Honey Sunshine by Gen Blackwell (Bower Brothers Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ Honey Sunshine

AUTHOR: ⟫ Gen Blackwell

SERIES: ⟫ Bower Brothers Book #1

RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ “How did the two of you meet?”

The age-old question that turns couples into giggling messes, blushing like they’ve just been shot in the heart with Cupid’s arrow as they recount their cute meeting.

My meet-cute with Harvey Cooper?

Well, it wasn’t exactly run-of-the-mill, and truthfully . . .

It was a damn mess.

I was supposed to be meeting a potential investor for my small advertising firm. However, life decided today would be a great day to test my willpower when—out of all the restaurants in the city—my ex-boyfriend slash ex-business partner who’d stolen all our top clients, also chose to dine in the same one where I was meeting my potential investor.

So there I am in the restaurant’s bathroom, threatening to murder my best friend if he doesn’t come to my rescue. And then, just when I’m about to punch my ex—because it feels like the better option—the love of my life waltzes in to save the day.

Did I say the love of my life?

What I mean is the investor I’m supposed to meet, who’d heard my desperate SOS in the bathroom. Just when I’m thinking of giving myself a potential concussion to forget this whole thing, he lays out a plan that might benefit both of

Why don’t I be the Juliet to his Romeo at his upcoming family dinner?

Well . . .

Romeo to his Romeo, except we don’t try to kill ourselves no matter how embarrassing this is.

It sounds foolproof, and frankly, it seems perfect, so we make a pact.

What I don’t expect?

Accidentally falling for my fake boyfriend like any other cliché novel.

Meet Zach and Harvey in Honey Sunshine, a lighthearted MM romance novella filled with passion, humor, and insane chemistry. This is the first book in the Bower Brothers series and can be read as a standalone.

REVIEW: ⟫ This is the first book by this author that I have read and I enjoyed it for the light-hearted romance that it was. Harvey and Zach were very sweet together, and I really enjoyed meeting Harvey’s family. Despite meeting because Zach’s ex was being awful, there was little to no angst in the story, with things being quiet surface. I enjoyed meeting Harvey’s family and they did make me laugh a couple of times. A nice, easy read. I received an ARC from BookSirens.

Breathless by Willow Thomas (Squad Goals Book )#

TITLE: ⟫ Breathless

AUTHOR: ⟫ Willow Thomas

SERIES: ⟫ Squad Goals Book #4

RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ The Cheerleader and The Guy Next Door

Perry

My life is a mess.

My mom and sister treat me like I’m the worst person in the world because I enforce my lone boundary. I’m really close to failing a class that is crucial to my degree. The very important regional cheerleading competition is coming up.

It’s a lot.

Then I meet my new neighbor and realize it’s the hot guy who witnessed something I do not want my cheer squad to find out. My life gets even more messy as I come up with a proposition to convince him to keep my secret.

He tells me he’ll keep my secret anyway, so why do I push him to take the deal?

Beau

Inheriting my grandfather’s old house after he passes away is bittersweet. It’s not been lived in for twenty years and is next to a house full of college cheerleaders, but it is perfect for me and my bee hives.

When I introduce myself to the squad, I come face to face with Perry, the guy whose family life imploded in front of me weeks ago.

He offers to help me kick start my business in exchange for never mentioning what I witnessed. No way would I say anything, but I still take him up on his offer.

Perry is the kind of man you use any excuse to spend time with.

So I do.

Breathless is book four in Squad Goals, an MM cheerleader romance. Expect a not-so-meet cute, Petty Perry, bee puns, spice, and a lot of cheer.

REVIEW: ⟫ It’s time for the king of petty, Perry, to find his HEA and as expected, this one was a lot of fun. Perry has an absolutely awful family consisting of his mother and sister, and the first time he meets Beau is during one of the most awful interactions.

However, when Beau moves in next door and has a business proposition that is exactly what Perry needs for his course, things go a lot more smoothly. Beau is not quite as petty as Perry but does a good enough job to keep up with our lovely cheerleader. The rest of the gang is present and correct, complete with their normally inappropriate and/or funny behaviour so this was like revisiting old friends.

