If you are looking for a steamy frat-boy romance, look no further.
Riley Hart and Devon McCormack managed to up the heat from the first book in this sIf you are looking for a steamy frat-boy romance, look no further.
Riley Hart and Devon McCormack managed to up the heat from the first book in this series, at least in my opinion. There's plenty of romance to go with the spice, but beyond that, not a lot really happens in this book. And that's okay - it's a fun read, as long as you're not looking for anything more than what it is.
I love how cuddly and cute Colin and Ash are together, and how they don't have a huge drama partway through the book. Just a small one, easily smoothed over, with what felt to me like a pretty solid HEA for the MCs and their families.
This book punches above its weight. It's short - not novella short, but shorter than most of Garrett's work, but it doesn't skimp on the emotions or tThis book punches above its weight. It's short - not novella short, but shorter than most of Garrett's work, but it doesn't skimp on the emotions or the heat. I did not read it before the updates, but it doesn't seem that as much was added as in House of Cards. Only bits here and there about the bikers, but nothing too specific, so if you're wanting more Rebel Kings, you'll need to temper your expectations as they're essentially walk-on...er, ride-on characters, just subtly shaded as being RK.
I'm so in love with the world Garrett has built that encompasses several of her series. I'd love to visit it, and if I ever get to Cornwall, I'll be turning my head any time a motorcycle passes.
Jas and Kim each has his own baggage, but the attraction between them is more than physical so they connect quickly and passionately, then reach for each other when they would normally either isolate or reach for someone else. Kim's fighting alcoholism, though he stays sober through the entire book, and Jas is trying to heal from a relationship that was never what he thought it was.
As always, Garrett's characters grab me by the heart and won't let go. I never finish one of her books without wanting more. ...more
Wild at Heart features cowboys in a feuding families second-chance romance set on a ranch in Colorado. While there are some tumultuous emotions betweeWild at Heart features cowboys in a feuding families second-chance romance set on a ranch in Colorado. While there are some tumultuous emotions between the main characters because of a family feud, the story is fairly low angst with a satisfying happy ending, and plenty of steam.
Woven into the romance is a subplot that involves a ranch hand who has a drinking problem and his 10-year-old daughter, who works the horses alongside the men. I'm sure it's a me thing, but I was at least as interested, if not more, in her story as I was the cowboys reconnecting and the drama that went along with the feuding families.
Such a gorgeous book! Such a gorgeous book! I'd give it more than five stars if I could.
Fearne Hill eases into the story, establishing a sense of placSuch a gorgeous book! Such a gorgeous book! I'd give it more than five stars if I could.
Fearne Hill eases into the story, establishing a sense of place that's almost palpable. The island, Ile de Re, and the salt ponds are part of the ensemble cast of this slow-burn, age-gap, hurt-comfort romance that has some of the flavor of a holiday fling except Charles isn't on a regular holiday. He's recovering from a severe mental breakdown.
Which leads me to the content/trigger warning: depiction of mental illness. There is on-page depiction of a severe episode that includes suicidal ideation. It's not gratuitous, though, it's integral to the plot. It's heartbreaking, but please know that the book has a satisfying, believable HEA.
In addition, Florian's grandfather, his papi, is on a slow slide into dementia, so if you're dealing with that in your life, you'll want to be aware it's a thread that woven throughout the whole book.
Florian is beautiful through and through, and I completely understand why Charles' latent bisexuality woke up. Their intimate explorations add depth as well as steam to the story.
I intended to read part of this book one night then the rest the next night but after a few chapters I didn't want to leave the island and stayed up until 1:30 am to finish. I'm a fan of Fearne's work, and am in awe of her storytelling skills. These characters and this story have so many layers. Florian makes salt farming sensuous and fascinating, and Charles - who also has synesthesia, a complex condition that in his case causes him to see people and emotions as color - is a sharp businessman as well as an artist.
Salt is not connected to any of Fearne's other books, though a second book is in the works for one of the side characters in the ensemble.
I cannot overstate my recommendation of this book.
Merged review:
Such a gorgeous book! Such a gorgeous book! I'd give it more than five stars if I could.
