His Brutal Heart by Leighton Greene (West Coast Mobsters #2)

Title: ⟫ His Brutal Heart (West Coast Mobsters #2)

Author: ⟫ Leighton Greene

Rating: ⟫ 5/5

Blurb: ⟫ The ultimate forbidden love: a Mafia Boss and his captive.

I'm a man without mercy. A Mafia heir.

Brutality was all that ever made sense to me...

Until I saw him.

Unfortunately, he happens to be the sole witness to my latest crime.

That should mean one thing.

Elimination.

But one look into those pleading blue eyes, and I lost myself.

I let a beauty live…

But - beast that I am - I’ve locked him away.

Little by little, he charms his way out of his cell and into my bed, until I begin to wonder which of us is the real prisoner.

After all, I’m the one trapped by my own brutal heart.

And that oh-so-innocent beauty I took and kept?

He has secrets of his own.

Secrets that could destroy me.

***

His Brutal Heart is the second book in the West Coast Mobsters series. Follow the men of the Los Angeles underworld in this page-turning romantic suspense series as they find love, danger and mystery in the most unexpected places.

Each book in this series tells the love story of a different couple who find their happy ending, as well as a resolution to the mystery they're investigating, but there are cliffhangers to the wider suspense plot for the series.

Content advisory notes are available to view on the Copyright page via Look Inside or by downloading the sample.

Review: ⟫ I have crawled out of my sickbed to write this review immediately because I just HAD to!

I absolutely adored the first book in the West Coast Mobsters series and must admit when I started reading this one I was thrown a little. The tone was different, more sombre. Jack was a major flirt from the get-go, whereas Sandro is dark, sombre and threatening and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. Teddy came across as cute and sweet but I wasn’t sure how I felt about him either.

But then I found that I was racing through the book, trying to figure out the mystery and absolutely falling in love with Teddy and Sandro together. There are a lot of suspects – like, A LOT – and it was fascinating watching as Teddy helped Sandro through the unconventional means of Cute Crims and they tried to untangle what was going on.

Sandro has an absolutely filthy mouth and things between the two of them were hotter than hot – like, take a cold shower then come back ready to dive back in kind of hot. Him falling in love with Teddy was so obvious and it was heartening how sincere Teddy was in his feelings for Sandro – he has been more than obsessed for the longist time and to finally spend time with Sandro has made all of his fanboy dreams come true. But there’s more, and their relationship is actually really beautiful. Sandro finally accepting that he is beautiful and that what Teddy feels for him is real was painful and lovely at the same time, which made the entire betrayal situation so much more painful.

Jack and Miller were here, moreso Jack because of his commitment to assist Sandro. And we get the face-off between the two of them that we have been waiting for and can I just say? Film this ish because it would be so completely epic watching them duke it out.

As always, the intricacies of being in a Mafia family are handled beautifully – you know that these are not the good guys, but don’t care because it is so completely and utterly fascinating. I did not see the initial twist coming – I kick myself because the clues were all there and once it was revealed I could see it immediately. I am pleased to say that I figured out the main thing but to be honest, even that held a surprise for me in the reasoning.

I know, I know, I’m trying not to do spoilers so it’s like I’m speaking in code, so I guess what I really want to say is that this was an epic second story in the series and I would give much to live in Leighton Greene’s brain and speak to the characters directly so I didn’t have to wait for the stories to be written.

As per my previous deep, dark desire, Julian is getting his book next and I am so extremely excited for it, my hands are shaking! I received an ARC from GRR.

The Good Liar by C P Harris (Infidelity #1)

Title: ⟫ The Good Liar (The Infidelity Series #1)

Author: ⟫ C P Harris

Rating: ⟫ 4.5/5

Blurb: ⟫ Six years ago, Jasper Des Moines traded in the only life he knew. In order to keep a promise and a secret, he walked from the only man he’d ever loved.

Now, he has a career in need of constant defending, a best friend who knows nothing about his past, and a husband he should love. He has the life he believes he deserves.

Until one day, the unfinished business he’d left behind catches up with him, and he’s faced with the one man he’d never been able to resist or forget.

Cole Kincaid arrives in New York City with ulterior motives, but good intentions. He simply wants a place in Jasper’s world again. And if Jasper is happy, then so is he. But as the truth of Jasper’s new life unfolds, the role Cole wants to play in it begins to shift.

He soon reminds himself that Jasper belongs to him, and no promises made before God to a man who isn’t him will ever change that.

