Monday, 24 July 2023
Consumed by Bailey Nicole (Black Diamond Unlucky 13 #7)
Title: ⟫ Consumed (Black Diamond Unlucky 13 #7)
Author: ⟫ Bailey Nicole
Rating: ⟫ 4/5
Blurb: ⟫ Welcome to Black Diamond Resort and Spa…
Growing up in a small town in Georgia, I never dreamed of starting a band that would blow up from a viral video or that I’d live in a mansion on the beach in Miami, Florida.
Since we were seven years old, my best friend Percy had dreamed big enough for both of us. He’d always known this would be our future.
But he’s been slowly killing me for years, and yet he’s the only reason I’m still alive. He needs me. He needs me for comfort. He needs me to hold him and love him. Percy wants to live in my skin, and even that wouldn’t be close enough.
But he doesn’t want me the way I want him.
Money. Fame. Medications. Therapy.
None of that could’ve prevented what transpired that night, and even though it put me in a mental health facility, I don’t regret it. Not one bit.
Because without him, there is no me.
Consumed is an M/M romance between two highly codependent childhood best friends. Please read the content warning at the beginning of the book as there are themes that might be triggering for some readers.
Review: ⟫ This is actually a really difficult book to review for several reasons. The main reason is that the depiction of the mental struggles of the main character felt so personal that commenting on them feels wrong.
The relationship between Percy and Junesy is so incredibly co-dependent that I kinda wondered how they managed to breathe when other person wasn’t in the room. Their relationship was – well, strange – and part of my difficulty in reviewing is that I struggled to understand the miscommuncation. I fully understood Winston’s feelings – he didn’t feel good enough for Percy, and that along with the issues with his mother and father meant that he tried to pull away. But I didn’t get why Percy didn’t tell Winston how he felt – like, outright just say it. Mind you, it wasn’t like he wasn’t giving HUGE clues with the physical aspect of things that were happening.
I feel that this has quite a different vibe to the other books in the series and therefore it’s difficult to review it on the same level. Who am I to say whether or not this is an accurate depiction of the mental disorders that Winston was struggling with? The ‘romance’ was intense, troubling, complicated but also heart-warming and rewarding, with both men well aware of who/what they are to each other.
Winston’s method of handling the management issue was brilliant and I admit, I welled up a little reading the letter.
I would say take any author warnings seriously, consider whether this is a good book for you to read, but if you are not triggered, I think a lot of people will find this book enjoyable.
I received an ARC from Indie Author Creative.
Diablo by Cora Rose (Unexpected #7)
Title: ⟫ Diablo (Unexpected #7)
Author: ⟫ Cora Rose
Rating: ⟫ 3/5
Blurb: ⟫ After my honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, it only made sense to put my skills to good use as a personal bodyguard. The contracts keep me moving and traveling, and the money is good. All I’ve ever wanted was to make sure my mother and sister were taken care of after my father passed away. So when Anthony Costello, the notorious mob boss and my dad’s ex-employer, asked me to take on a special job for his family, I couldn’t say no.
But not even my six-year stint as an elite Marine could have prepared me for the hellscape that is being trapped in a secluded safe house with his son. Diablo Costello is a rude little chaos gremlin that lives to push all my buttons. I can’t keep him safe if he’s determined to fight me every step of the way. But I can see through the bratty facade. I know what Diablo needs. What he longs for. And God help me, I’m going to give it to him.
This book is a little different than my other books due to the characters involved. Please check the content warning in the beginning of the book!
Review: ⟫ From the first page, you’re thrown into the chaos that is Diablo's life – when we begin reading, he is being threatened by an ex-boyfriend of his twin brother’s who he has ‘hacked’ and needs to be put somewhere safe.
Skylar is his bodyguard, a man pushed beyond his patience by the chaos that is Diablo and how he goes through life. The difference is that Skylar sees Diablo, as well as the needs he is hiding behind his chaotic, obnoxious exterior.
This would normally push so many of my buttons: size-difference, bodyguard, psycho falling in love, mafia – so much to choose from and devour. Unfortunately, this book simply did not work for me. I disliked Diablo intensely and thought he was immature and annoying. The refusing to admit he liked something was amusing to begin with – when it kept happening in situations where his denial was completely absurd, I began to get annoyed.
The feelings of annoyance got worse the more that I read and I finished the book because I felt obligated rather than because I wanted to know what happened in the end.
