**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: http://bookbriefs.net**Forbidden is the first in a new, new adult serial romance. Set at Cambridge university, I was first drawn to this series, before I even knew the name of the series. I am normally not one for future brother/stepsister trope books, but the main character completely won me over. So when I realized the series was called Her British Stepbrother, I was already knee deep in the story and totally engrossed. No way was I backing out. And boy am I ever glad that I didn't. I really enjoyed this story, and cannot wait to continue on with the serial.

Forbidden, and I presuming the entire series, is told in dual narrative between our two main characters, Kat and Tristan. Kat stole the show for me. I loved her personality. Forbidden is a decadent story, but through it all Kat shone through. Even though this was completely out of her normal persona, Author Lauren Smith did an excellent job placing Kat in this new situation and both making her seem completely like herself, and not out of place at all. That is not something easily accomplished. And then there is Tristan. What, oh what should I do with you Tristan? I had to respect his driven in his pursuit of Kat. He was certainly single minded, but he was also extremely thoughtful. He actually surprised me how much thought he put into wooing Kat in a way that she would appreciate. (That is always a big thumbs up from me.)

I probably will wait until the next two parts comes out so I can read them back to back, as that is my preferred method with serials, but I am really glad that I read this first book now because I am not sure that I would have picked up the series once they were all released and I saw that this was a new brother/stepbrother trope. And that would have been a shame, because I would have been missing out on a well written, and deliciously fun read.

Bottom line: if you love new adult romances set in college with smart characters and great writing, this is a good serial for you to check out. And if you are fans of hot British men, you will not be able to resist Tristan. Forbidden is a great read.

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs