Ms WARD I WAS EXPECTING GOOD & YOU GAVE ME GREAT

What a peach, what a find and what an addictive storyline between the deep, complex, moody, tattooed and pierced badboy Elec and his virginal caring step-sister Greta. He was a troubled boy coming to stay with his estranged father and his new ready-made family so the animosity and resentment between father and son was high.. but there were secrets too. And, from the moment Greta and Elec meet at age 17 sparks flew - and not always in a good way but, after many months of understanding, compassion and acceptance from Greta, some of Elec's walls had been scaled and a bond was formed. He was meant to stay for a year but circumstances suddenly change which made them confront their hidden desires and a forbidden night of passion and unspoken feelings followed.. but in the morning he'd still be leaving.

Fast forward seven years Greta's living in NYC with a failed engagement under her belt and she and Elec have to return home for his father's funeral.. and Elec's not alone - so Greta has to try and hide her jealousy, her true feelings and the strong sexual pull Elec has on her.. but it's difficult because she can see he's struggling too. And what follows is an emotional rollercoaster of heartache, joy, sadness, a deep connection and bitter-sweet memories because Elec, who hadn't physically crossed any lines but verbally.. wow, was again still going to be leaving Greta. However, it wasn't over because two months later Greta would get a text that would change everything.

What a great story this was as the misunderstood adolescent badboy finally showed his true feelings and the grownup man tried to hide his in a valiant but ineffective attempt not to hurt anyone. When you finally hear from Elec's POV (from the pages of his book) you see how much he cared, how sweet and tender his feelings were and that there were many layers to his character. Greta had always deep down loved Elec but the timing was never right for them until it was.. and it was everything I'd hoped for when they eventually got their HEA ending. Strong chemistry, a couple of sex scenes, humor, passion, heartache, butterflies, gut churning and toe curlingly awkward scenes, a mega twist and sighworthy romantic chapters made up this very enjoyable listen that was told from Greta's POV. And I couldn't fault the narration because each Chapter came to life as vivid mental imagery played thanks to a good narrator.

Worth a credit? I'd hoped for good and Penelope Ward gave me great - so YES IMO very very creditworthy.

20 people found this helpful

Better than expected

I'm familiar with this authors work so despite the title and my concerns it could be weird given the step relation I gave it a shot. So glad I did. Way better than I expected. In fact, it might just be my favorite from this author yet.

10 people found this helpful

Worth it

I was skeptical of this story being that it's about step siblings but I was pleasantly surprised. The story was angsty but good. the only thing that I didn't like was how the author covered Elec's point of view. It was very repetitive. Also Greta was kind of weak, I liked her character but I found myself wishing she would stand up for herself. Overall I liked it a lot

6 people found this helpful

5 GREAT ALL AROUND STARS!!!!

I really enjoyed this book!!! The characters have a great history so it's not instant, first plus for me! The story is original, second plus for me! There is no cliffhanger, third plus for me...and that's only a few reasons! The writing was great, the story was gripping and the ending was perfect! I can't think of 1 things that i didn't really like about this book!

The narrator did an amazing job and really helped bring this story to life! book + narration = 5 stars!!!! I will be looking for more works by both the Author and Narrator!

11 people found this helpful

🎧AudiobookObsession

I still have some unidentifiable feelings about this book. It was so interesting and complex that it had my attention from the very start. But, at the same time it was so taboo and unexpected that I am still reeling from it a month later. Do not let the title deter you from reading this book, it is so much more than something with a stepbrother.

The narration was great, Simone Lewis did a great job with the emotions in this book!

🎧AudiobookObsession

4 people found this helpful

What a great romance!

Sometimes these books drive me nuts with the titles and the covers. I know that I must be alone in my thinking but I feel as though it cheapens the book. And Ms award wrote a fantastic, enthralling, gut wrenching romance. Yes, he was her step brother but that had very little to do with it and is not the primary focus of the book. It is very well told and it was very nicely narrated.

I had to dock to a 3.5 star because 1/4 of the book is the female MC reading the male MC's POV when we already had heard the exact same thing through the female POV, if that makes sense. Point is, it was redundant and I actually skipped ahead because it was so exacting.

Great listen, I enjoyed it.

4 people found this helpful

I loved Every. Minute.

What made the experience of listening to Stepbrother Dearest the most enjoyable?

The storyline is fresh and the writing exquisite.

What other book might you compare Stepbrother Dearest to and why?

Not sure-- This was the first book I have read like this.

Which scene was your favorite?

Too Many to list out.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I couldn't consume it fast enough. Amazing story!

Any additional comments?

Last week I won an audio copy of this book from the author. I expected to listen to this throughout the week, as time allowed. My friends have been sharing how much they love this book so I knew it would be good. I was in no way prepared for the journey I was embarking on. I never expected to be completely enthralled—gripped in the clutches of the pages. So much so that I had to one-click the ebook copy as well. I couldn’t put it down.

In the last 24 hours I have laughed and cried. I have been a nervous and sexually frustrated teen, a heartbroken girl having her first taste of love, a strong willed woman refusing to give into her urges—basically a complete emotional basket-case. And to tell you the truth, I loved Every. Single. Minute of it.

I was never one to buy into the “stepbrother” books. I couldn’t see the appeal. I had a stepbrother in my teenage years and I can’t imagine the allure. With that said, if all of those “stepbrother” books are written this well-- sign me up!

This book is real, raw and gut-wrenchingly beautiful. The depiction of emotions and teenage angst is exquisite. These characters are complex and relatable. The world fades away and the words suck you in to this amazing book.

The ending is perfection. It completes the story, but still leaves you reeling and wanting more. These are characters that will stick with you long after their story is done.

7 people found this helpful

All I can say is wow

Any additional comments?

This book is one of my all time favourites, if not my favourite book so far in 2015. It was well worth all the lost sleep. I liked how you heard the story from both sides and you don't have to wait for the next book to come out to hear it from the man's point of view.

3 people found this helpful

Not What I expected

What did you like best about this story?

When they finally meet up again as young adults, that's when I got into the grove of the story.

Which character – as performed by Simone Lewis – was your favorite?

Really enjoyed them all, I think Simone did a wonderful job. The only thing that did sound a little strange was the earlier years, Simone has a beautiful voice but did sound a little to mature at times. But it was perfect as the aged to young adults.

2 people found this helpful

this is a great story

I almost didn't buy this book because of the other reviews about the female lead, I'm very glad I did. it was a great story and I loved how the story was told from both sides. Thanks for the great listen

1 person found this helpful