What do you think?
Rate this book
Awakenings #1
Forbidden Awakening
Elle Reid and Sadie Williams are best friends, turned lovers. Always considering themselves to be friends with benefits, they opt to let loose and celebrate after landing a high-profile project with the best architecture firm in San Francisco.
Callum Davis and Derek Flores have been best friends since they met at college. While they've admitted their attraction to each other, neither have the courage to act on their feelings, both fearful of losing their friendship. At least, not until they meet Elle and Sadie at Club Venom.
Elle, Sadie, Callum, and Derek embark on a life-changing journey that defies what society tells them is normal. But when you find yourselves in love with multiple partners, how do you choose? And what will happen when their families find out about their unconventional relationship? Is their forbidden awakening worth unraveling the secrets they've been keeping?
Callum Davis and Derek Flores have been best friends since they met at college. While they've admitted their attraction to each other, neither have the courage to act on their feelings, both fearful of losing their friendship. At least, not until they meet Elle and Sadie at Club Venom.
Elle, Sadie, Callum, and Derek embark on a life-changing journey that defies what society tells them is normal. But when you find yourselves in love with multiple partners, how do you choose? And what will happen when their families find out about their unconventional relationship? Is their forbidden awakening worth unraveling the secrets they've been keeping?
- GenresRomanceErotic Romance
Paperback
First published December 1, 2014
About the author
Lisa Bilbrey
23 books125 followersObsessive, compulsive, slightly crazed, but enough about her personality. First and foremost, Lisa Bilbrey is a mom to three and a wife to one. She loves to write, and spends the majority of everyday writing. It's who she is, and what she's meant to be doing. Words are her life, the air she breathes, and the nutrients of her soul.
Finding a love in the written word, Lisa Bilbrey started writing as a way to express herself and let her voice be heard. From the first word she wrote, she'd found her heart and soul.Always willing to learn, she's spends much of her time trying to improve as a storyteller.
Lisa's works include:
Life's Unexpected Gifts
A Season of Change
The Apartment
Broken Hearts & Dusty Dreams
Whispers of Time Gone By
--Angel's Heart Series:
Angel's Heart: The Keeper
Angel's Heart: The True Enemy
--The Journey Collection:
The Journey Home: Book One
The Journey of Champions: Book Two
The Journey to Forever: Book Three
The Journey to a New Life: Book Four
--The Awakenings Series:
Forbidden Awakenings
Forgotten Awakenings
Finding a love in the written word, Lisa Bilbrey started writing as a way to express herself and let her voice be heard. From the first word she wrote, she'd found her heart and soul.Always willing to learn, she's spends much of her time trying to improve as a storyteller.
Lisa's works include:
Life's Unexpected Gifts
A Season of Change
The Apartment
Broken Hearts & Dusty Dreams
Whispers of Time Gone By
--Angel's Heart Series:
Angel's Heart: The Keeper
Angel's Heart: The True Enemy
--The Journey Collection:
The Journey Home: Book One
The Journey of Champions: Book Two
The Journey to Forever: Book Three
The Journey to a New Life: Book Four
--The Awakenings Series:
Forbidden Awakenings
Forgotten Awakenings
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 8, 2014
This is a great journey about Elle and Sadie who are not only in love with each other, but they fall in love with two other men, making them a four person relationship. Elle is afraid and in doubt of a lot of things, but Sadie, Callum, and Derek show her she deserves to be loved and happy. They take us through the disapproval of parents to gathering some understanding.
The characters are well done and I loved them all. And the romance ... It's steamy and hot and sweet and not overly done at all. It worked for this story and for the lovers.
I love all of Bilbrey's writings, so I wasn't one bit surprised to add this to my top shelf of books read for the year. So, if you like a good love story with multiple partners, steamy, hot romance, and some amazing characters then this is a must read.
Italian Brat's Obsessions
The characters are well done and I loved them all. And the romance ... It's steamy and hot and sweet and not overly done at all. It worked for this story and for the lovers.
I love all of Bilbrey's writings, so I wasn't one bit surprised to add this to my top shelf of books read for the year. So, if you like a good love story with multiple partners, steamy, hot romance, and some amazing characters then this is a must read.
Italian Brat's Obsessions
April 16, 2017
Forbidden Awakenings is the first book in the Awakenings series and is a very unconventional romance. Elle Reid & Sadie Williams are best friends and lovers for the last 10 years. They meet Callum Davis and Derek Flores at a club. That night changes their lives because they all end up together in this relationship.