Cole’s presence threatens the carefully constructed life of penance Jasper has created. And while Jasper is focused on maintaining the existence he’d rightfully earned, Cole tempts him with the existence he actually wants.

Tragedy might have torn them apart, but lies will bring them together again.

**The Good Liar is Book 1 in the Infidelity series. Each book features a new couple, can be read as a stand-alone, and ends with a HEA. Themes include possessiveness, jealousy, and second chances. Both MCs are consenting adults. Please use the “Look Inside” feature for a full list of tropes and trigger warnings.

Review: ⟫ C P Harris has a way of writing possessive, obsessive love in a way that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go for the whole story, and this was yet another stellar example.

Jasper is a happily(ish) married man, living in a rut of ‘okay’. He’s had consuming passion and it cost him too much and he doesn’t want to risk anything like that ever again.

Cole wants whatever he can have of Jasper – even though he knows it might kill him to accept that he can’t have everything.

And Daniel wants to be the best.

I did not expect this story to take me where it did. I expected the impassioned writing; the steamy scenes; the gut-wrenching reasoning behind decisions even, but I really did not expect the rest of what I got.

I have been struck down with some kind of mutated flu, but not even the coughing, sneezing, wheezing and revolting medicines could prevent me from devouring this story whole. And then I went and read all of the bonus scenes that were made available. And then I wanted to reread the story again with the benefit of those bonus scenes.

This was hot, possessive and intense and the codependency between Cole and Jasper was palpable – you could practically feel their skin yearning to touch whenever they were in the same room together. All of the pieces on the board had their role to play – and perhaps a future role for at least two of them maybe? – but this just didn’t play out the way I thought it would. There were times when I was practically raging at Jasper for the hurt he was causing – to himself and to Cole – and other times when I just wanted to scroll to the end of the book to see that they did get their HEA and their suffering would come to an end because I couldn’t stand the pain any longer.

The back-story involving the artificial heart, prosthetic limbs and child amputees was handled sensitively and with grace, and I loved the glimpses we had into the lives of the people Jasper let himself be with – the relationship Cole and a certain young lady constantly made me smile.

I adored Surviving the Merge – I’ve reread that more than a few times since the first time – but this one might just be a close second. I freaking loved this story so utterly and cannot wait for more. This may be only the second time an author has made me see past the infidelity tag and I am so incredibly pleased I decided I loved Harris’ work enough to give it a try.

I received an ARC from the author.

Be Mine, Twisted Valentine by Gianni Holmes (Corrupt Cupid #1)

Title: ⟫ Be Mine, Twisted Valentine

Author: ⟫ Gianni Holmes

Rating: ⟫ 3.5/5

Blurb: ⟫ Fifteen years ago, I helped put my abductor behind bars.

And shunned the events of my traumatic past.

I’ve lived a content life with my wife.

Until the dreaded phone call.

Duncan Whittaker’s out on parole.

The first time I confront him, I intend to kill him.

But when we’re face to face, everything changes.

I’m still codependent on him.

Duncan’s the only man who’s ever made me feel desire.

He’s also the one who held me captive for almost a year.

Isolated me from others to make me grateful for his presence.

Deprived me of sensation to make me crave his unwanted touch.

Duncan Whittaker’s the sadist who broke me in the name of revenge.

Now his twisted obsession is about to ruin my life a second time.

And God help me, but I don’t know how to stop him.

I… may not want to stop him.

Be mine, Twisted Valentine is part of a multi-author collab. Ditch the hearts and flowers and step into the dark world of Corrupt Cupid. Each book can be read as a standalone, but why not grab each and every deranged romantic tale as you slip into a place where darkness rules?

Review: ⟫ I have flu, so this review is probably going to be shorter than normal – apologies for that.

Be Mine, Twisted Valentine was not even what I would call a twisted valentine story – it was just straight up twisted. It just seemed like everyone in this story was all the way effed up and I felt like I was reading a car-crash. How the heck was there going to be anything even resembling a HEA in this story? The person I felt for the most was Teddy’s wife – she was the only one who didn’t deserve all of the stuff that went on in this story.

Teddy was obviously traumatised by what happened to him all of those years ago, and no surprise considering what we learnt about how Duncan treated him. Did he not get therapy? He obviously didn’t get support from his father, but surely someone could have looked a little deeper and seen how he was feeling.

And Duncan was like a man completely obsessed. As soon as Teddy was anywhere near, he seemed to lose all sense of survival instincts or common-sense. This book was a trip, and I hurtled through it because I was really fascinated with all of the characters and wanted to see how they got their HEA – or their version of it.

