Mike Bravo Ops: Rogue by Eden Finley

Posted on October 24, 2022 by Book_Endz

Title: ⟫ Mike Bravo Ops: Rogue

Author: ⟫ Eden Finley

Blurb: ⟫ TRAV

I remember the first time I met Dylan Rodriguez. It was one sweaty encounter I’ll never forget.

The second time we met, he arrested me. I can still see the hot scowl on his beautiful face as he slapped handcuffs on me and realized I was … me.

Dylan’s main goal in life is to forget he ever met me. My goal is to make him mine.

Turns out, I’m better at this game than he is.

DYLAN

When my law enforcement career falls to pieces in front of my own eyes, I don’t know who I can trust.

I have nowhere to go. No one to turn to.

Asking Trav for help is a last resort, but I’m desperate.

If he can’t get me out of this mess, I may as well turn myself over to the guys hunting me down.

I’m not sure which will be more difficult: protecting my life or my heart.

Because when it comes to love, my heart wants what my brain doesn’t. It wants Travis West.

Blurb: ⟫ This one was a lot of fun – the banter between Trav and Dylan was sexy, hilarious and occasionally incredibly childish and I absolutely loved it. The action was more intense this time – lots of assassins, things blowing up or being blown up by the Mike Bravo guys, plus some espionage. I enjoyed the storyline, especially their discussions about the difference between good guys and bad guys. I liked how they were both prepared to consider the others’ point of view as well as learning from each other. The MCs were both alpha males yet allowed themselves to be vulnerable which was cool to read – there was no stoic suffering in silence and I enjoyed that. I also enjoyed the sex scenes between the two male leads – they have some serious chemistry and we were allowed to bask in it in its full glory!

We see the rest of the Mike Bravo guys again – Iris and Saint have a permanent place in my heart – and the resolution wasn’t rushed or haphazard – there was a logic to the things that happened. None of the Mike Bravo guys are portrayed as supermen – they got hurt, their plans fell to pieces, they had to rely on contingency plans and back-ups. It was awesome to read that sometimes things did go wrong rather than their missions all being perfect and them bulldozing through with no issues.

Really enjoyed this one and happy to give it a 5/5.

Rookie Mistake by Anna Zabo and LA Witt

Posted on October 24, 2022 by Book_Endz

Title: ⟫ Rookie Mistake
Author: ⟫ Anna Zabo & LA Witt
Blurb: ⟫ Rookie forward Isaac Rivera is still finding his footing in the big leagues where he’s no longer the best player on the roster. It’s a whole new world, especially now that several of his hockey idols have become teammates. Friends, even.

There’s one who’s more than a hockey idol, though… and he might end up being more than a friend.

Julien Landry is a powerhouse on the ice. In eight years, he’s become one of the league’s top defensemen and the heartthrob everyone wants to bed. But fallout from a painful mistake as a rookie, followed by years of rough-and-tumble hookups, have him itching for something more.

When a connection sparks between him and Isaac, he discovers what he’s been missing: someone he can trust with his body and his heart. As long as Isaac and Julien keep the heat between them off the ice, what could go wrong?

But Julien’s past is never far behind him, and when it comes crashing in, he might lose everything—his career, his friends, and the first person he’s ever really loved.

CW: discussions of past abuse and sexual assault

Review: ⟫ There was a lot I liked about this book. The characters were solid and distinct, the wordplay between the characters was brilliant and the sex was off the charts hot. In the first half of the story, it flowed very well with the relationship between the two leads growing organically with palpable chemistry – Julian and Isaac were hot enough to melt the ice. I wasn’t expecting the BDSM aspect of things and thought the research that went into it on-page was awesome – in this day and age, where else are you really going to get your information in the first instance?

The Landry family reminded me very much of my family when I was younger – absolute chaos, noise and love. It was really lovely to see that on the page and it was extremely well done. And yes, there were times that finding a place to hide and just breathe was essential!

Nikki and Elias were amazing and it’s no surprise to me that they form the basis of book 2 because it was more than obvious that there was something between the two of them. So much so that a couple of times, my mouth dropped open with something Nikki did as it felt out of left field – like, how dare he! I imagine we’ll hear all about that behaviour in the next book.

