ARC Review: The Other Brother Part 3: Illicit by Lauren Hawkeye and Tawny Stokes

Illicit is the third and final installment in The Other Brother serial by Lauren Hawkeye and Tawny Stokes. As with the previous installments, these need to be read in order as this picks up right where Taboo left off. When Theo answered Allegra's phone, Seth knew he had to get to her. He knows that she isn't safe as long as Theo is around, but convincing Allegra and her father that Theo is a danger to her is harder than he thought it would be. When Seth shows up on their doorstep, Allegra's dad is shocked to see him, but it quickly becomes clear to him that not only did Allegra know he was back but that there is something going on between them. Seth must convince Allegra and her dad that Theo is a threat to her before it's too late. But will he be able to show them that his actions all those years ago were justified and that blood isn't always thicker than water? 

Allegra and Seth are finally starting to fully realize what is happening between them. They know that they shouldn't be together and that their relationship is unconventional and yet they can't stay away from each other. The feelings and attraction are too much for them to continue to fight. While Seth struggles with how to keep Allegra safe, he also has to convince her and her father that Theo isn't the person that they think he is. Allegra knows that what she feels for Seth is real, but yet she still finds it hard to believe everything that he is telling her about her brother. Theo makes her uneasy, but she still isn't convinced that Seth is right about him. Seth wants to protect her and has a tendency to tell her what to do, but Allegra is only okay with that when it comes to sex. She is strong and independent, and is dead set on doing what she wants. I liked that she had a mind of her own, but I think that she should have trusted her connection to Seth more. She knew that he cared about her, and I wanted her to realize that he was trying to do right by her rather than just control her. These two really were great for one another, and they fit together so well. But I wish that we had seen more of them together rather than just fighting against what they felt.

Overall, this serial was different than the other step-brother romances that I have read. I wasn't expecting where the authors took this story, and I was glad that they went in a different direction. I never could have predicted how things would play out, and I am glad that I took a chance on this one. I will say that I was completely creeped out by Theo from the very start, and he was truly messed up. I knew that there was something going on there, and I was glad that Allegra had Seth. My complaint with this installment was that while I liked the ending, it felt rushed and abrupt. After everything played out I wanted a bit more. I wanted to see Allegra and Seth together without all the drama that had always been surrounding them. I also felt like there were a few things that could have been dealt with that weren't. I wanted to see if anything happened between Allegra's dad and Seth's mom. I felt like even if they never got back together that they could have been given some closure, and I really wanted to see that. After everything that had happened, I felt like the truth needed to be revealed to everyone. I have to say that I liked Seth's friends Gavin and Tristan, and I would be interested to get their stories. I found Tristan especially interesting and I really liked that he had a connection to both Seth and Allegra. I think that if you are looking for some short and steamy reads with some suspense that you should give this serial a shot. I enjoyed each installment, and they kept me interested from start to finish. I will definitely be interested to read more from Lauren and Tawny in the future.

**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**

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ARC Review: The Other Brother Part 2: Taboo by Lauren Hawkeye and Tawny Stokes

Taboo is the second installment in The Other Brother Serial by Lauren Hawkeye and Tawny Stokes. These have to be read in order, as Taboo picks up right where Forbidden left off. Theo has just been released from prison and Seth is back after being gone for years. Allegra feels uneasy around Theo and has no idea why. She knows that he has changed, but can't figure out what is going on with him. Allegra is also struggling with her feelings for Seth. She has always been drawn to him and that hasn't changed, but she knows that she should hate him for destroying their family. She wants to know what happened all those years ago and why Seth almost killed her brother Theo. Seth wants to keep Allegra safe, but he also wants her more than he has ever wanted anyone. He knows that he should stay away from her, but the passion between them is more than either of them can fight. 

The chemistry between Allegra and Seth continued to get stronger in this installment. Even with so much history between them and the time apart, there is a pull between them that neither of them can fight. These two click on so many levels, and their desires are a perfect match for one another. While Seth wants to keep Allegra safe, he also doesn't want to tell her the entire truth of what happened so many years ago. It was clear to see how much he wanted to protect her, and part of that was keeping the truth about Theo from her. She was so much more than just a former step-sister to him, and it was easy to see how much he cares about her. Allegra has had her ups and downs, and we got to see more of her in this installment. After everything that happened years ago, she had some really tough times. She had set herself on a destructive path, and was finally starting to put her life back together. You could really tell how much she wanted to hate Seth, but she also couldn't help but feel as though he had to have had a good reason for his actions. She had always felt a connection to him and he was exactly what she needed. I love that we get to see both of their POV's, and I think that it really helps the reader feel invested in these two.

I have to say that Theo absolutely creeps me out. The more we see of him, the more I dislike him. I don't necessarily agree with Seth's approach when it came to how he dealt with Theo, but I do understand his motivation. Theo is clearly sick and disturbed, and I really hope that Seth is able to protect Allegra. These two have such a strong connection, and I think that Seth would do absolutely anything for her. I hope that they are able to figure things out. Since this is the second part of three, this does end with a cliffhanger. Part three is already out though, so don't let that stop you from reading these. I am really curious to see where this goes next, and I couldn't put this one down. Each installment is short and filled with tons of action and steamy scenes. I am enjoying this serial so far, and there hasn't been a single slow part yet. I can't wait to read the final part and see what Lauren and Tawny have in store for us next.

**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**

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ARC Review: The Other Brother Part 1: Forbidden by Lauren Hawkeye and Tawny Stokes

Forbidden is part one of The Other Brother Serial by Lauren Hawkeye and Tawny Stokes. This story was so much different than I expected, and I have to admit that I had no idea where this one was headed. The blurb gave me an idea of some of this story, but the rest took a completely different twist that surprised me. I am really intrigued to see where this one goes from here. 

Allegra was always the good girl, but after her father got remarried her stepbrother Seth came to live with them. Seth was the opposite of her, he was darker and broody. She tried to get him to open up to her, but all he did was push her away. Allegra found herself wanting to be with him, but knowing that he didn't look at her the same way. Then one night changed everything, and she didn't see him again. After everything that happened that night, she hated Seth. But now years later, Seth is back and things are more complicated than ever. 

With this being the first installment of three, this book was really short. Although we did get to know some about these characters, we are really only seeing part of who they are. Seth was hot and complicated. He was protective of Allegra and yet she really didn't have a clue how much he actually did for her. He kept his feelings secret and did what he could to make sure that she never found out things that he didn't want her to know. Allegra started off as the naive good girl, but after everything that had happened and with the time that had passed she changed. She had grown into a strong woman who was physically capable of protecting herself, yet she was able to accept her desires for someone to take control in the bedroom. I liked that she wasn't ashamed of herself and what she wanted. I felt the chemistry between Seth and Allegra from the start, but I was glad that things didn't happen between them when they were so young. While the four year age difference wasn't a big deal when they were older, it was something that would have bothered me when she was 14. 

I have to say that I really don't know what to make of her real brother Theo. He is so creepy, and I have no idea where the author's are going with his character. All I know is that I instantly disliked him, and all that we learned about him in this installment only made me more wary of him. There is something clearly wrong there, and I really hope that they are careful with how they proceed when it comes to him. I loved how this story was told from both Allegra and Seth's POV. This being the first part of three, there are a lot of things left up in the air and it does end with a cliffhanger. Luckily the other parts have been released, so you don't have to wait for them. I liked this installment and it definitely left me wanting to read more. The passion between Seth and Allegra is just starting to be explored and I am curious to see what will happen after where this one left off.

**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**

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