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Sinful Delights #2
Family Values
Identical twins, Jasper and Theodore, are closer than two brothers should be. In order to survive after being betrayed by their greedy father, they make a deal with the devil.
Abbadon Sterling, Boss of the Sterling Crime Family, is a man long thought incapable of mercy by even his closest associates. But, after the brutal murder of the only person he has ever loved, Abaddon knows family is everything.
He agrees to spare Jasper and Theodore's life in exchange for unquestionable loyalty to him, to his Family. The brothers, held prisoner in separate rooms, are further apart than they have ever been. Forced to entertain the man they sold themselves to, it's not long before they learn Abbadon's deepest secrets.
Love was never part of the agreement but when their captor proves to be more than he appears, there’s no fighting the inevitable.
Family Values, a 45k slow burn novel, features a bad guy who really isn’t all that bad once you overlook the murder and imprisonment, a pair of grumpy/sunshine twin brothers who kiss on the mouth, a piercing in a surprising but delightful place, public sex in a high risk area, found family and a dirty happy ever after.
Abbadon Sterling, Boss of the Sterling Crime Family, is a man long thought incapable of mercy by even his closest associates. But, after the brutal murder of the only person he has ever loved, Abaddon knows family is everything.
He agrees to spare Jasper and Theodore's life in exchange for unquestionable loyalty to him, to his Family. The brothers, held prisoner in separate rooms, are further apart than they have ever been. Forced to entertain the man they sold themselves to, it's not long before they learn Abbadon's deepest secrets.
Love was never part of the agreement but when their captor proves to be more than he appears, there’s no fighting the inevitable.
Family Values, a 45k slow burn novel, features a bad guy who really isn’t all that bad once you overlook the murder and imprisonment, a pair of grumpy/sunshine twin brothers who kiss on the mouth, a piercing in a surprising but delightful place, public sex in a high risk area, found family and a dirty happy ever after.
ebook
First published April 7, 2022
7 people are currently reading
410 people want to read
About the author
Odessa Hywell
29 books386 followersOdessa Hywell is a taboo MM romance author with a book addiction and coffee problem, who lives in the Southern United States with her husband, their teenage son, who mocks her for being short, and way too many animals.
Aside from writing and reading, she enjoys gardening, cooking, and playing video games.
Her favorite season is winter—hello, snow—but in the summer, she travels as much as possible.
Some of her favorite spots are The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, Dead Horse Point, Moab UT, Gatlinburg TN, Helen GA, Silverton CO, Roswell, NM—plus honestly, a lot more. The list is nearly endless.
A few places she plans to go in the future are New Orleans, LA and Salem, MA during spooky season, Smuggler's Notch, VT during autumn, the Colorado Mountains during the winter, New York City, Washington DC, a cruise to anywhere, on a hot air balloon ride, on a train trip down the California Coast . . .
In 2021, she decided because she is married to a twin it was best NOT to publish her books featuring twincest and other questionable themes under her married name as her husband would not approve.
—His loss, honestly.—
If you know who Odessa Hywell is, don’t be a snitch.
Like Benjamin Franklin said, “Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead.”
🚨 Social Media & Newsletter: https://linktr.ee/OdessaHywell
🎉 www.odessahywell.com/shop
➡︎ Signed paperbacks, artwork, and stickers can be purchased from my website.
➡︎ Direct Download eBooks can also be purchased from my website.
Aside from writing and reading, she enjoys gardening, cooking, and playing video games.
Her favorite season is winter—hello, snow—but in the summer, she travels as much as possible.
Some of her favorite spots are The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, Dead Horse Point, Moab UT, Gatlinburg TN, Helen GA, Silverton CO, Roswell, NM—plus honestly, a lot more. The list is nearly endless.
A few places she plans to go in the future are New Orleans, LA and Salem, MA during spooky season, Smuggler's Notch, VT during autumn, the Colorado Mountains during the winter, New York City, Washington DC, a cruise to anywhere, on a hot air balloon ride, on a train trip down the California Coast . . .
In 2021, she decided because she is married to a twin it was best NOT to publish her books featuring twincest and other questionable themes under her married name as her husband would not approve.
—His loss, honestly.—
If you know who Odessa Hywell is, don’t be a snitch.
Like Benjamin Franklin said, “Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead.”
🚨 Social Media & Newsletter: https://linktr.ee/OdessaHywell
🎉 www.odessahywell.com/shop
➡︎ Signed paperbacks, artwork, and stickers can be purchased from my website.
➡︎ Direct Download eBooks can also be purchased from my website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
April 8, 2023
Obsession has a new name for me. Fuck me sideways ... I am addicted to Odessa Hywell’s writing.
This book has such a nice balance of darkness, broken hearts, violence, and slutty, filthy sex.
For the first time in hours my cock is limp. I doubt I’ll get hard again tonight, maybe not even tomorrow. The twins drained me dry, but I have no regrets. 🥵
It's not insta-love or insta-lust, more of an insta-fascination for Abaddon Sterling. The twins are sneaking into his heart without him realizing it.
They’re good company. The more time I spend with them, the less painful the hole they opened in my heart the first time I witnessed their love becomes. I’m slowly growing accustomed to their presence, almost craving it. 😍
I enjoy this—watching Jasper and Theodore—as much as I enjoyed watching the others. It’s unfortunate I can’t join them—this time anyway. Still, I’m happy to sit and watch them touch, enjoy one another. It’s a rare gift, to love your brother like this and have him love you the same way. How lucky they are, to have this—each other. Do they even know? 🤩
It's a mob story, so naturally there's a bit of a bloody plot. Read the triggers before diving in, I like the author's foreword, that was a nice addition ( murder of people you won’t care about and who totally deserve it ). For me, it wasn't as gritty as I expected it to be. Not sure if I should be disappointed, but I still loved the story.
The story is a bit short and lacks romance, but I don't care. I'm even glad there's no annoying, cheesy epilogue.
This book has such a nice balance of darkness, broken hearts, violence, and slutty, filthy sex.
For the first time in hours my cock is limp. I doubt I’ll get hard again tonight, maybe not even tomorrow. The twins drained me dry, but I have no regrets. 🥵
It's not insta-love or insta-lust, more of an insta-fascination for Abaddon Sterling. The twins are sneaking into his heart without him realizing it.
They’re good company. The more time I spend with them, the less painful the hole they opened in my heart the first time I witnessed their love becomes. I’m slowly growing accustomed to their presence, almost craving it. 😍
I enjoy this—watching Jasper and Theodore—as much as I enjoyed watching the others. It’s unfortunate I can’t join them—this time anyway. Still, I’m happy to sit and watch them touch, enjoy one another. It’s a rare gift, to love your brother like this and have him love you the same way. How lucky they are, to have this—each other. Do they even know? 🤩
It's a mob story, so naturally there's a bit of a bloody plot. Read the triggers before diving in, I like the author's foreword, that was a nice addition ( murder of people you won’t care about and who totally deserve it ). For me, it wasn't as gritty as I expected it to be. Not sure if I should be disappointed, but I still loved the story.
The story is a bit short and lacks romance, but I don't care. I'm even glad there's no annoying, cheesy epilogue.
