Newcomers by October Arden (Inside Book #3)

Posted on December 17, 2025 by Book_Endz

TITLE: ⟫ Newcomers
AUTHOR: ⟫ October Arden

SERIES: ⟫ Inside Book #3
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ “When one of them breaks, they all do.”
Alex was never meant to stay. He was created to protect Jaime—nothing more. Now that Luke is here, devoted and strong and real, what is Alex for?
So he disappears.
And Jaime shatters.
When Luke shuts down from guilt, a new voice rises in the dark. Hunter—born of Luke’s need, desperate to protect them all. As the system tilts toward collapse, it’s someone else’s turn to be the anchor, and Alex must decide what kind of love is worth surviving for.
A gutting, healing, polyamorous conclusion about broken minds, impossible devotion, and the terrifying beauty of being needed.

REVIEW: ⟫ I’ve sat on this for quite a while, allowing my brain to figure out what it wants to say but I’m gonna be honest, my brain has nothing! This book was just such a trip – it simply didn’t occur to me that Luke might have a headmate and it completely threw me. I read this book not quite sure what I wanted to happen, but I was pleased with how it ended. I have learned quite a bit about plurality and am definitely interested in learning more. Overall, I would say that this was a satisfactory end to the series and that Luke, Jamie, Alex and Hunter got the happily ever after that they fought so hard for and well deserved. I received an ARC from the author.

Killer Crush by Onley James (Kiss Kill Repeat Book #1)

Posted on December 3, 2025 by Book_Endz

TITLE: ⟫ Killer Crush
AUTHOR: ⟫ Onley James

SERIES: ⟫ Kiss Kill Repeat Book #1
RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Cade Carpenter doesn’t believe in fate—he believes in timing, precision, and clean exits. Killing people is easy. Keeping feelings out of it is even easier. When a dating app ping interrupts his latest job, he doesn’t think twice before answering. One bad date is the perfect cover for a hit.

Tris is a walking diagnosis wrapped in a pretty face and borrowed confidence. He talks too much, laughs too loud, and blurts out every intrusive thought that crosses his mind. He’s used to being “too much” for people—too awkward, too intense, too everything. So, when a gorgeous stranger actually says yes to his ridiculous question about the world’s worst date, Tris can’t help but hope, for once, that he won’t be the punchline.

But what’s supposed to be an ironic night out turns into something out of a true crime documentary when Tris stumbles upon Cade mid-kill. Now, there’s a body, a locked ship in open water, and two men with dangerously bad timing.

It was supposed to be easy. Get in, get out. But now, they’re trapped on a Titanic replica with a dead body and no place to run. Can Cade convince Tris that just because he’s a killer doesn’t mean he’s not the one?

Killer Crush is the first in a series of interconnected dark romance shorts, each featuring a new couple brought together—and blown apart—by the infamous Heartstopper app.

REVIEW: ⟫ Cade and Tris made having the worst date in history so much fun! This was a riotous laugh from start to finish. I loved how Cade gave Tris the freedom to be himself – unfiltered, anything and everything coming out of his mouth – all of it. I even love the fact that committing murder wasn’t the most complicated thing that Cade had to handle that night! Loved this so much!

I received an ARC from the author.

November 2025 ⟫ Book Reviews Round Up

Posted on December 1, 2025 by Book_Endz

Every month, I post a round up of the books I have read and reviewed. They will mostly be M/M books, but occasionally something a little different slips in. These are the books I have read in November 2025.

Books are sourced through Gay Romance Reviews, Foreword PR, Indie Author Creative, Booksprout, BookSirens, Author ARCs and Kindle Unlimited but although some books are gifted, all views are my own honest opinion.

Breakneck Hockey by S Legend ⟫ Heartbreak Hockey Book #3 ⟫ 4.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Broken Bond by J.L. Cross ⟫ Claimed by Blood Book #1 ⟫ 1.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Disaster: The Biggest Fan by Nico Verce ⟫ 1/5 ⟫ BookSirens Arc

Forbidden Hockey by S Legend ⟫ Heartbreak Hockey #5 ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Friendzone Hockey by S Legend ⟫ Heartbreak Hockey #4 ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Heartbreak Hockey by S. Legend ⟫ Heartbreak Hockey #1 ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Ice Dance Hockey by S Legend ⟫ Heartbreak Hockey Book #2 ⟫ 4.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Heat Haze by Alder Snow ⟫ 3.5/5 ⟫ Gay Romance Reviews

