Tag Archives: book-review

Heated Rivalry Series by Rachel Reid

Posted on by
1

TITLE: ⟫ Heated Rivalry Series
AUTHOR: ⟫ Rachel Reid

SERIES: ⟫ Game Changer Series Books #1 – #6
RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Nothing interferes with pro hockey star Shane Hollander’s game.

Now that he’s captain of the Montreal Voyageurs, he won’t let anything jeopardize that—definitely not the sexy rival he loves to hate.

Boston Bears captain Ilya Rozanov is everything Shane’s not. The self-proclaimed king of the ice, he’s as cocky as he is talented. No one can beat him—except Shane. Publicly, they’re enemies. Privately, they can’t stop touching each other.

The smart thing to do? Walk away, once a few secret hookups turn into a struggle to keep their relationship out of the press. The truth could ruin them both. But for Shane and Ilya, secrecy is soon no longer an option…

REVIEW: ⟫ Like pretty much the rest of the world, I have been LOVING the Heated Rivalry series released on Crave. I had read ‘Game Changer’ but didn’t realise it was from the same story until episode three, which features Scott and Kip. This isn’t to review the series, but I can say that they were incredibly faithful to the story, including the intimate scenes and I really think everyone needs to see the way that this story has been portrayed – all kudos to the actors, directors, editors, etc because they did an amazing job.

After watching the first three episodes, I decided to read the rest of the series and I am so glad that I did. These men had me in such a chokehold, although my favourite character is Ilya, closely followed by Shane. The love stories are all focused around the world of hockey, but real life decisions get in the way of things, as well as bigotry, homophobia, and out of control competitiveness on some occasions.

I ‘hear’ the voices in the story from the actors, that is how well they embodied Rachel Reid’s creations, and I admit I am one of those who got a subscription to Quinn in order to listen to Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams narrating a MM story. I didn’t gel with every story but I am glad that I read all of them because of the fuller picture it gives. Add the series to your TBR, you really won’t regret it and I look forward to chatting about the books/TV series with you guys on Reddit!

Lust by Devon McCormack (Saints & Sinners Book #1)

Posted on by
Reply

TITLE: ⟫ Lust
AUTHOR: ⟫ Devon McCormack

SERIES: ⟫ Saints and Sinners Book #1
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ LUKE
 
I’ve never been attracted to guys.
I definitely would never be attracted to a privileged, cocky bastard like Brad Henning.
Even though I’ve only been at St. Lawrence University for a few weeks, this prick and his friends are on a mission to mess with me—a scholarship kid who I guess they don’t think belongs at a prestigious school intended for the nation’s elite.
I’ve always been a loner, so I’ve dealt with my share of bullies. But unlike the bullying I encountered when I was younger, Brad and his friends have some unusual tricks up their sleeves.
They’re using…
I don’t even want to name it, but it’s the only explanation for what’s happening.
Magic.
These guys have powers, and Brad is using his to make me want him.
No—not just want him. Lust after him like I’ve never lusted after anyone in my life.
The way I crave him sears to my core, causes physical pain until I have the only thing that brings relief—his touch.
But when I discover that whatever he’s done to me hurts him too, I realize there’s more to all this than Brad and his friends trying to mess up my life.
More to it than these feral urges that are, at times, more than I think I can bear.
I have to get to the bottom of this, but until I do, there’s only one way to end my agony.
I must surrender to the lust.
 
Content Warning: Lust is a steamy paranormal romance, but it contains content that some readers may find triggering, including a character grieving the loss of his parents and mentions of a character’s loved one who struggles with a chronic illness. The book also contains depictions of and discussions about bullying.

REVIEW: ⟫ This book had me a little confused in some respects. I was expecting a typical mm romance with some magic involved, and that is what I got but with more to it. I was really interested in just how Brad and the others stumbled into their powers and seeing it all through Lance’s eyes was nicely done. I struggled a little with the ‘lust’ aspect of things, especially with regard to things being consensual. I didn’t love all of the characters (I’m looking at you Seth) but overall it was a good read and I am looking forward to the next in the series which is due out soon.

