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.

Rowan & Aldred by Lucie Fleury (Ambrosia Book #2)

TITLE: ⟫ Rowan & Aldred

AUTHOR: ⟫ Lucie Fleury

SERIES: ⟫ Ambrosia Book #2

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Rowan is a bully. Always has been, always will be. After all, what better way to prevent people from hurting you, than hurting them first? But this time, he’s gone too far. The God of Justice has heard about his crimes, and now he must suffer the consequences…

Aldred, God of Justice and Retribution, is all too willing to take Rowan into his dungeon to deliver the sentence he rightly deserves. After all, punishing humans is his favorite pastime—he’ll take great pleasure in the careless, sadistic fun that Rowan’s incarceration offers him.

What he doesn’t expect is finding more. Because there’s something underneath Rowan’s spitefulness. Something he wants to find, care for and protect. However, if he acts on his urges, his ward will become permanently addicted to the ambrosia his body produces, altering Rowan’s life forever.

Set in a medieval fantasy world full of magic, conniving divinities and a newborn god gone rogue, follow the redemption story of one broken boy who gets his second chance at life, and a god who discovers his softer side.

REVIEW: ⟫ I was very interested in just how Lucie Fleury was going to get the reader to like Rowan after the person he was in book one. But they did it somehow – Rowan was a fascinating character and I admired Aldred for digging deeper into why Rowan was the way that he was. The other thing that I really enjoyed was how the relationship between the two of them built up as it was so different to Lodrick’s story – Aldred was punishing Rowan and he held nothing back as he dived into everything that made Rowan who he was.

The background story regarding the God that was risking so much by letting mortals have ambrosia was well handled, although the God responsible was a little bit of a cliché. The BDSM aspects of the story were well written and entertaining and my favourite characters are definitely the familiars and the horses – Felicity was the snarkiest cat I’ve read on page and I loved her. I also really loved Rowan’s familiar – that was cute beyond belief.

Definitely an entertaining addition and I will look for more in the ambrosia series in the future.

Lodrick & Godefroy by Lucie Fleury (Ambrosia Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ Lodrick & Godefroy

AUTHOR: ⟫ Lucie Fleury

SERIES: ⟫ Ambrosia Book #1

RATING: ⟫ 3.75/5

BLURB: ⟫ Lodrick had the perfect a good and loving family and a promising future as a Royal guard. But hatred and jealousy ruined everything. He was forced to drink ambrosia, the highly addictive substance produced by god’s bodies. Now to survive he only has one to become a god’s lover.

Godefroy, the god of Peace and Harmony, has longed for a companion for a long time. He’s ready to love and care. Yet, as good willing as he is, he has trouble understanding humans and Lodrick is a real mystery. Why does he refuse his soothing?

REVIEW: ⟫ This was a really interesting story – from the blurb, I wasn’t sure quite what to expect, especially as Lodrick would have been well within his rights to hate everything about his circumstances. Considering it was quite a short story, I was impressed with how much time and effort went into looking at how Lodrick was feeling, how he found a way to spend his time and begin to build a life, as well as encompassing his shame and unhappiness with how he came to be in the situation.

Godefroy was a real sweetheart, much like you would expect from the god of Peace and Harmony. However, I particularly enjoyed how he was prepared to maintain his boundaries – he could accept Lodrick’s unhappiness and anger without letting it ruin his hard-earned peace. I was fascinated by the host of background characters and loved the world-building, lore and hints of the darker side to the entire Nymph/god relationship.

I have already downloaded the second book because I am very interested in reading more in this verse and would recommend this if you like your stories spicy but with some thought there too.

Taylor-Made for Me by K.C. Wells

TITLE: ⟫ Taylor-Made for Me

AUTHOR: ⟫ K.C. Wells

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Cupid ran out of arrows – so he used a luggage cart…

Will Bryant Gets Roped In

It’s only for one night—well, a weekend, actually.

Becca Taylor needs a fake fiancé to take to her parents’ anniversary party. All Will has to do is shake hands, smile on cue, and act as if they’re totally in love. No problem.

They get there, they’re holding hands in the hotel lobby, and then BAM. Something heavy plows into Will’s back, and suddenly he’s flying, only to be greeted by the most gorgeous guy he’s ever seen.