March 30, 2022
*** I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this story***
**3.5/5**
Family Values is a slow burn MMM romance between a "dangerous" leader of a mob family and two twin brothers who decide to bargain for their freedom due to their own father's betrayal. This bargain consists of navigating a complicated situation and performing acts that are both dangerous and questionable.
The end result is an unexpected love story that is a slow burn and reveals the true depths of all three individuals. I really enjoyed this story and how it shows how powerful familial devotion is willing to go.
**3.5/5**
Family Values is a slow burn MMM romance between a "dangerous" leader of a mob family and two twin brothers who decide to bargain for their freedom due to their own father's betrayal. This bargain consists of navigating a complicated situation and performing acts that are both dangerous and questionable.
The end result is an unexpected love story that is a slow burn and reveals the true depths of all three individuals. I really enjoyed this story and how it shows how powerful familial devotion is willing to go.
January 20, 2024
I don't know the right way to say this, but despite the Boss of a crime family murdering other criminals, blowing the heads off the twins parents, faux-imprisoning the twins, twincest, a twin becoming an Enforcer and learning that shooting someone's head off at close range is messy for his clothing, and the other MC knifing his twin to death as a teen, this was too light or fluffy for me?? 😅
Always enjoy Odessa Hywell's books, but this series isn't my favorite so far. MMM, twincest, organized crime, fluffy vibes for so-called heavy topics.
Filing under: cutesy murderers find love via twincest
Some fun highlights and one complaint:
• There’s a rumor he murdered one of his lovers for coming before him. Just one of the many crazy things whispered about him by Family members brave enough to talk about him at all.
• I glance at my own food and my stomach rolls. Nothing is inherently wrong with it. But the eggs I can’t pry free are touching the pancakes and bacon. Food shouldn’t touch.
• “You’re so sexy when you come for me, Theo,” I whisper in his ear, my eyes on Abaddon as I kiss my twin brother’s cheek.
• Thus far, he’s taken over two dozen—maybe three. They’re piling up in his room—on the bedside table, the dresser, even stacked beside his bed with Post-it notes as page markers. It’s a small treasure hoard, like a dragon might possess—only less shiny.
• “If you keep looking for reasons why you don’t belong with us you’re always going to find them.” Anyone can find problems where none exist, if they look hard enough.
• “If we’re going to have sex again I have a confession to make,” Theodore whispers against my mouth as he fists the front of my button-up. “Okay.” I arch a brow but sit in Jasper’s empty chair so I can listen. He pulls me forward, his lips at my ear. “I like being fucked in public places. The riskier the better.”
• “Books and boning? I think I’m in love.”
• The last thing I want to do is pull out but I have no choice—we’re probably about to be ejected from his favorite bookstore. And since I definitely want to bang him in the romance section at some point, we need to make a break for it—now.
• From his picture, he honestly looks like a guy who pays for sex, which . . . no shade against sex workers—sex work is real work—but he just looks like a man who only has sex when he pays. I almost feel bad for him when they cue up another clip. (This is the second mention of someone looking like they pay for sex, and I'm not a fan.)
Always enjoy Odessa Hywell's books, but this series isn't my favorite so far. MMM, twincest, organized crime, fluffy vibes for so-called heavy topics.
Filing under: cutesy murderers find love via twincest
Some fun highlights and one complaint:
• There’s a rumor he murdered one of his lovers for coming before him. Just one of the many crazy things whispered about him by Family members brave enough to talk about him at all.
• I glance at my own food and my stomach rolls. Nothing is inherently wrong with it. But the eggs I can’t pry free are touching the pancakes and bacon. Food shouldn’t touch.
• “You’re so sexy when you come for me, Theo,” I whisper in his ear, my eyes on Abaddon as I kiss my twin brother’s cheek.
• Thus far, he’s taken over two dozen—maybe three. They’re piling up in his room—on the bedside table, the dresser, even stacked beside his bed with Post-it notes as page markers. It’s a small treasure hoard, like a dragon might possess—only less shiny.
• “If you keep looking for reasons why you don’t belong with us you’re always going to find them.” Anyone can find problems where none exist, if they look hard enough.
• “If we’re going to have sex again I have a confession to make,” Theodore whispers against my mouth as he fists the front of my button-up. “Okay.” I arch a brow but sit in Jasper’s empty chair so I can listen. He pulls me forward, his lips at my ear. “I like being fucked in public places. The riskier the better.”
• “Books and boning? I think I’m in love.”
• The last thing I want to do is pull out but I have no choice—we’re probably about to be ejected from his favorite bookstore. And since I definitely want to bang him in the romance section at some point, we need to make a break for it—now.
• From his picture, he honestly looks like a guy who pays for sex, which . . . no shade against sex workers—sex work is real work—but he just looks like a man who only has sex when he pays. I almost feel bad for him when they cue up another clip. (This is the second mention of someone looking like they pay for sex, and I'm not a fan.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2022
2.9 ⭐️
I am not really a fan of the whole bad guy kidnapping storyline and it wasn’t catchy that got me hooked or anything but this is twincest so let’s talk more about that. This story is mostly told from three POVs, the twins and Abaddon (the kidnapper who has a kink for twins and brothers). I didn’t expect this to be MMM so I was too focused on the twincest which brought me to disliking Abaddon’s POV as it also focused too much of him and his love/sex life. But I get why it was there (for the twins to hook up with him) I just feel like I don’t need Abaddon’s story. I needed the twins love story more :/
As for the twins, there was no pining between brothers (i know lots of my friends love that). They loved each other already. Grew up together never knowing their limits of loving each other as brothers supposed to. Crossed a lot of lines and in love with each other. It wasn’t told in depth but it was there and it was okay. And there’s not much sex between just the two of them, if you’re really looking forward to that, you’d be disappointed.
Like I said the storyline wasn’t interesting because it was just above the surface and most of this was purely based on the plot, so it was quite meh for me - made me skimmed a lot. I like how different the trope of this book is than my usual for this kind of book, but it was just not my cuppa. I also like how the author manage to differentiate their personalities (that’s quite important factor of me loving the book) despite them being identical. I have to give credits for tattoos and piercings cause its my weakness LOL.
With that being said, I liked a little part of this and other not so much. I tried this author’s taboo books before if i’m not mistaken another twincest and i hated it but i guess this is an improvement. still have to get into other books in the series to be sure.
I am not really a fan of the whole bad guy kidnapping storyline and it wasn’t catchy that got me hooked or anything but this is twincest so let’s talk more about that. This story is mostly told from three POVs, the twins and Abaddon (the kidnapper who has a kink for twins and brothers). I didn’t expect this to be MMM so I was too focused on the twincest which brought me to disliking Abaddon’s POV as it also focused too much of him and his love/sex life. But I get why it was there (for the twins to hook up with him) I just feel like I don’t need Abaddon’s story. I needed the twins love story more :/
As for the twins, there was no pining between brothers (i know lots of my friends love that). They loved each other already. Grew up together never knowing their limits of loving each other as brothers supposed to. Crossed a lot of lines and in love with each other. It wasn’t told in depth but it was there and it was okay. And there’s not much sex between just the two of them, if you’re really looking forward to that, you’d be disappointed.