I liked Beau and Perry together, especially the way that Beau views Perry as something special – it’s exactly what our boy deserves! A solid addition to the Squad Goals series! I received an ARC from the author.

Reluctantly You by Cora Rose (Our Exception Book #3)

TITLE: ⟫ Reluctantly You

AUTHOR: ⟫ Cora Rose

SERIES: ⟫ Our Exception Book #3

RATING: ⟫ 3/5

BLURB: ⟫ They say blood makes you related but loyalty makes you a family…

Sounds like a tacky wall-art quote to me. But what do I know? I don’t have a family. Not anymore. And I definitely don’t know loyalty. Not since my brothers collectively decided to shut me out of their lives... Not since my mother lied to me and kept a devastating secret... Not since my father sold our company out from under me to a smug jerk with a chip on his shoulder.

Gideon Masters… he’s my new boss, and I hate him for everything that’s happened to me. For everything that’s been taken away. Even though I know, deep down, that being an angry bastard all my life hasn’t done me any favors, and that my hatred must have consequences. So maybe Gideon is my rightful punishment. Maybe I deserve his retribution for my sins. But the way he taunts me and torments me, the way he commands me, it all feels too good to be wrong. Maybe I don’t want him to stop. Maybe my punishment could also be my savior.

This story contains intense themes of depression and homophobia, as well as other potential triggers. Please see the full list of trigger warnings at the beginning of the book.

REVIEW: ⟫ I think sheer stubbornness made me finish reading this. I wanted to know what happened to the third brother and kinda close the door on Sem and Whit, etc. I have found my reaction to Cora Rose books to be variable – I either absolutely love them or just find them too quirky for me.

The thing is, this one wasn’t quirky but it also didn’t work for me. I mean, we got cameos from a whole feast of previous characters and occasionally the links to them are a little unbelievable. I didn’t like Mitch but to be fair, I didn’t like Gideon either. I just found them to be caricatures rather than fully fleshed people and their relationship just didn’t connect in my mind at all.

I think the issues of internalised homophobia and depression were handled quite well, and I did enjoy reconnecting with Basil and his menagerie. I’m glad I read it if only to consider the series ‘complete’ but it wasn’t my favourite by any stretch. Obviously YMMV.

Just Bromantically Invested by Saxon James (Accidental Love Book #4)

TITLE: ⟫ Just Bromantically Invested

AUTHOR: ⟫ Saxon James

SERIES: ⟫ Accidental Love Book #4

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Madden

My best friend is uptight, gorgeous, the greatest person I know … and I might be a smidge in love with him. Just a small amount. Barely worth the mention.

Which is a stupid choice on my part when the guy is straight.

Starting a landscaping company with him was the perfect mix of doing what I love and an excuse to spend time with him, only it hasn’t completely taken off yet and now he’s telling me he’s lonely.

Lonely.

Apparently having one friend in your life isn’t enough.

So I’m determined to help him find love. With someone other than me. Maybe if I can pull that off, it’ll mean my heart will finally get the message and move on.

Or finish breaking into a hundred pieces.

Same thing, right?

Penn

Being besties with an overenthusiastic, gold-hearted, nudist of a man is a challenge sometimes. Madden makes everything sunshine when he’s around.

The problem is that he hasn’t been around as much lately. We work together, sure, but he’s got his roommates and I have … no one. Just him. So I feel the distance acutely.

My one reassurance is that we have work tying us together, but when an old client calls with a proposition for us, it feels like our once solid friendship is unraveling fast.

He wants Madden to help him open a nudist resort, and if Madden’s doing that, he won’t be working with me.

I’m trying not to panic over the thought of losing him, which is a typical, common best friend reaction. Nothing out of the ordinary.

And neither is the way my body has been reacting to him lately.

Everything is totally, completely normal between us.

While there’s still an us at all.

REVIEW: ⟫ I readily admit that I’m a Saxon James stan – I love her characters, the situations they find themselves in, the hot sex – yeah, I’m a fan for life I think. And I wanted a lot from Madden’s story – maybe because he was always so giving and caring in the other stories.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about Penn. I couldn’t quite picture him – maybe if he had been the cover model instead of Madden? But because I couldn’t picture him properly, I couldn’t get the right image of him and Madden together which affected my reading of the story. I fully believed in their relationship, especially how honest they were with each other. I loved how they talked – about the good and the bad – and I really enjoyed reading the naturalist aspects and why Madden is, well, Madden.