The physical relationship/sex scenes were intense and fun but I didn’t feel that there was enough between our two leads for there to be a HEA – Diablo felt too young and immature, and I didn’t know enough about Skylar to feel like I knew who he was and what he wanted. Some of their interactions were funny, but overall this book just didn’t work for me because I didn’t like the main protagonist. I admit I have been enjoying Cora Rose less and less with each book but that may well be my issue – YMMV. If you enjoyed Lex, then you will probably enjoy Diablo but this book wasn’t for me.
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.
Legal Bindings by Ella Fenn (Living Situations #3)
Title: ⟫ Legal Bindings (Living Situations Book 3)
Author: ⟫ Ella Fenn
Rating: ⟫ 4/5
Blurb: ⟫ Nick Robinson doesn’t need help from anyone. He’s been taking care of himself since he was ten years old, and his independent streak has cost him friendships, a marriage, and most recently, his job. Facing unemployment and the looming threat of losing his home, Nick decides his only option is to seek a room-mate. After a fruitless search, the only decent applicant is Evan, a talented artist in need of creative inspiration, which he thinks he might find in Nick’s attic loft.
Evan moves in, still searching for that elusive burst of artistic brilliance, and their opposing personalities collide, triggering heated exchanges and hurt feelings. Nick is uptight and constantly worried about what other people think, which grates against Evan’s artistic temperament and odd sartorial choices.
However, destiny has a way of bringing people together when they need it most. While searching for a new job, Nick meets Sydney, a disaffected teenage girl in foster care who desperately needs legal assistance. Amidst their endless squabbles, Nick and Evan find common ground in their shared responsibility for Sydney's potential. When their walls come down, sparks fly. But are those sparks kindling the fire of their future, or are they tinder that will burn the fledgling relationship to the ground?
The third book in the Living Situations series, Legal Bindings is a gay romance featuring unlikely room-mates, self-discovery, and the extraordinary connections that can arise when we challenge our own assumptions. If you like enemies-to-lovers, found family, and steamy situations, then you won’t want to miss this book.
Let Nick and Evan paint you an unconventional picture of what true love looks like and get your copy of Legal Bindings today.
Review: ⟫ I’m always impressed when an author can take a previous ‘bad’ guy and make the reader feel sorry for them. When it came to Nick, the insight into the person he is now versus where he was, as well as the underlying reasons for his behaviour were insightful and genuine and I appreciated that. I also appreciated that he wasn’t given a free ride – he had to face the consequences of his past actions and apologise – a heart-felt, real apology that more than made it possible for people to move on feeling lighter in themselves.
The story revolves around the fact that Nick is a square peg trying to force himself to fit in the expected ‘circle’ and how Evan helps him figure out who he is and what he wants. Along the way, Evan also figured himself out, let go of past anger and discovered that his dream of living in New York might well have been better off remaining a dream.
I didn’t expect the story I got – Nick’s experiences in the foster system were such a prime motivator in his actions and it hurt seeing him trying to work the system to make his new possible, all whilst realising that it might lose him Evan because of his past. And the way in which Evan managed to see beyond the mask that Nick lived his life behind to what the man actually needed and the person he could be was really beautiful.
Ella Fenn has a very engaging style of writing – it’s very easy to read, flows well and feels real – and it’s only as you reach the end of the book that you realise you’ve hours living in the world they have created. This was a lovely addition to the Living Situations series, with hot sex, deep feelings and a lot about found family that really touched my heart.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Dead Serious: Case #3 Mr Bruce Reyes by Vawn Cassidy
Title: ⟫ Dead Serious: Case #3 Mr Bruce Reyes
Author: ⟫ Vawn Cassidy
Rating: ⟫ 4/5
Blurb: ⟫ Tristan Everett was finally getting used to the strangeness that was his life. Being able to see the dead and helping them solve their unfinished business and cross into the light wasn’t so bad after all, especially when he was accompanied by his best friend, dead drag queen Dusty Le Frey. His boyfriend, sexy Scotland Yard detective Danny Hayes, now knew the truth about Tristan’s “gift,” and they were about to move in together officially.
Life was good.
That is until Death—honest to god, Death (aka The Grim Reaper)—pitches up in Tristan’s kitchen with an unusual stop Dusty’s ghostly hookup Bruce from crossing into the light, which may result in dire consequences.
Determined to do the exact opposite, Tristan and Danny assemble their own ragtag gang of one prickly witch, one snarky psychic private investigator, one living drag queen with an affinity for feathers, and one dead one with an affinity for a deceased rugby player in tiny shorts. Together they must solve a forty-year old cold case, while juggling a dose of the flu, a broken leg, a supernatural storm, and an immortal death deity with the looks and temperament of a sexy but grouchy CEO.
