Decidedly Off Limits: Best friend's sister romantic comedy (By The Bay Book 1)

DECIDEDLY OFF LIMITS is a standalone read with a happy ending. A bit sexy if that is an issue for you. It is set in San Francisco where Trent is somewhat of a playboy. His reputation is a bit bigger than his actual deeds but people believe what they want to believe. His best friend is a Navy SEAL and he has to deploy from time to time. Trent is put in charge of watching over the SEAL's younger sister. It just so happens that Trent has a thing for Kelsey but she doesn't know it. He is ready to settle down with her except for one thing. The ole little sister of your best friend is off-limits. I personally have never understood that code but it works in books.Kelsey was in a long term relationship, engaged when she discovered she would always come second to his career. She realized that there was really no love involved and she called it off. She thinks he was glad she did. So it has been over a year and she is getting no-where in the dating world. She is a pediatric nurse so she has a great job. She is a beautiful young woman but things are just not working. She has always had a thing for Trent but he seems to always see her as a little sister.This is a fun, entertaining read. Always love the heroes but this author has you fall for the heroine as well. Good sense of humor, beautiful, smart, etc. She just needs to do something about what is right in front of her. I definitely recommend this read.I was not paid for this review. I am not a writer nor do I know one. I am not kin to this author. I am a reader and this is just my opinion, nothing more, nothing less. 12/25/2022

🎧📚Audiobook Review📚🎧Narrators: Tim Paige and Isabelle RutherDual POV, Dual NarrationTrope: Siblings BFF (both h and H)Steam level: 4🔥/5🔥Humor (🙂, 😀, 😆, or 😂): 😀Chemistry/Sexual Tension (🥵,😳,😨 or 🥶): in between 🥵 and 😳This is a popular trope, because everyone loves the forbidden, even if they don’t want to admit it. It’s a lot of fun.The storyline flowed really well, and was enjoyable. The conversations between the siblings and friends were always enjoyable. You could tell they were close. It felt authentic. The characters were well developed and came across as having depth. I enjoyed the amount of time devoted to the side characters; it gave an added layer of dimension and a sense of sincerity to the story.The only disappointing element was the siblings reactions to their relationship. With as much angst, and for how long they denied their feelings, it was a bit of a let down. Especially from one of the siblings. It (their reaction and feelings) were talked up so much that it just made it seem false, to me anyways. Even so, it didn’t sour the story; it just felt like it was glossed over.As far as the narrators go, they were incredible. I felt like the parts were casted very well. Tim Paige is a performer, through and through. It comes through with his ability to take on the character, and make you believe it’s real. This was the first time to listen to a book narrated by Isabelle Ruther. She has a very pleasant tone of voice, and did a great job with her character, and stepping in for the others. Her Australian voice is amazing. Makes me a bit jealous, actually. All of my attempts at an accent only sound redneck.Verdict: 9/10 would recommend.✌🏼 ❤️ 🎧 📚

This is the first book I've read/listened to by Stina Lindenblatt and it certainly won't be the last. This author creates likable characters that the reader would love to have as real life friends. The plot is well paced and I love the sexy, flirty, sensual banter between Kelsey and Trent. It's a sexy rom/com that I highly recommend and I can't wait to read more.Kelsey has been in love with her best friend's brother for forever. However, Erin's brother has a player reputation and Erin has forbidden her friends from dating her brother. And since Kelsey's brother, Liam, is Trent's best friend there is the whole no hitting on your best friend's sister code. Things get interesting when Navy SEAL Liam asks Trent to keep an eye on Kelsey while he is on a mission. Trent mysteriously shows up and sabotages her dates to the humor of the reader, Kelsey is not as amused.What follows is fun flirty story of two people who vow not to fall for each other but obviously break their own rule. This book hits all my buttons: great friendships, humor, a little misdirection to keep the relationship secret, great banter between the couple, sexy scenes that deepen the feelings of the couple and maybe best of all an irate Navy SEAL.The audiobook of this book is brilliantly brought to life by Tim Paige and Isabelle Ruther. Ms. Ruther's voice is perfect for the bright and bubbly physical therapist, Kelsey. Through her narration I could visualize the scenes in the book and her reactions to situations. Her voices for different characters are distinctive and I love her Australian accent for Trent's business associate, Holli. Tim Paige's voice has a super swoony tone to it and he brings Trent to life for the listener. The listener can close their eyes and envision the uber sexy financial planner in all his hotness.In print or in audio, I highly recommend this friends to lovers, forbidden romance to anyone who likes a great story with amazing characters. I can't wait to get to the next read in the series.