But I also found myself half hoping Damien might tempt Madden away from Penn which was a surprise to me. This was a very good addition to the Bertha Boys – as always I’m switched between irritated and scared for Xander, and catching up with the others was lovely. I think I need to maybe re-read to get a better understanding/love of Penn but that’s not exactly going to be a hardship. A solid read and looking forward to Xander finally finding his person next!

Every Missing Moment: Rebel Kings by Garrett Leigh (The Outtakes Volume Two)

TITLE: ⟫ Every Missing Moment : Rebel Kings

AUTHOR: ⟫ Garrett Leigh

SERIES: ⟫ The Outtakes Volume #2

RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Every Missing Moment. Rebel Kings Volume Two

The missing moments you've longed for from the beloved Rebel Kings MC series, all wrapped up in a gorgeous new collection. Deleted scenes, outtakes, prequels, and character extensions for your favourite Rebel Kings boys!

Volume Two encapsulates content from books 5-8:

5. Reluctant Renegade

6. Unholy Trinity

7. Eternally Blessed

8. Divine Heart

Plus many EXCLUSIVE extras unpublished ANYWHERE else.Don't miss this special collection of short stories from the Rebel Kings series. Contains sizzling MM romance, MMM/poly romance, and all the gritty angst, found family, and brotherhood you've been craving.

REVIEW: ⟫ I didn’t do a review for Volume One of the out-takes which I regret because I know they were a great read. This volume hit me seriously in the feels – there was so much going on in the background and I completely and utterly understand why they couldn’t be included in the stories but this whole verse is so rich that I imagine Garrett Leigh could just keep writing in it forever.

The behind the scenes of what was happening whilst the Elders was off fighting, the hospital times when we didn’t know if people would survive, the continuing tales of couples learning to be with each other – these out-takes were exactly what I needed. I love the Rebel Kings so very much and cannot imagine not re-reading these time and time again.

Mine by Mary Calmes (The Vault Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ Mine

AUTHOR: ⟫ Mary Calmes

SERIES: ⟫ The Vault Book #1

RATING: ⟫ 5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Trevan Bean has a job that’s going from illegal to frightening, a boyfriend who may not be in his right mind, and a guardian angel who might actually be evil incarnate. Add to that the reappearance of his boyfriend’s estranged family, death threats, kidnapping, and the struggle of saving money to realize a dream, and Trevan has a lot on his plate. But Trevan is up to the challenge: he promised Landry a happily ever after, and Landry’s going to have it if it kills him.

It just might.

Landry Carter was a broken doll when they met two years ago but has grown into a partner who can stand at Trevan’s side… most of the time. Now that Trevan’s life just got scary—and Landry just got himself kidnapped—Trevan has to hope Landry’s love stays strong through this newest challenge, because the happily ever after won’t happen if Trevan has to go it alone.

REVIEW: ⟫ This is one of my absolute favourite books by Mary Calmes! I freaking love Trevan, his whole attitude and behaviour just does it for me! And Landry – he was so scary and yet his trust and love in Trevan was so absolute! I re-read this constantly, especially loving having Connie in there before reading his own story. I read a lot of Mary Calmes over and over again, but this and ‘Frog’ are ones that I have on audio as well as ebook copies and I can’t imagine not having them in my library!

Ravager by S.B. Hazel (A Twisted Bonds Novella)

TITLE: ⟫ Ravager

AUTHOR: ⟫ S.B. Hazel

SERIES: ⟫ A Twisted Bonds Novella

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Running through a haunted Halloween maze, I feel the heat rising inside me—chased by a sexy devil in a mask, hotter than I ever imagined.

The thought of being captured, ravaged, ruined… it tempts me beyond reason. I want to stumble, to fall and surrender, to feel his arms close around me.

Desire and fear churn in a terrifying mix, my body burning for what comes next.

I want to be his, to be wrecked by the faceless man at my back.

When he catches me, what will he do? Will I succumb to his darkest desires?

Ravager is a 12k MM novella featuring a Halloween maze and primal play.