Velvet Chains by River Winters ⟫ Lockswell Boarding House Book #1 ⟫ 2.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Sent To A Fantasy World and Now All The Men Want Me by Jaclyn Osborn ⟫ Book #1 ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Lord of Whispered Shadow by Jordan Ko (The Demon Reflected #1)

Posted on November 25, 2025 by Book_Endz

TITLE: ⟫ Lord of Whispered Shadow
AUTHOR: ⟫ Jordan Ko

SERIES: ⟫ The Demon Reflected #1
RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Human. Archie, youngest son of a Duke, is caught between his mother’s matchmaking efforts and his brother’s threats to cut him off. Being married to a rich noblewoman would solve all of his problems, apart from the whole not being attracted to women concern. He doesn’t mean to attract the attention of a succubus but when he does… well, possession can’t be worse than being forever alone and closeted, can it?

Demon. Damaris, reduced to whispers and shadows after fleeing the demon realm. He needs to regain his magic, and the easiest way to do that is to steal energy from humans.

Everyone talks about humans being corrupted by demons, but if this is corruption then Archie will gladly forfeit his soul.

REVIEW: ⟫ This is a difficult review to write because I did enjoy reading this book. However, it was something I came back to every now and then, rather than something I felt the need to binge through as quickly as possible. I expected more steaminess and corruption, whereas I would describe this as quite tame in respect to the sex – most of those interactions took place ‘off page’, which is fine but not at all what I thought this book would be like. I enjoyed the information about demons and their place in society, but overall there was just a sense of ‘that was nice’ rather than anything special. I don’t think I’ll be reaching for book two when it’s released but I would say to give this story a try as it might be something you enjoy. I received an ARC from BookSirens.

Disaster: The Biggest Fan by Nico Verce

Posted on November 9, 2025 by Book_Endz

TITLE: ⟫ Disaster: The Biggest Fan
AUTHOR: ⟫ Nico Verce
RATING: ⟫ 1/5

BLURB: ⟫ Live Fast, Die Loud

God built the myth.

The fan archived it.

Then he bled for it.

Jesse Grady—known online as Red—was never supposed to be seen.

He was just a fan. A digital ghost. An obsessive eye locked on the chaos of the band DISASTER, especially its frontman: the untouchable, unhinged Chase Riot.

But then the legend looked back.

Now Red’s face is on every feed. His obsession has a spotlight. And Chase? Chase wants more.

More control. More devotion. More destruction.

Dragged into a world of fame, fire, and brutal intimacy, Red becomes a target, a trophy, a mirror. The deeper he falls, the sharper the game cuts—until the persona cracks, the truth leaks, and the audience demands more.

This tour won’t end with redemption.

It’s a slow burn toward detonation.

A vicious callout of parasocial culture.

Perfect for fans of dark celebrity romance, toxic obsession, fandom horror, and razorwire banter.

Obsession is currency. Fame is a weapon. You came for the show—now bleed for it.

REVIEW: ⟫ I understand what the author was trying to do with how they wrote this story – it seemed to be aiming at being an insight into parasocial links, complete with hashtags and ‘reactions’ from people to things that were happening. I have also been a hardline ‘stan’ of various groups in my life, so I get it.

This did not work for me even remotely. I kept waiting for something more than dramatic statements and unhinged fan reactions, something between the two leads that wasn’t just toxic situationship behaviour and it never happened. I literally finished reading this book because it was an ARC and I didn’t want to give up too easily. I wish I had. I can’t see me reading anything by this author again, at least not willingly. I received an ARC through BookSirens.

Heat Haze by Alder Snow

Posted on November 2, 2025 by Book_Endz

TITLE: ⟫ Heat Haze
AUTHOR: ⟫ Alder Snow
RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ After their car breaks down on the side of a hot Texan road, L.A. born Nico Marín and his friends are offered help by an all too friendly stranger. But after the Tavera family farm is turned into a slaughterhouse, Nico finds himself hiding in an old closet just praying he isn’t next. When the closet doors open and he’s face to face with Toro Tavera, the alarmingly big but mute black sheep of the family, he’s greeted not with words but with one sound.

Sh.

Then he’s left there. With a heart beating so fast he can barely breathe, he sits for what feels like hours. But when Toro returns he isn’t there to finish the job. Instead he drops down, unspeaking but not unfeeling, lifting Nico’s hand up to his head in an attempt to be pet. He doesn’t want to hurt him, but he does want to be loved.

Heat Haze is a single-POV standalone novel between a loveless L.A. city boy and a mute cannibal killer who craves genuine love. Two men with more in common than they realize learn to love and grow together in this HEA romance that turns a grim start into lots of fluff. This novel is lighter dark romance, with lots of affection between the leads and not as much ‘dark’ content. A full CW list is included inside!