I really enjoyed this book. I like the older brother's best friend falling for the younger sister trope and have read many books that centre around that scenario. Some authors do it well, this author does it beautifully. I was sucked in from the very first page and the story held my attention solidly .....good job I had a day off work.Kelsey and Trent have known each since childhood. She has crushed on him for years but certain factors kept her from ever acting on it. Likewise, the one time Trent thought he would test out his feelings for Kels, it wasn't to be. Kelsey's big brother , Liam, is a Navy SEAL and prior to leaving for overseas service he asks Trent to look out for Kelsey. He agrees and before long Trent is playing interference in her dating life- this results in some laugh out loud situations.The path to true love is bumpy. Neither one wants a relationship & despite being exclusive to each other they keep their connection / friends with benefits arrangement a secret from family and friends. I felt sorry for Holly , who would love to be Trent' s girlfriend but she is friend zoned by him. He is oblivious to any other female once his heart falls for Kels.The secondary characters are beautifully written and add depth and interesting dynamics to the story. (Chloe and Lindsey were absolutely hilarious- chocolate milk will never be the same!) I'm curious to read more about this group of friends. I loved how Kelsey, in particular, developed as a character. The only thing I wanted more of was some grovelling from Trent when he says something harsh to Kelsey. I get why he did it but I wanted him to have to work harder to redeem himself to our heroine.So there is humour, warmth, sweet moments, romance, not too much angst and a really entertaining story. Just to say there is also some serious heat in this book. Crikey....the chemistry between these two is simmering just below the surface and when the spark is lit.....WOW! I'm seriously seeing hobbies in a whole new light.Recommend over 18's only due to sexual content and swearing.

Kelsey breaks off her engagement to her less-than-dedicated fiance...dedicated to her that is. Owen would rather spend time at the office than see her. She takes a stand, that this time, she will come first. When her brother goes away with the Navy SEALS, his best friend (and Kelseys best friends brother) her brother asks him to look out for his younger sister, and ensure she doesn't fall into bed with the wrong guy. It's the biggest friendship rule I history... dont sleep with your best friends sibling... but rules were made to be broken.This was such a fun read! The storyline, although predictable,was really well delivered and detailed, ensraring you from the beginning and throwing you into their world and its characters. Super hit and deliciously forbidden, Decidedly off Limits is a great series starter, introducing you to the characters for the future books and making you want to read the others.

Although they have been attracted to each other for years, neither has ever done anything about that attraction. Trent is her best friend’s brother and also her older brother’s best friend. Liam, a Seal, is very protective of his sister and asks Trent to look out for his sister as she has recently broken off her engagement and he is afraid she will fall for someone else likely to break her heart. He doesn’t of course expect that Trent will make a move on her, after all Trent is a player and he would break his legs or worse, if they got entangled. However his request means that Trent has an excuse to spend more time with Kelsey than he has in years and soon they cannot keep their hands off each other. The situation is complicated by trying to keep their ‘friends with benefits’ arrangement a secret from all around them. An enjoyable read.

Although i enjoyed this story i really get miffed with the use of the "F" word, i only found one place with Kelseys one night stand where it was funny to use it, other than that i'm sure the writer could have use some other vocabulary to express the situations as it was beginning to be used unessaccery in parts of the book.Also i found with Kelsey's friends persuading her to buy thongs she would have been better off with Tena lady as she seem to have moist pants so often.

I have been trying to think about what to write for two days about this book. It is a lovely story and I was forever stopping and starting the book as it had me intrigued as to what happens next. However that said I did find the story jumped from one place to the next and half the time I had to reread the previous passage again to see what I had missed. Not sure if I will be reading another book by this author.