I didn’t like Julian’s lack of communication over the darker issues. It was understandable initially – he had no way of knowing how deep his connection to Isaac was going to be. But the further into the story we got, it made little sense to me that he wouldn’t explain even just a little more about the situation in his past when it was so obviously messing up his present and potentially his future. The subject matter was handled competently and in a satisfying fashion, with good consideration to the current climate.

I was disappointed that the supporting characters didn’t push for Julian to get some therapy after the situation in his past – they were so supportive of him that it seemed strange that they wouldn’t encourage him to do that. That felt very much like it belonged in a book from years ago – therapy and counselling wasn’t so much the norm then.

It was a little hockey heavy, although it feels weird complaining that a hockey romance has too much hockey in it. I enjoyed it but got a little lost – possibly because it feels like ice hockey isn’t as big a deal over here in the UK? And the book was far too long. I understand the need to build tension, establish the relationship and show the effect of the past on the present, but it went on for too long and got repetitive in the end. It lost me a few times because I felt like it was going round and round in circles and I almost wanted to shout at the characters. I’m really torn on the rating because of that – the story was good, the sex was brilliant, the characters were engaging and well written but it felt like it was dragged on unnecessarily.

I’ve not read any Anna Zabo before and am going to try some more of their books this weekend. I would recommend reading it because it was enjoyable as long as you heed the trigger warnings and take into account how long the book is.

Pretty 'n' Peak by Reese Morrison

Posted on October 24, 2022 by Book_Endz

Title: ⟫ Pretty ‘n’ Peak
Author: ⟫ Reese Morrison
Blurb: ⟫ Austin is done being a Dom. The thrill hasn’t been there since well before his ex left him. When he agrees to visit his friends’ B&B for a Cuffd Destinations weekend, all he wants is a vacation in the fresh mountain air. He’s certainly not looking for a new boy. His life is complex enough with a stressful job and navigating his vision impairment.

When he meets Mateo, a younger man who’s exploring his desires for the first time, it’s only natural to mentor him—to support the thrill of excitement that Austin can hardly remember feeling. Perhaps he can nurture the new boy in realizing just how attractive his thick, cuddly body is, and how stunning he would be in the satin and lace he’s been too frightened to dream of.

Just to help out, of course.

Pretty ‘n Peak has a blind Daddy who’s finding himself again, a chubby boy who wants to be beautiful, impact play, lingerie, and a HEA. (And no, it’s not a retelling of a movie with a similar title…) Pretty ‘n Peak is part of the Destination Daddies Season Two multi-author series. Each book can be read as a stand-alone, but there are so many destinations and Daddies to discover, why not grab them all?

Review: ⟫ I didn’t expect to love this story as much as I did, or get as emotionally connected. But there was something about Austin and Mateo that just grabbed hold of me and didn’t let go. Perhaps it was learning with Mateo as he went along, learning about himself, what he liked and who he was; maybe it was how brave Austin was in facing his depression, life changes and a new side to himself; maybe it was just the two of them together. Whatever it was, I spent a huge chunk of time panicking about Mateo’s family finding out at the wrong time, or the wrong way, or reacting badly – by the time it happened, I’ll admit I was a bit of a wreck.

This book was truly lovely to read and I learned a lot while I was reading it. And not in a preachy, condescending way but just from the questions that Mateo asked. And what Austin experienced and how he had to set up his life.

This is the first book by Reese Morrison that I have read, but I will be looking for more. Some of it reminded me of early Sean Michael, with how Austin called Mateo baby, etc. and I remember when I first read those books that I loved how much caring and emotion could be conveyed by those words.

The sex scenes were hot and varied; the BDSM was handled smoothly and with a clear cut understanding that can sometimes be missing – it was all about safe, sane and consensual. The only parts I didn’t like were how long it took for them to have the conversation about what they were to each other – although I understand the nerves that prevented both of them from doing so. And the situation with Cam and how Mateo handled that, but that was such a teeny-tiny thing that it barely deserves a mention.

