Jillian Ross' cancer nearly took her life, so who can blame her for looking for adventure? When her new job as a film location scout takes her to the McNeill ranches in Wyoming, she hopes to convince rancher Cody McNeill to allow filming on his property. His resounding NO WAY, seems pretty final so she decides to see if his brother, Carson, might convince him for her. Following Carson into a local bar, Jillian is blown away by the feelings the man generates in her. One mind-blowing encounter that same night, one slip of the tongue, and Jillian learns the man she followed wasn't Carson, but his twin brother, Cody, the man she wanted to get to all along. Their attraction is explosive but will discovering she's pregnant from their encounter lead to a forever love?

I read this book in less than a day, and now I need to find the rest of the series so I can find out what happens with Paige, and the rest of the family. I always enjoy Joanne Rock's books. If you're looking for a quick, sexy read, pick this one up!

I really liked Cody and Jillian's story. I felt for both of these characters, and I'm glad they are on their way to being together. I'd not read any of the previous books in the series, so I almost felt left out of the loop. Even though it was standalone, the story arcs of Scarlett and Paige were unresolved. I assume they resolve in the next or future books in the series.

I really liked this one. It starts hot and fast and doesn't burn out. Cody does see a little red when he discovers at just the worst moment she did mistake him for his twin, who she had hoped to kiss up to in order to get him to change his mind on a business request. Throw in some family squabbles, a generation-old grudge and an unexpected diagnosis for the gal who licked breast cancer and is out discovering the world and you have a fun read.
What I wasn't crazy about in this one was all of the loose ends left hanging. The mom, the movie star, the sister, the threat, upcoming shoot, etc....

Jullian was in Cheyenne, Wyoming as she had a new job as a film location scout but she was already at the risk of losing her job Jullian was a breast cancer survivor and when she was at one on her very low times during radiation treatment Jullian made a list of one hundred life adventures she wanted to do two years ago. Jullian was at the Thirsty Cow bar and having some wine. Jullian had driven to Cheyenne to meet a wealthy powerful reclusive rancher Cody McNeill and to try and change his mind about allowing a film crew on his land Jillian had sent a formal written request to Cody’s business manager and got a firm no back. Her boss was pushing her to sign the deal as Jullian had sent her some pictures of Black Creek ranch. Now Jullian was here to try to convince Cody Mcneall. Carson was Cody’s brother -and identical twin but Jullian didn’t know that- and Jullian hoped to see if she could talk Carson to help her win over his brother. If Jullian could get Cody’s permission to film at the ranch she would get more work form her boss. Alos her boss was well connected in the industry and she might pass along Jullian’s name to her friends as a successful scout. That would mean more work and more travel. More items crossed off her list but more important it meant Jullian was kicking cancer’s butt and that was what she wanted more than anything. Her boyfriend Ethan at the time bailed right after her surgery to remove a tumor. Ethan said he couldn’t deal with chemo and radiation treatments. Jillian swore she saw Varson and left the Thirsty Cow and went into another bar Wrangler’s what Jullian didn’t know it was Cody. There was only five people in the bar. Jillian had no interest or had any mojo in the last two years Some was from his ex and the other was from her disease and the treatment that had lefT her feeling like a dried out husk of a woman She knew from what she had read this could be a normal side effect.What did it matter if men and sex had no appeal to Jillian while she focused on her career and recovery. Then surprisingly Jillian found herself attracted to who she thought was Carson. Cody had bought the building Wranglers was in and now he planned on remodeling it for a more centrally located ranch office. Cody’s family was already fractured but the appearance of his grandfather- Malcolm. Who had disowned Cody’s father Donovan twenty years ago. Carson wanted to make peace with his grandfather but Cody wanted nothing to do with him. Carson was the type to always go for the fun and not worry about the consequences and Cody decided to pretend he was Carson. He then went up to Jillian and asked her to dance and after a few minutes she agreed .Cody hadn’t been with a woman for twelve months as he hadn’t been tempted by anyone after finding his ex girlfriend cheating. But this woman was different and Cody asks Jillian if she would like to go on an adventure with him.and again Jillian agrees. They have sex and find out the condom had broken but Jillian isn't worried as she doesn’t think she can have kids after the treatments she had. Cody gets her to go for a blood test and she is pregnant.
This was a very good read .I really enjoyed it and this was a fun easy read. I loved how the author approached and delivered the things that happened to Jillian because of her cancer and treatments especially her emotions. I loved Jillian and Cody together. I did feel the ending was rushed especially all a sudden Cody loves Jillian but it didn’t do a lot to hurt the story. I would rate this 4.5 if I could. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this story and I recommend

Jillian doesn't want to stay for long she wants to do more with he life now that she got a second chance. While shes working as a film scout her mission is to get the filming crew to a beautiful ranch if only the family can Cody to agree. So maybe if she can meet up with his brother she can convince him to change his brother mind. Thing is things get heated when she meets him not knowing she it was actually Cody and things get complicated when she finds out she pregnant.

