From the #1 New York Times bestselling author comes an unexpected love story of family, secrets, and the most intimate of deceptions.My estranged twin brother, Julian, was always the wonder boy—and was groomed to become CEO of our ruthless father’s corporation. My mother and me? Left behind. Now, years after tearing our family apart, my father dares to ask me for a favor? Pretend to be Julian … favor? Pretend to be Julian while he fights to survive a tragic accident. It can save the company. Nobody will be the wiser. It’ll be our secret.
I can play Dad’s favorite. I’ll do it for Julian. And for my mother, who’ll want for nothing.
But this double life comes with a beauty of a hitch: my very real feelings for Julian’s fiancée, Isobel. Not only am I betraying Julian, I’m deceiving a woman I love. She doesn’t suspect a thing. As lies compound, lines are crossed and loyalties tested, all I can ask myself is…What have I done?
Because sooner or later something’s got to give. There’s no way I’m giving up Isobel. But once the truth is exposed, it might not be my choice at all.
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Wow – this book had me on the edge of my seat. Family drama at its best with a storyline filled with lies, deception, loyalties, hurt, hostile takeovers, guilt and if that was not enough you also get a love story you just want to survive and family dynamics that are dysfunctional at best. The characters of Bridge and Isobel are beautifully written and the ending will leave you with the feel of loss and heart break. Rachel Van Dyken has created a complex family and I loved every minute of this story.
I really enjoyed reading this story. I loved the story line, and I thought the author did a fabulous job of writing it. I appreciated having the book written with a dual POV as I felt it enhanced the story by allowing me access to the thoughts and feelings of both Bridge and Isobel.
I absolutely fell in love with Bridge from the very first chapter. He has the most wonderful personality and my heart broke for him when his life was turned upside down. He has always put others before himself so when he was put in a position that he couldn’t say no to, my heart broke for him again…. if that is even possible.
I can understand why Isobel acts like she does in the book. I don’t think that initially she has much choice or control as to where her life was leading…. not if she didn’t want to be totally on her own. I know that it isn’t always easy to make the right decisions, especially when more powerful characters exert lots of influence. All I wanted was for her to be happy and there were times when I wasn’t sure if this was going to happen.
I couldn’t put my kindle down once I started reading Stealing Her. I needed to know where the story was going, even though I did suspect what was going to happen in the end. My emotions were all over the place and I was torn between seeing the characters have their HEAs and wanting them to walk away from something that felt so wrong.
I’m really looking forward to the next book which I understand will be Julian’s story. I can’t wait to discover what happens next.
Stealing her is by far my FAVORITE Rachel Van Dyken novel. I fell so hard and so fast for Bridge. The guy was a saint for stepping in to help a brother he hadn’t known in years. While appeasing a father he hated. He vowed to always be there for his brother and no matter the level of guilt he felt while doing so, he stepped into his brother’s life and against all his might…fell in love with the woman his brother planned to marry.
He battled himself daily over what was going on. Wishing his brother was there to wear the suits and sign the papers, but until he could he was determined to do what must be done so his brother would have the life he worked so hard for. He just couldn’t fathom giving up Izzy. After how she’d been treated over the years being around his father and brother, he couldn’t help but see her the way she should have been seen and treated the way she should have been treated. She was such an amazing woman and deserved to be up in a pedestal. That’s exactly what Bridge did. But even the small acts as himself proved to be too big to ever be confused as his brother.
I loved this story so much! The emotions were everywhere. They were palpable. They were EVERYTHING! I really can’t wait until Julian’s story is told. He may not have been perfect for Izzy, but he does deserve his own perfect happy ending.
Stealing Her is the first book in the Covet series by the so very talented, Rachel Van Dyken. I, once again started a book without reading the synopsis. I had no clue it was going to be such a wild ride! One I didn’t want to end. I read the blurb after finishing the book and it kicks ass so I will make this fast.
