Daddy's Stepstalker by Gianni Holmes

Title: ⟫ Daddy’s Stepstalker

Author: ⟫ Gianni Holmes

Blurb: ⟫ He’s been Daddy since he won me my first stuffie at a carnival booth.

Even when he married her and became unavailable.

For years Daddy Shaw’s all I’ve ever wanted.

But he still sees me as the innocent boy he took in.

It's a giggle how sweet he thinks I am.

He has no idea of the things I have done.

Of how I've stalked him…

...fantasized about him

... killed for him.

Will he still think of me as his little angel when he finds out I'm rotten to the core

Review: ⟫ Oh wow, this book was a study in contrasts! Ari was an absolute delight – completely committed to Shaw and keeping him safe, whilst pretty much acting like a psychopath to anyone else. There were so many layers to him, it was absolutely fascinating reading and I really enjoyed it as each one was peeled back and you got to know him better.

I really liked Shaw. He was out of his depth but once he had committed to Ari – and knew what he was getting into (kinda) – he really was all in. He showed such care for Ari in a way that few people in his life had done previously, and it made the obsession understandable. Even once he found out some of the lengths that Ari had gone to, Shaw did his best to impose rules to keep them both safe and sane. Sane was not the byword here though – the two of them together were pretty much all the way bonkers and I was so here for it!

There were many aspects to their relationship, some of which were a complete surprise to me, although in the context of how the two of them were together, it made sense. and I believe the author provides a comprehensive list of trigger warnings at the beginning of the book. I chose not to read them because I don’t have particular triggers (so far) but I would advise anyone who is concerned to make sure to read these warnings.

I am looking forward to the next book in the Daddy’s Little Deviants series, and happily give this book a 4/5.

I receieved an ARC from GRR.

Devil's Mark by Lark Taylor (The Reckless Damned #1)

Title: ⟫ Devil’s Mark (The Reckless Damned #1)
Author: ⟫ Lark Taylor
Blurb: ⟫ Cal and his brothers turned their backs on the family business over a hundred years ago – but Hell is tired of waiting for them to return.

Cal

I’ve never wanted a relationship – especially not with a human. With my father demanding my return to Hell and a demon leaving dead bodies in my bookshop, now is not the time to be losing my heart. But one look in Oscar’s broken eyes and I know I’m in trouble. Oscar’s been hurt before and everything in me is screaming to keep him safe. How can I do that when I know being with me will only put him in more danger?

More importantly though, am I strong enough to walk away from him?

Oscar

After escaping my last relationship with broken bones and an anxiety disorder, I’m tired of living half a life. My world revolves around my classroom, flat, and best friend. When fate throws Cal in my path, he seems too good to be true. Not only does he look like he’s been pulled from my fantasies, but my baggage doesn’t scare him. OK, so there’s the tiny issue of him being a demon, but I’ve dealt with far scarier.

I’ve been broken once before, and I don’t think I’d survive it again. Can I pull down my barriers enough to let Cal in?

‘Devil’s Mark’ is a thrilling high heat, hurt/comfort, M/M contemporary paranormal romance with a HEA and no cliff-hanger. It features a possessive demon and the broken teacher who captures his heart. ‘Devil’s Mark’ is the first in The Reckless Damned series but can be read as a stand-alone. Each book focuses on a different couple and will have a HEA.

Trigger warning for emotional abuse and domestic violence in a previous relationship, anxiety attacks, and descriptions of violence.

Review: ⟫ Well this one made me feel like my reading slump was over and I was extremely surprised when reading the dedications at the back to discover this was the first book published by this author!

The premise sounded like one I would enjoy so I dived in and discovered a whole new world in a place I already slightly know. My brother used to live in Southampton so some of the places described were familiar to me. But wow, just thinking that the likes of Cal, Mori and Harlow might be hanging around there makes me wish my brother was still there.

The story was a ride and a half, with twists and turns, witty banter and seriously hot sex. I loved it – the time reading it flew by as I dived into a world where Lucifer’s sons are kicking about in Southampton, running nightclubs and bookshops, wearing hot-pants and falling in love.