Fearne Hill eases into the story, establishing a sense of place that's almost palpable. The island, Ile de Re, and the salt ponds are part of the ensemble cast of this slow-burn, age-gap, hurt-comfort romance that has some of the flavor of a holiday fling except Charles isn't on a regular holiday. He's recovering from a severe mental breakdown.
Which leads me to the content/trigger warning: depiction of mental illness. There is on-page depiction of a severe episode that includes suicidal ideation. It's not gratuitous, though, it's integral to the plot. It's heartbreaking, but please know that the book has a satisfying, believable HEA.
In addition, Florian's grandfather, his papi, is on a slow slide into dementia, so if you're dealing with that in your life, you'll want to be aware it's a thread that woven throughout the whole book.
Florian is beautiful through and through, and I completely understand why Charles' latent bisexuality woke up. Their intimate explorations add depth as well as steam to the story.
I intended to read part of this book one night then the rest the next night but after a few chapters I didn't want to leave the island and stayed up until 1:30 am to finish. I'm a fan of Fearne's work, and am in awe of her storytelling skills. These characters and this story have so many layers. Florian makes salt farming sensuous and fascinating, and Charles - who also has synesthesia, a complex condition that in his case causes him to see people and emotions as color - is a sharp businessman as well as an artist.
Salt is not connected to any of Fearne's other books, though a second book is in the works for one of the side characters in the ensemble.
I cannot overstate my recommendation of this book....more
This is my favorite Alex J Adams series. Loving Liam is the lightest of them so far but it is far from light. It deals withI loved Liam and John, too!
This is my favorite Alex J Adams series. Loving Liam is the lightest of them so far but it is far from light. It deals with addiction, alcoholism, domestic abuse, and more, but in a gentler way than the first two books did. Much less graphic, but no less impactful. It helps to have read the first two but isn't 100% necessary....more
I'm a fan of both these authors, separately and together, but I admit when I saw the title I was a bit trepidatious as I'm about done with the whole bI'm a fan of both these authors, separately and together, but I admit when I saw the title I was a bit trepidatious as I'm about done with the whole bet trope. However, the blurb suggested that it might be different so I requested an arc and am so glad I did as instead of being one MC betting with other people about the second MC, the bets are all between the two MCs, who are stepbrothers.
Stepbrothers who don't really get along. One's gay, one's closeted bi. They're not quite enemies, not quite rivals, and definitely not comfortable with each other in the beginning of the book. As the story unfolds, the tension rises as does the heat, and in the end, it's a sweet, hot, fun story that has serious undertones.
I'm excited to read the next one in the series!...more
The third book, second full-length in Gwen Martin's The Collective series is heavy, though in a different way than the previous two installments.
TrisThe third book, second full-length in Gwen Martin's The Collective series is heavy, though in a different way than the previous two installments.
Tristan, brother of Chance from The Wild Within, has his own baggage he's carrying, his own insecurities and issues. When he's forced into working with Kurt, who is gregarious on the outside but carries the weight of his recent divorce along with guilt and anger inside, there's plenty of friction between the two, and that friction eventually leads to sparks.
As they navigate corporate BS at its finest, they grow closer and those sparks ignite passion. Of course, it can't be that easy, but they do make it through to that HEA and have a few steamy encounters along the way.
Content warning - one of the factors in Kurt's divorce is grief over his wife's miscarriage, which is described briefly but does not happen on page. Some readers may find this triggering. As someone who has miscarried myself, I found the discussion around the subject to be handled with care.
It can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading the series in order.
From beginning to end, this book is different than much of what Riley Hart writes. It's darker and grittier that anything of hers that4.5 rounded up.
From beginning to end, this book is different than much of what Riley Hart writes. It's darker and grittier that anything of hers that I can recall, though I've not read everything she's written. Beautiful and Terrible Things goes dark places, but as dysfunctional as the family members are in that book, the ones in Risk the Fall are worse, with the exception of Riven's grandmother.
The chemistry between these two characters is palpable, and I enjoyed the way their relationship progressed over time. I was able to connect with both characters and their connection to each other progressed slowly enough for me to believe it.
If you're looking for Boyfriend Goals or The Endgame kind of book, this isn't it. But if you're looking for something that's emotional but not gut-wrenching, featuring characters who are rough around the edges and who sizzle when they're around each other, give this standalone a try.
This is my first Ariana Nash book outside of the Shadows of London series, and it's a doozy.