Heartily recommend if you are looking for something to sink your teeth into, lose the outside world and just enjoy.

I received an ARC from GRR.

The Forbidden Equation by J.R. Gray (Love Equations #3)

Posted on October 21, 2022 by Book_Endz

Title: ⟫ The Forbidden Equation: Love Equations #3

Author: ⟫ J.R. Gray
Blurb: ⟫ My father’s the president and my brother’s the golden boy which leaves me the black sheep. The son who never wanted to be here at all. The white house my gilded cage, and the secret service my prison guards.

I’m nearly twenty-one and nothing about my life is normal.

The only thing giving me life and any motivation to get out of bed is the way he looks at me. The stolen glances across the West Wing. Heated gaze in the private dining room.

He’s my father’s best friend, which isn’t even the worst part, he’s also the vice president. Utterly off limits and I can’t bring myself to care. Can’t bring myself to stop encouraging his flirting, dreaming, and hoping he won’t be able to resist me forever.

Review: ⟫ I am so ambivalent about this one. The writing style seemed different – each chapter was a little bit of a time-jump, which I actually quite enjoyed. It made the writing more spare, removed extraneous details. The political stuff was interesting to read as well as the history of the White House and all that surrounds it.

The relationship between Matt and Liam was – hard to describe. Just from the basics, with the age difference and Matt being in Liam’s life from the time he was born, it would be really easy to think that Matt was grooming him. But Liam was such a definite character – he knew what he wanted, what he needed, and to some extent he was most definitely the more dominant partner. I understood and sympathised with Matt’s dilemma and could well understand his reluctance, but I kinda hated the fact that he didn’t pull away. He had given up so much for Liam’s Dad that him finally being selfish and grabbing something for himself made sense, but there was a feeling (for me) that he perhaps should have left Liam alone.

And then there was Lucas. I sometimes felt like there was more chemistry between him and Liam, and there is a part of me that wished that they had got involved. Liam made some points that I hadn’t ever considered – about how he had never had a normal life because he had always been part of his father’s political life. It made me feel so sad for him, never to experience some things from a normal perspective with no choice in it because of what his father had chosen as his career path.

It might not seem like it, but I really enjoyed this book. I was fascinated, involved and hurt by the events and I read it in one sitting because I really wanted to know how this doomed relationship could possibly work out. This one gave me a lot to think about and for that reason alone, I would recommend it. It turned a few of my ideas about age-gap relationships on their head and opening myself up to a different viewpoint can only be a good thing.

I received an ARC from GRR.

Grudge by Gianni Holmes (Ruthless Daddies)

Posted on October 21, 2022 by Book_Endz

Title: ⟫ Grudge: An MM Mafia Romance (Ruthless Daddies)

Author: ⟫ Gianni Holmes
Blurb: ⟫ Can their love grow stronger than a twelve year old grudge?

Mitch spent the last twelve years dreaming about his plans when he gets out of the slammer. The last thing he expects is to be abducted the same day he’s released from prison. And sure as hell not by the boy who’s responsible for his criminal record. But Cesare is no longer the snivelling, pathetic, abused boy Mitch protected that day. He’s the Boss of the Lacovelli family. And one glimpse of the onesie beneath the boy’s expensive suit is enough to make Mitch’s knees go weak.

Cesare never forgot the man who saved his life at the expense of his own freedom. When he abducts Mitch to get close to him, he doesn’t count on the sight of Mitch to affect him so much. It doesn’t take long for his teenage crush to turn into full blown love. As Cesare and Mitch grow closer, how can Cesare be sure of Mitch’s feelings when he forces Mitch to stay by his side out of a sense of duty?

Grudge is a part of the Ruthless Daddies multi-author mafia collab and a complete standalone. Expect to find an age gap romance with an ex-convict Daddy, a trigger happy Mob Boss boy, and a sweet HEA. Want more deliciously morally gray Daddies and boys? Grab the whole series!

Review: ⟫ I think I should say that I haven’t read any of the other Ruthless Daddies stories in the collaboration, but I accept that this story can be read as a complete standalone.

