Dad Next Door by Willow Dixon (Crimson Club #5)

TITLE: ⟫ Dad Next Door

AUTHOR: ⟫ Willow Dixon

SERIES: ⟫ Crimson Club #5

RATING: ⟫ /5

BLURB: ⟫ Moving into my first house is step one in starting my new life. Next is setting up my contracting business. I’m so focused on my future that a relationship is the last thing on my mind.

Then I meet Tristan, the single dad next door. He might be my total opposite, but we click in a way I’ve never experienced, and he quickly becomes one of my closest friends.

After attending a wedding as his fake date to make his ex, and his ex’s new boyfriend, jealous, I can’t deny that things between us have changed. I always thought I was straight, but being with Tristan doesn’t just feel good, it feels right.

Having a fling with my neighbor might be a recipe for disaster, but it could also be exactly what we both need to finally move on from our pasts.

Quinn and Tristan’s story is a friends-to-lovers, bi-awakening romance between a retired porn model who just moved into his first home, and a single dad trying to navigate life after divorce. Expect a fake relationship, an age gap, found family, all the feels, lots of spice, and tons of heat as these neighbors find out that sometimes opposites really do attract. It is the fifth novel in the exciting new Crimson Club series but can be read as a standalone.

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

Best Served Cold by Willow Dixon (Crimson Club #3

TITLE: ⟫ Best Served Cold

AUTHOR: ⟫ Willow Dixon

SERIES: ⟫ Crimson Club #3

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ When the guys at work dare me and the new guy to play a game of gay chicken, I figure I’ll get my first kiss and bragging rights for winning. What I don’t expect is for that game to awaken something in me. Something I’ve never felt before.

Something that makes me want more. Makes me want him.

I never back down from a challenge, but that doesn’t explain why being with Noah feels so good. Why I can’t stop thinking about him. Why he’s the only person who’s ever stirred even the slightest interest in me.

Why getting him off gets me off.

Watching Noah lose control is everything. So is knowing he can’t stay away from me, either.

Zane and Noah’s story is an animosity to lovers, double bi-awakening romance. You can expect public fun, tons of heat, lots of banter, and reluctant feels as these two impulsive and competitive guys realize that in some games, everyone’s a winner. It is the third book in the exciting new Crimson Club series but can be read as a standalone.

REVIEW: ⟫ I was expecting an every day, ho hum, enemies to lovers story but in Best Served Cold, we get so much more.

Zane and River have utterly fascinated me from the first time we met them – especially considering their act at the Crimson Club – so finding out about Zane’s lack of interest in dating, etc was a bit of a surprise. But a very good one. I really enjoyed the fact that his sexuality was just another topic of conversation amongst the friend group – no one tried to make him feel weird for not knowing certain things, or needing explanations/examples that worked for him. I also really enjoyed seeing more of the relationship between the twins (although River talking to Zane and Noah through the bedroom wall for some reason had me in absolute stitches!

Noah was a complicated character, and once we learned more of his back-story, my heart broke for him. Even with the distance he managed to gain from his abusive family, their words – and the words of the Pastor – had buried deeply into his psyche and made it so difficult for him to see that he was a good person, deserving of love and respect and friendship.

Once again, an excellent cast of characters in the background made this story multifaceted, and we caught up with some old friends during the course of the story but not in a way that precluded it being a standalone. Willow Dixon is rapidly becoming one of my auto-reads as I have always enjoyed reading her stories. I’m really pleased with this addition and cannot wait for River’s story.

I received an ARC from GRR.

Stepbrother Dearest by Willow Dixon (Crimson Club #1)

Title: ⟫ Stepbrother Dearest (Crimson Club #1)

Author: ⟫ Willow Dixon

Rating: ⟫ 4/5

Blurb: ⟫ Of all the people who could have seen me when I was at my most vulnerable, it had to be him.

Caleb. My stepbrother and the golden child of our messed up blended family. We barely know each other, but for some reason he takes care of me when an incident at the club leaves me helpless and alone.

He hates me as much as I hate him, but something about his bossy attitude and unflappable calm soothes me. I don’t want to want him, but no one has ever made me feel the way he does.

