Fey Regency by S.Rodman (Fey Lords #3)

TITLE: ⟫ Fey Regency

AUTHOR: ⟫ S.Rodman

SERIES: ⟫ Fey Lords #3

RATING: ⟫ /5

BLURB: ⟫ I wanted to kill a fey prince. But he called me pretty. And made me his pet.

All my life I've been different. My grandmother proudly declared we were descendants of the Fair Folk. I thought she was batty.

Until the fey invaded Earth.

And I saw I looked just like them.

A fact everyone else also noticed.

I had to leave my grandmother all alone. Run, hide and survive. My life was hell, and it was all the fey's fault.

So when I got the perfect opportunity to take a prince out, I seized it with both hands.

Except I messed it up and was claimed as a pet.

By Prince Tristan Y Mabinogi.

A flame haired himbo who is convinced life is about pleasure & gratification and the only reason I'm a moody, grumpy bastard is because I haven't had enough of either. A status he is determined to rectify.

I'd rather die than admit it to him, but he might just be on to something.

REVIEW: ⟫ Currently reading – review to follow. I received an ARC from BookSirens.

Shared by the Gladiators by Taylor Wolfe (Straights Get Shared #2)

TITLE: ⟫ Shared by the Gladiators

AUTHOR: ⟫ Taylor Wolfe

SERIES: ⟫ Straights Get Shared #2

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Zane is finally checking off the number one item at the top of his bucket list: to visit the Colosseum. And when a ridiculously handsome tour guide dressed like a gladiator offers him a private tour, he certainly can’t refuse. Especially not after the gladiator stirs unfamiliar, but very welcome, feelings.

And when the gladiator offers to introduce Zane to his friends, Zane realizes that all his new fantasies might just become a reality.

REVIEW: ⟫ I love books like this – when you’re in the mood for something simple, a bit of smut, some insta-love, they completely hit the spot. I liked the historical aspect of this and the sex was hot – what more can you ask for?! I received an ARC from BookSirens.

Thunder Road by Morgan Brice (Badlands #7)

TITLE: ⟫ Thunder Road

AUTHOR: ⟫ Morgan Brice

SERIES: ⟫ Badlands #7

RATING: ⟫ /5

BLURB: ⟫ Simon and Vic are home from their honeymoon, just in time for a brand new case!

Mysterious missing person reports, a cursed motorcycle club, and an ancient entity add up to trouble. A bad bargain to stop a long-ago gang war requires a yearly sacrifice from a tightly-knit group of riders, and even their coven of witches hasn’t been able to stop the deaths.

Then the granddaughter of a former lighthouse keeper comes to Simon for help. When the lighthouses were automated, they lost their live-in guardians, who worked protective spells to shield the coast from killer storms and a murderous creature. Those protections are fading, and an old evil has gained power, growing stronger with every life it claims.

Can Simon and Vic end the deaths and disappearances, or have they finally found a foe too powerful to stop?

Thunder Road is an action-packed MM paranormal romance chock full of old magic, protective guardians, found family, an ancient monster, brave motorcyclists, helpful ghosts, loyal friends, psychic visions, hurt/comfort, supernatural suspense, and an evolving, established romantic relationship with all the feels.

REVIEW: ⟫ Currently reading – review to follow. I received an ARC from GRR.

Impulsive Connections by Marie Reynard (Elemental Bonds Book #2)

TITLE: ⟫ Impulsive Connections

AUTHOR: Marie Reynard

SERIES: ⟫ Elemental Bonds Book #2

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Ignited by accident, fueled by fate. Some bonds burn brighter than any flame.

Kade Mills has spent over a decade dreaming of his ideal meet-cute. Surely the universe wouldn't toss the perfect mage at him while he's a scarred shadow of his former flirtatious self, recovering from his last encounter with the malicious spirits haunting his pack's territory.

Liam Batiste is a man of simple pleasures; a quiet room and a stack of books are all he needs to be happy. He's only in Lost Creek to help his friend save the Mills pack from the unknown evil infesting their land, but everything changes when he and Kade are paired up to capture the supernatural threat.

After a run-in with a spirit leaves them entangled—physically and magically—they must learn to control the newfound power their unwanted connection grants them. As they struggle to resist the heady pull of their bond, they begin to realize it may hold the key to defeating the dark forces that are endangering far more than just Kade's pack… and perhaps it's not as unwelcome as they first thought.

Impulsive Connections is a steamy 149k M/M paranormal romance featuring a playboy wolf shifter, a nerdy mage, and friends who are trying their very best not to meddle. This simmering slow burn is perfect for readers who love reluctant mates, unintended bonds, forced proximity, unfortunate bed shortages, and knotting. While it guarantees a happy ending for its main couple, the overarching plot does contain cliffhangers, and the series should be read in order. Please look inside for content warnings. (This series does not contain mpreg.)

REVIEW: ⟫ Part of my feelings about this story are my own fault – I have to be in the right mood for slow burn and I obviously wasn’t in that mood. The story continues from the first in the Elemental Bonds series, with Liam rushing to assist Elijah and his new mate, Victor, in solving just what is happening to the territory. In the process, he becomes accidentally bonded to Kade. The plot is interesting, with the details interwoven of the spirits they are trying to get rid of being quite fascinating. However, I think I would have preferred if there had been slightly faster progress on the relationship between Kade and Liam and less concentration on the issue with the spirits.