Seriously… what could possibly go wrong?
Review: ⟫ Tristan is back along with Danny, Dusty, Chan and the beginnings of quite the Scooby Gang. The third instalment deals with our very own Bruce, the rugby player in the skimpy shorts who has Dusty in a tizzy.
The relationship between Danny and Tristan seems to be the only solid thing in Tristan’s life as everything else goes haywire – including visits from Death, a supernatural storm, Bruce’s body being found and all of the potential mess that can incur along with Death’s slightly deranged ‘twin’ in the form of chaos trying to escape the book store. So, business as usual.
As is usual with Vawn Cassidy, all of the characters get their chance to shine and watching as the gang get closer together and Danny and Tristan realise how loved they truly are, we learn about Bruce’s life (and death) and get more insight into the strangeness that surrounds Tristan like a fog.
I enjoyed reading this one – as I may have mentioned before, these books feel like reading/watching Murder She Wrote but with more sexy times and a little bit of supernatural thrown in for good measure. I enjoyed seeing Chan being pursued, can definitely sense some tension between other members of the gang, and I was so pleased with how Danny handled Viv – who knew we needed the miserable, cantankerous drunk and could grow to like her?
Despite being a murder case, that took the backseat to revelations from the past, people admitting their feelings and Danny and Tristan finally finding somewhere to live without a leaking roof. A very good instalment in the series and I look forward to seeing just what Tristan, Danny and the gang have to deal with in the next book.
I received an ARC from GRR.
Friday, 21 July 2023
Triple Trouble by Jesse H Reign (The Situationship Book #2)
Title: ⟫ Triple Trouble (The Situationship Book #2)
Author: ⟫ Jesse H Reign
Rating: ⟫ 4.5/5
Blurb: ⟫ Two dude-bros, one beautiful femme boy, and a game of gay chicken that goes badly awry…
It’s fair to say my best friend Mat and I are looking for trouble when we head out for a wild night on the town, and boy, do we find it. We find it in the form of Trouble, a guy with long, silky black hair, doe eyes, and thick, fleshy lips. Sweat glitters down his spine and he moves like there’s music in his soul. Every eye in the place in on him. He’s magnetic. The second we see him, we want him. We both do.
Suddenly, the fact we thought we were straight doesn’t seem all that important.
Trouble turns our lives upside down. He makes us do things we’ve never done. He makes us want things we’ve never wanted either.
He makes me look at Mat in way that’s brand new, too.
Everything is changing. Nothing is as it was.
There’s only one thing that’s certain anymore - Mat and I both want to get into Trouble.
Triple Trouble is the second book in The Situationship Series. It can be enjoyed as part of the series, or as a standalone novel.
Triple Trouble is an MMM romance featuring a double bi awakening, a triple serving of steam and enough sweetness to give you a sugar rush. Use the look inside feature and scroll up to the copyright page to see if this is the book for you.
Review: ⟫ Well, to describe this book as insanely hot is an understatement – for some reason, I was simply not prepared.
I completely and utterly understand Trouble’s dilemma – I wouldn’t be able to choose between Mat and Will either. I freaking loved the fact that there was no particular bi-freakout – Mat and Will were awesome in the way that they both seemed to accept that although there might not have been any particular attraction to men before, Trouble had opened their eyes. And the relationship between the two of them made my heart melt and everything else just combust! They were so THERE for each other, with everything – understanding when the other needed reassurance, affection or just someone to step up and speak for them. It was beautiful.
I also understood Trouble’s concerns about the relationship between Mat and Will and how he fit in – the fact that he was worried about things like who cleans the bathroom actually made me giggle for some reason. Quite possibly because how they all fit together in the bedroom might have been more of a thing for me! The sexual relationship between the three of them was hot, steamy, soft, kind, dominating, passionate – it was just everything because it wasn’t just based on the physical. Mat and Will were perfectly attuned to Trouble and what he wanted/needed and it was absolutely awesome.
By now, I can simply just accept that I’m a Jesse H Reign Super-fan – I haven’t read a single one of their books that didn’t hit so many high spots for me, and I can’t wait to read anything they release in the future. This was highly anticipated, gratefully received and consumed, and utterly satisfying!
