We Choose You by Katy Manz

Title: ⟫ We Choose You 

Author: ⟫ Katy Manz 

Blurb: ⟫ We Choose You: Choice Verus Fate Book One 

James and Aidan didn’t need fate. They had each other. Alpha James and Beta Aiden love each other and don’t care what fate has to say about that. Mating doesn’t need to be based on pheromones and scents. And kids? There were many ways to build a family. 

When fate comes knocking years later, James does what any wolf in his situation would—he runs away. He has a mate he loves more than anything, and they’re just about to get everything they want: a family. He can’t risk losing everything because Fate decided to be a butt. 

Omega Riley scented his fated mate once months earlier, and the wolf ran away. He is coming to terms with his singledom. Everything is going as well as it can, that is, until his fated mate’s children walk into his classroom. 

We ChooseYou is book one in the sweet with knotty heat MM shifter mpreg romance series: Choice Vs. Fate. It features an alpha wolf shifter who mated his beta best friend, the omega sent by fate, true love, twins who will steal your heart, adorable babies, and a guaranteed happy ever after. 

Review: ⟫ I really liked the premise of this story and was looking forward to reading it. Unfortunately, for me, it was never truly fleshed out enough to live up to its potential. There seemed to be very little in the way of character development and what felt like big time jumps with no rhyme or reason. Just as an example, they met with the twins and the next thing you know they’re parents; the relationship between James and Aiden was barely explored, and when Riley joined them it became even more sparse. 

I think if there had been more depth to each ‘section’ – Aiden and James, the kids, meeting and getting to know Riley – this would have read so much better. I would imagine if you’re looking for something sweet and surface to read, this would satisfy, but for me it never quite got off the ground. 

I received an ARC from GRR.

Cold Blood by L.C. Davis (The Godbearer #2)

Title: ⟫ Cold Blood (The Godbearer Book 2)

Author: ⟫ L.C. Davis
Blurb: ⟫ I'm pregnant.

Just when I was starting to get used to being alone in my own head, now I’m possessed in a whole new way. And apparently, I’m an omega, which seems to be code for “magical thot who gets harassed by every alpha within a hundred miles.”

The worst part is, I don’t even know which one of these bloodthirsty douchebags knocked me up. With my luck, it’s probably Cameron, who sees me and the baby as a threat to his precious goddess, especially now that she’s gone MIA.

Weirdly enough, the news has caused a split within the cult, pitting brother against brother. Even though I thought they’d all be on the same side, now Sam, Cyrus, and (ugh) Alex claim they’ll do whatever it takes to protect me and the baby. Even if it means going up against Ichor and the rest of her cult.

Obviously, I don’t trust them. I might be a “dumb blond,” but I don’t need to get sacrificed twice to learn that lesson.

If only my traitorous heart would get the memo.

Blurb: ⟫ I knew 50% of the way through this book that I was going to be frustrated and I was right – I was so frustrated by the ending. I get it – I completely do – but there was a part of me that felt if they had just got a move on in the main part of the book, they wouldn’t have had to leave things on a cliffhanger.

To be fair, the story did move along at a fair clip – and it made sense in terms of Chase’s growing feelings for his harem. It also presented a surprise (probably not if you read between the lines at all) that made things more complicated. I enjoyed the interactions outside of the group, especially Sam’s grandmother and Chase’s mother, but the main focus of the book was on building the relationships within the group and seeing how feelings were changing. It was no longer simply about the Ichor and so much more about the men and how they felt now.

Even Cameron – it feels like we’re being steered in one direction but that it’s a misdirect. I can’t help but think that he’s going to surprise everyone.

It was an engrossing, hot read and I’m really pleased I read it, but now there’s the wait until the third book and that’s going to be so frustrating. If you enjoyed the first story, you’ll enjoy this but be prepared for a wait for book 3.

Bully for Sale by Leta Blake (Heat for Sale)

Title: ⟫ Bully for Sale 

Author: ⟫ Leta Blake 

Rating: ⟫ 4/5 

Blurb: ⟫ Bullied and outcast, Ezer has seen firsthand the cruelties of the world. He knows what’s expected from his kind—timid compliance and submission to his “betters.” But Ezer isn’t one to roll over and conform to the role society has forced upon him. 

Despite his defiant nature, Ezer is coerced into partnering with a man of his father’s choosing. One his father promises will love and care for him for the rest of his life. 

A night of nameless and faceless passion later, Ezer is horrified to find himself bound to Ned, a bully who has done so much to make his life hell. Ezer’s determined to hate Ned but he can’t help the way his body craves his touch. 

Ned is young, privileged, and hopelessly in love with Ezer. Too bad his pack of so-called “friends” have targeted Ezer for torment. Ned has a lot of regrets, but none greater than his role in Ezer’s misery. When Ned’s offered the contract of a lifetime, he sees it as the only way forward with the man he loves. 

The dual biological drives of heat and its aftermath might be all that’s keeping them close now, but Ned is determined to prove he’s worthy of Ezer’s love. While Ezer is just as determined not to fall for his bully. 

Bully for Sale is a standalone m/m romance set in the Heat for Sale universe featuring forced proximity, first times, bully romance, opposites attract, and enemies to lovers. Content warnings will be available at start of book, visible via the Look Inside and sample. 

Review: ⟫ When it comes to being a flawed hero, Ned Clearwater is miles ahead of anyone I’ve read in the past! This guy – I mean, how he was surprised about how Ezer felt about him was completely and utterly beyond me, and he was more than deserving of Ezer’s hate. However, Ned actually impressed me because he kept trying. He listened to Ezer, listened to his uncle and Earl, his servant, and he really did try. Which is more than could be said for some of the alphas in this story. I could quite happily strangle both Ned and Ezer’s father for their attitudes and behaviours. And don’t get me started on how I felt about Amos, Ezer’s Da. In fact, pretty much his entire family should be thrown away and he start again because none of them were really worth a thing! 

I have read all of the other books in the Heat for Sale series, but this one hit very differently. Both Ezer and Ned were so young – far too young to be dealing with the complexities and dangers of their new relationship. I was immersed and invested far more than I had expected, and I really liked the fact that the bullying and old-fashioned attitudes were handled realistically – there was no complete and utter happy ever after, and everyone had to work for their happiness. 

There were appearances from characters within the series but you don’t need to have read their books to go with this story. If you enjoy mpreg as well as alpha/beta/omega dynamics, I think you would find this book would be enjoyable. 

I received an ARC from GRR.