Twins. Bridge and Julian were best friends from the moment they were born. Bridge protected Julian. Julian wanted his father’s approval. They were inseparable until the divorce. Julian stayed with his father and lived the high life. Bridge moved away with his mom living paycheck to paycheck thanks to his deal ol’ dad. Brothers drifted apart and now it was years later and their father needed a favor from the son he threw away. Pretend to be Julian after an accident left him a coma. Easy, right?
No. It could had been except for her. Isobel, the fiancé. A beautiful woman who should had been cherished instead of shut out. A woman who wasn’t his. A woman he wanted. A woman he swore to protect. A woman he wanted to set free. A woman he had to lie to day in and day out then walk away from when her real fiancée woke up.
That’s all I can really say about the story. I will say that if life, actually a fire didn’t get in the way I would had finished it in one day. I know that for sure since I read 75% in just a few hours today. I loved Bridge and Izzy’s relationship even if he had to lie to her. It was full of all the feels. I had to know what was going to happen next. Was she going to figure it out now? No. Ok, now?….no. When? And what will she do if she did?
Overall…it was awesome! Different. Fun. Exciting. Addicting. I can’t wait for the next book!! I loved the characters. Strong and beautiful characters.
Quotes:
“I hate that I’ve done that, forced you to look away when I give you a compliment,” I said softly, returning to my seat.
“I won’t ever deserve you,” he rasped. “Doesn’t mean I won’t try every damn second of every damn day. You’re special, never let anyone tell you any different. You’re a fighter, stronger than you think. No matter what happens, Izzy, remember that.”
“Forgive me, father,” I whispered under my breath. “For I have sinned…”
Stealing Her is the first book by Rachel Van Dyken that I have read, and enjoyed every page. I loved reading and following Bridge and Isabel’s story. I found the story line of one twin taking the place of the other, but with a twist. Even though Bridge and his brother were separated by their horrible father, he still loved his twin and was willing to help him when needed. The added bonus of being able to help his mom and find the perfect person for for him added to the story. I look forward to reading Julian’s story.
This book will keep you guessing on what will come next as Bridge pretends to be his estranged twin brother Julian while Julian is in a coma after a car accident. Julian has hard decisions to make while pretending to be a fiancé and CEO. Only a handful of people know who he is and Izzy his fiancé is not one of them. You will love Bridge and Izzy and as much as you will want to not like Julian your heart will break for him in so many ways.
I love Rachel Van Dyken’s style of writing and I was intrigued by the synopsis for Stealing Her.
Whilst unrealistic the first title in the Covet series is full of angst and drama, and completely engaging and entertaining.
Bridge is a caretaker. He’s a kind, caring and compassionate hero despite the deception he finds himself taking part in.
Isabel has learnt the had way that everything has a price. On the outside her life looks perfect, but really its a lonely existence lacking love, affection and honesty.
If you love a forbidden, slow burn romance that is quite controversial this is the title for you. It’s raw, honest, steamy and full of twists nd turns and I will be eagerly awaiting the next release in the Covet series.
STEALING HER is the first instalment in Rachel Van Dyken’s contemporary, adult COVET romance series. This is personal trainer Bridge Anderson Tennyson, and Isobel Cunningham’s story line.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Bridge and Isobel) STEALING HER follows the building relationship, predicated upon a lie, between personal trainer Bridge Anderson Tennyson, and Isobel Cunningham. At the age of fifteen, twins Bridge and Julian Tennyson were separated as a result of their parent’s divorce. Bridge had always promised Julian he would protect his brother but years of separation meant the two had become strangers until the fateful day when Bridge would be pulled back into his brother’s world. Having lived with his ailing mother, Bridge watched from the sidelines as his brother Julian excelled in the business of high finance, a business that was destroying Julian and the woman with whom he was about to marry. Enter Isobel Cunningham, and the woman with whom Bridge would fall in love. What ensues is the growing relationship and love between Bridge and Isobel, and the potential fall-out when the truth is revealed.
