Barred Desires (The Deepest Desires) Paperback – March 21, 2022

Fast burn, full of love, full of spice. I loved this book and I'm a fan of insta-love so I was hooked from the get go.

1st person/dual povSpice: 4/5This is such a cute story! Not going to lie it is emotional at parts but overall it is adorable. I love Branson so much and the way he is so protective over Luca from the very beginning just warmed my heart. Even before you get the full story of what happened with Luca in his past you can pretty much guess what it was, especially by his reactions to certain situations with his girlfriend. Situations that made me absolutely sick to my stomach at times because it is so overlooked how often this actually happens to men. While that in no way negates that it happens quite often to women, if not possibly more often, it doesn't change the fact that men experience it as well and can be triggered just as much by it. Being in a relationship with someone doesn't mean they are entitled to things being physical. And just because you are physically intimate with someone doesn't entitle them to your body whenever they see fit. Consent is still important and necessary!! I'll be honest the fact that she couldn't see how he was triggered from the first moment no matter if she was sober or not had me instantly wanting to toss her to the curb in the most brutal way possible. But Branson makes everything better as usual so all is well.Overall the spice was pretty good and I loved how Luca owned who he was becoming from practically the moment he realized things were changing. He questioned things sure I mean who wouldn't given the situation, but once he was sure the feelings were mutual there was no holding back. It's not something you see often when a character is realizing their sexuality is not as simple as they thought it was. The fact of the matter is not everyone who goes through that sort of awakening struggles as much with it and Luca's character shows that. Of course, all of their friends' reactions as well as their parents' reactions just made it even more enjoyable to read. I would absolutely recommend this to someone who is interested in dipping their toes into MM romance and/or forbidden romance. It's not super heavy emotionally even dealing with some heavier issues and gives you such a happy heartwarming feeling as you read through it. I'm very excited to read the rest of the stories in this series.I do suggest double-checking TWs due to some of the topics discussed by the characters about their pasts.

**Spoiler at the end of this review* On the one hand I want to say that its always a relief to read a book that's not filled with angst and characters that are on a repetitive self reflection loop . However, considering the extreme plot twist within the narrative (trying not to Spoil) there should be more than we are given . Maybe the author didn't want to bog the reader down - if that were the case then she should have chosen a different "thing" I have a serious problem just letting my brain say "ok, its fixed now" and move along to a sexy part. (SP The author then throws in the traumatic event adds a little trauma self revelation for the other MC with sexy parts bookending it all. It's a little off putting and I found myself just skimming to the end just because I knew there likely wouldn't be much content around the rest of the wrapping up of their HEA (I was right - the last 15% of the book is focused on spicy content with plot dropped in between)That being said, the story flows well , the characters are likeable and the story is engaging. There are some very spicy parts and some very sweet and touching parts . I would recommend it as an enjoyable time filler.In an effort to avoid spoiler I'm dropping the one thing that annoyed me, that still annoys me and will always annoy me - and what made my interest really disengage from the book and is why I likely won't read the next book in the seriesOMG! to include the description of Luca's molestation in some detail and you don't explore the actual recovery in any detail whatsoever. What.so.ever.!? - the author literally drop the subject after he tells Branson so they can have sex (wth?!) .. to have it LITERALLY just shoved aside as something that happened in the past, something he obviously didn't discuss with a therapist , is NOT going to tell his parents - that is simply cured by sleeping next to Branson just trivializes a truly awful experience that is child molestation. Nightmares & panic attacks are NOT grown out of nor are they cured by falling in love. I'm trying not to demonize the author as someone using trauma for gain because she does make some effort but to me its sadly lacking and kind of offensive

✨ “Your eyes give it away, every single time. You both look at each other like one hung the moon, and the other, the stars. Like your whole world begins and ends with one another.” ✨Utterly obsessed with this book! I couldn’t put it down. <Please check trigger warnings as the main characters do deal with the aftermath of childhood trauma.> Some of my favoriteeee tropes were in this book! The perfect balance of heartfelt and spicy romance!Read if you love:▫️ College romance▫️ Stepbrothers▫️ Childhood trauma▫️ Friends to lovers▫️ Forbidden loveGenre/type: College RomanceRating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️Series or standalone: Book 1 in seriesTropes or themes: College, MM, Stepbrothers, Forbidden Love, Friends to Lovers, Hurt/Comfort, Bi Awakening, Childhood Trauma

Luca and Branson grew up together as step brothers and friends. Branson is openly and proudly gay. Luca has a girlfriend. It’s not a fantastic relationship but it is what it is.Their mutual attraction is forbidden and confusing for Luca. Branson isn’t interested in exploring a relationship with a straight man, especially his step brother. Once they give in to their desires their chemistry is explosive. 🔥Courtney is truly a horrible human and completely deserved Bransons disdain. Luca should have kicked her to curb at the first sign of troubleThe author did a great job writing about childhood trauma and the characters compassion towards one another.Well written and likeable parents and friends is a huge plus for me as well 🖤5⭐️ 4🌶TW includeCSAChild abuseAddiction

Very readable book but with a few weird things. Both MCs have some very traumatic childhood experiences but it seems they will never need help to cope with these. Intimate scenes while the father is in a coma don't feel right. And the misogyny is really quite awful. The growing connection between the MCs and their support for each other was excellent.

Was für eine unglaublich liebevolle, emotionale und heiße Stepbrother Romance!!! 😍 Ich bin ein riesiger Fan dieses Genres! Was mir hier besonders gut gefallen hat, ist, dass es keine anfängliche Feindseligkeit zwischen den Protagonisten gab. Oft gehen diese Geschichten mit einen Enemies to Lovers Thema einher, aber dieses Buch hatte eher einen Friends to Lovers Touch, was ich sehr süß und überraschend fand 🥰!!Ich habe Bran und Luca sofort in mein Herz geschlossen! Die emotionale Entwicklung den beiden war unglaublich! Die zwei waren so liebevoll zueinander und haben sich gegenseitig so viel Halt gegeben ❤️! Die Anziehung zwischen ihnen war wirklich wahnsinnig 🔥! Puh, mir ist nicht nur einmal seeeehr heiß geworden 🥵🥵! Ich kann dieses Buch von ganzem Herzen weiterempfehlen und bin schon sehr gespannt, wie es im nächsten Teil mit Knox und Aston weitergeht 🤗

i love this book so much…. stepbrothers are my absolute favourite trope and these two didn't disappoint...they are everything i need...❤️❤️❤️I love the story, love the plot...love the chemistry and I love how they complete each other without taking any efforts...i mean just read couple of chapters of them together and u know instantly that they are endgame. Perfect example of soulmates. The intimacy they have with each other is beyond words...i have read so many MM books with smutt...but very few times i use word intimacy to describe them..and this book is that for me…Lastly i can't believe it's her first book... beacuse girl she nailed it...it's likes she are writing MM from ages...😊😊😊Can't wait for her future books....

Fell in love with the characters, Luca & Branson are so super cute together and super hot sexy times. Fantastic premise to the story and well written, I just wish it was longer and had explored the surrounding threads of the story more; would have made it a clear 5 stars for me. Trigger warnings for prior child abuse and family drug abuse but written really well. Definitely reading the next one as soon as it’s out!