Steal You Away

REVIEW: 3.5 STARS
“How can I push him away when all I want is to pull him toward me?”

I haven’t read Victoria Ashley until NOW but I can honestly say that I am so glad I finally did. This was a whole new experience for me, not all good, but most definitely not all bad either. While the beginning started out a little rough for me, the final push to the end was actually my favorite part of the whole story and it made the entire book for me. I realize my review may sound critical but I ended up actually liking the book. I just hate that it took me a little too long to settle into it. I think there was a lot of give and take in this book. A lot of give on my end in the beginning because by the time I got to 49%, I was ready to walk away – it was going to be a DNF. I couldn’t walk away, but I was ready to. Make no mistake on that difference – so that tells me something. That tells me a lot.

The basis for this book was absolute perfection for my little twisted heart. A woman belongs to another, yet she has feelings for the brother? I mean, c’mon!!! This was calling my name!!! I love the forbidden, the push and the pull, the feelings that are ones you just cannot fight. While this book did have some of those elements, if not all of them, there was more to it that made it harder to enjoy than it should have. I honestly think the major trip up I had was that it was reverse age-gap and those aren’t always my favorite – but Colson made it work for me. He knew who held his heart. I’m glad because that confidence and arrogance played a huge part in this book.

Some of the things that I made note of:

There was a hysterical level of immaturity that I grappled with regarding both characters, which is a reason why I don’t read this genre often. The internal monologue on both fronts was a little much and made her annoying and him slightly egotistical, both of them not being very relatable in the very beginning.

Kennedy being older definitely allowed for me to question some of her actions and common sense. I don’t understand how everyone else saw this attraction AND she clearly felt it, but also pretended not to know how much Colson liked her. So that drama felt completely unnecessary and it made her look like a ninny – I saw it as just another way to ramp up the drama for that scene. The dilemma of him being your boyfriend’s younger brother alone ramped it up, but her pretending to not know, yet constantly fighting it, just gave me pause to roll my eyes a few times. Pretending not to know and not wanting to act on it are two totally different things, and this book had both. It felt unnecessary. I did enjoy the fact that she spent so much time in her head counting all the ways he was sexy and how much she hated him…. almost equally. It was comical to a certain degree.

“Who the hell has sex with their boyfriend while thinking about his brother?”

Add to it, Colson had a shit ton of confidence – there wasn’t a real given reason for it, it just was. Confidence just oozed out of him in his thoughts, his actions, and in his determination because every girl wanted him and apparently every guy wanted to be him. He came across as narcissistic a few times, not really as a man that knew his worth and his value but assumed it. It’s wasn’t sexy all the time, which dragged out his internal praising. Be humble because you know, don’t be an ass because everyone tells you that you are. I will admit that his banter and his comebacks were definitely sexy at times because of his confidence, but there is a fine line on some of them. It was a little boring reading the same mental mantra page after page, because he made mention a thousand different ways, but alas, it was who he was. It did add to his determination, though – and that was admirable. I won’t lie that confidence is equal parts sexy and hot – but it has to be in the right context. I’m not saying it wasn’t that way in this book, but some tweaking would have helped.

The fighting between Dax and Colson (the brothers) was pretty tiring to read about, honestly. They fought over her as if she was a piece of property and clearly couldn’t make her own decision – and they did it right in front of her. That left a sour taste in my mouth, and I didn’t really appreciate her standing by while they did it. These two morons were fighting like she wasn’t accountable for her own thoughts and wants. It was almost ridiculous. One of them had to be more mature than the other given the ages they were, yet that seemed to be a problem for both of them. It really was frustrating to see. And to top it all off, Dax was a major douche with a drinking problem. To be honest, I wasn’t even sure why there was competition. It made zero sense.

Unfortunately, the fighting didn’t stop at his brother, because Colson also felt the need to fight with anyone who said something he didn’t like – which added another level of immaturity to deal with. There was a factor that it played into, however, and that actually showed his determination with regards to Kennedy. I loved when he was around her because that man was driven to pleasing her and making her smile. I honestly think that’s where he was redeemed.

The buildup really lacked for me in the beginning. Instead of something being built up to or upon, it was all told almost in hindsight. I felt like the entire story was being told to me – again, almost in hindsight, not truthfully in forethought. Why does he want her. Oh! They used to do this. Why does he believe she is his. Oh! They once shared this. HINDSIGHT. Write forward, don’t make me chase facts. I feel like the entire time a statement was made, we chased the background to add to it. Set it up, build it up – don’t catch me up. I want a level of background that gives me purpose to their relationship so I can fight for it with them.