Bridge Tennyson had no idea what was about to happen in his well-ordered world. Having been abandoned by his father when his parents separated, Bridge is now commanded to pretend to be his brother Julian, in an effort to save Tennyson Financial, and the father he never knew. But things don’t go according to plan when Bridge falls in love with his brother’s fiancé, a woman who has suffered heart break and pain in the wake of Julian’s cheating and scandals. Isobel Cunningham struggled with the ‘new’ Julian Tennyson following a miraculous recovery from a near fatal motor vehicle accident but it wasn’t only the physical recovery but the change in personality that triggered something deep within our story line heroine. Little by little Isobel began to suspect that all was not right with the man she once loved, a man who was already stealing her heart.
The relationship between Isobel and Bridge is based upon a lie. Bridge must pretend to be his brother in order to help his brother, and his mother and her astronomical medical bills, but Bridge never expected to fall in love. Guilt will not be enough to push Isobel out of his life, but Bridge will make reparations including serving up his father, on the proverbial platter, in an effort to take down the once powerful Edward Tennyson. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to Bridge’s twin brother Julian Tennyson, their father Edward Tennyson, and their mother, as well as Julian’s PA Kelsey.
STEALING HER is a story of family dysfunction, power and control; a story of heart break and loss; of secrets, lies, love and happily ever after. The premise is entertaining and energetic; the romance is captivating and emotional: the characters are colorful and dynamic but I struggled with the missing backstory following the parents’ separation and divorce- I wish we saw some of the struggle and fallout of separating the once loving and close brothers.
Bridge and Julian are estranged twin brothers due to their father keeping Julian and leaving Bridge and his mother behind. Now years later their father wants Bridge to pretend to be Julian to protect him. The only problem is Isobel, Julian’s fiancee. She isn’t told anything and a roller coaster ride ensues for all. I want to read the next book to find out what will happen with Julian.
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and am leaving a review.
When Bridge is approached by his estranged father, a man he loathes by the way, his first instinct is to refuse any request, to not even speak to him. But his mother is sick, slowly dying, and it seems that is also the case with his twin Julian. The proposal is for all his mother’s medical expenses, old and new, as well as money and stocks in the family company, the only stipulation is he has to become Julian. In every way. And no one can know. Not even Julians fiancé Isobel. He may hate his brother and father, but he did also promise to protect his brother, and his mother needs this. He never expected to feel anything for Izzy. Everything is so much more complicated than he ever thought it would be. And who is his brother really? Does it make him a horrible, evil person to hope he never wakes up? If it does than they may just burn together, because God help her, she feels it too.
It’s emotional and funny, heartbreaking and full of delicious heat. I loved every minute! Five delicious and devious stars!
Stealing Her was a fantastic, well-written, slow burn, forbidden romance w/drama, secrets and betrayal. Couldn’t put it down. Absolutely loved Bridge! His chemistry with Izzy was intense and undeniable. Can’t wait for Julian’s story.
This book is deeply emotional and is not a normal lighthearted read by RVD, it is heavy and deep and there are some major issues that the characters are going through here. While I highly enjoyed it, there overall theme did make me a little bit uncomfortable with how everything played out.
After a major accident to his estranged twin brother Julian, Bridge steps up to save the family company, even though no one knows who he is. This means acting like Julian not just in public, but also with his fiance. But what happens when lines are crossed? What happens when Bridge falls for Isobel and she falls for Bridge thinking that it is her sweet fiance coming back to her? What happens when Julian wakes up?
This book is a bit psychologically twisted. It was extremely entertaining, but not a normal romance. There are way too many factors at play in this and I was not sure how everything was going to end up until the very end. You cannot help but connect with the characters, but it still had a bit of wrongness to it since Isobel did not know that her fiance was actually his twin brother. Other than that, this book was engaging and kept you on the seat of your chair.
All in all, if you are down for a book that is deep but a bit twisted, I recommend you checking out Covet, I definitely want to see what is in store for the rest of the series! I give this a 4 outta 5 stars!
PS: Thank you to RVD and Social Butterfly PR for allowing me an advanced copy of the book to read and review honestly!