Hooking up with my enemy is stupid as f*ck. So is breaking my rules for him. I know this, but whatever is between us will eventually burn out and I can go back to my solitary life and forget all about how amazing it feels to let someone else take control.

* * * * *

Gray and Caleb’s story is an enemies-with-benefits-to-lovers romance between stepbrothers who discover that sometimes the person you hate is the only one who can give you what you need. Expect lots of steamy encounters, tons of dirty talk, and reluctant feels as these two enemies learn the truth about themselves, and each other. It is the first book in the exciting new Crimson Club series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Review: ⟫ I’m always fascinated by the stepbrother trope – I have seen it written so many different ways but I enjoyed reading this one. Gray and Caleb are stepbrothers in name more than anything else – there was very little interaction between them when they were growing up and they didn’t have a sibling relationship. I know that can be something that puts people off reading this trope (although others prefer it if the couple DID grow up together – YMMV).

Gray was very close to rock bottom and feels like a failure when he meets up with Caleb again and lingering resentment from the past taints their interactions. I thought Caleb sounded dreamy and could well understand Gray’s feelings of insecurity and resentment – it seemed like everything had gone Caleb’s way whilst Gray was left to struggle. Add that to his brother’s relationship with Gray’s rival from his past, potentially losing his job and being forced to live in his car again and Gray was not in a good place.

What I loved about Gray was his ability to be honest with himself – to see his brother’s relationship as something to be happy about; his ability to make the most of what he had, especially with his relationships with the other dancers and how that grew stronger throughout the story; his feelings for Caleb and how he slowly began to relax and see that he could have this, that his life could take a new, unexpected turn that gave him a chance for happiness.

Caleb was brilliant – I loved his character, his caring nature, his ability to see past Gray’s prickliness to what was underneath, and ultimately how well he fits with Gray. This was a sexy, involving read, with a host of entertaining characters and a satisfying ending. Definitely a good read and I would recommend it.

I received an ARC from GRR.

Never Have I Ever: Wanted My Brother's Rival by Willow Dixon

Title: ⟫ Never Have I Ever: Wanted my Brother’s Rival

Author: ⟫ Willow Dixon

Rating: ⟫ 4/5

Blurb: ⟫ “Why is the one person I hate the only guy I can’t stop thinking about?”

West, my older brother’s high school rival. The rich kid who has it all. The guy who disappeared six years ago and destroyed my brother’s life.

I thought West and I were friends. I trusted him, but he showed me I was nothing more to him than a means to an end.

Being twenty and in my last year of college isn’t easy. Neither is being a virgin. I’ve never been normal or felt like I fit in, and I don’t feel what I’m supposed to.

My online job has given me the perfect way to solve my virginity problem, but then the last person I ever wanted to see again shows up on my doorstep. Not only has West learned what I do for a living, he’s essentially my landlord.

I hate him. So why can’t I stay away from him? Why is he the only person I’ve ever felt a connection with, who makes me feel like there’s something in me worth wanting?

Eli and West’s story is an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance between a former bad boy who seemingly has it all and an awkward genius who’s never felt like he fits in. Expect lots of banter and hot first times as these two try (and fail) to stay away from each other. It is the fourth novel in the steamy Never Have I Ever series but can be read as a standalone.

Review: ⟫ This was a sweet wrap up to the series. I have enjoyed the glimpses of Eli that we have had, learning a little more about him in each book until it definitely felt like it was time for his story.

The link between he and West was so caring and sweet and made me smile on numerous occasions: one of the best examples is when Eli turns to West and asks him if they’ve been doing something and West replies ‘I wonder how long it would take you to notice’. West just accepts the person that Eli is, with his foibles, habits and little quirks – in fact, he relishes them and it shows in the way he treats Eli. In return, Eli flourishes under the attention.

I also really enjoyed the relationship between Eli and the housemates, how as he began to accept the care that West was giving him, he in turn blossomed in his friendships.

This was a lovely book, with some hot sex scenes (including the camming) and as I said, excellent closure for the series.