Ok….now that I am done bitching, let me tell you what I loved about this book. The LAST 30% was amazing for me. The story came together and the characters were meshing well. The love was in abundance and the drama between them was legit and working towards the story and not against it. I think my favorite thing was that Victoria Ashley did an amazing job showing Colson’s desperation for Kennedy and his need wasn’t anything he could walk away from. I love when a strong, confident man can actually upend his life because his world runs his heart. Oh and because it was HOT! Holy shite. Hot. Colson had a swaggar to him that outdid his confidence by a mile. He was always on top of his game and had plenty to smile about. This book was all kinds of hot. I can and will say that much.

This animosity between the brothers made Colson shine though, because if one person was going to treat her the way she deserved to be treated and take care of her, it was going to be him. I will admit that Colson grew on me faster than Kennedy did, but by the time this story was over, I was in love with the way he made her feel and the way he took care of her. He paid attention to who she was and what she liked. I just loved that he always put her first. Always. I can honestly say I loved that she was his priority. The way he sold it and the way he made her realize that he was there for her, that melted my heart. That endeared me to him. I watched him put her first and put her on the pedestal he felt she deserved. So admirable. Definitely made me {{sigh}} a few times.

In the end, Colson’s overconfidence and strength in his belief that Kennedy was his one true love is what made me smile and keep pushing through this book. To top it all off, her smile blossomed and she had a true sense of happiness when she was with him. So even though some things were frustrating, I couldn’t stop reading. The flow worked and I found myself reading late into the night. I wanted to keep reading it and I wanted to see how it worked out. I wanted to see how they came together, so that says something, a lot even – but doesn’t negate the frustration, hence my rating.

While I may have struggled with some aspects of this book – the give and take, per se, I will most definitely read her again….without a doubt. She can obviously tell me a story, a hot one at that. I’m hoping the drama isn’t prevalent in all the books but was due to their age and immaturity, but again – she can write and she can keep me entertained, which is obviously the ultimate goal in this whole experience.

“It was us before it was anyone else.”
BEEd

This book I could not put down!!

Colson Bennett is sexy personified… Wow! The way he comes in no holes barred and looks to steal his brother Dax’s girlfriend Kennedy from right under his nose is so freaking insanely HOT!!

This story is funny, sweet and it’s ruthless, the games Colson plays to get the girl he’s been in love with forever is nothing short of awesome!

I thoroughly enjoyed the premise of this one, it was instant chemistry, it was highly entertaining and it was panties melting hotness overload… if you haven’t read it what are you waiting for!!

Reviewer: Natalie

Dax and Kennedy have dated off and on for years. Colson is Dax’s younger brother and he always had a crush on Kennedy. Colson is back in town, grown up and determined to prove to Kennedy that he is the man his brother can’t be for her. Kennedy is looking for a cook for her grandmother’s business. Colson ends up being the hired cook and the bane of her existence. Kennedy and Colson are in for a dirty, steamy sexy ride in this story.

He steals her away

Wow, I absolutely loved Colson and Kennedy Colson has always had feelings for Kennedy and vowed to himself that they would be together one day. Unfortunately, due to their small age difference he had to wait to make her his His brother Dax however beats him to the punch.

Kennedy has been with Dax for what feels like forever but they have issues. Now it appears Colson is back and its making everything that much more complicated. Can she resist Colson or will she fall for his charms?

I loved this story by Victoria as it encompasses everything one would imagine in this particular scenario, a brotherly rivalry for the one girl they both want, a variety of emotions up to the wazoo, hot steamy and sensual scenes, BUT most importantly a love story that spans decades and is one for the ages I’m so lucky to have won an advanced copy of this book and I voluntarily leave my honest review and beg you to read this story as you won’t regret it nor will you be able to put it down

5 Stars

If there’s one thing Victoria Ashley knows how to write, it’s a smoking hot, dirty talking Alpha. Colson Bennett is all that and more. He’s back in town for good and more determined than ever to prove to Kennedy Ward that she is with the wrong brother. Colson has been in love with her since he was thirteen years old, but she has dated his brother Dax off and on for eight years. Knowing that Dax will never be what she needs in a man, Colson steps up and shows her he is. Kennedy has had a secret crush on Colson forever. They were best friends until his brother’s jealousy got in the way. Now he’s not only back in town, but also her new cook at the food truck she is now managing. The banter between these two can only be described as foreplay. She’s the gas and he’s the match that lights her on fire! I gotta admit that Kennedy put up way more of a fight than I think I ever would lol. Great read and I’m adding Colson Bennett to my growing list of book boyfriends 😉

Angela – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog

I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie’s Book Reports.

