by Tijan
Release Date:
August 22nd, 2016
Genres:
New Adult
Contemporary
Romance
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Source:
Author via BT Host
eARC received in exchange of honest review
Synopis:
He told me to 'settle, girl.' Release Date:
August 22nd, 2016
Genres:
New Adult
Contemporary
Romance
Add to Goodreads
Blog Tour Hosted by:
TRSOR Promotions
Source:
Author via BT Host
eARC received in exchange of honest review
Synopis:
He asked if 'something was wrong with me?'
He said I was an ‘easy target.’
That was within minutes when I first met Caden Banks.
I labeled him an *sshole, but he was more than that. Arrogant. Smug.
Alpha.
He was also to-die-for gorgeous, and my stepbrother’s fraternity brother.
Okay, yes I was a little naive, a tad bit socially awkward, and the smallest amount of stalker-ish, but if Caden Banks thought he could tell me what to do, he had another thing coming.
I came to college with daydreams about being with my stepbrother, but what would happen if I fell for the anti-stepbrother instead?
Lindy's Thoughts:
Rating:
I give, Anti-Stepbrother, by Tijan, 4.5 Sexy and Mysterious Caden Banks, Dreamy, Drool-Worthy, Dream Guy Filled Stars. I'd like to let readers know that this story wasn't all light and fluffy. It had some very sad and realistic moments as well. I shed some tears, and my heart broke for things that both Summer and Caden had to endure. This made the story all the more spectacular in my opinion, and added a deep layer of substance to the plot. If you can't tell already, I highly recommend this read! It was excellent!
Tijan writes some of the most addicting New Adult Contemporary Romance that I've read. I love her Fallen Crest High Series, as well as Carter Reed. She is an author I watch out for, because whenever she releases a new book, I feel like it is Christmas!
In Anti-Stepbrother, we get a story that readers are sure to become hooked on. Our main character, Summer Stoltz just lost her mother to a long battle with Cancer. Her father fell in love with the hospice nurse, and now Summer has inherited a new stepmother, and a new stepbrother, who happens to be her high school crush; Kevin Matthew's. She is use to Kevin switching girlfriends every six months because he get's bored easily. However, after Kevin sleeps with Summer, she is sure that she will be the exception to his six month rule.
Summer is excited to become a freshman in college. Especially, because she will be attending Kevin's college. She cannot wait to reconnect with him, so that they can finally be together. However, when Summer goes in search of Kevin at his frat's party, she meets the gorgeous and sexy, Caden Banks. She's never been as attracted to another male as she is when she meets Caden; even her stepbrother Kevin. Yet, their first meeting doesn't go so well, and she makes up her mind instantly that Caden is a jerk.
Various situations and common friends keep leading Summer in the vicinity of Caden, and soon she realizes that there is a lot more to Caden then she first perceived. Caden and Summer end up becoming friends, and as she begins to have feelings for Caden, Kevin begins paying attention to her. However, Caden doesn't see Summer as more than a good friend, or does he?
Anti-Stepbrother is my newest obsession. Specifically, the dreamy, sexy, mysterious, dool-worthy, Caden Banks. As I got to know Caden, I couldn't help but think,"Kevin who?" There was no comparison between these two guys. While Kevin was selfish, immature, and a womanizer, Caden was what every woman wants in a book boyfriend. He reeked of sex appeal. Every woman wanted him for themselves, and every man that knew him respected and looked up to him. For being the campus hot shot, he was down to earth, had a very small group of friends he confided in, and didn't care for superficial people. I adored his loyalty to his family and friends, as well as the way he took good care of Summer. When he began to let his walls come down as he spent time with Summer, I became giddy, hoping that this was a sign that these two went end up together.
I enjoyed Summer as a main character. She was goofy, very quirky, a bit naive, wore her emotions on her sleeve, and said aloud whatever she was thinking. Summer's personality contributed to some fun and light comedic moments. She had me laughing, shaking my head, and getting embarrassed for her. However, my favorite thing about Summer was that she had a beautiful heart, and was very authentic and real.
This story had a great cast of secondary characters. My favorite was Avery, Summer's new college friend and dorm R.A. She was a free spirit, nice to everyone on campus, and was always there for Summer. I loved the interactions between these two characters.
Mikki's Review:
Rating:
This is the first book that I read from author Tijan. Many of my book besties have told me amazing things about this author. We all like the same genres so I knew that I was going to enjoy Anti-Stepbrother. This was a great reading journey I will absolutely read any new releases that this author will publish and will need to have a Tijan marathon so I can read her other books and series. Discovering a new author that you love is absolutely the best feeling in the world!