It took a bit for me to figure out who the other romanticThis is my first Ariana Nash book outside of the Shadows of London series, and it's a doozy.
It took a bit for me to figure out who the other romantic lead was, since this isn't your standard dual-POV where one MC gets a chapter, then the other MC gets their turn. Rather, the tension builds through the POV of Lark, the Fool, until it almost reaches a breaking point, then it switches. Lily Morton does this often, and it works well in this book.
There are twists and turns worthy of any contemporary murder mystery, and Nash skillfully juxtaposes the bright whimsy of a royal court with the shadows where all the interesting stuff takes place.
Heed the trigger warnings, but if you're a fan of knife play and dubcon, you should be happy - especially since the second book is out now, easing the sting of the cliffhanger ending....more
While Elle Keaton is starting a new series in a new Pacific Northwest town with this book, it's not too far removed from Piedras and her previous seriWhile Elle Keaton is starting a new series in a new Pacific Northwest town with this book, it's not too far removed from Piedras and her previous series. The setting has the same feel as do the characters, and I mean that in a good way. Elle is skilled at combining a bit of mystery with sexy romance and a dash of humor and does so deftly in Adverse Conditions. I enjoyed the journey and am eager to read more from this new series. ...more
Every now and then a book comes along that hits with more force than I was expecting. Want You Still is one of those books. It's a good thing I starteEvery now and then a book comes along that hits with more force than I was expecting. Want You Still is one of those books. It's a good thing I started it on a Saturday night, because a weeknight would have probably meant calling in sick the next day because I stayed up late reading it and recovering from it.
Of course, I knew a co-write between CE Ricci, who I just recently started reading, and Marley Valentine, whose writing hooked me in the classic Without You, had the potential to be anything from heartbreaking and gut-wrenching to an emotional free-fall. That's why I immediately volunteered for an arc, after all.
Want You Still is all those things and more.
I will say that since cheating is a big part of the plot, this book will not be for everyone. Even for those who are okay with reading about cheaters, this story may go a bit too far. I'm prepared to see some critical reviews over several elements of the story.
(view spoiler)[Some people will say that everyone got over everything too quickly. That Will/Auden's sister wasn't upset for nearly as long as she should have been. Some people will probably say that Pierce was a jerk for getting with her in the first place. Others will bemoan the deus ex machina-esque unmailed letter. (hide spoiler)]
Anyone who writes any of those things is certainly entitled to their opinion. I suspended my disbelief before going into the story and simply rode the waves of emotion through to the end.
To say this book is intense is an understatement. It's also evocative and emotional. The chemistry between Pierce and Will is incendiary, electric, palpable. The writing is crisp - passion drips from the pages, and the description of the settings are vivid enough I could smell the salt from the ocean at times.
I loved seeing Julian and Deacon again from Marley's Without You, and the appearance of Easton and Cannon from CE's Head Above Water prompted me to immediately borrow the book from KU. I may even have to read it before my next arc. Side note: Marley and CE's writing harmonizes so well the only way I could tell who wrote which character was after those side characters appeared. Hopefully these two will write more together.
I'm late to the Nicole Dykes party, having only read Hostile, but I was up until about 4:30 am because I could not put this book down. made the mistakI'm late to the Nicole Dykes party, having only read Hostile, but I was up until about 4:30 am because I could not put this book down. made the mistake of starting before bed. Now I have a major hangover and sleep deprivation.
The cover alone make me want to read it, because it took me back to my high school days.
This jock/sort-of-nerd, coming-out, bi-awakening, best-friends-to-lovers story starts in high school, senior year, and I'm usually pretty skeptical of high school romances, but Kingston and Camden sold me, especially Kingston, the cinnamon roll jock who doesn't want to leave his small town, but also doesn't want to lose his best friend, Camden. He doesn't know Camden is gay, so he doesn't understand why Camden wants to leave the backwater town and its smallminded people.
It's tastefully done and builds to a beautiful conclusion. I won't say it's no angst, but it's not gut-wrenching, and doesn't stray into melodrama with perhaps the exception of Kingston's girlfriend, but even that's pretty realistic because teenage girls can be vicious. (There's no cheating, btw.)