Aiden Taylor Gets Attacked By The Green-Eyed Monster

It was a total accident. Aiden’s hand slipped.

Okay, it sort of slipped. He wanted to scratch his sister Becca’s eyes out. Her fiancé is freaking perfect, but not for her—for Aiden. And he did try to warn Will, especially since Aiden wasn’t aiming for him in the first place. So now he’ll spend the rest of the weekend trying to make it up to Will.

Then everything snowballs, and now there are plans for a wedding that was never supposed to happen. Becca is panicking, her girlfriend is distraught, Aiden is confused…

And the more time Will spends around Aiden, the more convinced he becomes that he’s (accidentally) engaged to the wrong Taylor.

REVIEW: ⟫ Okay, there is a fair amount of suspending belief required for reading this story. Initially, I wasn’t sure how I felt about the premise – the set up seemed rife for what could be conceived as cheating and I was interested in seeing how the author was going to work around that.

The story made me laugh more than once, especially at Will’s internal musings – his view on his best friend’s behaviour was entertaining to say the least. I enjoyed meeting the family and their interactions – it reminded me of Christmases spent with my own very large family. I’m not generally a fan of pranks, which might have affected my viewpoint on quite a chunk of the storyline, but overall I quite enjoyed reading this. It was entertaining watching as Becca failed time and time again to take the chances offered to her, with Will in the background face-palming and Aiden plying him with alcohol! Light-hearted (with zero cheating), some lovely family moments and a nice romance with a little bit of steam. Definitely worth a read.

I received an ARC from GRR.

His Captor by MM Farmer (Omegas After Dark Book #2)

TITLE: ⟫ His Captor

AUTHOR: ⟫ MM Farmer

SERIES: ⟫ Omegas After Dark Book #2

RATING: ⟫ 3.75/5

BLURB: ⟫ Indulging in a Dark Fantasy can lead to deep consequences in reality…

Hayden

It wasn’t my first time indulging in that particular fantasy. I was on a business trip and looking for something fun. I didn’t plan on going into heat while playing around, or to like the alpha I played with so much.

I also didn’t expect to end up pregnant.

And what I really didn’t expect was for that anonymous alpha I played with to end up being my boss at my new job…

Mace

Playing with a cute omega from out of town was supposed to be a test of the new security tech I’d been developing. It wasn’t supposed to end with me cutting ties with my old, crooked business partner and starting a whole new company in Barrington. It also wasn’t supposed to leave me wishing I’d gotten the real name and phone number of my omega playmate.

They say be careful what you wish for. Now, not only is Hayden back in my life with all his charm and feisty spirit, he’s carrying my baby. And I’m his boss.

And because of me, the cute omega I’m falling hard and fast for is in danger from my ex-business partner, who is out for revenge…

Omegas After Dark is an omegaverse mpreg story set in the same world as the lighter, fluffier Bangers & Mash series, but it deals with much more intense subject matter. Sink into the underworld of Barrington in all its super-hot glory, but don’t say you weren’t warned!

REVIEW: ⟫ This was a fun, quick read, and despite the subject matter there wasn’t a huge amount of sex! We originally met Hayden in His Hunter and I remember him being a very fun character. This story gives more background and fills him out into someone quite interesting. I loved the fact that Hayden didn’t try to pretend he wasn’t aware of what happened, and once he knew that he was pregnant, he moved on with his life. I really enjoyed the back characters we got to meet during this story, as well as catching up with Ari and Samson.

The industrial espionage/threat was well written and interesting, especially with the introduction of a character near the end of the book. I must admit, I laughed when Hayden was proved correct about Colin – a more deserving fate I cannot imagine! I thought the ‘toys’ the Ace used during their torrid weekend were absolutely fascinating and can only imagine how they could be put to use in a wider community!

I’m glad that I read this one and can recommend if you are in the mood for some kinky spice and a little light threat to your story. I received an ARC from GRR.