There are so many aspects of this story that I thought were good. Cesare was such an intriguing mix: sadist, little, submissive – it was a lot! I liked how his little side was expressed – that he knew exactly what he needed and was able to express it clearly. I also really liked the harsh, dominant side of him that ran his family with a willingness to choose violence when necessary.

Mitch was harder for me to read and get into. Sometimes it almost felt like he was locked in to his relationship with Cesare by duty – there felt like there was very little development of their relationship, and I didn’t feel the connection as strongly from his side.

There was so much going on in the story – possibly too much – with the Russians, the family being unhappy with Cesare being openly gay and the changes he was making, the situation with his uncle, his friend Faro. I think I ended up feeling a little fatigued by it all. There were also times when there was a disconnect – things sort of jumped around. For example, how Mitch and Cesare found the time to be at the Loft when things were allegedly exploding within the family and a hit being taken out on Cesare.

The sex scenes were hot and varied, with all of the different areas of Cesare’s desires being explored. But there was a lingering sense of dissatisfaction – most likely caused by the disconnect I felt – and overall the story didn’t work for me. It was well written and I would imagine a lot of people will find it interesting and hot. It just wasn’t the story for me.

I received an ARC from GRR.

His Lethal Desire by Leighton Greene (West Coast Mobster #1)

Posted on October 21, 2022 by Book_Endz

Title: ⟫ His Lethal Desire (West Coast Mobster 1)

Author: ⟫ Leighton Greene
Blurb: ⟫ There’s nothing more lethal than a hitman in love.

Johnny “Jack” Jacopo was once the Castellani Family’s top hitman, but one terrible mistake saw him kicked back down the ladder. So when the Boss orders him to look into the disappearance of a Hollywood starlet, Jack sees an opportunity to rise back up the Family ranks.

His first move is to question the missing actress’s twin brother. Miller Beaumont is charming, gorgeous, flirty…and he’s the same guy who was hitting on Jack in a bar the night before.

Jack tries to keep things strictly business, but Miller has access to inside information that Jack needs to solve the case. And it’s just too tempting when Miller proposes that they team up to find his sister.

As their search leads them into danger, Jack finds he has more to lose than he ever expected. Someone is coming after Miller, and Jack finds himself torn between duty to his Family and his own foolish heart.

Because despite himself, Jack is making one more mistake, the biggest of them all, the one dumb thing he swore he’d never do.

He’s falling in love.

***

His Lethal Desire is the first 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 West Coast Mobsters 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: ⟫ Ooh this one was a lot of fun! I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the blurb – in fact, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read it from the blurb, but something about it got to me so I thought I would give it a go and I am so pleased that I did!

This book was fun, sometimes scary, the mystery was seriously like watching a film noir, and majorly sexy! I read it in one sitting because I couldn’t bring myself to put it down – I kept promising just one more chapter and then flying past that marker!

Jack sounds absolutely divine – especially with his pale blue eyes and the way he’s described – just completely yummy! Initially he fulfilled every mafia stereotype I could think of and came across as a bit of a thug, but the more I read, the more I fell in love with him. He was just so loyal and upfront, as well as wisecracking! The image of him driving around in a Pinto made me smile for ages!

And Miller – he surprised me more than once. Yes, he got himself into a couple of issues in not doing as he was told, but he was also intelligent enough to know when he was out of his depth. Miller was a softy for the people he loved, always willing to put them first and often to his detriment. And he didn’t deserve to be treated the way he was by the people that he loved.

The background characters were fascinating in their own way as well – Sandro made my heart break just a little; Freddy is the man to have at your back. And I must admit, I have a bit of a soft-spot for Julian – just because he sounds so completely and utterly insane, and I kinda hope he gets his own story.

Probably nowhere near as dark as some might expect a mafia story to be, I nevertheless found it engrossing, entertaining and a big hit. I will definitely be looking out for more on the West Coast mobsters. 4.5/5 from me, happily rounded up to 5!

I received an ARC from GRR.