It was nice to see Victor and Elijah again and see how their relationship was thriving, but I almost felt like there was too much attention paid to everyone else instead of the main couple.

I loved the nods to MateHub, especially between Aran and Kade, and the one liners, banter and dick jokes were brilliant. I think I just wanted to feel more of the main couple. Even after they had both realised what was going on, sometimes it felt like the pace was glacial. I appreciated how important consent was to both of them – especially with how their bond was established – and the scenes between them were really hot. I guess I just wanted more focus on them and less on the over-arching plot. I am really looking forward to Aran’s story in the new year and I definitely recommend reading this one.

I received an ARC from GRR.

On Circus Lane by Lily Morton (Wright Brothers Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ On Circus Lane

AUTHOR: ⟫ Lily Morton

SERIES: ⟫ Wright Brothers Book #1

RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ The first time Bee Bannister met Tom Wright, he couldn’t stand him.

Everything about the man aggravated him—his perfect hair and body, his confident arrogance, and the way he looked straight through Bee.

Which is why it’s such an unpleasant shock to find that he’ll be sharing space with him while on a Christmas holiday with friends in Scotland.

However, as the days fly by and snowy Edinburgh begins to work its magic on him, Bee discovers that sometimes first impressions can be very misleading. Tom is kind and funny, and somehow, rather than looking through Bee, he actually sees and likes all of him.

The two men grow closer, but will Bee follow his heart or his head when the holiday ends? And can relationships that start so badly ever lead to love?

From bestselling author Lily Morton comes a festive romantic comedy about enemies to lovers and the magic of Christmas.

This is the first book in the Wright Brothers series.

REVIEW: ⟫ This book was an absolute delight! Bee and Tom are the cutest couple ever, with both of them falling head over heels over the course of a short holiday. Their banter, chemistry, utterly unable to resist each other was a joy to read and I find myself wanting to visit the sites in Edinburgh to see what they saw. Lily Morton has such a deft touch when it comes to creating characters that you find yourself invested in, and story had those people in spades! I feel like I’ve read Jack and Arlo’s story (although I’m not sure how because this is meant to be book #1 in the series). I feel like I’ve been really lucky in my Christmas books this year – so far, not a dud among them!

I received an ARC from GRR.

The Remarkable Lover by Maya Jean (Sweet Southern Book #3)

TITLE: ⟫ The Remarkable Lover

AUTHOR: ⟫ Maya Jean

SERIES: ⟫ Sweet Southern Book #3

RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Jackson

Dreams collapse in the blink of an eye, I know that better than anyone after losing my career as an athlete. Now I spend my days giving people pleasure for pay and playing with stocks. Most of my friends have settled in Clay Springs, Florida. A sleepy little town that moves slower than molasses. Call it boredom or infatuation with the redhead who scowls at me every time I smile his way, but I think there’s also something special for me in Clay Springs. If only Harper would let me show him.

Harper

If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that most people suck. Not in the fun way either. All my cousins are settling down with their boyfriends and I’ve got my service dog and a brain disorder. Cool. When Jackson shows interest in me, I figure it has to be a joke. But the big guy wants to be my friend. Then he wants to date me. And now … well now I’m in too deep and it’s only a matter of time until he leaves. After all, I’m always too much or too little, never just enough.

The Remarkable Lover is the third book in the Sweet Southern series featuring one-sided annoyance to lovers, size difference, hurt/comfort, playboy/inexperienced, and a man who finally allows himself to be loved.

REVIEW: ⟫ Harper and Jackson are couple goals! They listen to each other, understand each other and care with a blistering heat that sears the page. Harper has had a tough ride – his epilepsy has limited his life so much, with a lack of understanding from his mother making things worse. So when Jackson keeps trying to ask him out on dates, insisting that he wants to be friends, Harper just doesn’t know how to take it.

And yet he allows himself to be vulnerable with Jackson, lowering his guard and letting himself be seen, appreciated and ultimately loved. Jackson was an absolute angel. The way that he accepted the limitations that Harper put onto things, whilst finding ways to tick off any and everything on Harper’s bucket list was so touching. And let’s not even talk about Honey – the goodest girl that ever was!

I really enjoyed this instalment in the Sweet Southern series and have high hopes for Benji and Nolan which is due out in April 2025. I received an ARC from GRR.

The Christmas Curse by Avery Cockburn

TITLE: ⟫ The Christmas Curse

AUTHOR: ⟫ Avery Cockburn

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Martin Gibson is cursed. Ever since a childhood clash with a Christmas elf, the holiday has brought him bad luck. In a desperate attempt to avoid the Curse—or at least protect his loved ones from its calamities—he leaves Scotland and travels to America for a Christmas utterly alone.

Anthony Bello is adrift. Fired from his job as a TV weatherman, he’s returned to West Virginia to be caretaker for his family’s vacation rental properties. When a hot Scot with an unlucky—and unlikely—story checks into one of the tiny homes he oversees, Anthony is more than smitten. Now he has a thrilling new help Martin break the Curse for good.

Will a wild winter storm let Martin and Anthony’s attraction build into something real, or will it trigger the most cursed Christmas yet? And when Martin’s transatlantic escape is over, can they bear to walk away with nothing but memories?