The Accidental Necromancer by Liv Rancourt (Subpar Heroes Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ The Accidental Necromancer

AUTHOR: ⟫ Liv Rancourt

SERIES: ⟫ Subpar Heroes Book #1

RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Last Year—yes, it was so bad it needs to be capitalized—continues to haunt Brandon. A fresh start in a new town should have been the solution, but the memories follow him everywhere, in the form of undead roadkill he can’t seem to stop conjuring.

And Brandon’s growing posthumous pet problem is attracting attention. At least Stefanos, the paranormal veterinarian who offers to help him, is cute.

Who even knew paranormal veterinarians were a thing?

The resurrected animals are bad, but the wraith who starts dogging—pun intended—Brandon’s every step is far, far worse. This unwilling necromancer will have to figure out how to put Last Year behind him if he ever wants to find peace in the warm and willing veterinarian’s bed.

The Accidental Necromancer is a part of the multi-author Sub-Par Superheroes MM romance series. This book is set in the same world as The Richmond Vampire, though it features different characters. Mack and Bellafleure will be back in an upcoming book, because there's definitely more to their story!

REVIEW: ⟫ This was a quick, fun read, with an interesting premise and storyline that was easy to get into. I enjoyed the quick introduction to SPAM, as well as the background on what happened to Brandon in the past to make him so scared of his new-found power. It was fun catching the snippets of information on supernatural creatures existing alongside unknowing humans, and I found Stef to be a very human character – he wasn’t the perfect knight in shining armour, showing signs of a quick temper and a slightly judgemental attitude on occasion. It was a little frustrating sometimes with Brandon’s refusal to discuss his past – it obviously affected him deeply and also bore some relevance to the situation they all found themselves in, so sharing that information could have been really helpful.

I liked the interactions between Layla and Greg, and the animals were incredibly cute, especially Sparky. This is the first story I have read by this author but I will definitely look out for more from them. I received an ARC from GRR.

Twincerely Yours by Eden Finley (Franklin U 2 Book #8)

TITLE: ⟫ Twincerely Yours

AUTHOR: ⟫ Eden Finley

SERIES: ⟫ Franklin U 2 Book #8

RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ EMMETT

My twin brother and I have gotten ourselves into a lot of messes growing up. We would constantly switch places to escape consequences while protecting each other at every cost.

But sleeping with Ben’s professor is a whole new level of mess, because there’s something Jonah doesn’t know. He might have been Ben’s professor last semester, but the person he was lecturing wasn’t Ben. It was me.

JONAH

From the moment I meet Emmett, I know he looks familiar but I can’t pinpoint where from. It’s not until I see his twin brother in the quad that I put two and two together.

Dating the sibling of one of my ex-students isn’t a huge problem for me, but I can’t help thinking the twins are hiding something.

The more time I spend with Emmett, the more I fall for him, but as my insecurity grows, so does my worry that I’m being played.

When my heart and my gut tell me two different things, I don’t know which to trust. My gut tells me to cut and run, but my heart won’t let me. Even though I’ve been telling myself to hold back, it’s too late. I’m already in too deep.

REVIEW: ⟫ If you told me that I’d be crying at the end of this book, I wouldn’t have believed you.

Emmett and Benny have well and truly got themselves into a mess, but this book shines the light on Emmett. There are depths to his character that haven’t previously been seen – his need to have one thing just for him, to be seen as himself – it really touched my heart and was a theme throughout the book. I mean, how incredibly difficult to be someone else for six months with little to no break? I also couldn’t see how he and Jonah were going to get their happily ever after – someone was going to suffer and it kinda felt so incredibly unfair. Yes, Emmett and Benny made bad decisions but they weren’t being malicious. Part of what I enjoyed was that Eden didn’t try to lessen what the twins had done – nor allow them to avoid the consequences.

I really found Jonah and Emmett to be special, with a sincere desire for the other to be happy and safe. There was a section where they are spooning and take turns and my heart just melted. This was a steamy, sexy. Heart-felt romance, with a lot of family and history, as well as new beginnings. Definitely one of the best of Franklin U 2 that I have read so far. I received an ARC from GRR.

Tongue-Tied by Christina Lee (Franklin U 2 Book #6)

TITLE: ⟫ Tongue Tied

AUTHOR: ⟫ Christina Lee

SERIES: ⟫ Franklin U 2

RATING: ⟫ 3.75/5

BLURB: ⟫ Confessing feelings for your best friend takes being tongue-tied to a whole new level.