Hide Nor Hare by Alice La Roux (Hunt Prey Love Book #7)

Posted on by
Reply

TITLE: ⟫ Hide Nor Hare
AUTHOR: ⟫ Alice La Roux

SERIES: ⟫ Hunt Prey Love Book #7
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Madoc

After dedicating years to tracking down infamous jewelry thief, The Ghost, my mother’s illness forces me to admit defeat.

Three years later, working as a PI, I’m hired to track down a missing young shifter who stole from his Warren and vanished.

I expect to find a runaway led astray. Instead, I discover a beautiful man living a suspiciously ordinary life.

We all have secrets, but the more I learn about Blue Aubin, the clearer everything becomes.

He’s my Fated Mate. He’s also the one who got away.

Blue

I’ve finally put roots down and built a life for myself. I have a job, friends, a home.

Away from the High Leap.
Away from The Warren.
Away from the people who use me like another tool in their quest for power.

Paying for my freedom in blood, sweat and tears, I can’t go back. I won’t.

There’s just one problem…No one escapes The Husk.

Join us for Heat, Prey, Love, an omegaverse collaboration where prey shifters take center stage with a whole lot of heat and love. We can’t wait for you to devour these stories.

REVIEW: ⟫ I should preface this by saying that I haven’t read any of the other books in this series, although that doesn’t seem to make any difference as I wasn’t confused by anything.

This is the second Alice La Roux book that I have read today (insomnia sucks) and although it was a ‘quick’ read, it was pretty engrossing and entertaining. There were some things I struggled with – I didn’t understand why Blue didn’t do a runner as soon as he found out about Madoc, although the sex was obviously out of this world! I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and way of telling a story and was able to immerse myself with no difficulty. I am off to see what else they have to offer!

Knot Mine by Alice La Roux (The Oakley Verse Book #1)

Posted on by
Reply

TITLE: ⟫ Knot Mine
AUTHOR: ⟫ Alice La Roux

SERIES: ⟫ The Oakley Verse Book #1
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Shiloh

All I want is to live my life quietly as a Beta, away from the judgement of society. But at Oakley University, being a wallflower is virtually impossible when your perfect Omega twin is the shining star of your cohort. She has it all, looks, brains and Zale Blackwood.

Blackwood is a typical Alpha jock in every way– from being a rising football star to the broad muscular body that looked like he could squash a watermelon between his thighs. I could use his red flags to sew a king size quilt.

And for some reason, the Alpha assh*le is suddenly everywhere I turn, pushing my buttons and testing my boundaries until I snap.

One night.
One mistake.
One taste of him has me craving the life I swore I didn’t want.
But there’s one thing I can’t let myself forget…he’s not mine.

Zale

Millie Vos is incredible. She’s brave, bold, beautiful…a perfect Omega.

Unlike Shiloh.

Her Beta twin is brash, stubborn and keeps everyone at an arm’s length, gnashing his teeth angrily at anyone who comes to close.

When birthday plans gone wrong have us trapped in a cabin alone during a storm, I learn there’s more to the prickly hedgehog than he lets on.

The scent of autumn leaves and toffee apples clings to me after a drunken mistake and I’m slapped in the face with a scandalous truth…

He smells like mine.

REVIEW: ⟫ This was absolutely fascinating from the perspective of twins – like, what makes one your fated-mate and what makes the other not! And this idea was played with well (although I did kinda guess). I enjoyed reading this but more than anything, I loved that Zale was allowed to be vulnerable with Shiloh when he fronted with everyone else. I also loved when Shiloh finally found his voice – I practically cheered! This was the first book I’ve read from this author but I am browsing her catalogue as we speak!

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

Posted on by
Reply

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.

Loren by Crea Reitan (Van Doren Book #1)

Posted on by
Reply

TITLE: ⟫ Loren
AUTHOR: ⟫ Crea Reitan

SERIES: ⟫ Van Doren Book #1
RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ I will kill to keep him.

