me fascina. No me canso nunca de leerla y de verdad os digo que siempre que acabo de leer un libro suyo siento la necesidad de que salga otro y otro más porque nunca son suficientes. Me lo he bebido como todos porque es una historia que se lee de una sentada y como siempre, adoro cómo plasma las historias con tanto cariño.

Ahora os hablaré un poco de los personajes principales.

Por un lado tenemos a Finley, uno de nuestros protagonistas masculinos. Él es un chico que siempre ha tenido una cosa muy clara en su vida y es que su madre es lo más importante del mundo. Es el amor de su vida y la única persona por la que daría lo que fuera con tal de verla feliz. Por eso cuando su madre rehace su vida con Tom, su nuevo padrastro, a Fin se le hace un mundo aceptarlo. Odia a ese hombre que ha aparecido en la vida de ambos para borrar la memoria de su difunto padre y se niega a la idea de que él consiga ocupar el lugar que él dejó al morir. Encima este tiene un hijo llamado Ethan, el cual quiere odiar y le es completamente imposible. Y es que Ethan es todo lo opuesto a Tom y a su vez es una persona demasiado amable y buena con él con quien siente una conexión inmediata aunque intente reprimirlo. Cada vez que le tiene cerca, cada vez que sus manos se rozan, algo se enciende en el ambiente y solo puede pensar en cómo será sentir los labios de ese chico sobre él. Pero a la vez sabe el error que eso sería, porque Ethan es su hermanastro, son familia, y Tom parece despreciar la sola idea de que su hijastro contagie a su hijo con su condición sexual. ¿Pero cómo frenas un sentimiento que no se puede detener por lo mucho que ha avanzado? ¿Se puede renunciar a alguien que sientes incluso cuando respiras? Lo único que tienen claro entre los dos es que, independientemente de lo que pase, deben frenar esos sentimientos antes de que la posibilidad de que se enamoren profundamente del otro acabe rompiendo a la familia que se ha estado formando entre todos.

Finley es un personaje que me ha sorprendido mucho, porque no me lo esperaba tan tenaz y con un carácter tan complejo. Me lo esperaba más tímido o incluso alguien taciturno por lo que había leído en el adelante del primer capítulo del libro anterior. Pero al contrario de ello, aunque sí que es verdad que es algo reservado y le cuesta abrirse a los demás, la conexión que se formaba entre Ethan y él lo hace abrirse muy rápido. Me ha dado mucha ternura ver cómo la historia pasaba de ser un romance sin más a convertirse en una complejidad mucho mayor. El qué dirán, los prejuicios que hay en el mundo y que te llevan a esconderte, el querer ver feliz a la otra persona aunque no sea contigo, el valor de la familia, el drama romántico de ver a la persona que amas con alguien más y alejándose cada vez más de ti... Y todo ello me ha tenido con el corazón en un puño. No mentiré al decir que han habido algunos capítulos que casi me hacen llorar, porque no me esperaba lo duro que iba a ser el camino para estos dos, ni tampoco me imaginaba la de cosas que escondía Fin por dentro. Verse a sí mismo en un entorno nuevo, con una familia nueva, y el miedo a perderse a sí mismo en el transcurso. Enamorarse de la persona equivocada y en el momento más equivocado, pero no poder evitarlo por todo lo que es capaz de despertarse en su interior cuando se trata de él. Sus sentimientos son una ola constante de emociones que me han conmovido y que a su vez me ha ayudado a comprender, una vez más, que uno no decide de quién se enamora, pero también que hay personas por las que vale la pena luchar hasta el final cuando encuentras la valentía y fuerza suficiente para hacerlo.

Por otro lado tenemos a Ethan, nuestro otro protagonista masculino. De él no os puedo hablar demasiado ya que lo que os cuente puede ser considerado spoiler porque no tiene punto de vista. Así que os contaré un poco sobre él y mi opinión general del personaje.

