Arabella Quinn

My Stepbrother the Dom
by Arabella Quinn

Ehh...I'm not sure really what to think about this one. I can overlook the step-sibling romance trope if it is handled right, even though there is definitely a taboo line that is crossed. In this case, these two (Ava and Cole) were in the same house as young kids together and were close as (step)siblings, until puberty hit. Then they both start seeing each other in a new light and try to hide it from the other as well as from themselves. This causes a rift in their close sibling relationship because neither wants to admit what they are feeling and instead avoid each other completely.

They start a sort-of relationship when she visits a sex club with a girlfriend as a fluke and ends up with him as her beginner-level dom. Ava & Cole are both in costume and have masks, both using false names, so neither know the true identity of the other. She trusts him immediately and isn't sure why. He feels attracted to and protective of her right away. She is innocent and it all is very tame and she's really embarrassed to be there. He's embarrassed by his job but is in desperate need of the good money he is making to pay off a debt. Even with their mutual discomfort with the situation, they see each other a few more times at the club and as things progress, they secretly fall for each other.

The truth eventually comes out, forcing them to face the reality of what they've done and their feelings for each other.

I think as long as you don't think too hard about the taboo factor, you can enjoy the sweetness of these people and their relationship. There were some plot points that made things too easy in helping them come up with a resolution to their dilemma. It helps make a possible HEA more palatable to the reader, but black and white events that erase some of the difficulties wouldn't happen so conveniently in real life. And the fact remains that they did grow up thinking of each other as brother and sister.… (altro)