I loved that both Callum and Derek have supportive parents. I was upset that both Elle and Sadie didn’t. I think our children should be loved unconditionally but we don’t always get or give that kind of love. But, this is how life is and we don’t always get what we want or need.
If you love ménage romances (f/f, f/m/fm, m/m, f/f/m/m and any other combo you can think of) you definitely get with Forbidden Awakenings and you also get a huge cliffhanger. The kind that is jaw dropping! I sure hope that it won’t take long for the Awakenings #2 to be released! I haven’t read anything from this author before but, I will be reading the next book! I have to find out what happens next! I picked up this book after promoting the book for my blog TaSTy WordGasms and new I had to read it. I give Forbidden Awakenings 4.5 stars.
I loved that both Callum and Derek have supportive parents. I was upset that both Elle and Sadie didn’t. I think our children should be loved unconditionally but we don’t always get or give that kind of love. But, this is how life is and we don’t always get what we want or need.
If you love ménage romances (f/f, f/m/fm, m/m, f/f/m/m and any other combo you can think of) you definitely get with Forbidden Awakenings and you also get a huge cliffhanger. The kind that is jaw dropping! I sure hope that it won’t take long for the Awakenings #2 to be released! I haven’t read anything from this author before but, I will be reading the next book! I have to find out what happens next! I picked up this book after promoting the book for my blog TaSTy WordGasms and new I had to read it. I give Forbidden Awakenings 4.5 stars.
December 31, 2014
Thanks to Lisa Bilbrey for providing an ARC of this amazing story. I have been a fan of Lisa's for a few years as a fanfiction writer, so I knew once she decided to write original fiction, I would be a supporter of hers. This hasn't changed one bit. Lisa surprised me by including me in the acknowledgements and I cried of course! Lisa has also been a huge supporter of this blog and for that, I thank her!
I am usually not a reader of slash (m/m or f/f) romances, but there are a few authors that can get me to read their slash stories. Lisa is one of them. This story is a polyamory romance. If that makes you uncomfortable, then this isn't the book for you. If you love books that show a deep connection for the romance, then this may be a book for you!
I have been trying to figure out for a couple weeks how to write a review for this story but I can't seem to find the words that can do this story justice. The idea of a polyamory romance was something that I was introduced to through the world of fanfiction, but now I am starting to realize that when the story is written in a way that I can see the bond between lovers, I can find myself really enjoying the difference romance.
While reading this story, I cried several times. The friendships, the love, and the support that these characters have for each other is something that I have noticed many relationships don't have. I would love to have a partner like any one of these characters. *sighs* Romance novels are so much better than real life.
I am usually not a reader of slash (m/m or f/f) romances, but there are a few authors that can get me to read their slash stories. Lisa is one of them. This story is a polyamory romance. If that makes you uncomfortable, then this isn't the book for you. If you love books that show a deep connection for the romance, then this may be a book for you!
I have been trying to figure out for a couple weeks how to write a review for this story but I can't seem to find the words that can do this story justice. The idea of a polyamory romance was something that I was introduced to through the world of fanfiction, but now I am starting to realize that when the story is written in a way that I can see the bond between lovers, I can find myself really enjoying the difference romance.
While reading this story, I cried several times. The friendships, the love, and the support that these characters have for each other is something that I have noticed many relationships don't have. I would love to have a partner like any one of these characters. *sighs* Romance novels are so much better than real life.
March 25, 2016
When I started this book I couldn't put it down! I've actually sat on this review for a few weeks as I couldn't find the best words to do this story justice.
Firstly this is a story about two best friends Elle and Sadie who are best friends for a long time and that soon turns to lovers, they work together and end up meeting Callum and Derek in an interesting way. I want to say more but I'm trying my hardest not to leave any spoilers.
Elle is probably the worrier of them all about how the families will react to finding out about them all being together. With the help of Sadie, Callum and Derek, Elle realises she deserves happiness and to be loved in the relationship she has with them.
This is a surprising love story about 4 people who truly belong together. Lisa has done an absolutely beautiful job writing this and I can't wait for more.
Please stop what you're doing and read this story. You will not put it down, I guarantee it.
Thank you so much for sharing these amazing characters and creating the best most realistic family structures. The twist of them meeting was awesome!