Stealing Her is the all-new, first book in Rachel Van Dyken’s Covet series. And all I can say is, “Holy angst, Batman!” And honestly…at the end of the book, that’s about all that came to mind. That and the whole Ross and Rachel “we were on a break” argument! And that’s as much of a spoiler as you’ll get from me because this book was way too good to spoil it for you.
Anyone who reads my reviews probably already knows I’m a huge fan of Rachel Van Dyken and her words. She’s literally right behind Nora Roberts on my favorite authors list. But this was the grittiest and ugliest (as in no clear winners here) HEA I think she’s ever written. Bridge and Isobel quite literally broke my heart. There was never going to be any real winner in this situation, but I was rooting for them all the same. And while they do get their HEA, it’s definitely hard fought for and not the hearts and roses and glitter type of HEA. (Think more along the lines of her Eagle Elite books HEAs.) And as much as I hated Julian in the beginning, by the end of the book, I simply wanted to give him a big hug and tell him it was going to be okay…one day.
NICUnurse’s Rating: This book is chock full of real and gritty characters. Some you want to love. Some you want to hate. And some you want to heal. And if you hate cliffhangers, I’d advise you to wait until book two releases before diving in. (Finding Him releases at the end of Feb. 2020, and you can pre-order it now on Amazon.) But if you’re a sucker for Rachel’s words like I am, just dive right in––right now. Just…not right before bed because I promise you, it will be a sleepless night! I could not put this book down, and when I hit The End, I almost literally yelled then cried because she totally left my heart broken! So, if you love angsty books that have fallible characters that are still worth cheering for and lots and lots of family drama, you’re going to want to read Stealing Her long before Finding Him releases.
I give Stealing Her by Rachel Van Dyken 5 out of 5 stars!
Stealing Her is inevitable. Its impossible not to and for that even I feel guilty. It’s wrong to covet your twin brother’s fiancee. It’s wrong to take over his life. You know and I know that it’s a terrible idea and yet he couldn’t say no.
Bridge couldn’t do the right thing for the right reasons. You read that right. He did the wrong things with the best of intentions and is now living in guilt infested misery while also being the happiest he’s ever been. Conflict of interest!?! Hells yeah it is.
It’s also incredibly romantic and clearly going to make ever reader’s day. What’s romance with out some drama and angst!?! Sigh, Bridge is definitely the twin I’m sticking with but maybe you would like to explore your options. Rachel Van Dyken will have you eating out of the palm of her hand, doubting your morals, and falling hard for the “evil” twin.
Rachel Van Dyken is an expert story-teller. She brings an immense emotional response to her books from the beginning. The minute I opened the book I was glued to the pages. I could not put this book down. The tug and pull of emotions that this book elicits is astounding. You don’t know who the underdog is or whether to cheer for them. This riveting story is about twin brothers that were separated during their parents’ divorce. Bridge went with his mother. He was the trouble maker and ultimate protector of the family. He has to work three jobs to support his ill-fated mother. Julian stayed with their rich-pompous father. As they grow older, Bridge, once a trouble maker is now a humble hard-worker. Julian, a scared, timid boy is now as narcissistic as his father. The twins lose contact with each other. Then one day Julian is in a major accident. For their father’s company to survive, Bridge must step in and pretend to be Julian. Bridge takes over all that is Julian’s life, including his scorned fiancée, Izzy. There is only one problem. No one is who they seem. During his interim CEO position, Bridge starts to fall for Izzy. Izzy starts to fall in love again with pseudo-Julian. Through this emotional turmoil, gut-wrenching saga, and conflicting passion you learn what the cost of greed can illicit and how heart-breaking love can be. How much would you sacrifice for those you love? Stealing Her is another 5-star hit!
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Another deliciously angsty read by the lovely Rachel Van Dyken. I am a huge fan of hers and couldn’t wait to read this book. The series name is absolutely spot on. This story…ya she nailed it! I can’t wait to read the next book.