It's sweet and hot, and I'd love to read more about this couple. ...more
I'm fairly sure this is my first Gianni Holmes book but I'm positive it won't be the last. I'm a huge fan of forbidden romance; in this case it's betwI'm fairly sure this is my first Gianni Holmes book but I'm positive it won't be the last. I'm a huge fan of forbidden romance; in this case it's between a married coach and a barely legal student, his daughter's best friend.
The seeds of dissatisfaction are sown early on, and it's no surprise when Coach ends up having a bisexual awakening after 20 years of marriage to a woman. The wife is not painted in a particularly flattering light, but she's also not made into an caricature villain.
The author also makes a point of addressing potential triggers in a rather detailed message in the beginning.
While I don't condone cheating, I am not someone who breaks out in hives if it's in a story, as long as it's done well in the story. In my opinion, Class Act qualifies as done well. The writing is solid, the plot is interesting, the tension ratchets up and up and up until it snaps. There are no excuses given for the choices the two MCs made, but they also don't back down or waffle around about their feelings for each other.
This book is also insanely hot. Like, REALLY freaking hot.
There is a HEA for everyone involved. In addition to the cheating, there's a big honking content warning for an abusive, homophobic father and on-page physical violence.
I had a difficult time putting this book down despite in being 424 pages. Definitely recommend. ...more
Oh. My. God. I'm such a mess now! I knew this would be a good book, but I figured it would be on the level with Saint's Song.
Spoiler alert: it's not.
FOh. My. God. I'm such a mess now! I knew this would be a good book, but I figured it would be on the level with Saint's Song.
Spoiler alert: it's not.
Forgive Me Father had - for me anyway - the impact of Devil's Dance + Saint's Song to at least the third power. AT LEAST.
It has the swoony satisfaction of seeing Cam, Saint, and Alexi together, plus the soul-deep longing of Mateo and Embry for each other. We're not talking mere pining here. We're talking phantom limb syndrome level yearning. Their romance is one for the ages.
While this book is gritty and raw, and the characters are rough around the edges, Garrett's writing combines those elements into poetry. For example, from Embry, "But Orla knew as well as I did that love was noise and pain and joy, and none of it came easy."
And pretty much everyone has a secret. Many of those secrets are revealed by the end of this book, and it does end in a HEA for Mats and Em, but there's plenty more Rebel Kings story left to tell and I am here for every word of it. There are content and trigger warnings, so please heed them. Also, this is not a series to read out of order. I'm posting my review right away so you'll have plenty of time to read the first two before this one releases. You may even do like I did and join Garrett's Patreon to get more stories from this phenomenal world.
Finally, for my fellow US readers: this book is set in the UK and uses British English and slang. Most of it makes sense in context, but if you run into any true mysteries, I recommend using the Kindle app for your phone and using the "Search Web" function from there, since Kindle (at least my Oasis) only pulls from Wikipedia and the dictionary, and some things are not in either place.
It took me all of maybe two pages to get completely wrapped up in the lives of these two young men. Jax Calder did a wonderful job of creating charactIt took me all of maybe two pages to get completely wrapped up in the lives of these two young men. Jax Calder did a wonderful job of creating characters who act their age, yet are still interesting to this *mumble* year-old woman.
I enjoyed tagging along as Jake begins to understand his sexuality, and as Logan struggles with how his life circumstances shape his ability live his truth.
It's a YA novel, so while there's plenty of chemistry - and not just the subject! - and a fair amount of contact between the two, it's not particularly graphic, so if that's part of your criteria for a good read, this may not be for you. But if you're like me, and you just want a good story where the interaction feels natural and the relationship develops organically, you should give it a try.
I shed a few tears, and my heart got knocked around a bit, but the ending was a totally believable - for me, anyway - HFN/HEA. (It's hard to call it a HEA when they're still so young, but it feels right, somehow.) ...more
I read and enjoyed the first book in this series, because I went in with no expectations whatsoever. I knew Devil was supposed to be a bit darker, butI read and enjoyed the first book in this series, because I went in with no expectations whatsoever. I knew Devil was supposed to be a bit darker, but it was long enough ago that I read Ghost with no expectations, either, so I didn't have any of the problems with it that I've seen some other reviewers mention.
