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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Incredible 5+ star read! The first time I ever read this author’s work, I thought she had a unique and different approach and she certainly delivers those sentiments in this latest book! Wow, I couldn’t put it down–the whole premise is heart-stopping, heart-breaking and heart-warming all rolled into one. The dynamic among the characters in this family will have you wanting to throw your kindle across the room, while also cheering for Bridge, Izzy and Julian — what wonderfully, well-developed characters. I don’t want to ruin the plot by giving too much away so I’m going to strongly suggest read it without any preconceived notions — read it now! Absolutely one of my favorite reads this year! I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley..
“Feelings all over the place”
I laughed, I cried, I sighed with adoration, I was furious and angry … all these feelings were a constant mixture while reading this great start into a new series by Rachel Van Dyken.
It is a strange feeling to root for a couple when you know right from the beginning the main male character, Bridge, is stealing the fiancé, Isobel, from his twin brother, Julian.
You would think this is a total no-no and there is no way a story like this can be romantic, suspenseful and really more than exciting.
But once you get into this book and you discover what is the driving force behind everyone’s actions as well as some totally unexpected plot turns, you just want to applause to Rachel for making a seemingly un-writable story so overwhelming and, seriously, addictive.
Now I really can’t wait to get my hands on the 2nd book in this more than promising series!
I read an advanced copy for an honest review.
Julian and Bridge are identical twins and best friends.
When their parents divorce, each parent got a son and the boys are separated. Julian remains in a life of riches and luxury. Bridge is now reduced to poverty and his mother scraping by to make ends meet.
Flash forward to the present. Julian is a workaholic, womanizing self entitled jerk. His fiancee wants to break it off,but Julian brushes it off.
Julian gets in a serious car accident and is now in a coma.
Bridge has grown up hating his father and brother. His mother is dying a slow death and their is hardly any money to pay her medical bills.
Bridge’s father shows up and wants Bridge to take his brother’s place in all aspects. It will help with a merger and keep the press quiet. He only agrees to help his mother and brother.
When he meets Isobel, Julian’s fiancee i think it was love at first sight for him. He us torn between helping his brother and getting the girl for himself.
Isobel woders who this “new” Julian is. It’s like the guy she remembers from college, not the jerk he had become.
Can these two find real love?
Is it really betrayal when her love for Julian had died before the car accident?
Is the karma for Julian acting like a jerk?
What happens if and when he wakes up?
These questions are answered, but I won’t spoil it.
This was a wonderful story about love, and taking care of that special someone, no matter what.
After all the months of teasers, Stealing Her was worth the wait. I love the dynamic between Bridge and Izzy. You want to hate Julian, but it’s just not possible.
Bridge has truly hard decisions to make that could change everyone’s lives. He takes Julian’s place after a terrible career accident. He does this so his mother gets medical care she needs, & Julian will become the CEO of the company. No one knows except their parents, the board members, & hospital staff (who have been paid off). What could possibly go wrong!
This is a must read. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
This book is incredible. I have no words for to describe how amazing it was. It was like the best soap opera ever. I need more
The Depth, the feeling and the heartache in this book were all made palpable by the incredible works of Rachel Van Dyken. This is a book that you aren’t going to want to put down until you finish it from cover to cover.
The story of Bridge Anderson Tennyson/Julian Tennyson and Isobel Cunningham will leave you holding your breath with each page you turn.
…and that’s all your going to get because this is truly a spoiler free review!
This is officially my favorite RVD book!!!! This one just packed a wallop to the senses. Twin brothers, one estranged, one in a coma. One asked to stand in for the other but not realizing the ramifications it will all have when he starts to fall for his brothers fiance.
OMG ladies this ride is going to get wild and out of control!!
Bridge will do anything to protect his brother Julian and to make sure his Mom is taken care of. When his Dad finds him and ask him to pretend to be Julian regardless of his hate for his father he steps into the role and into one very sexy woman who now believes he is her fiance.