REVIEW: ⟫ Heading into Halloween season, it seemed appropriate to start reading/reviewing things that are a little bit darker! Which was why the cover of his novella caught my eye – it looks like it would be fun and a little bit dark!

This novella is part of a larger series although I haven’t read any of that series. There was backstory provided here but mainly enough to titillate you into reading the rest of the series rather than being necessary for enjoying this.

Cole is a little bit twisted by his upbringing and appears to be obsessed with Avery. He is very much the darker half of the duo, with some daddy issues thrown in for good measure. He steals from his father in order to afford Avery in an ‘auction’, which as part of the prize includes a chase through a Halloween maze and a private dance.

Avery comes across as a little naive maybe? But also really likes the idea of being chased as something a bit different from the ordinary.

Obviously with a novella, things happen very quickly, but time is given to the chase in the maze that was fun to read. I got a little distracted with the descriptions of the decorations – I guess it seemed a bit superfluous to things and I would have preferred there to be more of the interactions in the maze. It sounded like it was going to be seriously hot and slightly terrifying at the same time.

The dancing/sex scene was generally good although no real negotiation between them for what was happening. Avery seemed into the whole anonymous idea of things but I would say it was slightly problematic that Cole knew who Avery was but not the other way around. However, this was clearly listed in the warnings so that if it’s something that doesn’t appeal, there was definitely time to close the book!

Overall, I enjoyed reading it – it was fun, sexy and entertaining and I think I would be quite interested in reading a full novel about how Cole gets out of the situation he’s placed himself in.

I received an ARC from BookSirens.

His Mate By Resistance by Mel Aitchess (Lunetti Pack Book #2)

TITLE: ⟫ His Mate By Resistance

AUTHOR: ⟫ Mel Aitchess

SERIES: ⟫ Lunetti Pack Book #2

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ His boy deserved better. He deserved to be the centre of someone’s world.

Luca stumbled on something he shouldn't have and now someone's trying to kill him. If only he knew what and who. He hates that he has to use his hacking skills against his own pack as he hunts down the traitor. He hates it even more when his Alpha sends him away for his safety. Hex-Rated—the hottest gay nightclub in New Trinity—is the last place he expected to be hiding out. The water witch who owns it better keep his damn hands to himself.

Cal has no time for the three crime families that run the city. He's worked hard to keep his club on the right side of the law. That's all put at risk when a favour for a friend has him faking a relationship with a Mafia wolf shifter. Luca's a criminal and there's no way Cal would go there for real. Even if the shifter brings out every protective instinct in him. Even if Luca is so good for him despite himself.

His Mate By Resistance is an enemies to lovers MM Paranormal Romance. It's book two in the Lunetti Pack series, but can be read as a standalone. It features forced proximity, a fake relationship, knotting, a water witch Daddy, and magic sensory play. There is no mpreg in this world.

REVIEW: ⟫ Having read the first book in this series, I had an idea of who Luca was but not what had happened to him to make him seem so vulnerable and for the pack to treat him as fragile. This was more than adequately explained in this book, as well as the reasons why Luca felt so suffocated by his Pack – he wanted to let go of the past, avoid thinking about how it had affected him and move forward but there was so much holding him back.

I really enjoyed getting to know Cal a bit more. He was an interesting character in the first book and reading more about him, about his past, about what he wanted from his life, made him someone I was rooting for.

It was a bit frustrating just how much the pack left Luca to deal with. On the one hand, they acted like he was fragile and on the other hand, they had him working day and night on things without proper consideration as to how it was affecting him. I loved how easily Cal picked up on Luca’s kink, how open he was about his attraction and how he allowed Luca to set the pace.

I had some niggles: Luca knew he was in danger yet goes down to the club unsupervised; I needed to know more about how mating worked in order to understand the issue with Gio; Luca’s twin sister was aggravating at times and not necessarily in a good way.

But overall, I really enjoyed this story. The relationship between Cal and Luca, the scent-marking, possessiveness and their obvious attraction to each other hit the spot and I was glad that I read it. I will be looking out for the next book in the Lunetti Pack series. I received an ARC from BookSirens.

