Antidote by Shae Ruby

TITLE: ⟫ Antidote

AUTHOR: ⟫ Shae Bryan

RATING: ⟫ 2.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ It was never meant to be more.

But somehow it was, and suddenly we were two halves of a whole.

Even if it was forbidden.

Oliver Scott swept me off my feet and flipped my world upside down, only to break my heart. When my mother died, I told him I wanted nothing to do with him, that he was dead to me.

I lost her because of him.

Somewhere along the way, Oliver needed the drugs more than he needed me. And I paid for the consequences of his actions.

The problem is, even through the pain of his mistake and my hate for him, something deeper still lingers between us.

A second chance was never in the cards for us, until it was. But my feelings of betrayal still simmer in the background, making it hard to forgive him.

I’m gambling with my sanity, knowing he could ruin me.

The worst part?

I want him to.

Because I want nothing more than to make him mine.

It’s always been him.

This is a stepbrothers MM romance.

REVIEW: ⟫ I found this book following a recommendation in a Facebook group. The author is new to me and I was interested in the premise. The fact that they were stepbrothers and grew up together from the age of ten was the least of my issues with this book. I guess I was expecting there to be more explanation of their relationship and how it developed – instead, there was pretty much an insta-love between them when they met, with one MC identifying as gay whilst the other one stubbornly refused to accept that he was at least bi.

Hunter was, to me, an awful character. I kinda understood his desire not to lose his father’s love but the way he used people, especially women, was just abhorrent. He had numerous girlfriends because he wanted to be seen as a ‘man’, treating them as disposable and less than human. He knew what he was doing – with one long-term girlfriend, he couldn’t climax, knew that this was making her insecure and yet continued to date and sleep with her. At one stage, he has sex with her specifically so that Ollie can hear them together through the wall – that is just so freaking awful to do to someone. She was less than human, just a means to taunt his stepbrother. The way he broke up with her and treated her afterwards was somehow even worse.

Ollie was at least relatively honest in what he was doing. He accepted the loss of his father’s love, knew that what was going on between he and Hunter couldn’t carry on, and turned to drugs. It was self-destructive but I would say much less toxic than Hunter’s behaviour. I’m trying to see past the fact that Ollie painted Hunter naked and sold the painting without Hunter’s permission because he at least obscured Hunter’s face in the painting.

The 2.5 rating is because the descriptions of the hold drugs had on Ollie seemed to be accurate and made made me feel some sympathy for him. I also liked Ollie’s sponsor who was insistent that he needed to concentrate on his sobriety. The background cast of Hunter’s team-mates were almost as bad as him, but at least they weren’t homophobic. I finished this because I wanted them out of my head, not because I wanted them to have a happily ever after.

Seth's Awakening by Kim Breyon (Unexpected Love #2)

TITLE: ⟫ Seth’s Awakening

AUTHOR: ⟫ Kim Breyon

SERIES: ⟫ Unexpected Love #2

RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ After a devastating blow in my personal life, I hastily pack my bags and take off for San Diego, desperate for a new start. A new life. But where do I even begin? I sacrificed my entire adult life to raise my son, focusing on his dreams instead of mine. What do I now? How do I pick up the pieces?

Friends are hard to come by in the city that never slows down, especially for someone as depressed as me. Until a red-haired bartender at the neighborhood dive bar takes pity on me. His seemingly innocent gesture catches me off guard… but not nearly as much as my attraction to him. Declan is invading my every thought, every steamy, unrelenting dream.

Soon, he’s invading every hope. I want more, and I’m willing to risk everything to get it. But Declan has pain too, perhaps even deeper than mine. Opening his heart again just might shatter it completely.

Is it possible for two broken hearts to fit together? Or are we doomed to live in pieces forever?

****

Seth's Awakening is book 2 in the Unexpected Love series. It is highly encouraged to read the books in order.

REVIEW: ⟫ Teaching Quinn was still very much in my mind when I saw the opportunity to read Seth’s Awakening and I am surprised to admit that I actually preferred book two. Seeing Seth’s point of view of the situation made me think really hard about how it must have felt to walk in on what he did, especially after what must have felt like a lifetime of putting himself second at best.

I absolutely loved Declan and my heart broke for him. I loved the relationship between the two of them, how respectful they were, how kind and thoughtful, and the sex between them was hot. The side characters were a decent bunch of people and towards the end where Declan helped Seth resolve certain situations, I was really pleased. I’m glad I got to read these two books so closely together and can heartily recommend this one. I’m looking through the author’s list of books as I would like to read more of their catalogue. I received an ARC from GRR.

Benji by N.R.Walker (The Wylde Street Boys #1)

TITLE: ⟫ Benji

AUTHOR: ⟫ N.R.Walker

SERIES: ⟫ The Wylde Street Boys #1

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Nolan O’Brien is a public prosecutor, and if he ever sees the name Bruno Barbieri again, it will be too soon. After a long week preparing for the trial of the decade, it takes no convincing to hit the men’s club for a few drinks.