Oakley

It’s a new start – brand new school in a completely different state. For the first time, I now have the freedom to be unapologetically me. But as my luck would have it, I have shit taste in men. The first man to pay me a compliment has so many red flags, I think I’m in a storm. Life can’t get any worse… until he turns into a stalker.

Then my stalker ends up brutally murdered, I walk blindly into a serial killer’s nest, and I catch the attention of a sociopath.

Loren

The moment I see Oakley walk into the cafe, I know he’s mine. I may be here to finish a job, but it’s impossible to concentrate on anything but him. My fascination quickly turns into an obsession, which might be fortunate for him because I think he’s trying to get himself killed.

Which is fine; I’ll protect him. It doesn’t matter how many lives I have to end to make Oakley mine.

REVIEW: ⟫ I know what to expect from Crea Reitan when it comes to those men who are utterly obsessed with their person, and Loren is definitely one of those men. For some reason, it didn’t really work for me in this story. I enjoyed the characters – Loren’s family, Oakley’s found family, the opportunity to find out how people from other stories were doing – but I had a disconnect and found that I just didn’t care enough about what was happening.

I couldn’t suspend disbelief long enough to believe that Loren’s behaviour was viewed as acceptable by Oakley’s friends; that the police were so incredibly inefficient; even, perhaps, that Loren’s family would up sticks and move like that when they were so concerned about his feelings for Oakley, especially as Loren was known for being quite unemotional.

I think that perhaps it was more the mood that I was in than the story, which is why I am going to read the next in the series and only really judge from there.

Broken Bond by J.L. Cross (Claimed in Blood Book #1)

Posted on by
1

TITLE: ⟫ Broken Bond
AUTHOR: ⟫ J.L. Cross

SERIES: ⟫ Claimed in Blood Book #1
RATING: ⟫ 1.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ I was rejected at the altar. Now the most dangerous mafia heir in the city claims I’m his.

Julian Vescari was supposed to vanish after being cast aside—Hollow, ruined, unworthy of love. Instead, fate delivers him into the arms of Enzo Romano, the brutal heir to the Romano crime family.

Enzo Romano doesn’t ask. He takes. He burns cities for loyalty, carves fear into his enemies, and when he learns Julian carries his heir, nothing will stop him from keeping what he claims. Not rival families. Not blood feuds. Not Julian’s desperate fear of chains disguised as devotion.

But in a world built on power, survival, and whispered betrayals, being bound to Enzo is both protection and prison. The dockside runs red with Veyra blood, secrets crawl in the marble halls of the Romano mansion, and Julian must decide. Is he Hollow still? Or is he strong enough to stand beside the wolf who claimed him?

🔥 Broken Bond is a dark, high-heat MM mafia omegaverse romance featuring:

  • A rejected mate turned reluctant heir-bearer
  • A ruthless mafia alpha who kills for devotion as much as power
  • Mpreg, protective possessiveness, family intrigue, and found strength in fire
  • Themes of survival, blood oaths, and a bond forged where enemies circle


For readers who love dark omegaverse, mafia dynasties, and broken omegas who rise fiercer than fate—this book will leave you breathless.

One Hollow.
One heir.
One bond that could burn a city to the ground.

👉 Start reading Broken Bond today and discover the dark omegaverse romance everyone’s talking about.

Content Warning: Broken Bond is a dark MM mafia romance featuring violence, abduction, explicit intimacy, power imbalance, and mpreg. This story includes mature themes and is intended for 18+ adult readers only.

REVIEW: ⟫ The premise grabbed me and I was ready for darkness, alphas and omegas and a mafia background. Unfortunately, this book didn’t live up to my expectations – I think I understand what they were trying to achieve with the style of writing – very spare and stark, although descriptive. Unfortunately, somewhere amidst all of that, the actual meat of the story got lost. Or maybe there just wasn’t any – everything was very surface, including the relationship between Julian and Enzo.