Get your holiday warm fuzzies with this standalone tale featuring a Christmas-tree heist, a bed-hogging dog, and the coziest hot tub ever!

REVIEW: ⟫ This was a very sweet Christmas story, with plenty of laughs, some feels and some incredible animals. I really enjoyed the fact that none of the families featured were perfect, and that both Anthony and Martin were able to see what was happening and feel that it was all worth the risk. The tale of the Christmas Curse made me giggle for far too long, and the line the Elf came out with? Absolutely perfect!

A lovely way to transition fully into holiday mode, this was an enjoyable romp that was easy on the brain and the heart! I received an ARC from GRR.

The Wolf's Wounded Omega by A.J. Cane (The Grizzly Ridge Series Book #2)

TITLE: ⟫ The Wolf’s Wounded Omega

AUTHOR: ⟫ A.J. Cane

SERIES: ⟫ The Grizzly Ridge Series Book #2

RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Wolf shifter Knox is thrilled to find his fated mate…until the sassy omega rejects him.

Danny tried the relationship thing, and it ended violently. He has no desire to let another alpha close enough to hurt him…especially not an intimidating stranger like Knox.

Knox has never been called patient. He's grumpy and stubborn, and he's afraid he'll inadvertently push Danny further away.

But when a rogue wolf pack threatens the omegas of Grizzly Ridge, Danny must trust Knox if he wants to escape with his life—and heart—intact.

REVIEW: ⟫ This was a sweet, slightly complicated read, with a relationship shy omega and an outcast wolf shifter finding each other. I haven’t read the first book in the Grizzly Ridge series but I don’t think you need to – although the main couple from that are in this book, things are explained enough that this can be read as a stand-alone. I say complicated because it wasn’t as simple as see mate, fall for mate, mated!

I liked the fact that Danny didn’t immediately bounce back from what he went through, and that despite the biology telling him (and Knox) that they were meant to be together, they worked through things at a human pace. It felt more real – as did the reactions of Danny’s pack when it became obvious that Knox was his mate. Seeing someone you care about going through what Danny went through was bound to make the people who loved him wary of anyone new, but I also really liked the way they were prepared to give Knox a chance and appreciated him for what he brought to the pack.

The story does seem to be a continuation of a larger arc for everyone, but this was a good, solid read and I enjoyed my visit to Grizzly Ridge. I received an ARC from GRR.

Honey Sunshine by Gen Blackwell (Bower Brothers Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ Honey Sunshine

AUTHOR: ⟫ Gen Blackwell

SERIES: ⟫ Bower Brothers Book #1

RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ “How did the two of you meet?”

The age-old question that turns couples into giggling messes, blushing like they’ve just been shot in the heart with Cupid’s arrow as they recount their cute meeting.

My meet-cute with Harvey Cooper?

Well, it wasn’t exactly run-of-the-mill, and truthfully . . .

It was a damn mess.

I was supposed to be meeting a potential investor for my small advertising firm. However, life decided today would be a great day to test my willpower when—out of all the restaurants in the city—my ex-boyfriend slash ex-business partner who’d stolen all our top clients, also chose to dine in the same one where I was meeting my potential investor.

So there I am in the restaurant’s bathroom, threatening to murder my best friend if he doesn’t come to my rescue. And then, just when I’m about to punch my ex—because it feels like the better option—the love of my life waltzes in to save the day.

Did I say the love of my life?

What I mean is the investor I’m supposed to meet, who’d heard my desperate SOS in the bathroom. Just when I’m thinking of giving myself a potential concussion to forget this whole thing, he lays out a plan that might benefit both of

Why don’t I be the Juliet to his Romeo at his upcoming family dinner?

Well . . .

Romeo to his Romeo, except we don’t try to kill ourselves no matter how embarrassing this is.

It sounds foolproof, and frankly, it seems perfect, so we make a pact.

What I don’t expect?

Accidentally falling for my fake boyfriend like any other cliché novel.

Meet Zach and Harvey in Honey Sunshine, a lighthearted MM romance novella filled with passion, humor, and insane chemistry. This is the first book in the Bower Brothers series and can be read as a standalone.

REVIEW: ⟫ This is the first book by this author that I have read and I enjoyed it for the light-hearted romance that it was. Harvey and Zach were very sweet together, and I really enjoyed meeting Harvey’s family. Despite meeting because Zach’s ex was being awful, there was little to no angst in the story, with things being quiet surface. I enjoyed meeting Harvey’s family and they did make me laugh a couple of times. A nice, easy read. I received an ARC from BookSirens.

Breathless by Willow Thomas (Squad Goals Book )#

TITLE: ⟫ Breathless

AUTHOR: ⟫ Willow Thomas

SERIES: ⟫ Squad Goals Book #4

RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ The Cheerleader and The Guy Next Door

Perry

My life is a mess.

My mom and sister treat me like I’m the worst person in the world because I enforce my lone boundary. I’m really close to failing a class that is crucial to my degree. The very important regional cheerleading competition is coming up.

It’s a lot.

Then I meet my new neighbor and realize it’s the hot guy who witnessed something I do not want my cheer squad to find out. My life gets even more messy as I come up with a proposition to convince him to keep my secret.