I received an ARC from GRR.

Never Have I Ever Had a Bromance with a Teammate by Willow Dixon (Never Have I Ever Book #3)

Title: ⟫ Never Have I Ever Had a Bromance with a Teammate

Author: ⟫ Willow Dixon

Rating: ⟫ 4/5

Blurb: ⟫ How could one kiss change everything between me and my best friend?

Jax has been my best friend since the day we met. We not only share our passion for baseball, but we train together, play on the same team, hang out together, even sleep in the same bed half the time.

I feel safe with him, and he gets me like no one else. Yeah, he’s gay and I’m straight, but that doesn’t matter.

Until it does.

Until one stupid dare to kiss each other leads to the most amazing, epic kiss of my life.

Until I suddenly can’t stop thinking about him, about what he awakens in me.

Until all I want is him.

Our bromance evolves into something much deeper, something neither of us can define. I explore new territory with him and discover sides of myself I never knew I had.

But with not only our future in baseball on the line but also our friendship, how can this thing between us ever be more than temporary? A bromance between besties doesn’t have to change anything, right?

Matt and Jax’s story is a best friends-to-lovers romance between teammates who discover that a bromance with their bestie is exactly what they’ve always wanted but never thought they could have. Expect lots of BFF banter, some serious steam, and tons of sweetness as these two oblivious jocks navigate the line between boyfriends and bros. It is the third novel in the exciting Never Have I Ever series but can be read as a standalone.

Review: ⟫ This is the third novel in the Never Have I Ever series and I really enjoyed reading it. Matt and Jax are joined at the hip – they are bros who do everything together, or nearly everything. Jax is gay and Matt is straight, otherwise they could be each other’s everything.

A kiss at a party gets Matt thinking and because Jax is his best friend, who else would he turn to in order to figure out if he really is as straight as he thought? This bi-awakening was lovely to read – the ease of communication between the two of them, the way in which they rely on and take care of each other – it was all really lovely to read.

There are some moments of angst – what happens if things go wrong? Will they lose their friendship? And there’s the typical a-hole team-member who is homophobic, but that was such a small amount of the story that it wasn’t too irritating.

The sex scenes were very nice – hot, steamy and yet caring at the same time – and the progression of things wasn’t hurried. It was also lovely to learn a bit more about Eli and check in with the guys from the previous stories. All in all, this was a nice, relaxed romance with lovely main characters and a good story. I look forward to reading more in the series.

I received an ARC from GRR.

Never Have I Ever: Submitted to my Enemy by Willow Dixon

Title: ⟫ Never Have I Ever: Submitted to my Enemy

Author: ⟫ Willow Dixon

Rating: ⟫ 4/5

Blurb: ⟫ How could I not have realized the guy I’ve been chatting with online is the one person I hate?

Kai, the bad boy I broke my rules for. Who stomped all over my heart. Twice. He’s arrogant and annoying, and worse, he doesn’t even remember what he did to me.

He’s also my new presentation partner. I want nothing to do with him, but the more time we spend together, the more I realize he’s not the monster I’ve made him out to be. I want to keep hating him, but it’s hard when he’s made it his mission to get me to like him.

As if things weren’t messed up enough, enter MrWrong, the bossy as f*ck guy I’ve been chatting with online. Using an anonymous app was supposed to be an uncomplicated way to explore my more extreme interests. I didn’t count on meeting the only person who’s ever been able to give me not only what I want, but what I need.

I spent years denying my attraction to men to protect a broken heart. Now I have two guys I can’t stop thinking about.

F*ck my life.

Alex and Kai’s story is an enemies-to-lovers romance between classmates who discover they have more in common than they think. Expect lots of steamy, kinky conversations, and even hotter encounters when these classmates realize who they’ve been chatting with. It is the second novel in the exciting Never Have I Ever series but can be read as a standalone.

Review: ⟫ Well, this was full of surprises!! First of all, MrWrong has an absolutely filthy mouth on him and I am well and truly here for it. Secondly, someone needs to give Beck a smack around the head for not realising how much he was letting Alex down – you don’t have someone like that as your friend without realising how much damage you might cause by not being there for them.