This book was just what I like in a contemporary romance. I would've loved to see more but what was given was good. I liked the characters, would've been nice to learn more about them though just know the basics and that's it. Well, no actually the readers will get to know more about Jillian's character and reasoning behind her wanting to do more with her life. I did like that connection between the two. I loved how there was just enough drama to keep things interesting. Overall it was a pretty good book I enjoyed it.

The Forbidden Brother
McNeill Magnates Series - Book 7
Harlequin Desire #2600

By Joanne Rock
July 2018
Contemporary Romance


The Forbidden Brother is the seventh book in Joanne Rock's McNeill Magnates series and there are storylines that obviously are ongoing, and do not finish. However, for the most part, it does stand on its own.
Jillian Ross had beaten cancer. Now she had placed her careful life behind her and lived for adventure. Anything she had considered doing, but hadn't in the past, she now did. That included quitting her old job. She now worked scouting out locations for movies to film, and she had found the perfect location for her newest assignment. Only the owner, Cody McNeill, had no intention of allowing a film crew on his land.
Jillian was nothing if not persistent, so she intended to seek out Cody's brother. There was an instant attraction, and Jillian once again chooses to live her life without caution. Only to discover afterwards that the two men were twins, and she had been with Cody. And regardless of her belief that she couldn't get pregnant due to her treatments, she now was. Now, she had to decide if she could live her life sheltered with a man who she was coming to love, or to leave Cody behind and continue on.
The Forbidden Brother brings together a woman who craves excitement and lives for the moment and a man more reclusive and content to work on his ranch and be near his family. Cody has obvious reservations about having outsiders on his property, primarily safety concerns, so Jillian decides to simply bypass him and reaches out to others of his family. Luckily, Cody has a giant heart, and is considerate of both Jillian's dreams and of his family's opinions. The question is whether when Jillian is offered his heart, if she can accept his love and possibly the restrictions a shared life can impose on her adventures.


Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com

4 1/2 STARS!

Mistaken identity at the worst possible time! With another sassy read in The McNeill Magnates series, we are meeting the Wyoming side of the family and quickly become entrenched in their drama. It's fun to see hints of the New York guys as we get to know the cousins better. A strong foundation of secrets were exposed in this book, so I'm looking forward to what's to come in the series!

Film location scout Jillian Ross has found a location her boss is going to adore for the western film she's working on ... only trouble is, the owner shut her down before she could even get out her full spiel! She can't lose this location, or her new job might be history before she's barely started, so she sets out to find his much friendlier brother and convince him to get her a meeting!

Cody McNeill isn't one for partying it up all that much, but when he sees the sexy thing that just walked into his local bar, he's happy tonight is the night he walked through that door. After a steamy hook-up, he realizes not only did she think he was his twin brother, but this is that Hollywood type that's been ringing his phone off the hook! He'd be nudging her towards the county line right quick like ... if only she hadn't just wound up pregnant!

The Forbidden Brother by Joanne Rock is amazing! I was left begging for more. I want to read every book by this writer. Romance, check. Emotional journey, check. Hot heroes, check. Realistic situations, double check. This tale showed how a family reunites under trouble, stress, and how they can set aside their differences. Themes of responsibility, love, and family are shown throughout the pages. Being the older sibling, the main alpha hero has a lot to live up to, as well as balancing...sometimes, it's just too much. Struggles of battling a cancer and fighting to regain her confidence, the heroine, is a breath of fresh air. Her determination to live life the fullest was felt. The entire plot was heartfelt. 

In this latest novella, I was immediately taken with both main characters. Cody is the oldest heir and the most responsible. Lost his mother while young and fighting to be strong for his family. Family responsibility can be a heavy weight. So, when opportunity arrives in a sassy yet vibrant woman, Jillian, he is all for letting go. Jillian is all for a little flirtation that soon leads to a full seduction. Cody and Jillian's passion turns into something more...something deeper. Jillian ends up getting a gift that she never thought she would ever get in life. Cody didn't think he could love someone after being hurt in the past. Yet both seem to find their dreams in each other. The Forbidden Brother by Joanne Rock is full of passion, sparks, and adventure. Overall, I would recommend it to readers everywhere.