Soon Izzy starts to notice things and they’re not really adding up. What she doesn’t realize that once she discovers the truth her heart may be broken all over again but this time the loss will be much higher because she doesn’t think she can live without him. But which brother is it?? Read the book and you’ll get the whole sordid tale 😉
**Received ARC through NetGalley. Voluntarily reviewed**
Bridge and Julian Tennyson were the closest Twins could be when the were younger. However, when their parents split they each moved in with a parent, separating them. When an accident occurs it brings Bridge’s estranged father back into his life but there is a catch. Bridge must pretend to be his twin and help his father’s company until Julian is better. Oh and also don’t tell Julian’s fiancée, Isobel “Izzy” Cunningham, he will be posing as Julian. Can this really work? As adults these brothers are like night and day surely she would catch on. Another complication for Bridge is his growing feelings for Izzy. Can he keep this charade up along with his true feelings? This was an original story that I truly enjoyed. Bridge was a perfectly written male lead and I felt so bad for what he has been through. All he wanted to to protect and provide for his ill mother. This is a very clever story of family, deception, lies and doing anything to protect those we love. So many twists it will keep you on your toes! Told in dual POV
“I swear to you that the man standing here, in front of you, will never cheat on you. Ever.”
Romance wasn’t my first genre that I enjoyed reading, that belonged to the genre I called “Anything RL Stine wrote”. I devoured his books. I started to pick up a few romance book when I was on active duty for the Army. I needed an escape, and those books helped provide that. It was with those books that I started to love watching people “fall in love”. I now read this genre a majority of the time, and I couldn’t be happier that it still is something I love to do.
One of Rachel’s best qualities, as far as I’m concerned, is that she is a master at showing us (not just telling us) how two people fall in love. I love watching them fall sometimes before they even know they have, and Rachel nails this part for me. While I don’t feel that this book is a prime example of this talent of hers, I still enjoyed this book.
The reason I am not marking this 5 stars is this; the book did not have that “thing” that is suppose to hook you in the middle of the book, and that Izzy was way to doormat for me. As far as the hook goes, well we had that thing in the beginning that draws you, the climax at the end of the book, but the middle was non existent. I need that middle hook to keep me going, to get me to anticipate finishing the book, sometimes the hook is so good I’m afraid to finish the book. Those are so brilliant, and when you find those, they are everything.
As for the other reason, Izzy was just not for me. I empathize with her, I felt for her, but she just needed to save herself. She never did that for me. I thought her and Bridge had great chemistry, and I felt the spark, but I just needed more.
I look forward to the rest of the series. This “world” is off to a good start.
“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 different. You’re a fighter, stronger than you think. No matter what happens, Izzy, remember that.”
Entertaining start to a new series. Angst, heart, humor and heat-it has it all. I was hooked from the start. Loved Bridge and Izzy. Looking forward to Julian getting his story.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC received via NetGalley.
I loved every second of this story. I was addicted to RVD words and believe me when I say addicted I mean I couldn´t stop to read. I finished at 3 am. I was already goner while reading the blurb which immediately made it for me to a must-read. I fell in love with Bridge because he was just so easy to understand but intelligent and all the way gentleman. I wish for Isobel to be a stronger person but into this story, her character fitted incredibly well. While Isobel lost her family and tried to please everyone she somehow forgot to take care of herself and her own needs. Anyway, I love RVD writing, the way she emphasizes feeling through her words and brings her thoughts on paper is just brilliant.
I would also love to thank NetGalley and Skyscape for the opportunity to review this amazing tale earlier.
This is a little different than your typical romance. It is a fake fiance’ type of story, though not entirely in the way you may expect. It is a little heavier, but not really dark. While the romance is a major component to the story, the background leading to it, along with the circumstance surrounding it play an important role as well. The ‘Hero’ of the book has his heart in the right place, he ends up taking what wasn’t his (a women)… though in his defense, the proper owner let her slip through his hands. He considers himself the villain, and knows what he is doing is wrong, he is just selfish enough to not let her go. Despite all this, us readers know the truth. We see the good in him. In his heart. We see him suffer and try to resist, so you still love him. She is struggling with her own emotions and well being, and this new guy coming into her life right when she needs him is a blessing in disguise. She is innocent in all this, and earns your endearments. There are other evil villains in the story that will make you want to scream. (At times it was almost too much.) As I mentioned, it is a heavier read. There are a few laughs here and there, but for the most part it is a deeper read… not really a light, uplifting read. While it’s not a cliffhanger, the ending leaves you with some questions (that I assume we’ll hear more of in the book(s) that follow.) The story line flows smoothly. While there is some sexual content, it’s not all that graphic, and it doesn’t really take over the scenes, but still probably suitable for 17-18+. It is easy to read and follow. Alternates between POVs. It’s definitely a book, that you can’t quite predict the ending to, with all the variables at play, so it keeps you on the edge of your seat.