She belongs to my brother. I’ve stood back for years watching Dax repeatedly screw things up with Kennedy, as if he doesn’t think anyone could ever swoop in and steal her away. Breakup after breakup, they always end up back together, even though I’ve always had a thing for her. I’m tired of waiting. He had his chance. I want mine. when Dixie’s Alibi-her Grandmother’s bar-needs a new cook for the food truck, I jump at the opportunity, despite the fact that Kennedy Ward hates me. At least, she pretends she does. We both know he secretly wants me and always has. One way or another, I will get her to finally admit it, even if it involves losing my brother. I plan to play dirty-real dirty-just like he did. This time I’m going to beat him at his own game. I wanted her first, and he knew that, but our age kept us apart. Not anymore Now I’m grown and ready to take what should’ve been mine to begin with.

Oh gosh Ya’ll!!!! You do not want to miss this book! I am so in love and have been thinking about this book for day. Kennedy is in a relationship with Dax, who constantly needs breaks that lead to breakups and then they get back together. However that doesn’t stop his brother Colson Bennett to have a thing for Kennedy and if she says she doesn’t find him attractive then she is lying. When Kennedy finally gets to run part of her grandmother bar, the food truck, she finds herself short a cook and to Colson that is the perfect job. The annoying younger brother of her ex who she has this love hate thing going on with for years. Sparks are going to fly, things are going to get super hot and you are going to fall so in love with these two characters that your not going to ever want this story to end. Victoria Ashley always creates worlds that you never want to leave and this one is no exception. This is one of my favorites of 2020 and while I have read every Victoria Ashley book and loved them this on is my new favorite. I could reread this thing a million times. Do not miss this one if you only read one book this year. This is the one.

Oh, how I enjoyed this! Colson and Kennedy are so hot together I swear my Kindle was on fire! I loved the premise of this immediately when I read the blurb and I was not disappointed. Ironically, I also found this funny even if it was at the expense of Colson’s brother. I was not able to put this down and I can’t say more or there will be spoilers. I loved the main characters but also some of the side characters.

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author. All opinions in my review are my own.

This book was so fantastic! Holy hotness, this book kept me on my toes. It was so addicting!

I have never read anything from this author before but she is definitely on my radar now. I really loved her writing style. The narration was crafted beautifully with a smooth flow that felt so natural.

These characters were plotted out really well. The main characters have a history with each other and it makes the entire story feel so emotional. You can feel the emotion in the characters. They were easy to relate to and I felt such a connection to them. The characters felt so realistic and I loved that their problems weren’t black and white. I loved the growth that the characters experienced in the story. I was also thrilled with the secondary characters and I can only hope that the author decides to share their stories at some point in the future.

The romance in this story was so emotional and so impactful. The shared history that the main characters have together really makes their feelings for each other intense. I was really rooting for them the whole time. Their chemistry was evident from a mile away.

The plot of the story wasn’t overly complex but there was definitely a lot of drama. There were emotions flying everywhere and the intensity of the story was palpable. I really loved the direction that the story took and I was pleased with the ending. This story definitely keeps the reader glued to the pages. I really couldn’t get enough of these characters and this story.

Overall, this was an emotional and steamy read that really stood out to me. I loved every word of this story and I fell so in love with the author’s writing style. These are characters that I don’t want to let go of. I can’t wait for the next book from this author! She’s definitely got a new fan.

Kennedy and Colson were best friends growing up. However, things shifted when she started dating his older brother. Colson saw her first, he wanted her, but his brother, Dax, stole her from him. He took away his chance to make Kennedy his. Kennedy and Dax have been on and off for years, really they never seemed to fit together. Will Colson ever get his chance the girl of his dreams?
Kennedy is working hard to take over her grandmother’s bar, only to find out Colson is back and her grandmother hired him to work in the food truck right outside the bar. This is where the fun begins and Colson starts to act on his plan to steal Kennedy away from his brother.
I loved the chemistry and the banter between Kennedy and Colson. It was there from the very beginning and only seemed to grow. Colson would do anything he could to get under Kennedy’s skin and it worked most of the time. It was off the charts! Colson knows what he wants and he is doing anything and everything he can to finally get it. Colson is Kennedy’s forbidden temptation and she is slowly getting closer to giving into those temptations.
Steal Her Away is HOT, angsty and a great forbidden little treat.

OMFG.
This book.
I’ve loved Victoria Ashley’s books for years but this one. It’s got to be up there with my all time favourites.
Seriously the sexual tension is off the charts.
Colson and Kennedy have some serious heat crackling between them.
Like burn up your kindle heat.
I’m going through this weird phase at the moment where it takes me ages to get into a book, i don’t know if it’s because I’m still in the last book world but it took me a couple of hours to actually concentrate enough to really sit down with it and i then got to a certain part in the prologue and was like damn. This is gonna be good.
Normally it takes me longer but that part in the prologue hooked me.
Everyone should meet Colson.