War Games by Daniel May (The Hanged Men #2)

Posted on October 21, 2022 by Book_Endz

Title: ⟫ War Games (The Hanged Men #2)
Author: ⟫ Daniel May
Blurb: ⟫ Sons of opposing mob bosses, secretly married when they were seventeen, Nerva Alms and Joseph Pascal were doomed from the start.

After his father’s gruesome murder, Pascal was mutilated and banished, and Nerva grew to replace his own father as head of the Hanged Men. Now, ten years later, Pascal has returned.

War Games is book two in the Hanged Men series, following Blood Sports. While War Games is standalone, the story is best understood in the context of the first book.

Reviews: ⟫ I discovered that this had come out from a post on Reddit and you better believe I switched to my Amazon tab so fast I gave myself whiplash!

If book one was a laugh alongside the horror, book two is a different beast. It comes after the events of the first book, but Daniel has provided a handy recap at the beginning and it can be read as a stand-alone.

The beginning of this book was torturous – my heart broke in several places for both Nerva and Pascal. Imagine finding your person at such a young, impressionable age and then losing them – completely devastating. Which explained why Nerva appeared so cold and unfeeling to everyone. And then we met Pascal.

When people talk about a roller-coaster of emotions, this book encompasses that feeling. Sorrow, fear, confusion, hysterical laughter – all in a matter of chapters and sometimes within just one of them. There are flashbacks – some of them sweet, some painful – with an underlying story/mystery slowly unravelling for Nerva and Pascal that made me feel sick at the world they live in whilst completely enthralled.

There’s no real way to talk about this book without spoilers, but Mars is my second favourite character if only for the attitude. Hadrian remains my favourite and I need a story with him because I think it would be amazingly chaotic and astounding! The special horses make another appearance – in the background and then more and more integral to the storyline – and I still can’t decide how I feel about them. I think I’ll settle for terror and stick around Nerva’s level when it comes to the horses.

This was a fantastic read and more than satisfied my itch for the Hanged Man – for a short time anyway. A hearty 5/5 from me.

Cold Blood by L.C. Davis (The Godbearer #2)

Posted on October 21, 2022 by Book_Endz

Title: ⟫ Cold Blood (The Godbearer Book 2)

Author: ⟫ L.C. Davis
Blurb: ⟫ I’m pregnant.

Just when I was starting to get used to being alone in my own head, now I’m possessed in a whole new way. And apparently, I’m an omega, which seems to be code for “magical thot who gets harassed by every alpha within a hundred miles.”

The worst part is, I don’t even know which one of these bloodthirsty douchebags knocked me up. With my luck, it’s probably Cameron, who sees me and the baby as a threat to his precious goddess, especially now that she’s gone MIA.

Weirdly enough, the news has caused a split within the cult, pitting brother against brother. Even though I thought they’d all be on the same side, now Sam, Cyrus, and (ugh) Alex claim they’ll do whatever it takes to protect me and the baby. Even if it means going up against Ichor and the rest of her cult.

Obviously, I don’t trust them. I might be a “dumb blond,” but I don’t need to get sacrificed twice to learn that lesson.

If only my traitorous heart would get the memo.

Blurb: ⟫ I knew 50% of the way through this book that I was going to be frustrated and I was right – I was so frustrated by the ending. I get it – I completely do – but there was a part of me that felt if they had just got a move on in the main part of the book, they wouldn’t have had to leave things on a cliffhanger.

To be fair, the story did move along at a fair clip – and it made sense in terms of Chase’s growing feelings for his harem. It also presented a surprise (probably not if you read between the lines at all) that made things more complicated. I enjoyed the interactions outside of the group, especially Sam’s grandmother and Chase’s mother, but the main focus of the book was on building the relationships within the group and seeing how feelings were changing. It was no longer simply about the Ichor and so much more about the men and how they felt now.

Even Cameron – it feels like we’re being steered in one direction but that it’s a misdirect. I can’t help but think that he’s going to surprise everyone.

It was an engrossing, hot read and I’m really pleased I read it, but now there’s the wait until the third book and that’s going to be so frustrating. If you enjoyed the first story, you’ll enjoy this but be prepared for a wait for book 3.