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Stolen Moments #1-3

The Stolen Moments Trilogy: Carter & Emilia's Love Story

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A single kiss changes everything for two lifelong rivals in this best friend’s brother romance.


It was hate at first sight for Emilia and Carter. Neither remembers how their feud started — yet every day, their war intensifies.

Until one night. One unexpected kiss blurs the lines between love and hate, and their lives are forever changed.

The stakes have never been higher. Carter is Emilia’s best friend’s brother, after all.



Author's Note: The Stolen Moments Trilogy follows Emilia and Carter's epic love story through high school, college, and adulthood. This trilogy was previously named Mayhem, and the contents remain unchanged.

818 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2021

505 people are currently reading
476 people want to read

About the author

Catharina Maura

36 books16.7k followers
Catharina Maura is a USA Today and Amazon #1 bestselling author. She writes angsty, fast-paced contemporary romance novels that break your heart before they lead you to a hard-won happily ever after.

Cat lives in Hong Kong with her husband and a dozen houseplants that all have names. When she isn't daydreaming about future characters, she's exploring the world and seeking out new adventures.

You can find Cat's socials and latest updates here: https://hi.catharinamaura.com/bio

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5 stars
693 (66%)
4 stars
247 (23%)
3 stars
71 (6%)
2 stars
18 (1%)
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8 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
Profile Image for hugsandcookies.
990 reviews81 followers
March 19, 2025
4/5 ✨ worthy of second chances.

From beginning to end this book took me on a roller coaster of ups and downs with so much heartache that I wasn’t sure I was going to finish it. I love love the characters and this author doesn’t disappoint.

At one point, I just wanted the best for Carter and Emilia but loving each other in secret became heartbreaking, as their fallout resulted in Kate’s hatred towards Emilia by victim blaming her, the drugs, and the accusations she put on Emilia, her so-called best friend/Carter’s sister and her mum, yet all I kept hoping and wishing was don’t ever give up, but fight for your right to love each other. Sadly it didn’t happen and it took eight years and her sick dad to finally bring her back, and it’s why this book ended up being a trilogy.

I will miss Emilia and Clark ❤️
Profile Image for Books4Tammy.
227 reviews13 followers
June 23, 2023
This is actually the 2nd time I’ve read this series and loved it more the 2nd time around!

Wow! This book follows childhood friends through their teenage years, through college and finally adulthood.
Carter and Emilia are childhood friends who fall in love. Carter is the older brother to Emilia’s best friend Kate and Kate forbids Emilia from dating him. But through the years they cannot deny their love. They both lose their virginity to each other and their hearts but so much keeps them apart. Distance then College, Kate’s addiction issues, Emilia is blamed for tearing the family apart and she loses not only the love of her life but her best friend and mother figure.
She moves overseas to start a new life and try to mend her heart but after 8 years away, she has to come home to her ailing father. Unbeknownst to her, Carter has been taking care of him and she moves in with Carter and her dad. She realizes that she wasn’t alive for the last 8 years and just being near Carter again brings her back to life but she has a hard time forgiving his family for what they put her through.
This book had me crying and my heart breaking and I absolutely loved it. When an author can make your heart break with the writing then you know it’s epic!
196 reviews
December 27, 2022
Wow.. just wow.. I cannot even explain what this trilogy has put my through. My heart is so battered, bruised and broken. My emotions are all over the place and I’m an absolute mess. I cannot even think properly that’s the impact it has had on me.

If you want fun, laughter, jokes, comedy, friendship, family, love, angst, heartbreak, betrayal, sacrifice and so much more this set of books are for you.

I loved every single character and the part they played in the whole story. They are strong influential people who are beaten by life. There were also times I didn’t like some of them however you can’t help but understand why they are being unfair.