AUSTIN

Dex has always been my best friend, so it’s no surprise that we attend Franklin U together. We’re complete opposites. Dex is charismatic and outgoing. Me? Let’s just say I wish I could infuse some of his confidence into my veins. Making friends is hard enough, but trying to meet guys, even with Dex’s help? I’m useless. Maybe it’s because Dex is all about hooking up, but I want my first time to be straight out of the pages of the romance novels I read.

DEX

After a string of mishaps, I swore off helping Austin land guys. But when he asks me to show him the ropes with practice sessions, I get the feeling he’s desperate. Our dates are pretend, so why am I getting so into them? I want to make Austin happy, but the line between friendship and something more is getting really damned blurry. The fluttery feeling, that electric energy every time we touch…it’s addicting. I’m getting overprotective, not only of my time with Austin, but with douchebags who might break his heart.

Eventually, the pretending has to end so Austin can strike out on his own. But how do I tell him I’m not ready to let him go, when every attempt at confessing leaves me tongue-tied?

REVIEW: ⟫ This was a friends to lovers story in its’ most purest form. Dex and Aus have been friends for what feels like forever and despite their very different personalities and experiences, they are the very best of friends. When Dex moves out of their shared accommodation, they have to make more of an effort to spend time together and it makes them both appreciate the other even more.

Austin wants to move on with his love-life – or rather, start to actually have a love life – and as his best friend, Dex steps up to help him gain the confidence to get out there and find his man. What begins as a sweet attempt to help out turns into a series of dates and situations that make both of them realise just how much the other one is their person. But the big question is whether or not they take the risk on their friendship in order to have something more.

This was a very sweet story, with two young men who don’t want to lose what they have together who don’t realise how much they already share, with a group of friends who are rooting for them, and some nicely steamy moments. I received an ARC from GRR.

Their Wicked Ways by Willow Dixon (Crimson Club #6)

TITLE: ⟫ Their Wicked Ways

AUTHOR: ⟫ Willow Dixon

SERIES: ⟫ Crimson Club Book #6

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ A year ago I lost everything and moved across the country to try and start over. It wasn’t easy, but I found a job I love, I have friends who’ve become my family, and I’m ready to start exploring my bisexuality.

Just when I think things are finally starting to go my way, I show up to work and find out the new guys on the crew are the super-hot couple I hooked up with last weekend.

F*ck. My. Life.

Now I’m stuck spending my days with the men who not only popped my dude cherry, but the ones I can’t stop thinking about.

The ones I have to try and be friends with after they awakened a part of me I didn’t even know was there.

The ones I can never have again.

Until one night turns into two, then more.

Being with Ezra and Wesley feels right, even if everything I was taught tells me it’s wrong. I can’t deny the pull between us, or how safe and seen they make me feel.

But how can two men who love each other as much as Ez and Wes ever feel the same for me?

REVIEW: ⟫ I wasn’t sure what I was expecting from this story – turning a couple into a throuple isn’t always easy without making the third person seem like an add-on, and I was interested to see how this would develop.

From the beginning, this book was steamy and hot – Wes and Ez are a powerful duo and with the addition of Jett, things just got hotter. But what I actually found I enjoyed the most was the respect each of them showed each other, how willing they were to be vulnerable and honest. They each truly valued communication and it showed in the way they were together. It wasn’t all sweetness and light, and I appreciated those moments – for example, how Jett grew up, their individual coming out stories, etc. It was great to catch up with the rest of the crew and characters that I have read about previously.

This was a sexy, thoughtful read, with a believable duo to throuple, a lot of communication, honesty and vulnerability. For these reasons, it might well be my favourite of the Crimson Club stories. I received an ARC from GRR. . I received an ARC from GRR.

Romancing Mr Bridgerton by Julia Quinn (The Bridgertons Book #4)

TITLE: ⟫ Romancing Mr Bridgerton

AUTHOR: ⟫ Julia Quinn

SERIES: ⟫ The Bridgertons Book #4

RATING: ⟫ 2.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Everyone knows that Colin Bridgerton is the most charming man in London. Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend's brother for...well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret...and fears she doesn't know him at all.

Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone's preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can't seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same - especially Penelope Featherington! The girl haunting his dreams. But when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide...is she his biggest threat - or his promise of a happy ending?

REVIEW: ⟫ Like many, I arrived at this book following the series on Netflix. However, Colin and Penelope’s story was the first that made me want to read the accompanying book – I adored the first two seasons and don’t get me started on Queen Charlotte – but I wanted more of Colin and Pen and decided to visit the source material.

I can well see why some of the book fans feel that Netflix has taken the essence of the characters and bounced off from there – it wasn’t impossible to imagine the characters as the actors but their actions and behaviours were so different from the series that I finally decided to divorce the two in my mind. I don’t read many heterosexual romances – MM is more to my taste – but I had hoped that the chemistry between Colin and Penelope would take over. However, in the book I was disappointed by so much. Colin’s internal dialogue about Penelope, his reasoning, his attitude – it was all a tad fratboy (or rather rakish) than I was expecting. He seemed quite shallow and superficial and I found myself wondering just what it was about him that Penelope fell in love with. I saw very little of his much vaunted kindness and indeed, more often than not I felt he was quite a petulant little boy in his behaviours and actions.

Admittedly, his declaration of love for his wife was brilliant – touching, romantic, proud – but it took what felt like far too long to get there. I think I will happily watch the series on Netflix and not read the rest of the books – I cannot imagine they will engender more affection for the characters than I already have and might instead taint my expectations/hopes.

I understand that the books have a very passionate fanbase, which I am glad for because without them I doubt the series would have been made, but it feels like the novels are not for me although obviously YMMV.

Vengeful Bonds by Nolah Harker - Vengeful Bonds Season #1

TITLE: ⟫ Vengeful Bonds

AUTHOR: ⟫ Onley James writing as Nolah Harker

SERIES: ⟫ Vengeful Bonds Season #1

RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ in a world rigidly defined by secondary genders, a political storm brews, challenging the traditional alpha-dominated order with progressive ideals. Amidst this upheaval, eight strangers unite against Cerberus, a corrupt power broker. Their mission, born from loss, forges an unexpected bond, transcending societal norms.

This diverse group includes Fen, a sharp-witted omega hacker, Loch, the protective alpha leader, Binnie, a charismatic alpha political consultant, Saint, the former demolitions specialist who can no longer function in polite society, and Ollie, the analytical beta. Forced together by circumstance, they join Binnie in his secure residence for safety, bringing along Fen's Seth, an omega interpreter, San, an alpha artist, and Deacon, an unpresented makeup artist with a flair for the dramatic.

As they unravel Cerberus's sinister plots, they discover not just the hope of justice but also an unconventional love. Forming a formidable pack of four mated pairs, they challenge the very foundations of their world, redefining family and pack bonds in a society where loyalty and love are often confined by archaic norms.

Vengeful Bonds is more than just an Omegaverse tale of revenge; it's a journey of healing, self-discovery, and the forging of a polyamorous pack that challenges the very foundations of their world. Join them in the complete compilation of season one of this serialized adventure, where each chapter unveils layers of intrigue, romance, and a bond that defies all odds.

REVIEW: ⟫ This was absolutely awesome! So much in each ‘chapter’, with well defined characters, a cool backstory, a mission that anyone could get behind, and ABO dynamics. If you have any interest in Omegaverse stories, then this is definitely for you. Watching as the group comes together, slowly beginning to accept that fate is playing a hand in everything that they do; the diverse relationships that build so quickly; the potential for extremely hot times ahead – just ticked all of my boxes! Really looking forward to season #2 as they dig deeper into Cerberus as well as finding out more about the effects becoming a pack is having on them all.

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!

Dateless by Willow Thomas (Squad Goals Book #3)

TITLE: ⟫ Dateless

AUTHOR: ⟫ Willow Thomas

SERIES: ⟫ Squad Goals Book #3

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ The Cheerleader and The Frat Boy

Luke

On paper, I have everything going for me.