He tells me he’ll keep my secret anyway, so why do I push him to take the deal?

Beau

Inheriting my grandfather’s old house after he passes away is bittersweet. It’s not been lived in for twenty years and is next to a house full of college cheerleaders, but it is perfect for me and my bee hives.

When I introduce myself to the squad, I come face to face with Perry, the guy whose family life imploded in front of me weeks ago.

He offers to help me kick start my business in exchange for never mentioning what I witnessed. No way would I say anything, but I still take him up on his offer.

Perry is the kind of man you use any excuse to spend time with.

So I do.

Breathless is book four in Squad Goals, an MM cheerleader romance. Expect a not-so-meet cute, Petty Perry, bee puns, spice, and a lot of cheer.

REVIEW: ⟫ It’s time for the king of petty, Perry, to find his HEA and as expected, this one was a lot of fun. Perry has an absolutely awful family consisting of his mother and sister, and the first time he meets Beau is during one of the most awful interactions.

However, when Beau moves in next door and has a business proposition that is exactly what Perry needs for his course, things go a lot more smoothly. Beau is not quite as petty as Perry but does a good enough job to keep up with our lovely cheerleader. The rest of the gang is present and correct, complete with their normally inappropriate and/or funny behaviour so this was like revisiting old friends.

I liked Beau and Perry together, especially the way that Beau views Perry as something special – it’s exactly what our boy deserves! A solid addition to the Squad Goals series! I received an ARC from the author.

Ravager by S.B. Hazel (A Twisted Bonds Novella)

TITLE: ⟫ Ravager

AUTHOR: ⟫ S.B. Hazel

SERIES: ⟫ A Twisted Bonds Novella

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Running through a haunted Halloween maze, I feel the heat rising inside me—chased by a sexy devil in a mask, hotter than I ever imagined.

The thought of being captured, ravaged, ruined… it tempts me beyond reason. I want to stumble, to fall and surrender, to feel his arms close around me.

Desire and fear churn in a terrifying mix, my body burning for what comes next.

I want to be his, to be wrecked by the faceless man at my back.

When he catches me, what will he do? Will I succumb to his darkest desires?

Ravager is a 12k MM novella featuring a Halloween maze and primal play.

REVIEW: ⟫ Heading into Halloween season, it seemed appropriate to start reading/reviewing things that are a little bit darker! Which was why the cover of his novella caught my eye – it looks like it would be fun and a little bit dark!

This novella is part of a larger series although I haven’t read any of that series. There was backstory provided here but mainly enough to titillate you into reading the rest of the series rather than being necessary for enjoying this.

Cole is a little bit twisted by his upbringing and appears to be obsessed with Avery. He is very much the darker half of the duo, with some daddy issues thrown in for good measure. He steals from his father in order to afford Avery in an ‘auction’, which as part of the prize includes a chase through a Halloween maze and a private dance.

Avery comes across as a little naive maybe? But also really likes the idea of being chased as something a bit different from the ordinary.

Obviously with a novella, things happen very quickly, but time is given to the chase in the maze that was fun to read. I got a little distracted with the descriptions of the decorations – I guess it seemed a bit superfluous to things and I would have preferred there to be more of the interactions in the maze. It sounded like it was going to be seriously hot and slightly terrifying at the same time.

The dancing/sex scene was generally good although no real negotiation between them for what was happening. Avery seemed into the whole anonymous idea of things but I would say it was slightly problematic that Cole knew who Avery was but not the other way around. However, this was clearly listed in the warnings so that if it’s something that doesn’t appeal, there was definitely time to close the book!

Overall, I enjoyed reading it – it was fun, sexy and entertaining and I think I would be quite interested in reading a full novel about how Cole gets out of the situation he’s placed himself in.

I received an ARC from BookSirens.

His Mate By Resistance by Mel Aitchess (Lunetti Pack Book #2)

TITLE: ⟫ His Mate By Resistance

AUTHOR: ⟫ Mel Aitchess

SERIES: ⟫ Lunetti Pack Book #2

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ His boy deserved better. He deserved to be the centre of someone’s world.

Luca stumbled on something he shouldn't have and now someone's trying to kill him. If only he knew what and who. He hates that he has to use his hacking skills against his own pack as he hunts down the traitor. He hates it even more when his Alpha sends him away for his safety. Hex-Rated—the hottest gay nightclub in New Trinity—is the last place he expected to be hiding out. The water witch who owns it better keep his damn hands to himself.

Cal has no time for the three crime families that run the city. He's worked hard to keep his club on the right side of the law. That's all put at risk when a favour for a friend has him faking a relationship with a Mafia wolf shifter. Luca's a criminal and there's no way Cal would go there for real. Even if the shifter brings out every protective instinct in him. Even if Luca is so good for him despite himself.

His Mate By Resistance is an enemies to lovers MM Paranormal Romance. It's book two in the Lunetti Pack series, but can be read as a standalone. It features forced proximity, a fake relationship, knotting, a water witch Daddy, and magic sensory play. There is no mpreg in this world.

REVIEW: ⟫ Having read the first book in this series, I had an idea of who Luca was but not what had happened to him to make him seem so vulnerable and for the pack to treat him as fragile. This was more than adequately explained in this book, as well as the reasons why Luca felt so suffocated by his Pack – he wanted to let go of the past, avoid thinking about how it had affected him and move forward but there was so much holding him back.