This is an amazing read! Check it out.
Firstly this is a story about two best friends Elle and Sadie who are best friends for a long time and that soon turns to lovers, they work together and end up meeting Callum and Derek in an interesting way. I want to say more but I'm trying my hardest not to leave any spoilers.
Elle is probably the worrier of them all about how the families will react to finding out about them all being together. With the help of Sadie, Callum and Derek, Elle realises she deserves happiness and to be loved in the relationship she has with them.
This is a surprising love story about 4 people who truly belong together. Lisa has done an absolutely beautiful job writing this and I can't wait for more.
Please stop what you're doing and read this story. You will not put it down, I guarantee it.
Thank you so much for sharing these amazing characters and creating the best most realistic family structures. The twist of them meeting was awesome!
This is an amazing read! Check it out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2014
Lisa Bilbrey brings you a very different kind of story. Elle and Sadie have been friends forever, lovers not as long. They have been there through the ups and downs of life. Trying to get their design firm off the ground they make and land a profitable project with one of the most prestigious architecture firms in San Francisco. They go out to celebrate their good fortune and meet Callum and Derek. An mind blushing encounter with them happens. The twist when they got to the firm on Monday turns out that Callum is the owners son and both he and Derek work for there.
This is the story of the four attempting to find the type of love that works for them. Can they defy society, their respective families and the past and be happy.
The novel is very well written, the characters are likable and real. I can't wait to read the next installment! If you like steamy romance, are opened minded about multiple partners and same sex relationships then this novel is spectacular! If not move along.
This is the story of the four attempting to find the type of love that works for them. Can they defy society, their respective families and the past and be happy.
The novel is very well written, the characters are likable and real. I can't wait to read the next installment! If you like steamy romance, are opened minded about multiple partners and same sex relationships then this novel is spectacular! If not move along.
December 10, 2014
Forbidden Awakenings By Lisa Bilbrey is well worth the price you pay for it and it definitely deserves more than 5 Stars !!!
Trust me when i say this though .. & that is that this book is full of gooey goodness .. wrapped up in a delicious package ..
The love between Elle, Sadie, Callum & Derek is simply beautiful ... With these four no bars are held ..
No stone is left unturned when it comes to expressing every inch of their love .. and they make no apologizes for it either ...
They have their good moments & of course their unhappy moments but their unbreakable bond & support for each other is what makes this story !!
The minor characters make a massive impact but do not outshine the main 4 but still in their own right own this book just as much ...
I can't wait for the next book ..
Trust me when i say this though .. & that is that this book is full of gooey goodness .. wrapped up in a delicious package ..
The love between Elle, Sadie, Callum & Derek is simply beautiful ... With these four no bars are held ..
No stone is left unturned when it comes to expressing every inch of their love .. and they make no apologizes for it either ...
They have their good moments & of course their unhappy moments but their unbreakable bond & support for each other is what makes this story !!
The minor characters make a massive impact but do not outshine the main 4 but still in their own right own this book just as much ...
I can't wait for the next book ..
April 22, 2015
The typos were distracting but I'm flouncing because this just isn't my preferred genre.
July 24, 2018
I was provided an advanced copy for an honest review.
If you’re looking for a steamy book, this one checks all the boxes. When writing sex scenes for a group of four it can be easy to get lost in the who is doing what and miss the feel, this is a trap that Lisa avoids very well. Each encounter brings something different without becoming a :fit two pegs into two holes how to.
The plot line was simple and straight forward and entertaining. All in all a good summer read.
If you’re looking for a steamy book, this one checks all the boxes. When writing sex scenes for a group of four it can be easy to get lost in the who is doing what and miss the feel, this is a trap that Lisa avoids very well. Each encounter brings something different without becoming a :fit two pegs into two holes how to.
The plot line was simple and straight forward and entertaining. All in all a good summer read.
January 15, 2018
Lisa Bilbrey's "Forbidden Awakenings" is the first tale in the Awakenings Series. This is a hot M/M/F/F polyamory tale. Lots of hot sexy combos. I think the M/M stuff was my fave. Family drama and stress infused with lots of sexy lovin'. Ha - and they work together! I can't wait to read #2.
Read
July 30, 2015I read this as fanfiction and couldn't finish it. The writing is horrible and Im glad it was free. Simply hit the X and find something better.
June 12, 2018
all I can say is that this book was so very steamy...
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews