Lynn Kelling is one of my most favorite authors in the m/m genre. I have read almost everything she has written so when I saw this new story, I knew I had to read it. Twin Ties 1: My Brother’s Lover is the first in what appears to be a 2 book series. It seems to me, most people, try to steer clear of this subject, And really, you can’t blame them because it seems to be a taboo area few want to take on. I think you are only human though to wonder about it, if for no other reason, than most, if not all, identical twins have such a closeness and a bond that most other people will never experience. I always felt it would be so wonderful to have a person, that in tune, with my own needs, know when I needed comfort, strength, guidance, whatever it may be, and they already knew and were right there to offer and give freely, anything you needed.In this story, we have Evan and Brennan, identical twin brothers, who for whatever reason, their parents separated them at birth. The parents divorced, and each one took a son to live with them. It kinda makes sense that each parent would want a child to raise and love, but what they didn’t understand or take into consideration, was how it would affect the boys as they grow and mature. Identical twins have a bond that allows them to feel each other’s pain, joy, and heartache. As the boys were growing into young men, they felt something, they just didn’t know what it was because they didn’t know the other existed. This led for some very hard struggles in Evan’s life. He never felt complete or whole, but he didn’t understand why. His father never told him about his brother so this emptiness he felt was always a mystery to him. Brennan lived with their mother. He had an easier time because he had a wonderful relationship with him mom but he too, was missing something. When the boys are 18, some devastating things take place, and this brings them together for the first time ever.Your heartstrings are really being pulled in this story. You are cheering them on when they meet because, you as the reader, only want what’s best. We are always striving for that happy ending. As Evan and Brennan are learning about each other and what makes the other one tick, by accident, they meet another set of identical twins. Luca and Alek have always been together and they share a very close, special bond. They are always loving on each other, no matter how small or big the gesture. They thrive on touch and feel from the other one. They are not ashamed for how they feel, but they know also, everyone is not always comfortable being a witness to their need. As Evan and Brennan pair off with Luca and Alek, they make some interesting discoveries. The love and commitment that Alek and Luca have, make it easier on Evan and Brennan to experiment and understand that it’s okay to love your brother. How could you not when this person is the other half of your soul and your heart.I admire Lynn Kelling for telling this story and showing us, her audience, that it’s okay to love, regardless who the recipient is. While there is sex and much exploring, it is done tastefully. To me, it was very erotic at times, being a bystander, to see the brothers come together, in all ways, and express such love and compassion for each other. You can truly feel the need they have, the passion they share, the obsession, for lack of a better word, that connects them all and turns them into, what once was a half person, now is whole and their life finally starts to make sense. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to see love come together. Open your mind and your hearts and understand that it doesn’t matter they are brothers, what matters is, they are soulmates, destined to be together before birth, and it is a beautiful thing to experience such a bond and connection. Lynn Kelling has given us that gift, so enjoy it as it was intended. So my review is going to kinda rambling, because I just am all over the place with this book. I really don't have any strong feelings about incest, I don't mind it, I don't mind reading about it. So the issue I have is this, I felt absolutely no connection what-so-ever with any of the characters. I mean you have this amazingly bland cocktail of tripe, a little bit of goodness here and there, and a gallon of sex. During which my eyes started to glaze over.. not out of any kind of excitement, mind you, just from the sheer, dull volume of it. Also the author, Lynn Kelling does make some interesting points, especially about the morals and ethic component of incest. At same time, there were parts of the dialogue that felt more like a lecture, rather than a genuine conversation between characters about fear and conflict of whether this was "wrong". Oh and holy mother Mary, the desperation in this book was exhausting, because for me, out of every emotion displayed in this book it was the most prominent, then you have heaping amounts of guilt on top of it all.This book is so far from romantic it's not funny. There was so joy to be had in this book anywhere, even between the couples. So for me, I just couldn't find anything remotely happy about any of it, which sucked.
What do You think about My Brother's Lover (2014)?
Extremely taboo subject written well.
—cristalanne11