I really enjoyed getting to know Cal a bit more. He was an interesting character in the first book and reading more about him, about his past, about what he wanted from his life, made him someone I was rooting for.

It was a bit frustrating just how much the pack left Luca to deal with. On the one hand, they acted like he was fragile and on the other hand, they had him working day and night on things without proper consideration as to how it was affecting him. I loved how easily Cal picked up on Luca’s kink, how open he was about his attraction and how he allowed Luca to set the pace.

I had some niggles: Luca knew he was in danger yet goes down to the club unsupervised; I needed to know more about how mating worked in order to understand the issue with Gio; Luca’s twin sister was aggravating at times and not necessarily in a good way.

But overall, I really enjoyed this story. The relationship between Cal and Luca, the scent-marking, possessiveness and their obvious attraction to each other hit the spot and I was glad that I read it. I will be looking out for the next book in the Lunetti Pack series. I received an ARC from BookSirens.

Second Shot by Con Riley (Second Chance School Book #2)

TITLE: ⟫ Second Shot

AUTHOR: ⟫ Con Riley

SERIES: ⟫ Second Chance School Book #1

RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Welcome back to Glynn Harber School for another steamy, swoony romance between two bruised souls.

Passion always leads to heartbreak for Hayden Novac.

Nice guys always get picked last. That’s what my coach at a soccer academy once promised. Ten years and a career change from a footballer to a woodland manager later, it turns out that his picked-last rule also applies to my love life.

I can’t imagine what being someone’s first choice feels like until an artist shows me at the school where I now work.

I could have a second shot at happiness with him, but given my track record, can I risk my heart to take it?

Featuring an ex-footballer afraid of rejection and the artist who draws a different future for him, Second Shot continues Con Riley's Second Chance School series. Expect passion in close proximity, love as wild as Cornish woodland, and an HEA that will keep you turning pages.

REVIEW: ⟫ This book resonated with me quite strongly – when I was in my mid thirties, I suffered from a bad concussion that messed up my brain for quite a long time. Therefore, reading about the different ways the members of staff at the Second Chance school were working with children and people to help them find their place really touched me.

Hayden was quite a heart-breaking character, and I found it really interesting finding out how he ended up working the way that he was. It wasn’t an info dump – it was much more like we were seeing/hearing his story in stages, very much like how Rae took the kids through his life experiences.

Sometimes I felt like there was too much referencing to past incidences that I didn’t know about, but that may well be my own fault because I haven’t read the first book in this series. The relationship between the two men was sweet and steamy at the same time, but it did feel like it was ‘bitty’ – after the wedding, they separated, then got back together, again claiming it was temporary. I guess I wanted something more definitive?

I loved the relationship Hayden had with his stepmother and sisters, and when Rae met them it was heartening to once again see Hayden through his eyes. Rae definitely made Hayden seem like a giant in both his heart and his thoughts, and I appreciated how clearly he saw the man inside.

I think this was a book about the journeys we all take throughout life, the mark that we make on other people and the marks that they make on us. I think that was what I took from the book in the main rather than the relationship between Hayden and Rae – sometimes it felt like they were a side-plot in their own romance which is why I am struggling to describe how this book made me feel.

I will look for the first book in the series because I adore the whole concept of the Second Chance School and think it is well worth a read. I received an ARC from GRR.

The Nøkk and the Jock by Leslie McAdam (Creelin University Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ The Nøkk and the Jock

AUTHOR: ⟫ Leslie McAdam

SERIES: ⟫ Creelin University Book #1

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB:⟫ You’re formally admitted to Creelin University—known locally as “Creepin U.” The only things wilder than the monster shifters prowling around campus are the spicy male-male love stories unfolding between classes. The Nøkk and the Jock is book one, starring an emo shapeshifter and a sunshine human. Each book is a stand-alone M/M spooky romance, but we hope you enroll in them all.

I’m pumped to be one of the first humans to attend a monster university, but a minor, negligible, insignificant issue arises almost My new roommate wants to drag me to his underground realm and take my soul.

He’s a nøkk who could almost pass for human, except his webbed fingers and entirely black eyes give him away. In my attempt to befriend him, I give him three drops of my blood, a black animal, and a bottle of vodka (I hear it’s a nøkk thing). Which apparently triggers some ancient bonding ritual. My bad.

I must admit I’m into him. Maybe those online tests that say I’m only mostly straight are right. But there are a few I can’t know his real name. He won’t show me his true form. And he’s both an omen and a cause of drowning … which is troubling, since he’s on the water polo team with me.

Still, something about him calls to me, even if it shouldn’t.

The Nøkk

This human is mine.

Stay away from him.

The Nøkk and the Jock is a monster-human bi-awakening M/M romance starring Brandon Fernandez, a golden retriever of a human being, and the prickly, melancholy nøkk. It features puzzling emoji text conversations, a monster who can stop waterfalls in midair, and drunken scareoke (monster karaoke). HEA guaranteed.

REVIEW: ⟫ When I read the blurb for this, I was intrigued. And my interest was well rewarded! This was a very sweet, lovingly written read, with a fascinating premise and very good follow through. Brandon is one of the first humans invited to Creelin University where he will be studying alongside monsters. He plays on the water polo team with a variety of monsters and is looking forward to meeting his new room-mate – the Nøkk. From the very beginning, there is a connection between the two of them and I so enjoyed reading how they overcame their concerns and fears and became a couple.