I will never doubt Rachel Van Dyken again because this book was AWESOME. I’m going to be honest and say that when I saw the premise… it seemed like a lot (and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart). She is the master of complex relationships and this one asks a lot of the reader. It’s twisty, tension-filled, and angsty without being dark. Nothing is black and white in this book; there is a whole lot of gray going on and I was absolutely riveted to see what happened next.
The story follows Isobel, a woman who fell in love with a normal guy from a wealthy family when they were in college. Izzy and Julian had a great love, but once they graduated and he joined the family business, his whole personality changed. After staying with Julian through late work nights and numerous affairs, Isobel has reached her breaking point and knows it’s time to end things. When Julian gets into a serious accident right after the breakup, Isobel isn’t sure what to do. He comes home bruised and battered with a whole new attitude and seemingly foggy memories of their time together. Unbeknownst to her, Julian’s estranged twin, Bridge, has agreed to temporarily take his place so that the business doesn’t suffer while Julian fights for his life. What follows is the complicated dance of Bridge playing a role while struggling with his growing feelings for a woman who isn’t his – and Izzy’s struggle to understand why she seems to be falling for her fiancé all over again.
I felt for both of these characters and their complex feelings for each other. Bridge is a great guy who is disgusted with the way his brother has treated Izzy, and he is not so easily pushed into following his father’s commands. Isobel has endured a lot in the name of love already and Bridge knows this will destroy her when it all comes to a head. Their complicated relationship was heartbreaking and beautiful all at once with a sizzling, tense slow burn and great depth of emotion. It ended up being much easier to relate to this story than I expected, and I will never doubt Van Dyken again when she comes up with a seemingly crazy premise. She struck the perfect balance of wrong/right here, with fantastic writing that makes it nearly impossible to put down. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review of this complex, romantic book.
*4 Stars*
ARC kindly received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a pretty good read, although it was one that left me feeling angsty throughout pretty much the whole thing. The whole twin swap thing had to come to a head at some point, and it just kept me on edge.
I really liked Bridge. He was a great male lead, and whilst the whole situation is just a bit unbelievable and far-fetched, I suppose in the lives of the rich and famous, this like this could really happen. He had dealt really well with the hand he’d been given in life, and this was a corner that he was backed into with no other option really. I found him to be quite an honourable and sweet male lead.
Izzy was alright. I don’t know how she didn’t work out particular things, and how she seemed to keep coming back and being such a doormat, for lack of a better term, but I guess again, that’s part of the situation that she was in.
As for Julian, I think there is much more to learn about him, and I’ll be keen to see how his story plays out (at least I assume it will) in the rest of the series.
And then we have Edward. Nothing redeemable or likeable about that guy at all.
So an interesting and complex novel overall. I look forward to seeing what happens next.
4.5+ stars
This book’s blurb had me from “twins” and I was immediately sucked into this world.
Twin brothers that shared a bond: Bridge was always the bigger, stronger, protective brother, and Julian was the one who always needed protection and was searching for approval. But one day in their early teens, they are split apart by their parents. Julian was chosen to stay with his wealthy, controlling father and be groomed to run the family business, while Bridge was sent off with his mother to lead a much harder life.
As adults, they have no contact. Bridge is resentful as he struggles to work and take care of his mom. Julian seems to have everything he ever wanted. including the perfect fiancee’. And one tragic event changes everything and their worlds are colliding again. Bridge is enlisted by his estranged father to impersonate his brother and smoothe things over at the company until Julian can recover.
But now Bridge is walking into his brother’s life and relationship. And he finds Izzy to be a wounded bird who is also angry and distrustful. It seems Julian has pushed to her to almost the point of no return. But she begins to respond to this improved version of “Julian” while Bridge does his best to resist. He struggles under the weight of the lies he is being forced to tell. But it is just a matter of time before sexual tension boils over things get even more complicated.
Secrets, lies, lust, love, betrayal, manipulation, greed, and heartbreak cause layers of guilt and fear of consequences. They know they are on borrowed time.