Between the Pipes by JJ Mulder (Offsides Book #3)

TITLE: ⟫ Between the Pipes

AUTHOR: ⟫ JJ Mulder

SERIES: ⟫ Offsides Book #3

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Nico Mackenzie is angry and argumentative— in every way, he is the exact opposite of NHL goaltender Anthony Lawson. Thrown together for a summer of coaching college hockey at South Carolina University, Anthony makes every effort to be friendly; Nico, on the other hand, seems intent on being infuriating and keeping the other man at arm’s length.

When a causal relationship forms between the pair, they form an unsteady truce. The summer is finite, however, and when it comes to an end a decision has to be do they end things as they are or try for more?

REVIEW: ⟫ Okay, so I loved Lawson in the first two books so I was very invested in him getting his HEA. I wasn’t sure about Nico – I loved him in Carter’s story which is in the SCU verse, but here he definitely came across as angry and a bit of a PITA. However, these two – the way they worked together, how much they cared about each other – they melted my heart.

I was heartbroken when the summer came to an end and was really not sure how the author was going to bring them back together. The way it was done, how it was handled – yeah, definitely worked for me. I loved seeing the other guys from in the series but I think Lawson holds a special place in my heart!

Square to the Puck by JJ Mulder (Offsides Book #2)

TITLE: ⟫ Square to the Puck

AUTHOR: ⟫ JJ Mulder

SERIES: ⟫ Offsides Book #2

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Corwin Sanhover could almost convince himself that the night six years ago didn’t happen. But when Nigel St. James is traded to South Carolina, it becomes a lot harder to keep their history in the past.

Nigel St. James can’t imagine a team he’d like to play for less than South Carolina, and he knows Corwin probably feels the same. But when things between them become friendly, it’s clear that they both still want each other now, the same as they did back then. Is it possible to start fresh and build a relationship, or are some things—and people—better left in the past?

REVIEW: ⟫ I wasn’t expecting the darker aspects of this story. They were very well handled – the way things came out seemed natural and real, and my heart broke for Corwin, especially considering what an amazing friend he was to Troy and Lawson in the first book of the series.

I really enjoyed reading Nigel and Corwin becoming a couple, especially with how patient and kind Nigel was with everything Corwin was handling. Really well handled/written and definitely enjoyed reading this.

Jon's Helter Skeleter Cold Case by A.J. Sherwood (Jon's Mysteries Book #6)

TITLE: ⟫ Jon’s Helter Skelter Cold Case

AUTHOR: ⟫ AJ Sherwood

SERIES: ⟫ Jon’s Mysteries Book #6

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Jonathan Bane and Donovan Havili cordially invite you to their wedding.

They just have to prove a man’s innocence and get him out of prison first.

Not to mention prove Solomon completely inept (not hard), and fired from being a detective.

Oh, and train Jon’s new apprentice.

They can probably get married this year. Probably.

Tags:

Jon has an apprentice, apprentice finds him an innocent man in prison, as usual it snowballs from there, frustrating cold cases, hinky bonds, wedding!, part time soul mates full time problem, I treat canon like a buffet but in a gentle way, allllllll the cameos, ALL, never play paintball with Eli, Solomon gets his comeuppance, so does Rodger, stalkers are not friends, -sniff- Jon’s little girl is all grown up, this book sponsored by PIZZA, HEA, last case do enjoy!

REVIEW: ⟫ The last in the series about Jonathan Bane and Donovan Havili and it was a rollicking ride! There were so many people in this story from other series – I wish I could remember them all, but the good thing is I get to re-read the ones I’ve forgotten!

AJ Sherwood has an engaging style that picks you up and swirls you in a tornado of fun, detecting, supernatural gifts and family – whether by blood or by family – and at the end you are left with a huge grin and good feeling in your heart. This story delivered this in spades and was a more than fitting end for this particular series. I love reading about Jon and all of the Havili family members and this took me back to some rather epic reading I’ve done in the past.

I highly recommend reading the books leading up to this – as well as the ones that link to it – if only to get a true feeling for all of the characters. Excellent read!