Summer's world is turned upside down when her mom dies. Her dad loses no time to fall in love again and soon their family of two becomes a family of four. Her stepmother has a son that is causing chaos in Summer's life. Her stepbrother Kevin never dates a girl for more than six months. College is just around the corner and Summer has plans to become Kevin's one and only. Her plans change when arrogant and gorgeous Caden Banks enters her life. He's everything she did not expect and a breath of fresh air in her life. Summer's college experience is a rollercoaster ride of emotions that she will never forget.
What I really loved about this book is that it had a bit of everything that I look for in a page-turning story. The characters were fun and easy to relate to and the writing style was captivating. This story left me cheering for Summer and Caden from the moment they first met. Summer and Caden`s slow building romance was perfect for them. Summer's feelings were all over the place when she met Caden. She’s not sure what to think of him. Their relationship at the beginning was a bit rocky, but it soon turns into a beautiful friendship. The more time they spend together, the more they are there for each other.
Both these characters are going through emotional moments in their lives and together they make these difficult moments become easier. As days go by, their friendship blooms into love. Caden had many walls up, but Summer new exactly how to break down every single one of them. She's a fantastic character that made me laugh and her personality is simply amazing! I would love to have a friend like her in my life. Caden was sweet and simply irresistible! I loved the way he took care of his friends, family and Summer. Top-notch Book Boyfriend!
What I love the most about New Adult romance novels is that you fall in love with the supporting characters as much as the main characters. Anti-Stepbrother was filled with a great cast of supporting characters that brought an extra little something to Summer and Caden’s story. New Adult is one of my favorite genres and as long as the authors will write these stories, I will devour them. If you have never read a book by Tijan, you are seriously missing out. I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to read one of her books. It was an awesome reading escape!
Summer's world is turned upside down when her mom dies. Her dad loses no time to fall in love again and soon their family of two becomes a family of four. Her stepmother has a son that is causing chaos in Summer's life. Her stepbrother Kevin never dates a girl for more than six months. College is just around the corner and Summer has plans to become Kevin's one and only. Her plans change when arrogant and gorgeous Caden Banks enters her life. He's everything she did not expect and a breath of fresh air in her life. Summer's college experience is a rollercoaster ride of emotions that she will never forget.
What I really loved about this book is that it had a bit of everything that I look for in a page-turning story. The characters were fun and easy to relate to and the writing style was captivating. This story left me cheering for Summer and Caden from the moment they first met. Summer and Caden`s slow building romance was perfect for them. Summer's feelings were all over the place when she met Caden. She’s not sure what to think of him. Their relationship at the beginning was a bit rocky, but it soon turns into a beautiful friendship. The more time they spend together, the more they are there for each other.
Both these characters are going through emotional moments in their lives and together they make these difficult moments become easier. As days go by, their friendship blooms into love. Caden had many walls up, but Summer new exactly how to break down every single one of them. She's a fantastic character that made me laugh and her personality is simply amazing! I would love to have a friend like her in my life. Caden was sweet and simply irresistible! I loved the way he took care of his friends, family and Summer. Top-notch Book Boyfriend!
What I love the most about New Adult romance novels is that you fall in love with the supporting characters as much as the main characters. Anti-Stepbrother was filled with a great cast of supporting characters that brought an extra little something to Summer and Caden’s story. New Adult is one of my favorite genres and as long as the authors will write these stories, I will devour them. If you have never read a book by Tijan, you are seriously missing out. I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to read one of her books. It was an awesome reading escape!
Rating:
I give, Anti-Stepbrother, by Tijan, 4 fun, sweet, swoony, friendship turns to love stars!
Excerpt:
He wasn’t looking at me any more. I wasn’t even sure he was really in the room. I needed to leave this alone. He had given me the clues—looking away, his jaw clenching, pain like I’d never heard from him sounding loud and clear. My instincts were telling me to shut up, but I couldn’t. I had this burning need to know more about Caden. I needed to get in there, past his walls, and I wanted to understand him.
I wanted to help him.
Caden was hurting, and I wanted to take that away.
“What happened?”
Caden turned his gaze to me now, and I felt branded by the pain I saw. His eyes were stricken. “Does it matter?”
“No.” My breath caught and held in my chest. I wanted to go to him, but I also wanted to slink away. I was stirring up his pain, but I had to know. “What happened, Caden?”
“Why do you have to know?”
“Because it’s hurting you.”