Eventually, secrets will be revealed and the whole messy situation will all come out in the open. There are many variables and layers to the truth. Someone is bound to get hurt. And the instigator of it all is their cold, manipulative father. This book brings the angst, and had me biting my fingernails, totally tense, and just waiting for the big moments I knew were coming. For much of the book, I could not let myself get emotionally attached to Julian because I really loved Bridge. So I was wanting Bridge and Izzy to keep progressing and for them to have a way to find their happiness in the midst of the mess. But I did feel bad for Julian at times as well.
I am not a person that usually enjoys books about love triangles, but this one is different and was carefully constructed to avoid things that might bother some readers. I appreciated how things were handled. This book does not end on a cliffhanger and is a complete story for the couple, but I cannot wait to see more with these characters in book two of the Covet series.
Stealing Her by Rachel Van Dyken is quite the intriguing story. Such a unique premise in having one brother being coerced into pretending to be his twin and having him end up falling for his brother’s girlfriend.
Bridge was definitely put into an impossible situation with stepping into his brother’s shoes, especially when it came to Isobel. He could tell there was some huge issues in their relationship, but he couldn’t bring himself to treat her the way that Julian had. The connection that Bridge built with Isobel was so much stronger than I think she ever had with Julian, which made it easier for me to accept the things they were doing. Do I totally agree with it, since Isobel was upset with Julian for cheating? No, but after all the things she had put with from him and the fact that she had already mentally checked out of the relationship…..I get her need for the affection and love that Bridge gave her.
After the ending and how it all played out (I loved Julian’s reappearance at the end!)…..I can’t wait to see Julian get his true happily ever after.
Love love loved this book! This story had ALL THE ANGST! I went through a roller coaster of emotions and loved every second of it! Rachel can write so many different types of books but her flawless writing and captivating storylines always suck me in, in the best way! I adored Bridge and Izzy! I was wanting their happily ever after more than them at some points! Lol Another phenomenal book for this amazing author! Can’t wait for book 2!
The blurb totally sucked me into this book. I loved the idea about a twin pretending to be their sibling. It was a bit unrealistic, but I did really enjoy the switcharoo storyline.
I loved Bridge’s character. He was a respectable hero and he had good reasons for participating in the deceit. I was rooting for him the whole way through.
Isabel was a bit harder to love. I just wanted her to stick up for herself and tell Julian to go take a hike. But, if she had done that, there would have been no story.
I don’t know how I feel about Julian. He was kind of the bad guy in this, but it did seem that he may not have been as bad as we are lead to believe. I’m thinking the author has plans for him in a future book.
The father. No redeeming qualities and I wanted to him to get his due.
Overall, a drama filled story that was pretty darn enjoyable.
The latest book by Rachel Van Dyken can only be described as WOW! Stealing Her is heart wrenching and sad story but intriguing at the same time. As always Van Dyken writes a powerful story that will sucker punch you in the gut. This book didn’t seem like the usual writing style of Van Dyken as it was a little more on the darker side, not as in sinister, but sadder than what she normally writes. Hats off to Stealing Her another 5-star read by Rachel Van Dyken.
Bridge and Julian Tennyson have been separated for years. The once best friends/brothers are now adults and having grown apart, the rift bigger than either one ever imagined. Tragedy strikes and Bridge’s estranged father shows up needing his son’s help. Bridge needs to take his twin brother’s place at the company and help complete a cooperate take over, so the public doesn’t know that Julian’s life is hanging on by a thread. All Bridge must do is pretend to be Julian at the office and live his life, including living with Julian’s fiancée. Isobel Cunningham is confused by the change in the man that she was supposed to marry. He looks the same and sounds the same but he’s acting different. Mr. Tennyson is pushing for Isobel and Julian to marry as soon as the takeover is finished but how can she after all the hurtful things he’s done, but he seems to be almost like the man she fell in love with. Bridge must get Isobel to go through with the marriage so he can complete his obligation but how does he do that without feeling guilty for Stealing Her away from the brother he was supposed to protect?
What an amazing read! I went in blind and absolutely loved this forbidden storyline with twists and turns that keep you hooked until the last page! There’s sizzling hot chemistry and angst between the characters. A must read!!