Holly's review of Never Enough (Brown Siblings, Book 4) by Lauren Dane

"Landep News"

From the national bestselling author of Inside Out--a sizzling story of insatiable passion.
Gillian Forrester spent her life running...until Miles came along. The moment she held her older sister's unwanted newborn, Gillian stopped running and began building a life for her adopted son. Now, thirteen years later, Gillian's sister reveals the father's identity on her deathbed-a revelation that shakes Gillian to her core.

Adrian Brown is the epitome of the successful rock star. It takes a lot to shock him-but the bombshell that he has a son rocks his world. And Adrian is even more surprised when the buttoned-up elegant woman who's raising him ignites his erotic and romantic attention-and engages his heart.

I've been anxiously awaiting this book since I read the first one, Laid Bare. In Never Enough, we finally get Adrian's story, Erin and Brody's youngest brother. He's a full out rockstar, though he has taken a year off to refocus himself. When Gillian Forrester contacts him saying she needs to speak with him, he's suspicious. With a nudge from Brody, he agrees to meet her, but he does it reluctantly. As soon as she tells him why she's there, he freaks out and accuses her of being a gold digger. Once again, it's Brody who has to push Adrian into doing the right thing.

Although I understood Adrian's reluctance to accept what Gillian's said as fact, I felt his reaction was quite a bit over the top. To freak out and call her a whore and a gold digger in public is a pretty big deal. I also don't know that it was in keeping with the character I've grown to love through the last few books. Yes, Adrian had become somewhat jaded, but it wasn't to the extreme it was portrayed in this novel.

I also really struggled with how quickly their relationship progressed into the physical. Gillian hated Adrian, rightfully so, for treating her the way he did. Yet the day he shows up on her doorstep she kisses him. And the next day they're sleeping together? That didn't make sense, especially since Gillian's first priority should have been her son. To sleep with the dad he didn't know existed until that day..well, it just didn't jive with the rest of her personality.

The rest of the book was extremely well done and what I've come to expect from Dane. The characters were well drawn and there was a good balance between the romance and the story. Watching Adrian get to know his son was heartbreaking and beautiful. That he was robbed of so many years actually hurt me. Family is important to all the Browns and Adrian is no exception. I love this aspect of the series. The closeness the siblings and their families have with each other is refreshing.

Gillian's childhood was less than ideal. Her father was a pedophile and her mother a drug addict and a drunk. The only stability she had in her life was her grandmother. When her sister turned up pregnant Gillian put her musical career aside to adopt and raise him. I liked that she put him first. It wasn't always easy for her. She had doubts and fears the same as every mother on the planet. She did her best to ensure he grew up well adjusted and happy.

Both Adrian and Gillian had trust issues, which worked against them in different ways. Gillian had a hard time letting go and allowing Adrian to step up and be the father. Adrian had a hard time letting go of his past issues and giving Gillian the time she needed to open up to him on her own. It was good that Dane took the time to explore these, though I did become frustrated with both of them at different times.

In the end I enjoyed much about this novel, but I didn't love it as I did the previous three.

3.5 out of 5

The series: