A Little Too Far Review

Have you ever gone just a little too far?

Lexie Banks has.

Yep. She just had mind-blowing sex with her stepbrother. In her defense, she was on the rebound, and it’s more of a my-dad-happened-to-marry-a-woman-with-a-super-hot-son situation. But still, he’s been her best friend and confidant for the better part of the last few years … and is so off limits. It’s a good thing she’s leaving in two days for a year abroad in Rome.

But even thousands of miles away, Lexie can’t seem to escape trouble. Raised Catholic, she goes to confession in hopes of alleviating some of her guilt … and maybe not burning in hell. Instead, she stumbles out of the confessional and right into Alessandro Moretti, a young and very easy-on-the-eyes deacon … only eight months away from becoming a priest. Lexie and Alessandro grow closer, and when Alessandro’s signals start changing despite his vow of celibacy, she doesn’t know what to think. She’s torn between falling in love with the man she shouldn’t want and the man she can’t have. And she isn’t sure how she can live with herself either way.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  It’s as if Lisa Desrochers reached right inside my head and wrote exactly the book I wanted to read in A LITTLE TOO FAR and I thank her from the bottom of my heart for doing so!  A LITTLE TOO FAR is everything that a New Adult book should be - exceptionally well written, well edited, and has a fantastic voice in the main character, Lexie.  It’s a refreshing story about growing up and finding yourself. Oh, and it just so happens to feature a trip to Italy and a hot Italian priest.  And a sexy step brother.  Ahem.

Lexie has been best friends with her step brother since her dad married his mom.  She’s split up with her boyfriend (who’s a complete jerk) and is two days away from a trip of a lifetime to study a semester in Rome when sparks fly between her and her step brother.  And when I say sparks, I mean sex.  It’s all a little taboo (even if they’re not biologically related) but there’s no way in hell that a guy is going to stop Lexie from realising her dreams (GO LEXIE!) and off she goes into the sunset.  Kind of.  As a good, practicing catholic girl, she confesses all her sins as soon as she can and ends up meeting hot deacon and priest in the making Alessandro *swoon* who tries to guide her through her troubles. Aaaand then adds to them when attraction grows between them.  I tell you, this girl can pick a forbidden guy out of a crowded room!   How do you choose between two guys when you probably shouldn’t be with either of them?  But it’s not all about the guys, oh no.  This is a coming of age story, a story of growing up and finding yourself, becoming more independent, discovering yourself and the world. Actually, I’m a little envious as what I wouldn’t do to be in Lexie’s shoes!

Let’s talk about Lexie.  She’s a passionate soul who loves art and helping people, she’s kind but she’s an open book and draws people to her like moths to a naked flame.  Her step brother Trent is the all American guy who strums the guitar and has dreams of being a musician, much to his mother’s disapproval.  He’s the guy that’s always been there for Lexie and they tell each other everything.  Hell, they even have matching tattoos. But we can’t forget about Alessandro, the hot priest in the making *fans self*.  He is a mass of conflict and starts doubting what he wants out of life, especially after meeting Lexie.  There’s a story there but we might have to wait until the next book for it to be fully exposed (no pun intended!).

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Lisa’s writing and her debut foray into the New Adult world does not disappoint.  In fact, I’d go so far as to say that if you’re curious about the New Adult scene or have been disappointed with what you’ve read so far – READ THIS BOOK and see how you feel then. The imagery is beautifully written and to be honest, I was swept away to Rome for the most part of reading.  I was caught up in the romance of being away from home for the first time, and in a city that I know and love.  Of course, we can’t forget about all the forbidden romance as I’m a SUCKER for that kind of thing, too and the subject matter was handled sensitively.  

A LITTLE TOO FAR is the first in a planned series and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.  Let’s just say that I’ve been promised more Alessandro and there’s no way I’m turning that down.  Like ever.

A LITTLE TOO FAR was published on 17th September, 2013.  To find out more about Lisa and her books (which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND), please click here to visit her website.   If you’re interested in taking a virtual tour around some of the places mentioned in the book, then please click here to visit a post I wrote for the blog tour a little while ago.