Shots on Net by J.J. Mulder (SCU Hockey Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ Shots on Net

AUTHOR: ⟫ J.J. Mulder

SERIES: ⟫ SCU Hockey Book #1

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Carter Morgan III hates everything about South Carolina University except for one thing: hockey. As the starting netminder for the team, he lives for those moments when he can step onto the ice and between the pipes. Unfortunately, his time at school and on the team is slowly coming to an end; although he’d love nothing more than to pursue a career in the NHL, he knows better than to get his hopes up.

Zeke Cassidy needs a place to live. When he answers an advertisement for a roommate, he’s not sure what he is expecting except that it isn’t Carter Morgan III. Carter is unfriendly, aloof, and they have nothing in common; even so, the pair hit it off immediately and become friends.

Carter knows Zeke isn’t interested in being anything beyond friends and roommates. Unfortunately, knowing this doesn’t stop him from hoping for more, no matter how much he tries to convince himself it’s impossible.

REVIEW: ⟫ This book completely crept up on me and I am so pleased to have found a new author to read! Zeke was an absolute delight – just so upfront and honest, open and caring – exactly what Carter needs. And Carter! Oh my, I just wanted to give him the biggest hugs and hold on tight – that boy deserved so much better than he had gotten before Zeke turned up! The fact that Zeke could read through his grumpy exterior, treasured every single one of his smiles, and made Carter begin to realise that he could have more – really brilliantly done!

I haven’t read anything from this author before but you can bet I’m hitting up everything on their back catalogue after this – Coach Mckensie needs to be read, obviously!!

The Night I Lost Him by Calliope Rhys

TITLE: ⟫ The Night I Lost Him

AUTHOR: ⟫ Calliope Rhys

RATING: ⟫ 2.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Caden Conner had never planned on coming out of the box he’d placed himself in long ago, the one he’d carefully crafted to look like everyone around him wanted it to. He had determined to be what they all expected. He’d decorated it with hockey and parties and girlfriends. No one was ever supposed to find him there, but then Jamie came along and ripped him right out of it.

Jamie Bryant was an enigma. He did what he wanted, wore what he wanted, and never apologized for who he was. He had plenty of whispers swirling around him, side-eyes and some outright hatred, but he seemed to simply ignore most of it. Caden had been watching, though, and he’d always hated it when people picked on Jamie. One moment would change everything between them, but Caden still had one foot in that box, torn between being who he truly was and holding onto the reputation he’d worked for.

Caden wasn’t the only person who could see that Jamie was beautiful. Jamie had plenty of his own admirers, and one of them was more dangerous than anyone realized until it was too late. No one thought that he would take it as far as he did, but by the time they understood, Jamie was already missing.

Caden realized he’d lost everything that truly mattered in his life when he’d lost Jamie. The regret and guilt swirled with fear and pain. And he would do whatever it took to get him back.

REVIEW: ⟫ I wanted to love this book so very much – the premise was fascinating and it started out incredibly well. The pain Caden was going through was palpable and the initial flashbacks were introduced in such a way as to fill in the backstory well. But then things went on. And on. Constant pages of Caden going over and over the same thing.

By the time we got to court, even the flashbacks that told their love story couldn’t save it. I was so aggravated by so many things that it got to the stage where I was almost hate reading it. I just wanted to get to the end so that it was over.

The characters were interesting, the premise was well thought out – this was let down by the lack of someone to tell the author to move the heck on with the story. Sometimes I actually felt like I was literally taking the same footsteps as Caden and it was just taking too darn long.

I hesitated on what to rate this as, but for the sake of Caden and Jamie, the excellent meaning the author was working towards, and the friends who proved to be worth their weight in gold, I decided on 2.5, rounded up.

I understand that this is a debut novel (I think) and I will look out for more by this author.

Passing Through Purgatory by Nikole Knight (Passing Through Cafe Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ Passing Through Purgatory

AUTHOR: ⟫ Nikole Knight

SERIES: ⟫ Passing Through Cafe Book #1

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ When Oliver applied for a job in the Hell dimension on a whim, he didn’t expect it to turn his whole world—or his heart—entirely upside down.

Recently graduated at twenty-six, and two months behind on rent, Oliver Barnes is desperate. So desperate, in fact, that he applies for a job in the Greed district of Hell’s Pentagram. But when he misses his train and, subsequently, his job interview, he stumbles, instead, upon a strange little coffee shop in the middle of Purgatory’s barren desert—and into an unexpected opportunity.

It isn’t the job he came to Hell for, but maybe it’s exactly the job he needs.

As he navigates the demon dimension and tries to survive the ridiculous shenanigans of his unholy co-workers, Oliver soon falls head-over-ass for a tentacled lawyer with electric fingers and a deadly-sharp grin. Together, they discover that, sometimes, love and happiness can be just a train ride away.

REVIEW: ⟫ Initially, I struggled to connect with this book. Everything sounded so alien, sometimes in what felt like an unnecessarily alien way as if to emphasise how different everything was, and I thought I wouldn’t get over that aspect of things. It didn’t help that we didn’t meet Liel until what felt like over a third of the way through the story.

However, once I began to distinguish between the different characters/demons Oliver was working with and Liel was introduced, I fell in love with this book. The banter from Gem – utterly deranged, completely inappropriate, but laugh your socks off funny; Rus with his description of something between a pink raccoon and a Care Bear; Willow with her empathy – each of them had their distinctive characteristics and role to play in this found family.

Oliver and Liel were so sexy together – both lacking confidence on occasion, yet open and honest with each other, and the lack of judging from both of them on their differences in physiology was lovely. The sex between them was hot, but ultimately it was all of them together on the trip back to Montana that brought a smile to my face that didn’t leave until I finished the book. I will definitely be looking out for more books about Purgatory and can heartily recommend this one.