The themes that run through the story are so well written and realistic you can’t help but fall in love with Catharina, she has a very special skill.
521 reviews2 followers
January 22, 2021
Emilia and Carter met each other as little kids when she and her dad moved in next door. She and Kate, his sister, became best friends and she and Carter had a love hate relationship for years, pulling pranks on each other. But then, just before her 16th birthday, things began changing, suddenly the pranks have more meaning, becoming more of a means to be together than getting at each other. And Carter is doing his best to ruin her chances on dating. But will Kate's jealousy allow them to be together or will it tear them apart? But if it is meant to be nothing can keep you apart and a few years later at college the pull is too strong and they could not resist the attraction anymore. But the fall out when Kate found out about their relationship and the pressure it put on them was just too much and Emilia could not be the reason for his alienation from his family. So she made the heartbreaking decision to leave and they had to rebuild their lives, apart this time. Eight years later she came home to find her father very ill and actually living in Carter's house, being cared for by him. She could still feel the pull but she has her own life now, a career and a boyfriend waiting for her. Seeing each other again they quickly realized that they only existed while being apart and everyone around them could see it as well. But how will it be different this time, she still cannot make him choose between her and his family. This trilogy tells the story of their love and how even years apart cannot dim the love of true soulmates. It tells a story of heartbreak, courage and forgiveness and of all enduring love, full of such heartfelt emotions.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,297 reviews11 followers
January 12, 2021
Book 1
First time reading this author and I am thoroughly impressed. Absolutely, loved all the pranks the teenage angst, the fine line of crossing from enemies to friends to much more. This is truly a roller coaster ride with all the ups and downs of that feeling in high school where everything is detrimental to you and your life. The characters are spot on and the chemistry is rife with humor and passion. So looking forward to the the next book, eagerly awaiting the fate of Carter and Emilia.

Book 2
This one starts with both Carter and Emilia in college and this book puts you through all the emotions right along with the characters. I love a book, when you just can’t put it down, feeling your going to miss out on something. The book is aptly named as so much happens with these characters and the choices that have to be made. I don’t want to give away the ending but, it truly is heart wrenching to say the least and just how the final book can resolve all this turmoil where there was once love.

Book3
Wow, just wow. I am so thrilled that I was able to read this entire trilogy from start to finish and the characters (Carter and Emilia) were engaging and exciting throughout. The last book definitely keeps you enthralled with how their storyline will end, so much happens with these characters, you can’t help but want them to find their forever. So happy for the ending, Ms. Maura is a talented author who crafts a storyline with intriguing characters that grow over time, to keep you engaged and interested as the story progresses much like life.

I am voluntarily leaving a review for this book that I received free.
Profile Image for book.addict.nb.
172 reviews1 follower
September 6, 2021
I loved this trilogy! It had me wanting to through my phone with how heartbreaking everything that they were going through. Carter and Emilia have tried so many times to make everything work out for them but unfortunately something happens every time and they are tore apart and left with broken pieces that just never seem to fit back together again. If they truly want to be together they are going to have to fight for it and deal with a lot more of heartbreak to get back to where they always wanted to be.

I smile and grab the shampoo bottle, lathering my hair with the Nair-laced concoction. I leave it in for a couple of minutes for good measure. I’m not surprised when chunks of my hair fall out when I rinse the shampoo off. I bite back a smile and shake my head. She really did it, huh?

While I wanted to read about there happily ever after I also really didn’t want this story to end! I loved all the pranks they pulled on each other. This was a great book and I can’t wait to read more from Catharina Maura.
Profile Image for Sandra.
329 reviews4 followers
January 14, 2021
This is definitely described as mayhem. It's loaded with angst in all 3 books. Emilia is targeted by her friends brother Carter right from the beginning of their friendship. However there is an underlying reason for this. When feelings emerge this couple face an uphill battle due to a promise made to her BFF & from their families due to the stage they are all in their lives.

The story takes place over many years & its 10 years before they reunite again & is made up of 3 books. It's definitely a roller coaster ride for the reader & one that will turn your head in from time to time. Overall if you're a fan of angst, with ending drama, stretching from childhood into adulthood you'll enjoy this.

The author also has extra content that you can download after reading. 4.5*

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Alicia Andrews.
373 reviews4 followers
June 21, 2021
Now that I have read the whole Stolen Moments Trilogy by Catharina Maura and reviewed each book I will do a final review on the whole as one.

The Stolen Moments Trilogy was absolutely beautiful! It follows Emilia and Carter from children to adults. Shows everything they have had to deal with, the secrets, the heartbreak, the challenges, the love and loss. This was a beautiful story from book one until book three. This is a must read if you are looking for a series that will suck you in AND even tho its full of pain and loss it ends with a beautiful HEA. This Trilogy is a enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, forbidden romance, second chances mix between the three. They are quick reads but be sure you have plenty of time as you will not want to set them down!!!
220 reviews1 follower
February 27, 2023
Fantastic story, this might just be my favorite of all time❣

