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S.O.B. by J.C. Valentine
Publication Date: November 10, 2015
Synopsis:
Levi Black is an s.o.b.
Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he’s a pretentious, obnoxious, womanizing jacka** who thinks the world revolves around him.
He wouldn’t be wrong.
A famous soccer player, his skills on and off the field have won him medals, trophies, women, and the cover of every heartthrob magazine in the country. He’s broken nearly every bone in his body and a few hearts along the way, including mine—his stepsister—and lived to tell about it.
One night changed everything, and I’ve avoided him like the plague ever since. Just long enough to finish college, to bury the hurt, and to outrun the memories. But now that’s all changed. I’m back, and there’s no more running.
My hands are supposed to be my livelihood, but now they’re my curse. Levi’s reckless ways have landed him in a sticky situation, and his father has given me an offer I can’t refuse. One month, and all I have to do is put my hands on his body. Easier said than done. The problem is, even though I know it’s bound to bite me in the a**, I can’t bring myself to say no to the s.o.b.
“Tell me you don’t want me,” he commands, a muscle in his jaw clenching.
“Levi—”
“Just tell me!”
“Why?” I shout back. What’s the point, when we both know it would be a lie?
“Because I want to hear it from your mouth. If you can tell me you don’t want me like I want you, then I’ll leave you alone. Tell. Me.”
The wind kicks up, skating across the water and creating ripples over its calm surface. Pollen and leaves spiral in the air overhead, tumbling to the ground and into the water, mimicking how out of control I feel inside. Levi has to know that nothing between us would ever work. Even if our parents weren’t married, we’re too different. Our worlds are miles apart. But I can see how determined he is. He won’t let this go until he gets the answer he wants.
“Fine,” I relent. Looking him dead in the eyes, I say, “I don’t want you.”
The muscle in his jaw pulses as he regards me with a perfect quiet that is unnerving. I’m thinking I should swim back to shore, dry off. There’s no saving this day. I’m about to do just that, when Levi’s gruff voice stops me cold.
“Liar.”
My brows pull down in confusion. “Excuse me?”
Moving his arms, Levi cuts through the water effortlessly, bringing himself to a stop only when our fronts touch and our legs bump into each other as we work to stay afloat.
“I said you’re a liar, Vista.”
I don’t know what to say, because he’s right, and I’ve never been any good at lying. “What does it even matter? We’re not getting together!”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s—”
“Inappropriate?” he finishes for me.
“Yes!”
“Wrong?”
“Yes,” I bite out as he presses even closer, annoyed with myself and how my body betrays me. Every time Levi gets too close, it’s as if every nerve ending in my body comes to life.
“Dirty?”
Yes. The answer is automatic, but this time, I don’t say it out loud. I keep the humiliating truth to myself. He’s baiting me again. The problem is that it’s working. Except, I’m not angry. I’m...turned on.
My gaze drops to his mouth. I love his lips. They’re equally thick, firm, and kissable. I know because I’ve had them on me, and I yearn to feel their power again. The way Levi says my name, the way he invades my space and calls me his princess, makes me feel weak. I don’t want to be that girl. The one who falls for a guy’s quick lines and filthy mouth, but I am that girl because Levi is that guy... and I’m falling for him.
★★★★ 1/2 stars
I find it hilarious once upon a time I would've seen stepbrother in the title or description and gone, "Ewww". Of course there is nothing about S.O.B. that makes me want to say that. I didn't think I could handle another "Step Brother romance", but something told me to give this book a chance. I'm so glad I did. Instead of not liking this book, I think this is one of the best step sibling romances I've read. It's not just hot, but also thoughtful and well written. There is more to this story than just the forbidden aspect to it. It really is the story of two people who don't get along but share a powerful attraction to each other.
And for the record, even though Levi was a S.O.B., he was a lovable one. It really helped that parts of the book were told from his point of view, otherwise I would truly think he was an nonredeemable hind end of a donkey. Instead he's just one frustrated and unhappy guy who is unable to play the game he loves, dealing with expectations others have of him, and being faced with the one woman who means something to him. He also knows she's the biggest distraction to his recovery even if she's there to help him.
I liked Vista. She's driven and wants to succeed and is willing to do what it takes, even if it means being in the presence of someone who has the power to hurt her greatly. Vista isn't afraid of hard work and she's determined to fulfill her dreams without getting a free handout, and she wasn't going to let anyone or anything, especially her feelings for Levi get in the way. Plus she's sassy.
Together Levi and Vista had an explosive chemistry. It was easy to see they had some unresolved issues from the past to deal with along with their current situations. One moment it would seem like they were at each other's throats and they'd be back to normal again; they were quite volatile. It was clear there were a number of misunderstandings at the heart of their issues with each other.
Together Levi and Vista had an explosive chemistry. It was easy to see they had some unresolved issues from the past to deal with along with their current situations. One moment it would seem like they were at each other's throats and they'd be back to normal again; they were quite volatile. It was clear there were a number of misunderstandings at the heart of their issues with each other.
While for the most part the story might be easy to figure out, there were still surprises I didn't see coming. They really kept me engrossed in the story and turning the pages. I read the book in one sitting and couldn't put it down. Like I said earlier, this is one of the better step brother romances I've read and it really stands out in caliber and quality. Don't pass up on it because you've feel like you've already read it. You haven't. Hats off to J.C. Valentine for taking a theme that has been over used in a short amount of time and adding a spin that's fresh, tasteful, and entertaining.
*Thank you to the publicist for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for them in any manner.*
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ABOUT J.C. VALENTINE
J.C. Valentine is the USA Today and International bestselling author of the Night Calls and Wayward Fighters Series and the Forbidden Trilogy. Her vivid imagination and love of words and romance had her penning her own romance stories from an early age, which, despite being poorly edited and written longhand, she forced friends and family members to read. No, she isn't sorry.
J.C. earned her own happily ever after when she married her high school sweetheart. Living in the Northwest, they have three amazing children and far too many pets and spend much of their free time together enjoying movies or the outdoors. Among the many hats she wears, J.C. is an entrepreneur. Having graduated with honors, she holds a Bachelor's in English and when she isn't writing, you can find her editing for fellow authors.
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