Like I said the storyline wasn’t interesting because it was just above the surface and most of this was purely based on the plot, so it was quite meh for me - made me skimmed a lot. I like how different the trope of this book is than my usual for this kind of book, but it was just not my cuppa. I also like how the author manage to differentiate their personalities (that’s quite important factor of me loving the book) despite them being identical. I have to give credits for tattoos and piercings cause its my weakness LOL.
With that being said, I liked a little part of this and other not so much. I tried this author’s taboo books before if i’m not mistaken another twincest and i hated it but i guess this is an improvement. still have to get into other books in the series to be sure.
June 14, 2024
4.25 - why the fuck didn't I continue with this series?? - ⭐
Wow.
Ok, this was amazing. Just amazing. My first MMM book.
The goodies from this sinfully hot book are;
🔴 Twincest
🟢 Throuple / MMM
🌶️ Fantastic spice
🔵 Enthusiastic consent
🟠 Age gap - 17 years
🟣 Older MMC is exclusive top, twins are vers
🟡 Involuntary to voluntary captives
Man, this book was so hot. Where do I even begin?
Abaddon Sterling is a 38 - year old head of the Sterling family, the wealthiest of the 3 mob families in town. He's gay, single, alone, ruthless and powerful, yet he's alone and lonely most of the time, in essence a good guy who's had the weight of his Family on him since he was a kid.
This was my Abby.
The 21 - year old twins Jasper and Theo have landed in Abby's lap since he's had to kill off their parents for stealing and the twins have given their lives to Abby in order to stay alive.
They're captives in his house, he's got them separated and takes time to get to know them both and tests out their loyalty.
When the twins do prove their loyalty, they're free to go, but as it turns out, they actually want to stay , because the three of them got entangled in a throuple and got very, very intimate in the process , discovering things about Abby's past and his neverending desire to be a part of the twin bond he once shared with his late brother.
What really struck me in this book was the depth of the story being told.
Up until 50% we're reading about all the important and subtle details of Abby and the twins Jasper and Theo's developing relationship.
These two were my Jasper and Theo.
🌶️ The story gets steamy AF at about 60%, when they start having sex together.
Needless to say, the spice is amazing. The sex scenes are descriptive and involve all three of them equally throughout the book, the kissing is detailed and always present.
The aftercare with winding down (the scene I've been really hoping for) is at the end of the book, when they happily hold each other on the floor, dirty and satisfied, but that comfort is very present.
I was afraid Abby won't get much time with Jasper, since it was clear Theo would be more his type, since he's very submissive and pliant, but I was really happy to find out Abby gets a lot of time with Jasper and their time together is superb, I loved it.
Jasper never bottomed for anyone other than Theo and never relaxed during sex as much as he did with Abby and it was nice seeing both twins ease up and trust Abby , who's not called daddy in the book, but he absofuckinglutely is, he puts the D in daddy, this is the guy.
There was one thing I was missing in this wonderful book and that was the comforting domestic life of the three. That cherry on top would be for the author to include more scenes of them sleeping together, waking up together, cuddling, maybe even more on-page spice when they started out.
I don't know why, but I feel like that final push was missing for me. A little bit something more to really feel they're a done deal, here to stay, that it's final.
Maybe I needed that from Abby, because I feel Abby still didn't move past the sex-craze and into the deeper feelings , although they've all expressed their love for each other, but I feel like Abby isn't quite there yet, he doesn't dare to give in.
I read the bonus scene, it was amazing, but again I feel like Abby is always somewhere standing by and not in the center of it all, which should be the case.
I think we'll need another epilogue here. A longer addition to this book, where they have amazing life together, all of them completely in love and here to stay, because after reading this book I don't have that feeling yet.
Wow.
Ok, this was amazing. Just amazing. My first MMM book.
The goodies from this sinfully hot book are;
🔴 Twincest
🟢 Throuple / MMM
🌶️ Fantastic spice
🔵 Enthusiastic consent
🟠 Age gap - 17 years
🟣 Older MMC is exclusive top, twins are vers
🟡 Involuntary to voluntary captives
Man, this book was so hot. Where do I even begin?
Abaddon Sterling is a 38 - year old head of the Sterling family, the wealthiest of the 3 mob families in town. He's gay, single, alone, ruthless and powerful, yet he's alone and lonely most of the time, in essence a good guy who's had the weight of his Family on him since he was a kid.
This was my Abby.
The 21 - year old twins Jasper and Theo have landed in Abby's lap since he's had to kill off their parents for stealing and the twins have given their lives to Abby in order to stay alive.
They're captives in his house, he's got them separated and takes time to get to know them both and tests out their loyalty.
When the twins do prove their loyalty, they're free to go, but as it turns out, they actually want to stay , because the three of them got entangled in a throuple and got very, very intimate in the process , discovering things about Abby's past and his neverending desire to be a part of the twin bond he once shared with his late brother.
What really struck me in this book was the depth of the story being told.
Up until 50% we're reading about all the important and subtle details of Abby and the twins Jasper and Theo's developing relationship.
These two were my Jasper and Theo.
🌶️ The story gets steamy AF at about 60%, when they start having sex together.
Needless to say, the spice is amazing. The sex scenes are descriptive and involve all three of them equally throughout the book, the kissing is detailed and always present.
The aftercare with winding down (the scene I've been really hoping for) is at the end of the book, when they happily hold each other on the floor, dirty and satisfied, but that comfort is very present.
I was afraid Abby won't get much time with Jasper, since it was clear Theo would be more his type, since he's very submissive and pliant, but I was really happy to find out Abby gets a lot of time with Jasper and their time together is superb, I loved it.
Jasper never bottomed for anyone other than Theo and never relaxed during sex as much as he did with Abby and it was nice seeing both twins ease up and trust Abby , who's not called daddy in the book, but he absofuckinglutely is, he puts the D in daddy, this is the guy.
There was one thing I was missing in this wonderful book and that was the comforting domestic life of the three. That cherry on top would be for the author to include more scenes of them sleeping together, waking up together, cuddling, maybe even more on-page spice when they started out.
I don't know why, but I feel like that final push was missing for me. A little bit something more to really feel they're a done deal, here to stay, that it's final.
Maybe I needed that from Abby, because I feel Abby still didn't move past the sex-craze and into the deeper feelings , although they've all expressed their love for each other, but I feel like Abby isn't quite there yet, he doesn't dare to give in.
I read the bonus scene, it was amazing, but again I feel like Abby is always somewhere standing by and not in the center of it all, which should be the case.
I think we'll need another epilogue here. A longer addition to this book, where they have amazing life together, all of them completely in love and here to stay, because after reading this book I don't have that feeling yet.
March 25, 2022
4/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
I've been eagerly awaiting Family Values since I read Always, Oskar. And while this book was much slower paced, in my opinion, it didn't lack anything. The overarching plotline of the series was still present and it actually seemed to be fleshed out a little more in this book. I'm hoping we get an opportunity for all of the Families to get together at some point. And if I don't get to see Theo and Oskar together I might cry.