I received an ARC from GRR.

Infected: Prey by Andrea Speed (Infected Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ Infected: Prey

AUTHOR: ⟫ Andrea Speed

SERIES: ⟫ Infected Book #1

RATING: ⟫ 5/5

BLURB: ⟫ In a world where a werecat virus has changed society, Roan McKichan, a born infected and ex-cop, works as a private detective trying to solve crimes involving other infecteds. The murder of a former cop draws Roan into an odd case where an unidentifiable species of cat appears to be showing an unusual level of intelligence. He juggles that with trying to find a missing teenage boy, who, unbeknownst to his parents, was "cat" obsessed. And when someone is brutally murdering infecteds, Eli Winters, leader of the Church of the Divine Transformation, hires Roan to find the killer before he closes in on Eli. Working the crimes will lead Roan through a maze of hate, personal grudges, and mortal danger. With help from his tiger-strain infected partner, Paris Lehane, he does his best to survive in a world that hates and fears their kind… and occasionally worships them.

REVIEW: ⟫ I don’t even know why I decided to re-read this book – I think I saw the author’s name on Goodreads and I found myself wondering what happened to the protagonists so re-downloaded it from my kindle library.

Firstly, there is no explicit mm sex in this couple of novellas, which isn’t an issue but definitely isn’t the ‘norm’ when it comes to mm nowadays. I absolutely loved the whole concept of the infected and virus children, and remember being utterly delighted back when I read it initially. I loved it even more now – it felt fresh and new compared to the werewolf/shifter stories I’ve been reading over the years and I can’t think of anyone who’s used the same idea.

Roan and Paris are a fabulous couple – both complete AHs in their way and very much suited to each other. Their back stories are slowly revealed as you follow them in their investigations and they are just fascinating – the world they live in is fascinating and I was entranced from the time I began re-reading. I feel that the story has definitely aged well – the lack of internet, smart cell phones, etc. didn’t hurt the story at all.

I really enjoyed this revisit and will be continuing to re-read the series. I’m not sure how far I actually got in my reading so this could be a lot of fun rediscovering an old favoured author and ‘new to me’ work!

Forgotten Romance by Saxon James (Divorced Men's Club Book #6)

TITLE: ⟫ Forgotten Romance

AUTHOR: ⟫ Saxon James

SERIES: ⟫ Divorced Men’s Club Book #6

RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Davey

In a list of what’s most important to me, three things are right up there at the top. My kids, my husband Mack, and my career I’ve spent my life building. Unfortunately that career has me away from home more than I'd like, and when I refuse to walk away from it, my husband walks away from me instead.

Living together post-divorce makes sense for us, but it blurs the lines between what we were and what we have. Now that I’ve scored a big promotion and negotiated twelve long weeks at home, memories of our life together haunt me. They make me long for what we had. And now that Mack is moving on with someone else, I’m being faced with the cold truth. I should never have let Mack go, and now it might be too late to get him back.

Mack

Twelve weeks. It’s the longest Davey has been home since we had the kids, and all it does is remind me of everything I wish I still had. So I decide this is it. I have twelve weeks to remind Davey of everything he lost and hope like hell when I give him the choice between work and me again, that this time he chooses me.

None of my friends are on board with my plan, and the new guy in town is trying his hardest to win me over. But I can ignore cute notes slipped into my favourite books if it means getting back the man I’ll love forever.

All I need to do is remind him our life together was perfect.

Now if only our kids, our friends, and his work would get the memo …

REVIEW: ⟫ I can’t believe this series has come to an end! But what an ending – Davey and Mack broke my heart more than once reading this. I loved, loved, loved that this was a journey of self-discovery for both of them; that they both separately and together realised that what happened in the past was both of their responsibility; I loved all of their friends doing their best to support them – whether it was together or apart.

Saxon James has a way of writing characters that feel very real – their banter, their feelings, emotions – how they handle what life throws at them. It’s not always a simple journey, and in this case Mack and his need for Davey to love him above all else comes up against the brick wall of Davey’s need to provide for his family. Neither of them are actively wrong, but neither of them are right either. And this story is all about them figuring out how to mesh their lives together for good this time, without losing what makes each of them special.

I have loved this series as it is has merely affirmed my love of Saxon’s writing. I’m sad to leave this series behind but extremely happy with how it ended.

Angel by Linden Bell (The Camboy Network Book #)

TITLE: ⟫ Angel

AUTHOR: ⟫ Linden Bell

SERIES: ⟫ The Camboy Network Book #3

RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ He was only supposed to be gay for pay.

Angel

I’ve never had sex before. And I've definitely never looked at a guy that way before. But with his brightly-colored hair and beautiful outfits, Rhys is hard to ignore--especially after I learn what he does for a living.

Signing up with The Camboy Network is way outside my comfort zone, but with Rhys guiding me the whole way, it doesn’t feel all that scary. In fact, it feels like fate.

Rhys

I left home the minute I turned eighteen, so falling for a guy from the old neighbourhood is the last thing I should do - especially since he's straight. But he's utterly adorable, so innocently kinky, and exactly my type.

We shouldn't fit together so well, but we do. No matter how hard I try to stay away, I can’t. Our lives couldn’t be more different on the outside, but maybe we're a lot more alike than we think.

Angel is a bi-awakening, opposites attract, size difference MM romance between a burly cinnamon roll construction worker and a flamboyant pole-dancing twink. Expect accidentally dirty text messages, completely unexpected kinks, and chivalrous courage that truly runs deep. Angel is the third book in The Camboy Network series, but can be read as a stand-alone.

REVIEWS: ⟫ I have not previously read any Linden Bell, a mistake I fully intend to rectify! This book was so much fun, whilst also being sexy, touching, kinky and full of surprises.