If you like your stories a little bit trippy, a lot dark, and more than a little unhinged, this one if for you!

I received an ARC from GRR.

Lor by Lily Mayne (Monstrous Book #7)

Title: ⟫ Lor

Author: ⟫ Lily Mayne

Rating: ⟫ 4.5/5

Blurb: ⟫ My role as Moric—ruler of a small and prosperous fiefdom in a quiet corner of the world—has always been painfully dull and stifling.

Until a beautiful, otherworldly creature with pink skin and a mane of golden hair falls through a strange void that has appeared in my guest-room.

And I am instantly captivated by him.

I have never seen anything like him. I have no idea where he came from, and what else is through that unsettling void—another world filled with soft-skinned, defenceless creatures like him? No tails, no horns, no claws, no sharp teeth. Tiny clothing, rounded ears, bright blue eyes. He is fascinating. And I want to keep him.

But I have no idea how my citizens and councillors will react to his presence—to the knowledge that a whole other world exists, and there is a portal to it in my guest-room. As much as I try to keep him my secret, the truth starts to slip out.

And those in my fiefdom who cling desperately onto power do their best to tear us apart. To take him from me.

I won’t let them.

Lor is Book Seven of the Monstrous series, a post-apocalyptic m/m fantasy series that features monsters and human men falling in love. It is best to read the series in order.

Warning: This m/m love story contains explicit sexual content and is not suitable for young readers. It also contains non-human genitalia, mentions of a past familial death, grief, depression, attempted murder, depictions of death and violence.

Review: ⟫ Oh I don’t think people are ready for this one – not by a long shot. Initially, I was very confused by what was happening. This is the first time that we have begun a story on the ‘monster’ side and it was a brain-shift that took me a while (I’m old – sue me!) Jugs was hysterical, as was the translation between him and Lor initially. The beer can still makes me giggle because I’m a child like that. However, we were about 45% of the way through the book, I was madly in love with Lor and Jugs, and wondering how things were going to work out when I realised – there was no way the next part was going to be nice.

The sheer angst in this book blew me away – like, I was sniffling constantly and wishing harm on Lily Mayne for the cruelty of what happened. And it was worse because of the ‘battle’ that was under way – this wasn’t a matter of fighting with weapons – this was something else entirely. I’m trying so hard not to spoil any of the book but if you have enjoyed reading the previous Monstrous books, then rest assured, you will love this one.

The way that we meet familiar characters was genius – Wyn was so Wyn in this book, I cackled for ages. And the surprise at the end – I knew, I absolutely KNEW who it was as soon as a certain character returned and I was so HYPED for it.

This gets a 4.5 rounded up for me and I am seriously pleased that I pushed through my mood to finish reading this book.

Divine River by Marina Vivancos

Title: ⟫ Divine River

Author: ⟫ Marina Vivancos

Rating: ⟫ 4/5

Blurb: ⟫ Mike is just fine being the grumpy wood-worker in town. Sure, maybe he’s not the epitome of happiness, but he doesn’t need some lively city boy coming onto his turf and turning his world upside down.

Mike has learnt to conform to the small-town expectations placed on him. He keeps who he loves—who he is—to himself. Turns out, it’s a lot tougher to stay in the shadows when city-slicker Jason’s sunshine personality beams straight at him.

Jason makes Mike feel seen. Makes him feel like it might just be okay to be himself.

The questions remain—is Mike brave enough to show the rest of the world?

Is he brave enough to let go…and fall in love?

Review: ⟫ This could have been a simple grumpy guy/little mr sunshine story but it was so much more than that. At the beginning of the story, Mike is essentially hiding away from life – he has limited relationships where he never relaxes, and he spends most of his time with his dog. His only outlet/opportunity to be himself is when he speaks to his sister on the phone.

All of this changes when Jason moves in next door, and a gentle friendship grows between the two of them. But Mike is still hiding aspects of himself – scared of rejection or misunderstanding – and it takes some real bravery to show Jason who Mike really is inside.

I liked the way that Jason didn’t push Mike beyond his comfort-zone too much, and when it came to the sides of Mike’s character that he had hidden from everyone, Jason was gentle and kind. Even when he didn’t completely understand, he didn’t push or try to make Mike explain something that simply was, and that was a major part of why I enjoyed his character.

This was a nice, simple read but at the same time, it made me think a lot about the masks we wear in front of people and the importance of having someone in your life that you can let everything out in front of. A beautiful read.

