About the Book
Title: Defiant Attraction
Author: V.K. Torston
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Release Date: November 16th
Dan might be the enemy of my enemy, but I’m not sure that makes him my friend. He’s definitely not my ‘step brother’, no matter what everyone at school says. Honestly, I don’t know what he’s supposed to be to me. Or what he’s becoming…
Fact: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
In the yearbook, I’ll be Sophia Ramos: Valedictorian. Years of honor roll certificates, AP classes, and lugging around an obnoxiously large cello case are about to finally pay off. If everything goes according to plan, I’ll escape these decaying suburbs for a top university across the country.
The problem? A few years ago, my mom met someone just as broke, just as drunk, and just as impulsive as she is. Approximately five seconds into their relationship, they decided it would be an excellent idea for him—and his son, Dan—to move in with us. (Spoiler alert: it wasn’t).
Now I share a house with none other than Daniel Cole. Even though Dan dropped out two years ago, he’s still the tattooed, bad boy, heartthrob, legend of St. Anthony’s Academy. He and I aren’t supposed to have anything in common.
Living together means war. First, Dan and I were at war with each other. Now, our rivalry is giving way to an unlikely alliance—two opposing sides teaming up against a common enemy: our respective parents.
Which is to say, we’ve been hanging out.
Question: What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object
Here’s the thing: My brain is a complex organ. One hundred billion neurons, each with an average of seven thousand synaptic connections to other neurons. My brain is my ticket out of here.
My heart, by contrast, is a pump. It moves blood around.
I know Dan is off-limits. I know I shouldn’t do something I’ll regret. And I know how much is at stake (my family, my future).
So why can’t I stop thinking about him? Those inscrutable jade eyes. The smile that can say a thousand different things at once. That tattoo curving across his abs…
Even though I know better, I feel that pounding in my chest. And it’s getting harder to ignore.
But if I follow my heart, I can never go back.
Answer: There is no such thing as an immovable object.
My Review
Genre: Romance – Forbidden (Almost Step-Brother), Opposites, dark
Stand Alone: Yes
Part of a Series: No
POV: Sophia
Steam Level: Burning Hot
5/5
There are so many levels of depth to this story it’s mind boggling. While on the one hand it can be read as a simple, sexy romance it’s meant to be smart. The symbolism and references throughout can be taken a face-value but I highly recommend delving deeper. From the use of flowers and their symbolic meaning to the books and songs mentioned – all have meaning and adds depth to the story (check out the flower glossary). Sophie and Dan’s story was a touch of sunshine in a dreary world of abuse and alcoholism that they live in. I highly recommend Defiant Attractions and look forward to reading more of V.K. Torston’s work.
I received an advanced copy of this book for free from the author. This is my honest and voluntary review.
About the Author
V.K. Torston is a millennial and ‘cool aunt’ to a brood of nieces and nephews. She was born and raised in San Francisco, attended university in New York City, and aspires to one day live in London. A veteran of the independent music scene, she began writing nonfiction in her late teens. Then she realized that making up stories was way more fun than coming up with endless synonyms for ‘frenetic’ and ‘danceable.’ Her hobbies include drinking too much coffee, making up stupid songs, and ranting about current events. Defiant Attraction is her first novel.
Follow V.K. Torston
Twitter: @VKTorston
Facebook: @VKTorston
Goodreads: /VKTorston