Bridge *swoon* is such an admirable hero. He finds himself in an unthinkable predicament. His main priority is to provide and care for his ailing mom – insert another swoon! Which means he has to play nice with his despicable father. Every good story needs a evil villain – well Daddio definitely fits the part to a T! Despite the deceit he has no choice but to be a part of, Bridge had me rooting for him. His struggle was incredible.
Isobel is one of those heroines that my heart sank for. Being on the receiving end of verbal and emotional abuse is no joke. It angers me to see readers saying how they didn’t like her, why didn’t she leave blah blah blah. Anyone who has been in a toxic controlling relationship could set the record straight. It’s not that easy. It’s not black and white. What Isobel represents is one of the lucky ones! A women that WAS at the end of her rope. Was ready to walk away. And then suddenly everything changed. A complete 180 – how is that possible? Did her douche fiancé finally wake up from his coma a changed man ready to do right by her? Treat with the tenderness, devotion and consideration she deserved?
The twists and turns in this story were so perfectly timed. Just when I got comfortable thinking aw these two are getting their happy ending – boom nope not yet! This story was full of angst, witty banter, deceit, reveals – all meticulously written. Unfolding expertly, one layer at a time!
Fantastic story
This story is the first in Rachel’s Covet series and is an absolute must read. Imagine this scenario – you’re one of a twin set, your parents get a divorce and one twin goes with one parent. Years later you get told your twin is in a coma after years of no acknowledgement by him and you are needed to step into his position/life as there is a lot riding on decisions made for the company and its future! Oh and more but you’ll have to read the story to find out the details
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and Rachel for my advanced copy for which I voluntarily leave my honest review and I can’t wait for the next one
After reading the blurb, I couldn’t wait to read about identical twins and changing identities! My heart broke for these young brothers who were so close, only to be torn apart and one cast aside by a greedy, egoistical father. Bridge has worked hard to help his ailing mother when his father makes him an offer he can’t refuse. He will do whatever it takes to get the best care for his mother. But when he is forced to live his brother, Julian’s life, he is conflicted in what is right and wrong. Isobel is heartbroken over the life she has been forced to live. She couldn’t trust Julian anymore and was prepared to walk away. But after the accident, the kind, loving man she has loved since college has returned to her. But things don’t add up and as Izzy questions the changes, she also wants to ignore them as she falls hard for the man in front of her. I loved how both Bridge and Izzy questioned everything, and were not going to be controlled anymore by Bridge’s father. I really felt the anxiety that Bridge went thru as he struggled with right and wrong. I also thought that the way that Bridge and Izzy’s attraction and relationship felt authentic, even if I had to suspend my belief of the story as a whole. Bridge and Izzy were great characters and I loved how they helped each other heal from past heartache. This is an emotional, exhilarating and sexy story and I hope to read more about Julian!
Julian and Bridge are twin brothers who are split apart when their parents get divorced. Bridge was always there for Julian and watched out for him until the divorce. Then they got further and further apart. When the chips are down though, will Bridge be able help to Julian out again or is it too much?
I felt the hurt, the pain and the devastation that Bridge had from not being there for Julian recently. Julian grew up in luxury while Bridge and his mom barely had 2 nickels to rub together. Bridge worked for everything they had while Julian got to play at life.
When Bridge steps in to Julian’s life, he says he won’t get wrapped up in it, he won’t get attached to Isobel. He didn’t understand how much of a pull Isobel would have though. I could feel what he was going through trying not to fall for her. It wasn’t supposed to happen though. What happens when it comes out that he’s not Julian and he’s Bridge? Will she walk away and will he be able to if that’s her decision?
Loved it and can’t wait to read more of this series!!!
Wow!!!
This is the first non mafia book I have read from this author and I’m blown away.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat shocked at what I was reading.
This is not a pretty story. It’s full of family drama and betrayal that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next.
I knew just from the blurb and how the author has written other books that it would be detailed as if you were right there beside them but wow, talk about roller coaster of emotions, leaving you wondering who you should be rooting for but as usual true love conquers all.
Definitely a must read and would give more stars if I could.
Look forward to next book in the series.