Volatile by J.R. Gray (A Black Diamond Novel - Unlucky 13 Book #6)
Title: ⟫ Volatile (Black Diamond – Unlucky 13 Novel #6)
Author: ⟫ JR Gray
Rating: ⟫ 4/5
Blurb: ⟫ Welcome to Black Diamond Resort and Spa… and my exile… A guy in a skirt wouldn’t turn a straight guy on, right? I spent the last decade performing next to him. I’ve never looked at him as more—until I walked in on him in a skirt. He’s as broken as I am. We survived our childhood together. And when he’s finally trying to embrace the parts his father tried to beat out of him, I can’t handle it. He’s taunting me with smeared eye-liner and a filthy smile, singing to a sold-out crowd, and it’s getting too hot under these stage lights. I can’t look him in the eyes. I can’t be with him—not like that—but I can’t stop thinking about him. He's pushing me over the edge. Now we’re banished to this forsaken celebrity timeout—to play emotional chicken—and he’s determined to make sure I lose. He’ll push every button I possess until I give in.
Review: ⟫ I still haven’t figured out if I think Royal and Aspen are actually good for each other – Aspen seemed to be such a mess in terms of how he dealt with things, and I struggled with his attitude. He might have been defending Royal to his brother, but at the same time he was constantly pushing him in a way that I wasn’t always comfortable with.
Apart from that, the relationship between the two of them was hot af, full of steamy scenes whether they were on stage or not. I appreciated how, when Royal decided he was all-in, he really was all-in. He turned away from his father’s teachings, was honest with his mother and made sure that Aspen knew that their relationship was his number one focus and I truly thought that was wonderful.
There were links to other works by JR Gray (the Pretty Broken series) and I did enjoy catching those. I have also read most of the book in the Black Diamond series and this is the first one (for me) where the outside world was featured more and I enjoyed that too.
Messy rock stars falling in love and getting steamy on stage – can’t really ask for more than that. I enjoyed reading this and look forward to more in the Black Diamond series.
I received an ARC from GRR.
Mr Nice Guy by Isla Olsen (Suits & Sevens Book #3)
Title: ⟫ Mr Nice Guy (Suits & Sevens Book #3)
Author: ⟫ Isla Olsen
Rating: ⟫ 4/5
Blurb: ⟫ Tanner When you’re staring down the barrel of half a century’s existence on this planet, you tend to think about things… Like…maybe I should think about retiring? And I guess I could start crossing things off my bucket list? And should I get my colon checked? Something I wasn’t intending to start assessing too closely at this stage of my life—or ever, really—is my sporadic, complicated, and rather inconvenient attraction to men. Some people do yoga. Others bake. For me, the only sure-fire way to release all that tension and anxiety that’s always building up inside me is…well, I’m sure you can figure it out… But that’s all it is. Stress relief. Or, at least, that’s all it was. Until I met Deacon Stapleton. Gorgeous, funny, and great in bed—it only takes one night for me to decide I want him to be my permanent stress ball. But there are some problems…he’s too young; he’s too nice; and he doesn’t do casual flings. Oh, and did I mention he’s my daughter’s kindergarten teacher? Mr Nice Guy is book three in the Suits & Sevens series and features a billionaire silver fox and a rugby-playing kindergarten teacher. It can be read as a stand-alone. billionaire, single dad, age gap, bi-awakening.
Review: ⟫ A sweet, heart-felt and caring love story between a billionaire who uses men for stress relief and a kindergarten teacher that surprised me. I found Tanner a little confusing initially – the mental gymnastics he seemed to go through to explain what he does would far better have been spent on better therapy and fighting his ex-wife. But the more I read, I could actually see why he didn’t look into it too closely – he’s been through so much but has to remain strong for his kids and his employees – he doesn’t have the mental bandwidth to actually consider his sexuality.
Deacon was really sweet and what I really loved about him was how, despite how frustrating he sometimes found things, he didn’t rush Tanner. He listened, tried to understand but also laid down his own boundaries and I respected that. The rugby players made me laugh and I definitely remember at least one of them which makes me think I’ve read more in this series without realising it.
The sex was hot, the relationship was interesting and loving, and can I just say how very much I love Tanner’s son, Jazz.
A solid read and I am going to see if I can find the other books and catch up with the others.
I received an ARC from GRR.
Friday, 14 July 2023
Reluctant Renegade by Garrett Leigh (Rebel Kings MC)
Title: ⟫ Reluctant Renegade
Author: ⟫ Garrett Leigh
Rating: ⟫ 4/5
Blurb: ⟫ “I was never scared of dying until I loved you.”
The shy single dad and the gentle assassin. Domestic bliss and a bloodthirsty revenge mission battle it out in the emotional fifth instalment of the bestselling Rebel Kings MC series.
