Book Review He Made Me Do It by Zee Shine Storm
He Made Me Do It by Zee Shine Storm
Zayn
What is it like to be both Muslim and gay? Honestly? It feels like I’ve been cursed for all eternity. And then I had to go and fall for Asher Hannes and make it even more complicated.
Not only was he a guy, he happened to be my cocky and rebellious stepbrother who became the reason I began to get in trouble for things that weren’t even my fault.
Just seven months of his mother having married my dad, seven months of living under the same roof with him and sometimes even sharing the same bed and I already knew I was going to hell. Because I couldn’t keep fighting who I was around him. I couldn’t keep ignoring how I felt.
Wanting him was wrong. I never intended to cross any lines. But he made me do it anyway.
Note: This is a high school romance but with 18+ content. It does contain controversial themes relating to religion and homophobia but overall, it’s a feel-good love story.
Hana’s Review
-️Stepbrothers/Taboo Romance
-Queer/MM Romance
Perhaps my moral compass is a much darker grey than most because though this is labeled taboo, stepbrothers aren’t related… so, all fair in love and lust in my little, crazy world haha
In any case, I really, really enjoyed this book. I was lured in by the prospect of taboo as well as the description of diverse main characters – a Muslim gay main character? I’m so in!! And I loved Zayn. All he wants is to be a good son, a good Muslim – which is all made difficult by the realization, from a young age, that he’s gay.
And which is further complicated when his gorgeous new stepbrother moves in after his dad remarries. Bringing along all sorts of temptation and rebellion with him. Asher is all those things and utterly vibrant and unapologetic for who he is. And it’s impossible for Zayn to stay away. Especially once they both realize that the attraction is mutual. Asher is the bad boy to Zayn’s good boy but in all Asher’s rebellious behavior, the love that his feelings evolve into is so supportive and sexy and strong and I was hooked.
The book had so much – sweetness, spiciness, laughter and heartache. It was well-written, dual POV, with distinct voices. There were some parts that I didn’t really buy into (the strange way that Asher made his money) but it didn’t necessarily detract completely from the love story I was wholly invested in.