Blurb
He told me to 'settle, girl.'
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?
4 Stars
Review by Lisa Kane
When I first read the name of this book I thought hasn't Tijan already written a romance with a stepbrother? (let's face it once their parents marry, Sam will have two stepbrothers-Mason and Logan) But trust Tijan to spin this tale of a girl who thinks she's in love with her stepbrother.
This was Kevin-my Kevin! Okay, not my boyfriend Kevin, but my stepbrother Kevin. The same Kevin I'd been in love with for two years-since my junior year of high school, since my mom died and my dad decided he was in love with the most popular guy in school's mother.
Summer Stoltz starts college at the same one her step brother Kevin Matthews goes to-they had one hot night and then boom-he ran as fast as his hot legs could carry him. But Summer thinks he must have feelings for her right?
No. I hadn't actually slept with him. We had sex, and he was gone when I woke in the morning. Like, gone gone. He'd gone all the way back to his fraternity house that was four hours away.
She knows he has other girls but they share something special. It doesn't take her long before Kevin shows his real colors (this guy is a total player) and she wises up. This is the same night she meets his frat brother Caden Banks.
He had a pretty face too with chiseled cheekbones, but his dark hair, tattooed arms and no-nonsense demeanor gave him an air of authority.
Caden has got it all-looks, smarts, friends. He's so loyal to his family and he protects those he loves. Even if he has to sacrifice his happiness for someone else's. He ends up saving Summer's butt one night. They keep running into each other and it's the start of a warm friendship. (so maybe they lust after each other too!) But Caden is more than aware of Summer's reasons for picking this college and he knows she had a thing for her step brother. Is it really over or will she run after Kevin if he decides he wants her?
Finally I heard from the phone,"Fairy tales end, Summer."
This is a story about trust and love and sacrifice. It has the same Fallen Crest feel to it. (and I adore that series) It has two likable main characters and Caden's brother Colton is adorable. Loved this one!
"Your love, even when it's not deserved," he added. He lifted his head, his eyes finding mine. " I want you."
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.
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(September 12th delivery)
Author Information
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.
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