I thought the idea of how the monsters came about was very, very cool. I really enjoyed the fact that there wasn’t some huge information dump – the reader finds things out organically through circumstances and/or from Brandon’s never-ending questions. The Nøkk and Brandon together were incredibly cute and I so enjoyed the way that their romance progressed. It would have been so easy for it to be a soul-mate trope where free will wasn’t an option, whereas they both made sure the other was following their feelings

I also really enjoyed the water polo aspect of things which I didn’t expect as I’ve never watched it. If you think of this series as a lighter, college version of the Lily Mayne Monstrous series, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I will definitely be looking out for more in the series.

I received an ARC from GRR.

Beyond Reason by Lee McCormick (Beyond Book #2)

TITLE: ⟫ Beyond Reason

AUTHOR: ⟫ Lee McCormick

SERIES: ⟫ Beyond Book #2

RATING: ⟫4.5 /5

BLURB: ⟫ Sometimes the hardest thing is being the only one left alive.

Axel Fetterman: The Cleaner

Twenty-two years ago, my world ended. I was called to a scene to find the man I loved, cold and lifeless, on the ground. Every moment between now and then has been nothing more than existing between one breath and the next while dealing with the grief of losing the one person I couldn’t live without.

When a man shows up at my door telling me he’s Xavier, I don’t know what to believe. On one hand, it’s impossible—on the other, I’ve never met another person who makes me burn the way he does. Is believing in the impossible too good to be true?

Xavier Benham: The Killer For Hire

Twenty-two years ago, I died. I don’t know how, and I don’t know why, but I’m alive again. Whatever screwed-up experiment brought me here, I won’t waste the opportunity. I can’t remember most of my life. I can’t remember much, but I can remember him.

Axel.