Decoy
I met a dude in a bar once. Tall and strong, he had moon-blue eyes and tawny hair, and he moved with the grace of a lion.
It didn’t pan out, but that’s a theme in my life, and I’ve spent the last five years knowing that kind stranger dodged a bullet.
Divorced and miserable, I’m not exactly a catch.
But the thing is, that man...he’s not a stranger anymore.
And he’s as beautiful as I remember.
Everything you want in a fake boyfriend, right?
Don’t ask me to explain that one. But let me tell you I thought my biggest fear was losing my daughter. Then Folk came home, and I realised you can give your heart to more than one person.
We have a second chance. Goddamn, we deserve it.
But this life, man. It’s a journey.
And there’s no guarantees we’ll both make it to the end.
Reluctant Renegade is an MM/gay biker/MC romance. Content warnings for everything you’d expect in a sizzling biker romance, in addition to divorce/custody stress, addiction, and mental health rep.
Review: ⟫ We finally get to the brother with a kid, the one who remains on the outskirts because getting too embroiled in club business could cost him everything in his divorce/custody battle and it was yet another intriguing look into things.
Decoy is a puzzle – an integral part of the club, he nevertheless seems to remain on the outskirts. It’s been a tough time for the Rebel MC and everyone is more than a little punch-drunk as yet more threats head their way, and in the meantime, Decoy is fighting with his ex for access to his daughter. It was immediately evident that Decoy was kinda drowning – not through lack of support but due to the precarious situation he was in with his daughter, Ivy. Add to that, his hidden past with Folk has come back to bite him in the form of an idea that should keep him and Ivy safe and help with the custody issues.
Folk has his own reasons for being with the Rebel Kings and his history with Decoy is an issue. Add to that being tapped by Alexei for his special skills, and his commitment to looking after his old friend’s children, and Folk has a lot on his plate.
I loved the way they carved out time for each other; how they acknowledged that that night in the past had meant a lot to both of them, and worked honestly to find a way forward. It was also brilliant to catch up with the others and see how they’re doing – Embry is still suffering ill-effects, and the Rebel family is growing so quickly.
I didn’t feel that the romance was as much at the forefront this time and I found it a little difficult to understand why they both held onto the memory so strongly, but Garrett Leigh continues to weave the Rebel MC throughout readers’ hearts and this is an excellent continuation to the series.
I received an ARC from GRR.
Monday, 10 July 2023
Overtime by Marina Vivancos (Alpha Omega Hockey Book #4)
Title: ⟫ Overtime (Alpha Omega Hockey Book #4)
Author: ⟫ Marina Vivancos
Rating: ⟫ 3.75/5
Blurb: ⟫ Ishir is happy when his best friend Zane is traded to his team, the Brooklyn Cats. Why wouldn’t he be? They’ve known each other since they were kids. Zane was the first person he came out to as gay—an Alpha who’s attracted to other Alphas. Zane has been there for him every step of the way.
Oh, and Ishir is madly in love with him.
Ishir isn’t going to make it a problem, though. Sure, they’re living together, so he has to see Zane strut around shirtless. And, okay, Zane knows about Ishir’s weird little superstition—Ishir can only come when he scores a goal. It’s his thing, okay?
But when Zane starts involving himself in who Ishir can sleep with…in how he gets himself off…well, things start getting a little more complicated.
Zane likes to tell him what to do, and Ishir likes listening.
They’re just best friends, though. Nothing more.
Ishir is just going to have to accept that…or break his heart trying.
This is the fourth instalment of Alpha Omega Hockey but can be read as a stand-alone.
Review: ⟫ I seem to have this issue with Marina Vivancos – I go through a couple of her books and absolutely adore them, then hit one that just doesn’t make it for me. Unfortunately, this is the second of the Alpha Omega Hockey books that I have read that didn’t hit the mark.
I didn’t like Ishir – I tried to, but I just didn’t. And I think I would possibly have enjoyed this book far more if told from Zane’s POV because I found his dilemma far more intriguing. The dynamic between the two of them was intense – to absolutely everyone other than them, it was more than obvious that they were enmeshed far more than they were willing to accept. Zane literally did everything but pee on Ishir to claim his territory, and his pouting/sulking was entertaining. The scenes where Zane insisted on helping Ishir to celebrate were extremely hot – I loved the way that during those moments, there were no insecurities or doubts – they trusted each other and that was lovely.
I wanted to like this more than I did but ultimately, I enjoyed this entry into the Alpha Omega Hockey verse and I will be reading any further entries.
