Review: A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrochers

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A Little Too Far (A Little Too Far #1) by Lisa Desrochers
Contemporary / New Adult
William Morrow (September 17, 2013)

Rating: B+
Heat: Hot

Heroine: Lexie Banks – Art History Major, Studying Abroad
Hero: Trent Sorenson – Stepbrother, Musician
Hero: Alessandro Moretti – Soon-to-be Priest, Friend

 

 

Synopsis:

Have you ever gone just a little too far?

Lexie Banks has.

Yep. She just had mind-blowing sex with her stepbrother. In her defense, she was on the rebound, and it’s more of a my-dad-happened-to-marry-a-woman-with-a-super-hot-son situation. But still, he’s been her best friend and confidant for the better part of the last few years … and is so off limits. It’s a good thing she’s leaving in two days for a year abroad in Rome.

But even thousands of miles away, Lexie can’t seem to escape trouble. Raised Catholic, she goes to confession in hopes of alleviating some of her guilt … and maybe not burning in hell. Instead, she stumbles out of the confessional and right into Alessandro Moretti, a young and very easy-on-the-eyes deacon … only eight months away from becoming a priest. Lexie and Alessandro grow closer, and when Alessandro’s signals start changing despite his vow of celibacy, she doesn’t know what to think. She’s torn between falling in love with the man she shouldn’t want and the man she can’t have. And she isn’t sure how she can live with herself either way.

Review:

Lexie Banks is an art history major about to travel to Rome for a year abroad. After finding out her boyfriend—her high school sweetheart and the boy she gave her virginity to—was cheating on her, she's more than ready to start over. Especially after running into the jerk a few days before she's supposed to leave.

Which sends her into a confusing tailspin of emotions… and, after a few drinks and a game of Warcraft with her stepbrother to get her mind off that loser, things for Lexie and Trent change. Drastically. And it is steamy and naughty and feels oh so right. But once the postcoital glow has faded, awkwardness sets in. Are they still friends? Are they more? Is it wrong, even though it feels so right?

Before they have a chance to figure it out, Lexie's in Rome. Things only get more weird between them as time goes by. So Lexie focuses on Rome and her art. Which leads her into the path of Alessandro Moretti, a reverend on his way to priesthood, who's looking for a children's tour guide for some of Rome's museums. Lexie's that gal. And what starts as a professional, working relationship grows into a friendship... then something more.

Trent is… Sex incarnate wrapped up in a broody, musician package. He’s supportive and understanding. Truly Lexie’s best friend and her stepbrother. It should feel weird, or wrong, but it never did. It felt natural. It felt right. Trent is the only person who knows all of Lexie. Her dreams, her fears. He's seen her at her worst and still loves her. And she loves him. More than even she really knew. Not to mention, he sings her songs that he writes—about her! Swoon! And when the man kisses, oh, be still my heart. You feel it all the way to your toes.

Then there’s Alessandro, who is only months away from answering his call to God and becoming a priest (though he’s already vowed his celibacy). When Lexie’s living in a strange city, trying to find her way, he becomes her friend and a confidante. Shows her parts of Rome and parts of himself. They grow close. I would want to get close to him too. There’s something about the way he can just look at Lexie and you feel it. And the way he tries to restrain himself? Tries not to give in to his feelings for Lexie? It gives me the tingles.

Oh, boy. Trent. Alessandro. Trent.... Alessandro.... This was a complicated triangle. An usual romance, period. Not in a bad way. It just... developed differently. The man I consider the hero, who I wanted Lexie with from the first moment, is absent for most of the book. He's there, but he's not. If absence makes the heart grow fonder, well, it worked. I wanted him there. I wanted him and Lexie together. And because they weren't, it was damn near torture. Seriously. It felt like there needed to be more focus on our hero and less on the other guy. *grumbles*

A Little Too Far is one super hot and scandalous read. It took me completely by surprise. From the blurb, you really don’t know what you’re getting into. Yes, there’s forbidden romances but it was so much more than that. It knocks you off your feet with the sizzling sex scenes and the incredible chemistry between the characters. It packs quite the emotional wallop. You can’t help but becomes invested. Which is why I do wish that the person who invoked such strong reactions in me (read: left me panting and wanting) had more page time. That’s truly my only gripe. Can’t wait for A Little Too Much!

Favorite Quote:

I feel myself implode, and all I can think about is how much I miss him. I miss curling into his arms and telling him about my day. I miss knowing he’ll always be mine—that no one will ever know me like he does. I miss his lips and his hands. I miss his heart and his soul. I miss every part of him. I feel so empty. Can a person die of emptiness?