Abaddon had such a sad backstory, but I really appreciated how thought out it was. His history with Gabriel was so important and their relationship made me laugh. And I loved how both Theo and Jasper, despite being twins and looking exactly the same, were their own people. And the three men together? They fit like puzzle pieces being slotted together in just the right way. The relationship - together and apart - was beautiful. I always love in my MMM stories where everyone is an equal. Odessa Hywell gave me that and I'm so happy she did!
This was a quick read that still had all the spice. It took longer than I thought for the smutty scenes to play out but when they did: whew. Hywell can write dirty SO GOOD. Make sure to have some cold water handy. You might need it.
3/5 🌶
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
I've been eagerly awaiting Family Values since I read Always, Oskar. And while this book was much slower paced, in my opinion, it didn't lack anything. The overarching plotline of the series was still present and it actually seemed to be fleshed out a little more in this book. I'm hoping we get an opportunity for all of the Families to get together at some point. And if I don't get to see Theo and Oskar together I might cry.
Abaddon had such a sad backstory, but I really appreciated how thought out it was. His history with Gabriel was so important and their relationship made me laugh. And I loved how both Theo and Jasper, despite being twins and looking exactly the same, were their own people. And the three men together? They fit like puzzle pieces being slotted together in just the right way. The relationship - together and apart - was beautiful. I always love in my MMM stories where everyone is an equal. Odessa Hywell gave me that and I'm so happy she did!
This was a quick read that still had all the spice. It took longer than I thought for the smutty scenes to play out but when they did: whew. Hywell can write dirty SO GOOD. Make sure to have some cold water handy. You might need it.
April 10, 2022
3.5/5.
Content Warnings for book: Incest, brief mention of parricide, fratricide, grief, sex trafficking of a minor (off page), murder, gun violence, discussion of cannibalism, brief but explicit description of underage sex
Kink: Light unnegotiated D/s, exhibitionism, public sex, group sex, switching
Family Values is the second book in the Sinful Desires incest mafia series, that weaves the story between twin brothers Theodore and Jasper, and the Sterling family head Abaddon. This is mostly, a story about the bond twins share, and how to find happiness while processing grief.
Theodore and Jasper are already twins who have been lovers - one of them is not whole without the other. Throughout this story we are shown time and time again how Jasper, the one who is seen as braver and better built for a life in the Family, feels he is the weaker out of the two of them. This is because Theo is his spot of goodness, his sunshine amongst all the dark he ultimately comes to cope with. Theo isn't built for this world of bloodshed and death, but it is not so simple that he could just walk away from it. Instead, we come to see how both Jasper and Abaddon protect him by shouldering the painful parts of their business, while his own job is to love. To give love fully, and to hold them and caress the wounds that still remain. He is honestly my favorite character.
Throughout the book we see the hurt and grief Abaddon holds, and how the twins help him process through it. While the past cannot ever be undone, new perspectives can be shed over it, and through the twins Abaddon is able to learn that you can love once again, and it doesn't undo the love you held for someone else before. I find a lot of books Hywell writes tend to touch on deeper topics beyond the relationship she is conveying, and I think this is done here too within the pages of this book. Grief and love are sometimes so difficult to put to words and understand, but these three find their way together.
The course of their relationship is slow... and unfortunately for me, there was no burn. There is no tension that pulls them together as a trio - Jasper and Theo had plenty to want to stay together, but the same couldn't really be said for Abaddon with the two, individually or as a pair. Perhaps this was on purpose, but Abaddon was very closed off and hard for me to connect with as a reader, even in his own POV chapters. Jasper and Theo were a lot easier for me to see as full, well-rounded characters, though I believe that is aided in the fact that they are character foils to one another. There is no tension, so when they do get together, it feels rather anticlimatic because nothing was released. It just was.
There is a scene later in the book where it touches on how Abaddon was holding back from the twins, but did anything really change between him and the twins on page? It's hard to say, though I did appreciate the clarity when it is noted that the pairs - Abaddon and Theo, Theo and Jasper, Abaddon and Jasper - all needed to have special time together too. How polyamory triads do not have to be all three of them together, always. Another issue that comes up, is because of this slowburn, it feels like the sex scenes are packed in for the later 40% and are more checklist - one with Theo and Jasper, one with Jasper and Abaddon, one with Theo and Abaddon, a couple with the trio. I feel a few of them could've been cut and it wouldn't have really changed anything, and while that's fine to have sex just for sex, it did just make the narrative feel disjointed.
A lot of page time was dedicated to Abaddon's grief. I don't want to spoil so I won't go too in depth, but while I think this was important for the character growth and the journey for Abaddon - I do fear the page time given to all of that, throwing in time skips and this sort of overall 'stillness' in the book, it caused the romance to suffer. I didn't really feel excited for these three to finally get together, and my emotional responses were more just on the aspects of Abaddon's internal pain than anything to do with his connection to Theo and Jasper.
The mafia content in this book was also expanded upon from Always Oskar, which made sense considering who the characters were and their roles in the Family. I am seeing the plot thread that will tie this series together, and I am definitely interested to see how much more it will be expanded on in the final book with its own grand finale.
Writing wise, I do always love Hywell's writing. The sex scenes were hot, the prose was there, though I felt there were more choppy sentences than usual in her work. Sometimes I felt things were unnecessarily repeated or too many filler words in a sentence marked by commas. I suppose I just wanted the writing to be a bit snappier and not bogged down.
Overall, this was a good read, but some aspects just didn't work for me.
**I was given an ARC in exchange for my written review.**
Content Warnings for book: Incest, brief mention of parricide, fratricide, grief, sex trafficking of a minor (off page), murder, gun violence, discussion of cannibalism, brief but explicit description of underage sex
Kink: Light unnegotiated D/s, exhibitionism, public sex, group sex, switching
"They're night and day, the shore and the ocean. But just like every night meets dawn and every day meets dusk, and the ocean kisses the sand beach at high tide, they . . . go together. You can't have one without the other. They are one half of a complete whole. And I want them both in equal measure."
Family Values is the second book in the Sinful Desires incest mafia series, that weaves the story between twin brothers Theodore and Jasper, and the Sterling family head Abaddon. This is mostly, a story about the bond twins share, and how to find happiness while processing grief.
Theodore and Jasper are already twins who have been lovers - one of them is not whole without the other. Throughout this story we are shown time and time again how Jasper, the one who is seen as braver and better built for a life in the Family, feels he is the weaker out of the two of them. This is because Theo is his spot of goodness, his sunshine amongst all the dark he ultimately comes to cope with. Theo isn't built for this world of bloodshed and death, but it is not so simple that he could just walk away from it. Instead, we come to see how both Jasper and Abaddon protect him by shouldering the painful parts of their business, while his own job is to love. To give love fully, and to hold them and caress the wounds that still remain. He is honestly my favorite character.
Throughout the book we see the hurt and grief Abaddon holds, and how the twins help him process through it. While the past cannot ever be undone, new perspectives can be shed over it, and through the twins Abaddon is able to learn that you can love once again, and it doesn't undo the love you held for someone else before. I find a lot of books Hywell writes tend to touch on deeper topics beyond the relationship she is conveying, and I think this is done here too within the pages of this book. Grief and love are sometimes so difficult to put to words and understand, but these three find their way together.