I loved Rhys from the first moment we met him – I loved his flamboyancy, his attitude towards people and life, and his general happiness with life. He was where he wanted to be, doing what he wanted to do, and no-one was going to look down their noses at him for him – especially the people from his old neighbourhood.

Angel took me completely by surprise – he was so quiet, so sweet, and yet just beneath the surface you could tell that he wanted to break free and become himself. He just didn’t know how. Angel’s meeting with Rhys at a family birthday was the beginning of the road to discovery – a road where Angel was happy to follow Rhys, learning so much about himself and finding love and new friends in the process.

I loved that this wasn’t a simple story, where everyone was accepting and they faced no backlash – Angel’s mother in particular comes to mind – but I especially loved how these two had each other’s backs from the very beginning, even if they both refused to see it for what it really was.

The sex scenes were extremely hot and discovering Angel’s kinks alongside him was surprising and fun in equal measure. I loves reading about the other members of the Camboy Network and will be looking out for their books. Reading this made me smile and feel good – especially with the way in which Rhys discovered that his family – both made and born – had his back in satisfying ways. I wish I could have seen the outfit Rhys wore to the wedding because it sounded divine and I can heartily recommend this book!

I received an ARC from GRR.

Omega Captive of the Alpha Dragon Prince by Wendy Rathbone

TITLE: ⟫ Omega Captive of the Alpha Dragon

AUTHOR: ⟫ Wendy Rathbone

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ I’ve been sold to an unfriendly foreign land of dragon shifters to become a brood slave.

Tavi is a set-omega, which means he has no inner beast and cannot shift. Considered worthless by his wolf pack, and with no individual rights, he is sold into slavery along with other set-omegas as they come of age.

Alluresh is a dragon shifter, all business and very little play. His inner dragon is feral and often controls him, shifting inappropriately at times, creating chaos and damage. Others fear him, causing Alluresh to become bitter and reclusive.

All of that changes when a shady friend from his past invites him to an omega auction. Alluresh attends, only to discover his dragon has eyes for one of the omegas for sale, demanding he bid on him or else.

What is Alluresh to do but obey his beast and call out a ridiculously large sum?

Two outcast men learn they might have more in common than they think, and a feral dragon finds his inner heart.

Contemporary omegaverse, alpha/omega, dragon shifter, mpreg/eggpreg, omega heat, knotting, opposites attract, age gap, size difference. This is a sold-into-brood-slavery tale turned romance where everything is consensual with a terribly sweet HEA.

REVIEW: ⟫ This was absolutely delightful – I read it in a matter of hours and loved every moment! I really liked all three lead characters – Allure, Alluresh and Tavi – they each had reasons for acting the way that they did, but went above and beyond to be better than their circumstances. I loved the combative relationship between Allure and Alluresh, and could well understand them butting heads from the time Alluresh was a teenager – teenage hormones along with an unruly, nearly feral dragon must have been a nightmare.

I admired Tavi for facing the situation he was in and making the most of it, as well as allowing himself to fall in love with both Allure and Alluresh. Alluresh and Tavi were incredibly sweet together, both a little gun-shy with regard to emotions and their situation, but both prepared to communicate and work together to make the most of things. This was a well-deserved happy ever after and I really loved it.

I received an ARC from GRR.

Something Borrowed by Lily Morton (Confetti Hitched Book #2)

TITLE: ⟫ Something Borrowed

AUTHOR: ⟫ Lily Morton

SERIES: ⟫ Confetti Hitched Book #2

RATING: ⟫ 5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Stan has never let his blindness hold him back, but he’s beginning to realise his love life is keeping him from moving forward.

He can’t remember a time when he wasn’t in love with his best friend. Rafferty is everything to him—his partner in crime, his confidante, and the person who understands him best. But Rafferty is incapable of reciprocating Stan’s feelings.

As a successful wedding planner, Rafferty is passionately committed to helping newlyweds begin their happily-ever-afters, but after a rootless childhood he’s equally determined not to seek his own. How can he trust in love and marriage when so many of his brides and grooms are repeat customers?

Stan is the glue that keeps the pieces of Rafferty’s life together, and as such Rafferty has always kept Stan safely in the friend box where he can’t lose him. However, lately that conviction has wavered and now Rafferty is bursting with complicated feelings for his best friend. The timing couldn’t be worse because Rafferty has realised he’s in love with Stan just as Stan is moving on.

From bestselling author Lily Morton comes a friends-to-lovers story about realising you have the perfect man when you’re on the brink of losing him.

This is the second book in the bestselling Confetti Hitched series, but it can be read as a standalone.

REVIEW: ⟫ This was a lovely, slightly frustrating, but ultimately satisfying read. As per usual, the sassy banter was top-notch and Rafferty and Stan were such an absolutely delightful couple that you couldn’t help but root for them. Rafferty is fighting off the effects of his parents on his lifestyle, unable to see that he already has a strong, solid relationship with Stan that his parents could never hope to emulate.

Stan was a brilliant character. I think there can occasionally be a tendency to make characters who have a disability either paragons of virtue or their disability becomes their entire personality. Stan was most definitely not like that. He was as acerbic (if not more so) as Rafferty, unwilling to suffer fools gladly and making the most of the life he has built with himself. The only thing that would make it more perfect would be to finally be rid of his patronising and controlling boyfriend, Bennett, and get over this useless love he has for Rafferty.

With a cast of familiar and new characters being less than subtle cupids, weddings to organise, and life to survive, the relationship between Rafferty and Stan was stellar. They simply fit together and everyone but them knows it. I loved this story – the flashbacks, the sex scenes, the music store – it all pulled together to make the time fly as I read it in one sitting. I always forget just how much I love reading Lily Morton books until I fall back into one and this was no exception.