The story of Emilia and Carter was so un-perfect, so full of every emotion. Yeah, they got their HEA, but at what cost? They paid the ultimate price to love each other and the absolute heartbreak they feel is so palpable that I cried for them, I raged for them, and I was happy for them. This is one of the saddest books I've read, but it was also the most beautiful too! If you want to read an amazing love story and aren't afraid to cry, then this is what I would recommend! This book had so much feeling and the author did an amazing job conveying every single emotion. Now that I'm done reading it I feel so sad because I truly fell in love with Carter and Emilia❣❣❣🥰
22 reviews
April 3, 2022
First and strong love

Not very often do I review a book but this trilogy is outstanding, I laughed but mainly cried throughout the 3books while Carter and Emilia's relationship has its ups and downs. Young love always has its ups and downs but what Carter and Emilia are put through by his family , I am surprised anything can survive but first and strong love always finds a way. So happy nothing stopped these two from finding what they desired which was always each other.
If you love reading young love would definitely recommend this book and author who is new to me but will definitely be reading more.
Profile Image for elissalovesbooks.
64 reviews5 followers
May 4, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

“𝐵𝑎𝑏𝑦, 𝐼’𝑣𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝐼 𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝑒𝑦𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢.”

♡childhood frenemies to lovers
♡best friend’s brother
♡it’s always been you
♡angsty

I usually read standalones but this trilogy was absolute perfection with book 1 set in high school, book 2 in college, and book 3 in adulthood. Carter and Emilia start off as enemies with their epic prank wars but eventually turn into lovers. However, things just keep pulling them apart. When they finally get their hea, it is so worth it. Their story literally gave me 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑙𝑠. I had the biggest book hangover after reading this trilogy and I don’t think I’ll ever get over Carter and Emilia 💕
4,012 reviews35 followers
January 12, 2021
The book box set which includes all three stories in the Mayhem Trilogy is a good small town romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry. As a reader you will fall in love with Emilia and Carter in story one. Story two will have you in heartache and mourning their relationship. Story three will take you as the reader on a journey that will have you angry and then shouting for joy. The trilogy will captured ups and downs in a relationship.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for dyanna torres.
34 reviews
November 5, 2022
fell in love

Highly definitely recommend 100%!!!!
The love story has ups n downs. I fell in love with carter myself and it makes me wonder if this is how true love is…. Sigh….. i wish it wouldnt of taken as long but every page every word is worth it! I thinl i have read every book by this author and i will keep on reading her stuff since i love how she portrays everything. Absolutely no cheating or love triangles in neither of her books which i love!
Keep up the good work and i wish to read ur upcoming books as well!
148 reviews1 follower
December 7, 2022
Good read apart from book 3

I really enjoyed the first two books of this series, but book 3 was pretty dull. All Amelia does is cry, Carter continuously treats her like she is a broken doll and the whole story just dragged. The series probably could have ended at book 2 and I think book 3 was a waste. It was inevitable what was going to happen in the end. I do like this authors books but I could have saved some time when I got to book 3 and just skipped to the last two chapters.
Profile Image for Sarah Aulike.
132 reviews
January 11, 2023
Catharina knows how to do it

Honestly I’m at a loss for words


This authors writing style is perfection to me. She always has some sort of familial hardship going on that I can sadly relate to and the way love plays such a healing but also traumatizing role throughout the MCs storyline always gets me.

Carter and Emilia are my favorite people and I’m so thankful to have read this trilogy. How is it that each couple I read from Catharina becomes my new instant favorite couple?????
7 reviews
March 19, 2023
Gut-wrenching lines!

The whole series has a fantastic story with a seemless storyline, and this trilogy has the best gut-wrenching, ugly crying lines I've read so far. Get ready with a bunch of tissues while reading these. You won't be able to keep yourself from being touched by the words of love and heartaches that are sprinkled all throughout. At the end of it, I had a hard time finding another book to dive into again. I just had to re-read it all over again. This will go into my best book list forever.
Profile Image for Lia.
42 reviews
August 16, 2024
I love love!