The course of their relationship is slow... and unfortunately for me, there was no burn. There is no tension that pulls them together as a trio - Jasper and Theo had plenty to want to stay together, but the same couldn't really be said for Abaddon with the two, individually or as a pair. Perhaps this was on purpose, but Abaddon was very closed off and hard for me to connect with as a reader, even in his own POV chapters. Jasper and Theo were a lot easier for me to see as full, well-rounded characters, though I believe that is aided in the fact that they are character foils to one another. There is no tension, so when they do get together, it feels rather anticlimatic because nothing was released. It just was.
There is a scene later in the book where it touches on how Abaddon was holding back from the twins, but did anything really change between him and the twins on page? It's hard to say, though I did appreciate the clarity when it is noted that the pairs - Abaddon and Theo, Theo and Jasper, Abaddon and Jasper - all needed to have special time together too. How polyamory triads do not have to be all three of them together, always. Another issue that comes up, is because of this slowburn, it feels like the sex scenes are packed in for the later 40% and are more checklist - one with Theo and Jasper, one with Jasper and Abaddon, one with Theo and Abaddon, a couple with the trio. I feel a few of them could've been cut and it wouldn't have really changed anything, and while that's fine to have sex just for sex, it did just make the narrative feel disjointed.
A lot of page time was dedicated to Abaddon's grief. I don't want to spoil so I won't go too in depth, but while I think this was important for the character growth and the journey for Abaddon - I do fear the page time given to all of that, throwing in time skips and this sort of overall 'stillness' in the book, it caused the romance to suffer. I didn't really feel excited for these three to finally get together, and my emotional responses were more just on the aspects of Abaddon's internal pain than anything to do with his connection to Theo and Jasper.
The mafia content in this book was also expanded upon from Always Oskar, which made sense considering who the characters were and their roles in the Family. I am seeing the plot thread that will tie this series together, and I am definitely interested to see how much more it will be expanded on in the final book with its own grand finale.
Writing wise, I do always love Hywell's writing. The sex scenes were hot, the prose was there, though I felt there were more choppy sentences than usual in her work. Sometimes I felt things were unnecessarily repeated or too many filler words in a sentence marked by commas. I suppose I just wanted the writing to be a bit snappier and not bogged down.
Overall, this was a good read, but some aspects just didn't work for me.
**I was given an ARC in exchange for my written review.**
March 27, 2022
Overall, this was an alright read.
Jasper and Theo:
Individually (lol), I liked Jasper and Theo. Different, but they had a clear bond. Despite the fact that it’s twincest, I didn’t ever really feel any of the taboo energy (like I did in Always Oskar), because they’re already very established together. Bummer. That forbidden feel is what I like about taboo books - and I know Hywell can do it, given Always Oskar and Twisted Together!
Abbadon:
I had a lot of trouble getting a feel and connecting to Abbadon. He had the most chemistry and fire interacting with Gabriel. Even his alleged grief and coldness over his past Trauma Thing (spoilers ok) I just didn’t feel. He was a bit of a nonentity.
General thoughts:
This was more of a slowburn, without any burn. The lack of tension made it…anticlimactic? when they all got together. I did like that once they were together, it felt pretty even within the relationship dynamic.
I had some trouble telling the POVs apart - we have first person POV for all three characters, and they ended up blurring together for me.
The captor/captive dynamic was much more….unfriendly hotel than forcible separation, which is what I’d expected/hoped for.
The writing was generally fine, it was just missing a spark. Like I said earlier, I know Hywell can write extremely well, so it was a bummer this one just didn’t quite have that magic.
Intrigued by the next book though!
I received this ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review. All the opinions are my own.
Jasper and Theo:
Individually (lol), I liked Jasper and Theo. Different, but they had a clear bond. Despite the fact that it’s twincest, I didn’t ever really feel any of the taboo energy (like I did in Always Oskar), because they’re already very established together. Bummer. That forbidden feel is what I like about taboo books - and I know Hywell can do it, given Always Oskar and Twisted Together!
Abbadon:
I had a lot of trouble getting a feel and connecting to Abbadon. He had the most chemistry and fire interacting with Gabriel. Even his alleged grief and coldness over his past Trauma Thing (spoilers ok) I just didn’t feel. He was a bit of a nonentity.
General thoughts:
This was more of a slowburn, without any burn. The lack of tension made it…anticlimactic? when they all got together. I did like that once they were together, it felt pretty even within the relationship dynamic.
I had some trouble telling the POVs apart - we have first person POV for all three characters, and they ended up blurring together for me.
The captor/captive dynamic was much more….unfriendly hotel than forcible separation, which is what I’d expected/hoped for.
The writing was generally fine, it was just missing a spark. Like I said earlier, I know Hywell can write extremely well, so it was a bummer this one just didn’t quite have that magic.
Intrigued by the next book though!
I received this ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review. All the opinions are my own.
August 10, 2023
Uhh well..I had high hopes for this,because I actually enjoyed the first few chapters but after that it es just …not for me 🤷🏻♀️.
I wasn’t able to connect with the characters and the story was just boring. If this book had more pages I would have probably DNFed it :/
but shout out for the tattoos and piercings (I’m just a sucker for them😩✊🏻)
2,5⭐️
I wasn’t able to connect with the characters and the story was just boring. If this book had more pages I would have probably DNFed it :/
but shout out for the tattoos and piercings (I’m just a sucker for them😩✊🏻)
2,5⭐️
April 5, 2022
I really wanted to like this MMM twincest story, because I've heard a lot of good things from this author. But in the end, the things I thought I would like (the captor/captive trope, the taboo, the mafia setting) all fell flat to me. A part of it might be a me thing, because there were still a lot of things to like about this book. The writing style is great, the sex scenes are really hot, and I liked that both twins were distinct characters and both their relationships with Abbadon developed on their own and had its own dynamics. I liked that there wasn’t any jealousy in the twins relationship and they both felt very secure in their attachment to one another.
That said, I was disappointed that the taboo relationship was already established. This book didn’t feel very taboo to me, in a way? I guess it could be nice to read a twincest book without the angst and the shame, but I still wanted a little forbidden vibe or at least more tension, and I didn’t feel any here. Not enough tension between the brothers, but also not enough tension between them and Abbadon, who was supposed to be their captor, but ended up being a great, nice host (don’t expect Stockholm-like vibes here). I wanted more from this story but I ended up being a little bored.
I still look forward to trying more from this author. I don't know if I'm ready yet for intergenerational and Always Oskar, but I'm very curious about Twisted Together. (Edited to add: I did end up reading Twisted Together and I LOVED it!)
I received a free copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.
That said, I was disappointed that the taboo relationship was already established. This book didn’t feel very taboo to me, in a way? I guess it could be nice to read a twincest book without the angst and the shame, but I still wanted a little forbidden vibe or at least more tension, and I didn’t feel any here. Not enough tension between the brothers, but also not enough tension between them and Abbadon, who was supposed to be their captor, but ended up being a great, nice host (don’t expect Stockholm-like vibes here). I wanted more from this story but I ended up being a little bored.
I still look forward to trying more from this author. I don't know if I'm ready yet for intergenerational and Always Oskar, but I'm very curious about Twisted Together. (Edited to add: I did end up reading Twisted Together and I LOVED it!)