I received an ARC from GRR.
The First and Last Adventures of Kit Sawyer by S.E. Harmon
Title: ⟫ The First and Last Adventures of Kit Sawyer
Author: ⟫ S.E. Harmon
Rating: ⟫ 4.5/5
Blurb: ⟫ In the archaeology community, Christopher “Kit” Sawyer’s family is a legacy. And while he may be a historian, not a treasure hunter, he thinks he does a pretty good job of living up to the Sawyer name. He's a book-smart research fanatic and does his best work at his tidy desk. No fedora and whip for him, if you please—a nice cup of coffee and a comfy chair will do. But decoding an ancient relic soon gives him more adventure than he bargained for.
Unwittingly, he unleashes a force he doesn't know how to control. And now he has to reunite the relic with a powerful Aztec God. The trouble with that? Kit doesn’t where to find the Tlaloc’s temple. No one does, in fact. Finding it could be a discovery for the ages. It could also lead to his untimely death. So...yay? But it’s not like he has a choice. So off to the Mexican jungle he goes.
At least he isn’t going alone.
Ethan Stone, former stepbrother and overall pain in the rump, horns in on the expedition. An experienced archaeologist, he's only coming along at their grandfather's request—which annoys Kit to no end. But he knows Ethan is just the right person to get them through the jungle safely. It’s just too bad someone is trying to beat them to the temple. And he’s willing to do anything to get there first.
Ethan thinks Kit is in over his head. Kit is secretly afraid he just may be right. In manners of archaeology...and manners of the heart….
Review: ⟫ Ooh think Indiana Jones meets National Treasure and you have this book, but throw in some hot men falling in love and it gets SOOO much better! I happen to list the Indiana Jones and National Treasures as some of my favourite comfort movies, so reading the blurb of this had me happy dancing in my seat.
And I was not let down!
This book was a humdinger of a ride, with thrills galore, a smidge of the supernatural and banter and hot sex – an absolutely perfect recipe if you ask me! Kit made me laugh with his self-deprecating humour and he touched my heart – feeling such an imposter in a famous, adventurous family and health concerns meaning he literally couldn’t pick up the family mantle.
I felt for poor Ethan – there he was, thinking he was being so blatant and at every turn Kit misunderstood him and his intentions. It’s enough to drive a swashbuckling hero insane. His protectiveness over Kit yet his willingness to stand back and let Kit have his shot was just one of Ethan’s good points – he was an absolutely brilliant foil for Kit, understanding both sides of his personality and aware of his history enough to just get why Kit felt the way he did.
This was a fun read, with some hot sex amidst the adventure and I am really pleased I read it – S.E. Harmon has never let me down yet!
I received an ARC from GRR.
Wednesday, 28 June 2023
Obnoxious Bad Boy by Devon Doe (Am I the Problem? Book #3)
Title: ⟫ Obnoxious Bad Boy (Am I the Problem? #3)
Author: ⟫ Devon Doe
Rating: ⟫ 4/5
Blurb: ⟫ Tl;dr: Am I the problem for hooking up in secret with the local bad boy? (Everyone thinks I hate him)
I [20M] am an accomplished pre-law student with my life mapped out for me by my parents. One day, I’ll be a respected lawyer, but in the meantime, I’m enjoying college, writing shameless gay smut, and getting absolutely zero action.
But I do have a crush. On the most obnoxious local bad boy [25M] and the exact type of person I shouldn’t like. He’s a tattoo artist, an ex-burglar, and, worst of all, an influencer. He’s ripped, inked, and his ice-blue eyes pierce my heart (even if he did once spill coffee on my laptop and was very mean about it).
He’s also straight and I hate him because I can’t have him.
Or so I thought, because one day, when he notices me, my world spins out of control, and my morals go out the window. I’ve always been the skinny pale nerd with no flirting game, but to Vex, I’m his sweetie, his baby boy, and his eager plaything. I can’t help but love it.
But he doesn’t want to come out, my trust fund is on the line, and I’m falling for him all too fast. This was supposed to be a no-strings-attached arrangement, so I shouldn’t want him to be my boyfriend. But I do.
Am I the problem for trying to get more than he’s willing to give? Or is he the problem for dragging me into this?
Addendum: If my parents find out I’m seeing an ex-con, they’re gonna kill me.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
“Obnoxious Bad Boy” is an enemies-to-lovers, steamy, opposites-attract romcom where a snotty nerd gets the bad boy of his dreams and has to deal with the consequences of their hush-hush relationship.
While the books in the series share a setting each can be read as a standalone.