Angels in the City by Garrett Leigh

TITLE: ⟫ Angels in the City

AUTHOR: ⟫ Garrett Leigh

RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ A fake relationship with a stranger. An office romance with doughnuts and white knights. An addictive arrangement—friends with benefits—fast turns to love.

Jonah Gray is rich, successful, and the most eligible bachelor in the city, according to his mother, at least. But the truth is, despite her efforts to pair him off, he’s fine on his own. All he needs is a date to the Christmas ball.

Sacha Ivanov is a lone wolf, content in the cycle of long days, late nights, and anonymous hook ups, but when a chance encounter in a broken-down lift brings a gorgeous copper-haired CEO into his life, everything begins to change.

As Christmas fast approaches, a favour for a stranger blooms into something more. He doesn’t do second dates or relationships. But for kind-hearted Jonah, his angel in the city, he might just change his mind.

Angels in the City is a Christmas themed MM friends-to-lovers, forced proximity, office romance. Expect fraught days, steamy nights, and true love built around festive snacks and Christmas trees.

REVIEW: ⟫ This was such a sweet, sexy read – Jonah and Sacha should not have matched at all and yet, they are perfect together. Sacha is so determined to hold himself away from things that overpower his control that he sometimes comes across as cold. But Jonah sees through the exterior and realises that Sacha is a strong, warm, kind, loving man who just needs someone who accepts him exactly as he is.

I loved the relationship between the two of them, the back and forth banter, and the chemistry between them was palpable. I also really enjoyed the background story regarding the App that they were both working on, as well as the characters involved in both of their lives. This was a really enjoyable read and I’m glad I picked it up now even if it’s set at Christmas!

Where There's a Will by Jessie Walker (Lost Boys Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ Where There’s a Will

AUTHOR: ⟫ Jessie Walker

SERIES: ⟫ Lost Boys Book #1

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ He was everything I never wanted.

Impulsive. Careless. Self-Destructive.

I'm the cliché they all warn you about.

The head case with a pretty face.

If I'm not chasing the bottom of a bottle,

I'm snorting a line off a girl's ass.

That guy you know who plays Russian Roulette at parties?

That's me.

But that all changes when he comes barreling back into my life. Will Foster.

The boy from my childhood.

The boy I told myself was a fluke.

A mistake.

Nothing.

It's only a matter of time before he learns the truth.

Before he sees me for who I really am under all the bullshit.

Broken.

Tainted.

Worthless.

He wants to love me whole, but shouldn't he know better than that by now? Saving someone who doesn't want to be saved is a recipe for disaster...

And loving someone who doesn't want to be loved?

Fucking hopeless.

* Where There’s A Will is a full-length, slow-burn, emotional MM romance novel. The story continues in If There’s A Way. This duet deals with heavy topics that may be triggering for some readers.

REVIEW: ⟫ Firstly, I count myself as fortunate to have found this book after the follow up had been released. I’m not sure how big of a tantrum I would have thrown if I had read this and had to wait for the next instalment.

This book is the epitome of messy humans getting even messier with each other, drama on top of drama, hefty emotions and a serious amount of angst. Addictions abound, as does co-dependency and incredibly painful back stories and the tale is moving and frustrating in equal measure.

Will and Waylon are so obviously meant to be together that watching Waylon fight his feelings makes you so conscious of the pain he has suffered, his insecurities and PTSD making him lash out and become dangerous to be around. The fact that Will can still see that his love for Waylon is worth fighting for after his awful life experiences is a testimony to just how incredibly strong their connection is.

I really felt drawn into this story and will dive into book two once I’ve recovered just a little!

A Stealthy Situation by Saxon James (Franklin U 2 Book #2)

TITLE: ⟫ A Stealthy Situation

AUTHOR: ⟫ Saxon James

SERIES: ⟫ Franklin U 2 Book #2

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Harrison

My life’s goal? Make plants fun!

I’m gonna be fighting for flora when I’m older and it all starts with auditing stats so I can level up for my masters, and lucky for me, the intriguing guy in my class is a math whizz.

He’s standoffish at first, but after a class where I bet my sitcoms can make him laugh, one bet leads to another and we’re hanging out all the time. Even though I know he’s interested in me, we’re easy friends, until I start to think I might be a little interested in him, too.

The only problem? He seems like a totally different guy in class to when we hang out. I brush it off as him trying to concentrate, but then I spot something I can’t explain away.

A scar. On his palm.

One I’m positive Benny has never had before.

Benny

Since we were little, my twin brother and I have always switched things up–literally. It started as funsies, and now we’re college juniors and still taking each other’s classes. I suck at Math, he sucks at English, and we both have a rule not to make friends in class as the other person. Our system is perfect.

Only Emmett has the audacity to get sick right before stats and I have to actually show up for my own class–where I meet my future husband.

Harrison is smart, weirdly into plants, and we instantly hit it off like old friends.

Only of course the gorgeous mountain of a nerd is straight.

Just when I’m telling myself to let my dreams of matching rings go, our text messages become constant, flirtier, deeper than I’ve had with any other guy before. My butterflies have butterflies every time we catch up.

And then I get a text from Emmett: I’m so sorry. I think I messed up.

REVIEW: ⟫ How lovely it was to read the beginning of the twins’ story. Emmett and Benny basically come from Hockey royalty, so the decision to run away from all of that hockey was a difficult one. Benny is doing okay for himself – he loves his frat, enjoys most of his college work, and is happy with his various hook-ups.

Until he meets Harrison when he is forced to actually attend one of his stats lectures. And suddenly, he’s doing and wanting things that he’s never wanted before. And that’s not even taking into account that Harrison has always previously identified as straight. The relationship between the two of them is an absolute delight, made even more so by the fact that Benny seems to be allergic to ‘love’ and being nice, whereas Harrison is the sweetest, most cheerful, cinnamon roll!