Unbreak Me by Jesse H. Reign

Title: ⟫ Unbreak Me

Author: ⟫ Jesse H. Reign

Rating: ⟫ 4.5/5

Blurb: ⟫ Young Englishman, David Hammond, discovers life on a remote farm in South Africa isn’t at all what he was expecting. He expected the change in climate to do him good. To lift his mood. He certainly didn’t expect farmer, Jonathan Rosseau, to be so rugged or handsome. It turns out, it’s more than the warm weather that gets David hot under the collar.

David deals with his emotions the only way he knows how. By keeping a diary. A very detailed diary. A diary you get to read.

Unbreak Me is a story about first love and coming out. It contains a dollop of angst, smatterings of self-deprecating humour, and enough steam to make your hair frizz.

Depression and self-harm are mentioned.

Review: ⟫ Oh, this book! Because I was on a Jesse H. Reign kick, I didn’t read the blurb – I just downloaded it and dived straight in. So I was a little confused with the format it took as the story is told in the form of David’s diary entries. Initially, I wasn’t sure where things were going, but slowly you get an idea of what has been going on and just why David is in South Africa.

Because you are reading diary entries, a lot of the extraneous details were removed – it was literally how David felt and experienced everything that was happening, and as such it was an intimate, sometimes heart-wrenching, always touching read. We can feel his lack of self-esteem and insecurities, his inner voice making it utterly clear why he was struggling as much as he was. And I fell a little in love with him reading his words – self deprecating but revealing a caring, sensitive young man, unsure of who he truly was but learning to accept everything that is within him as part of himself. It was beautiful.

Of course you fall in love with Jonathan as well – just the descriptions of him from David’s perspective were enough to make you need to fan yourself, let alone when he and David become lovers.

The book does cover aspects of self-harm and depression, and obviously everyone’s experience of this differs. I found it realistic and true to life, which is probably why David’s dilemma affected me so much – to find such happiness after experiencing such sorrow only to face the choices needed was heart-breaking.

The sex between David and Jonathan was steamy, sultry and absolutely downright filthy on occasion, and I loved it. It took me back to the days when I was first really discovering sex and they were excellent memories. This book cemented for me that the author is on my auto-buy pile as everything I’ve read has moved me – sometimes infuriated, sometimes made me cry – but always made me feel, and that is special.

Claiming Rys by Annabelle Jacobs

Title: ⟫ Claiming Rys

Author: ⟫ Annabelle Jacobs

Rating: ⟫ 3.5/5

Blurb: ⟫ All that time apart and yet the pull between them is as strong as ever…

Rys

Ten years ago Gabriel Mason betrayed me in the worst way. He made me question my instincts because I’d trusted him with a bone-deep certainty, and for that I will never forgive him.

Seeing him again after all this time sparks memories I thought I’d buried so far down they’d never surface. He’s as beautiful as I remember, but I’m older and wiser now, and I refuse to make the same mistakes again.

Gabriel

Rys Calder, wolf shifter and the biggest regret of my life. I loved him, and yet I didn’t share with him the one thing that eventually became our undoing. I broke his trust and I’ve carried that guilt for years. I knew seeing him again would hurt, but no matter how many times I’d imagined it, being on the receiving end of his cold stares and indifference hurt more than I’d anticipated.

Thrown together again with a killer on the loose, will the past continue to haunt them, or can they move past it and claim the future that fate always had in store for them?

Claiming Rys is an MM paranormal romance with second chances, fated mates, pining, angry alphas, and feisty ex-hunters.

Review: ⟫ This was a pretty straight-forward story of second chances, but with the added benefit of the Fae and fated mates and werewolves. Rys and Gabriel were young and in love and thought they had nothing but time – time to explain who they were and what they meant to each other.

Unfortunately, things caught up with them and because of a misunderstanding they were separated. Each suffered in their own way – Rys distrusted himself and his instincts, convinced that he had fallen for a hunter’s lies. And Gabriel paid the price for going against ‘his’ people in the worst way.

The situation they find themselves in is bigger than their misunderstanding, and although there is bad feeling they have to work together to try to save supernaturals from a dangerous poison that is causing them to go feral and be put down.

I really loved the plot idea and also the way that this was written, but something didn’t gel for me. I don’t know if it was because I was looking at the side characters and wondering which of them would be getting their own storyline, or because the culprit was too obvious.

It was a nice, easy, enjoyable read and I will probably keep an eye out for follow-up stories. I received an ARC from GRR.