I absolutely love all the books Catharina Maura writes. Her stories are always so full of love! I absolutely devoured every single book in the Stolen Moments trilogy. Literally devoured. I read the whole thing in one day. I appreciate a good hea but there were moments of doubt during the characters relationship that I didn’t know if they’d recover from. I was sobbing while reading these books and feeling every single emotion that the characters were feeling, it was intense and I loved it! 5/5 stars!
1,682 reviews8 followers
January 12, 2021
You will fall in love with Carter and Emilia in book one. Book two will have you mourning their relationship. Book three will take you on a journey that will have you angry one minute and shouting for joy the next. Catharina has beautifully captured the ups and downs in the relationship between Carter and Emilia and has provided an ending that won't soon be forgotten. I loved every second of this set.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Vinessa.
1,951 reviews23 followers
January 12, 2021
This collection tell the tale of two lovers who never knew.
They were acquainted by association.
They were rivals for attention
The hilarious and serious things they did to each other will forever be their love story how uncommon and unconventional it is. But it is their history that makes their tale so much better to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Elsie Pitt.
1,753 reviews13 followers
January 12, 2021
This set gripped me from the beginning. It was an emotional journey throughout. I was curious how these two were going to succumb to their feelings but it was a if they knew but just could not act on their emotions. I really enjoyed this trilogy and it will go on my to reread shelf. I am still not sure about this author but I will definitely be on the lookout for more from her.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Peggy Chan.
Author 97 books17 followers
November 11, 2022
Epic story of true love.

For Emilia and Carter, their path to the HEA was full of obstacles, not least some of their own over-thinking. I found their characters quite irksome at times, wondering if the author had overdone it. Too much introspection & unnecessary sacrifices on their part. However, it was a good story & I enjoyed most of it. Carter seems too good to be true but it's fiction after all.
428 reviews1 follower
December 23, 2022
Stolen Moments Trilogy

OMG the first book had me laughing with all the pranks and seeing them grow. Kate needs to get of her high horse. The Second book was full of happiness until the end when my heart broke with Emilia and Carter's heart all because of his family. But OMG the Third book was so heart breaking l cried most of the way through the book. This is a heart warming and an emotional roller coaster and Heart Breaking. If l could give this more than 5 stars l would
Profile Image for Rombookfanlove.
339 reviews16 followers
June 12, 2024
Book 1 and 2, I just absolutely loved their love. So sweet and hot and romantic. Heartbreaking at times too. Book 3 they were *killing me* in the best way. Yelling at them in my mind in the best way. Cried my eyeballs out in the best way. Absolutely loved this series so much, excellent romance. I loved the Off-Limits series and the Windsors a lot, I thought Dion was my favourite Catharina man, but I think I somehow love this trilogy and Carter even more!
Profile Image for Joanna Di.
193 reviews1 follower
September 18, 2024
This book was really cute despite me not liking smut and the cover being completely smutty lol.

I really liked the high school forbidden romance. It was just so cute seeing how they tiptoed around each other the entire time. And the whole best friend’s brother thing? Classic.

Kate irks my soul and is probably the reason why this wasn’t a five-star read. But it was just so easy and seamless and the smut wasn’t that smutty so my prude soul is happy.
3,009 reviews16 followers
January 12, 2021
Omg !!! a love so strong to last a lifetime...the meet/cute happened as children.. it was a love/hate kind of thing...pranks and more pranks... a love that could never happen... you'll cry and laugh...you'll love Carter and Emilia...loved it !!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
10.8k reviews125 followers
January 14, 2021
This is the 4th time I've read books written by Catharina Maura; she has done a great job at writing a good set of books; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

The story lines caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the characters.

I received a free copy of this boxset via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Deb.
7,554 reviews36 followers
January 21, 2021
4 1/2 stars
I enjoyed reading this box set based on two characters and their journey to being a couple. It was enjoyable and entertaining. I loved the scenes between them which were engaging. The author crafted believable chemistry as well.

I requested a copy of this book so I could provide an honest review.
Profile Image for Janine Booth.
76 reviews4 followers
June 1, 2022
loved these books so much

Think I’ve find a new author to add to my favourites. Wow this story was everything & more.
I couldn’t put it down but at the same time I didn’t want to rush it as I was incredibly invested in these two getting their happy ever after.

Had me feeling all the emotions 🥹
130 reviews
January 18, 2023
So many disappointments

Emilia and Carter have been in love for many years. Everyone seems to know it, but problems keep appearing that keep them apart. I loved the story, but there was too much repetition. It was hard to put down because there was always something or someone to enter their lives to keep cause them to separate.
326 reviews5 followers
July 15, 2024
I loved this trilogy, enjoyed every twist and turn of their romance. I would have loved to see Lisa and Mason mentioned in the last story or even a standalone of them and another of Kate and Asher because I don't believe thats how they ended.
I think I've read all of the books available from this author and the series are my favourites, seeing how all these lives are intertwined.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews

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