All looks like it might turn out pretty damned good until Emmett returns to stats class and Harrison notices something awry. That opens a whole new can of worms that it took some real effort to get through. I appreciated the fact that Harrison is prepared to accept the new ‘him’, support Benny and try to understand the twins’ actions without judging them too harshly. And the resolution – what we see of it – made me quite happy. I definitely feel like things were left up in the air because of Emmett but look forward to where Saxon James is going to take things for the Dalton twins.

A fun, satisfying read and a worthy addition to the Franklin U 2 series.

The Hookup Mix-Up by Riley Hart (Franklin U 2 Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ The Hookup Mix-Up

AUTHOR: ⟫ Riley Hart

SERIES: ⟫ Franklin U 2 Book #1

RATING: ⟫ /5

BLURB: ⟫ Perry

I moved to San Luco to get to know my brother, and so far, it’s been great. Working as a bartender at Shenanigans, a bar close to Franklin University, there are beautiful men and women everywhere. When a hot guy falls into my arms at a party, I’m down for some naughty fun. Until I realize he’s way too drunk for anything to happen. Thankfully, we agree to meet up the next day.

One near-kiss later, I discover Theo has no idea I’ve been hitting on him. He thinks we’re hanging out as buddies, and to my great regret, says he’s straight. How did I misread this situation when I thought he was giving me all the right signals?

Theo

Perry thinks I’m a nine…a nine! Sure, I’m not into dudes, but it’s flattering that someone as attractive as him thinks I’m hot. Despite the confusion, Perry and I click and agree to keep hanging out. The more time I spend with him, the more I realize there’s a part of myself I’ve been ignoring. One that’s super bi and wants Perry as more than a friend.

Trying to study with him makes things hard for me…below the belt. Unfortunately, his abandonment issues have him open to a fling and nothing more, while I’m catching feelings in a big way. Can I be satisfied with a hookup? Or should I find a way to convince him to take a chance on making this something real?

REVIEW: ⟫ Currently reading – review to follow.

Suddenly You by Cora Rose (Our Exception #2)

TITLE: ⟫ Suddenly You

AUTHOR: ⟫ Cora Rose

SERIES: ⟫ Our Exception #2

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ We’ve all heard the saying, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas."

God help me, if only that were true.

Because as it turns out, my surprise gay husband is very much still my husband outside of the great state of Nevada. And let me tell you, as a straight guy, waking up married to a man I barely know with no memory of how it happened wasn’t even on my Bingo card.

What started as a fun weekend getaway to support my brothers in their relationships and show them how much I've grown, has somehow spiraled wildly out of my control.

Cooper Barone is rich, kind, and charming, but he’s holding all the cards now. Because he doesn't want our marriage annulled. No, he says he wants us to make a deal. He wants me to spend time with him, to move in with him.

All I know is that I’m broke and I can't afford a divorce without his compliance, without his help.

So there’s nothing left for me to do but agree and accept my fate.

I'm a straight dude with a husband.

This is my life now.

REVIEW: ⟫ I have not enjoyed the most recent Cora Rose books as much as I did when I initially started reading their books. I think it was more me than the actual material – I was looking for something else, whereas I feel that they write slightly insane meet cute circumstances with steamy sex scenes very well. Perhaps I was in my dark era?

Anyway, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Suddenly You because, like many of their other books, it calls back to different series that they write, and Matt did not stand out to me when I met him before. However, despite the ‘getting married in Vegas’ trope being a little out there, along with Cooper’s insistence that there wouldn’t be a divorce until he was ready, this book touched me quite deeply. Matt is a troubled young man, struggling against his upbringing, what he has been taught by his parents, and drowning in debt. The only good thing in his life is his reconnection with two of his brothers, and even that comes with issues.

Adding a bisexual awakening to the mix seemed like just too much for the poor man to handle. Until there was Cooper. Cooper who seemed to understand just how touch-starved Matt was; who despite ‘spoiled rich boy’ vibes was actually incredibly kind, caring and careful with Matt. Cooper was the standout for me in this book – he was as much deeper character than first presented, allowed Matt to move at his own pace, and was also willing to risk his heart on a closeted man who has demonstrated less than stellar behaviour in the past.

I really enjoyed reading this and was surprised by how much depth was in the book, whilst still allowing for the usual madcap adventures, albeit in the background. It was cool to see Whit and Caleb are still as deranged, and obviously Sem gets a special mention. Now that I am out of my ‘dark’ era (or taking a break from it at least), I think I may revisit the Cora Rose books I’ve overlooked in the meantime. .

Lights, Camera, Passion by Isabel Lucero

TITLE: ⟫ Lights, Camera, Passion

AUTHOR: ⟫ Isabel Lucero

RATING: ⟫ 2.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Playing a lead role in a book-to-movie adaptation with a wild fan base? Sign me up! The only downside is that I’m cast alongside Jacoby “Heartthrob” Hart—Hollywood’s golden boy. If only they knew he was an uppity, pompous snob.

We don’t get along, and if you’re reading the tabloids, you’d assume it was because I “stole” his girlfriend, but they have it all wrong. Jacoby and his cold shoulder started this, and now we’re set to play lovers. The only thing I’d love to do is strangle him, but I’m a professional.

Behind the scenes, we’re either bickering or avoiding each other, but when the cameras start rolling, I can’t believe how much chemistry we have.

One night, during a passionate argument, something happens that I never anticipated. The chemistry that started out as an act turns into much more behind closed doors, but we both have secrets, and Hollywood is a hard place to keep those.

Lights, Camera, Passion is an enemies-to-lovers story between two supposedly straight actors who don't get along but are cast to play lovers in a book-to-movie adaptation. Expect bickering, banter, tension, chemistry, and a couple of revelations straining to burst free from the closet.