How To Train Your Alpha by Mm Farmer (Bangers & Mash Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ How To Train Your Alpha

AUTHOR: ⟫ MM Farmer

SERIES: ⟫ Bangers & Mash Book #1

RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ It’s time for the teacher’s pet to get a sizzling lesson on how to take an omega through heat…

Jesse

I wasn’t looking forward to wasting a weekend at the Bangers & Mash compound, sitting through Emergency Support Alpha training when I had no interest in actually becoming an ESA, but from the moment the course instructor, Phillip Mash, walked into the room, my alpha senses went nuts.

Who in their right mind would have an omega about to go into heat teach a class full of alphas?

Phillip

I wasn’t born yesterday. I’d taught the Heat Support class dozens of times. And I had time before my heat started. Or so I thought. But then Jesse Armstrong had to walk through the door and set me off. I thought I could keep it together, but when the two of us were trapped just as Nature took over and turned me into a whimpering pile of slick, I had no choice but to give Jesse a hands-on crash course in taking an omega through heat.

How am I supposed to teach a total newbie how to satisfy me effectively when I’m out of my mind with need?

How to Train Your Alpha is the first book in the Bangers & Mash series. It’s a great start for total newbies to the omegaverse genre, and a fun introduction to a different twist on familiar tropes. However, PLEASE NOTE – No omegas are impregnated in the course of this story, although it does happen in this universe. Also, there is no shifting in this world.

REVIEW: ⟫ This was a nicely told story about fate ensuring things happen at the right time, with humans getting in the way with their thoughts and their insecurities and worries. Jesse and Phillip were so obviously a match from the moment they met, but they both fought against their instincts and were determined to think their way through everything. It was fun to see the way life worked against them until they were forced to face their natures and give in to their desires.

The chemistry between the two of them was nicely written, as were the sex scenes and I really liked seeing both sides with regard to what they were thinking. The meddling dads were also fun! A nice, simple read to end off the month!

Waves by Howl Avery (Inhuman Love Collection Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ Waves

AUTHOR: ⟫ Howl Avery

SERIES: ⟫ Inhuman Love Collection Book #1

RATING: ⟫ 3/5

BLURB: ⟫ A year after ending his engagement a mere two days before the wedding, Ezra has settled into his new life: documenting the local seal population, walking the beaches with his black lab, or having lunch with his one remaining friend. Life is simple, quiet, and predictable until the day Ezra befriends a man who walks right out of the sea.

Kai has been alone for a long time—a very, very long time. So much so, he can’t remember living as anything but a seal or caring about anyone human. Until one day, he meets someone amid the ocean who drives his urge to return to land again.

Waves is a low-angst MM paranormal romance featuring a selkie and human pairing.

REVIEW: ⟫ This was a sweet, slightly strange love story between a marine biologist and a selkie. The connection between Ezra and Kai felt tenuous and there were times when I felt that the relationship between them just wasn’t for the best? I think Kai’s concerns about Ezra waiting for him constantly whilst he was in his seal form were valid – time passed differently, and although Kai truly cared for Ezra, when he was a seal that caring was very much in the back of his mind.

I think for me I found that I didn’t actually care very much about the relationship between the two leads. I found myself wondering so much more about Ezra’s relationship with Thom, how it ended and just why he wasn’t reporting Thom for his behaviour. I also struggled with what felt like Ezra’s self imposed loneliness – he had friends who made it so obvious that they cared about him, yet he constantly acted surprised that he had these friends.

I’m struggling with this review because I feel like it is a disconnect from my end rather than the actual story. Ezra was too easy-going about things but then he turned almost too much in the other direction, trying to force Kai to remain on land.

As I say, I think the disconnect is mine and that the story is well worth a look if you like the idea of a selkie falling in love with a human.

Lucky or Knot by Eliot Grayson (Fortune Favors the Fae Book #14)

TITLE: ⟫ Lucky or Knot

AUTHOR: ⟫ Eliot Grayson

SERIES: ⟫ Fortune Favors the Fae Book #14

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Out of money and down on his luck in a city that promised him a run of both, Tony turns to the one asset he knows he can sell: his honed, toned, dangerous alpha body, which looks surprisingly good covered in glitter.

Well, not sell, exactly—that’s a line Tony won’t cross. Display? Gyrate? Flex? Whatever. It pays his bills, and that’s all that matters.

But one payment comes due sooner than expected, and when a slim, unearthly fae customer who can’t seem to take his gleaming eyes off of Tony’s…assets…presents him with the timely opportunity to make a little extra? Tony finds that he’s willing to cross that line after all.