After surviving breast cancer Jillian Ross has vowed to live her life to the fullest. She became a location scout for a movie company, and fell in love with the location she is scouting.
She needs permission from the elusive landowner, and when she finally tracks him down, is magnetically attracted to him.
A one night stand becomes much, much more. Misunderstandings that occur when they virtually strangers need to be worked through when that one encounter has consequences.
This is a sweet sexy western romance, over way too quickly.
I requested and received a NetGalley Arc to peruse.

The Forbidden Brother (The McNeill Magnates #7) by Joanne Rock ..I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for Wild Wyoming Nights in August. Thank you NetGalley for letting me preview this book.
Jillian and Cody's story made me laugh and cry and also understand what a person with breast cancer goes through. There is drama and steamy sex and a HEA...but the mystery of Paige ..Cody's stepmom continues on... can't wait.

I am head over heels in love with this book!!!!! Joanne never fails to make me enamored with her heroes

Holy sexy cowboys!

Cody McNeills is a hard-working cowboy who loves and protects his family. He’s the oldest of six siblings and the last holdout in some pretty complicated family drama. The last thing he needs is some tenacious film scout riding roughshod all over his life, no matter how sexy she is!

Jillian Ross is trying hard to do her job and Cody isn’t making it any easier, especially since she’s also fighting her attraction to him. Jillian has got a second chance at life and is not letting a little thing like a tall, dark and handsome cowboy stand in her way. Fate however, has some very interesting plans for the two!

This is my first read from Joanne Rock and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I love family-based stories and the dynamic of The McNeills is mysteriously complex. Secrets are lurking just under the surface of this seemingly normal ranching family. As I was reading the book I was reminded of the adage, “What’s done in the dark, will eventually come to light.” And I can’t wait for someone to flip the switch!

Jillian and Cody paired well together. Both characters have been through a lot, suffering tremendous tragedies and hardships. But I think that’s what made them work so well together, they are survivors. Their chemistry was great and the passions were overflowing!

Whether you come in at the second or seventh book in the series like me, you won’t have any trouble keeping up with the storyline. This book easily reads as a standalone. I found myself fascinated with the characters and wanting to learn more about the extended family so I’ll definitely be checking out previous books.

THE FORBIDDEN BROTHER is an exciting, sexy and mysterious read. I invite readers to check out the series. Try on a McNeill for size and see what fits!

“The Forbidden Brother” by Joanne Rock is a continuation of her McNeill Magnates miniseries and introduces the Wyoming McNeill’s. This branch of the family features the children of Donovan McNeill and first up is son Cody.

Cody McNeill runs the family ranch and Jillian Ross is a movie studio location scout. She discovers the beauty of Black Creek Ranch and convinces her boss the land is perfect to film an upcoming movie. Now all she has to do is convince Cody, who is dead set against it.
Cody is protective of his family and becomes protective of Jillian.
Jillian is finding her independence after surviving cancer and needs to stand on her own two feet.
I have to say, the first meeting between these two is super steamy and just might make you blush.

“The Forbidden Brother” is sexy and sultry from the first chapter to the end. But it is also about the love for family. There is also a secondary storyline with Cody’s sister, Scarlett, which seems to be a set-up for future books.

Ms. Rock continues to write stories that are romantic, emotional, and passionate and she is definitely on my auto-buy list.

This is a nice read with very low angst and likable characters. While I felt for Cody since I too am the "serious" sibling in my family and would have loved to trade places with my "fun' siblings a time or two....
Jillian is a strong heroine and I really liked their romance. So for anyone who likes "angst" in their romances, give it a try because sometimes it's nice to read something different instead of the same overused themes!

This was an okay book. It is a little deeper than described as Jillian is a breast cancer survivor. That is why she is working and traveling the world as a tv/movie location scout. That is until she needs to convince Cody to let her shoot on his land. However she can't find him, so she thinks going through his brother, Carson would be a good option.

Cody is the no fun twin and he thinks Carson has all the fun. So when a hot woman hits on him, he pretends he is Carson that is until the condom breaks. That is when he discovers she is the location scout he has been ducking.

The writing was good in this story but I just did not love the characters. I am not really sure why. They were cute together and after the condom mishap they try and get to know each other while they wait to see if she is pregnant. They don't really have any issues except the is she pregnant thing and maybe that was the problem, everything falls into place a little too easily.