Review // Always Been You by Q.B. Tyler

It's a weird thing when you're in love with someone in your family. Fights or disagreements with them feel personal in two ways that somehow have to co-exist within you. I'm his sister and the person he may be closest to in life. He's my best friend and I never wanted to be on weird terms with him. But I'm also in love with him which makes things difficult in their own way.

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Always Been You by Q.B. Tyler

Standalone
Release - March 3, 2022
Genre - Taboo Contemporary Romance / interracial
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 5 out of 5 / frequent and spicy
Format/Source - ebook borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Length - 256 pages
Publisher - Indie

Goodreads * Amazon (FREE to read with KU)

Wrong. Sinful. Taboo.

I know I shouldn't want him.

I know I shouldn't touch myself in the middle of the night as thoughts of him run through my mind.

Thoughts of his kiss, his touch, his love.

I'd spent years obsessing over the man I thought I couldn't have.

But as it turns out, he wants me too.

And he wants me now.

My Two Cents

3.5 "If loving you is wrong, I don't wanna be right" stars

I'll be honest... taboo reads haven't really been on my radar lately. I can't even remember when the last time my eyes even came across one. However, when I read this review from Sonya, I couldn't pass it up. She made it sound so good and I'm happy to say that I agree. At least for the most part.

So this isn't your typical 'he's my stepbrother and we're now involved. There's some fallout and a happy ending' kind of read. This is about adopted siblings. Gabi was adopted when she was two. She was a part of the family in every single way.

But what's a girl to do when she falls in love with her older brother?

Knowing they can't be together doesn't keep her heart from aching for him. It doesn't stop her body's longing for him.

So what happens when she finds out he feels the same way?

"Gabrielle." He turns around and I can see the anguish in his features. Does he... feel the same things I feel? "In another life..." he leans down, "I'd make you so happy, and it just kills me sometimes that it can't be this life."

I liked a lot of what this story offered. The writing was definitely on point. The chemistry between the characters was beyond sizzling. The drama was actually kept to a minimum, if you can believe it. I even liked the dynamic explored by Gabi and James in their new relationship. I found it more realistic that they were being realistic about how strange their circumstances were. They knew it was messed up, they knew that many people would be grossed out, but their love wouldn't allow any of that to matter.

"I don't see this ending with James. I wouldn't have crossed this line if I was ever planning to uncross it."

"You say that, but you don't know what life has in store for you. You're eighteen, Gab. You don't have your life figured out yet."

"Maybe not, but I do have who I want to spend it with figured out."

I do wish this story encompassed more than just the sexual chemistry between the characters. I know, I can't believe I even typed that, but it's true. There were some flashbacks that missed the mark on showing me the depth of their relationship. It was more tell than show and I would have loved to see the before better. Overall, a very solid read and I can easily recommend it to anyone looking for a bit more than a splash of taboo in their romance.

About the Author

Write. Wine. Work. Repeat.

A look inside the mind of a not so ex-party girl's escape from her crazy life. Hailing from the nation's capital, q.B. Tyler, spends her days constructing her "Happily ever afters" with a twist, featuring sassy heroines and the heroes that worship them. But most importantly the love story that develops despite inconvenient circumstances.

Check out https://authorqbtyler.com/ for more information