Having finished reading it, I still couldn’t tell if they even cared about each other, let alone found love. To a large extent, Julian being an omega didn’t even figure in the story – the fact that he was jilted at the altar meant that he was called a number of derogatory names and cast out, no longer fit for society, but there was no real explanation as to why. I just found myself with more questions than answers by the time I had finished reading, but I wasn’t interested enough to hope that the second book in the series might hold some answers. I can’t see me reading more by this author which is a shame because I really did love the idea.

Ice Dance Hockey by S Legend (Heartbreak Hockey Book #2)

Posted on by
1

TITLE: ⟫ Ice Dance Hockey
AUTHOR: ⟫ S Legend

SERIES: ⟫ Heartbreak Hockey Book #2
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ DRAMA. HOCKEY. ROMANCE. BATTLES ON AND OFF THE ICE.

“I thought this was going to be the story about how I lost Jack, but it’s not. It’s the story about how I found my way to you.”

Rhett

I’ve made the biggest mistake of my life and I can only hope it’s not too late for me to redeem myself. All my future plans included building a life with Jack, but now he’s playing house with some second-rate hockey coach he thinks he’s in love with.

I want him back, and when my father’s misguided effort backfires, the perfect solution skates right into my life.

Logan

When no one cared about me, my half-brother, Mercy, took me in, loving me as if we’d been siblings all our lives instead of just a couple of short weeks. He’s sunshine. I want to stay close to him, but I know it’s only a matter of time before I become a stain on his perfect life.

Speaking of sunshine, it would be a lot better for me if a certain ray of sunshine, Jack Leslie, were out of the picture. When the hockey God himself, Rhett, makes me a proposition, I know I can’t refuse, even if it means I’m going to hell for it.


Ice Dance Hockey is a fake boyfriend book, with lots of catastrophes, some angst, and much hijinks. We get to peek in on the lives of Jack and Mercy as Rhett and Logan stumble their way into a love they never knew could exist. Oh, and of course, it contains the caretaking dynamic Mock (S. Legend and Canadian) is known best for. It’s a verified member of the Hot Pink Peaches Club.

REVIEW: ⟫ Okay, after book one, I wasn’t prepared to actually like Rhett! I certainly wasn’t expecting him to find his absolutely perfect match in Logan. This book was even more insane than book one – we actually have a villain that nearly twirls his evil moustache! – but I adored the whole ride. We get more of Jack, Mercy and Stanley, as well as the Alderchucks (I can’t wait for Casey and Sutter) and this found family just continues to grow bigger and more impressive. An excellent addition to the series, touching on some delicate subjects without allowing them to sink the humour and insanity that is this series. Heartily recommend.

Breakneck Hockey by S Legend (Heartbreak Hockey Book #3)

Posted on by
1

TITLE: ⟫ Breakneck Hockey
AUTHOR: ⟫ S Legend

SERIES: ⟫ Heartbreak Hockey Book #3
RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ GRITTY. RAW. A LITTLE EDGIER THAN THE AVERAGE HOCKEY ROM-COM

I don’t want Casey Alderchuck, but I don’t want anyone else to have him either.

My hook-up for the night wasn’t supposed to be my long-time hockey rival, but here he is. I’m too worked up to let him go home without having a taste. One little bite of that smart mouth is mine for the taking after how many times he’s broken my nose.

How was I supposed to know that I’d crave Alderchuck with the desperation of a starved man?

I’m always one bad day from an explosion, but since I hooked up with Alderchuck, my body’s constantly on fire. I’m thinking about things I haven’t in a long time. He’s dredged years of buried torment to the surface.

The cure? Alderchuck. My poison is my cure. How poetic.

At least he can’t keep his hands off me and our burning hatred is mutual. The flavor’s gotta wear off at some point, and that’s when we’ll go our separate ways. Until then, I’ll come up with every way imaginable to wreck him from the inside out. Use him up till there’s nothing left.

But I’m nothing if not territorial and protective. My instincts decide that Casey Alderchuck is mine and they pull him closer. My damn heart’s a traitor, too, trying to break the locks I put around it to let him inside. But I can’t let it win. Loving people like I would love Casey means risking the fragile sanity I’ve worked so hard to preserve.