REVIEW: ⟫ I really wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I saw this offered as an arc – a fluffy dark romance including cannibals was something I had never seen before, and I was fascinated to see how it was going to work.

There is A LOT of suspending disbelief reading this – like, seriously, don’t even think about trying to make sense of some of the decisions Nico made. I personally haven’t seen ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ but even I caught the references to it in the beginning. The relationship between Toro and Nico was very simplistically presented, and the thoughts about Stockholm Syndrome were definitely there. I’m not sure the author managed to convince me about this romance, but I feel it was a good attempt and I applaud the ‘different’ thinking behind the idea.

I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews.

October 2025 Book Reviews Round Up

Posted on October 31, 2025 by Book_Endz

All Your Days by Ali Woods ⟫ Mayhem Manuscripts Season One: Book #4 ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Ash on the Tongue by Lee McCormick ⟫ Mayhem Manuscripts Season 1:1nf3ction Book #1 ⟫ 4.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Bad Blood by Lyla Dane ⟫ Mayhem Manuscripts Season 1: 1nf3ction Book #8 ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Bonded to the Alpha by Robin Moray ⟫ Book #1 ⟫ 2.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Call to the Devil by B Ripley ⟫ Mayhem Manuscripts Season One: 1nf3ction Book #5 ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

The Club by Rina Saint ⟫ Dangerous Games #2 ⟫ 4.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Coach Stare Down by Crea Reitan ⟫ For Puck’s Sake #6 ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

The Crease by Crea Reitan ⟫ For Puck’s Sake #4 ⟫ 4.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

The Dead Don’t Talk by Rae Stone ⟫ Mayhem Manuscripts Season One: Book #7 ⟫ 3.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Forbidden Omega by Jena Wade & Aria Grace ⟫ Mated in the Mafia #2 ⟫ 3.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

King of Lies by H.L. Day ⟫ Mayhem Manuscripts Season One: 1nf3ction Book #6 ⟫ 4.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Late Bloomer by Morgan Hawes ⟫ 4.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Lucky Shot by Crea Reitan ⟫ For Puck’s Sake #3 ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Money Shot by Eden Finley & Saxon James ⟫ 4.5/5 ⟫ Foreword PR

Night Call by C T Whistle ⟫ Omegaverse Case Files #2 ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Obliterated by N Boeyer ⟫ Mayhem Manuscripts Season 1: 1nf3ction Book #3 ⟫ 4.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Off-Ice Misconduct by S. Legend ⟫ Daddies of the League #8 ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Project FU by Crea Reitan ⟫ Longwood University Book #3 ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Rotten by Bree Wiley ⟫ Mayhem Manuscripts Season 1:1nf3ction Book #2 ⟫ 4.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Rumor Has It by Crea Reitan ⟫ Longwood University Book #1 ⟫ 4.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Wicked Confessions by Crea Reitan ⟫ Longwood University Book #2 ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Wingman Score by Crea Reitan ⟫ For Puck’s Sake Book #5 ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Money Shot by Eden Finley & Saxon James

Posted on October 30, 2025 by Book_Endz

TITLE: ⟫ Money Shot
AUTHOR: ⟫ Eden Finley & Saxon James
RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Finn

When my sister moves from Chicago to Edmonton to get married, I take the opportunity to follow her. My life has become a lonely existence, only ever having time for work. The closest thing I have to a relationship is a one-sided affair with Gunner–the hottest cam boy on the app Money Shot.

This move will be good. It will allow me to slow down and sort out my priorities. Maybe I’ll even have time for a real relationship with someone in person.

The problem with that is, the only person to catch my eye in Canada is the commitment-phobe best man. There’s something familiar in the way Curtis moves. In his smile. Every interaction we have convinces me I know him from somewhere. When it clicks, it takes way too long to admit that Curtis and my favorite cam boy might be the same person. What are the actual chances my dream man is about to be my sister’s new brother-in-law?

The last thing I want is for Curtis to think I’m a creep, so I decide to unsubscribe, only it’s harder than I thought it would be. Getting to know Curtis in real life, and Gunner online, has made things murky, and the smart choice is to cut things off and pretend like it never happened.

But I never said I was smart.

REVIEW: ⟫ This was so much fun to read!! I absolutely adored both Curtis and Finn, especially the banter between them and the next level flirting! I completely understood why both of them felt it was a bad idea to get involved, with potential repercussions for their wider family/friends network and appreciated that they acted like grown men – i.e. not ruled by their loins! Until they were.