I made a decision, though I had no idea what the ramifications were going to be. I stood, my legs going numb and my stomach clenching, and I moved to his side.
He leaned back, his head falling to the couch, and he watched me. The need to ease some of his hurt outweighed the fear of what would happen next. Swallowing tightly, I stepped over to straddle him and sat down.
“What are you doing?”
He asked that softly, still holding his beer. I took it from his hands and put it on the stand next to the couch. Then I just sat there. He had to do the rest. I’d already made the first move.
I glanced down at his hands, feeling like an idiot. “What happened?”
“Why are you pushing this?”
I looked back up to find confusion warring with need in his eyes. He wasn’t pushing me away, so I sank further into his lap.
“You haven’t told anyone else about this.” It wasn’t really a question, but I saw the confirmation in his eyes. My chest tightened, thinking about whatever secret he held. “Please tell me.”
“No.” He shifted forward, and I braced myself, expecting him to push me away. He didn’t. His hands grasped the backs of my legs and lifted me so I was more fully on his lap.
I could feel him between my legs, and my breasts almost pressed against his chest. I waited. I wanted to see what else he’d say
“But not because I don’t want you to know,” he added. “Because it’s not my secret to tell.”
I nodded, my stomach doing somersaults now. “That makes sense. I can respect that.” And there we were. His hands cupped my ass, and the pain in his gaze became something darker, something I felt too, something that began to turn off all rational thought.
“What are we doing here?” he questioned, his voice like a caress in itself.
I leaned forward, my gaze lingering on his lips. “I didn’t really think it through.”
“And now?”
“Still not thinking it through.”
“You’re okay with that?”
In that moment, the truth exploded in me. I wanted him. I wanted this—but it was more. I needed this.
I didn’t answer.
I closed the distance between us.
I wanted to help him.
Caden was hurting, and I wanted to take that away.
“What happened?”
Caden turned his gaze to me now, and I felt branded by the pain I saw. His eyes were stricken. “Does it matter?”
“No.” My breath caught and held in my chest. I wanted to go to him, but I also wanted to slink away. I was stirring up his pain, but I had to know. “What happened, Caden?”
“Why do you have to know?”
“Because it’s hurting you.”
I made a decision, though I had no idea what the ramifications were going to be. I stood, my legs going numb and my stomach clenching, and I moved to his side.
He leaned back, his head falling to the couch, and he watched me. The need to ease some of his hurt outweighed the fear of what would happen next. Swallowing tightly, I stepped over to straddle him and sat down.
“What are you doing?”
He asked that softly, still holding his beer. I took it from his hands and put it on the stand next to the couch. Then I just sat there. He had to do the rest. I’d already made the first move.
I glanced down at his hands, feeling like an idiot. “What happened?”
“Why are you pushing this?”
I looked back up to find confusion warring with need in his eyes. He wasn’t pushing me away, so I sank further into his lap.
“You haven’t told anyone else about this.” It wasn’t really a question, but I saw the confirmation in his eyes. My chest tightened, thinking about whatever secret he held. “Please tell me.”
“No.” He shifted forward, and I braced myself, expecting him to push me away. He didn’t. His hands grasped the backs of my legs and lifted me so I was more fully on his lap.
I could feel him between my legs, and my breasts almost pressed against his chest. I waited. I wanted to see what else he’d say
“But not because I don’t want you to know,” he added. “Because it’s not my secret to tell.”
I nodded, my stomach doing somersaults now. “That makes sense. I can respect that.” And there we were. His hands cupped my ass, and the pain in his gaze became something darker, something I felt too, something that began to turn off all rational thought.
“What are we doing here?” he questioned, his voice like a caress in itself.
I leaned forward, my gaze lingering on his lips. “I didn’t really think it through.”
“And now?”
“Still not thinking it through.”
“You’re okay with that?”
In that moment, the truth exploded in me. I wanted him. I wanted this—but it was more. I needed this.
I didn’t answer.
I closed the distance between us.
About the Author:
I didn't begin writing until after undergraduate college. There'd been storylines and characters in my head all my life, but it came to a boiling point one day and I HAD to get them out of me. So the computer was booted up and I FINALLY felt it click. Writing is what I needed to do. After that, I had to teach myself how to write. I can't blame my teachers for not teaching me all those years in school. It was my fault. I was one of the students that was wishing I was anywhere but at school! So after that day, it took me lots of work until I was able to put together something that resembled a novel. I'm hoping I got it right since someone must be reading this profile! And I hope you keep enjoying my future stories.