Except the club wasn’t the only thing he hit that night.

Benji Smith works on Wylde Street as a rent boy. When he’s chased by two men, he runs into the path of a moving car. With a no-cops, no-hospital policy and needing to escape the men following him, he agrees to go back to the driver’s place.

The last thing Nolan expects is to offer Benji a place to stay, to recuperate, and to lie low. And the last thing Benji expects is to be attracted to the man who saved him.

But their worlds are about to collide in a way neither of them was prepared for, and both men need to decide what’s at stake, what they’re prepared to lose, and what they’ll fight for.

REVIEW: ⟫ Well this was absolutely delicious! Nolan was such a sweetie-pie, but my goodness when he let go in bed, he was seriously hot! I loved the relationship between Benji, Fitch and Kylan – they were so good to each other and it was obvious how much they meant to each other. Dominic gave off some serious Daddy vibes and his chemistry with Fitch was steamy hot – I can barely wait for their book.

I liked the subplot surrounding the people who were chasing Benji and how it was resolved and just really enjoyed reading this book. Definitely recommended!

Stacked by Linden Bell (Mars Fitness #2)

TITLE: ⟫ Stacked

AUTHOR: ⟫ Linden Bell

SERIES: ⟫ Mars Fitness #2

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Preston and I have been best friends and roommates since the first day of boarding school. If it weren’t for me, he’d never step away from his precious dissertation, not to eat, not to shower, not for anything.

I might have been in love with him for ages, but Preston has never expressed any interest in anyone other than his research. That's fine, there are plenty of guys at Mars Fitness who can help me get my rocks off.

Then one day, the sexiest man alive walks through the front door and sweeps me off my feet. He's everything I've ever wanted, except there's just one problem. He wants my heart, but how can I give it to him when I've already given it to Preston?

Stacked is a best friends to lovers, gay-awakening, nerd/jock MM romance between co-dependent roommates. It is the second book in the Mars Fitness series and can be read as a standalone. Happily ever after guaranteed.

REVIEW: ⟫ Oh my goodness, has there ever been anyone as utterly oblivious as Preston?! This story made me smile, laugh cry – the relationship between Sawyer and Preston was absolutely beautiful, but I honestly don’t know how Sawyer put up with Preston! He’s literally been in love with him since puberty but Preston is so oblivious to anything that isn’t his research that he had zero clue until it suddenly looked like he might lose Sawyer to someone else.

I loved Sawyer’s Mom and Preston’s childhood sweetheart, Madison, but Preston’s parents were a complete nightmare and those were the bits that upset me the most. In the end, I found myself thinking the same as Sawyer – Preston needed to be kept safe, happy and loved because he didn’t experience that when he was growing up and he deserved all the love. In the end, Preston deserved the love he found with Sawyer and I adored the epilogue!

I received an ARC from GRR.

Ripped by Linden Bell (Mars Fitness #1)

TITLE: ⟫ Ripped

AUTHOR: ⟫ Linden Bell

SERIES: ⟫ Mars Fitness #1

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Sometimes heartache is a blessing in disguise.

I thought my life was perfect, and then I walked in on my boyfriend sleeping with my best friend.

The only person I can turn to now is Donnie, the silver-fox spin instructor who lets me crash at his place. Donnie’s a lot older and he’s still grieving his late husband. My dreams of being a filmmaker have disintegrated along with my relationship.

The worst of life has brought us together. Do we dare create something beautiful out of it?

Ripped is an age gap, nerd/jock, hurt/comfort MM romance between roommates who cuddle while watching classic movies. Expect low angst steamy shower rooms, teary confessions, disapproving family, and brand new beginnings. It is the first book in the Mars Fitness series and can be read as a standalone.

REVIEW: ⟫ Ripped literally started with one of our main characters getting his heart ripped out and I felt so awful for Connor. That situation was straight out of anyone’s nightmares and I was so relieved when he found his way to Donnie and Donnie not only understood his pain, but could completely empathise.

I really loved the way that this story didn’t try to minimise Donnie’s past relationship – his late husband was shown with love and sensitivity, without taking away from the new romance. His relationship with his late in-laws was so lovely and he completely deserved the way that they viewed him.

I also really enjoyed the fact that Connor was able to realise that how he had felt for his ex wasn’t a patch on how he felt for Donnie. It would have been so easy for there to be some big misunderstanding or belief that it was all a rebound, but both men were mature enough to accept that what they were being given was the real deal, deserving of their time and effort, and I really appreciated that.

The background characters at the gym were entertaining and I have an inkling that some of them feature in other books by the author – if so, I will have to search them out. This was a beautiful love story – with an awfully sad beginning – that made me feel all soft and happy inside.

I very much enjoyed reading this and will definitely read the rest of the series when it’s released. I received an ARC from GRR.