(Aaron and Vex’s story)
Will our nerdy protagonist find the courage to fight for what he truly wants, or will he lose everything he holds dear? Don't miss out on this scorching hot enemies-to-lovers romcom that will leave you crying with laughter!
Review: ⟫ I’m actually in two minds about this book so my review will probably reflect that. On the one hand, the chemistry between Aaron and Vex is steaming hot and there’s no doubting that they really want each other. I also really liked the way in which Vex encouraged Aaron and gave him the confidence to become more ‘himself’ around other people and particularly with his parents.
However, the whole in the closet and flirting with other people thing niggled at me. I could well understand Vex’s dilemma – if you are selling a product, you give the people what they want. And I would imagine it’s incredibly difficult to make a life-changing decision, especially if you’ve seen it go sideways for someone else. All that being said, there were more than a couple of times when I was side-eyeing, and his lack of support to Aaron during something pretty big made me very unhappy with him.
I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the previous two but this book has solid writing, excellent chemistry between our leads and of course, the background characters we are growing to know and love. Not my favourite but well worth a read.
I received an ARC from GRR.
Exception by Cora Rose (Black Diamond Novel - Unlucky 13 #5)
Title: ⟫ Exception (An Unlucky 13 Novel)
Author: ⟫ Cora Rose
Rating: ⟫ 3.75/5
Blurb: ⟫ Welcome to the Black Diamond Resort and Spa . . .
When I fled my small town home to fly across the globe for a potential job on a remote island, I did it on a whim. And let’s just say, my parents were not happy. According to them, the journey of self-discovery is not nearly as important as tending the family farm.
I may not know a lot, but I do know that I needed space to breathe. To figure out who I am and what I want out of life. I desperately needed change.
So I traded in my work boots and flannels for flip-flops, golf carts, and fit men in teeny-tiny swim trunks.
I came here for adventure, but I never would have guessed that on a tropical island filled with creepy lizards, poisonous jellyfish, and one obscenely deranged monkey, it would be the surfer with the tight body and smart mouth that I really had to watch out for.
Review: ⟫ We’ve been teased with Holden throughout this series so I was very pleased when I realised that this was his book and that it was in Cora Rose’s hands. The glimpses we’ve seen of Holden to date showed him to be caring, fun, impulsive and kind so I was interested to see who his match would be.
I wasn’t expecting Chase – I don’t think anyone could expect Chase – but I thought he was sweet, a little bumbling and quite possibly one of the most innocent people to turn up on the island. Their relationship was swift, passionate and life-changing for both of them. Holden has been keeping part of himself aloof from other people, but somehow Chase gets beneath all of his barriers and armour and shows Holden what it is like to be/feel safe.
And Holden allows Chase to fly – to explore all of the unspoken things inside himself, which is the whole reason he came to the island.
Why no five score? I was seriously not a fan of Holden and Chase’s first solo interaction. I understand what was being conveyed but for me, it missed the mark. It felt far too rushed and confusing for one party – I think I needed an enthusiastic yes rather than what happened. It was in no way non-consensual but I just felt that things were rushed a little too much in the name of showing overwhelming passion.
This was a good addition to the Black Diamond series and I look forward to reading more.
I received an ARC from Indie Author Creative.
Friday, 16 June 2023
Unfortunate by Nicole Dykes (Black Diamond Novel - Unlucky 13 Book #3)
Title: ⟫ Unfortunate (An Unlucky 13 Novel)
Author: ⟫ Nicole Dykes
Rating: ⟫ 3.5/5
Blurb: ⟫ Welcome to the Black Diamond Resort and Spa . . .
I’m in exile in this luxurious refuge after a scandal, which shouldn’t be a scandal at all.
I’m Elijah Hunt, former child actor, now beloved action star.
When a picture of me in a compromising position is posted online, for the entire world to see, my agent sent me here to escape the limelight.
But here, it’s different from my crazy, loud, glitzy life. It’s quiet and peaceful. No one seems impressed with my celebrity.
And no one is less impressed than the sexy, aloof member of the cleaning crew. He couldn’t care less who I am or why I’m here.
He’s convinced I’m one of the fortunate ones—and I suppose I am. I’ve had it all—big houses, the best care, money, fame, and shallow adoration . . . but I’ve never been loved.
I’ve never known if people like me for who I am underneath it all or just for my money and fame.
And to me . . . that seems awfully unfortunate.