The golden coin Raven offers is enough to settle Tony’s debts. And the way Raven takes what Tony gives him in return is enough for Tony to wish he’d offered himself for free.

But when the sun rises, Raven’s gone—along with the coin.

And Tony isn’t the kind of guy to let things go. Especially not when they belong to him…

This book takes place in the same universe as the Mismatched Mates series. Cameos may occur, but no previous reading is required. There is referenced domestic abuse, but it takes place off page and is not between the main characters. HEA guaranteed!

Lucky or Knot is a part of the multi-author series, Fortune Favors the Fae. From spicy to sweet, zany romps to epic adventures, there’s something for everyone in this mystical series. Discover destiny and true love and follow the coin on its fickle journey to the next world and a new magical adventure.

REVIEW: ⟫ Well zany romp seems to be exactly the right way to describe this book. From the very beginning of the story where we meet Tony getting ready to go on stage and dance, this story was very much tongue-in-cheek. The things a poor weretiger has to do to keep a roof over his head and the loan-shark away from his parents – life is tough! Then a delicious smelling Fae is making him an offer he can’t refuse and Tony finds himself falling head over heels into trouble – like bigger than loan-shark trouble.

As with the general fated mates trope, this is very much an insta-love kinda story, but it also was really interesting the way that Raven fell for Tony. It was so obvious that this wasn’t what he wanted – he was trying to get out of a life-long commitment, not find himself another one – yet he showed he cared for Tony in many different ways. I also found it touching how the author managed to convey some of the fear and pain that Raven was going through without going into too much detail.

A sleepless night and this was a lovely, relaxing read to (hopefully) set me up for a lazy day, and now I need to go and find Mismatched Mates Book #10 because apparently I didn’t read that one!

Second Shot by Con Riley (Second Chance School Book #2)

TITLE: ⟫ Second Shot

AUTHOR: ⟫ Con Riley

SERIES: ⟫ Second Chance School Book #1

RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Welcome back to Glynn Harber School for another steamy, swoony romance between two bruised souls.

Passion always leads to heartbreak for Hayden Novac.

Nice guys always get picked last. That’s what my coach at a soccer academy once promised. Ten years and a career change from a footballer to a woodland manager later, it turns out that his picked-last rule also applies to my love life.

I can’t imagine what being someone’s first choice feels like until an artist shows me at the school where I now work.

I could have a second shot at happiness with him, but given my track record, can I risk my heart to take it?

Featuring an ex-footballer afraid of rejection and the artist who draws a different future for him, Second Shot continues Con Riley's Second Chance School series. Expect passion in close proximity, love as wild as Cornish woodland, and an HEA that will keep you turning pages.

REVIEW: ⟫ This book resonated with me quite strongly – when I was in my mid thirties, I suffered from a bad concussion that messed up my brain for quite a long time. Therefore, reading about the different ways the members of staff at the Second Chance school were working with children and people to help them find their place really touched me.

Hayden was quite a heart-breaking character, and I found it really interesting finding out how he ended up working the way that he was. It wasn’t an info dump – it was much more like we were seeing/hearing his story in stages, very much like how Rae took the kids through his life experiences.

Sometimes I felt like there was too much referencing to past incidences that I didn’t know about, but that may well be my own fault because I haven’t read the first book in this series. The relationship between the two men was sweet and steamy at the same time, but it did feel like it was ‘bitty’ – after the wedding, they separated, then got back together, again claiming it was temporary. I guess I wanted something more definitive?

I loved the relationship Hayden had with his stepmother and sisters, and when Rae met them it was heartening to once again see Hayden through his eyes. Rae definitely made Hayden seem like a giant in both his heart and his thoughts, and I appreciated how clearly he saw the man inside.

I think this was a book about the journeys we all take throughout life, the mark that we make on other people and the marks that they make on us. I think that was what I took from the book in the main rather than the relationship between Hayden and Rae – sometimes it felt like they were a side-plot in their own romance which is why I am struggling to describe how this book made me feel.

I will look for the first book in the series because I adore the whole concept of the Second Chance School and think it is well worth a read. I received an ARC from GRR.