Barbarian by Onley James (Jericho's Boys Book #3)

TITLE: ⟫ Barbarian

AUTHOR: ⟫ Onley James

SERIES: ⟫ Jericho’s Boys #3

RATING: ⟫ 5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Nico Michaels pretends to be carefree, avoiding anything serious, especially relationships; his chaotic past has taught him that love only complicates things. He’s content with one-night stands and his close-knit group of friends, including his roommate, Malachi Mizrahi.

Neurodivergent and gender-fluid, Malachi wakes up each morning with a whole new personality, but one thing remains his love for Nico. They clicked perfectly from day one, sharing a love of everything from anime to nature documentaries. They even share a bed. Platonically, of course.

One night, the lines blur when they share a kiss, but before things can go further, a desperate call from one of Mal’s dance students throws them into a missing person’s case that leaves them with more questions than answers. To complicate matters, Mal reveals he’s been quietly orchestrating Nico’s whole life without him even noticing. Nico is shaken to his core, his perception of their relationship shattered.

As they navigate the perilous world of a vicious Chinese triad, their bond deepens, and Nico begins to see that Malachi is not only the perfect friend, but the perfect man to fulfill all his needs. Together, they must face their past and survive their present if they want any chance of a happy ending in their future.

Barbarian is a friends-to-lovers, dark romance with an HEA and no cliffhangers. It features a masochistic vigilante with ADHD and a video game addiction and his sadistic and controlling best friend who worships the ground he walks on. As with any Onley book, you’ll find dark humor, steamy sexy times, and gratuitous violence, but only against people who totally deserve it. This is book 3 in the Jericho’s Boys series. Each book follows a different couple.

REVIEW: ⟫ In a feat of self control that I didn’t know I possessed, I stopped myself from reading this as it was posted to Onley’s patreon – I wanted to have the whole thing to binge in one go and I downloaded it last night. I haven’t been to sleep yet (I guess the patience and self control only lasted so long) because I had to read this in one go! And it is SO worth the lack of sleep!

Nico and Malachi are absolutely fascinating – the way that their jagged edges match so well. Malachi described it well when he talked about them being two souls waiting to be reunited – which, height of romance right there – and I cannot imagine either of them with anyone else. The sex was off the charts hot – as to be expected from Onley – and I loved the background plot involving the triads, counterfeit handbags and a psychopath (one of the bad ones) masquerading as a good brother.

I loved all of the other boys popping in and out; I adore Felix; but I almost stroked out when Freckles threatened Coe with ‘if you die, I’ll marry Kendra and have the kids call her Mom!’ That was absolute gold and I chuckled so hard I scared my cats.

I love Onley’s characterisations, how she builds the tension in both the plot and the relationship so that you’re on the edge of your seat waiting for the resolution. Thomas Mulvaney remains the absolute GOAT, and I had a complete and utter blast living in this universe for the last six hours. I might console myself with re-reading the Necessary Evils books before I go and have a mooch about on Onley’s Patreon – I don’t have to avoid it now so can catch up on all of the mini fics, etc!

Poetry on Ice by Jesse H Reign (Totally Pucked #1)

TITLE: ⟫ Poetry on Ice

AUTHOR: ⟫ Jesse H Reign

SERIES: ⟫ Totally Pucked #1

RATING: ⟫ 5/5

BLURB: ⟫ I can’t tell if we’re fighting…or flirting?

Being traded to the Seattle Vipers has left me with mixed feelings. On the one hand, they’re my team, the team I’ve loved and supported since I was a kid, but on the other hand, he’s here. Him. Ant Decker. Infamous NHL bad boy. Right wing to my left. A man who’s made it his sole purpose in life to be better than me.

Well, the joke’s on him because I’m faster and my stats are better than his.

Not that I’m competing with him. Of course not. I wouldn’t stoop to his level.

He’s the most infuriating person I’ve ever met. A dark, chaotic presence that distracts me.

When we’re not coming to blows on the ice, he tries to provoke me by calling me Princess. And Pretty Boy...and Babygirl.

I hate it. Obviously, I do. It makes me so angry I can hardly see straight.

So why does my body react as if I like it?

REVIEW: ⟫ Oh my goodness, this book!!! I only meant to read one chapter and here I am at 7 am in the morning, not having gone to sleep, just having finished reading. This book was EVERYTHING! Robbie and Ant are antagonistic, argumentative, cute, sexy – the way that Ant talks to Robbie about gave me a heart attack! And the chemistry between them is so off the charts – like, wow!! I think it’s obvious by now that I absolutely adored this book – it was just so brilliant. I enjoyed the hockey, the team-mates, Robbie’s family, Bodie – it was all just chef’s kiss!

Absolutely perfect and I will be re-reading it because I just want to make sure I caught everything! P.S. That tattoo was absolutely perfect and left me grinning like an idiot!