It is absolutely, positively, romantic and romanticized fiction about a violent, sadistic man an a violent, masochistic man. There's mafia involved, and a psycho killer, with a huge twist at the end I did not see coming. If you're looking for gritty realism, this is not the book for you. It is about two men who have more baggage than you can fit in any overhead bin, and some of their self-talk would be troubling if it were a different kind of book. Think more melodrama than drama - that's not a criticism, mind you. I enjoyed it. Just don't go in expecting safe, sane anything.
There's plenty of spice along with forced-proximity, a bit of kitten play, some BDSM, and a brother's husband's brother romance.
Wow. Just wow. This book is so hot, I'm surprised it didn't set my phone on fire. Or I didn't spontaneously combust while reading it.
It won't be for Wow. Just wow. This book is so hot, I'm surprised it didn't set my phone on fire. Or I didn't spontaneously combust while reading it.
It won't be for everyone because it is an age gap, father's best friend book where the younger MC is just over 18, and the older one is twice his age. Add to that the coming-of-age, bi-awakening of the younger MC and just a hint of BDSM/power exchange, and this short novel packs a powerful punch.
It's a sweet love story, too, the first of a trilogy in which the middle book features the younger MC's dad. We have to wait until the third book to continue this story.
If cliffhangers make you cranky, you'll want to wait until July when the second book is out to read this, but if not, and you want something sexy and fun, I highly recommend Not Allowed. ...more
Rookie Move combines the talents of two of my favorite authors. I've read everything Neve Wilder's written more than once, and while I've not quite reRookie Move combines the talents of two of my favorite authors. I've read everything Neve Wilder's written more than once, and while I've not quite read everything in Riley Hart's catalog, I've enjoyed everything I have read from her and count some of her books as classics in the genre. To say I had high hopes for their collaboration would be an understatement, and to say that they exceeded those hopes would as well. They both do snarky banter and smart-mouthed characters quite well, and their characters played off of each other with the same feelings and intensity no matter which of the two was writing the chapter. In this brother's best friend, two jocks, bi-exploration, friends-to-lovers with occasional forced-proximity novel delivers sizzling chemistry, hot sex scenes, and a low-angst, low drama romance that kept a smile on my face almost the the entire time I was reading it. The supporting cast did just that - support the action without upstaging the MCs, yet I have a list of characters I'd like to see more of, so I really hope that the fact this book is numbered means there will be at least a couple more books to come. ...more
Not because of the content of the book, but because that means there's only one book left in this enthrallingFinishing Dodger's book was bittersweet.
Not because of the content of the book, but because that means there's only one book left in this enthralling, engaging, and exhilarating series.
I didn't realize there was a community of people who ride the rails, but Nicky James brought that world to life, and in Catching Out, she's added a layer of intrigue as Dodger and Brady go after the serial killer that has obsessed them both for years. I won't spoil the ending, but I will say that I loved it and heartily approve.
Brady and Dodger couldn't be more opposite, yet they fit together so well. Since Dodger thinks he's straight in the beginning, the romance is necessarily a slow burn, and while there is some hot sex, it's not really the focus of the book. The relationship and the adventure are, and I loved every minute of it.
This is also not one of Nicky's famous heartrending, tearjerker of a book. There is organic drama and conflict, but no tears. Just a compelling story in a unique setting filled with unforgettable characters that's is now one of my all-time favorite series.
As I read the rest of the series, I wondered about Charles, Freddie's father, a quintessential Englishman. When I found out he was getting his own stoAs I read the rest of the series, I wondered about Charles, Freddie's father, a quintessential Englishman. When I found out he was getting his own story, I jumped at the chance to read an advance copy, because I just knew it would be epic.
I was not wrong. The first three books are witty, but this one? It's truly funny. The inside of Charles' head is such a fascinating place to be. His descriptions of his aging body made me laugh out loud. As a woman of approximately the same age, I could relate and sympathize.
It's perhaps the first book I've read where the POV is that of the son, Freddie, and the father, Charles, but not of the man who captures Charles' attention. He remains rather mysterious, and I found this arrangement to be quite effective in keeping my attention.
Even though I just finished the previous two books, I still enjoyed visiting with the entire cast of characters, and I'm hoping Fearne Hill has at least one more book planned for the series.
Absolutely worth every penny I spent on the whole series, and every bit of sleep I missed while reading them. I regret nothing! ...more
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