Review: ⟫ I think I must be missing my emotion chip this week because I can tell that this was an emotional read, with both Atlas and Elijah daring to hope for more, all whilst being terrified of the potential consequences to their heart, mental health, life yet I didn’t find myself connecting with either of the m/c.
I could well understand the underlying message about what can be perceived as fortunate not always being the prize that it seems, but I just wasn’t feeling anything. I can see from other reviews that other people definitely felt that connection and I’m sorry I missed out on it.
The other thing I would say was that the ending/resolution felt a little rushed. Now it may be that we see more of this couple further on in the series, but I wanted to see more. I think this is more of a me issue –the book was well written, the sex scenes were good and I enjoyed the story in general.
I received an ARC from GRR.
Anonymous Alpha by MM Farmer (Bangers & Mash #7)
Title: ⟫ Anonymous Alpha (Bangers & Mash #7)
Author: ⟫ MM Farmer
Rating: ⟫ 4/5
Blurb: ⟫ When everything goes wrong and the world is set against him, who can a desperate omega in trouble turn to for help?
Evan
I should have been careful what I wished for, because after the most amazing and torrid heat I’ve ever experienced, I certainly got it! The glittery, bubblegum pop image that the record label created for me, the one I was so ready to move away from, has been blown out of the water, because someone leaked a tape of me and the ESA I’d hired to take me through heat.
And on top of that, despite precautions, I might have an even bigger “little” problem after that heat. I have no one to turn to but Sable, who the media is calling the “anonymous alpha”. I barely know him, but I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him.
Will he help me, or will he think I’ve ruined his life?
Sable
I’m used to helping high-profile omega clients, but nothing could have prepared me for the media firestorm when a tape of me and Evan Mercer hit the internet. Everyone is saying Evan leaked the tape on purpose to get out of his recording contract, but when I get a tearful, panicked call from Evan, an entirely different story comes out.
I will do whatever it takes to protect my omega, because Evan is mine now, even if it was just an ESA call that brought us together. I’m ready to stand by my man, and once we figure out who blasted his career and his life to bits, the gloves will come off and I’ll show the world just what it means to defend the man I love.
Anonymous Alpha is a stand-alone, an omega in distress, alpha to the rescue story in the Bangers & Mash series. It contains a very good boy doing very, very bad things, the worst day ever, hidden cameras (not the good kind), an escape from the media, friends coming to the rescue, and Evan Mercer’s BIGGEST FAN EVER!!!
PLEASE This is not a shifter series. But you know how the other books have had a warning that no omegas are impregnated during the course of the book? *whistles innocently*
Review: ⟫ I haven’t read any of the previous books in this series so went into it completely blind. I found it fascinating the whole idea of having a service where alphas would help omegas through their heats and enjoyed the way that this was handled in the book – the sex work aspect of this was handled very professionally which was nice to see.
Evan is ready to move on from his teeny-bopper image – and his awful manager. Once he’s through this heat, his contract will be up with the record company and he can outwardly become the grown-up they refuse to allow him to be. His manager is a complete sleaze who sees Evan as a cash-cow and is not happy at the changes ahead.
Into this mix comes Sable, an Emergency Support Alpha, who feels a pull towards Evan that he’s never experienced before in all of his time helping omegas through their heats. He certainly isn’t expecting a sex tape to be released, labelling him as Evan’s anonymous alpha and splashing the time they spent together all over the press.
The 180 turn of the media and some of the fans towards Evan at this negative happening felt a little too realistic – we all know that the press loves nothing more than a scandal and this is a huge scandal. How Evan and Sable find their way through the terrible situation that they’re placed in whilst adjusting to their new bond and a surprise pregnancy makes for an interesting story.
It is light and doesn’t dwell too much on the negative side of fame and the role that social media plays in that, but the subject is touched on and I appreciated that. Otherwise, this is a fated-mates/insta-love story with some hot, very kinky sex and a fight for justice that was entertaining.
I received an ARC from GRR.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
-
TITLE: ⟫ Tied Over AUTHOR: ⟫ Mary Calmes SERIES: ⟫ Marshals Book #6 RATING: ⟫ 5/5 BLURB: ⟫ Josiah Redeker has been tied up, tied do...
-
TITLE: ⟫ The Caretaker AUTHOR: ⟫ CP Harris SERIES: ⟫ Infidelity #3 RATING: ⟫ 5/5 BLURB: ⟫ The only thing Noon Waters is sure of is...
-
TITLE: ⟫ What We Earned AUTHOR: ⟫ Hinsel Meyer RATING: ⟫ 3/5 BLURB: ⟫ Glenn With so many things to do before I graduate college, any...