REVIEW: ⟫ I wanted to like this so very, very much. The idea of a closeted gay actor and a bisexual actor acting together in a book adaptation and falling in love – just the idea made me squeal with delight. Unfortunately for me, this just didn’t do it.

The actual filming was over so quickly and barely covered – for some reason, I expected there for be more of the actual ‘film’ involved in the story. The relationship that built between Roman and Jacoby also felt really perfunctory. Yes, they were both attracted to the other before they met to film. And I could see how the tabloids would have played up the whole ‘romantic rivals’ thing from them both dating the same actress. But there were far too many misunderstandings that felt contrived and unnecessary.

I felt like we spent a lot of time with Jacoby going back and forth about his desire to hide his sexuality, whereas Roman’s feelings about his parents were handled in less than one chapter – I was disappointed because the point was made that his feelings about his parents played a huge role in his public persona. I wanted that to be explored more and definitely felt a little less time on Jacoby and more on what made Roman tick would have helped the story.

Their relationship was portrayed as very steamy and passionate, but I didn’t feel it. Reading their love-making scenes I felt quite removed – I guess the best description would be it felt very much like telling me what they were feeling rather than making me feel it with them. I just found myself very removed from the whole thing and that was disappointing.

It’s a shame because I think the story idea was brilliant and I would have loved to have felt more immersed in the whole thing. Obviously, YMMV, but for me this wasn’t a success.

The Caretaker by CP Harris (Infidelity #3)

TITLE: ⟫ The Caretaker

AUTHOR: ⟫ CP Harris

SERIES: ⟫ Infidelity #3

RATING: ⟫ 5/5

BLURB: ⟫ The only thing Noon Waters is sure of is his undying love for his wife. But when a devastating accident ripped both her and a good deal of his memories away from him, he’s left to navigate a new life weighed down by grief, anger, and confusion.

After stumbling upon an old receipt dated one day prior to the tragic event, Noon’s curiosity leads him to Haley Cove, a place he can’t remember but is somehow certain holds the key to regaining his forgotten years.

So focused on the memories he hopes to recapture, Noon is unprepared for the oddly familiar stranger he finds there instead. As a tentative friendship between the two men blooms into something more, Noon’s reasons for being in the quaint town become less clear. What starts as a quest for answers ends with a revelation too painful to bear.

What happens when the beautiful life you thought you had lived was a lie, but that lie is all you can remember?

**The Caretaker is a MM romance and book 3 in the Infidelity series. It ends with a HEA, and can be read as a stand-alone but may be better enjoyed if read in series order. Themes include amnesia, hurt/comfort, and second chances. Both MCs are consenting adults. Please use the Amazon “Look Inside” feature for a full list of what you can expect.

REVIEW: ⟫ Well this one is going to rip your heart out and squeeze it into a million pieces in every chapter! My goodness – it’s 6 am in the morning and I’ve just finished reading The Caretaker and the bonus scene available on C.P. Harris’ website and I had to get down how I felt immediately.

Each time I begin to read one of their books, I find myself wondering if I will care about the characters as much as I did the first time. And each time, I find myself dragged into a maelstrom of emotions – fear, pain, love – literally tears making it hard to read the words but needing to keep reading because I need to know how they make it through the hell that they are in.

Noon and Solace are no different to Jasper, Cole, Leland, Frankie – they are human beings with good and bad within them, fighting to find a way through their life that means something and contains some happiness. And it is a battle – Noon and Solace fight to get back to each other, even when one of them isn’t aware that that’s what he’s doing. This story was just freaking masterful in the way it wove the past and the present together. Even when you KNOW what’s coming, it’s still so heartbreaking that there just aren’t words.

I think I’ve said it before that C.P. Harris is quite possibly one of the few authors that can make me read infidelity and understand it – the understanding of people’s motives, how they live and breathe, what they need – it shines through in each story, and the Caretaker is no exception.

I would dearly love it if this one was made into a movie – simply because I would love to see if there was a man out there who could play Noon in all of his seven foot, intimidating glory. That and I think the sex scenes would be hotter than fire.

An easy 5/5 from me and please don’t forget to read the bonus scene – it was the literal cherry on top of a perfect sundae!

Broken Ice by Marina Vivancos (Alpha Omega Hockey Book #4)

TITLE: ⟫ Broken Ice

AUTHOR: ⟫ Marina Vivancos

SERIES: ⟫ Alpha Omega Hockey #4

RATING: ⟫ 3.75/5

BLURB: ⟫ After being forced to take suppressants for a year by his coach, Beau’s body is a mess. He has a debilitatingly painful heat every two weeks, and there’s no medication available to help him.

Being traded from the team that did that to him is a slap to the face. Being traded to their direct competitors, the Miami Manatees, is just the cherry on top of the sh*t sundae that has become his life.

Now Beau doesn’t just have to get through heats only an Alpha would be able to help with, but has to tolerate Emilio, the guy who doesn’t only hate him, but his Omega scent.

Which doesn’t really make sense, what with how protective and possessive the Alpha gets when Beau goes into heat…and how he keeps volunteering to help him through them.

Beau might take him up on that offer, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to fall in love.

This story contains a goofily oblivious main character and his long-suffering romantic interest, many a heat, plenty of nesting, hurt/comfort, and a dog named Bingo.

This book takes place a decade after the beginning of Alpha Omega: New York and can be read as a standalone.

REVIEW: ⟫ Hmm, I’ve read plenty of oblivious love interests, but Beau may just be the absolute worst one yet! I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I have a couple of the previous books in the series. Beau was so oblivious that after a while, it really began to get on my nerves.

Some of it was understandable – the reactions of his partners in the past and his old coach really did a number on him. But he had so many positive influences in his life – from his family to the few people he did let close – that it was difficult not to feel like he should have been questioning what he had been through in the past a lot sooner.