I received a free copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2024
“He likes you. He let you finger him”
I love twincest
I love twincest
August 24, 2022
4.25 stars
All I knew about this book going in was that it was twincest and was removed from the ‘Zon. It has been temporarily uploaded to the ‘Zon for 2 weeks so anyone who isn’t fond of Smashwords can get their copy.
Theo and Jasper are twins that are born into “The Family” and due to circumstances beyond their control, they give themselves to Abaddon (Abby) who is the boss of the Family.
This book is ‘Mafia-lite”. While they do take care of Family business a couple of times, there is no major drama. It’s about the three men coming together to form a relationship. It’s sexy and actually quite sweet.
*****
POV… multi first person
Standalone or series… book 2 of 3 CAN be read as standalone
Hangover… slight
Recommend… yes
Reread… yes
All I knew about this book going in was that it was twincest and was removed from the ‘Zon. It has been temporarily uploaded to the ‘Zon for 2 weeks so anyone who isn’t fond of Smashwords can get their copy.
Theo and Jasper are twins that are born into “The Family” and due to circumstances beyond their control, they give themselves to Abaddon (Abby) who is the boss of the Family.
This book is ‘Mafia-lite”. While they do take care of Family business a couple of times, there is no major drama. It’s about the three men coming together to form a relationship. It’s sexy and actually quite sweet.
*****
POV… multi first person
Standalone or series… book 2 of 3 CAN be read as standalone
Hangover… slight
Recommend… yes
Reread… yes
February 18, 2024
“Abaddon wants a show.
Theo wants to play games.
If hell exists we can all burn together.”
I’m loving these atypically moral families and how they fall in love. Jasper—mmm, the tattoos and their meanings, got me in the feels—and Theo are quite the adorable, but for completely opposite reasons, pair. And Abaddon, his story, oh my heart, if anyone needs love, it’s him, and the ways Theo and Jasper conquer him—nnngh, believe me they do—are the perfect balance of touching, hot and sweet. All three of them are fire, cold showers are your friend, but it’s the ways they complement that had me falling in love with them as individuals and as partners. Hopefully we will see them again but I’m ready for the chaos that Holden and Marcus will bring.
Theo wants to play games.
If hell exists we can all burn together.”
I’m loving these atypically moral families and how they fall in love. Jasper—mmm, the tattoos and their meanings, got me in the feels—and Theo are quite the adorable, but for completely opposite reasons, pair. And Abaddon, his story, oh my heart, if anyone needs love, it’s him, and the ways Theo and Jasper conquer him—nnngh, believe me they do—are the perfect balance of touching, hot and sweet. All three of them are fire, cold showers are your friend, but it’s the ways they complement that had me falling in love with them as individuals and as partners. Hopefully we will see them again but I’m ready for the chaos that Holden and Marcus will bring.
August 11, 2024
Jasper and Theodore are put in an impossible situation by their parents and only Jasper’s cutthroat thinking gets them out of it. Abaddon, who has a penchant for sleeping with siblings, decides to see where their loyalties lie and if this is the direction they head in, he’s okay with it.
Abaddon’s story was a lot sadder than I was expecting and he’s holding onto a lot more trauma because of it. This was a sweet story where Jasper and Theo get to be themselves with Abaddon, which they didn’t think would ever happen.
I took a star off because I honestly didnt need the scene with Abaddon and his brother when they were twelve. It’s short….but no.
Abaddon’s story was a lot sadder than I was expecting and he’s holding onto a lot more trauma because of it. This was a sweet story where Jasper and Theo get to be themselves with Abaddon, which they didn’t think would ever happen.
I took a star off because I honestly didnt need the scene with Abaddon and his brother when they were twelve. It’s short….but no.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2023
2.5 stars 🙁
I read the blurb and I was expecting a dark romance. Where was the "dark" in this story? They are the most civilized mobsters to ever existed 😂.
I can not believe I'm saying this but there was too much communication. They talked, and then kept talking a bit more. Usually, I would be pleased. Communication is always welcome and necessary for a healthy relationship!!! In this case, I felt like their conversations were getting them nowhere. They were not having the conversation I wanted them to have. Too much was said but they still had doubts and problems 😫.
Another thing that bothered me was the writing. I struggled while reading the character's inner monologues. I couldn't make them apart. They all sounded too similar. I had to keep checking whose chapter I was reading.
This author it's not for me but I want to finish this series. I'm curious about the characters from the last book.
I read the blurb and I was expecting a dark romance. Where was the "dark" in this story? They are the most civilized mobsters to ever existed 😂.
I can not believe I'm saying this but there was too much communication. They talked, and then kept talking a bit more. Usually, I would be pleased. Communication is always welcome and necessary for a healthy relationship!!! In this case, I felt like their conversations were getting them nowhere. They were not having the conversation I wanted them to have. Too much was said but they still had doubts and problems 😫.
Another thing that bothered me was the writing. I struggled while reading the character's inner monologues. I couldn't make them apart. They all sounded too similar. I had to keep checking whose chapter I was reading.
This author it's not for me but I want to finish this series. I'm curious about the characters from the last book.
July 20, 2023
3.5 stars
September 6, 2022
Jasper and Theo are twin brothers and lovers who have been born into a crime family. Their father, an accountant for The Family, has stolen money and his wife and twin sons are brought in for punishment. The parents must pay the ultimate price, but the twins negotiate to give their lives to The Family in exchange for having their lives spared. The twins are separated into different wings of the house for some days. The Boss, Abaddon, spends time with each twin separately. As everyone gets to know the other, attractions toward Abaddon emerge. Can the three of them work together long-term with the odds against them? This book has a definite storyline related to activities of The Family, but it is not too in-depth or engaging. The relationship arc between the three men is believable and extremely passionate. If you're looking for a twincest/mob book, this one a quick, enjoyable read.
dnf
July 2, 2022Dnf @ 27%
March 27, 2022
Books and boning, I think I’m in love - me too Theo.
This story is mostly about a mob boss who accepts the offer of the lives of a set of twins in exchange for letting them live. But the real overall arc is grieving for what could have been. Abaddon had to get over what happened when he was a child (not gonna lie, I hated that part) in order to love these twins. I felt that that the grieving felt real but the acceptance took forever. I liked the story overall. It flowed well and I wasn't taken out of any scenes.
I did have an issue with the lack of sexytimes until the end of the book. In order for a throuple/poly relationship to flourish, they need time with all people and this really did not have that at the beginning. Sure they spent some time together as separate couples, but I did not feel that connection that is needed to see them fall in love.
Had there been some intimacy throughout the story, it would have made the ending even better.
This story is mostly about a mob boss who accepts the offer of the lives of a set of twins in exchange for letting them live. But the real overall arc is grieving for what could have been. Abaddon had to get over what happened when he was a child (not gonna lie, I hated that part) in order to love these twins. I felt that that the grieving felt real but the acceptance took forever. I liked the story overall. It flowed well and I wasn't taken out of any scenes.