Very well written, with a tight plot, good depth in the world building without feeling like an info-dump, this book was a delight to read and I am very much looking forward to reading more. 4.5/5 happily rounded up to 5 – definitely recommend giving this one a try.

I received an ARC from GRR. 

Rookie Mistake by Anna Zabo and LA Witt

Title: ⟫ Rookie Mistake
Author: ⟫ Anna Zabo & LA Witt
Blurb: ⟫ Rookie forward Isaac Rivera is still finding his footing in the big leagues where he’s no longer the best player on the roster. It’s a whole new world, especially now that several of his hockey idols have become teammates. Friends, even.

There’s one who’s more than a hockey idol, though… and he might end up being more than a friend.

Julien Landry is a powerhouse on the ice. In eight years, he’s become one of the league’s top defensemen and the heartthrob everyone wants to bed. But fallout from a painful mistake as a rookie, followed by years of rough-and-tumble hookups, have him itching for something more.

When a connection sparks between him and Isaac, he discovers what he’s been missing: someone he can trust with his body and his heart. As long as Isaac and Julien keep the heat between them off the ice, what could go wrong?

But Julien’s past is never far behind him, and when it comes crashing in, he might lose everything—his career, his friends, and the first person he’s ever really loved.

CW: discussions of past abuse and sexual assault

Review: ⟫ There was a lot I liked about this book. The characters were solid and distinct, the wordplay between the characters was brilliant and the sex was off the charts hot. In the first half of the story, it flowed very well with the relationship between the two leads growing organically with palpable chemistry – Julian and Isaac were hot enough to melt the ice. I wasn’t expecting the BDSM aspect of things and thought the research that went into it on-page was awesome – in this day and age, where else are you really going to get your information in the first instance?

The Landry family reminded me very much of my family when I was younger – absolute chaos, noise and love. It was really lovely to see that on the page and it was extremely well done. And yes, there were times that finding a place to hide and just breathe was essential!

Nikki and Elias were amazing and it’s no surprise to me that they form the basis of book 2 because it was more than obvious that there was something between the two of them. So much so that a couple of times, my mouth dropped open with something Nikki did as it felt out of left field – like, how dare he! I imagine we’ll hear all about that behaviour in the next book.

I didn’t like Julian’s lack of communication over the darker issues. It was understandable initially – he had no way of knowing how deep his connection to Isaac was going to be. But the further into the story we got, it made little sense to me that he wouldn’t explain even just a little more about the situation in his past when it was so obviously messing up his present and potentially his future. The subject matter was handled competently and in a satisfying fashion, with good consideration to the current climate.

I was disappointed that the supporting characters didn’t push for Julian to get some therapy after the situation in his past – they were so supportive of him that it seemed strange that they wouldn’t encourage him to do that. That felt very much like it belonged in a book from years ago – therapy and counselling wasn’t so much the norm then.

It was a little hockey heavy, although it feels weird complaining that a hockey romance has too much hockey in it. I enjoyed it but got a little lost – possibly because it feels like ice hockey isn’t as big a deal over here in the UK? And the book was far too long. I understand the need to build tension, establish the relationship and show the effect of the past on the present, but it went on for too long and got repetitive in the end. It lost me a few times because I felt like it was going round and round in circles and I almost wanted to shout at the characters. I’m really torn on the rating because of that – the story was good, the sex was brilliant, the characters were engaging and well written but it felt like it was dragged on unnecessarily.

I’ve not read any Anna Zabo before and am going to try some more of their books this weekend. I would recommend reading it because it was enjoyable as long as you heed the trigger warnings and take into account how long the book is.

I Am God's Dagger by K.A. Merikan

Title: ⟫ I Am God’s Dagger 

Author: ⟫ K.A. Merikan 

Blurb: ⟫ “I know what’s been done to you, and I will see you avenged.” 

Gabriel. Broken. Lonely. Scarred. Delusional? 