The relationship(s) between Kai and Alex were complicated and interesting. I especially liked the hints the author dropped into things that could have revealed their connection earlier if they had been paying attention. The different sides to their personalities were represented in each scenario – there was the Alex that obeyed Kai’s every instruction and was his brat; the battling students working together; and the vulnerable young men who slowly let the other into the hidden sides of their lives until they all became entwined. It was beautifully done, and I really enjoyed the reveal and the very honest reaction to it.

So why a 4/5? I (personally) think that Alex was intelligent enough to recognise the signs of ADHD and even though when he was younger, he was made to feel like he was just being lazy, etc., once he reached university I think he would have investigated further. That niggled at me throughout the book – especially as a parent to a child/young adult struggling with ADHD – so that affected my enjoyment somewhat.

I was surprised/pleased to discover that I’m actually in the middle of reading Step-Bully which includes a couple featured in this book – my magpie mind jumped to other things whilst reading it, so I haven’t finished it yet but I will be bumping it up on my TBR pile.

This was a really enjoyable book to read and I think you will find yourself rooting for Kai and Alex to get out of their own way to find love. Alex truly deserved the family he found with Kai, his mother and sister, and Kai had someone that was his in a way that he had never experienced.

I received an ARC from GRR.

Never Have I Ever: Punched My Roommate's V-Card by Willow Dixon

Title: ⟫ Never Have I Ever: Punched My Roommate’s V-Card

Author: ⟫ Willow Dixon

Rating: ⟫ 4/5

Blurb: ⟫ Why can’t I stop thinking about my roommate after walking in on him “taking care of business?”

What should have been a humiliating experience for both of us ends up being the start of one of the best friendships I’ve ever had. Finn is smart, adorkable, and his shyness pushes all my buttons. The problem? My interest in him quickly shifts from friendship to something less than platonic. Feelings I’ve been pushing down for years bubble up to the surface, and I find myself unable to see him as just a friend, or keep my hands to myself.

When a night out leads to some extracurricular fun, Finn and I decide to have a no-strings-attached fling. He’s the perfect person to explore my bisexuality with, and our chemistry is off the charts. Finn might still have his V-Card, but he’s not inexperienced, and the more we’re together, the more we learn about ourselves.

Until it’s not enough.

I want him, and he wants me, but the idea of coming out terrifies me. Is Finn the person who can help me discover who I am? And can I get my head out of my a*s in time to prove to him I’m worth taking a chance on?

Beck and Finn’s story is a friends-to-lovers MM romance between roommates who discover that opposites really do attract. Expect super hot, slightly kinky encounters, a houseful of quirky college guys, and a ton of sweetness once this jock and nerd finally get on the same page. It is the first novel in the exciting new Never Have I Ever series but can be read as a standalone.

Review: ⟫ Beck is an all-around good guy, who looks out for the people around them and is in general a people-pleaser. When he meets Finn, he initially thinks it’s just his care-giver instincts kicking in, but the more time they spend together, the more he realises that how he feels about Finn is not simply friendship but so much more.

Finn is free(ish) from his overbearing parents and trying to figure out who he wants to be. He also desperately wants to push himself out of his comfort zone, get over his social awkwardness and maybe find love.

When the two of them get together – as friends – it is so completely fascinating to watch them fall in love whilst being unaware of it. Finn is slightly more self-aware, but he is also wary of misunderstanding the way Beck takes care of him.

As the venture into the LGBTQ world, with Beck acting as Finn’s wing-man, and discover that there is a place for both of them, it makes for a satisfying and fun read. The sex scenes between the two of them were very hot, especially when they ventured into the slightly kinky.

The supporting characters were well rounded and intriguing – Eli and Alex come to mind here – and this book was a really engaging, satisfying read. This is the first book by Willow Dixon that I have read, but I will be looking out for more as I really enjoyed this and am happy to recommend it to anyone who enjoys the college/university environment and reading about a baby-gay and an introverted extrovert figuring themselves out.

I received an ARC from GRR.