I did have an issue with the lack of sexytimes until the end of the book. In order for a throuple/poly relationship to flourish, they need time with all people and this really did not have that at the beginning. Sure they spent some time together as separate couples, but I did not feel that connection that is needed to see them fall in love.
Had there been some intimacy throughout the story, it would have made the ending even better.
September 29, 2024
Family Values is book two in the Sinful Delights series
This is your vibe if you like
Twincest
MMM
Mafia vibes
This was a great spicy mafia read. I enjoyed the relationship with the twins and Abby. It was a really easy binge read too. Short but not so short it lacks a good punch.
This is your vibe if you like
Twincest
MMM
Mafia vibes
This was a great spicy mafia read. I enjoyed the relationship with the twins and Abby. It was a really easy binge read too. Short but not so short it lacks a good punch.
June 17, 2022
Not terribly dark and I think that's what I liked about it. Each twin had time with Abbadon and their different relationship
August 5, 2025
I 👏🏻 ate 👏🏻 this👏🏻 up 👏🏻 babyyyyy
And ate it from the back🤌🏻
So good. No notes🫶🏻
And ate it from the back🤌🏻
So good. No notes🫶🏻
January 8, 2024
“I’ve been told murder shouldn’t come as easily as it does to me but after the first time, I figured what’s one more body to my name. It doesn’t make it better or worse—murder is still murder whether it’s one person or a hundred. Maybe because it was your parents—people you loved in some form or fashion—every other murder pales in comparison. Why hesitate over a stranger when you didn’t hesitate over someone you loved?”
4.5⭐
I don’t want him to know how much my brother means to me. You never give someone the keys to your undoing.
Me ha encantado!!! Si no le pongo las 5⭐ es porque me ha faltado alguna escena en la que los gemelos estuvieran en peligro y The mafia boss tuviera que salvarlos. Ha sido como todo demasiado tranquilo (quitando lo de matar a sus padres y algún asesinato por ahí más) como para ser un jefe de la mafia tan poderoso con dos debilidades así. Creo que ha desaprovechado la oportunidad.
“If you’re asking me to kill him, I’ll turn the gun on myself a million times over—no thought about it,” Jasper carries on, lost in his own thoughts as I listen to him. “If you’re telling me I’d have to watch him die, I’d join him soon after. We came into this world together. We’ll leave it the same way.”
Pero la relación es buenisimaaaaaa. Las escenas de sexo son hot hot. Y los tres son monisimos. Con lo del gemelo que no sabe expresar sentimientos y el gemelo sunshine me han recordado a Colson y Cyrus, de Double Edged, y eso me ha hecho muy feliz porque los quiero mucho.
Abaddon wants a show.
Theo wants to play games.
If hell exists we can all burn together.
Y Abbadon también me ha encantado. Sobre todo porque al pobre le ocurrió algo horrible, tener que matar a su propio hermano y probablemente amor de su vida cuando solo tenía 12 años, y aún así ha seguido adelante, ha construido su imperio y lo ha mantenido. Se me rompe el corazón por él, y entendí perfectamente que los gemelos quisieran que recuperara algo de la felicidad que perdió con aquello y que le ha acompañado el resto de su vida.
Jasper is of the us against them mindset. So long as us comes out on the winning side, fuck them.
El principio me ha fascinado. No podía parar de leer. Me encantaba cómo flirteaban y las conversaciones que tenía con ambos y cómo se trataban. Jasper me parece el puto amo y Theo me recordaba mucho a mí con su afición a los libros y sus perversiones.
They’re night and day, the shore and the ocean. But just like every night meets dawn and every day meets dusk, and the ocean water kisses the sandy beach at high tide, they... go together. You can’t have one without the other. They are one half of a complete whole. And I want them both in equal measure.
4.5⭐
I don’t want him to know how much my brother means to me. You never give someone the keys to your undoing.
Me ha encantado!!! Si no le pongo las 5⭐ es porque me ha faltado alguna escena en la que los gemelos estuvieran en peligro y The mafia boss tuviera que salvarlos. Ha sido como todo demasiado tranquilo (quitando lo de matar a sus padres y algún asesinato por ahí más) como para ser un jefe de la mafia tan poderoso con dos debilidades así. Creo que ha desaprovechado la oportunidad.
“If you’re asking me to kill him, I’ll turn the gun on myself a million times over—no thought about it,” Jasper carries on, lost in his own thoughts as I listen to him. “If you’re telling me I’d have to watch him die, I’d join him soon after. We came into this world together. We’ll leave it the same way.”
Pero la relación es buenisimaaaaaa. Las escenas de sexo son hot hot. Y los tres son monisimos. Con lo del gemelo que no sabe expresar sentimientos y el gemelo sunshine me han recordado a Colson y Cyrus, de Double Edged, y eso me ha hecho muy feliz porque los quiero mucho.
Abaddon wants a show.
Theo wants to play games.
If hell exists we can all burn together.
Y Abbadon también me ha encantado. Sobre todo porque al pobre le ocurrió algo horrible, tener que matar a su propio hermano y probablemente amor de su vida cuando solo tenía 12 años, y aún así ha seguido adelante, ha construido su imperio y lo ha mantenido. Se me rompe el corazón por él, y entendí perfectamente que los gemelos quisieran que recuperara algo de la felicidad que perdió con aquello y que le ha acompañado el resto de su vida.
Jasper is of the us against them mindset. So long as us comes out on the winning side, fuck them.
El principio me ha fascinado. No podía parar de leer. Me encantaba cómo flirteaban y las conversaciones que tenía con ambos y cómo se trataban. Jasper me parece el puto amo y Theo me recordaba mucho a mí con su afición a los libros y sus perversiones.
They’re night and day, the shore and the ocean. But just like every night meets dawn and every day meets dusk, and the ocean water kisses the sandy beach at high tide, they... go together. You can’t have one without the other. They are one half of a complete whole. And I want them both in equal measure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2022
After completely falling in love with Always Oskar I was so excited for this second book in the series, and it didn't disappoint! To all those that complained that it wasn't dark enough or there wasn't enough hardcore mafia stuff, I say that you're missing the point! Just because there is a mafia type "Family" does not mean it has to be all blood and torture and killing. Abaddon is tough in his own way. Deep down he's a man looking for absolution and forgiveness, and secretly hoping that he is worthy of being loved. The twins, Jasper and Theo, are simply trying to survive in a world not of their making and in Abaddon they find a refuge. A life raft to give them something to hold on to to stay afloat. The bond between the brothers is all encompassing. They literally are the other half of each other and neither one feels any shame in their relationship. I especially loved how Jasper, as the more dominant of the two, was also the most vulnerable. He literally would not be able to live without Theo and every decision he makes is with the objective of keeping his brother safe and happy. Abaddon fits so seamlessly in with the boys. He takes the time to truly get to know each of them as individuals and cultivates a relationship with each brother outside of the other. *Bookstore scene 🔥🔥🔥🔥
I could literally go on and on about how much I loved this book and how beautifully it was written but the best thing to say is read it yourself! If you don't sigh at least once then you might want to check your pulse. This is full on a beautiful incest romance - low angst, high heat, and characters that are all a little broken separately, but somehow together complete each other! I'm already waiting for the next book! ❤
I could literally go on and on about how much I loved this book and how beautifully it was written but the best thing to say is read it yourself! If you don't sigh at least once then you might want to check your pulse. This is full on a beautiful incest romance - low angst, high heat, and characters that are all a little broken separately, but somehow together complete each other! I'm already waiting for the next book! ❤
April 6, 2022
Family Values by Odessa Hywell
Ooohhh ouch. Hot stuff 🔥
Wow! What a great book! I loved it.