Breakneck Hockey is a rivals-to-lovers story with some hurt-comfort, along with other vibes, like; I Can Hurt Him but You Can’t, Major Jealousy, Just Because I Say I Don’t Want Him, Doesn’t Mean You Can Have Him, Possessiveness Galore, a Morally Gray MC and, as always in this series, Found Family.

REVIEW: ⟫ These two together are such a wrecking ball! Chaotic in a way not even Jack and Logan managed, Casey and Mitchell are a bundle of red flags nicely decorated with a bow and together, they are quite possibly the most toxic, codependent pair I’ve ever read. I loved it – all of it. The very things that made them so infuriating (lack of clear communication, etc) were also what made them so special. I especially loved the way that Sutter had to learn/figure out the ways in which Casey needed to be loved – the sense of achievement when he figured it out had me fist-pumping. As always, the sex is hot and frequent, and the hockey talk is entertaining. I loved the background cast of characters and was so satisfied with this read.

Favourite part? Sutter firing pucks at Casey – absolutely hysterical!

Forbidden Hockey by S Legend (Heartbreak Hockey Book #5)

Posted on by
1

TITLE: ⟫ Forbidden Hockey
AUTHOR: ⟫ S Legend

SERIES: ⟫ Heartbreak Hockey Book #5
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ GRITTY. RAW. A LITTLE EDGIER THAN THE AVERAGE HOCKEY ROM-COM

What do you do when a man takes your breath away? Literally?

Travis Nolan

I’m tarnished. Ex-con. Trailer trash. Rebel-rouser. I’ve spent years trying to be the kind of father my son deserves—don’t know if I’ll ever get there, but it’s my only path to redemption.

The last thing I need is a dangerous attraction to Dirk Boulder, one that’ll carve my name onto the Devil’s guest list. But when the man who once tore my son’s life apart resurfaces, I have to decide: kill the monster and betray the man I love, or walk away from vengeance and leave my son vulnerable.

Dirk Boulder

Hockey is life. I’ve had a great career in the AHL with the Kelowna Wildcats, and my found family—while a little over the top at times—is made of stuff money can’t buy. But something’s missing.

I’m used to having the wind knocked out of me on the ice, but nothing prepares me for falling for my best friend’s dad, Travis Nolan. Of flipping course. The only man I can’t have.

My older brother, the only real parent I’ve ever had, will never go for it. Betraying him after all he’s done for me seems like the greatest treason of my life.

Feral Soulmates
The rules were simple: live in denial, dance around our attraction, relieve the agonizing desire with innocent flirtations, and unending proximity. Never, never, touch each other.

But even the thought of the other with someone else? Yeah, that’s a big effing no. Was it jealousy that tipped the scales, or love with a gravitational pull so hard we were too human to resist?

Probably both.

We’re bruised, reckless, and beautifully ruined for anyone else.

REVIEW: ⟫ To some extent, this is much more grounded in reality. The main aspects of the story take part back ‘home’ with hockey in the background explaining absences. About there is where reality ends. We have had hints of Dirk and Travis throughout the previous stories in the series and I must admit, I was looking forward to their story. However, it was incredibly frustrating – these characters are all so enmeshed with each other, they are barely capable of independent thought.

When Travis and Dirk were together, they were quite explosive. I appreciated the fact that Travis challenged himself with his thinking – it would have been very easy for him and Dirk to fall into a Daddy-dom situation but that was definitely not the vibe. I loved how he could take Dirk away from all of the things that made him doubt himself and yet respected him as an adult. He struggled with it on occasion – not helped by the fact that they were hiding from not only Dash but Dirk’s brother, Hunter.

Maxwell is fascinating and I am looking forward to the story of him and Eddie. I did enjoy this story but it felt unnecessarily dragged out and that annoyed me. This is where the series ends (for now) but I will keep an eye out for the next book which is due next year and I am exploring S Legend’s back catalogue for addition to my TBR.