Ethan es un personaje que me ha dado ternura desde el minuto uno que lo leí colocándose la gorra para esconder sus expresiones del resto. Sabía que me iba a enternecer y que iba a sentir empatía por él en todo momento y no me equivocaba. También he querido abrazarle, sobre todo en esos momentos donde se veía la dificultad que él cargaba a sus espaldas al ser juzgado en cada paso de su camino. Era como ver a una persona que se refugiaba en una faceta falsa porque la original nadie parecía quererla. Por eso cuando llegó Fin, y él sí vio hermoso ese lado de Ethan que no mostraba a los demás por su constante rechazo, supe que me iba a enamorar de ese amor que se tenían. Me parece muy tierno que la autora refleje lo bonito que es cuando alguien te mira de verdad y encuentra en tu auténtica esencia esa belleza que nadie más ve. Su sueño me parecía una ternura y solo deseaba que pudiera alcanzarlo aunque el resto lo viesen raro o mal, porque en el mundo existía una persona aparte de él que lo veía posible y un sueño precioso. Sentía mucha rabia cuando le veía esconderse y ocultar lo que sentía todo el rato, porque al final cuando toda tu vida juzgan cada paso que das y te analizan al detalle, es inevitable que uno no se refugie en sí mismo para que no vean nada que pueda ser considerado un error. Sus sentimientos por Fin me parecían desgarradores, pero porque se notaba lo mucho que deseaba correr hacia él y cómo la sombra de su padre le frenaba, le hacía detenerse al tener miedo de ser juzgado una vez más por algo tan sencillo como amar a alguien.

En resumen, "Finley encuentra su verdadero hogar" es el cuarto libro de una saga que cada vez me está gustando más y cada vez consigue conquistarme el corazón como todos los libros de esta autora. Con este libro nos enfocamos en un retelling basado en "Mansfield Park" y me ha encantado, aunque no sea mi favorito de la saga sí que lo siento como una historia muy entretenida y buena para perderte durante horas como cada libro de Anyta Sunday. La trama diría que es la más dramática y visceral de todas por los temas que trata y la complejidad de enamorarte de la persona incorrecta. Me he pasado todo el libro con un nudo en la garganta porque hasta me paraba a preguntarme si era posible que existiera un final feliz entre los dos protagonistas cuando la situación era tan complicada y difícil de digerir. Hay muchísimos mensajes en este libro, como todos los de la autora, y le da mucha visibilidad al colectivo, que es algo que Anyta Sunday siempre da de peso en sus historias y me encanta, porque lo hace de una forma preciosa, llena de respeto y habiéndose documentado bien de todo para tratarlo con el mimo que se merece. Los personajes son otro plus como todo lo que escribe la autora y es que cada libro que leo de ella donde conozco a los personajes más cariño les tomo en todo momento. He querido abrazarles muy fuerte y recordarles que no están solos y que siempre van a tenerse el uno al otro sin importar lo que digan los demás. Me dolía porque el crecimiento que tienen es duro, es un viaje complicado donde vemos como dos personas que se aman con locura se niegan a estar juntas para no romper la familia que hay entre ellos y todo lo que han formado con el tiempo. Encima es más complicado cuando las inseguridades llegan a causa de terceras personas que se involucran entre los dos y amenazan con separarlos de forma irremediable sin importar nada más. El romance es precioso pero es el más dramático de toda la saga hasta ahora. Tiene mucha complejidad y no es sencillo, porque al final es un amor prohibido con todas las letras. La pluma de la autora es maravillosa y eso no va a cambiar sin importar el tiempo que pase. Cada libro que leo de ella más me conmueve y emociona por lo bien que describe siempre todo y lo mucho que capta las emociones de cada uno de sus personajes y los intensos escenarios que le rodean. He empatizado mucho con el sentimiento romántico que ha reflejado aquí y me ha recordado, una vez más, por qué la considero una de mis autoras favoritas de la vida.