Thank you, Odessa for a work of art; error free, so well written and steaming three-ways... well executed.
Seldom I've read scenarios such as this, where I haven't had to re-read to try and untangle arms and legs and think: hmmm, is that even logistically possible?
This story has extremely callous and violent moments (well, we're dealing with the mafia here) but this author has the amazing skill of managing to include those moments, but simultaneously, expertly, taking the reader by the hand and sidestepping the "😵" and immediately moving on to the fun stuff. I never felt any reason to dwell on those scenes, because I was instantly led back to the (hot, but rather sweet) romantic elements unfolding.
I loved all the characters here, really!
I loved how the "voices" of the twins were so totally different and distinguishable from each other.
I loved the "nasty but steadfast" relationship between Gabriel & Abaddon. Thanks for the laughs here. These guys are quite huggable in their arrogance. Lol
No, really, before I get carried away and tell you the whole story, let me zip it and encourage you to just buy this book, sit back and bask in it!
Such good work! Well done!
* Heat level 5 flames 🔥 (or is that 5000?)
* 3 x POV; each Mc getting alternating chapters.
* Can easily be understood and followed as a standalone even though this is part of a series.
* First person present tense.
* Disclaimer : I requested an advanced copy of this book, and have offered a voluntary review.
Ooohhh ouch. Hot stuff 🔥
Wow! What a great book! I loved it.
Thank you, Odessa for a work of art; error free, so well written and steaming three-ways... well executed.
Seldom I've read scenarios such as this, where I haven't had to re-read to try and untangle arms and legs and think: hmmm, is that even logistically possible?
This story has extremely callous and violent moments (well, we're dealing with the mafia here) but this author has the amazing skill of managing to include those moments, but simultaneously, expertly, taking the reader by the hand and sidestepping the "😵" and immediately moving on to the fun stuff. I never felt any reason to dwell on those scenes, because I was instantly led back to the (hot, but rather sweet) romantic elements unfolding.
I loved all the characters here, really!
I loved how the "voices" of the twins were so totally different and distinguishable from each other.
I loved the "nasty but steadfast" relationship between Gabriel & Abaddon. Thanks for the laughs here. These guys are quite huggable in their arrogance. Lol
No, really, before I get carried away and tell you the whole story, let me zip it and encourage you to just buy this book, sit back and bask in it!
Such good work! Well done!
* Heat level 5 flames 🔥 (or is that 5000?)
* 3 x POV; each Mc getting alternating chapters.
* Can easily be understood and followed as a standalone even though this is part of a series.
* First person present tense.
* Disclaimer : I requested an advanced copy of this book, and have offered a voluntary review.
April 23, 2022
I liked the dark tone of the front of the book. The settings and characters were excellent there and fit perfectly with the mafia vibe. Similar to "Always Oskar" this is a very low-angst and super light mafia book. Once you get past 20%(?), I felt like it was all fluff and no dark (except for one scene where Jasper had to prove himself). Once Abaddon started showing his nice-guy image, the mood of the entire book switched.
Overall, I think it was a very cute mafia book, but might have been better if it kept a darker tone (personal preference).
Overall, I think it was a very cute mafia book, but might have been better if it kept a darker tone (personal preference).
April 2, 2022
Odessa has really outdone herself. I loved Sinful Delights book 1, Always Oskar and wasn't sure if it could be topped, pun intended lol. Well, Family Values did not disappoint! With murder, hot sex, and eventually falling in love, soooo good! I immensely enjoyed seeing the twins and Abby start to trust each other, open up, and fall for each other. Abby's back story was so sad, it felt good for him to finally get some happiness after all these years. I'm obsessed with this series and can't wait for the next installment!
Scenes that gave me feels I have to mention:
*Dinner with Abby and Theo joined by Jasper and Gabriel, loved the banter between Abby and Gabby lol
*The kissing in this book was extremely HOT! The time their all together for the first time, just after Theo finishes off Abby with his mouth and kisses Jasper with a mouthful, damn, beyond sexy!
* Ugh! The bookstore scene, soooo freaking hot!!
Scenes that gave me feels I have to mention:
*Dinner with Abby and Theo joined by Jasper and Gabriel, loved the banter between Abby and Gabby lol
*The kissing in this book was extremely HOT! The time their all together for the first time, just after Theo finishes off Abby with his mouth and kisses Jasper with a mouthful, damn, beyond sexy!
* Ugh! The bookstore scene, soooo freaking hot!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2023
So I absolutely love reading poly relationships in books. I love watching the way each piece of the relationship needed work, not just the whole. And this book delivered that in spades.
I loved that the twins were totally and completely different each other from the start, but while living with Abaddon, they also started to really figure out their own wants and needs outside their parents deciding their every move. Seeing Theo become his own person without his twin by his side was also so nice. I mean, who wouldn't want to be a kept cat? Also, I love his kinks! It's ALWAYS the quiet ones!
But seeing them together? Holy hell.
I liked the mob part as well. I also really enjoyed Gabriel's relationship with Abaddon - Just one punch solving all their problems?! LOL.
It was spicy and beautiful all around and I really just loved it.
I loved that the twins were totally and completely different each other from the start, but while living with Abaddon, they also started to really figure out their own wants and needs outside their parents deciding their every move. Seeing Theo become his own person without his twin by his side was also so nice. I mean, who wouldn't want to be a kept cat? Also, I love his kinks! It's ALWAYS the quiet ones!
But seeing them together? Holy hell.
I liked the mob part as well. I also really enjoyed Gabriel's relationship with Abaddon - Just one punch solving all their problems?! LOL.
It was spicy and beautiful all around and I really just loved it.
April 1, 2022
Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. Beware if you love hot spice with the thrill of the crime world, that even the villains are allowed a bit of happiness away from domination.
Taking a bargain with the devil Jasper agreed to what ever the head of the Sterling family demanded, just to spare his brothers life after the betrayal his parents pulled.
Abaddon is viscous when it came as a businessmen but his desire was just as devious. Watching the love between Theo and Jasper is thrilling, but young Theo pulls the light out of the darkness that is surrounding Abaddon and Now Jasper's world. Is this all because of the father's cruelty in the making of the man Abaddon Sterling becomes or unfulfilled dreams? Is Theodore and Jasper the missing pieces.
Taking a bargain with the devil Jasper agreed to what ever the head of the Sterling family demanded, just to spare his brothers life after the betrayal his parents pulled.
Abaddon is viscous when it came as a businessmen but his desire was just as devious. Watching the love between Theo and Jasper is thrilling, but young Theo pulls the light out of the darkness that is surrounding Abaddon and Now Jasper's world. Is this all because of the father's cruelty in the making of the man Abaddon Sterling becomes or unfulfilled dreams? Is Theodore and Jasper the missing pieces.
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