The story kinda gambolled along quite nicely, with an interesting cast of characters. It seems pretty obvious that Beau’s brother will get his own story with Sammy, and I will definitely read that because even when I’m not 100% along for the ride, Marina Vivancos writes a story that you want to read to the end. Even when you want to shake one of the main protagonists.

I did enjoy how secure Beau was when it came to the physical side of things – he made me laugh more than once with how straight-forward he was and how Emilio reacted. I didn’t get as much of a sense of Emilio as Beau, although the guy deserves a medal for putting up with Beau on occasion.

This was a fun read, with minimal angst, a chunk of heat sex, and a completely oblivious omega that you may find more than a little annoying even while you’re hanging in there for his HEA.

Soulmates by Kate Munro (Soulmates Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ Soulmates

AUTHOR: ⟫ Kate Munro

SERIES: ⟫ Soulmates Book #1

RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Maddox St. James and Jake Osterman have it all—a perfect friendship, powerful magic, and the future laid at their feet. The only thing that could make life any better is finally gaining the courage to admit that they are desperately in love with one another.

But this declaration carries the potential to ruin everything, and before they have the chance to explore their feelings, a spell gone drastically wrong nearly destroys them both.

Now, Maddox is fighting for his life, and Jake is fighting for his sanity as an unknown magic challenges everything they thought they knew about their world.

A race across the country, a quirky, reclusive mage, and a new kind of magic may be their only hope of survival and a chance at lasting love.

Soulmates is an urban fantasy friends-to-lovers romance featuring clueless best friends, a magic ritual, a swamp, and a connection that runs soul-deep.

REVIEW: ⟫ I picked this up for two reasons: book two is due out next month (February) and it caught my eye, and I thought it was a novella. Don’t ask me why – nowhere does it say that but my brain decided and that was that.

So it was obviously longer than I was expecting and that took some adjusting. I think I was expecting it to be the prequel to the book due out next month – it does centre around the same couple, so I can understand why I got that idea.

I liked this book and disliked it at the same time. I really enjoyed the friendship between Maddox and Jake that was made obvious from the beginning. And I must admit, I loved the idea of a school-wide challenge that no-one acknowledges but everyone knows happens – kinda Hogwarts but the kids are older and a little naughtier. I found the structure and world building interesting, and was definitely intrigued by the entire ‘spell’ that Jake and Maddox find themselves under.

I enjoyed Cricket and the history lesson the three of them received, as well as his cranky exterior whilst taking such good care of them. I was definitely intrigued by the happenings at the school, although we don’t really get to know much more than at the beginning.

I didn’t like the chasing across country – I understand why it happened but for me it slowed down the pace of the story too much. We didn’t learn much that we hadn’t already, and occasionally the whole point of the societal injustices, levels of power, etc just felt rather laboured. I wanted to learn more about Maddox’s father and the hints given to his childhood; I wanted to learn more about how the magic worked and how they were entwined (especially having to travel fused the way they were); their companion wasn’t fully fleshed and felt like a plot-device.

Once I had reached the end, I could see what the author was doing with the world building, raising questions that weren’t necessarily answered in this novel, projecting into the future. However, I think that for me some of that overshadowed the story that I was actually reading and as such, I’m not sure I actually want to read the next novel. Maddox and Jake didn’t grab me as much as I hoped they would, possibly because of the need to get people up to speed on everything meaning that not as much time was put into their characters.

I think this may well be a case of YMMV but this story didn’t resonate with me however much I wanted it to. I will say, the world building, style of writing and pacing was generally good, and the premise is most intriguing so I would say this is worth a go.

MateHub: Legend by Marie Reynard

TITLE: ⟫ MateHub : Legend

AUTHOR: ⟫ Marie Reynard

SERIES: ⟫ Elemental Bonds

RATING: ⟫ 5/5

BLURB: ⟫ The contract was simple: three months, seven scenes, zero feelings. Following it was not.

Richard Knotz is a legend in the world of supernatural adult entertainment, and he knows it. While most paranormal adult actors shy away from the temporary bonds needed to perform knotting scenes, he's made them his brand. Bonding a human could never threaten to tear his empire to the ground, no matter how tempting that human smells.

Hunter Savage thinks Richard Knotz is a smug son of a wolf, but when he's offered a contract to work with him, the payout is too lucrative to say no. Three months bonded to Richard could make his entire career. He just doesn't expect to find a soft side under Richard's prickly exterior, or for the apartment they're forced to share to start feeling like home.

The bonding contract is easy and painless as long as they remember one cardinal rule: don't get attached. Their employer has no use for unprofessional fools who let feelings jeopardize profits. But in between filming scorching scenes with ridiculous scenarios, they discover they're more compatible than either could have imagined.

As their limited time together winds down, they face a choice—risk their careers for the unexpected connection they've found, or lose their bond forever.

MateHub: Legend is a high heat, arranged bonding, forced proximity, dislike-to-love paranormal romance featuring an arrogant wolf shifter who thinks a little too highly of various parts of his anatomy, the feisty human who finally takes him down a few notches, nosy fans, meddling friends, knotting, and a contract that is destined to fail.

This stand-alone novel is set in the Elemental Bonds universe and guarantees a HEA for its main couple. It does not contain mpreg or cheating. Please look inside for content warnings.

REVIEW: ⟫ Should I wax lyrical about the characters of Hunter and Richard, who quickly became clear in my mind as this romp of a story went on? Or perhaps the forum/messenger posts between each chapter which were absolute gold and reminded me so much of my early fandom days?

I could go on about the humour, the banter, sexiness, grouchy but lovableness that practically permeated every page but more than anything, the scorching yet tender sex scenes which were so well written and never repetitive. What I will say is that as soon as I had finished this book, I was back on Amazon looking for more reads from the author, joining their newsletter and friending their Instagram. I stayed up all night reading the Elemental Bonds story that is available, and cannot quite decide which one that I need the sequel to first.