The whole thing between Gunner and KingdomHearts was incredibly wholesome (as well as sexy) and when Curtis began to figure out what was going on, I was on the edge of my seat! The way he dropped the mic on Finn was class and I cackled out loud.

I felt that the representation of Alzheimer was sensitive and not over-blown, which I appreciated. Finn trying to figure out what he wanted to do with his life, as well as Curtis learning some things about himself were handled well and I felt that both of them showed such growth and maturity – it was refreshing and fun to read.

I love this writing duo so much and very much enjoyed this new story from them.

September 2025 ⟫ Book Reviews Round Up

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Book_Endz

A Quiet Fire by N.J. Lysk ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Author provided copy

Bitter When He Begs by Avery Collins ⟫ Sinners of Blackthorne U Book #2 ⟫ 4.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Body Count by L Eveland ⟫ Wayward Sons #1 ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Confession by Rina Saint ⟫ Constantine Brothers #2 ⟫ 5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

The Contract by Rina Saint ⟫ Dangerous Games #1⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Cruel When He Smiles by Avery Collins ⟫ Sinners of Blackthorne U Book #3 ⟫ 4.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Flagrant Foul by Jesse H Reign ⟫ Totally Pucked #3 ⟫ 5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Free Fall by Leta Blake ⟫ Free Fall #1 ⟫ /5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Full Body Hit – (Books #1 & #2) by Marina Vivancos ⟫ Alpha Omega Hockey #5 & #6 ⟫ 5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Just This Once by Garrett Leigh ⟫ Men of Porth Luck #1 ⟫ 5/5 ⟫ Foreword PR

Out of a Fix by Mary Calmes ⟫ Torus Intercession Book #7 ⟫ 4.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Not Gentlemen by N.Y. Lysk ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Author Arc

Outsiders by October Arden ⟫ Inside Book #2 ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Author Arc

Possession by Rina Saint ⟫ Constantine Brothers #1 ⟫ 5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Pretty When He Bleeds by Avery Collins ⟫ Sinners of Blackthorne U Book #1 ⟫ 4.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Red On His Lips by J Tomala ⟫ Blood on His Lips #1 ⟫ 3/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Taste of Blood by A.J. Church ⟫ Cord & Asher #1 ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ BookSirens

Tempting Frey by Roe Horvat ⟫ Bears of Beauville #2 ⟫ 3.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

The Weight of Duty by N.Y. Lysk ⟫ 3.5/5 ⟫ Author ARC

Wilde’s End by Saxon James ⟫ The Wilde Men #1 ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Foreword PR

A Quiet Fire by N.J. Lysk

Posted on September 26, 2025 by Book_Endz

TITLE: ⟫ A Quiet Fire
AUTHOR: ⟫ N J Lysk

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ What duty binds, only love may set free.

At thirty-three, Lord Valgar, Earl of Saran, is the last surviving water mage of noble blood. Forbidden from joining the war himself, his duty is preserve the magic by fathering children.

But after fifteen years of a loving but childless marriage, the council has run out of patience. They demand he take a second omega. Valgar refuses to betray his mate—so he makes a calculated an older omega, unlikely to bear a child.

But to Lord Quincy, the proposal he is pressured to accept is no mere formality. Still mourning the alpha he lost in battle, Quincy clings to the quiet life he’s built around his grief and his garden, his books, and his beloved animals. He’s not ready for another bond—and he harbours a secret that could unravel all of Valgar’s careful plans.

Can two reluctant husbands find common ground—and maybe even find that quiet fire known as hope?

“A Quiet Fire” is an arranged marriage romance novella featuring elements of dubcon, consensual polyamory, non-shifter omegaverse, feminisation and mpreg.

REVIEW: ⟫ Despite the subject matter, I actually found this book incredibly romantic. Quincy is an omega and as such, has very little say in what happens to him after the death of his Alpha. Valgar is an Alpha but because of his magic, he has very little say in what leads him into Quincy’s life. Without Mar, I’m not sure these two would have ever managed to find their way to each other, but this woman has such a huge heart and so much love, she paves the way for her husband to find love and happiness with someone who was meant to be her replacement. I loved the calm, kind way in which Mar communicated with both Val and Quincy, and yes, I cried a little towards the end when she finds more happiness than she ever expected – a reward for her being willing and able to help the two men get out of each other’s way. Even with the harsh realities of life for omegas in the society of the time, the author manages to make the reader aware of the inequalities and unfairness whilst also opening the door to a view to a love that is made bigger and stronger by the addition of a third person – a person that wasn’t wanted but ends up being very much needed. Really enjoyed this one!