I’ll do whatever I have to if it means getting back to him, and whatever it takes to become the man I used to be. The only thing standing in my way is the company that brought me back and their determination to rectify their mistake.

~~~

Beyond Reason is a dual POV dark romance with a twist on soulmates that answers the question of how long a man can wait for the person he’s destined to be with. Prepare yourself for angst, high heat, high emotions, and a killer for hire who is suddenly thrown into a world he doesn’t understand. Guaranteed HEA with a universe that’s wide open for exploration! Best read after Beyond Time.

REVIEW: ⟫ No, like seriously, who do we have to kill to get a TV series made about these books? I need this in my life – for science or whatever! This book was explosive from the beginning – Xavier and Axel do not have the healthiest relationship – think slamming each other into things, weaponry, lots of kinky sex – and yet by the end of this book, they were pretty much relationship goals. Alongside Seth and Kade – oh my, my appreciation for Seth actually grew.

Apart from the insane relationship dynamics, choosing who I wanted for the next instalment, and biting my nails waiting to see just how damaged these guys were going to be by the time they got their happily ever after (in this lifetime), the plot kept me fascinated, the ideas behind the science were intriguing and troubling, and my admiration for the world that Lee McCormick has created just grew exponentially. If you have read the previous Beyond book, you know the premise, but I still don’t think you’re ready for this ride.

There were times I wanted to kill Xavier myself – he sometimes was more annoying than Kade and that’s saying something – but ultimately, I finished this cheering despite being sick with COVID (again). Petition to live in Lee McCormick’s brain alongside her characters but not as one of the bad bad guys please!

I received an ARC from GRR.

The Haunted Hotel by Vawn Cassidy (Crawshanks Guide to Mischievous Spectres and Spirits Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ The Haunted Hotel

AUTHOR: ⟫ Vawn Cassidy

SERIES: ⟫ Crawshanks Guide to Mischievous Spectres and Spirits Book #1

RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Have a frightfully good stay…

Morgan Ashton-Drake hasn’t given his ancestral family home in Yorkshire a second thought in decades, even if it is technically part of his hotel empire. He has a great life in the States, so what if he works eighteen hour days seven days a week? you don’t get and keep a place on the Forbes 500 list unless you’re prepared to sweat blood.

But when a suspicious death and rather public scandal at his childhood home forces Morgan to return to England for the first time in years he’s determined to close the hotel which has been a millstone around his family’s neck for centuries. What he didn’t count on was the seriously cute little blonde disaster who seems to be single handedly running his grandfather’s hotel.

Ellis Sparks has worked at the Ashton-Drake Manor House Hotel since he was sixteen and he loves it from the bottom of his soul. Always the eternal optimist and ray of sunshine, he’s never met a frown he can’t turn upside down, that is until he meets Morgan Ashton-Drake the grumpy, silver fox grandson of his employer.

With barely any staff and unable to attract or keep guests, Morgan is determined to close the hotel for good and Ellis is just as determined to convince him otherwise, but when strange things occur, Morgan begins to wonder if there’s more to this eccentric hotel than he thought.

From the creator of Dead Serious comes this hilarious grumpy/sunshine spin off which will leave you wanting to book your own room at The Ashton-Drake Manor House Hotel.

REVIEW: ⟫ Set in the same world as the Dead Serious verse, this a new series from Vawn Cassidy, complete with ghosts, twinks, all kinds of rules and regulations and shenanigans! This is very much an ensemble piece, with the main romantic character playing off beautifully against the backdrop of ghosts who have broken the rules, a beautiful old home that needs saving, and family.

I loved these characters when they appeared in Dead Serious – who isn’t going to fall in love with a Bartender that can barely see over the bar and never speaks? And as for John the Maid? I’d love him to take care of my home!

The actual plot is very simple – Morgan has come to the hotel to figure out what’s going on and perhaps find out what happened there when he grew up. He has a grumpy exterior yet you watch as he falls in love with the hotel, the staff, his grandfather but most of all Ellis. Ellis is a literal ray of sunshine and the grumpy/sunshine trope shines in this introduction to the new verse.

Special mention to Warren for his meddling ways and inappropriate commentary! If you’ve read any of the author’s other works, you’ll know the kind of banter to expect, the sexy scenes and the romance that permeates the whole story. I loved reading this story – it was absolutely everything I needed as I recover from COVID. Looking forward to reading more and can highly recommend.

I received an ARC from the author.

Divine Heart by Garrett Leigh (Rebel Kings MC Book #8)

TITLE: ⟫ Divine Heart

AUTHOR: ⟫ Garrett Leigh

SERIES: ⟫ Rebel Kings Book #8

RATING: ⟫ 5/5

BLURB: ⟫ The bestselling Rebel Kings MC series returns with Ranger and Viktor’s long awaited love story. Expect: a damaged Russian mobster and grouchy nomad. Hurt comfort, second chances, forced proximity. Love ain’t true if it doesn’t hurt.

Viktor

The message from my brother lies bold and bright on the screen.

This will be it.

Four words that could mean the end or the beginning. And for many years, as long as my sister was safe, I hadn’t much cared which. But as my gaze falls on the woven thread knotted at my wrist and the rough diamond of a man sleeping beside me, I realise everything has changed.

Ranger.

I want more than a hot summer with him. A handful of stolen nights. I don’t deserve him—no one does. But true to the fear I’ve carried since I met him, I can’t give him up.

We survive together, or we die.

And if we live?

I will love his divine heart forever.

Divine Heart is the eighth book in the Rebel Kings MC series. A sizzling MM love story with all the trigger warnings you’d expect from a gripping biker romance.

REVIEW: ⟫ Oh my heart!! I have been saving this ARC for when I really and truly felt I could give it my full attention – COVID and an ear infection, followed by an eye infection has made reading a chore. But it was so incredibly worth the weight.

This wasn’t the action-based story that the last few stories in the Rebel Kings series has been – this was all about the heart, about trust, about making the people you love safe. Ranger and Vik wormed their way into my heart in much the way other characters by Garrett Leigh have done, and I shall keep them safe – rereading their time spent on Satsuma Island as they let down their guard, shared their fears and became one of the absolute best couples in this series.

We have the Russian mafia, Albanians, Alexei, Cam and Saint, children, the most perfect dog in existence and we have a love story that made me tear up more than once. I cannot believe what a stranglehold this book had on me – I began reading it at 11.30 am and finished it just after 2 pm. I feel like I have lived a thousand lives reading this. I was scared about who we might lose and how we might lose them; entranced by the lives that are being built by the Rebel Kings, and in awe of the family Garrett Leigh has written.

I know that there are a couple of stories still to be told – specifically what was happening in places other than Satsuma Island, and I have a hankering to see if Jake ever gets a happily ever after – but either way, this was a perfect, albeit bittersweet, ending to the Rebels’ saga. I’m listening to Sinead O Connor, Nothing Compares to U whilst I am writing this review and it is incredibly apt – I can’t think of another series out there that compares to this one.

