They only had each other…
Until one forbidden night ruined everything.
Book Description:
STEPSISTER. He hated that f*cking word.
When their parents got married, the only thing Caleb Luxan had in common with Wren Brashill was that they both hated their parents. When he was sixteen, Caleb discovered Wren's closely guarded secret and vowed to protect her: from that day forward she became the reason for every decision he made.
Jealousy and long-suppressed desire overpowered Caleb's fierce protectiveness and they spent one forbidden and unforgettable night in each other arms, but the aftermath left Caleb panicked, Wren heartbroken, and their relationship in shambles. In the time since that fateful night, he’d only seen her once and had only managed to make the situation even worse.
The sudden death of his estranged father calls Caleb home and face-to-face with Wren for first time in years. He is presented with a choice that forces him to confront the painful memories of his youth and his many regrets with Wren.
Like it or not, his father's last, hard lesson, will demand Caleb deal with his long denied emotions for Wren, or let go of her forever.
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Our Review:
Reviewed by Donna ~ 4 stars
***ARC received for an honest review***
“I could lose everything and
anyone and live through it, but I can’t lose you.”
When two families become one there are always teething
problems, resentment and anger. Throw into the mix a gold digger and those
emotions of anger and resentment grow exponentially, especially when
essentially replacing an irreplaceable mother. Also add into that mix a gold
digger that treats her own flesh and blood like crap and One Step Closer is
born.
Caleb is struggling with losing his mother, even though it
was a few years ago the pain has not abated and raw wounds are once again
opened when his father brings home his new wife. Since the death of his mother
Caleb’s relationship with his father has deteriorated beyond repair. His father
went AWOL when Caleb needed him most and now self-sufficient he is adamant that
he will never need him again. Underground fighting was his means of escape, his
place to unleash his inner pain and anguish as well as the emotional turmoil he
was in over Wren.
“I’ve wanted you, Wren.”
“For how long?”
“Forever.”
Wren was stunning, inside and out despite having a vile,
manipulative mother. Meek, timid and a vessel for emotional abuse Wrens life
was non-existent until her mother married Caleb’s father. Keeping herself to
herself Wren kept the family at arm’s length, but Caleb broke through, he saw
the despondency, he saw the way her mother treated her and he vowed to put a
stop to it and look after the one woman he could. Wren was a ballerina and she
was as graceful in her mannerisms and actions as she was on stage. Her heart
was made of gold and there was nothing to dislike about her.
“No matter what, you’ll always be
my Superman.”
Caleb protected Wren, looked out for her, provided her with
everything she needed to realise her dreams. Every action had Wren in mind, it
was his way of loving her because he couldn’t. Caleb loved Wren from the very
beginning, but with the stigma attached to their current “step-sibling” title
he vowed to keep her romantically at arm’s length. Until one night he didn’t.
Overcome with guilt he pulls away not realising the pain he actually inflicted
in doing so and now when they are reunited in tragedy, it seems old souls are
making up for their meddling.
“I think Wren has always loved
you. You’re her sun and moon, Caleb. I think it’s always been you and Wren.”
As with any Kahlen Aymes book you are a guaranteed a sweet
and steamy read and she doesn’t disappoint. But entangled with the sweet, we
have a little angst, a little drama and conniving bitches that I wanted to
throat punch. For lovers of this trope this is a must read, lovers of the slow
burn will love this too, friends to lovers and second chance love are all
covered so there really is something for everyone. Caleb will definitely win
your hearts in this one.
Excerpt:
Caleb’s muscled frame was rigid and as Wren looked at him, she studied his profile, and could feel his coiled tension. The fingers in his right hand curled into a fist. “I was so mad. So many times, I wished he’d been the one to die.” His voice was full of pain, as the words tore from him. “I fucking hated him with every breath I took. You saw how much.”
Wren nodded, though he didn’t see her acquiescence. She knew what he went through growing up when they had formed an affable alliance against their parents. She hated her mother at least as much as Caleb hated his father and she understood his anger and pain; then the apathy that became a welcome alternative. They’d been unlikely allies against a common enemy.
“Maybe I deserved his indifference.”
Wren got up and went to Caleb, standing behind him as he stood still as stone, and staring out the window. Her heart ached with love and grief for Caleb. She wanted to touch him; to offer reassurance, to take away the ache in his voice and heart. Without considering her actions, her arms slipped around his waist and she pressed up against his strong back and leaned her head against him, between his shoulder blades.
Caleb was massive in comparison to her, and she was like a flower curling around him. Her hands fanned out against his hard stomach, her fingers finding the definition of his abs beneath his shirt. “Stop, Cale. I won’t let you do this to yourself. Your dad wouldn’t want that. None of it was your fault.” Her arms slid fully around him and held him tight against her body. “I can’t bear it. You’ve had enough pain. Enough.”
Caleb sucked in a deep breath, the action bringing her even closer. He could feel every curve of her body pressed so closely against his back. He could feel her breathing, could feel how she shared his pain. His hand came up and he ran the flat of his hand from her elbow down to her hand, and then wrapped his fingers around hers.
“When did you turn into the strong one?”
Wren’s arms tightened around him. “When I met you. ”
“Oh, Wren.” Should he just spill his guts? Would it fix everything? “I’ve got so much to say to you. How long can you stay?”
She nodded against him, unwilling to end the contact between their bodies; needing the closeness as much as he did.
He wanted to apologize for how he acted the last time he’d seen her, he wanted to say a hundred things… he needed her forgiveness.
“How long do you need me?”
In that moment a miracle happened; a sort of beautiful irony that taunted Caleb with it’s fragileness. It was as if he’d never screwed everything up between them. But would it stay this way?
How long do I need you? Caleb thought. His heart raced to the point of exploding, and he wondered if Wren could feel it.
Forever.
About the Author:
I'm a single mother of one daughter, Olivia. She's amazing in every way.
I was born in the Midwestern United States and educated at a private university where I received a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and Business Administration.
I've always been creative with art, music, theater and writing. I decided to write a story as a way to build a network for a business venture. The reader support of my stories and my overwhelming desire to find out where my characters would take me, soon had the writing morphing the business. No one was more shocked than I. When readers began nominating my work for online awards, it took my breath away and only made me love it more. It soon became clear that writing was, and should be, my focus.
Giveaway:
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