Series Review: Her British Stepbrother by Lauren Smith

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

Synopsis for Forbidden (from Goodreads):
Kat has always been a good girl. She studies hard and never stays out too late. But when sitting in a pub on her birthday, she realizes she’s a nineteen-year-old virgin who’s never really lived. And she wants tonight to be the night that changes.

Then she sees him walk in. He’s tall, dark, handsome, and straight out of her deepest fantasies. His voice makes her knees feel weak, and when he smiles, she imagines him doing wicked things to her in bed. From the look in his eyes, she knows he’s imagining it too. So when he asks if he can walk her home, she hears herself whisper yes . . .

Series: Her British Stepbrother Trilogy
Author: Lauren Smith
# of Books: 3 (Forbidden, Seduction, Climax)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: New Adult, Erotica, Romance, Contemporary
Heat Rating: Hot
Point of View: Third Person, Alternating
Publication Dates: January 2016 – May 2016
Source & Format: Author–eARC

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

Forbidden romances are definitely a selling point for me with series. The step-sibling trend seems to be a popular “forbidden” romance in the contemporary market and I definitely get the appeal. It adds an edge of suspense to the story that your everyday romances lack.

Add to that a British bad boy who never wants to be tamed and you’ve got yourself one intriguing trilogy!

The Concept:

What’s interesting about this series is the fact that these two don’t know they are step-siblings when they first meet. Which has its positives and negatives. I think it would have been a lot more fun to never know that these two will eventually be “related” before you start Forbidden. Basically, the reader learns they are step-siblings when the characters learn.

However, it also creates a bittersweet feeling for the reader because you know the truth as you watch these two interact. You see how great they are together but you automatically feel sympathetic to their situation because you know what’s in store for them…and it is going to break them.

The Plot:

I loved that this series wasn’t riddled with cliched plot lines when it easily could be. While the focus is definitely on the romance, there are enough dramatic elements to the plot to move the story forward and keep you entertained.

And even though these books would probably be classified as novellas because of their shorter length, you still get a solid story out of each instalment. They never really feel like short stories. Yes, things happen at a fast-pace time-wise in the story but there is enough detail, content and plot developments to make you feel like you are reading a whole novel.

The quick time line (a couple of weeks at most) of the story is really my only peeve of this series. Everything just happens to them so fast!

The Characters:

I was worried that Kat would come across as a whiny teenager but she was actually extremely mature. She was very easy to like as a character.

As for Tristan, he’s everything you want in a bad boy. And he’s a British peer… I really don’t think I need to say more.

But I will!

If you’re worried that he isn’t going to have too much substance to his character, think again! He too was a very likeable and developed character which I was happy to see.

The Romance:

Everything happens so fast to these two. It’s one of those “insta-connections” BUT, it’s so obvious very early on why these two would work together. Besides their physical attraction, they have so much in common and understand each other so well. It really impressed me how much you loved these two together.

Which is what you want in a forbidden romance. You have to show me why these two should defy all expectations to be together…and Lauren Smith succeeds beautifully with that.

Series Rating: 4/5

Forbidden 4/5 | Seduction 4/5 | Climax 3/5

Finally! A forbidden romance that proves to me why the characters should defy all conventions! High stakes, juicy drama and a swoon-worthy hero make Her British Stepbrother a worth-while romance trilogy.

Read if You Like: step-sibling romances, British Bad Boys
Avoid if You: dislike forbidden romances, dislike shorter novels