Really blown away by this story and so pleased that I received it as an ARC from GRR.

The Surrogate Omega by Jacey Davis (Part #1 and #2)

TITLE: ⟫ The Surrogate Omega

AUTHOR: ⟫ Jacey Davis

SERIES: ⟫ Unexpected Omegas Book #2

RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ This special edition of Surrogate Omega contains both part one and part two of the original story. It features a new cover and has been lightly revised and re-edited.

Part One:

With all of the changes happening in Lake Simmon’s life in the past year, he’s had to learn how to adapt and adjust, or he’d be lost. Since most of the changes are good ones, like his baby niece, he is learning to come to terms with the lack of stability that he has always relied on. While some of the changes make him uneasy, he finds he is comfortable with the knowledge that he also has the Omega gene, like his twin brother River. After friends receive some devastating news, Lake knows that he wants to help and offers to be the surrogate for them.

There is one change Lake never saw coming: falling in love.

But when events from his past lead to Lake meeting Evander, he feels an instant connection to the man that awakens feelings Lake has never felt before. Then Ev introduces him to his best friend, Logan, and sparks fly between the three men.

Part Two:

If someone asked Lake Simmons a year ago what he imagined his life to be like in a year, he’d never in a million years imagine this. He somehow went from never having a relationship to having not only one but two mates. And if that isn’t wild enough, he’s now helping his friends fulfil their dreams of a family by being their surrogate. He never dreamt he’d want a life like this, but now he can’t imagine anything else.

Not everything is smooth sailing, of course. Between the holidays, busy schedules, long work hours, and undercover work trips, Lake and his mates, Evander and Logan, find themselves fumbling to solidify their new relationship and find their rhythm. When one of his mates has a case at work he just can’t let go of, Lake finds himself getting involved against his better judgment.

When everything comes to a head, and the secrets Lake has been keeping come to light, the three men must come together to fight their battles as one. Because at the end of the day, no matter what struggles they face, Lake, Logan, and Evander know it’s better to face them together.

The Surrogate Omega is an MMM contemporary omegaverse romance with MPreg. It's the second instalment to the Unexpected Omegas but can be read on its own.

Content Warning: references to past child abuse, food insecurity, drugs, attempted trafficking (all off-page), infertility of a secondary character, surrogacy, a miscarriage scare (does not happen), kidnapping of a minor character, adoption, and found family. A more detailed content warning can be found in the front of the book.

REVIEW: ⟫ I was very interested in the premise of twin omegas and how they handled the revelation that Omega genes were reappearing and Mpreg was now possible. The interesting juxtaposition between River and Lake – with Lake showing signs of being on the spectrum which was handled smoothly, with people accepting his characteristics and quirks with little to no comment. River was full of emotion whereas Lake was far more comfortable leaving emotions out of things.

The characters of Logan and Evander were interesting in different ways. Logan identified as straight for his whole life, to the extent that he didn’t register just how entangled he was with Evander until Lake came into both of their lives. Deeply submerged feelings for Evander as well as the almost instant desire to make Lake belong to him means that Logan had to go on a voyage of discovery about himself. He went through the most changes – physical changes that he little to no preparation for and no point of reference to guide him – meant that I felt his character had the most ‘progression’. Evander to a certain extent seemed to represent the beta in the relationship, albeit taking on the role of carer in the throuple as they developed their relationship.

I wasn’t too enamoured of the subplot regarding the case that Logan was working on and Lake’s involvement – it felt a little superfluous to be honest and I couldn’t quite get behind it. I liked the idea – I just didn’t particularly enjoy the implementation. I enjoyed the fact that this was both parts of the story so not only did you see the beginning of the relationship between Logan, Evander and Lake but also how they managed to entangle their lives together. The Mpreg aspect wasn’t really explored, although signs of how the general population felt about male pregnancy were prevalent in the story and I would imagine played a heavier role in the first story in the series which I have no read. I would say for anyone slightly leery of the mpreg aspect of things that it is very lightly touched on and there are no graphic scenes.

I liked reading these stories but they didn’t grip me – I can’t even explain why as the idea of a hot threesome, with an emerging alpha, a switch and a submissive omega is right up my street. Well written with engaging characters and an interesting storyline, I think this just wasn’t the book for me – YMMV.

I received an ARC from GRR.

The Grim Adventures of Death and Chan by Vawn Cassidy - Volume 1

TITLE: ⟫ The Grim Adventures of Death and Chan

AUTHOR: ⟫ Vawn Cassidy

SERIES: ⟫ Volume 1

RATING: ⟫ 5/5

BLURB: ⟫ CRAWSHANKS GUIDE TO THE RECENTLY DEPARTED

A Dead Serious Companion Novella

Set in the Dead Serious Universe, The Grim Adventures of Death & Chan is a compendium of bonus shorts told in chronological order and documenting the hilarious but sweet beginnings of the relationship between a drag queen and the supernatural entity known as Death.

This Volume includes the following:

Death goes on a Date

Death goes Shopping

Death goes on Holiday

Death gets a Puppy

REVIEW: ⟫ This was absolutely delightful! I haven’t read any of the bonus shorts before but was entranced at the idea of reading about Chan and Death’s courtship and these did not disappoint!

Chan has always been an intriguing character and we learn much more about him through these shorts – more about him and Dusty, how they came to be drag queens and the deep friendship that they share – even beyond death.

And then we have Death with a capital D who sounds like a complete DILF and is obviously head over heels for Chan! Chan decides Death needs to learn what it is to be human and the shenanigans are sexy, sweet and touching in a way that Chan truly deserves.

I loved reading these shorts and look forward to reading more – especially if it includes Death in a speedo! I received an ARC from the author.