I am a flier on the FVU cheerleading team. I’m getting a degree so I can become a kindergarten teacher. I have amazing friends and the best brothers.

Yet, with men, I am totally inexperienced.

Kisses…yes. Anything else…nope.

A stupid incident lands me in hot water with the president of the Kappa Frat house. Corey Howe is rightly feared across campus. Students and staff members have been expelled for crossing him. He gives me an ultimatum; do whatever he says, or he goes to the Dean and I lose my scholarship.

It’s hardly surprising what I choose.

Spending so much time with a guy who shows his disdain for me should be a nightmare, but the glimpses I see of the person behind the facade draw me in.

I’m in serious trouble…and I think I like it.

Corey

I may have a trust fund, but I hate entitlement.

When I became the president of the Kappa, I swore I would turn it from being an old boy’s club, to a frat where anyone can thrive.

It’s given me a reputation for being an asshole, which I wear like a suit of armor. People don’t bother you if they think you’re going to ruin them.

Luke Green didn’t get the memo.

Instead of ratting him out, I choose an unorthodox approach. Yet despite every chore and task I throw at him, Luke never loses his smile. He does everything with so much enthusiasm I want to throw him over my shoulder and see if he gives the same amount of energy in my bed.

That’s never going to happen…

…until it does.

REVIEW: ⟫This was quite the delightful read! If you’ve read the other Squad Goals stories, you’ll recognise Luke – the virgin looking for love whilst watching all of his friends find theirs. And finally, Luke finds the man of his dreams! He just so happens to be a nightmare as far as other people are concerned – the rumours circulating around Corey make him sound very scary indeed.

As a duo, Luke and Corey are just lovely. Corey gets the wrong impression of Luke initially but it was refreshing to see him realise his mistake and move on. No major angst, no denial – just acceptance that he was wrong and that Luke truly is the sexy, straight forward, caring man that he appears to be. Corey tries not to fall in love but not that hard, and that is another sweet side to this – after talking to Ryder, Corey realises that he’s pulling away from Luke because of his own fears and makes efforts to rectify that. Again, minimal angst, just some thoughtfulness and a willingness to be better.

So freaking refreshing!

The sex was fun, sexy and everything Luke deserved after so long – basically, this whole book is just like a golden retriever. You can’t help but smile and it leaves you in a much better mood once you’ve read it!

I received an ARC from the author.

Red Flags and Tuesdays by Nordika Night (Weekday Weirdos Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ Red Flags and Tuesdays

AUTHOR: ⟫ Nordika Night

SERIES: ⟫ Weekday Weirdos Series Book #1

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Waking up to his one-night stand trying to flee the scene, Reid sits back to enjoy the show. This blond boy is all snark and quick-wit, but there’s an awkward side to him that intrigues Reid enough to want to con him into a second date. After numerous failed attempts, Atticus reluctantly agrees to an on-the-spot date, and things get quirky from there.

A philosophy major and a wayward son, these two work through their differences, battling red flags and a slew of Tuesdays that have them bonding in ways they never saw coming. There is no normal way to date Atticus, and Reid soon learns that this ‘romance lover’ has no idea what romance is, but he’s willing to put in the work.

Reid is taking back his life. Atticus is taking back Tuesdays.

Together, they’re a brilliant disaster.

REVIEW: ⟫ This was a delightful read, especially enjoyable after the dark, intense book I read just beforehand. Atticus made me laugh so hard with his rules and regulations, his absolute refusal to give an inch to Reid and the obvious pain he is carrying. His desire to protect himself from the damage Reid could do to his heart is so touching and believable, yet the pull between the two of them is far too strong for him to resist.

Reid impressed me for different reasons. He could have been a typical f*ckboy, out to spend his father’s money and waste his life. Instead, he saw what he wanted in Atticus, adjusted very quickly to the idea that he was more sexually fluid than he expected, and went for it with every ounce of himself. I appreciated the fact that he thought about what Atticus was afraid of and was so determined to learn Atticus’ love language.

The story was intense and yet fun at the same time, with both main characters so multi dimensional that it was easy to see them in my mind’s eye. I very much enjoyed this story, Nordika Night’s style of writing really worked for me and I’m glad I took the ride with the characters.

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!