Abaddon. Lord of Locusts. Master of the Bottomless Pit. Angel of Destruction and Vengeance… But is he real? 

After a psychotic episode in his childhood, Gabriel is left shattered and unable to join society. Trapped in the orphanage he grew up in, he is plagued by nightmares of events that never happened, events that left him scarred, flinching at touch and achingly lonely. 

Until one day he decides on a whim to not take his meds. 

Born from a cold womb in the ground, Abaddon awakens to the world with one goal: to destroy a cult that commits blasphemous crimes in his name. What he doesn’t expect is meeting a boy who survived one of their rituals. 

That is when God reveals Abaddon’s true purpose. He shall protect the boy from the vultures circling him and avenge his pain. He shall take Gabriel under his wing and provide all the love and affection the boy never got to experience. 

As they set out to hunt the monsters together, Gabriel entrusts his body and soul to his beautiful guardian angel, yet he can’t stop questioning whether Abaddon is real or just a creation of his touch-starved mind. 

Either way, vengeance has begun to cut through the cultists with its scythe, and there is no turning back, no matter how deep the rabbit hole goes. 

* Themes: opposites attract, hurt/comfort, size difference, angst, childhood trauma and abuse, mental health, self-harm, deception, mindf*ck, occult, gaslighting, revenge, torture, blasphemy, orphanage, cults 

Genre: Dark, thriller M/M romance Length: ~ 86,000 words (Standalone) 

WARNING: This book contains adult content that might be considered offensive. Strong language, violence, torture, and explicit scenes. Reader discretion advised. Not for the fainthearted. Virtuous Sinners is a collection of gay romance stories that center on killers who are guided by a virtuous code. These dark novels are connected only by theme and can be read standalone. 

The killer's virtue in “I Am God’s Dagger”: Piety 

Review: ⟫ I don’t even know how to review this book because I am so confused by it. I can see what it was trying to be but amidst all of the scattered details of the actions of the members of the cult, Gabriel and his inner monologue and Abaddon, I felt that it got so so lost. 

As did I. 

And there’s only so much suspension of disbelief can achieve, especially in what was a modern, non supernatural setting. 

I was certainly thrown by Gabriel’s actions with regard to Abaddon. This ‘angel’ appears from nowhere, begins a murder spree and Gabriel not only falls in love wit him but seems to suffer very little in the way of mental trauma handling the new relationship. 

It didn’t sit well with me – especially with the flashbacks to what he had been through – and perhaps that it what threw me out of the story over and over again. 

I also have no idea how Abaddon managed to get around the orphanage without being seen by anyone – the place is full of kids, as well as staff, and no one saw him even once as he walked around. 

I will admit, I got the plot twist completely wrong, so that was a nice bit of misdirection, but I’m not sure I care too much about that. I just found this whole thing too confusing for words and can only assume based on other reviews that it is down to me. 

Perhaps I need to accept that K.A. Merikan just isn’t for me. 

I received an ARC from GRR.

The Vengeance of Rowan Sinclair by Ashlyn Drewek (The Solynyshko Duet)

Title: ⟫ The Vengeance of Roan Sinclair: A Dark MM Russian Romance 

Author: ⟫ Ashlyn Drewek 

Blurb: ⟫ After a lifetime of death and suffering, Aleksandr Vassiliev finally has everything he could ever want — the most important being someone to share his future with. Somehow a spoiled American named Roan gave Sasha a reason to see life could be more. 

Except, that’s where the fairytale ends. 

He’s not surprised Roan hasn’t been the same since his attack, but with every day that passes, Sasha sees less and less of the boy he fell in love with. He would do anything to get his Solnyshko back, but old enemies from Sasha’s past might end up costing him everything, even Roan. 

Roan Sinclair used to have it all. Now? He’s a shell of his former self. No longer the rich, carefree college guy who brought a Russian criminal to his knees, all he’s trying to do is recover from an assault that nearly killed him. 

Roan knows he should be grateful to be alive… but he’s not. 

He’s humiliated. 

Ashamed. 

Most of all, he’s angry. 