I received an ARC from GRR.

His Mate By Vengeance by Mel Aitchess (Lunetti Pack Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ His Mate by Vengeance

AUTHOR: ⟫ Mel Aitchess

SERIES: ⟫ Lunetti Pack Book #1

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ I have lived for centuries. I have used and been used. Had countless lovers. And I have never wanted more. Not once. Not until today. Not until you.

Angelo is a protector—head of the Lunetti Pack's security. He walks a delicate line avoiding the darker side of his mafia shifter pack's business, but there's no grey area in his hatred of vampires. Not after what they did to his family. When his Alpha orders him to keep one safe, it takes everything in him to obey. So, why is his wolf so intoxicated by the sassy vampire assassin's scent permeating the safe house? And did there have to be only one damn bed?

Vin doesn't know who's trying to frame him for the bombing targeting the head of the local vampire coven, but he's got the skills and ruthlessness to figure it out. When he called in a favour for somewhere to lay low, he hadn't intended it to come equipped with a wolf shifter bodyguard, but he isn't complaining. Angelo is as easy on the eyes as he is to rile up. Seduction is a game and Vin's always loved a challenge.

Until Angelo does something no one ever has before. He cares.

Now, all bets are off. Angelo is his.

His Mate By Vengeance is a steamy enemies to lovers, fated mates, MM paranormal romance between a grumpy wolf shifter and a murder sunshine vampire assassin. It features forced proximity, only one bed, and knotting. There is no mpreg in this world

REVIEW: ⟫ This was so much fun to read! Vin is witty, quick thinking, lethal and caring. Angelo is the definition of a grumpy marshmallow – even his position as enforcer doesn’t change the fact that he doesn’t kill without reason. Angelo has plenty of reasons to hate vampires, but what I absolutely adored about this book was the way his other half, his wolf, fell for Vin completely and utterly from the beginning and had no problems showing it. The tail wagging, head butting, providing food – all of it made me grin.

The background story was also interesting and I really enjoyed the world building as we learned about the vampires, witches and wolves in this new (to me) series. It was a very easy, quick read, enjoyable without too much angst, with some spicy scenes that were nicely written. The descriptors had this playing in my head like a movie and I very much enjoyed the scenery that was painted for us!

Have joined the author’s newsletter and looking forward to the next in the series. I received an ARC from GRR.

The Former Fake Boyfriend by Maya Jean (Sweet Southern Book #2)

TITLE: ⟫ The Former Fake Boyfriend

AUTHOR: ⟫ Maya Jean

SERIES: ⟫ Sweet Southern Book #2

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Beau

The strong one. The dependable one. Eldest son. Big brother. Now the family farm is mine to run. My entire life is centered around others. To keep the attention off me at my baby sister’s wedding, I impulsively hire a fake boyfriend to give the pretense of happiness. What I don’t expect is a man that seamlessly fits into my life. Trevor holds me up when no one else thinks twice about my needs or wants. And he keeps coming back for me. Again and again. Our relationship might be fake to Trevor, but I’m playing for keeps.

Trevor

Fake boyfriend. Good friend. Shitty son. Faking is my only real skill. The dark family secrets I carry inside remind me daily of my worth. Nothing. I’m only of value when I’m providing fake boyfriends a service. But when a sweet farmer hires me for a wedding weekend, everything slowly starts to unravel. Beau works his way into my battered heart with gentle smiles, shy looks, and profound steadiness. Safe with Beau, maybe it’s finally time to stop faking my way through life.

The Former Fake Boyfriend is the second novel in the Sweet Southern series. Expect a swoony fake dating romance between a city boy sex worker and a gentle giant farmer featuring an age gap, hurt/comfort, and second chances.

REVIEW: ⟫ When I say that this was easy to read, I mean that the characters draw you in pretty much immediately and it was very easy to enter the world of Beau and Trevor. However, the things that Trevor and Beau were handling weren’t easy and I really appreciated the thought and effort the author put into showing these two men being so vulnerable with each other. The strength that they both showed in such different circumstances was fascinating to read – with Trevor, it wasn’t always easy to understand why he did what he did – but the parallels between the two of them made it perfectly plain why they were so good for each other.

I read the Husband Experience previously so knew some of the background, but I didn’t expect to care as much as I did about these two.

The phone calls between them – the one word from Trevor – made me feel so sad for him. I can’t imagine going through what he did and could well understand his difficulty in accepting the love that was offered to him. The background characters were fun, touching and very real, and I very much enjoyed reading how these two men fought for their happy ever after.

I received an ARC from GRR.

Owed to the Billionaire by Medusa Stone

TITLE: ⟫ Owed to the Billionaire

AUTHOR: ⟫ Medusa Stone

SERIES: ⟫ Belonging to the Billionaire

RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ MM/Dark Mafia/ Billionaire-Romance/ Hurt-Comfort/ Enemies to lovers

Michael-

The criminal underground wasn't something I had anything to do with. That’s until my brother's gambling got out of hand. Ryan owes a lot of money to the vicious Vincent Salvatore, and the man wants what's his. We can't pay, so Salvatore demands my brother works off his debt… and I'm the collateral.

I may be held in a luxurious prison, but it's still a cage. So why am I developing feelings for the man who holds our future in his hands?

Vincent-

I don’t give a damn about some gambler's brother. I want my money, and Ryan's debt is a noose tightening around his neck. My world doesn't tolerate failure. But then I see Michael—the innocent collateral. The moment our eyes lock, everything shifts.

I should be focused on getting my money back, but Michael's got this quiet strength that gets under my skin. Suddenly, it's not just about the debt. It's about keeping him close, protecting him. Anyone who dares to touch him will face my wrath.

I didn’t plan for this. But now, there's nothing I won’t do to keep him safe—even if it means breaking all my own rules.

All books in “Belonging To The Billionaire” series are standalones.

REVIEW: ⟫ This is a short novella – approx 12.5k words – and as such, the author makes sure to warn the reader that there isn’t a lot of room for backstory or build-up. Nevertheless, from the beginning, you do get a very good sense of the depth of the caring between Ryan and Michael, and just why Michael is prepared to do anything to keep his brother safe, and vice versa. It also quickly becomes clear that Vincent is confused by the emotions that Michael engenders in him – he is far more used to delivering pain, manipulating people into owing him fealty, and running the darker side of things than he is to gentle emotions. I liked how the men who collected Michael were made to pay for their actions – they didn’t have permission for the things that they did so were reprimanded – a sharp reminder that Vincent is in charge of all of it.

I don’t recall reading any Medusa Stone prior to this but would be interested in reading what could come from a story with the space to go into more detail – whether in building the relationships, the backstory, or even the resolution. This was a quick, interesting read and I will probably look for more stories by this author, and particularly in this series as the next title sounds interesting.

I received an ARC from the author but the views are my own.