ARC Review: Stealing Home
One of the very first series I binged when I really (really) got into my romance reading bag was Elle Kennedy’s Off-Campus series. Followed up immediately by binging Kristin Callihan’s Game On series. I loved those books so much that I had high expectations for this one, and picking up Stealing Home did it all friends. It was EXACTLY what I was looking for including giving me all the excellent vibes, moments and mini tropes I’ve come to love.
I’d like to thank Grace for the advance copy, thoughts below are my own, enjoy!
I’m a sucker for one of the MCs being absolutely GONE from day 1, so if that’s your catnip look no further than Sebastian ‘Big Daddy Vibes’ Callahan. We jump right into it with these two, having history that started in Cooper and Penny’s book. But they are apart (sad gasp) and he’s feeling all the things (I just want to hug him).
From there it’s a game of falling more and more in love with Sebastian and his dreamy caretaking ways (hello who doesn’t want a big hot athlete wanting to feed you and f*ck you all the time), and want to wrap Mia up in protective bubble wrap (although she would fight it at first).
Mia’s dorm essentially is destroyed in a plumbing related incident and needs a place to stay, and OF course who else would be ready, willing and able to give her what she needs (housing) while giving her what she needs (orgasms). Sebastian stomps into rescue this grumpy damsel and pals watching her fight this attraction while listening to her think so little of what she brings to the table will squeeze the shit out of your heart.
Mia is strong, prickly, deeply intelligent, curious and actually really soft. I LOVE, love love love a black cat FMC. Especially Mia. She’s bisexual and has grown up in a deeply trad-cath style household that prioritizes homemaking, child-rearing and of course keeping your ‘man’ happy and never disappointed in you. And wow, did some of this resonate. I will share that there is a healthy serving of biphobia and sexism related to Mia’s storyline so please read with care! Grace does an excellent job both crafting content warnings that prioritize reader safety and navigating these themes within Stealing Home, which makes for a resonate and emotional read at times.
Confession time. I go a little bit feral when we get moments (big or small) where the MCs defend the shit out of each other. And we get two really (REALLY) satisfying moments that I think readers will absolutely love. There is something also so special about prickly FMCs when they FINALLY let their guard down, and wow emotional butt stuff will now forever be added to the shelf of elite-tier romance book stuff. Thank you Grace!
This book is honestly such a straight up good time. From page one all the way to the very last line of the epilogue you’re gonna be rooting for these two in the biggest way. Pick it up for:
I kinda hate everyone BUT you
Roasting you is my love language
Let me feed you
aforementioned butt-stff™ (and all the smut)
I will always protect you
Bowling as foreplay
A TRULY EXCELLENT 3rd act reunion (gave me Summer Catch vibes)
Stealing Home is out this Friday! Pick it up, pre-order it, call your libraries, add it to your wish- list. You’re going to LOVE SebMia, and the continuation of this banger of a NA series that Grace has so lovingly created for us all.