He hasn’t forgotten the part his dad played in everything that happened and when he threatens Sasha’s freedom, Roan takes a page from the Russian’s playbook. Maybe vengeance will piece him back together. Maybe then Roan can move on and get to the happily ever after he so desperately wants with the Wolf of Verkhoyansk. 

Content warning: This book contains references to alcohol/smoking, ethnic and homosexual slurs, sexual assault, mental health issues including PTSD and depression, on-page torture, and a lot of profanity. Reader discretion is advised. 

Review: ⟫ Oooh, when the sunshine turns on you, you need to remember that it burns! 

This book was Roan growing up and doing what he needed to do and I enjoyed it even more than the first book. Struggling to recover from the assault, Roan is feeling disconnected from everything and everyone – how does he find his way when he knows that he’s Sasha’s weak spot and can be used against him at any time? 

Add in his father behaving in an even more appalling fashion than previously, and something has to break. Or step up. And Roan steps up. 

I freaking loved this book because we got to see Roan really grow into himself and his relationship with Sasha. We also got more time with Sasha and saw beneath his mega-grumpy exterior. I wouldn’t describe him as a marshmallow under ANY circumstances, but this guy really grabbed at my heart and I couldn’t shake him. 

The cast of characters grew and I loved Misha and his nephew but this was most definitely Roan’s book. I actually ended up enjoying it more than book 1 which I am surprised at as normally I find the second book’s to be not as good. I absolutely adored the ending and what we got to see, and I am more than happy to give this a 5/5 rating. 

Now to find something to help me with my book hangover…

The Kidnapping of Roan Sinclair by Ashlyn Drewek (The Solnyshko Duet)

Title: ⟫ The Kidnapping of Roan Sinclair: A Dark MM Russian Romance 

Author: ⟫ Ashlyn Drewek 

Blurb: ⟫ Roan Sinclair’s life is perfect, just ask anyone. Set to graduate college and bound for grad school at Georgetown, Roan’s life has been all planned out for him. 

Except, he doesn’t want it. 

Dedicated to his music, he dreams of a life free from his parents’ expectations. Those dreams are gone the minute he’s kidnapped by a group of Russians, led by the tall, dark, and broody Sasha — a man ripped straight from Roan’s fantasies. 

Determined to make it out alive, Roan will do whatever is necessary to secure his freedom, even if that means seducing his captor. 

Aleksandr Vassiliev doesn’t care about anything except surviving in a merciless world. Known as the Wolf of Verkhoyansk, Sasha’s reputation for brutality is far-reaching and well-deserved. When a bank robbery goes wrong, he’ll do whatever he can to fix it — including kidnapping the bank owner’s son. 

Instead of complying like he should, Roan defies Sasha at every turn. Worst of all, he makes Sasha want things he can’t have, things that are a death sentence for men like him. 

Things like Roan Sinclair. 

Content warning: This book contains references to alcohol/drug use, sexual assault, graphic violence, self-harm, ethnic and homosexual slurs, and a lot of profanity. Reader discretion is advised. 

Review: ⟫ This was a recommendation on sub-reddit and I am so pleased I went ahead and got it. 

Roan was a sweetheart – a complete ray of sunshine in the darkness of his world. His family life is awful and he’s on the verge of being pushed in a direction that he has no interest in going. That is when Sasha enters his life and absolutely everything changes. 

Sasha was – brutal. He wasn’t just grumpy, he was rude, violent and the epitome of a Russian mobster. This book held nothing back in terms of the type of person Sasha was, who he had had to become in order to survive. There were hints given as to the type of life Sasha had lived, the things he had been through, and they sounded traumatic and awful. 

The clash between sunshine and the Wolf was epic – entertaining, upsetting, sexy and life altering. Watching the dynamics between these two as they tried to figure out a way through what life was throwing at them and how the circumstances under which they met influenced everything was enthralling. 

I would most definitely heed the warnings given but for me, this book was worth all of that for the feelings it evoked. I went immediately to book two because I needed to know what happened next. Thank goodness for Kindle Unlimited.