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 – Step-Sister, Exchange College Student
Hero: Trent Sorenson – Step-Brother, Musician
Hero: Alessandro Moretti – Reverend, Boxer

 

 

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:

A Little Too Far begins with Lexie Banks home on college break. While at dinner with her best friends, she runs into her cheating ex-boyfriend Rick—who didn’t just cheat on her, but cheated on her with three different girls. He hurt her badly. But seeing Rick again stirs up feelings in Lexie that confuse her, especially after he steals a kiss from her. She leaves the restaurant quickly and goes home to confide in her best friend, who is also her step-brother, Trent. When one thing leads to another and all the pent up feelings and desire they’ve felt for each other over the years comes tumbling to the surface—they find themselves in bed together; resulting in them having hot, passionate, mind-blowing sex. Oopsie daisy.

“Never during any of it, even once we’re both naked on my bed, does any part of me feel like we shouldn’t be doing this. All of a sudden, he isn’t my stepbrother. He’s everything I’ve ever needed.” – Lexie Banks

Did Lexie and Trent take it a little too far? I didn’t think so. I never got that icky feeling like I would if they were actually brother and sister by blood. Yet it’s still forbidden because their parents are going to completely freak if they find out. And it could possibly tear the family apart. Lexie feels conflicted over what they’ve done. How can something so taboo feel like it was meant to be? What does it all mean? And, she’s leaving for Rome in two days – which doesn’t give them enough time digest the situation or talk about it. To say things are awkward between them when she leaves is a massive understatement.

Once in Rome, Lexie is stilling feeling overwhelmed by guilt and shame. Lexie decides to go to confession and confess her indiscretion; hoping it will help alleviate what she’s feeling. As part of her penance, the priest assigns her to a young reverend; an incredibly handsome and charming man. Poor Lexie just cannot catch a break with the attractive forbidden fruit in her life. She’s assigned to work alongside Alessandro, the hot soon-to-be priest, and teach children Rome’s art history. Slowly, the chemistry that is already prevalent heats up further as they grow closer, all while Lexie’s feelings for Trent continue to linger on the surface, never wavering.

“I thought I was going to hell before, but this pretty much cements it.” – Lexie Banks

It was easy to become immersed in Lexie’s world. I really felt like I was there with Lexie in Rome, as the author describes Rome beautifully. The author took me on an enthralling journey as Lexie digs deep and searches her soul to find out what she truly wants out of her life. I really adore Lexie’s witty, loveable, and compassionate personality. She’s a fun heroine. While she did make some terrible decisions, it was hard to stay mad at her. She acted and reacted in ways that were believable and genuine. The big question is: Who will she choose? Both men are forbidden but willing to make sacrifices for her. Will it be Trent, even if it could potentially tear her family apart? Or will it be Alessandro, who is days away from becoming a priest?

Alessandro’s life was once headed down a dark and dangerous path, until he found his way by devoting his life to God. But meeting Lexie makes him doubt the path he’s taken. He’s not sure if he can withstand the temptation that is Lexie Banks. Alessandro is written in an amazing way. I couldn’t help but feel for him. He obviously felt conflicted over his duty to God and his feelings towards Lexie. I honestly grew to care for Alessandro though I thought I wouldn’t since I was so hung up on Trent. The author manages pull my heart in two different directions.

Although both men are consuming in their own way, Trent is the one who made my pulse pound and my heart flutter the moment he walked onto the pages. Not only does he ride a motorcycle, but he plays guitar. And be still my melting heart…. Trent wrote and sang songs for Lexie. *sigh* When Lexie and Trent were together, I felt the deep emotional connection they had formed between them over the years. But during the time they spend apart, doubts and unspoken misunderstandings begin to settle in both their minds and take root. Are they really meant to be together?

I have to be honest here… There just didn’t feel like there was a good balance with the individual scenes Lexie had with Alessandro and Trent. I was really disappointed with the lack of Trent’s presence in the story. I wish the author would’ve given me more of Lexie and Trent together. I felt cheated.    

Lexie is a very lucky girl to have two incredible men who want her. I can imagine there will readers whose hearts will be torn over Lexie’s heart-wrenching decision. Both these men are worthy and it hurt knowing one of them will get their heart broken. I give kudos to the author for not bowing down to expectations. She took a chance with this boundary-breaking, incredibly complex love story. This story is about taboo relationships and a complicated love triangle, but it’s ultimately about finding yourself and choosing love and happiness over fear of the unknown. There is emotional heartache but it also has many laugh out loud moments that I loved. Do yourself a favor and escape into this consuming story where friendship, love, and lust collide. These character’s lives will be changed forever. I’m totally looking forward to the next book coming out in November, 2013 that is centered around one of these characters. But I’m not saying who. *wink*